PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORP
10-12G, 1997-06-26
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      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 1997



                                     FORM 10

                   General Form for Registration of Securities
                       Pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
              -----------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                  Pennsylvania                           23-2217932
         -------------------------------             -------------------
         (State or other jurisdiction of              (I.R.S. Employer
          incorporation or organization)             Identification No.)


               The PMA Building
              380 Sentry Parkway
            Blue Bell, Pennsylvania                        19422-2328
   ----------------------------------------                ----------
   (Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (215) 665-5046

           Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b): None

        Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:


                 Class A Common Stock, par value $5.00 per share
                 -----------------------------------------------
                                (Title of Class)


<PAGE>



Introductory Note

         This Form 10 Registration Statement contains certain forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 and the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") that involve risks
and uncertainties. Such statements can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expect,"
"anticipate," "believe," "estimate" or "continue," or the negative thereof or
other variations thereon or comparable terminology. The Company's actual results
could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements
as a result of certain of the factors set forth elsewhere in this Registration
Statement, including, but not limited to "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in Item 2 of this
registration statement. The factors that could cause actual results to vary
materially include, but are not limited to, the following: changes in general
economic conditions, including the performance of financial markets and interest
rates; regulatory or tax changes, including changes in risk-based capital or
other regulatory standards that affect the ability of the Company to conduct its
business; competitive or regulatory changes that affect the cost of or demand
for the Company's products; the effect of changes in workers' compensation
statutes and the administration thereof; the Company's ability to predict and
effectively manage claims related to insurance and reinsurance policies;
reliance on key management; adequacy of claim liabilities; adequacy and
collectibility of reinsurance purchased by the Company; and natural disasters.
Investors should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking
statements.

Item 1. Business

Company Overview

         Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation (the "Company" or "PMC"),
headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, is a Pennsylvania insurance holding
company. The Company operates in two principal segments, property and casualty
primary insurance through Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association Insurance
Company ("PMAIC") and other affiliated insurance companies (the "Property and
Casualty Group"), featuring workers' compensation coverages and related
services, and property and casualty reinsurance through PMA Reinsurance
Corporation ("PMA Re"). The Property and Casualty Group writes workers'
compensation and certain other lines of commercial insurance primarily in nine
contiguous jurisdictions in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions, utilizing the
PMA Group trade name. The domestic insurance subsidiaries through which the
Property and Casualty Group writes its insurance products and who share results
through an intercompany pooling agreement are referred to herein as the "Pooled
Companies." PMA Re emphasizes risk-exposed, excess of loss reinsurance and
operates in the domestic brokered market. The Property and Casualty Group and
PMA Re are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "Insurance
Subsidiaries." A.M. Best & Company ("A.M. Best") has currently assigned an "A-
(Excellent)" rating to the Pooled Companies and an "A+ (Superior)" rating to PMA
Re. At December 31, 1996, the Company had total assets of $3.1 billion and
shareholders' equity of $425.8 million. Unless otherwise specified in this
registration statement, dollar amounts set forth herein with respect to the
Company are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP").

         After a period of rapid growth in the late 1980's, the Company's
consolidated total net premiums written declined from $705.8 million in 1991 to
$443.5 million in 1996. During this period, the market for the products written
by the Property and Casualty Group was very competitive. The Property and
Casualty Group restricted its premium volume, rather than write business at
rates that were not commensurate with the risks assumed, and introduced
loss-sensitive coverages and large-deductible programs, under which insureds pay
less premium but bear a greater portion of loss exposure. Beginning
in 1992, premiums written were also reduced as a result of the

                                       -1-

<PAGE>



Property and Casualty Group's re-underwriting of its book of business and,
commencing in 1993, rate reductions asociated with workers' compensation
benefit reform laws. Management believes that recent initiatives it has taken
and workers' compensation reforms enacted in recent years afford the Property
and Casualty Group an opportunity to increase its core business, workers'
compensation insurance, on terms acceptable to it. See "The Property and
Casualty Group -- Background and Recent Developments" below. Between 1992 and
1996, PMA Re's premium volume expanded as a result of the increased demand for
reinsurance in the markets in which PMA Re participates as well as trends
towards ceding companies restricting the number of reinsurers with which they
will do business. Those trends have facilitated PMA Re's increased participation
on reinsurance treaties with its existing clients, the writing of additional
layers and programs with existing clients, and to a lesser extent, the addition
of business from new ceding companies.

         The composition of the Company's statutory net premiums written for
1996 was as follows:

                             (dollar amounts in thousands)

                                            Net
                                          premiums
                                          written         % of total
                                          --------        ----------
Workers' compensation ............        $198,198           44.3%
Other commercial lines ...........          84,781           19.0%
                                          --------          ----- 

The Property and Casualty Group...         282,979           63.3%
PMA Re ...........................         164,053           36.7%
                                          --------          ----- 

     Total .......................        $447,032          100.0%
                                          ========          ===== 

         The Company is in the process of establishing a separate excess and
surplus lines company and has hired an experienced executive in the excess and
surplus lines business to be president of that company. Management anticipates
that the excess and surplus lines company will primarily write multi-line
business consisting of primary and excess commercial general liability,
professional liability, excess automobile and certain property exposures.

The Property and Casualty Group

         Background and Recent Developments

         The Property and Casualty Group provides workers' compensation
insurance, other commercial property and casualty insurance coverages, and
related services to entities located primarily in nine contiguous jurisdictions
in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions. As a result primarily of the Property
and Casualty Group's underwriting decisions, the introduction of loss-sensitive
coverages and large deductible programs, competition and the impact of workers'
compensation benefit reform laws, the Property and Casualty Group's statutory
net premiums written declined from $456.4 million in 1992 to $283.0 million in
1996.

         In 1996, the Property and Casualty Group strengthened its loss reserves
by $191.4 million. Of this amount, $110.0 million related to workers'
compensation, $60.4 million related to asbestos and environmental claims, and
$21.0 million related to other lines and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE"). The
adverse development arising from workers' compensation had reduced earnings by a
cumulative $251.6 million between 1992 and 1995. Such adverse development mainly
related to Pennsylvania workers' compensation business from accident years 1987
through 1991. As the claims data from these accident years

                                       -2-

<PAGE>



have matured, the impact of the disability and medical benefits available to
claimants before the passage of reform legislation in 1993 and 1996, coupled
with the economic conditions that had existed during the disability periods, has
become more apparent. As a result, the developed losses have exceeded
management's prior estimates. The reform legislation enacted in 1993 and 1996
has introduced various controls and limitations on disability and medical
benefits. Management believes that the reforms and more stringent underwriting
standards adopted since 1991 have had and continue to have a beneficial effect
on the Company's accident year loss ratios. The strengthening recorded for
asbestos and environmental claims is based upon a detailed loss analysis that
examined data on an account-by-account and site-by-site basis for asbestos, and
an actuarial calendar year loss development technique for environmental claims.
After strengthening the asbestos and environmental reserves, the Property and
Casualty Group's survival ratio is 8.8 years. See "Loss Reserves" below. The
impact of the loss reserve strengthening and restructuring charges taken for the
expense initiatives discussed below reduced the Pooled Companies' statutory
capital and surplus to $250.4 million at December 31, 1996.

         In late 1996, the Property and Casualty Group began a commutation
program designed to reduce the outstanding Pennsylvania workers' compensation
claims from accident years 1991 and prior. Commutations are agreements with
claimants whereby the claimants, in exchange for a lump sum payment, release
their rights to future indemnity payments from the Property and Casualty Group.
Under Pennsylvania law, all such commutation agreements must be approved by the
individual claimant and the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Board. The number
of open claims for accident years 1991 and prior are expected to decline as a
result of this program. Management believes that the commutation program should
reduce the possibility of further adverse development on accident year 1991 and
prior reserves, although there can be no assurance that the level of
commutations will have a significant impact on the future development of the
recorded reserves.

         In late 1996 and early 1997, the Property and Casualty Group initiated
several expense reduction programs. A voluntary early retirement program
("VERIP") was offered in December 1996. Of the 84 employees eligible to
participate in the VERIP program, 49 opted to participate. Additionally, the
Property and Casualty Group announced a plan to consolidate field operations,
which are presently conducted in seven full-service branch offices located in
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. After such
consolidation is completed, there will be three regional service centers located
in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Richmond, Virginia,
which will encompass staff underwriting functions, certain processing activities
and claims adjusting. The other offices will be converted into satellite offices
that will mainly have a marketing presence as well as line underwriting
functions. In conjunction with these expense initiatives, as well as the
write-off of certain accounts receivable, the Property and Casualty Group has
recorded $29.9 million of non-cash restructuring charges in 1996. See "Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."

         The Property and Casualty Group is presently renewing its emphasis on
its traditional core business, workers' compensation. Management believes that
it can capitalize on the recent regulatory reforms, attract additional business
based upon the Property and Casualty Group's expertise in workers' compensation
and reduce expenses, because acquisition costs are lower for workers'
compensation than other lines of commercial insurance. In Pennsylvania, the
Property and Casualty Group will seek to expand and retain more of its premium
base in territories which meet the Property and Casualty Group's underwriting
and actuarial criteria. Recent regulatory reforms in Pennsylvania (Acts 44 and
57) have made workers' compensation business more attractive from an
underwriting perspective than it had been in the early 1990's. The workers'
compensation system in certain other existing marketing territories
(specifically, North Carolina and Virginia) has also improved in recent years.
In addition, the Property and Casualty Group intends to expand into certain new
territories. In 1996, the Property and Casualty Group began writing

                                       -3-

<PAGE>



business in New York and South Carolina. In all new territories, the Property
and Casualty Group will undertake a target marketing effort by identifying
profiles of entities that it desires to insure. These profiles will be
communicated to the key producers in the territories. It is also contemplated
that the Property and Casualty Group will seek to expand its relationships with
larger national and regional brokerage operations in both its existing and new
territories. However, no assurance can be given that the Property and Casualty
Group will be able to accomplish the above marketing plan.

         The Property and Casualty Group intends to continue writing other lines
of property and casualty insurance, but generally only if such writings are
supported by its core workers' compensation business. Effective January 1, 1997,
the Property and Casualty Group has reduced its retention on commercial casualty
lines of business to $175,000 from $500,000.

         The Property and Casualty Group has established two internal run-off
operations to reinsure certain obligations associated with workers' compensation
claims for the years 1991 and prior of the Pooled Companies for statutory
accounting purposes. The results of the internal run-off operations are included
in the GAAP financial results of the Property and Casualty Group. See "PMA
Insurance, Cayman Ltd." and "MASCCO" below.

         Business Written

         The following table sets forth certain information on the Property and
Casualty Group's statutory net premiums written for the years indicated:

                                                Years Ended December 31,
                                              (dollar amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 1996              1995             1994              1993             1992
                                                 ----              ----             ----              ----             ----
<S>                                          <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>     
Workers' Compensation...................     $198,198          $236,742         $267,033          $342,184         $373,261
Commercial Auto.........................       35,224            39,834           38,984            48,108           49,065
Commercial Multi-Peril..................       35,108            40,659           31,123            27,306           20,805
General Liability & Umbrella............        8,204            11,370           12,691            16,788           12,799
Property & Other........................        6,245             8,511            3,320               324              420
                                             --------          --------         --------          --------         --------
     Total..............................     $282,979          $337,116         $353,151          $434,710         $456,350
                                             ========          ========         ========          ========         ========
</TABLE>

         Workers' Compensation Insurance

         Workers' compensation is a statutory system that requires employers to
provide workers' compensation benefits to their employees and their employees'
dependents for injuries and occupational diseases arising out of employment,
regardless of whether such injuries result from the employer's or the employee's
negligence. Employers may insure their workers' compensation obligations or,
subject to regulatory approval, self-insure such liabilities. State workers'
compensation statutes require that a policy cover three types of benefits:
medical expenses, disability (indemnity) benefits and death benefits. The
amounts of disability and death benefits payable for various types of claims are
established by statute, but no maximum dollar limitation exists for medical
benefits.

         Workers' compensation benefits vary among states, and insurance rates
are subject to differing forms of state regulation. Based upon direct written
premium information published by A.M. Best for the most recently available year
(1995), the Property and Casualty Group is the second largest private writer of
workers' compensation insurance in Pennsylvania and between the fourth and
twelfth largest writer of

                                       -4-

<PAGE>

workers' compensation insurance in the remaining named jurisdictions listed in
the table below. The Property and Casualty Group has focused on these
jurisdictions based upon its knowledge of their workers' compensation systems
and the Property and Casualty Group's assessment of their business, economic and
regulatory climates. Rate adequacy, regulatory climate, economic conditions and
other factors in each state are closely monitored and taken into consideration
in the underwriting process. Management intends to employ similar analyses in
determining whether and to what extent the Property and Casualty Group will sell
its products in additional jurisdictions. See "Underwriting" below. The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to the statutory
direct workers' compensation business written by jurisdiction for the years
indicated:

                            Years Ended December 31,
                          (dollar amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                           1996                1995                1994                 1993                1992
                                           ----                ----                ----                 ----                ----
<S>                                    <C>                 <C>                 <C>                  <C>                 <C>     
Pennsylvania...................        $134,171            $142,234            $169,448             $224,067            $230,504
New Jersey.....................          17,995              24,388              31,287               47,745              55,132
Virginia.......................          17,449              26,395              29,938               31,545              28,112
Maryland.......................          11,406              17,993              14,391               15,318              19,878
North Carolina.................           8,195              14,035              11,649               21,216              22,313
Delaware.......................           7,545               5,763               4,831                4,274               3,481
Other..........................           5,403               7,889               4,864                7,165               8,830
                                       --------            --------            --------             --------            --------
Total..........................        $202,164            $238,697            $266,408             $351,330            $368,250
                                       ========            ========            ========             ========            ========
</TABLE>


         Management of the Property and Casualty Group believes that conditions
in the workers' compensation market have been improving in the last several
years. In addition, several states, including Pennsylvania, have enacted reforms
to the workers' compensation benefit system.

         In 1993, Pennsylvania enacted Act 44, which introduced medical cost
containment measures to the workers' compensation benefit system and expanded
the period of time during which the insurer may require an employee to accept
medical treatment from the employer's list of designated health care providers.
The law also reduced the minimum wage replacement benefit to injured workers,
introduced a credit for unemployment compensation benefits, restored the right
of subrogation against tort recoveries in work- related automobile accidents and
created new anti-fraud measures. In June 1996, Pennsylvania enacted Act 57,
which further reformed the workers' compensation system in the state. Among its
provisions, Act 57: (i) imposes application of American Medical Association
Impairment Guidelines for the assessment of permanent and total claims after the
first two years of total disability compensation payments and limits indemnity
benefits to an additional 500 weeks for workers who are not at least 50%
disabled (as measured by those guidelines); (ii) contains certain Social
Security and pension benefit offsets; (iii) further increases the time frame for
directed medical treatment; (iv) addresses certain inequities in the average
weekly wage calculation; and (v) increases the ability of employers to
demonstrate that injured workers have earning capacity.

         To date, Act 44 has had a favorable impact on medical loss costs in
Pennsylvania and Act 57 is expected to have a positive impact on indemnity loss
costs. In recognition of these developments, in the respective first years
following the enactment of Act 44 and Act 57, the average manual rate level in
Pennsylvania decreased approximately 10% in 1994 and approximately 25% in 1997.
The benefit reforms, management's re-underwriting of the Property and Casualty
Group's book of business and the use of loss-sensitive and alternative market
products have had a favorable impact on the Property and Casualty Group's
accident year loss ratios, which have declined as follows:


                                       -5-

<PAGE>



         Accident                   Estimated Undiscounted
           Year                         Pure Loss Ratio
           ----                         ---------------
           1990                              100%
           1991                               86%
           1992                               80%
           1993                               64%
           1994                               64%
           1995                               63%
           1996                               63%


         Workers' Compensation Products

         The Property and Casualty Group offers a variety of workers'
compensation products to its customers. Certain of these products are based on
rates filed and approved by state insurance departments ("rate-sensitive
products"), while others are priced to a certain extent on the basis of the
insured's own loss experience ("loss-sensitive products"). In the last five
years, the Property and Casualty Group has also developed and sold large
deductible products and other programs and services to customers who agree to
assume an even greater exposure to loss than under more traditional
loss-sensitive products ("alternative market products"). The Property and
Casualty Group decides which type of product to offer a customer based upon the
customer's needs and the underwriting review. See "Underwriting" below. Set
forth below is percentage information on the voluntary workers' compensation
direct premiums written by product type for the policy years indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                      1996        1995        1994        1993       1992        1991        1990        1989
                                      ----        ----        ----        ----       ----        ----        ----        ----
<S>                                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Rate-sensitive products .......        57%         52%         50%         54%         53%         54%         60%         73%
Loss-sensitive products .......        30%         34%         39%         40%         46%         46%         40%         27%
Alternative market products ...        13%         14%         11%          6%          1%          0%          0%          0%
                                      ---         ---         ---         ---         ---         ---         ---         --- 
    Total .....................       100%        100%        100%        100%        100%        100%        100%        100%
                                      ===         ===         ===         ===         ===         ===         ===         === 
</TABLE>


         Rate-Sensitive Workers' Compensation Products

         Rate-sensitive products include fixed-cost policies and dividend paying
policies. The premium charged on a fixed-cost policy is based upon the manual
rates filed with and approved by the state insurance department and does not
increase or decrease based upon the losses incurred during the policy period.
Under policies that are subject to dividend plans, the customer may receive a
dividend based upon loss experience during the policy period. Since the late
1980s, the Property and Casualty Group has reduced its proportion of
rate-sensitive products from over 70% to approximately 57%. With the enactment
of regulatory reform in several jurisdictions in the Property and Casualty
Group's marketing territory, the Property and Casualty Group is more interested
in this type of business and may write more rate-sensitive accounts in such
jurisdictions in the future.

         Loss-Sensitive Workers' Compensation Products

         The Property and Casualty Group's loss-sensitive products adjust the
amount of the insured's premiums after the policy period expires based upon the
insured's actual losses incurred during the policy period. These loss-sensitive
products are generally subject to less price regulation than rate-sensitive
products and reduce, but do not eliminate, risk to the insurer. Under these
types of policies, claims professionals and actuaries periodically evaluate the
reserves on losses after the policy period expires to

                                       -6-

<PAGE>


determine whether additional premiums or refunds are owed under the policy. Such
policies are typically open for adjustments for an average of five years after
policy expiration. The Property and Casualty Group generally restricts such
loss-sensitive products to accounts developing annual minimum premiums in excess
of $100,000.

         Alternative Market Workers' Compensation Products

         Since 1992, the Property and Casualty Group has developed a variety of
alternative market products for larger accounts, including large deductible
policies and off-shore captive programs. Typically, the Property and Casualty
Group receives a lower up-front premium for these types of alternative market
product plans. However, under this type of business, the insured retains a
greater share of the underwriting risk than under rate-sensitive or
loss-sensitive products, which reduces the potential for unfavorable claim
activity on the accounts and encourages loss control on the part of the insured.
For example, under a large deductible policy, the customer is responsible for
paying its own losses up to the amount of the deductible for each occurrence.
The deductibles under such policies generally range from $250,000 to $1.0
million.

         Workers' Compensation Residual Market Business

         Workers' compensation insurers doing business in certain states are
required to provide insurance for risks which are not otherwise written on a
voluntary basis by the private market ("residual market business"). This system
exists in all of the Property and Casualty Group's current marketing
jurisdictions, except Pennsylvania and Maryland. In these two states, separate
governmental entities write all of the workers' compensation residual market
business. In 1996, the Property and Casualty Group wrote $8.3 million of
residual market business, which constituted approximately 4% of its voluntary
net workers' compensation premiums written. Based upon data for policy year 1996
reported by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, the percentage for
the industry as a whole was 16%.

         Commercial Lines

         The Property and Casualty Group writes property and liability coverages
for larger and middle market accounts which satisfy its underwriting standards.
See "Underwriting" below. These coverages feature package, umbrella and
commercial automobile business. During the present soft market, prices for
commercial coverages have been particularly competitive. The Property and
Casualty Group intends to continue offering these products, but generally only
if they support the core workers' compensation business. In addition, effective
January 1, 1997, the Property and Casualty Group has reduced its retention on
commercial casualty lines of business to $175,000 from $500,000. See "The
Company's Reinsurance Ceded" below.

         Home Office and Field Operations

         As of March 31, 1997, 234 employees worked in the home office located
in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and 628 employees were assigned to field offices
located throughout the Property and Casualty Group's marketing territory.

         Senior executives, financial operations, management information
systems, human resources, actuarial services and long-range planning teams are
headquartered in the home office. The definition of overall underwriting
standards and major account and alternative market underwriting support also
take place in the home office. The home office works in conjunction with senior
managers from the field to establish

                                       -7-

<PAGE>

the Property and Casualty Group's business plan and underwriting standards,
which are then implemented by the field organization.

         The field organization currently consists of three branch offices in
the major marketing areas in Pennsylvania and branch offices in each of
Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and North Carolina as well as smaller satellite
offices in Ohio and New York. The branch offices deliver a full range of
services directly to customers located in their service territory, and the
satellite offices offer primarily underwriting and claim adjustment services.
The Property and Casualty Group is in the process of reorganizing the field
office functions. The seven branch offices will be consolidated into three
regional service centers located in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania and Richmond, Virginia, which will encompass staff underwriting
functions, certain processing activities, and claims adjusting. The other
offices will be converted into satellite offices.

         Distribution

         The Property and Casualty Group distributes its products through
approximately 20 employees and approximately 240 independent brokers and agents.
The employees are generally responsible for certain business located in
Pennsylvania. For the year ended December 31, 1996, these employees produced
$51.6 million in direct premiums written, constituting 17% of the Property and
Casualty Group's direct business. The brokers and agents write business
throughout the marketing territory. In 1996, the top ten brokers and agents
accounted for 20% of the Property and Casualty Group's business, the largest of
which accounted for not more than 4% of its business. All brokers and agents are
required to submit business to the Property and Casualty Group's underwriting
process before business may be accepted.

         During the last several years, the Property and Casualty Group has
analyzed the business produced by the brokers and agents. Based upon this
review, the Property and Casualty Group reduced the broker and agent force from
approximately 370 in 1989 to approximately 240 currently. The Property and
Casualty Group monitors several statistics with respect to its producer force,
including the number of years the producer has been associated with the Property
and Casualty Group, the percentage of the producer's business that is
underwritten by the Property and Casualty Group, the ranking of the Property and
Casualty Group within the producer's business, and the profitability of the
producer's business. The relationships with former brokers and agents were
terminated for a variety of reasons, including lack of profitability of a
terminated producer's book of business, absence of the types of accounts that
the Property and Casualty Group wants to write and lack of commitment by the
producer to the Property and Casualty Group's customer service program. The
current distribution network generally consists of large regional brokers that
specialize in larger to middle market accounts that require the variety of
workers' compensation, commercial lines and alternative market products offered
by the Property and Casualty Group.

         Underwriting

         Home office underwriters, in consultation with casualty actuaries,
determine the general types of business to be written using a number of
criteria, including past performance, relative exposure to hazard, premium size,
type of business and other indicators of potential loss. The home office
underwriting team also establishes classes of business that the Property and
Casualty Group generally will not write, such as most coastal property
exposures, certain hazardous products and activities and certain environmental
coverages. The home office establishes the overall business goals and the
underwriting authority for each branch office. It also identifies specific types
of business that must be referred to home office underwriting specialists and
actuaries for individual pricing, including large accounts over a specified
dollar limit and alternative market workers' compensation products. Underwriters
and risk-control professionals in the field

                                       -8-

<PAGE>



work as a team with the marketing force to identify business that meets
prescribed underwriting standards and to develop specific strategies to write
the desired business. In performing this assessment, the field office
professionals also consult with actuaries who have been assigned to the specific
field office regarding loss trends and pricing and utilize actuarial loss rating
models to assess the projected underwriting results of accounts.

         The Property and Casualty Group also employs credit analysts. These
employees review the financial strength and stability of customers whose
business is written on loss-sensitive and alternative market products and
specify the type and amount of collateral that customers must provide under
these arrangements.

         Rehabilitation and Managed Care

         The Property and Casualty Group uses a variety of managed care
techniques to reduce costs and losses. Disability management coordinators and
point-of-service case managers, all of whom are registered nurses, work together
with claims professionals to provide expeditious medical and disability
management to injured workers and to investigate injuries. The case managers and
professionals also help employers identify opportunities that allow injured
employees to make a gradual transition to full-time, full-duty jobs. The
Property and Casualty Group also has contracts with preferred provider networks
consisting of medical practitioners selected for their expertise in treating
injured workers. Specialties include occupational medicine, physical medicine,
orthopedics and neurology. There are also preferred pharmacy networks to reduce
the cost of medication. Finally, an automated program is used to check medical
bills for accuracy, duplication, unrelated charges and overcharges. Questionable
bills are forwarded to the Cost Containment Unit, which is staffed by registered
nurses and resolves disputed or suspect charges.

         Claims Administration

         Claims services are delivered to customers primarily through employees
in the field offices. Certain specialized matters, such as asbestos and
environmental claims, are referred to a special unit in the home office. The
Property and Casualty Group also employs in-house attorneys who represent
customers in workers' compensation cases and other insurance matters.

         The Property and Casualty Group has a separate formal anti-fraud unit.
The anti-fraud unit investigates suspected false claims and other irregularities
and cooperates with regulatory and law enforcement officials in prosecuting
violators.

         PMA Management Corp.

         PMA Management Corp. offers claims, risk management and related
services primarily to self-insureds on an unbundled basis. In addition, PMA
Management Corp. offers and administers rent-a-captive programs written through
offshore insurance subsidiaries of the Company.

         Chestnut Insurance Company, Limited

         Chestnut Insurance Company, Limited ("Chestnut") is a Bermuda insurance
company that was formed in 1982 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
From 1992 to 1995, the Pooled Companies entered into aggregate excess
reinsurance arrangements with Chestnut that reduced the statutory discount on
loss reserves for the Pooled Companies. Chestnut is included in the Property and
Casualty Group's GAAP results.

                                       -9-

<PAGE>


         Effective as of December 31, 1996, PMA Insurance, Cayman Ltd. assumed
all of Chestnut's liabilities, and $314.5 million of cash and other assets were
transferred from Chestnut to PMA Insurance, Cayman Ltd. Chestnut is currently an
inactive company.

         PMA Insurance, Cayman Ltd.

         PMA Insurance, Cayman Ltd. ("PMA Cayman"), a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Company, was incorporated in Grand Cayman, and had no material operations
until 1996. Following the assumption of the business formerly written by
Chestnut, as well as reserves under a stop-loss reinsurance agreement with the
Pooled Companies, PMA Cayman has $335.4 million in total assets and $334.4
million in total reserves at year end 1996. Substantially all of PMA Cayman's
assets are held in trust for the benefit of the Pooled Companies. PMA Cayman is
included in the Property and Casualty Group's GAAP results.

         Mid-Atlantic States Casualty Company

         Mid-Atlantic States Casualty Company ("MASCCO") is a Pennsylvania
insurance company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Prior to 1997,
MASCCO was a party to a pooling agreement with the Pooled Companies. Effective
December 31, 1996, and with the approval of the Pennsylvania Insurance
Commissioner (the "Commissioner"), MASCCO withdrew from the pool and ceased
writing any new business. The Pooled Companies also ceded to MASCCO the
indemnity portion of Pennsylvania workers' compensation claims for accident
years 1991 and prior. Pursuant to this agreement, the Pooled Companies
transferred to MASCCO $131.3 million of loss reserves for known claims for death
or permanent injury, which reserves were supported by $131.3 million of
investment grade United States Government and corporate obligations.
Additionally, an $11.0 million capital contribution was made to MASCCO.
MASCCO is included in the Property and Casualty Group's GAAP results.

         Pursuant to a surplus maintenance agreement between PMC and the
Commissioner, MASCCO is required to discount its reserves at no more than 5%,
maintain a maximum reserve to surplus ratio of 8:1 and continue to invest its
assets only in investment grade securities.

PMA Re

         Background

         PMA Re is primarily a treaty reinsurer of domestic property and
casualty business that operates in the brokered market. The Reinsurance
Association of America (the "RAA") reported that as of December 31, 1996, PMA Re
was the seventeenth largest professional reinsurer in the brokered market and
the twenty- third largest professional reinsurer in the United States market
based upon statutory capital and surplus.

         In the five-year period ended December 31, 1996, PMA Re has expanded
its premium base without changing its underwriting standards. From 1992 to 1996,
PMA Re reported premium volume growth which exceeded that of the overall
reinsurance industry. During such period, PMA Re's net premiums written have
increased 71.4%, while it is estimated that the reinsurance industry grew 54.6%
in the same period based upon information published by the RAA. Management
believes that the expansion of PMA Re's premium base has been attributable to
several factors. First, PMA Re's volume has been impacted by industry trends
that have tended to increase the demand for reinsurance. Specifically, much of
the growth that has occurred in the primary insurance market in recent years has
been attributable to regional and niche companies. Typically, these companies
demand more reinsurance than their larger counterparts. Second, there has been
growth in primary industry segments in which PMA Re specializes, such as excess
and surplus lines. Third,

                                      -10-

<PAGE>



management believes that PMA Re has benefited from the greater selectivity by
ceding companies which have restricted the number of reinsurers with which they
will transact business.

         PMA Re's premium volume increases have largely taken the form of
increased participation levels on clients' existing programs, as well as writing
of additional layers and programs with current clients. To a lesser extent,
volume growth has been attributable to business written with new ceding company
clients.

         Reinsurance Products

         The following table indicates PMA Re's gross and net premiums written
by major category of business:

                          (dollar amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             1996           1995            1994            1993            1992
                                                             ----           ----            ----            ----            ----
<S>                                                <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>          
Gross Premiums Written (1)
         Property................................  $       63,325  $      63,693   $      36,592   $      28,217   $      20,477
         Casualty................................         143,991        128,736         107,001          94,482          93,965
         Other Lines.............................             842            (63)            837           1,854           1,118
                                                   --------------  -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
         Total...................................  $      208,158  $     192,366   $     144,430   $     124,553   $     115,560
                                                   ==============  =============   =============   =============   =============

Net Premiums Written (2)
         Property................................  $       41,240  $      45,440   $      23,929   $      18,407   $      10,676
         Casualty................................         122,008        107,382          88,585          82,016          83,894
         Other Lines.............................             805            (62)            837           1,854           1,118
                                                   --------------  -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
         Total...................................  $      164,053  $     152,760   $     113,351   $     102,277   $      95,688
                                                   ==============  =============   =============   =============   =============
</TABLE>

- - - -----------------------

(1)      In 1996, gross premiums written include $3.5 million of facultative
         reinsurance, comprised of the following: property, $1.1 million;
         casualty, $2.3 million; and other lines, $0.1 million.

(2)      In 1996, net premiums written include $1.1 million of facultative
         reinsurance, broken down as follows: property, $0.5 million; casualty,
         $0.6 million; and other lines, less than $0.1 million.

         Casualty Business

         In terms of net premiums written, casualty business has increased at a
compound annual growth rate of 9.1% in the five-year period ended December 31,
1996, and casualty business accounted for 74.4% of net premiums written in 1996.
The following table indicates the mix of casualty business by class on the basis
of net premiums written:


                                      -11-

<PAGE>



                          (dollar amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1996           1995            1994            1993            1992
                                                             ----           ----            ----            ----            ----
<S>                                                <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>          
Other Liability..................................  $       97,755  $      87,938   $      71,477   $      59,049   $      60,275
Auto Liability...................................          17,608         13,032          10,134          12,616          11,439
Workers' Compensation............................           6,645          6,412           6,974          10,351          12,180
                                                   --------------  -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
    Total........................................  $      122,008  $     107,382   $      88,585   $      82,016   $      83,894
                                                   ==============  =============   =============   =============   =============
</TABLE>


         Due to the competitive conditions in the casualty market, management
has maintained a relatively conservative growth posture for casualty business in
the five-year period. PMA Re has generally focused on other liability coverages
(which include general liability, products liability, professional liability and
other more specialized liability coverages), while maintaining a relatively
stable level of auto liability premiums, and de-emphasizing workers'
compensation coverages. In 1994, the growth in other liability was mainly
attributable to excess and umbrella business, as PMA Re added several
significant programs. In 1995 and 1996, PMA Re began to decrease the amount of
its excess and umbrella business, as rates and terms for this type of business
were no longer as attractive as they had been. Much of the growth in 1995 and
1996 related to the expansion and addition of several programs covering
specialty business (which includes professional liability, directors' and
officers' liability, environmental impairment liability, employment practices
liability and other miscellaneous specialized coverages). Such specialty
business now accounts for approximately 38% of in force casualty treaty
business.

         Property Business

         Property business has increased at a compound annual growth rate of
30.4% in the five-year period ended December 31, 1996, and accounted for 25.1%
of net premiums written in 1996. Much of PMA Re's growth in property business
occurred in 1995 and 1994, with increases in net premiums written of 89.9% and
30.0%, respectively. Such growth was attributable to the expansion of several
programs covering auto physical damage, inland marine risks and certain
specialty property coverages written on a surplus lines basis. PMA Re's net
property writings declined in 1996 by 9.2% as a result of PMA Re's purchase of
more retrocessional protection and increased ceding company retentions for
certain coverages.

         PMA Re has generally de-emphasized catastrophe coverages. As of
December 31, 1996, catastrophe business accounted for approximately 6.8% of
property premiums in force. Typically, PMA Re requires that property programs
contain per occurrence limits and/or have limited catastrophe exposure due to
the location of the insured values or the nature of the underlying exposures. As
of January 1, 1997, PMA Re maintained catastrophe retrocessional protection of
$46.0 million excess of $2.0 million. Management believes that its catastrophe
retrocessional coverage is adequate to protect PMA Re against its probable
maximum loss from a significant catastrophe. See "Underwriting" and "The
Company's Reinsurance Ceded" below.

         Facultative Reinsurance

         In November 1995, PMA Re commenced writing facultative reinsurance.
Although the amount of net premiums written from facultative business has been
relatively insignificant through 1996, it is anticipated that facultative
reinsurance will be a source of premium growth in the future. PMA Re will offer
facultative products as a complement to existing treaty business, as well as
offering such products to companies with whom PMA Re does not presently have a
relationship. The products offered include

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

traditional facultative certificates and automatic or semi-automatic programs
for both property and casualty exposures.

         Marketing

         PMA Re operates primarily through the domestic brokered reinsurance
market in which it has developed relationships with major reinsurance brokers
enabling it to gain access to a wide range of ceding companies with varying
reinsurance and related service needs. PMA Re's brokers that accounted for more
than 10% of the gross premiums in force as of December 31, 1996 were as follows:

                          (dollar amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Broker                                       Gross Premiums in Force          Percentage of Total
- - - ------                                       -----------------------          -------------------
<S>                                                <C>                               <C>  
Aon Reinsurance........................            $50,501                           22.7%
E. W. Blanch...........................             42,714                           19.2%
Guy Carpenter & Company................             34,942                           15.7%
Sedgwick Re............................             22,731                           10.2%
</TABLE>
                                                                  

         The above brokers are among the largest brokers in the reinsurance
industry.

         Beginning in 1996, PMA Re began a target marketing program designed to
identify companies in the smaller and medium company segments with whom PMA Re
presently has either no or an insignificant relationship, but meet desired risk
profiles. After such identification, marketing and underwriting personnel work
with the ceding company's broker to enable PMA Re to have an opportunity to
participate in the reinsurance coverage.

         As of December 31, 1996, PMA Re had 157 unaffiliated clients, with no
individual client accounting for more than 8% of gross premiums in force.

         Underwriting

         PMA Re's underwriting process has two principal aspects: underwriting
the specific program to be reinsured and underwriting the ceding company.
Underwriting the specific program to be reinsured involves, in addition to
pricing, a review of the type of program, the total risk and the ceding
company's policy forms. Underwriting the ceding company involves an evaluation
of the expected future performance of the ceding company through an examination
of that company's management, financial strength, claims handling and
underwriting abilities. PMA Re generally conducts underwriting and claim reviews
at the offices of prospective ceding companies before entering into a major
treaty, as well as throughout the life of the reinsurance contract.

         In underwriting excess-of-loss business, PMA Re has typically sought to
write treaties that are exposed to loss on a per occurrence basis within the
original policy limits of the ceding company. Management believes these layers
in general lend themselves more effectively to actuarial pricing techniques.

         PMA Re's underwriters and actuaries work closely together to evaluate
the particular reinsurance program. Using the information provided by the
broker, the actuaries employ pricing models to estimate the ultimate exposure to
the treaty. The pricing models that are utilized employ various experience
rating and exposure rating techniques and are tailored in each case to the risk
exposures underlying each treaty. The

                                      -13-

<PAGE>



underwriters then weigh the results of the pricing models with the terms and
conditions being offered to determine PMA Re's selected price.

         As noted above, PMA Re typically requires occurrence limits for
property coverages and requires that the underlying insured values not be
catastrophe exposed. Also, PMA Re does not emphasize catastrophe reinsurance
coverages and has historically maintained sufficient retrocessional protection.
Recent natural catastrophes did not have a significant adverse impact on PMA
Re's combined ratio and earnings inasmuch as PMA Re has not focused on assuming
catastrophe reinsurance business or catastrophe-exposed coverages and it has
had sufficient retrocessional arrangements.

         The following table indicates PMA Re's gross, ceded and net losses from
recent catastrophes as of December 31, 1996:

                          (dollar amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                Insured             PMA Re              PMA Re            PMA Re
Catastrophe                             Year                    Loss(1)         Gross Loss          Ceded Loss          Net Loss
- - - -----------                             ----                    -------         ----------          ----------          --------
<S>                                     <C>                <C>                    <C>                 <C>                <C>    
Hurricane Hugo........................  1989               $  4,200,000           $ 13,200            $ 11,400           $ 1,800
San Francisco Earthquake..............  1989                  1,000,000              2,300               1,000             1,300
Oakland Fires.........................  1991                  1,700,000              2,700               1,400             1,300
Hurricane Andrew......................  1992                 15,500,000             22,800              20,700             2,100
Hurricane Iniki.......................  1992                  1,600,000              4,100               2,900             1,200
Northridge, CA Earthquake.............  1994                 12,500,000             17,600              11,700             5,900
Hurricane Fran........................  1996                  1,500,000              1,300                 900               400
</TABLE>
- - - ------------------
(1)  Source: Property Claims Services.

         PMA Re has no significant obligations to its reinsurers as a result of
the above catastrophes.


                                      -14-

<PAGE>

         Claims Administration

         PMA Re's claims department evaluates loss exposures, establishes
individual claim reserves, pays claims, provides claims-related services to PMA
Re's clients, audits the claims activities of current clients and assists in the
underwriting process by evaluating the claims departments of prospective
clients. PMA Re's claims department's evaluation of loss exposure includes
reviewing loss reports received from ceding companies to confirm that claims are
covered under the terms of the relevant reinsurance contract, establishing
reserves on an individual case basis and monitoring the adequacy of those
reserves. The claims department monitors the progress and ultimate outcome of
the claims to determine that subrogation, salvage and other cost recovery
opportunities have been adequately explored. The claims department performs
these functions in coordination with PMA Re's actuarial and underwriting
departments.

         In addition to evaluating and adjusting claims, the claims department
conducts claims audits at the offices of prospective ceding companies.
Satisfactory audit results are required in order for reinsurance coverage to be
written by PMA Re. Also, the claims department conducts annual claims audits for
many current and former client ceding companies.

The Company's Reinsurance Ceded

         The Company follows the customary insurance practice of reinsuring with
other insurance companies a portion of the risks under the policies written by
the Insurance Subsidiaries. This reinsurance is maintained to protect the
Insurance Subsidiaries against the severity of losses on individual claims and
unusually serious occurrences in which a number of claims produce an aggregate
extraordinary loss. Although reinsurance does not discharge the Insurance
Subsidiaries from their primary maximum liabilities to their policyholders for
the full amount of the losses insured under the insurance policies, it does make
the assuming reinsurer liable to the Insurance Subsidiaries for the reinsured
portion of the risk.

         The Insurance Subsidiaries' reinsurance ceded agreements generally may
be terminated at their annual anniversary by either party upon 30 to 90 days'
notice. In general, the reinsurance agreements are of the treaty variety, which
cover all underwritten risks of the types specified in the treaties. Presently,
the Property and Casualty Group carries excess-of-loss per occurrence
reinsurance for: $103.5 million over a net retention of $1.5 million on workers'
compensation and $49.5 million over a net retention of $175,000 on other
casualty lines; $2.0 million per occurrence on automobile physical damage and
$19.5 million per risk ($28.5 million per occurrence) on property claims over
its combined net retention of $500,000. A property catastrophe program with a
per occurrence limit of $15.0 million in excess of an $850,000 retention is
maintained to provide protection for multiple property losses involved in one
occurrence. The Property and Casualty Group also maintains reinsurance
protection for its umbrella risks at $9.5 million over a net retention of
$500,000 and purchases facultative reinsurance for certain other risks.

         PMA Re has its own ceded reinsurance program. The maximum gross lines
that PMA Re will write are $2.0 million for property covers and $7.5 million for
casualty covers. Net retentions on any one claim are $500,000 for property
covers and $1.5 million for casualty covers.

         PMA Re maintains property catastrophe retrocession programs in an
aggregate amount of $46.0 million in excess of $2.0 million for multiple claims
arising from two or more risks in a single occurrence or event.

         PMA Re also maintains casualty retrocession programs. PMA Re has a
casualty retrocession contract, written on a funds withheld basis, which covers
individual casualty losses and provides low-layer

                                      -15-

<PAGE>



clash protection. For individual losses, the contract covers $6.0 million in
excess of $1.5 million on a per occurrence basis. The contract has clash limits
for losses arising from two or more risks of $1.25 million in excess of $1.5
million. The term of the contract is three years, and the term aggregate limit
is $25.0 million plus the amount of funds withheld.

         In addition to the above programs, PMA Re maintains casualty clash
protection of $12.5 million in excess of $2.75 million per occurrence and a
workers' compensation retrocession program with limits of $53.0 million in
excess of $2.0 million per occurrence.

         Also, PMA Re maintains aggregate protection up to $22.3 million in
excess of $190.0 million for the current accident year.

         The Company performs extensive credit reviews on its reinsurers,
focusing on, among other things, financial capacity, stability, trends, and
commitment to the reinsurance business. Prospective and existing reinsurers
failing to meet the Company's standards are excluded from the Company's
reinsurance programs. In addition, the Company requires letters of credit to
support balances due from reinsurers not authorized to transact business in
Pennsylvania.

Loss Reserves

         In many cases significant periods of time, ranging up to several years
or more, may elapse between the occurrence of an insured loss, the reporting of
the loss to the insurer and the insurer's payment of that loss. Liabilities for
reinsurers generally become known more slowly than for primary insurers and are
generally subject to more unforeseen development.

         To recognize liabilities for unpaid losses, insurers establish
reserves, which are balance sheet liabilities representing estimates of future
amounts needed to pay claims with respect to insured events which have occurred,
including events that have not been reported to the insurer. Reserves are also
established for LAE representing the estimated expenses of settling claims,
including legal and other fees, and general expenses of administering the claims
adjustment process.

         When a claim is reported, claims personnel establish a case reserve for
the estimated amount of the ultimate payment. The estimate reflects the informed
judgment of such personnel, based on general corporate reserving practices and
the experience and knowledge of such personnel regarding the nature and value of
the specific type of claim. Reserves are also established on an aggregate basis
to provide for losses incurred but not yet reported to the insurer, for the
overall adequacy of case reserves and the estimated expenses of settling claims.
Such reserves are estimated using various generally accepted actuarial
techniques.

         As part of the reserving process, historical data is reviewed and
consideration is given to the anticipated impact of various factors such as
legal developments, changes in social attitudes and economic conditions,
including the effects of inflation. This process relies on the basic assumption
that past experience, adjusted for the effect of current developments and likely
trends, is an appropriate basis for predicting future events. The reserving
process provides implicit recognition of the impact of inflation and other
factors affecting claims payments by taking into account changes in historic
payment patterns and perceived probable trends. There is generally no precise
method, however, for subsequently evaluating the adequacy of the consideration
given to inflation or to any other specific factor, since the eventual
deficiency or redundancy of reserves is affected by many factors, some of which
are interdependent.

                                      -16-

<PAGE>


         The Company's losses and LAE have been impacted by significant loss
reserve strengthening for the Property and Casualty Group, partially offset by
favorable development for PMA Re. The components of the Company's incurred
losses and LAE for prior accident years are as follows:

                          (dollar amounts in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           1996                 1995                1994
                                                                           ----                 ----                ----
<S>                                                                       <C>                   <C>                 <C>
The Property and Casualty Group:
     Workers' compensation...................................             $110.0                $54.7               $13.2
     Asbestos and environmental..............................               60.4                 23.4                 4.6
     Other losses and LAE....................................               21.0                (11.6)                0.8
                                                                          ------                -----               -----
    Total....................................................              191.4                 66.5                18.6
PMA Re.......................................................              (28.6)               (15.0)              (15.0)
Other........................................................               (6.7)                 --                 (3.2)
                                                                          ------                -----               ----- 
                                                                          $156.1                $51.5                $0.4
                                                                          ======                =====               =====
</TABLE>


 The following table shows the composition of changes in the reserves for losses
and LAE for the past three years:

                            Years Ended December 31,
                          (dollar amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         1996                 1995                 1994
                                                                         ----                 ----                 ----

<S>                                                                 <C>                  <C>                  <C>       
Balance at January 1....................................           $2,069,986           $2,103,714           $2,150,665
Less: reinsurance recoverable on unpaid
    losses and LAE......................................              261,492              247,856              218,695
                                                                   ----------           ----------           ----------
               Net balance at January 1.................            1,808,494            1,855,858            1,931,970
                                                                   ----------           ----------           ----------
Losses and LAE incurred, net:
  Current year..........................................              323,069              357,787              352,025
  Prior years...........................................              156,074               51,491                  366
  Accretion of discount (includes ($35,000)
  effect of the change in the discount rate for 
  the Property and Casualty Group's workers'
  compensation unpaid losses from 4% to 5% in
  1995).................................................               57,480               13,300               50,478
                                                                   ----------           ----------           ----------
Total losses and LAE incurred, net......................              536,623              422,578              402,869
                                                                   ----------           ----------           ----------
Losses and LAE paid, net:
   Current year.........................................              (72,194)             (71,126)             (71,965)
   Prior years..........................................             (438,427)            (398,816)            (407,016)
                                                                   ----------           ----------           ----------
Total losses and LAE paid, net..........................             (510,621)            (469,942)            (478,981)
                                                                   ----------           ----------           ----------
Net balance at December 31..............................            1,834,496            1,808,494            1,855,858
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and LAE........              256,576              261,492              247,856
                                                                   ----------           ----------           ----------
Balance at December 31..................................           $2,091,072           $2,069,986           $2,103,714
                                                                   ==========           ==========           ==========
</TABLE>

                                      -17-
<PAGE>


         The following table shows how the Company's losses have been paid and
reserves re-estimated over time, compared to the liability initially estimated:


            Consolidated Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Development
                          (dollar amounts in millions)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      1986      1987     1988     1989     1990     1991      1992     1993    
                                      ----      ----     ----     ----     ----     ----      ----     ----    
<S>                                   <C>    <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>
I.   Initial estimated liability for
     unpaid losses and LAE net of
     reinsurance recoverables:        995.0  1,246.1  1,457.4  1,632.2  1,734.6   1,824.3  1,941.0   1,932.0 

II.  Amount of reserve paid, net of
     reinsurance through:


    - one year later.............     238.2    305.2    322.3    444.6    470.8     490.5    442.4     407.8 
    - two years later ...........     415.5    504.4    601.1    771.5    842.0     848.8    779.1     746.1 
    - three years later..........     551.2    691.8    825.9  1,042.6  1,133.8   1,127.0  1,066.8   1,055.9
    - four years later...........     674.5    834.0  1,011.4  1,258.0  1,353.1   1,364.9  1,329.2
    - five years later...........     788.5    955.8  1,165.8  1,421.4  1,539.4   1,585.4
    - six years later............     844.3  1,063.1  1,283.8  1,553.1  1,715.1
    - seven years later..........     917.6  1,143.3  1,380.1  1,684.6
    - eight years later..........     977.7  1,214.0  1,478.9
    - nine years later...........   1,030.7  1,288.2
    - ten years later............   1,090.5


<CAPTION>

                                      1994     1995       1996      
                                      ----     ----       ----      
                                                                    
I.   Initial estimated liability for                                
     unpaid losses and LAE net of                                   
     reinsurance recoverables:       1,855.9   1,808.5   1,834.5    
                                                                    
II.  Amount of reserve paid, net of                                 
     reinsurance through:                                           
                                                                    
                                                                    
    - one year later.............      398.9     437.6       --     
    - two years later ...........      763.7                        
    - three years later..........                                   
    - four years later...........                                   
    - five years later...........                                   
    - six years later............                                   
    - seven years later..........                                   
    - eight years later..........                                   
    - nine years later...........                                   
    - ten years later............                                   



III. Re-estimated liability, net of
     reinsurance as of:

                                      1986      1987     1988     1989     1990     1991      1992     1993    
                                      ----      ----     ----     ----     ----     ----      ----     ---- 
    - one year later.............   1,034.8  1,280.1  1,468.3  1,696.0  1,795.3   1,966.8  1,998.1   1,932.3
    - two years later............   1,079.5  1,303.9  1,511.9  1,742.5  1,949.9   2,067.5  2,006.5   1,982.5
    - three years later..........   1,080.9  1,339.1  1,553.3  1,876.0  2,034.1   2,081.5  2,060.6   2,163.9
    - four years later...........   1,102.3  1,358.5  1,607.3  1,938.2  2,040.8   2,134.8  2,258.2
    - five years later...........   1,119.4  1,368.4  1,651.5  1,935.1  2,123.0   2,302.0
    - six years later............   1,123.5  1,391.1  1,648.7  1,985.3  2,273.3
    - seven years later..........   1,141.5  1,392.8  1,684.2  2,098.2
    - eight years later..........   1,148.1  1,425.4  1,783.6
    - nine years later...........   1,167.4  1,503.9
    - ten years later............   1,254.0

 
                                       1994     1995       1996 
                                       ----     ----       ---- 
    - one year later.............     1,907.4   1,964.6       --
    - two years later............     2,073.4                   
    - three years later..........                               
    - four years later...........                               
    - five years later...........                               
    - six years later............                               
    - seven years later..........                               
    - eight years later..........                               
    - nine years later...........                               
    - ten years later............                               


                                      1986      1987     1988     1989     1990     1991      1992     1993    
                                      ----      ----     ----     ----     ----     ----      ----     ----    
IV.  Indicated deficiency:            259.0    257.8    326.2    466.0    538.7     477.7    317.2     231.9


V.   Net liability - December 31,                                                                    1,932.0
     Reinsurance recoverables                                                                          218.7
     Gross Liability - December 31,                                                                  2,150.7

VI.  Re-estimated Net Liability                                                                      2,163.9
     Re-estimated reinsurance
     recoverables                                                                                      188.4
     Re-estimated Gross Liability                                                                    2,352.3

                                          1994     1995      1996 
                                          ----     ----      ---- 
IV.  Indicated deficiency:                217.5     156.1       --   
                                                                     
                                                                     
V.   Net liability - December 31,       1,855.9   1,808.5   1,834.5  
     Reinsurance recoverables             247.9     261.5     256.6  
     Gross Liability - December 31,     2,103.8   2,070.0   2,091.1  
                                                                     
VI.  Re-estimated Net Liability         2,073.4   1,964.6   1,834.5  
     Re-estimated reinsurance                                        
     recoverables                         232.8     265.4     256.6  
     Re-estimated Gross Liability       2,306.2   2,230.0   2,091.1  
                               
</TABLE>


     The columns in the above exhibit are not mutually exclusive. For example,
if a reserve established in 1986 for a claim incurred during that year had been
re-estimated during 1988, the re-estimate would be reflected in the table for
each of the statement years from 1986 and 1987 during calendar years 1988
through 1996. Conditions and trends that have affected the reserve development
reflected in the table may change and care should be exercised in making
conclusions about the relative adequacy of reserves from such development.


                                      -18-

<PAGE>



     The adverse development in workers' compensation loss and LAE reserves
during this period primarily related to Pennsylvania workers' compensation
claims from accident years 1987 through 1991. As claims data from these accident
years have matured, the impact of disability and medical benefits available to
claimants in Pennsylvania before the passage of reform legislation in 1993 and
1996, coupled with the economic conditions that have existed during the
disability periods, has become more apparent. As such, the developed losses have
exceeded management's prior estimates. The reform legislation enacted in 1993
and 1996 has introduced various controls and limitations on disability and
medical benefits which management believes have had, and will continue to have,
a beneficial effect on the loss ratio.

     In 1993, Pennsylvania enacted Act 44, which introduced medical cost
containment measures and provided for the expansion of the period of time during
which the insurer may require an employee to accept medical treatment from the
employer's list of designated health care providers. As previously noted, in
1996, Pennsylvania enacted Act 57, which included various additional controls
and limitations on disability and medical benefits in Pennsylvania. In addition
to regulatory reforms and management's reunderwriting of the book of business,
the loss ratios have been favorably impacted by the shift to loss-sensitive and
alternative market products. Such impact is reflected in the improvement since
1990 in the workers' compensation accident year loss ratios (losses recorded for
the year the event occurred expressed as a percentage of the premiums earned for
that year), as the following chart indicates:

                Workers' Compensation Undiscounted Accident Year
                    Pure Loss Ratios as of December 31, 1996

                  Accident Years                      Loss Ratio
                  --------------                      ----------
                      1990                               100%
                      1991                                86%
                      1992                                80%
                      1993                                64%
                      1994                                64%
                      1995                                63%
                      1996                                63%

         In addition, management is taking several steps to reduce the
outstanding claims associated with the Pennsylvania workers' compensation
business written through 1991. A commutation program was initiated in the fourth
quarter 1996 and is expected to continue into late 1997. Commutations are
agreements with claimants whereby the claimants, in exchange for a lump sum
payment, will forego their rights to future indemnity payments from the Property
and Casualty Group. Under Pennsylvania workers' compensation laws, all such
commutation arrangements must be approved by the claimant and the Pennsylvania
Workers' Compensation Board. As result of the commutation program, it is
expected that investment income for the Property and Casualty Group will be less
in 1997 than in 1996, as the cash flow associated with the commutation payments
should reduce the Property and Casualty Group's average assets available for
investment. It is also expected that the number of open claims for accident
years 1991 and prior should decline as a result of this program. This reduction
in open claims should reduce the possibility of further adverse development on
such reserves, although there can be no assurances that the level of
commutations will have a significant impact on the future development of the
recorded reserves.


                                      -19-

<PAGE>

         The adverse development in reserves associated with asbestos and
environmental claims is the result of a detailed analysis of loss and LAE
reserves associated with asbestos and environmental liability claims completed
in 1996. The analysis of asbestos loss and LAE reserves involved a ground-up
review and projection on an account-by-account basis. The analysis of
environmental loss and LAE reserves involved an actuarial calendar year loss
development technique. Estimation of obligations for asbestos and environmental
exposures continues to be more difficult than for other loss reserves because of
several factors, including: (i) evolving methodologies for the estimation of the
liabilities; (ii) lack of reliable historical claim data; (iii) uncertainties
with respect to insurance and reinsurance coverage related to these obligations;
(iv) changing judicial interpretations; and (v) changing government standards.

         The Company's asbestos-related losses were as follows:

                            Years Ended December 31,
                          (dollar amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         1996                   1995                   1994
                                                                         ----                   ----                   ----
<S>                                                                  <C>                    <C>                    <C>
Gross of reinsurance:
Beginning reserves....................................               $ 27,611               $ 13,969               $ 12,913
Incurred losses and LAE...............................                 62,854                 22,482                  6,424
Calendar year payments for losses and LAE.............                (10,410)                (8,840)                (5,368)
                                                                     --------               --------               --------
Ending reserves.......................................               $ 80,055               $ 27,611               $ 13,969
                                                                     ========               ========               ========

Net of reinsurance:
Beginning reserves....................................               $ 23,443              $   8,168               $  7,700
Incurred losses and LAE...............................                 39,427                 21,826                  5,834
Calendar year payments for losses and LAE.............                 (9,570)                (6,551)                (5,366)
                                                                     --------               --------               --------
Ending reserves                                                      $ 53,300               $ 23,443               $  8,168
                                                                     ========               ========               ========

</TABLE>


           The Company's environmental-related losses were as follows:

                            Years Ended December 31,
                          (dollar amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   For the years ended December 31,
                                                                         1996                   1995                   1994
                                                                         ----                   ----                   ----
<S>                                                                  <C>                    <C>                    <C> 
Gross of reinsurance:
Beginning reserves....................................               $ 20,134               $ 20,952               $ 26,129
Incurred losses and LAE...............................                 22,143                  3,516                 (2,150)
Calendar year payments for losses and LAE.............                 (6,651)                (4,334)                (3,027)
                                                                     --------               --------               --------
Ending reserves.......................................               $ 35,626               $ 20,134               $ 20,952
                                                                     ========               ========               ========

Net of reinsurance:
Beginning reserves....................................               $ 20,134               $ 20,952               $ 26,129
Incurred losses and LAE...............................                 21,109                  3,516                 (2,150)
Calendar year payments for losses and LAE.............                 (6,651)                (4,334)                (3,027)
                                                                     --------               --------               --------
Ending reserves.......................................               $ 34,592               $ 20,134               $ 20,952
                                                                     ========               ========               ========
</TABLE>


                                      -20-

<PAGE>


         Of the total net asbestos and environmental reserves, $19.3 million
were for established claims reserves at December 31, 1996 ($17.1 million at
December 31, 1995) and $68.6 million were for incurred but not reported losses
($26.5 million at December 31, 1995).

         Management believes that its reserves for asbestos and environmental
claims are appropriately established based upon known facts, existing case law
and generally accepted actuarial methodologies. However, due to changing
interpretations by courts involving coverage issues, the potential for changes
in federal and state standards for clean-up and liability and other factors, the
ultimate exposure to the Company for these claims may vary significantly from
the amounts currently recorded, resulting in a potential adjustment in the
claims reserves recorded. Additionally, issues involving policy provisions,
allocation of liability among participating insurers, proof of coverage and
other factors make quantification of liabilities exceptionally difficult and
subject to adjustment based upon newly available data. See Note 3 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail on asbestos and
environmental loss reserves.

         In 1996, the Property and Casualty Group's other commercial lines
experienced reserve strengthening of $21.0 million, as compared to a reserve
release of $11.6 million in 1995. The reserve strengthening was principally due
to a re-estimation of LAE associated with general liability claims. The Property
and Casualty Group expects that the average period that such claims are open to
increase, and has increased the cost of adjusting such claims accordingly. The
release of reserves in 1995 was primarily due to favorable loss experience in
commercial automobile business.

         In addition to loss and LAE reserve adverse development, the 1996
calendar year loss ratio was impacted by a net $15.1 million accretion of
discount on workers' compensation loss reserves. In 1995, losses and LAE
incurred were impacted by a $35.0 million reduction of unpaid losses and LAE
related to changing the rate at which workers' compensation unpaid losses are
discounted for both SAP and GAAP. The Property and Casualty Group's
Pennsylvania-domiciled insurance subsidiaries increased such discount rate from
4.0% to 5.0% in 1995, which was permitted and approved by the Pennsylvania
Insurance Department. Loss reserves on other lines of business as well as LAE
reserves for all lines of business are not discounted.

         PMA Re has reported favorable development of unpaid losses and LAE of
$28.6 million in 1996 and $15.0 million in each of 1995 and 1994. Such favorable
development is attributable to losses emerging at a lower rate than was
anticipated when the initial accident year reserves were established.

Investments

         The Company's investment policy objectives are to (i) seek competitive
after-tax investment income and total return, (ii) maintain very high-grade
asset quality and marketability on all investments, (iii) maintain a maturity
distribution commensurate with the Company's business objectives, (iv) provide
portfolio flexibility for changing business and investment climates and (v)
provide liquidity to meet operating objectives. The Company has established
strategies, asset quality standards, asset allocations and other relevant
criteria for its fixed maturity and equity portfolios. In addition, maturities
are structured after projecting liability cash flows with actuarial models. The
Company also does not invest in various types of investments, including
speculative derivatives and non-investment grade fixed-maturity investments. The
Company's portfolio does not contain any significant concentrations in single
issuers (other than U.S. Treasury obligations), industry segments or geographic
regions.


                                      -21-

<PAGE>


         The Company's Board of Directors is responsible for the Company's
investments and investment policy objectives. The Company retains outside
investment advisers to provide investment advice and guidance, supervise the
Company's portfolio and arrange securities transactions through brokers and
dealers. The Company's Executive and Finance Committees of the Board of
Directors meet periodically with the investment advisers to review the
performance of the investment portfolio and to determine what actions should be
taken with respect to the Company's investments. Investments by the Pooled
Companies, MASCCO and PMA Re must comply with the insurance laws and regulations
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Company's capital not allocated to the
Pooled Companies, MASCCO and PMA Re may be invested in securities and other
investments that are not subject to such insurance laws, but nonetheless conform
to the Company's investment policy.

         The following table summarizes the Company's investments by carrying
value as of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                           (dollar amounts in millions)

                                                   1996                       1995                        1994
                                                   ----                       ----                        ----
                                           Carrying                   Carrying                   Carrying
Investment                                   Value      Percent         Value      Percent         Value      Percent
- - - ----------                                   -----      -------         -----      -------         -----      -------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>            <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and                                                   
     obligations of U.S.
     Government agencies.............     $1,602.8        70.8%      $1,666.3        67.9%      $1,050.8       45.4%
Obligations of states and
     political subdivisions..........         76.5         3.4%         435.9        17.8%         841.8       36.4%
Corporate debt securities............        372.8        16.5%         128.8         5.2%          45.6        2.0%
Mortgage backed securities...........         74.0         3.3%            --           --         179.2        7.7%
Equity securities....................          0.3           --          10.9         0.4%          17.5        0.8%
Short-term investments...............        135.0         6.0%         214.1         8.7%         178.4        7.7%
                                          --------       ------      --------       ------      --------      ------
     Total (1).......................     $2,261.4       100.0%      $2,456.0       100.0%      $2,313.3      100.0%
                                          ========       ======      ========       ======      ========      ======

</TABLE>

- - - -----------
(1)      As of December 31, 1996, the market value of the Company's total
         investments was $2,261.4 million.

         The following table indicates the composition of the Company's fixed
maturities portfolio at carrying value, excluding short-term investments by
rating as of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                           (dollar amounts in millions)

                                                   1996                       1995                        1994
                                                   ----                       ----                        ----
                                           Carrying                   Carrying                   Carrying
Ratings (1)                                  Value      Percent         Value      Percent         Value      Percent
- - - -----------                                  -----      -------         -----      -------         -----      -------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and
      AAA............................      $1,882.4       88.5%       $2,025.5       90.8%       $1,749.2       82.6%
AA...................................          95.8        4.5%          174.1        7.8%          329.3       15.6%
A....................................         147.9        7.0%           31.4        1.4%           38.9        1.8%
                                           --------      ------       --------      ------       --------      ------
Total................................      $2,126.1      100.0%       $2,231.0      100.0%       $2,117.4      100.0%
                                           ========      ======       ========      ======       ========      ======

</TABLE>

- - - -----------
(1)      Ratings as assigned by Standard and Poor's. Such ratings are generally
         assigned at the issuance of the securities, subject to revision on the
         basis of ongoing evaluations. Ratings in the table are as of
         December 31 of the years indicated.


                                      -22-

<PAGE>


         The following table sets forth scheduled maturities for the Company's
investments in fixed maturities, excluding short-term investments, based on
stated maturity dates as of December 31, 1996. Expected maturities will differ
from contractual maturities because the issuers may have the right to call or
prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties:

                          (dollar amounts in millions)

                                           Carrying Value             Percent
                                           --------------             -------
1 year or less........................           $  110.8                5.2%
Over 1 year through 5 years...........              525.5               24.7%
Over 5 years through 10 years.........              661.2               31.1%
Over 10 years.........................              754.6               35.5%
Mortgage backed securities............               74.0                3.5%
                                                 --------              ------
     Total............................           $2,126.1              100.0%
                                                 ========              ======


         The following table reflects the Company's investment results for each
year in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996:

                                           (dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      1996            1995           1994
                                                      ----            ----           ----
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>             <C>
Average invested assets (1).................        $2,366.8       $2,395.8        $2,350.9
Net investment income (2)...................        $  133.9       $  139.4        $  138.7
Net effective yield (3).....................           5.66%          5.82%           5.90%
Net realized investment gains...............        $    3.0       $   31.9        $   47.5

</TABLE>

- - - -----------
(1)      Average of beginning and ending amounts of cash and investments for the
         period at carrying value.

(2)      After investment expenses, excluding net realized investment gains.

(3)      Net investment income for the period divided by average invested assets
         for the same period.

         As of December 31, 1996, the duration of the Company's investments was
approximately 5.6 years and the duration of its liabilities was approximately
4.9 years.

Competition

         The domestic property-casualty insurance industry consists of many
companies, with no one company dominating the market. In addition, the degree
and nature of competition varies from state to state for a variety of reasons,
including the regulatory climate and other market participants in each state.
PMA Re competes with other reinsurers in the brokered market as well as
reinsurers that directly underwrite reinsurance business. Many of the Company's
competitors are larger and have greater financial resources than the Company.

         Management believes that the ratings assigned by independent rating
agencies, particularly A.M. Best, are material to the Company's operations. A.M.
Best has currently assigned an "A- (Excellent)" rating to the Pooled Companies
and an "A+ (Superior)" rating to PMA Re. According to A.M. Best, its ratings are
based on an analysis of the financial condition and operating performance of an
insurance company as they relate to the industry in general. These ratings


                                      -23-

<PAGE>


represent an independent opinion of a company's financial strength and ability
to meet its obligations to policyholders. These ratings are not shareholder
ratings, however, and do not represent an opinion as to the value of the
Company's stock. No assurance can be given that these ratings can be maintained
by the Pooled Companies and PMA Re.

         The Property and Casualty Group's insurance products face competition
from certain self-insurance, group insurance and captive insurance programs. The
Property and Casualty Group has developed coverages and services in these
alternative markets. See "Workers' Compensation Products" and "PMA Management
Corp." above.

Regulatory Matters

         General

         The Pooled Companies are licensed to transact insurance business in,
and are subject to regulation and supervision by 45 states and the District of
Columbia. PMA Re is licensed or accredited to transact its reinsurance business
in, and is subject to regulation and supervision by 50 states and the District
of Columbia. The Insurance Subsidiaries are authorized and regulated in all
jurisdictions where they conduct insurance business. Inasmuch as the Pooled
Companies and PMA Re are domiciled in Pennsylvania, however, the Pennsylvania
Insurance Department exercises principal regulatory jurisdiction over them. The
extent of regulation by the states varies, but in general, most jurisdictions
have laws and regulations governing standards of solvency, adequacy of reserves,
reinsurance, capital adequacy and standards of business conduct. In addition,
statutes and regulations usually require the licensing of insurers and their
agents, the approval of policy forms and related material and, for certain lines
of insurance, the approval of rates. Property and casualty reinsurers are
generally not subject to filing or other regulatory requirements applicable to
primary insurers with respect to rates, policy forms or contract wording. The
form and content of statutory financial statements are regulated. State
insurance departments in jurisdictions in which the Insurance Subsidiaries do
business also conduct periodic examinations of their respective operations and
accounts and require the filing of annual and other reports relating to their
financial condition. In supervising and regulating insurance companies,
including reinsurers, state insurance departments, charged primarily with
protecting policyholders and the public rather than investors, enjoy broad
authority and discretion in applying applicable insurance laws and regulations
for the protection of policyholders and the public.

         Insurance Holding Company Regulation

         The Company and the Insurance Subsidiaries are subject to regulation
pursuant to the insurance holding company laws of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania
insurance holding company laws generally require an insurance holding company
and insurers and reinsurers that are members of such insurance holding company's
system to register with the state regulatory authorities, to file with those
authorities certain reports disclosing information including their capital
structure, ownership, management, financial condition, certain intercompany
transactions including material transfers of assets and intercompany business
agreements, and to report material changes in such information. Such laws also
require that intercompany transactions be fair and reasonable and that an
insurer's surplus as regards policyholders following any dividends or
distributions to shareholder affiliates be reasonable in relation to the
insurer's outstanding liabilities and adequate for its financial needs.

         Under Pennsylvania law, no person may acquire, directly or indirectly,
a controlling interest in the capital stock of the Company unless such person,
corporation or other entity has obtained prior approval from the Commissioner


                                      -24-

<PAGE>


for such acquisition of control. Pursuant to the Pennsylvania law, any person
acquiring, controlling or holding with the power to vote, directly or
indirectly, ten percent or more of the voting securities of an insurance
company, is presumed to have "control" of such company. This presumption may be
rebutted by a showing that control does not exist in fact. The Commissioner,
however, may find that "control" exists in circumstances in which a person owns
or controls a smaller amount of voting securities. To obtain approval from the
Commissioner of any acquisition of control of an insurance company, the proposed
acquirer must file with the Commissioner an application containing information
regarding the identity and background of the acquirer and its affiliates, the
nature, source and amount of funds to be used to effect the acquisition, the
financial statements of the acquirer and its affiliates, any potential plans for
disposition of the securities or business of the insurer, the number and type of
securities to be acquired, any contracts with respect to the securities to be
acquired, any agreements with broker-dealers and other matters.

         Other jurisdictions in which the Insurance Subsidiaries are licensed to
transact business may have requirements for prior approval of any acquisition of
control of an insurance or reinsurance company licensed or authorized to
transact business in such jurisdictions. Additional requirements in such
jurisdictions may include re-licensing or subsequent approval for renewal of
existing licenses upon an acquisition of control. As further described below,
laws also govern the holding company structure payment of dividends by the
Insurance Subsidiaries to the Company.

         Restrictions on Insurance Subsidiaries Dividends

         The principal source of funds for servicing debt of the Company and
paying dividends to shareholders of the Company is derived from receipt of
dividends from the subsidiaries. Under the Pennsylvania insurance laws, the
Pooled Companies and PMA Re may pay dividends only from unassigned funds
(surplus), as reported in the statutory financial statement filed by them with
the Insurance Department for the most recent annual period. As of December 31,
1996, the Pooled Companies and PMA Re reported unassigned funds (surplus) in the
amount of $272.7 million. Subject to such constraints, any of the Pooled
Companies and PMA Re may declare and pay non-extraordinary dividends subject to
certain notice requirements to the Commissioner and extraordinary dividends to
stockholders subject to certain notice and approval requirements by the
Commissioner. Under Pennsylvania law, an "extraordinary" dividend is any
dividend or other distribution which, together with other dividends and
distributions made within the preceding twelve months, exceeds the greater of
(i) 10% of such insurer's surplus as regards policyholders as shown on its last
annual statement on file with the Commissioner; or (ii) statutory net income for
the previous year. Payment of extraordinary dividends is permissible only if the
Commissioner has approved the payment of such extraordinary dividends, or if the
Commissioner has not disapproved the payment of such extraordinary dividend
within thirty days from the date the Commissioner receives notice of the
declaration of such dividend. In addition to the foregoing standards, following
the payment of any dividends, the policyholders' surplus of the insurance
company must be reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and
adequate for its financial needs. The Commissioner may bring an action to enjoin
or rescind the payment of a dividend or distribution by any insurance company
that would cause its statutory surplus to be unreasonable or inadequate under
this standard.

         For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the aggregate
cash dividends paid by the Pooled Companies and PMA Re were $53.6 million, $71.5
million, and $34.0 million, respectively. None of the dividends paid was
"extraordinary" for purposes of the Pennsylvania insurance laws. For 1997, the
Pooled Companies and PMA Re collectively are permitted to declare and pay
dividends to the Company in the aggregate amount of $51.9 million, subject to
the notice requirements on dividend declarations and payments. In accordance


                                      -25-

<PAGE>


with its plan of operation filed with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department,
MASCCO must maintain a ratio of unpaid losses and LAE to policyholders' surplus
of no more than 8:1. As of December 31, 1996, MASCCO was in compliance with such
requirements.

         Risk-Based Capital

         The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the "NAIC") has
adopted risk-based capital ("RBC") requirements for property/casualty insurance
companies to evaluate the adequacy of statutory capital and surplus in relation
to investment and insurance risks such as asset quality, asset and liability
matching, loss reserve adequacy and other business factors.

         Under RBC requirements, regulatory compliance is determined by the
ratio of a Company's total adjusted capital, as defined by the NAIC, to its
authorized control level, also as defined by the NAIC. Companies below
prescribed trigger points in terms of such ratio are classified as follows:

                       Company action level.............200%
                       Regulatory action level..........150%
                       Authorized control level.........100%
                       Mandatory control level.......... 70%

         PMA Re and each of the Pooled Companies had ratios in excess of 200% as
of December 31, 1996. As a result of the Property and Casualty Group's 1996 loss
reserve strengthening (see "Loss Reserves" above), the ratios for the individual
Pooled Companies range from 230% to 210%.

         RBC requirements for property/casualty insurance companies allow a
discount for workers' compensation reserves to be included in the adjusted
surplus calculation. However, the calculation for RBC requires the phase-out of
non-tabular reserve discounts previously taken for workers' compensation
reserves. The discount phase-out has increased by 20% in each year since 1994,
ultimately phasing out 100% of such discount by 1998. As a result, this
phase-out negatively impacts the RBC ratios of companies which write workers'
compensation insurance and discount such reserves on a non-tabular basis
relative to companies which write other types of property/casualty insurance.
Management believes that it will be able to maintain the Pooled Companies' RBC
in excess of regulatory requirements through prudent underwriting and claims
handling, investing and capital management. However, no assurances can be given
that developments affecting the Property and Casualty Group, many of which could
be outside of management's control, including but not limited to changes in the
regulatory environment, economic conditions and competitive conditions in the
jurisdictions in which the Property and Casualty Group writes business, will
cause the Pooled Companies' RBC to fall below required levels resulting in a
corresponding regulatory response.

Employees

         As of March 31, 1997, the Company had approximately 990 full-time
employees. None of the employees of the Company is represented by a labor union
and the Company is not a party to any collective bargaining agreements. The
Company considers its employee relations to be good.



                                      -26-

<PAGE>

Item 2.  Financial Information

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data
                                                      1996(1)            1995              1994            1993             1992
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>          
Consolidated Results
Net premiums written.......................   $      443,475   $      489,876    $      466,502   $     536,987    $     552,038
                                              ===============  ===============   ===============  ==============   ==============
Net premiums earned........................          420,575          484,952           466,534         547,407          700,207
Net investment income......................          133,936          139,355           138,719         153,842          164,302
Net realized investment gains..............            2,984           31,923            47,521          69,798           70,633
Service revenues...........................            9,189            5,106             3,380           1,321              305
                                              ---------------  ---------------   ---------------   -------------   --------------
      Total revenues.......................   $      566,684   $      661,336    $      656,154    $    772,368    $     935,447
                                              ===============  ===============   ===============   =============   ==============
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Components of Net Income 
Pre-tax operating (loss) income (6):
      The Property and Casualty Group......   $     (219,619)  $       (4,305)   $        3,893    $     (1,153)   $     (51,995)
      PMA Re...............................           42,783           39,443            33,703          33,511           35,190
      Corporate operations.................             (490)         (13,414)           (6,686)           (885)          (1,191)
                                              ---------------  ---------------   ---------------   -------------   --------------
Total pre-tax operating (loss) income before
      interest expense.....................         (177,326)          21,724            30,910          31,473          (17,996)
Net realized investment gains..............            2,984           31,923            47,521          69,798           70,633
Interest expense...........................           17,052           18,734            13,051          11,650           12,542
                                              ---------------  ---------------   ---------------   -------------   --------------
(Loss) income before income taxes and
      cumulative effect of accounting changes       (191,394)          34,913            65,380          89,621           40,095
(Benefit) provision for income taxes.......          (56,060)          10,783             8,130          21,324             (671)
                                              ---------------  ---------------   ---------------   -------------   --------------
(Loss) income before cumulative effect of
      accounting changes...................         (135,334)          24,130            57,250          68,297           40,766
Cumulative effect of accounting changes,      
      net of related tax effects (2).......               --               --                --          14,119               --
                                              ---------------  ---------------   ---------------   -------------   --------------
Net (loss) income..........................   $     (135,334)  $       24,130    $       57,250   $      82,416    $      40,766
                                              ===============  ===============   ===============  ==============   ==============
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Share Data
Weighted average shares:
      Primary (3)..........................       23,800,791       24,709,031        24,650,741      24,470,024       24,406,445
      Fully-diluted (3)....................       23,800,791       24,934,579        24,650,741      24,470,024       24,406,445
(Loss) income before cumulative effect 
of accounting changes, 
net of related tax effects:
      Primary (3)..........................         $  (5.68)         $  0.98           $  2.32         $  2.79    $        1.67
      Fully-diluted (3)....................            (5.68)            0.97              2.32            2.79             1.67
Net (loss) income per share:
      Primary (3)..........................            (5.68)            0.98              2.32            3.37             1.67
      Fully-diluted (3)....................            (5.68)            0.97              2.32            3.37             1.67
Dividends paid per common share............             0.32             0.32              0.32            0.28             0.24
Dividends paid per Class A common share....             0.36             0.36              0.36            0.32             0.28
Shareholders' equity per share (4).........            17.86            25.53             22.10           22.23            19.34
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Position
Total investments..........................   $    2,261,353   $    2,455,949    $    2,313,261   $   2,374,208    $   2,329,242
Total assets (5)...........................        3,117,516        3,258,572         3,181,979       3,197,909        3,142,821
Reserves for unpaid losses and LAE (5).....        2,091,072        2,069,986         2,103,714       2,150,665        2,163,181
Long-term debt (7).........................          204,699          203,848           203,975         194,836          185,684
Shareholders' equity (4)...................          425,828          609,668           524,862         534,383          468,105
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAAP Ratios for Insurance Subsidiaries
The Property and Casualty Group:
      Loss ratio...........................            158.2%            92.5%             90.1%           96.3%           113.8%
      Expense ratio........................             51.6%            32.1%             32.0%           25.1%            19.4%

      Policyholder dividend ratio..........              6.1%             4.8%              4.6%            3.5%             4.3%
                                              ---------------  ---------------   ---------------  --------------   -------------- 
      Combined ratio.......................            215.9%           129.4%            126.7%          124.9%           137.5%
                                              ===============  ===============   ===============  ==============   ==============

PMA Re
      Loss ratio...........................             73.7%            74.6%             74.7%            80.6%           78.6%

      Expense ratio........................             30.2%            29.5%             33.3%            29.4%           27.8%
                                              ---------------  ---------------   ---------------  ---------------  --------------
      Combined ratio.......................            103.9%           104.1%            108.0%           110.0%          106.4%
                                              ===============  ===============   ===============  ===============  ==============
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



                                      -27-

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Unaudited Interim Periods Ending March 31,

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)                                            1997                1996
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>                 <C>         
Consolidated Results
Net premiums written...................................................                    $    149,882        $    147,444
                                                                                           =============       =============
Net premiums earned....................................................                         107,950             117,937
Net investment income..................................................                          35,847              33,420
Net realized investment (losses) gains.................................                          (1,251)                943
Service revenues.......................................................                           2,548               1,748
                                                                                           -------------       -------------
      Total revenues...................................................                    $    145,094        $    154,048
                                                                                           ============        ============
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Components of Net Income 
Pre-tax operating (loss) income (6):
      The Property and Casualty Group..................................                    $        291        $      3,711
      PMA Re...........................................................                          12,820               9,058
      Corporate operations.............................................                            (208)             (1,039)
                                                                                           -------------       -------------
Total pre-tax operating (loss) income before interest expense..........                          12,903              11,730
Net realized investment (losses) gains.................................                          (1,251)                943
Interest expense.......................................................                           4,334               4,472
                                                                                           -------------       -------------
(Loss) income before income taxes and extraordinary item...............                           7,318               8,201
(Benefit) provision for income taxes...................................                           2,561               2,572
                                                                                           -------------       -------------
(Loss) income before extraordinary item................................                           4,757               5,629
Extraordinary item, net of related tax effects (7).....................                          (4,734)                 --
                                                                                           -------------       -------------
Net income.............................................................                    $         23        $      5,629
                                                                                           ============        ============
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Share Data
Weighted average shares:
      Primary..........................................................                      24,546,291          25,081,971
      Fully-diluted....................................................                      24,546,291          25,081,971
(Loss) income before extraordinary item, net of related tax effects:
      Primary..........................................................                    $       0.19        $       0.22
      Fully-diluted....................................................                            0.19                0.22
Net (loss) income per share:
      Primary..........................................................                            0.00                0.22
      Fully-diluted....................................................                            0.00                0.22
Dividends paid per common share........................................                            0.08                0.08
Dividends paid per Class A common share................................                            0.09                0.09
Shareholders' equity per share ........................................                           16.15               23.50
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Position
Total investments......................................................                    $  2,143,426        $  2,338,135
Total assets...........................................................                       3,114,205           3,222,007
Reserves for unpaid losses and LAE.....................................                       2,085,732           2,046,075
Long-term debt (7).....................................................                         203,232             203,811
Shareholders' equity...................................................                         384,966             561,162
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAAP Ratios for Insurance Subsidiaries
The Property and Casualty Group:
      Loss ratio.......................................................                           94.8%                88.0%
      Expense ratio....................................................                           36.0%                34.4%
      Policyholder dividend ratio......................................                            4.7%                 4.1%
                                                                                           ------------        -------------
      Combined ratio...................................................                          135.5%               126.5%
                                                                                           ============        =============
PMA Re
      Loss ratio.......................................................                           75.9%                78.9%
      Expense ratio....................................................                           24.9%                26.1%
                                                                                           ------------        -------------
      Combined ratio...................................................                          100.8%               105.0%
                                                                                           ============        =============
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                      -28-

<PAGE>



- - - ----------
(1)   Operating results in 1996 were impacted by approximately $221,300,000 of
      special charges related to reserve strengthening and expense initiatives
      for the Property and Casualty Group. See "Management's Discussion and
      Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" below.

(2)   In 1993, the Company recognized an after-tax net benefit of $14,119,000
      resulting from the adoption of SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income
      Taxes," ($21,500,000 benefit), and SFAS No. 106, "Employers' Accounting
      for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions," ($7,381,000 after-tax
      charge).

(3)   For the year ended December 31, 1996, common stock equivalents were not
      taken into consideration in the computation of weighted-average shares as
      these common stock equivalents would have an anti-dilutive effect on the
      net loss per share.

(4)   In 1994, shareholders' equity was increased $45,343,000 related to the
      adoption of SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments and Debt and
      Equity Securities." See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
      Condition and Results of Operations" below.

(5)   Total assets and unpaid losses and LAE have been restated for 1992,
      reflecting the adoption of SFAS No. 113, "Accounting and Reporting for
      Reinsurance of Short-Duration and Long-Duration Contracts," and the
      resultant reclassification of reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses
      and LAE as assets.

(6)   Pre-tax operating income (loss) excludes net realized investment gains.

(7)   In March 1997, the Company refinanced substantially all of its long-term
      debt which resulted in a $4,734,000 extraordinary loss, which was recorded
      in the first quarter of 1997. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
      Financial Condition and Results of Operations" below.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations

     Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994

     The following section provides a discussion of the financial results and
material changes in financial position for the Company for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994. The balance sheet information presented below
is as of December 31 for each year indicated. The statement of income
information is for the years ended December 31 for each year shown. The term
"SAP" refers to the statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, and the term "GAAP" refers to generally
accepted accounting principles.

     Results of Operations

     The Company consists of PMC, an insurance holding company, and its
subsidiaries. PMC operates in two principal segments, property and casualty
primary insurance and property and casualty reinsurance. The Property and
Casualty Group writes workers' compensation and other lines of commercial
insurance primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions of the United
States, utilizing The PMA Group trade name. PMC's reinsurance business conducted
through PMA Re, which emphasizes risk-exposed treaty reinsurance, operates in
the domestic brokered market.


                                      -29-

<PAGE>



     In the discussion below, pre-tax operating (loss) income is defined as
(loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes, but excluding net
realized investment gains. Operating revenues consist of all of the Company's
revenues, except net realized investment gains.

     Consolidated Results

The table below presents the major components of net (loss) income:

              (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1996                  1995             1994
                                                                   ----                  ----             ----
<S>                                                             <C>                    <C>               <C>    
Pre-tax operating (loss) income........................        $ (194,378)          $    2,990        $   17,859
Net realized investment gains..........................             2,984               31,923            47,521
                                                               -----------          ----------        ----------
(Loss) income before income taxes......................          (191,394)              34,913            65,380
(Benefit) provision for income taxes...................           (56,060)              10,783             8,130
                                                               -----------          ----------        ----------
Net (loss) income .....................................        $ (135,334)          $   24,130        $   57,250
                                                               ===========          ==========        ==========
Per Primary Share:
Net (loss) income......................................        $    (5.68)          $      .98        $     2.32
                                                               ===========          ==========        ==========
Per Fully-Diluted Share:
Net (loss) income......................................        $    (5.68)          $      .97        $     2.32
                                                               ===========          ==========        ==========
</TABLE>


     The following table indicates the Company's pre-tax operating (loss) income
by principal business segment:

                          (dollar amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  1996                  1995                   1994
                                                                                  ----                  ----                   ----
<S>                                                                           <C>                   <C>                   <C>      
The Property and Casualty Group ..................................            $(219,619)            $  (4,305)            $   3,893
PMA Re ...........................................................               42,783                39,443                33,703
Corporate operations .............................................                 (490)              (13,414)               (6,686)
                                                                              ---------             ---------             ---------

Pre-tax operating (loss) income before
    interest expense .............................................             (177,326)               21,724                30,910
Interest expense .................................................               17,052                18,734                13,051
                                                                              ---------             ---------             ---------

Pre-tax operating (loss) income ..................................            $(194,378)            $   2,990             $  17,859
                                                                              =========             =========             =========
</TABLE>



     In 1996, the Company's operating results were impacted by a pre-tax charge
of $221.3 million ($143.8 million after tax), or $9.30 per share ($6.04 per
share after tax), recorded by the Property and Casualty Group in order to
strengthen its loss and LAE reserves, to recognize restructuring costs in
connection with staff reductions and to write off certain accounts receivable.
The charge consists of the following:



                                      -30-

<PAGE>



                          (dollar amounts in millions)

Strengthening of unpaid losses and LAE:
     Pre-1992 workers' compensation ................................  $  110.0
     Asbestos and environmental ....................................      60.4
     Other lines of business .......................................      21.0
                                                                      --------
     Total reserve strengthening ...................................     191.4
Premium balances written off and increase in
     allowance for doubtful accounts ...............................      17.5
Change in depreciable lives for computer equipment .................       4.8
Accrual of costs related to early retirement plan ..................       7.6
                                                                      --------
Total pre-tax charge ...............................................  $  221.3
                                                                      ========


     On a consolidated basis, in 1996, the Company reported a pre-tax operating
loss of $194.4 million ($8.17 per share) versus pre-tax operating income of $3.0
million ($0.12 per fully-diluted share) in 1995. As a result of the
aforementioned charge, the Property and Casualty Group reported a pre-tax
operating loss of $219.6 million in 1996, as compared to a pre-tax operating
loss of $4.3 million in 1995. Such operating loss in 1996 was partially offset
by pre-tax operating income reported by PMA Re of $42.8 million as compared to
1995 when PMA Re reported pre-tax operating income of $39.4 million. The
increase in PMA Re's pre-tax operating income reflects higher premium volume,
improved underwriting results and higher investment income. Corporate operations
reported a pre-tax operating loss of $0.5 million in 1996 versus a $13.4 million
pre-tax operating loss in 1995. The improvement in the operating results of
corporate operations is due mainly to the fact that 1995 was impacted by an $8.4
million write-down of certain real estate properties owned by the Company as
well as higher overhead expenses. Interest expense decreased in 1996 by
approximately $1.7 million, mainly reflecting lower average debt balances and
the pay-down of higher coupon debt. In 1995, pre-tax operating income decreased
from $17.9 million ($0.72 per share) in 1994 to $3.0 million ($0.12 per
fully-diluted share). Such reduction related mainly to an operating loss of $4.3
million recorded by the Property and Casualty Group, resulting primarily from
loss reserve strengthening of $66.5 million, partially offset by a $35.0 million
impact of increasing the discount rate on workers' compensation reserves from
approximately 4.0% to 5.0%. In addition, corporate operations were impacted by
the aforementioned $8.4 million write-down of certain properties owned by the
Company. Interest expense was $5.7 million higher in 1995 versus 1994, mainly
due to higher average debt balances and higher interest rates. Net realized
investment gains were $3.0 million, $31.9 million, and $47.5 million in 1996,
1995, and 1994, respectively. The declining levels of net realized gains
reflected lower levels of realized gains on sales of equity securities, as the
Company has reduced its investments in equity securities in the last three
years. In addition, the fluctuating interest rate environment has generally
lowered realized gain activity in the three-year period ending December 31,
1996.

     The Property and Casualty Group Results of Operations

     In 1996, the Property and Casualty Group accounted for 63.9% of the
Company's operating revenues. Summarized financial results of this segment are
as follows:


                                      -31-

<PAGE>



                          (dollar amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             1996                    1995                    1994
                                                                             ----                    ----                    ----
<S>                                                                       <C>                     <C>                     <C>      
Net premiums written ........................................             $ 279,422               $ 337,116               $ 353,151
                                                                          =========               =========               =========

Net premiums earned .........................................             $ 268,601               $ 345,607               $ 361,124
Net investment income .......................................                82,455                  92,275                  96,683
Service revenues ............................................                 9,189                   5,106                   3,380
                                                                          ---------               ---------               ---------
Operating revenues ..........................................               360,245                 442,988                 461,187
                                                                          ---------               ---------               ---------
Losses and LAE incurred .....................................               424,900                 319,644                 325,211
Acquisition and operating expenses ..........................               138,709                 110,906                 115,404
Policyholder dividends ......................................                16,255                  16,743                  16,679
                                                                          ---------               ---------               ---------

Total losses and expenses ...................................               579,864                 447,293                 457,294
                                                                          ---------               ---------               ---------

Pre-tax operating (loss) income .............................             $(219,619)              $  (4,305)              $   3,893
                                                                          =========               =========               =========
GAAP loss ratio .............................................                 158.2%                   92.5%                   90.1%
GAAP combined ratio .........................................                 215.9%                  129.4%                  126.7%
SAP loss ratio ..............................................                 125.7%                   77.3%                   85.5%
SAP combined ratio ..........................................                 175.6%                  115.1%                  120.1%
</TABLE>


     Premium Revenues

     Premiums for the Property and Casualty Group have decreased in recent
years. Between 1996 and 1995, net premiums written decreased 17.1%, and between
1995 and 1994, net premiums written decreased 4.5%. Direct premiums written for
workers' compensation decreased $36.5 million and $27.7 million in 1996 and
1995, respectively. Direct premiums written for the other commercial property
and casualty lines decreased $9.3 million in 1996 relative to 1995 and increased
$10.4 million in 1995 relative to 1994. Reinsurance premiums assumed increased
$0.8 million between 1996 and 1995 and decreased $1.7 million between 1995 and
1994. Reinsurance premiums ceded decreased $10.4 million in 1996 relative to
1995 and $2.3 million in 1995 relative to 1994.

     The decline in premiums from 1994 to 1996 is due to a number of factors
discussed below, including the Property and Casualty Group's underwriting
decisions, competition, and the impact of workers' compensation benefit reform
laws.

     During the past three years, the Property and Casualty Group reduced
workers' compensation premium volume in those states in the Property and
Casualty Group's marketing territory that generally have had unfavorable
regulatory environments in terms of rates and benefits. As a result, the
Property and Casualty Group did not renew certain accounts due to inadequate
profit potential. In addition, competition and manual rate levels affected
workers' compensation premium volume. Intense competition caused rates for
certain accounts to be unattractive relative to the risks assumed. Rather than
match the price merely to retain the volume, the Property and Casualty Group
declined to write the accounts. In terms of manual rates, average rate levels
declined 7.0%, 3.0%, and 10.0% in 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. The rate
decreases had a substantially lower proportional impact on premiums written, as
the Property and Casualty Group had reduced its dependence on rate-sensitive
business during 1995 and 1994.


                                      -32-

<PAGE>



     Workers' compensation premiums also declined during the three-year period
as a result of the enactment of workers' compensation benefit reform laws. These
benefit reform laws also have had a favorable impact on loss and LAE reserves
for business written on policies subject to such reform laws. See "Losses and
Expenses" below. The Property and Casualty Group anticipates further impact on
premiums, losses and expenses from Act 57 (passed in July 1996), which reduced
Pennsylvania workers' compensation rates by 25% on average effective in February
1997. Since the passage of Act 57 and reform laws in other states, the Property
and Casualty Group has increased its focus on rate-sensitive and small account
business based upon its belief that such legislation makes the potential loss
experience on such business more favorable and less volatile than it had
previously been.

     Direct workers' compensation premiums were also impacted by changes in the
level of premium adjustments, primarily related to audit premiums and
retrospective policies. In 1996, such adjustments reduced gross premiums written
by $6.1 million, while in 1995, such adjustments increased premiums written by
$6.6 million. This decrease in premium adjustments billed in 1996 relative to
1995 is primarily due to two factors: (i) the lower amount of billed audit
premiums, which is attributable to more adequate estimation of risk exposures
and resultant estimated premium at the inception of the policies; and (ii) the
increase in retrospectively rated premiums returned to insureds, resulting from
the favorable loss experience in more recent accident years in workers'
compensation. The increase in 1995 relative to 1994 relates mainly to the fact
that, as loss data matured on retrospective policies for previous accident
years, the Property and Casualty Group was able to recover additional premiums
from such policyholders. As the Property and Casualty Group has expanded this
type of business since 1989, proportionately more policies have mature loss
data, resulting in more premium adjustments. This increase was partially offset
by lower audit premium adjustments relating to generally lower premium volume.

     Companies writing workers' compensation in certain states generally must
share in the risk of insuring entities that cannot obtain insurance in the
voluntary market. Typically, an insurer's share of this residual market is
dependent upon its market share in the voluntary market, and the assignments are
accomplished either by direct assignment or by assumption from pools. In 1996,
the Property and Casualty Group's direct assignments, which are included in
direct written premiums, decreased $15.3 million relative to 1995, and decreased
$8.7 million in 1995 as compared to 1994, reflecting generally lower premium
volume in workers' compensation for the Property and Casualty Group, as well as
conditions in the voluntary market.

     Since 1992, the Property and Casualty Group has developed a variety of
alternative market products for larger accounts, including large deductible
policies and offshore captive programs. Typically, the Property and Casualty
Group receives a lower up-front premium for these types of alternative market
product plans. However, under of this type of business, the insured retains a
greater share of the underwriting risk than under rate-sensitive or
loss-sensitive products, which reduces the potential for unfavorable claim
activity on the accounts and encourages loss control on the part of the insured.
For example, under a large deductible policy, the customer is responsible for
paying its own losses up to the amount of the deductible for each occurrence.
The deductibles under such policies generally range from $250,000 to $1.0
million.

     During 1995 and 1994, the Property and Casualty Group expanded writings of
commercial lines of business other than workers' compensation, such as
commercial auto, general liability, umbrella, multi-peril and commercial
property lines (collectively, "Commercial Lines"). Direct premiums for
Commercial Lines increased $10.4 million in 1995 to $114.2 million. While the
Property and Casualty Group expanded these lines in 1995 and 1994, the growth
had been less than management anticipated. Market conditions have been extremely
competitive in these lines, and management has refused to compromise
underwriting standards merely to increase volume during the three-year period.
Due to these competitive conditions, in 1996,

                                      -33-

<PAGE>



premium volume in Commercial Lines declined $9.3 million relative to 1995, to
$104.9 million. On a going-forward basis, it is anticipated that Commercial
Lines premiums will decline on a net basis due to a lower net retention for such
lines, as well as the Property and Casualty Group's planned emphasis on workers'
compensation products.

     Ceded premiums decreased $10.4 million in 1996 as compared to 1995 and $2.3
million in 1995 as compared to 1994. In 1996, the rate of decrease in ceded
premiums was less than the decrease in direct premiums due to the increased use
of facultative reinsurance for specific uses in Commercial Lines. In 1995, the
rate of decrease in ceded premiums was less than the rate of decrease in direct
premiums, mainly due to the expansion of Commercial Lines. Typically, the
Property and Casualty Group buys more reinsurance covering these lines than the
workers' compensation line.

     In addition to the impact of fluctuation in premiums written, premiums
earned were also impacted by the change in accrued retrospective premiums, which
arise from projected losses on retrospectively rated policies. Premiums written
were not impacted by such changes. In 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Property and
Casualty Group reduced accrued retrospective premiums by $10.5 million, $4.0
million and $1.0 million respectively. The 1996 reduction reflects improved loss
reserve development in the prior three accident years. This improvement in loss
experience reduced the estimated amounts of premium that will be billed for the
retrospectively rated policies written during these years. The decrease in 1995
as compared to 1994 was due to overall reduction in premium volume and to the
increased amounts of retrospective premium billed in the period.

     Losses and Expenses

     The following table reflects the components of the Property and Casualty
Group's combined ratios, as computed under GAAP (1):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1996                 1995                  1994
                                                                 -----------          -----------           -----------
<S>                                                              <C>                   <C>                   <C>  
Loss ratio............................................                158.2%                92.5%                 90.1%
                                                                 -----------          -----------           -----------
Expense ratio:
  Amortization of deferred acquisition costs..........                 19.7%                15.5%                 15.3%
  Operating expenses..................................                 31.9%                16.6%                 16.7%
                                                                 -----------          -----------           -----------
         Total expense ratio..........................                 51.6%                32.1%                 32.0%
                                                                 -----------          -----------           -----------
Policyholders' dividend...............................                  6.1%                 4.8%                  4.6%
                                                                 -----------          -----------           -----------
Combined ratio-GAAP...................................                215.9%               129.4%                126.7%
                                                                 ===========          ===========           ===========
</TABLE>

- - - ----------
(1)  The combined ratio computed on a GAAP basis is equal to losses and LAE,
     plus amortization of deferred acquisition costs, plus operating expenses,
     plus policyholders' dividends, all divided by net premiums earned.

     In 1996, the Property and Casualty Group's loss ratio was impacted by
$191.4 million of reserve strengthening for unpaid losses and LAE of prior
accident years as compared to loss and LAE reserve strengthening of $66.5
million in 1995 and $18.6 million in 1994. The loss and LAE reserve
strengthening was associated with the following lines of business:



                                      -34-

<PAGE>



                          (dollar amounts in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1996                 1995                  1994
                                                                     ----                 ----                  ----
<S>                                                              <C>                   <C>                   <C>  
  
Pre-1992 workers' compensation ................................. $  110.0               $  54.7                $  13.2
Asbestos and environmental .....................................     60.4                  23.4                    4.6
Other lines of business ........................................     21.0                 (11.6)                   0.8
                                                                 --------               -------                -------

Total reserve strengthening .................................... $  191.4               $  66.5                $  18.6
                                                                 ========               =======                =======
</TABLE>



     The adverse development in workers' compensation loss and LAE reserves
during this period primarily related to Pennsylvania workers' compensation
claims from accident years 1987 through 1991. As claims data from these accident
years have matured, the impact of disability and medical benefits available to
claimants in Pennsylvania before the passage of reform legislation in 1993 and
1996, coupled with the economic conditions that have existed during the
disability periods, has become more apparent. As such, the developed losses have
exceeded management's prior estimates. The reform legislation enacted in 1993
and 1996 has introduced various controls and limitations on disability and
medical benefits which management believes have had, and will continue to have,
a beneficial effect on the loss ratio.

     In 1993, Pennsylvania enacted Act 44, which introduced medical cost
containment measures and provided for the expansion of the period of time during
which the insurer may require an employee to accept medical treatment from the
employer's list of designated health care providers. As previously noted, in
1996, Pennsylvania enacted Act 57, which included various additional controls
and limitations on disability and medical benefits in Pennsylvania. In addition
to regulatory reforms and management's reunderwriting of the book of business,
the loss ratios have been favorably impacted by the shift to loss-sensitive and
alternative market products since 1990. Such impact is reflected in the
improvement since 1990 in the workers' compensation accident year loss ratios
(losses recorded for the year the event occurred expressed as a percentage of
the premiums earned for that year), as the following chart indicates:

     Workers' Compensation Undiscounted Accident Year Pure Loss Ratios as of
December 31, 1996

                           Accident Years                     Loss Ratio
                           --------------                     ----------

                               1990                              100%
                               1991                               86%
                               1992                               80%
                               1993                               64%
                               1994                               64%
                               1995                               63%
                               1996                               63%

         In addition, management is taking several steps to reduce the
outstanding claims associated with the Pennsylvania workers' compensation
business written through 1991. A commutation program was initiated in the fourth
quarter 1996 and is expected to continue into late 1997. Commutations are
agreements with claimants whereby the claimants, in exchange for a lump sum
payment, will forego their rights to future indemnity payments from the Property
and Casualty Group. Under Pennsylvania workers' compensation laws, all such
commutation arrangements must be approved by the claimant and the Pennsylvania
Workers' Compensation Board. As result of the commutation program, it is
expected that investment income for the Property and Casualty Group will be less
in 1997 than in 1996, as the cash flow associated with the

                                      -35-

<PAGE>



commutation payments should reduce the Property and Casualty Group's average
assets available for investment. It is also expected that the number of open
claims for accident years 1991 and prior should decline as a result of this
program. This reduction in open claims should reduce the possibility of further
adverse development on the recorded reserves, although there can be no
assurances that the level of commutations will have a significant impact on the
future development on such reserves.

     The adverse development in reserves associated with asbestos and
environmental claims is the result of a detailed analysis of loss and LAE
reserves associated with asbestos and environmental liability claims completed
in 1996. The analysis of asbestos loss and LAE reserves involved a ground-up
review and projection on an account-by-account basis. The analysis of
environmental loss and LAE reserves involved an actuarial calendar year loss
development technique. Estimation of obligations for asbestos and environmental
exposures continues to be more difficult than for other loss reserves because of
several factors, including: (i) evolving methodologies for the estimation of the
liabilities; (ii) lack of reliable historical claim data; (iii) uncertainties
with respect to insurance and reinsurance coverage related to these obligations;
(iv) changing judicial interpretations; and (v) changing government standards.

         The Company's asbestos-related losses were as follows:

                            Years Ended December 31,
                          (dollar amounts in thousands)

                                                 1996        1995        1994
                                               --------    --------    --------
Gross of reinsurance:
Beginning reserves .........................   $ 27,611    $ 13,969    $ 12,913
Incurred losses and LAE ....................     62,854      22,482       6,424
Calendar year payments for losses and LAE ..    (10,410)     (8,840)     (5,368)
                                               --------    --------    --------

Ending reserves ............................   $ 80,055    $ 27,611    $ 13,969
                                               ========    ========    ========

Net of reinsurance:
Beginning reserves .........................   $ 23,443    $  8,168    $  7,700
Incurred losses and LAE ....................     39,427      21,826       5,834
Calendar year payments for losses and LAE ..     (9,570)     (6,551)     (5,366)
                                               --------    --------    --------
Ending reserves ............................   $ 53,300    $ 23,443    $  8,168
                                               ========    ========    ========


(Included in such reserves are reserves for PMA Re of $311,000, $589,000 and
$333,000 (net) at December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.)

     The Company's environmental-related losses were as follows:


                                      -36-

<PAGE>



                            Years Ended December 31,
                          (dollar amounts in thousands)

                                                 1996        1995        1994
                                                 ----        ----        ---- 
Gross of reinsurance:
Beginning reserves .........................   $ 20,134    $ 20,952    $ 26,129
Incurred losses and LAE ....................     22,143       3,516      (2,150)
Calendar year payments for losses and LAE ..     (6,651)     (4,334)     (3,027)
                                               --------    --------    --------

Ending reserves ............................   $ 35,626    $ 20,134    $ 20,952
                                               ========    ========    ========



Net of reinsurance:
Beginning reserves .........................   $ 20,134    $ 20,952    $ 26,129
Incurred losses and LAE ....................     21,109       3,516      (2,150)
Calendar year payments for losses and LAE ..     (6,651)     (4,334)     (3,027)
                                               --------    --------    --------

Ending reserves ............................   $ 34,592    $ 20,134    $ 20,952
                                               ========    ========    ========




(Included in such reserves are reserves for PMA Re of $2,907,000, $2,635,000 and
$1,056,000 (net) at December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.)

     Of the total net asbestos and environmental reserves, $19.3 million were
for established claims reserves at December 31, 1996 ($17.1 million at December
31, 1995) and $68.6 million were for incurred but not reported losses ($26.5
million at December 31, 1995).

     Management believes that its reserves for asbestos and environmental claims
are appropriately established based upon known facts, existing case law, and
generally accepted actuarial methodologies. However, due to changing
interpretations by courts involving coverage issues, the potential for changes
in federal and state standards for clean-up and liability and other factors, the
ultimate exposure to the Property and Casualty Group for these claims may vary
significantly from the amounts currently recorded, resulting in a potential
adjustment in the claims reserves recorded. Additionally, issues involving
policy provisions, allocation of liability among participating insurers, proof
of coverage, and other factors make quantification of liabilities exceptionally
difficult and subject to adjustment based upon newly available data. See Note 3
to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail on asbestos and
environmental loss reserves.

     In 1996, other commercial lines experienced reserve strengthening of $21.0
million, as compared to a reserve release of $11.6 million in 1995. The reserve
strengthening was principally due to a reestimation of LAE associated with
general liability claims. The Property and Casualty Group expects that the
average period that such claims are open to increase, and has increased the cost
of adjusting such claims accordingly. The release of reserves in 1995 was
primarily due to favorable loss experience in commercial automobile business.

     In addition to loss and LAE reserve adverse development, the 1996 calendar
year loss ratio was impacted by a net $15.1 million accretion of discount on
workers' compensation loss reserves. In 1995, losses and LAE incurred were
impacted by a $35.0 million reduction of unpaid losses and LAE related to
changing the rate at which workers' compensation unpaid losses are discounted
for both SAP and GAAP.

                                      -37-

<PAGE>



The Property and Casualty Group's Pennsylvania-domiciled insurance subsidiaries
increased such discount rate from 4.0% to 5.0% in 1995, which was permitted and
approved by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. Loss reserves on other lines
of business as well as LAE reserves for all lines of business are not
discounted. As premium volume has been reduced in recent years, the accretion of
the discount has had a more significant impact on the calendar year loss ratios
recorded, as there is a lower premium base over which to spread the effect of
the accretion.

     The 1996 expense ratio was adversely impacted by several factors that
occurred in 1996. There was a $22.5 million increase in write-downs and
valuation adjustments for the Property and Casualty Group, including:

                          (dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                        <C>    
Accrual of costs for voluntary early retirement program ................   $   7.6
Change in depreciable lives for computer equipment .....................       4.8
Premium balances written off and increase in allowance for doubtful
  accounts (excluding $5.0 million of retrospective premium write-offs)       10.1
                                                                           -------
                                                                           $  22.5
                                                                           =======
</TABLE>

     In connection with a plan to reduce its overall level of indirect
underwriting expenses in 1997 and beyond, the Property and Casualty Group
initiated a Voluntary Early Retirement Program ("VERIP") in December 1996.
Eligibility to participate in the VERIP was contingent upon the employees' ages
and years of service with the Company. Of the 84 employees eligible to
participate in the VERIP, 49 employees opted to participate. The accrual at
December 31, 1996 is primarily comprised of additional pension and medical
accruals and severance pay in connection with the VERIP.

     The Property and Casualty Group also reassessed its estimate of useful
lives for its mainframe computer equipment, and changed the depreciable lives of
such assets from five years to three years. The effect of this adjustment was to
increase 1996 depreciation expense by $4.8 million.

     As part of its ongoing review of premium balances due from agents and
insureds, the Property and Casualty Group wrote off, and reserved for, $17.5
million in premium balances receivable in 1996, an increase of $15.1 million as
compared to 1995. The increase in this write-off is mainly due to a change in
the collection assumptions on accounts that have been referred to attorneys.

     As a result of the aforementioned charges, the GAAP expense ratio increased
by 8.4 points in 1996 as compared to 1995. The GAAP expense ratio also increased
by 2.6 points due to the increase in sales of alternative market products, which
have much lower, if any, net premium, and due to loss-based assessments, which
do not vary with earned premium. The other 8.5 points increase in the GAAP
expense ratio is primarily due to operating expenses not decreasing
commensurately with the decrease in net premiums earned.

     The GAAP expense ratios remained fairly stable between 1995 and 1994; the
expense ratios recorded were 32.1% and 32.0% in 1995 and 1994, respectively.
While total expenses decreased from 1994 to 1995, the decrease in premium volume
more than offset the expense reduction. In addition, the change in the mix of
business toward alternative market products and self-insured services, which
have much lower, if any, net premium caused expenses to represent a larger
proportion of net premiums earned.


                                      -38-

<PAGE>



     The policyholder dividend ratios were 6.1%, 4.8% and 4.6% for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The ratios have increased
over the three-year-period, mainly because of sliding-scale dividend plans.
Under such plans, the insured receives a dividend based upon the collective loss
experience of the plan. As the loss experience of the most recent three
underwriting years has improved relative to the years prior to this period, the
Property and Casualty Group has incurred higher policyholder dividends.

     Net Investment Income

     Net investment income decreased 10.6% and 4.6% in 1996 and 1995,
respectively. The reductions were attributable mainly to lower average
investment balances, resulting from the pay-down of loss reserves from prior
accident years and decreasing premium volume. In addition, the planned
acceleration of paid losses in 1997 associated with the Property and Casualty
Group's commutation strategy has caused the overall maturity of the investment
portfolio to decrease, resulting in a lower average interest rate for invested
assets at the end of 1996 related to 1995. The aforementioned commutation
strategy is expected to lower investment income in 1997 related to 1996, as
average invested asset balances are expected to be in lower in 1997.

     Comparison of SAP and GAAP Results

     The results presented under SAP are those of the Pooled Companies. Prior to
December 31, 1996, the Pooled Companies were comprised of four domestic
insurance companies: Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association Insurance Company;
Manufacturers Alliance Insurance Company; Pennsylvania Manufacturers Indemnity
Company; and MASCCO. Effective December 31, 1996, MASCCO was removed from the
pooling arrangement. As part of a plan to reduce the amount of indemnity
reserves from accident years 1991 and prior in the Pooled Companies, certain
workers' compensation reserves were transferred to MASCCO.

     The results of the Company's foreign insurance subsidiaries are not
included in the SAP results. The Company's foreign insurance subsidiaries
include: Pennsylvania Manufacturers International Insurance Limited ("PMII"), a
Bermuda subsidiary engaged in reinsuring alternative market products offered by
the Pooled Companies, Chestnut and PMA Cayman. Up to December 31, 1996, Chestnut
primarily reinsured certain obligations of the Pooled Companies. At December 31,
1996, Chestnut transferred the assets and liabilities associated with such
reinsurance arrangements to PMA Cayman. Under such intercompany reinsurance
arrangements, PMII and PMA Cayman, in 1996, and PMII and Chestnut, in 1995 and
1994, assumed from the Pooled Companies the following amounts:

                          (dollar amounts in millions)

                                              1996          1995         1994
                                              ----         -----         ----
Premiums earned ..................        $   40.9       $  26.9      $  19.8
Losses incurred ..................           120.9          71.7         33.1
Commissions ......................              --           1.7          0.9


         In addition to the above, the GAAP results for the Property and
Casualty Group include the results of other entities within the Property and
Casualty Group, but excluded from the aforementioned pooling agreement,
including PMA Life Insurance Company and other affiliated non-insurance
companies utilized in providing certain products and services to the Property
and Casualty Group's clients. The exclusion of such entities tends to decrease
the SAP combined ratio relative to the GAAP combined ratio.


                                      -39-

<PAGE>



         PMA Re Results of Operations

         In 1996, PMA Re accounted for 35.6% of the Company's operating
revenues. Summarized financial results of this segment are as follows:

                          (dollar amounts in thousands)

                                                 1996         1995         1994
                                                 ----         ----         ----
Net premiums written ....................    $164,053     $152,760     $113,351
                                             ========     ========     ========
Net premiums earned .....................    $151,974     $139,345     $105,410
Net investment income ...................      48,676       45,166       42,068
                                             --------     --------     --------
Operating revenues ......................     200,650      184,511      147,478
                                             --------     --------     --------
Losses and LAE incurred .................     111,937      103,947       78,750
Acquisition and operating expenses ......      45,930       41,121       35,025
                                             --------     --------     --------
Total losses and expenses ...............     157,867      145,068      113,775
                                             --------     --------     --------
Pre-tax operating income ................    $ 42,783     $ 39,443     $ 33,703
                                             ========     ========     ========
GAAP loss ratio .........................        73.7%        74.6%        74.7%
GAAP combined ratio .....................       103.9%       104.1%       108.0%
SAP loss ratio ..........................        73.7%        74.6%        74.7%
SAP combined ratio ......................       104.4%       105.5%       108.2%


     Premium Revenues

     In 1996 and 1995, net premiums written increased 7.4% and 34.8%,
respectively. In 1996, the increase was primarily the result of increased
participation on reinsurance treaties with existing clients and writing of
additional layers and programs with current clients. To a lesser extent, new
ceding clients have also contributed to PMA Re's growth during 1996. Such
increases were partially offset by premium reductions resulting from the current
trend of larger ceding companies increasing their retentions.

     The increase in 1995 was attributable to an increase in the demand for
reinsurance as well as increased participation on reinsurance treaties with
existing clients. The increased demand was due to several industry trends such
as the growth of regional and niche companies that have greater needs for
reinsurance and strong growth in certain primary industry segments in which PMA
Re specializes, such as excess and surplus lines.

     The following table indicates PMA Re's gross and net premiums written by
major category of business:



                                      -40-

<PAGE>



                          (dollar amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      1996            1995
                                                    1996             1995            1994           Change          Change
                                                    ----             ----            ----           ------          ------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>             <C>                <C>              <C>  
Gross Premiums Written:
Casualty lines..........................        $144,040         $128,736        $107,000           11.9 %           20.3%
Property lines..........................          63,325           63,693          36,592           (0.6)%           74.1%
Other lines.............................             793              (63)            838               --              --
                                               ---------        ---------       ---------        ---------       ---------
Total...................................        $208,158         $192,366        $144,430            8.2 %           33.2%
                                               =========        =========       =========        =========       =========
Net Premiums Written:
Casualty lines..........................        $122,020         $107,383        $ 88,585           13.6 %           21.2%
Property lines..........................          41,240           45,440          23,929           (9.2)%           89.9%
Other lines.............................             793              (63)            837               --              --
                                               ---------        ---------     -----------        ---------       ---------

Total...................................        $164,053         $152,760        $113,351            7.4 %           34.8%
                                               =========        =========     ===========        =========       =========
</TABLE>




     PMA Re's net casualty premiums written increased 13.6% and 21.2% in 1996
and 1995, respectively, for a 17.4% compound annual rate. The growth in 1996 and
1995 is attributable to the expansion of several programs covering specialty
business, which includes professional liability, directors' and officers'
liability, and other coverages written on a surplus lines basis.

     PMA Re's property business decreased 9.2% during 1996 and increased 89.9%
during 1995. The decrease in 1996 is primarily attributable to higher ceding
company retentions and competitive pricing conditions in a soft reinsurance
market. During 1995, PMA Re was able to increase property premiums through
expansion of several property programs; these programs encompassed such lines as
auto physical damage, inland marine, and certain specialty property coverages
written on a surplus line basis. The programs written by PMA Re contain per
occurrence limits and/or are not considered significantly catastrophe exposed,
either because of the locations of the insured values or the nature of the
underlying properties insured.

     In November 1995, PMA Re commenced writing facultative reinsurance. During
1996, this new line of business contributed 1% to total net premiums written. It
is anticipated that the facultative operations will be a source of premium
growth for future years.

     Net premiums earned increased 9.1% and 32.2% in 1996 and 1995,
respectively. These increases both correspond to the increase in net premiums
written.

     Losses and Expenses

     PMA Re's combined ratios have remained fairly stable from 1994 through
1996, with a slight decreasing trend. This relative stability is attributable to
(i) consistently favorable development of unpaid losses and LAE; (ii) prudent
management of catastrophe exposures; and (iii) lower loss ratios offsetting
generally increased acquisition costs related to writing more business with
ceding commissions.

     The following table indicates the components of PMA Re's GAAP combined
ratios:

                                      -41-

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1996      1995      1994
                                                         ----      ----      ----
                                                         
<S>                                                      <C>       <C>       <C>  
Loss Ratio .......................................       73.7%     74.6%     74.7%
                                                        -----     -----     -----
Expense ratio:
  Amortization of deferred acquisition costs .....       24.7%     24.2%     26.3%
  Operating expenses .............................        5.5%      5.3%      7.0%
                                                        -----     -----     -----
    Total expense ratio ..........................       30.2%     29.5%     33.3%
                                                        -----     -----     -----
Combined ratio-GAAP ..............................      103.9%    104.1%    108.0%
                                                        =====     =====     ===== 
</TABLE>





     For the past three years, PMA Re's loss ratios remained fairly stable,
decreasing to 73.7% in 1996 from 74.6% and 74.7% in 1995 and 1994, respectively.
Favorable development on prior years' unpaid losses and LAE was $28.6 million in
1996 and $15.0 million in both 1995 and 1994. The lower loss ratios are also
largely attributable to the trends in PMA Re's mix of business toward contracts
written on a pro rata basis and other contracts containing ceding commissions.
Premiums for such contracts tend to be higher relative to the losses when
compared to contracts that do not contain ceding commissions.

     The ratio of amortization of deferred acquisition costs to net premiums
earned ("Acquisition Expense Ratio") increased 0.5 points to 24.7% in 1996. This
slight increase is due to the fact that PMA Re has written more contracts with
ceding commissions. For such contracts, PMA Re pays the ceding company a
commission, but in return, PMA Re receives a higher proportion of the subject
premium. In 1995, the Acquisition Expense Ratio decreased 2.1 points from the
three-year high of 26.3% recorded in 1994. Such decrease relates primarily to
the fact that, beginning in 1996, PMA Re's property retrocession program was
changed to include a ceding commission, which resulted in additional $10.6
million and $7.5 million of offsets to acquisition costs in 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

     In the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, PMA Re added to its
operating infrastructure in the following ways: (i) added staff in response to
increased volume, and to increase the level of specialized support services to
customers; (ii) in November 1994, moved its headquarters into a new facility and
significantly upgraded several of its data processing systems; and (iii) in
1995, added a facultative underwriting unit. In 1994, the resulting increases in
operating expenses outpaced the increase in premium volume, as all of the costs
associated with the move to the new facility were incurred, and a large
proportion of the new support services were added. As such, the ratio of
operating expenses to net premiums earned (the "Operating Expense Ratio") was
7.0%. In 1995 and 1996, the increases in premium volume, coupled with relatively
flat levels of operating expenses, caused the Operating Expense Ratio to remain
relatively stable.

     Net Investment Income

     Net investment income increased from $42.1 million in 1994 to $45.2 million
in 1995, and from $45.2 million in 1995 to $48.7 million in 1996, increases of
7.4% and 7.8%, respectively. Such increases were primarily attributable to the
overall increase in PMA Re's invested assets. At amortized cost, PMA Re's cash
and invested assets increased $34.9 million, or 4.4% and $92.4 million, or 13.1%
during 1996 and 1995, respectively. Additionally, the 1996 increase was also due
to a decrease in holdings of tax-exempt securities for which yields tend to be
lower than other investment vehicles.



                                      -42-

<PAGE>



     Comparison of SAP and GAAP Results

     The difference between the combined ratios presented on a GAAP basis versus
the SAP combined ratios is primarily attributable to the different accounting
treatment of acquisition costs. As PMA Re has grown in terms of premium volume
during 1996 and 1995, PMA Re has incurred additional acquisition costs, which
are deferred for GAAP. Since, for SAP purposes, PMA Re is not permitted to defer
its acquisition costs, there is an incremental expense recorded on a SAP basis
which is not required for GAAP.

     Corporate Operations

     The corporate segment is primarily comprised of corporate overhead and the
operations of the Company's properties. In 1995 and 1994, management reviewed
its property holdings, some of which the Company is presently attempting to sell
or lease. In doing such review, management determined that the fair market
values of the Company's former headquarters building and certain adjacent
properties were less than the carrying values plus the costs to carry and sell
the properties. As such, the Company recorded charges of $8.4 million and $4.9
million, in 1995 and 1994, respectively, to write down these properties to their
fair market values less costs to carry and sell the properties. No such charges
were recorded during 1996. In addition, certain overhead costs were reduced in
1996 as compared to 1995.

     Net Realized Investment Gains

     Net realized investment gains amounted to $3.0 million, $31.9 million, and
$47.5 million in 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. During the three-year
period ended December 31, 1996, the Company realized gains from investment sales
related to the following: (i) transactions to move holdings between taxable and
tax-exempt fixed maturity investments in order to maximize after-tax yields;
(ii) transactions to expand the asset classes in which the Company invests to
capitalize on favorable yield spreads between such instruments and U.S. Treasury
securities; (iii) sales based upon an assessment of the interest rate
environment and the shape of the yield curve; and (iv) sales of equity
securities, as the Company has substantially reduced its holdings of this asset
class over the last three years. During 1996 and 1995, most of the investment
sales activity resulted from reducing the Company's holdings of tax-advantaged
securities. Based upon an assessment of the Company's position with respect to
alternative minimum tax ("AMT"), the Company reduced its tax-advantaged
securities positions beginning in late 1995 and throughout 1996. In 1996, these
sales resulted in a net loss of $0.9 million, versus 1995 when such transactions
resulted in a net gain of $12.1 million. During 1995, the declining interest
rate environment gave rise to favorable sales opportunities; these opportunities
were less prevalent in 1996 due to the higher interest rate environment. In
early 1994, the Company realized gains of approximately $47.5 million from sales
of taxable securities. The objective of such transactions was to increase the
proportion of tax-advantaged securities and to shorten the duration of the
investment portfolio. In addition to gains and losses arising from the sales of
fixed maturity investments, sales of equity securities generated net realized
gains of $3.9 million, $0.9 million, and $8.5 million in 1996, 1995, and 1994,
respectively.

     Interest Expense and Income Taxes

     Interest expense decreased from $18.7 million in 1995 to $17.1 million in
1996. Such reduction relates to slightly lower average debt balances in 1996. In
addition, principal payments on the Company's higher coupon senior notes
(average coupon rate of amounts paid was 9.49%) were funded with drawdowns on
the Company's revolving credit facility, which had an average interest rate of
6.08% in 1996. In March 1997, the Company refinanced all of its existing debt
facilities with a new revolving credit arrangement, which is expected to reduce
interest expense (see "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below). Interest expense

                                      -43-

<PAGE>



increased to $18.7 million in 1995 from $13.1 million in 1994. This increase
relates mainly to the fact that the Company added $25.0 million of revolving
bank debt in late December 1994, which brought the total bank debt at that time
to $100.0 million. In addition, the Company refinanced $100.0 million of
floating rate bank debt through the issuance of $107.0 million of fixed rate
senior notes. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below. The senior notes
carried a higher fixed rate of interest (approximately 100 basis points) than
the average variable rate the Company had been paying during 1994 on the
revolving credit facility.

     The Company's effective tax rates were 29.3% (benefit), 30.9%, and 12.4% in
1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. The Company recorded a net deferred tax
asset of $101.6 million and $67.3 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively. The
$34.3 million increase from 1995 to 1996 resulted primarily from the operating
loss reported in 1996. The net deferred tax asset of $101.6 million reflects
management's estimate of the amounts that the Company expects to recover in
future years primarily through the utilization of net operating losses and AMT
credit carryforwards. Management believes that the benefit of its net deferred
tax asset will be fully realized, and, therefore, has not provided for a
valuation allowance. At December 31, 1996, the Company had $153.2 million of net
operating carryforwards (expiring in 2011) and $13.3 million of AMT credit
carryforwards (which do not expire). The increase in the effective tax rate in
1995 versus 1994 relates primarily to three factors. First, in 1995, management
determined that, for AMT purposes, the Company did not require as much
tax-exempt income as was projected; therefore, the Company reduced its exposure
to tax-advantaged securities throughout the year. For GAAP purposes, such
portfolio adjustments generally increase the effective tax rate, even though
there were economic advantages associated with the transactions. In terms of the
targeted amount of tax-exempt investments, management assesses the optimal level
of tax-exempt interest, with such assessment based upon: (i) the Company's tax
position in terms of the margin between regular federal taxes and AMT and (ii)
the relative attractiveness of tax-advantaged securities versus other investment
vehicles. Second, the effective tax rate in 1995 was impacted by the fact that
net realized investment gains were a larger proportion of income than in 1994.
Third, the Company's effective tax rate increased in 1995 due to losses of a
foreign reinsurance affiliate utilized in the Property and Casualty Group's
operations.

     Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Liquidity

     Liquidity is a measure of an entity's ability to secure enough cash to meet
its contractual obligations and operating needs. At the holding company level,
the Company requires cash to pay debt obligations and dividends to shareholders,
to pay taxes to the Federal government, as well as to capitalize subsidiaries
from time to time. PMC's primary sources of liquidity are dividends from
subsidiaries, net tax payments received from subsidiaries and borrowings.

     The Company paid interest of $16.6 million, $15.1 million and $12.9 million
in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. In addition, the Company made scheduled
debt repayments of $25.1 million, $125.1 million and $15.9 million in 1996, 1995
and 1994 respectively, and paid dividends to shareholders of $7.9 million in
1996 and 1995 and $5.9 million in 1994. PMC also made cash capital contributions
to its subsidiaries totaling $50.0 million, $61.0 million and $17.1 million in
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. In 1995, PMC also utilized cash to settle
intercompany balances with its domestic insurance subsidiaries.



                                      -44-
<PAGE>


     Dividends from subsidiaries were $53.6 million, $103.2 million and $34.0
million in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Net tax cash flows were $12.0
million, $11.4 million and $11.9 million in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

     In addition to dividends and tax payments from subsidiaries, the Company
utilized the following sources to generate liquidity for the above needs. During
1996, the Company financed scheduled repayments on its senior note facilities of
$25.0 million through drawdowns on its revolving credit facility. In 1995, the
Company converted its expiring revolving credit agreement into a more permanent
form of financing by issuing $107.0 million of 7.62% privately placed senior
notes. Additionally, the Company funded the scheduled debt repayments on its
existing senior notes by drawing down $18.0 million on a new $50.0 million
revolving credit agreement with a banking syndicate. At December 31, 1996, the
Company had $6.0 million available on such revolving credit agreement. In March
1997, management refinanced all of its existing credit agreements not otherwise
expiring in 1997 through a new revolving credit facility (the "New Credit
Facility"). See "Capital Resources" below for further discussion.

     The Company's domestic insurance subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to
the holding company is limited by the insurance laws and regulations of
Pennsylvania. Under such laws and regulations, dividends may not be paid without
prior approval of the Commissioner in excess of the greater of (i) 10% of
surplus as regards to policyholders as of the end of the preceding year or (ii)
statutory net income for the preceding year.

     Under this standard, the Pooled Companies and PMA Re can pay an aggregate
of $51.9 million of dividends without the prior approval of the Commissioner
during 1997. Under its plan of operation filed with the Pennsylvania Insurance
Department, MASCCO must maintain a ratio of unpaid losses and loss adjustment
expenses to surplus of no more than eight to one; as of December 31, 1996,
MASCCO was in compliance with such requirement. In addition, certain covenants
within the Company's debt agreements in effect at December 31, 1996 require the
Company's insurance subsidiaries to maintain combined statutory capital and
surplus of $375.0 million. The New Credit Facility requires the Company's
insurance subsidiaries to maintain combined statutory capital and surplus of
$450.0 million. At December 31, 1996, the Company's insurance subsidiaries had
combined statutory capital and surplus of $535.7 million. Additionally, the New
Credit Facility requires the domestic insurance subsidiaries of the Property and
Casualty Group to maintain an adjusted surplus to authorized control level ratio
(as calculated under risk based capital rules) of not less than 200%, and
requires PMA Re to maintain such ratio at 300%. At December 31, 1996, the ratios
of the domestic insurance subsidiaries of the Property and Casualty Group ranged
from 230% to 210%, and PMA Re's ratio was 380%.

     PMC's dividends to shareholders are restricted by its debt agreements.
Based upon the terms of the New Credit Facility, on a pro forma basis under the
most restrictive debt covenant, PMC would be able to pay dividends of
approximately $11.0 million in 1997. See "Capital Resources" for further
discussion.

     Management believes that the Company's sources of funds will provide
sufficient liquidity to meet short-term and long-term obligations.

     Investments

     The Company's investment policy objectives are to (i) seek competitive
after-tax income and total return, (ii) maintain very high grade asset quality
and marketability on all investments, (iii) maintain maturity distribution
commensurate with the Company's business objectives, (iv) provide portfolio


                                      -45-
<PAGE>

flexibility for changing business and investment climates and (v) provide
liquidity to meet operating objectives. The Company has established strategies,
asset quality standards, asset allocations and other relevant criteria for its
fixed maturity and equity portfolios. In addition, maturities are structured
after projecting liability cash flows with sophisticated actuarial models. The
Company also does not invest in various types of investments, including
speculative derivatives. The Company's portfolio does not contain any
significant concentrations in single issuers (other than U.S. treasury
obligations), industry segments or geographic regions.

     The Company's Board of Directors is responsible for the Company's
investments and investment policy objectives. The Company retains outside
investment advisers to provide investment advice and guidance, supervise the
Company's portfolio and arrange securities transactions through brokers and
dealers. The Company's Executive and Finance Committees of the Board of
Directors meet periodically with the investment advisers to review the
performance of the investment portfolio and to determine what actions should be
taken with respect to the Company's investments. Investments by the Pooled
Companies, MASCCO and PMA Re must comply with the insurance laws and regulations
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Company's capital not allocated to the
Pooled Companies, MASCCO and PMA Re may be invested in securities and other
investments that are not subject to such insurance laws, but nonetheless conform
to the Company's investment policy.

     The following table summarizes the Company's investments by carrying value
as of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      (dollar amounts in millions)

                                                     1996                    1995                      1994
                                                     ----                    ----                      ----
                                             Carrying                 Carrying                   Carrying
Investment                                    Value       Percent      Value       Percent        Value       Percent
- - - ----------                                    -----       -------      -----       -------        -----       -------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and
     obligations of U.S.
     Government agencies.............      $1,602.8         70.8%      $1,666.3      67.9%      $1,050.8        45.4%
Obligations of states and
     political subdivisions..........          76.5          3.4%         435.9      17.8%        841.8         36.4%
Corporate debt securities............         372.8         16.5%         128.8       5.2%         45.6          2.0%
Mortgage backed securities...........          74.0          3.3%            --         --        179.2          7.7%
Equity securities....................           0.3            --          10.9       0.4%         17.5          0.8%
Short-term investments...............         135.0          6.0%         214.1       8.7%        178.4          7.7%
                                           --------        -----       --------     -----      --------        ----- 
     Total (1).......................      $2,261.4        100.0%      $2,456.0     100.0%     $2,313.3        100.0%
                                           ========        =====       ========     =====      ========        ===== 
</TABLE>

- - - ----------------
(1)  As of December 31, 1996, the market value of the Company's total
     investments was $2,261.4 million.

     The following table indicates the composition of the Company's fixed
maturities portfolio at carrying value, excluding short-term investments by
rating as of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994:



                                      -46-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   (dollar amounts in millions)

                                                  1996                    1995                      1994
                                                  ----                    ----                      ----
                                          Carrying                 Carrying                   Carrying
Ratings (1)                                 Value       Percent      Value       Percent        Value       Percent
- - - -----------                                 -----       -------      -----       -------        -----       -------
<S>                                      <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
U.S. Treasury securities
      and AAA........................    $1,882.4        88.5%      $2,025.5      90.8%        $1,749.2      82.6%
AA...................................        95.8         4.5%         174.1       7.8%           329.3      15.6%
A....................................       147.9         7.0%          31.4       1.4%            38.9       1.8%
                                         --------       -----       --------     -----         --------     ----- 
     Total...........................    $2,126.1       100.0%      $2,231.0     100.0%        $2,117.4     100.0%
                                         ========       =====       ========     =====         ========     ===== 
</TABLE>


- - - ----------------
(1)  Ratings as assigned by Standard and Poor's. Such ratings are generally
     assigned at the issuance of the securities, subject to revision on the
     basis of ongoing evaluations. Ratings in the table are as of December 31 of
     the years indicated.

     The following table sets forth scheduled maturities for the Company's
investments in fixed maturities, excluding short-term investments, based on
stated maturity dates as of December 31, 1996. Expected maturities will differ
from contractual maturities because the issuers may have the right to call or
prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties:

                          (dollar amounts in millions)

                                                Carrying Value       Percent
                                                --------------       -------
      1 year or less........................       $  110.8             5.2%
      Over 1 year through 5 years...........          525.5            24.7%
      Over 5 years through 10 years.........          661.2            31.1%
      Over 10 years.........................          754.6            35.5%
      Mortgage backed securities............           74.0             3.5%
                                                   --------           ----- 
           Total............................       $2,126.1           100.0%
                                                   ========           ===== 
      
      
     The following table reflects the Company's investment results for each year
in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996:

                          (dollar amounts in millions)

                                                 1996       1995       1994
                                                 ----       ----       ----
      Average invested assets (1)........       $2,366.8  $2,395.8    $2,350.9
      Net investment income (2)..........       $  133.9  $  139.4    $  138.7
      Net effective yield (3)............          5.66%     5.82%       5.90%
      Net realized investment gains......       $    3.0  $   31.9    $   47.5
                                                           
- - - ----------------
(1)  Average of beginning and ending amounts of cash and investments for the
     period at carrying value.
(2)  After investment expenses, excluding net realized investment gains.
(3)  Net investment income for the period divided by average invested assets for
     the same period.

     As of December 31, 1996, the duration of the Company's investments was
approximately 5.6 years and the duration of its liabilities was approximately
4.9 years.



                                      -47-
<PAGE>

     Capital Resources

     The Company's total assets decreased to $3,117.5 million at December 31,
1996 from $3,258.6 million at December 31, 1995. Total investments decreased
$194.6 million to $2,261.4 million at December 31, 1996. The decrease in
investments is primarily attributable to the Property and Casualty Group's pay-
down of loss reserves from prior accident years. All other assets increased
$53.5 million in 1996, mainly due to a $34.3 million increase in the deferred
tax asset and an increase of $37.5 million in other assets, offset by decreases
in investment income due and accrued of $5.2 million, uncollected premiums of
$4.7 million, and reinsurance receivables of $6.7 million.

     Upon adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities," in
1994, the Company designated securities with a fair value of $1,420.6 million as
available for sale. Accordingly, in 1994, the Company recorded a credit to
equity of $45.3 million (net of tax effect of $24.4 million) representing the
cumulative effect of the adoption of SFAS No. 115 related to the net unrealized
gain position of fixed maturity securities available for sale at January 1,
1994. The Company does not actively trade its securities, and, therefore, none
of the portfolio was classified as trading securities. In 1995, the Company
re-evaluated the classifications of its investments. As a result, effective June
30, 1995, the Company reclassified its entire held to maturity portfolio to
available for sale. This reclassification resulted in a $1,238.1 million
increase in available for sale securities and a $2.4 million unrealized loss.

     During 1996, interest rates increased substantially. The effect of this
increase in interest rates was to decrease the fair value of the Company's
portfolio. Overall, the portfolio experienced a net unrealized loss of $65.2
million in 1996, as the fair value of the portfolio as of December 31, 1996 was
lower than its amortized cost by $38.3 million; at December 31, 1995 the fair
value of the portfolio was higher than its amortized cost by $26.9 million. As a
result, the Company recorded a total charge of $42.4 million (net of tax effect
of $22.8 million) to shareholders' equity in 1996. In 1995, the decrease in
interest rates caused the fair value of the Company's available for sale
portfolio to increase by $182.7 million, resulting in a credit to shareholders'
equity of $67.0 million (net of tax effect of $36.1 million). The difference
between amortized cost and fair value for available for sale securities
decreased shareholders' equity by $24.9 million (net of tax effect of $13.4
million) at December 31, 1996 and increased shareholders' equity by $17.5
million (net of tax effect of $9.4 million) at December 31, 1995.

     The Company's deferred income tax asset increased to $101.6 million at
December 31, 1996 from $67.3 million at December 31, 1995. The primary reasons
for such increase relate to net operating losses resulting from the Property and
Casualty Group's reserve strengthening and the tax effect of the unrealized loss
on investments available for sale. Under SFAS No. 109, a valuation allowance
should be provided to offset the effects of a deferred tax asset if management
believes that it is more likely than not that the benefit of a deferred tax item
will not be realized. Management believes that the benefit of its deferred tax
asset will be fully realized, and therefore has not provided for a valuation
allowance. The increase in other assets is mainly attributable to $18.3 million
in Federal taxes receivable relating to net operating loss carrybacks. Such
increase was partially offset by reductions in uncollected premiums and
reinsurance receivables of $4.7 million and $6.7 million, respectively, mainly
attributable to lower volume for the Property and Casualty Group.

     Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses increased $21.1 million to
$2,091.1 million at December 31, 1996. This increase reflects the Property and
Casualty Group's reserve strengthening charge of $191.4 million, offset by
favorable reserve development at PMA Re and loss payments on prior accident
years.



                                      -48-
<PAGE>

     Estimating future claims costs is necessarily a complex and judgmental
process inasmuch as reserve amounts are based on management's informed estimates
and judgments using data currently available. As such, management reviews a
variety of information, and uses a number of actuarial methods applied to
historical claims data, which often produces a range of possible results. As
additional experience and other data are reviewed, these estimates and judgments
are revised, at which point reserves may be increased or decreased accordingly.
Such increases or decreases are reflected in operating results for the time
period in which the adjustments are made. While the estimate for unpaid losses
and loss adjustment expenses is subject to many uncertainties, management
believes that it has made adequate provision for its claims liabilities.
However, if actual losses exceed the amounts recorded in the financial
statement, the Company's financial condition and results of operations could be
adversely affected.

     The Company actively manages its exposure to catastrophic events. In the
underwriting process, the Company generally avoids the accumulation of insurable
values in catastrophe prone regions. Also, in writing property reinsurance
coverages, PMA Re typically requires per occurrence loss limitations for
contracts that could have catastrophe exposure. Through per risk reinsurance,
the Company also manages its net retention in each exposure. In addition, PMA Re
maintains retrocessional protection of $46.0 million excess of $2.0 million per
occurrence, and the Property and Casualty Group maintains catastrophe
reinsurance protection of $15.0 million excess of $850,000. As a result, the
Company's loss ratios have not been significantly impacted by catastrophes, and
management believes that the Company has adequate reinsurance to protect against
the estimated probable maximum gross loss from a catastrophic event.

     The Company also maintains reinsurance and retrocessional protection for
other lines of business at December 31, 1996, as follows:

                                          Retention             Limits
                                          ---------             ------
The Property and Casualty Group:
    Per Occurrence:
      Workers' compensation..........   $1.5 million       $ 103.5 million
      Other casualty lines...........    0.5 million (1)      49.5 million
      Auto physical damage...........    0.5 million           2.0 million
    Per Risk:
      Property.......................    0.5 million (2)      19.5 million
PMA Re:
    Per Occurrence:
      Casualty lines.................    2.5 million (3)      12.5 million
      Workers' compensation..........    2.0 million          53.0 million
    Per Risk:
      Property.......................    0.5 million           1.5 million
      Casualty.......................    1.0 million (3)       4.0 million


- - - ----------------
(1)  Effective January 1, 1997, the retention on this program was reduced to
     $175,000.
(2)  This coverage also provides protection of $28.5 million per occurrence over
     its combined net retention of $0.5 million.
(3)  Effective January 1, 1997, PMA Re's casualty program was changed to $6.0
     million excess of $1.5 million per risk and $12.5 million excess of $2.75
     million per occurrence.

     The Company performs extensive credit reviews on its reinsurers, focusing
on, among other things, financial capacity, stability, trends, and commitment to
the reinsurance business. Prospective and existing reinsurers failing to meet
the Company's standards are excluded from the Company's reinsurance programs.


                                      -49-
<PAGE>

In addition, the Company requires letters of credit to support balances due
from reinsurers not authorized to transact business in Pennsylvania.

     At December 31, 1996, the Company had reinsurance recoverables due from the
following unaffiliated single reinsurers in excess of 3% of shareholders'
equity:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Gross amount
                                                         due to the Company        A.M. Best
Reinsurer                                                   (in thousands)          Rating
- - - ---------                                               --------------------      -----------
<S>                                                     <C>                       <C>
United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company.........           $84,802                 A
American Re-Insurance Corporation...................           $34,009                 A+
Kemper Reinsurance Corporation......................           $17,421                 A
Odyssey Reinsurance.................................           $15,614                 A-
</TABLE>


     The Company maintained funds held to collateralize the above balances in
the amount of $86.3 million at December 31, 1996. The Company believes that it
would have the right to offset the funds withheld from a reinsurer against the
balances due from such reinsurer in the event of insolvency.

     Funds held under reinsurance treaties increased by $13.2 million in 1996,
reflecting ceded premiums paid on reinsurance and retrocessional agreements
written on a funds held basis. Taxes, licenses and fees and other expenses
accrued increased $9.6 million in 1996, which was primarily related to
additional costs associated with the VERIP.

     Long-term debt remained essentially constant between 1996 and 1995. During
1996, the Company funded scheduled repayments on its senior notes through
drawdowns on its revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility
carried a .25% charge on the undrawn balance, and interest was payable on the
utilized portion at LIBOR plus .60%.

     As noted previously, management refinanced its existing credit agreements
during March 1997. As of December 31, 1996, the following debt was outstanding,
all of which the Company refinanced under the New Credit Facility on March 14,
1997:

                          (dollar amounts in thousands)

     Senior notes 9.60%, due 2001.............................     $ 46,428
     Senior notes 7.62%, due 2001, Series A...................       71,000
     Senior notes 7.62%, due 2000, Series B...................       36,000
     Revolving credit agreement, expiring in 1998.............       36,000(1)
                                                                   ---------   
     Total....................................................     $189,428
                                                                   ========

- - - ----------------
(1)  The Company repaid $8,000 of the revolving credit agreement subsequent to
     December 31, 1996.

     The early extinguishment of the senior note agreements will result in an
extraordinary loss of $4.7 million ($7.3 million pre-tax) which will be recorded
in the first quarter of 1997. The New Credit Facility bears interest at LIBOR
plus .70% on the utilized portion, and carries a .275% facility fee on the
unutilized portion. The margin over LIBOR is adjustable downward based upon
future reductions in the Company's debt to capitalization ratio. As of March 14,
1997, the interest rate on the New Credit Facility was 5.70%. The final
expiration of the New Credit Facility will be December 31, 2002, with level 25%
reductions in availability each year beginning December 31, 1999. Management
also entered into an interest rate swap agreement which will manage the impact
of the potential volatility of the interest rate associated with the


                                      -50-
<PAGE>

floating rates on the New Credit Facility. The interest rate swap covers a
notional principal amount of $150.0 million and effectively converts the
floating rate on such portion of the New Credit Facility to a fixed 7.24%.

     The Company has entered into one other interest rate swap agreement in its
management of present interest rate exposures. This transaction effectively
changed the Company's interest rate exposure on one of its fixed rate senior
note agreements to a floating rate obligation as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Principal Balance
Debt Agreement                        at December 31, 1996      Fixed Rate       Floating Rate
- - - --------------                        --------------------      ----------       -------------
<S>                                   <C>                       <C>              <C>
Senior note, due 1997...........         $ 7.1 million             9.53%              5.60%
</TABLE>

     The variable rate resets every six months. This agreement involves the
exchange of interest payment obligation without the exchange of underlying
principal. The differential to be paid or received is recognized as an
adjustment of interest expense. In the event that a counterparty fails to meet
the terms of the agreement, the Company's exposure is limited to the interest
rate differential on the notional principal amount ($7.1 million). Management
believes such credit risk is minimal and any loss would not be significant.

     Shareholders' equity decreased to $425.8 million at December 31, 1996 from
$609.7 million at December 31, 1995. This decrease is primarily due to the net
loss of $135.3 million, unrealized losses on investments available for sale of
$42.4 million, and dividends declared of $7.9 million.

     At December 31, 1996, the Company's capital structure consisted of $204.7
million of long-term debt and $425.8 million of shareholders' equity. The
Company utilizes long-term debt in its capital structure to fund internal
expansion through capital contributions to subsidiaries, to pursue investment
opportunities, and to refinance existing debt. Due to the inherent risks
associated with the insurance industry, management strives to maintain a
relatively conservative capital structure. Management believes that a certain
amount of debt is necessary in order to enhance returns on shareholders' equity;
however, the level of debt must be appropriate in terms of the availability of
dividends from subsidiaries, operating income, and the overall capital
structure. In determining the appropriate level of long-term debt, management
focuses on the following statistics: statutory dividends to interest expense,
(loss) earnings before interest and taxes to interest expense, pre-tax operating
(loss) income before interest to interest expenses, and debt to capitalization
ratio. The following table indicates the Company's status with respect to these
statistics:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1996        1995       1994
                                                                     ----        ----       ----
<S>                                                                 <C>          <C>        <C>
Statutory dividends to interest expense (times)................        3.1        3.8        2.6
(Loss) earnings before interest and taxes to
        interest expense (times)...............................      (11.2)       2.9        6.0
Pre-tax operating (loss) income before interest to
        interest expenses (times)..............................      (11.4)       1.2        2.4
Debt to total capitalization (excluding SFAS No. 115
        adjustment)............................................       31.2%      25.6%      26.2%
</TABLE>


     Presently, management believes that the existing capital structure is
appropriate for the Company. In addition, the impact of the New Credit Facility
is not expected to change such conclusion. However, management continually
monitors the capital structure in light of developments in the business, and the
present assessment could change as management becomes aware of new opportunities
and challenges in the Company's business.



                                      -51-
<PAGE>

     Regulation

     NAIC has adopted risk-based capital ("RBC") requirements for
property/casualty insurance companies to evaluate the adequacy of statutory
capital and surplus in relation to investment and insurance risks such as asset
quality, asset and liability matching, loss reserve adequacy and other business
factors.

     Under RBC requirements, regulatory compliance is determined by the ratio of
a Company's total adjusted capital, as defined by the NAIC, to its authorized
control level, also as defined by the NAIC. Companies below prescribed trigger
points in terms of such ratio are classified as follows:


                      Company action level..........  200%
                      Regulatory action level.......  150%
                      Authorized control level......  100%
                      Mandatory control level.......   70%

     PMA Re and each of the Pooled Companies had ratios in excess of 200% as of
December 31, 1996. As a result of the Property and Casualty Group's 1996 loss
reserve strengthening (see "Loss Reserves" above), the ratios for the individual
Pooled Companies range from 230% to 210%. PMA Re's ratio was 380% at December
31, 1996.

     RBC requirements for property/casualty insurance companies allow a discount
for workers' compensation reserves to be included in the adjusted surplus
calculation. However, the calculation for RBC requires the phase-out of
non-tabular reserve discounts previously taken for workers' compensation
reserves. The discount phase-out has increased by 20% in each year since 1994,
ultimately phasing out 100% of such discount by 1998. As a result, this
phase-out negatively impacts the RBC ratios of companies which write workers'
compensation insurance and discount such reserves on a non-tabular basis
relative to companies which write other types of property/casualty insurance.
Management believes that it will be able to maintain the Pooled Companies' RBC
in excess of regulatory requirements through prudent underwriting and claims
handling, investing and capital management. However, no assurances can be given
that developments affecting the Property and Casualty Group, many of which could
be outside of management's control, including but not limited to changes in the
regulatory environment, economic conditions and competitive conditions in the
jurisdictions in which the Property and Casualty Group writes business, will
cause the Pooled Companies' RBC to fall below required levels resulting in a
corresponding regulatory response.

     Three Months Ended March 31, 1997 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31,
1996

     The table below presents the major components of net income for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1996, respectively:



                                      -52-
<PAGE>



              (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                               March 31,
                                                        ---------------------
                                                          1997          1996
                                                        --------       ------

           Pre-tax operating income .................   $ 8,569        $7,258
           Net realized investment (losses) gains....    (1,251)          943
                                                        --------       ------
           Income before income taxes and
             extraordinary item......................     7,318         8,201
           Provision for income taxes................     2,561         2,572
                                                        --------       ------
           Income before extraordinary item..........     4,757         5,629
           Extraordinary item, net of related taxes..    (4,734)         --
                                                        --------       ------
           Net income................................   $    23        $5,629
                                                        ========       ======

           Per Share Data:
           Income before extraordinary item..........   $  0.19        $0.22
           Extraordinary item........................     (0.19)         --
                                                        --------       ------
           Net income................................   $   --         $0.22
                                                        ========       ======

     The following table indicates the Company's pre-tax operating income by
principal business segment for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and March
31, 1996, respectively:

              (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                               March 31,
                                                        ---------------------
                                                          1997          1996
                                                        --------       ------


           The Property and Casualty Group              $   291        $ 3,711
           PMA Re....................................    12,820          9,058
           Corporate operations......................      (208)        (1,039)
                                                        -------        -------
           Pre-tax operating income before
             interest expense........................    12,903         11,730
           Interest expense..........................     4,334          4,472
                                                        -------        -------
           Pre-tax operating income..................   $ 8,569        $ 7,258
                                                        =======        =======

     On a consolidated basis, the Company reported pre-tax operating income of
$8.6 million, or $0.35 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 1997
compared to $7.3 million, or $0.29 per share, for the three months ended March
31, 1996. This increase is due primarily to an increase in pre-tax operating
income reported by PMA Re of $3.8 million to $12.8 million for the first quarter
of 1997. The increase in PMA Re's pre-tax operating income was attributable
primarily to improved loss ratios and increased investment income. The pre-tax
operating loss for corporate operations decreased $800,000 for the first quarter
of 1997 compared to the first quarter of 1996 primarily as a result of increased
income earned on some of the Company's properties in 1997. The improvements in
pre-tax operating income by PMA Re and corporate operations were offset by a
decrease in the Property and Casualty Group's pre-tax operating income of $3.4
million in the first quarter of 1997 compared to the first quarter of 1996. The
decrease in the Property and Casualty Group's pre-tax operating income was
primarily attributable to lower premiums earned coupled with accretion of loss
reserve discount for the Property and Casualty Group's run-off entities. The

                                      -53-
<PAGE>

decrease in net premiums earned is attributable to a decrease in the
rolling 12-month net premiums written at March 31, 1997 compared to the rolling
12-month net premiums written at March 31, 1996 as a result of, in part, rate
changes in the Property and Casualty Group's principal business jurisdiction,
Pennsylvania.

     Interest expense remained fairly stable in conjunction with the related
debt levels, decreasing $200,000 from $4.5 million for the quarter ended March
31, 1996 to $4.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 1997. Net realized
investment losses were $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997
compared to net realized investment gains of $900,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 1996. During the first quarter of 1997, PMC liquidated the remainder
of its tax advantaged portfolio at a small loss.

     Net income on a consolidated basis was $23,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 compared to net income of $5.6 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1996. On March 14, 1997, the Company refinanced substantially all of
its outstanding credit agreements not already maturing in 1997 with a new $235.0
million revolving credit arrangement ("New Credit Facility"). See "Liquidity and
Capital Resources" below. In connection with this refinancing, the Company
recognized an extraordinary loss from the early extinguishment of debt of $4.7
million, or $7.3 million pre-tax.

     The Property and Casualty Group Results of Operations

     In the three months ended March 31, 1997, the Property and Casualty Group
accounted for 63.8% of the Company's operating revenues. Summarized financial
results of this segment are as follows:

                          (dollar amounts in thousands)

                                                             Three Months Ended
                                                                  March 31,
                                                            --------------------
                                                              1997        1996
                                                            -------     --------

           Net premiums written.......................      $90,392     $ 90,817
                                                            =======     ========
           Net premiums earned........................      $68,654     $ 76,314
           Net investment income......................       22,128       22,198
           Service revenues...........................        2,548        1,748
                                                            -------     --------
           Operating revenues.........................       93,330      100,260
                                                            -------     --------
           Losses and LAE incurred....................       65,091       67,169
           Acquisition and operating expenses ........       24,691       26,258
           Policyholder dividends.....................        3,257        3,122
                                                            -------     --------
           Total losses and expenses..................       93,039       96,549
                                                            -------     --------
           Pre-tax operating income ..................      $   291     $  3,711
                                                            =======     ========

           GAAP loss ratio............................        94.8%        88.0%
           GAAP combined ratio........................       135.5%       126.5%
           SAP loss ratio.............................        85.3%        85.3%
           SAP combined ratio.........................       116.1%       119.2%



                                      -54-
<PAGE>

     Premium Revenues

     Direct premiums written for the Property and Casualty Group increased $8.2
million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 as compared to the three
months ended March 31, 1996. Net premiums written decreased $400,000 and earned
premiums decreased by $7.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 1997.
Direct premiums written increased $11.4 million for commercial lines and
decreased $3.2 million for workers' compensation for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 compared to the first quarter of 1996. Reinsurance premiums
assumed decreased $600,000 and reinsurance premiums ceded increased $8.0 million
for the three months ended March 31, 1997 compared to the three months ended
March 31, 1996, respectively.

     The decrease in direct written premiums for workers' compensation was due
primarily to rate changes in Pennsylvania, the Property and Casualty Group's
principal business jurisdiction, continued changes in product mix toward
alternative market products and competitive conditions. Workers' compensation
reform laws adopted in Pennsylvania (Act 57) resulted in a reduction in workers'
compensation rates of 25%, on average, effective February 1997. Act 57 is also
expected to lower the Property and Casualty Group's loss and loss adjustment
expenses for business written after June 1996. The rate decreases resulting from
these changes were partially offset by an increase in exposures underwritten by
the Property and Casualty Group.

     The Property and Casualty Group has continued its marketing of alternative
market workers' compensation products for larger accounts, including
large-deductible policies and offshore rent-a-captive programs. Typically, the
Property and Casualty Group receives a lower up-front premium for these types of
alternate market product plans. However, under this type of business, the
insured retains a greater share of the underwriting risk than under
rate-sensitive or loss-sensitive products, which reduces the potential for
unfavorable claim activity on the accounts and encourages loss control on the
part of the insured. A substantial portion of related revenues are recorded as
service revenues. Such service revenues increased $800,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 1997 compared to the same period in 1996.

     Direct workers' compensation premiums were also impacted by changes in the
level of premium adjustments, primarily related to audit premiums and
retrospective policies. For the three months ended March 31, 1997, such
adjustments reduced premiums written by $1.0 million, while in the comparable
1996 period such adjustments increased premiums written by $1.7 million. This
decrease in premium adjustments billed for the three months ended March 31, 1997
compared to the same period in 1996 is primarily due to the increase in
retrospectively rated premiums returned to insureds, resulting from the
favorable loss experience in more recent accident years in workers'
compensation.

     For the three months ended March 31, 1997, the Property and Casualty
Group's direct writings of commercial lines, including commercial auto, general
liability, umbrella, multi-peril and commercial property lines increased $11.4
million compared to the three months ended March 31, 1996. This increase was
primarily focused in the property and general liability lines of business, which
accounted for $8.2 million and $1.2 million of the increase, respectively, and
is primarily due to the timing of policy renewals. Management intends to reduce
its net emphasis on such commercial lines in 1997. Therefore, slower growth in
commercial lines is expected over the remainder of the year.

     Ceded premiums increased $8.0 million for the three months ended March 31,
1997 compared to the three months ended March 31, 1996. In 1997, the Property
and Casualty Group entered into a new reinsurance treaty that covers
substantially all commercial lines casualty business at a $175,000 per risk
attachment point, as compared to a $500,000 per risk attachment point in 1996.
The effect of this new treaty, and the increased direct premiums written in
property lines, for which the Property and Casualty Group



                                      -55-
<PAGE>

generally purchases more reinsurance, caused ceded premiums to increase by
$6.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 1997 compared to the same
period in 1996.

     Losses and Expenses

     The following table reflects the components of the Property and Casualty
Group's combined ratios, as computed under GAAP:

                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                              March 31,
                                                         -------------------
                                                          1997         1996
                                                         ------       ------

            Loss ratio............................        94.8%        88.0%
                                                         ------       ------
            Expense ratio:
              Amortization of deferred
                acquisition costs.................        15.9%        16.9%
              Operating expenses..................        20.1%        17.5%
                                                         ------       ------
              Total expense ratio.................        36.0%        34.4%
                                                         ------       ------
            Policyholders' dividends..............         4.7%         4.1%
                                                         ------       ------
            Combined ratio-GAAP(1)................       135.5%       126.5%
                                                         ======       ======
- - - ----------------

     (1) The combined ratio computed on a GAAP basis is equal to losses and loss
adjustment expenses, plus amortization of deferred acquisition costs, plus
operating expenses, plus policyholders' dividends, all divided by net premiums
earned.

     The increase in the GAAP loss ratio for the first quarter of 1997 compared
to the first quarter of 1996 period is due primarily to the accretion of loss
reserve discount in the Property and Casualty Group's run-off operations. In
December 1996, the Property and Casualty Group designated two of its insurance
subsidiaries as run-off companies, for the purpose of reinsuring the Pooled
Companies for substantially all of the accident years 1991 and prior workers'
compensation indemnity reserves. The domestic insurance subsidiary, MASCCO,
reinsures only established Pennsylvania indemnity claims, while the offshore
insurance subsidiary, PMA Cayman, reinsures both medical and indemnity claims.
The increase in accretion of discount is primarily due to the reserve
strengthening that the Property and Casualty Group recorded in December 1996.
Reserves recorded for prior accident years continue to be within the ranges
estimated by management, and 1997 accident year loss ratios recorded by
management for its principal lines of business are generally consistent with
those ratios established for accident year 1996.

     The operating expenses in the first quarter of 1997 decreased $1.6 million
compared to the first quarter of 1996. The GAAP expense ratio for the first
quarter of 1997 was greater than that in the first quarter of 1996 by 1.6
points, primarily due to the increase in alternative market products, which have
much lower, if any, premiums. Management continues to review expense reduction
alternatives to decrease operating expenses in an effort to be commensurate with
net premiums earned.

     The policyholder dividend ratios were 4.7% and 4.1% during the three months
ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The ratio increased in the first
quarter 1997 compared to the same period in 1996 due primarily to sliding-scale
dividend plans. Under such plans, the insured receives a dividend based upon the
collective loss experience of the plan. As the loss experience improved relative
to the years prior to this period, the Property and Casualty Group has incurred
higher policyholder dividends.




                                      -56-
<PAGE>


     Net Investment Income

     Net investment income was $22.1 million for the three months ended March
31, 1997 compared to $22.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 1996.
Net investment income remained stable primarily due to higher fixed income
yields and lower investment expenses, offset by lower average invested assets
resulting from the pay-down of loss reserves from prior accident years and
decreasing premium volume. The ongoing commutation strategy is expected to lower
investment income in 1997 relative to 1996, as average invested asset balances
are expected to be lower in 1997.

     PMA Re Results of Operations

     In the three months ended March 31, 1997, PMA Re accounted for 35.8% of the
Company's operating revenues. Summarized financial results of this segment are
as follows:

                    (dollar amounts in thousands)

                                                           Three Months Ended
                                                                March 31,
                                                         ----------------------
                                                           1997          1996
                                                         -------        -------

            Net premiums written...................      $59,490        $56,627
                                                         =======        =======
            Net premiums earned....................      $39,296        $41,623
            Net investment income..................       13,154         11,154
                                                         -------        -------
            Operating revenues.....................       52,450         52,777
                                                         -------        -------
            Losses and LAE incurred................       29,845         32,844
            Acquisition and operating expenses.....        9,785         10,875
                                                         -------        -------
            Total losses and expenses..............       39,630         43,719
                                                         -------        -------
            Pre-tax operating income...............      $12,820        $ 9,058
                                                         =======        =======

            GAAP loss ratio........................        75.9%          78.9%
            GAAP combined ratio....................       100.8%         105.0%
            SAP loss ratio.........................        75.9%          78.9%
            SAP combined ratio.....................       103.8%         106.0%

     Premium Revenues

     Net premiums written increased $2.9 million to $59.5 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 compared to $56.6 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1996. The main reasons for this increase are new treaties resulting
from a marketing program initiated in late 1996 and early 1997 which has
resulted in increased participations on reinsurance treaties and new programs
with existing clients. These increases were slightly offset by the trend toward
large ceding companies increasing their retentions, which decreases PMA Re's
subject premium.

     The following table indicates PMA Re's gross and net premiums written by
major category of business:


                                      -57-
<PAGE>

                      (dollar amounts in thousands)

                                            For the Three Months
                                               Ended March 31,
                                             ------------------
                                               1997      1996    Change (%)
                                             -------    -------  ----------
          Gross Premiums Written:
          Casualty lines.................    $50,428    $49,216      2.5%
          Property lines.................     23,766     21,812      9.0%
          Other lines....................        453        454     (0.2%)
                                             -------    -------     ------
          Total..........................    $74,647    $71,482      4.4%
                                             =======    =======     ======

          Net Premiums Written:
          Casualty lines.................    $42,750    $42,501      0.6%
          Property lines.................     16,287     13,685     19.0%
          Other lines....................        453        441      2.7%
                                             -------    -------    ------
          Total..........................    $59,490    $56,627      5.1%
                                             =======    =======    ======

     The majority of the growth in the net premiums written was in the property
lines, which increased 19.0% to $16.3 million for the the first quarter of 1997
compared to $13.7 million for the first quarter of 1996 and certain large
agri-business programs added during 1997. The net increase in property lines
primarily relates to additional auto programs added during 1996. The net written
casualty premiums remained relatively stable in comparison to the first quarter
of 1996, increasing 0.6% to $42.8 million for the three months ended March 31,
1997 compared to $42.5 million for the the same period in 1996.

     Net premiums earned decreased 5.6% during the three months ended March 31,
1997 compared with the three months ended March 31, 1996. This decrease is
mainly due to the changing mix of business toward monthly and quarterly
reporting contracts and the timing of recognition on premiums in force at March
31, 1997 in comparison to March 31, 1996.

     Losses and Expenses

     The following table reflects the components of PMA Re's combined ratios, as
computed under GAAP:

                                                            Three Months Ended
                                                                 March 31,
                                                            -----------------
                                                             1997       1996
                                                            ------     ------

          Loss ratio..................................       75.9%      78.9%
                                                            ------     ------
          Expense ratio:
            Amortization of deferred
              acquisition costs.......................       19.0%      20.4%
            Operating expenses........................        5.9%       5.7%
                                                            ------     ------
            Total expense ratio.......................       24.9%      26.1%
                                                            ------     ------
          Combined ratio-GAAP.........................      100.8%     105.0%
                                                            ======     ======


     PMA Re's loss ratio decreased 3.0 points to 75.9% for the three-month
period ended March 31, 1997 compared to the same period in 1996. This decrease
is principally attributable to generally favorable loss experience and favorable
loss development.



                                      -58-
<PAGE>

     The ratio of amortization of deferred acquisition costs to net premiums
earned, the Acquisition Expense Ratio, decreased 1.4 points to 19.0% for the
three-month period ended March 31, 1997 compared to the the three-month period
ended March 31, 1996. This decrease is due primarily to the changing mix of
business.

     The ratio of operating expenses to net premiums earned increased 0.2 points
to 5.9% during the first three months of 1997 versus 5.7% for the comparable
1996 quarter. This increase is attributable to increases in operating expenses,
such as salaries and facility expenses, in connection with the addition of staff
and expansion of its office facilities.

     Net Investment Income

     Net investment income increased $2.0 million to $13.2 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 compared to $11.2 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1996. This increase is attributable to two factors: (i) an increase in
the average invested assets, and (ii) a change in portfolio holdings. During the
first quarter of 1997, PMA Re shifted some of its holdings from government
securities to high-quality corporate securities, which generally yield higher
levels of investment income.

     Corporate Operations

     The corporate segment is primarily comprised of corporate overhead and the
operations of the Company's properties. For the first three months of 1997,
corporate operations experienced an operating loss of $200,000 compared to an
operating loss of $1.0 million for the first three months of 1996. The $800,000
decrease in operating loss was primarily related to increased income earned by
the Company's properties during the first quarter of 1997 versus the comparable
1996 quarter.

     Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

     The Company recognized net realized investment losses of $1.3 million for
the three months ended March 31, 1997 compared to net realized investment gains
of $900,000 for the comparable 1996 period. During the first quarter of 1997,
the Company sold the remaining portion of its tax-exempt portfolio in response
to changes in the Company's tax position. Due to the high interest rate
environment, the majority of these sales generated realized losses. During the
first quarter of 1996, the interest rate environment was more favorable and the
Company was able to sell tax-exempt securities at realized gains.

     Interest Expense and Income Taxes

     Interest expense decreased $200,000 to $4.3 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1997 compared to $4.5 million for the three months ended March
31, 1996. Such reduction relates to slightly lower average debt balances during
the three months ended March 31, 1997 versus the comparable 1996 period. On
March 14, 1997, the Company refinanced its outstanding credit agreements with
the New Credit Facility, which is expected to reduce future interest expense.
See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below. It is expected that interest
expense will decline in subsequent quarters in 1997 due to the New Credit
Facility.

     The Company's effective tax rate was 35.0% for the three months ended March
31, 1997 versus 31.4% for the three months ended March 31, 1996. The primary
reason for this increase was the change in the Company's investment portfolio
from tax-exempt securities to taxable securities. Management has determined
that, for AMT purposes, the Company did not require as much tax-exempt income as
was projected; therefore, the Company reduced its exposure to tax-advantaged
securities since March 31, 1996.


                                      -59-
<PAGE>

See "Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)" above. For GAAP purposes, such
portfolio adjustments generally increase the effective tax rate, even though
there are economic advantages associated with the transactions. In terms of the
targeted amount of tax-exempt investments, management assesses the optimal level
of tax-exempt interest, with such assessment based upon: (i) the Company's tax
position in terms of the margin between regular federal taxes and AMT and (ii)
the relative attractiveness of tax-advantaged securities versus other investment
vehicles.


     Liquidity and Capital Resources at March 31, 1997

     Liquidity

     Liquidity is a measure of an entity's ability to secure enough cash to meet
its contractual obligations and operating needs. At the holding company level,
the Company requires cash to pay debt obligations and dividends to shareholders,
pay taxes to the Federal government, as well as to capitalize subsidiaries from
time to time. The Company's primary sources of liquidity are dividends from
subsidiaries, net tax payments received from subsidiaries, and borrowings.

     The Company paid interest of $4.3 million and $4.5 million for the
three-month periods ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. During the
first three months of 1997, the Company made scheduled debt repayments of $8.0
million before refinancing all of its credit agreements not already maturing in
1997 with the New Credit Facility. See "Capital Resources" below. Scheduled debt
repayments during the first three months of 1996 were immaterial. The Company
paid dividends to shareholders of $2.0 million in the first three months of 1997
and 1996.

     Dividends from subsidiaries were $4.0 million for the first quarter of
1996. The Company did not receive any dividends from subsidiaries during the
first quarter of 1997. Net tax cash flows from subsidiaries were $2.6 million
for the first quarter of 1997 and $2.5 million for the first quarter of 1996.

     The Company's domestic insurance subsidiaries' abilities to pay dividends
to the holding company is limited by the insurance laws and regulations of
Pennsylvania. Under such laws and regulations, dividends may not be paid without
prior approval of the Commissioner in excess of the greater of (i) 10% of
surplus as regards to policyholders as of the end of the preceding year or (ii)
statutory net income for the preceding year. Under this standard, the Pooled
Companies and PMA Re can pay an aggregate of $51.9 million of dividends without
the prior approval of the Commissioner during 1997.

     PMC's dividends to shareholders are restricted by its debt agreements.
Based upon the terms of the New Credit Facility, under the most restrictive debt
covenant, PMC would be able to pay dividends of approximately $11.0 million in
1997.

     Management believes that the Company's sources of funds will provide
sufficient liquidity to meet its short-term and long-term obligations.

     Capital Resources

     The Company's total assets remained stable, decreasing to $3,114.2 million
at March 31, 1997 versus $3,117.5 million at December 31, 1996. Total
investments decreased $117.9 million to $2,143.4 million at March 31, 1997. This
decrease is primarily attributable to the Property and Casualty Group's pay-down
of loss reserves from prior accident years and an increase in the portfolio's
unrealized loss due to higher interest


                                      -60-
<PAGE>

rates. All other assets increased $114.6 million, mainly due to increases
in uncollected premiums of $52.7 million, reinsurance receivables of $20.0
million, and the deferred tax asset of $17.6 million.

     During the first three months of 1997, interest rates continued to
increase, causing the fair value of the Company's investment portfolio to
decrease. Overall, the investment portfolio experienced a net unrealized loss of
$58.5 million in the first three months of 1997, as the fair value of the
portfolio as of March 31, 1997 was lower than its amortized cost by $96.8
million; at December 31, 1996, the fair value of the portfolio was lower than
its amortized cost by $38.3 million. As a result, the Company recorded a total
charge of $38.1 million (net of tax effect of $20.4 million) to shareholders'
equity for the three months ended March 31, 1997.

     Uncollected premiums increased 18.4% to $338.7 million at March 31, 1997
due primarily to normal policy renewal activity. Reinsurance receivables
increased $20.0 million from December 31, 1996 to March 31, 1997 due to the
lower net retention for the Property and Casualty Group's commercial lines. See
"Premium Revenues". The deferred tax asset increased $17.6 million to $119.2
million at March 31, 1997 primarily due to the tax effect of the unrealized loss
on investments available for sale. Under SFAS No. 109, a valuation allowance
should be provided to offset the effects of a deferred tax asset if management
believes that it is more likely than not that the benefit of a deferred tax item
will not be realized. Management believes that the benefit of its deferred tax
asset will be fully realized, and therefore has not provided for a valuation
allowance.

     Unearned premiums increased 25.5% to $258.4 million at March 31, 1997
mainly due to normal policy renewal activity.

     As previously noted, on March 14, 1997 the Company refinanced its existing
credit agreements through the establishment of the New Credit Facility. The
Company drew down $196.0 million from the New Credit Facility to pay off the
following outstanding balances:

                          (dollar amounts in thousands)

           Senior notes 9.60% due 2001...................      $ 46,428
           Senior notes 7.62% due 2001, Series A.........        71,000
           Senior notes 7.62% due 2000, Series B.........        36,000
           Revolving credit agreement, expiring 1998.....        36,000
                                                               --------
           Total.........................................      $189,428
                                                               ========

     The New Credit Facility bears interest at LIBOR plus .70% on the utilized
portion, and carries a .275% facility fee on the unutilized portion. The margin
over LIBOR is adjustable downward based upon future reductions in the Company's
debt to capitalization ratio. As of March 31, 1997, the interest rate on the New
Credit Facility was 6.24%. The final expiration of the New Credit Facility will
be December 31, 2002, with level 25% reductions in availability each year
beginning December 31, 1999. Management also entered into an interest rate swap
agreement which is intended to manage the impact of the potential volatility of
the interest rate associated with the floating rates on the New Credit Facility.
The interest rate swap covers a notional principal amount of $150.0 million and
effectively converts the floating rate on such portion of the New Credit
Facility to a fixed rate of 7.24%.


                                      -61-
<PAGE>

     The Company has entered into one other interest rate swap agreement in its
management of present interest rate exposures. This transaction effectively
changed the Company's interest rate exposure on one of its fixed-rate senior
note agreements to a six-month floating rate obligation as follows:

                          (dollar amounts in thousands)

                                   Principal Balance
Debt Agreement                     at March 31, 1997  Fixed Rate  Floating Rate
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senior note, due June, 1997              $7,143         9.53%         5.60%

     The Company's interest rate swap agreements involve the exchange of
interest payment obligation without the exchange of underlying principal. The
differential to be paid or received is recognized as an adjustment of interest
expense. In the event that a counterparty fails to meet the terms of the
agreement, the Company's exposure is limited to the interest rate differential
on the notional principal amount ($157,143,000). Management believes such credit
risk is minimal and any loss would not be significant.

     Shareholders' equity decreased to $385.0 million at March 31, 1997 from
$425.8 million at December 31, 1996. This decrease is primarily attributable to
unrealized losses on investments available for sale of $38.1 million and
dividends declared of $2.0 million.

     New Accounting Pronouncements

     In June 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 125.
"Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments
of Liabilities." SFAS No. 125, which is effective for transfers and
extinguishments occurring after December 31, 1996, provides consistent standards
for distinguishing transfers of financial assets that are sales from transfers
that are secured borrowings. The Property and Casualty Group's domestic
insurance subsidiaries currently participate in a transfer arrangement of
certain accounts receivable. Such arrangement will be restructured or terminated
as a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 125. The restructuring or termination of
such arrangement is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's
financial condition or results of operations. The Company does not presently
engage in any other transactions for which the accounting would be impacted by
the adoption of SFAS No. 125.

     In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
128, "Earnings Per Share," which supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion
No. 15, "Earnings Per Share" and related interpretations. SFAS No. 128, which is
effective for financial statements for both interim and annual periods ending
after December 15, 1997, requires presentation of earnings per share by all
entities that have issued common stock or potential common stock if those
securities trade in a public market either on a stock exchange or in the
over-the-counter market, including securities quoted only locally or regionally.
The adoption of SFAS No. 128 is not expected to have a material impact on the
Company's financial condition or results of operations.



                                      -62-
<PAGE>


Item 3. Properties

     The Company's headquarters are located in a four story, 110,000 square foot
building in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. PMA Re's headquarters are located in 78,000
square feet of leased space in Mellon Bank Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

     Through various wholly owned subsidiaries, the Company also owns and
occupies additional office facilities in three other locations and rents
additional office space for its insurance operations in 13 other locations. The
Company believes that such owned properties are suitable and adequate for its
current business operations.

     The Company also owns its former headquarters at 925 Chestnut Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and certain other adjacent properties. Although the
Company has leased a portion of this facility and has had discussions with
potential purchasers and lessees, no assurance can be given that the Company
will be able to sell or further lease this facility in the near future on
acceptable terms and conditions. In 1995 and 1994, the Company recorded $8.4
million and $4.9 million, respectively, of expense charges to reflect the
difference in the carrying values versus the fair market values plus the costs
to carry and sell these properties. No such charges were incurred in 1996.

     Subsidiaries of the Company also own various real estate properties that
are not used by the Company in its insurance operations but are leased to third
parties. These properties are one to eight story buildings that are generally
located within several blocks of the Company's former headquarters.

Item 4. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

Principal Beneficial Owners of Common Stock

     The following table sets forth, as of April 1, 1997, (i) the number of
shares and percentage of the Company's Common Stock and Class A Common Stock
beneficially owned by each person who is known by the Company to own
beneficially more than 5% of its outstanding Common Stock or Class A Common
Stock, and (ii) the percentage of the total number of votes that such persons
will be entitled to cast on matters submitted to the shareholders of the
Company:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      Class A
                                      Common Stock     Percent      Common Stock     Percent
                                      Beneficially        of        Beneficially        of         Percent of
Name and Address                         Owned          Class         Owned(1)       Class(1)      Total Votes
- - - ----------------                      ------------     -------      ------------     --------      -----------
<S>                                    <C>              <C>           <C>             <C>              <C>  
PMA Foundation...................      4,561,225        29.4%         912,225         11.0%            28.4%
The PMA Building
380 Sentry Parkway
Blue Bell, PA  19422-2328

James F. Malone III..............      1,245,000         8.0%          99,000          1.2%             7.7%
Northridge Office Plaza
17 VIP Drive, Suite 310
Wexford, PA  15090

Edward H. Owlett.................        788,160(2)      5.1%         162,040(2)       1.9%             4.9%
One Charles Street
Wellsboro, PA  16901
</TABLE>


                                      -63-

<PAGE>


- - - ---------------
(1)  These columns do not reflect the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable
     upon conversion of the shares of Common Stock, each of which is convertible
     into one share of Class A Common Stock.

(2)  Includes 378,200 shares of Common Stock and 9,500 shares of Class A Common
     Stock held in certain Owlett family trusts and 24,160 shares of Common
     Stock and 7,840 shares of Class A Common Stock held by Mr. Owlett's wife.
     Also includes 152,250 shares of Common Stock and 30,450 shares of Class A
     Common Stock held in a trust for which Mr. Owlett serves as trustee; Mr.
     Owlett disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held in this trust.


Beneficial Ownership by Directors and Executive Officers

     The following table sets forth, as of April 1, 1997, (i) the number of
shares and percentage of the Company's Common Stock and Class A Common Stock
beneficially owned by (a) each director and each nominee for director, (b) each
executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table and (c) all executive
officers and directors of the Company as a group, and (ii) the respective
percentage of the total number of votes that such persons and group will be
entitled to cast on matters submitted to the shareholders of the Company:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Class A
                                    Common Stock      Percent      Common Stock      Percent
Name of Individual                  Beneficially         of        Beneficially         of              Percent of
or Identity of Group                  Owned(1)        Class(2)     Owned(1)(3)      Class(2)(3)      Total Votes(2)(4)
- - - --------------------                ------------      --------     ------------     -----------      -----------------
<S>                                    <C>              <C>          <C>               <C>                  <C> 
Frederick W. Anton III........         166,979          1.1%         377,405(5)        4.4%                 1.1%
Paul I. Detwiler, Jr..........          72,750(6)                     10,425(6)
James J. Fleming, Jr..........          73,568                       125,450(7)        1.5%
Joseph H. Foster..............          12,025                         5,000
Anne S. Genter................             500                           500
Stephen F. Litz...............         110,597(8)                    146,191(8)        1.7%
James F. Malone III...........       1,245,000          8.0%          99,000           1.2%                 7.7%
A. John May...................         257,200(9)       1.7%          69,400(9)                             1.6%
Louis N. McCarter III.........           8,965(10)                    24,610(10)
John W. Miller, Jr............         549,750          3.5%         108,250           1.3%                 3.4%
Edward H. Owlett..............         788,160(11)      5.1%         162,040(11)       1.9%                 4.9%
Louis I. Pollock..............         308,125(12)      2.0%          59,225(12)                            1.9%
Roderic H. Ross...............           3,500                         2,550
L.J. Rowell, Jr...............               1                            --
John W. Smithson..............         195,000          1.3%         368,995(13)       4.3%                 1.2%
Stephen G. Tirney.............         106,375                       134,725(14)       1.6%
All executive officers and
directors as a group
 (18 persons).................       3,899,620         25.1%       1,821,316(15)      19.3%                24.3%
</TABLE>

- - - ---------------
 (1) Certain directors are shareholders, directors and/or officers of
     organizations that are members of PMA Foundation (the "Foundation"),
     formerly known as Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association. As of April 1,
     1997, the Foundation owned 4,561,225 shares of Common Stock and 912,225
     shares of Class A Common Stock, which entitle the Foundation to cast
     approximately 28.4% of the total number of votes that will be entitled to
     be cast on matters submitted to the shareholders of the Company. Certain


                                      -64-

<PAGE>


     directors and officers of the Company are also trustees and officers of
     the Foundation. Also, certain directors and officers of the Company are
     trustees of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation Pension Plan (the
     "Pension Plan") and directors and/or officers of Pennsylvania
     Manufacturers' Association, Northeast Branch ("NE Branch"). As of April 1,
     1997, the Pension Plan owned 249,000 shares of Common Stock, and NE Branch
     owned 70,500 shares of Common Stock and 14,100 shares of Class A Common
     Stock.

 (2) Less than 1% unless otherwise indicated.

 (3) These columns do not reflect the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable
     upon conversion of the shares of Common Stock, each of which is currently
     convertible into one share of Class A Common Stock.

 (4) The calculation of these percentages does not include shares of Class A
     Common Stock issuable upon currently exercisable stock options held by such
     persons under the Company's equity incentive plans.

 (5) Includes 325,260 shares of Class A Common Stock as to which Mr. Anton holds
     currently exercisable options to acquire under the Company's equity
     incentive plans.

 (6) Includes 1,000 shares of Class A Common Stock owned jointly by Mr. Detwiler
     and his wife and 9,375 shares of Common Stock and 2,500 shares of Class A
     Common Stock owned by one of Mr. Detwiler's children who resides in his
     household.

 (7) Includes 125,450 shares of Class A Common Stock as to which Mr. Fleming
     holds currently exercisable options to acquire under the Company's equity
     incentive plans.

 (8) Includes 2,125 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Litz's wife and 122,450
     shares of Class A Common Stock as to which Mr. Litz holds currently
     exercisable options to acquire under the Company's equity incentive plans.

 (9) Includes 11,250 shares of Common Stock and 2,650 shares of Class A Common
     Stock owned jointly by Mr. May and his wife; 1,550 shares of Class A Common
     Stock owned by Mr. May's wife as custodian for their minor grandchildren;
     and 17,250 shares of Class A Common Stock held by a partnership of which
     Mr. May is a general partner.

(10) These shares are owned jointly by Mr. McCarter and his wife.

(11) Includes 378,200 shares of Common Stock and 9,500 shares of Class A Common
     Stock held in certain Owlett family trusts and 24,160 shares of Common
     Stock and 7,840 shares of Class A Common Stock held by Mr. Owlett's wife.
     Also includes 152,250 shares of Common Stock and 30,450 shares of Class A
     Common Stock held in a trust for which Mr. Owlett serves as trustee; Mr.
     Owlett disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held in this trust.

(12) Includes 164,375 shares of Common Stock and 31,625 shares of Class A Common
     Stock held by Mr. Pollock's wife and 100 shares of Class A Common Stock
     owned jointly by Mr. Pollock and his wife.

(13) Includes 312,300 shares of Class A Common Stock as to which Mr. Smithson
     holds currently exercisable options to acquire under the Company's equity
     incentive plans.

(14) Includes 115,000 shares of Class A Common Stock as to which Mr. Tirney
     holds currently exercisable options to acquire under the Company's equity
     incentive plans.


                                      -65-

<PAGE>


(15) Includes 1,103,010 shares of Class A Common Stock as to which such persons
     hold currently exercisable options to acquire under the Company's equity
     incentive plans.

Item 5. Directors and Executive Officers

     The executive officers and directors of the Company are as follows:

Name                             Age             Position
- - - ----                             ---             --------
Frederick W. Anton III.......    63      Chairman of the Board

John W. Smithson.............    51      President and Chief Executive Officer

Francis W. McDonnell.........    40      Senior Vice President, Chief
                                         Financial Officer and Treasurer

Vincent T. Donnelly..........    44      President and Chief Operating Officer
                                         - The Property and Casualty Group

Stephen G. Tirney............    43      President and Chief Operating Officer
                                         - PMA Re

James J. Fleming.............    48      Senior Vice President - Corporate
                                         Operations - The Property and
                                         Casualty Group

Stephen F. Litz..............    48      Senior Vice President - Branch
                                         Operations - The Property and
                                         Casualty Group

Paul I. Detwiler, Jr.........    63      Director

Joseph H. Foster.............    68      Director

Anne S. Genter...............    62      Director

James F. Malone III..........    53      Director

A. John May..................    68      Director

Louis N. McCarter III........    68      Director

John W. Miller, Jr., M.D.....    62      Director

Edward H. Owlett.............    70      Director

Louis I. Pollock.............    67      Director

Roderic H. Ross..............    66      Director

L. J. Rowell, Jr.............    65      Director


     Frederick W. Anton III has served as Chairman of the Board since 1995 and
as a director of the Company since 1972. Mr. Anton's current term as a director
of the Company expires in 2000. Mr. Anton served as Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer from 1995 to May 1997, as President and Chief Executive
Officer from 1981 to 1995, as President of The Property and Casualty Group from
1972 to 1989 and as Secretary and General Counsel of PMAIC from 1962 to 1972.

     John W. Smithson has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since May 1997, and as a director of the Company since 1987. Mr.
Smithson's current term as a director of the Company expires in 1999. Mr.
Smithson has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company from
1995 to May 1997, as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of PMA Re
from 1984 to 1997 and as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Property and Casualty Group from April 1995 to 1997, and was employed by PMAIC
from 1972 to 1984. Mr. Smithson is a designated Chartered Property-Casualty
Underwriter.


                                      -66-

<PAGE>


     Francis W. McDonnell has served as Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company since 1995 and as Treasurer since 1997, and has
served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of PMA Re since
1995. From 1993 to 1995, Mr. McDonnell served as Vice President - Finance of PMA
Re. Prior to joining PMA Re in 1993, Mr. McDonnell served in various
controllership positions with Reliance Insurance Company from 1985 to 1993. Mr.
McDonnell is a Certified Public Accountant and a designated Chartered
Property-Casualty Underwriter.

     Vincent T. Donnelly has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Property and Casualty Group since February 1997. Mr. Donnelly served as
Senior Vice President - Finance and Chief Actuary of the Property and Casualty
Group from 1992 to 1997. Prior to joining the Property and Casualty Group, Mr.
Donnelly served as Vice President and Actuary of Continental Insurance Company
from 1987 to 1992 and as Actuary of American International Group, a property and
casualty insurance company, from 1978 to 1987. Mr. Donnelly is a Fellow of the
Casualty Actuarial Society and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

     Stephen G. Tirney has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of
PMA Re since 1997. Mr. Tirney served as Executive Vice President of PMA Re from
1993 to 1997, as Senior Vice President of PMA Re from 1989 to 1993 and has been
an employee of PMA Re since 1976.

     James J. Fleming has served as Senior Vice President - Corporate Operations
of the Property and Casualty Group since 1990. Mr. Fleming served as Vice
President of Operations Administration of PMAIC from 1982 to 1990 and has been
an employee of PMAIC since 1970.

     Stephen F. Litz has served as Senior Vice President - Branch Operations of
the Property and Casualty Group since 1990. Mr. Litz served as Vice President of
Regional Operations of PMAIC from 1981 to 1990, and has been an employee of
PMAIC since 1972. Mr. Litz is a designated Chartered Property-Casualty
Underwriter.

     Paul I. Detwiler, Jr., a director since 1984, is Chairman of the Board of
New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., a quarrying and construction company. Mr.
Detwiler's current term as a director of the Company expires in 1999. Mr.
Detwiler is also a director of Keystone Financial, Inc.

     Joseph H. Foster, a director since 1982, has been a partner of White &
Williams, a law firm, since 1958. Mr. Foster's current term as a director of the
Company expires in 2000.

     Anne S. Genter, a director since 1991, has served as President of Anne S.
Genter Interior Design, an interior design company, since 1975. Ms. Genter's
current term as a director of the Company expires in 1999.

     James F. Malone III, a director since 1974, has been a partner of Malone,
Larchuk & Middleman, P.C., a law firm, since 1997 and from 1980 to 1997 was a
partner of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C., a law firm. Mr. Malone's current
term as a director of the Company expires in 2000.

     A. John May, a director since 1977, has been a partner of Duane, Morris &
Heckscher, a law firm, since 1963. Mr. May's current term as a director of the
Company expires in 1999.

     Louis N. McCarter III a director since 1975, has been President of the
McCarter Corp., a manufacturer of specialized mixing machinery, since 1954. Mr.
McCarter's current term as a director of the Company expires in 1998.


                                      -67-

<PAGE>


     John W. Miller, Jr., M.D., a director since 1988, has been a physician and
has served as President of Ear, Nose and Throat Associates of Lancaster since
1970. Dr. Miller's current term as a director of the Company expires in 1998.

     Edward H. Owlett, a director since 1964, has been a partner of Owlett,
Lewis & Ginn, P.C., a law firm, since 1981. From 1960 to 1981, Mr. Owlett served
as a partner of Cox, Wilcox, Owlett & Lewis, a law firm. Mr. Owlett's current
term as a director of the Company expires in 1998. Mr. Owlett is also a director
of Citizens and Northern Corporation.

     Louis I. Pollock, a director since 1984, has served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Morris Coupling Company, a manufacturer of pipe and tubing,
since 1957. Mr. Pollock's current term as a director of the Company expires in
1998.

     Roderic H. Ross, a director since 1981, has served as Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer of Keystone State Life Insurance Company since 1985.
Prior to 1985, Mr. Ross held various positions at Philadelphia Life Insurance
Company and was an employee of Philadelphia Life Insurance Company from 1970 to
1984. Mr. Ross' current term as a director of the Company expires in 1999. Mr.
Ross is also a director of Hunt Manufacturing Co. and PNC Bank Corp.

     L. J. Rowell, Jr., a director since 1992, was Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Provident Mutual Life Insurance Company from 1992 until his
retirement in July 1996. Prior to 1992, Mr. Rowell held various positions at
Provident Mutual and was an employee of Provident Mutual from 1980 until July
1996. Mr. Rowell's current term as a director of the Company expires in 2000.

     The Board of Directors of the Company is divided into three classes, and
the directors of each class are elected for a term of three years and until
their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death,
resignation or removal. Prior to each election of a class of directors, the
Board of Directors must fix the size of that class of directors at a minimum of
four and a maximum of eight directors. Every director must be a shareholder of
the Company. No person may be considered as a candidate, and no votes may be
counted for any person, unless written notice of such person's nomination or
candidacy has been filed with the Secretary of the Company not less than 60 days
prior to the date of election; provided, however, that nominees selected by the
then existing Board of Directors or nominating committee appointed by the Board
of Directors may be candidates and voted for without such notice.

Item 6. Executive Compensation

Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers

     Executive Compensation

     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to
compensation paid or accrued by the Company during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996 to the chief executive officer of the Company and the four
most highly compensated executive officers of the Company and its principal
subsidiaries whose compensation exceeded $100,000 in the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996:


                                      -68-

<PAGE>


                           Summary Compensation Table

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                               Long-Term
                                                                                              Compensation
                                                                                              ------------
                                                                Annual                           Awards
                                                             Compensation                     ------------
                                                                                               Securities
                                                                           Other Annual        Underlying         All Other
Name and Principal Position          Year      Salary($)     Bonus($)     Compensation($)      Options(#)       Compensation($)
- - - ---------------------------          ----      ---------     --------     ---------------      ----------       ---------------
<S>                    <C>           <C>       <C>                                               <C>               <C>
Frederick W. Anton III (1)           1996      $700,311         --              --               75,000            $71,198(1)
Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer

John W. Smithson (2)                 1996      $675,440      $330,000           --               75,000            $55,765(2)
President and Chief Operating
Officer

Stephen G. Tirney                    1996      $315,544         --              --               25,000            $32,466(3)
President and Chief Operating
Officer of PMA Reinsurance
Corporation

Stephen F. Litz                      1996      $275,542         --              --               25,000            $26,083(4)
Senior Vice President of the
Property and Casualty Group

James J. Fleming, Jr.                1996      $276,989         --              --               25,000            $ 8,952(5)
Senior Vice President of the
Property and Casualty Group
</TABLE>

- - - ---------------
(1)  On May 7, 1997, Mr. Anton was elected Chairman of the Board of the Company.
     This amount includes Company contributions to the Company's non-qualified
     defined contribution plan of $35,000 and $36,198 of life insurance premiums
     paid by the Company.

(2)  On May 7, 1997, Mr. Smithson was elected President and Chief Executive
     Officer of the Company. This amount includes Company contributions to the
     Company's non-qualified defined contribution plan of $33,500 and $22,265 of
     life insurance premiums paid by the Company.

(3)  This amount includes Company contributions to the Company's non-qualified
     defined contribution plan of $18,000, Company contributions to the 401(k)
     plan of $7,500 and $6,966 of life insurance premiums paid by the Company.

(4)  This amount includes Company contributions to the Company's non-qualified
     defined contribution plan of $9,000, Company contributions to the 401(k)
     plan of $6,754 and $10,329 of life insurance premiums paid by the Company.

(5)  This amount consists of $8,952 of life insurance premiums paid by the
     Company.


     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to options
to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock granted to the persons named in the
Summary Compensation Table during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.


                                      -69-

<PAGE>


                        Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                  Number of        % of Total
                                 Securities          Options                                        Potential Realizable Value
                                 Underlying        Granted to       Exercise                        at Assumed Annual Rates of
                                   Options        Employees in        Price        Expiration        Stock Price Appreciation
Name                            Granted(#)(1)      Fiscal Year      ($/Share)         Date                for Option Term
- - - ----                            -------------     ------------      ---------      ----------       --------------------------
                                                                                                       5%              10%
                                                                                                    --------        ----------
<S>                               <C>                 <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>
Frederick W. Anton III.......     75,000(2)           23.1%          $17.00         7/23/06         $801,841        $2,032,022

John W. Smithson.............     75,000(3)           23.1%           17.00         7/23/06          801,841         2,032,022

Stephen G. Tirney............     25,000(4)            7.7%           17.00         7/23/06          267,280           677,341

Stephen F. Litz..............     25,000(5)            7.7%           17.00         7/23/06          267,280           677,341

James J. Fleming, Jr.........     25,000(5)            7.7%           17.00         7/23/06          267,280           677,341
</TABLE>

- - - ----------
(1)  All of the options in the above table represent options to purchase the
     Company's Class A Common Stock under the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan.

(2)  These options vest as follows: 61,000 shares on July 23, 1996; 2,350 shares
     on January 2, 1998; 5,850 shares on January 2, 1999 and 5,800 shares on
     January 2, 2000.

(3)  These options vest as follows: 51,800 shares on July 23, 1996; and
     installments of 5,800 shares each on January 2, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000,
     respectively.

(4)  These options vest as follows: 1,800 shares on July 23, 1996; and
     installments of 5,800 shares each on January 2, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000,
     respectively.

(5)  These options vest as follows: 3,350 shares on July 23, 1996; 3,350 shares
     on January 2, 1997; 3,350 shares on January 2, 1998; 9,150 shares on
     January 2, 1999; and 5,800 shares on January 2, 2000.

     The following table sets forth information with respect to options to
purchase shares of Class A Common Stock exercised by the persons named in the
Summary Compensation Table during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 and
options held by such persons at December 31, 1996.


                                      -70-

<PAGE>


Aggregated Option Exercises in the Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option
Values

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               Number of Securities Underlying    Value of Unexercised In-the-Money
                                                                   Unexercised Options at                    Options
                                                                       Fiscal Year-End                 at Fiscal Year-End(2)
                              Shares                         -----------------------------------    ------------------------------
                             Acquired
                                on            Value
Name                         Exercise(#)    Realized(1)      Exercisable(#)     Unexercisable(#)    Exercisable      Unexercisable
- - - ----                         ----------     -----------      --------------     ----------------     -----------      -------------
<S>                            <C>           <C>                 <C>                <C>             <C>                 <C>     
Frederick W. Anton III......   38,900        $284,400            325,260            46,500          $1,056,945          $268,125

John W. Smithson............   33,400         285,540            306,500            23,200           1,126,275                --

Stephen G. Tirney...........    1,850          14,569            109,200            37,450             557,800             5,313

Stephen F. Litz.............    3,000          23,250            119,100            35,400             613,588             4,688

James J. Fleming, Jr........       --              --            122,100            35,400             638,338             4,688
</TABLE>

- - - ----------
(1)  Represents the difference between the aggregate exercise price and the
     aggregate market value as of the date of exercise.

(2)  Represents the difference between the aggregate exercise price and the
     aggregate market value as of December 31, 1996.

     Pension Plans

     Under The PMC Pension Plan and The PMC Supplemental Executive Retirement
Plan, participants are entitled to benefits pursuant to the formula set forth
under such plans, without regard to the limits under Section 415 and Section
401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"). The benefit is
based upon the accrued pension benefit for the participant at December 31, 1992
plus annual accruals beginning January 1, 1993 equal to the sum of (i) 1.5% of
the participant's compensation for the applicable benefit year, consisting of
wages and commissions but excluding bonus, severance payments or other
supplementary payments, plus (ii) .3% of the participant's covered compensation,
consisting of the average of the participant's taxable wage base in effect for
each calendar year during the 35-year period ending the last day of the calendar
year in which the participant attains Social Security retirement age. A maximum
of 25 years of service is considered in calculating the annual benefit payable
upon normal retirement at normal retirement age. Based upon this formula, the
estimated annual benefits payable upon normal retirement at age 65 for each
person named in the Summary Compensation Table are as follows: (i) Mr. Anton,
$141,509; (ii) Mr. Smithson, $95,511; (iii) Mr. Tirney, $44,789; (iv) Mr. Litz,
$62,030; and (v) Mr. Fleming, $59,937. These amounts for Mr. Anton and Mr.
Smithson do not include other retirement payments that would be provided
pursuant to their respective employment agreements.

     Employment Agreements

     Frederick W. Anton III has an employment agreement with the Company for a
term that commenced April 1, 1995 and ends March 31, 2000, and is automatically
extended for an additional period of one year for each year Mr. Anton is elected
as Chairman of the Board of the Company commencing with the 1996 organizational
meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company. The


                                      -71-

<PAGE>


employment agreement provides for a salary of not less than $700,000, which may
be increased but not decreased by the Company at any time or from time to time.
Mr. Anton is also entitled to receive such bonus compensation as he may be
awarded from time to time. Mr. Anton has agreed during the term of the
employment agreement not to engage or have a material financial interest in any
business that competes with the business of the Company as then conducted. In
the event of Mr. Anton's death during the term of the agreement, Mr. Anton's
survivors are entitled to an annual payment of 60% of Mr. Anton's annual salary
on the date of his death for a period of 10 years. If Mr. Anton retires at any
time after April 1, 1996, Mr. Anton would be entitled to receive monthly
payments equal to 5% of his annual salary on the date of his retirement and
continuing throughout his lifetime. If, during his retirement and prior to his
death, the total payments made during retirement are less than 60% of his annual
salary at retirement multiplied by 15, the difference is to be paid to his
survivors within one year of the date of his death. Under the agreement, the
Company is required to maintain a split-dollar life insurance policy in the face
amount of $1,000,000 on the life of Mr. Anton.

     John W. Smithson has an employment agreement with the Company for a term
that commenced April 1, 1995 and ends March 31, 1998, and is automatically
extended for an additional period of one year for each year Mr. Smithson is
elected President of the Company commencing with the 1996 organizational meeting
of the Board of Directors of the Company. The employment agreement provides for
a salary of not less than $670,000 per year, which may be increased but not
decreased at the discretion of the Company at any time or from time to time. Mr.
Smithson is also entitled to receive such bonus compensation as he may be
awarded from time to time. Mr. Smithson has agreed during the term of the
employment agreement not to engage in or have a material financial interest in
any business that competes with the Company as then conducted. In the event of
Mr. Smithson's death during the term of the agreement, Mr. Smithson's survivors
are entitled to 180 consecutive monthly payments of an amount equal to 25% of
Mr. Smithson's monthly salary as of the date of his death, reduced by the amount
of any similar payments for disability paid to Mr. Smithson during his lifetime
in the event Mr. Smithson becomes disabled during the employment term. Under the
agreement, the Company is required to maintain a split-dollar life insurance
policy in the face amount of $1,000,000 on the life of Mr. Smithson.

     Director Compensation

     In addition to expenses of attendance, which are paid to all directors,
directors of the Company who are not also employees of the Company are paid an
annual retainer of $7,000 for their services and a fee of $300 for each Board of
Directors meeting attended. A non-employee director who serves on the Executive
and Finance Committees receives a $2,000 annual retainer and a fee of $600 for
each Executive and Finance Committees meeting attended. A non-employee director
who serves on the Audit Committee receives a $1,000 annual retainer and a fee of
$300 for each Audit Committee meeting attended.

Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

     The Company's largest shareholder is PMA Foundation (the "Foundation"),
formerly known as Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association, which is a
not-for-profit corporation qualified under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal
Revenue Code and whose purposes include the promotion of the common business
interests of its members and the economic prosperity of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania. As of April 1, 1997, the Foundation owned 4,561,225 shares of
Common Stock (29.4% of the class) and 912,225 shares of Class A Common Stock
(11.0% of the class), which constitutes 28.4% of the total number of votes
available to be cast in matters brought before the Company's shareholders. See
"Item 4. Security Ownership of and Beneficial Owners and Management." Members of
the Company's Board of Directors currently serve as the members of the
Foundation's Board of Trustees. Also, Frederick W.


                                      -72-

<PAGE>


Anton III, Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer of the Company, serves as
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation. The Company and certain
of its subsidiaries provide certain administrative services to the Foundation
for which the Company and its affiliates receive reimbursement. Total
reimbursements amounted to $82,000, $269,000, and none for years ended December
31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. The Foundation also leases its
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania headquarters facility from a subsidiary of the Company
under a monthly operating lease presently requiring rent payments of $20,000 per
month and reimburses a subsidiary of the Company for its use of office space in
the Blue Bell, Pennsylvania facility. Rent and related reimbursements paid to
the Company's affiliates by the Foundation amounted to $247,428, $294,109, and
$315,272 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively.

     James F. Malone III, A. John May, Edward H. Owlett and Joseph H. Foster,
who are directors of the Company, are or have been members of law firms that
furnished legal representation to the Company and its subsidiaries during 1996.
In the opinion of the Company's management, the amounts paid to such firms
represented reasonable charges for the services rendered and were as fair as the
charges would have been had such services been furnished by law firms
unaffiliated with any of the directors. Duane, Morris & Heckscher, of which Mr.
May is a member, was paid an aggregate of $3,671,875 and $3,165,092 in 1996 and
1995, respectively.

     The Company has provided demand loans to certain officers of the Company
and its subsidiaries, mainly for the purpose of providing such officers with
funds to purchase Common Stock or Class A Common Stock. The loans are
collateralized by the Common Stock or the Class A Common Stock purchased by the
officer and bear interest at a rate of 6% per annum. The following table sets
forth certain information with respect to indebtedness of executive officers of
the Company under such program:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  Largest Amount                Balance at
Executive Officer                          Year             Outstanding During Period         End of Period
- - - -----------------                          ----             -------------------------         --------------
<S>                                        <C>                      <C>                          <C>     
Frederick W. Anton III..................   1996                     $146,600                     $     --
                                           1995                     $146,600                     $146,600
                                           1994                     $246,600                     $146,600

John W. Smithson........................   1996                     $158,400                     $     --
                                           1995                     $158,400                     $158,400
                                           1994                     $258,400                     $158,400

Stephen G. Tirney.......................   1996                     $220,000                     $220,000
                                           1995                     $220,000                     $220,000
                                           1994                     $220,000                     $220,000

Stephen F. Litz.........................   1996                     $270,000                     $     --
                                           1995                     $270,000                     $270,000
                                           1994                     $270,000                     $270,000

James F. Fleming, Jr....................   1996                     $127,833                     $127,833
                                           1995                     $127,833                     $127,833
                                           1994                     $127,833                     $127,833

Francis W. McDonnell....................   1996                     $437,813                     $437,813
</TABLE>


                                      -73-

<PAGE>


     The Company has arranged an executive loan program (the "Financial Support
Program") with a financial institution, whereby such institution will provide
prime rate personal loans to officers of the Company and its subsidiaries
collateralized by Common Stock and Class A Common Stock at a maximum 75% loan to
value ratio. The Company has agreed to purchase any loan made under the
Financial Support Program (including accrued interest and related expenses) from
the financial institution in the event that the borrower defaults on such loan.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to indebtedness
of executive officers of the Company under the Financial Support Program:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  Largest Amount                Balance at
Executive Officer                          Year             Outstanding During Period         End of Period
- - - -----------------                          ----             -------------------------         --------------
<S>                                        <C>                      <C>                          <C>     
John W. Smithson........................   1996                     $1,081,935                  $1,081,935
                                           1995                     $1,081,935                  $1,081,935
                                           1994                     $1,081,935                  $1,081,935

Stephen G. Tirney.......................   1996                       $187,100                    $187,100
                                           1995                       $187,100                    $187,100
                                           1994                       $187,100                    $187,100

Stephen F. Litz.........................   1996                       $504,000                    $504,000
                                           1995                       $210,000                    $210,000
                                           1994                       $210,000                    $210,000

James J. Fleming, Jr....................   1996                       $192,275                    $192,275
                                           1995                       $192,275                    $192,275
                                           1994                       $192,275                    $192,275
</TABLE>

     Subsidiaries of the Company, in the ordinary course of their business, have
had and intend to continue to have insurance transactions with directors and
officers of the Company and the various businesses with which directors and
officers of the Company are associated. Such insurance is written in accordance
with rates and terms authorized for use in the applicable jurisdictions.

Item 8. Legal Proceedings

     The Insurance Subsidiaries are defendants in actions arising out of their
insurance business and from time to time are involved in various governmental
and administrative proceedings. These actions include lawsuits seeking coverage
for alleged damages relating to exposure to asbestos and other toxic substances
and environmental clean-up actions under federal and state law. See "Item 1.
Business - Loss Reserves" and "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

Item 9. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant's Common Equity and
        Related Stockholder Matters

     As of April 1, 1997, there were 200 shareholders of record of Common Stock
and 386 shareholders of record of Class A Common Stock. The Company is
registering the Class A Common Stock under this registration statement.


                                      -74-

<PAGE>


     Neither class of common equity is traded on an established exchange.
Transactions in the Common Stock are conducted privately among persons qualified
to own the Common Stock. See "Item 11. Description of Registrant's Securities to
Be Registered." No price information is available for such transactions. Class A
Common Stock trades under the symbol, "PMFRA", on the OTC Bulletin Board through
approximately ten broker/dealers who voluntarily make a market in Class A Common
Stock. The following table sets forth high and low bid information for Class A
Common Stock, as well as dividend information for both Common Stock and Class A
Common Stock. The Company intends to apply for qualification for listing of the
Class A Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market System under the proposed
symbol "PMRA." The foregoing bid information is based upon over-the-counter
market quotations, which reflects inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up,
mark-down, or commission, and may not represent actual transactions.
Additionally, the limited and sporadic quotations may not constitute an
established public trading market and may not be indicative of the fair market
value of Class A Common Stock.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                               Class A Common             Class A Common          Dividends Per            Dividends
                                 Stock High                  Stock Low           Share - Class A          Per Share -
Quarter Ended                     Bid Price                  Bid Price            Common Stock            Common Stock
- - - -------------                  --------------             --------------         ---------------          ------------
<S>                                <C>                        <C>                     <C>                     <C> 
December 31, 1996..........        $17.500                    $15.625                 $.09                    $.08
September 30, 1996.........        $17.500                    $17.000                 $.09                    $.08
June 30, 1996     .........        $18.500                    $16.500                 $.09                    $.08
March 31, 1996.............        $20.500                    $18.250                 $.09                    $.08
                                                                                      ----                    ----
         Total 1996.............................................................      $.36                    $.32
                                                                                      ====                    ====


December 31, 1995..........        $18.250                    $17.750                 $.09                    $.08
September 30, 1995.........        $18.250                    $15.250                 $.09                    $.08
June 30, 1995     .........        $15.250                    $14.500                 $.09                    $.08
March 31, 1995.............        $15.500                    $14.500                 $.09                    $.08
                                                                                      ----                    ----
         Total 1995.............................................................      $.36                    $.32
                                                                                      ====                    ====

December 31, 1994..........        $15.500                    $15.500                 $.09                    $.08
September 30, 1994.........        $14.750                    $14.500                 $.09                    $.08
June 30, 1994     .........        $14.000                    $13.250                 $.09                    $.08
March 31, 1994.............        $13.250                    $12.750                 $.09                    $.08
                                                                                      ----                    ----
         Total 1994.............................................................      $.36                    $.32
                                                                                      ====                    ====
</TABLE>

     The Company's ability to pay dividends is limited by certain restrictions
in its debt agreements. In addition, dividends from certain of the Company's
subsidiaries are limited by the insurance laws and regulations of Pennsylvania.
See "Item 1. - Business - Restrictions on Insurance Subsidiaries Dividends" and
"Item 2. - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" and Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
included in Item 13 for further discussion of dividend restrictions.


                                      -75-

<PAGE>


Item 10. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

     During the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Company sold
shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock
options pursuant to the terms of the Company's stock option plans. In 1996, an
aggregate of 97,150 shares were sold to five officers of the Company pursuant to
such options at exercise prices ranging from $6.60 to $10.00 per share for an
aggregate price of $806,000. In 1995, an aggregate of 205,199 shares were sold
to six officers and employees of the Company pursuant to such options at
exercise prices ranging from $6.60 to $11.50 per share for an aggregate price of
$1,776,288. In 1994, an aggregate of 26,925 shares were sold to two officers and
employees of the Company pursuant to such options at exercise prices ranging
from $8.00 to $10.00 per share for an aggregate price of $230,400. The Company
believes that these sales were made pursuant to the exemption afforded by
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act inasmuch as the sales were made to a limited
number of sophisticated investors in transactions not involving a public
offering.

Item 11. Description of Registrant's Securities to Be Registered

     The following summary description is subject to the detailed provisions of
the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and the Company's
Bylaws, as amended, and does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its
entirety by reference thereto.

     The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 40,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, par value $5 per share, ("Common Stock") and 40,000,000 shares
of Class A Common Stock, par value $5 per share, ("Class A Common Stock"). As of
May 1, 1997, the Company had issued and outstanding 15,374,890 shares of Common
Stock and 8,460,997 shares of Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding. This
registration statement relates to the Company's Class A Common Stock. The
description of the Common Stock included herein is for information purposes
only.

Voting

     Except as otherwise required under Pennsylvania law, or as otherwise
provided in the Company's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, with respect to
all matters upon which shareholders of the Company are entitled to vote or to
which shareholders are entitled to give consent, the holders of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock and the holders of the outstanding shares of Class A
Common Stock vote together without regard to class, and every holder of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock is entitled to cast thereon ten votes in
person or by proxy for each share of Common Stock standing in the holder's name,
and every holder of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock is entitled to
cast thereon one vote in person or by proxy for each share of Class A Common
Stock standing in the holder's name.

     Cumulative voting rights exist with respect to the election of directors,
which means that each shareholder has the right, in person or by proxy, to
multiply the number of votes to which he is entitled by the number of directors
of the class to be elected, and to cast the whole number of such votes for one
candidate or to distribute them among two or more candidates.

     With respect to any proposed amendment to the Company's Articles of
Incorporation which would increase or decrease the number of authorized shares
of either Common Stock or Class A Common Stock, increase or decrease the par
value of the shares of Common Stock or Class A Common Stock, or alter or change
the powers, preferences, relative voting power or special rights of the shares
of Common Stock or Class A Common Stock so as to affect such class of shares
adversely, the approval of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the
holders of the class affected by the proposed amendment, voting separately as a


                                      -76-

<PAGE>


class, shall be obtained in addition to the approval of a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast by the holders of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock
voting together without regard to class as provided in the Articles of
Incorporation.

Dividends and Distributions

     With respect to dividend rights, Class A Common Stock is entitled to cash
dividends at a rate that is 10% higher on a per share basis than the cash
dividends declared and paid on shares of Common Stock.

     Each share of Common Stock and each share of Class A Common Stock have
equal rights in respect to dividends (other than cash) and distributions,
declared and paid, in the form of stock or other property of the Company, except
that in the case of dividends or other distributions payable in stock of the
Company, including distributions pursuant to stock split-ups or divisions, only
shares of Common Stock will be distributed with respect to Common Stock and only
shares of Class A Common Stock will be distributed with respect to Class A
Common Stock.

Convertibility

     Each share of Common Stock may at any time be converted at the election of
the holder thereof into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common
Stock. Any holder of shares of Common Stock may elect to convert any or all of
such shares at one time or at various times in such holder's discretion.

     Such right can be exercised by the surrender of the certificate
representing each share of Common Stock to be converted to the agent for the
registration for transfer of shares of Common Stock at its office, or to the
Company at its principal executive offices, accompanied by a written notice of
the election by the holder thereof to convert and (if so required by the
transfer agent or by the Company) by instruments of transfer, in form
satisfactory to the transfer agent and to the Company, duly executed by such
holder or his duly authorized attorney. The issuance of a certificate or
certificates for shares of Class A Common Stock upon conversion of shares of
Common Stock will be made without charge for any stamp or other similar tax in
respect of such issuance. However, if any such certificate or certificates is or
are to be issued in a name other than that of the holder of the share or shares
of Common Stock converted, the person or persons requesting the issuance thereof
must pay to the transfer agent or to the Company the amount of any tax which may
be payable in respect of any such transfer, or must establish to the
satisfaction of the transfer agent or of the Company that such tax has been
paid. As promptly as practicable after the surrender for conversion of a
certificate or certificates representing shares of Common Stock and the payment
of any tax as hereinbefore provided, the Company will deliver or cause to be
delivered at the office of the transfer agent to, or upon the written order of,
the holder of such certificate or certificates, a certificate or certificates
representing the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon such
conversion, issued in such name or names as such holder may direct. Such
conversion will be irrevocable and will be deemed to have been made immediately
prior to the close of business on the date of the surrender of the certificate
or certificates representing shares of Common Stock (if on such date the
transfer books of the Company shall be closed, then immediately prior to the
close of business on the first date thereafter that said books shall be open),
and all rights of such holder arising from ownership of such shares of Common
Stock will cease at such time, and the person or persons in whose name or names
the certificate or certificates representing shares of Class A Common Stock are
to be issued will be treated for all purposes as having become the record holder
or holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock at such time and will have and
may exercise all the rights and powers appertaining thereto.


                                      -77-

<PAGE>


     No adjustments in respect of past cash dividends will be made upon the
conversion of any share of Common Stock; provided, however, that if any shares
of Common Stock are converted subsequent to the record date for the payment of a
cash or stock dividend or other distribution on shares of Common Stock but prior
to such payment, the registered holder of such shares at the close of business
on such record date will be entitled to receive the cash or stock dividend or
the distribution payable to holders of Common Stock.

     The Company is required at all times to reserve and keep available, solely
for the purpose of issue upon conversion of outstanding shares of Common Stock,
such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as may be issuable upon the
conversion of all such outstanding shares of Common Stock, provided, the Company
may deliver shares of Class A Common Stock which are held in the treasury of the
Company for shares of Common Stock to be converted. If any shares of Class A
Common Stock require registration with or approval of any governmental authority
under any federal or state law before such shares of Class A Common Stock may be
issued upon conversion, the Company will cause such shares to be duly registered
or approved, as the case may be. All shares of Class A Common Stock which may be
issued upon conversion of shares of Common Stock will, upon issue, be fully paid
and nonassessable.

     Shares of Class A Common Stock are not convertible into shares of Common
Stock.

Preemptive Rights of Common Stock

     Except with respect to shares, rights, options, and other securities of the
Company that are issued or granted in connection with any stock purchase plan,
stock option plan or other similar benefit plan that has been approved by the
holders of a majority of the Company's outstanding Common Stock, the holders of
Common Stock of the Company are entitled, as such, as a matter of right, to
subscribe for and to purchase any part of any new or additional issue of Common
Stock, any rights or options to purchase Common Stock, whether now or hereafter
authorized, but only in those instances in which such shares of Common Stock,
rights or options to purchase Common Stock are issued for a consideration
consisting solely of money. In the event of the issuance of such shares or other
securities solely for money, such preemptive right is only an opportunity to
acquire such shares or other securities under such terms and conditions as the
Board of Directors shall fix. The preemptive rights granted under the Articles
of Incorporation do not apply in any respect to Class A Common Stock, and
holders of Class A Common Stock, as such, have no preemptive rights.

Other Rights

     Except as otherwise required by Pennsylvania law or as provided in the
Articles of Incorporation of the Company, each share of Common Stock and each
share of Class A Common stock has identical powers, preferences and rights,
including rights in liquidation.

     There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to Common
Stock or Class A Common Stock. Holders of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock
are not subject to further calls or assessments by the Company. All outstanding
shares of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock are fully paid and
non-assessable.

Certain Articles of Incorporation and Bylaw Provisions; Pennsylvania
Anti-Takeover Provisions

     The Company's Bylaws provide for the division of the Company's Board of
Directors into three classes. Only one class is elected each year, and the
regular term of each class is three years. See "Item 5 - Executive Officers and
Directors." The Company's Bylaws also require any shareholder who desires to


                                      -78-

<PAGE>


nominate a candidate for election as a director to provide certain information
concerning such person that is equivalent to that contained in the Company's
proxy materials for those candidates nominated by the Company's Board of
Directors not later than 60 days prior to the date of election.

     Pennsylvania has also adopted certain laws that may be deemed to be
"anti-takeover" in effect. One provision permits directors, in considering the
best interests of the Company, to consider the effects of any action upon its
employees, suppliers, customers, shareholders and creditors and the communities
in which the Company maintains facilities. The effect of this provision is to
put the considerations of these constituencies on parity with one another, with
the result that no one group, including shareholders, is required to be the
dominant or controlling concern of directors in determining what is in the best
interests of the Company. This provision applies to all Pennsylvania
corporations. Other provisions under Pennsylvania law that may be deemed to be
anti-takeover in effect include the authorization for the adoption of poison
pill plans and the prohibition of shareholders' calling a special meeting of
shareholders, taking action by less than unanimous written consent or proposing
an amendment to the articles of incorporation of the Company.

     The Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provides that
certain other anti-takeover provisions under the Pennsylvania Business
Corporation Law of 1988, as amended, shall not be applicable to the Company.

Restrictions on Ownership of Common Stock

     Under the Company's Bylaws, no person, firm, association, corporation or
other entity is qualified to own any shares of Common Stock except: (i) PMA
Foundation; (ii) a member of PMA Foundation; (iii) a former member of PMA
Foundation who resigned in good standing, but only in respect to Common Stock
owned by such former member on the date of resignation; (iv) the Company or
PMAIC; (v) an officer, proprietor or partner of a member of PMA Foundation, or a
retired officer, proprietor or partner of a member or former member, but only in
respect to Common Stock owned on the date of retirement; (vi) a director or
officer of the Company, PMAIC or PMA Foundation; (vii) a retired director or
officer of the Company, PMAIC or PMA Foundation, but only in respect to the
Common Stock owned on the date of retirement; (viii) a surviving spouse of a
deceased person who, at the time of his or her death, was qualified to own
Common Stock; (ix) a person, firm, association, corporation or other entity who
was a shareholder of record of PMAIC on April 1, 1982; (x) any child or
grandchild of a shareholder of PMAIC of record on April 1, 1982; (xi) a trustee
under a written trust solely for the benefit of a person qualified under the
Company's Bylaws to own Common Stock or a spouse, child or grandchild of such
qualified person; and (xii) such other classes of person as are from time to
time approved by the Board of Directors of the Company. Pursuant to the Bylaws,
the Board of Directors has authorized the following classes of persons to own
shares of Common Stock: (i) employees of the Company or any of its affiliates
who are not officers of these entities, but whose duties require the exercise of
executive and administrative responsibilities; and (ii) a spouse of a person who
owned Common Stock of record on December 8, 1990. The Company's Bylaws also
provide that no person, firm, association, corporation or other entity, except
PMA Foundation, may at any time hold more than 7% of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock of the Company.

     If any shareholder ceases to be qualified to own Common Stock under the
Company's Bylaw provisions, or if the executor or administrator of any
shareholder, or the grantee or assignee of any Common Stock sold on execution,
or for debt, or as the result of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, or if any
person, firm, association, corporation or other entity who is not qualified to
own Common Stock under the Company's Bylaws becomes the holder of Common Stock,
then in any such case, unless a transfer of such Common Stock is made to a
qualified person within six months, such holder will be required to offer to
sell


                                      -79-

<PAGE>


such Common Stock to PMA Foundation at a price agreed upon by the holder and PMA
Foundation, or by a committee of arbitrators if the holder and PMA Foundation
are unable to agree upon a price.

     The foregoing restrictions relating to the Common Stock do not apply to
shares of Class A Common Stock.

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

     As of May 1, 1997, the Company has outstanding 15,374,890 shares of Common
Stock and 8,460,997 shares of Class A Common Stock. Transferability of shares of
the Company's Common Stock is limited by the restrictions on ownership under the
Company's Bylaws. See "Restrictions on Ownership of Common Stock" above.

     Of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, 7,644,167 shares will be
freely transferable by persons other than "affiliates" of the Company without
restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. Of the 7,644,167
shares of Class A Common Stock that are freely transferable, 1,522,646 shares
are held by affiliates and may not be sold unless registered under the
Securities Act or an exemption from registration is available, including the
exemption afforded by Rule 144.

     The remaining 816,830 shares of Class A Common Stock are "restricted
securities" ("Restricted Securities") within the meaning of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act and may not be sold unless registered under the Securities Act or
an exemption from registration is available, including the exemption afforded by
Rule 144.

     Rule 144, as currently in effect, provides that an affiliate of the Company
or a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who has beneficially owned
Restricted Shares for at least one year but less than two years is entitled to
sell, commencing 90 days after the effective date of this Registration
Statement, within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed
the greater of one percent of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock
(84,609 shares immediately after the effective date of this Registration
Statement) or the average weekly trading volume in the Class A Common Stock
during the four calendar weeks preceding such sale. Sales under Rule 144 also
are subject to certain manner-of-sale provisions, notice requirements and the
availability of current public information about the Company. However, a person
who is not an "affiliate" of the Company at any time during the three months
preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned Restricted Shares for at least
two years, is entitled to sell such shares under Rule 144(k) without regard to
the limitations described above.

     Therefore, of the 816,830 shares of Restricted Securities, (i) 209,864
shares held by affiliates and 182,490 shares held by non-affiliates may not be
sold under Rule 144 until they have been held for at least one year, (ii) 17,961
shares held by affiliates and 25,592 shares held for more than one year but less
than two years by non-affiliates may be sold under Rule 144, assuming all
conditions of Rule 144 have been satisfied and (iii) 380,923 shares held for
more than two years by non-affiliates may be sold without restriction under Rule
144(k).

     Each share of Common Stock is convertible into one share of Class A Common
Stock. If the outstanding shares of Common Stock were to be converted into
shares of Class A Common Stock, (i) 6,580,795 shares of Class A Common Stock
held by non-affiliates of the Company that would be received upon such
conversion could be sold without further restriction, (ii) 119,590 shares held
by non-affiliates and 198,563 shares held by affiliates may not be sold under
Rule 144 until they have been held for at least one year, and (iii) 8,475,942
shares of Class A Common Stock held by affiliates that would be received upon
such


                                      -80-

<PAGE>


conversion could not be sold unless registered under the Securities Act or an
exemption from registration is available, including the exemption afforded by
Rule 144.

     In addition, the Company intends to file a registration statement under the
Securities Act to register 3,561,910 shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for
issuance pursuant to the exercise of outstanding stock options and shares
reserved for future grants under the Company's stock option plans. Shares issued
upon exercise of outstanding stock options after the effective date of such
registration statement generally will be eligible for sale in the public market.

     Since there has been no public market for the Company's shares of the Class
A Common Stock, the Company is unable to predict the effect that sales made
pursuant to Rule 144 or otherwise may have on the prevailing market price at
such times for shares of the Class A Common Stock. Nevertheless, sales of a
substantial amount of the Class A Common Stock in the public market, or the
perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect market prices.

Transfer Agent

     The Transfer Agent for the capital stock of the Company is ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services, L.L.C. Its address for such purposes is P.O. Box 590,
Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660, and its telephone number is 800-851-9677.

Item 12. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

     As permitted by the provisions for indemnification of directors and
officers in the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, which applies to the
Company, the Company's Bylaws provide for indemnification of directors and
officers for reasonable expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement of actions unless the act or failure to act giving rise to the claim
for indemnification is determined by a court to have constituted willful
misconduct or recklessness.

     The Bylaws of the Company also avail directors of the Pennsylvania law
limiting directors' liability for money damages except in those cases where they
have breached their fiduciary duty and such breach constitutes self-dealing,
willful misconduct or recklessness. Such provisions are subject to applicable
federal and state regulatory restrictions. Such provisions do not apply,
however, to the responsibility or liability of a director pursuant to any
criminal statute or the liability of a director for the payment of taxes
pursuant to local, federal or state law.

     The Company provides liability insurance for each director and officer of
the Company and its subsidiaries for certain losses arising from claims or
charges against them while serving in their capacities as directors or officers
up to an aggregate of $10,000,000 including defense costs, expenses and charges.


                                      -81-

<PAGE>


Item 13. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

                   Index to Consolidated Financial Statements


                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994........................................... F-1

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
December 31, 1996 and 1995................................................. F-2

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994........................................... F-3

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994....................... F-4

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................. F-5

Report of Independent Accountants..........................................F-28

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
Three Months Ended March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1996 (unaudited)...........F-29

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 1997
(unaudited) and December 31, 1996..........................................F-30

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three
Months Ended March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1996 (unaudited).................F-31

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements (unaudited).....................................................F-32


                                      -82-

<PAGE>

                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                      Consolidated Statements of Operations

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   for the years ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)                                            1996           1995           1994
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>              <C>            <C> 

Revenues:
Net premiums written                                                      $   443,475      $ 489,876      $ 466,502
Change in net unearned premiums                                               (22,900)        (4,924)            32
                                                                          -----------------------------------------
  Net premiums earned                                                         420,575        484,952        466,534
Net investment income                                                         133,936        139,355        138,719
Net realized investment gains                                                   2,984         31,923         47,521
Service revenues                                                                9,189          5,106          3,380
                                                                          -----------------------------------------
  Total revenues                                                              566,684        661,336        656,154
                                                                          -----------------------------------------

Losses and Expenses:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    (includes ($35,000) effect of the change in the discount rate on the
    Property and Casualty Group's workers' compensation unpaid                
    losses from 4% to 5% in 1995)                                             536,623        422,578        402,869
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs                                     90,292         87,207         83,527
Operating expenses                                                             97,856         81,161         74,648
Dividends to policyholders                                                     16,255         16,743         16,679
Interest expense                                                               17,052         18,734         13,051
                                                                          -----------------------------------------
    Total losses and expenses                                                 758,078        626,423        590,774
                                                                          -----------------------------------------

    (Loss) income before income taxes                                        (191,394)        34,913         65,380
                                                                          -----------------------------------------
(Benefit) provision for income taxes:
    Current                                                                   (44,572)        (4,570)         8,000
    Deferred                                                                  (11,488)        15,353            130
                                                                          -----------------------------------------
    Total                                                                     (56,060)        10,783          8,130
                                                                          -----------------------------------------

    Net (loss) income                                                     $  (135,334)     $  24,130      $  57,250
                                                                          =========================================

(Loss) Earnings per Common and Equivalent Share
Primary:
    (Loss) earnings per primary share                                     $    (5.68)      $     .98      $    2.32
                                                                          =========================================
Fully diluted:
    (Loss) earnings per fully-diluted share                               $    (5.68)      $     .97      $    2.32
                                                                          =========================================
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
                                                                       
</TABLE>


                                       F-1

<PAGE>



                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  December 31,   December 31,
(in thousands, except share data)                                                         1996           1995
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>                 <C>
Assets
Investments:
    Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value                          $    2,126,120    $ 2,230,992
        (amortized cost: 1996 -- $2,164,391; 1995 -- $2,206,806)
    Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 1996--$259;
         1995--$8,132)                                                                     262         10,886
    Short-term investments, at amortized cost
          which approximates fair value                                                134,971        214,071
                                                                                -----------------------------
         Total investments                                                           2,261,353      2,455,949

Cash                                                                                     7,176          9,170
Investment income due and accrued                                                       30,268         35,456
Uncollected premiums (net of allowance for
    uncollectible accounts: 1996-$18,877; 1995--$16,330)                               285,982        290,705
Reinsurance receivables (net of allowance
    for uncollectible reinsurance: 1996--$3,901; 1995--$6,208)                         257,983        264,647
Property and equipment (net of accumulated
    depreciation: 1996--$41,219; $1995--$28,614)                                        50,861         56,649
Deferred income taxes, net                                                             101,642         67,331
Deferred acquisition costs                                                              44,006         37,901
Other assets                                                                            78,245         40,764
                                                                                -----------------------------
    Total assets                                                                $    3,117,516    $ 3,258,572
                                                                                =============================

Liabilities
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses                                      $    2,091,072    $ 2,069,986
Unearned premiums                                                                      205,982        192,722
Long-term debt                                                                         204,699        203,848
Dividends to policyholders                                                              12,524         13,156
Funds held under reinsurance treaties                                                   86,804         73,605
Taxes, licenses and fees, and other expenses                                            39,226         29,607
Other liabilities                                                                       51,381         65,980
                                                                                -----------------------------
    Total liabilities                                                                2,691,688      2,648,904
                                                                                -----------------------------

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

Shareholders' Equity
Common stock, $5 par value
    (40,000,000 shares authorized; 16,095,416 shares issued and 15,670,052
    outstanding--1996; 17,044,580 shares issued and 16,652,016
    outstanding--1995)                                                                  80,477         85,223
Class A common stock, $5 par value
    (40,000,000 shares authorized; 8,247,804 shares issued and 8,173,023
    outstanding--1996; 7,298,640 shares issued and 7,225,232 outstanding--1995)         41,239         36,493
Retained earnings                                                                      336,921        480,181
Unrealized (loss) gain on investments                                                                  17,511
    (net of deferred income taxes: 1996--$13,394; 1995--($9,429))                      (24,874)
Notes receivable from officers                                                          (1,162)        (3,896)
Treasury stock, at cost:
    Common stock (1996--425,364 shares; 1995--392,564 shares)                           (5,408)        (4,769)
    Class A common stock (1996--74,781 shares; 1995--73,408 shares)                     (1,365)        (1,075)
                                                                                -----------------------------
         Total shareholders' equity                                                    425,828        609,668
                                                                                -----------------------------
         Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                             $    3,117,516    $ 3,258,572
                                                                                =============================
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>


                                       F-2

<PAGE>



                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       for the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)                                                                     1996            1995            1994
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>             <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net (loss) income                                                        $ (135,334)     $   24,130      $   57,250
    Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash flows (used)
    provided by operating activities:
         Depreciation                                                            12,511           7,652           8,551
         Amortization (accretion)                                                 7,243              35            (405)
         (Benefit) provision for deferred income taxes                          (11,488)         15,353             130
         Net realized investment gains                                           (2,984)        (31,923)        (47,521)
         Change in uncollected premiums and unearned premiums, net               17,983          22,381          35,623
         Change in dividends to policyholders                                      (632)            910          (7,754)
         Change in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses                    21,086         (33,728)        (46,951)
         Change in investment income due and accrued                              5,188           4,961            (267)
         Change in deferred acquisition costs                                    (6,105)         (5,665)         (1,844)
         Other, net                                                             (23,413)         11,807           5,482
                                                                             ------------------------------------------
Net cash flows (used) provided by operating activities                         (115,945)         15,913           2,294
                                                                             ------------------------------------------

Cashflows from investing activities:
    Fixed maturity investments held to maturity:
         Purchases                                                                   --              --        (354,379)
         Maturities or calls                                                         --           3,809          16,658
    Fixed maturity investments available for sale:
         Purchases                                                           (1,227,173)     (2,147,600)       (756,704)
         Maturities or calls                                                     52,280          75,861          34,900
         Sales                                                                1,210,114       2,085,864       1,161,133
    Equity securities:
         Purchases                                                               (5,196)        (18,104)        (46,828)
         Sales                                                                   16,984          28,793          88,909
    Net sales (purchases) of short-term investments                              78,935         (35,445)       (120,675)
    Net purchases of property and equipment                                      (6,723)         (6,017)        (12,905)
                                                                             ------------------------------------------
Net cash flows provided (used) by investing activities                          119,221         (12,839)         10,109
                                                                             ------------------------------------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
    Proceeds from issuances of long-term debt                                    26,000         125,000          25,000
    Repayments of long-term debt                                                (25,149)       (125,127)        (15,861)
    Dividends paid to shareholders                                               (7,926)         (7,885)         (5,881)
    Treasury stock transactions, net                                               (929)            480          (3,893)
    Repayments of notes receivable from officers                                  2,734             478             235
                                                                             ------------------------------------------
Net cash flows used by financing activities                                      (5,270)         (7,054)           (400)
                                                                             ------------------------------------------

Net (decrease) increase in cash                                                  (1,994)         (3,980)         12,003
Cash January 1                                                                    9,170          13,150           1,147
                                                                             ------------------------------------------
Cash December 31                                                             $    7,176      $    9,170      $   13,150
                                                                             ==========================================

Supplementary cash flow information:
    Amounts paid (received) for income taxes                                 $    5,525      $     (951)     $    4,532
    Amounts paid for interest                                                $   16,622      $   15,062      $    2,899
    Fair value of securities transferred from held to maturity
        classification to available for sale classification                  $       --      $1,238,077      $       --
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>


                                       F-3

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
                 (in thousands, except share and per share data)



                                                                                           Unrealized      Notes
                                    Common Stock        Class A Common Stock                  gain       receivable 
                              -----------------------------------------------   Retained    (loss) on       from    
                                Shares       Amounts      Shares     Amounts    earnings   investments    officers  
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>
Balance -- January 1, 1994     18,400,506    $ 92,003    5,942,714    $ 29,713   $ 414,132    $ 6,276      $ (4,609) 
Net income                                                                          57,250
Common stock dividends
declared ($.32 per share)                                                           (5,686)                          
Class A common stock
dividends declared ($.36 per
share)                                                                              (2,160)                          
Conversion of common stock           
into Class A common stock       (793,656)     (3,969)     793,656       3,969                                       
Cumulative effect of
accounting change -- adoption
of SFAS No. 115 (net of tax
effect of ($24,415))                                                                          45,343                
Unrealized loss on
investments available for sale
(net of tax effect of $54,430)                                                              (101,084)               
Repayments of notes                                                                                            235  
Purchase of treasury shares,                                                                                        
net                                                                                                                 
Effect of other treasury stock                                                                                      
transactions                                                                          (58)                          
Stock options issued                                                                  474                           
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance -- December 31,                                                                                   
1994                          17,606,850      88,034    6,736,370      33,682     463,952    (49,465)       (4,374) 
Net income                                                                         24,130                           
Common stock dividends
declared ($.32 per share)                                                          (5,396)                          
Class A common stock
dividends declared ($.36 per
share)                                                                             (2,505)                          
Conversion of common stock
into Class A common stock       (562,270)     (2,811)     562,270       2,811                                       
Unrealized gain on
investments available for sale
(net of tax effect of
($36,063))                                                                                    66,976                
Repayments of notes                                                                                            478  
Purchase of treasury shares,
net                                                                                                                 
Effect of other treasury stock
transactions                                                                                                        
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance -- December 31,
1995                          17,044,580      85,223    7,298,640      36,493     480,181     17,511        (3,896) 
Net loss                                                                         (135,334)                          
Common stock dividends
declared ($.32 per share)                                                          (5,138)                          
Class A common stock
dividends declared ($.36 per
share)                                                                             (2,788)                          
Conversion of common stock    
into Class A common stock       (949,164)     (4,746)     949,164       4,746                                       
Unrealized loss on
investments available for sale
(net of tax effect of $22,823)                                                               (42,385)               
Repayments of notes                                                                                          2,734  
Purchase of treasury shares,
net                                                                                                                 
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance -- December 31,
1996                          16,095,416   $  80,477    8,247,804   $  41,239  $  336,921 $  (24,874)    $  (1,162) 
====================================================================================================================

</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                  
                                            Treasury stock, at cost                          
                                    --------------------------------------                   
                                                                                             
                                        Common Stock   Class A Common Stock                  
                                    ---------------------------------------                  
                                     Shares    Amounts    Shares   Amounts     Total         
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       
<S>                                 <C>       <C>        <C>      <C>         <C>   
Balance -- January 1, 1994          125,799   $ (1,337)  177,103  $ (1,795)   $534,383       
Net income                                                                      57,250       
Common stock dividends                                                                       
declared ($.32 per share)                                                       (5,686)      
Class A common stock                                                                         
dividends declared ($.36 per                                                                 
share)                                                                          (2,160)      
Conversion of common stock                                                                   
into Class A common stock                                                          --        
Cumulative effect of                                                                         
accounting change -- adoption                                                                   
of SFAS No. 115 (net of tax                                                                  
effect of ($24,415))                                                            45,343       
Unrealized loss on                                                                           
investments available for sale                                                               
(net of tax effect of $54,430)                                                (101,084)      
Repayments of notes                                                                235       
Purchase of treasury shares,                                                                 
net                                 262,715     (3,369)   52,320      (785)     (4,154)      
Effect of other treasury stock                                                               
transactions                                             (28,925)      319         261       
Stock options issued                                                               474       
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       
Balance -- December 31,                                                                         
1994                                388,514     (4,706)  200,498    (2,261)    524,862      
Net income                                                                      24,130       
Common stock dividends                                                                       
declared ($.32 per share)                                                       (5,396)      
Class A common stock                                                                         
dividends declared ($.36 per                                                                 
share)                                                                          (2,505)      
Conversion of common stock                                                                         
into Class A common stock                                                           --       
Unrealized gain on                                                                           
investments available for sale                                                               
(net of tax effect of                                                                        
($36,063))                                                                      66,976       
Repayments of notes                                                                478       
Purchase of treasury shares,                                                                 
net                                   4,050        (63)  150,442    (2,355)     (2,418)      
Effect of other treasury stock                                                               
transactions                                            (277,532)    3,541       3,541       
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       
Balance -- December 31,                                                                         
1995                                392,564     (4,769)   73,408    (1,075)    609,668       
Net loss                                                                      (135,334)      
Common stock dividends                                                                       
declared ($.32 per share)                                                       (5,138)      
Class A common stock                                                                         
dividends declared ($.36 per                                                                 
share)                                                                          (2,788)      
Conversion of common stock                                                                   
into Class A common stock                                                           --       
Unrealized loss on                                                                           
investments available for sale                                                               
(net of tax effect of $22,823)                                                 (42,385)      
Repayments of notes                                                              2,734       
Purchase of treasury shares,                                                                 
net                                  32,800       (639)    1,373      (290)       (929)      
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       
Balance -- December 31,                                                                      
1996                                425,364  $  (5,408)   74,781  $ (1,365)  $ 425,828       
======================================================================================       

</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


                                       F-4

<PAGE>



                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
         (Dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

1.       Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

         The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts
of Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation (PMC) and its wholly and majority
owned subsidiaries (the Company). PMC is an insurance holding company that sells
property and casualty insurance and reinsurance through its insurance
subsidiaries; with the exception of certain foreign affiliates, PMC's insurance
subsidiaries are domiciled in Pennsylvania. Its property and casualty insurance
subsidiaries (the Property and Casualty Group) write workers' compensation and
other lines of commercial insurance primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern
regions. PMC's reinsurance subsidiary, PMA Reinsurance Corporation (PMA Re),
emphasizes risk-exposed, excess of loss reinsurance and operates in the brokered
market. PMA Re's business is predominantly in casualty lines of reinsurance.

         The Company's significant accounting policies and practices are as
follows:

A. Basis of Presentation -- The consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). All
significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.

         These consolidated financial statements vary in certain respects from
statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Pennsylvania
Insurance Department (SAP). Prescribed SAP includes state laws, regulations and
general administrative rules, as well as a variety of NAIC publications.
Permitted SAP encompasses all accounting practices that are not prescribed. The
NAIC has a project to codify SAP, the result of which is expected to constitute
the only source of prescribed SAP. The project, when completed, will change the
definitions of what comprises prescribed versus permitted SAP and may result in
changes to the accounting policies that insurance companies use to prepare SAP
financial statements.

         SAP net (loss) income and capital and surplus for PMC's domestic
insurance subsidiaries as reported to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department are
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             For the years ended December 31,
                                                                       1996               1995                 1994
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>                  <C>                  <C>   
SAP Net (Loss) Income
         The Property and Casualty Group                          $(191,640)           $30,925              $51,110
         PMA Re                                                      26,338             36,854               33,662
                                                                  -------------------------------------------------
Total                                                             $(165,302)           $67,779              $84,772
                                                                  =================================================


                                                                                      December 31,
                                                                       1996               1995                 1994
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAP Capital and Surplus
         The Property and Casualty Group                           $279,764           $402,968             $405,020
         PMA Re                                                     260,853            254,088              237,387
                                                                  -------------------------------------------------
Total                                                              $540,617           $657,056             $642,407
                                                                  =================================================

</TABLE>

                                       F-5

<PAGE>



         A reconciliation of PMC's domestic insurance subsidiaries' SAP net
(loss) income and capital and surplus to the Company's GAAP net (loss) income
and shareholders' equity is as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              For the years ended December 31,
                                                                             1996            1995           1994
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>            <C>            <C>
Net (Loss) Income 
SAP net (loss) income:
      Domestic insurance subsidiaries                                      $(165,302)     $  67,779       $  84,772
      Other entities and eliminations                                         18,706        (34,147)        (27,682)
                                                                           ----------------------------------------
SAP net (loss) income -- the Company                                        (146,596)        33,632          57,090
GAAP adjustments:
      Change in deferred acquisition costs                                     6,105          5,665           1,844
      Benefit (provision) for deferred income taxes                           11,488        (15,353)           (130)
      Allowance for doubtful accounts                                         (5,317)         4,105          (1,080)
      Retirement accruals                                                        (76)        (3,613)             --
      Other                                                                     (938)          (306)           (474)
                                                                           ----------------------------------------
GAAP net (loss) income                                                     $(135,334)     $  24,130       $  57,250
                                                                           ========================================

                                                                                         December 31,
                                                                              1996           1995            1994
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity 
SAP capital and surplus:
      Domestic insurance subsidiaries                                      $ 540,617      $ 657,056       $ 642,407
      Other entities and eliminations                                       (206,642)      (175,213)       (188,000)
                                                                           ----------------------------------------
SAP capital and surplus -- the Company                                       333,975        481,843         454,407
GAAP adjustments:
      Deferred acquisition costs                                              44,006         37,901          32,236
      Deferred income taxes                                                  101,642         67,331         118,747
      Allowance for doubtful accounts                                        (26,214)       (20,897)        (25,002)
      Retirement accruals                                                    (14,571)       (14,495)        (10,954)
      Reversal of non-admitted assets                                         25,599         32,841          29,324
      Unrealized (loss) gain on fixed                                                        24,186
         maturity investments available for sale                             (38,271)                       (75,688)
      Other                                                                     (338)           958           1,792
                                                                           ----------------------------------------
GAAP shareholders' equity                                                  $ 425,828      $ 609,668       $ 524,862
                                                                           ========================================

</TABLE>


B. Investments -- Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, "Accounting for Certain
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." Upon adoption of SFAS No. 115, the
Company designated investments in fixed maturities with a total amortized cost
and fair value of $1,350,884 and $1,420,642, respectively, as
available-for-sale. Under SFAS No. 115, fixed maturities which the Company may
hold for an indefinite period of time are classified as available-for-sale and,
accordingly, are carried at fair value with changes in fair value, net of income
tax effects, reflected in shareholders' equity. Fixed maturities which the
Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are carried at
amortized cost. In 1995, the Company reevaluated the classifications of its
investments. As a result, effective June 30, 1995, the Company reclassified its
entire held-to-maturity portfolio, which had an amortized cost of $1,241,774, to
the

                                       F-6

<PAGE>



available-for-sale designation in order to match more closely the Company's
investment strategy. This reclassification resulted in a $1,238,077 increase in
available-for-sale securities and a $2,403 unrealized loss (net of deferred
taxes), with no impact on net income.

         Equity securities for all periods are stated at fair value with changes
in fair value, net of income tax effects, reflected in shareholders' equity.

         Realized gains and losses, determined by the first-in, first-out
method, are reflected in income in the period in which the sale transaction
occurs.

C. Premiums -- Premiums, including estimates of additional premiums resulting
from audits of insureds' records, are earned principally on a pro rata basis
over the terms of the policies. Premiums applicable to the unexpired terms of
policies in-force are reported as unearned premiums. Estimated premiums
receivable on retrospectively rated policies are reported as a component of
uncollected premiums.

         The Company follows Emerging Issues Task Force Consensus Position No.
93-6, "Accounting for Multiple Year Retrospectively Rated Contracts by Ceding
and Assuming Enterprises" (EITF 93-6). EITF 93-6 requires that the Company
reflect adjustments to future premiums, as the result of past experience under
multiple year reinsurance contracts, in earnings currently. The impact of EITF
93-6 has been immaterial.

D. Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses -- Unpaid losses and loss
adjustment expenses are stated net of estimated salvage and subrogation and are
determined using claims adjusters' evaluations, estimates of losses and loss
adjustment expenses on known claims, and estimates of losses and loss adjustment
expenses incurred but not reported (IBNR). IBNR is calculated utilizing various
actuarial methods. Unpaid losses on certain workers' compensation claims are
discounted to present value using the Company's payment experience and SAP
mortality and interest assumptions (see Note 3). The methods of making such
estimates and establishing the resulting reserves are continually reviewed and
updated and any adjustments resulting therefrom are reflected in earnings
currently.

E. Deferred Acquisition Costs -- The costs of acquiring new and renewal business
are deferred and amortized over the period during which the related premiums are
earned. Such costs include commissions, premium taxes, and other internal costs,
which are directly related to and vary with the production of business. The
Company determines whether deferred acquisition costs are recoverable
considering future losses and loss adjustment expenses, maintenance costs, and
anticipated investment income. To the extent that deferred acquisition costs are
not recoverable, the deficiency is charged to income currently.

F. Policyholder Dividends -- The Property and Casualty Group issues certain
workers' compensation insurance policies with dividend payment features. These
policyholders share in the operating results in the form of dividends declared
at the discretion of the Company's board of directors. Dividends to
policyholders are accrued during the period in which the related premiums are
earned and are determined based on the terms of the individual policies.

G. Income Taxes -- The Company accounts for income taxes under SFAS No. 109
"Accounting for Income Taxes" (SFAS 109). SFAS 109 is an asset and liability
approach, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded to the extent
of the tax effect of differences between the financial statement carrying values
and tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is recorded for
deferred tax

                                       F-7

<PAGE>



assets where it appears more likely than not that the Company will not be able
to recover the deferred tax asset.

H. Property and Equipment -- Property and equipment are stated at cost, less
accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method
utilizing useful lives ranging from 3 to 40 years. During 1996, The Property and
Casualty Group changed the depreciable lives for its mainframe computer
equipment from five years to three years. The effect of this adjustment was to
increase 1996 depreciation expense by $4,800.

I. Per Share Information -- In 1996, earnings per share was based upon the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The
assumed exercise price of stock options using the average market price was not
taken into consideration as these stock options would have an anti-dilutive
effect on net loss per share. The number of weighted average common shares
outstanding for the year ended December 31, 1996 for both primary and fully
diluted earnings per share was 23,800,791.

         In 1995, earnings per share was based upon the weighted average number
of common shares outstanding during the year and the assumed exercise price of
dilutive stock options less the number of treasury shares assumed to be
purchased from the proceeds as if using the average market price and the closing
price of the Company's common stock and Class A common stock for primary and
fully-diluted earnings per share, respectively. The number of weighted average
common shares and common share equivalents outstanding for primary and
fully-diluted earnings per share were 24,709,031 and 24,934,579, respectively,
for the year ended December 31, 1995.

         In 1994, the weighted average number of common shares and common share
equivalents outstanding during each year were equivalent for primary and
fully-diluted earnings per share. The weighted average number of common shares
and common share equivalents outstanding was 24,650,741 for the year ended
December 31, 1994.

J. Stock-Based Compensation -- The Company has chosen to continue to account for
stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees" and related Interpretations. Accordingly, compensation cost for stock
options is measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the
Company's stock at the date of the grants over the amount an employee must pay
to acquire the stock.

K. Computer Software Costs Related to the Year 2000 -- In 1996, the Company
adopted Emerging Issues Task Force Consensus Position No. 96-14, "Accounting for
the Costs Associated with Modifying Computer Software for the Year 2000" (EITF
96-14). EITF 96-14 states that external and internal costs specifically
associated with modifying internal-use software for the Year 2000 should be
charged to expense as incurred. In accordance with EITF 96-14, the Company
charged $1,808 to operating expenses during the year ended December 31, 1996,
for costs associated with modifying internal-use software.

L. Service Revenues -- Service revenues are earned over the term of the related
contracts in proportion to the actual services rendered.

M. Reclassifications -- Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to
conform to the current year presentation. Additionally, in 1995, the Company
elected to change its method of reporting cash flows from the direct method to
the indirect method and prior period financial statements were reclassified
accordingly.


                                       F-8

<PAGE>



N. Recently Issued Accounting Standards -- In June 1996, the Financial
Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers and
Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities." SFAS No. 125,
which is effective for transfers and extinguishments occurring after December
31, 1996, provides consistent standards for distinguishing transfers of
financial assets that are sales from transfers that are secured borrowings. The
Property and Casualty Group's domestic insurance subsidiaries currently
participate in a transfer arrangement of certain accounts receivable. Such
arrangement will be restructured or terminated as a result of SFAS No. 125. The
restructuring or termination of such arrangement is not expected to have a
material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

         In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS
No. 128, "Earnings Per Share", which supersedes Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 15, "Earnings Per Share" and related Interpretations. SFAS No. 128,
which is effective for financial statements for both interim and annual periods
ending after December 15, 1997, requires presentation of earnings per share by
all entities that have issued common stock or potential common stock if those
securities trade in a public market either on a stock exchange or in the
over-the-counter market, including securities quoted only locally or regionally.
As SFAS No. 128 is a disclosure standard, adoption is not expected to have a
material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.


2.       Investments

         The Company's investment portfolio is well diversified and contains no
significant concentrations in any specific industry, business segment, or
individual issuer. The Company principally invests in U.S. Treasury securities,
high-quality obligations of states and political subdivisions and corporations,
and mortgage-backed securities. The Company does not have any investments in its
portfolio that are considered below investment grade, as defined by independent
security rating agencies. Equity securities consist entirely of common stocks of
financial institutions, public utilities, and industrial and service entities.

         The amortized cost and fair value of the Company's investment portfolio
are as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  Gross          Gross
                                                                Amortized    Unrealized     Unrealized           Fair
                                                                     Cost         Gains         Losses          Value
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>               <C>            <C>         <C>
December 31, 1996
Fixed maturities available for sale:
      U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.                         
           Government agencies                                $ 1,640,881       $ 4,045        $ 42,182    $ 1,602,744
      Obligations of states and political subdivisions             77,562           194           1,229         76,527
      Corporate debt securities                                   372,620         3,203           2,977        372,846
      Mortgage-backed securities                                   73,328           728              53         74,003
                                                              --------------------------------------------------------
      Total fixed maturities available for sale                 2,164,391         8,170          46,441      2,126,120
Equity securities                                                     259             3              --            262
Short-term investments                                            134,971            --              --        134,971
                                                              --------------------------------------------------------
      Total investments                                       $ 2,299,621       $ 8,173        $ 46,441    $ 2,261,353
                                                              ========================================================

</TABLE>


                                       F-9

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  Gross          Gross
                                                                Amortized    Unrealized     Unrealized           Fair
                                                                     Cost         Gains         Losses          Value
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>               <C>            <C>         <C>
December 31, 1995
Fixed maturities available for sale:
      U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.                         
           Government agencies                                 $1,651,858       $17,395        $  2,978     $1,666,275
      Obligations of states and political subdivisions            429,118         9,073           2,322        435,869
      Corporate debt securities                                   125,830         3,059              41        128,848
                                                               -------------------------------------------------------
      Total fixed maturities available for sale                 2,206,806        29,527           5,341      2,230,992
Equity securities                                                   8,132         2,967             213         10,886
Short-term investments                                            214,071            --              --        214,071
                                                               -------------------------------------------------------
      Total investments                                        $2,429,009       $32,494        $  5,554     $2,455,949
                                                               =======================================================

</TABLE>

         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturities at
December 31, 1996, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities
will differ from contractual maturities because the issuers may have the right
to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.



                                                  Amortized              Fair
                                                       Cost             Value
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997                                             $  110,974        $  110,798
1998-2001                                           534,450           525,507
2002-2006                                           679,444           661,184
2007 and thereafter                                 766,195           754,628
Mortgage backed securities                           73,328            74,003
                                                 ----------------------------
                                                 $2,164,391        $2,126,120
                                                 ============================


         Net investment income consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                For the years ended December 31,
                                                         1996                   1995                    1994
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>                    <C>                     <C>  
Fixed maturities                                       $131,530               $129,883                $135,299
Equity securities                                           148                    503                   1,253
Short-term investments                                    7,711                 11,764                   3,397
Other                                                     3,251                  4,303                     830
                                                      --------------------------------------------------------
         Total investment income                        142,640                146,453                 140,779
Investment expenses                                       8,704                  7,098                   2,060
                                                      --------------------------------------------------------
         Net investment income                         $133,936               $139,355                $138,719
                                                      ========================================================
                                  
</TABLE>

                                      F-10

<PAGE>



Net realized investment gains consist of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             For the years ended December 31,
                                                                          1996             1995             1994
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                     <C>              <C>               <C>
Realized gains:
         Fixed maturities                                               $12,762          $37,900           $40,767
         Equity securities                                                4,351            3,117            12,822
         Other                                                                4               --               101
                                                                        ------------------------------------------
                                                                         17,117           41,017            53,690
                                                                        ------------------------------------------
Realized losses:                                        
         Fixed maturities                                                12,861            5,956             1,844
         Equity securities                                                  436            2,200             4,325
         Other                                                              836              938                --
                                                                        ------------------------------------------
                                                                         14,133            9,094             6,169
                                                                        ------------------------------------------
Total net realized investment gains                                     $ 2,984          $31,923           $47,521
                                                                        ==========================================
                                           
</TABLE>

         On December 31, 1996, the Company had securities with a total amortized
cost and fair value of $17,102 and $16,886, respectively, on deposit with
various governmental authorities, as required by law. In addition, at December
31, 1996, securities with a total amortized cost and fair value of $10,527 and
$10,404, respectively, were pledged as collateral for letters of credit issued
on behalf of the Company.

         Change in unrealized (depreciation) appreciation of investments
consists of the following:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             For the years ended December 31,
                                                                          1996            1995              1994
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>                <C>            <C>    
      Cumulative effect of accounting change                           $      --          $     --       $  69,758
      Fixed maturities available for sale                                (62,457)           99,874        (145,444)
      Equity securities                                                   (2,751)            3,165         (10,070)
                                                                       -------------------------------------------
Change in unrealized (depreciation) appreciation of investments        $ (65,208)         $103,039       $ (85,756)
                                                                       ===========================================

</TABLE>


                                      F-11

<PAGE>



3.       Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

         Activity in the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment
expenses (LAE) is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                     For the years ended December 31,
                                                                  1996            1995             1994
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>              <C>               <C>
Balance at January 1                                         $2,069,986       $2,103,714        $2,150,665
Less: reinsurance recoverable on unpaid
      losses and LAE                                            261,492          247,856           218,695
                                                             ---------------------------------------------
         Net balance at January 1                            $1,808,494        1,855,858         1,931,970
                                                             ---------------------------------------------
Losses and LAE incurred, net:
      Current year                                              323,069          357,787           352,025
      Prior years                                               156,074           51,491               366
      Accretion of discount (includes ($35,000)
        effect of the change in the discount rate for
        The Property and Casualty Group's workers'
         compensation unpaid losses from 4% to 5% in
         1995)                                                   57,480           13,300            50,478
                                                             ---------------------------------------------
Total losses and LAE incurred, net                              536,623          422,578           402,869
                                                             ---------------------------------------------
Losses and LAE paid, net:
      Current year                                              (72,194)         (71,126)          (71,965)
      Prior years                                              (438,427)        (398,816)         (407,016)
                                                             ---------------------------------------------
Total losses and LAE paid, net                                 (510,621)        (469,942)         (478,981)
                                                             ---------------------------------------------
Net balance at December 31                                    1,834,496        1,808,494         1,855,858
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and LAE                256,576          261,492           247,856
                                                             ---------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31                                       $2,091,072       $2,069,986        $2,103,714
                                                             =============================================


</TABLE>


         The increase in estimated incurred losses and LAE during 1996 is
primarily due to a loss reserve strengthening charge of $191,400. This loss
reserve strengthening was associated with the following lines of business:

          Pre-1991 workers' compensation                        $110,000
          Asbestos and environmental                              60,400
          Other lines of business                                 21,000
                                                                --------
                                                                $191,400

         The Company's results of operations included an increase in estimated
incurred losses and LAE related to prior years of $156,074, $51,491, and $366 in
1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. The vast majority of the adverse development
relates to Pennsylvania workers' compensation claims from accident years 1987
through 1991. As claims data from these accident years have matured, the impact
of disability and medical benefits available to claimants in Pennsylvania before
the passage of reform legislation in 1993 and 1996, coupled with the economic
conditions that have existed during the disability periods, has become more
apparent. As such, the developed losses have exceeded management's prior
estimates. The reform legislation enacted in 1993 and 1996 has introduced
various controls and limitations on disability and medical benefits which
management believes has had, and will continue to have, a beneficial effect on
loss and LAE reserve development. In addition, management is taking several
steps to reduce the outstanding claims associated with the Pennsylvania workers'
compensation business written through 1991.


                                      F-12

<PAGE>



         The adverse development in reserves associated with asbestos and
environmental claims is due to the completion of a detailed analysis of loss and
LAE reserves associated with asbestos and environmental liability claims in
1996. The analysis of asbestos loss and LAE reserves involved a ground-up
review and projection on an account-by-account basis. The analysis of
environmental loss and LAE reserves involved an actuarial calendar year loss
development technique. Estimation of obligations for asbestos and environmental
exposures continues to be more difficult than other loss reserves because of
several factors, including: (1) evolving methodologies for the estimation of the
liabilities; (2) lack of reliable historical claim data; (3) uncertainties with
respect to insurance and reinsurance coverage related to these obligations; (4)
changing judicial interpretations; and (5) changing government standards.

         The Company's asbestos related losses were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       For the years ended December 31,
                                                              1996                     1995                      1994
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>                        <C>                       <C>   
Gross of reinsurance:
   Beginning reserves                                      $27,611                    $13,969                   $12,913
   Incurred losses and LAE                                  62,854                     22,482                     6,424
   Calendar year payments for losses and LAE               (10,410)                    (8,840)                   (5,368)
                                                           ------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending reserves                                         $80,055                    $27,611                   $13,969
                                                           ============================================================
Net of reinsurance:
   Beginning reserves                                      $23,443                    $ 8,168                    $7,700
   Incurred losses and LAE                                  39,427                     21,826                     5,834
   Calendar year payments for losses and LAE                (9,570)                    (6,551)                   (5,366)
                                                           ------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending reserves                                         $53,300                    $23,443                   $ 8,168
                                                           ============================================================

         The Company's environmental related losses were as follows:


                                                                       For the years ended December 31,
                                                              1996                     1995                      1994
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross of reinsurance:
   Beginning reserves                                      $20,134                    $20,952                   $26,129
   Incurred losses and LAE                                  22,143                      3,516                    (2,150)
   Calendar year payments for losses and LAE                (6,651)                    (4,334)                   (3,027)
                                                           ------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending reserves                                         $35,626                    $20,134                   $20,952
                                                           ============================================================
Net of reinsurance:
   Beginning reserves                                      $20,134                    $20,952                   $26,129
   Incurred losses and LAE                                  21,109                      3,516                    (2,150)
   Calendar year payments for losses and LAE                (6,651)                    (4,334)                   (3,027)
                                                           ------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending reserves                                         $34,592                    $20,134                   $20,952
                                                           ============================================================

</TABLE>



         Of the total net asbestos and environmental reserves, $19,296 were for
established claims reserves at December 31, 1996 ($17,100 at December 31, 1995)
and $68,596 were for incurred but not reported losses ($26,500 at December 31,
1995).

         Management believes that its reserves for asbestos and environmental
claims are appropriately established based upon known facts, existing case law,
and generally accepted actuarial methodologies. However, due to changing
interpretations by courts involving coverage issues, the potential for changes

                                      F-13

<PAGE>



in federal and state standards for clean-up and liability and other factors, the
ultimate exposure to the Company for these claims may vary significantly from
the amounts currently recorded, resulting in a potential adjustment in the
claims reserves recorded. Additionally, issues involving policy provisions,
allocation of liability among participating insurers, proof of coverage, and
other factors make quantification of liabilities exceptionally difficult and
subject to adjustment based upon newly available data.

         In 1996, other commercial lines for the Property and Casualty Group
experienced reserve strengthening of $21,000, as compared to a reserve release
of $11,600 in 1995. The reserve strengthening was principally due to a
re-estimation of loss adjustment costs associated with general liability claims.
The Property and Casualty Group expects an increase in the average period that
such claims will be open, and has increased the cost of adjusting such claims
accordingly. The release of reserves in 1995 was primarily due to favorable loss
experience in commercial automobile business.

         Unpaid losses on workers' compensation claims for the Property and
Casualty Group include approximately $1,012,000 and $1,024,000 at December 31,
1996 and 1995, respectively, discounted to present value. The approximate
discount rate used was 5% at December 31, 1996 and 1995. In 1995, the Property
and Casualty Group changed its discount rate with respect to its workers'
compensation unpaid losses from approximately 4% to 5% for SAP and GAAP
purposes. This change was approved and is permitted by the Pennsylvania
Insurance Department. The effect on net income (net of tax effect of $12,250) in
1995 was $22,750 ($0.92 per primary share and $0.91 per fully-diluted share).

4.       Deferred Acquisition Costs

         The following represents the components of deferred acquisition costs
and the amounts that were charged to expense:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                For the years ended December 31,
                                                         1996                1995                1994
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>                 <C>                 <C>

Balance at January 1                                   $37,901             $32,236             $30,392
Deferral of acquisition costs                           96,397              92,872              85,371
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs             (90,292)            (87,207)            (83,527)
                                                       -----------------------------------------------
         Balance at December 31                        $44,006             $37,901             $32,236
                                                       ===============================================
</TABLE>


5.       Reinsurance

         In the ordinary course of business, PMC's insurance and reinsurance
subsidiaries assume and cede reinsurance with other insurance companies and are
members of various pools and associations. The insurance and reinsurance
subsidiaries cede business, primarily on an excess of loss basis, in order to
limit the maximum net loss from large risks and limit the accumulation of many
smaller losses from a catastrophic event. The insurance and reinsurance
subsidiaries remain primarily liable to their clients in the event their
reinsurers are unable to meet their financial obligations.

         Amounts receivable from reinsurers related to paid and unpaid losses
are displayed separately on the consolidated balance sheets, net of an allowance
for uncollectible accounts.

         The components of net premiums earned and losses and LAE incurred are
as follows:



                                      F-14

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                               For the years ended December 31,
                                                        1996                1995                1994
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                 <C>                  <C>
Earned Premiums:
         Direct                                       $299,386            $370,590             $379,216
         Assumed                                       209,688             149,838              147,876
         Ceded                                         (88,499)            (35,476)             (60,558)
                                                      -------------------------------------------------
                  Net                                 $420,575            $484,952             $466,534
                                                      =================================================
Losses and LAE Incurred:
         Direct                                       $420,157            $317,552             $336,183
         Assumed                                       163,799             127,910              109,246
         Ceded                                         (47,333)            (22,884)             (42,560)
                                                      -------------------------------------------------
                  Net                                 $536,623            $422,578             $402,869
                                                      =================================================

</TABLE>

         The Company performs extensive credit reviews on its reinsurers,
focusing on, among other things, financial capacity, stability, trends and
apparent commitment to the reinsurance business. Prospective and existing
reinsurers failing to meet the Company's standards are not accepted into the
Company's reinsurance programs. In addition, the Company requires letters of
credit to support balances due from reinsurers not authorized to transact
business in Pennsylvania, the state of domicile of the Company's domestic
insurance subsidiaries. At December 31, 1996, the Company had reinsurance
recoverables due from the following unaffiliated single reinsurers in excess of
3% of shareholders' equity:


                                             Gross amount due
Reinsurer                                     to the Company    A.M. Best Rating
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company       $84,802             A
American Re-Insurance Corporation                  34,009             A+
Kemper Reinsurance Corporation                     17,421             A
Odyssey Reinsurance                                15,614             A-

         The Company maintained funds held to collateralize the above balances
in the amount of $86,301 at December 31, 1996. The Company believes that it
would have the right to offset the funds withheld from a reinsurer against the
balances due from such reinsurer in the event of insolvency.

6.       Long-Term Debt

         Long-term debt consists of the following:


                                                       December 31,
                                                        1996             1995
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Senior notes 9.35%, due 1996                        $     --         $  8,572
Senior notes 9.53%, due 1997 (A)                       7,143           14,286
Senior notes 9.60%, due 2001 (B)                      46,428           55,714
Senior notes 7.62%, due 2001, Series A (C)            71,000           71,000
Senior notes 7.62%, due 2000, Series B                36,000           36,000
Revolving credit agreement, expiring in 1998          44,000           18,000
Mortgage notes                                           128              276
                                                    -------------------------
Long-term debt                                      $204,699         $203,848
                                                    ========         ========



                                      F-15

<PAGE>



(A) Maturing in annual installment of $7,143 in 1997.
(B) Maturing in annual installments of $9,286 through 2001.
(C) Maturing in annual installments of $23,667 commencing in 1999 through 2001.

         On March 14, 1997, the Company refinanced substantially all of its
existing credit agreements not already maturing in 1997 through the completion
of a new $235,000 revolving credit facility (New Credit Facility). Utilizing the
New Credit Facility, the Company refinanced the following obligations:

Senior notes 9.60%, due 2001                                         $ 46,428
Senior notes 7.62%, due 2001, Series A                                 71,000
Senior notes 7.62%, due 2000, Series B                                 36,000
Revolving credit agreement, expiring in 1998                           36,000(1)
                                                                     --------   
Total                                                                $189,428
                                                                     ========

(1) The company repaid $8,000 of the revolving credit agreement subsequent to
    December 31, 1996.

         The early extinguishment of the senior note agreements will result in
an extraordinary loss of $4,732 ($7,279 pre-tax). The New Credit Facility bears
interest at LIBOR plus .70% on the utilized portion and carries a .275%
facility fee on the unutilized portion. The spread over LIBOR and the facility
fee is adjustable downward based upon the Company's debt to capitalization
ratios in the future. As of March 14, 1997, the interest rate on the New Credit
Facility was 5.70%. The Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement on
March 14, 1997, covering $150,000 notional principal of the New Credit Facility.
The interest rate swap effectively converts the floating rate to a fixed rate of
7.24% on such portion of the New Credit Facility.

         The final expiration of the New Credit Facility is December 31, 2002,
with level 25% reductions in availability beginning December 31, 1999. The
following reflects the scheduled maturities of the Company's debt agreements
over the next five years as they existed at December 31, 1996 and as adjusted
for the New Credit Facility:


                                     As of December 31, 1996      As Adjusted
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997                                         $16,557                 $  7,271
1998                                          53,286                       --
1999                                          32,952                    8,500
2000                                          68,952                   62,500
2001                                          32,952                   62,500

         In November 1996, the Company entered into a letter of credit agreement
with a group of banks that extends through November 1997. The agreement allows
the issuing bank to issue letters of credit having an aggregate outstanding face
amount up to $75,000. The agreement requires the Company to pay a commitment fee
during the existence of the agreement equal to .1875% per annum on the average
daily available amount. At December 31, 1996, the aggregate outstanding face
amount of letters of credit issued was $47,461. This agreement primarily secures
reinsurance liabilities of the insurance subsidiaries of the Company. Effective
March 14, 1997, this facility was reduced to an aggregate outstanding face
amount not to exceed $50,000.

         During 1995, the Company issued $71,000 of 7.62% Series A Senior notes
and $36,000 of 7.62% Series B Senior notes. The notes pay interest semi-annually
and mature in July 2001 and 2000,

                                      F-16

<PAGE>



respectively. The proceeds were utilized to retire indebtedness under the
revolving credit agreement due in 1995. This debt was retired in the first
quarter of 1997 (see above).

         In August 1995, the Company entered into a $50,000 revolving credit
facility with a group of banks that originally extended through August 1998. The
rate of interest payable under the agreement was, at the Company's option, a
function of the prime rate or LIBOR. The agreement required the Company to pay a
facility fee equal to the Company's applicable fee percentage (such percentage
was dependent on the Company's leverage ratio as defined per the revolving
credit facility agreement) per annum of the average daily sum of the aggregate
commitments, regardless of usage. At December 31,1996, the Company had $44,000
outstanding under this agreement and $6,000 available to be drawn. The average
interest rate on the amounts outstanding and the applicable fee percentage under
this agreement were 6.08% and .25%, respectively, at December 31, 1996 and 6.19%
and .25%, respectively, at December 31, 1995. This facility was replaced with
the New Credit Facility in the first quarter of 1997 (see above).

         The debt covenants supporting the senior notes, revolving credit
agreement, letter of credit agreement, and the New Credit Facility contain
provisions which, among other matters, limit the Company's ability to incur
additional indebtedness, merge, consolidate and acquire or sell assets. The debt
covenants also require the Company to satisfy certain ratios related to net
worth, debt-to-capitalization, and interest coverage. Additionally, the debt
covenants place restrictions on dividends to shareholders (see Note 15).

         The Company has entered into an interest rate swap agreement in its
management of its existing interest rate exposures. This transaction effectively
changed the Company's interest rate exposure on one of its fixed rate senior
note arrangements to a floating rate obligation as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     Principal Balance at
Debt Agreement                       December 31, 1996          Fixed Rate         Floating Rate
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>                   <C>                  <C>
Senior Notes, due 1997                      $7,143                9.53%                5.60%

</TABLE>



         The variable rate resets every six months. This agreement involves the
exchange of interest payment obligation without the exchange of underlying
principal. The differential to be paid or received is recognized as an
adjustment of interest expense. In the event that a counter party fails to meet
the terms of the agreement, the Company's exposure is limited to the interest
rate differential on the notional principal amount ($7,143). Management believes
such credit risk is minimal and any loss would not be significant.

7.       Stock Options

         The Company currently has six stock option plans in place for options
granted to officers and other key employees for the purchase of the Company's
Class A common stock, under which 4,163,726 Class A common shares are reserved
for issuance. The stock options are granted under terms and conditions
determined by a committee appointed by the Company's board of directors. Granted
stock options generally have a maximum term of ten years, vest over three years,
and are typically granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value
of the stock. Information regarding these option plans for 1996, 1995, and 1994
are as follows:

                                      F-17

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 1996                         1995                         1994
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Weighted                      Weighted                     Weighted
                                                         Average                       Average                      Average
                                           Shares         Price           Shares        Price         Shares         Price
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>
Options outstanding,                                                                                            
      beginning of year                  3,087,260       $ 11.80        2,926,000      $ 10.41      2,230,000       $ 9.82
Options granted                            325,000         17.00          775,000        15.59        740,000        12.11
Options exercised                          (99,150)        (8.33)        (205,199)       (8.66)       (26,925)       (8.56)
Options canceled                           (70,950)       (11.55)        (408,541)      (10.65)       (17,075)       (9.52)
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options outstanding, 
      end of year                        3,242,160       $ 12.43        3,087,260      $ 11.80      2,926,000       $10.41
                                         ==================================================================================

Option price range at                      $8.00 to $17.00              $6.60 to $16.00               $6.60 to $12.75
      end of year
Option price range for                     $6.60 to $10.00              $6.60 to $11.50               $8.00 to $10.00
      exercised shares
Options available for                          921,566                      425,616                       42,075
      grant at end of year

</TABLE>


         Stock options outstanding at December 31, 1996 and related weighted
average price and life information is as follows:

                                                                       Weighted
                               Options               Options            Average
                        Outstanding at        Exercisable at     Remaining Life
Exercise Prices      December 31, 1996     December 31, 1996         (in years)
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

$8.00                          427,060               394,560               4.49
10.00                          535,600               535,600               5.46
11.50                          865,000               865,000               6.64
12.75                          326,500               243,875               7.17
15.00                          316,135               295,510               8.45
16.00                          446,865               173,490               8.43
17.00                          325,000               134,050               9.56
                             ---------             ---------
                             3,242,160             2,642,085
                             =========             =========


      The fair value of options at date of grant was estimated using a binomial
model with the following weighted average assumptions:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           1996            1995(1)            1995(2)               1994
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>                <C>                <C>                <C> 
Expected life (years)                                        10                 10                 10                 10
Interest rate                                              6.8%               6.1%               6.2%               6.8%
Volatility                                                  18%                18%                18%                18%
Dividend yield                                             2.3%               2.3%               2.3%               2.3%

</TABLE>

(1) Options granted on June 5, 1995.
(2) Options granted on September 1, 1995.

         The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provision of SFAS No. 123
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." Accordingly, no compensation cost
has been recognized for the stock option plans. Had compensation costs for the
Company's stock option plans been determined based on the fair value

                                      F-18

<PAGE>



at the grant date for awards granted during the year, pretax income would have
been reduced by $2,079 ($1,352 after tax, or $0.06 per share), $4,308 ($2,800
after tax, or $0.11 per share), and $3,225 ($2,096 after tax, or $0.09 per
share) in 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively.

8.       Income Taxes

         A reconciliation between the total (benefit) provision for income taxes
and the amounts computed at the Statutory Federal income tax rate of 35% for the
years 1996, 1995 and 1994 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        For the years ended December 31,
                                                                 1996                1995              1994
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>                  <C>               <C>  
Computed at the Statutory tax rate                            $(66,988)            $12,220           $22,883
(Decrease) increase in taxes resulting from:
         Excludable dividends                                      (36)               (107)             (273)
         Tax-exempt interest                                    (4,547)            (12,917)          (14,697)
         Losses of foreign reinsurance affiliate                16,060               8,469                --
         Other                                                    (549)              3,118               217
                                                              ----------------------------------------------
                  (Benefit) provision for income taxes        $(56,060)            $10,783          $  8,130
                                                              ==============================================

</TABLE>

         The tax effects of significant temporary differences between the
financial statement carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities
that represent the net deferred tax asset are as follows:


                                                            December 31,
                                                       1996            1995
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance for uncollectible accounts               $  9,037         $   7,176
Unearned premiums                                    13,386            12,518
Discounting of unpaid losses                         51,086            56,119
Unrealized depreciation of investments               13,394                --
Depreciation                                          5,646                --
Postretirement benefit obligation                     5,111             4,723
Tax carryforwards                                    67,014            13,996
Other                                                 9,458             9,684
                                                   --------------------------
Gross deferred tax asset                            174,132           104,216
                                                   --------------------------
Deferred acquisition costs                          (15,352)          (13,265)
Pension asset                                        (1,348)           (1,178)
Depreciation                                             --              (392)
Unrealized appreciation of investments                   --            (9,429)
Earned but unbilled premiums                             --            (2,090)
Losses of foreign reinsurance affiliate             (55,790)           (9,295)
Other                                                    --            (1,236)
                                                   --------------------------
Gross deferred tax liability                        (72,490)          (36,885)
                                                   --------------------------
Net deferred tax asset                             $101,642         $  67,331
                                                   ==========================


         At December 31, 1996, the Company had $153,214 of net operating loss
carryforwards (expiring in 2011) and $13,328 of alternative minimum tax credit
carryforwards (which do not expire).

         Under SFAS 109, a valuation allowance should be provided to offset the
effects of a deferred tax asset if management believes that it is more likely
then not that the benefit of a deferred tax item will not

                                      F-19

<PAGE>



be realized. Management believes that the benefit of its deferred tax asset will
be fully realized, and therefore has not provided for a valuation allowance.

9.       Employee Retirement, Postretirement, and Postemployment Benefits

         During 1996, the Property and Casualty Group initiated a Voluntary
Early Retirement Program ("VERIP"). Eligibility to participate in the VERIP was
contingent upon an employee's age and years of service with the Company. Of the
approximately 85 employees eligible to participate in the VERIP, approximately
50 employees opted to participate. At December 31, 1996, the Company accrued
$7,635 in connection with the VERIP. The components of this accrual are as
follows:


Pension costs                                                      $4,300
Postemployment costs                                                2,360
Postretirement costs                                                  975
                                                                   ------
                                                                   $7,635
                                                                   ======

A. Pension and Retirement Plans -- The Company sponsors a non-contributory
defined benefit pension plan (Pension Plan) covering substantially all
employees. After meeting certain qualifications, an employee acquires a vested
right to future benefits. The benefits payable under the plan are generally
determined on the basis of an employee's length of employment and career average
salary. The Company's policy is to fund pension cost accrued in accordance with
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

         The components of net pension cost are as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             For the years ended December 31,
                                                                               1996           1995            1994
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                           <C>            <C>            <C> 
Service cost-benefits earned during the period                                $1,665         $1,132         $ 1,344
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation                                  2,948          2,770           2,464
Actual return on plan assets                                                  (2,830)        (8,712)            715
Net amortization and deferral                                                   (842)         5,803          (3,564)
VERIP                                                                          4,300             --              --
                                                                              -------------------------------------
         Net pension cost                                                     $5,241         $  993          $  959
                                                                              =====================================

</TABLE>

                                      F-20

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         The funded status of the Pension Plan is as follows:


                                                                                           December 31,
                                                                                    1996                      1995
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                               <C>                       <C>
Actuarial present value of:
         Vested benefit obligation                                                $41,932                   $31,401 
         Non-vested benefit obligation                                              3,487                     4,288
                                                                                  ---------------------------------
                  Accumulated benefit obligation                                  $45,419                   $35,689
                                                                                  =================================

Projected benefit obligation                                                      $49,331                   $40,293
Fair value of Pension Plan assets                                                  46,739                    43,433
                                                                                  ---------------------------------
Pension Plan assets (less than) in excess of projected benefit                     (2,592)                    3,140
obligation
Unrecognized net loss                                                                 588                     2,723
Unrecognized transition asset                                                      (1,081)                   (1,198)
Unrecognized prior service benefit                                                 (1,199)                   (1,298)
                                                                                  ---------------------------------
         Pension (liability) asset                                                $(4,284)                  $ 3,367
                                                                                  =================================

</TABLE>


         Pension Plan assets consist of equity securities, fixed maturity
securities, fixed income contracts, and the Company's common stock.

         Actuarial assumptions utilized by the Pension Plan are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                               For the years ended December 31,
                                                                           1996              1995              1994
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>               <C>               <C>
Discount rate                                                              7.5%              7.0%              8.5%
Rate of compensation increase                                              5.0%              5.0%              5.5%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets                           8.0%              8.0%              7.5%

</TABLE>

         The Company also maintains a voluntary defined contribution savings
plans covering all employees who work a minimum of 20 hours per week. The
Company matches employee contributions up to 5% of compensation. Contributions
under such plans charged to income were $2,153, $1,726 and $1,692 in 1996, 1995
and 1994, respectively.

B. Postretirement Benefits -- In addition to providing pension benefits, the
Company provides certain health care benefits for retired employees.
Substantially all of the Company's employees may become eligible for those
benefits if they have worked fifteen or more years with the Company and have
attained the age of fifty while in the service of the Company. For employees who
retire on or subsequent to January 1, 1993, the Company will pay a fixed portion
of medical insurance premiums. Retirees will absorb future increases in medical
premiums.

         The funded status of this liability is as follows:


                                      F-21

<PAGE>




                                                             December 31,
                                                        1996               1995
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
Retirees and dependents                              $ 6,931            $ 4,423
Fully eligible active employees                          952              1,022
Active employees not fully eligible                    1,871              2,004
                                                     --------------------------
Total                                                  9,754              7,449
Unrecognized prior service cost                        1,436              2,149
Unrecognized net gain                                  4,031              3,649
                                                     --------------------------
Accrued postretirement benefit liability             $15,221            $13,247
                                                     ==========================

         The components of postretirement benefit cost include the following:


                                            For the years ended December 31,
                                       1996              1995             1994
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost                         $  248              $330            $  434
Interest cost                           561               658               886
Amortization                           (251)             (209)               43
VERIP                                   975                --                --
                                     ------------------------------------------
Postretirement benefit cost          $1,533              $779            $1,363
                                     ==========================================

                                                              
         Assumptions used in the computation of the funded status and
postretirement benefit cost are as follows:


                                            For the years ended December 31,
                                          1996           1995           1994
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate                             7.0%           7.0%           8.5%
Health care inflation rate:
   Next year                              8.0%           8.5%           9.5%
   Ultimate                               5.5%           5.5%           5.5%

         The assumed health care cost trend rate used to measure the expected
cost of benefits covered by the plan has been established at 8% for 1996 and is
expected to decline gradually to 5.5% in 2002 and remain at that level
thereafter. The health care cost trend rate assumption has a significant effect
on the amounts reported. A 1% increase in the trend rate for health care costs
would have increased the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by $360
and the annual service and interest cost by $24.

C. Postemployment Benefits -- Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted
SFAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits." SFAS No. 112
establishes the accounting standards for employers who provide benefits to
employees subsequent to their employment, but prior to retirement. These
benefits include severance, long-term and short-term disability payments, salary
continuation, postemployment health benefits, supplemental unemployment
benefits, and other related payments. SFAS No. 112 requires that benefit
obligations attributable to prior service and/or that relate to benefits that
vest or accumulate must be accrued presently if the payments are probable and
reasonably estimable. Postemployment benefits that do not meet such criteria are
accrued when payments are probable and reasonably estimable. The effect of the
implementation of the standard on prior years was immaterial.

                                      F-22

<PAGE>



In connection with the VERIP described above, the Company recorded $2,360 of
postemployment costs in 1996.

10.      Fair Value of Financial Instruments

         The following table represents the carrying amounts and estimated fair
values of the Company's financial instruments. Estimated fair value is defined
as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current
transaction between willing parties. Certain financial instruments, specifically
amounts relating to insurance contracts, are excluded from this disclosure.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          December 31, 1996                   December 31, 1995
                                                          -----------------                   -----------------
                                                      Carrying      Estimated            Carrying         Estimated
                                                       Amount       Fair Value            Amount         Fair Value
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>                 <C>               <C>
Financial assets:
         Fixed maturities available
            for sale                                $2,126,120     $2,126,120          $2,230,992        $2,230,992
         Equity securities                                 262            262              10,886            10,886
Financial liabilities:
         Long-term debt                                204,699        218,101             203,848           216,408
         Interest rate swap agreements                      --             52                  --               174

</TABLE>


The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of
each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate
values:

<TABLE>

<S>                        <C>
Fixed maturities:          The fair values are estimated based upon quoted market prices.
Equity securities:         The fair values are estimated based upon quoted market prices.
Long-term debt:            The fair value is estimated using discounted cash flow calculations based upon
                           the Company's current incremental borrowing rate for similar types of borrowing
                           facilities or the rate utilized to prepay obligations, where applicable.
Interest rate swaps:       The fair values are estimated by obtaining quotes from dealers.
Guarantees:                The fair values are determined based upon the likelihood of the Company being
                           required to satisfy the underlying obligations. Management believes that it is
                           a remote possibility that the Company would have to act upon any guarantees.
                           Therefore, the fair value of the guarantees is zero.
Other financial
  instruments
  (excluded from
  the above table):        The carrying values approximate the fair values.


</TABLE>


                                      F-23

<PAGE>



11.      Disclosure of Certain Risks and Uncertainties

A. Business Segments and Concentrations -- As stated in Note 1, PMC is an
insurance holding company that sells property and casualty insurance and
reinsurance through its insurance subsidiaries. The following summarizes the
relative importance of the segments and lines of insurance in terms of net
premiums written:


                                                  Percent of the Company's
                                                    Net Premiums Written
                                                1996          1995      1994
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Property and Casualty Group-total           63.0%        68.8%      75.7%
The Property and Casualty Group-workers'
     compensation                               45.6         42.8       57.2
PMA Re-total                                    37.0         31.2       24.3
PMA Re-casualty reinsurance lines               27.5         21.9       19.0


         The Property and Casualty Group's operations are concentrated in six
contiguous states in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions. As such, economic
trends in individual states may not be independent of one another. Also, the
Property and Casualty Group's products are highly regulated by each of these
states. For many of the Property and Casualty Group's products, the insurance
departments of the states in which it conducts business must approve rates and
policy forms. In addition, workers' compensation benefits are determined by
statutes and regulations in each of these states. While the Property and
Casualty Group considers factors such as rate adequacy, regulatory climate, and
economic factors in its underwriting process, unfavorable developments in these
factors could have an adverse impact on the Company's financial condition and
results of operations.

         PMA Re distributes its products through major reinsurance brokers. PMA
Re's top five such brokers accounted for 74.2% of PMA Re's gross premiums in
force at December 31, 1996.

         While the Company focuses primarily on casualty lines of insurance and
reinsurance, certain property lines subject the Company to exposure to
catastrophic losses from natural disasters. However, management believes that
the Company appropriately manages concentrations of insured values in disaster-
prone areas and maintains sufficient reinsurance protection to minimize the risk
of a significant loss from a catastrophic event. The catastrophes that occurred
in the three year period ended December 31, 1996 did not have a significant
impact on the Company's results of operations.

B.       Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements --
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

         Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses -- At December 31, 1996, the
Company carried $2,091,072 of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. Unpaid
losses and loss adjustment expenses reflect management's best estimate of future
amounts needed to pay claims and related settlement costs with respect to
insured events which have occurred, including events that have not been reported
to the Company. In many cases, significant periods of time, ranging up to
several years or more, may elapse between the occurrence of an insured loss, the
reporting of the loss to the Company and the Company's


                                      F-24

<PAGE>



payment of that loss. In general, liabilities for reinsurers become known more
slowly than for primary insurers and are subject to more unforeseen development.
As part of the process in determining these amounts, historical data is reviewed
and consideration is given to the impact of various factors, such as legal
developments, changes in social attitudes, and economic conditions.

         Management believes that its unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
are fairly stated at December 31, 1996, in accordance with GAAP. However,
estimating the ultimate claims liability is necessarily a complex and judgmental
process inasmuch as the amounts are based on management's informed estimates and
judgments using data currently available. As additional experience and data
become available regarding claims payment and reporting patterns, legislative
developments, and economic conditions, the estimates are revised accordingly. If
the Company's ultimate net losses prove to be substantially greater than the
amounts recorded at December 31, 1996, the related adjustments could have a
material adverse impact on the Company's financial condition and results of
operations (See also Note 3).

         Former Headquarters Building and Related Properties -- The Company owns
its former headquarters building and certain adjacent properties in
Philadelphia. As of December 31, 1996, the carrying value of these properties
was $13,043. Although the Company has leased a portion of such properties and
has had discussions with potential purchasers and additional lessees, no
assurance can be given that the Company will be able to sell or lease the
facilities in the near term on acceptable terms and conditions. In 1995 and
1994, the Company recorded charges of $8,370 and $4,900, respectively, in
operating expenses, to reflect writedowns to fair market value of the properties
less estimated costs to sell. There were no such charges in 1996. While
management believes that the carrying values of the facilities are fairly stated
at December 31, 1996, future determinations of the fair market values of the
properties will be dependent upon market conditions in subsequent periods.

12.      Transactions With Related Parties

         The Company's largest shareholder is PMA Foundation (the "Foundation"),
formerly known as Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association, which is a
not-for-profit corporation qualified under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal
Revenue Code, whose purposes include the promotion of the common business
interests of its members and the economic prosperity of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania. As of December 31, 1997, the Foundation owned 4,561,225 shares of
Common Stock (29.4% of the class) and 912,225 shares of Class A Common Stock
(11.0% of the class), which constitutes 28.4% of the total number of votes
available to be cast in matters brought before the Company's shareholders.
Members of the Company's Board of Directors currently serve as the members of
the Foundation's Board of Trustees. Also, Frederick W. Anton III, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, serves as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Foundation. The Company and certain of its subsidiaries provide
certain administrative services to the Foundation for which the Company and its
affiliates receive reimbursement; total reimbursements amounted to $82, $269,
and none for years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. The
Foundation also leases its Harrisburg, Pennsylvania headquarters facility from a
subsidiary of the Company under a monthly operating lease presently requiring
rent payments of $20 per month and reimburses a subsidiary of the Company for
its use of office space in the Blue Bell, Pennsylvania facility. Rent and
related reimbursements paid to the Company's affiliates by the Foundation
amounted to $247, $294, and $315, for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995,
and 1994, respectively.

         In addition, the Company has arranged an executive loan program with a
financial institution whereby such institution will provide prime rate personal
loans to officers of the Company and its

                                      F-25

<PAGE>


subsidiaries collateralized by Common stock and Class A Common Stock at a
maximum 75% loan to value ratio. The Company has agreed to purchase any loan
made under this program from the financial institution in the event that the
borrower defaults on such loan. The amount of loans outstanding at December 31,
1996 under this program was $3,106.

         The Company incurred legal and consulting fees aggregating
approximately $7,917, $6,279 and $4,798 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively,
from firms in which directors of the Company are partners.

         The Company has notes receivable from officers which are accounted for
as a reduction of shareholders' equity in the accompanying balance sheets. Such
notes receivable had balances of $1,162 and $3,896 as of December 31, 1996 and
December 31, 1995, respectively. The interest rate on the notes is 6.0%.

13.      Commitments and Contingencies

         For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, total rent
expense was $6,114, $4,536 and $4,543 respectively. At December 31, 1996, the
Company was obligated under noncancelable operating leases for office space with
aggregate minimum annual rentals as follows:


                                               For the years ended December 31,
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1997                                                           $ 4,198
1998                                                             3,172
1999                                                             2,017
2000                                                               935
2001                                                               921
Thereafter                                                       3,086
                                                               -------
Total                                                          $14,329
                                                               =======
                                 
         In the event a property and casualty insurer, operating in a
jurisdiction where the Company's insurance subsidiaries also operate, becomes or
is declared insolvent, state insurance regulations provide for the assessment of
other insurers to fund any capital deficiency of the insolvent insurer.
Generally, this assessment is based upon the ratio of an insurer's voluntary
premiums written to the total premiums written for all insurers in that
particular jurisdiction. The Company charges these assessments to income in the
period in which it is notified of an insolvency. The Company is not aware of any
material potential assessments at December 31, 1996.

         The Company has provided guarantees of approximately $10,150 related to
loans on properties in which the Company has an interest.

         The Company is named in various legal proceedings arising in the normal
course of business. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these
matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

14.      Sale of Uncollected Premiums

         Insurance subsidiaries of PMC engage in the practice of selling
uncollected premiums to a financial institution. The proceeds received from such
sales were $10,628, $19,509 and $3,023 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
These receivables are excluded from uncollected premiums in the

                                      F-26

<PAGE>



accompanying balance sheets. However, the Company has recorded an allowance for
doubtful accounts related to the estimated uncollectible accounts since the
Company has retained risk under the recourse provisions. At December 31, 1996,
the Company was contingently obligated to repurchase $10,628 of uncollected
premiums under recourse provisions.

15.      Shareholders' Equity

         The Company maintains two classes of common stock, Class A common stock
and common stock. The Company's common stock and Class A common stock generally
vote without regard to class on matters submitted to shareholders, with the
common stock having ten votes per share and the Class A common stock having one
vote per share.

         With respect to dividend rights, the Class A common stock is entitled
to cash dividends at least 10% higher than those declared and paid on the common
stock. The Company's bylaws limit the classes of persons who may own the common
stock. Holders of common stock may elect to convert any or all such shares into
Class A common stock on a share-for-share basis.

         Under the insurance laws and regulations of Pennsylvania, PMC's
insurance subsidiaries may not pay dividends, without prior regulatory approval,
over a twelve-month period in excess of the greater of (a) 10% of the preceding
year-end's policyholders surplus or (b) the preceding year's SAP net income, but
in no event to exceed unassigned funds. At December 31, 1996, the maximum amount
available to be paid as dividends from the Company's insurance subsidiaries,
without the prior consent of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, was $51,874.

         PMC's dividends to shareholders are restricted by its debt agreements.
On March 14, 1997, the Company refinanced certain debt agreements through the
completion of the New Credit Facility (see Note 6). Under the terms of the New
Credit Facility, on a pro forma basis under the most restrictive debt covenant,
the Company could pay dividends of approximately $11,000 in 1997.


                                      F-27

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


16.      Business Segments

         Operating revenues, (loss) income before income taxes, and identifiable
assets of the Company's business segments were as follows:


                                                                                   For the year ending December 31,
                                                                             1996              1995                 1994
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                      <C>                  <C>                  <C> 
Operating revenues (1)
         The Property and Casualty Group
                  Net premiums earned                                     $268,601            $345,607             $361,124 
                  Net investment income                                     82,455              92,275               96,683
                  Service revenues                                           9,189               5,106                3,380
                                                                         --------------------------------------------------
                                                                           360,245             442,988              461,187
                                                                         --------------------------------------------------
         PMA Re
                  Net premiums earned                                      151,974             139,345              105,410
                  Net investment income                                     48,676              45,166               42,068
                                                                         --------------------------------------------------
                                                                           200,650             184,511              147,478
                                                                         --------------------------------------------------
         Corporate, Other and Consolidating Eliminations
                                                             
                  Net investment income                                      2,805               1,914                  (32)
                                                                         --------------------------------------------------
                                                                             2,805               1,914                  (32)
                                                                         --------------------------------------------------
Total operating revenues                                                  $563,700            $629,413             $608,633
                                                                         ==================================================


(Loss) income before income taxes

         The Property and Casualty Group                                 $(219,619)           $ (4,305)            $  3,893
         PMA Re                                                             42,783              39,443               33,703
         Corporate, Other and Consolidating Eliminations                      (490)            (13,414)              (6,686)
                                                                         --------------------------------------------------
         Pre-tax operating (loss) income before interest expense          (177,326)             21,724               30,910
         Net realized investment gains                                       2,984              31,923               47,521
         Interest expense                                                  (17,052)            (18,734)             (13,051)
                                                                         --------------------------------------------------
Total (loss) income before income taxes                                  $(191,394)            $34,913              $65,380
                                                                         ==================================================

</TABLE>


(1) Operating revenues exclude net realized investment gains.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       December 31,
                                                                               1996                       1995
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                                                                         <C>                        <C>
Identifiable assets
         The Property and Casualty Group                                    $2,423,463                 $2,284,173
         PMA Re                                                              1,031,149                    984,211
         Corporate, Other and Consolidating Eliminations                      (337,096)                    (9,812)
                                                                            -------------------------------------
Total identifiable assets                                                   $3,117,516                 $3,258,572
                                                                            =====================================

</TABLE>


                                      F-28

<PAGE>



                        Report of Independent Accountants



To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation:

         We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996
and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders'
equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1996. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated 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 audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

         In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996
and 1995, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.


/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
2400 Eleven Penn Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 14, 1997, except for Notes 6 and 15,
as to which the date is March 14, 1997



                                      F-29

<PAGE>



                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  For the three months ended
                                                                                  March 31,          March 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)                                                  1997               1996
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>                <C>  
Revenues:
         Net premiums written                                                       $149,882          $147,444
         Change in net unearned premiums                                             (41,932)          (29,507)
                                                                                    --------------------------
                  Net premiums earned                                                107,950           117,937
         Net investment income                                                        35,847            33,420
         Net realized investment (losses) gains                                       (1,251)              943
         Service revenues                                                              2,548             1,748
                                                                                    --------------------------
                  Total revenues                                                     145,094           154,048
                                                                                    --------------------------

Losses and expenses
         Losses and loss adjustment expenses                                          94,904            99,943
         Amortization of deferred acquisition costs                                   18,339            21,731
         Operating expenses                                                           16,942            16,579
         Dividends to policyholders                                                    3,257             3,122
         Interest expense                                                              4,334             4,472
                                                                                    --------------------------
                  Total losses and expenses                                          137,776           145,847
                                                                                    --------------------------
 
                  Income before income taxes and extraordinary item                    7,318             8,201
                                                                                    --------------------------

(Benefit) provision for income taxes
         Current                                                                        (353)            1,526
         Deferred                                                                      2,914             1,046
                                                                                    --------------------------
                  Total                                                                2,561             2,572
                                                                                    --------------------------

                     Income before extraordinary item                                  4,757             5,629

                     Extraordinary loss from early extinguishment of
                        debt (net of income tax benefit of $2,554)                    (4,734)               --
                                                                                    --------------------------

                     Net income                                                     $    23            $ 5,629
                                                                                    ==========================

Weighted Average Common and Common Share Equivalents                                 24,546             25,082
                                                                                    ==========================

Earnings Per Share Information:

                  Income before extraordinary item                                  $  0.19            $  0.22
                  Extraordinary item                                                  (0.19)                --
                                                                                    --------------------------
                  Net income                                                        $    --            $  0.22
                                                                                    ==========================

                                      F-30


</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets



                                                                                   (Unaudited)
                                                                                     March 31,      December 31,
(in thousands, except share data)                                                      1997             1996
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>               <C>
Assets
Investments:
    Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value
        (amortized cost: 1997 - $2,198,731; 1996 - $2,164,391)                         $2,101,914        $2,126,120
    Equity securities, at fair value
      (cost: 1997 - $258; 1996 - $259)                                                        262               262
    Short-term investments, at amortized cost
          which approximates fair value                                                    41,250           134,971
                                                                                       ----------------------------
         Total investments                                                              2,143,426         2,261,353

Cash                                                                                       13,986             7,176
Investment income due and accrued                                                          36,524            30,268
Uncollected premiums (net of allowance for
    uncollectible accounts: 1997 - $19,017; 1996 - $18,877)                               338,723           285,982
Reinsurance receivables (net of allowance for uncollectible
    reinsurance: 1997 - $2,567; 1996 - $3,901)                                            277,977           257,983
Other assets                                                                              303,569           274,754
                                                                                       ----------------------------
    Total assets                                                                       $3,114,205        $3,117,516
                                                                                       ============================

Liabilities
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses                                             $2,085,732        $2,091,072
Unearned premiums                                                                         258,434           205,982
Long-term debt                                                                            203,232           204,699
Other liabilities                                                                         181,841           189,935
    Total liabilities                                                                   2,729,239         2,691,688
                                                                                       ----------------------------

Shareholders' Equity
Common stock, $5 par value                                                                 79,783            80,477
Class A common stock, $5 par value                                                         41,933            41,239
Retained earnings                                                                         334,411           336,921
Unrealized loss on investments available for sale                                                           (24,874)
    (net of deferred income taxes: $33,885 and $13,394)                                   (62,928)
Notes receivable from officers                                                             (1,463)           (1,162)
Treasury stock, at cost:
    Common stock                                                                           (5,408)           (5,408)
    Class A common stock                                                                   (1,362)           (1,365)
                                                                                       ---------------------------- 
         Total shareholders' equity                                                       384,966           425,828
                                                                                       ----------------------------
         Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                    $3,114,205        $3,117,516
                                                                                       ============================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


                                      F-31

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                      Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                                                                           For the three months ended
(in thousands)                                                                            March 31,          March 31,
                                                                                               1997               1996
                                                                                          ----------------------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>               <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income                                                                             $     23           $  5,629
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows used by operating activities:
         Depreciation                                                                         1,367              1,754
         Amortization                                                                         1,469              1,140
         Provision for deferred income taxes                                                  2,914              1,046
         Net realized investment losses (gains)                                               1,251               (943)
         Change in uncollected premiums and unearned premiums, net                             (289)            (1,839)
         Change in dividends to policyholders                                                  (424)               251
         Change in reinsurance receivables                                                  (19,994)           (11,564)
         Change in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses                                (5,340)           (15,657)
         Change in investment income due and accrued                                         (6,256)              (944)
         Change in deferred acquisition costs                                                (9,974)            (6,342)
         Other, net                                                                          (9,886)            (8,710)
                                                                                           ---------------------------
Net cash flows used by operating activities                                                 (45,139)           (36,179)
                                                                                           ---------------------------

Cashflows from investing activities:
    Fixed maturity investments available for sale:
         Purchases                                                                         (534,318)          (811,282)
         Maturities or calls                                                                 23,839             19,100
         Sales                                                                              473,116            764,415
    Equity securities:
         Purchases                                                                               --             (2,752)
         Sales                                                                                   --              3,055
    Net sales of short-term investments                                                      93,617             64,404
    Net (purchases) sales of furniture and equipment                                           (987)             1,279
                                                                                           ---------------------------
Net cash flows provided by investing activities                                              55,267             38,219
                                                                                           ---------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
    Proceeds from issuances of long-term debt                                               195,998                 --
    Repayments of long-term debt                                                           (197,465)               (37)
    Dividends paid to shareholders                                                           (1,991)            (1,984)
    Treasury stock transactions, net                                                              3                 19
    Repayments of notes receivable from officers                                                137                270
                                                                                           ---------------------------
Net cash flows used by financing activities                                                  (3,318)            (1,732)
                                                                                           ---------------------------
Net increase in cash                                                                          6,810                308
Cash January 1                                                                                7,176              9,170
                                                                                           ---------------------------
Cash March 31                                                                              $ 13,986           $  9,478
                                                                                           ===========================

Supplementary cash flow information:
    Amounts (received) paid for income taxes                                               $ (2,900)         $   3,110
    Amounts paid for interest                                                              $  7,913          $   4,200

</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.



                                      F-32

<PAGE>



Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1.       Basis of presentation

         The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements
include the accounts of Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation and its wholly
and majority owned subsidiaries (the Company). PMC is an insurance holding
company that sells property and casualty insurance and reinsurance through its
insurance subsidiaries. Its property and casualty insurance subsidiaries write
workers' compensation and certain other lines of commercial insurance primarily
in nine contiguous jurisdictions in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions.
PMC's reinsurance subsidiary, PMA Reinsurance Corporation, emphasizes
risk-exposed, excess of loss reinsurance and operates in the domestic brokered
market.

         The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company
are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated
financial statements and the notes thereto of the Company for the year ended
December 31, 1996. In the opinion of management, all significant adjustments
have been made to the accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial
statements so that they conform with generally accepted accounting principles.

         The preparation of interim financial statements fundamentally relies on
estimates, most importantly in the process of determining liabilities for unpaid
losses and loss adjustment expenses of insurance subsidiaries. The estimation
process also includes certain other factors, such as the seasonal nature of
portions of the insurance business, variations in amount and timing of realized
securities gains or losses, as well as competitive and other market conditions.
Operating results from any interim period are not necessarily indicative of
results for the full year.

         Certain reclassifications have been made to the 1996 financial
statements to conform with the 1997 presentation.

2.       Long-Term Debt

         On March 14, 1997, the Company refinanced its outstanding credit
agreements with a new $235.0 million credit facility (the New Credit Facility).
In connection with this refinancing, the Company recognized an extraordinary
loss from the early extinguishment of debt of $4.7 million ($7.3 million
pre-tax). The Company drew $196.0 million to pay off the following outstanding
balances:

                                                   (dollar amounts in thousands)

     Senior notes 9.60% due 2001                            $  46,428
     Senior notes 7.62% due 2001, Series A                     71,000
     Senior notes 7.62% due 2000, Series B                     36,000
     Revolving credit agreement, expiring 1998                 36,000
                                                            ---------
     Total                                                   $189,428
                                                            =========

         The New Credit Facility bears interest at LIBOR plus .70% on the
utilized portion, and carries a .275% facility fee on the unutilized portion.
The margin over LIBOR is adjustable downward based upon future reductions in the
Company's debt to capitalization ratio. As of March 31, 1997, the interest rate
on the New Credit Facility was 6.24%. The final expiration of the New Credit
Facility will be December 31, 2002, with level 25% reductions in availability
each year beginning December 31, 1999. Management also entered into an interest
rate swap agreement which will manage the impact of the potential volatility of
the interest rate associated with the floating rates on the New Credit Facility.
The


                                      F-33

<PAGE>



interest rate swap covers a notional principal amount of $150.0 million and
effectively converts the floating rate on such portion of the New Credit
Facility to a fixed 7.24%.



                                      F-34

<PAGE>


Item 14.          Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
                  and Financial Disclosure

                  None.

Item 15.          Financial Statements and Exhibits

         (a)      Financial Statements.  See Item 13 of this Form 10
Registration Statement. The following Financial Statement Schedules are being
filed with this registration statement:

   Schedule No.                 Description                               Page

        I            Summary of Investments - Other Than                  S-1
                     Investments in Related Parties at December
                     31, 1996
        II           Condensed Financial Information of                S-2 - S-4
                     Registrant as of December 31, 1996 and
                     1995 and for the years ended December 31,
                     1996, 1995 and 1994
       III           Supplementary Insurance Information for the         S-5
                     years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
                     1994
        IV           Reinsurance for the years ended December            S-6
                     31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
        V            Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the           S-7
                     years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
                     1994
        VI           Supplementary Information Concerning                S-8
                     Property & Casualty Insurance Operations
                     for the years ended December 31, 1996,
                     1995 and 1994

         Schedules other than those listed above are omitted for the reason that
they are not applicable.



                                      -83-


<PAGE>



                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                   Schedule I
        Summary of Investments-Other than Investments in Related Parties
                                December 31, 1996



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                         Amount at
                                                                                                      which shown in
                   Type of Investment                                  Cost                Value     the balance sheet
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>                 <C>                  <C> 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Fixed maturities:
      Bonds:
           U.S. Treasury Securities and obligations of U.S.         $1,640,881          $1,602,744           $1,602,744
           Government agencies
           Obligations of state and political subdivisions              77,562              76,527               76,527
           Corporate debt securities                                   372,620             372,846              372,846
           Mortgage-backed securities                                   73,328              74,003               74,003
                                                                    ---------------------------------------------------
           Total fixed maturities                                    2,164,391           2,126,120            2,126,120
                                                                    ---------------------------------------------------
Equity securities:
      Common stocks:
           Industrial, miscellaneous and all other                         259                 262                  262
                                                                    ---------------------------------------------------
           Total equity securities                                         259                 262                  262
                                                                    ---------------------------------------------------
Short-term investments                                                 134,971             134,971              134,971
                                                                    ---------------------------------------------------

           Total investments                                        $2,299,621          $2,261,353           $2,261,353
                                                                    ===================================================
</TABLE>

                                       S-1

<PAGE>

                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                   Schedule II
                            Condensed Balance Sheets
                              (Parent Company Only)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
as of December 31, (in thousands, except share data)                                  1996                 1995
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>                  <C> 
Assets
Cash                                                                                  $     --            $    799
                                                                                      ----------------------------
Investments - other than related parties:
      Fixed maturities:
         Available for sale, at fair value
         (amortized cost: 1996 - $-; 1995 - $34)                                         --                     45
      Equity securities, at fair value
        (cost: 1996 - $ -; 1995 - $45)                                                      --                  70
                                                                                      ----------------------------
      Total investments - other than related parties                                        --                 115
                                                                                      ----------------------------

Investment in subsidiaries                                                             584,608             832,226
Deferred tax asset, net                                                                 36,602                  --
Receivables from subsidiaries                                                              727               9,985
Other assets                                                                            21,096               3,157
                                                                                      ----------------------------
           Total assets                                                               $643,033            $846,282
                                                                                      ============================

Liabilities
Long-term debt                                                                        $204,571            $203,571
Payables to subsidiaries                                                                 1,605                  --
Deferred tax liability, net                                                                 --               8,146
Dividends payable to shareholders                                                        1,983               1,981
Other liabilities                                                                        9,046              22,916
                                                                                      ---------------  -----------
      Total liabilities                                                                217,205             236,614
                                                                                      ---------------  -----------

Shareholders' Equity
Common stock, $5 par value (40,000,000 shares authorized;
      16,095,416 shares issued and 15,670,052 outstanding - 1996;
      17,044,580 shares issued and 16,652,016 outstanding - 1995)                       80,477              85,223
Class A common stock, $5 par value (40,000,000 shares authorized;
      8,247,804 shares issued and 8,173,023 outstanding - 1996;
      7,298,640 shares issued and 7,225,232 outstanding - 1995)                         41,239              36,493
Retained earnings                                                                      336,921             480,181
Unrealized (loss) gain on investments of parent company and subsidiaries
               (net of deferred income taxes: 1996 - $13,394; 1995 - ($9,429))         (24,874)             17,511
Notes receivable from officers                                                          (1,162)             (3,896)
Treasury stock, at cost:
      Common stock (1996 - 425,364 shares; 1995 - 392,564 shares)                       (5,408)             (4,769)
      Class A common stock (1996 - 74,781 shares; 1995 - 73,408 shares)                 (1,365)             (1,075)
                                                                                      ----------------------------
           Total shareholders' equity                                                  425,828             609,668
                                                                                      ----------------------------
           Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                 $643,033            $846,282
                                                                                      ============================

        These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
            Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto.
</TABLE>

                                       S-2

<PAGE>


                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                   Schedule II
                       Condensed Statements of Operations
                              (Parent Company Only)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


for the years ended December 31, (in thousands)                       1996                   1995                 1994
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>                    <C>                   <C> 
Revenues:
Net investment income                                             $     354               $    217              $   107
Net realized investment gains                                            35                      4                   --
Management fees charged to subsidiaries                               5,974                    350                  219
Other related party income                                              263                  1,642                1,623
Miscellaneous income                                                     --                     --                  245
                                                                  -----------------------------------------------------
      Total revenues                                                  6,626                  2,213                2,194
                                                                  -----------------------------------------------------

Expenses:
General expenses                                                      7,082                  6,982                3,602
Interest expense                                                     17,039                 18,712               13,020
                                                                  -----------------------------------------------------
      Total expenses                                                 24,121                 25,694               16,622
                                                                  -----------------------------------------------------

Loss before income taxes and equity in (loss) earnings of
         subsidiaries                                               (17,495)               (23,481)             (14,428)

Benefit for income taxes                                            (60,345)               (13,210)              (3,540)
                                                                  -----------------------------------------------------

Income (loss) before equity in (loss) earnings of subsidiaries       42,850                (10,271)             (10,888)

Equity in (loss) earnings of subsidiaries                          (178,184)                34,401               68,138
                                                                  -----------------------------------------------------

Net (loss) income                                                 $(135,334)              $ 24,130              $57,250
                                                                  =====================================================

</TABLE>



        These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
            Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto.



                                       S-3

<PAGE>



                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                   Schedule II
                       Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
                              (Parent Company Only)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


for the years ended December 31, (in thousands)                               1996               1995                1994
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                                                                       <C>                 <C>                 <C>

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
     Net (loss) income                                                     $(135,334)         $  24,130            $ 57,250
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows
     provided by operating activities:
        Equity in losses (earnings) of subsidiaries                          178,184            (34,401)            (68,138)
        Net realized investment gains                                            (35)                (4)                 --
        (Benefit) provision for deferred income taxes                        (19,822)             7,000               4,688
        Dividends received from subsidiaries                                  53,634            103,213              34,000
        Change in income taxes receivable and payable                        (24,926)               310              (9,677)
        Change in other assets and liabilities                                (8,357)           (20,694)             11,933
                                                                           ------------------------------------------------
Net cash flows provided by operating activities                               43,344             79,554              30,056
                                                                           ------------------------------------------------

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
     Capital contributions to subsidiaries                                   (50,000)           (61,000)            (17,100)
     Sales of fixed maturity investments                                          45              2,122                 860
     Sales (purchases) of equity investments, net                                 70                (16)                (15)
                                                                           ------------------------------------------------
     Net cash flows used by investing activities                             (49,885)           (58,894)            (16,255)
                                                                           ------------------------------------------------

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
     Change in receivables and payables to subsidiaries                       10,863            (12,939)            (13,547)
     Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                 26,000            125,000              25,000
     Repayments of long-term debt                                            (25,000)          (125,000)            (15,715)
     Dividends paid to shareholders                                           (7,926)            (7,885)             (5,881)
     Treasury stock transactions, net                                           (929)               480              (3,893)
     Repayments of notes receivables from officers                             2,734                478                 235
                                                                           ------------------------------------------------
     Net cash flows provided (used) by financing activities                    5,742            (19,866)            (13,801)
                                                                           ------------------------------------------------

     Net (decrease) increase in cash                                            (799)               794                  --
     Cash January 1                                                              799                  5                   5
                                                                           ------------------------------------------------
     Cash December 31                                                      $      --          $     799            $      5
                                                                           ================================================

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
     Cash paid (received) for income taxes                                 $   5,525          $    (951)           $  4,532
     Cash paid for interest                                                $  16,609          $  15,040              12,868

</TABLE>





        These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
            Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto.


                                       S-4

<PAGE>



                                          Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                                       Schedule III
                                            Supplementary Insurance Information

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Future policy
                                                         benefits,                                             Net        
                                 Deferred policy     losses, claims, and        Unearned        Premium     investment 
       (in thousands)            acquisition costs      loss expenses           premiums        revenue      income(1)  
       -------------             -----------------   -------------------        --------        -------     -----------
<S>                                  <C>                <C>                    <C>            <C>           <C>   
Year ended December 31, 1996:
The Property and Casualty Group      $ 23,488           $ 1,501,897            $ 127,986      $ 268,601    $  82,455   
           PMA Re                      20,518               589,175               77,996        151,974       48,676   
          Corporate                        --                    --                   --             --        2,805
                                     --------           -----------            ---------      ---------    ---------   
            Total                    $ 44,006           $ 2,091,072            $ 205,982      $ 420,575    $ 133,936   
                                     ========           ===========            =========      =========    =========   
Year ended December 31, 1995:  
The Property and Casualty Group      $ 20,747           $ 1,518,163            $ 124,988      $ 345,607    $  92,275    
           PMA Re                      17,154               551,823               67,734        139,345       45,166   
          Corporate                        --                    --                   --             --        1,914
                                     --------           -----------            ---------      ---------    ---------   
            Total                    $ 37,901           $ 2,069,986            $ 192,722      $ 484,952    $ 139,355
                                     ========           ===========            =========      =========    =========   
Year ended December 31, 1994:
The Property and Casualty Group      $ 20,910           $ 1,583,922            $ 138,112      $ 361,124    $  96,683   
           PMA Re                      11,326               519,792               51,339        105,410       42,068   
          Corporate                        --                    --                   --             --          (32)
                                     --------           -----------            ---------      ---------    ---------   
            Total                    $ 32,236           $ 2,103,714            $ 189,451      $ 466,534    $ 138,719 
                                     ========           ===========            =========      =========    =========  
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    Benefits, claims,         Amortization of       Other                       
                                   losses and settlement      deferred policy     operating       Net Premiums  
       (in thousands)                   expenses             acquisition costs    expenses(2)       written     
       --------------              --------------------      -----------------    ----------      -----------
<S>                                    <C>                       <C>               <C>            <C>    <C>    <C>
                                                                                                        
Year ended December 31, 1996:                                                                           
The Property and Casualty Group        $ 424,686                 $ 52,706          $ 86,003       $ 279,422   
           PMA Re                        111,937                   37,586             8,344         164,053   
          Corporate                           --                       --             3,509              --
                                       ---------                 --------          --------       ---------   
            Total                      $ 536,623                 $ 90,292          $ 97,856       $ 443,475   
                                       =========                 ========          ========       =========   
Year ended December 31, 1995:                                                                      
The Property and Casualty Group        $ 318,631                 $ 53,420          $ 57,486       $ 337,116    
           PMA Re                        103,947                   33,787             7,334         152,760   
          Corporate                           --                       --            16,341              --
                                       ---------                 --------          --------       ---------   
            Total                      $ 422,578                 $ 87,207          $ 81,161       $ 489,876
                                       =========                 ========          ========       =========    
Year ended December 31, 1994:                                                                      
The Property and Casualty Group        $ 324,119                 $ 55,843          $ 59,561       $ 353,151   
           PMA Re                         78,750                   27,684             7,341         113,351   
          Corporate                           --                       --             7,746              --
                                       ---------                 --------          --------       ---------   
            Total                      $ 402,869                 $ 83,527          $ 74,648       $ 466,502
                                       =========                 ========          ========       =========    

</TABLE>

                                                    


      (1)   Net investment income is based on each segment's invested assets.

      (2)   Other operating expenses are allocated primarily on the specific
            identification basis. When indirect expenses cannot be directly
            related to a segment, these expenses are allocated depending on the
            nature of the expense.


                                       S-5

<PAGE>



                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION
                                   Schedule IV
                                   Reinsurance


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                          Ceded to       Assumed from                      Percentage of
                                          Direct           other             other             Net             amount
(dollar amounts in thousands)             Amount         companies         companies          amount       assumed to net
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>                <C>              <C>                <C>   
Year Ended December 31, 1996:            
Premiums:                                
      Property and liability insurance    $ 299,386      88,499             209,688          $420,575           50%
                                          =========      ======             =======          ========           ===
Year Ended December 31, 1995:            
Premiums:                                
      Property and liability insurance    $ 370,590      35,476             149,838          $484,952           31%
                                          =========      ======             =======          ========           ===
Year Ended December 31, 1994:            
Premiums:                                
      Property and liability insurance    $ 379,216      60,558             147,876          $466,534           32%
                                          =========      ======             =======          ========           ===

</TABLE>



                                       S-6

<PAGE>



                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                   Schedule V
                        Valuation and Qualifying Accounts


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            Balance at beginning     Charged to costs and    
            Description                          of period                expenses       
            -----------                     --------------------     --------------------    
<S>                                           <C>                          <C>  
 Year ended December 31, 1996:
 Allowance for uncollectible accounts:
 Uncollected premiums                          $ 16,330                     19,532           


Year ended December 31, 1995:
Allowance for uncollectible accounts:
Uncollected premiums                           $ 22,402                         --            


Year ended December 31, 1994:
Allowance for uncollectible accounts:
Uncollected premiums                           $ 21,839                      6,053           

</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            Deductions-write-offs of                                
            Description                     uncollectible accounts        Balance at end of period
            -----------                     ------------------------      ------------------------ 
<S>                                               <C>                        <C> 
 Year ended December 31, 1996:                                                                      
 Allowance for uncollectible accounts:                                                              
 Uncollected premiums                             16,985                        $ 18,877           
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
Year ended December 31, 1995:                                                                    
Allowance for uncollectible accounts:                                                            
Uncollected premiums                               6,072                        $ 16,330           
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
Year ended December 31, 1994:                                                                    
Allowance for uncollectible accounts:                                                            
Uncollected premiums                               5,490                        $ 22,402           

</TABLE>

                                       S-7

<PAGE>



                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                   Schedule VI
       Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty Insurers


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Discount
                                                                               on   
                                                          Reserves for      Reserves
                                                             Unpaid        for Unpaid
                                                           Claims and      Claims and
                                                             Claim           Claim                                    
                                     Deferred policy       Adjustment      Adjustment      Unearned        Earned     Net Investment
 Affiliation with Company           acquisition costs       Expenses        Expenses      Premiums       Premiums        Income   
 ------------------------           -----------------     -----------      ----------      --------       --------    -------------
<S>                                     <C>               <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>              <C>
Consolidated property-casualty                           
subsidiaries:                                            
Year ended December 31, 1996            $ 44,006          $ 2,091,072     $ 514,248       $ 205,982       $ 420,575       $ 131,131
Year ended December 31, 1995              37,901            2,069,986       587,025         192,722         484,952         137,441
Year ended December 31, 1994              32,236            2,103,714       572,047         189,451         466,534         138,751

</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 
                                 
                                 
                                        Claims and claims adjustment
                                        expense incurred related to
                                        ----------------------------
                                                                            Amortization of
                                                                            deferred policy       Paid claims and       Net Premium
 Affiliation with Company               Current Year     Prior Years       acquisition costs    adjustment expenses      Writtten
 ------------------------               ------------     ----------        -----------------    -------------------      --------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>                <C>                    <C>                   <C>    <C>
Consolidated property-casualty
subsidiaries:
Year ended December 31, 1996             $ 323,069        $ 156,074          $ 90,292               $ 510,621            $ 443,475
Year ended December 31, 1995               357,787           51,491            87,207                 469,942              489,876
Year ended December 31, 1994               352,025              366            83,527                 478,981              466,502

</TABLE>


                                       S-8

<PAGE>



                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation:

      Our report on the consolidated financial statements of Pennsylvania
Manufacturers Corporation is included on page F-29 of this Form 10 Registration
Statement. In connection with our audits of such financial statements, we have
also audited the related financial statement schedules listed in the index on
page 83 of this Form 10.

      In our opinion, the financial statement schedules referred to above, when
considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
present fairly, in all material respects, the information required to be
included therein.

/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
2400 Eleven Penn Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 14, 1997, except for
Notes 6 and 15, as to which the date
is March 14, 1997



                                       S-9

<PAGE>


     (b)  Exhibits filed with the Form 10 Registration Statement are as follows:

Exhibit No.    Description of Exhibit

    3.1        Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company.

    3.2        Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.

               Management Contracts

    10.1       Employment Agreement dated April 1, 1995 between the Company and
               Frederick W. Anton III.

    10.2       Employment Agreement dated May 1, 1995 between the Company and
               John W. Smithson.

    10.3       The PMC EDC Plan Trust Agreement dated as of 1994.

    10.4       The PMC Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) dated July
               1995.

    10.5       The Company's Amended and Restated 1987 Incentive Stock Option
               Plan.

    10.6       The Company's Amended and Restated 1991 Equity Incentive Plan.

    10.7       The Company's Amended and Restated 1993 Equity Incentive Plan.

    10.8       The Company's Amended and Restated 1994 Equity Incentive Plan.

    10.9       The Company's 1995 Equity Incentive Plan.

   10.10       The Company's 1996 Equity Incentive Plan.

               Other Material Contracts

    10.11      Federal Tax Allocation Agreement.

    10.12      Office Lease between Nine Penn Center Associates, L.P., as
               Landlord and Lorjo Corp., as Tenant, covering premises located at
               Mellon Bank Center, 1735 Market Street, Philadelphia,
               Pennsylvania, dated May 26, 1994.

    10.13      Credit Agreement dated as of March 14, 1997 by and among the
               Company, The Bank of New York, First Union National Bank of North
               Carolina, Fleet National Bank, PNC Bank, National Association,
               Mellon Bank, N.A., CoreStates Bank, N.A. and Dresdener Bank AG,
               New York Branch and Grand Cayman Branch.

    10.14      Master Agreement dated as of February 7, 1997 between the Company
               and First Union National Bank of North Carolina.


                                      -84-

<PAGE>



    10.15      First Amended and Restated Letter of Credit Agreement by and
               among the Company, the Bank of New York, Mellon Bank, N.A., Fleet
               Bank, National Association, PNC Bank, National Association and
               First Union Bank of North Carolina.

    11.1       Computation of Per Share Earnings.

    21.1       Subsidiaries of the Company.

    27.1       Financial Data Schedule.



                                      -85-

<PAGE>


                                   Signatures

         Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                          PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS
                                          CORPORATION


Date:       June 26, 1997                 By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell
     ------------------------                 --------------------------------
                                             Francis W. McDonnell, Senior Vice
                                             President, Chief Financial Officer
                                             and Treasurer




<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.                         Description of Exhibit

    3.1        Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company.

    3.2        Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.

               Management Contracts

    10.1       Employment Agreement dated April 1, 1995 between the Company and
               Frederick W. Anton III.

    10.2       Employment Agreement dated May 1, 1995 between the Company and
               John W. Smithson.

    10.3       The PMC EDC Plan Trust Agreement dated as of 1994.

    10.4       The PMC Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) dated July
               1995.

    10.5       The Company's Amended and Restated 1987 Incentive Stock Option
               Plan.

    10.6       The Company's Amended and Restated 1991 Equity Incentive Plan.

    10.7       The Company's Amended and Restated 1993 Equity Incentive Plan.

    10.8       The Company's Amended and Restated 1994 Equity Incentive Plan.

    10.9       The Company's 1995 Equity Incentive Plan.

    10.10      The Company's 1996 Equity Incentive Plan.

               Other Material Contracts

    10.11      Federal Tax Allocation Agreement.

    10.12      Office lease between Nine Penn Center Associates, L.P., as
               Landlord, and Lorjo Corp., as Tenant, covering premises located
               at Mellon Bank Center, 1735 Market Street, Philadelphia,
               Pennsylvania, dated May 26, 1994.

    10.13      Credit Agreement dated as of March 14, 1997 by and among the
               Company, The Bank of New York, First Union National Bank of North
               Carolina, Fleet National Bank, PNC Bank, National Association,
               Mellon Bank, N.A., CoreStates Bank, N.A. and Dresdener Bank AG,
               New York Branch and Grand Cayman Branch.

    10.14      Master Agreement dated as of February 7, 1997 between the Company
               and First Union National Bank of North Carolina.



<PAGE>



    10.15      First Amended and Restated Letter of Credit Agreement by and
               among the Company, the Bank of New York, Mellon Bank, N.A., Fleet
               Bank, National Association, PNC Bank, National Association and
               First Union Bank of North Carolina.

    11.1       Computation of Per Share Earnings.

    21.1       Subsidiaries of the Company.

    27.1       Financial Data Schedule.



                          Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
                              Department of State
              To All to Whom These Presents Shall Come, Greeting:

         Whereas, In and by Article VIII of the Business Corporation Law,
approved the fifth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand nine hundred and
thirty-three, P.L. 364, as amended, the Department of State is authorized and
required to issue a

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

evidencing the amendment and restatement of the Articles of Incorporation in
their entirety of a business corporation organized under or subject to the
provisions of that Law; and

         Whereas, The stipulations and conditions of that Law pertaining to the
amendment of Articles of Incorporation have been fully complied with by

                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

         Henceforth The "Articles," as defined in Article I of the Business
Corporation Law, shall not include any prior documents;

         Therefore, Know Ye, That subject to the Constitution of this
Commonwealth and under authority of the Business Corporation Law, I do by these
presents, which I have caused to be Sealed with the Great Seal of the
Commonwealth, extend the rights and powers of the corporation named above, in
accordance with the terms and provisions of the Articles of Amendment presented
by it to the Department of State, with full power and authority to use and enjoy
such rights and powers, subject to all the provisions and restrictions of the
Business Corporation Law and all other applicable laws of this Commonwealth.

         Given under my Hand and the Great Seal of the Commonwealth, at the City
of Harrisburg, this 7th day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand nine
hundred and eighty seven and of the Commonwealth the two hundred eleventh,


/s/ James J. Hagerty
- - - -----------------------------
Secretary of the Commonwealth




<PAGE>



                          COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
                               DEPARTMENT OF STATE
                               CORPORATION BUREAU


APPLICANT'S ACCT. NO.                          Filed this day of May 07 1987
DSCB: BCL-806 (REV. 8-72)                      Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
                                               Department of State
                                               /s/ James J. Hagerty
                                               Secretary of the Commonwealth
                                                 (Box for Certification)

Articles of
Amendment--
Domestic Business Corporation


In compliance with the requirements of section 806 of the Business Corporation
Law, act of May 5, 1933 (P.L.364) (15 P.S. SS.1806), the undersigned 
corporation, desiring to amend its Articles, does hereby certify that:

1. The name of the corporation is:

   Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation


2. The location of its registered office in this Commonwealth is (the Department
of State is hereby authorized to correct the following statement to conform to
the records of the Department):

                             1021 West Eighth Avenue
                             -----------------------
                                (NUMBER) (STREET)

     King of Prussia                   Pennsylvania               19406
     --------------------------------------------------------------------
        (CITY)                                                  (ZIP CODE)


3. The statute by or under which it was incorporated is:

   Act of May 5, 1933, P.L. 364, as amended

4. The date of its incorporation is: February 23, 1982

5. (Check, and if appropriate, complete one of the following):

   /X/ The meeting of the shareholders of the corporation at which the amendment
was adopted was held at the time and place and pursuant to the kind and period
of notice herein stated.

   Time: The 27th day of April, 1987

   Place: 925 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

   Kind and period of notice Written notice (Proxy Statement); 30 days

   / / The amendment was adopted by a consent in writing, setting forth the
action so taken, signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote thereon and
filed with the Secretary of the corporation.

6. At the time of the action of shareholders:

   (a) The total number of shares outstanding was:
       797,476 shares

   (b) The number of shares entitled to vote was:
       797,476 shares


<PAGE>



7. In the action taken by the shareholders:

   (a) The number of shares voted in favor of the amendment was:
       699,557 shares

   (b) The number of shares voted against the amendment was:
       -0 against; 10,000 abstained

8. The amendment adopted by the shareholders, set forth in full, is as follows:

   See Exhibit A attached and incorporated by reference herein for the text of
the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation.


IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the undersigned corporation has caused these Articles of
Amendment to be signed by a duly authorized officer and its corporate seal, duly
attested by another such officer, to be hereunto affixed this 27th day of April,
1987.

                                         PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION
                                         --------------------------------------
                                               (NAME OF CORPORATION)
Attest:

By: /s/ David L. Johnson                  By: /s/ Frederick W. Anton
    -------------------------------           ---------------------------------
          (SIGNATURE)                                   (SIGNATURE)

David L. Johnson, Secretary               Frederick W. Anton, III, President
- - - -----------------------------------       -------------------------------------
     (TITLE; SECRETARY,                             (TITLE; PRESIDENT,
 ASSISTANT SECRETARY, ETC.)                        VICE PRESIDENT, ETC.)


(CORPORATE SEAL)


INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF FORM

A. Any necessary copies of Form DSCB:17.2 (Consent to Appropriation of Name) or
   Form DSCB: 17.3 (Consent to Use of Similar Name) shall accompany Articles of
   Amendment effecting a change of name.

B. Any necessary governmental approvals shall accompany this form.

C. Where action is taken by partial written consent pursuant to the Articles,
   the second alternate of Paragraph 5 should be modified accordingly.

D. If the shares of any class were entitled to vote as a class, the number of
   shares of each class so entitled and the number of shares of all other
   classes entitled to vote should be set forth in Paragraph 6(b).

E. If the shares of any class were entitled to vote as a class, the number of
   shares of such class and the number of shares of all other classes voted for
   and against such amendment respectively should be set forth in Paragraphs
   7(a) and 7(b).

F. BCL Section 807 (15 P.S. Section 1807) requires that the corporation shall
   advertise its intention to file or the filing of Articles of Amendment.
   Proof of publication of such advertising should not be delivered to the
   Department, but should be filed with the minutes of the corporation.


<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT A

     RESOLVED that, the Articles of Incorporation of Pennsylvania Manufacturers
Corporation shall be amended and restated in their entirety as follows:

                 AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

     1. The name of the Corporation is Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation.

     2. The location and post office address of the registered office of the
Corporation in this Commonwealth is 1021 West Eighth Avenue, King of Prussia,
Pennsylvania 19406.

     3. The Corporation is incorporated under the Business Corporation Law of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the following purpose or purposes: The
Corporation shall have unlimited power to engage in and to do any or all lawful
business for which corporations may be incorporated under the Act of Assembly
approved May 5, 1933, P.S. 364, as amended, under which Act the Corporation is
incorporated, including, without limitation of the foregoing, the power to
manufacture, buy, sell, trade and generally deal in products, merchandise, goods
and articles of any kind and description whatsoever.

     4. The term for which the Corporation is to exist is perpetual.

     5. The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation shall have the
authority to issue is: Two Million (2,000,000) shares of Common Stock, $5.00 par
value per share (the "Common Stock"), and Two Million (2,000,000) shares of
Class A Common Stock, $5.00 par value per share (the "Class A Common Stock").

     A. Voting Rights and Powers. Except as otherwise required by the
Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law or as otherwise provided in these Articles
of Incorporation or the By-laws of the Corporation, with respect to all matters
upon which shareholders are entitled to vote or to which shareholders are
entitled to give consent, the holders of the outstanding shares of the Common
Stock and the holders of any outstanding shares of the Class A Common Stock
shall vote together without regard to class, and every holder of the outstanding
shares of the Common Stock shall be entitled to cast thereon ten (10) votes in
person or by proxy for each share of the Common Stock standing in his name, and
every holder of any outstanding shares of the Class A Common Stock shall be
entitled to cast thereon one (1) vote in person or by proxy for each share of
the Class A Common Stock standing in his name. In all elections for directors,
each shareholder is entitled to cumulate his votes. With respect to any proposed
amendment to these Articles of Incorporation which would increase or decrease
the number of authorized shares of either the Common Stock or the Class A Common
Stock, increase or decrease the par value of the shares of the Common Stock or
the Class A Common Stock, or alter or change the powers, preferences, relative
voting power or special rights of the shares of the Common Stock or the Class A
Common Stock so as to affect it adversely, the approval of a majority of the
votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the class affected by the proposed
amendment, voting separately as a class, shall be obtained in addition to the
approval of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the
Common Stock and the Class A Common Stock voting together without regard to
class as hereinbefore provided.


<PAGE>


     B. Dividends and Distributions.

     (a) Cash Dividends. At any time shares of the Class A Common Stock are
outstanding, as and when cash dividends may be declared by the Board of
Directors, the cash dividend payable on shares of the Class A Common Stock shall
in all cases be at least ten percent (10%) higher on a per share basis than the
cash dividend payable on shares of the Common Stock.

     (b) Other Dividends and Distributions. Each share of the Common Stock and
each share of the Class A Common Stock shall be equal in respect of rights to
dividends (other than cash) and distributions, when and as declared, in the form
of stock or other property of the Corporation, except that in the case of
dividends or other distributions payable in stock of the Corporation, including
distributions pursuant to stock split-ups or divisions, which occur after the
date shares of the Class A Common Stock are first issued by the Corporation,
only shares of the Common Stock shall be distributed with respect to the Common
Stock and only shares of Class A Common Stock shall be distributed with respect
to Class A Common Stock.

     C. Other Rights. Except as otherwise required by the Pennsylvania Business
Corporation Law or as otherwise provided in these Articles of Incorporation,
each share of the Common Stock and each share of Class A Common Stock shall have
identical powers, preferences and rights, including rights in liquidation.

     D. Conversion of the Common Stock. Each share of Common Stock may at any
time be converted at the election of the holder thereof into one fully paid and
nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock. Any holder of shares of Common
Stock may elect to convert any or all of such shares at one time or at various
times in such holder's discretion. Such right shall be exercised by the
surrender of the certificate representing each share of Common Stock to be
converted to the agent for the registration for transfer of shares of Common
Stock at its office, or to the Corporation at its principal executive offices,
accompanied by a written notice of the election by the holder thereof to convert
and (if so required by the transfer agent or by the Corporation) by instruments
of transfer, in form satisfactory to the transfer agent and to the Corporation,
duly executed by such holder of his duly authorized attorney. The issuance of a
certificate or certificates for shares of Class A Common Stock upon conversion
of shares of Common Stock shall be made without charge for any stamp or other
similar tax in respect of such issuance. However, if any such certificate or
certificates is or are to be issued in a name other than that of the holder of
the share or shares of Common Stock converted, the person or persons requesting
the issuance thereof shall pay to the transfer agent or to the Corporation the
amount of any tax which may be payable in respect of any such transfer, or shall
establish to the satisfaction of the transfer agent or of the Corporation that
such tax has been paid. As promptly as practicable after the surrender for
conversion of a certificate or certificates representing shares of Common Stock
and the payment of any tax as hereinbefore provided, the Corporation will
deliver or cause to be delivered at the office of the transfer agent to, or upon
the written order of, the holder of such certificate or certificates, a
certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of Class A Common
Stock issuable upon such conversion, issued in such name or names as such holder
may direct. Such conversion shall be irrevocable and shall be deemed to have
been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of the
surrender of the certificate or certificates representing shares of Common Stock
(if on such date the transfer books of the Corporation shall be closed, then
immediately prior to the close of business on the first date thereafter that
said books shall be open), and all rights of


                                      A-2

<PAGE>


such holder arising from ownership of such shares of Common Stock shall cease at
such time, and the person or persons in whose name or names the certificate or
certificates representing shares of Class A Common Stock are to be issued shall
be treated for all purposes as having become the record holder or holders of
such shares of Class A Common Stock at such time and shall have and may exercise
all the rights and powers appertaining thereto. No adjustments in respect of
past cash dividends shall be made upon the conversion of any share of Common
Stock; provided, however, that if any shares of Common Stock shall be converted
subsequent to the record date for the payment of a cash or stock dividend or
other distribution on shares of Common Stock but prior to such payment, the
registered holder of such shares at the close of business on such record date
shall be entitled to receive the cash or stock dividend or the distribution
payable to holders of the Common Stock. The Corporation shall at all times
reserve and keep available, solely for the purpose of issue upon conversion of
outstanding shares of Common Stock, such number of shares of Class A Common
Stock as may be issuable upon the conversion of all such outstanding shares of
Common Stock, provided, the Corporation may deliver shares of Class A Common
Stock which are held in the treasury of the Corporation for shares of Common
Stock to be converted. If any shares of Class A Common Stock require
registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any federal or
state law before such shares of Class A Common Stock may be issued upon
conversion, the Corporation will cause such shares to be duly registered or
approved, as the case may be. All shares of Class A Common Stock which may be
issued upon conversion of shares of Common Stock will, upon issue, be fully paid
and nonassessable.

     6. Except with respect to shares, rights, options and other securities of
the Corporation that are issued or granted in connection with any stock purchase
plan, stock option plan or other similar benefit plan that has been approved by
the holders of a majority of the Corporation's outstanding Common Stock, the
holders of Common Stock of the Corporation shall be entitled, as such, as a
matter of right, to subscribe for and to purchase any part of any new or
additional issue of Common Stock, any rights or options to purchase Common
Stock, or any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or carrying rights
or options to purchase Common Stock, whether now or hereafter authorized, but
only in those instances in which such shares of Common Stock, rights or options
to purchase Common Stock are issued for a consideration consisting solely of
money. In the event of the issuance of such shares or other securities solely
for money, the preemptive right herein granted shall only be an opportunity to
acquire such shares or other securities under such terms and conditions as the
Board of Directors shall fix. The preemptive right herein granted shall not
apply in any respect to the Corporation's Class A Common Stock, and holders of
such Class A Common Stock, as such, shall have no preemptive rights.


                                      A-3

<PAGE>


                          Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
                              Department of State
              To All to Whom These Presents Shall Come, Greeting:

         Whereas, In and by Article VIII of the Business Corporation Law,
approved the fifth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand nine hundred and
thirty-three, P.L. 364, as amended, the Department of State is authorized and
required to issue a

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

evidencing the amendment of the Articles of Incorporation of a business
corporation organized under or subject to the provisions of that Law; and

         Whereas, The stipulations and conditions of that Law pertaining to the
amendment of Articles of Incorporation have been fully complied with by

                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

         Therefore, Know Ye, That subject to the Constitution of this
Commonwealth and under the authority of the Business Corporation Law, I do by
these presents, which I have caused to be sealed with the Great Seal of the
Commonwealth, extend the rights and powers of the corporation named above, in
accordance with the terms and provisions of the Articles of Amendment presented
by it to the Department of State, with full power and authority to use and enjoy
such rights and powers, subject to all the provisions and restrictions of the
Business Corporation Law and all other applicable laws of this Commonwealth.

         Given under my Hand and the Great Seal of the Commonwealth, at the City
of Harrisburg, this 27th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand nine
hundred and eighty eight and of the Commonwealth the two hundred twelfth.


/s/ James J. Hagerty
- - - -----------------------------
Secretary of the Commonwealth
pjd


DSCB-21 (7-73)



<PAGE>


                          COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
                               DEPARTMENT OF STATE
                               CORPORATION BUREAU


                                               Filed this day of April 27 1988
                                               Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
                                               Department of State
                                               /s/ James J. Hagerty
                                               Secretary of the Commonwealth
                                                 (Box for Certification)

Articles of
Amendment--
Domestic Business Corporation

In compliance with the requirements of section 806 of the Business Corporation
Law, act of May 5, 1933 (P.L.364) (15 P.S. SS.1806), the undersigned 
corporation, desiring to amend its Articles, does hereby certify that:

1. The name of the corporation is:

   Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation


2. The location of its registered office in this Commonwealth is (the Department
of State is hereby authorized to correct the following statement to conform to
the records of the Department):

                             1021 West Eighth Avenue
                             -----------------------
                                (NUMBER) (STREET)

     King of Prussia                   Pennsylvania               19406
     --------------------------------------------------------------------
        (CITY)                                                  (ZIP CODE)


3. The statute by or under which it was incorporated is:

   Act of May 5, 1933, P.L. 364, as amended

4. The date of its incorporation is: February 23, 1982

5. (Check, and if appropriate, complete one of the following):

   /X/ The meeting of the shareholders of the corporation at which the amendment
was adopted was held at the time and place and pursuant to the kind and period
of notice herein stated.

   Time: The 25th day of April, 1988

   Place: 925 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

   Kind and period of notice Written notice (proxy statement); 30 days

   / / The amendment was adopted by a consent in writing, setting forth the
action so taken, signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote thereon and
filed with the Secretary of the corporation.

6. At the time of the action of shareholders:

   (a) The total number of shares outstanding was:
       749,605 shares of Common Stock and 206,511 shares of Class A Common
       Stock.

   (b) The number of shares entitled to vote was:
       749,605 shares of Common Stock (entitled to cast ten votes per share) and
       206,511 shares of Class A Common Stock (entitled to cast one vote per
       share).


<PAGE>


7. In the action taken by the shareholders:

   (a) The number of shares voted in favor of the amendment was:
       652,403 shares of Common Stock and 184,675 shares of Class A Common
       Stock.

   (b) The number of shares voted against the amendment was:
       11,680 shares of Common Stock and 2,336 shares of Class A Common Stock.

8. The amendment adopted by the shareholders, set forth in full, is as follows:

   RESOLVED, that the first full paragraph of Article 5 of the Articles of
Incorporation of Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation shall be amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:

        5. The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation shall have
   authority to issue is: Ten Million (10,000,000) shares of Common Stock, $5.00
   par value per share (the "Common Stock"), and Ten Million (10,000,000) shares
   of Class A Common Stock, $5.00 par value per share (the "Class A Common
   Stock").

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the undersigned corporation has caused these Articles of
Amendment to be signed by a duly authorized officer and its corporate seal, duly
attested by another such officer, to be hereunto affixed this 25th day of April,
1988.

                                         PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION
                                         --------------------------------------
                                               (NAME OF CORPORATION)
Attest:

By: /s/ David L. Johnson                  By: /s/ Frederick W. Anton
    -------------------------------           ---------------------------------
          (SIGNATURE)                                   (SIGNATURE)

David L. Johnson, Secretary               Frederick W. Anton, III, President
- - - -----------------------------------       -------------------------------------
     (TITLE; SECRETARY,                             (TITLE; PRESIDENT,
 ASSISTANT SECRETARY, ETC.)                        VICE PRESIDENT, ETC.)


(CORPORATE SEAL)


INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF FORM

A. Any necessary copies of Form DSCB:17.2 (Consent to Appropriation of Name) or
   Form DSCB: 17.3 (Consent to Use of Similar Name) shall accompany Articles of
   Amendment effecting a change of name.

B. Any necessary governmental approvals shall accompany this form.

C. Where action is taken by partial written consent pursuant to the Articles,
   the second alternate of Paragraph 5 should be modified accordingly.

D. If the shares of any class were entitled to vote as a class, the number of
   shares of each class so entitled and the number of shares of all other
   classes entitled to vote should be set forth in Paragraph 6(b).

E. If the shares of any class were entitled to vote as a class, the number of
   shares of such class and the number of shares of all other classes voted for
   and against such amendment respectively should be set forth in Paragraphs
   7(a) and 7(b).

F. BCL Section 807 (15 P.S. Section 1807) requires that the corporation shall
   advertise its intention to file or the filing of Articles of Amendment.
   Proofs of publication of such advertising should not be delivered to the
   Department, but should be filed with the minutes of the corporation.


<PAGE>


                          Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
                              Department of State
              To All to Whom These Presents Shall Come, Greeting:

         Whereas, In and by Article VIII of the Business Corporation Law,
approved the fifth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand nine hundred and
thirty-three, P.L. 364, as amended, the Department of State is authorized and
required to issue a

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

evidencing the amendment of the Articles of Incorporation of a business
corporation organized under or subject to the provisions of that Law; and

         Whereas, The stipulations and conditions of that Law pertaining to the
amendment of Articles of Incorporation have been fully complied with by

                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

         Therefore, Know Ye, That subject to the Constitution of this
Commonwealth and under the authority of the Business Corporation Law, I do by
these presents, which I have caused to be sealed with the Great Seal of the
Commonwealth, extend the rights and powers of the corporation named above, in
accordance with the terms and provisions of the Articles of Amendment presented
by it to the Department of State, with full power and authority to use and enjoy
such rights and powers, subject to all the provisions and restrictions of the
Business Corporation Law and all other applicable laws of this Commonwealth.

         Given under my Hand and the Great Seal of the Commonwealth, at the City
of Harrisburg, this 24th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand nine
hundred and eighty-nine and of the Commonwealth the two hundred thirteenth.


/s/ James J. Hagerty
- - - -----------------------------
Secretary of the Commonwealth
cas


DSCB-21 (7-73)



<PAGE>


                          COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
                               DEPARTMENT OF STATE
                               CORPORATION BUREAU


                                               Filed this day of April 24 1989
                                               Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
                                               Department of State
                                               /s/ James J. Hagerty
                                               Secretary of the Commonwealth
                                                 (Box for Certification)

Articles of
Amendment--
Domestic Business Corporation


In compliance with the requirements of section 806 of the Business Corporation
Law, act of May 5, 1933 (P.L.364) (15 P.S. SS.1806), the undersigned
corporation, desiring to amend its Articles, does hereby certify that:

1. The name of the corporation is:

   Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation


2. The location of its registered office in this Commonwealth is (the Department
of State is hereby authorized to correct the following statement to conform to
the records of the Department):

                             1021 West Eighth Avenue
                             -----------------------
                                (NUMBER) (STREET)

     King of Prussia                   Pennsylvania               19406
     --------------------------------------------------------------------
        (CITY)                                                  (ZIP CODE)


3. The statute by or under which it was incorporated is:

   Act of May 5, 1933, P.L. 364, as amended

4. The date of its incorporation is: February 23, 1982

5. (Check, and if appropriate, complete one of the following):

   /X/ The meeting of the shareholders of the corporation at which the amendment
was adopted was held at the time and place and pursuant to the kind and period
of notice herein stated.

   Time: The 17th day of April, 1989

   Place: 925 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

   Kind and period of notice Written notice (proxy statement); 31 days

   / / The amendment was adopted by a consent in writing, setting forth the
action so taken, signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote thereon and
filed with the Secretary of the corporation.

6. At the time of the action of shareholders:

   (a) The total number of shares outstanding was:
       805,275 shares of Common Stock and 220,725 shares of Class A common
       Stock.

   (b) The number of shares entitled to vote was:
       805,275 shares of Common Stock (entitled to cast ten votes per share) and
       220,725 shares of Class A Common Stock (entitled to cast one vote per
       share).


<PAGE>


7. In the action taken by the shareholders:

   (a) The number of shares voted in favor of the amendment was:
       720,853 shares of Common Stock and 196,822 shares of Class A Common
       Stock.

   (b) The number of shares voted against the amendment was:
       10,000 shares of Common Stock and 2,000 shares of Class A Common Stock.

8. The amendment adopted by the shareholders, set forth in full, is as follows:

   RESOLVED, that the first full paragraph of Article 5 of the Articles of
Incorporation of Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation shall be amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:

        5. The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation shall have
   authority to issue is: Twenty Million (20,000,000) shares of Common Stock,
   $5.00 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), and Twenty Million
   (20,000,000) shares of Class A Common Stock, $5.00 par value per share
   (the "Class A Common Stock").

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the undersigned corporation has caused these Articles of
Amendment to be signed by a duly authorized officer and its corporate seal, duly
attested by another such officer, to be hereunto affixed this 17th day of April,
1989.

                                         PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION
                                         --------------------------------------
                                               (NAME OF CORPORATION)
Attest:

By: /s/ David L. Johnson                  By: /s/ Frederick W. Anton
    -------------------------------           ---------------------------------
          (SIGNATURE)                                   (SIGNATURE)

David L. Johnson, Secretary               Frederick W. Anton, III, President
- - - -----------------------------------       -------------------------------------
     (TITLE; SECRETARY,                             (TITLE; PRESIDENT,
 ASSISTANT SECRETARY, ETC.)                        VICE PRESIDENT, ETC.)


(CORPORATE SEAL)


INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF FORM

A. Any necessary copies of Form DSCB:17.2 (Consent to Appropriation of Name) or
   Form DSCB: 17.3 (Consent to Use of Similar Name) shall accompany Articles of
   Amendment effecting a change of name.

B. Any necessary governmental approvals shall accompany this form.

C. Where action is taken by partial written consent pursuant to the Articles,
   the second alternate of Paragraph 5 should be modified accordingly.

D. If the shares of any class were entitled to vote as a class, the number of
   shares of each class so entitled and the number of shares of all other
   classes entitled to vote should be set forth in Paragraph 6(b).

E. If the shares of any class were entitled to vote as a class, the number of
   shares of such class and the number of shares of all other classes voted for
   and against such amendment respectively should be set forth in Paragraphs
   7(a) and 7(b).

F. BCL Section 807 (15 P.S. Section 1807) requires that the corporation shall
   advertise its intention to file or the filing of Articles of Amendment.
   Proofs of publication of such advertising should not be delivered to the
   Department, but should be filed with the minutes of the corporation.


<PAGE>




              ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT-DOMESTIC BUSINESS CORPORATION
                              

         In compliance with the requirements of 15 Pa. C.S. ss. 1915 (relating
to articles of amendment), the undersigned business corporation, desiring to
amend its Articles, hereby states that:

1. The name of the corporation is Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation

2. The (a) address of this corporation's current registered office in this
Commonwealth or (b) name of its commercial registered office provider and the
county of venue is (the Department is hereby authorized to correct the following
information to conform to the records of the Department):

<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>                <C>                <C>        <C>
(a) 1021 West Eighth Avenue     King of Prussia    Pennsylvania       19046      Montgomery
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Number and Street              City             State            Zip         County

(b) c/o:
         --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Name of Commercial Registered Office Provider                           County
</TABLE>


For a corporation represented by a commercial registered office provider, the
county in (b) shall be deemed the county in which the corporation is located for
venue and official publication purposes.

3. The statute by or under which it was incorporated is: Act of Assembly
approved May 5, 1933, P.S. 364

4. The date of its incorporation is: February 23, 1982

5. (Check, and if appropriate complete, one of the following):

    X The amendment shall be effective upon filing these Articles of Amendment
   in the Department of State.

    __ The amendment shall be effective on _________________ at _______________
                                                Date                Hour

6. (Check one of the following):

    X The amendment was adopted by the shareholders (or members) pursuant to 15 
      Pa.C.S. ss. 1914(a) and (b).

    __ The amendment was adopted by the board of directors pursuant to 15 Pa. 
       C.S. ss. 1914(c).

7. (Check, and if appropriate complete, one of the following):

   __ The amendment adopted by the corporation, set forth in full, as follows:




  X The amendment adopted by the corporation as set forth in full in Exhibit A
attached hereto and made a part hereof.




<PAGE>


8. (Check if the amendment restates the Articles):

   __ The restated Articles of Incorporation supersede the original Articles and
all amendments thereto.

         IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the undersigned corporation has caused these
Articles of Amendment to be signed by a duly authorized officer thereof this
22nd day of April 1991.


                                       PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                                 (Name of Corporation)

                                       BY:  /s/ Frederick W. Anton, III
                                            ----------------------------
                                               Frederick W. Anton, III

                                       TITLE: President
                                              -----------------




<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT A

                          TO ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT OF

                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

     The first full paragraph of Article 5 of the Articles of Incorporation
of Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation is amended and restated to read in its
entirety as follows:


                  "5. The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation shall
         have authority to issue is: Forty Million (40,000,000) shares of Common
         Stock, $5.00 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), and Forty
         Million (40,000,000) shares of Class A Common Stock, $5.00 par value
         per share (the "Class A Common Stock")."



<PAGE>




                    STATEMENT OF CHANGE OF REGISTERED OFFICE


Indicate type of entity (check one)

_X_ Domestic Business Corporation (15 PA.C.S. ss. 1507)

___ Foreign Business Corporation (15 PA.C.S. ss. 4144)

___ Domestic Nonprofit Corporation (15 PA.C.S. ss. 5507)

___ Foreign Nonprofit Corporation (15 PA.C.S. ss. 6144)

___ Domestic Limited Partnership (15 PA.C.S. ss. 8506)

     In compliance with the requirements of the applicable provisions of 15
Pa.C.S. (relating to corporations and unincorporated associations) the
undersigned corporation or limited partnership, desiring to effect a change of
registered office, hereby states that:

1. The name of the corporation or limited partnership is:
                                                         ----------------------
   Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. The (a) address of this corporation's or limited partnership's current
   registered office in this Commonwealth or (b) name of its commercial
   registered office provider and the county of venue is: (the Department is
   hereby authorized to correct the following information to conform to the
   records of the Department):

   (a) 1021 W. Eighth Avenue, King of Prussia     PA     19406      Montgomery
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Number and Street           City          State    Zip         County

   (b) c/o:
           --------------------------------------------------------------------
           Name of Commercial Registered Office Provider              County

   For a corporation or a limited partnership represented by a commercial
   registered office provider, the county in (b) shall be deemed the county in
   which the corporation or limited partnership is located for venue and
   official publication purposes.

3. (Complete part (a) or (b)):

   (a) The address to which the registered office of the corporation or limited
       partnership in this Commonwealth is to be changed is:

       380 Sentry Parkway       Blue Bell         PA   19422-0754   Montgomery
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Number and Street           City          State    Zip         County

   (b) The registered office of the corporation or limited partnership shall be
       provided by:

       c/o:
           --------------------------------------------------------------------
           Name of Commercial Registered Office Provider              County

   For a corporation or a limited partnership represented by a commercial
   registered office provider, the count in (b) shall be deemed the county in
   which the corporation or limited partnership is located for venue and
   official publication purposes.


<PAGE>




4. (Strike out if a limited partnership): Such change was authorized by the
   Board of Directors of the corporation.

   IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the undersigned corporation or limited partnership has
   caused this statement to be signed by a duly authorized officer thereof this
   14  day of September, 1974.
   ---        ---------    --


                                        Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       (Name of Corporation/Limited Partnership)


                                       BY: /s/ Robert Gaffney
                                           ------------------------------------
                                                     (Signature)

                                       TITLE: Secretary
                                              ---------------------------------


<PAGE>



              ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT-DOMESTIC BUSINESS CORPORATION


     In compliance with the requirements of 15 Pa.C.S. (section) 1915 (relating
to articles of amendment), the undersigned business corporation, desiring to
amend its Articles, hereby states that:

1.   The name of the corporation is: Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                     ------------------------------------------

- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.   The (a) address of this corporation's current registered office in this
     Commonwealth or (b) name of its commercial registered office provider and
     the county of venue is (the Department is hereby authorized to correct the
     following information to conform to the records of the Department):

     (a) The PMA Building, 380 Sentry Parkway   Blue Bell  PA  19422 Montgomery
        -----------------------------------------------------------------------
        Number and Street                         City   State  Zip    County

     (b) c/o  N/A
        -----------------------------------------------------------------------
        Name of Commercial Registered Office Provider                  County

     For a corporation represented by a commercial registered office provider,
the county in (b) shall be deemed the county in which the corporation is located
for venue and official publication purposes.

3.   The statute by or under which it was incorporated is: Act of May 5, 1934,
                                                           P.L. 364, as amended
                                                           --------------------

4.   The date of its  incorporation is: February 23, 1982
                                        ---------------------------------------

5.   (Check, and if appropriate complete, one of the following):

     X    The amendment shall be effective upon filing these Articles of
    ---   Amendment in the Department of State.

    ---   The amendment shall be effective on:               at
                                              --------------    ---------------
                                                   Date              Hour

6.   (Check one of the following):

     X    The amendment was adopted by the shareholders (or members) pursuant to
    ---   15 Pa.C.S. (section) 1914(a) and (b).

    ---   The amendment was adopted by the board of directors pursuant to
          15 Pa.C.S. (section) 1914(c).

7.   (Check, and if appropriate, complete one of the following):

     X    The amendment adopted by the corporation, set forth in full,
    ---   as follows:
          Article 7, the full text of which is set forth in its entirety
below, is hereby added to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of
the Corporation:

     "7. Subchapters E, F, G, H, I and J of Chapter 25 and Sections 2538 and
2539 of Subchapter D of Chapter 25 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation
Law of 1988, as amended, shall not be applicable to the Corporation."

    ---   The amendment adopted by the corporation is set forth in full in
          Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof.



<PAGE>


8.   (Check if the amendment restates the Articles):

          The restated articles of Incorporation supercede the original 
     ---  Articles and all amendments thereto.

     IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the undersigned corporation has caused these Articles
of Amendment to be signed by a duly authorized officer thereof this
     25th      day of      June     , 1997.
- - - -------------          ------------   ----


                            Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                       (Name of Corporation)

                            BY: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell
                                ------------------------------------------------
                                            (Signature)

                                    Francis W. McDonnell, Senior Vice President,
                            TITLE:  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
                                  ----------------------------------------------




                         AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE  1 Corporate Office..................................................  1
ARTICLE  2 Shareholders; Share Certificates..................................  1
ARTICLE  3 Shareholders Meetings.............................................  5
ARTICLE  4 Quorum of Shareholders............................................  6
ARTICLE  5 Proxies...........................................................  7
ARTICLE  6 Record Date.......................................................  8
ARTICLE  7 Record of Shareholders............................................  8
ARTICLE  8 Judges of Election................................................  9
ARTICLE  9 Consent of Shareholders in Lieu of Meeting........................ 10
ARTICLE 10 Directors......................................................... 10
ARTICLE 11 Removal of Directors.............................................. 12
ARTICLE 12 Vacancies in the Board of Directors............................... 12
ARTICLE 13 Action by Written Consent......................................... 13
ARTICLE 14 Compensation of Directors......................................... 13
ARTICLE 15 Committees........................................................ 13
ARTICLE 16 Liability of Directors............................................ 14
ARTICLE 17 Officers.......................................................... 16
ARTICLE 18 Duties of Officers................................................ 17
ARTICLE 19 Indemnification of Officers, Directors, Employees, and Agents..... 18
ARTICLE 20 Fiscal Year....................................................... 21
ARTICLE 21 Manner of Giving Written Notice; Waivers of Notice................ 22
ARTICLE 22 Amendments........................................................ 22
APPENDIX..................................................................... 24


<PAGE>


                         AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

                                   ARTICLE 1

                                Corporate Office

     Section 1.1 The Corporation shall have and continuously maintain in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania a registered office at an address to be designated
from time to time by the Board of Directors which may, but need not, be the same
as its place of business.

     Section 1.2 The Corporation may also have offices at such other places as
the Board of Directors may from time to time designate or the business of the
Corporation may require.

                                   ARTICLE 2

                        Shareholders: Share Certificates

     Section 2.1 No person, firm, association, corporation or other entity is
qualified to own any shares of Common Stock, $5.00 par value, ("Common Stock")
of the Corporation except:

     (1) PMA Foundation.

     (2) A member of PMA Foundation.

     (3) A former member of PMA Foundation who resigned in good standing, but
         only in respect to Common Stock of the Corporation owned by such former
         member of PMA Foundation on the date of resignation.

     (4) The Corporation or Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association Insurance
         Company.

     (5) An officer, proprietor or partner of a member of PMA Foundation or a
         retired officer, proprietor or partner of a member or former member of
         PMA Foundation but only in respect to Common Stock of the Corporation
         owned by such retired officer, proprietor or partner on the date of
         retirement.

     (6) A director or officer of the Corporation, Pennsylvania Manufacturers'
         Association Insurance Company or PMA Foundation.


                                       1
<PAGE>

     (7) A retired director or officer of the Corporation, Pennsylvania
         Manufacturers' Association Insurance Company or PMA Foundation but only
         in respect to Common Stock of the Corporation owned by such retired
         director or officer on the date of retirement.

     (8) The surviving spouse of a deceased person who, at the time of his or
         her death, was qualified to own Common Stock of the Corporation, but
         not a surviving spouse of a person who became qualified to own Common
         Stock of the Corporation solely by reason of the provisions of this
         Subsection (8).

     (9) A person, firm, association, corporation or other entity who was a
         shareholder of record of Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association
         Insurance Company on April 1, 1982.

    (10) Any child or grandchild of a shareholder of Pennsylvania
         Manufacturers' Association Insurance Company of record on April 1,
         1982.

    (11) A trustee under a written trust solely for the benefit of a person
         qualified under these Bylaws to own Common Stock of the Corporation or
         a spouse, child or grandchild of such qualified person.

    (12) Such other classes of persons as are from time to time approved by the
         Board of Directors of the Corporation.

        Nothing set forth in this Section 2.1 shall prohibit any person from
owning any shares of Class A Common Stock, $5.00 par value, ("Class A Common
Stock") of the Corporation.

        Section 2.2 All shares issued by the Corporation shall be represented by
certificates. The share certificates of the Corporation shall be numbered and
registered in a share register as they are issued; shall state that the
Corporation is incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
shall bear the name of the registered holder, the number and class of shares and
the designation of the series, if any, represented thereby, the par value, if
any, of each share or a statement that the shares are without par value, as the
case may be; shall be signed by the President or a Vice President, and the
Secretary or the Treasurer or any other person properly authorized by the Board
of Directors, and shall bear the corporate seal, which seal may be facsimile
engraved or printed. Where the certificate is signed by a transfer agent or a
registrar, the signature of any corporate officer on such certificate may be a
facsimile engraved or printed. In case any officer who has signed, or whose
facsimile signature has been placed upon, any share certificate shall have
ceased to be such officer because of death,

                                       2
<PAGE>


resignation or otherwise before the certificate is issued, such share
certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if the
officer had not ceased to be such at the date of its issue.

        Section 2.3 Duplicate certificates may be issued for those lost or
destroyed, under such terms as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

        Section 2.4 No person, firm, association, corporation or other entity,
except PMA Foundation shall at any time hold more than seven percent of the
outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation. Nothing set forth in this Section
2.4 shall limit in any respect any person's ownership of shares of Class A
Common Stock of the Corporation.

        Section 2.5 Upon surrender to the Corporation of a share certificate
duly endorsed by the person named in the certificate or by attorney duly
appointed in writing and accompanied where necessary by the proper evidence of
succession, assignment or authority to transfer, a new certificate shall be
issued to the person enticed thereto and the old certificate cancelled and the
transfer recorded on the share register of the Corporation. A transferee of
shares of the Corporation shall not be a record holder of such shares entitled
to the rights and benefits associated therewith unless and until the share
transfer has been recorded on the share transfer books of the Corporation. No
transfer shall be made if it would be inconsistent with the provisions of (i)
Article 8 of the Pennsylvania Uniform Commercial Code or (ii) Article 2 of these
Bylaws.

        Section 2.6 The Common Stock of the Corporation shall be owned by and
shall be transferable only to a person, firm, association, corporation or other
entity qualified to own Common Stock under these Bylaws.

        If any shareholders of the Corporation shall cease to be qualified to
own Common Stock under these Bylaws or if the executor or administrator of any
shareholder, or the grantee or assignee of any Common Stock sold on execution,
or for debt, or as the result of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, or if any
other person, firm, association, corporation or other entity who is not
qualified to own Common Stock under these Bylaws shall become the holder of
Common Stock, then in any such case, unless a transfer of such Common Stock
shall be made within six months to a person qualified, such holder shall be
required to offer to sell such Common Stock to PMA Foundation at a price to be
agreed upon by the holder and PMA Foundation. If the holder and PMA Foundation
are unable to agree upon a price, a committee of arbitrators shall be appointed
to appraise the fair market value of the Common Stock. The number of arbitrators
shall be three, and shall be appointed as follows: one member of the committee
shall be appointed by the Executive Committee of PMA Foundation, and one member
by the

                                       3
<PAGE>

holder of the Common Stock. The two members so appointed shall appoint a third
member of the committee. The committee shall then, by a majority agreement,
appraise the fair market value of the Common Stock. Thereafter, PMA Foundation
shall have the option to purchase such Common Stock at the fair market value as
appraised by the majority of the three appointees. If within 30 days after the
appraisal of the fair market value of the Common Stock and the presentment
thereof to PMA Foundation, PMA Foundation does not exercise its option to
purchase, then the Corporation shall have the option to purchase such Common
Stock at the appraised fair market value, and if within 30 days after the
presentment of such Common Stock to the Corporation for purchase, the
Corporation does not exercise its option to purchase, then the holder of such
Common Stock shall be deemed the qualified owner thereof until such time as the
holder transfers such Common Stock to a person, firm, association, corporation
or other entity who is qualified to own Common Stock under these Bylaws.

        It shall be the duty of any unqualified holder of Common Stock to comply
with the provisions of this Section 2.6, and no dividends shall be paid on
account of such Common Stock held by any unqualified holder after a holding
period of six months in the absence of compliance with the provisions of this
Section 2.6.

        No transfer of any interest in Common Stock of the Corporation shall be
effective for any purpose unless such transfer is made in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 2.6. Nothing set forth in this Section 2.6 shall
limit the transfer of any shares of Class A Common Stock of the Corporation.

        Section 2.7 Upon issuance of each certificate of Common Stock a receipt
shall be taken as follows:

       "Received Certificate No. ___, subject to the conditions and restrictions
       therein referred to and to the Bylaws of this Corporation to which the
       undersigned agrees to conform. This agreement shall be binding upon the
       heirs, executors, administrators and assigns of the undersigned."

        Section 2.8. All certificates of Common Stock, in addition to the usual
and necessary matters, shill contain the following printed thereon:

       "The ownership and transfer of Common Stock in this Corporation is
       limited by the Bylaws printed on the back of this certificate."

                                       4

<PAGE>

        Upon the back of each certificate of Common Stock shall be printed
Sections 2.1, 2.4 and 2.6 of Article 2 of these Bylaws.

                                   ARTICLE 3

                             Shareholders Meetings

        Section 3.1 All meetings of the shareholders shall be held at such time
and place, within or without the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as may be
determined from time to time by the Board of Directors and need not be held at
the registered office of the Corporation.

        Section 3.2 An annual meeting of the shareholders for the election of
directors and the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought
before the meeting shall be held in each calendar year at such time and place as
may be determined by the Board of Directors.

        Section 3.3 Special meetings of the shareholders may be called at any
time by (i) the Chairman or President, (ii) the Board of Directors or (iii)
shareholders entitled to cast at least one-fifth of the votes that all
shareholders are entitled to cast at the particular meeting. The request of any
person who has called a special meeting of shareholders shall be addressed to
the Secretary of the Corporation, shall be signed by the persons making the
request and shall state the purpose or purposes of the meeting. Upon receipt of
any such request it shall be the duty of the Secretary to fix the time and
provide written notice of the special meeting of shareholders, which shall be
held not more than 60 days after the receipt of the request. If the Secretary
shall neglect or refuse to fix the time or provide written notice of the special
meeting, the person or persons making the request may fix the time and provide
written notice of the special meeting.

        Section 3.4 Written notice of each meeting other than an adjourned
meeting of shareholders, stating the place and time, and, in the case of a
special meeting of shareholders, the general nature of the business to be
transacted, shall be provided to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at
the meeting at such address as appears on the books of the Corporation. Except
as otherwise required by Article 22 hereof, such notice shall be given, in
accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of these Bylaws, at least (i) ten
days prior to the day named for a meeting to consider a fundamental change under
Chapter 19 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988 (the "BCL") or
(ii) five days prior to the day named for the meeting in any other case.

                                       5

<PAGE>

        Section 3.5 Whenever the Corporation has been unable to communicate with
a shareholder for more than 24 consecutive months because communications to the
shareholder are returned unclaimed or the shareholder has otherwise failed to
provide the Corporation with a current address, the giving of notice to such
shareholder pursuant to Section 3.4 of these Bylaws shall not be required. Any
action or meeting that is taken or held without notice or communication to that
shareholder shall have the same validity as if the notice or communication had
been duly given. Whenever a shareholder provides the Corporation with a current
address this Section 3.5 shall cease to be applicable to such shareholder. The
Corporation shall not be required to give notice to any shareholder pursuant to
Section 3.4 hereof if and for as long as communication with such shareholder is
unlawful.

        Section 3.6 The Board of Directors may provide by resolution with
respect to a specific meeting or with respect to a class of meetings that one or
more shareholders may participate in such meeting or meetings of shareholders by
means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of
which all persons participating in the meeting can hear one another.
Participation in the meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person
at the meeting. Any notice otherwise required to be given in connection with any
meeting at which participation by conference telephone or other communications
equipment is permitted shall so specify.

                                   ARTICLE 4

                             Quorum of Shareholders

        Section 4.1 A meeting of shareholders duly called shall not be organized
for the transaction of business unless a quorum is present.

        Section 4.2 The holders of a majority of the outstanding voting power of
the shares of stock of the Corporation, appearing either in person or by proxy,
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any annual or
special meeting of the shareholders.

        Section 4.3 The shareholders present at a duly organized meeting can
continue to do business until adjournment notwithstanding the withdrawal of
enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum.

                                       6
<PAGE>

        Section 4.4 If a meeting of shareholders cannot be organized because a
quorum is not present, those present in person or by proxy, may, except as
otherwise provided by statute, adjourn the meeting to such time and place as
they may determine, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting,
until the requisite number of shareholders for a quorum shall be present in
person or by proxy.

        Section 4.5 Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and
4.4 of these Bylaws:

          (1) Any meeting at which directors are to be elected may be adjourned
     only from day to day, or for such longer periods not exceeding 15 days each
     as the shareholders present and entitled to vote shall direct.

          (2) Those shareholders entitled to vote who attend a meeting called
     for election of directors that has been previously adjourned for lack of a
     quorum, although less than a quorum as fixed in these Bylaws, shall
     nevertheless constitute a quorum for the purpose of electing directors.

          (3) Those shareholders entitled to vote who attend a meeting that has
     been previously adjourned for one or more periods aggregating at least 15
     days because of an absence of a quorum, although less than a quorum as
     fixed in these Bylaws, shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the
     purpose of acting upon any matter set forth in the notice of the meeting if
     the notice states that those shareholders who attend the adjourned meeting
     shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the purpose of acting upon the
     matter.

     Section 4.6 Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Articles of
Incorporation or these Bylaws, at any duly organized meeting of shareholders the
vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast shall decide any question
brought before such meeting.

                                   ARTICLE 5

                                    Proxies

     Section 5.1 Every shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of
shareholders, or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting, may authorize another person or persons to act for him by
proxy. Every proxy shall be executed in writing by the shareholder or his duly
authorized attorney-in-fact and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation. A
proxy, unless coupled with an interest, shall be revocable at will,
notwithstanding any other agreement or any provision in the proxy to the
contrary, but the revocation of a proxy shall not be effective until written

                                       7
<PAGE>

notice thereof has been given to the Secretary of the Corporation. An unrevoked
proxy shall not be valid after three years from the date of its execution unless
a longer time is expressly provided therein. A proxy shall not be revoked by the
death or incapacity of the maker, unless before the vote is counted or the
authority is exercised, written notice of such death or incapacity is given to
the Secretary of the Corporation.

        Section 5.2 Where two or more proxies of a shareholder are present, the
Corporation shall, unless otherwise expressly provided in the proxy, accept as
the vote of all shares represented thereby the vote cast by a majority of them
and, if a majority of the proxies cannot agree whether the shares represented
shall be voted or upon the manner of voting the shares, the voting of the shares
shall be divided equally among those persons.

                                   ARTICLE 6

                                  Record Date

        Section 6.1 The Board of Directors may fix a time prior to the date of
any meeting of shareholders as a record date for the determination of the
shareholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, the meeting, which time,
except in the case of an adjourned meeting, shall not be more than 90 days prior
to the date of the meeting of shareholders. Only shareholders of record on the
date so fixed shall be entitled to notice of, or to vote at, such meeting,
notwithstanding any transfer of shares on the books of the Corporation after any
record date fixed as aforesaid. The Board of Directors may similarly fix a
record rate for the determination of shareholders of record for any other
purpose, such as the payment of a distribution or conversion or exchange of
shares.

                                   ARTICLE 7

                             Record of Shareholders

        Section 7.1 The Treasurer shall have charge of the share transfer books
of the Corporation and shall maintain an alphabetical record of the shareholders
with their addresses and the number of shares held by each.

                                       8

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE 8

                               Judges of Election

        Section 8.1 Prior to any meeting of shareholders, the Board of Directors
may appoint judges of election, who may but need not be shareholders, to act at
such meeting or any adjournment thereof. If judges of election are not so
appointed, the presiding officer of any such meeting may, ant on the request of
any shareholder or his proxy shall, make such appointment at the meeting. The
number of judges shall be one or three. No person who is a candidate for an
office to be filled at the meeting shall act as a judge of election.

        Section 8.2 In case any person appointed as a judge of election fails to
appear or fails or refuses to act, the vacancy so created may be filled by
appointment made by the Board of Directors in advance of the convening of the
meeting or at the meeting by the presiding officer thereof.

        Section 8.3 The judges of election shall determine the number of shares
outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting,
the existence of a quorum and the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies.
The judges of election shall also receive votes or ballots, hear and determine
all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to
vote, count and tabulate all votes, determine the result and do such other acts
as may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all
shareholders. The judges of election shall perform their duties impartially, in
good faith, to the best of their ability and as expeditiously as practicable. If
there are three judges of election, the decision, act or certificate of a
majority shall be the decision, act or certificate of all.

        Section 8.4 On request of the presiding officer of the meeting or of any
shareholder, the judges of election shall make a report in writing of any
challenge, question or matter determined by then and execute a certificate of
any fact found by them. Any report or certificate made by them shall be prima
facie evidence of the facts found by them.

                                       9

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE 9

                   Consent of Shareholders in Lieu of Meeting

     Section 9.1 Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of
the shareholders may be taken without a meeting if, prior or subsequent to the
action, a written consent or consents thereto signed by all of the shareholders
who would be entitled to vote at a meeting for such purpose shall be filed with
the Secretary of the Corporation.

     Section 9.2 Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of
the shareholders or of a class of shareholders may be taken without a meeting
upon the written consent of shareholders who would have been entitled to cast
the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize the action at a
meeting at which all the shareholders entitled to vote thereon were present and
voting. The consents shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation. If a
written consent or consents are signed by fewer than all of the shareholders who
would be entitled to vote at a meeting for such purpose, the action shall not
become effective until ten days after written notice of the action has been
given to each shareholder entitled to vote thereon who has not consented
thereto.

                                   ARTICLE 10

                                   Directors

     Section 10.1 The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed
under the direction of a Board of Directors of not less than 12 or more than 24
directors. The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, and
directors of each class shall be elected for a term of three years and until
their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death,
resignation or removal. A decrease in the number of directors shall not have the
effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. Prior to each election
of a class of directors the Board of Directors shall fix the size of that class
of directors at a minimum of four and a maximum of eight directors. The Board of
Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful
acts and things as are required or permitted to be exercised and done by
statute, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

     Section 10.2 In all elections of directors, each shareholder, or his proxy,
shall be entitled to the number of votes to which the shares of stock owned by
him are entitled to cast under the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation
and may cumulate his votes as provided in the Articles of Incorporation. All
elections shall be by ballot.


                                       10

<PAGE>


     Section 10.3 Every director shall be a shareholder in the Corporation. When
first elected to the Board of Directors, each director shall be regularly
engaged in a business, trade, or profession and shall be a resident of a
jurisdiction in which the Corporation is transacting business. No person shall
be elected a director who is or becomes 70 years of age prior to or during his
first term in office as a director. No person shall be considered as a
candidate, nor shall any votes be counted for any person, unless written notice
of the nomination of the candidacy shall have been filed with the Secretary of
the Corporation for the information of the shareholders not less than 60 days
prior to the election; provided, however, that nominees selected by the then
existing Board of Directors, or by a Nominating Committee appointed by the Board
of Directors and consisting of four directors continuing in office, may be
condidates and voted for without such notice.

     Section 10.4 A meeting of the Board of Directors may be held immediately
following the annual meeting of shareholders at which directors have been
elected without the necessity of notice to the directors. At the first regular
meeting of the Board of Directors after each annual meeting of shareholders, the
Board of Directors shall elect a Chairman of the Board of Directors, a
President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers as the Board of
Directors shall determine. The President and Secretary shall be natural persons
of full age. The Treasurer may be a corporation, but if a natural person shall
be of full age. The Chairman of the Board of Directors and the President shall
be, and each other officer may be, a director of the Corporation. The offices of
Secretary and Treasurer may be filled by one person.

     Section 10.5 Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at
least four times each year at times and places within or without the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania designated by the Board of Directors. One or more
directors may participate in any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any
committee thereof, by means of a conference telephone or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
one another. Participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence
in person at the meeting.

     Section 10.6 A special meeting of the Board of Directors may be called at
any time by the Chairman of the Board on 24 hours' notice to each director,
either by telephone, or if in writing, in accordance with Article 21 of these
Bylaws and shall be called by him or, in his absence, by the Secretary, upon the
written request of three members of the Board of Directors. Such special meeting
of the Board of Directors shall be held at a time and place designated by the
Chairman of the Board, or, in his absence, the Secretary.


                                       11

<PAGE>

        Section 10.7 A majority of the directors then in office shall constitute
a quorum at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, and the
acts of a majority of the directors present and voting at a meeting at which a
quorum is present shall be the acts of the Board of Directors, except as may be
otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation
or by these Bylaws.

                                   ARTICLE 11

                              Removal of Directors

        Section 11.1 Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation,
or in Article 11, Section 11.3 of these Bylaws the entire Board of Directors, or
any class of the Board of Directors or any individual director, may be removed
from office by vote of the shareholders entitled to vote thereon only for cause.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an individual director shall not be removed
(unless the entire Board of Directors or class of Directors is removed) from the
Board of Directors if sufficient votes are cast against the resolution for such
director's removal which, if cumulatively voted at an annual or other regular
election of directors, would be sufficient to elect one or more directors to the
Board of Directors or a class thereof. If any directors are so removed, new
directors may be elected at the same meeting.

        Section 11.2 The Board of Directors may declare vacant the office of a
director who has been judicially declared of unsound mind or who has been
convicted of an offense punishable by imprisonment for a term of more than one
year.

        Section 11.3 The Board of Directors may be removed at any time with or
without cause by the unanimous consent of shareholders entitled to vote thereon.

                                   ARTICLE 12

                      Vacancies in the Board of Directors

        Section 12.1 Vacancies in the Board of Directors occurring for any
reason, including vacancies resulting from an increase in the number of
directors, shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the
Board of Directors, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director,
and each person so elected shall be a director to serve for the balance of the
unexpired term and until his successor has been elected and qualified or until
his earlier death, resignation or removal.

                                       12
<PAGE>

        Section 12.2 When one or more directors resign from the Board of
Directors effective at a future date, the directors then in office, including
those who have so resigned, shall have the power by a majority vote to fill the
vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when the resignations become
effective.

                                   ARTICLE 13

                           Action by Written Consent

        Section 13.1 Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting
of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if, prior or subsequent
to the action, a consent or consents thereto signed by all of the directors is
filed with the Secretary of the Corporation.

                                   ARTICLE 14

                           Compensation of Directors

        Section 14.1 Directors, as such, may receive a stated salary for their
services or a fixed sum and expenses for attendance at regular and special
meetings, or any combination of the foregoing as may be determined from time to
time by resolution of the Board of Directors, and nothing contained herein shall
be construed to preclude any director from receiving compensation for services
rendered to the Corporation in any other capacity.

                                   ARTICLE 15

                                   Committees

        Section 15.1 The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a
majority of the directors in office, establish one or more committees consisting
of one or more directors as may be deemed appropriate or desirable by the Board
of Directors to serve at the pleasure of the Board. Any committee, to the extent
provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors pursuant to which it was
created, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the
Board of Directors, except that no committee shall have any power or authority
as to the following:


                                       13
<PAGE>

     (1) The submission to shareholders of any action requiring approval of
         shareholders;

     (2) The creation or filling of vacancies in the Board of Directors;

     (3) The adoption, amendment or repeal of these Bylaws;

     (4) The amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board of Directors
         that by its terms is amendable or repealable only by the Board of
         Directors; and

     (5) Action on matters committed by the Bylaws or resolution of the Board of
         Directors to another committee of the Board of Directors.

        Section 15.2 At the first meeting following each annual meeting of
shareholders, the Board of Directors shall elect an Executive Committee of not
less than four (4) directors and not more than six (6) directors, a Finance
Committee of not less than four (4) directors and not more than six (6)
directors and an Audit Committee of three (3) directors. These committees shall
meet at the call of the Chairman of the Board. A majority of the elected and ex
officio members of the committees shall constitute a quorum.

        Section 15.3 The Executive Committee shall have supervision of all
business of the Corporation and shall have the authority in between the time of
regular meetings of the Board of Directors as specified in Article 10, Section
10.5 hereof, to exercise all powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful
acts and things as are required or permitted to be exercised and done by
statute, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws. The Executive Committee
shall have the power to create offices and titles as deemed desirable or
advisable. The holders of such offices need not be directors of the Corporation.

        Section 15.4 The Finance Committee shall make all loans and investments
of the funds of the Corporation under such directions as the Board of Directors
may prescribe.

        Section 15.5 The Audit Committee shall review the annual audit of the
Corporation's books and shall have such other duties as the Board of Directors
may prescribe.

                                   ARTICLE 16

                             Liability of Directors

        Section 16.1 A director of the Corporation shall stand in a fiduciary
relation to the Corporation and shall perform his duties as a director,
including his duties as a member of any committee of the Board of Directors upon
which he may serve, in good faith, in a

                                       14
<PAGE>

manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the Corporation,
and with such care, including reasonable inquiry, skill and diligence, as a
person of ordinary prudence would use under similar circumstances. In performing
his duties, a director shall be entitled to rely in good faith on information,
opinions, reports or statements, including financial statements and other
financial data, in each case prepared or presented by any of the following: (i)
one or more officers or employees of the Corporation whom the director
reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented; (ii)
lead counsel, public accountants or other persons as to matters which the
director reasonably believes to be within the professional or expert competence
of such persons; or (iii) a committee of the Board of Directors upon which he
does not serve, duly designated in accordance with law, as to matters within its
designated authority, which committee the director reasonably believes to merit
confidence. A director shall not be considered to be acting in good faith if he
has knowledge concerning the matter in question that would cause his reliance to
be unwarranted.

        Section 16.2 In discharging the duties of their respective positions,
the Board of Directors, committees of the Board of Directors and individual
directors may, in considering the best interests of the Corporation, consider
the effects of any action upon employees, upon suppliers and customers of the
Corporation and upon communities in which offices or other establishments of the
Corporation are located, and all other pertinent factors. The consideration of
these factors shall not constitute a violation of Section 16.1 of this Article
16.

        Section 16.3 Absent breach of fiduciary duty, lack of good faith or
self-dealing, actions taken as a director or any failure to take any action
shall be presumed to be in the best interests of the Corporation.

        Section 16.4 A director of the Corporation shall not be personally
liable for monetary damages as such for any action taken, or any failure to take
any action, unless: (i) the director has breached or failed to perform the
duties of his office under Sections 16.1 through 16.3 of this Article 16; and
(ii) the breach or failure to perform constitutes self-dealing, willful
misconduct or recklessness.

        Section 16.5 The provisions of Section 16.4 of this Article 16 shall not
apply to: (i) the responsibility or liability of a director pursuant to any
criminal statute; or (ii) the liability of a director for the payment of taxes
pursuant to local, state or federal law.

        Section 16.6 Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Bylaws, the
approval by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
voting power of the shares of stock of the Corporation shall be required to
amend, repeal or adopt any provision as part of these Bylaws that is
inconsistent with the purpose or intent of

                                       15
<PAGE>

Sections 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5 or 16.6 of this Article 16, and, if any
such action shall be taken, it shall become effective only on a prospective
basis from and after the date of such shareholder approval. The provisions of
Section 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4 and 16.5 were originally adopted by the
shareholders of the Corporation on April 27, 1987.

                                   ARTICLE 17

                                    Officers

        Section 17.1 The Corporation shall have a Chairman of the Board, a
President, a Secretary and a Treasurer or persons who shall act as such,
regardless of the name or title by which they may be designated, elected or
appointed and may have such other officers and assistant officers as the Board
of Directors may authorize from time to time. The Chairman of the Board or the
President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, as the Board
of Directors may determine from time to time. Each officer shall hold office at
the pleasure of the Board of Directors and until his successor has been elected
and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. Any officer
may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. The resignation
shall be effective upon receipt thereof by the Corporation or at such subsequent
time as may be specified in the notice of resignation.

        Section 17.2 Except as otherwise provided in the Articles of
Incorporation, an officer shall perform his duties as an officer in good faith,
in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the
Corporation and with such care, including reasonable inquiry, skill and
diligence, as a person of ordinary prudence would use under similar
circumstances. A person who so performs his duties shall not be liable by reason
of having been an officer of the Corporation.

        Section 17.3 Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed by
the Board of Directors with or without cause by a vote of not less than
two-thirds of the whole Board. The removal shall be without prejudice to the
contract rights, if any, of any person so removed. Election or appointment of an
officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights. If the office of
any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the
Board of Directors.

                                       16
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE 18

                              Duties of Officers

        Section 18.1 The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of
the Board of Directors and at all meetings of the shareholders, appoint all
committees not otherwise provided for in the Bylaws and shall be ex officio a
member of all committees.

        Section 18.2 In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the President
shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and at all meetings of
the shareholders. Except as otherwise provided herein, the President shall have
general supervision and control of all the employees of the Corporation; shall
be responsible for the general and active management of the business of the
Corporation; shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors
are put into effect, subject, however, to the right of the Board of Directors to
delegate any specific powers, except such as may be by statute exclusively
conferred on the President or on any other officer or officers of the
Corporation; shall have the authority to execute bonds, mortgages and other
contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the Corporation, except where
required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except
where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the
Board of Directors to some other office or agent of the Corporation; and shall
be ex officio a member of all committees.

        Section 18.3 In the absence of the President, the Executive Vice
President, if any, shall assume the duties of the President. The Executive Vice
President, if any, shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the
Corporation's chief executive officer, the Board of Directors or the Executive
Committee of the Board of Directors.

        Section 18.4 The Vice Presidents shall perform such duties as may be
designated from time to time by the Corporation's chief executive officer, the
Board of Directors or the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.

        Section 18.5 The Secretary shall act under the direction and
superintendence of the Corporation's chief executive officer; attend all the
meetings of shareholders, directors and committees, and keep in suitable books
the minutes thereof; superintend the keeping and have charge of the seal, books,
papers and records pertaining to his office, sign such document and shall
require his attention, issue notices for all meetings; make or superintend the
making of monthly and annual statements to the Board of Directors. which shall
fully show the current business and condition of the Corporation and perform
generally all the duties incident to the office of Secretary.

                                       17
<PAGE>

        Section 18.6 The Treasurer or his designee shall receive and take care
of all moneys, securities and evidences of indebtedness belonging to the
Corporation; maintain day by day records of his transactions and deposit the
daily receipts in a General Account in the name of the Corporation in such bank
or banks or such depositories as the Board of Directors or the Executive
Committee may direct. All checks or other orders on such banks or depositories
for the payment or transfer of money shall be signed by the Treasurer or his
designee and by another officer of the Corporation.

        In addition to the aforesaid General Account, the Treasurer or his
designee shall maintain Special Accounts as the Board of Directors or the
Executive Committee may from time to time create in banks for current payments;
such deposits shall be made in the name of the Corporation and shall be
replenished from the General Account as may be necessary to maintain working
balances in such Special Accounts. All checks or drafts drawn against such
Special Accounts shall be signed by such officer or officers or employees as may
from time to time be authorized by the Board of Directors or the Executive
Committee of the Board of Directors.

        Section 18.7 The Assistant Secretary shall, in the absence of the
Secretary, perform the duties of the Secretary and such other duties as may be
assigned to him by the Secretary.

        Section 18.8 The Assistant Treasurer shall, in the absence of the
Treasurer, perform the duties of the Treasurer and such other duties as may be
assigned to him by the Treasurer.

        Section 18.9 All officers and employees shall give bond for the faithful
performance of their duties in such amount as is required by the Board of
Directors or the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.

                                   ARTICLE 19

         Indemnification of Officers, Directors. Employees, and Agents

        Section 19.1 The Corporation shall indemnify any director or officer,
and may indemnify any other employee or agent, who was or is a party to, or is
threatened to be made a party to or who is called as a witness in connection
with, any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including an action by or in
the right of the Corporation by reason of the fact that he is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or

                                       18

<PAGE>

was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee
or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
with such action, suit or proceeding unless the act or failure to act giving
rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by a court to have
constituted willful misconduct or recklessness.

        Section 19.2 The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided
by, or granted pursuant to, this Article 19 shall not be deemed exclusive of any
other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses
may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement, contract, vote of shareholders or
disinterested directors or pursuant to the direction, howsoever embodied, of any
court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise, both as to action in their
official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such
office. It is the policy of the Corporation that indemnification of, and
advancement of expenses to, directors and officers of the Corporation shall be
made to the fullest extent permitted by law. To this end, the provisions of this
Article 19 shall be deemed to have been amended for the benefit of directors and
officers of the Corporation effective immediately upon any modification of the
BCL or the Directors' Liability Act of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (the
"DLA") which expands or enlarges the power or obligation of corporations
organized under the BCL or subject to the DLA to indemnify, or advance expenses
to, directors and officers of corporations.

        Section 19.3 The Corporation shall pay expenses incurred by an officer
or director, and may pay expenses incurred by any other employee or agent, in
defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding in advance of the final
disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by
or on behalf of such person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be
determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation.

        Section 19.4 The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided
by, or granted pursuant to, this Article 19 shall, unless otherwise provided
when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a
director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the
heirs, executors and administrators of such person.

        Section 19.5 The Corporation shall have the authority to create a fund
of any nature, which may, but need not, be under the control of an independent
trustee, or otherwise secure or insure in any manner, its indemnification
obligations, whether arising under these Bylaws or otherwise. The authority
shall include, without limitation, the authority to: (i) deposit funds in trust
or in escrow, (ii) establish any form of self-insurance, (iii) secure its
indemnity obligation by grant of a security interest, mortgage or

                                       19

<PAGE>


other lien on the assets of the Corporation or (iv) establish a letter of
credit, guaranty or surety arrangement for the benefit of such persons in
connection with the anticipated indemnification or advancement of expenses
contemplated by this Article 19. The provisions of this Article 19 shall not be
deemed to preclude the indemnification of, or advancement of expenses to, any
person who is not specified in Section 19.1 of this Article 19 but whom the
Corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify, or to advance expenses
for, under the provisions of the BCL or the DLA or otherwise. The authority
granted by this Section 19.5 shall be exercised by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation.

        Section 19.6 The Corporation shall have the authority to enter into a
separate indemnification agreement with any officer, director, employee or agent
of the Corporation or any subsidiary providing for such indemnification of such
person as the Board of Directors shall determine up to the fullest extent
permitted by law.

        Section 19.7 As soon as practicable after receipt by any person
specified in Section 19.1 of this Article 19 of notice of the commencement of
any action, suit or proceeding specified in Section 19.1 of this Article 19,
such person shall, if a claim with respect thereto may be made against the
Corporation under Article 19 of these Bylaws, notify the Corporation in writing
of the commencement or threat thereof; however, the omission so to notify the
Corporation shall not relieve the Corporation for any liability under Article 19
of the Bylaws unless the Corporation shall have been prejudiced thereby or from
any other liability which it may have to such person other than under Article 19
of these Bylaws. With respect to any such action as to which such person
notifies the Corporation of the commencement or threat thereof, the Corporation
may participate therein at its own expense, and except as otherwise provided
below, to the extent that it desires, the Corporation jointly with any other
indemnifying party similarly notified, shall be entitled to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel selected by the Corporation to the reasonable satisfaction
of such person. After notice from the Corporation to such person of its election
to assume the defense thereof, the Corporation shall not be liable to such
person under Article 19 of these Bylaws for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such person in connection with the defense thereof
other than as otherwise provided below. Such person shall have the right to
employ his own legal counsel in such action, but the fees and expenses of such
legal counsel incurred after notice from the Corporation of its assumption of
the defense thereof shall be at the expense of such person unless: (i) the
employment of legal counsel by such person shall have been authorized by the
Corporation; (ii) such person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be
a conflict of interest between the Corporation and such person in the conduct of
the defense of such proceeding; or (iii) the Corporation shall not in fact have
employed legal counsel to assume the defense of such action. The Corporation
shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any proceeding brought by or on
behalf of the Corporation or as

                                       20

<PAGE>

to which such person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a
conflict of interest. If indemnification under Article 19 of these Bylaws or
advancement of expenses are not paid or made by the Corporation, or on its
behalf, within 90 days after a written claim for indemnification or a request
for an advancement of expenses has been received by the Corporation, such person
may, at any time thereafter, bring suit against the Corporation to recover the
unpaid amount of the claim or the advancement of expenses. The right to
indemnification and advancement of expenses provided hereunder shall be
enforceable by such person in any court of competent jurisdiction. The burden of
proving that indemnification is not appropriate shall be on the Corporation.
Expenses reasonably incurred by such person in connection with successfully
establishing the right to indemnification or advancement of expenses, in whole
or in part, shall also be indemnified by the Corporation.

        Section 19.8 The Corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against
him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as
such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him
against such liability under the provisions of this Article 19.

        Section 19.9 Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Bylaws, the
approval by (i) the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding voting power of the shares of stock of the Corporation or (ii) a
majority vote of the members of the Board of Directors shall be required to
amend, repeal or adopt any provision as part of these Bylaws which is
inconsistent with the purpose or intent of this Article 19, and, if any such
action shall be taken, it shall become effective only on a prospective basis
from and after the date of such approval. The provisions of Sections 19.1, 19.2,
19.3, 19.4, 19.5, 19.6, 19.7 and 19.8 were originally adopted by the
shareholders of the Corporation on April 27, 1987.

                                   ARTICLE 20

                                  Fiscal Year

        Section 20.1 The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by
the Board of Directors.

                                       21
<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE 21

               Manner of Giving Written Notice; Waivers of Notice

        Section 21.1 Whenever written notice is required to be given to any
person under the provisions of these Bylaws, it may be given to the person
either personally or by sending a copy thereof by first class or express mail,
postage prepaid, or by telegram (with messenger service specified), telex or TWX
(with answer back received) or courier service, charges prepaid, or by
telecopier, to his address (or to his telex, TWX, telecopier or telephone
number) appearing on the books of the Corporation or, in the case of written
notice to directors, supplied by each director to the Corporation for the
purpose of the notice. If the notice is sent by mail, telegraph or courier
service, it shall be deemed to have been given to the person entitled thereto
when deposited in the United States mail or with a telegraph office or courier
service for delivery to that person or, in the case of telex or TWX, when
dispatched.

        Section 21.2 Any written notice required to be given to any person under
the provisions of statute, the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation or these
Bylaws may be waived in a writing signed by the person entitled to such notice
whether before or after the time stated therein. Except as otherwise required by
statute, and except in the case of a special meeting, neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, a meeting need be specified in the waiver of
notice. In the case of a special meeting of shareholders, the waiver of notice
shall specify the general nature of the business to be transacted. Attendance of
any person, whether in person or by proxy, at any meeting shall constitute a
waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a person attends a meeting for
the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the
transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or
convened.

                                   ARTICLE 22

                                   Amendments

        Section 22.1 Neither this Section 22.1 nor Article 2 of these Bylaws may
be altered, amended or repealed unless approved by the affirmative vote of the
holders of two-thirds of the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation, voting
as a separate class, at any annual meeting of shareholders or at a special
meeting of shareholders called for that purpose, provided that 30 days' notice
of the proposed amendments shall have been mailed to the last recorded address
of each shareholder as furnished to the Corporation, and that the same shall
have been submitted to the Board of Directors at least 30 days prior to such
meeting.

                                       22
<PAGE>


        Section 22.2 Neither this Section 22.2 nor Article 16 of these Bylaws
may be altered, amended or repealed unless approved by the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting power of the shares of stock
of the Corporation at a duly organized meeting of shareholders called for that
purpose, provided that 30 days' notice of the proposed amendments shall have
been mailed to the last recorded address of each shareholder as furnished to the
Corporation, and that the same shall have been submitted to the Board of
Directors at least 30 days prior to such meeting.

        Section 22.3 Neither this Section 22.3 nor Article 19 of these Bylaws
may be altered, amended or repealed unless approved by: (i) the affirmative vote
of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting power of the shares of
stock of the Corporation at a duly organized meeting called for that purpose,
provided that 30 days' notice of the proposed amendments shall have been mailed
to the last recorded address of each shareholder as furnished to the
Corporation, and that the same shall have been submitted to the Board of
Directors at least 30 days prior to such meeting, or (ii) a majority vote of the
members of the Board of Directors at any regular meeting or any special meeting
duly convened after notice to the directors of that purpose, subject to the
power of the shareholders to change such action by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding voting power of the shares of stock of
the Corporation at any duly organized meeting called for that purpose.

        Section 22.4 All provisions of these Bylaws other than Articles 2, 16
and 19 and Sections 22.1, 22.2 and 22.3 may be altered, amended or repealed: (i)
by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
power of the shares of stock of the Corporation at a duly organized meeting
called for that purpose, or (ii) by a majority vote of the members of the Board
of Directors at any regular meeting or any special meeting duly convened after
notice to the directors of that purpose, subject to the power of the
shareholders to change such action by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding voting power of the shares of stock of the
Corporation at any duly organized meeting called for that purpose.

                                       23
<PAGE>


                 APPENDIX TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

        Pursuant to Article 2, Section 2.1 (12) of the Bylaws, the Board of
Directors has authorized the following classes of persons to own shares of
Common Stock.

     1. Employees of the Corporation or any of its affiliates who are not
        officers of any of these entities, but whose duties require the exercise
        of executive and administrative responsibilities, shall be deemed
        qualified to own Common Stock of the Corporation. By resolution of the
        Board of Directors dated May 19, 1983 as amended by resolution of the
        Board of Directors dated February 27, 1996.

     2. A spouse of a person who owned Common Stock of record on December 8,
        1990 is qualified to own shares of the Corporation's Common Stock. By
        resolution of the Board of Directors dated December 8, 1990.

                                       24




                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.1

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the first day of April, 1995, by and between
PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION, a Pennsylvania corporation, whose
principal office is located at Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, (hereinafter "PMC") and
FREDERICK W. ANTON, III, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (hereinafter "Anton") to
set forth the terms and conditions upon which PMC shall continue to employ
Anton.

     1. The Employment Term.

     During the period beginning April 1, 1995 and ending March 31, 2000,
(hereinafter "Employment Term") PMC shall continue to employ Anton as its chief
executive officer and Anton agrees to be so employed. If, at the annual
organizational meeting of the Board of Directors of PMC held in l996 and in any
subsequent year, Anton is elected as Chairman of the Board of PMC, the
Employment Term shall be automatically extended for a further period of one year
without the need for further action by the Board of Directors or the execution
of a formal amendment to this Agreement.

     2. Duties During the Employment Term.

     During the Employment Term Anton shall serve as the chief executive officer
of PMC, and, if elected, shall serve as Chairman of the Board of PMC. Anton
shall at all times throughout the Employment Term devote his full time and his
best efforts to the business of PMC and its subsidiaries and affiliates.


                                       -1-

<PAGE>


     3. Salary During the Employment Term.

     During the Employment Term PMC shall pay Anton on a bi-weekly basis a
salary of not less than $700,000 per year. Anton's annual salary may be
increased but not decreased by PMC at any time and from time to time. In
addition, Anton shall be entitled to receive such bonus compensation, if any, as
he may be awarded from time to time by PMC.

     4. Inability to Perform.

     If for any reason during the Employment Term, Anton shall at any time or
from time to time be unable to perform the services required of him pursuant to
paragraph 2 hereof, he shall nevertheless be entitled to receive the salary
payments and other benefits provided by this Agreement until the end of the
Employment Term or until the date of his death, whichever first occurs.

     5. Expenses.

     PMC shall pay the ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by
Anton in connection with the performance of his duties on behalf of PMC.

     6. Restrictive Covenant.

     Anton shall not during the Employment Term, directly or indirectly, either
as principal, agent, stockholder, or in any other capacity, engage in or have a
material financial interest in any business which competes with the business of
PMC as then conducted.


                                       -2-

<PAGE>


     7. Death.

     If Anton shall die during the Employment Term, PMC shall in each year
thereafter for a period of 10 years pay each of Frederick W. Anton IV and Sara
Daniels Anton (individually for this Paragraph "Beneficiary" and collectively
"Beneficiaries"), the natural children of Anton, 60% of Anton's annual salary on
the date of his death payable on the first day of each calendar quarter, but if
either or both Beneficiaries shall die during the 10 year term, the amount to
which he or she would otherwise be entitled shall be paid to his or her
surviving children, if any, in equal shares; if there is no child or children of
a deceased Beneficiary, then the payments shall instead be made to the surviving
Beneficiary, and if he or she dies, then to the surviving child or children of
such surviving Beneficiary in equal shares; upon the death of both Beneficiaries
without surviving children, no further payments will be due to be paid by PMC.

     8. Retirement.

     Anton may elect to retire from full time employment by PMC at any time
after April 1, 1996, and the Employment Term shall thereupon terminate on the
date his retirement becomes effective. Beginning on the date of his retirement
and continuing throughout Anton's lifetime PMC shall pay to Anton monthly five
percent (5%) of his annual salary on the date of his retirement. If, during
Anton's retirement and prior to his death, the total payments made to Anton by
PMC pursuant to this paragraph are less than 60% of Anton's annual salary at
retirement multiplied by 15, the difference expressed in dollars shall be
divided equally between each of Frederick W. Anton IV and Sara Daniels Anton
(individually for this Paragraph "Beneficiary" and collectively
"Beneficiaries"), the natural children of Anton, and the amount so determined
shall be paid to the Beneficiaries who survive Anton one year after the


                                       -3-

<PAGE>


date of Anton's death, but if either of both Beneficiaries shall die before
Anton or within six months following the date of Anton's death, the amount to
which he or she would otherwise be entitled shall be paid to his or her
surviving children, if any, in equal shares; if there is no child or children of
a Beneficiary who died before Anton or within six months following the date of
Anton's death, then payment shall instead be made to the surviving Beneficiary,
but if he or she also dies before Anton or within six months following the date
of Anton's death, then to the surviving child or children of such surviving
Beneficiary in equal shares; upon the death of both Beneficiaries before Anton's
death or within six months following the date of Anton's death without surviving
children, no payment will be due to be paid by PMC.

     At the time of his retirement, Anton shall have the right, if he elects, to
require PMC to purchase a fully-paid annuity or its equivalent issued by an
insurance company which is then accorded A. M. Best and Company's financial
rating of 'A' or better, which annuity shall provide all necessary funds for the
retirement payments to be made pursuant to this Paragraph 8. The purchase of
such annuity shall not in any way terminate the obligation of PMC to make the
retirement payments required to be made pursuant to this Paragraph 8.

     9. Employee Benefit Plans.

     No provision of this Agreement shall in any way abrogate or impair any
rights or privileges of Anton as an employee of PMC under any qualified or
unqualified retirement, pension, profit sharing, disability life insurance,
hospitalization or other employee plan or plans which are now in effect or which
may hereafter be adopted by PMC. Any payment made by PMC pursuant to Paragraph 4
hereof or any retirement payments made pursuant to Paragraph 8 of this Agreement
shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, all benefits which Anton is or will
be entitled to receive under PMC's Pension Plan and any supplementary


                                       -4-

<PAGE>


retirement plan as well as any other qualified or unqualified benefit plan or
plans which presently are or hereafter become available to PMC employees.

     10. Provision for Life insurance.

     In accordance with the terms of Anton's Employment Agreement with PMC dated
May 1, 1991, PMC and the trustee named by Anton (the "trustee") has secured from
The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of Toronto, Canada (the "Insurer"), a
life insurance policy in the face amount of $1,000,000 on the life on Anton. In
furtherance thereof, the trustee has entered into a split-Dollar Life Insurance
Agreement with PMC (the "Split-Dollar Agreement") which requires PMC to pay the
annual premiums due on such policy throughout Anton's lifetime and which
provides for the eventual recovery by PMC of its interest in the policy, which
is as follows:

          (a) if the Policy matures as a death claim, PMC shall receive an
     amount equal to the total premiums paid by PMC during Anton's lifetime less
     an amount equal to that portion of the premiums paid by PMC during Anton's
     lifetime which conferred an economic benefit upon Anton which shall be
     determined by the use of the lesser of (i) the one-year term life insurance
     rates published by the Insurer or (ii) the uniform One-Year Term Premiums
     Table published by the U. S. Treasury Department known as the "P.S. 58
     cost"; and

          (b) if the Policy is surrendered, PMC shall receive an amount equal to
     the lesser of (i) the total cash surrender value of the Policy or (ii) the
     cumulative total of the premiums on the Policy that PMC has paid less an
     amount equal to that portion of the premiums paid by PMC during Anton's
     lifetime which conferred an economic benefit upon Anton which shall be
     determined by the use of the


                                       -5-

<PAGE>


     lesser of (A) the one-year term life insurance rates published by the
     Insurer or (B) the Uniform One-Year Term Premiums Table published by the
     U.S. Treasury Department known as the "P.S. 58 cost". 

     The trustee and PMC have entered into a Collateral Assignment Agreement
with respect to the Policy in order to secure PMC's interest in the Policy.

     The rights and undertakings of PMC and Anton in connection with the
Split-Dollar Agreement and related documentation, as originally set forth in the
Employment Agreement between PMC and Anton dated May 1, 1991, shall continue in
full force and effect.

     11. Contested Benefits.

     If, for any reason, PMC shall fail to make any payment required to be made
pursuant to this Agreement, and Anton shall be required to bring one or more
actions at law or in equity against PMC, and/or its successors and assigns, to
enforce his rights under this Agreement, Anton shall be entitled to recover from
PMC his reasonable attorney's fees and expenses incurred in connection with such
action or actions.

     12. No Third Party Rights.

     This Agreement may be amended from time to time hereafter by the joint
agreement of PMC and Anton without the consent or approval of any other person
or entity. Such amendment or amendments may, among other things, change the
persons to whom monies are to be paid or the amount to be paid to any person or
the time for the making of any payment except that no change may be made in
respect of the irrevocable trust treated under Paragraph 10 hereof. This
Agreement shall not create in any person who is not a party a vested right to
receive monies unless the terms of this Agreement shall remain in full force


                                       -6-

<PAGE>


and effect at the time when a determination is required to be made concerning a
payment or payments hereunder to a person who is not a party.

     13. Successors and Assigns of PMC.

     This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon PMC, its
successors and assigns, and shall supersede and replace the Employment Agreement
between PMC and Anton dated as of April 1, 1993, as amended by an Amendment and
Supplement dated as of April 1, 1994, except that the provisions of Paragraph 11
of the Agreement of April 1, 1993 relating to Split-Dollar Insurance shall
continue in full force and effect as provided in Paragraph 10 hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, PMC and Anton have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.


                                         PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION
ATTEST:


/s/ Robert Pratter                       By /s/ John W. Smithson
- - - -----------------------------               -----------------------------------
         SECRETARY                                    PRESIDENT


                                         /s/ Frederick W. Anton
                                         --------------------------------------
                                                  FREDERICK W. ANTON, III


                                       -7-


<PAGE>



                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.2

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the first day of May, 1995, by and between
PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION, a Pennsylvania corporation, whose
principal office is located at Blue Bell, Pennsylvania (hereinafter "PMC") and
JOHN W. SMITHSON of Newtown, Pennsylvania (hereinafter "Smithson") to set forth
the terms and conditions upon which PMC shall employ Smithson.

     1. The Employment Term.

     During the period beginning April 1, 1995 and ending March 31, 1998
(hereinafter "Employment Term") PMC shall employ Smithson as its chief operating
officer and Smithson agrees to be so employed. If, at the annual organizational
meeting of the Board of Directors of PMC held in 1996 and in any subsequent
year, Smithson is elected President of PMC, the Employment Term shall be
automatically extended for a further period of one year without the need for
further action by the Board of Directors of PMC or the execution of a formal
amendment to this Agreement.

     2. Duties During the Employment Term.

     During the Employment Term, Smithson shall serve as the chief operating
officer of PMC, and, if so elected by the Board of Directors, shall serve as
President of PMC. Smithson shall at all times throughout the Employment Term
devote his full time and his best efforts to the business of PMC and its
subsidiaries and affiliates.


<PAGE>


     3. Salary During the Employment Term.

     During the Employment Term, PMC shall pay Smithson on a bi-weekly basis a
salary of not less than $670,000 per year. Smithson's annual salary may be
increased but not decreased by PMC in its discretion at any time and from time
to time. In addition, Smithson shall be entitled to receive such bonus
compensation, if any, as he may be awarded from time to time by PMC.

     4. Inability to Perform.

     If for any reason during the Employment Term, Smithson shall at any time or
from time to time be unable to perform the services required of him pursuant to
Paragraph 2 hereof, he shall nevertheless be entitled to receive the salary
payments and other benefits provided by this Agreement until the end of the
Employment Term or until the date of his death, whichever first occurs.

     5. Total Disability.

     If Smithson becomes totally disabled during the Employment Term, commencing
upon the expiration of the Employment Term and for a period of 180 months
thereafter, or until the termination of his total disability or the date of his
death, whichever first occurs (the "Disability Period"), PMC shall pay to
Smithson on a monthly basis an amount equal to 25% of Smithson's monthly salary
as of the date such total disability commenced without reduction for any amounts
that may be paid to Smithson pursuant to any disability or other insured benefit
program or programs in effect for executives of PMC at the time such total
disability commenced. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "totally
disabled" shall mean a mental


                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>



or physical condition which in the reasonable opinion of the Board of Directors
of PMC renders Smithson unable or incompetent to carry out the job
responsibilities he held at the time the disability was incurred.

     6. Death.

     If Smithson shall die at any time during the Employment Term or during the
Disability Period described in Paragraph 5 hereof, PMC shall each month
thereafter for 180 consecutive months, reduced by the number of months during
the Disability Period in which Smithson received salary payments in accordance
with Paragraph 5 hereof, pay an amount equal to 25% of Smithson's monthly salary
as of the date of his death to:

          (a) Smithson's spouse at the time of his death if she survives him and
     for as long as she survives him, but if Smithson shall die leaving no
     surviving spouse or if Smithson's surviving spouse shall die during the
     aforesaid 180 month period, as reduced, then to

          (b) Smithson's surviving natural or adopted children in equal shares.
     Upon the death of Smithson's surviving spouse and any surviving natural or
     adopted children, PMC shall have no further obligation to make any payments
     pursuant to this Paragraph.

     7. Expenses.

     PMC shall pay the ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by
Smithson in connection with the performance of his duties on behalf of PMC.


                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>


     8. Restrictive Covenant.

     Smithson shall not during the Employment Term, directly or indirectly,
either as a principal, agent, employee, director, officer or in any other
capacity, engage in or have a material financial interest in any business which
competes with the business of PMC or any of its affiliates as then conducted.

     9. Employee Benefit Plans.

     No provision of this Agreement shall in any way abrogate or impair any
rights or privileges of Smithson as an employee of PMC under any qualified or
unqualified retirement, pension, profit sharing, disability, life insurance,
hospitalization or other employee plan or plans which are now in effect or which
may hereafter be adopted by PMC.

     10. Provision for Life Insurance.

     In accordance with Smithson's Employment Agreement with PMA Reinsurance
Corporation ("PMA Re"), a wholly owned subsidiary of PMC, dated April 1, 1992,
PMA Re and the trustee named by Smithson (the "trustee") has secured from The
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (the "Insurer"), a life insurance policy in
the face amount of $1,000,000 on the life of Smithson. In furtherance thereof,
the trustee has entered into a split-Dollar Life insurance Agreement with PMA Re
(the "Split-Dollar Agreement") which requires PMA Re to pay the annual premiums
due on such policy through Smithson's lifetime and which provides for the
eventual recovery by PMA Re of its interest in the policy, which is as follows:

          (a) if the Policy matures as a death claim, PMA Re shall receive an
     amount equal to the total premiums paid by PMA Re during Smithson's
     lifetime


                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>


     less an amount equal to that portion of the premiums paid by PMA Re during
     Smithson's lifetime which conferred an economic benefit upon Smithson which
     shall be determined by the use of the lesser of (i) the one-year term life
     insurance rates published by the Insurer or (ii) the uniform One-Year Term
     Premiums Table published by the U.S. Treasury Department known as the "P.S.
     58 cost"; and

          (b) if the Policy is surrendered, PMA Re shall receive an amount equal
     to the lesser of (i) the total cash surrender value of the Policy or (ii)
     the cumulative total of the premiums on the Policy that PMA RE has paid
     less an amount equal to that portion of the premiums paid by PMA Re during
     Smithson's lifetime which conferred an economic benefit upon Smithson which
     shall be determined by the use of the lesser of (A) the one-year term life
     insurance rates published by the Insurer or (B) the Uniform One-Year Term
     Premiums Table published by the U.S. Treasury Department known as the "P.S.
     58 cost".

     The trustee and PMA Re have entered into a Collateral Assignment Agreement
with respect to the Policy in order to secure PMA Re's interest in the Policy.

     The rights and undertakings of PMA Re and Smithson in connection with the
Split-Dollar Agreement and related documentation, as originally set forth in the
Employment Agreement between PMA Re and Smithson dated April 1, 1992, shall
continue in full force and effect, but, as soon as may be practicable, PMC shall
be substituted for PMA Re and shall assume its obligations and become entitled
to PMA Re's rights in connection with the Split-Dollar Agreement and the
Collateral Assignment Agreement.


                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>


     11. Successors and Assigns; Replacement of Prior Agreement.

     This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns, and shall supersede and
replace the Employment Agreement between PMA Re and Smithson dated as of April
1, 1993, as amended by an Amendment and Supplement dated as of April 1, 1994,
which Agreement and the Amendment thereto shall have no further force or effect.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, PMC and Smithson have executed this Agreement the day
and year first above written, and PMA Re has approved the provisions of
Paragraph 10 which apply to it.

                                         PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION
ATTEST:
/s/ Robert Pratter                       By /s/ Frederick W. Anton
- - - -----------------------------               -----------------------------------
Secretary                                   Chairman of the Board of Directors

                                         /s/ John W. Smithson
                                         --------------------------------------
                                                     JOHN W. SMITHSON


APPROVED AS TO PARAGRAPH 10:

PMA REINSURANCE CORPORATION


By: /s/ John W. Smithson
    --------------------------


                                      - 6 -


<PAGE>



                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.3

                                     THE PMC

                            EDC PLAN TRUST AGREEMENT
                            ------------------------


<PAGE>


                                     THE PMC

                            EDC PLAN TRUST AGREEMENT
                            ------------------------

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS




                                                                     PAGE
                                                                     ----
ARTICLE I
      DEFINITIONS.................................                     3

ARTICLE II
      CREATION OF THE TRUST.......................                     4

ARTICLE III
      CORPORATION'S DUTIES........................                    10

ARTICLE IV
      TRUSTEE'S DUTIES............................                    14

ARTICLE V
      INVESTMENT COMMITTEE'S DUTIES...............                    24

ARTICLE VI
      AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION...................                    28

ARTICLE VII
      COMMUNICATIONS..............................                    29

ARTICLE VIII
      IMMUNITY AND PROTECTION.....................                    31

ARTICLE IX
      MISCELLANEOUS...............................                    32


<PAGE>


                                     THE PMC

                            EDC PLAN TRUST AGREEMENT


                THIS TRUST AGREEMENT is made as of the ____ day of ____________,
1994, by and between Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation (the "Corporation"),
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, and CoreStates Bank, N.A., a national banking association, having
its principal place of business in Philadelphia, PA (the "Trustee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                WHEREAS, the Corporation has incurred and expects to continue to
incur certain unfunded retirement income and death benefit liabilities to or
with respect to certain key management employees pursuant to the terms of The
PMC Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and any other plan or plans of the
Corporation, as the Corporation may decide to cover under the Trust (hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Plans" or individually as a "Plan"); and

                WHEREAS, the Plans are intended to constitute a nonqualified
deferred compensation program for a select group of management or highly
compensated employees as described under the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"); and


                                      - 1 -

<PAGE>


                WHEREAS, all retirement income and death benefits under the
Plans are payable by the Corporation from its general revenue and assets; and

                WHEREAS, the Corporation determined to provide additional
assurance to some or all such key employees (the "Participants") and their
surviving spouses, dependent children, beneficiaries or estates under the Plans
(collectively, the "Beneficiaries") that their unfunded retirement income and
death benefits under each Plan will in the future be met or substantially met by
application of funds accumulated in an irrevocable trust fund; and

                WHEREAS, pursuant to the foregoing determination the Corporation
established in 1988 an irrevocable trust fund with respect to the benefits to be
provided to the Participants and Beneficiaries in The PMC Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan and appointed Provident National Bank to serve as trustee of
the trust fund; and

                WHEREAS, Provident National Bank is no longer serving as
trustee, and the Corporation now desires the Trustee to act as successor trustee
of the trust fund established in 1988; and

                WHEREAS, the trust continued by this Agreement is intended to be
a "grantor trust" with the corpus and income of the trust being treated as the
assets and income of the Corporation pursuant to Sections 671 through 679 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").


                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>


                NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants
contained herein, the Corporation and the Trustee hereby agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

                1.1 "Agreement" means this Trust Agreement entered into between
the Corporation and the Trustee.

                1.2 "Beneficiary" means the person, trust, estate, or other
entity, if any, that becomes entitled to benefits under the Plan by reason of
the death of a Participant.

                1.3 "Board of Directors" means the Corporation's Board of
Directors or any committee thereof which is authorized to act on behalf of the
Board of Directors.

                1.4 "Corporation" means Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
and any successor thereto, or to the business thereof, by whatever form or
manner resulting.

                1.5 "Custodian" means any custodian appointed by the Investment
Committee to hold the Directed Fund.

                1.6 "Directed Fund" means all or such portion of the Fund that
is established as a separate fund pursuant to Section 4.4 hereof.

                1.7 "Fund" means the money and property held by the Trustee
under this Agreement.

                1.8 "Insolvent" means that (i) the Corporation is unable to pay
its debts as they become due or (ii) the Corporation is


                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>


subject to a pending proceeding as a debtor under the United States
Bankruptcy Code.

                1.9 "Investment Committee" means the committee designated in
Article V hereof to be responsible for the investment and management of the
Directed Fund.

                1.10 "Participant" means each employee who is entitled to a
benefit from a Plan.

                1.11 "Plan" or "Plans" means The PMC Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan and any other plan providing supplemental retirement or death
benefits which the Corporation decides to cover under this Agreement. Each such
Plan, other than The PMC Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, shall be listed
on Appendix A attached hereto. Each use of the singular term shall be deemed a
reference to each Plan individually.

                1.12 "Trust" means the trust provided for under this Agreement
which shall be known as "The PMC EDC Plan Trust".

                1.13 "Trustee" means the successor trustee of the Trust. The
successor trustee of the Trust is CoreStates Bank, N.A.

                1.14 "Valuation Date" means each day that the New York Stock
Exchange is open for business.

                                   ARTICLE II

                            CONTINUATION OF THE TRUST

                2.1 Trustee's Acceptance. The Corporation, by execution of this
Agreement, appoints CoreStates Bank, N..A. as successor trustee. The Trustee, by
execution of this Agreement, accepts its


                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>


appointment and the Trust transferred to it from the predecessor trustee on the
terms and subject to the provisions set forth herein, and the Trustee agrees to
discharge and perform fully and faithfully all of the duties and obligations
imposed upon it under this Agreement.

                2.2 Continuation of Trust. Subject to the claims of the
Corporation's creditors as set forth in Section 2.5 hereof, the Trustee shall
continue the Trust consisting of the assets heretofore held by the predecessor
trustee and such additional sums of money and other property as the Corporation
in its sole discretion may from time to time pay or deliver to the Trustee to be
held, administered and disposed of by the Trustee pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.

                2.3 Purpose of Trust. The Trust is being continued by the
Corporation and the Trustee for the purpose of accumulating funds to pay
benefits under the Plans to Participants and their Beneficiaries and of
defraying the reasonable expenses of administering the Plans and Trust, provided
that until paid to the Participants, or their Beneficiaries, or returned to the
Corporation pursuant to the terms of the Plans or this Agreement, the Fund shall
remain subject to the claims of the Corporation's general creditors as provided
in Section 2.5 hereof. Payments from the Fund to Participants or their
Beneficiaries shall be in discharge of the Corporation's liability to such
Participants or Beneficiaries under the terms of the Plans to the extent of such
payments.


                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>


                2.4 Unfunded Status. The Corporation represents to the Trustee
that the Plans are unfunded plans maintained for the purpose of providing
deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated
employees of the Corporation or its subsidiaries and, as such, is exempt from
the requirements of ERISA, except for the enforcement provisions of ERISA, and
for applicable administrative and reporting and disclosure requirements,
compliance with which shall be the sole responsibility of the Corporation. The
continuation of the Trust and maintenance of the Fund are not intended to cause
the Plans to be, and this Agreement shall not be construed, interpreted or
carried out in a manner which would cause the Plans to be, funded plans for
purposes of the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code.

                2.5 Claims of Creditors. The Fund shall at all times during the
continuance of the Trust be subject to the claims of the general creditors of
the Corporation under federal or state law as set forth below. Within 30 days
after the Corporation becomes Insolvent, the Corporation, through its Board of
Directors or its Chief Executive Officer, shall give notice of such event to the
Trustee. If the Trustee (i) shall receive such notice or in the absence of such
notice, shall acquire actual knowledge that the Corporation is in fact
Insolvent, or (ii) after receipt of a written allegation of the Corporation's
insolvency, as hereinafter provided, shall make a determination that the
Corporation is in fact Insolvent, the Trustee shall thereafter for so long as
such

                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>



condition or proceeding exists suspend all payments from the Fund to
Participants and Beneficiaries and apply the Fund and make distributions
therefrom only as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

                (a) Except as hereinafter provided and unless the Trustee has
actual knowledge that the Corporation is Insolvent, the Trustee shall have no
duty to inquire into whether the Corporation is Insolvent. However, if a person
claiming to be a creditor of the Corporation alleges in writing to the Trustee
that the Corporation has become Insolvent, the Trustee within thirty (30) days
after receipt of such notice, shall request the Corporation to provide the
Trustee with a written statement confirming whether or not the Corporation is
Insolvent and pending the receipt of such statement, the Trustee shall
discontinue payments of any benefits, shall hold the Fund for the benefit of the
Corporation's general creditors and shall resume payments of benefits only after
the Trustee has obtained a written statement from the Corporation that it is not
Insolvent. The Trustee may in all events rely on such evidence concerning the
Corporation's solvency as may be furnished to the Trustee by the Corporation and
that provides the Trustee with a reasonable basis for making a determination
concerning the Corporation's solvency.

                (b) Nothing in this Agreement shall in any way diminish any
rights of Participants or their Beneficiaries to pursue their rights as general
creditors of the Corporation with respect to benefits due under the Plans or
otherwise.

                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>



                (c) For purposes of this Section 2.5, "notice" shall mean actual
receipt of written notification by an employee of the Trustee's Trust
Department. The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of facts or events in
public records or received by other departments of the Trustee.

                2.6 Unsecured Interests. No Participant or Beneficiary shall
have a secured interest in the Fund and, notwithstanding the existence of the
Trust to provide a source of funds for the payment of the benefits payable under
the Plans, the rights of each Participant and Beneficiary with respect to
benefits under the Plans are those of an unsecured general creditor of the
Corporation. Neither the Plans nor their Participants and Beneficiaries shall
have any preferred claim on, or any beneficial ownership interest in, any assets
of the Trust prior to the time such assets are paid as benefits under Section
3.6 hereof. The Corporation agrees, however, that during the existence of the
Trust the Corporation shall not permit or cause, or amend this Agreement to
permit or cause, the Fund, or any part thereof, to be used for or diverted to
purposes other than the payment of benefits under the Plans to Participants and
their Beneficiaries, except as may be required to satisfy the claims of
creditors of the Corporation in a bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding
under federal or state law.

                2.7 Make-Up of Missed Payments. Provided that there are
sufficient assets, if the Trustee discontinues the payment of benefits from the
Trust pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof and

                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>



subsequently resumes such payments, the first payment following such
discontinuance shall include the aggregate amount of all payments which would
have been made to the Participants and Beneficiaries in accordance with the
Plans during the period of such discontinuance, less the aggregate amount, if
any, of payments made to the Participants and Beneficiaries by the Corporation
in lieu of the payments provided for hereunder during any such period of
discontinuance. The Corporation shall advise the Trustee of the aggregate amount
payable in accordance with Section 3.6 hereof for the period of the
discontinuance.

                2.8 Grantor Trust. It is intended that the Trust constitute a
"grantor trust" under Sections 671 through 679 of the Code. Accordingly, the
Corporation acknowledges and agrees that it is the owner of the Trust for income
tax purposes and that, as such, all items of income, deduction and credit of the
Fund shall be included in the Corporation's income tax returns. However, except
as necessary to satisfy the Corporation's obligation upon a distribution to
withhold taxes and to pay over such withheld amounts to the appropriate taxing
authorities, neither the Corporation nor the Trust shall have any obligation or
liability for the payment of any income, estate, gift, employment or other taxes
payable by a Participant or Beneficiary, or the estate of a Participant or
Beneficiary, with respect to benefits payable under the Plans. Except in the
case of fiduciary returns which are required to be filed by the Trustee, the
Corporation shall have the sole responsibility to file any tax returns, reports
or other

                                      - 9 -

<PAGE>



information as may be required by any federal, state, local or other taxing or
governmental authority with respect to the Trust, its income and distributions
and withholding therefrom.

                                   ARTICLE III

                              CORPORATION'S DUTIES

                3.1 Contributions. The Corporation shall make such contributions
to the Trust to accumulate funds to provide benefits under the Plans as shall be
determined from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in its
sole discretion. Such contributions may, but need not, be made in accordance
with a funding policy established by the Corporation with the assistance of such
outside consultants or actuaries as the Corporation deems advisable. No person,
including, without limitation, the Trustee, any Participant or former
Participant, or any Beneficiary thereof, shall have the right to require the
Corporation to make any contribution to the Trust or to question the accuracy or
correctness of any amounts so contributed.

                3.2 Benefit Obligations. Except to the extent that benefits to
which a Participant, or the Beneficiary thereof, is entitled under the Plan are
actually paid from the Fund, nothing contained in this Agreement shall relieve
the Corporation of its obligations under the Plan to or with respect to such
Participant or Beneficiary.

                3.3 Investment Policy. The Corporation shall determine the
investment policy for the Fund pursuant to which the Trustee

                                     - 10 -

<PAGE>



shall exercise its investment responsibilities. The Corporation may appoint one
or more investment managers in addition to, or in lieu of, the Trustee to
exercise investment responsibility with respect to the Fund.

                3.4 Furnishing Information. The Corporation shall maintain, and
furnish the Trustee with such reports, documents, and information as shall be
required by the Trustee to carry out its obligations under this Agreement.

                3.5 Accounts. The Corporation, if it so elects or if required by
any Plan, shall establish and maintain an account or accounts (the "Account" or
"Accounts") with respect to the benefits of one or more Participants or
Beneficiaries and to allocate any amounts theretofore received by the Trustee
and any earnings thereon to such Account or Accounts. The Corporation shall have
responsibility for maintenance of all Account records. Accounts shall be valued
on a daily basis to reflect the realized and unrealized gains and losses and the
income and expenses of the Fund.

                (a) Once established, an Account shall be maintained with
respect to the benefits of each Participant until it has been liquidated through
distribution to the Participant, or a Beneficiary thereof, or until the
Corporation's obligations, if any, under the Plan with respect thereto have been
satisfied, or until the Account has been exhausted by reason of the application
of the Fund to satisfy the claims of the Corporation's creditors in

                                     - 11 -

<PAGE>



a bankruptcy or insolvency preceding under federal or state law, whichever
occurs first.

                (b) If any amounts remain in an Account after satisfaction of
all the Corporation's obligations under the Plan to the Participant with respect
to whom the Account is maintained, the remaining amounts shall be allocated to
other Accounts then existing under the Fund in the proportion that the value of
each such other Account bears to the value of all such other Accounts. In the
event amounts remain in the Fund after satisfaction of the Corporation's legal
liability under the Plan to all Participants with respect to whose benefits
Accounts have been maintained, such excess shall be returned to the Corporation.

                3.6 Payment from Fund. At such time as a Participant, or the
Beneficiary thereof, is entitled to a payment or the receipt of benefits from
the Plans, he shall be entitled to receive from the Fund the amount to which he
is entitled under the terms of the Plans unless he receives such payment or
benefit directly from the Corporation. The Trustee shall make payments from the
Fund to each Participant or Beneficiary entitled thereto under each Plan
promptly upon receipt of a written direction from the Corporation stipulating
the date and amount to which the Participant or Beneficiary is entitled under
each Plan. Each such benefit payment shall be charged against the Account, if
any, maintained with respect to the benefits of such Participant or Beneficiary.
The Trustee shall not be required to engage in its own independent investigation
regarding any such payment, but shall provide the

                                     - 12 -

<PAGE>



Corporation with written confirmation of the fact and amount of such payment
after it is made.

                3.7 Responsibility for Taxes. The Corporation shall be
responsible for (i) providing instructions to the Trustee with respect to all
taxes to be deducted and withheld from payments to Participants and
Beneficiaries from the Fund; (ii) paying to the appropriate taxing authorities
all income and employment taxes withheld from any payments made from the Trust;
(iii) furnishing to each person receiving payment or distribution from the Trust
appropriate tax information evidencing such payment or distribution and the
amount thereof including amounts of taxes withheld; (iv) payment of the
employer's portion of any employment taxes payable with respect to benefit
payments made by the Trust; and (v) preparing and filing all information reports
required to be filed with any federal, state, or local government agency or
authority with respect to payments from the Trust. Failure by the Corporation to
comply with any or all of the foregoing matters or to provide the Trustee with
instructions or other information relating to such matters shall not, however,
relieve the Trustee of its obligation to make payments to Participants in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

                3.8 Enforcement. The Corporation shall have the right to enforce
any provisions of this Agreement. In any action or proceeding affecting the
Trust the only necessary parties shall be the Corporation and the Trustee and,
except as otherwise required by applicable law, no other person shall be
entitled to any notice

                                     - 13 -

<PAGE>



or service of process. Any judgment entered in such an action or proceeding
shall be binding and conclusive on all persons having or claiming to have any
interest in the Trust.

                3.9 No Unrelated Trade or Business. Notwithstanding any powers
granted to the Trustee pursuant to this Agreement or to applicable law, the
Trustee shall not have any power that could give this Trust the objective of
carrying on a business and dividing the gains therefrom, within the meaning of
Reg. Section 301.7701-2 promulgated pursuant to the Code.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                TRUSTEE'S DUTIES

                4.1 Exclusivity of Agreement. The Fund shall be held in trust by
the Trustee. The sole responsibilities, powers and duties of the Trustee with
respect to the Trust and the Fund shall be as set forth in this Agreement.

                4.2 Investment Authority.

                (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 4.4 hereof and to such
investment policies or guidelines as the Corporation shall establish for the
Fund and deliver to the Trustee in writing, the Trustee shall invest and
reinvest the Fund, without distinction as to principal and income, in any
property, whether real, personal or mixed, and wherever situate, including
without limitation, capital, common and preferred stocks, and corporate and
governmental or other obligations, whether secured or unsecured; all without
being limited or restricted to investments of a

                                     - 14 -

<PAGE>



character authorized for trustees or other fiduciaries under any present or
future laws and, except as otherwise required by Federal law, without regard to
the proportion any such property may bear to the entire amount of the Fund. The
Trustee may hold uninvested such cash as it considers to be required for current
expenditures.

                (b) Specifically, but not by way of limitation, the Trustee is
authorized and empowered to invest all or any part of the Trust in any common or
collective trust fund or pooled investment fund presently or hereafter
maintained by the Trustee or by any affiliate of the Trustee as the same may be
amended from time to time, and the Declaration of Trust establishing such common
or collective fund is hereby made a part hereof as if set forth at length
herein. The assets of the Fund invested in said common or collective trust shall
be held and administered by the Trustee strictly in accordance with the terms of
the instrument creating such common or collective trust, and the combining of
assets of the Trust with assets of other trusts in such common or collective
trust fund is specifically authorized hereby; provided, however, that prior to
investing any portion of the Trust in any such common or collective trust for
the first time the Trustee shall obtain the written permission of the
Corporation.

                (c) The Trustee, in its discretion, may keep such portion of the
Fund in cash or cash balances or hold all or any portion of the Fund in savings
accounts, certificates of deposit, and other types of time or demand deposits
which bear a reasonable rate of interest with any financial institution or
quasi-financial

                                     - 15 -

<PAGE>



institution, either domestic or foreign (including the Trustee or any such
institution operated or maintained by the Trustee in its corporate capacity) as
the Trustee may from time to time determine to be in the best interests of the
Fund.

                (d) The Trustee may register, hold or retain any real or
personal property, investments or instruments, or certificates representing same
(including, without limitation, stocks, bonds or other securities) in its own
name or in the name of its nominee, or may keep same unregistered and may retain
same in such condition that title or interest may pass by delivery.

                4.3 Trustee's Powers. In addition to the powers elsewhere
conferred upon the Trustee under this Agreement, in the Plans or by law, the
Trustee shall have the following power and authority, without court approval,
with respect to all property constituting part of the Fund:

                (a) Sell, transfer, exchange, pledge, lease or otherwise dispose
of such property at public or private sale for cash or on credit and grant
options for the purchase or exchange thereof;

                (b) Borrow funds to the extent temporarily required to make any
payment or investment authorized by this Agreement;

                (c) Exercise all rights of ownership with respect to all stocks,
securities and other property owned by the Trust, including, without limitation,
the power and authority to exercise voting rights, to participate in
reorganizations, recapitalizations, consolidations, mergers and similar

                                     - 16 -

<PAGE>



transactions, and to exercise any options, subscription rights and
conversion privileges;

                (d) Carry investments in its own name, in the name of a nominee
or in bearer form, deposit investments with any recognized depository
institution or clearing corporation, or hold investments in the book entry
system of any federal reserve bank or in any equivalent book entry system;

                (e) Employ agents, custodians, accountants, counsel and
investment advisers and pay their reasonable expenses and compensation;

                (f) If so directed by the Corporation, fund or provide benefits
by the purchase of insurance or annuity contracts issued by insurance companies
licensed to do business in any state in which the Trustee does business;

                (g) Purchase brokerage services, including such services
provided by an affiliate of the Trustee, provided that such purchase does not
constitute a prohibited transaction for which no exemption exists;

                (h) Exercise itself or by general or limited power of attorney,
any right, including the right to vote, incident to any security or other
property held by it;

                (i) Sue to enforce, defend, compromise, arbitrate or settle any
claim, law suit or other judicial proceeding involving the Fund, provided that
the Trustee shall not be required to take any action with respect to any such
claim unless directed to do so

                                     - 17 -

<PAGE>



by the Corporation and unless provided with such assurance of
indemnification as is satisfactory to the Trustee; and

                (j) Perform all acts which the Trustee shall deem necessary or
appropriate to perform its duties and discharge its responsibilities under this
Agreement.

                4.4 Directed Fund.

                (a) The Investment Committee may at any time direct the Trustee
in writing to segregate all or a specified portion of the Fund into a Directed
Fund and to have the Directed Fund held by the Custodian. The Trustee shall
execute any and all documents which are necessary or appropriate in order to
implement the appointment of the Custodian.

                (b) The Trustee's responsibilities with respect to the Directed
Fund shall be governed by this Section 4.4. The Trustee through the Custodian
shall invest and reinvest the principal and income of the Directed Fund and keep
the Directed Fund invested, without distinction between principal and income, in
the manner directed by the Participants pursuant to paragraph (c), below. The
Trustee shall have no responsibility for the selection of investment options
available in the Directed Fund and shall not render investment advice to any
person in connection with the selection of such options.

                (c) The Investment Committee shall direct the Trustee through
the Custodian as to the investment options in which the Participants may invest,
provided that each such investment option shall involve securities issued by the
investment companies

                                     - 18 -

<PAGE>



which are part of The Vanguard Group of Investment Companies. If permitted by
any of the Plans, each Participant shall direct the Investment Committee in
which of the investment options to invest the assets in the Participant's
Account or Accounts maintained pursuant to such Plan.

                (d) Furthermore, the assets in the Directed Fund which are
received from the predecessor trustee shall be invested in a money market fund
which is part of The Vanguard Group of Investment Companies until the Investment
Committee receives a full reconciliation of such assets from the predecessor
trustee, at which time (or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter)
such assets shall then be invested pursuant to the proper directions from the
Participants.

                (e) If the Custodian does not receive instructions from the
Investment Committee with respect to the Directed Fund, the Custodian shall,
after providing notice to the Investment Committee, invest such amounts in a
money market fund which is part of the Vanguard Group of Investment Companies.

                (f) It is understood by the parties hereto that while the
Trustee may perform certain ministerial duties with respect to the Directed
Fund, such duties do not involve the exercise of any discretionary authority or
other authority to manage the assets of the Directed Fund. It is agreed between
the parties to this Agreement that the Trustee is not undertaking any duty or
obligation expressed or implied to review and will not be deemed to have any
knowledge of or responsibility with respect to

                                     - 19 -

<PAGE>



or to have participated in any transaction involving the investment of the
Directed Fund as a result of the performance of, or information received in the
course of performing, any ministerial duties.

                4.5 Compensation. The Trustee shall be entitled to such
compensation and fees for its services under this Agreement as shall be agreed
upon from time to time with the Corporation. Such compensation and fees shall be
paid to the Trustee by the Corporation directly; but, if the Corporation shall
fail to do so, the Trustee shall be entitled to withdraw all amounts to which it
is entitled from the Fund, to the extent the Fund is sufficient, and to the
extent the Fund is not sufficient, the additional amounts due shall constitute a
lien against the Fund.

                4.6 Contributions. The Trustee shall accept for deposit in the
Fund all contributions made by the Corporation under this Agreement and shall
promptly acknowledge receipt of same. The Trustee shall not be liable for any
failure of the Corporation to make contributions sufficient to pay benefits
under the Plans nor shall the Trustee have any responsibility to determine or to
question the accuracy or correctness of any amounts contributed by the
Corporation.

                4.7 Benefit Payments. Upon receipt of a direction from the
Corporation, the Trustee shall promptly make benefit payments by its check,
mailed to the payee at the address furnished to the Trustee by the Corporation.
Taxes withheld from benefit payments pursuant to the instruction of the
Corporation shall be forwarded

                                     - 20 -

<PAGE>



to the Corporation for payment to the appropriate taxing authorities. All
returns, records, and forms required to be filed with the Federal and local
taxing authorities or delivered to each Participant and Beneficiary shall be the
sole responsibility of the Corporation, and the Trustee shall not be liable for
the failure of the Corporation to do so.

                4.8 Accounts and Records. The Trustee shall keep accurate and
detailed accounts and records of all investments, receipts and disbursements and
other transactions of the Trust, other than the Directed Fund. All such
accounts, books and records shall be open at all reasonable times to inspection
or audit by Participants and Beneficiaries and by any person designated by the
Corporation.

                4.9 Valuations. The Trustee shall value the Fund, other than the
Directed Fund, to reflect the fair market value on a daily basis.

                4.10 Transaction Statement. The Trustee shall furnish to the
Corporation within 90 days after each Valuation Date, and in the event the Trust
is terminated or a successor Trustee is appointed, within 90 days after such
event, and at such other times as may be requested by the Corporation, a
statement of transactions which sets forth all opening and closing balances,
purchases, sales, receipts, disbursements and other transactions involving the
Trust, other than the Directed Fund, since the date of the last statement of
transactions of the Trustee (or covering such other period as may be specified
by the Corporation). Such statement of

                                     - 21 -

<PAGE>



transactions shall contain an exact description and the cost shown on the books
of the Trust and the fair market value as of the date of the statement of
transactions, of all assets of the Trust, other than the Directed Fund.

                4.11 Legal Advice. The Trustee is authorized from time to time
to seek the advice of, and consult with, legal counsel with respect to any
matter involving the Trust. Such counsel may, but need not, be legal counsel to
the Corporation. The Trustee shall be fully protected with respect to any action
taken or omitted in reliance upon the advice of legal counsel, except to the
extent otherwise provided by law.

                4.12 Resignation and Removal. The Trustee may resign at any time
by delivery of written notice of resignation to the Corporation. The Trustee may
be removed by the Corporation at any time by delivery of written notice of such
removal to the Trustee. Any such resignation or removal shall take effect as of
a future date specified in the notice of same, which date shall not be earlier
than the date 60 days after the day on which the notice is received, or such
earlier date as may be agreed to by the Trustee and the Corporation, but in no
event will any such resignation be effective until a successor trustee has been
appointed. Upon such resignation or removal, a successor trustee, which shall be
a bank having trust powers, shall be designated by the Corporation. As soon as
practicable after a Trustee has resigned or has been removed hereunder, it shall
deliver to the successor trustee the originals of all reports, records,
documents, and other written

                                     - 22 -

<PAGE>



information in its possession regarding the Plans, the Fund, and the
Participants and shall deliver copies thereof to the Corporation and thereupon
shall be entitled to all unpaid fees, compensation and reimbursements to which
it is entitled under this Agreement. Delivery of the Fund to the successor
trustee shall not waive any claim the Trustee may have against the Trust or the
Corporation for its reasonable compensation or expenses.

                4.13 Directions and Reliance. The Trustee is expressly directed
and required to act only in accordance with the provisions set forth in this
Agreement, and shall be required and entitled to rely solely upon the
information provided to it by the Corporation concerning the interests of
Participants and Beneficiaries, including the anticipated and actual dates of,
and amounts of, disbursements from the Fund.

                4.14 Insufficient Assets. The insufficiency of assets in the
Trust shall not relieve the Corporation of its obligation or liability to make
benefit payments otherwise due under the terms of any Plan.

                4.15 Judicial Settlement. Nothing contained in this Agreement
shall be construed as depriving the Trustee or the Corporation of the right to
have a judicial settlement of the Trustee's accounts, and upon any proceeding
for a judicial settlement of the Trustee's accounts or for instructions, the
only necessary party thereto in addition to the Trustee shall be the
Corporation.

                                     - 23 -

<PAGE>



                4.16 Indemnity of Trustee. The Corporation hereby indemnifies
and holds the Trustee harmless from and against any and all losses, damages,
costs, expenses or liabilities including reasonable attorneys' fees and other
costs of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding to which the
Trustee may become subject to, arising out of, occasioned by, incurred in
connection with or in any way associated with this Agreement, unless resulting
from any act or omission constituting negligence or willful misconduct of the
Trustee or a breach of the Trustee's fiduciary duty.

                                    ARTICLE V
                          INVESTMENT COMMITTEE'S DUTIES

                5.1 Appointment. The Corporation's Employee Benefit Plans
Committee (the "EBP Committee") shall appoint an Investment Committee which
shall serve at the pleasure of the EBP Committee. The members of the Investment
Committee shall not receive any compensation from the Fund for their services as
members of the Investment Committee. The EBP Committee may, at any time, appoint
additional members or remove one or more of the members of the Investment
Committee, and shall fill any vacancy in the membership of the Investment
Committee caused by death, resignation or removal. In the event that a vacancy
or vacancies shall occur on the Investment Committee, the remaining members or
member shall act as the Investment Committee until the EBP Committee fills such
vacancy or vacancies.

                                     - 24 -

<PAGE>



                5.2 Committee's Directions. Pursuant to Section 4.4 hereof, the
Investment Committee shall, directly or through one or more investment advisors
or other agents appointed by it as hereinafter provided, direct the Trustee
through the Custodian with respect to the investment and reinvestment of the
Directed Fund. The Investment Committee shall be solely responsible for any
losses that shall arise by reason of its directions, and except as required by
ERISA, the Trustee shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of the
Investment Committee.

                5.3 Custodian and Investment Advisors.

                (a) The Investment Committee shall be entitled to direct the
Trustee to retain one or more Custodians for the purpose of holding the Directed
Fund.

                (b) The Investment Committee shall also be entitled to retain
one or more investment managers or advisors for the purpose of directing the
Trustee with respect to the investment and reinvestment of the Directed Fund.
The Investment Committee shall have full power and authority to delegate to any
such investment manager or advisor complete discretionary authority to direct
the Trustee with respect to the investment and reinvestment of all or a portion
of the Directed Fund, without any requirement that the Investment Committee be
consulted prior to the giving of any such directions to the Trustee or the
carrying out of such directions by the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be liable
for the making, retention, or disposition of any investment or reinvestment so

                                     - 25 -

<PAGE>



directed by any investment manager or advisor selected by the Investment 
Committee in good faith.

                5.4 Duty to Follow Directions. The Trustee shall be under no
duty to question any direction of the Investment Committee, or of any investment
manager or advisor appointed by the Investment Committee, or to review the
desirability or propriety of retaining any of the securities or property held in
trust, or to make suggestions with respect to the investment and reinvestment of
the Directed Fund. The Trustee shall be fully protected in acting or omitting to
act in accordance with or in the absence of such directions and shall be under
no liability for any loss of any kind which may result by reason of any action
taken or omitted by it in accordance with any such directions or as a result of
inaction in the absence of such directions.

                5.5 Procedural Requirements. Subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, the Investment Committee from time to time shall establish rules for
the transaction of its business and shall appoint one of its members as Chairman
and shall appoint a Secretary who may, but need not, be one of its members. The
Secretary shall maintain minutes of the actions of the Investment Committee, and
shall be authorized to certify to the Trustee or to any other person any action
of or by the Investment Committee.

                5.6 Transacting Business. A majority of the members of the
Investment Committee at the time in office may do any act which this Agreement
authorizes or requires the Investment Committee to do. The action of such
majority of the members expressed from time

                                     - 26 -

<PAGE>



to time by a vote at a meeting, or in writing without a meeting, or by telephone
communication without a meeting, shall constitute the action of the Investment
Committee and shall have the same effect for all purposes as if assented to by
all members then in office. Where action is taken by members of the Investment
Committee by telephone communication, such action shall be confirmed in writing
by such members as soon as practicable thereafter. The Secretary shall cause
each action taken in writing without a meeting, and each written confirmation of
action taken by telephone, to be included in the minutes of the Investment
Committee.

                5.7 Consultants. The Investment Committee may engage or consult
with such investment advisors, actuaries, accountants, legal counsel, data
processing services and other agents as it may deem necessary or desirable, and
may charge the costs thereof to the Directed Fund to the extent such costs are
not paid by the Corporation. The respective opinions of such investment
advisors, actuaries, accountants, or legal counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection in respect of any action taken by the Investment
Committee in good faith in reliance thereon.

                5.8 Protection from Liability. No member of the Investment
Committee shall be liable or responsible to the Corporation, or to any
Participant or Beneficiary or to any other person or entity, on account of any
matter connected with or related to the Fund or the Plan (including, without
limitation, its directing the making, retention or sale of any investment or
reinvestment), unless such member shall have acted in bad faith, or

                                     - 27 -

<PAGE>



has been guilty of willful misconduct or gross negligence in respect to his
duties as a member of the Investment Committee, and the Corporation shall
indemnify and save each such member harmless from any liability (including
liability for costs and attorney's fees) incurred in connection with his
exercise of such duties except to the extent that such liability shall result
from action taken by him in bad faith or from his willful misconduct or gross
negligence.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                            AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

                6.1 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by an instrument in
writing adopted by the Board of Directors, provided, however, that Sections 2.3,
2.5, 6.2 and 9.5 hereof may not be amended and provided further, however, that
no amendment to this Agreement shall be effective to change the duties or
responsibilities of the Trustee unless agreed to by the Trustee in writing.
Moreover, this Agreement shall be amended from time to time as necessary in
order to maintain each Plan as an unfunded plan for purposes of ERISA, the Code
or any other applicable law, to maintain the trust as a "grantor trust" and to
insure that benefits paid to the Participants and Beneficiaries from the Fund
will be deductible to the Corporation in the year of payment.

                6.2 Irrevocable. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.5
hereof, this Agreement and the Trust hereunder shall be irrevocable until the
liability of the Corporation for the payment

                                     - 28 -

<PAGE>



of all benefits to all Participants, and the Beneficiaries thereof, has been
satisfied in full, or until the Fund contains no assets, whichever occurs first.
After the satisfaction of all the Corporation's liabilities under the Plans this
Trust shall terminate and any assets remaining in the Fund shall be returned to
the Corporation after payment of all liabilities and expenses of the Fund.

                6.3 Distribution of Taxable Income. If and to the extent a
Participant or Beneficiary shall be treated for federal income tax purposes as
having received taxable income hereunder or under the Plan, prior to the date
such amount is paid or made available to the Participant or Beneficiary from the
Trust, an amount equal to the amount treated as having been received by such
Participant or Beneficiary as taxable income shall be distributed to such
Participant or Beneficiary. Any amount so distributed shall be treated as
benefits paid to the Participant or Beneficiary under the Plan and shall be a
complete discharge of the Corporation to the extent thereof.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                 COMMUNICATIONS

                7.1 Notice.

                (a) Communications to the Corporation shall be addressed to the
Corporation at PMA Building, 925 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107,
Attention: Chief Financial Officer; provided, however, that upon the
Corporation's written request,

                                     - 29 -

<PAGE>



such communications shall be sent to such other address as the Corporation may
specify.

                (b) Communications to the Trustee shall be addressed to its
Trust Department, at Broad and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107;
provided, however, that upon the Trustee's written request, such communications
shall be sent to such other address as the Trustee may specify.

                (c) No communication shall be binding on the Trustee until it is
received by the Trustee, and no communication shall be binding on the
Corporation until it is received by the Corporation.

                7.2 Writing Required. Any action of the Corporation pursuant to
this Agreement, including all orders, requests, directions, instructions,
approvals and objections of the Corporation to the Trustee, shall be in writing
signed on behalf of the Corporation by any duly authorized officer of the
Corporation. The Trustee may rely on, and will be fully protected with respect
to any such action taken or omitted in reliance on, any information, order,
request, direction, instruction, approval, objection and list delivered to the
Trustee by the Corporation.

                7.3 Agents. The Corporation may designate individuals or a
committee to act on its behalf for purposes of some or all of the provisions of
this Agreement. Such individuals or committee and their respective authorities
and powers under this Agreement shall be designated by the Corporation in
writing to the Trustee. Their authority shall continue until revoked in writing
by the Corporation and received by the Trustee. The Trustee shall incur

                                     - 30 -

<PAGE>



no liability for failure to act on such individuals' or committee's instructions
without written designation from the Corporation.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                             IMMUNITY AND PROTECTION

                8.1 Trustee Responsibility. In the performance of its duties
under this Agreement, the Trustee shall exercise good faith and shall comply
with the standard of care imposed upon it by law and with the terms of this
Agreement. The Trustee shall have the authority to interpret its
responsibilities hereunder and in the absence of fraud or breach of fiduciary
responsibility, the Trustee's interpretation shall be conclusive.

                8.2 Reliance on Corporation Direction. Whenever the Trustee must
or may act upon the direction or approval of the Corporation or the Investment
Committee, it shall be fully protected in acting in accordance with the terms of
the Plan or in accordance with directions given pursuant to this Agreement. In
any instance in which the Trustee may act only upon the direction of the
Corporation or of the Investment Committee, it shall also be fully protected in
failing or refusing to act without such direction.

                8.3 Trustee's Liability to Corporation's Creditors. The Trustee
shall have no liability to any creditor of the Corporation, except as to any
assets remaining in the Trust at the time of actual physical delivery to the
Trustee of a valid court order

                                     - 31 -

<PAGE>



directing payment to such creditor of those assets or so much of them as is
necessary to satisfy that order.

                8.4 Reliance on Documents. To the extent permitted by law, the
Trustee shall be fully protected in acting in good faith upon any instrument,
request, direction or other communication believed by it to be genuine and to be
executed by the proper person or persons.

                8.5 Participation in Legal Proceedings. The Trustee shall not be
obligated to institute, defend or participate in any legal or administrative
action or proceeding, unless requested by the Corporation and indemnified by the
Corporation against all costs and expenses, or unless such action or proceeding
is occasioned by the fault of the Trustee or involves a question of the
Trustee's fault.

                8.6 Third Parties. No persons dealing with the Trust shall be
bound to see to the proper application of any money paid or property delivered
to the Trustee, or to inquire into the validity or propriety of any act or
transaction or the authority of the Trustee with respect thereto.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

                9.1 Applicable Law. This Trust is created and accepted in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All questions pertaining to the validity or
construction of this Agreement and the acts and transactions of the parties
hereto and their respective successors

                                     - 32 -

<PAGE>



shall be determined in accordance with the laws of that Commonwealth, except as
to matters governed by federal law.

                9.2 Employment Status. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall
create, or be construed or interpreted to create, any new or additional
obligations on the part of the Corporation to retain any person in its employ or
otherwise interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation to discharge
any employee.

                9.3 Invalid Provisions. Should any provision of this Agreement
be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unlawful or
unenforceable, such determination shall not adversely affect the remaining
provisions of this Agreement, unless it shall make impossible the maintenance or
operation of the Trust for its intended purposes. To the extent any provision of
this Agreement is determined to be unlawful or unenforceable, this Agreement
shall be construed to be carried out to the fullest extent possible in a lawful
and enforceable manner.

                9.4 Incorporation of Plan. Each Plan is expressly incorporated
herein and made a part hereof with the same force and effect as if fully set
forth herein. A copy of each Plan as in effect on the date hereof shall be
delivered to the Trustee. The Corporation will also deliver to the Trustee a
copy of any amendments to the Plans which are hereafter adopted. The terms of
each Plan shall govern the amount, form and timing of benefit payments under the
Plan to which the Participant is entitled. The incorporation of the Plan into
this Agreement shall not cause the Plan to become irrevocable under the
provisions of Section 6.2

                                     - 33 -

<PAGE>



hereof. The Corporation retains the right to modify or amend any of the
provisions of the Plan or to terminate it as provided therein. The Trustee shall
have no rights or obligations with respect to any of the provisions of the Plan.

                9.5 Nonalienation. No amount payable to or in respect of a
Participant or Beneficiary at any time under the Trust shall be subject, in any
manner, to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge,
encumbrance or charge of any kind and any attempt to do so shall be void; nor
shall any such amounts be, in any manner, liable for or subject to the debts,
contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any Participant or Beneficiary.

                9.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original and said
counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

                9.7 Headings. All paragraph and Article headings herein have
been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall in no way modify,
restrict or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement.

                9.8 Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended as a complete
and exclusive statement of the agreement of the parties hereto, and supersedes
all previous agreements or understandings among them.

                9.9 Merger of Trustee. The term "Trustee" shall include any
successor trustee. If a Trustee or Custodian hereunder is a

                                     - 34 -

<PAGE>


bank or trust company, any corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation
or conversion to which such bank or trust company may be a party, or any
corporation otherwise succeeding generally to all or substantially all of the
assets or business of such bank or trust company, shall be the successor to it
as Trustee or Custodian hereunder without the execution of any instrument or any
further action on the part of any party hereto or any Participant hereunder.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation and the Trustee have entered
into this Agreement as of the date first above written.

Attest:                                             PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS
                                                           CORPORATION


John Stulak                                        By:/s/ Robert Gaffney
- - - -------------------------------                    -----------------------------
        Secretary                                  Title: Vice President


Attest:                                            CORESTATES BANK, N.A.



/s/ Kenneth E. Bachmann                            By:/s/ Celeste Rau
- - - -------------------------------                    -----------------------------
Title:                                             Title:





                                     - 35 -





                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.4

                              THE PMC SUPPLEMENTAL

                            EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN


Rev. 7/1/95


<PAGE>


                              The PMC Supplemental
                            Executive Retirement Plan



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS



    ARTICLE                                                                PAGE
    -------                                                                ----

       I          Definitions............................................    1

       II         Excess Retirement Benefits.............................   10

       III        Past Service Retirement Benefits.......................   11

       IV         Vesting of Supplemental Retirement Benefits............   12

       V          Form of Payment of Supplemental
                     Retirement Benefits.................................   13

       VI         Death Benefit..........................................   16

       VII        Administration of the Plan.............................   17

       VIII       Miscellaneous..........................................   22


<PAGE>


                              The PMC Supplemental
                            Executive Retirement Plan

WHEREAS, Sections 401(a)(17) and 415 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, place limitations (the "Sections 401(a)(17) and 415 Limitations") on
the retirement benefits which can be paid to participants in The PMC Pension
Plan (the "Pension Plan"); and

WHEREAS, some executives hired in mid-career by the Company shall not be able to
be credited with the maximum number of years of Benefit Service allowable under
the Pension Plan ("Short Service Reduction"); and

WHEREAS, in consideration of the past services of certain employees who are
affected by the Sections 401(a)(17) and 415 Limitations, in consideration of the
future services of certain employees affected by the Short Service Reduction and
in consideration of the agreement of each such employee to abide by the terms
and conditions of this Plan, Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation (the
"Company") desires to provide supplemental executive retirement benefits for the
purposes of offsetting the Short Service Reduction and the Sections 401(a)(17)
and 415 Limitations under this Plan which benefits a select group of management
and highly compensated employees, subject to and in accordance with the terms
hereof;

NOW THEREFORE, in order to address these shortcomings in the design of the
Pension Plan the Company does hereby adopt effective as of January 1, 1993, a
supplemental retirement plan to be known as The PMC Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan as hereinafter set forth.

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   Definitions

In this Plan, unless the context clearly implies otherwise, the singular
includes the plural, the masculine includes the feminine, and initially
capitalized words have the following meanings:

     1.1 Actuarial Equivalent. An amount or benefit of equivalent current value
to the amount or benefit which otherwise would have been provided to or on
account of a Participant or Beneficiary determined on the basis of the actuarial
assumptions


                                      - 1 -

<PAGE>


then in effect under the Pension Plan and such other assumptions as may be
deemed necessary by an actuary selected by the Committee.

     1.2 Affiliated Employer. A corporation, other than the Plan Sponsor, which
is included within a "controlled group of corporations" within which the Plan
Sponsor is also included, as determined under Code Section 1563 without regard
to subsections (a)(4) and (e)(3)(C) of Section 1563.

     1.3 Beneficiary. The person or entity designated by a Participant or Former
Participant on a beneficiary designation form signed by such Participant or
Former Participant and filed with the Committee, and where applicable, the
Spouse or other contingent annuitant who is entitled to receive benefits under
this Plan.

     1.4 Board. The Board of Directors of the Plan Sponsor, as constituted from
time to time, or any committee thereof authorized to act on behalf of the Board
of Directors.

     1.5 Cause. Termination by the Company of employment with the Company for
"Cause" shall mean termination upon the willful engaging by the Participant in
misconduct which is demonstratably and materially injurious to the Company or
any Affiliated Employer. No act, or failure to act, on the Participant's part
shall be considered "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by the
Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief that such action or
omission was in the best interest of the Company or its Affiliated Employers.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant shall not be deemed to have been
terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the
Participant a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not


                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>


less than three-quarters of the entire membership of the Committee at a meeting
of the Committee called and held for the purpose (after reasonable notice to the
Participant and an opportunity for the Participant, together with the
Participant's counsel, to be heard before the Committee), finding that in the
good faith opinion of the Committee the Participant was guilty of misconduct as
set forth above in this Section and specifying the particulars thereof in
detail.

     1.6 Change-in-Control. For purposes of this Plan, a "Change-in-Control of
the Company" shall be deemed to have occurred if:

         (a) any "person" (as defined in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) is or becomes
the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 35% or more of
the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities;

         (b) during the term of this Plan, individuals who at the beginning of
such term constitute the Board, including for this purpose any new director
whose election or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors still in office who
were directors at the beginning of such term, cease for any reason to constitute
a majority thereof; or

         (c) more than 50% of the assets of the Company, including the business
or businesses for which the Participant's


                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>


services are principally performed, is disposed of by the Company pursuant to a
partial or complete liquidation of the Company, a sale of assets (including
stock of a subsidiary or subsidiaries) of the Company or otherwise.

     1.7 Code. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     1.8 Committee. The Employee Benefits Plan Committee appointed by the Board
to administer this Plan. The Committee shall be responsible for the
administration of this Plan in accordance with Article VII hereof.

     1.9 Company. The Plan Sponsor and each of its Affiliated Employers which
upon the approval of the Board, has agreed to participate in this Plan. Each
participating Affiliated Employer on the Effective Date and on January 1, 1995
is listed on Appendix A. Each Affiliated Employer who wants to adopt this Plan
after January 1, 1995 shall do so by executing a written declaration of joinder.
The use of the singular form shall be considered a reference to each Company
individually.

     1.10 Effective Date. January 1, 1993.

     1.11 Eligible Executive. Any executive of the Company (i) who is hired as a
Vice President or as a more senior officer on or after January 1, 1990 or who
subsequent to being hired becomes such an officer after the Effective Date, (ii)
who is a Participant in the Pension Plan whose age on his employment
commencement date precludes him from being able to complete twenty-five (25)
years of Benefit Service upon attainment of his sixtieth (60th) birthday and


                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>


(iii) who has been designated by the Committee to participate in this Plan.

     1.12 Eligible Officer. Any officer of the Company engaged in rendering
personal services under the direction or control of the Company on or after
January 1, 1993 who is a Participant in the Pension Plan, whose benefits payable
under the Pension Plan are reduced by the Sections 401(a)(17) and/or 415
Limitations and who has been designated by the Committee to participate in this
Plan.

     1.13 Excess Retirement Benefit. The portion of a Participant's Supplemental
Retirement Benefit under this Plan determined in accordance with Section 2.1
hereof.

     1.14 Former Participant. A person who has a benefit payable under this Plan
but who is no longer an Eligible Executive or an Eligible Officer.

     1.15 Good Reason. For purposes of this Plan, "Good Reason" shall mean any
of the following events which occurs without the Participant's express written
consent:

          (a) The assignment to the Participant of any duties inconsistent with
the Participant's status, position, duties, and responsibilities with the
Company immediately prior to a Change-in-Control or a substantial alteration in
the nature or status of the Participant's responsibilities from those in effect
immediately prior to a Change-in-Control of the Company;

          (b) A reduction by the Company in the Participant's annual base salary
as in effect on the Effective Date or thereafter, as the same may be increased
from time to time, except


                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>


for across-the-board salary reductions similarly affecting all
executives of the Company and of any organization in control of the
Company;

          (c) Following a Change-in-Control of the Company the Company's
requiring the Participant to be based anywhere other than the Company's
principal executive offices except for required travel on the Company's business
to an extent substantially consistent with the Participant's prior travel
obligations;

          (d) The failure by the Company to continue in effect any compensation
plan of the Company in which the Participant participates, unless an equitable
arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative plan) has been
made with respect to such plan in connection with a Change-in-Control of the
Company, or the failure by the Company to continue the Participant's
participation therein;

          (e) The failure by the Company to continue to provide the Participant
with benefits substantially similar to those provided under the Company's 401(k)
Plan or any of the pension, life insurance, medical, health and accident, or
disability plans of the Company in which the Participant was participating at
the time of a Change-in-Control of the Company, or the taking of any action by
the Company which would directly or indirectly materially reduce any of such
benefits or deprive the Participant of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by
the Participant at the time of a Change-in-Control of the Company, or the
failure by the Company or its subsidiaries to provide the


                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>



number of paid vacation days to which the Participant was entitled on the basis
of years of service with the Company in accordance with the normal vacation
policy of the Company as in effect at the time of a Change-in-Control;

          (f) The failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from
any successor to assume and to perform this Plan; or

          (g) Any purported termination of a Participant's employment which is
not effected pursuant to a written notice indicating the specific termination
provisions relied upon and setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Participant's
employment; and for purposes of this Plan, no such purported termination shall
be effective.

     1.16 Limited Pension Plan Benefit. The annual retirement income actually to
be paid to a Participant or his Beneficiary (including a Spouse or other
contingent annuitant) pursuant to the benefit formula (contained in Article V of
the Pension Plan) which is applicable to such Participant and the method of
payment selected by the Participant under the Pension Plan after reduction by
the Sections 401(a)(17) and 415 Limitations and taking into account only the
years of Benefit Service credited under the Pension Plan. (All references in
this Plan to articles or specific paragraphs of the Pension Plan shall include
any successor article or paragraph or any amendment thereto.)


                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>


     1.17 Maximum Past Service Credit. The maximum number of years of past
service credit available to a Participant under this Plan which shall equal the
difference between twenty-five (25) and the number of whole years between the
commencement of the Participant's participation in this Plan and the
Participant's sixtieth (60th) birthday.

     1.18 Maximum Service Retirement Benefit. The annual retirement income which
would have been paid to a Participant or his Beneficiary (including a Spouse or
other contingent annuitant) pursuant to the benefit formula (contained in
Article V of the Pension Plan) which is applicable to such Participant and the
method of payment selected by the Participant under the Pension Plan, taking
into account the Section 401(a)(17) and Section 415 Limitations and assuming
that in addition to the years of Benefit Service actually credited to the
Participant under the Pension Plan the Participant had been credited under the
Pension Plan with the past service credit earned by him under this Plan, as
determined pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof. For purposes of determining the
portion of the Maximum Service Retirement Benefit attributable to the past
service credit earned under this Plan, the Compensation deemed received during
each such year of past service shall be the annual rate of pay in effect on a
Participant's employment commencement date.

     1.19 Participant. An Eligible Executive or Eligible Officer or a former
Eligible Executive or Eligible Officer who is accruing, or who has accrued,
benefits under this Plan. However,


                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>


no employee shall have any interest or rights under this Plan if he is never
actively employed by the Company on or after January 1, 1993.

     1.20 Past Service Retirement Benefit. The portion, if any, of a
Participant's Supplemental Retirement Benefit under this Plan determined in
accordance with Section 3.2 hereof.

     1.21 Pension Plan. The PMC Pension Plan as in effect on the Effective Date
and as such plan may be further amended and/or restated from time to time and
each successor or replacement tax-qualified pension plan. In addition, the
Pension Plan shall also include such other retirement plans of the Company or of
such other affiliates, subsidiaries or divisions of the Company as the Committee
may expressly include from time to time.

     1.22 Plan. The PMC Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan as set forth
herein and as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time.

     1.23 Plan Sponsor. Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation, a Pennsylvania
corporation.

     1.24 Plan Year. Each calendar year beginning on January 1 and ending on the
following December 31.

     1.25 Section 401(a)(17) Limitation. The limitation on compensation taken
into account under the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code.

     1.26 Section 415 Limitation. The limitation on benefits payable from the
Pension Plan imposed by Section 415 of the Code.


                                      - 9 -

<PAGE>


     1.27 Spouse. A person who is married to a Participant and who is recognized
as the Participant's Spouse for purposes of the Pension Plan.

     1.28 Supplemental Retirement Benefit. The aggregate retirement benefit
payable to a Participant under this Plan and comprised of his Excess Retirement
Benefit, if any, and his Past Service Retirement Benefit, if any.

     1.29 Termination of Employment. A termination of the employer - employee
relationship under circumstances which give rise to a "Separation from Service"
under the Pension Plan.

     1.30 Unlimited Retirement Benefit. The annual retirement income which would
have been paid to a Participant or his Beneficiary (including a Spouse or other
contingent annuitant) pursuant to the benefit formula (contained in Article V of
the Pension Plan) which is applicable to such Participant and the method of
payment selected by the Participant under such Pension Plan without taking into
account the Sections 401(a)(17) and 415 Limitations contained in paragraph 1.8
and Article XI of the Pension Plan.

                                   ARTICLE II
                           Excess Retirement Benefits

     2.1 Excess Retirement Benefit. Subject to Sections 2.2 and 8.2 hereof, the
Excess Retirement Benefit of a Participant who is an Eligible Officer shall be
an amount equal to the difference


                                     - 10 -


<PAGE>


between his Unlimited Retirement Benefit and his Limited Pension Plan Benefit.

     2.2 Reemployment. Following the recommencement of Company employment by a
Participant or former Participant whose employment with the Company was
terminated at a time when such Participant or Former Participant had an Excess
Retirement Benefit and whose benefit had commenced to be paid under this Plan,
payment of such Excess Retirement Benefit shall be suspended until such
individual again ceases to be employed under circumstances under which Excess
Retirement Benefits are payable under the Plan.

                                   ARTICLE III
                        Past Service Retirement Benefits

     3.1 Past Service Credit. A Participant who is an Eligible Executive shall
be credited with a pro rata portion of the Maximum Past Service Credit available
to the Participant under this Plan (based on the number of years until the
Participant's sixtieth (60th) birthday) for each year of Benefit Service
credited under the Pension Plan after the Eligible Executive has commenced
participation in this Plan until the Participant attains age 60 or until the sum
of the Participant's years of Benefit Service credited under the Pension Plan
and of his years of past service credit hereunder equal twenty-five (25),
whichever occurs first.

     3.2 Past Service Retirement Benefit. Subject to Sections 3.3 and 8.2
hereof, a Participant's Past Service Retirement


                                     - 11 -

<PAGE>


Benefit, if any, shall be the difference between his Maximum Service Retirement
Benefit and his Limited Pension Plan Benefit.

     3.3 Reemployment. Following the recommencement of Company employment by a
Participant or former Participant whose employment with the Company was
terminated at a time when such Participant or Former Participant had a Past
Service Retirement Benefit and whose benefit had commenced to be paid under this
Plan, payment of such Past Service Retirement Benefit shall be suspended until
such individual again ceases to be employed under circumstances pursuant to
which Past Service Retirement Benefits are payable under the Plan.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                   Vesting of Supplemental Retirement Benefits

     4.1 Full Vesting. Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.2 hereof, a
Participant shall have a fully (100%) vested and nonforfeitable interest in his
Supplemental Retirement Benefit once he has satisfied the age and service
requirements which qualify him for an early or normal retirement under the
Pension Plan, whichever occurs first. Prior thereto the Participant shall not
have any vested interest in his Supplemental Retirement Benefit. Moreover,
notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant shall forfeit his vested interest,
if any, in his Supplemental Retirement Benefit if his employment is terminated
for Cause.

     4.2 Forfeitures. Any amount forfeited hereunder by a Participant who has
not become vested in a Supplemental Retirement


                                     - 12 -

<PAGE>


Benefit under this Plan shall constitute a reduction of the Company's liability
under the Plan and shall not be allocated to the remaining Participants.

                                    ARTICLE V
                         Form of Payment of Supplemental
                               Retirement Benefits

     5.1 Payment of Supplemental Retirement Benefit. Except as otherwise
provided in Sections 5.3 and 8.2 hereof, a Participant's vested Supplemental
Retirement Benefit, if any, shall commence to be paid at the time retirement
income payments commence being made to the Participant under the Pension Plan.
If a Participant begins to receive retirement income payments before age 55
under the Pension Plan, then the Participant's Supplemental Retirement Benefit
shall commence at the same time as payments from the Pension Plan and shall be
reduced by the same early retirement reduction factors, if any, applicable to
his retirement income from the Pension Plan.

     5.2 Form of Payment. The normal form of payment of a Participant's
Supplemental Retirement Benefit shall be the same as that provided under the
Pension Plan. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, a Participant's Supplemental
Retirement Benefit shall be paid, however, in the same form which the
Participant has elected, or is deemed to have elected, pursuant to the Pension
Plan. The Participant's election under the Pension Plan (with the valid consent
of his Spouse where required under the Pension Plan) shall also be applicable to
the payment of his Supplemental Retirement Benefit. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any Participant who


                                     - 13 -

<PAGE>


elects a Social Security level income option to augment his benefit under the
Pension Plan on account of his retirement before he is eligible for retirement
benefits under the Federal Social Security system (as such optional form is
described in paragraph 7.2 of the Pension Plan) shall receive his Supplemental
Retirement Benefit in the form of a single life annuity, as reduced, if
necessary, in the manner set forth in Section 5.1 hereof. The Committee shall
have the sole and absolute discretion and authority to approve or reject a
Participant's request for a different method of payment than specified herein.

     5.3 Change-in-Control During Employment. Upon a Change-in-Control, or
within two years thereafter, regardless of whether or not the Plan has been
terminated during such period, if the Company (or any successor corporation)
shall terminate the Participant's employment for other than Cause, or if the
Participant shall terminate employment for Good Reason or retirement, death, or
total disability (as defined in the Pension Plan), then the Participant shall
become eligible for and entitled to receive the Participant's Supplemental
Retirement Benefit. The Participant's Supplemental Retirement Benefit under this
provision shall be paid out in a lump sum upon such termination of employment.
Such benefit shall be paid by the Company (or any successor corporation) to the
Participant in a lump sum, in cash, on the twentieth day following the date of
termination. Such amount will be calculated as the Actuarial Equivalent of the
Participant's Supplemental Retirement Benefit except that the


                                     - 14 -

<PAGE>


interest rate used will be 120 percent of the applicable Federal rate
(determined under Section 1274(d) of the Code and the regulations thereunder)
compounded semi-annually. The applicable Federal rate to be used for this
purpose is the Federal rate that is in effect for the month in which the present
value is determined. Any Participant who remains employed by the Company (or any
successor corporation) for two or more years after a Change-in-Control shall
receive the Supplemental Retirement Benefit in accordance with Sections 5.1 and
5.2 hereof.

     5.4 Change-in-Control During Retirement. In the event of a
Change-in-Control of the Company, any Participant who has previously retired
from the Company and is receiving payment of the Participant's Supplemental
Retirement Benefit shall receive a single payment in cash which is the Actuarial
Equivalent of the Participant's remaining benefit. For purposes of this Section,
the single payment shall be determined using the same interest rate as would
have been used for purposes of calculating the lump sum cash payment under
Section 5.3 hereof.

     5.5. Actuarial Equivalent. A Supplemental Retirement Benefit which is
payable in any form other than the normal form under the Pension Plan, i.e., a
straight life annuity over the lifetime of the Participant, or which commences
at any time prior to the Participant's Normal Retirement Date, shall be the
Actuarial Equivalent of the Supplemental Retirement Benefit payable hereunder.


                                     - 15 -

<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE VI
                                  Death Benefit

     6.1 Supplemental Death Benefit. Except as otherwise provided herein, a
death benefit shall be payable as follows:

         (a) Upon the death of a married Participant while employed by the
Company, a death benefit shall be payable under this Plan to the Spouse or
beneficiary of such Participant if a qualified pre-retirement survivor annuity,
surviving Spouse benefit or surviving dependent benefit, as defined in the
Pension Plan, would be payable to the Participant's Spouse or beneficiary under
the Pension Plan. Such death benefit, if any, shall be equal to the difference
between the annuity or benefit payable for the life of the Spouse or other
Beneficiary under the Pension Plan and the annuity which would have been paid
thereunder without taking into account the Sections 401(a)(17) and 415
Limitations contained in paragraph 1.8 and Article IX of the Pension Plan and by
taking into account as Benefit Service the Participant's years of past service
credit, if any, accrued to the Participant's date of death, as determined
pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof.

         (b) Upon the death of a Participant who is not married and who is
employed by the Company at the date of his death, a death benefit equal in value
to 50% of the Participant's then Supplemental Retirement Benefit will be payable
to the Participant's designated Beneficiary. Such value shall be converted to an
Actuarial Equivalent benefit payable in monthly installments for fifteen years.


                                     - 16 -

<PAGE>


         (c) The death benefit payable pursuant to this Section 6.1 will
commence on the first day of the month coincident with or next following the
Participant's death. In the event that the Participant has not designated a
Beneficiary or that the Participant's Beneficiary has predeceased the
Participant, the death benefit payable under this Plan shall be paid to the
Participant's estate. The death benefit payable pursuant to this Section 6.1
shall be reduced by the Actuarial Equivalent of any surviving dependent benefit,
as defined in the Pension Plan.

         (d) In the event of a Change-in-Control of the Company, any Beneficiary
who is receiving payment of a death benefit pursuant to this Section 6.1 shall
receive a single lump sum payment which is the Actuarial Equivalent (as
determined pursuant to Section 5.3 hereof) of the Beneficiary's remaining death
benefit.

     6.2 Simultaneous Death. In the event of the simultaneous death of a
Participant eligible for a death benefit under this Article VI and his
Beneficiary or Spouse so that it is not possible to determine which one was the
survivor, it shall be presumed for purposes of this Article VI that the
Beneficiary or Spouse predeceased the Participant.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                           Administration of the Plan

     7.1 Powers and Duties of the Committee. The Committee shall be generally
responsible for the operation and administration


                                     - 17 -

<PAGE>


of the Plan. To the extent that powers are not delegated to others pursuant to
provisions of this Plan, the Committee shall have such powers as may be
necessary to carry out the provisions of the Plan and to perform its duties
hereunder, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
power:

         (a) To appoint, retain, and terminate such persons as it deems
necessary or advisable to assist in the administration of the Plan or to render
advice with respect to the responsibilities of the Committee under the Plan,
including accountants, actuaries, administrators, attorneys and physicians.

         (b) To make use of the services of the employees of the Company in
administrative matters.

         (c) To obtain and act on the basis of all tables, valuations,
certificates, opinions, and reports furnished by the persons described in
paragraph (a) or (b) above. Any determination of Actuarially Equivalent benefits
by the actuary selected by the Committee shall be conclusive and binding on the
Company, the Committee and all Participants or Former Participants.

         (d) To review the manner in which benefit claims and other aspects of
the Plan administration have been handled by the employees of the Company.

         (e) To determine all benefits and resolve all questions pertaining to
the administration and interpretation of the Plan provisions, either by rules of
general applicability or by particular decisions. To the maximum extent
permitted by law, all


                                     - 18 -

<PAGE>


interpretations of the Plan and other decisions of the Committee
shall be conclusive and binding on all parties.

         (f) To adopt such forms, rules and regulations as it shall deem
necessary or appropriate for the administration of the Plan and the conduct of
its affairs, provided that any such forms, rules and regulations shall not be
inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.

         (g) To remedy any inequity from incorrect information received or
communicated or from administrative error.

         (h) To commence or defend any litigation arising from the operation of
the Plan in any legal or administrative proceeding.

     7.2 Required Information. Any Participant, Former Participant and any
Beneficiary eligible to receive benefits under the Plan shall furnish to the
Committee any information or proof requested by the Committee and reasonably
required for the proper administration of the Plan. Failure on the part of the
Participant, Former Participant or Beneficiary to comply with any such request
within a reasonable period of time shall be sufficient grounds for delay in the
payment of benefits under the Plan until such information or proof is received
by the Committee.

     7.3 Expenses. All expenses incident to the operation and administration of
the Plan reasonably incurred, including, without limitation by way of
specification, the fees and expenses of attorneys and advisors, and for such
other professional, technical


                                     - 19 -

<PAGE>



and clerical assistance as may be required, shall be paid by the
Company.

     7.4 Indemnification. To the extent coverage is not provided by any
applicable insurance policy, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify the
Committee and each of its members and the Board and each of its members, and to
hold them harmless against all liability, joint and several, for their acts,
omissions and conduct and for the acts, omissions and conduct of their duly
appointed agents made in good faith pursuant to the provisions of the Plan,
including any out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred in the defense of any
claim relating thereto; provided, however, that no person or entity so
indemnified shall voluntarily assume or admit any liability, nor, except at its
or his own cost, shall any of the foregoing make any payment, assume any
obligations or incur any expense without the prior written consent of the Board.
The Company may purchase, at its expense, liability insurance to protect the
Company and the persons indemnified hereunder from liability incurred in the
good faith administration of this Plan.

     7.5 Claims Procedure and Review

         (a) Claims for benefits under the Plan shall be filed in writing by a
claimant with the Committee. Within sixty (60) days after receipt of such claim,
the Committee shall act on the claim and shall notify the claimant in writing as
to whether the claim has been granted in whole or in part; provided, however, if
the claimant has not received written notice of such decision within such
sixty-day period, the claimant shall, for the purpose


                                     - 20 -

<PAGE>


of subsection (c) of this Section, regard his claim as having been denied.

         (b) Any notice of denial of a claim in whole or in part shall set forth
(i) the specific reason or reasons for the denial, (ii) reference to the Plan
provisions on which the denial is based, and (iii) a copy of the Plan's claim
and review provisions.

         (c) Any claimant who has been denied a claim in whole or in part under
the Plan shall be entitled, upon the filing of a written request for review with
the Committee within sixty (60) days after receipt by the claimant of written
notice of denial of his claim (or, if the claimant had not received written
notice of the decision within the sixty-day period described in subsection (a)
of this Section, within one hundred twenty (120) days of receipt of the claim
form by the Committee), to appeal the denial of his claim to the Committee.

         (d) The claimant shall be entitled in connection with such appeal to
examine pertinent documents and submit issues and comments in writing to the
Committee. Any decision on review by the Committee shall be in writing, and
shall include specific reasons for the decision (including reference to the Plan
provisions on which the decision is based). Such decision shall be made by the
Committee not later than sixty (60) days after receipt by it of the claimant's
request for review.


                                     - 21 -

<PAGE>


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                  Miscellaneous

     8.1 Funding. Benefits payable under this Plan shall be paid directly from
the general assets of each Company. The Company shall not be obligated to set
aside, earmark or escrow any funds or other assets to satisfy its obligations
under this Plan, and the Participant and his Beneficiary shall not have any
property interest in any specific assets of the Company other than the unsecured
right to receive payments from the Company as provided herein.

     8.2 Amendment or Termination.

         (a) The Committee shall have the right to amend, modify, restate or
terminate the Plan when, in its absolute discretion, it determines such action
to be advisable. Any such amendment or termination shall be made pursuant to a
written resolution of the Committee which shall designate when the action is to
be effective. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such action by the Committee
shall reduce a Participant's Supplemental Retirement Benefit accrued as of the
time thereof and no such amendment or termination may occur as a result of a
Change-in-Control, within two years after a Change-in-Control, or as part of any
plan to effect a Change-in-Control.

         (b) If the Plan is terminated, a determination shall be made of each
Participant's Supplemental Retirement Benefit as of the Plan termination date.
The amount of a Participant's benefit or benefits shall be payable to the
Participant at the time it


                                     - 22 -

<PAGE>


would have been payable under Article VI hereof if the Plan had not been
terminated. If a Participant dies after termination of the Plan, but prior to
his Termination of Employment, his Beneficiary or Beneficiaries shall receive a
distribution of his death benefit, determined in accordance with Article VI
hereof, but based on the Participant's Supplemental Retirement Benefit as of the
Plan termination date.

     8.3 Status of Employment. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed: (a) to
give any Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company; (b)
to affect the right of the Company to discipline or discharge any Participant at
any time; (c) to give the Company the right to require any Participant to remain
in its employ; or (d) to affect any Participant's right to terminate his
employment at any time.

     8.4 Payments to Minors and Incompetents. If a Participant or Beneficiary
entitled to receive any benefits hereunder is a minor or is deemed by the
Committee or is adjudged to be legally incapable of giving a valid receipt and
discharge for such benefits, they will be paid to the duly appointed guardian of
such minor or incompetent or to such other legally appointed person as the
Committee may designate. Such payment shall, to the extent made, be deemed a
complete discharge of any liability for such payment under the Plan.

     8.5 Inalienability of Benefits. The right of any person to any benefit or
payment under the Plan shall not be subject to voluntary or involuntary
transfer, alienation or assignment, and,


                                     - 23 -

<PAGE>


to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be subject to attachment,
execution, garnishment, sequestration or other legal or equitable process. In
the event a person who is receiving or is entitled to receive benefits under the
Plan attempts to assign, transfer or dispose of such right, or if an attempt is
made to subject said right to such process, such assignment, transfer or
disposition shall be null and void.

     8.6 Governing Law. Except to the extent preempted by Federal law, the Plan
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

     8.7 Severability. In case any provision of this Plan shall be held illegal
or invalid for any reason, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the
remaining provisions of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced
as if such illegal and invalid provisions had never been set forth.

     8.8 Required Information to Committee. Each Participant will furnish to the
Committee such information as the Committee considers necessary or desirable for
purposes of administering the Plan, and the provisions of the Plan respecting
any payments thereunder are conditional upon the Participant's furnishing
promptly such true, full and complete information as the Committee may request.
The Committee, in its sole discretion, may request a Participant to submit proof
of his age. The Committee will, if such proof of age is not submitted when
requested, use as conclusive evidence thereof such information as is deemed by
it to


                                     - 24 -

<PAGE>


be reliable, regardless of the lack of proof. Any notice or information which,
according to the terms of the Plan or the rules of the Committee, must be filed
with the Committee, shall be deemed so filed if addressed and either delivered
in person or mailed to and received by the Committee at the following address:

                    The PMC Employee Benefits Plan Committee
                      c/o Vice President - Human Resources
            Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association Insurance Company
                           Corporate Operations Center
                               380 Sentry Parkway
                               Blue Bell, PA 19422

     8.9 Income and Payroll Tax Withholding. To the extent required by the laws
in effect at the time payments are made under this Plan, the Company shall
withhold from such deferred compensation payments any taxes required to be
withheld for federal, state or local government purposes.

     TO RECORD the adoption of this Plan, the Plan Sponsor on behalf of itself
and each other participating Company has caused this document to be executed by
its duly authorized officers as of the 1st day of July, 1995.


Attest:                                  PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION



/s/                                      By: /s/
- - - -----------------------------                ----------------------------------
Title:                                       Title:


                                     - 25 -

<PAGE>


                                   APPENDIX A
                   List of Participating Affiliated Employers



1.       Effective as of January 1, 1993
         -------------------------------

         Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association Insurance Company
         PMC Reinsurance Corporation


2.       Effective as of January 1, 1995
         -------------------------------

         Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association
         Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association - Harrisburg


                                     - 26 -




                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.5

                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                        1987 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN

                              CLASS A COMMON STOCK


1.       Purpose of the Plan.
         The purpose of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation 1987
Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is to promote the growth and prosperity
of Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation (the "Company") and its subsidiaries
by providing an opportunity for the Company, through grants of options to
purchase shares of its Class A common stock ("Options") and stock appreciation
rights ("Rights"), to attract and retain the best available personnel for key
positions of substantial responsibility, and to provide key employees with a
proprietary interest in the Company and an additional incentive to contribute to
the success of the Company. It is further intended that Options issued pursuant
to the Plan shall constitute incentive stock options within the meaning of
Section 422A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal
Revenue Code").
2.       Administration of the Plan.
         (a) The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") shall appoint a
Stock Option Plan Committee (the "Committee"), which shall consist of not less
than three members of the Board, none of whom shall be eligible to receive
awards of Options under the Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the
Committee shall have plenary authority, in its discretion: (i) to determine the
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to whom


                                      - 1 -

<PAGE>



Options shall be granted; (ii) to determine the time or times at which Options
shall be granted; (iii) to determine the option price of the shares subject to
each Option, which price shall not be less than the minimum specified in Section
5 of the Plan; (iv) to determine the time or times when each Option becomes
exercisable and the duration of the exercise; (v) to determine to grant Rights
in tandem with Options; (vi) to determine the optionees to whom Rights should be
granted; and (vii) to interpret, prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the Plan.
         (b) The Board may, from time to time, appoint members of the Committee
in substitution for members previously appointed and may fill vacancies, however
caused, in the Committee. The Committee shall select one of its members as its
chairman and shall hold its meetings at such times and places as it shall deem
advisable. All decisions, determinations, and interpretations of the Committee
shall be final and binding on all optionees. All actions of the Committee shall
be taken by a majority vote of its members. The Committee may appoint a
secretary to keep minutes of its meetings and shall make rules and regulations
for the conduct of its meetings as it shall deem advisable.
3.       Shares of Stock Subject to the Plan.
         There will be reserved for issuance upon the exercise of
Options and Rights to be granted under the Plan (subject to the provisions of
Sections 10 and 11 of the Plan), an aggregate of 30,000 shares of the Class A
Common Stock of the Company


                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>



("Class A Stock"), par value $5.00 per share, which shares may be in whole or in
part, as the Board shall from time to time determine, authorized but unissued
shares of Class A Common Stock or issued shares of Class A Common Stock that
shall have been reacquired by the Company. Any shares subject to an Option
under the Plan which Option for any reason expires or is terminated unexercised
as to such shares may again by subject to an Option under the Plan. Any shares
subject to an Option that is canceled upon exercise of a Right shall be treated
as if the Option itself were exercised, and such shares shall no longer be
available for grant.
4.       Eligibility.
         The Committee may grant Options and Rights to the key executive,
management and creative personnel of the Company or any parent or subsidiary
corporation of the Company, as may from time to time be so designated by the
Committee. The terms "parent corporation" and "subsidiary corporation" shall,
for the purposes of the Plan, be defined in the same manner as such terms are
defined by Sections 425(e) and 425(f) of the Internal Revenue Code.
5.       Option Price.
         The exercise price with respect to each Option shall be determined by
the Committee at the time such Option is granted, but in no event shall such
exercise price be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Class A Common
Stock on the date that the Option is granted, as determined pursuant to
Section 7.

                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>



6.       Terms of Stock Option Agreements.
         Options and Rights granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by
agreements ("Incentive Stock Option Agreements") in such form as the Committee
shall, from time to time, approve. References herein to the Incentive Stock
Option Agreements shall include, to the extent applicable, any amendments to the
Incentive Stock Option Agreements. Each Incentive Stock Option Agreement shall
comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
         (a) Number of Shares. Each Incentive Stock Option Agreement shall
state the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock for which an Option is
granted and the number of shares covered by the Option which may be purchased
during various periods of time within the term of the Option.
         (b) Maximum Value. The aggregate fair market value (determined as of
the time of grant) of the Class A Common Stock for which Options granted to any
employee first become exercisable in any calendar year shall not exceed the sum
of $100,000. In calculating such $100,000 limitation, there shall be taken into
account options for Class A Common Stock granted hereunder and options for
Common Stock and Class A Common Stock granted after December 31, 1986 under any
other incentive stock option plan of the Company.
         (c) Date of Exercise. Each Incentive Stock Option Agreement shall
state that the Option granted therein may not be exercised in whole or in part
for any period or periods of time specified in such agreement or otherwise as
specified by the Committee. Except as may be so specified and except as


                                      - 4-

<PAGE>




provided in Section 15 of the Plan, any Option may be exercised in whole at any
time or in part from time to time during its term. An Option shall be exercised
when written notice has been given to the Treasurer of the Company at its
principal business office by the person entitled to exercise the Option and full
payment for the shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been
received by the Company.
         (d)      Acceleration.  In the case of an Option not immediately
exercisable in full, the Committee may in its sole discretion
accelerate the time at which such Option may be exercised.
         (e)      Term of Options.  Each Option shall expire not more
than ten years from the date the Option is granted.
         (f) Medium of Payment. Upon exercise of an Option, the option price
shall be payable to the Company either (i) in cash (including check, bank draft
or money order), or (ii) at the discretion of the Committee, through the
delivery of Class A Common Stock, owned by the optionee, having a fair market
value equal to the exercise price, or (iii) at the discretion of the Committee,
by a combination of (i) and (ii) above. The fair market value of any Class A
Common Stock used as payment for the exercise of Options hereunder shall be
determined by the Committee. Certificates for the shares purchased shall be
issued by the Company as soon as practicable following the receipt of payment.


                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>



         (g)      Rights upon Termination of Employment.
                        (i)    In the event that an optionee ceases to be an
employee of the Company or any subsidiary for any reason other than death,
retirement (as hereinafter defined) or disability (within the meaning of Section
72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code or any substitute therefor), the optionee
shall have the right to exercise his Option or Right during its term within a
period of three months after such termination to the extent that the Option or
Right was exercisable at the time of termination, or within such other period,
and subject to such terms and conditions, as may be specified by the Committee.
In the event that an optionee dies, retires or becomes disabled prior to the
expiration of his Option or Right and without having fully exercised his Option
or Right, the optionee or his successor shall have the right to exercise the
Option or Right during its term within a period of one year after termination of
employment due to death, retirement or disability to the extent that the Option
or Right was exercisable at the time of termination, or within such other
period, and subject to such terms and conditions, as may be specified by the
Committee.
                       (ii)    For purposes of this Section 6(g), the termina-
tion of an optionee's employment shall occur at the time when the
employee-employer relationship between the optionee and the Company, or a
subsidiary is terminated for any reason, including, but not limited to, a
termination by resignation, discharge, death or retirement, but excluding any
termination where there is

                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>



a simultaneous reemployment by the Company, or a subsidiary. The Committee, in
its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all other matters and
questions relating to termination of employment, and all questions of whether a
particular leave of absence constitutes termination of employment; provided,
however, that a leave of absence shall constitute a termination of employment
if, and to the extent that, such leave of absence interrupts employment for
purposes of Section 422(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code and the then
applicable Regulations and Revenue Rulings under said Section.
                      (iii)    As used in this Section 6(g), "retirement"
means a termination of employment by reason of an optionee's retirement at or
after his earliest permissible retirement date pursuant to and in accordance
with his employer's regular retirement plan or personnel practices.
         (h) Sale or Reorganization. If the Company or the shareholders of the
Company shall enter into an agreement to dispose of all or substantially all of
the assets or stock of the Company by means of a sale, merger, reorganization,
liquidation or otherwise, the Board and/or the Committee may, in its or their
absolute discretion and notwithstanding anything contained in Section 6 of the
Plan or in the Incentive Stock Option Agreement to the contrary, make provision
for or direct (and shall give prompt notice of such provision or direction to
each optionee whose Option and shall terminate not later than the date of the
sale, merger, reorganization or liquidation, as the case may be, or

                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>



that the Option has been converted and changed into an option to purchase a
comparable amount of shares of the corporation to which, or into which, or with
which the Company will sell its assets or stock, or merge or reorganize, as the
case may be.
         (i) Assignability. Any Option or Right granted under the Plan may not
be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated by any optionee in any way
other than by Will or by the laws of descent and distribution and, except as
provided in subparagraph (g)(2) above, is exercisable solely by such optionee
during his or her lifetime.
         (j) Rights of a Shareholder. An optionee shall have no rights as a
shareholder with respect to shares subject to an Option until the date of the
issuance of the shares to the optionee or as to shares to be delivered
following exercise of a Right until, after proper exercise of the Right and
determination by the Committee to make payment therefor in shares, such shares
shall have been recorded on the Company's official shareholder records as having
been issued or transferred. No adjustment will be made for cash dividends or
other distributions or rights for which the record date is prior to the date of
such issuance.
         (k) Ten Percent Shareholders. An Option shall not be granted to any
person who owns, either directly or within the meaning of the attribution rules
contained in Section 425(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, stock possessing more
than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of capital stock of
the Company or of any parent or subsidiary corporation, provided


                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>



that this prohibition shall not apply as long as at the time the Option is
granted the exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the
Class A Common Stock on the date of grant and such Option is not exercisable
after the expiration of five years from the date of grant.
         (l) Incentive Stock Option Agreements. The Incentive Stock Option
Agreements authorized under this Section may contain such other provisions as
the Committee or the Board shall deem advisable, provided such additional
provisions are not inconsistent with the provisions of Section 422A(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
7.       Valuation.
         The Committee shall determine the fair market value of the shares of
Class A Common Stock of the Company as of any date for purposes of the Plan and,
in so doing, shall consider the price or prices at which shares of the Class A
Common Stock of the Company have recently been sold as well as other indicia of
value of the Class A Common Stock that the Committee shall consider relevant in
establishing the fair market value thereof.
8.       Granting of Rights.
         (a) The Committee, at the time of grant of an Option or at any time
prior to the expiration of its term, may also grant, subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan, Rights in respect of all or part of such Option to the
optionee who has been granted the Option. A Right shall entitle the optionee to
surrender to the Company, prior to its exercise, the Option or any

                                      - 9 -

<PAGE>



portion of the Option in respect of which the Right was granted and to receive
from the Company in exchange therefor cash or Class A Common Stock having an
aggregate value equal to the product of (i) the excess of the fair market value
of a share of Class A Common Stock on the date of exercise, as determined pur-
suant to Section 7, over the option price per share fixed by the Committee
pursuant to Section 5, and (ii) the number of shares subject to the Option, or
portion thereof, which is to be surrendered.
         (b) The Committee shall have sole discretion to determine the form in
which payment will be made following the surrender of an Option or any portion
of an Option in respect of which a Right was granted. All or any part of the
obligation arising out of the surrender of an Option may be settled in the
following manner:
         (i)      by payment in cash, or
         (ii)     by payment in a combination of such shares and cash.

         (c)      The Committee may reserve the right to terminate any Right at
any time prior to its exercise and may include or reserve the right to include
in any Right terms in addition to, but not inconsistent with, the foregoing.

9.       Exercise of Rights.
         (a) The holder of a Right who decides to exercise the Right in whole or
in part shall give notice to the Treasurer of the Company of such exercise in
writing on a form approved by the Committee. The notice shall also specify the
extent, if any, to

                                     - 10 -

<PAGE>



which the optionee elects to receive shares of Common Stock and the extent, if
any, to which the optionee elects to receive cash and shall be subject to the
determination by the Committee as provided in subparagraph (d), below. Any
exercise shall be effective as of the date specified in the notice of exercise,
but not earlier than the date the notice of exercise is actually received by the
Treasurer of the Company.
         (b) To the extent an Option is exercised in whole or in part, any Right
granted in respect of such Option (or part thereof) shall terminate and cease
to be exercisable. To the extent the Right is exercised in whole or in part, the
Option (or part thereof) in respect of which such Right is granted shall
terminate and cease to be exercisable.
         (c) A Right shall be exercisable only during the period in which the
Option (or part thereof) in respect of which such Right was granted is
exercisable, except that when the Right is held by a person who is, or within
the preceding six months has been, a director or an officer of the Company for
purposes of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 who elects to
receive cash for all or part of the payments upon exercise, or who exercises
for cash, the person may so elect or exercise such Right only during any period
beginning on the third business day following the date of release of a summary
statement of the Company's quarterly or annual earnings and ending on the
twelfth business day following such date.


                                     - 11 -

<PAGE>



         (d) The Committee shall have sole discretion to determine the form in
which payment will be made following the exercise of a Right. All or any part of
the obligation arising out of an exercise of a Right may be settled in the
following manner:
         (i) by payment in shares of Class A Common Stock with a fair market
value equal to the amount of cash that would otherwise be paid,
         (ii)       by payment in cash, or
         (iii)      by payment in a combination of such shares and cash.
         (e)      To the extent that any Right that shall have become
exercisable shall not have been exercised or cancelled, it shall be deemed to
have been exercised automatically, without any notice of exercise, on the last
day on which its related Option is exercisable, provided that any conditions or
limitations on its exercise, other than notice of exercise, are satisfied and
further provided that the Right shall then have value. Such exercise shall be
deemed to specify that, subject to determination by the Committee as provided in
subparagraph (d) above, the optionee elects to receive cash and that such
exercise of a Right shall be effective as of the time of the exercise.
10.      Dilution or Other Adjustments.
         Except as hereinafter provided, in the event that the Class A Common
Stock shall be subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of
shares, the number of shares then under Option to any employee, and the number
of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan but not yet subject to Option,
shall

                                     - 12 -

<PAGE>



be adjusted accordingly and appropriate adjustments shall also be made in the
purchase price per share for each Option to reflect such subdivision or
combination. However, no such adjustment shall be made in the event of a stock
dividend until the cumulative total of such stock dividends declared by the
Company since the inception of the Plan equals or exceeds 10% of the issued and
outstanding Class A Common Stock. The Committee may also make such adjustments
in the number and kind of Rights as it shall deem appropriate in the
circumstances.
11.      Amendment or Termination of the Plan.
         (a) The Board, upon recommendation of the Committee, or by its own
initiative, may amend the Plan from time to time in such respects as the Board
may deem advisable, except that the aggregate number of shares of Class A
Common Stock for which Options may be granted (except any adjustment required by
Section 10) and the class of eligible employees may be amended only with the
approval of the holders of shares of the capital stock of the Company entitled
to cast at least a majority of the votes which all voting shareholders are
entitled to cast on matters submitted to the Company's shareholders.
         (b) The Board, in its discretion, may at any time suspend or terminate
the Plan. Any such suspension or termination of the Plan shall not affect
Options and Rights already granted, and such Options and Rights shall remain in
full force and effect as if the Plan had not been terminated.


                                     - 13 -

<PAGE>



12.      Listing and Regulation of Shares; Investment Representation.
         (a)      Each Option and Right shall be subject to the requirement
that if at any time the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, that
the listing, registration, or qualification of the shares covered thereby upon
any securities exchange or under any state or federal law or the consent or
approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a
condition of, or in connection with, the granting of such Option or the
issuance or purchase of shares thereunder or under any Right, such Option may
not be exercised in whole or in part, nor may such Right be exercised in whole
or in part for shares of Class A Common Stock unless and until such listing,
registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or
obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee. Further, the
inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction
the authority deemed by the Compa ny's legal counsel to be necessary to the
lawful issuance and sale of any shares of its Class A Common Stock hereunder
shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the non-issuance or
sale of such stock as to which such requisite authority shall not have been
obtained.
         (b) If required by the Company, the holder of an Option or Right
granted hereunder shall represent to the Company that the shares that are issued
upon exercise of the Option or Right are purchased for investment and not with a
view to resale or distribution, and the certificates representing such shares
shall bear

                                     - 14 -

<PAGE>


an appropriate legend to reflect the fact that such shares have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and that no sale or other
disposition of such shares may be made except pursuant to an effective
registration statement under such Act or in a transaction which in the opinion
of legal counsel to the Company is exempt from such registration requirement.
13.      Continuation of Employment.
         Neither the Plan nor any Option or Right granted hereunder shall confer
upon any employee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any
parent or subsidiary corporation or limit in any respect the right of the
Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation to terminate his employment at
any time.
14.      No Prohibition on Corporate Action.
         No provision of the Plan or any Incentive Stock Option
Agreement shall be construed to prevent the Company or any parent or subsidiary
corporation from taking any corporate action deemed by the Company or such
parent or subsidiary corporation to be appropriate or in its best interest,
whether or not such action could have an adverse effect on the Plan or any
Options and Rights granted hereunder, and no optionee or optionee's estate,
personal representative or beneficiary shall have any claim against the Company
or any parent or subsidiary corporation as a result of the taking of such
action.
15.      Authority of the Committee.
         The decision of the Committee with respect to interpretations of the
various provisions of the Plan and rules and regulations relating to the Plan


                                     - 15 -

<PAGE>



and the fair market value of shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company as of
any date shall be binding upon all optionees and shall be final and conclusive
for all purposes.
16.      Effective Date and Term of Plan; Shareholder Approval.
         The Plan shall have an effective date of April 27, 1987 and the term
during which Options and Rights may be granted under the Plan shall expire at
the close of business on April 26, 1997; however, no Option or Right may be
exercised unless the Plan is approved by a vote of the holders of shares of the
capital stock of the Company entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes
which all voting shareholders are entitled to cast on matters submitted to the
Company's shareholders at a meeting of shareholders of the Company held within
twelve months after the effective date.

Date Plan Approved by Board of Directors - February 21, 1987

Date Plan Approved by Shareholders - April 27, 1987

Date Plan Amended by Board of Directors - February 28, 1995



                                     - 16 -





                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.6

                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                           1991 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

1.   Purpose.

     The purpose of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation 1991 Equity
Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to enhance the ability of Pennsylvania
Manufacturers Corporation (the "Company") and any subsidiaries to attract and
retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,
to provide additional incentive to such personnel and to promote the success of
the Company. To accomplish these purposes, the Plan provides a means whereby
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries may receive stock options to
purchase the Company's Class A Common Stock ("Options").

2.   Administration.

     (a) Composition of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by a
committee of at least two directors (the "Committee") appointed by the Company's
Board of Directors. No member of the Committee shall have been, or shall be,
granted Options under the Plan, or options or other awards under any other plan
of the Company or any of its affiliates, in the year preceding his appointment
or while serving on the Committee, except for participation in any plan in which
participation would be permitted in accordance with the applicable rules of the
Securities and Ex change Commission relating to disinterested administration
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Subject to the
foregoing, from time to time the Board of Directors may increase the size of the
Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or
without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies,
however caused, or remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly
administer the Plan.

     (b) Authority of the Committee. The Committee shall have full and final
authority, in its sole discretion, to interpret the provisions of the Plan and
to decide all questions of fact arising in its application; to determine the
employees to whom awards shall be made and the amount, size and terms of each
such award; to determine the time when awards shall be granted; and to make all
other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Committee shall be
final and binding on all optionees and all other holders of Options granted
under the Plan.

3.   Stock Subject to the Plan.

     Subject to Section 16 hereof, the shares that may be issued under the Plan
shall not exceed in the aggregate 150,000 shares of Class A Common Stock of the
Company (the "Class A Stock"). Such shares may be authorized and unissued shares
or shares issued and subsequently reacquired by the Company. Except as otherwise
provided herein, any shares subject to an Option that for


                                      

<PAGE>


any reason expires or is terminated unexercised as to such shares shall again be
available under the Plan.

4.   Eligibility To Receive Options.

     Persons eligible to receive stock options under the Plan shall be limited
to those officers and other employees of the Company and any subsidiary (as
defined in Section 425 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") or any
amendment or substitute thereto), who may also be directors, who are in
positions in which their decisions, actions and counsel significantly impact
upon the profitability and success of the Company and/or a subsidiary. Directors
of the Company who are not also officers or employees of the Company or any
subsidiary shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan.

5.   Types of Options.

     Grants may be made at any time and from time to time by the Committee in
the form of stock options to purchase shares of Class A Stock. Options granted
hereunder may be Options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options
within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or any amendment or substitute
thereto ("Incentive Stock Options") or Options that are not intended to so
qualify ("Nonqualified Stock Options").

6.   Stock Options.

     Options for the purchase of Class A Stock shall be evidenced by written
agreements in such form not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee shall
approve from time to time. The Options granted hereunder may be evidenced by a
single agreement or by multiple agreements, as determined by the Committee in
its sole discretion. Each Option agreement shall contain in substance the
following terms and conditions:

     (a) Type of Option. Each Option agreement shall identify the Options
represented thereby as Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, as
the case may be.

     (b) Option Price. Each Option agreement shall set forth the purchase price
of the Class A Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Option evidenced
thereby. Subject to the limitation set forth in Section 6(d)(ii), the purchase
price of the Class A Stock subject to an Incentive Stock Option shall be not
less than 100% of the fair market value of such stock on the date the Option is
granted, as determined by the Committee, but in no event less than the par value
of such stock. The purchase price of the Class A Stock subject to a Nonqualified
Stock Option shall be not less than 85% of the fair market value of such stock
on the date the Option is granted, as determined by the Committee. For this
purpose, fair market value on any date shall mean the closing price of the Class
A Stock, as reported in The Wall Street Journal (or if not so reported, as
otherwise reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotation ("NASDAQ") System), or if the Class A Stock is not reported by NASDAQ,
the fair market value shall be as determined by the Committee pursuant to
Section 422 of the Code.


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



     (c) Exercise Term. Each Option agreement shall state the period or periods
of time within which the Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, which
shall be such a period or periods of time as may be determined by the Committee,
provided that no Option shall be exercisable after ten years from the date of
grant thereof. The Committee shall have the power to permit an acceleration of
previously established exercise terms, subject to the requirements set forth
herein, upon such circumstances and subject to such terms and conditions as the
Committee deems appropriate.

     (d) Incentive Stock Options. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, each
Option agreement shall contain such other terms, conditions and provisions as
the Committee determines necessary or desirable in order to qualify such Option
as a tax-favored Option (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or any
amendment or substitute thereto or regulation thereunder) including without
limitation, each of the following, except that any of these provisions may be
omitted or modified if it is no longer required in order to have an Option
qualify as a tax-favored Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or
any substitute therefor:

          (i) The aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date the
     Option is granted) of the Class A Stock with respect to which Incentive
     Stock Options are first exercisable by any employee during any calendar
     year (under all plans of the Company) shall not exceed $100,000.

          (ii) No Incentive Stock Options shall be granted to any employee if at
     the time the Option is granted such employee owns stock possessing more
     than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
     of the Company or its parent or its subsidiaries unless at the time such
     Option is granted the Option price is at least 110% of the fair market
     value of the stock subject to the Option and, by its terms, the Option is
     not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant.

          (iii) No Incentive Stock Options shall be exercisable more than three
     months (or one year, in the case of an employee who dies or becomes
     disabled within the meaning of Section 72(m)(7) of the Code or any
     substitute therefor) after termination of employment.

     (e) Substitution of Options. Options may be granted under the Plan from
time to time in substitution for stock options held by employees of other
corporations who are about to become, and who do concurrently with the grant of
such options become, employees of the Company or a subsidiary as a result of a
merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company or a
subsidiary, or the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of the assets of
the employing corporation, or the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of
stock of the subsidiary. The terms and conditions of the substitute options so
granted may vary from the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6 to
such extent as the Committee at the time of grant may deem appropriate to
conform, in whole or in part, to the provisions of the stock options in
substitution for which they are granted.


                                       -3-

<PAGE>


7.   Date of Grant.

     The date on which an Option shall be deemed to have been granted under the
Plan shall be the date of the Committee's authorization of the Option or such
later date as may be determined by the Committee at the time the Option is
authorized. Notice of the determination shall be given to each individual to
whom an Option is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such
grant.

8.   Exercise and Payment for Shares.

     Options may be exercised in whole or in part, from time to time, by giving
written notice of exercise to the Secretary of the Company, specifying the
number of shares to be purchased. The purchase price of the shares with respect
to which an Option is exercised shall be payable in full with the notice of
exercise in cash, Class A Stock at fair market value, or a combination thereof,
as the Committee may determine from time to time and subject to such terms and
conditions as may be prescribed by the Committee for such purpose.

9.   Rights upon Termination of Employment.

     In the event that an optionee ceases to be an employee of the Company or
any subsidiary for any reason other than death, retirement, as hereinafter
defined, or disability (within the meaning of Section 72(m)(7) of the Code or
any substitute therefor), the optionee shall have the right to exercise the
Option during its term within a period of three months after such termination to
the extent that the Option was exercisable at the time of termination, or within
such other period, and subject to such terms and conditions, as may be specified
by the Committee. In the event that an optionee dies, retires or becomes
disabled prior to the expiration of his Option and without having fully
exercised his Option, the optionee or his successor shall have the right to
exercise the Option during its term within a period of one year after
termination of employment due to death, retirement or disability to the extent
that the Option was exercisable at the time of termination, or within such other
period, and subject to such terms and conditions, as may be specified by the
Committee. As used in this Section 9, "retirement" means a termination of
employment by reason of an optionee's retirement at or after his earliest
permissible retirement date pursuant to and in accordance with his employer's
regular retirement plan or personnel practices. Notwithstanding the provisions
of Section 6(d)(iii) hereof, an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised more
than three months after termination of employment due to retirement, as provided
in this Section 9, but in that event, the Option shall lose its status as an
Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

10.  General Restrictions.

     Each Option granted under the Plan shall be subject to the requirement that
if at any time the Committee shall determine that (i) the listing, registration
or qualification of the shares of Class A Stock subject or related thereto upon
any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or (ii) the consent
or approval of any government regulatory body, or (iii) an agreement by the
recipient of an Option with respect to the disposition of shares of Class A
Stock is necessary


                                       -4-

<PAGE>


or desirable as a condition of or in connection with the granting of such Option
or the issuance or purchase of shares of Class A Stock thereunder, such Option
shall not be consummated in whole or in part unless such listing, registration,
qualification, consent, approval or agreement shall have been effected or
obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.

11.  Rights of a Shareholder.

     The recipient of any Option under the Plan, unless otherwise provided by
the Plan, shall have no rights as a shareholder unless and until a certificate
for shares of Class A Stock is issued and delivered to him.

12.  Right to Terminate Employment.

     Nothing contained in the Plan or in any agreement entered into pursuant to
the Plan shall confer upon any optionee the right to continue in the employment
of the Company or any subsidiary or affect any right that the Company or any
subsidiary may have to terminate the employment of such optionee.

13.  Withholding.

     Whenever the Company proposes or is required to issue or transfer shares of
Class A Stock under the Plan, the Company shall have the right to require the
recipient to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal,
state or local withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery of any
certificate for such shares. If and to the extent authorized by the Committee,
in its sole discretion, an optionee may make an election, by means of a form of
election to be prescribed by the Committee, to have shares of Class A Stock that
are acquired upon exercise of an Option withheld by the Company or to tender
other shares of Class A Stock or other securities of the Company owned by the
optionee to the Company at the time of exercise of an Option to pay the amount
of tax that would otherwise be required by law to be withheld by the Company as
a result of any exercise of an Option. Any such election shall be irrevocable
and shall be subject to the disapproval of the Committee at any time. Any
securities so withheld or tendered will be valued by the Committee as of the
date of exercise.

14.  Non-Assignability.

     No Option under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable by the
recipient thereof except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or
by such other means as the Committee may approve, unless such means would be
prohibited by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. During the life of the
recipient such Option shall be exercisable only by such person or by such
person's guardian or legal representative.


                                       -5-

<PAGE>


15.  Non-Uniform Determinations.

     The Committee's determinations under the Plan (including without limitation
determinations of the persons to receive Options, the form, amount and timing of
such grants, the terms and provisions of Options, and the agreements evidencing
same) need not be uniform and may be made selectively among persons who receive,
or are eligible to receive, grants of Options under the Plan whether or not such
persons are similarly situated.

16.  Adjustments.

     (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Class A Stock covered by
each outstanding Option and the number of shares of Class A Stock that have been
authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet been
granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration
of an Option, as well as the price per share of Class A Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Class A Stock resulting from a stock
split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of
the Class A Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued
shares of Class A Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the
Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the
Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of
consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Committee, whose
determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as
expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any
class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall
affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the
number or price of shares of Class A Stock subject to an Option.

     (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Options will terminate immediately
prior to the consummation of such proposed action, unless otherwise provided by
the Committee. The Committee may, in the exercise of its sole discretion in such
instances, declare that any Option shall terminate as of a date fixed by the
Committee and give each Option holder the right to exercise his Option as to all
or any part of the shares of Class A Stock covered by the Option, including
shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable.

     (c) Sale or Merger. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company with or into
another corporation, the Committee, in the exercise of its sole discretion, may
take such action as it deems desirable, including, but, not limited to: (i)
causing an Option to be assumed or an equivalent option to be substituted by
such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such successor
corporation, (ii) providing that each Option holder shall have the right to
exercise his Option as to all of the shares of Class A Stock covered by the
Option, including shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be
exercisable, or (iii) declare that an Option shall terminate at a date fixed by
the Committee provided that the Option holder is given notice and opportunity
prior to such date to exercise that portion of his Option that is currently
exercisable.


                                       -6-

<PAGE>


17.  Amendment.

     The Committee may terminate or amend the Plan at any time, except that
without sharehold er approval the Committee may not (i) materially increase the
maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Plan (other than increases
pursuant to Section 16 hereof), (ii) materially increase the benefits accruing
to participants under the Plan or (iii) materially modify the requirements as to
eligibility for participation in the Plan. The termination or any modification
or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the consent of a participant, affect
his rights under an Option previously granted.

18.  Conditions upon Issuance of Shares.

     (a) Compliance with Securities Laws. Shares of the Company's Class A Stock
shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of
such Option and the issuance and delivery of such shares pursuant thereto shall
comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which
the Class A Stock of the Company may then be listed, and shall be further
subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.

     (b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an
Option, the Company may require the person exercising such Option to represent
and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the shares of Class A Stock
are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to
sell or distribute such shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company,
such representation is required by any of the aforementioned relevant provisions
of law.

19.  Reservation of Shares.

     The Company, during the term of the Plan, will at all times reserve and
keep available such number of shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Plan. Inability of the Company to obtain authority from any
regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's
counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder,
shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or
sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been
obtained.

20.  Effect on Other Plans.

     Participation in the Plan shall not affect an employee's eligibility to
participate in any other benefit or incentive plan of the Company or any
subsidiary. Any Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall not be used in
determining the benefits provided under any other plan of the Company or any
subsidiary unless specifically provided.


                                       -7-

<PAGE>


21.  Duration of the Plan.

     The Plan shall remain in effect until all Options granted under the Plan
have been satisfied by the issuance of shares, but no Option shall be granted
more than ten years after the earlier of the date the Plan is adopted by the
Company's Board of Directors or is approved by the Company's shareholders.

22.  Forfeiture for Dishonesty.

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, if the Committee
finds, by a majority vote, after full consideration of the facts presented on
behalf of both the Company and any optionee, that the optionee has been engaged
in fraud, embezzlement, theft, commission of a felony or dishonest conduct in
the course of his employment or retention by the Company or any subsidiary that
damaged the Company or any subsidiary or that the optionee has disclosed trade
secrets of the Company or any subsidiary, the optionee shall forfeit all
unexercised Options and all exercised Options with respect to which the Company
has not yet delivered the certificates. The decision of the Committee in
interpreting and applying the provisions of this Section 22 shall be final. No
decision of the Committee, however, shall affect the finality of the discharge
or termination of such optionee by the Company or any subsidiary in any manner.

23.  No Prohibition on Corporate Action.

     No provision of the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or any
officer or director thereof from taking any corporate action deemed by the
Company or such officer or director to be appropriate or in the Company's best
interest, whether or not such action could have an adverse effect on the Plan or
any Options granted hereunder, and no optionee or optionee's estate, personal
representative or beneficiary shall have any claim against the Company or any
officer or director thereof as a result of the taking of such action.

24.  Indemnification.

     With respect to the administration of the Plan, the Company shall indemnify
each present and future member of the Committee and the Board of Directors
against, and each member of the Committee and the Board of Directors shall be
entitled without further action on his part to indemnity from the Company for
all expenses (including the amount of judgments and the amount of approved
settlements made with a view to the curtailment of costs of litigation, other
than amounts paid to the Company itself) reasonably incurred by him in
connection with or arising out of, any action, suit or proceeding in which he
may be involved by reason of his being or having been a member of the Committee
and the Board of Directors, whether or not he continues to be such member at the
time of incurring such expenses; provided, however, that such indemnity shall
not include any expenses incurred by any such member of the Committee and the
Board of Directors (i) in respect of matters as to which he shall be finally
adjudged in any such action, suit or proceeding to have been guilty of gross
negligence or willful misconduct in the perfor mance of his duty as such member
of the Committee or the Board of Directors; or (ii) in respect of any matter in
which any settlement is effected for an amount in excess of the amount approved


                                       -8-

<PAGE>


by the Company on the advice of its legal counsel; and provided further that no
right of indemnification under the provisions set forth herein shall be
available to or enforceable by any such member of the Committee and the Board of
Directors unless, within 60 days after institution of any such action, suit or
proceeding, he shall have offered the Company in writing the opportunity to
handle and defend same at its own expense. The foregoing right of
indemnification shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors or
administrators of each such member of the Committee and the Board of Directors
and shall be in addition to all other rights to which such member may be
entitled as a matter of law, contract or otherwise.

25.  Miscellaneous Provisions.

     (a) Compliance with Plan Provisions. No optionee or other person shall have
any right with respect to the Plan, the Class A Stock reserved for issuance
under the Plan or any Option until a written Option agreement shall have been
executed by the Company and the optionee and all the terms, conditions and
provisions of the Plan and the Option applicable to such optionee (and each
person claiming under or through him) have been met.

     (b) Approval of Counsel. In the discretion of the Committee, no shares of
Class A Stock, other securities or property of the Company, or other forms of
payment shall be issued hereunder with respect to any Option unless counsel for
the Company shall be satisfied that such issuance will be in compliance with
applicable federal, state, local and foreign legal, securities exchange and
other applicable requirements.

     (c) Compliance with Rule 16b-3. To the extent that Rule 16b-3 under the
Exchange Act shall apply to Options granted under the Plan, it is the intent of
the Company that the Plan comply in all respects with the requirements of Rule
16b-3, that any ambiguities or inconsistencies in construction of the Plan be
interpreted to give effect to such intention and that if the Plan shall not so
comply, whether on the date of adoption or by reason of any later amendment to
or interpretation of Rule 16b-3, the provisions of the Plan shall be deemed to
be automatically amended so as to bring them into full compliance with such
rule.

     (d) Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be
required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other
segregation of assets under the Plan.

     (e) Effects of Acceptance of Option. By accepting any Option or other
benefit under the Plan, each optionee and each person claiming under or through
him shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated his acceptance and
ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan by the Company,
the Board of Directors and/or the Committee or its delegates.

     (f) Construction. The masculine pronoun shall include the feminine and
neuter, and the singular shall include the plural, where the context so
indicates.


                                       -9-

<PAGE>


26.  Shareholder Approval.

     The exercise of any Option granted under the Plan shall be subject to the
approval of the Plan by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
votes present or represented, and entitled to be cast, at a duly held meeting of
the shareholders of the Company.


Date of Adoption by Board of Directors - December 14, 1991.

Date of Approval by Shareholders - May 4, 1992.

Date of Amendment by Compensation and Stock Option Committee - April 12, 1995.



N.B. As the result of a stock dividend of four shares of Class A Stock for each
     share of Class A Stock theretofore outstanding effected in May 1992, the
     number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, as set forth in
     Section 3 of the Plan, was increased to 750,000 shares in accordance with
     the adjustment provisions set forth in Section 16(a) of the Plan.


                                      -10-




                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.7


                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                           1993 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Purpose.

        The purpose of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation 1993 Equity
Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to enhance the ability of Pennsylvania
Manufacturers Corporation (the "Company") and any subsidiaries to attract and
retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,
to provide additional incentive to such personnel and to promote the success of
the Company. To accomplish these purposes, the Plan provides a means whereby
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries may receive stock options to
purchase the Company's Class A Common Stock ("Options").

2. Administration.

        (a) Composition of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by a
committee of at least two directors (the "Committee") appointed by the Company's
Board of Directors. No member of the Committee shall have been, or shall be,
granted Options under the Plan, or options or other awards under any other plan
of the Company or any of its affiliates, in the year preceding his appointment
or while serving on the Committee, except for participation in any plan in which
participation would be permitted in accordance with the applicable rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission relating to disinterested administration
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Subject to the
foregoing, from time to time the Board of Directors may increase the size of the
Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or
without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies,
however caused, or remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly
administer the Plan.

        (b) Authority of the Committee. The Committee shall have full and final
authority, in its sole discretion, to interpret the provisions of the Plan and
to decide all questions of fact arising in its application; to determine the
employees to whom awards shall be made and the amount, size and terms of each
such award; to determine the time when awards shall be granted; and to make all
other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Committee shall be
final and binding on all optionees and all other holders of Options granted
under the Plan.

3. Stock Subject to the Plan.

        Subject to Section 16 hereof, the shares that may be issued under the
Plan shall not exceed in the aggregate 750,000 shares of Class A Common Stock of
the Company (the "Class A Stock"). Such shares may be authorized and unissued
shares or shares issued and subsequently reacquired by the Company. Except as
otherwise provided herein, any shares subject to an Option that for



<PAGE>



any reason expires or is terminated unexercised as to such shares shall again be
available under the Plan.

4. Eligibility To Receive Options.

        Persons eligible to receive stock options under the Plan shall be
limited to those officers and other employees of the Company and any subsidiary
(as defined in Section 425 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") or
any amendment or substitute thereto), who may also be directors, who are in
positions in which their decisions, actions and counsel significantly impact
upon the profitability and success of the Company and/or a subsidiary. Directors
of the Company who are not also officers or employees of the Company or any
subsidiary shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan.

5. Types of Options.

        Grants may be made at any time and from time to time by the Committee in
the form of stock options to purchase shares of Class A Stock. Options granted
hereunder may be Options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options
within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or any amendment or substitute
thereto ("Incentive Stock Options") or Options that are not intended to so
qualify ("Nonqualified Stock Options").

6. Stock Options.

        Options for the purchase of Class A Stock shall be evidenced by written
agreements in such form not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee shall
approve from time to time. The Options granted hereunder may be evidenced by a
single agreement or by multiple agreements, as determined by the Committee in
its sole discretion. Each Option agreement shall contain in substance the
following terms and conditions:

        (a) Type of Option. Each Option agreement shall identify the Options
represented thereby as Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, as
the case may be.

        (b) Option Price. Each Option agreement shall set forth the purchase
price of the Class A Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Option evidenced
thereby. Subject to the limitation set forth in Section 6(d)(ii), the purchase
price of the Class A Stock subject to an Incentive Stock Option shall be not
less than 100% of the fair market value of such stock on the date the Option is
granted, as determined by the Committee, but in no event less than the par value
of such stock. The purchase price of the Class A Stock subject to a Nonqualified
Stock Option shall be not less than 85% of the fair market value of such stock
on the date the Option is granted, as determined by the Committee. For this
purpose, fair market value on any date shall mean the closing price of the Class
A Stock, as reported in The Wall Street Journal (or if not so reported, as
otherwise reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotation ("NASDAQ") System), or if the Class A Stock is not reported by NASDAQ,
the fair market value shall be as determined by the Committee pursuant to
Section 422 of the Code.


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



        (c) Exercise Term. Each Option agreement shall state the period or
periods of time within which the Option may be exercised, in whole or in part,
which shall be such a period or periods of time as may be determined by the
Committee, provided that no Option shall be exercisable after ten years from the
date of grant thereof. The Committee shall have the power to permit an
acceleration of previously established exercise terms, subject to the
requirements set forth herein, upon such circumstances and subject to such terms
and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate.

        (d) Incentive Stock Options. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option,
each Option agreement shall contain such other terms, conditions and provisions
as the Committee determines necessary or desirable in order to qualify such
Option as a tax-favored Option (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or
any amendment or substitute thereto or regulation thereunder) including without
limitation, each of the following, except that any of these provisions may be
omitted or modified if it is no longer required in order to have an Option
qualify as a tax-favored Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or
any substitute therefor:

             (i) The aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date the
         Option is granted) of the Class A Stock with respect to which Incentive
         Stock Options are first exercisable by any employee during any calendar
         year (under all plans of the Company) shall not exceed $100,000.

            (ii) No Incentive Stock Options shall be granted to any employee if
         at the time the Option is granted such employee owns stock possessing
         more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes
         of stock of the Company or its parent or its subsid iaries unless at
         the time such Option is granted the Option price is at least 110% of
         the fair market value of the stock subject to the Option and, by its
         terms, the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years
         from the date of grant.

           (iii) No Incentive Stock Options shall be exercisable more than three
         months (or one year, in the case of an employee who dies or becomes
         disabled within the meaning of Section 72(m)(7) of the Code or any
         substitute therefor) after termination of employment.

         (e) Substitution of Options. Options may be granted under the Plan from
time to time in substitution for stock options held by employees of other
corporations who are about to become, and who do concurrently with the grant of
such options become, employees of the Company or a subsidiary as a result of a
merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company or a
subsidiary, or the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of the assets of
the employing corporation, or the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of
stock of the subsidiary. The terms and conditions of the substitute options so
granted may vary from the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6 to
such extent as the Committee at the time of grant may deem appropriate to
conform, in whole or in part, to the provisions of the stock options in
substitution for which they are granted.


                                       -3-

<PAGE>



7. Date of Grant.

        The date on which an Option shall be deemed to have been granted under
the Plan shall be the date of the Committee's authorization of the Option or
such later date as may be determined by the Committee at the time the Option is
authorized. Notice of the determination shall be given to each individual to
whom an Option is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such
grant.

8. Exercise and Payment for Shares.

        Options may be exercised in whole or in part, from time to time, by
giving written notice of exercise to the Secretary of the Company, specifying
the number of shares to be purchased. The purchase price of the shares with
respect to which an Option is exercised shall be payable in full with the notice
of exercise in cash, Class A Stock at fair market value, or a combination
thereof, as the Committee may determine from time to time and subject to such
terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Committee for such purpose.

9. Rights upon Termination of Employment.

        In the event that an optionee ceases to be an employee of the Company or
any subsidiary for any reason other than death, retirement, as hereinafter
defined, or disability (within the meaning of Section 72(m)(7) of the Code or
any substitute therefor), the optionee shall have the right to exercise the
Option during its term within a period of three months after such termination to
the extent that the Option was exercisable at the time of termination, or within
such other period, and subject to such terms and conditions, as may be specified
by the Committee. In the event that an optionee dies, retires or becomes
disabled prior to the expiration of his Option and without having fully
exercised his Option, the optionee or his successor shall have the right to
exercise the Option during its term within a period of one year after
termination of employment due to death, retirement or disability to the extent
that the Option was exercisable at the time of termination, or within such other
period, and subject to such terms and conditions, as may be specified by the
Committee. As used in this Section 9, "retirement" means a termination of
employment by reason of an optionee's retirement at or after his earliest
permissible retirement date pursuant to and in accordance with his employer's
regular retirement plan or personnel practices. Notwithstanding the provisions
of Section 6(d)(iii) hereof, an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised more
than three months after termination of employment due to retirement, as provided
in this Section 9, but in that event, the Option shall lose its status as an
Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

10. General Restrictions.

        Each Option granted under the Plan shall be subject to the requirement
that if at any time the Committee shall determine that (i) the listing,
registration or qualification of the shares of Class A Stock subject or related
thereto upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or (ii)
the consent or approval of any government regulatory body, or (iii) an agreement
by the recipient of an Option with respect to the disposition of shares of Class
A Stock is necessary

                                       -4-

<PAGE>



or desirable as a condition of or in connection with the granting of such Option
or the issuance or purchase of shares of Class A Stock thereunder, such Option
shall not be consummated in whole or in part unless such listing, registration,
qualification, consent, approval or agreement shall have been effected or
obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.

11. Rights of a Shareholder.

        The recipient of any Option under the Plan, unless otherwise provided by
the Plan, shall have no rights as a shareholder unless and until a certificate
for shares of Class A Stock is issued and delivered to him.

12. Right to Terminate Employment.

        Nothing contained in the Plan or in any agreement entered into pursuant
to the Plan shall confer upon any optionee the right to continue in the
employment of the Company or any subsid iary or affect any right that the
Company or any subsidiary may have to terminate the employment of such optionee.

13. Withholding.

        Whenever the Company proposes or is required to issue or transfer shares
of Class A Stock under the Plan, the Company shall have the right to require the
recipient to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal,
state or local withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery of any
certificate for such shares. If and to the extent authorized by the Committee,
in its sole discretion, an optionee may make an election, by means of a form of
election to be prescribed by the Committee, to have shares of Class A Stock that
are acquired upon exercise of an Option withheld by the Company or to tender
other shares of Class A Stock or other securities of the Company owned by the
optionee to the Company at the time of exercise of an Option to pay the amount
of tax that would otherwise be required by law to be withheld by the Company as
a result of any exercise of an Option from amounts payable to such optionee. Any
such election shall be irrevocable and shall be subject to the disapproval of
the Committee at any time. Any securities so withheld or tendered will be valued
by the Committee as of the date of exercise.

14. Non-Assignability.

        No Option under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable by the
recipient thereof except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or
by such other means as the Committee may approve, unless such means would be
prohibited by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. During the life of the
recipient such Option shall be exercisable only by such person or by such
person's guardian or legal representative.


                                       -5-

<PAGE>



15. Non-Uniform Determinations.

        The Committee's determinations under the Plan (including without
limitation determinations of the persons to receive Options, the form, amount
and timing of such grants, the terms and provisions of Options, and the
agreements evidencing same) need not be uniform and may be made selectively
among persons who receive, or are eligible to receive, grants of Options under
the Plan whether or not such persons are similarly situated.

16. Adjustments.

        (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Class A Stock covered by
each outstanding Option and the number of shares of Class A Stock that have been
authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet been
granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration
of an Option, as well as the price per share of Class A Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Class A Stock resulting from a stock
split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of
the Class A Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued
shares of Class A Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the
Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the
Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of
consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Committee, whose
determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as
expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any
class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall
affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the
number or price of shares of Class A Stock subject to an Option.

        (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution
or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Options will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action, unless otherwise
provided by the Committee. The Committee may, in the exercise of its sole
discretion in such instances, declare that any Option shall terminate as of a
date fixed by the Committee and give each Option holder the right to exercise
his Option as to all or any part of the shares of Class A Stock covered by the
Option, including shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be
exercisable.

        (c) Sale or Merger. In the event of a proposed sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, the Committee, in the exercise of its sole
discretion, may take such action as it deems desirable, including, but, not
limited to: (i) causing an Option to be assumed or an equivalent option to be
substituted by such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such
successor corporation, (ii) providing that each Option holder shall have the
right to exercise his Option as to all of the shares of Class A Stock covered by
the Option, including shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be
exercisable, or (iii) declare that an Option shall terminate at a date fixed by
the Committee provided that the Option holder is given notice and opportunity
prior to such date to exercise that portion of his Option that is currently
exercisable.

                                       -6-

<PAGE>



17. Amendment.

        The Committee may terminate or amend the Plan at any time, except that
without sharehold er approval the Committee may not (i) materially increase the
maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Plan (other than increases
pursuant to Section 16 hereof), (ii) materially increase the benefits accruing
to participants under the Plan or (iii) materially modify the requirements as to
eligibility for participation in the Plan. The termination or any modification
or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the consent of a participant, affect
his rights under an Option previously granted.

18. Conditions upon Issuance of Shares.

        (a) Compliance with Securities Laws. Shares of the Company's Class A
Stock shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the
exercise of such Option and the issuance and delivery of such shares pursuant
thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without
limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock
exchange upon which the Class A Stock of the Company may then be listed, and
shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect
to such compliance.

        (b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an
Option, the Company may require the person exercising such Option to represent
and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the shares of Class A Stock
are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to
sell or distribute such shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company,
such representation is required by any of the aforementioned relevant provisions
of law.

19. Reservation of Shares.

        The Company, during the term of the Plan, will at all times reserve and
keep available such number of shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Plan. Inability of the Company to obtain authority from any
regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's
counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder,
shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or
sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been
obtained.

20. Effect on Other Plans.

        Participation in the Plan shall not affect an employee's eligibility to
participate in any other benefit or incentive plan of the Company or any
subsidiary. Any Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall not be used in
determining the benefits provided under any other plan of the Company or any
subsidiary unless specifically provided.


                                       -7-

<PAGE>



21. Duration of the Plan.

        The Plan shall remain in effect until all Options granted under the Plan
have been satisfied by the issuance of shares, but no Option shall be granted
more than ten years after the earlier of the date the Plan is adopted by the
Company's Board of Directors or is approved by the Company's shareholders.

22. Forfeiture for Dishonesty.

        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, if the Committee
finds, by a majority vote, after full consideration of the facts presented on
behalf of both the Company and any optionee, that the optionee has been engaged
in fraud, embezzlement, theft, commission of a felony or dishonest conduct in
the course of his employment or retention by the Company or any subsidiary that
damaged the Company or any subsidiary or that the optionee has disclosed trade
secrets of the Company or any subsidiary, the optionee shall forfeit all
unexercised Options and all exercised Options with respect to which the Company
has not yet delivered the certificates. The decision of the Committee in
interpreting and applying the provisions of this Section 22 shall be final. No
decision of the Committee, however, shall affect the finality of the discharge
or termination of such optionee by the Company or any subsidiary in any manner.

23. No Prohibition on Corporate Action.

        No provision of the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or
any officer or director thereof from taking any corporate action deemed by the
Company or such officer or direc tor to be appropriate or in the Company's best
interest, whether or not such action could have an adverse effect on the Plan or
any Options granted hereunder, and no optionee or optionee's estate, personal
representative or beneficiary shall have any claim against the Company or any
officer or director thereof as a result of the taking of such action.

24. Indemnification.

        With respect to the administration of the Plan, the Company shall
indemnify each present and future member of the Committee and the Board of
Directors against, and each member of the Committee and the Board of Directors
shall be entitled without further action on his part to indemnity from the
Company for all expenses (including the amount of judgments and the amount of
approved settlements made with a view to the curtailment of costs of litigation,
other than amounts paid to the Company itself) reasonably incurred by him in
connection with or arising out of, any action, suit or proceeding in which he
may be involved by reason of his being or having been a member of the Committee
and the Board of Directors, whether or not he continues to be such member at the
time of incurring such expenses; provided, however, that such indemnity shall
not include any expenses incurred by any such member of the Committee and the
Board of Directors (i) in respect of matters as to which he shall be finally
adjudged in any such action, suit or proceeding to have been guilty of gross
negligence or willful misconduct in the perfor mance of his duty as such member
of the Committee or the Board of Directors; or (ii) in respect of any matter in
which any settlement is effected for an amount in excess of the amount approved

                                       -8-

<PAGE>



by the Company on the advice of its legal counsel; and provided further that no
right of indemnifi cation under the provisions set forth herein shall be
available to or enforceable by any such member of the Committee and the Board of
Directors unless, within 60 days after institution of any such action, suit or
proceeding, he shall have offered the Company in writing the opportunity to
handle and defend same at its own expense. The foregoing right of
indemnification shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors or
administrators of each such member of the Committee and the Board of Directors
and shall be in addition to all other rights to which such member may be
entitled as a matter of law, contract or otherwise.

25. Miscellaneous Provisions.

        (a) Compliance with Plan Provisions. No optionee or other person shall
have any right with respect to the Plan, the Class A Stock reserved for issuance
under the Plan or any Option until a written Option agreement shall have been
executed by the Company and the optionee and all the terms, conditions and
provisions of the Plan and the Option applicable to such optionee (and each
person claiming under or through him) have been met.

        (b) Approval of Counsel. In the discretion of the Committee, no shares
of Class A Stock, other securities or property of the Company, or other forms of
payment shall be issued hereunder with respect to any Option unless counsel for
the Company shall be satisfied that such issuance will be in compliance with
applicable federal, state, local and foreign legal, securities exchange and
other applicable requirements.

        (c) Compliance with Rule 16b-3. To the extent that Rule 16b-3 under the
Exchange Act shall apply to Options granted under the Plan, it is the intent of
the Company that the Plan comply in all respects with the requirements of Rule
16b-3, that any ambiguities or inconsistencies in construction of the Plan be
interpreted to give effect to such intention and that if the Plan shall not so
comply, whether on the date of adoption or by reason of any later amendment to
or interpretation of Rule 16b-3, the provisions of the Plan shall be deemed to
be automatically amended so as to bring them into full compliance with such
rule.

        (d) Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be
required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other
segregation of assets under the Plan.

        (e) Effects of Acceptance of Option. By accepting any Option or other
benefit under the Plan, each optionee and each person claiming under or through
him shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated his acceptance and
ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan by the Company,
the Board of Directors and/or the Committee or its delegates.

        (f) Construction. The masculine pronoun shall include the feminine and
neuter, and the singular shall include the plural, where the context so
indicates.


                                       -9-

<PAGE>


26. Shareholder Approval.

        The exercise of any Option granted under the Plan shall be subject to
the approval of the Plan by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the votes present or represented, and entitled to be cast, at a duly held
meeting of the shareholders of the Company.


Date of Adoption by Board of Directors - February 23, 1993.

Date of Approval by Shareholders - April 26, 1993.

Date of Amendment by Compensation and Stock Option Committee - April 12, 1995.





                                      -10-


                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.8

                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                           1994 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Purpose.

        The purpose of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation 1994 Equity
Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to enhance the ability of Pennsylvania
Manufacturers Corporation (the "Company") and any subsidiaries to attract and
retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,
to provide additional incentive to such personnel and to promote the success of
the Company. To accomplish these purposes, the Plan provides a means whereby
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries may receive stock options to
purchase the Company's Class A Common Stock ("Options").

2. Administration.

        (a) Composition of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by a
committee of at least two directors (the "Committee") appointed by the Company's
Board of Directors. No member of the Committee shall have been, or shall be,
granted Options under the Plan, or options or other awards under any other plan
of the Company or any of its affiliates, in the year preceding his appointment
or while serving on the Committee, except for participation in any plan in which
participation would be permitted in accordance with the applicable rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission relating to disinterested administration
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Subject to the
foregoing, from time to time the Board of Directors may increase the size of the
Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or
without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies,
however caused, or remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly
administer the Plan.

        (b) Authority of the Committee. The Committee shall have full and final
authority, in its sole discretion, to interpret the provisions of the Plan and
to decide all questions of fact arising in its application; to determine the
employees to whom awards shall be made and the amount, size and terms of each
such award; to determine the time when awards shall be granted; and to make all
other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Committee shall be
final and binding on all optionees and all other holders of Options granted
under the Plan.

3. Stock Subject to the Plan.

        Subject to Section 16 hereof, the shares that may be issued under the
Plan shall not exceed in the aggregate 750,000 shares of Class A Common Stock of
the Company (the "Class A Stock"). Such shares may be authorized and unissued
shares or shares issued and subsequently reacquired by the Company. Except as
otherwise provided herein, any shares subject to an Option that for



<PAGE>



any reason expires or is terminated unexercised as to such shares shall again be
available under the Plan.

4. Eligibility To Receive Options.

        Persons eligible to receive stock options under the Plan shall be
limited to those officers and other employees of the Company and any subsidiary
(as defined in Section 425 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") or
any amendment or substitute thereto), who may also be directors, who are in
positions in which their decisions, actions and counsel significantly impact
upon the profitability and success of the Company and/or a subsidiary. Directors
of the Company who are not also officers or employees of the Company or any
subsidiary shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan.

5. Types of Options.

        Grants may be made at any time and from time to time by the Committee in
the form of stock options to purchase shares of Class A Stock. Options granted
hereunder may be Options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options
within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or any amendment or substitute
thereto ("Incentive Stock Options") or Options that are not intended to so
qualify ("Nonqualified Stock Options").

6. Stock Options.

        Options for the purchase of Class A Stock shall be evidenced by written
agreements in such form not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee shall
approve from time to time. The Options granted hereunder may be evidenced by a
single agreement or by multiple agreements, as determined by the Committee in
its sole discretion. Each Option agreement shall contain in substance the
following terms and conditions:

        (a) Type of Option. Each Option agreement shall identify the Options
represented thereby as Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, as
the case may be.

        (b) Option Price. Each Option agreement shall set forth the purchase
price of the Class A Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Option evidenced
thereby. Subject to the limitation set forth in Section 6(d)(ii), the purchase
price of the Class A Stock subject to an Incentive Stock Option shall be not
less than 100% of the fair market value of such stock on the date the Option is
granted, as determined by the Committee, but in no event less than the par value
of such stock. The purchase price of the Class A Stock subject to a Nonqualified
Stock Option shall be not less than 85% of the fair market value of such stock
on the date the Option is granted, as determined by the Committee. For this
purpose, fair market value on any date shall mean the closing price of the Class
A Stock, as reported in The Wall Street Journal (or if not so reported, as
otherwise reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotation ("NASDAQ") System), or if the Class A Stock is not reported by NASDAQ,
the fair market value shall be as determined by the Committee pursuant to
Section 422 of the Code.


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



        (c) Exercise Term. Each Option agreement shall state the period or
periods of time within which the Option may be exercised, in whole or in part,
which shall be such a period or periods of time as may be determined by the
Committee, provided that no Option shall be exercisable after ten years from the
date of grant thereof. The Committee shall have the power to permit an
acceleration of previously established exercise terms, subject to the
requirements set forth herein, upon such circumstances and subject to such terms
and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate.

        (d) Incentive Stock Options. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option,
each Option agreement shall contain such other terms, conditions and provisions
as the Committee determines necessary or desirable in order to qualify such
Option as a tax-favored Option (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or
any amendment or substitute thereto or regulation thereunder) including without
limitation, each of the following, except that any of these provisions may be
omitted or modified if it is no longer required in order to have an Option
qualify as a tax-favored Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or
any substitute therefor:

             (i) The aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date the
         Option is granted) of the Class A Stock with respect to which Incentive
         Stock Options are first exercisable by any employee during any calendar
         year (under all plans of the Company) shall not exceed $100,000.

            (ii) No Incentive Stock Options shall be granted to any employee if
         at the time the Option is granted such employee owns stock possessing
         more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes
         of stock of the Company or its parent or its subsidiaries unless at
         the time such Option is granted the Option price is at least 110% of
         the fair market value of the stock subject to the Option and, by its
         terms, the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years
         from the date of grant.

           (iii) No Incentive Stock Options shall be exercisable more than three
         months (or one year, in the case of an employee who dies or becomes
         disabled within the meaning of Section 72(m)(7) of the Code or any
         substitute therefor) after termination of employment.

         (e) Substitution of Options. Options may be granted under the Plan from
time to time in substitution for stock options held by employees of other
corporations who are about to become, and who do concurrently with the grant of
such options become, employees of the Company or a subsidiary as a result of a
merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company or a
subsidiary, or the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of the assets of
the employing corporation, or the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of
stock of the subsidiary. The terms and conditions of the substitute options so
granted may vary from the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6 to
such extent as the Committee at the time of grant may deem appropriate to
conform, in whole or in part, to the provisions of the stock options in
substitution for which they are granted.


                                       -3-

<PAGE>



7. Date of Grant.

        The date on which an Option shall be deemed to have been granted under
the Plan shall be the date of the Committee's authorization of the Option or
such later date as may be determined by the Committee at the time the Option is
authorized. Notice of the determination shall be given to each individual to
whom an Option is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such
grant.

8. Exercise and Payment for Shares.

        Options may be exercised in whole or in part, from time to time, by
giving written notice of exercise to the Secretary of the Company, specifying
the number of shares to be purchased. The purchase price of the shares with
respect to which an Option is exercised shall be payable in full with the notice
of exercise in cash, Class A Stock at fair market value, or a combination
thereof, as the Committee may determine from time to time and subject to such
terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Committee for such purpose.

9. Rights upon Termination of Employment.

        In the event that an optionee ceases to be an employee of the Company or
any subsidiary for any reason other than death, retirement, as hereinafter
defined, or disability (within the meaning of Section 72(m)(7) of the Code or
any substitute therefor), the optionee shall have the right to exercise the
Option during its term within a period of three months after such termination to
the extent that the Option was exercisable at the time of termination, or within
such other period, and subject to such terms and conditions, as may be specified
by the Committee. In the event that an optionee dies, retires or becomes
disabled prior to the expiration of his Option and without having fully
exercised his Option, the optionee or his successor shall have the right to
exercise the Option during its term within a period of one year after
termination of employment due to death, retirement or disability to the extent
that the Option was exercisable at the time of termination, or within such other
period, and subject to such terms and conditions, as may be specified by the
Committee. As used in this Section 9, "retirement" means a termination of
employment by reason of an optionee's retirement at or after his earliest
permissible retirement date pursuant to and in accordance with his employer's
regular retirement plan or personnel practices. Notwithstanding the provisions
of Section 6(d)(iii) hereof, an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised more
than three months after termination of employment due to retirement, as provided
in this Section 9, but in that event, the Option shall lose its status as an
Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

10. General Restrictions.

        Each Option granted under the Plan shall be subject to the requirement
that if at any time the Committee shall determine that (i) the listing,
registration or qualification of the shares of Class A Stock subject or related
thereto upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or (ii)
the consent or approval of any government regulatory body, or (iii) an agreement
by the recipient of an Option with respect to the disposition of shares of Class
A Stock is necessary

                                       -4-

<PAGE>



or desirable as a condition of or in connection with the granting of such Option
or the issuance or purchase of shares of Class A Stock thereunder, such Option
shall not be consummated in whole or in part unless such listing, registration,
qualification, consent, approval or agreement shall have been effected or
obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.

11. Rights of a Shareholder.

        The recipient of any Option under the Plan, unless otherwise provided by
the Plan, shall have no rights as a shareholder unless and until a certificate
for shares of Class A Stock is issued and delivered to him.

12. Right to Terminate Employment.

        Nothing contained in the Plan or in any agreement entered into pursuant
to the Plan shall confer upon any optionee the right to continue in the
employment of the Company or any subsidiary or affect any right that the Company
or any subsidiary may have to terminate the employment of such optionee.

13. Withholding.

        Whenever the Company proposes or is required to issue or transfer shares
of Class A Stock under the Plan, the Company shall have the right to require the
recipient to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal,
state or local withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery of any
certificate for such shares. If and to the extent authorized by the Committee,
in its sole discretion, an optionee may make an election, by means of a form of
election to be prescribed by the Committee, to have shares of Class A Stock that
are acquired upon exercise of an Option withheld by the Company or to tender
other shares of Class A Stock or other securities of the Company owned by the
optionee to the Company at the time of exercise of an Option to pay the amount
of tax that would otherwise be required by law to be withheld by the Company as
a result of any exercise of an Option. Any such election shall be irrevocable
and shall be subject to the disapproval of the Committee at any time. Any
securities so withheld or tendered will be valued by the Committee as of the
date of exercise.

14. Non-Assignability.

        No Option under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable by the
recipient thereof except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or
by such other means as the Committee may approve, unless such means would be
prohibited by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. During the life of the
recipient such Option shall be exercisable only by such person or by such
person's guardian or legal representative.


                                       -5-

<PAGE>



15. Non-Uniform Determinations.

        The Committee's determinations under the Plan (including without
limitation determinations of the persons to receive Options, the form, amount
and timing of such grants, the terms and provisions of Options, and the
agreements evidencing same) need not be uniform and may be made selectively
among persons who receive, or are eligible to receive, grants of Options under
the Plan whether or not such persons are similarly situated.

16. Adjustments.

        (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Class A Stock covered by
each outstanding Option and the number of shares of Class A Stock that have been
authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet been
granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration
of an Option, as well as the price per share of Class A Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Class A Stock resulting from a stock
split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of
the Class A Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued
shares of Class A Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the
Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the
Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of
consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Committee, whose
determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as
expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any
class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall
affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the
number or price of shares of Class A Stock subject to an Option.

        (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution
or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Options will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action, unless otherwise
provided by the Committee. The Committee may, in the exercise of its sole
discretion in such instances, declare that any Option shall terminate as of a
date fixed by the Committee and give each Option holder the right to exercise
his Option as to all or any part of the shares of Class A Stock covered by the
Option, including shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be
exercisable.

        (c) Sale or Merger. In the event of a proposed sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, the Committee, in the exercise of its sole
discretion, may take such action as it deems desirable, including, but, not
limited to: (i) causing an Option to be assumed or an equivalent option to be
substituted by such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such
successor corporation, (ii) providing that each Option holder shall have the
right to exercise his Option as to all of the shares of Class A Stock covered by
the Option, including shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be
exercisable, or (iii) declare that an Option shall terminate at a date fixed by
the Committee provided that the Option holder is given notice and opportunity
prior to such date to exercise that portion of his Option that is currently
exercisable.

                                       -6-

<PAGE>



17. Amendment.

        The Committee may terminate or amend the Plan at any time, except that
without sharehold er approval the Committee may not (i) materially increase the
maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Plan (other than increases
pursuant to Section 16 hereof), (ii) materially increase the benefits accruing
to participants under the Plan or (iii) materially modify the requirements as to
eligibility for participation in the Plan. The termination or any modification
or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the consent of a participant, affect
his rights under an Option previously granted.

18. Conditions upon Issuance of Shares.

        (a) Compliance with Securities Laws. Shares of the Company's Class A
Stock shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the
exercise of such Option and the issuance and delivery of such shares pursuant
thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without
limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock
exchange upon which the Class A Stock of the Company may then be listed, and
shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect
to such compliance.

        (b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an
Option, the Company may require the person exercising such Option to represent
and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the shares of Class A Stock
are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to
sell or distribute such shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company,
such representation is required by any of the aforementioned relevant provisions
of law.

19. Reservation of Shares.

        The Company, during the term of the Plan, will at all times reserve and
keep available such number of shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Plan. Inability of the Company to obtain authority from any
regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's
counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder,
shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or
sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been
obtained.

20. Effect on Other Plans.

        Participation in the Plan shall not affect an employee's eligibility to
participate in any other benefit or incentive plan of the Company or any
subsidiary. Any Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall not be used in
determining the benefits provided under any other plan of the Company or any
subsidiary unless specifically provided.


                                       -7-

<PAGE>



21. Duration of the Plan.

        The Plan shall remain in effect until all Options granted under the Plan
have been satisfied by the issuance of shares, but no Option shall be granted
more than ten years after the earlier of the date the Plan is adopted by the
Company's Board of Directors or is approved by the Company's shareholders.

22. Forfeiture for Dishonesty.

        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, if the Committee
finds, by a majority vote, after full consideration of the facts presented on
behalf of both the Company and any optionee, that the optionee has been engaged
in fraud, embezzlement, theft, commission of a felony or dishonest conduct in
the course of his employment or retention by the Company or any subsidiary that
damaged the Company or any subsidiary or that the optionee has disclosed trade
secrets of the Company or any subsidiary, the optionee shall forfeit all
unexercised Options and all exercised Options with respect to which the Company
has not yet delivered the certificates. The decision of the Committee in
interpreting and applying the provisions of this Section 22 shall be final. No
decision of the Committee, however, shall affect the finality of the discharge
or termination of such optionee by the Company or any subsidiary in any manner.

23. No Prohibition on Corporate Action.

        No provision of the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or
any officer or director thereof from taking any corporate action deemed by the
Company or such officer or director to be appropriate or in the Company's best
interest, whether or not such action could have an adverse effect on the Plan or
any Options granted hereunder, and no optionee or optionee's estate, personal
representative or beneficiary shall have any claim against the Company or any
officer or director thereof as a result of the taking of such action.

24. Indemnification.

        With respect to the administration of the Plan, the Company shall
indemnify each present and future member of the Committee and the Board of
Directors against, and each member of the Committee and the Board of Directors
shall be entitled without further action on his part to indemnity from the
Company for all expenses (including the amount of judgments and the amount of
approved settlements made with a view to the curtailment of costs of litigation,
other than amounts paid to the Company itself) reasonably incurred by him in
connection with or arising out of, any action, suit or proceeding in which he
may be involved by reason of his being or having been a member of the Committee
and the Board of Directors, whether or not he continues to be such member at the
time of incurring such expenses; provided, however, that such indemnity shall
not include any expenses incurred by any such member of the Committee and the
Board of Directors (i) in respect of matters as to which he shall be finally
adjudged in any such action, suit or proceeding to have been guilty of gross
negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his duty as such member
of the Committee or the Board of Directors; or (ii) in respect of any matter in
which any settlement is effected for an amount in excess of the amount approved

                                       -8-

<PAGE>



by the Company on the advice of its legal counsel; and provided further that no
right of indemnification under the provisions set forth herein shall be
available to or enforceable by any such member of the Committee and the Board of
Directors unless, within 60 days after institution of any such action, suit or
proceeding, he shall have offered the Company in writing the opportunity to
handle and defend same at its own expense. The foregoing right of
indemnification shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors or
administrators of each such member of the Committee and the Board of Directors
and shall be in addition to all other rights to which such member may be
entitled as a matter of law, contract or otherwise.

25. Miscellaneous Provisions.

        (a) Compliance with Plan Provisions. No optionee or other person shall
have any right with respect to the Plan, the Class A Stock reserved for issuance
under the Plan or any Option until a written Option agreement shall have been
executed by the Company and the optionee and all the terms, conditions and
provisions of the Plan and the Option applicable to such optionee (and each
person claiming under or through him) have been met.

        (b) Approval of Counsel. In the discretion of the Committee, no shares
of Class A Stock, other securities or property of the Company, or other forms of
payment shall be issued hereunder with respect to any Option unless counsel for
the Company shall be satisfied that such issuance will be in compliance with
applicable federal, state, local and foreign legal, securities exchange and
other applicable requirements.

        (c) Compliance with Rule 16b-3. To the extent that Rule 16b-3 under the
Exchange Act shall apply to Options granted under the Plan, it is the intent of
the Company that the Plan comply in all respects with the requirements of Rule
16b-3, that any ambiguities or inconsistencies in construction of the Plan be
interpreted to give effect to such intention and that if the Plan shall not so
comply, whether on the date of adoption or by reason of any later amendment to
or interpretation of Rule 16b-3, the provisions of the Plan shall be deemed to
be automatically amended so as to bring them into full compliance with such
rule.

        (d) Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be
required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other
segregation of assets under the Plan.

        (e) Effects of Acceptance of Option. By accepting any Option or other
benefit under the Plan, each optionee and each person claiming under or through
him shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated his acceptance and
ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan by the Company,
the Board of Directors and/or the Committee or its delegates.

        (f) Construction. The masculine pronoun shall include the feminine and
neuter, and the singular shall include the plural, where the context so
indicates.


                                       -9-

<PAGE>


26. Shareholder Approval.

        The exercise of any Option granted under the Plan shall be subject to
the approval of the Plan by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the votes present or represented, and entitled to be cast, at a duly held
meeting of the shareholders of the Company.

Date of Adoption by Board of Directors - January 25, 1994.

Date of Approval by Shareholders - April 25, 1994.

Date of Amendment by Compensation and Stock Option Committee - April 12, 1995.





                                      -10-




                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.9

                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

                           1995 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

1.      Purpose.

        The purpose of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation 1995 Equity
Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to enhance the ability of Pennsylvania
Manufacturers Corporation (the "Company") and any subsidiaries to attract and
retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,
to provide additional incentive to such personnel and to promote the success of
the Company. To accomplish these purposes, the Plan provides a means whereby
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries may receive stock options to
purchase the Company's Class A Common Stock ("Options").

2.      Administration.

        (a) Composition of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by a
committee of at least two directors (the "Committee") appointed by the Company's
Board of Directors. No member of the Committee shall have been, or shall be,
granted Options under the Plan, or options or other awards under any other plan
of the Company or any of its affiliates, in the year preceding his appointment
or while serving on the Committee, except for participation in any plan in which
participation would be permitted in accordance with the applicable rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission relating to disinterested administration
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Subject to the
foregoing, from time to time the Board of Directors may increase the size of the
Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or
without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies,
however caused, or remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly
administer the Plan.

        (b) Authority of the Committee. The Committee shall have full and final
authority, in its sole discretion, to interpret the provisions of the Plan and
to decide all questions of fact arising in its application; to determine the
employees to whom awards shall be made and the amount, size and terms of each
such award; to determine the time when awards shall be granted; and to make all
other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Committee shall be
final and binding on all optionees and all other holders of Options granted
under the Plan.

3.      Stock Subject to the Plan.

        Subject to Section 16 hereof, the shares that may be issued under the
Plan shall not exceed in the aggregate 750,000 shares of Class A Common Stock of
the Company (the "Class A Stock"). Such shares may be authorized and unissued
shares or shares issued and subsequently reacquired by the Company. Except as
otherwise provided herein, any shares subject to an Option that for any reason
expires or is terminated unexercised as to such shares shall again be available
under the Plan.

                                       -1-

<PAGE>



4.      Eligibility To Receive Options.

        Persons eligible to receive stock options under the Plan shall be
limited to those officers and other employees of the Company and any subsidiary
(as defined in Section 425 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") or
any amendment or substitute thereto), who may also be directors, who are in
positions in which their decisions, actions and counsel significantly impact
upon the profitability and success of the Company and/or a subsidiary. Directors
of the Company who are not also officers or employees of the Company or any
subsidiary shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan.

5.      Types of Options.

        Grants may be made at any time and from time to time by the Committee in
the form of stock options to purchase shares of Class A Stock. Options granted
hereunder may be Options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options
within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or any amendment or substitute
thereto ("Incentive Stock Options") or Options that are not intended to so
qualify ("Nonqualified Stock Options").

6.      Stock Options.

        Options for the purchase of Class A Stock shall be evidenced by written
agreements in such form not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee shall
approve from time to time. The Options granted hereunder may be evidenced by a
single agreement or by multiple agreements, as determined by the Committee in
its sole discretion. Each Option agreement shall contain in substance the
following terms and conditions:

        (a) Type of Option. Each Option agreement shall identify the Options
represented thereby as Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, as
the case may be.

        (b) Option Price. Each Option agreement shall set forth the purchase
price of the Class A Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Option evidenced
thereby. Subject to the limitation set forth in Section 6(d)(ii), the purchase
price of the Class A Stock subject to an Incentive Stock Option shall be not
less than 100% of the fair market value of such stock on the date the Option is
granted, as determined by the Committee, but in no event less than the par value
of such stock. The purchase price of the Class A Stock subject to a Nonqualified
Stock Option shall be not less than 85% of the fair market value of such stock
on the date the Option is granted, as determined by the Committee. For this
purpose, fair market value on any date shall mean the closing price of the Class
A Stock, as reported in The Wall Street Journal (or if not so reported, as
otherwise reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotation ("NASDAQ") System), or if the Class A Stock is not reported by NASDAQ,
the fair market value shall be as determined by the Committee pursuant to
Section 422 of the Code.

        (c) Exercise Term. Each Option agreement shall state the period or
periods of time within which the Option may be exercised, in whole or in part,
which shall be such a period or


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



periods of time as may be determined by the Committee, provided that no Option
shall be exercisable after ten years from the date of grant thereof. The
Committee shall have the power to permit an acceleration of previously
established exercise terms, subject to the requirements set forth herein, upon
such circumstances and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee
deems appropriate.

        (d) Incentive Stock Options. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option,
each Option agreement shall contain such other terms, conditions and provisions
as the Committee determines necessary or desirable in order to qualify such
Option as a tax-favored Option (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or
any amendment or substitute thereto or regulation thereunder) including without
limitation, each of the following, except that any of these provisions may be
omitted or modified if it is no longer required in order to have an Option
qualify as a tax-favored Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or
any substitute therefor:

             (i) The aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date the
         Option is granted) of the Class A Stock with respect to which Incentive
         Stock Options are first exercisable by any employee during any calendar
         year (under all plans of the Company) shall not exceed $100,000.

            (ii) No Incentive Stock Options shall be granted to any employee if
         at the time the Option is granted such employee owns stock possessing
         more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes
         of stock of the Company or its parent or its subsidiaries unless at
         the time such Option is granted the Option price is at least 110% of
         the fair market value of the stock subject to the Option and, by its
         terms, the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years
         from the date of grant.

           (iii) No Incentive Stock Options shall be exercisable more than three
         months (or one year, in the case of an employee who dies or becomes
         disabled within the meaning of Section 72(m)(7) of the Code or any
         substitute therefor) after termination of employment.

         (e) Substitution of Options. Options may be granted under the Plan from
time to time in substitution for stock options held by employees of other
corporations who are about to become, and who do concurrently with the grant of
such options become, employees of the Company or a subsidiary as a result of a
merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company or a
subsidiary, or the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of the assets of
the employing corporation, or the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of
stock of the subsidiary. The terms and conditions of the substitute options so
granted may vary from the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6 to
such extent as the Committee at the time of grant may deem appropriate to
conform, in whole or in part, to the provisions of the stock options in
substitution for which they are granted.

7.      Date of Grant.

        The date on which an Option shall be deemed to have been granted under
the Plan shall be the date of the Committee's authorization of the Option or
such later date as may be determined


                                       -3-

<PAGE>



by the Committee at the time the Option is authorized. Notice of the
determination shall be given to each individual to whom an Option is so granted
within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

8.      Exercise and Payment for Shares.

        Options may be exercised in whole or in part, from time to time, by
giving written notice of exercise to the Secretary of the Company, specifying
the number of shares to be purchased. The purchase price of the shares with
respect to which an Option is exercised shall be payable in full with the notice
of exercise in cash, Class A Stock at fair market value, or a combination
thereof, as the Committee may determine from time to time and subject to such
terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Committee for such purpose.

9.      Rights upon Termination of Employment.

        In the event that an optionee ceases to be an employee of the Company or
any subsidiary for any reason other than death, retirement, as hereinafter
defined, or disability (within the meaning of Section 72(m)(7) of the Code or
any substitute therefor), the optionee shall have the right to exercise the
Option during its term within a period of three months after such termination to
the extent that the Option was exercisable at the time of termination, or within
such other period, and subject to such terms and conditions, as may be specified
by the Committee. In the event that an optionee dies, retires or becomes
disabled prior to the expiration of his Option and without having fully
exercised his Option, the optionee or his successor shall have the right to
exercise the Option during its term within a period of one year after
termination of employment due to death, retirement or disability to the extent
that the Option was exercisable at the time of termination, or within such other
period, and subject to such terms and conditions, as may be specified by the
Committee. As used in this Section 9, "retirement" means a termination of
employment by reason of an optionee's retirement at or after his earliest
permissible retirement date pursuant to and in accordance with his employer's
regular retirement plan or personnel practices. Notwithstanding the provisions
of Section 6(d)(iii) hereof, an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised more
than three months after termination of employment due to retirement, as provided
in this Section 9, but in that event, the Option shall lose its status as an
Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

10.     General Restrictions.

        Each Option granted under the Plan shall be subject to the requirement
that if at any time the Committee shall determine that (i) the listing,
registration or qualification of the shares of Class A Stock subject or related
thereto upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or (ii)
the consent or approval of any government regulatory body, or (iii) an agreement
by the recipient of an Option with respect to the disposition of shares of Class
A Stock is necessary or desirable as a condition of or in connection with the
granting of such Option or the issuance or purchase of shares of Class A Stock
thereunder, such Option shall not be consummated in whole or in part unless such
listing, registration, qualification, consent, approval or agreement shall have
been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the
Committee.

                                       -4-

<PAGE>



11.     Rights of a Shareholder.

        The recipient of any Option under the Plan, unless otherwise provided by
the Plan, shall have no rights as a shareholder unless and until a certificate
for shares of Class A Stock is issued and delivered to him.

12.     Right to Terminate Employment.

        Nothing contained in the Plan or in any agreement entered into pursuant
to the Plan shall confer upon any optionee the right to continue in the
employment of the Company or any subsidiary or affect any right that the
Company or any subsidiary may have to terminate the employment of such optionee.

13.     Withholding.

        Whenever the Company proposes or is required to issue or transfer shares
of Class A Stock under the Plan, the Company shall have the right to require the
recipient to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal,
state or local withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery of any
certificate for such shares. If and to the extent authorized by the Committee,
in its sole discretion, an optionee may make an election, by means of a form of
election to be prescribed by the Committee, to have shares of Class A Stock that
are acquired upon exercise of an Option withheld by the Company or to tender
other shares of Class A Stock or other securities of the Company owned by the
optionee to the Company at the time of exercise of an Option to pay the amount
of tax that would otherwise be required by law to be withheld by the Company as
a result of any exercise of an Option. Any such election shall be irrevocable
and shall be subject to the disapproval of the Committee at any time. Any
securities so withheld or tendered will be valued by the Committee as of the
date of exercise.

14.     Non-Assignability.

        No Option under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable by the
recipient thereof except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or
by such other means as the Committee may approve, unless such means would be
prohibited by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. During the life of the
recipient such Option shall be exercisable only by such person or by such
person's guardian or legal representative.

15.     Non-Uniform Determinations.

        The Committee's determinations under the Plan (including without
limitation determinations of the persons to receive Options, the form, amount
and timing of such grants, the terms and provisions of Options, and the
agreements evidencing same) need not be uniform and may be made selectively
among persons who receive, or are eligible to receive, grants of Options under
the Plan whether or not such persons are similarly situated.

16.     Adjustments.

                                       -5-

<PAGE>



        (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Class A Stock covered by
each outstanding Option and the number of shares of Class A Stock that have been
authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet been
granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration
of an Option, as well as the price per share of Class A Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Class A Stock resulting from a stock
split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of
the Class A Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued
shares of Class A Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the
Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the
Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of
consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Committee, whose
determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as
expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any
class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall
affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the
number or price of shares of Class A Stock subject to an Option.

        (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution
or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Options will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action, unless otherwise
provided by the Committee. The Committee may, in the exercise of its sole
discretion in such instances, declare that any Option shall terminate as of a
date fixed by the Committee and give each Option holder the right to exercise
his Option as to all or any part of the shares of Class A Stock covered by the
Option, including shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be
exercisable.

        (c) Sale or Merger. In the event of a proposed sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, the Committee, in the exercise of its sole
discretion, may take such action as it deems desirable, including, but, not
limited to: (i) causing an Option to be assumed or an equivalent option to be
substituted by such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such
successor corporation, (ii) providing that each Option holder shall have the
right to exercise his Option as to all of the shares of Class A Stock covered by
the Option, including shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be
exercisable, or (iii) declare that an Option shall terminate at a date fixed by
the Committee provided that the Option holder is given notice and opportunity
prior to such date to exercise that portion of his Option that is currently
exercisable.

17.     Amendment.

        The Committee may terminate or amend the Plan at any time, except that
without shareholder approval the Committee may not (i) materially increase the
maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Plan (other than increases
pursuant to Section 16 hereof), (ii) materially increase the benefits accruing
to participants under the Plan or (iii) materially modify the requirements as to
eligibility for participation in the Plan. The termination or any modification
or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the consent of a participant, affect
his rights under an Option previously granted.


                                       -6-

<PAGE>



18.     Conditions upon Issuance of Shares.

        (a) Compliance with Securities Laws. Shares of the Company's Class A
Stock shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the
exercise of such Option and the issuance and delivery of such shares pursuant
thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without
limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock
exchange upon which the Class A Stock of the Company may then be listed, and
shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect
to such compliance.

        (b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an
Option, the Company may require the person exercising such Option to represent
and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the shares of Class A Stock
are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to
sell or distribute such shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company,
such representation is required by any of the aforementioned relevant provisions
of law.

19.     Reservation of Shares.

        The Company, during the term of the Plan, will at all times reserve and
keep available such number of shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Plan. Inability of the Company to obtain authority from any
regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's
counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder,
shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or
sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been
obtained.

20.     Effect on Other Plans.

        Participation in the Plan shall not affect an employee's eligibility to
participate in any other benefit or incentive plan of the Company or any
subsidiary. Any Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall not be used in
determining the benefits provided under any other plan of the Company or any
subsidiary unless specifically provided.

21.     Duration of the Plan.

        The Plan shall remain in effect until all Options granted under the Plan
have been satisfied by the issuance of shares, but no Option shall be granted
more than ten years after the earlier of the date the Plan is adopted by the
Company's Board of Directors or is approved by the Company's shareholders.


                                       -7-

<PAGE>



22.     Forfeiture for Dishonesty.

        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, if the Committee
finds, by a majority vote, after full consideration of the facts presented on
behalf of both the Company and any optionee, that the optionee has been engaged
in fraud, embezzlement, theft, commission of a felony or dishonest conduct in
the course of his employment or retention by the Company or any subsidiary that
damaged the Company or any subsidiary or that the optionee has disclosed trade
secrets of the Company or any subsidiary, the optionee shall forfeit all
unexercised Options and all exercised Options with respect to which the Company
has not yet delivered the certificates. The decision of the Committee in
interpreting and applying the provisions of this Section 22 shall be final. No
decision of the Committee, however, shall affect the finality of the discharge
or termination of such optionee by the Company or any subsidiary in any manner.

23.     No Prohibition on Corporate Action.

        No provision of the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or
any officer or director thereof from taking any corporate action deemed by the
Company or such officer or director to be appropriate or in the Company's best
interest, whether or not such action could have an adverse effect on the Plan or
any Options granted hereunder, and no optionee or optionee's estate, personal
representative or beneficiary shall have any claim against the Company or any
officer or director thereof as a result of the taking of such action.

24.     Indemnification.

        With respect to the administration of the Plan, the Company shall
indemnify each present and future member of the Committee and the Board of
Directors against, and each member of the Committee and the Board of Directors
shall be entitled without further action on his part to indemnity from the
Company for all expenses (including the amount of judgments and the amount of
approved settlements made with a view to the curtailment of costs of litigation,
other than amounts paid to the Company itself) reasonably incurred by him in
connection with or arising out of, any action, suit or proceeding in which he
may be involved by reason of his being or having been a member of the Committee
and the Board of Directors, whether or not he continues to be such member at the
time of incurring such expenses; provided, however, that such indemnity shall
not include any expenses incurred by any such member of the Committee and the
Board of Directors (i) in respect of matters as to which he shall be finally
adjudged in any such action, suit or proceeding to have been guilty of gross
negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his duty as such member
of the Committee or the Board of Directors; or (ii) in respect of any matter in
which any settlement is effected for an amount in excess of the amount approved
by the Company on the advice of its legal counsel; and provided further that no
right of indemnification under the provisions set forth herein shall be
available to or enforceable by any such member of the Committee and the Board of
Directors unless, within 60 days after institution of any such action, suit or
proceeding, he shall have offered the Company in writing the opportunity to
handle and defend same at its own expense. The foregoing right of
indemnification shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors or
administrators of each such member of the Committee


                                       -8-

<PAGE>



and the Board of Directors and shall be in addition to all other rights to which
such member may be entitled as a matter of law, contract or otherwise.

25.     Miscellaneous Provisions.

        (a) Compliance with Plan Provisions. No optionee or other person shall
have any right with respect to the Plan, the Class A Stock reserved for issuance
under the Plan or any Option until a written Option agreement shall have been
executed by the Company and the optionee and all the terms, conditions and
provisions of the Plan and the Option applicable to such optionee (and each
person claiming under or through him) have been met.

        (b) Approval of Counsel. In the discretion of the Committee, no shares
of Class A Stock, other securities or property of the Company, or other forms of
payment shall be issued hereunder with respect to any Option unless counsel for
the Company shall be satisfied that such issuance will be in compliance with
applicable federal, state, local and foreign legal, securities exchange and
other applicable requirements.

        (c) Compliance with Rule 16b-3. To the extent that Rule 16b-3 under the
Exchange Act shall apply to Options granted under the Plan, it is the intent of
the Company that the Plan comply in all respects with the requirements of Rule
16b-3, that any ambiguities or inconsistencies in construction of the Plan be
interpreted to give effect to such intention and that if the Plan shall not so
comply, whether on the date of adoption or by reason of any later amendment to
or interpretation of Rule 16b-3, the provisions of the Plan shall be deemed to
be automatically amended so as to bring them into full compliance with such
rule.

        (d) Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be
required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other
segregation of assets under the Plan.

        (e) Effects of Acceptance of Option. By accepting any Option or other
benefit under the Plan, each optionee and each person claiming under or through
him shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated his acceptance and
ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan by the Company,
the Board of Directors and/or the Committee or its delegates.

        (f) Construction. The masculine pronoun shall include the feminine and
neuter, and the singular shall include the plural, where the context so
indicates.


                                       -9-

<PAGE>


26.     Shareholder Approval.

        The exercise of any Option granted under the Plan shall be subject to
the approval of the Plan by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the votes present or represented, and entitled to be cast, at a duly held
meeting of the shareholders of the Company.


Date of Adoption by Board of Directors - February 28, 1995.

Date of Approval by Shareholders - April 24, 1995.



                                      -10-





                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.10

                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

                           1996 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

1.   Purpose.

     The purpose of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation 1996 Equity
Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to enhance the ability of Pennsylvania
Manufacturers Corporation (the "Company") and any subsidiaries to attract and
retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,
to provide additional incentive to such personnel and to promote the success of
the Company. To accomplish these purposes, the Plan provides a means whereby
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries may receive stock options to
purchase the Company's Class A Common Stock ("Options").

2.   Administration.

     (a) Composition of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by a
committee of at least two directors (the "Committee") appointed by the Company's
Board of Directors. No member of the Committee shall have been, or shall be,
granted Options under the Plan, or options or other awards under any other plan
of the Company or any of its affiliates, in the year preceding his appointment
or while serving on the Committee, except for participation in any plan in which
participation would be permitted in accordance with the applicable rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission relating to disinterested administration
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Subject to the
foregoing, from time to time the Board of Directors may increase the size of the
Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or
without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies,
however caused, or remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly
administer the Plan.

     (b) Authority of the Committee. The Committee shall have full and final
authority, in its sole discretion, to interpret the provisions of the Plan and
to decide all questions of fact arising in its application; to determine the
employees to whom awards shall be made and the amount, size and terms of each
such award; to determine the time when awards shall be granted; and to make all
other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Committee shall be
final and binding on all optionees and all other holders of Options granted
under the Plan.

3.   Stock Subject to the Plan.

     Subject to Section 16 hereof, the shares that may be issued under the Plan
shall not exceed in the aggregate 750,000 shares of Class A Common Stock of the
Company (the "Class A Stock"). Such shares may be authorized and unissued shares
or shares issued and subsequently reacquired by the Company. Except as otherwise
provided herein, any shares subject to an Option that for any reason expires or
is terminated unexercised as to such shares shall again be available under the
Plan.



<PAGE>


4.   Eligibility To Receive Options.

     Persons eligible to receive stock options under the Plan shall be limited
to those officers and other employees of the Company and any subsidiary (as
defined in Section 425 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") or any
amendment or substitute thereto), who may also be directors, who are in
positions in which their decisions, actions and counsel significantly impact
upon the profitability and success of the Company and/or a subsidiary. Directors
of the Company who are not also officers or employees of the Company or any
subsidiary shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan.

5.   Types of Options.

     Grants may be made at any time and from time to time by the Committee in
the form of stock options to purchase shares of Class A Stock. Options granted
hereunder may be Options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options
within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or any amendment or substitute
thereto ("Incentive Stock Options") or Options that are not intended to so
qualify ("Nonqualified Stock Options").

6.   Stock Options.

     Options for the purchase of Class A Stock shall be evidenced by written
agreements in such form not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee shall
approve from time to time. The Options granted hereunder may be evidenced by a
single agreement or by multiple agreements, as determined by the Committee in
its sole discretion. Each Option agreement shall contain in substance the
following terms and conditions:

     (a) Type of Option. Each Option agreement shall identify the Options
represented thereby as Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, as
the case may be.

     (b) Option Price. Each Option agreement shall set forth the purchase price
of the Class A Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Option evidenced
thereby. Subject to the limitation set forth in Section 6(d)(ii), the purchase
price of the Class A Stock subject to an Incentive Stock Option shall be not
less than 100% of the fair market value of such stock on the date the Option is
granted, as determined by the Committee, but in no event less than the par value
of such stock. The purchase price of the Class A Stock subject to a Nonqualified
Stock Option shall be not less than 85% of the fair market value of such stock
on the date the Option is granted, as determined by the Committee. For this
purpose, fair market value on any date shall mean the closing price of the Class
A Stock, as reported in The Wall Street Journal (or if not so reported, as
otherwise reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotation ("Nasdaq") System), or if the Class A Stock is not reported by Nasdaq,
the fair market value shall be as determined by the Committee pursuant to
Section 422 of the Code.

     (c) Exercise Term. Each Option agreement shall state the period or periods
of time within which the Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, which
shall be such a period or


                                       -2-

<PAGE>


periods of time as may be determined by the Committee, provided that no Option
shall be exercisable after ten years from the date of grant thereof. The
Committee shall have the power to permit an acceleration of previously
established exercise terms, subject to the requirements set forth herein, upon
such circumstances and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee
deems appropriate.

     (d) Incentive Stock Options. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, each
Option agreement shall contain such other terms, conditions and provisions as
the Committee determines necessary or desirable in order to qualify such Option
as a tax-favored Option (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or any
amendment or substitute thereto or regulation thereunder) including without
limitation, each of the following, except that any of these provisions may be
omitted or modified if it is no longer required in order to have an Option
qualify as a tax-favored Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or
any substitute therefor:

          (i) The aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date the
     Option is granted) of the Class A Stock with respect to which Incentive
     Stock Options are first exercisable by any employee during any calendar
     year (under all plans of the Company) shall not exceed $100,000.

          (ii) No Incentive Stock Options shall be granted to any employee if at
     the time the Option is granted such employee owns stock possessing more
     than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
     of the Company or its parent or its subsid iaries unless at the time such
     Option is granted the Option price is at least 110% of the fair market
     value of the stock subject to the Option and, by its terms, the Option is
     not exercis able after the expiration of five years from the date of grant.

          (iii) No Incentive Stock Options shall be exercisable more than three
     months (or one year, in the case of an employee who dies or becomes
     disabled within the meaning of Section 72(m)(7) of the Code or any
     substitute therefor) after termination of employment.

     (e) Substitution of Options. Options may be granted under the Plan from
time to time in substitution for stock options held by employees of other
corporations who are about to become, and who do concurrently with the grant of
such options become, employees of the Company or a subsidiary as a result of a
merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company or a
subsidiary, or the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of the assets of
the employing corporation, or the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of
stock of the subsidiary. The terms and conditions of the substitute options so
granted may vary from the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6 to
such extent as the Committee at the time of grant may deem appropriate to
conform, in whole or in part, to the provisions of the stock options in
substitution for which they are granted.

7.   Date of Grant.

     The date on which an Option shall be deemed to have been granted under the
Plan shall be the date of the Committee's authorization of the Option or such
later date as may be determined


                                       -3-

<PAGE>


by the Committee at the time the Option is authorized. Notice of the
determination shall be given to each individual to whom an Option is so granted
within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

8.   Exercise and Payment for Shares.

     Options may be exercised in whole or in part, from time to time, by giving
written notice of exercise to the Secretary of the Company, specifying the
number of shares to be purchased. The purchase price of the shares with respect
to which an Option is exercised shall be payable in full with the notice of
exercise in cash, Class A Stock at fair market value, or a combination thereof,
as the Committee may determine from time to time and subject to such terms and
conditions as may be prescribed by the Committee for such purpose.

9.   Rights upon Termination of Employment.

     In the event that an optionee ceases to be an employee of the Company or
any subsidiary for any reason other than death, retirement, as hereinafter
defined, or disability (within the meaning of Section 72(m)(7) of the Code or
any substitute therefor), the optionee shall have the right to exercise the
Option during its term within a period of three months after such termination to
the extent that the Option was exercisable at the time of termination, or within
such other period, and subject to such terms and conditions, as may be specified
by the Committee. In the event that an optionee dies, retires or becomes
disabled prior to the expiration of his Option and without having fully
exercised his Option, the optionee or his successor shall have the right to
exercise the Option during its term within a period of one year after
termination of employment due to death, retirement or disability to the extent
that the Option was exercisable at the time of termination, or within such other
period, and subject to such terms and conditions, as may be specified by the
Committee. As used in this Section 9, "retirement" means a termination of
employment by reason of an optionee's retirement at or after his earliest
permissible retirement date pursuant to and in accordance with his employer's
regular retirement plan or personnel practices. Notwithstanding the provisions
of Section 6(d)(iii) hereof, an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised more
than three months after termination of employment due to retirement, as provided
in this Section 9, but in that event, the Option shall lose its status as an
Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

10.  General Restrictions.

     Each Option granted under the Plan shall be subject to the requirement that
if at any time the Committee shall determine that (i) the listing, registration
or qualification of the shares of Class A Stock subject or related thereto upon
any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or (ii) the consent
or approval of any government regulatory body, or (iii) an agreement by the
recipient of an Option with respect to the disposition of shares of Class A
Stock is necessary or desirable as a condition of or in connection with the
granting of such Option or the issuance or purchase of shares of Class A Stock
thereunder, such Option shall not be consummated in whole or in part unless such
listing, registration, qualification, consent, approval or agreement shall have
been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the
Committee.


                                       -4-

<PAGE>


11.  Rights of a Shareholder.

     The recipient of any Option under the Plan, unless otherwise provided by
the Plan, shall have no rights as a shareholder unless and until a certificate
for shares of Class A Stock is issued and delivered to him.

12.  Right to Terminate Employment.

     Nothing contained in the Plan or in any agreement entered into pursuant to
the Plan shall confer upon any optionee the right to continue in the employment
of the Company or any subsidiary or affect any right that the Company or any
subsidiary may have to terminate the employment of such optionee.

13.  Withholding.

     Whenever the Company proposes or is required to issue or transfer shares of
Class A Stock under the Plan, the Company shall have the right to require the
recipient to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal,
state or local withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery of any
certificate for such shares. If and to the extent authorized by the Committee,
in its sole discretion, an optionee may make an election, by means of a form of
election to be prescribed by the Committee, to have shares of Class A Stock that
are acquired upon exercise of an Option withheld by the Company or to tender
other shares of Class A Stock or other securities of the Company owned by the
optionee to the Company at the time of exercise of an Option to pay the amount
of tax that would otherwise be required by law to be withheld by the Company as
a result of any exercise of an Option. Any such election shall be irrevocable
and shall be subject to the disapproval of the Committee at any time. Any
securities so withheld or tendered will be valued by the Committee as of the
date of exercise.

14.  Non-Assignability.

     No Option under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable by the
recipient thereof except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or
by such other means as the Committee may approve, unless such means would be
prohibited by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. During the life of the
recipient such Option shall be exercisable only by such person or by such
person's guardian or legal representative.

15.  Non-Uniform Determinations.

     The Committee's determinations under the Plan (including without limitation
determinations of the persons to receive Options, the form, amount and timing of
such grants, the terms and provisions of Options, and the agreements evidencing
same) need not be uniform and may be made selectively among persons who receive,
or are eligible to receive, grants of Options under the Plan whether or not such
persons are similarly situated.


                                       -5-

<PAGE>


16.  Adjustments.

     (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Class A Stock covered by
each outstanding Option and the number of shares of Class A Stock that have been
authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet been
granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration
of an Option, as well as the price per share of Class A Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Class A Stock resulting from a stock
split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of
the Class A Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued
shares of Class A Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the
Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the
Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of
consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Committee, whose
determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as
expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any
class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall
affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the
number or price of shares of Class A Stock subject to an Option.

     (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Options will terminate immediately
prior to the consummation of such proposed action, unless otherwise provided by
the Committee. The Committee may, in the exercise of its sole discretion in such
instances, declare that any Option shall terminate as of a date fixed by the
Committee and give each Option holder the right to exercise his Option as to all
or any part of the shares of Class A Stock covered by the Option, including
shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable.

     (c) Sale or Merger. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company with or into
another corporation, the Committee, in the exercise of its sole discretion, may
take such action as it deems desirable, including, but, not limited to: (i)
causing an Option to be assumed or an equivalent option to be substituted by
such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such successor
corporation, (ii) providing that each Option holder shall have the right to
exercise his Option as to all of the shares of Class A Stock covered by the
Option, including shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be
exercisable, or (iii) declare that an Option shall terminate at a date fixed by
the Committee provided that the Option holder is given notice and opportunity
prior to such date to exercise that portion of his Option that is currently
exercisable.

17.  Amendment.

     The Committee may terminate or amend the Plan at any time, except that
without shareholder approval the Committee may not (i) materially increase the
maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Plan (other than increases
pursuant to Section 16 hereof), (ii) materially increase the benefits accruing
to participants under the Plan or (iii) materially modify the requirements as to
eligibility for participation in the Plan. The termination or any modification


                                       -6-

<PAGE>


or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the consent of a participant, affect
his rights under an Option previously granted.

18.  Conditions upon Issuance of Shares.

     (a) Compliance with Securities Laws. Shares of the Company's Class A Stock
shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of
such Option and the issuance and delivery of such shares pursuant thereto shall
comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which
the Class A Stock of the Company may then be listed, and shall be further
subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.

     (b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an
Option, the Company may require the person exercising such Option to represent
and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the shares of Class A Stock
are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to
sell or distribute such shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company,
such representation is required by any of the aforementioned relevant provisions
of law.

19.  Reservation of Shares.

     The Company, during the term of the Plan, will at all times reserve and
keep available such number of shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Plan. Inability of the Company to obtain authority from any
regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's
counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder,
shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or
sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been
obtained.

20.  Effect on Other Plans.

     Participation in the Plan shall not affect an employee's eligibility to
participate in any other benefit or incentive plan of the Company or any
subsidiary. Any Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall not be used in
determining the benefits provided under any other plan of the Company or any
subsidiary unless specifically provided.

21.  Duration of the Plan.

     The Plan shall remain in effect until all Options granted under the Plan
have been satisfied by the issuance of shares, but no Option shall be granted
more than ten years after the earlier of the date the Plan is adopted by the
Company's Board of Directors or is approved by the Company's shareholders.


                                       -7-

<PAGE>


22.  Forfeiture for Dishonesty.

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, if the Committee
finds, by a majority vote, after full consideration of the facts presented on
behalf of both the Company and any optionee, that the optionee has been engaged
in fraud, embezzlement, theft, commission of a felony or dishonest conduct in
the course of his employment or retention by the Company or any subsidiary that
damaged the Company or any subsidiary or that the optionee has disclosed trade
secrets of the Company or any subsidiary, the optionee shall forfeit all
unexercised Options and all exercised Options with respect to which the Company
has not yet delivered the certificates. The decision of the Committee in
interpreting and applying the provisions of this Section 22 shall be final. No
decision of the Committee, however, shall affect the finality of the discharge
or termination of such optionee by the Company or any subsidiary in any manner.

23.  No Prohibition on Corporate Action.

     No provision of the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or any
officer or director thereof from taking any corporate action deemed by the
Company or such officer or direc tor to be appropriate or in the Company's best
interest, whether or not such action could have an adverse effect on the Plan or
any Options granted hereunder, and no optionee or optionee's estate, personal
representative or beneficiary shall have any claim against the Company or any
officer or director thereof as a result of the taking of such action.

24.  Indemnification.

     With respect to the administration of the Plan, the Company shall indemnify
each present and future member of the Committee and the Board of Directors
against, and each member of the Committee and the Board of Directors shall be
entitled without further action on his part to indemnity from the Company for
all expenses (including the amount of judgments and the amount of approved
settlements made with a view to the curtailment of costs of litigation, other
than amounts paid to the Company itself) reasonably incurred by him in
connection with or arising out of, any action, suit or proceeding in which he
may be involved by reason of his being or having been a member of the Committee
and the Board of Directors, whether or not he continues to be such member at the
time of incurring such expenses; provided, however, that such indemnity shall
not include any expenses incurred by any such member of the Committee and the
Board of Directors (i) in respect of matters as to which he shall be finally
adjudged in any such action, suit or proceeding to have been guilty of gross
negligence or willful misconduct in the perfor mance of his duty as such member
of the Committee or the Board of Directors; or (ii) in respect of any matter in
which any settlement is effected for an amount in excess of the amount approved
by the Company on the advice of its legal counsel; and provided further that no
right of indemnification under the provisions set forth herein shall be
available to or enforceable by any such member of the Committee and the Board of
Directors unless, within 60 days after institution of any such action, suit or
proceeding, he shall have offered the Company in writing the opportunity to
handle and defend same at its own expense. The foregoing right of
indemnification shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors or
administrators of each such member of the Committee


                                       -8-

<PAGE>


and the Board of Directors and shall be in addition to all other rights to which
such member may be entitled as a matter of law, contract or otherwise.

25.  Miscellaneous Provisions.

     (a) Compliance with Plan Provisions. No optionee or other person shall have
any right with respect to the Plan, the Class A Stock reserved for issuance
under the Plan or any Option until a written Option agreement shall have been
executed by the Company and the optionee and all the terms, conditions and
provisions of the Plan and the Option applicable to such optionee (and each
person claiming under or through him) have been met.

     (b) Approval of Counsel. In the discretion of the Committee, no shares of
Class A Stock, other securities or property of the Company, or other forms of
payment shall be issued hereunder with respect to any Option unless counsel for
the Company shall be satisfied that such issuance will be in compliance with
applicable federal, state, local and foreign legal, securities exchange and
other applicable requirements.

     (c) Compliance with Rule 16b-3. To the extent that Rule 16b-3 under the
Exchange Act shall apply to Options granted under the Plan, it is the intent of
the Company that the Plan comply in all respects with the requirements of Rule
16b-3, that any ambiguities or inconsistencies in construction of the Plan be
interpreted to give effect to such intention and that if the Plan shall not so
comply, whether on the date of adoption or by reason of any later amendment to
or interpretation of Rule 16b-3, the provisions of the Plan shall be deemed to
be automatically amended so as to bring them into full compliance with such
rule.

     (d) Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be
required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other
segregation of assets under the Plan.

     (e) Effects of Acceptance of Option. By accepting any Option or other
benefit under the Plan, each optionee and each person claiming under or through
him shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated his acceptance and
ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan by the Company,
the Board of Directors and/or the Committee or its delegates.

     (f) Construction. The masculine pronoun shall include the feminine and
neuter, and the singular shall include the plural, where the context so
indicates.

26.  Shareholder Approval.

     The exercise of any Option granted under the Plan shall be subject to the
approval of the Plan by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
votes present or represented, and entitled to be cast, at a duly held meeting of
the shareholders of the Company.

Date of Adoption by Board of Directors - February 27, 1996.

Date of Approval by Shareholders - April 22, 1996.


                                       -9-




                            CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY



      The Undersigned, being the duly elected and acting Secretary of
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation (the "Company"), does hereby certify as
follows:

      A)   The named officer below was at the time he signed the Federal Income
           Tax Allocation Agreement and is currently a duly elected and acting
           officer of the Company in the capacity set forth opposite his name
           below and that the facsimile signature is true and correct as of the
           date hereof;

             NAME                   TITLE                   SIGNATURE
             ----                   -----                   ---------

      Francis W. McDonnell       Sr. VP & CFO          /s/ Francis W. McDonnell
                                                       ------------------------

      B)   Said officer was duly authorized, on behalf of the Company, to
           negotiate, execute and deliver the Federal Income Tax Allocation
           Agreement by and between Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation and
           certain of its affiliates, a copy of which is annexed hereto as
           Exhibit "A."

      C)   The Federal Income Tax Allocation Agreement is a binding and
           authorized contract enforceable in all respects in accordance with
           its terms.

     WITNESS MY HAND and seal this 24th day of September, 1996.

                                                /s/ Robert L. Pratter
                                                -------------------------------
                                                Robert L. Pratter
                                                Secretary


Sworn to and subscribed
before me this 24th day
of September, 1996.


/s/ Helen K. Geckle
- - - -------------------
Notary Public

My Commission expires:

- - - -----------------------------------
          NOTARIAL SEAL
  HELEN K. GECKLE, Notary Public
 Whitpain Twp., Montgomery County
My Commission Expires Dec. 14, 1999
- - - -----------------------------------


<PAGE>


                                   Exhibit "A"

                     FEDERAL INCOME TAX ALLOCATION AGREEMENT


      This TAX ALLOCATION AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made by and between
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Parent"),
and the following affiliates:

Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association              Ajon, Inc.
   Insurance Company                                 Rosemarie, Inc.
PMA Reinsurance Corporation                          Cris-Jen, Inc.
Manufacturers Alliance Insurance Company             Aud-Evad, Inc.
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Indemnity Company         Walprop, Inc.
Mid-Atlantic States Casualty Company                 DP Corp.
Lee-Ward, Inc.                                       REM Corp.
Sarfred, Inc.                                        Gulph Industries, Inc.
Syl-Bar, Inc.                                        Dauphin Equities, Inc.
PMA Services, Inc.                                   Pennsylvania Manufacturers
Wisteve, Inc.                                           Association Finance Co.
Marpan, Inc.                                         925 Chestnut, Inc.
Lorjo Corp.                                          Mid-Atlantic States
Presque, Inc.                                           Investment Company
PMA Management Corporation


      This Agreement is made with reference to the following facts and
circumstances:

      o     The parties are members of an affiliated group ("Affiliated Group")
            as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 1504.

      o     The Affiliated Group has filed consolidated federal income tax
            returns since tax year 1982 and is required to file consolidated tax
            returns for subsequent years.

      o     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation shall be referred to herein
            as the parent company and each of the other companies listed above
            shall be referred to as the subsidiary members of the group.


                                      A-1

<PAGE>


      o     The meaning of net operating loss (NOL), alternative minimum tax
            (AMT), and environmental tax is the meaning given these terms in the
            Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and Treasury Regulations.

      It is the intent and desire of the parties that a method be established
for allocating the consolidated tax liability of the Affiliated Group among its
Members, and for reimbursing the Parent for payment of such tax liability

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises
contained herein, the parties do hereby agree as follows:

      (1) Preparation of Consolidated Tax Return. A U.S. consolidated income tax
return shall be filed by the Parent for the taxable year ended December 31,
1996, and for each subsequent taxable period in respect of which this Agreement
is in effect and for which the Affiliated Group is required or permitted to file
a consolidated tax return. Each subsidiary member of the group shall execute and
file such consent, elections and other documents that may be required or
appropriate for the proper filing of such returns.

      (2) Allocation of Tax Liability. For each tax period, each subsidiary
member of the Affiliated Group shall compute its separate federal income tax
liability as if it had filed a separate tax return and shall pay such amount to
the parent. For purposes of this agreement, any liability for AMT and
environmental tax shall be treated as part of the member's separate tax
liability. Furthermore, no benefit with regard to minimum tax credit (MTC),
which would be carried forward if the subsidiary member of the affiliated group
had actually filed a separate federal tax return, is attributable to the
subsidiary members of the group for any year in which a consolidated tax return
is filed. Nor shall


                                      A-2

<PAGE>


any subsidiary member of the group be allocated credit for any net operating
losses which would be carried forward or carried back if the subsidiary member
of the affiliated group had actually filed a separate federal tax return. The
separate return tax liability of each member shall be computed in a manner
consistent with the provisions of Section 1552(a)(2) of the IRC and Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1552-1(a)(2)(ii), provided that the carryover of any NOL,
AMT credit, or any other tax attribute related to a prior period tax liability
of the group shall be disregarded.

      (3) Payment. Payment of the consolidated tax liability for a taxable
period shall include the payment of estimated tax installments due for such
taxable period, and each subsidiary shall pay to the Parent its share of each
payment within 30 days of receiving notice of such payment from the Parent, but
in no event later than the due date for each such payment. Any amounts paid by a
subsidiary on account of a separate return or separate estimated tax payments
that are credited against the consolidated tax liability of the Affiliated Group
shall be included in determining the payments due from such subsidiary. Any
overpayment of estimated tax based on the allocation principles stated herein
should be refunded to the subsidiary.

      (4) Revised Tax Liabilities. If the consolidated tax liability is adjusted
for any taxable period, whether by means of an amended return, claim for refund,
or after a tax audit by the Internal Revenue Service, the liability of each
member shall be recomputed to give effect to such adjustments. In the case of a
refund of tax paid, the Parent shall make payment to each member for its share
of the refund, determined in the same manner as in paragraph 2 above, within 30
days after the refund is received by the Parent. In the case of an increase in
tax liability, each member shall pay to the Parent its allocable share


                                      A-3

<PAGE>


of such increased tax liability within 30 days after receiving notice of such
liability from the Parent.

      (5) If during a consolidated return period the Parent or any subsidiary
acquires or organizes another corporation that is required to be included in the
consolidated return, then such corporation shall join in and be bound by this
agreement.

      (6) This agreement shall supersede the Federal Income Tax Allocation
Agreement previously entered into by the Parent and the subsidiaries and shall
apply to the tax year ending December 31, 1996, and all subsequent taxable
periods unless the Parent and the subsidiary members of the group agree to
terminate the agreement. Notwithstanding such termination, this agreement shall
continue in effect with respect to any payment or refunds due for all taxable
periods prior to termination.

      (7) The Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of any
successor, whether by statutory merger, acquisition of assets, or otherwise, to
any of the parties hereto, to the same extent as if the successor had been an
original party to the Agreement.

      (8) Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to
this agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in
accordance with the rules then obtaining of the American Arbitration
Association, and judgment payable by the parties as a result of such a
recomputation which is due to an amended consolidated return shall be paid
within 30 days of the filing thereof, and any additional amount so payable due
to adjustments made by the taxing authorities shall be paid in accordance with
Sections 3 and 4 hereof.

      (9) Assignability. This Agreement shall not be assignable or transferable
by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the others.


                                       A-4

<PAGE>


      (10) Inspection of Records. Each party or its duly accredited
representative shall have free access to the books and records of the other
parties at all reasonable times for the purpose of obtaining information
concerning this Agreement.

      (11) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by any party on sixty
(60) days written notice to the other parties, and upon such termination, any
sums due from such party to the others hereunder or which would have been due as
a result of filing a consolidated Federal Income Tax Return for the tax year in
which such termination occurs shall be apportioned as of the date of termination
of this Agreement. It is the intent of the parties that this Agreement remain in
full force and effect as to each subsidiary member of the group with respect to
all periods of the year during which it remains a member of the group. This
paragraph shall not be read, however, to require a subsidiary to contribute to
consolidated tax liability for any period for which it files a separate return.
Allocations of consolidated tax liability shall be made hereunder only for
periods covered by this agreement.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this agreement to be
executed by their duly authorized representatives on September 24, 1996.


                                       A-5

<PAGE>


Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation       PMA Reinsurance Corporation

By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell                 By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell      
    ----------------------------------           ------------------------------
Title: CFO                                   Title: CFO                        
       -------------------------------              ---------------------------


Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association      Pennsylvania Manufacturers
Insurance Company                            Indemnity Company

By: /s/ [CLIENT SUPPLY]                      By: /s/ [CLIENT SUPPLY]
    ----------------------------------           ------------------------------
Title: VP -- Finance                         Title: VP -- Finance
       -------------------------------              ---------------------------


Manufacturers Alliance Insurance             Mid-Atlantic States Investment
Company                                      Company\

By: [CLIENT SUPPLY]                          By: /s/ [CLIENT SUPPLY]
    ----------------------------------           ------------------------------
Title: VP -- Finance                         Title: VP -- Finance
       -------------------------------              ---------------------------


Mid-Atlantic States Casualty Company         Sarfred, Inc.

By: /s/ [CLIENT SUPPLY]                      By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell      
    ----------------------------------           ------------------------------
Title: VP -- Finance                         Title: Treasurer
       -------------------------------              ---------------------------


Lee-Ward, Inc.                               PMA Services, Inc.

By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell                 By: /s/ [CLIENT SUPPLY]
    ----------------------------------           ------------------------------
Title: Treasurer                             Title: VP -- Finance
       -------------------------------              ---------------------------


Syl-Bar, Inc.                                Ajon, Inc.

By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell                 By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell      
    ----------------------------------           ------------------------------
Title: Treasurer                             Title: Treasurer
       -------------------------------              ---------------------------


Wisteve, Inc.                                Chris-Jen, Inc.

By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell                 By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell      
    ----------------------------------           ------------------------------
Title: Treasurer                             Title: Treasurer
       -------------------------------              ---------------------------


Rosemarie, Inc.                              Aud-Evad, Inc.

By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell                 By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell      
    ----------------------------------           ------------------------------
Title: Treasurer                             Title: Treasurer
       -------------------------------              ---------------------------


                                      A-6

<PAGE>


Rem Corp.                                    Gulph Industries, Inc.

By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell                 By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell      
    ----------------------------------           ------------------------------
Title: Treasurer                             Title: Treasurer
       -------------------------------              ---------------------------


Dauphin Equities, Inc.                       Pennsylvania Manufacturers'
                                             Association Finance Company

By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell                 By: /s/ [CLIENT SUPPLY]
    ----------------------------------           ------------------------------
Title: Treasurer                             Title: VP -- Finance
       -------------------------------              ---------------------------


Walprop, Inc.                                925 Chestnut, Inc.

By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell                 By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell      
    ----------------------------------           ------------------------------
Title: Treasurer                             Title: Treasurer
       -------------------------------              ---------------------------


Marpan, Inc.                                 Lorjo, Inc.

By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell                 By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell      
    ----------------------------------           ------------------------------
Title: Treasurer                             Title: Treasurer
       -------------------------------              ---------------------------


PMA Management Corporation                   Presque, Inc.

By: /s/ [CLIENT SUPPLY]                      By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell      
    ----------------------------------           ------------------------------
Title: VP -- Finance                         Title: Treasurer
       -------------------------------              ---------------------------


DP Corp.

By: /s/ [CLIENT SUPPLY]
    ----------------------------------
Title: VP -- Finance
       -------------------------------


                                      A-7







                       ----------------------------------

                                  OFFICE LEASE

                                     between

                   NINE PENN CENTER ASSOCIATES, L.P., Landlord

                                       AND

                               LORJO CORP., Tenant


                       -----------------------------------


                               MELLON BANK CENTER

                               1735 MARKET STREET

                           PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA



                               Date: May 26, 1994


                       ----------------------------------


                     Guarantor: PMA REINSURANCE CORPORATION




<PAGE>

                              SCHEDULE OF EXHIBITS


     Exhibit               Contents                          Section Reference
     -------               --------                          -----------------
       "A"      FLOOR PLAN OF PREMISES                                2.1
       "B"      [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
       "C"      RULES AND REGULATIONS                                10.5
       "D"      INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS                                1.0
       "E"      CONTRACTOR INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS                     7.9.2
       "F"      CORE AND SHELL SPECIFICATIONS                         7.1
       "G"      CLEANING SPECIFICATIONS                               8.4
       "H"      NON-DISTURBANCE AGREEMENT                            18.3
       "I"      GUARANTY                                             35.22
       "J"      SALVAGEABLE MATERIALS                                 7.4
       "K"      SITE LOGISTICS AND PROCEDURES                         7.11
       "L"      CONFIRMATION OF LEASE COMMENCEMENT                    3.1.2
       "M"      LANDLORD'S ESTIMATES                                  6.2.3
       "N"      EXPANSION OPTION SPACE                               31.1
       "O"      SUBLEASE                                             12.1
       "P"      SUBLEASE CONSENT                                     12.1


<PAGE>


                               AGREEMENT OF LEASE

                THIS IS AN AGREEMENT OF LEASE (hereinafter "Lease") made this
26th day of May, 1994, by and between NINE PENN CENTER ASSOCIATES, L.P., a
Pennsylvania limited partnership (herein called "Landlord") and LORJO CORP., a
Pennsylvania corporation (herein called "Tenant").

                                   BACKGROUND

                A.  Landlord desires to lease to Tenant the premises identified
in this Lease under the terms and conditions herein set forth.

                B.  Tenant desires to lease and accept from Landlord the 
premises identified in this Lease under the terms and conditions herein set
forth.

                C.  Tenant intends to sublease the premises to PMA Reinsurance
Corporation, Tenant's guarantor hereunder, in accordance with the terms of this
Lease.

                D.  Landlord has agreed to consent to the Tenant's sublease to
PMA Reinsurance Corporation, so long as such sublease complies with the terms
herein.

                                   AGREEMENTS

                IN CONSIDERATION of the Background, and the mutual covenants and
agreements herein set forth, and other good, valuable and sufficient
consideration received, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties
hereto agree as follows, all of the following agreements and covenants being
regarded as strict legal conditions:

                1. Definitions. Exhibit "D" attached to this Lease identifies 
the respective Sections of this Lease in which certain terms are defined. When
used in this Lease, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

                              Additional Rent.  The term "Additional Rent" or
"additional rent" shall mean all sums payable under this Lease for any purpose,
whether or not they are expressly designated as "Additional Rent" or "additional
rent" or would otherwise be considered rent, other than Minimum Rent.

                              Affiliate.  The term "affiliate" of any entity, 
corporation, or partnership shall mean any other entity, corporation, or
partnership controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the former.


                                       1

<PAGE>

                              Agent. The term "Agent" shall mean The Rubin
Organization, having an address at The Bellevue, Third Floor, 200 South Broad
Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, or such other party or such other address as
Landlord may designate, from time to time, by written notice to Tenant.

                              Building. The term "Building" shall mean that
certain commercial office building and related improvements presently known as
Mellon Bank Center, located at 1735 Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Building contains 1,354,725 Rentable Square Feet of space (being the
aggregate Rentable Area of the Office Space, Retail Space, Storage Space and
Garage Space).

                              Business Day. The term "Business Day" shall mean
Monday through Friday, except Holidays. All references to a period of days in
this Lease shall be deemed to refer to calendar days unless the term Business
Day is used.

                              Business Hours. The term "Business Hours" shall
mean 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, and 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
on Saturday, Holidays excepted.

                              Construction Allowance. The term "Construction
Allowance" shall mean the sum of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), to be
applied as set forth in Section 7.8 below.

                              Force Majeure. The term "Force Majeure" shall mean
delay, hindrance or prevention of Tenant or Tenant's contractor from the
performance of the Tenant Work, directly resulting from (a) so-called "wild cat"
strikes or other unforeseeable labor walk outs or lock outs, (b) acts of God,
(c) enemy or terrorist act, (d) governmental ordinances, restrictions or
regulations not in effect on the date of this Lease, (e) civil commotion,
insurrection, sabotage, war or other national emergency, (f) accidents, floods,
fires or other casualties not caused by the act or omission of Tenant or
Tenant's employees or contractors, or (g) failure of utility companies to
provide necessary utilities services to the Building.

                              Garage Space. The term "Garage Space" shall mean
the underground parking garage forming a part of the Building, containing 66,367
Rentable Square Feet of space.

                              Holidays. The term "Holidays" shall mean
President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day,
Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

                              Land. The term "Land" shall mean those parcels of
real property on which the Building is located.

                              Landlord. The term "Landlord" shall mean that
entity named on page 1 of this Lease and any subsequent owner of such Landlord's
interest in the Property, as well as their respective heirs, personal


                                       2
<PAGE>


representatives, successors and assigns, all subject to the provisions of
Section 29 hereof.

                              Landlord Delay. The term "Landlord Delay" shall
mean delay, hindrance or prevention of Tenant or Tenant's contractor from the
performance of the Tenant Work, directly resulting from material interference by
Landlord or Landlord's agents, contractors or employees with Tenant's
contractor's performance of the Tenant Work or Tenants' fixturing of or move
into the Premises (it being agreed that Landlord's reasonable control over
access to and use of the Premises during performance by Landlord of Landlord's
Work shall not be deemed Landlord Delay).

                              Lease Interest Rate. The term "Lease Interest
Rate" shall mean the lesser of (A) the greater of (i) twelve percent (12%) per
annum or (ii) the Prime Rate in effect from time to time plus two percent (2%),
or (B) the maximum amount or rate that Landlord may lawfully charge Tenant in
the circumstances if such a maximum exits.

                              Office Space. The term "Office Space" shall mean
the 1,231,518 Rentable Square Feet of office space contained in the Building.

                              Permitted Use. The term "Permitted Use" shall mean
use only for commercial executive offices (and offices for the clerical and
other staff providing support services necessarily attendant thereto), and for
no other purpose.

                              Prime Rate. The term "Prime Rate" shall mean the
reference rate of interest as announced by Citibank, New York or its successor;
if such reference rate is discontinued or no longer quoted, then such comparable
rate as Landlord reasonably designates by notice to Tenant.

                              Property. The term "Property" shall mean the Land
and the Building together.

                              Rentable Area. The term "Rentable Area" for any
space in the Building shall mean the total Rentable Square Feet included in such
space including office space, retail space, storage space, and garage space.

                              Rentable Square Feet. The terms "Rentable Square
Foot", "Rentable Square Feet" and "Rentable Square Footage" shall refer to the
rentable square footage of any space leased by Tenant hereunder, as calculated
by Landlord.

                              Retail Space. The term "Retail Space" shall mean
the 43,183 Rentable Square Feet of retail space contained in the Building.



                                       3

<PAGE>


                              Storage Space. The term "Storage Space" shall mean
the 13,657 Rentable Square Feet of storage space contained in the Building.

                                                                                
                                                                                
                2. Premises; Use

                              2.1 Premises. Landlord, for the Term and subject
to the provisions and conditions hereof, leases to Tenant, and Tenant hereby
leases and rents from Landlord, the space (hereinafter collectively referred to
as the "Premises" and more particularly delineated on the floor plans
constituting "Exhibit A" attached hereto and made a part hereof), aggregating
57,914 Rentable Square Feet, consisting of 22,638 Rentable Square Feet of space
located on and being the entire 28th floor of the Building, 22,330 Rentable
Square Feet of space located on and being the entire 29th floor of the Building,
and 12,946 Rentable Square Feet of space located on and being a portion of the
30th floor of the Building.

                              2.2 Use. Tenant shall not use or occupy, or permit
or suffer to be used or occupied, the Premises or any part thereof, other than
for the Permitted Use.

                 3. Term

                              3.1 Duration

                                  3.1.1 Generally. The term of this Lease (the
"Term") shall commence on that date (the "Lease Commencement Date") which is the
earlier of (a) the one hundred seventy-fifth (175th) calendar day following the
date of full execution of this Lease, or (b) the date Tenant or anyone claiming
under or through Tenant first occupies or takes possession of the Premises or
any portion thereof for purposes of conducting business therein. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event that completion of Tenant's performance of the
Tenant Work shall be delayed in excess of six (6) full days due to Force Majeure
or Landlord Delay, or both (which days of delay shall be measured cumulatively
and not consecutively), then the time period set forth in Section 3.1.1(a) above
shall be extended one day for each full day of such delay in excess of the
aforesaid six (6) days. No day of delay in performance of the Tenant Work shall
be deemed to have occurred by reason of Force Majeure or Landlord's Delay if
performance of the Tenant Work is simultaneously being delayed by causes within
Tenant's control. Tenant shall give Landlord prompt written notice of each day
of delay in performance of the Tenant Work alleged by Tenant to have been caused
by Force Majeure or Landlord Delay. The Term shall continue until the last day
of the first (1st) month of the eleventh (11th) Lease Year (the "Termination
Date") unless sooner terminated.

                                  3.1.2 Lease Periods. The "First Lease Year"
shall be the twelve (12) month period commencing on the Lease Commencement Date,
if the Lease Commencement Date is the first day of a calendar month, or, if the
Lease Commencement Date is other than on the first day of a calendar month then
the period commencing on the Lease Commencement Date and continuing through the

                                       4

<PAGE>

last day of the twelfth full calendar month thereafter. Each "Lease Year" after
the First Lease Year shall be a consecutive twelve (12) month period commencing
on the first day of the calendar month immediately following the preceding Lease
Year. Tenant covenants that it shall accept possession of the Premises on the
Lease Commencement Date and thereafter continuously occupy the Premises, subject
only to any rights of sublease or assignment herein contained, during the entire
Term and any exercised renewals thereof. The Lease Commencement Date shall be
confirmed in a confirmation memorandum to be executed by both parties promptly
following the Lease Commencement Date in a form substantially similar to that in
Exhibit "L" attached hereto and made a part hereof.

                4. Rent

                              4.1 Minimum Rent. Annual minimum rent for the
Premises ("Minimum Rent") shall be as follows:

First Lease Year ...................  $7.00 per Rentable Square Foot
                                      ($405,398 per annum, $33,783 per month)

Second Lease Year...................  $9.50 per Rentable Square Foot
                                      ($550,183 per annum, $45,848 per month)

Third and Fourth Lease Years........  $10.50 per Rentable Square Foot
                                      ($608,097 per annum, $50,674.75 per month)

Fifth and Sixth Lease Years.........  $11.00 per Rentable Square Foot
                                      ($637,054 per annum, $53,088 per month)

Seventh and Eighth Lease Years......  $11.50 per Rentable Square Foot
                                      ($666,011 per annum, $55,501 per month)

Ninth and Tenth Lease Years
  and first month of Eleventh ......  $12.50 per Rentable Square Foot
                                      ($723,925 per annum, Lease Year
                                      $60,327 per month)

                All Minimum Rent shall be payable in equal monthly installments
commencing on the Lease Commencement Date and thereafter due on the first day of
each month during the Term without demand, deduction or set-off, at the office
of Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order partially to reimburse Tenant
for the costs of the Tenant Work, Landlord agrees that no Minimum Rent or


                                       5


<PAGE>


payments on account of Real Estate Taxes or Operating Expenses shall be payable
or commence to accrue hereunder during the period commencing with the
Commencement Date and ending one hundred thirty-nine (139) days thereafter (the
"Rent Free Period"). Tenant shall be responsible for payment of charges for
electricity, use and occupancy taxes and other Additional Rent other than the
aforesaid payments on account of Real Estate Taxes and Operating Expenses during
the Rent Free Period.

                              4.2 Partial Month. If the Rent Free Period ends on
a day other than the first or last day of a month, Minimum Rent from such day
until the first day of the following month shall be prorated (on the basis of
the number of days during such month) and shall be payable on the first day of
the following month together with the Minimum Rent payment for that month.

                              4.3 Rent Acceptance. If Landlord, at any time or
times, shall accept Minimum Rent or any other sum due to it hereunder after the
same shall become due and payable, such acceptance shall not excuse delay upon
subsequent occasions, or constitute, or be construed as, a waiver of any of
Landlord's rights hereunder.

                              4.4 Additional Rent. All sums payable by Tenant
under this Lease, whether or not stated to be rent, Minimum Rent or Additional
Rent or otherwise denominated (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Rent"),
shall be collectible by Landlord as rent and upon default in payment thereof
Landlord shall have the same rights and remedies as for a failure to pay Minimum
Rent (without prejudice to any other right or remedy available therefor).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere contained in this Lease, any
payment of Additional Rent other than those payments required to be made on
demand may be paid by Tenant as follows, and such payments shall be considered
timely notwithstanding that any other provision of this Lease stipulates that
payment must be made within a fixed number of days:

                                  4.4.1 If Landlord's bill for the Additional
Rent is received by Tenant prior to the last ten (10) days of a calendar month,
Tenant may pay the Additional Rent together with the payment of Minimum Rent due
on the first day of the next succeeding calendar month.

                                  4.4.2 If Landlord's bill for the Additional
Rent is received by Tenant during the last ten (10) days of a calendar month,
Tenant may pay such Additional Rent together with the payment of Minimum Rent
due on the first day of the second calendar month next following.

                              4.5 Late Charge. If any payment of Rent
(including, without limitation, all Minimum Rent and all Additional Rent) or any
part thereof to be made by Tenant to Landlord pursuant to the terms of this
Lease shall become overdue for a period in excess of ten (10) days, a late
charge equal to the greater of Five Cents ($0.05) for each dollar so overdue or
interest accrued on


                                       6

<PAGE>

the overdue payment from the date such payment or part thereof was due until
paid, at the Lease Interest Rate, shall be paid by Tenant together with the
overdue sum for the purpose of defraying the expense incident to handling such
delinquent payment. Nothing herein or in the imposition or acceptance of a late
charge by Landlord shall be construed as a waiver of any rights of Landlord
arising out of any default of Tenant; the right to collect any late charge or
interest is separate and apart from any rights or remedies of Landlord relating
to any default by Tenant.

                              4.6 Independent Covenant; Survival. Tenant's
covenant to pay all Rent hereunder is independent of any other covenant,
agreement, term or condition of this Lease. Without limiting the other
obligations of Tenant which shall survive the expiration of the Term hereof, the
obligation of Tenant to pay Rent shall survive the expiration of the Term
hereof.

                5. Real Estate Taxes

                              5.1 Definitions. As used in this Section 5, the
following terms shall be defined as hereinafter provided:

                                  5.1.1 "Real Estate Taxes" shall mean all taxes
and assessments of every kind and nature, ordinary or extraordinary, general or
special, levied, assessed or imposed by any governmental authority with respect
to the Property, as well as all fees or assessments payable on account of the
Property being located in the Philadelphia Special Services District.
Notwithstanding the foregoing:

                                      5.1.1.1 if at any time during the Term of
this Lease the present system of ad valorem taxation of real property shall be
changed or supplemented so that in lieu of or in addition to the ad valorem tax
on real property there shall be assessed on Landlord or the Property any tax of
any nature which is imposed in whole or in part, in substitution for, addition
to, or in lieu of any tax which would otherwise constitute a Real Estate Tax,
(which tax may include, but shall not be limited to, a state, county, municipal
or other local capital levy or other tax or levy on the gross rents or gross
receipts with respect to the Property, unless Tenant is able to conclusively
establish that such tax, assessment or levy was not intended to be in
substitution for, in addition to, or in lieu of any tax which would otherwise
constitute a Real Estate Tax) such tax shall be included within the term "Real
Estate Taxes," but only to the extent that the same would be payable if the
Property were the only property of Landlord;

                                      5.1.1.2 Real Estate Taxes shall also
encompass all of Landlord's expenses, including but not limited to reasonable
attorney's fees and expenses, incurred by Landlord in any effort to minimize
Real Estate Taxes whether by contesting proposed increases in assessments,
applying for the benefit of any tax abatement program available for the
Property, appealing the denial of any such tax abatement, or contesting any
challenge to the validity of any tax abatement program or its applicability to
the Property or by any other means or procedures appropriate in the
circumstances; provided, however, that under no circumstances shall Landlord
have any obligation to undertake any contest, appeal or other procedure to
minimize Real Estate Taxes or to obtain or maintain the benefits of any tax
abatement program for the Property; further provided that any reduction in Real
Estate Taxes resulting from any such appeal or contest shall inure to the
benefit of Tenant to the extent of Tenant's Tax Share (hereinafter defined) of
such reduction; and

                                     5.1.1.3 except as otherwise provided in
Subsection 5.1.1.1 above, there shall be excluded from Real Estate Taxes all net
income, excess profit, excise, franchise, estate, succession and inheritance
taxes, penalties due to Landlord's lateness or failure to pay taxes when due and
transfer taxes imposed on Landlord.

                                  5.1.2 "Tenant's Tax Share" shall be that
percentage of Real Estate Taxes which is equal to the ratio of the Rentable Area
of the Premises (as the same may change from time to time as a result of the
exercise of expansion or contraction options hereunder) to 1,354,725, the total
Rentable Area contained in the Building (being the Office Space, Garage Space,
Retail Space and Storage Space). As of the date of this Lease, Tenant's Tax
Share is 4.275%.

                                  5.1.3 "Tax Year" shall mean each calendar
year, or such other period of twelve (12) months as now or hereafter may be duly
adopted as the fiscal year for real estate tax purposes of the governmental unit
in which the Property is located, occurring during the Term of this Lease.

                                  5.1.4 "Tax Statement" shall mean a statement
provided by Landlord, setting forth: (a) the Real Estate Taxes for any Tax Year,
(b) Tenant's Tax Share thereof, prorated if only a part of the Tax Year falls
within the Term of this Lease; and (c) the amount by which the Tenant's Tax
Share thereof exceeds (or is less than) payments made by Tenant pursuant to
Sections 5.2.2 and 5.2.3 below for the specified Tax Year or portions thereof.

                              5.2 Payment of Tenant's Tax Share. Commencing on
the Lease Commencement Date, Tenant shall pay to Landlord, as Additional Rent
hereunder, an amount equal to Tenant's Tax Share of Real Estate Taxes with
respect to each Tax Year during the remaining Term of this Lease. If less than a
full twelve (12) month period of a Tax Year is included within the term of this
Lease, Tenant's Tax Share shall be prorated on a per diem basis for such partial
Tax Year. Tenant's Tax Share for each Tax Year shall be paid as follows:

                                  5.2.1 After receipt of a Real Estate Tax bill,
Landlord shall furnish Tenant a Tax Statement as hereinabove defined. Within
twenty-five (25) days following the receipt of such Tax Statement, Tenant shall
pay to Landlord the amount, if any, by which the Tenant's Tax Share for such Tax
Year exceeds the total amount, if any, of payments made pursuant to Subsection
5.2.3 below on account of the Tenant's Tax Share as shown on the Tax Statement.

                                  5.2.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing Section
5.2.1, if at any time after execution of this Lease Landlord receives a Real
Estate Tax bill for taxes in excess of the Real Estate Taxes for the preceding
Tax Year or a notice of any governmental action which could effect an increase
in Real Estate Taxes over the Real Estate Taxes for the preceding Tax Year
including, but not limited to, notice of any increase in assessment or of a
forthcoming increase in the real estate tax rate, or notice, providing that the
Property is not entitled to the benefit of any tax abatement program pursuant to
which Landlord has previously determined the Tenant's Tax Share, or that the
validity of any tax abatement program applicable to the Property has been
challenged by appropriate legal proceedings, Landlord may notify Tenant that
Landlord elects to increase the installments presently being paid by Tenant
pursuant to Subsection 5.2.3 below. Landlord's notice shall be in writing and
shall specify the amount due, or estimated to become due, and the amount of each
installment or increased installment to be paid by Tenant. Payments in the
amount of the installment (or increase in installment) set forth in Landlord's
notice shall be due semi-annually with the payments on account of Tenant's Tax
Share made pursuant to Section 5.2.3.

                                  5.2.3 On or before May 1 of each calendar
year, Landlord will deliver a statement to Tenant specifying the amount of the
installments owing on account of Tenant's Tax Share on or before June 1 and
December 1 of that Tax Year; provided, however, that should Landlord deliver
such statement later than May 1 in any calendar year, Tenant may defer payment
of the installment owing on June 1 of that Tax Year to that date which is thirty
(30) days after Tenant receives Landlord's statement. Subject to the foregoing,
Tenant shall pay one half (1/2) of the Tenant's Tax Share of the Real Estate
Taxes as set forth in Landlord's notice on or before June 1 and the remaining
one-half (1/2) of the Tenant's Tax Share of such Real Estate Taxes on or before
December 1 of each Tax Year, as an estimate and on account of the Tenant's Tax
Share for the current Tax Year, which payments shall be subject to increase upon
receipt by Tenant of a notice from Landlord pursuant to Subsection 5.2.2 above
increasing the amount of semi-annual estimated payments. In the event either
payment is not received by the specified date (subject to extension as
aforesaid), then at Landlord's sole option, for the duration of the Term of this
Lease, as the same may be extended, Tenant shall be required to make monthly
payments, together with payment of Minimum Rent, as an estimate and on account
of the Tenant's Tax Share for the current Tax Year, which payments shall be
subject to increase upon receipt by Tenant of a notice from Landlord pursuant to
subsection 5.2.2 above increasing the amount of monthly estimated payments.

                                  5.2.4 Real Estate Taxes with respect to a Tax
Year which is the subject of an appeal filed by or on behalf of Landlord shall
be paid on the basis of the amount reflected in the tax bill and shall not be
adjusted until the final determination of the appeal. Upon such determination of
any appeal, Landlord will notify Tenant in writing of the actual amount of
Tenant's Tax Share and the amount, if any, remaining due by Tenant in excess of
Tenant's estimated payments. Tenant shall pay such entire amount so due on the
due date for the next installment of Minimum Rent, or if this Lease has
terminated, Tenant shall pay the amount due within fifteen (15) days after
receipt of Landlord's notice. If the actual taxes are less than the amounts upon
which the payments previously made by Tenant were based, Tenant shall receive a
credit against the installment of Minimum Rent next coming due in the amount by
which Tenant's payments on account of Tenant's Tax Share exceeded the payments
actually due for the applicable year, or if the Term of the Lease has expired,
Landlord shall refund to Tenant the amount of any such overpayment within
fifteen (15) days after determination of the amount due to Tenant.

                                  5.2.5 If Tenant shall pay any Tenant's Tax
Share for any periods which were calculated on the basis of the qualification of
the Property for a tax abatement program, and subsequently it is determined that
for such periods or any portion thereof the Property was not entitled to the
benefit of such program or that such program was invalid and a retroactive
assessment is made, then Tenant's Tax Share for such periods shall be recomputed
on the basis of the actual amount of Real Estate Taxes required to be paid in
the absence of abatement, provided such period shall have occurred during the
Term of this Lease. Landlord will notify Tenant in writing both of any
additional amounts due (the "Deficiencies") by Tenant by reason of such
recalculations of Tenant's Tax Share for such periods in excess of Tenant's
previous payments of Tenant's Tax Share and of the amount of any increase in
installments payable by Tenant pursuant to Subsection 5.2.3 above for the
balance of the current Tax Year. Tenant shall pay the entire amount of the
Deficiencies by the due date of the next installment of Minimum Rent due
Landlord.

                                  5.2.6 Pending the resolution of any dispute
between Landlord and Tenant respecting the correctness of any Tax Statement
furnished by Landlord to Tenant hereunder (which dispute shall be undertaken in
accordance with the terms of Section 6.3 below), Tenant shall make payments in
accordance with said Tax Statement or other notice which is the subject of such
dispute.

                              5.3 Real Estate Tax Credit. In the event that the
sum of (a) Tenant's Tax Share of Real Estate Taxes for the twelve (12) month
period following the end of the Rent Free Period, plus (b) Philadelphia Use and
Occupancy Taxes respecting the Premises for the twelve (12) month period
following the end of the Rent Free Period, shall exceed $4.75 per Rentable
Square Foot of the Premises, Tenant shall receive a one-time credit against
Minimum Rent equal to the lesser of (i) the amount of such excess or (ii) $1.50
per Rentable Square Foot of the Premises. Solely by way of example, if Tenant's
Tax Share and Philadelphia Use and Occupancy Taxes for the twelve (12) month
period following the end of the Rent Free Period total $5.50 per Rentable Square
Foot of the Premises, Tenant would receive a Minimum Rent credit equal to $.75


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<PAGE>

per Rentable Square Foot of the Premises ($5.50 - $4.75 = $.75). Such Minimum
Rent credit shall be applied to the installment of Minimum Rent falling due
immediately following the month in which Tenant becomes aware of such excess,
and Tenant shall include a notice to Landlord with its Minimum Rent payment for
that month, stating that such credit is reflected in the payment.

                              5.4 Timely Payment of Real Estate Taxes. Landlord
shall reasonably endeavor to pay all Real Estate Taxes within the time period
(if any) during which the taxing authority affords taxpayers the benefit of a
discount for payment. Any discounts granted by the tax authority shall be
reflected in Tenant's Tax Share of Real Estate Taxes.

                6. Operating Expenses

                              6.2 Definitions

                                  As used in this Section 6 the following terms
shall be defined as hereinafter provided:

                                  6.1.1 "Operating Year" shall mean each
calendar year, or such other period of twelve (12) months as hereafter may be
adopted by Landlord as its fiscal year, occurring either in whole or in part
during the Term of this Lease.

                                  6.1.2 "Tenant's Expense Share" shall be that
percentage of Operating Expenses derived by dividing the Rentable Area contained
within the Premises (as the same may from time to time increase or decrease by
reason of the exercise of any contraction or expansion option provided herein)
by 1,231,518, the Rentable Area contained in the Building excluding the Rentable
Area of the Garage Space, the Retail Space and the Storage Space. As of the date
of this Lease, Tenant's Expense Share is 4.703%.

                                  6.1.3 "Operating Expenses" shall mean the
expenses incurred by Landlord in connection with the operation, repair,
maintenance, protection and management of the Property (subject to allocation as
provided in Section 6.1.3.26 and the exclusions contained in Section 6.1.6),
including by way of example rather than of limitation, the following:

                                      6.1.3.1 Wages, salaries, fees and other
compensation and payments, payroll taxes, contributions to any social security,
unemployment insurance, welfare, pension or similar fund and payments for other
fringe benefits (reasonably and equitably allocated by Landlord among the
Operating Expenses of the Building and the operating expenses of any other
building with respect to which services are performed in the event that an
employee performs services for more than one building) made to or on behalf of
any and all employees of Landlord performing services rendered in connection
with the operation, repair, maintenance, protection and management of the
Property, including, without limitation: elevator operators; elevator starters;
window cleaners; porters; janitors; maids; miscellaneous handymen; watchmen;
persons engaged in patrolling and protecting the Property; carpenters;
engineers; mechanics; electricians; plumbers; landscapers; insurance risk
managers; building superintendent and assistants; building manager; and clerical
and administrative personnel. Landlord may contract for any of the foregoing to
be performed by independent contractors, in which event all sums paid to such
independent contractors shall be included within Operating Expenses pursuant to
Subsection 6.1.3.20 below.

                                     6.1.3.2 The cost of employee uniforms, and
the cleaning, pressing and repair thereof.

                                     6.1.3.3 Cleaning costs for the Property,
including the facade, windows and sidewalks, all costs for snow and rubbish
removal (other than removal of debris associated with tenant alterations or any
work performed by any tenant or Landlord in the Building, the cost of which is
not included in Operating Expenses) and the costs of all labor, supplies,
equipment and materials incidental to such cleaning.

                                     6.1.3.4 Premiums and other charges incurred
by Landlord with respect to all insurance relating to the Property and the
operation and maintenance thereof, including without limitation: all risk of
physical damage or fire and extended coverage insurance; public liability
insurance; elevator insurance; workmen's compensation insurance; boiler and
machinery insurance; sprinkler leakage insurance; rent insurance; and health,
accident and group life insurance for employees (reasonably and equitably
allocated by Landlord among the Operating Expenses of the Building and the
operating expenses of any other building with respect to which services are
performed in the event that an employee performed services for more than one
building).

                                      6.1.3.5 The actual cost of heat, water,
sewer and all other utility services, excluding electricity, servicing the
Building generally, as well as the cost of electricity consumed by central HVAC
equipment serving the Building (such as, but not limited to, the condensor water
system pumps, cooling tower fan and fresh air fans located within the Building
core) (the cost of electricity for non-central HVAC equipment serving leased
portions of the Building being billed directly to the tenant or tenants of such
floor pursuant to Section 8.8, or the equivalent, of their respective leases).

                                      6.1.3.6 Costs (other than utility costs 
which are provided for in Subsection 6.1.3.5 above) incurred for operation,
service, maintenance, inspection, repairs and alterations of the Property, and
the heating, air-conditioning, ventilating, plumbing, outdoor underground
heating coils, electrical and elevator systems of the Building and the costs of
labor, materials, supplies and equipment used in connection with all of the
aforesaid items.

                                      6.1.3.7 Sales and excise taxes and the
like upon any of the expenses enumerated herein.


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<PAGE>

                                      6.1.3.8 Management fees of the managing 
agent for the Building, if any, which Landlord agrees shall at all times be
competitive with management fees paid to managing agents of similar first class
office buildings in center city Philadelphia.

                                      6.1.3.9 The cost of tools, equipment, and
supplies and any replacement thereof.

                                      6.1.3.10 The cost of repainting or similar
cosmetic redecorating of any part of the Building other than premises demised to
tenants in the Building.

                                      6.1.3.11 Displays or decorations for the
lobby, balconies and other public portions of the Property.

                                      6.1.3.12 Dues paid to associations
representing landlords, in connection with the membership of Landlord or the
Building manager therein.

                                      6.1.3.13 The cost of long distance
telephone charges, telecopier and courier services, postage and delivery
charges, office supplies, maintenance and repair of office equipment, and
similar costs, to the extent incurred in connection with the operation of the
Building management office located at Mellon Bank Center or at another location
as designated by the Landlord in the event that the management office at Mellon
Bank Center is relocated.

                                      6.1.3.14 The cost of licenses, permits and
similar fees and charges, excluding those relating to the Garage Space and
Retail Space.

                                      6.1.3.15 Auditing and accounting fees
including accounting fees incurred in connection with the preparation and
certification of the Tax Statements and the Operating Expense Statements
specified in Sections 5 and 6 of this Lease.

                                      6.1.3.16 All costs incurred by Landlord to
comply with governmental requirements, whether federal, state or municipal; and
all repairs, replacements and improvements which are appropriate in Landlord's
reasonable judgment for the continued operation of the Building as a first class
building, including capital expenditures which under generally accepted
accounting principles are expensed or are regarded as deferred expenses.

                                      6.1.3.17 All costs associated with the
acquisition and installation of any energy or cost saving devices.

                                      6.1.3.18 All costs and expenses relating
to the maintenance, operation and repair of any facilities partially on or
attached to and partially adjacent to the Property used in the operation
thereof, including without limitation the atrium and related facilities which
are partially on and partially adjacent to the Property, but specifically


                                       13

<PAGE>

excluding any costs or expenses relating to maintenance, operation and repair of
(a) any portion of such facilities which have been leased to third parties and
(b) that certain adjacent office building and related facilities (other than the
aforesaid atrium) commonly known as Six Penn Center.

                                      6.1.3.19 All that portion of the Business
Privilege Tax of the City of Philadelphia which is based upon gross "receipts"
with respect to the Property and not upon "net income" with respect to the
Property, and any taxes imposed on personal property in the Building owned by
Landlord and used in connection with the Property. For Business Privilege Tax
reporting and payment purposes, the Landlord intends to exclude from its taxable
base the portion of its gross receipts attributable to the distributive share of
its general partner, The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States
(a mutual life insurance company incorporated under the laws of the State of New
York), in reliance on the retaliatory-tax-exclusion for foreign insurance
companies set forth in the First Class Cities Business Tax Reform Act and in the
City of Philadelphia Business Privilege Tax Ordinance, and in reliance on the
preferential rate of tax set forth in the First Class Cities Business Tax Reform
Act and in the City of Philadelphia Business Privilege Tax Ordinance for
"regulated industries." It is understood and agreed by the parties hereto that
if it is determined by the City of Philadelphia or a court of appropriate
jurisdiction following all permissible appeals that the Landlord improperly
excluded from its taxable base the portion of its gross receipts attributable to
the distributive share of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United
States and assesses deficiencies in such tax as a result of those excluded
amounts, the Tenant shall pay to Landlord Tenant's allocable portion of the tax,
for the period within the Term, with interest (excluding any penalties) assessed
thereon by the City of Philadelphia, if any, upon written notice provided to the
Tenant by the Landlord, as Additional Rent.

                                      6.1.3.20 Cost of independent contractors
performing services, including, but not limited to, cleaning, janitorial,
window-washing, rubbish removal, security, landscaping, snow and ice removal
services, electrical, painting, plumbing, elevator, heating, ventilation and air
conditioning maintenance and repair and all fees due such independent
contractors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any services are
provided to the Property by a contractor which is an affiliate of Landlord, such
services shall be provided at a cost which is reasonably competitive with that
which could be obtained from an independent contractor not affiliated with
Landlord.

                                      6.1.3.21 Legal fees with respect to the
Property other than those incurred in the negotiation or enforcement of tenant
leases, which are not reimbursed through other sources.

                                      6.1.3.22 Capital expenditures necessitated
by casualties to the extent of the lesser of the deductible under Landlord's
policy of insurance insuring same, or $50,000.00.



                                       14
<PAGE>


                                      6.1.3.23 Any and all other expenditures of
Landlord which are properly expenses in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied with respect to the operation,
repair, maintenance, protection and management of first-class office buildings
in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

                                      6.1.3.24 If Landlord shall lease any item
of capital equipment, then, subject to the cap contained in Section 6.1.3.25
below, payments under such lease ("Capital Lease Payments") shall be included in
Operating Expenses for each Operating Year in which they are incurred.


                                      6.1.3.25 Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein contained in this Section 6.1.3, if Landlord shall purchase any
item of capital equipment or make any capital expenditure, including without
limitation those described in Subsections 6.1.3.16, 6.1.3.17 or 6.1.3.22 above
(collectively, "Capital Expenditures"), then the costs for same shall be
amortized on a straight line basis beginning in the year of installation and
continuing for the shorter of (a) the useful life thereof as determined in
accordance with the United States Internal Revenue Code or (b) ten (10) years,
with a per annum interest factor equal to the Prime Rate in effect on the date
of purchase thereof. The amount of amortization for such costs shall be included
in Operating Expenses for each Operating Year within the amortization period;
provided, however, that Tenant's Expense Share of Operating Expenses shall not
include Capital Lease Payments and Capital Expenditures aggregating in excess of
Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) per Lease Year during the first five (5) Lease
Years, or aggregating more than Twenty Thousand dollars ($20,000) per Lease Year
during the sixth (6th) through tenth (10th) Lease Years.

                                      6.1.3.26 Landlord shall calculate and
reasonably allocate Operating Expenses among the Office Space, Retail Space,
Garage Space and Storage Space, and Tenant's Share shall be applied only against
Operating Expenses which are so allocated to the Office Space, and not to those
portions of the Operating Expenses which are allocated to the Retail Space,
Storage Space and Garage Space. In the event any portion of the Atrium attached
to the Building is leased, that leased space shall be included in the Retail
Space for the purpose of calculating Tenant's Expense Share.

                                  6.1.4 Operating Expenses shall be "net" and,
for that purpose, shall be reduced by the amounts of any reimbursement, discount
or credit received by Landlord with respect to an item of cost that is included
within Operating Expenses (other than reimbursements to Landlord by tenants of
the Property pursuant either to operating expense provisions of any lease or
separate contractual arrangements).

                                  6.1.5 In determining Operating Expenses for
any Operating Year during which less than ninety percent (90%) of the rentable
area of the Building shall have been occupied by tenants for more than thirty
(30) days during such year, that portion of the actual Operating Expenses for
such year which vary with occupancy shall be increased to the amount which
normally would have been incurred for such Operating Year had such occupancy of


                                       15

<PAGE>

the Building been ninety percent (90%) throughout such Operating Year, as
reasonably determined by Landlord. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event
shall Landlord receive more than one hundred percent (100%) of the Building's
actual Operating Expenses as a result of the operation of this Subsection 6.1.5.

                                  6.1.6 Notwithstanding the provisions of
Section 6.1.3, "Operating Expenses" shall not include expenditures for any of
the following:

                                      6.1.6.1 Any capital addition made to the
Building, including the cost to prepare space for occupancy by a new tenant,
except as set forth in Subsections 6.1.3.16, 6.1.3.17 or 6.1.3.22 above.

                                      6.1.6.2 Repairs or other work occasioned
by fire, water, windstorm or other casualty or hazard, in excess of the lesser
of the deductible under Landlord's policy of insurance insuring such casualty or
hazard, or $50,000.00.

                                      6.1.6.3 Leasing commissions and 
advertising expenses incurred in leasing or procuring new tenants.

                                      6.1.6.4 Repairs or rebuilding necessitated
by condemnation.

                                      6.1.6.5 Depreciation and amortization of
the Building, other than as permitted pursuant to Subsection 6.1.3.25.

                                      6.1.6.6 Real Estate Taxes.

                                      6.1.6.7 The salaries and benefits of
executive officers of Landlord, if any.

                                      6.1.6.8 Debt service payments on any
indebtedness applicable to the Property, including any mortgage debt, or ground
rents payable under any ground lease for the Property.

                                      6.1.6.9 Costs of services not generally
provided to all tenants in the Office Space.

                                      6.1.6.10 Capital costs of replacing 
Building components which are replaced due to normal wear and tear or sudden
failure shall not be included in Operating Expenses (or amortized under Section
6.1.3.25).

                                       16

<PAGE>

                                  6.1.7 "Monthly Operating Expense Estimate"
shall have the meaning specified in Subsection 6.2.1.1 hereof.

                                  6.1.8 "Operating Expense Statement" shall mean
a statement provided by Landlord, setting forth in reasonable detail: (a) the
Operating Expenses for the Operating Year (or portion thereof if less than a
full Operating Year) immediately preceding the Operating Year in which the
statement is issued, reasonably detailed by major categories, (b) the Tenant's
Expense Share for such preceding Operating Year, prorated if only a part of the
Operating Year falls within the Term of this Lease, (c) the amount of payments
made by Tenant on account of the Tenant's Expense Share during such preceding
Operating Year, (d) the amount of payments of the Monthly Operating Expense
Estimate made by Tenant in the Operating Year in which the Expense Statement is
issued, and (e) the Monthly Operating Expense Estimate for the Operating Year in
which the Operating Expense Statement is issued.

                              6.2 Tenant's Expense Share. Commencing with the
Lease Commencement Date, as Additional Rent for each Operating Year or portion
thereof occurring within the remainder of the Term of this Lease, Tenant shall
pay to Landlord (in the manner hereinafter provided) the amount of Tenant's
Expense Share of the Operating Expenses for every Operating Year. For any
portion of an Operating Year less than a full twelve (12) month period occurring
within the Term of this Lease, Tenant's Expense Share shall be prorated on a per
diem basis.

                                  6.2.1 Such Additional Rent shall be paid (or
credited) in the following manner:

                                      6.2.1.1 Beginning with the Lease
Commencement Date and continuing thereafter on the first day of each month until
receipt of the Operating Expense Statement with respect to the Operating Year
during which Lease Commencement Date occurs, Tenant will pay Landlord an amount
set by Landlord sufficient to pay Landlord's estimate (reasonably based on the
actual Operating Expenses for the preceding Operating Year and Landlord's
projections of any anticipated increases or decreases thereof) of Tenant's
Expense Share for the current Operating Year (or remaining portion thereof) (the
"Monthly Operating Expense Estimate"). The Monthly Operating Expense Estimate
for a period less than a full calendar month shall be duly prorated.

                                      6.2.1.2 Following the end of each
Operating Year, Landlord shall furnish Tenant an Operating Expense Statement
setting forth the information described in Subsection 6.1.8 above. Within thirty
(30) days following the receipt of such Operating Expense Statement (the
"Expense Share Date") Tenant shall pay to Landlord: (i) the amount by which the
Tenant's Expense Share for the Operating Year (or portion thereof) covered by
the Operating Expense Statement exceeds the aggregate of Monthly Operating


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<PAGE>


Expense Estimates paid by Tenant with respect to such Operating Year (or portion
thereof); and (ii) the amount by which the Monthly Operating Expense Estimate
for the current Operating Year as shown on the Operating Expense Statement
multiplied by the number of months elapsed in the current Operating Year
(including the month in which payment is made) exceeds the aggregate amount of
payments of the Monthly Operating Expense Estimate theretofore made in the
Operating Year in which the Operating Expense Statement is issued. Landlord
shall diligently endeavor to furnish Tenant an Operating Expense Statement not
later than one hundred and twenty (120) days following the end of each Operating
Year.

                                      6.2.1.3 On the first day of the first
month following receipt by Tenant of any annual Operating Expense Statement and
continuing thereafter on the first day of each succeeding month until the
issuance of the next ensuing Operating Expense Statement, Tenant shall pay
Landlord the amount of the Monthly Operating Expense Estimate shown on the
Operating Expense Statement.

                                      6.2.1.4 If on any Expense Share Date 
Tenant's payments of the installments of the Monthly Operating Expense Estimate
for the preceding or current year's Operating Expenses are greater than the
actual Operating Expenses for such preceding Operating Year or Monthly Operating
Expense Estimate for the current year, Landlord shall credit Tenant with any
excess, which credit may be offset by Tenant against next due installments of
Rent. If the Term of the Lease has expired prior to the Expense Share Date for
the applicable Operating Year and if Tenant's payments of Monthly Operating
Expense Estimate either exceed or are less than Tenant's Expense Share, Landlord
shall send the Operating Expense Statement to Tenant, and an appropriate payment
from Tenant to Landlord or refund from Landlord to Tenant shall be made on the
Expense Share Date. The provisions of this Subsection 6.2.1.4 shall remain in
effect notwithstanding any termination of this Lease; provided however, that if
upon termination of this Lease Tenant owes Landlord any sums under this Lease
(for Rent or otherwise), Landlord shall have the right to reduce the amount of
any refund due Tenant under this Section 6.2.1.4 against such sums owed by
Tenant to Landlord.

                                  6.2.2 Notwithstanding any dispute concerning
any Operating Expense Statement or other notice, Tenant shall continue to make
payments in accordance with said Operating Expense Statement or other notice
pending the resolution of such dispute.

                                  6.2.3 Landlord's Estimates. Landlord has
submitted to Tenant, and Tenant has relied upon in entering into this Lease, the
estimates of Real Estate Taxes and Operating Expenses shown on Exhibit "M"
attached hereto and made a part hereof.

                              6.3 Audit of Landlord's Books. Landlord shall keep
at all times during the Term of this Lease, at the office of Landlord or Agent,
full, complete and accurate books of account and records prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles with respect to Operating Expenses
and Real Estate Taxes, and shall retain such books and records, as well as
contracts, bills, vouchers, and checks, and such other documents as are


                                       18

<PAGE>

reasonably necessary to audit properly the Operating Expenses and Real Estate
Taxes for at least one (1) year after the year to which they are applicable, or
if any audit is required or any controversy should arise between the parties
hereto regarding Tenant's Tax Share or Tenant's Expense Share, until such audit
or controversy is resolved or terminated. After one (1) year from the submission
of a given Operating Expense Statement or the Tax Statement, as the case may be,
by Landlord to Tenant, Tenant waives its rights to inspect such books and
records which are applicable to said statements. During such one (1) year period
such books and records shall be open to the inspection of Tenant or its duly
authorized representatives, who shall have full and free access to the same and
the right to require of Landlord, its agents and employees, such information or
explanation with respect to the same as may reasonably be necessary for a proper
examination thereof. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Tenant
shall have the right to inspect said records only during Business Hours and upon
at least five (5) business days' prior written notice to Landlord and only for
such period as is reasonably required to complete such inspection. Tenant shall
hold all information obtained from such inspection in the strictest confidence.
If it is determined that the Operating Expenses or the Real Estate Taxes shown
in the Operating Expense Statement or the Tax Statement exceed the actual
Operating Expenses or Real Estate Taxes for any period covered by Landlord's
statement by four percent (4%) or more, Landlord shall pay all reasonable
expenses incurred by Tenant in determining the actual Operating Expenses or Real
Estate Taxes for said period; otherwise Tenant shall pay all expenses which it
incurred in making any such audit. In the event that any audit by Tenant reveals
that the actual Operating Expenses and Real Estate Taxes for any period are less
than the sum paid by Tenant for the period, then the amount of the excess shall
be applied on account of the next installment or installments of Rent due under
this Lease unless the Term shall have ended, in which event Landlord shall pay
to Tenant the amount of the excess within thirty (30) days after the parties
have agreed upon the amount of the excess.

                7. Improvement of the Premises

                              7.1 Base Building Plans. Landlord shall make
available to Tenant for use by Tenant or its architect or engineer, such
structural, electrical and mechanical drawings, specifications, and other
information with respect to the Building ("Base Building Plans") reflecting
Landlord's construction of the Core and Shell of the Building described in
Exhibit F attached hereto (the "Core and Shell"). Landlord shall also make
available for Tenant's inspection all shop drawings and submittals respecting
the construction of the Core and Shell. Tenant acknowledges that the Core and
Shell were constructed to construction industry standard tolerances permitting
limited deviations from the requirements of the Base Building Plans.
Accordingly, promptly following execution of the Lease, and prior to
commencement of preparation of the plans and documents which Tenant is obligated
to produce under Section 7.3 below, Tenant will cause its architect or engineer
to conduct a field survey of the Premises to verify critical dimensions and
ascertain any deviation from the Base Building Plans.

                              7.2 Tenant hereby designates Fred Harle as the
"Tenant's Construction Representative," who Tenant agrees shall be available to
meet and consult with Landlord on a continuing basis at the Premises as Tenant's

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<PAGE>


representative concerning the matters which are the subject of this Section 7
and who, as between Landlord and Tenant, shall have the power legally to bind
Tenant in giving direction to Landlord respecting the Construction Documents and
the Tenant Work, in giving approvals of design documents and work, and in making
requests and approval for changes. Tenant may from time to time change the
designation of Tenant's Construction Representative by written notice to
Landlord, so long as there is at all times at least one individual designated to
serve in such capacity.

                              7.3 Preparation, Review and Approval of Tenant's
Schematic Design Documents, Design Development Documents and Construction
Documents. Tenant shall, at its expense, consult with its architect, engineer,
designer and such other consultants as it shall deem necessary for development
and timely completion of certain documents as described in this Section 7, which
documents shall conform to the Base Building Plans.

                                  7.3.1 Schematic Design. Tenant shall prepare
at its expense "Schematic Design Documents" reasonably satisfactory to Landlord
which generally indicate functional and organizational relationships, the
location and size of the Premises, all demising and interior walls, and the
locations and configuration of all offices and conference rooms, libraries, file
rooms and other office areas and improvements to be contained in the Premises.

                                  7.3.2 Design Development. Subject to the
procedural requirements set forth in Subsection 7.3.4 below, Tenant, at its
expense, shall cause to be prepared and delivered to Landlord for its review and
approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed: one (1)
complete reproducible set and two (2) blue-line print sets of "Design
Development Documents" consisting of: architectural, mechanical, electrical,
plumbing and structural drawings and other documents to fix and describe the
size and character of the space, all commonly called "Space Plans", prepared by
an architect or space planner approved by Landlord. Tenant shall deliver to
Landlord in a timely manner the Schematic Design Documents and the Design
Development Documents for approval, so that the Construction Documents are
timely delivered and approved as set forth below. Tenant shall cause the Design
Development Documents to be prepared in conformity with and consistent with the
Schematic Design Documents.

                                  7.3.3 Construction Documents. Tenant, at its
expense, shall cause to be prepared and delivered to Landlord one (1) complete
reproducible set and two (2) blue-line print sets of complete and final
"Construction Documents" consisting of (a) working drawings; (b) two (2) copies
of specifications, as approved by Landlord for the construction of the Premises
for Tenant's occupancy; and (c) a permit set. Tenant shall deliver the
Construction Documents to Landlord not later than April 18, 1994. Tenant shall
cause the Construction Documents to be prepared in conformity with and
consistent with the Design Development Documents.


                                       20

<PAGE>


                                      7.3.3.1 Tenant's Construction Documents
shall be signed and sealed by an architect or professional engineer (where
applicable) licensed and registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In
addition to conforming to Landlord's Base Building Plans, Tenant's Construction
Documents shall also conform to all applicable laws, ordinances, building codes
and requirements of public authorities and insurance underwriters. Tenant's
Construction Documents shall contain, at a minimum, floor plans, reflected
ceiling plans, power and telephone plans, mechanical plans, electrical plans,
fire protection plans and all other details and schedules which designate the
locations and specifications for all mechanical, electrical, fire protection and
life safety equipment to be installed in the Premises, and all partitions,
doors, lighting fixtures, electric receptacles and switches, telephone outlets,
special air conditioning, and other improvements to be installed within the
Premises.

                                  7.3.4 Landlord Approval. Tenant shall submit
for Landlord's approval, Schematic Design Documents, Design Development
Documents and Construction Documents, in accordance with guidelines and time
frames described above. The approval by Landlord of Tenant's Schematic Design
Documents, Design Development Documents and Construction Documents shall be
subject to the following procedural requirements:

                                      7.3.4.1 Landlord shall promptly review the
applicable documents or any additional requested information, and either approve
the same or return the same to Tenant with requested modifications.

                                      7.3.4.2 If Landlord shall return the
modified documents to Tenant with requested modifications, Landlord shall
specify a reasonable period of time, not to exceed three (3) Business Days,
within which such modifications shall be made and within which such modified
plans shall be re-submitted to Landlord by Tenant, until the modified documents
are finally approved by Landlord.

                                      7.3.4.3 To the extent the Tenant's
Schematic Design Documents, Design Development Documents or Construction
Documents, as the case may be, in Landlord's sole judgment, involve any
modification of, or impact upon, the Building's structural, mechanical,
electrical or plumbing systems or components, then such approval may be withheld
by Landlord in its absolute and sole discretion.

                                      7.3.4.4 Tenant's Construction Documents,
as approved by Landlord and as modified by Tenant to take account of any changes
reasonably requested by Landlord, are hereinafter considered to be "Approved for
Construction."

                                  7.3.5 Costs of Tenant's Documents. Landlord
grants to Tenant an allowance for reimbursement of Tenant's actual costs of
preparation of its Schematic Design Documents, Design Development Documents and
Construction Documents, including without limitation the cost of any interior
design services, of Two Hundred Eighty-Nine Thousand Five Hundred Seventy


                                       21
<PAGE>


Dollars ($289,570.00) (Five Dollars ($5.00) per Rentable Square Foot of the
Premises) ("Plans Allowance"). Tenant may draw upon the Plans Allowance by
submitting to Landlord on or before the twentieth (20th) day of any month, a
voucher for the sum requested executed by Tenant's Construction Representative
and by an officer of Tenant, setting forth in reasonable detail the amount of
the plans costs and identifying the labor, fees, costs and documents to which it
relates. Landlord shall endeavor to pay to Tenant the amount of each Tenant
voucher within twenty (20) days after Landlord shall have received such voucher,
until the Plans Allowance is exhausted. Should the Plans Allowance not be
exhausted in reimbursing Tenant the cost of preparing the Construction
Documents, any portion thereof remaining shall be applied to reimburse Tenant
for the costs of moving into the Premises and shall be payable by Landlord to
the Tenant in one or more installments, each within a reasonable time following
receipt by Landlord of a voucher from Tenant setting forth in reasonable detail
the labor, fees and costs desired to be reimbursed. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Tenant may submit its first draw request voucher at the time of full
Lease execution, and Landlord shall endeavor to pay same twenty (20) days
thereafter.

                              7.4 Landlords Work. Promptly following full
execution of this Lease, Landlord, in a good and workmanlike manner and at
Landlord's expense, (a) shall undertake demolition of those portions of the
Premises identified on and in accordance with Tenant's demolition plans and
specifications, prepared by Harle Brandt Ginder Architects, dated 2/1/94,
consisting of five (5) sheets numbered D1 through D5 and labelled "PMARE @
MELLON BANK CENTER", a true and correct copy of which has been delivered to and
approved by Landlord (excluding any demolition of areas on the 30th floor of the
Building shown on such plans and specifications but not contained in the
Premises on the 30th floor of the Building), and (b) shall remove and dispose of
the debris resulting from such demolition ("Landlord's Work"). Landlord shall
complete the Landlord's Work within twenty-one (21) days from the date of full
execution of this Lease except with respect to the removal of the stairs between
the floors of the Premises and redecking of the floors, which Landlord shall
complete within forty-two (42) days from the date of full execution of this
Lease; provided, however, that the aforesaid periods for completion of
Landlord's Work shall be extended one day for each day that Landlord is delayed
in the performance of such work by reason of interference by Tenant's
contractors or subcontractors performing work in the Premises. During the period
of Landlord's performance of Landlord's Work, Landlord shall control the hours
and locations at which Tenant's contractors and subcontractors may perform work
within the Premises, but Landlord shall not be responsible for any aspect of the
work performed by Tenant's contractors and subcontractors by reason of such
control. Landlord shall leave in the Premises those salvageable materials listed
on Exhibit "J" attached hereto, in reasonably good and serviceable condition,
for use by Tenant in performance of the Tenant Work.

                              7.5 Tenant Work Defined. Tenant shall, in a good
and workmanlike manner, cause the Premises to be improved and completed at
Tenant's expense (subject to the Construction Allowance hereinafter provided)

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<PAGE>

and in accordance with Tenant's Construction Documents, which work (including
materials, supplies, components, labor and services therefor) is herein referred
to as the "Tenant Work".

                              7.6 Tenant's Contractor

                                  7.6.1 The Tenant Work is to be performed by
Tenant's contractor, selected by Tenant subject to Landlord's written approval.
Landlord will not unreasonably withhold or delay its approval of any contractor
submitted by Tenant, and Landlord's disapproval shall not be considered
unreasonable if the disapproved contractor may, in Landlord's sole opinion,
prejudice Landlord's relationship with Landlord's contractors or subcontractors
or the relationship between such contractors and their subcontractors or
employees, or otherwise disturb harmonious labor relations in or about the
Building.

                                  7.6.2 Upon Landlord's approval of the Tenant's
contractor, Tenant shall enter into a construction contract or construction
management agreement for the Tenant Work (the "Tenant Work Contract"). The
Tenant Work Contract shall require that both Landlord and Tenant must approve
the selection of each subcontractor and supplier furnishing goods or services
costing over Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) within three (3) business days
of written request for approval, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld,
and shall require Tenant's contractor to comply with all requirements of Section
7.9 below.

                                  7.6.3 Prior to commencement of that portion of
the Tenant Work which requires a building permit, Tenant will provide Landlord
with a copy of the building permit respecting the Tenant Work. Additionally,
upon completion of the Tenant Work and prior to occupancy of the Premises by
Tenant, Tenant will deliver to Landlord a copy of the temporary or permanent
Certificate of Occupancy respecting the Premises; provided that if Tenant
delivers a temporary Certificate of Occupancy, Tenant shall diligently and
continuously pursue issuance of a permanent Certificate of Occupancy and shall
deliver a copy of same to Landlord upon receipt. Should Tenant so request,
Landlord agrees to provide reasonable assistance to Tenant, at no expense to
Landlord, in Tenant's efforts to obtain a permanent Certificate of Occupancy for
the Premises.

                              7.7 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.]

                              7.8 Payment of Construction Allowance

                                  7.8.1 Tenant may draw upon the Construction
Allowance to pay for labor and materials provided for the Tenant Work (and to
pay Tenant's architect's and engineer's and other professional fees incurred in
connection with the design and construction of the Tenant Work as provided in
Section 7.3.5 if the Plans Allowance is exhausted) (herein called "Tenant's
Costs") in accordance with the terms of this Section 7.8. At the time Tenant's
Construction Documents are finalized, Tenant will deliver to Landlord an
estimated budget reasonably detailing the anticipated Tenant's Costs. Tenant


                                       23

<PAGE>

shall submit to Landlord on or before the twenty-eighth (28th) day of each
month, a voucher for Tenant's Costs executed by Tenant's Construction
Representative and by a partner or officer of Tenant, setting forth in
reasonable detail the amount of such Tenant's Costs and identifying the
material, labor, fees, and costs to which they relate. Landlord shall pay to
Tenant the amount of each Tenant voucher within thirty (30) days after receipt
of such voucher from Tenant. Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Section
7.8.1, any amounts held back as retainage under contracts for the Tenant Work
shall not constitute a part of Tenant's Costs unless and until paid to the
contractor under the terms of the subject contract.

                                  7.8.2 Each voucher submitted to Landlord by
Tenant (as set forth in Section 7.8.1) shall be accompanied by a certificate
duly executed and sworn to by Tenant's Construction Representative stating that:
(i) based on site inspections and the data comprising the invoice submitted by
Tenant for payment by Landlord, the Tenant Work has progressed to the point
indicated and the quality and condition of the Tenant Work theretofore completed
or in the process of completion as of the date of such certificate is in
accordance with the Construction Documents; and (ii) that Tenant's contractor is
entitled to the amount so certified.

                              7.9 Tenant Contractors. In performing the Tenant
Work or in performing alterations within any Expansion Area prior to Tenant's
beneficial occupancy thereof, the following conditions shall be fulfilled, and
Tenant, by undertaking to have such work performed by its contractor or
contractors, shall be deemed to have agreed to cause such conditions to be
fulfilled:

                                  7.9.1 Prior to commencing any such work, the
Construction Documents shall have been Approved for Construction in accordance
with Section 7.3.

                                  7.9.2 The work shall be performed at Tenant's
expense by responsible contractors and subcontractors approved in advance by
Landlord, who shall not in Landlord's sole opinion, and who in fact do not,
prejudice Landlord's relationship with Landlord's contractors or subcontractors
or the relationship between such contractors and their subcontractors or
employees, or disturb harmonious labor relations. Tenant's contractors and
subcontractors shall comply with all insurance requirements and undertakings set
forth in Exhibit "E" attached hereto, as the same may be changed by written
notice from Landlord to Tenant from time to time during the Term.

                                  7.9.3 Such contractors or Tenant shall, prior
to the commencement of the contractors' work and not later than ten (10) days
after the execution of the contractors' respective contracts, file waivers of
mechanic's liens in the appropriate public office, which waivers shall be
effective to preclude the filing of any mechanic's liens on account of the work


                                       24

<PAGE>

to be performed by any of Tenant's contractors, subcontractors or materialmen. A
copy of all such waivers shall be delivered to Landlord by Tenant prior to the
commencement of any such work.

                                  7.9.4 No such work shall be performed in such
manner or at such times as to interfere with any work being done by any of
Landlord's contractors or subcontractors in the Premises or in or about the
Property generally. Tenant's contractors and subcontractors shall be subject to
the decisions of Agent and Landlord's contractor as to such matters and as to
avoidance of interference with other tenants of the Building or the work of
other tenants' contractors and subcontractors, but Agent and Landlord's
contractor shall not be responsible for any aspect of the work performed by
Tenant's contractors or subcontractors.

                                  7.9.5 Except as otherwise set forth in this
Section 7.9, all such work shall be subject to the requirements and provisions
of Sections 10.5, 10.7 and 25 of this Lease.

                                  7.9.6 Tenant and its contractors and
subcontractors shall be solely responsible for the transportation, safekeeping
and storage of materials and equipment used in the performance of their work,
for the removal of waste and debris resulting from the work, and for any damage
caused by them to the Building or to any installations or work performed by
Landlord's or any other tenant's contractors and subcontractors.

                              7.10 Condition of Premises. The taking of
possession of the Premises by Tenant upon completion of the Tenant Work shall be
conclusive evidence, as against Tenant, that the Premises and the Property were
in good and satisfactory condition and that the Landlord's Work was
satisfactorily completed at the time such possession was so taken.

                              7.11. Site Logistics and Procedures. Tenant's
occupancy of the Premises during performance of the Tenant Work shall be subject
to all of the terms and conditions of this Lease, excepting only that no Rent
shall be payable during such period except to the extent specifically required
under this Section 7.11, and except that Landlord shall not be obligated to
provide janitorial services pursuant to Section 8.4. During such period, Tenant
shall comply with the Site Logistics and Procedures set forth on Exhibit "K"
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. Any work to be performed
by Tenant in the elevator lobby and common corridors of the 30th floor of the
Building shall be undertaken at such times and in such a manner as will not
unreasonably disturb other tenants of such floor or unreasonably interfere with
the conduct of their respective businesses, as determined by Landlord. Tenant
shall pay to Landlord all of Landlord's costs for electricity consumed by Tenant
and its contractors and subcontractors in the performance of the Tenant Work
including, without limitation, the cost of electricity consumed in the provision
of HVAC service to the Premises during such period, computed at the rate set
forth in Section 8.1 and 8.8. The cost of electricity will be submetered on full
floors of the Premises and shall be reasonably allocated by Landlord on partial
floors of the Premises, based upon usage. The costs of electricity shall be
payable by Tenant to Landlord within fifteen (15) days following receipt of a
bill from Landlord therefor, as Additional Rent.


                                       25
<PAGE>


                8. Landlord agrees that in consideration of Tenant's performance
of its obligations under this Lease and so long as no Event of Default
(hereinafter defined) has occurred and is continuing, Landlord shall provide
services after the Lease Commencement Date as follows:

                              8.1 HVAC. Heat or air-conditioning to the Premises
(depending on the season) and ventilation (collectively, "HVAC") as set forth in
the Core and Shell description attached hereto as Exhibit F, during Business
Hours. Heat or air-conditioning and ventilation required by Tenant at other
times shall be available to Tenant at Landlord's then prevailing rates
(presently $20.00 per hour, excluding costs of submetered electricity) with
prior notice to Landlord, and shall be paid for by Tenant as Additional Rent
within thirty (30) days after billing. The cost of electricity consumed in
providing HVAC service to Tenant hereunder shall be billed to and payable by
Tenant in accordance with Section 8.8, below. The furnishing of the foregoing
heating, air-conditioning and ventilation services during the times and in
accordance with the standards hereinabove set forth shall be subject to any
statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, resolution or recommendation for energy
conservation which may be promulgated by any governmental agency or organization
which Landlord shall be required to abide by or in good faith may elect to
observe.

                              8.2 Elevators. Landlord shall provide self-service
passenger elevator service to the Premises during Business Hours, with one
elevator subject to call at all other times. Landlord shall also provide freight
elevator service, subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as to
availability and use as Landlord may hereafter promulgate from time to time,
provided, however, that Tenant shall be required to pay Landlord for any special
services required by Tenant in connection with such use and/or in connection
with its operation of such service during other than Business Hours at such
rates as Landlord shall reasonably establish therefor. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, during Tenants' performance of the Tenant Work and initial move into
the Premises, Tenant shall not be required to pay any charges for use of the
Building freight elevators (even if the initial move occurs on a weekend or
Holiday, or is spread over more than one weekend).

                              8.3 Access. Tenant and its employees shall have
access to the Premises twenty-four hours per day, 365 days per year, subject to
compliance with such security measures as shall from time to time be in effect
for the Building.

                              8.4 Janitorial. Landlord shall provide janitorial
services to the Premises consistent with those set forth in the Cleaning
Specifications attached hereto as Exhibit G. Any and all additional or
specialized janitorial services desired by Tenant shall be contracted for by
Tenant directly with Landlord's independent janitorial contractor and the cost
and payment thereof shall be the sole responsibility of Tenant.

                                       26
<PAGE>

                              8.5 Landlord Repairs. Landlord shall make all
necessary structural repairs to the Building, as well as all repairs and
adjustments which may be reasonably requested by Tenant and which Landlord shall
determine may be needed to the mechanical, HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems
(including VAV boxes and their associated thermostats) in and servicing the
Premises and all repairs to exterior windows. In the event that any such repair
is required by reason of the negligence or abuse of Tenant or its agents,
employees, invitees or of any other person using the Premises with Tenant's
consent, express or implied, Landlord may make the repair and charge Tenant for
the costs thereof plus interest thereon at the Lease Interest Rate computed from
the date such costs are incurred by Landlord until paid, which costs and
interest shall be due and payable following completion of the repairs with the
next installment of Minimum Rent thereafter due. Any repairs to any non-building
standard fixtures or other improvements installed or made by or at the request
of Tenant requiring maintenance or repairs of a type or nature not customarily
provided by Landlord to office tenants of the Building, and necessary
replacements of non-building standard fixtures or improvements, shall be made by
Landlord at Tenant's expense or, at Landlord's election, by contractors engaged
by Tenant and approved by Landlord, at Tenant's expense. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Landlord shall not be responsible for any HVAC repairs or adjustments
during any period of time when the HVAC system is under warranty.

                              8.6 Water. Landlord shall provide water in
reasonable quantities consistent in Landlord's reasonable judgment with
customary office usage for drinking, lavatory and toilet purposes to be drawn
from the bathrooms or other approved fixtures within the Premises.

                              8.7 Public Areas. Landlord shall keep and maintain
the public areas and facilities of the Property reasonably clean and in good
working order, and the sidewalks adjoining the Property in good repair and,
during Business Hours, free from accumulations of snow and ice.

                              8.8 Electricity. Landlord shall furnish, at
Tenant's cost and expense, the Premises with 4.5 watts per square foot (net
usable area) of electric current for lighting and normal office use, and shall
replace light bulbs and tubes when required. The cost of replacement light
bulbs, tubes, lamps, and ballasts, shall be paid by Tenant as Additional Rent.
Tenant's use of electric energy in the Premises shall not at any time exceed the
safe capacity of any of the electric conductors and equipment in or otherwise
serving the Premises. Tenant shall not, without Landlord's prior written
consent, which is not to be unreasonably withheld, in each instance, connect to
the Building's electric distribution system any fixtures, appliances, equipment
or machinery other than lamps, typewriters, desktop computers, xerox machines,
and similar small office machines, as well as food and beverage vending
machines, coffee makers, refrigerators, hot plates and microwave ovens, nor make

                                       27

<PAGE>

any alterations or additions to the electric system of the Premises. Should
Landlord grant such consent, all additional lines, risers or other equipment
required therefor shall be provided by Landlord at Tenant's cost and expense.
Tenant agrees that its consumption of electric energy in the Premises shall be
submetered by Landlord at Tenant's expense. The cost of electricity consumed at
the Premises shall be billed to Tenant by Landlord, monthly on the basis of the
rate paid by Landlord for electricity consumed in the Building, being the
Philadelphia Electric Company High Tension Rate (or the replacement rate paid by
Landlord if such rate is discontinued), based on the average cost per kilowatt
hour of electricity consumed in the Building, which bill shall be payable by
Tenant within ten (10) days following receipt as Additional Rent. Tenant agrees
that if, in the future, it is required by the Pennsylvania Public Utility
Commission or by a Federal or state law or by applicable tariff as a necessary
condition to the supply of electric energy to the Premises or any part thereof,
to become the direct customer of the applicable utility, Tenant will do so.

                              8.9 Directory. Landlord shall maintain a static
directory of office tenants in the lobby area of the Building, on which shall be
listed the name of Tenant, and shall maintain an electronic directory of office
tenants in the lobby area of the Building in which shall be listed the name of
Tenant and any sublessee, and Tenant's and such sublessees' executive officers.
Landlord will not impose a charge for preparing and installing Tenant's initial
listings on the lobby directories.

                9. Limitation Regarding Services. Landlord reserves the right,
without any liability to Tenant and without being in breach of any covenant of
this Lease, to interrupt or suspend service of any of the heating, ventilating,
air-conditioning, electric, sanitary, elevator or other Building systems serving
the Premises, or the rendering of any of the other services required of Landlord
under this Lease, whenever and for so long as may be necessary by reason of
accidents, emergencies, strikes or the making of repairs or changes which
Landlord is required by this Lease, by law, or in good faith deems advisable to
make or by reason of difficulty in securing proper supplies of fuel, steam,
water, electricity, labor or supplies, or by reason of any cause beyond
Landlord's reasonable control, including, without limitation, mechanical failure
and governmental restrictions on the use of materials or the use of any of the
Building's systems. In each instance however, Landlord shall exercise reasonable
diligence to eliminate the cause of the interruption and to effect restoration
of service. Tenant shall not be entitled to any diminution or abatement of rent
or other compensation, and this Lease and all of the obligations of Tenant
hereunder shall not be affected or reduced nor shall Landlord be liable to
Tenant in any way, by reason of the interruption, stoppage or suspension of any
of the Building's systems or services arising out of any of the causes set forth
in this Section. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if by virtue of any of the above
circumstances, the Premises or a material portion thereof is rendered
untenantable for a period exceeding five (5) consecutive business days, then the
Minimum Rent and monthly payments on account of Tenant's Expense Share and
semi-annual or monthly (as the case may be) payments on account of Tenant's Tax
Share shall be abated, on a pro rata basis if less than the entire Premises is
so rendered untenantable, from the sixth Business Day of the untenantability
until the condition is remedied.

                10. Care of Premises. Tenant agrees that it shall comply with
the following requirements:

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<PAGE>


                              10.1 Notice of Damage or Accident. Tenant shall
give Landlord prompt written notice of any accident in the Premises and of any
breakage, defect or failure in any of the systems or equipment serving the
Premises.

                              10.2 Access to Landlord. Tenant shall give
Landlord access to the Premises at all reasonable times, without charge or
diminution of Rent and upon twenty-four (24) hours prior notice (or such lesser
time period which the parties may agree upon) and accompanied by Tenant or
Tenant's representative (except that no prior notice or accompaniment shall be
required in an emergency), to enable Landlord:

                                  10.2.1 to examine the same and to take any and
all measures (including inspections, repairs, additions and alterations and
improvements to the Premises or the Property) as Landlord may reasonably deem
necessary or advisable for the preservation of the integrity, safety and good
order of the Property or any part thereof, or of Landlord's interests, or as may
be necessary or desirable in the operation or improvement of the Property or in
order to comply with laws, orders and requirements of governmental or other
authorities; and

                                  10.2.2 to show the Premises to prospective
mortgagees, assignees and purchasers and to others having a legitimate interest
therein (and to prospective tenants of the Premises as well during the one (1)
year period prior to expiration of the Term, if no renewal option has been
exercised by Tenant at the time).

                              10.3 Condition. Tenant at its sole cost and
expense shall maintain the Premises and all fixtures and appurtenances thereto
including, but not limited to, ceilings, partitions, doors, lighting fixtures,
switches, floor coverings, and tenant improvements in good order, condition and
repair during the Term of this Lease, except that the Landlord, at Landlord's
expense (unless caused by the fault or negligence of Tenant, its contractors,
agents or employees, in which event at Tenant's expense) shall keep in repair
those items specified in Section 8.5 hereof. All repairs, replacements and
alterations made by Tenant shall be at least sufficient to maintain the Premises
in as good condition and repair as was the Premises at the beginning of the
Term, reasonable wear and tear, damage by fire or other casualty and repairs
which are Landlord's obligation expected. Tenant shall not overload the Premises
or any of its systems, or damage or deface the Premises nor commit any waste
thereon. In addition, Tenant shall also at all times (subject to Section 8.4
hereof) remove all dirt, rubbish, waste, and refuse from the Premises.

                              10.4 Surrender. Upon the termination of this Lease
for any cause whatsoever, Tenant shall remove Tenant's goods and effects and
those of any other person claiming under Tenant, and quit and deliver up the
Premises to Landlord peaceably and quietly in as good order and condition as at
the inception of the Term of this Lease (or in such condition as the same
hereafter may be improved by Landlord or Tenant), reasonable wear and tear,
damage by fire or other casualty and repairs which are Landlord's obligation

                                       29

<PAGE>

excepted. Goods and effects not removed by Tenant at the termination of this
Lease shall be considered abandoned and Landlord may, upon five (5) days notice
to Tenant, dispose of and/or store the same as it deems expedient, the
reasonable cost thereof to be charged to Tenant and payable upon demand. This
Subsection 10.4 shall survive termination of this Lease.

                              10.5 Rules and Regulations. Tenant shall observe
the rules and regulations attached hereto as "Exhibit C" and all additions
thereto and modifications thereof as may be promulgated by Landlord from time to
time by written notice to Tenant and which, in Landlord's reasonable judgment,
are desirable for the general safety, comfort and convenience of occupants and
tenants of the Building. All rules and regulations shall be deemed a part of
this Lease, as conditions, with the same effect as though written herein, and
Tenant covenants that they shall be faithfully observed by Tenant, Tenant's
employees, and all those visiting the Premises or claiming under Tenant.
Landlord shall not be responsible for the failure of any other tenant or
occupant of the Building to observe any of said rules and regulations. Landlord
agrees to enforce such rules and regulations uniformly against all office
tenants of the Building (it being agreed that the Pyramid Club, although a
tenant within the Office Space, will not necessarily be subject to all rules and
regulations applicable to office tenants by virtue of the fact that a private
dining club is operated within its premises).

                              10.6 Compliance with Law. Tenant agrees at all
times to comply promptly and fully at Tenant's sole cost and expense with all
applicable laws, ordinances, regulations and other requirements whatsoever,
including without limitation environmental laws, of any and all Federal,
Commonwealth or local authorities or of the Board of Fire Underwriters or any
insurance organizations, associations or companies (collectively the "Laws"),
relating to Tenant's use and occupancy of the Premises; provided that Tenant
shall have no obligation hereunder with respect to any non-compliance not
attributable to Tenant's particular use of or operations within the Premises.
Landlord shall at its sole cost and expense (which shall be an Operating Expense
to the extent so provided under Section 6 above) comply or cause compliance with
any and all Laws which are not obligations of Tenant under this Section 10.6 and
which are pertinent to Tenant's use and occupancy of the Premises or its use of
the common facilities of the Building. Supplementing the foregoing, Tenant
agrees that it shall not knowingly do or commit, or suffer to be done or
committed anywhere in or on the Property, any act or thing contrary to any of
the Laws. Without limiting the foregoing, Tenant agrees that the Laws include
the federal Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and that Tenant's
responsibilities hereunder include the duty to ensure that the Premises, and all
facilities and improvements therein, comply with the requirements of the ADA
and, if the Premises comprise any full floor of the Building, that all
facilities on such floor of the Building, whether or not technically within the
Premises (such as, but not limited to, restrooms and elevator lobbies) comply
with the ADA; provided that Landlord shall be responsible for causing those
restrooms contained in the Premises on the date of this Lease to comply with the
ADA so long as Tenant has not made any material modifications to the facilities
contained therein (in which event compliance with the ADA shall be Tenant's
responsibility and cost), and Landlord shall be responsible for assuring that


                                       30
<PAGE>


the elevator call buttons in the elevator lobbies within the Premises comply
with the ADA, all of the foregoing being at Landlord's sole expense so long as
Tenant has not modified same (in which event compliance with the ADA shall be
Tenant's responsibility and cost). Each of Landlord and Tenant agrees to
indemnify the other and hold the other and the other's agents, officers,
constituent partners, directors and employees harmless of and from all costs and
expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by the other or any of
them as a consequence of any and all claims made against the other or any of
them resulting from or arising out of any failure by the indemnifying party to
perform the obligations contained in this Subsection 10.6.

                              10.7 Alterations; Additions

                                  10.7.1 For each and every alteration, addition
or improvement Tenant wishes to make following completion of the Tenant Work,
excepting alterations, additions or improvements costing less than Ten Thousand
Dollars ($10,000.00) to complete and not involving alteration or modification of
the Building exterior, structural elements or electrical, HVAC or other Building
utilities systems, Tenant shall first (i) submit to Landlord a detailed
description thereof, and (ii) obtain Landlord's written approval thereof.

                                  10.7.2 Provided that the proposed alteration,
addition or improvement does not in Landlord's judgment involve any material
modification to the Building's exterior or its structural, mechanical, HVAC,
electrical, or plumbing systems or components, such approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed, but may be conditioned upon compliance with
reasonable requirements of Landlord. If Landlord withholds its approval to any
proposed alteration, addition or improvement, Landlord will cooperate in good
faith in Tenant's attempt to develop an alternative proposal acceptable to
Landlord.

                                  10.7.3 Landlord may withhold its approval in
its absolute and sole discretion with respect to each such alteration, addition
or improvement which Landlord determines involves any material modification to
the Building's exterior or its structural, electrical, mechanical, HVAC or
plumbing systems or any components thereof.

                                  10.7.4 Tenant shall not permit any financing
statement or statements to be filed with respect to any of the Tenant Work or
any alterations, additions or improvements made by Tenant, except a financing
statement given to an affiliate of Tenant to secure a loan of funds utilized by
Tenant to complete the Tenant Work and Tenant's initial move into the Premises;
provided, however, that any such permitted financing statement shall be
delivered by Tenant pursuant to a security agreement approved in advance by
Landlord (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), which
security agreement shall provide, inter alia, (i) that such security agreement
and the security interest granted thereunder shall terminate absolutely upon any
termination of this Lease for any reason, (ii) that such security agreement may
not be assigned by the holder thereof, and (iii) that the holder of the security
interest granted thereunder shall not have the right at any time or for any
reason to enter or index a judgment against or to remove or dismantle any
fixtures attached to the Premises (other than Tenant's trade and business
fixtures and equipment) including in connection with any action brought to
enforce or perfect the security interest granted thereunder. All Tenant Work and
fixtures attached to the Premises (other than Tenant's trade and business
fixtures and equipment) shall be the property of Tenant during the Term (but
without the right to encumber or remove same except as expressly provided in
this Lease), and, unless Landlord gives Tenant notice to remove them at the time


                                       31

<PAGE>

of installation, shall remain at the Premises at the expiration or sooner
termination of this Lease and thereupon automatically become the property of
Landlord without payment therefor or, at Landlord's option, after notice to
Tenant at the time of installation, any or all of the foregoing which may be
designated by Landlord in such removal notice shall be removed at the sole cost
of Tenant before such expiration or sooner termination and in such event, Tenant
shall repair all damage to the Premises caused by the installation or removal
thereof, and shall restore the Premises to its original improved condition
(ordinary wear and tear excepted), on or before the expiration or termination of
this Lease. Should Tenant fail to remove the same or restore the Premises,
Landlord may cause same to be removed and/or the Premises to be restored at
Tenant's expense, and Tenant hereby agrees to pay Landlord the actual cost of
such removal and/or restoration, together with any and all damages which
Landlord may suffer and sustain by reason of the failure of Tenant to remove the
same and/or restore the Premises as herein provided.

                                  10.7.5 All such alterations, additions or
improvements shall be performed at Tenant's cost (including, without limitation,
the costs of permits therefor) and shall be performed by or for Tenant in
accordance with the following requirements:


                                      (a) If deemed necessary by Landlord in
Landlord's reasonable discretion, prior to commencing any such work, Tenant
shall obtain Landlord's written approval of Tenant's reasonably detailed plans
and specifications respecting the work. Landlord shall provide Tenant with its
written approval or disapproval of Tenant's plans and specifications, together
with any requested modifications in the event of disapproval, within seven (7)
days following receipt of Tenant's written request for approval specifically
referencing such seven (7) day response requirement; provided however, that
notwithstanding the foregoing, such seven (7) day response requirement shall not
be applicable to Tenant's plans and specifications respecting any work involving
modification of the exterior of the Building, any structural elements of the
Building, or any mechanical, HVAC, electrical or plumbing systems or components
serving the Building generally (as opposed to those portions thereof located
exclusively within the Premises), with respect to which Landlord agrees to
respond within a reasonable period of time.

                                      (b) The work shall be performed at
Tenant's expense by responsible contractors and subcontractors approved in
advance by Landlord, who shall not in Landlord's sole opinion, and who in fact
do not, prejudice Landlord's relationship with Landlord's contractors or
subcontractors or the relationship between such contractors and their
subcontractors or employees, or disturb harmonious labor relations. Tenant's
contractors and subcontractors shall comply with all insurance requirements and

                                       32

<PAGE>

undertakings set forth in Exhibit "E" attached hereto, as the same may be
changed or waived by written notice from Landlord to Tenant from time to time
during the Term.

                                      (c) Such contractors or Tenant shall,
prior to the commencement of the contractors' work and not later than ten (10)
days after the execution of the contractors' respective contracts, file waivers
of mechanic's liens in the appropriate public office, which waivers shall be
effective to preclude the filing of any mechanic's liens on account of the work
to be performed by any of Tenant's contractors, subcontractors or materialmen. A
copy of all such waivers shall be delivered to Landlord by Tenant prior to the
commencement of any such work.

                                      (d) No such work shall be performed in
such manner or at such times as to interfere with any work being done by any of
Landlord's contractors or subcontractors in the Premises or in or about the
Property generally. Tenant's contractors and subcontractors shall be subject to
the reasonable decisions of Agent as to such matters and as to avoidance of
interference with other tenants of the Building or the work of other tenants'
contractors and subcontractors, but Agent, by virtue of such decisions, or shall
not be responsible for any aspect of the work performed by Tenant's contractors
or subcontractors.

                                      (e) Except as otherwise set forth in this
Section 10.7, all such work shall be subject to the requirements and provisions
of Sections 10.5 and 25 of this Lease.

                                      (f) Tenant and its contractors and
subcontractors shall be solely responsible for the transportation, safekeeping
and storage of materials and equipment used in the performance of their work,
for the removal of waste and debris resulting from the work, and for any damage
caused by them to the Building or to any installations or work performed by
Landlord's or any other tenant's contractors and subcontractors.

                                  10.7.6 Tenant shall not place, or cause or
allow to be placed, any sign, advertising matter, lettering, stand, booth,
showcase or other article or matter outside of the Premises without the prior
written consent of Landlord which may be withheld in its sole discretion.

                11. Negative Covenants of Tenant

                                  11.1 System Changes. Supplementing the
provisions of Sections 7 and 10.7.2 above, Tenant shall not install any
equipment of any kind or nature whatsoever which would or could, in Landlord's
judgment, necessitate any material change, replacement or addition to (or which
might cause damage to) the plumbing, heating, air-conditioning or electrical
systems serving the Premises or any other portion of the Building without the
prior written consent of Landlord. In the event such consent is granted, all
costs in connection with such changes, replacements or additions shall be paid

                                       33

<PAGE>


for by Tenant in advance. If Landlord withholds its approval to any proposed
equipment installation, Landlord will cooperate in good faith in Tenant's
attempt to develop an alternative proposal acceptable to Landlord.

                              11.2 Sales. Without the prior written consent of
Landlord, Tenant shall not exhibit, sell or offer for sale (or permit the
exhibition, sale or offering for sale) in the Premises, or at the Property, any
tangible article or thing. The parties intend the foregoing prohibition to apply
solely to sales activities on the order of those carried on at retail
establishments, which would generate a steady flow of persons entering into or
leaving the premises, and do not intend such prohibition to extend to such
activities as the offering for sale in the Premises of investment contracts,
insurance or securities to clients of Tenant.

                              11.3 Prohibited Uses. Tenant will not make or
permit to be made any use of the Premises or any part thereof which would
violate any of the covenants, agreements, terms, provisions and conditions of
this Lease or which directly or indirectly is forbidden by public law, ordinance
or governmental regulation or which may be dangerous to life, limb or property
or which may invalidate or increase the premium cost of any policy of insurance
carried on the Property or covering its operation or which will suffer or permit
the Premises or any part thereof to be used in any manner or which would permit
anything to be brought into or kept therein which, in the reasonable judgment of
Landlord, would in any way impair or tend to impair the character, reputation or
appearance of the Building as a high quality office building or which would
impair or interfere with or tend to impair or interfere with any of the services
performed by Landlord for the Building or which could threaten the safety of the
Building or any of its occupants.

                              11.4 Signs. Tenant shall not display, inscribe,
print, paint, maintain or affix on any place in or about the Premises or the
Property any sign, notice, legend, direction, figure or advertisement, except on
the doors of the Premises and on the directory board of the Building and then
only such name(s) and matter, and in such color, size, style, place and
materials, as shall first have been approved in writing by Landlord, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed but may be conditioned
upon Tenant utilizing Landlord's Building standard signage on the exterior doors
of the Premises in any portion of the Premises occupying less than a full floor
of the Building. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on any full floor of the
Building comprising a portion of the Premises, Tenant or PMA Reinsurance
Corporation (if a subtenant) may prominently display identification signage in
the elevator lobbies of that floor. The listing by Landlord of any name other
than that of Tenant, whether on the doors of the Premises, on the directory
board of the Building or otherwise, shall not operate to vest any right or
interest in this Lease or in the Premises or be deemed to be the written consent
of Landlord mentioned in Section 12 hereof, it being expressly understood that
any such listing is a privilege extended by Landlord and revocable at will by
written notice to Tenant.

                              11.5 Advertising. Without Landlord's prior written
consent in each instance, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or

                                       34

<PAGE>


delayed in the case of item (1) following but may be withheld Landlord's sole
discretion as to either item (2) or item (3) following, Tenant shall not: (1)
advertise the business, profession or activities of Tenant conducted at the
Premises in any manner which violates the letter or spirit of any code of ethics
adopted by any recognized association or organization pertaining to such
business, profession or activities; or (2) use the name of the Building for any
purpose other than that of the business address of Tenant; or (3) use any
picture or likeness of the Building in any circulars, notices, advertisements or
correspondence.

                              11.6 Locks. Locks or similar devices may only be
attached to or removed from any door or window in the Premises with Landlord's
prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed but may be conditioned upon Landlord's receipt of a copy of the key,
combination or other means of unlocking same, and in compliance with the terms
of Section 21.4 below.

                              11.7 Compatible Labor. Tenant shall not contract
for any work or service which might involve the employment of labor incompatible
with the employees of the Building or with employees of contractors doing work
or performing services by or on behalf of the Landlord, or which would otherwise
disturb harmonious labor relations at the Building.


                              11.8 Hazardous Substances

                                  11.8.1 Tenant Warranty. Tenant represents,
warrants and covenants that (1) the Premises will not be used for any dangerous,
noxious or offensive trade or business and that it will not cause or maintain a
nuisance there, (2) it will not bring, generate, treat, store or dispose of
Hazardous Substances (as hereinafter defined) at the Premises, (3) it shall at
all times comply with all applicable Environmental Laws (as hereinafter defined)
and shall cause the Premises to comply, and (4) Tenant will keep the Premises
free of any lien imposed pursuant to any Environmental Laws and not the result
of any acts or omissions of Landlord or any other tenant or occupant of the
Property. "Premises" for purposes of this Section shall include the Building and
the Property including parking areas. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Landlord
acknowledges that Tenant will, from time to time, keep upon the Premises certain
products and materials used in the normal conduct of Tenant's business therein
which would technically constitute a violation of the terms of this subsection,
and Landlord agrees that, with regard to such products and materials Tenant
shall not be in violation hereof so long as such products and materials are (a)
used at all times for the purpose for which and in the manner in which they are
intended to be used by their respective manufacturers, (b) not kept upon the
Premises in any greater quantities than necessary for the normal conduct of
Tenant's business and (c) used and disposed of by Tenant and Tenant's employees,
contractors and agents in a lawful manner evidencing reasonable care under the
circumstances, given the toxicity thereof.

                                  11.8.2 Reporting Requirements. Tenant warrants
that it will promptly deliver to the Landlord, (i) copies of any documents
received from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and/or any

                                       35

<PAGE>

state, county or municipal environmental or health agency concerning the
Tenant's operations upon the Premises, (ii) copies of any documents submitted by
the Tenant to the United States Environmental Protection Agency and/or any
state, county or municipal environmental or health agency concerning its
operations on the Premises, including but not limited to copies of permits,
licenses, annual filings and registration forms, and (iii) after the occurrence
of an Environmental Default (as hereinafter defined) and upon the request of
Landlord, Tenant shall provide Landlord with evidence of compliance with
applicable Environmental Laws.

                                  11.8.3 Termination, Cancellation, Surrender.
At the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant shall surrender
the Premises to Landlord free of any and all Hazardous Substances and in
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.

                                  11.8.4 Environmental Defaults. In the event of
(1) a violation of an applicable Environmental Law, (2) a release, spill or
discharge of a Hazardous Substance on or from the Premises, or (3) the discovery
of an environmental condition requiring response which violation, release, or
condition is attributable to the acts or omissions of Tenant, its agents,
employees, representatives, invitees, licensees, subtenants, customers, or
contractors, (together "Environmental Defaults"), Landlord shall have the right,
but not the obligation, to enter the Premises upon twenty-four (24) hours prior
notice (except in an emergency), to supervise and approve any actions taken by
Tenant to address the violation, release, or environmental condition, or if the
Landlord deems it necessary, then Landlord may perform, at Tenant's expense, any
lawful actions reasonably necessary to address the violation, release, or
environmental condition.

                                  11.8.5 Mutual Indemnification

                                      11.8.5.1 Tenant shall indemnify, defend
(with counsel approved by Landlord, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed) and hold Landlord and Landlord's affiliates, shareholders,
directors, constituent partners, officers, employees and agents harmless from
and against any and all claims, judgments, damages (including consequential
damages), penalties, fines, liabilities, losses, suits, administrative
proceedings, costs and expenses of any kind or nature, known or unknown,
contingent or otherwise, which are caused by or arise out of one or more
Environmental Defaults caused by the acts or omissions of Tenant, its agents,
employees, representatives, invitees, licensees, subtenants, customers or
contractors during or after the Term of this Lease (including, but not limited
to, reasonable attorneys', consultant, laboratory and expert fees and including
without limitation, diminution in the value of the Building or Property, damages
for the loss or restriction on use of rentable space or of any amenity of the
Building or Property and damages arising from any adverse impact on marketing of
space in the Building).

                                      36

<PAGE>


                                      11.8.5.2 Landlord shall indemnify, defend
(with counsel approved by Tenant, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed) and hold Tenant and Tenant's affiliates, shareholders,
directors, officers, employees and agents harmless from and against any and all
claims, judgments, damages (excluding consequential damages), penalties, fines,
liabilities, losses, suits, administrative proceedings, costs and expenses of
any kind or nature, known or unknown, contingent or otherwise which are caused
by or arise out of any breach by Landlord of its warranty contained in Section
11.8.7 below during the Term of this Lease (including, but not limited to,
reasonable attorneys', consultants', laboratory and expert fees). Landlord's
indemnification obligation contained in this Section 11.8.5.2 shall be expressly
limited by the terms of Section 29.3 below.

                                  11.8.6 Definitions

                                      (a) "Hazardous Substances" means, (i)
asbestos and any asbestos containing material and any substance that is then
defined or listed in, or otherwise classified pursuant to, any Environmental
Laws or any applicable laws or regulations as a "hazardous substance",
"Hazardous Material", "hazardous waste," "infectious waste", "toxic substance",
"toxic pollutant" or any other formulation intended to define, list, or classify
substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability,
corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, toxicity, reproductive toxicity, or
Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) toxicity, (ii) any petroleum
and drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with the
exploration, development or production of crude oil, natural gas, or geothermal
resources and (iii) petroleum products, polychlorinated biphenyls, urea
formaldehyde, radon gas, radioactive material (including any source, special
nuclear, or by-product material), and medical waste.

                                      (b) "Environmental Laws" collectively
means and includes all present and future laws and any amendments thereto
(whether common law, statute, rule, order, regulation or otherwise), permits,
and other requirements or guidelines of governmental authorities applicable to
the Premises and relating to the environment and environmental conditions or to
any Hazardous Substance (including, without limitation, CERCLA, 42 U.S.C {9601,
et seq, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C {6901, et
seq, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. {1801, et seq, the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. {1251, et seq, the Clean Air Act,
33 U.S.C. {7401, et seq, the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. {741, et seq, the Toxic
Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. {2601-2629, the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42
U.S.C. {300f-300j, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, 42
U.S.C. {1101, et seq, and any so-called "Super Fund" or "Super Lien" law, any
law requiring the filing of reports and notices relating to hazardous
substances, environmental laws administered by the Environmental Protection
Agency, and any similar state and local laws and regulations, all amendments
thereto and all regulations, orders, decisions, and decrees now or hereafter
promulgated thereunder concerning the environment, industrial hygiene or public
health or safety).

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<PAGE>

                                  11.8.7 Landlord's Warranty. Landlord
represents and warrants to Tenant that, to the best of Landlord's knowledge, in
the construction of the Building no Hazardous Substances were incorporated in
the Building in violation of any applicable Environmental Laws. Landlord further
represents and warrants to Tenant that during the Term Landlord will not bring,
generate, treat, store or dispose of Hazardous Substances at the Property and
shall at all times comply with all applicable Environmental Laws.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant acknowledges that Landlord will, from time
to time, keep upon the Property certain products and materials used in the
normal operation of the Property which would technically constitute a violation
of the foregoing representation and warranty, and Tenant agrees that, with
regard to such products and materials, Landlord shall not be deemed to have
breached the foregoing representation and warranty so long as such products and
materials are (a) used at all times for the purpose for which and in the manner
in which they are intended to be used by their respective manufacturers, (b) not
kept upon the Premises in any greater quantities than necessary for the normal
operation of the Property and (c) used and disposed of by Landlord and
Landlord's employees, contractors and agents in a lawful manner evidencing
reasonable care under the circumstances.

                              11.9 Floor Load. Tenant shall not place or permit
to be placed upon any floor of the Premises any item of any nature the weight of
which shall exceed such floor's rated floor load limit of seventy (70) pounds
per square foot live load (including partitions) unless additional floor loads
are approved in writing by Landlord in advance. In the event Landlord
disapproves an additional floor load requested by Tenant, Landlord will
cooperate in good faith with Tenant in Tenant's efforts to find a satisfactory
alternative to such floor load.

                12. Subletting and Assigning

                              12.1 General Restriction

                                  12.1.1 As a material condition to this Lease,
Tenant covenants that it shall deliver to Landlord within three (3) Business
Days following Tenant's execution of this Lease a sublease of the entire
Premises to PMA Reinsurance Corporation (the "Subtenant") in the form attached
to this Lease as Exhibit "O" and made a part hereof (the "Sublease"), duly
executed by both Tenant and Subtenant. Simultaneously with the execution of this
Lease, Landlord, Tenant and Subtenant shall duly execute and deliver to one
another a Sublease Consent, Subordination, Nondisturbance and Attornment
Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "P" (the "Consent Agreement"),
evidencing Landlord's consent to the Sublease. Failure of Tenant to timely
sublease the Premises to Subtenant and deliver a fully executed original copy of
the Sublease to Landlord as herein provided shall entitle Landlord to terminate
this Lease upon written notice to Tenant (notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in Section 17 below), it being agreed that execution and
delivery of the Sublease as aforesaid is a material inducement to Landlord to
enter into this Lease. Other than the Sublease to Subtenant, Tenant may not
assign this Lease or sublet or all or any portion or portions of the Premises
without first obtaining Landlord's prior written consent thereto, which consent
may be withheld in Landlord's sole discretion. The Sublease shall at all times
provide that (a) Subtenant shall not assign the Sublease without first obtaining
Landlord's prior written consent thereto, which consent may be withheld in
Landlord's sole discretion, and (b) Subtenant shall not further sublet all or
any portion or portions of the Premises (such further subletting by Subtenant
being herein referred to as a "sublease") without first obtaining Landlord's
prior written consent thereto, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld

 
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or delayed. Any consent by Landlord to an assignment or sublease, if given, will
not release Tenant from its obligations hereunder and will not be deemed a
consent to any further subletting or assignment. Neither Tenant nor Subtenant
shall convey, pledge, mortgage, encumber or otherwise transfer other than by
permitted sublease or assignment (collectively "Pledge") (whether voluntarily or
otherwise) this Lease, the Sublease or any interest in or under either of them.
For purposes of this Section, an assignment shall include any direct or indirect
transfer of fifty percent (50%) or more of the stock of a corporate tenant, or
fifty percent (50%) or more of the equitable or other interests of a
partnership, individual, or other non-corporate tenant. Any attempt by Tenant or
Subtenant to assign or Pledge this Lease or the Sublease or sublet the Premises
in contravention of the terms of this Lease shall constitute an Event of Default
(as hereinafter defined) hereunder.


                                      12.1.1.1 It shall be reasonable for
Landlord to withhold its consent to a sublease proposed by Subtenant for any of
the following reasons:

                                      A. the business use of the Premises to be
made by the proposed sublessee:

                                          (a) would constitute a breach of any
of the terms or conditions of this Lease;

                                          (b) would constitute a breach by
Landlord of any lease restrictions binding on Landlord and any tenant in the
Building and such tenant does not consent to such proposed sublease;

                                          (c) is one of the following uses, as a
principal use: (i) employment agency; (ii) telephone answering service; (iii)
barber or beautician services; (iv) medical offices where patients are examined
or treated (other than a medical infirmary for use by employees); (v) school or
training center; (vi) governmental offices (other than solely as senior
management or executive level offices and necessary support staff); (vii)
commercial real estate brokerage services (unless part of a use, the dominant
character of which is financial services, investments and/or investment
banking); or (viii) distribution or sale of sexually explicit, lewd (in
Landlord's reasonable judgment) or illegal-drug-related materials or products;

                                      B. the proposed sublessee:

                                          (a) is insolvent or in bankruptcy;

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                                          (b) either refuses to present a
current financial statement to Landlord or presents a financial statement
indicating, in Landlord's reasonable judgment, that it is likely that it would
not be able to perform the economic obligations of its sublease or this Lease
required to be performed by it;

                                          (c) is an existing tenant in the
Building and would be vacating space then leased and occupied by such tenant
(whether or not at the end of the term of such tenant's lease) in the Building
to move into the portion or portions of the Premises to be occupied by such
tenant under the proposed sublease or assignment unless such existing tenant is
vacating its space in the Building at the end of the term of its lease and
Landlord is unable to allow such tenant to renew its lease and is unable to
offer such tenant a lease of other space within the Building; or

                                          (d) is (or its business is) subject to
compliance with additional requirements of the ADA (including related
regulations) beyond those requirements which are applicable to the Tenant,
unless the proposed assignee or sublessee shall (i) first deliver plans and
specifications for complying with such additional requirements and obtain
Landlord's consent thereto, and (ii) comply with all Landlord's conditions for
or contained in such consent, including without limitation, requirements for
security to assure the lien-free completion of such improvements at the sole
cost of such expense of such sublessee, or Subtenant; or

                                      C. the length of the term of any proposed
sublease extends beyond the end of the term of this Lease and beyond the end of
the renewal option terms contained in this Lease, if such renewal option terms
have been exercised by the Tenant.

                                  12.1.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) no
prior approval of the Landlord shall be required for the subletting by Subtenant
of all or a portion of the Premises to any corporation or other entity which is
a parent or wholly-owned subsidiary of, or under common majority control with,
Subtenant (a "Related Party"), except that no subletting to a Related Party
shall be made unless the Tenant shall have provided to the Landlord such
information as the Landlord shall reasonably require such as, but not limited
to, satisfactory evidence as to the relationship as parent, affiliate or
subsidiary of the proposed subtenant or assignee, and evidence as to its legal
existence and corporate (or other) authority to enter into the sublease or
assignment; and (ii) the foregoing prohibition shall not apply to any assignment
of the Sublease which would occur as a result of a merger, consolidation or
reorganization of the Subtenant's corporate structure, provided the Tenant shall
have first provided to the Landlord such information as the Landlord may
reasonably require relating to the merger, consolidation or reorganization, such
as, but not limited to, satisfactory evidence of the relationship as a result of
any merger, consolidation or reorganization of the proposed assignee, evidence
as to its legal existence and its corporate authority to enter into the
assignment, and further provided that Tenant provides to Landlord evidence
satisfying to Landlord in Landlord's reasonable discretion that Subtenant's net
worth will not be diminished thereby.

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<PAGE>


                              12.2 Landlord's Costs; Forms. Tenant shall
reimburse Landlord for Landlord's reasonable expenses, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, in reviewing and approving (or disapproving) any documents
relating to any proposed Pledge, sublease or assignment other than Tenant's
initial sublease of the entire Premises to Subtenant. All forms of consents and
agreements relating to or effecting any sublease or assignment shall be supplied
or approved (as Landlord shall elect) by counsel to Landlord.

                              12.3 Rent Collection. If this Lease is assigned or
if the Premises or any part thereof is sublet or occupied by a person or entity
other than Tenant, Landlord may, after the occurrence of an Event of Default,
collect Rent from the assignee, subtenant or occupant and apply the net amount
collected to the Rent herein reserved, but no such assignment, subletting,
occupancy or collection shall be deemed a waiver of any of Tenant's covenants
contained in this Lease or the acceptance by Landlord of the assignee, subtenant
or occupant as Tenant, or a release of Tenant from further performance by Tenant
of the covenants of Tenant herein contained.

                              12.4 Sublet Notice. Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Lease to the contrary, if at any time during the Term of this
Lease Tenant or Subtenant desires to sublet or assign all or part of the
Premises, Tenant shall advise Landlord in writing (such notice being hereinafter
referred to as a "Sublet Notice") of the identity of the proposed assignee or
subtenant and its business and of the terms of the proposed subletting or
assignment and the area proposed to be sublet. Tenant shall also transmit
therewith the most recent financial statement or other evidence of financial
responsibility of such assignee or subtenant and a certification executed by
Tenant or Subtenant (whichever desires to effect such sublease or assignment)
stating whether or not any premium or other consideration is being paid for the
proposed sublease or assignment.

                              12.5 Receipt of Sublet Notice. Upon receipt of a
Sublet Notice Landlord shall have the right to: (1) approve or withhold approval
of the proposed sublease or assignment in its reasonable discretion; or (2)
sublet from Tenant or Subtenant such space (hereinafter referred to as the
"Sublet Space") as Tenant or Subtenant proposed to lease to the proposed
subtenant; or (3) terminate this Lease if the Sublet Notice contains a proposal
to assign all of Tenant's rights under this Lease, to assign all of Subtenant's
rights under the Sublease, or to sublease the entire Premises for the remainder
of the Term.

                              12.6 Option to Approve or Reject Sublease. The
option to approve or reject any proposed sublease or assignment or to terminate
this Lease, as specified in Section 12.5 above shall be exercisable by Landlord
sending Tenant a written notice specifying the exercise of any such right within
nine (9) Business Days after receipt of a Sublet Notice from Tenant.

                                  12.6.1 If Landlord exercises its option to
sublease the Sublet Space, the term of the subletting from Tenant to Landlord
for the Sublet Space shall be the term set forth in the Sublet Notice and

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Landlord shall pay the same Minimum Rent and Additional Rent as Tenant is
required to pay to Landlord under this Lease for the same space and shall be
upon such other terms and conditions as are contained in this Lease to the
extent applicable. If the Sublet Space does not constitute the entire Premises,
the Minimum Rent for the Sublet Space and sublessee's share of Operating
Expenses and Real Estate Taxes under the sublease shall equal the product
derived by multiplying the Minimum Rent and Tenant's Expense Share and Tenant's
Tax Share by the fraction, the numerator of which is the the Rentable Area of
the Sublet Space and the denominator of which is the Rentable Area of the
Premises. Landlord and Tenant or Subtenant (as the case may be) shall enter into
a sublease of the Sublet Space on such terms.

                                  12.6.2 If the Sublet Space does not constitute
the entire Premises and Landlord exercises its option to terminate this Lease
with respect to the Sublet Space pursuant to Section 12.5(3) above, then as to
that portion of the Premises which is not part of the Sublet Space, this Lease
shall remain in full force and effect except that the Minimum Rent, Tenant's Tax
Share and Tenant's Expense Share shall be reduced by the amount each bears to
the fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Rentable Area of the Sublet
Space and the denominator of which shall be the Rentable Area of the Premises.

                                  12.6.3 If Landlord elects to terminate this
Lease pursuant to Section 12.5(3), this Lease shall terminate on a date set
forth in Landlord's notice to Tenant described above in this Section 12.6,
provided such date shall not be less than thirty (30) days after the date
Landlord delivers such notice to Tenant.

                                  12.6.4 If Landlord withholds approval to the
proposed subletting or assignment, this Lease (and the Sublease) shall remain in
full force and effect.

                                  12.6.5 In the event Landlord does not exercise
any of its rights specified in Section 12.5 within the time period specified in
this Section 12.6, Landlord shall be deemed to have withheld approval of the
sublease or assignment. Upon Landlord's failure to exercise any of its rights in
writing, Tenant may again request Landlord's approval which approval shall be
deemed given unless Landlord responds to the contrary within five (5) days of
Tenant's second request.

                              12.7 Premium for Sublease

                                  12.7.1 As a condition to Landlord's consent to
any proposed assignment or sublease under this Section 12 (other than the
Sublease but including any further sublease by Subtenant to any third party),
Tenant shall pay to Landlord the amount of any Profit received by Tenant or
Subtenant in connection with the proposed assignment or sublease. For purposes
hereof the term "Profit" shall mean the amount by which the Premium (as defined
in Section 12.7.3 below) payable to Tenant or Subtenant by any third party
(other than an affiliate of Subtenant which does not itself further sublease the
Premises to an entity unaffiliated with Subtenant) in connection with the
proposed assignment or sublease exceeds the sum of (a) the Rent due under this
Lease plus (b) Tenant's Expenses (as defined in Section 12.7.2 below). Tenant's
Expenses shall be deemed amortized on a straight line basis over the remainder
of the Term of this Lease or the term of the assignment or sublease, if shorter,

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<PAGE>

commencing on the effective date of the assignment or sublease, for purposes of
this Section. Commencing with the first month in which Tenant receives a payment
from any third party on account of the assignment or sublease, and each month
thereafter during the term of such assignment or sublease, Tenant shall pay to
Landlord on or before the first day of the next following calendar month, in
arrears and as Additional Rent, the amount of Profit received by Tenant in such
calendar month, computed as follows: Tenant shall pay the amount of any Premium
received by Tenant or Subtenant in the month in question, reduced by the sum of
(i) the Rent due under this Lease for such month (pro rated based upon the
Rentable Area covered by the assignment or sublease if the assignment or
sublease relates to less than the entire Premises) plus (ii) the amortized
portion of Tenant's Expenses attributable to such month.

                                  12.7.2 For purposes of this Lease, the term
"Tenant's Expenses" shall mean the aggregate of the following costs and expenses
paid by Tenant or Subtenant on account of the assignment or sublease: reasonable
advertising costs, reasonable brokerage commissions, allowances or free rent
provided to an assignee or subtenant, Tenant's or Subtenant's reasonable legal
fees incurred in negotiating the assignment or sublease and the reasonable cost
of any construction required to permit the operation of any Sublet Space as a
premises separate from the balance of the Premises.

                                  12.7.3 For purposes of this Lease, the term
"Premium" shall mean any cash or other consideration which any third party
agrees to pay to Tenant or Subtenant on account of an assignment or sublease,
whether in the form of all Rent payable under this Lease or under the Sublease
(as the case may be), an increased monthly or annual rental, a lump sum payment,
or otherwise. If Tenant or Subtenant enters into a separate agreement for the
lease of personal property, at reasonable rates, to any sublessee, such
reasonable rates shall not be included in determining the Premium.

                              12.8 Liability of Assignee. Each assignee of this
Lease shall assume and be deemed to have assumed this Lease and shall be and
remain liable jointly and severally with Tenant for all payments and for the due
performance of all terms, covenants, conditions and provisions herein contained
on Tenant's part to be observed and performed. No assignment shall be binding
upon Landlord unless the assignee shall deliver to Landlord an instrument in
form reasonably satisfactory to Landlord containing a covenant of assumption by
the assignee. The failure or refusal of assignee to execute the same shall not
release an assignee from its liability as set forth herein.

                              12.9 Rental Basis. All the foregoing
notwithstanding, neither Tenant nor Subtenant shall enter into any lease,
sublease, license, concession or other agreement for the use, occupancy or
utilization of the Premises or any portion thereof which provides for a rental
or other payment for such use, occupancy or utilization based in whole or in
part on the income or profits derived by any person from the property leased,


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<PAGE>

used, occupied or utilized (other than an amount based on a fixed percentage or
percentages of receipts or sales). Any such purported lease, sublease, license,
concession or other agreement shall be absolutely void and ineffective as a
conveyance of any right or interest in the possession, use or occupancy of any
part of the Premises.

                              12.10 Future Compliance. Any consent by Landlord
hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of strict future compliance by Tenant or
Subtenant of the provisions of this Section 12 or a release of Tenant from the
full performance by Tenant of any of the terms, covenants, provisions, or
conditions in this Lease contained.

                13. Fire or Other Casualty

                              13.1 Repair Obligations. In the event of damage to
the Premises by fire or other casualty Landlord shall at its expense cause the
damage to the Premises, exclusive of the Tenant Work and other improvements made
by or for Tenant or any prior tenant, to be repaired to a condition as nearly as
practicable to that required by the Base Building Plans, with reasonable
promptness and due diligence. Landlord shall not, however, be obligated to
restore or rebuild the Premises to a condition in excess of that required by the
Base Building Plans, nor in any event to repair, restore or rebuild any of
Tenant's property, the Tenant Work, or any other alterations or additions made
by or for Tenant or any prior tenant. In no event shall Landlord be obligated to
repair, restore, or replace any furniture, furnishings or equipment. Tenant
shall p thereafter, at its own cost and with reasonable promptness and due
diligence, repair and restore the Tenant Work and any other improvements to the
Premises made by or for Tenant or any prior tenant at least to the extent of the
value and as nearly as possible to the character of the property involved as it
was immediately before the loss.

                              13.2 Abatement of Rent. To the extent the Premises
are rendered untenantable by a casualty not caused by the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of Tenant, the Minimum Rent and Additional Rent shall
proportionately abate from the date of the casualty until the first to occur of
(a) one hundred and five (105) days after Landlord has tendered to Tenant the
damaged portion of the Premises, restored by Landlord to the extent required
hereunder, or (b) Tenant's resumed occupancy thereof for the purposes of
conducting its business therein. Landlord shall endeavor to provide Tenant with
thirty (30) days notice of its intent to tender to Tenant the restored Premises.

                              13.3 Landlord's Termination Right. In the event
the damage shall involve the Building generally and shall be so extensive that
Landlord shall decide not to repair or rebuild the Building, or if available
insurance proceeds for the Building are insufficient to repair or rebuild the
damage, or if any mortgagee shall not permit the application of adequate
insurance proceeds for repair or restoration, or if the casualty to the Building
shall not be of a type insured against under all-risk fire and extended coverage
insurance, this Lease shall, at the option of Landlord, exercisable by written
notice to Tenant given within


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one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of the casualty, be terminated as
of a date specified in such notice (which shall not be more than sixty (60) days
thereafter) and the Minimum Rent and Additional Rent (taking into account any
abatement as aforesaid) shall be adjusted proportionately as of the date of the
termination and Tenant shall thereupon promptly vacate the Premises. Landlord
agrees that it shall not exercise its rights to terminate the Lease enumerated
within this Section 13.3, unless it also exercises its rights to terminate the
leases of all other Office Space tenants.

                              13.4 Tenant's Termination Rights

                                  13.4.1 If fire or other casualty not caused by
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Tenant damages the Premises
rendering more than fifty percent (50%) of the Premises untenantable, or causes
damage to the Building which precludes access to the Premises from the Building
lobby, and the completion of the repairs to the Premises or the repairs
necessary to restore access thereto which Landlord is required to perform
hereunder will require a period of in excess of two hundred forty (240) days
days following the commencement of construction (as reasonably estimated by
Landlord or its experts, of which Tenant shall receive notice within one hundred
eighty (180) days after the date of the casualty), then Tenant may terminate
this Lease by written notice given to Landlord within thirty (30) days after
Landlord's notice to Tenant thereof (such termination to occur as of a date
specified in such notice which shall not be more than sixty (60) days
thereafter), and Minimum Rent and Additional Rent (taking into account any
abatement as aforesaid) shall be adjusted proportionately from the date of the
termination.

                                  13.4.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the
event Landlord shall elect to repair or rebuild following a casualty not caused
by the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of Tenant, but the time to repair
or rebuild as reasonably estimated by Landlord or its experts, as aforesaid, is
such that the repairs or rebuilding are expected to be completed during the last
Lease Year of the Term (as the Term may have been extended by Tenant's exercise
of any renewal option pursuant to Section 30 hereof prior to the casualty), then
Tenant may elect to terminate this Lease by written notice given to Landlord
within thirty (30) days after Landlord's notice to Tenant thereof (such
termination to occur as of a date specified in such notice which shall not be
more than sixty (60) days thereafter), and Minimum Rent and Additional Rent
(taking into account any abatement as aforesaid) shall be adjusted
proportionately as of the date of the termination.

                14. Release and Indemnity

                              14.1 Mutual Release

                                  14.1.1 Tenant agrees that Landlord, Agent and
their respective agents, employees, officers, directors, shareholders and
constituent partners shall not be liable to Tenant and Tenant hereby releases
said parties from any liability, for any personal injury, loss of income or


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damage to or loss of persons or property, or loss of use of any property, in or
about the Premises or Property from any cause whatsoever unless such damage,
loss or injury results from the negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord,
its officers, employees, contractors or agents. Landlord, Agent and their
respective agents, employees, officers, directors and partners shall not be
liable to Tenant for any such damage or loss, whether or not such damage or loss
so results from such negligence or willful misconduct, to the extent Tenant is
compensated therefor by Tenant's insurance. The release contained in this
Section 14.1 shall apply, by way of example and not limitation, to damage, loss
or injury resulting directly or indirectly from any existing or future
condition, matter or thing in the Premises, the Building or any part thereof, or
from equipment or appurtenances becoming out of repair, or from accident, or
from the flooding of basements or other subsurface areas or from refrigerators,
sprinkling devices, air-conditioning apparatus, water, snow, frost, steam,
excessive heat or cold, falling plaster, broken glass, sewage, gas, odors, or
noise, or the bursting or leaking of pipes or plumbing fixtures, and shall apply
equally whether any such damage, loss or injury results from the act or omission
of other tenants or occupants in the Building or any other persons, and whether
such damage be caused by or result from any thing or circumstance, whether of a
like or wholly different nature.

                                  14.1.2 Landlord agrees that Tenant and its
agents, employees, officers and shareholders shall not be liable to Landlord and
Landlord hereby releases said parties from any liability, for any personal
injury, loss of income or damage to or loss of persons or property or loss of
use of any property in or about the untenanted portions of the Property from any
cause whatsoever unless such damage, loss or injury results from the negligence
or willful misconduct of Tenant, its officers, employees, contractors or agents.
Tenant and its agents, employees, officers and directors shall not be liable to
Landlord for any such damage or loss, whether or not such damage or loss so
results from such negligence or willful misconduct, to the extent Landlord is
compensated therefor by Landlord's insurance.

                              14.2 Tenant's Indemnity. Tenant shall defend,
indemnify, save and hold harmless ("Indemnify") Landlord, Agent and their
respective agents, employees, officers, directors, shareholders, and constituent
partners from and against all liabilities, obligations, damages, penalties,
claims, causes of action, costs, charges and expenses, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, court costs, administrative costs, and costs of appeals which
may be imposed upon or incurred by or asserted against any of them by reason of
any of the following which shall occur during the Term of this Lease, or during
any period of time prior to the Lease Commencement Date when Tenant may have
been given access to or possession of all or any portion of the Premises:

                                  (1) any work or act done in, on or about the
Premises or the Building or any part thereof at the direction of or caused by
Tenant, its agents, contractors, subcontractors, servants, employees, licensees
or invitees, unless such work or act is done or performed by Landlord or its
agents, employees or contractors;

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<PAGE>

                                  (2) any negligence or other wrongful act or
omission on the part of Tenant or any of its agents, contractors,
subcontractors, servants, employees, subtenants, licensees or invitees; and

                                  (3) any accident, injury or damage to any
persons or property occurring in, on or about the Premises or any part thereof,
unless caused by the negligence of Landlord, its employees, agents or
contractors

                                  The obligation of Tenant to Indemnify
contained in this Section 14.2 shall not be limited by any limitation on the
amount or type of damages, compensation or benefits payable by or for Tenant,
its agents or contractors under workers' or workman's compensation acts,
disability benefit acts or other employee benefits acts, or under any other
insurance coverage Tenant may obtain.

                              14.3 Landlord's Indemnity. Landlord shall defend,
indemnify, save and hold harmless ("Indemnify") Tenant and Tenant's employees,
officers, directors and shareholders from and against all liabilities,
obligations, damages, penalties, claims, causes of action, costs, charges and
expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs, administrative
costs and costs of appeals which may be imposed upon or incurred by or asserted
against any of them by reason of any of the following which shall occur during
the Term of this Lease or during any period of time prior to the Lease
Commencement Date when Tenant may have been given access to or possession of all
or any portion of the Premises.

                                  (1) any work or act done in, on or about the
Premises or the Building or any part thereof at the direction of or caused by
Landlord or its agents, employees, unless such work or act is done or performed
by Tenant or its agents, employees or contractors; and

                                  (2) any negligence or any wrongful act or
omission on the part of Landlord or any of its agents, contractors,
subcontractors, servants, employees, subtenants, licensees or invitees; and

                                  (3) any accident, injury or damage to any
persons or property occurring in, on or about those areas of the Building and
Property intended for the common use of all tenants and their employees and
invitees, unless caused by the negligence of Tenant, its employees, agents or
contractors.

                                  The obligation of Landlord to Indemnify
contained in this Section 14.3 shall not be limited by any limitation on the
amount or type of damages, compensation or benefits payable by or for Landlord,
its agents or contractors under workers' or workman's compensation acts,
disability benefit acts or other employee benefits acts or under any other
insurance coverage Landlord may obtain, but shall be expressly limited by the
terms of Section 29.3, below.

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<PAGE>


                15. Insurance

                              15.1 Insurance Coverage. Tenant, at its expense,
shall maintain during the Term commercial general liability insurance, primary
and/or excess combination, and property damage insurance under policies issued
by insurers having a combined single limit for any one (1) occurrence of not
less than Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00) for personal injury, bodily
injury, death, disease and damage or injury to or destruction of property
(including the loss of use thereof) occurring upon, in, or about the Premises
and for: products liability; liability relating to the sale or distribution of
food and/or alcoholic beverages in the Premises; punitive damages awarded by
virtue of the conduct of the Tenant (to the full extent insurable and reasonably
available); and contractual liability assumed under this Lease. To satisfy the
liability insurance requirements of this Section 15.1, the Tenant must obtain an
endorsement which applies the aggregate limits separately to the Premises (ISO
Endorsement CG-25-05-11-85, Amendment-Aggregate Limits of Insurance [Per
Location] or an equivalent endorsement satisfactory to Landlord). The
certificate of insurance evidencing such policy must evidence that the limits of
the Tenant's liability insurance required hereunder apply solely to the Premises
and not to other locations. Tenant shall also maintain such other insurance in
form and amount as Landlord may reasonably require, so long as such coverage is
also required of other Office Space tenants within the Building (other than the
Pyramid Club).

                              15.2 Improvements Coverage. Tenant agrees to carry
all risk property insurance on a repair and replacement basis and in form and
amount satisfactory to Landlord on all improvements to the Premise, including
all Tenant Work or other improvements then under construction (including without
limitation Builder's Risk coverage during construction of the Tenant Work or any
other permitted alterations). Tenant also agrees to carry such all risk
insurance in form and amount mutually satisfactory to Landlord and Tenant on
Tenant's fixtures, furnishings, wall coverings, carpeting, drapes, equipment and
all other items of personal property of tenant located on or within the
Premises. Tenant agrees that Landlord, any ground lessor and Landlord's secured
lenders with respect to the Property, shall be named as additional insureds
under all such policies.

                              15.3 Worker's Compensation and Employer's
Liability Insurance. Tenant shall carry worker's compensation insurance
containing statutory limits covering Tenant's employees and business operations
in the Premises, as well as employer's liability insurance providing coverage of
not less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00). Tenant shall submit
to Landlord evidence of such coverage satisfactory to Landlord.

                              15.4 Extra Expense Insurance. Tenant shall, during
the Term hereof, keep in full force and effect extra expense insurance providing
limits in an amount not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000.00).


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<PAGE>


                              15.5 Form of Insurance. All insurance policies
obtained by Tenant pursuant to this Section 15 shall be issued by companies with
a rating of not less than "A-" and of not less than "Class VIII" in financial
size as rated in the most current available "Best's" Insurance Reports and which
are qualified to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Such policies
(exclusive of the worker's compensation policy) shall name Landlord and Agent as
additional insureds and Tenant shall furnish Landlord with a certificate (or
certificates) respecting such policies which specifies that Landlord shall
receive thirty (30) days prior written notice of any proposed cancellation,
non-renewal of or material change in any such policy. Originals, certified
policy copies or certificates, as Landlord shall elect, of all policies of
insurance obtained by Tenant shall be provided to Landlord.

                              15.6 Insurance Violations. Tenant will not do,
fail to do, suffer to be done, or keep or suffer to be kept anything in, upon or
about the Premises which will violate the provisions of Landlord's policies
insuring against loss or damage by fire or other hazards (including, but not
limited to, public liability) or which would adversely affect Landlord's fire or
liability insurance premium rating or which would increase premiums being paid
by Landlord for any such coverage, or which would prevent Landlord from
procuring such policies from companies acceptable to Landlord. If anything is
done, omitted to be done or suffered to be done by Tenant, or kept or suffered
to be kept in, upon or about the Premises which shall cause the premium rate of
fire or other insurance on the Premises or other property in the Building, with
companies acceptable to Landlord, to be increased beyond the established rate
fixed by the appropriate underwriters from time to time applicable to the
Premises for use for the purpose permitted under this Lease, Tenant shall pay
the amount of such increase. Tenant's payment of the amount of such increase
shall not preclude or limit Landlord's ability to exercise its remedies under
this Lease for a violation of Tenant's obligations set forth in the first
sentence of this Section 15.6.

                              15.7 "Claims Made" Policies. Tenant shall not
obtain any of the above insurance through policies written on a "claims made"
basis without Landlord's prior express written consent, which consent may be
conditioned upon any requirements which Landlord may impose. In all events,
should Landlord consent to such a policy, then the policy shall satisfy all of
the following requirements:

                                  (1) the policy retroactive date shall coincide
with or precede the Tenant's occupancy or use of any portion of the Property;
and

                                  (2) the Tenant shall maintain such policy for
at least three (3) years following the termination or expiration of this Lease
(whichever is later); and

                                  (3) if such insurance is terminated for any
reason, Tenant shall purchase an extended reporting provision of at least three
(3) years duration to report claims arising from this Lease or Tenant's
occupancy; and

                                       49
<PAGE>


                                  (4) the policy shall allow for the report of
circumstances or incidents which might give rise to future claims.

                              15.8 Flammable and Hazardous Materials

                                  15.8.1 Neither Tenant nor Tenant's servants,
employees, contractors, agents, visitors, or licensees may use, bring or keep
upon the Premises, the Building, or the Property any highly flammable,
combustible, caustic, poisonous or explosive fluid, chemical or substance, or
any chemicals except reasonable quantities of such as are components of
commercial products not regulated by law in their use or disposal and are
normally used by occupants of office buildings for ordinary cleaning and office
related activities.

                                  15.8.2 Landlord shall utilize flammable,
explosive or caustic materials upon the Property only in such quantities and in
such manner as Landlord reasonably deems necessary for the ordinary and normal
maintenance, repair and operation of the Property and its systems.

                              15.9 Landlord Purchase. At Landlord's option,
Landlord may, after eight (8) days notice to Tenant, elect to obtain for itself
any or all of the forms of insurance required to be obtained by Tenant pursuant
to this Section if Tenant fails to procure same. In the event Landlord shall so
elect, Tenant shall reimburse Landlord upon demand for the cost of all insurance
so obtained by Landlord.

                              15.10 Waiver of Subrogation. Landlord and Tenant
hereby release each other from any and all liability or responsibility to each
other or anyone claiming through or under them by way of subrogation or
otherwise for any loss or damage to property covered by any fire and extended
coverage insurance then in force, even if such fire or other casualty shall have
been caused by the fault or negligence of the other party, or anyone for whom
such party may be responsible, provided, however, that this release shall be
applicable and in force and effect only to the extent of and with respect to any
loss or damage occurring during such time as the policy or policies of insurance
covering said loss shall contain a provision to the effect that this release
shall not adversely affect or impair said insurance or prejudice the right of
the insured to recover thereunder. Landlord and Tenant shall each cause their
respective insurers to include such a provision in their respective policies,
subject, however, to the following provisions: If at any time the fire insurance
carriers issuing fire insurance policies to Landlord or Tenant shall exact an
additional premium for the inclusion of such or similar provisions, the party
whose insurance carrier has demanded the premium (the "Notifying Party") shall
five the other party hereto notice thereof. In such event, if the other party
requests, the Notifying Party shall require the inclusion of such or similar
provisions by its fire insurance carrier, and the requesting other party shall
reimburse the Notifying Party for any such additional premiums as they become
due for the remainder of the term of this Lease. If at any time any such
insurance carrier shall not include such or similar provisions in any fire or


                                       50

<PAGE>

extended coverage insurance policy, then, as to loss covered by that policy, the
release set forth in this Section 15.10 shall be deemed of no further force or
effect. The party whose policy no longer contains such provision shall notify
the other party that the provision is no longer included in the policy, but a
failure or delay in giving such notice shall not affect such termination of the
release set forth in this Section. During any period while the foregoing waivers
of right of recovery are in effect, the party hereto as to whom such waivers are
in effect shall look solely to the proceeds of such policies to compensate
itself for any loss occasioned by fire or other casualty which is an insured
risk under such policies.

                              15.11 Landlord's Insurance. During the Term of
this Lease, Landlord covenants and agrees to maintain the following insurance,
all of which shall be in amounts which are commercially reasonable in light of
the types and amounts of insurance customarily maintained at any given time by
the owners of other first class office buildings in center city Philadelphia:

                                  (a) Commercial general liability insurance
relating to the Building and the common areas thereof having a combined single
limit of at least $5,000,000.00;

                                  (b) all risk fire and extended coverage
insurance in an amount equal to the full replacement value of the Building;

                                  (c) boiler and machinery insurance coverage
(if necessary); and

                                  (d) such insurance as Landlord's mortgagee(s)
may from time to time require.

                16. Eminent Domain

                              16.1 Total or Partial Taking. In the event of
exercise of the power of eminent domain whereby:

                                  (1) such portion of the Property is taken that
access to the Premises is permanently impaired thereby and reasonable alternate
access is not provided by Landlord within one hundred twenty (120) days of such
taking; or

                                  (2) all or substantially all of the Premises
or the Property is taken; or

                                  (3) less than substantially all of the
Property is taken but Landlord, acting in good faith, determines that it is
economically unfeasible to continue to operate the uncondemned portion of the
Building as a first-class office building; or

                                  (4) less than substantially all of the
Premises is taken, but Tenant, acting in good faith, determines that because of
such taking it is economically unfeasible to continue to conduct its business in

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<PAGE>

the uncondemned portion of the Premises, then in the case of (1) or (2), either
party, and in the case of (3), Landlord, and in the case of (4), Tenant, shall
have the right to terminate this Lease as of the date when possession of that
part which was taken is required to be delivered or surrendered to the
condemning authority; and in such case all Rent and other charges shall be
adjusted to the date of termination. A "taking" as such term, is used in this
Section 16 shall include a transfer of title or of any interest in the Property
by deed or other instrument in settlement of or in lieu of transfer by operation
of law incident to condemnation proceedings.

                              16.2 Temporary Taking. Notwithstanding anything
hereinabove provided, in the event of a taking of only the right to or for
possession of the Premises for a fixed period of time or for the duration of an
emergency or other temporary condition, then this Lease shall continue in full
force and effect with the abatement of Minimum Rent and Additional Rent for the
duration of such taking, and all amounts payable by the condemnor with respect
to such taking to Landlord. The above notwithstanding, if any such temporary
taking shall continue for a period in excess of 180 days, Tenant shall have the
right to terminate this Lease upon 10 days written notice to Landlord.

                              16.3 Tenant's Waiver. Regardless of whether this
Lease shall terminate, Tenant shall have no right to participate or share in any
condemnation claim, damage award or settlement in lieu thereof with respect to
any taking of any nature; provided, however, that Tenant shall not be precluded
from independently claiming or receiving payment for Tenant's relocation and
moving expenses and the value of Tenant's improvements as may be permitted under
applicable law.

                17. Default and Remedies

                              17.1 Defaults. The occurrence of any one or more
of the following shall constitute an "Event of Default" under this Lease:

                                  17.1.1 Tenant does not pay in full when due
any installment of Rent or any other charge or payment whether or not herein
included as Rent, and such failure to pay is not cured within ten (10) days
following Tenant's receipt of notice from Landlord thereof (it being agreed that
Landlord's bill for Rent sent in the ordinary course of business shall not
constitute notice for purposes of this subsection); provided, however, that
Landlord shall only be obligated to give Tenant notice of failure to pay Rent
two (2) times during any twelve (12) consecutive calendar months. Thereafter,
for the duration of such twelve (12) calendar months, Tenant shall be in default
upon Tenant's failure to pay in full, within ten (10) days after due, any
installment of Rent, without benefit of such notice.

                                  17.1.2 Tenant violates or fails to perform or
otherwise breaks any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Lease,
other than those specifically addressed elsewhere in this Section 17.1, or any
other obligation of Tenant to Landlord, and such violation or failure continues

                                       52

<PAGE>

for thirty (30) days after receipt of notice thereof from Landlord, provided
that if such violation or failure is not susceptible of being cured or corrected
within the aforesaid thirty (30) day period, then if Tenant shall have commenced
such cure within the aforesaid thirty (30) day period and diligently and
continuously prosecutes same to completion, Tenant shall have such additional
time as Tenant may reasonably require to complete such cure, unless, Landlord
reasonably determines that such additional time would materially jeopardize the
Premises, the Property or any tenants of the Building, in which event Landlord
may require Tenant to complete such cure within the aforesaid thirty (30) day
period.

                                  17.1.3 Tenant does not occupy the Premises
within sixty (60) days after the Lease Commencement Date.

                                  17.1.4 Tenant removes or attempts to remove
Tenant's property from the Premises other than in the ordinary course of
business or upon termination of this Lease, without having first paid to
Landlord in full all Rent and any other charges that may have become due;
provided however, that so long as Tenant is current in its obligations to pay
Rent and other charges that may be due, such removal or attempt to remove shall
not constitute an Event of Default.

                                  17.1.5 Tenant becomes the subject of
commencement of an involuntary case under the federal bankruptcy law as now or
hereafter constituted, or there is filed a petition against Tenant seeking
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of
Tenant under the federal bankruptcy law as now or hereafter constituted, or
under any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar law, or seeking the appointment of a receiver,
liquidator or assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official)
of Tenant or any substantial part of the property of either Tenant or seeking
the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such involuntary case or
petition is not stayed or dismissed within sixty (60) days after the filing
thereof, or if Tenant commences a voluntary case or institutes proceedings to be
adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or consents to the institution of
bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, under the federal bankruptcy
laws as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable federal or state
bankruptcy, reorganization or insolvency or other similar law, or consents to
the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver or liquidator or assignee,
trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of Tenant or of any
substantial part of its property, or makes any assignment for the benefit of
creditors, or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they
become due, or fails to generally pay its debts as they become due, or if Tenant
takes any action in contemplation of any of the foregoing.

                                  17.1.6 Any guarantor of Tenant hereunder
becomes the subject of commencement of an involuntary case under the federal
bankruptcy law as now or hereafter constituted, or there is filed a petition
against any guarantor of Tenant hereunder seeking reorganization, arrangement,
adjustment or composition of or in respect of any guarantor of Tenant hereunder

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<PAGE>


under the federal bankruptcy law as now or hereafter constituted, or under any
other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
other similar law, or seeking the appointment of a receiver, liquidator or
assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of any
guarantor of Tenant hereunder or any substantial part of the property of any
guarantor of Tenant hereunder, or seeking the winding-up or liquidation of its
affairs and such involuntary case or petition is not stayed or dismissed within
sixty (60) days after the filing thereof, or if any guarantor of Tenant
hereunder commences a voluntary case or institutes proceedings to be adjudicated
a bankrupt or insolvent, or consents to the institution of bankruptcy or
insolvency proceedings against it, under the federal bankruptcy laws as now or
hereafter constituted, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy,
reorganization or insolvency or other similar law, or consents to the
appointment of or taking possession by a receiver or liquidator or assignee,
trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of any guarantor of
Tenant hereunder or of any substantial part of its property, or makes any
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admits in writing its inability to
pay its debts generally as they become due, or fails to generally pay its debts
as they become due, or if any guarantor of Tenant hereunder takes any action in
contemplation of any of the foregoing.

                                  17.1.7 Tenant fails to deliver a requested
estoppel statement within the time period required following Landlord's second
request for same pursuant to Section 26.2 below.

                                  17.1.8 Tenant or Subtenant makes an assignment
of its rights under this Lease or enters into any sublease (or purports to do
so) in violation of the terms of Section 12, above.

                              17.2 Landlord's Remedies. Upon the occurrence of
an Event of Default, and at the sole option of Landlord, in addition to all
remedies Landlord may have at law or in equity,

                                  17.2.1 the whole balance of Rent and any other
charges, whether or not payable as Rent, for the entire balance of the Term and
any renewal or extension thereof for which Tenant has become bound, discounted
to present value at the rate of 6.5% per annum, and also all or any costs and
sheriff's, marshall's, constable's or other officials' commissions, whether
chargeable to Landlord or Tenant, including watchman's wages, shall be taken to
be due and payable and in arrears as if by the terms of this Lease said balance
of Rent and such other charges and expenses were on that date payable in
advance, and/or

                                  17.2.2 the Term of this Lease shall terminate
and become absolutely void, without notice and without any right on the part of
Tenant to save the forfeiture by payment of any sum due or by other performance
of any condition, term, agreement or covenant broken, and/or

                                  17.2.3 any prothonotary or attorney of any
court of record is hereby irrevocably authorized and empowered to appear for
Tenant in any action to confess judgment against Tenant, and may sign for Tenant

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<PAGE>

an agreement, for which this Lease shall be his sufficient warrant, for entering
in any competent court an action or actions in ejectment, and in any suits or in
said actions to confess judgment against Tenant as well as all persons claiming
by, through or under Tenant for the recovery by Landlord of possession of the
Premises. Such authority shall not be exhausted by any one or more exercises
thereof, but judgment may be confessed from time to time as often as any event
set forth in Subsection 17.1 hereof shall have occurred or be continuing. Such
powers may be exercised during as well as after the expiration or termination of
the original Term and during and at any time after any extension or renewal of
the Term, and/or

                                  17.2.4 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.]

                                  17.2.5 In any confession of judgment for
ejectment, Landlord shall cause to be filed in such action an affidavit setting
forth the facts necessary to authorize the entry of judgment and if a true copy
of this Lease (and of the truth of the copy, such affidavit shall be sufficient
proof) be filed in such action, it shall not be necessary to file the original
as a warrant of attorney, notwithstanding any law, rule of court, custom or
practice to the contrary. Tenant releases to Landlord, and to any and all
attorneys who may appear for Tenant, all procedural errors in any proceedings
taken by Landlord, whether by virtue of the powers of attorney contained in this
Lease or not, and all liability therefor. Tenant expressly waives the benefits
of all laws, now or hereafter in force, exempting any property within the
Premises or elsewhere from distraint, levy or sale. Tenant further waives the
right to any notice to remove as may be specified in the Pennsylvania Landlord
and Tenant Act of April 6, 1951, as amended, or any similar or successor
provision of law, and agrees that five (5) days notice shall be sufficient in
any case where a longer period may be statutorily specified, and/or

                                  17.2.6 After re-entry or retaking or
recovering of the Premises, whether by way of termination of this Lease or not,
Landlord may lease the Premises or any part or parts thereof to such person or
persons and upon such terms as may in Landlord's reasonable discretion seem best
for a term within or beyond the Term of this Lease, and Tenant shall be liable
for any loss of Rent for the balance of the Term and any renewal or extension
for which Tenant has become bound plus the costs and expenses of reletting and
of making repairs and alterations to the Premises. Further, Tenant, for itself
and its successors and assigns, hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints
Landlord as Tenant's agent to collect the rents due and to become due from all
subleases and apply the same to the Rent due hereunder without in any way
affecting Tenant's obligation to pay any unpaid balance of Rent due or to become
due hereunder not covered by such application of sublease rent, and/or

                                  17.2.7 Landlord may (but shall not be
obligated to do so), in addition to any other rights it may have in law or
equity, cure such Event of Default on behalf of Tenant, and Tenant shall
reimburse Landlord upon demand for all costs incurred by Landlord in curing such
Event of Default, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and


                                       55
<PAGE>


other legal expenses, together with interest thereon at the Lease Interest Rate,
which costs and interest thereon shall be deemed Additional Rent hereunder.

                              17.3 Remedies Cumulative. All remedies available
to Landlord hereunder and at law and in equity shall be cumulative and
concurrent. No termination of this Lease nor taking or recovering possession of
the Premises shall deprive Landlord of any remedies or actions against Tenant
for Rent, for charges or for damages for the breach of any covenant, agreement
or condition herein contained, nor shall the bringing of any such action for
Rent, charges or breach of covenant, agreement or condition, nor the resort to
any other remedy or right for the recovery of Rent, charges or damages for such
breach be construed as a waiver or release of the right to insist upon the
forfeiture and to obtain possession. No re-entering or taking possession of the
Premises, or making of repairs, alterations or improvements thereto, or
reletting thereof, shall be construed as an election on the part of Landlord to
terminate this Lease unless written notice of such election be given by Landlord
to Tenant. The failure of Landlord to insist upon strict and/or prompt
performance of the terms, agreements, covenants and conditions of this Lease or
any of them, and/or the acceptance of such performance thereafter shall not
constitute or be construed as a waiver of Landlord's right to thereafter enforce
the same strictly according to the terms thereof in the event of a continuing or
subsequent default.

                              17.4 Expenses of Enforcement. In the event of any
litigation between Landlord and Tenant, the prevailing party shall be entitled
to receive from the other the amount of its reasonable out-of-pocket legal fees
and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel incurred in connection therewith.

                              17.5 Nonwaiver. Any failure of Landlord to enforce
any remedy allowed for the violation of any provision of this Lease shall not
imply the waiver of any such provision, even if such violation is continued or
repeated, and no express waiver shall affect any provision other than the one(s)
specified in such waiver and only for the time and in the manner specifically
stated. No receipt of monies by Landlord from Tenant after the termination of
this Lease shall in any way (i) alter the length of the Term or of Tenant's
right of possession hereunder, or (ii) after the giving of any notice,
reinstate, continue or extend the Term or affect any notice given to Tenant
prior to the receipt of such moneys, it being agreed that after the service of
notice or the commencement of a suit or after final judgment for possession of
the Premises, Landlord may receive and collect any Rent due, and the payment of
said Rent shall not waive or affect said notice, suit or judgment.

                              17.6 Tenant's Remedies. If after the Commencement
Date Landlord shall be in default for 5 consecutive days in the performance of
any of its obligations to provide any service to the Premises and shall
thereafter be in default for 30 consecutive days after written notice thereof
from Tenant (unless the default is not susceptible of cure within 30 days after
such notice, in which event Landlord shall have failed to commence curing the
default within such 30-day period after written notice thereof and to diligently
prosecute such cure until completion), and provided such default does not arise
as a result of Force Majeure, then in addition to any other rights Tenant may
have at law or in equity, Tenant may (but shall not be obligated to) cure such
default on behalf of Landlord, and Landlord shall reimburse Tenant upon demand
for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred by Tenant in curing such


                                       56

<PAGE>

default, together with interest thereon at the Lease Interest Rate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant shall not have any right in exercising its
remedies under the preceding sentence (i) to make any repairs or modifications
to areas outside the Premises or to Building systems except (and subject to
Sections 10.7 and 11.1) those within and solely affecting the Premises, (ii) to
provide any services for the benefit of any occupants of the Property other than
Tenant, or (iii) to retain any contractors or subcontractors to perform such
services which are not responsible contractors and subcontractors which, in
Landlord's reasonable judgment, may prejudice Landlord's relationship with
Landlord's contractors or subcontractors or the relationship between such
contractors and their subcontractors or employees, or
may disturb harmonious labor relations.

                18. Subordination

                              18.1 Generally. This Lease is and shall be subject
and subordinate to all ground or underlying leases of the Property and to all
mortgages which may now or hereafter be secured upon such leases or the Property
and to any and all renewals, modifications, consolidations, replacements and
extensions thereof so long as any subsequent mortgagee and Tenant execute and
deliver to one another a non-disturbance agreement in a form substantially
similar to that attached as Exhibit H, subject only to the requirements of
Section 4 of the non-disturbance agreement attached as Exhibit H (or any
equivalent section) if same is contained in a non-disturbance agreement executed
by Tenant hereunder which is then in effect. This Section shall be
self-operative and no further instrument of subordination shall be required by
any lessor or mortgagee, but in confirmation of such subordination, Tenant shall
execute, within fifteen (15) days after being so requested, any certificate that
Landlord may reasonably require, in a form reasonably acceptable to Tenant,
acknowledging such subordination. If Landlord shall so request, Tenant shall
send to any mortgagee or ground lessor of the Property designated by Landlord, a
copy of any notice thereafter given by Tenant to Landlord alleging a material
breach by Landlord of its obligations under this Lease.

                              18.2 Rights of Mortgagee. In the event of any act
or omission of Landlord which would give Tenant the right, immediately or after
lapse of a period of time, to cancel or terminate this Lease, or to claim a
partial or total eviction, Tenant shall not exercise such right:

                                  (1) until it has given written notice of such
act or omission to the holder of each such mortgage or ground lease whose name
and address shall previously have been furnished to Tenant in writing; and

                                  (2) until a reasonable period for remedying
such act or omission not to exceed thirty (30) days shall have elapsed following
the giving of such notice (which reasonable period shall in no event be less


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<PAGE>


than the period to which Landlord would be entitled under this Lease or
otherwise, after similar notice, to effect such remedy).

                              18.3 Non-Disturbance. Landlord shall deliver to
Tenant for execution a non-disturbance agreement from Landlord's present
mortgagee substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "H" on the date
of Tenant's execution of this Lease. As a condition to the subordination of this
Lease to any future mortgage or ground lease under Section 18.1 above, Landlord
agrees to obtain for the benefit of Tenant a subordination, nondisturbance and
attornment agreement substantially in the same form as that attached hereto as
Exhibit "H" from every mortgagee to which Landlord grants a mortgage of the
Property hereafter, and from every ground lessor which may hereafter acquire fee
title to the Land.

                19. Holding Over. Should Tenant continue to occupy the Premises
after the expiration of the Term of this Lease or any renewal or renewals
thereof, or after a forfeiture incurred, such tenancy shall (without limiting
any of Landlord's rights or remedies concerning an Event of Default) be one at
sufferance from month to month at a minimum monthly rent equal to two (2) times
the total of the Minimum Rent payable for the last month of the Term of this
Lease prior to the holdover and, in addition thereto, Tenant shall pay to
Landlord all other Rent falling due during the holdover period (without
increase), as if the Term had been extended. Neither Landlord's demand nor
Landlord's receipt of the aforesaid compensation for use and occupancy shall be
deemed to provide Tenant with any right to any use, occupancy, or possession of
the Premises either for the period for which such compensation has been demanded
or paid, or for any time before or after such period. The provisions of this
Section 19 shall not be deemed to limit or constitute a waiver of any other
rights or remedies of Landlord provided herein or at law or in equity.

                20. Notices. All bills, statements, notices or other
communications given hereunder shall be deemed sufficiently given or rendered
only if in writing and sent to Tenant or Landlord by certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, by commercial overnight
delivery service (such as Federal Express), or by hand delivery against signed
receipt, as follows:

                If to Tenant:

                Prior to the Commencement Date:

                              Lorjo Corp.
                              c/o PMA Reinsurance Corporation
                              925 Chestnut Street
                              Philadelphia, PA 19107
                              Attn: Steve Tirney


                                       58
<PAGE>

                With a copy to:

                              Lorjo Corp.
                              c/o PMA Reinsurance Corporation
                              925 Chestnut Street
                              Philadelphia, PA  19107
                              Attn:  Paul T. Luber

                After the Commencement Date:

                              Lorjo Corp.
                              c/o PMA Reinsurance Corporation
                              Suite 2800
                              1735 Market Street
                              Mellon Bank Center
                              Philadelphia, PA  19103
                              Attn:  Steve Tirney

                With a copy to:


                              The PMA Building
                              380 Sentry Parkway
                              Blue Bell, PA  19422
                              Attn:  Paul T. Luber

                If to Landlord:

                              c/o The Rubin Organization
                              The Bellevue, 3rd Floor
                              200 S. Broad Street
                              Philadelphia, PA. 19102
                              Attn:  Director of Leasing

                With a copy to:

                              Richard I. Rubin & Co., Inc.
                              Management Office
                              Concourse Level, Mellon Bank Center
                              1735 Market Street
                              Philadelphia, PA  19103
                              Attention:  Building Manager


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<PAGE>

                If to Landlord's mortgagee:

                              Banque Paribas
                              The Equitable Tower
                              787 Seventh Avenue
                              New York, New York 10019
                              Attention:  Douglas Veasey

                With a copy to:

                              Winston & Strawn
                              175 Water Street
                              New York, New York 10038
                              Attention:  Douglas L. Wisner, Esq.

or such other person or place as either party hereto may designate by notice
given as aforesaid. Notice shall be deemed received as of the date set forth on
the return receipt, the date of delivery reflected in the records of the
overnight delivery service, or the date set forth on the hand delivery receipt,
as the case may be.


                21. Certain Rights Reserved to the Landlord. Landlord waives no
rights except those that may be specifically waived in this Lease, and
explicitly retains all other rights including, without limitation, the following
rights, the exercise of which shall not be deemed to constitute an eviction or
disturbance of Tenant's use or possession of the Premises and shall not give
rise to any claim for set-off or abatement of Rent or any other claim:

                              21.1 Building Name. To change the name of the
Building, presently Mellon Bank Center, and to change the street address of the
Building, presently 1735 Market Street.

                              21.2 Exterior Signs. To install and maintain a
sign or signs on the exterior of the Building.

                              21.3 Decoration. To decorate or to make repairs,
alterations, additions or improvements, whether structural or otherwise, in or
about the Property, or any part thereof, and for such purposes to temporarily
close doors, entry ways, public space and corridors in and about the Property
and to interrupt or temporarily suspend services or use of facilities, all
without affecting any of Tenant's obligations hereunder, so long as the Premises
are reasonably accessible and usable.

                              21.4 Keys. To furnish, at Landlord's expense, 10
door keys, and 100 pass cards for the entry door(s) in the Premises at the
commencement of the Lease and to retain at all times, and to use in appropriate
instances, keys and pass cards to all doors within


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and into the Premises. Tenant agrees to (i) purchase, only from Landlord,
additional duplicate keys or pass cards as required, (ii) change no locks or
other security devices and (iii) not to affix locks on doors without the prior
written consent of the Landlord, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed but may be conditioned upon Landlord's receipt of a key,
combination or other means of unlocking any new or replacement lock or security
device installed by Tenant. Upon the expiration of the Term or Tenant's right to
possession, Tenant shall return all keys and pass cards to Landlord and shall
disclose to Landlord the combination of any safes, cabinets or vaults left in
the Premises.

                              21.5 Window Coverings. To designate and approve
all window coverings used on the Property or any part thereof.

                              21.6 Placement of Loads. To approve the weight,
size and location of safes, vaults and other heavy equipment and articles in and
about the Premises and the Property so as not to exceed the legal load per
square foot designated by the structural engineers for the Property (presently
70 pounds), and to require all such items and furniture and similar items to be
moved into or out of the Property and Premises only at such times and in such
manner as Landlord shall direct in writing. Tenant shall not install or operate
machinery or any mechanical devices of a nature not directly related to Tenant's
ordinary use, as limited by the Permitted Use, of the Premises without the prior
written consent of Landlord, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed. Movements of Tenant's property into or out of the Property or Premises
are entirely at the risk and responsibility of Tenant, except as to damage
caused solely by the negligence of Landlord or its agents.

                              21.7 Deliveries. To regulate delivery of supplies
and the usage of the loading docks, receiving areas and freight elevators.

                              21.8 Entry to Premises. To enter the Premises in
accordance with the terms of this Lease, and in the last year of the Term of
this Lease, to show the Premises to prospective tenants at reasonable times upon
twenty-four (24) hours prior notice (unless the parties agree to a shorter time)
and accompanied by Tenant or Tenant's representative (provided that no such
advance notice or accompaniment shall be required in an emergency) and, if
vacated or abandoned, to view the Premises at any time.

                              21.9 Pipes, Conduits, and Wiring. To erect, use
and maintain pipes, ducts, wiring and conduits, and appurtenances thereto, in
and through the Premises at reasonable and concealed locations existing in the
Premises or, if necessary, constructed by Landlord in reasonably inconspicuous
locations having no material adverse effect upon Tenant's use of the Premises or
the aesthetics thereof. If Landlord undertakes such construction, Landlord
agrees to reasonably cooperate with Tenant or its design experts as to the
location and finish of the work, to use materials comparable to and compatible
with those adjacent to such new construction, and to perform all such
construction at Landlord's sole cost and expense.


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                              21.10 Inspection and Repair. To enter the Premises
at any reasonable time upon twenty-four (24) hours prior written notice (unless
the parties agree to a shorter time) and accompanied by Tenant or Tenant's
representative (provided that no such advance notice or accompaniment shall be
required in an emergency), to inspect the Premises and to make repairs or
alterations as Landlord reasonably deems necessary, with due diligence and
minimum disturbance.

                              21.11 Conduct of Other Business on the Property.
To grant to any person or to reserve unto itself the exclusive right to conduct
any business other than reinsurance or render any service in or on the Property.

                              21.12 Alterations to Property. To alter the
layout, design and/or use of the Property (excluding the Premises) in such
manner as Landlord, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, so long as the
character of the Property as a first-class office property is maintained.

                              21.13 Adjoining Areas. The use of and reasonable
access thereto through the Premises, for the purposes of operation, maintenance,
and repair, of (a) all walls, windows and doors bounding the Premises (including
exterior walls of the Building, core corridor walls and doors and any core
corridor entrance) except the surfaces thereof within the Premises , (b) any
terraces or roofs adjacent to the Premises and (c) any space in or adjacent to
the Premises used for shafts, pipes, conduits, fan rooms, ducts, electric or
other utilities, sinks or other facilities.

                22. Landlord's Security Interest. As additional security for the
faithful performance and observance by Tenant of all of the terms, provisions
and conditions of this Lease, Tenant hereby grants to and creates on behalf of
Landlord a security interest in all of Tenant's equipment, fixtures,
decorations, alterations, furniture, machinery, installations, additions, and
improvements in the Premises. The security interest herein granted and any
security interest of Landlord granted by statute shall be subordinate to any
security interest given by Tenant in connection with the financing of the
purchase or installation of the item in question. Upon the occurrence of any
Event of Default Landlord may, at its option, foreclose on said security through
judicial action and apply the proceeds of the sale of the property covered
thereby for the payment of all Rent owing under this Lease or any other sum
owing by Tenant under the terms of Section 17, above, including but not limited
to any damages or deficiencies resulting from any reletting of the Premises,
whether said damage or deficiency accrued before or after summary proceedings or
other reentry by Landlord. Tenant covenants that it shall keep and maintain all
fixtures, machinery, equipment, furnishings and other personalty at the
Premises, whether or not the property of Tenant, in good, substantial and
efficient operating condition (including replacement of same when necessary) at
Tenant's sole cost and expense, at all times during the Term of this Lease.


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                23. Use and Occupancy Tax and Miscellaneous Taxes. Tenant shall
pay prior to delinquency all taxes assessed against or levied upon its occupancy
of the Premises or upon the fixtures, furnishings, equipment and all other
personal property of Tenant located in the Premises and when possible Tenant
shall cause said fixtures, furnishings, equipment and other personal property to
be assessed and billed separately from the property of Landlord. In the event
any or all of Tenant's fixtures, furnishings, equipment or other personal
property or its occupancy of the Premises shall be assessed and taxed with the
property of Landlord, Tenant shall pay to Landlord its share of such taxes, as
reasonably and equitably allocated by Landlord if but not separately allocated
on the face of the tax bill, within twenty (20) days after delivery to Tenant by
Landlord of a statement in writing setting forth the amount of such taxes
applicable to Tenant's fixtures, furnishings, equipment, personal property or
occupancy. If, during the Term of this Lease or any renewal or extension
thereof, any tax is imposed upon the privilege of renting or occupying the
Premises, Tenant will pay each month, as Additional Rent, a sum equal to such
tax or charge that is imposed for such month, but nothing herein shall be taken
to require Tenant to pay any income, estate, inheritance or franchise tax
imposed upon Landlord. In addition, Tenant will pay as additional rent all
Philadelphia School District Business Use and Occupancy Tax applicable to Tenant
and the Premises (if any) within the time set forth in any bill rendered by the
City of Philadelphia or Landlord for said tax.

                24. Excepted from Premises. Any hallways, passageways,
stairways, elevators, or other means of access to and from the Premises or the
Property, or the space occupied by the said hallways, passageways, stairways,
elevators and other means of access, although such may be within the Premises as
described hereinabove, shall be taken to be excepted therefrom, without being
deemed to reduce the Rentable Area thereof, and reserved to Landlord or to the
tenants of the Property in common and the same shall not be considered an
exclusive portion of the Premises. All ducts, pipes, wires or other equipment
used in the operation of the Property, or any part thereof, and any space
occupied thereby, whether or not within the Premises description, shall also be
excepted and reserved from the Premises, without being deemed to reduce the
Rentable Area thereof, and Tenant shall not remove or tamper with or use the
same and will permit Landlord to enter the Premises to service, replace, remove
or repair the same in accordance with the provisions of this Lease.

                25. Mechanics' and Other Liens.

                              25.1 Tenant covenants that it shall not (and has
no authority to) create or allow any encumbrance against the Premises, the
Property, or any part of any thereof or of Landlord's interest therein.

                              25.2 Tenant covenants that it shall not suffer or
permit to be created, or to remain, any lien or claim thereof (arising out of
any work done or services, material, equipment or supplies furnished for or at
the request of Tenant or by or for any contractor or subcontractor of Tenant,
other than work, materials, equipment or supplies


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furnished by Landlord) which is or may become a lien upon the Premises, the
Property, or any part of any thereof or the income therefrom or any fixture,
equipment or similar property therein.

                              25.3 If any lien or claim shall be filed, Tenant
shall within twenty (20) days after receiving notice of the filing thereof,
cause the same to be discharged of record by payment, deposit, bond or
otherwise. If Tenant shall fail to cause such lien or claim to be discharged and
removed from record within that period, then, without obligation to investigate
the validity thereof and in addition to any other right or remedy Landlord may
have, Landlord may, but shall not be obligated to, contest the lien or claim or
discharge it by payment, deposit, bond or otherwise; and Landlord shall be
entitled, if Landlord so decides, to compel the prosecution of an action for the
foreclosure of such lien by the lienor and to pay the amount of the judgment in
favor of the lienor with interest and costs. Any amounts so paid by Landlord and
all of Landlord's actual costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys'
fees, incurred by Landlord in connection therewith, together with interest at
the Lease Interest Rate from the respective dates of Landlord's making of the
payment or incurring of the cost or expense, shall constitute Additional Rent
payable by Tenant under this Lease and shall be paid by Tenant to Landlord
promptly on demand.

                              25.4 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Lease or in any other writing signed by Landlord, neither this Lease nor
any other writing signed by Landlord shall be construed as evidencing,
indicating, or causing an appearance that any erection, construction, alteration
or repair to be done, or caused to be done, by Tenant is or was in fact for the
immediate use and benefit of Landlord. Further, notwithstanding anything
contained herein to the contrary, nothing contained in or contemplated by this
Lease shall be deemed or construed in any way to constitute the consent or
request on the part of Landlord for the performance of any work or services or
the furnishing of any materials for which any lien could be filed against the
Premises or the Property or any part of any thereof, nor as giving Tenant any
right, power, or authority to contract for or permit the performance of any work
or services or the furnishing of any materials for which any lien could be filed
against the Premises, the Property or any part of any thereof.

                26. Estoppel Statement

                              26.1 Tenant from time to time, within ten (10)
Business Days after request by Landlord, shall execute, acknowledge and deliver
to Landlord a statement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Tenant, which may
be relied upon by Landlord or any proposed assignee of Landlord's interest in
this Lease or any existing or proposed mortgagee or ground lessor or purchaser
of the Property or any interest therein, certifying (i) that this Lease is
unmodified and in full force and effect (or that the same is in full force and
effect as modified and listing the instruments of modification); (ii) the dates
to which Minimum Rent and all other charges have been paid; (iii) whether or not
Landlord is in default hereunder or whether Tenant has any claims or demands
against Landlord (and, if so, the default, claim and/or demand shall be
specified); (iv) if applicable, that Tenant has accepted possession and has
entered into


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occupancy of the Premises; (v) the Lease Commencement Date and the Termination
Date; and (vi) certifying as to such other matters as Landlord may reasonably
request. Tenant may reasonably modify the requested form of estoppel statement
to the extent necessary to meaningfully address all matters intended to be
responded to or certified therein, but shall not fail to respond to or certify
any of such matters. Tenant acknowledges that any such statements so delivered
by Tenant may be relied upon by Landlord, any landlord under any ground or
underlying lease, or by any prospective partner, purchaser, mortgagee, lender,
or any assignee of any mortgage.

                                 26.2 Should Tenant fail to execute, acknowledge
and deliver to Landlord a requested estoppel statement within the time required
under Section 26.1 following Landlord's first request therefor, Landlord may
deliver to Tenant a second request for such estoppel statement on or after the
tenth (10th) Business Day following Tenant's receipt of the first such request.
Should Tenant fail to execute, acknowledge and deliver to Landlord the requested
estoppel statement within eight (8) days following receipt of Landlord's second
request therefor, such failure shall constitute an Event of Default under this
Lease.

                27. Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment. Landlord covenants that Tenant
shall, during the Term, peaceably and quietly have, hold and enjoy the Premises
subject to the terms, covenants, conditions, provisions and agreements contained
in this Lease on the part of Tenant to be kept, observed and performed
(including, without limitation, the obligation to pay all Rent when due).

                28. Brokers. Each of Landlord and Tenant represents and warrants
to the other that it has not dealt with any broker, agent, finder or other
person in the negotiation for or the obtaining of this Lease other than
Binswanger Company ("Binswanger") and Agent, and each agrees to indemnify and
hold the other harmless from any and all costs (including reasonable attorney's
fees) and liability for commissions or other compensation claimed by any such
broker, agent, finder or other person other than Binswanger and Agent, employed
by the indemnifying party or claiming to have been engaged by the indemnifying
party in connection with this Lease. Tenant acknowledges that Agent has acted
only as an agent with respect to the procurement and negotiation of this Lease
and agrees that Agent shall not be responsible or liable for any term, provision
or condition of this Lease. Landlord agrees to pay any fee or commission owing
Binswanger or Agent on account of this Lease.

                29. Limitations on Liability.

                              29.1 The liabilities of the parties described
below shall be qualified in accordance with this Section 29.

                              29.2 Tenant Liability. The word "Tenant" as used
in this Lease shall be construed in the plural in all cases where there is more
than one tenant (and in such cases the liability of such tenants shall be joint
and several) and the necessary grammatical changes


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required to make the provisions hereof apply to corporations, partnerships, or
individuals, men or women, shall in all cases be assumed to have been made. Each
provision hereof shall extend to and as the case may require, shall bind and
inure to the benefit of Tenant and its successors and assigns, provided that
this Lease shall not inure to the benefit of any assignee or successor of Tenant
except upon the express written consent of Landlord pursuant to Section 12
hereof (unless not required pursuant to Subsection 12.1 above).

                              29.3 Landlord Liability

                                  29.3.1 It is expressly understood and agreed
by Tenant that none of Landlord's covenants, undertakings or agreements are made
or intended as personal covenants, undertakings or agreements by Landlord or its
partners, and any liability for damage or breach or nonperformance by Landlord
shall be collectible only out of Landlord's interest in the Property and no
personal liability is assumed by, nor at any time may be asserted against,
Landlord or its partners or any of its or their officers, agents, employees,
legal representatives, successors or assigns, if any, all such liability, if
any, being expressly waived and released by Tenant, and in any proceeding or in
the case of any judgment against Landlord, Tenant shall concurrently file a
Praecipe to Limit Judgment Lien to reflect the exclusion from liability herein
set forth .

                                  29.3.2 The Landlord named on page 1 of this
Lease and any subsequent owners of such Landlord's interest in the Property, as
well as their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns
shall each have the same rights, remedies, powers, authorities and privileges as
it would have had it originally signed this Lease as Landlord, including the
right to proceed in its own name to enter judgment by confession or otherwise,
but any such person, whether or not named herein, shall have no liability
hereunder after it ceases to hold such interest.

                                  29.3.3 In the event of any sale or other
conveyance or transfer of Landlord's interest in the Property, the transferor
shall be and hereby is entirely free and relieved of all covenants and
obligations of Landlord hereunder, and it shall be deemed and construed without
further agreement between the parties or their successors in interest, or
between the parties and the transferee at any such sale or conveyance or
transfer that (subject to the limitation of Landlord's liability in this Section
29) the transferee has assumed and agreed to carry out any and all covenants and
obligations of Landlord hereunder, including, without limitation, obligations
for all defaults and claims (if any) arising prior to the date of such transfer.

                              29.4 Mortgagee Liability. No mortgagee or ground
lessor which shall succeed to the interest of Landlord hereunder (either in
terms of ownership or possessory rights) (a "Successor") shall be:

                                  (a) subject to any prepayments of Rent (except
to the extent that any such prepayment is subject to clause (b) below, credits,
offsets, prior defenses or claims or counterclaims which the Tenant may have
against any prior Landlord including, without


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limitation, claims against any such prior Landlord based upon the indemnities of
such Landlord under this Lease and/or any other agreement, as the case may be;
or

                                  (b) bound by any prepayment of Rent more than
one month in advance (except for any such prepayment which is expressly
permitted to be made under this Lease) and not actually delivered to the
Successor; or

                                  (c) bound by an amendment or modification of
this Lease made without its prior written consent, other than an amendment or
modification of this Lease reflecting the exercise of options set forth in this
Lease or acknowledging and/or confirming agreements and/or understandings
between Landlord and Tenant as long as any such acknowledgement and/or
confirmation does not have the effect of materially varying the obligations of
the parties under this Lease or operate or purport to operate as a waiver,
forbearance, satisfaction, discharge or compromise of such obligations; or

                                  (d) liable for any act, omission,
misrepresentation or breach of any prior Landlord; provided, however, such
Successor shall be obligated to perform the executory obligations of the
Landlord under this Lease (subject to the terms of this Section 29.4) arising
from and after the date that such Successor obtains title to and possession of
the Property and becomes the Landlord under this Lease and, subject to the terms
of this Section 29.4, to use reasonable efforts to perform the existing material
obligations of the Landlord under this Lease relating to the occupancy of the
Premises by the Tenant without any obligation, however, to expend funds or incur
any liability or obligation beyond that required in order to perform such
existing material obligations in accordance with this Lease; or

                                  (e) required to account for any security
deposit other than any security deposit actually delivered to the Successor; or

                                  (f) liable for any payment to the Tenant of
any sums, or the granting to the Tenant of any credit, in the nature of a
contribution towards the cost of preparing, furnishing or moving into the
Premises or any portion thereof; or

                                  (g) bound by any covenant to undertake or
complete any improvement to the Premises or the Property.

                30. Renewal Options.

                              30.1 Renewal Terms. Tenant is hereby granted the
options to extend the initial Term of this Lease, with respect to all of the
Premises as then constituted, for two (2) consecutive additional periods of five
(5) years each (each of which periods is hereinafter referred to as a "Renewal
Term"), provided that an Event of Default shall not have occurred and be
continuing either at the time of exercising any such option or at the
commencement of the respective Renewal Term. Tenant shall exercise the aforesaid
options to renew, in each instance,


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by giving Landlord written notice at least twelve (12) months prior to the
Termination Date or at least twelve (12) months prior to the last day of the
Renewal Term then in effect, as applicable. Each Renewal Term shall begin on the
day immediately following either the Termination Date or the last day of the
prior Renewal Term, as applicable. Each such renewal shall be on the same terms
and conditions as specified for the initial Term of this Lease, except that (i)
the Minimum Rent during each Renewal Term shall be as specified in Subsection
30.2 below, and (ii) Landlord shall have no obligation to improve or otherwise
perform any work in the Premises, or to pay any allowances, unless explicitly
required to do so during such Renewal Term elsewhere in this Lease or any
amendment hereto. In the event that Tenant shall fail to timely exercise its
option with regard to any Renewal Term, or an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing either at the time of exercising its option or at the
commencement of any Renewal Term, Tenant's rights hereunder with regard to both
that Renewal Term and any subsequent Renewal Term shall immediately and
irrevocably terminate.

                              30.2 Renewal Rental. If Tenant exercises an option
to extend the Term of this Lease as set forth in Subsection 30.1 hereof, the
Minimum Rent for the Premises throughout a given Renewal Term shall equal
ninety-five percent (95%) of the Market Rental Rate (as hereinafter defined) in
effect at the commencement of that Renewal Term. For purposes of this Lease, the
term "Market Rental Rate" shall be defined as the rate of annual minimum rent
being quoted by Landlord to prospective tenants of the Building or being charged
to tenants whose leases have commenced within the preceding six months, for
terms of similar length for comparable space (considering size and location) in
the Building (or which would be quoted if comparable space were available).
Landlord shall determine the Market Rental Rate for the Renewal Term in question
and give Tenant notice thereof (a "Rental Notice") in each case following
Tenant's exercise of its option to renew (and not later than thirty (30) days
following receipt of written request from Tenant following Tenant's exercise of
its option to renew). Should Tenant disagree with Landlord's determination,
Landlord and Tenant agree to negotiate reasonably and in good faith to attempt
to reach agreement for a period of seventy five (75) days following Tenant's
receipt of the Rental Notice; provided, however, that Tenant may elect, by
written notice delivered to Landlord within seventy-five (75) days after receipt
of the Rental Notice, to either rescind its election to enter into a Renewal
Term or to have the Market Rental Rate for such Renewal Term determined by
appraisal in accordance with the following procedures, the results of which
shall be binding upon both Landlord and Tenant. Should Landlord and Tenant not
reach agreement as to the Market Rental Rate, and Tenant fails to deliver
written notice of such election to Landlord within such seventy-five (75) day
period, Tenant shall be deemed to have irrevocably elected to rescind its
election to enter into the Renewal Term. Within ten (10) days after Tenant
notifies Landlord of Tenant's election to determine Market Rental Rate by
appraisal, each of Landlord and Tenant shall, by written notice to the other,
designate an appraiser having at least ten (10) years experience as a licensed
Pennsylvania real estate broker or MAI appraiser doing a substantial amount of
business in the Center City, Philadelphia area. Within ten (10) days following
the appointment of the second of such appraisers, the two appraisers so
appointed shall select a third appraiser meeting the same requirements as to
experience. In the event that the two appraisers are unable timely to agree


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upon the third appraiser, then Landlord and Tenant shall attempt to agree upon
the third appraiser within ten (10) days thereafter, and if they fail to do so
the third appraiser shall be an appraiser meeting the qualifications herein set
forth and appointed under the commercial arbitration rules of the American
Arbitration Association relating to appointment of arbitrators. The three
appraisers so chosen shall render their decision as to the Market Rental Rate
(as such term is hereinafter defined) within thirty (30) days following the
appointment of the third appraiser. Should the three appraisers be unable to
agree on the Market Rental Rate, the Market Rental Rate shall be the average of
the three respective Market Rental Rates determined by the three appraisers,
excluding from such computation, however, any Market Rental Rate which deviates
by more than fifteen percent (15%) from the median of the three Market Rental
Rates so determined. Landlord and Tenant shall each bear their own costs of such
appraisal and equally share the cost of the third appraiser and any arbitration
hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary hereinabove set forth in
this Section 30.2, in the event Tenant shall elect the aforesaid appraisal
determination of the Market Rental Rate for any Renewal Term, the term "Market
Rental Rate" shall be defined as the rate of annual minimum rent being charged
or quoted by Landlord for office space in the Building and by Landlord and other
landlords for office space in those buildings commonly known as One Liberty
Place, Two Liberty Place, Two Logan Square, One Commerce Square, Two Commerce
Square, Bell Atlantic Tower and 1901 Market Street, to tenants whose leases have
commenced within the six months preceding the time of appraisal, for terms
similar in length to the Renewal Term in question, for comparable space
(considering size and location) in such buildings (or which would be so charged
if comparable space were available), taking into account "free rent" and other
lease concessions then being commonly offered in such buildings.

                31. Expansion Options

                              31.1 Third Year Option. Landlord hereby grants to
Tenant an exclusive first option to lease from Landlord either (a) the 1,656
Rentable Square feet of space on the thirtieth (30th) floor of the Building
shown cross-hatched on Exhibit N attached hereto ("Option Space A") or (b) that
portion of the thirtieth (30th) floor of the Building not theretofore leased by
Tenant, consisting of 9,705 Rentable Square Feet of space ("Option Space B"), on
the terms herein set forth. Tenant shall exercise such option by delivery to
Landlord of a written notice of such exercise not later than the first to occur
of (a) October 31, 1996 or (b) the first day of the third Lease Year, and
Landlord shall deliver possession of such space to Tenant on or about the first
day of the fourth Lease Year, but in no event earlier than September 1, 1997.

                              31.2 Fifth Year Option. Landlord hereby grants to
Tenant an exclusive first option to lease from Landlord either (a) Option Space
B if not previously leased by Tenant pursuant to Section 31.1 above, or (b) if
Tenant shall have leased Option Space A pursuant to Section 31.1 above, the
remaining portion of the thirtieth (30th) floor of the Building not theretofore
leased by Tenant, consisting of 8,049 Rentable Square Feet of space ("Option
Space C"), on the terms herein set forth. Tenant shall exercise such option by
delivery to Landlord of a written notice of such exercise not later than the
first to occur of (a) October 31,


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1998 or (b) the first day of the fifth Lease Year, and Landlord shall deliver
possession of such space to Tenant on or about the first day of the sixth Lease
Year, but in no event earlier than September 1, 1999.

                              31.3. Eighth Year Option. Landlord hereby grants
to Tenant an exclusive first option to lease from Landlord either (a) Option
Space B if not previously leased by Tenant pursuant to Sections 31.1 or 31.2
above, or (b) if Tenant shall have leased Option Space A pursuant to Section
31.1 above, and shall not have leased Option Space C pursuant to Section 31.2
above, Option Space C, on the terms herein set forth. Tenant shall exercise such
option by delivery to Landlord of a written notice of such exercise not later
than the first day of the eighth Lease Year, and Landlord shall deliver
possession of such space to Tenant on or about the first day of the ninth Lease
Year.

                              31.4 Option Terms

                                  31.4.1 The respective space leased to Tenant
pursuant to its exercise of any one of the options contained in Subsections 31.1
through 31.3, inclusive, hereof shall be referred to as an "Expansion Area". In
the event that Tenant shall exercise an option granted to it under the terms of
this Section 31, the Expansion Area shall be delivered to Tenant in "as is"
condition, except that Landlord shall undertake demolition of partitions and
other tenant improvements contained within the Expansion Area in accordance with
Tenant's reasonable specifications, at Landlord's expense prior to delivering
the Expansion Area to Tenant. Upon the date on which Landlord delivers
possession of each Expansion Area to Tenant, the Expansion Area shall constitute
a portion of the Premises (and Landlord shall inform Tenant in writing of the
then current Rentable Area of the Premises, including the Expansion Area, and
Tenant's Tax Share and Expense Share), Tenant shall promptly commence occupancy
thereof and the Expansion Area shall be fully subject to the terms, conditions
and agreements set forth in this Lease, including, without limitation, the
payment of Minimum Rent, other Rent and all other charges payable on account of
the Premises calculated as for the Premises, excepting only that the annual rate
of Minimum Rent payable for the Expansion Area shall equal the Minimum Rent
payable for the remainder of the Premises (as the same shall increase from time
to time during the remainder of the Term) plus One Dollar Fifty Cents ($1.50)
per Rentable Square Foot of the Expansion Area. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Landlord agrees that no Minimum Rent or monthly payments on account of Tenant's
Tax Share or Tenant's Expense Share shall be payable or otherwise accrue on
account of a given Expansion Area following the date on which Landlord delivers
possession of such Expansion Area to Tenant until the first to occur of (a) the
first day of the eighth (8th) week thereafter or (b) the date on which Tenant
commences occupancy of the Premises for purposes of conducting its business
therein. Landlord shall provide Tenant with an allowance equal to $22.00 per
Rentable Square Foot of the Expansion Area, reduced in the amount of $2.20 for
each Lease Year elapsed at the time Tenant takes possession of the Expansion
Area (for example, if Tenant exercises the option contained in Section 31.2,
above, such allowance shall equal $11.00 per Rentable Square Foot of the


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Expansion Area), which allowance shall be payable to Tenant in the same manner
and for the same purposes as the Construction Allowance and the Plans Allowance.

                                  31.4.2 Failure of Tenant to deliver the
prescribed notice of election to exercise its option to lease any Expansion Area
on or before the date herein specified shall irrevocably and automatically
extinguish any such option to lease the Expansion Area in question but shall not
prejudice Tenant's rights respecting any other option to lease the Expansion
Area. The exercise of an option to lease any Expansion Area shall not be
effective or permissible if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing either at the time such option is exercised or at the time possession
of the Expansion Area is delivered, and in such event Tenant's option to lease
the Expansion Area in question shall cease and be deemed rescinded by Tenant,
and Landlord may freely lease such space to a third party of Landlord's
choosing, subject to Tenant's subsequent options hereunder.

                                  31.4.3 In the event that Landlord shall be
unable to deliver possession of any Expansion Area to Tenant due to: the holding
over of any other tenant, subtenant, licensee, or other person or entity
claiming possession of all or any part of the Expansion Area, or any other
reason beyond the control of Landlord, then Landlord shall not be liable in
damages to the Tenant, and during the period that the Landlord is unable to give
possession all rights and remedies of both parties hereunder shall be suspended
insofar as they relate to the Expansion Area and the Expansion Area shall not be
deemed to be a portion of the Premises; provided, however, that in the event
that Landlord shall be able to deliver possession of the Expansion Area
thereafter, then Tenant agrees that the exercise of its option shall be
effective as of the date Landlord delivers possession of the Expansion Area to
Tenant, and that the term of this Lease shall not be or be deemed to have been
extended by virtue of such delay. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Landlord is
unable to deliver any Expansion Area on or before the ninetieth (90th) day of
the Lease Year at the commencement of which Landlord is obligated to deliver
such Expansion Area pursuant to this Section 31, Tenant may elect by notice
delivered to Landlord prior to Landlord's delivery of such Expansion Area to
Tenant to rescind Tenant's election to lease such Expansion Area. Such
rescission shall not affect any of Tenant's subsequent options with respect to
the Expansion Area hereunder, if any, and Landlord may thereupon freely lease
the Expansion Area in question to a third party of Landlord's choosing subject
to Tenant's subsequent options (if any) hereunder.

                32. Right of First Refusal. Landlord hereby grants to Tenant,
effective as of the Lease Commencement Date (but not before), a right of first
refusal to lease from Landlord during the Term of this Lease, as extended, all
(but not less than all) rentable space that becomes available for tenancy and
for which Landlord has an Offer (as hereinafter defined) on the 27th and 30th
floors of the Building during the Term of this Lease, as extended, excluding
only rentable space (a) with respect to which the then existing tenant occupying
same desires to exercise a renewal option or negotiate a new lease and (b) with
respect to which a presently existing tenant of the Building on the date of this
Lease has an expansion option, which shall be deemed to include, without
limitation, a right of first refusal or a right of first offer pre-dating


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this Lease, entitling it to lease such space (such rentable space being herein
referred to as the "Available Space"), in "as is" condition, on the following
terms and conditions: In the event that Landlord should receive a bona fide
offer from any third party to rent all or any portion of the Available Space (an
"Offer"), Landlord shall deliver a copy of the offer to Tenant. If Tenant does
not execute and return to Landlord a letter agreeing to lease the Available
Space on all the terms and conditions contained in the Offer within fifteen (15)
Business Days following Tenant's receipt of the Offer, Landlord may thereafter
complete the leasing of the Available Space to any third party in accordance
with the terms of the Offer within a period not to exceed 180 days. If Landlord
does not complete such leasing within one hundred eighty (180) days, Tenant's
right of first refusal with respect to such portion of the Available Space shall
be reinstated. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the
event that Landlord shall receive and present to Tenant Offers respecting more
than one portion of the Available Space at the same time, Tenant may elect to
accept any number or none of the Offers and shall not be deemed obligated to
accept all of such Offers. Landlord hereby advises Tenant, for informational
purposes only, that the leases of the tenants on the 27th floor of the Building
on the date of this Lease do not contain any renewal or expansion rights.

                33. Contraction Option. Landlord hereby grants to Tenant the
option to terminate this Lease with respect to up to a maximum of seven thousand
five hundred (7,500) Rentable Square Feet of space contained within the then
current Premises on the 30th floor of the Building ("Contraction Space"),
subject to Landlord's reasonable approval of the area, location and
configuration of the space with respect to which this Lease is so terminated in
order to insure the reasonable marketability thereof to third parties for office
purposes, on the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth. By
written notice to Landlord on or before the first day of the fifth Lease Year,
Tenant may terminate this Lease with respect to the Contraction Space effective
at the close of the last day of the fifth Lease Year. In the event Tenant fails
to exercise such option then Tenant shall also have the option, exercisable by
written notice delivered to Landlord on or before the first day of the eighth
Lease Year, to terminate this Lease with respect to the Contraction Space
effective at the close of the last day of the eighth Lease Year. Failure to give
timely notice of election shall be deemed a waiver of the respective option
herein contained, but a waiver of or failure to timely exercise the first such
option shall not preclude the timely exercise of the second such option.
Tenant's exercise of the options herein contained shall be irrevocable and shall
be absolutely subject to satisfaction of the following terms and conditions:

                              33.1 Contraction Fee. Tenant's notice of
contraction must be accompanied by Tenant's good bank check or other payment
acceptable to Landlord in an amount equal to the aggregate of (i) three monthly
payments of Minimum Rent for the portion of the Premises with respect to which
Tenant is terminating this Lease (pro rated on a per Rentable Square Foot basis)
(which sum shall not be credited to Minimum Rent owing under this Lease), plus
(ii) three monthly payments on account of Tenant's Tax Share and Tenant's
Expense Share in the amounts Tenant is then paying as additional rent for the
portion of the Premises with respect to which Tenant is terminating this Lease
(pro rated on a per Rentable Square Foot basis) (which payments shall not be
credited to Tenant's Tax Share or Tenant's Expense Share), plus


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(iii) the sum derived by multiplying the then unamortized Landlord's Cost of
Leasing (hereinafter defined) (assuming straight line amortization at a rate of
8% per annum over the Term, except with respect to the Construction Allowance,
which shall be amortized at 6.5% per annum over the Term), by the percentage
derived by dividing the Rentable Square Footage of the Contraction Space by the
Rentable Square Footage of the entire Premises prior to such termination. The
term "Landlord's Cost of Leasing" shall mean the aggregate cost to Landlord of
Landlord's Work performed under Section 7.4, above, the Construction Allowance,
the Plans Allowance, the Minimum Rent and additional rent Tenant was excused
from paying under Section 4.1, above, and all real estate brokerage fees and
commissions paid to Binswanger and Agent by Landlord and all reasonable legal
fees paid by Landlord in connection with Tenant's execution of this Lease.

                              33.2 Vacation. Upon election hereunder to
terminate this Lease with respect to the Contraction Space, Tenant shall vacate
the Contraction Space on or before the effective date of the termination of this
Lease with respect thereto, and such space shall be left in the condition in
which the Premises is required to be left at the time of the termination of this
Lease.

                34. Termination Option. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
elsewhere contained in this Lease, Tenant is hereby given the option to
terminate the Term effective at the close of the last day of the seventh Lease
Year, the last day of the eighth Lease Year or the last day of the ninth Lease
Year, as Tenant shall elect, provided Tenant gives Landlord at least twelve (12)
months prior written notice of such election. Failure to give timely notice of
termination shall be deemed a waiver of the option in question, but a waiver of
or failure to timely exercise any single option shall not preclude the timely
exercise of any subsequent option. Such termination shall be with respect to the
entire Premises shall be irrevocable, and shall be absolutely subject to
satisfaction of the following terms and conditions:

                              34.1 Termination Payment. Tenant's notice of
termination must be accompanied by Tenant's good bank check or other payment
acceptable to Landlord in an amount equal to the aggregate of (i) two monthly
payments of Minimum Rent for the entire Premises as then constituted (which sum
shall not be credited to Minimum Rent owing under this Lease), plus (ii) two
monthly payments on account of Tenant's Tax Share and Tenant's Expense Share in
the amounts Tenant is then paying as additional rent with respect to the entire
Premises (which payments shall not be credited to Tenant's Tax Share or Tenant's
Expense Share), plus (iii) the then unamortized Landlord's Cost of Leasing
(assuming straight line amortization at a rate of 8% per annum over the Term,
except with respect to the Construction Allowance, which shall be amortized at
6.5% per annum over the Term).

                              34.2 Vacation. Upon election hereunder to
terminate this Lease, Tenant shall vacate the Premises on or before the
effective date of the termination of this Lease, and shall leave same in the
condition in which the Premises is required to be left on the Termination Date.


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                35. Miscellaneous

                              35.1 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.]

                              35.2 No Reservation or Option. The submission of
this Lease for examination does not constitute an offer to lease, or a
reservation of or option for the Premises, and this Lease becomes effective only
upon execution and delivery thereof by both Landlord and Tenant. In
consideration of Landlord's administrative expense in considering this Lease and
the term of Tenant's proposed tenancy hereunder, Landlord's reservation of the
leased Premises pending such consideration and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
Tenant's submission to Landlord of this Lease, duly executed by Tenant, shall
constitute Tenant's irrevocable offer to continue for twelve (12) Business Days
from and after receipt by Landlord of the said Lease duly executed by Tenant or
until Landlord shall deliver to Tenant written notice of rejection of Tenant's
offer, whichever shall first occur. If within said twelve (12) Business Day
period Landlord shall neither return the Lease duly executed by Landlord nor so
advise Tenant of Landlord's rejection of Tenant's offer, then after said twelve
(12) Business Day period Tenant shall be free to revoke its offer, provided,
however, Tenant's offer shall continue until (a) ten (10) days after revoked by
Tenant in writing or (b) accepted or rejected by Landlord, whichever shall first
occur.

                              35.3 Non Waiver. The failure of either party
hereto in any one or more instances to insist upon the strict performance of any
one or more of the agreements, terms, covenants, conditions or obligations of
this Lease, or to exercise any right, remedy or election herein contained, shall
not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of the right to insist upon such
performance or exercise in the future, and such right shall continue and remain
in full force and effect with respect to any subsequent breach, act or omission.

                              35.4 Partial Payment. No payment by Tenant or
receipt by Landlord of a lesser amount than the correct Minimum Rent or
Additional Rent due hereunder shall be deemed to be other than a payment on
account, nor shall any endorsement or statement on any check or any letter
accompanying any check or payment be deemed to effect or evidence an accord and
satisfaction and Landlord may accept such check or payment without prejudice to
Landlord's right to recover the balance or pursue any other remedy in this Lease
or at law provided.

                              35.5 Prior Agreements; Amendments. This Lease
constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject
matter contained herein. Neither party hereto has made any representations or
promises to the other except as expressly contained herein. This Lease
supersedes all prior negotiations, agreements, informational brochures, letters,
promotional information and other statements and materials made or furnished by
Landlord or its agents. No rights, easements or licenses are acquired in the
Property or in any land adjacent thereto, by Tenant by implication or otherwise,
except as expressly set forth in this


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Lease. No agreement hereinafter made shall be effective to change, modify,
discharge or effect an abandonment of this Lease, in whole or in part, unless
such agreement is in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement of
the change, modification, discharge or abandonment is sought.

                              35.6 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

                              35.7 Partial Invalidity. If any of the provisions
of this Lease, or the application thereof to any person or circumstances, shall,
to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Lease, or the
application of such provision or provisions to persons or circumstances other
than those as to whom or which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be
affected thereby, and every provision of this Lease shall be valid and
enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

                              35.8 Common Facilities. Tenant and its agents,
employees and invitees, shall have the right to use, in common with all others
granted such rights by Landlord, in a proper and lawful manner, the common
walkways and sidewalks on the Property, the common entranceways, lobbies,
elevators and stairways, furnishing access to the Premises, and (if the Premises
includes less than a full floor) the common lobbies, hallways and toilet rooms
on the floor on which the Premises is located. Such use shall be subject to such
reasonable rules, regulations and requirements as Landlord may from time to time
prescribe with respect thereto.

                              35.9 Choice of Law. This Lease has been executed
and delivered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and shall be construed in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Any action brought
to enforce or interpret this Lease shall be brought in the court of appropriate
jurisdiction in the county in which the Building is located. Should any
provision of this Lease require judicial interpretation, it is agreed that the
court interpreting or considering same shall not apply the presumption that the
terms hereof shall be more strictly construed against a party by reason of the
rule or conclusion that a document should be construed more strictly against the
party who itself or through its agent prepared the same. It is agreed and
stipulated that all parties hereto have participated equally in the preparation
of this Lease and that legal counsel was consulted by each responsible party
before the execution of this Lease.

                              35.10 No Recordation. This Lease shall not be
recorded in whole or in memorandum form by either party hereto without the prior
written consent of the other.

                              35.11 Receipt of Money. No receipt of money by
Landlord from Tenant after the termination of this Lease or after the service of
any notice or after the commencement of any suit, or after final judgment for
the possession of the Premises, shall reinstate, continue or extend the Term of
this Lease or affect any such notice, demand or suit or imply consent for any
action for which Landlord's consent is required.


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<PAGE>


                              35.12 No Joint Venture. This Lease shall create
only the relationship of Landlord and Tenant between Landlord and Tenant and no
fee estate shall pass out of Landlord. Nothing herein is intended to be
construed as creating a joint venture or partnership relationship between the
parties hereto.

                              35.13 No Third Party Beneficiaries.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no provision of this
Lease is intended to benefit any party other than the signatories hereto and
their permitted heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns, and no
provision of this Lease shall be enforceable by any other party.

                              35.14 Exhibits. All exhibits referred to in this
Lease are attached hereto and shall be deemed an integral part hereof.

                              35.15 Captions. The captions included in this
Lease, whether for sections, subsections, paragraphs, Table of Contents,
Exhibits, or otherwise, are inserted and included solely for convenience and
shall not be considered or given any effect in construing the provisions hereof,
and are not to be used in interpreting this Lease or for any other purpose in
the event of any controversy.

                              35.16 Representations. Landlord and Agent have
made no representation, agreement, condition, warranty, understanding, or
promise, either oral or written, other than as set forth herein, with respect to
this Lease, the Property, the Premises, or otherwise.

                              35.17 Gender; Plural Terms; Persons. The
masculine, feminine, or neuter pronoun shall each include the masculine,
feminine, and neuter genders. A reference to person shall mean a natural person,
a trustee, a corporation, a partnership and any other form of legal entity. All
references (including pronouns) in the singular or plural number shall be deemed
to have been made, respectively, in the plural or singular number as well, as
the context may require.

                              35.18 Time. Time is of the essence of this Lease
and all of its provisions.

                              35.19 Waiver of Jury Trial. It is mutually agreed
by and between Landlord and Tenant that they hereby waive trial by jury in any
action proceeding or counter-claim brought by either of the parties hereto
against the other on any matter whatsoever arising out of or in any way
connected with this Lease, the relationship of Landlord and Tenant, Tenant's use
or occupancy of the Premises or claim of injury or damage.

                              35.20 Parking Spaces. Landlord shall make
available to Tenant within 30 days of the Lease Commencement Date eighteen (18)
monthly contract parking spaces on a non-reserved basis in the Garage Space.
Thereupon, if Tenant so elects, Tenant may


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<PAGE>


contract at Tenant's expense with the Garage Space operator for the use of such
spaces throughout the Term and any renewals thereof, or for such lesser period
as Tenant may elect, and shall abide by all reasonable rules and regulations
uniformly applicable to users of parking spaces in the Garage Space. Such
parking spaces shall be for use solely by Tenant and Tenant's sublessees, agents
and invitees.

                              35.21 Survival Notwithstanding any termination of
the Term of this Lease for any reason, obligations of the parties hereunder
which arose prior to such termination (such as the payment of Rent) or relate
back to an event which occurred during the Term (such as releases and
indemnities herein contained) shall survive such termination and remain fully
enforceable thereafter for the period of the applicable statute of limitations.

                              35.22 Guaranty. As a material inducement to
Landlord to enter into this Lease, Tenant agrees to cause PMA Reinsurance
Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation, to execute and deliver to Landlord an
unconditional agreement to guarantee and become surety for the full performance
of Tenant's obligations under this Lease, said agreement to be in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit "I" and incorporated herein by reference, and to be
delivered to Landlord, duly executed by said guarantor, simultaneously with
Tenant's execution and delivery of this Lease to Landlord.

                              35.23 Time for Performance. In the event any
performance of the obligations imposed by this Lease is required on a Saturday,
Sunday or Holiday the time for such performance shall automatically extend until
the next following Business Day.

                              35.24 Fire Stair Access. Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Lease to the contrary, Tenant may utilize the fire stairways
connecting the several floors of the Building on which the Premises are located
for purposes of access between floors of the Premises by Tenant's employees and
invitees, in the same manner as if such fire stairways were part of the
Premises, on the following terms and conditions:

                                  35.24.1 Subject to Tenant's compliance with
the requirements of Sections 10.7 and 11.6 of this Lease and receipt of all
necessary permits, licenses and approvals from governmental entities and
agencies having jurisdiction, including without limitation the Philadelphia Fire
Marshall's office (copies of which permits, licenses and approvals shall be
delivered to Landlord prior to the commencement of any work in the fire
stairways), Tenant may paint and install lighting in that portion of the fire
stairways beginning on and including the landing serving the lowest floor of the
Premises and ending on and including the landing serving the highest floor of
the Premises (excluding any non-contiguous floors of the Premises), at Tenant's
sole expense, provided that Tenant may not carpet such portion of the fire
stairways. In connection with such work, and subject as aforesaid, Tenant shall
install Weigand card readers compatible with the existing Building card access
system and the Building fire alarm system in the stairwells to permit access
through the fire stairway doors to the Premises.


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                                  35.24.2 Solely for purposes of Sections 10.6,
10.7, 14 and 15 of this Lease, those portions of the fire stairways so painted
and lit by Tenant shall be deemed part of the Premises. Likewise, all rules and
regulations applicable to the Premises shall be applicable to Tenant's use of
the fire stairways. For all other purposes, the fire stairways shall not be part
of the Premises. Tenant shall not be obligated to pay any Rent on account of its
use of the fire stairways.

                                  35.24.3 Tenant's use of the fire stairways
shall be in common with Landlord and all other tenants of the Building, and
their respective employees, agents, contractors and invitees.

                                  35.24.4 The parties intend that the portion of
the fire stairways decorated by Tenant hereunder shall not receive janitorial
services of a different type or with greater frequency than the remainder of the
fire stairways of the Building.

                                  35.24.5 Tenant shall not allow Tenant's
employees and invitees to utilize the remainder of the fire stairways in the
Building except in the event of an emergency or Building fire drill.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound hereby,
the parties hereto have caused this Lease to be executed by their duly
authorized representatives as of the day and year first above written.


                                          TENANT

                                            LORJO CORP.

Attest:

/s/ Paul T. Luber                           By: /s/ John W. Smithson
- - - -----------------------------                   -------------------------------
Name: Paul T. Luber                             Name:  John W. Smithson
Title: Assistant Secretary                      Title: Vice President

[Corporate Seal]


                                          LANDLORD

Witness:                                    NINE PENN CENTER ASSOCIATES, L.P.

                                            By Transportation Associates, a
                                            Pennsylvania limited partnership,
                                            its managing general partner


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<PAGE>


                                            By: /s/ Ronald Rubin
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:  Ronald Rubin
                                                Title: Managing General Partner


                                            By The Equitable Life Assurance
                                            Society of the United States,
                                            general partner


                                            By: /s/ Frederick F. Buchholz
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:  Frederick F. Buchholz
                                                Title: Investment Officer


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<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT B

                             [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]


                                      -i-

<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT C

                                       To
                            Mellon Bank Center Lease


                               MELLON BANK CENTER
                              RULES AND REGULATIONS


                1. The entrances, sidewalks, halls, passages, concourses, plaza,
elevators, lobbies, stairways, and driveways shall not be obstructed by Tenant
or used for any purpose other than for ingress to and egress from the Premises.
The halls, passages, entrances, elevators, stairways, balconies and roof are not
for the use of the general public, and Landlord shall in all cases retain the
right to control and prevent access thereto of all persons whose presence in the
judgment of Landlord shall be prejudicial to the safety, or interest of the
Building or its tenants, provided that nothing herein contained shall be
construed to prevent such access to persons with whom Tenant normally deals in
the ordinary course of its business including Tenant's employees, agents,
contractors, guests and invitees, unless such persons are engaged in illegal
activities.

                2. Tenant, its employees, contractors, agents, servants,
visitors, and licensees shall not go upon the roof or mechanical floors of the
Building without the written consent of Landlord which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed during the course of the Tenant Work.

                3. The exterior windows and doors that reflect or admit light or
air into the Premises or the halls, passageways or other public places in the
Building or the Property, shall not be covered or obstructed by Tenant. No
showcase or other articles shall be put in front or affixed to any part of the
exterior of the Building or the Property, nor placed in the halls, corridors or
vestibules, nor shall any article obstruct any air-conditioning supply or
exhaust.

                4. No awnings, air conditioning units, fans, aerials, antennas,
or other projections or similar devices shall be attached to the Building,
regardless of whether inside the Building or on its facade or its roof, without
the prior written consent of Landlord. No curtains, blinds, shades or screens
shall be attached to or hung in, or used in connection with, any window, transom
or door of the Premises or the Building without the prior written consent of
Landlord. All curtains, blinds, shades, screens, and other fixtures must be of a
quality, type, design and color, and attached in the manner approved by
Landlord. All electrical fixtures shall be fluorescent, of a quality, type,
design, and color approved by Landlord unless the prior consent of Landlord has
been obtained for any other lighting or lamping.

                5. No Tenant or employees, contractors, agents, servants,
visitors, or licensees of Tenant shall sweep or throw or permit to be placed,
left or discarded from the Premises any


                                      -i-

<PAGE>


rubbish, paper, articles, objects or other substances into any of the corridors
or halls, elevators, or out of the doors or stairways of the Building.

                6. Tenant shall at all times keep the Premises neat and orderly.

                7. Tenant shall not mark or in any other way deface any part of
the Premises, Building or Property. The ceiling shall not be used for the
suspension of any item or fixture, including, without limitation, plants and
decorative items. No boring, drilling of nails or screws, cutting or stringing
of wires shall be permitted within the Building or the Property (excluding the
Premises), except with the prior written consent of Landlord and as Landlord may
direct. Tenant shall not lay floor tile or other similar floor covering in the
Premises, except with the prior approval of Landlord which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Floor covering shall be affixed
to the floor in a manner which permits easy removal and shall be subject to
approval by Landlord prior to installation.

                8. No freight, furniture of bulky matter of any description
shall be received into the Building or carried into the passenger or service
elevators except during hours and in a manner approved by Landlord. Any hand
trucks, carryalls, or similar appliances used for delivery or receipt of
merchandise or equipment shall be equipped with rubber tires, side guards and
such other safeguards as Landlord shall reasonably require.

                9. Tenant shall not permit any work to be done or service to be
rendered in the Premises, including moving of goods into or out of the Premises,
involving the employment of labor incompatible with the employees or contractors
doing work or performing services by or on behalf of Landlord.

                10. Any tenant deciding to move any equipment or office
furniture into, out of, or within the Building, requiring more than two (2)
elevator trips, must notify Landlord at least one (1) week in advance of
intended move. Any move involving lesser use of the freight elevators or use on
Saturday or Sunday shall require twenty-four (24) hours notice. Such
notification shall include: (i) the date of the move, (ii) the time of move
(which shall not be during normal working hours on Business Days without
Landlord's consent), (iii) the number of elevators and operators required for
the move, and (iv) an agreement by the Tenant to pay the then prevailing charge
for the use of the elevators and operators. Upon receipt of the above
information, Landlord, or its agent, will issue a letter of authorization to the
Tenant to arrange for elevator operators.

                11. The freight elevator shall not be used by Tenant without
Landlord's prior approval.

                12. Tenant shall not alter any lock or install a new or
additional lock or any bolt or other security device on any door of the Premises
without prior written consent of Landlord.


                                      -ii-

<PAGE>


If Landlord shall give its consent, Tenant shall in each case furnish Landlord
with two keys for each such lock and security device.

                13. Dock facilities are to be used only for loading and
unloading procedures. No parking or storage privileges are extended.

                14. No dumpsters are to be placed at the loading dock without
prior notification and approval by Landlord which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

                15. If Tenant desires telecommunications signalling, telephonic,
protective alarm, connections, or other such wires, apparatus, or devices,
Landlord will direct electricians as to where and how the wires are to be
introduced. No boring or cutting for wires or otherwise shall be made without
directions and approval from Landlord, which shall not be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed. All wires must be clearly tagged at the distributing
boards and junction boxes, and elsewhere as reasonably required by Landlord,
with the number of the office to which said wires lead, the purpose of the
wires, and the name of the concern, if any, operating or servicing the same.

                16. The electrical, mechanical, and telephone closets, water and
wash closets, drinking fountains and other plumbing, electrical and mechanical
fixtures shall not be used for any purposes other than those for which they were
constructed, and no sweepings, rubbish, rags, coffee grounds, acids or other
substances shall be deposited therein. No access to the electrical, mechanical
and telephone closets will be permitted without the prior consent of Landlord
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. All
damages resulting from any misuse of the fixtures shall be borne by the Tenant
who, or whose servants, employees, agents, visitors or licensees, shall have
caused the same. No person shall waste water by interfering or tampering with
the faucets or otherwise.


                17.Tenant shall not create, execute, or deliver any financing or
security agreement of any kind that may be considered or give rise to any lien
upon the Premises, the Building, or the Property.

                18. No portion of the Premises, Building, or Property shall be
used or occupied at any time for manufacturing, for the storage of merchandise,
for the sale of merchandise, goods or property of any kind at auction or at
retail, or as sleeping or lodging quarters.

                19. In the design, layout, construction, renovation, and/or
installation of Tenant's demising walls, partitions, furniture, fixtures,
equipment, and all other improvements and betterments of or in the Premises, the
live load of seventy (70) pounds per square foot shall not be exceeded at any
time.


                                     -iii-

<PAGE>


                20. Tenant shall not engage or pay any employees on the
Premises, except those actually working for such Tenant on said Premises, and
Tenant shall not advertise for labor giving an address at said Premises.

                21. No bicycles, vehicles, animals, or birds of any kind (other
than a seeing-eye dog for a blind person), shall be brought into or kept by
Tenant in or about the Premises, the Building, or the Property.

                22. Tenant shall not do or commit, or suffer to be done or
committed, any act or thing whereby, or in consequence whereof, the rights of
other tenants will be materially obstructed or interfered with, or other tenants
will in any other way be injured or annoyed, or whereby the Building will be
damaged, nor shall Tenant cause or suffer to be caused any noise, vibrations,
obnoxious odors, or electronic interference which disturbs other tenants, the
operation of their equipment or the operation of any equipment in the Building
(including, without limitation, radio, television reception). Tenant shall not
suffer nor permit the Premises or any part thereof to be used in any manner or
anything to be done therein nor suffer nor permit anything to be brought into or
kept in the Premises which, in the reasonable judgment of Landlord, shall in any
way impair or tend to materially impair the appearance of the Building.

                23. Tenant shall not serve, nor permit the serving of alcoholic
beverages in the Premises unless Tenant shall have procured Host Liquor
Liability Insurance, issued by companies and in amounts reasonably satisfactory
to Landlord, naming Landlord as an additional party insured.

                24. Except as otherwise explicitly permitted in its lease,
Tenant shall not allow any open flames, cooking, the operation or conduct of any
restaurant, luncheonette or cafeteria for the sale or service of food or
beverages to its employees or to others, except for food and beverage vending
machines, microwave ovens and hot plates and, at catered affairs only, chafing
dishes, or install or permit the installation or use of any cigarette, cigar or
stamp dispensing machine.

                25. Any person in the Building will be subject to identification
by employees and agents of Landlord. All persons in or entering Building shall
be required to comply with the security policies of the Building. Tenant shall
keep doors to unattended areas locked, and shall otherwise exercise reasonable
precautions to protect property from theft, loss or damage.

                26. In case of invasion, mob, riot, public excitement, or other
commotion, Landlord reserves the right to prevent access to the Building during
the continuance of the same by closing the doors or otherwise for the safety of
Tenants or Landlord and protection of property in the Building.

                27. Landlord shall, in no case, be responsible for the admission
or exclusion of any person to or from the Building for access or for invasion,
hostile attack, insurrection, mob violence, riot, public excitement or other
commotion.


                                      -iv-

<PAGE>


                28. Tenant shall immediately notify Landlord of any injury to a
person or damage to property regardless of cause within the Premises and all
public areas within the Building.

                29. Canvassing, soliciting, and peddling in the Building is
prohibited and Tenant shall cooperate in preventing the same, and report all
such activity to Landlord.

                30. Tenant, upon the termination of the tenancy, shall deliver
to Landlord all of the keys, combinations to all locks, of offices, rooms and
toilet rooms which shall have been furnished Tenant or which Tenant shall have
made.

                31. These Rules and Regulations shall be read in conjunction
with the Lease and the Exhibits thereto. To the extent these Rules and
Regulations are inconsistent with the remainder of the Lease and Exhibits, the
Lease and other Exhibits shall control.

                32. Landlord may, by ten (10) days written notice to Tenant,
promulgate additional rules and regulations, and/or modifications of the rules
and regulations which are, in Landlord's reasonable judgment, desirable for the
general safety, comfort and convenience of occupants and tenants in the
Building. All such rules and regulations shall be deemed a part of this Lease,
with the same effect as though written herein. Landlord shall enforce all rules
and regulations uniformly against all Office Space tenants in the Building
(except the Pyramid Club).


                                      -v-

<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT "D"
                                       To
                            Mellon Bank Center Lease

                             Index of Defined Terms


             Term                                      Section in Which Defined
             ----                                      ------------------------

             Additional Rent                                       1
             Affiliate                                             1
             Agent                                                 1
             Application for Payment                               7.7.2
             Base Building Plans                                   7.1
             Building                                              2.1
             Business Hours                                        1
             Capital Expenditures                                  6.1.3.24
             Confirmation Memorandum                               3.6
             Construction Allowance                                1
             Construction Documents                                7.3.3
             Deficiencies                                          5.2.5


                                      -i-

<PAGE>


             Design Development Documents                          7.3.2
             Expansion Area                                        31.3.1
             Expense Share Date                                    6.2.1.2
             First Lease Year                                      3.1
             HVAC                                                  8.1
             Indemnify                                             14.2
             Issued for Construction                               7.3.4.4
             Land                                                  1
             Landlord                                              1
             Landlord's Cost                                       7.8.1
             Lease Commencement Date                               3.1
             Lease Interest Rate                                   1
             Lease Year                                            3.1
             Minimum Rent                                          4
             Monthly Operating Expense Estimate                    6.2.1.1
             Notifying Party                                       15.10
             Office Space                                          2.1
             Operating Expenses                                    6.1.3
             Operating Expense Statement                           6.1.8
             Operating Year                                        6.1.1
             Permitted Use                                         1
             Pledge                                                12.1
             Premises                                              2.1
             Prime Rate                                            1
             Profit                                                12.7
             Property                                              1
             Real Estate Taxes                                     5.1.1
             Renewal Term                                          30.1
             Rent                                                  4.4
             Rentable Area                                         1
             Rentable Square Feet                                  1
             Schematic Design Documents                            7.3.1
             Sublet Notice                                         12.4
             Sublet Space                                          12.5
             Tax Statement                                         5.1.5
             Tax Year                                              5.1.4
             Tenant                                                29.2
             Tenant Work                                           7.5
             Tenant's Construction Representative                  7.2
             Tenant's Expense Share                                6.1.2
             Tenant's Tax Share                                    5.1.3
             Term                                                  3.1.1
             Termination Date                                      3.1


                                      -ii-

<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT E

                                       To
                            Mellon Bank Center Lease

                         TENANT'S CONTRACTORS' INSURANCE


                Prior to approving any contractor or subcontractor, Landlord may
require each contractor and subcontractor to obtain the following insurance, at
its own expense, in amounts not less than those specified below:

                1.  Worker's Compensation insurance in accordance with the laws
                    of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

                2.  Employer's Liability insurance in an amount not less than
                    $1,000,000.

                3.  Commercial General Liability insurance on an occurrence form
                    for: (a) bodily injury, and (b) property damage liability,
                    with limits of $1,000,000 combined single limit, each
                    occurrence. Such insurance policy shall include, but shall
                    not be limited to: CGL Form, Premises - Operation,
                    Explosion, Collapse, Underground Hazard, Products/Completed
                    Operations Hazard , Blanket Contractual Coverage (including
                    coverage for the Indemnity Clauses provided under this
                    Contract), Broad Form Property Damage, Independent
                    Contractors, Personal Injury.

                4.  Business Automobile Liability covering owned, hired, and
                    non-owned vehicles with limits of $1,000,000 combined single
                    limit each occurrence.

                The above insurances (#3 through #4) shall, without liability on
the part of Landlord(s) and Agent for premiums thereof include the following:

                A.  Endorsement as Additional Insureds of:

                    a.  Landlord(s) and Agent and their partners, directors,
officers, employees, agents and representatives; and

                B.  Thirty (30) day prior notice of cancellation to each named
                    insured.


                                      -i-

<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT "G"
                                       TO
                            MELLON BANK CENTER LEASE

                             CLEANING SPECIFICATIONS

IT IS THE INTENT OF THIS EXHIBIT THAT THE BUILDING BE KEPT NEAT AND CLEAN AT ALL
TIMES. THE SPECIFICATIONS OUTLINED BELOW SHOULD, THEREFORE, BE REFERRED TO AS A
MINIMUM STANDARD.

- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General Cleaning five (5) nights per week, Sunday through Thursday nights,
unless excluded by Union contract, and further, excluding Union Holidays.

NIGHTLY

     1.   Empty and damp wipe all ash trays.

     2.   Empty and dust wipe all waste receptacles.

     3.   Place waste in bags and leave in designated area off Tenant's
          premises.

     4.   Empty, clean and refill smoking urns as needed.

     5.   Dust all areas within hand high reach; this includes window sills,
          wall ledges, chairs, desks, tables, baseboards, file cabinets,
          radiators, pictures and all manner of office furniture.

     6.   Damp wipe all glass top desks and tables.

     7.   Damp wipe spillage on furniture in lounges and lunch room areas.

     8.   Sweep with treated cloths all composition tile flooring.

     9.   Vacuum all carpeted areas and remove spots. Spot vacuum one night,
          full vacuum every other night.

    10.   Sweep and wash rubber mats as necessary.


                                      -i-

<PAGE>


GENERAL OFFICE AREAS

Quarterly

          Strip, scrub and wash all composition tile flooring.

HIGH DUSTING

Monthly

     1.   High dust all walls, ledges, pictures, anemostats and registers of
          public areas not reached in normal nightly cleaning.

     2.   High dust all walls, ledges, pictures, files, anemostats and registers
          of office areas not reached in normal nightly cleaning.


LIGHTS

Quarterly

          Dust all lighting fixtures in public areas.

Yearly

     1.   Wash all lighting fixtures in public areas. (*)

     2.   Wash all lighting fixtures in office areas. (*)

          (*) We would expect lighting fixtures to be dusted on tube
              replacement.


STAIRWAYS

Weekly

          Sweep and dust stairways.

Monthly

     1.   Wash all stairways other than fire tower.

     2.   Sweep and dust fire tower stairways.


                                      -ii-

<PAGE>


Semi-Annually

          Wash fire tower stairways.


ELEVATOR & ESCALATORS

Weekly

     1.   Clean Passenger elevator saddles.

     2.   Clean Freight elevator saddles.


MISCELLANEOUS

Yearly

          Wash marble walls.


AS NECESSARY

          Snow removal.


DAY PORTER SERVICE

     1.   Police all public areas and men's toilets in Tenant's Premises twice
          daily.

     2.   Refill toilet room dispensers in Tenant's Premises as needed twice
          daily.

     3.   Sweep sidewalks.

     4.   Remove fingermarks from entrance doors.

     5.   Set out foul weather mats when necessary.


DAY MATRON SERVICES (Twice during daily working hours)

     1.   Police ladies' restrooms in Tenant's Premises.


                                     -iii-

<PAGE>


     2.   Refill all toilet room dispensers in Tenant's Premises, including
          sanitary napkins.


WINDOW CLEANING SERVICES (Weather and access permitting)

Daily

     1.   Clean entrance doors.

     2.   Clean glass in directors.

Every Three Months

     1.   Clean all windows inside and out.

     2.   Clean clear interior partition glass. (*)

Every Six Months

          Clean frosted interior partition glass. (*)

          (*) Spot clean all glass, if needed, by night cleaning crew.


                                      -iv-

<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT I
                                       To
                            Mellon Bank Center Lease

                                GUARANTY OF LEASE

                WHEREAS, a certain Lease of even date herewith has been or will
be executed by and between Nine Penn Center Associates, L.P. ("Landlord"), and
LORJO CORP., a Pennsylvania corporation ("Tenant"), covering certain premises in
the building known as Mellon Bank Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (the
"Lease"); and

                WHEREAS, the Landlord requires as a condition to its execution
of the Lease, that the undersigned unconditionally becomes a surety to Landlord
for the obligations of Tenant under the Lease; and

                WHEREAS, the undersigned is a principal of Tenant and as such is
desirous that Landlord enter into the Lease with Tenant.


                                      -i-

<PAGE>


                NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the execution of the Lease by
Landlord and other good and valuable consideration and intending to be legally
bound hereby, the undersigned hereby unconditionally becomes surety to Landlord,
its successors and assigns for the full, faithful and punctual performance of
each and all of the covenants, agreements and conditions of the Lease to be kept
and performed by Tenant, in accordance with and within the times, terms and
conditions prescribed by the Lease as well as all other liabilities now or
hereafter contracted by Tenant with Landlord together with all reasonable costs
and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) incurred by Landlord in
connection with the enforcement or collection of any of the foregoing
(hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Liabilities"). The undersigned
further agrees as follows:

                1. Landlord shall have the right from time to time, and at any
time in its sole discretion, without notice to or consent from the undersigned,
or without affecting, impairing or discharging in whole or in part, the
Liabilities of the Tenant or the obligations of the undersigned hereunder, to
modify, change, extend, alter, amend, or supplement in any respect whatever, the
Lease, or any agreement or transaction between Landlord and Tenant or between
Landlord and any other party liable for the Liabilities, or any portion or
provision thereof; to grant extensions of time and other indulgences of any kind
to Tenant; to compromise, release, substitute, exercise, enforce or fail to
refuse to exercise or enforce any claims, rights, or remedies of any kind which
Landlord may have at any time against Tenant or any other party liable for the
Liabilities, or any thereof, or with respect to any security of any kind held by
Landlord at any time under any agreement or otherwise. The obligations of the
undersigned hereunder shall not be affected, impaired or discharged. in whole or
in part, by reason of any action whatsoever taken by Landlord, including,
without limitation, any sale, lease, disposition, liquidation or other
realization (which may be negligent, willful or otherwise with respect to any
security in which Landlord may at any time have any interest or against any
other party liable for all or any part of the Liabilities).

                2. The undersigned waives: (a) all notices, including but not
limited to (i) notice of acceptance of this Guaranty; (ii) notice of
presentment, demand for payment, or protest of any of the Liabilities, or the
obligation of any person, firm, or corporation held by Landlord as collateral
security; (b) all defenses, offsets and counterclaims which the undersigned may
at any time have to any of the Liabilities; (c) trial by jury and the right
thereto in any proceeding of any kind, whether arising on or out of, under or by
reason of this Guaranty, or any other agreement or transaction between the
undersigned, Landlord and/or Tenant; and (d) all notices of the financial
condition or of any adverse or other change in the financial condition of
Tenant.

                3. Landlord may, without notice, assign this Guaranty in whole
or in part, and no assignment of this Guaranty or assignment or transfer of the
Lease or subletting of the Demised Premises shall operate to extinguish or
diminish the liability of the undersigned hereunder.


                                      -ii-

<PAGE>


                4. The liability of the undersigned under this Guaranty shall be
primary under any right of action which shall accrue to Landlord under the Lease
and Landlord may, at its option, proceed against the undersigned without having
to commence any action, or having obtained any judgment against Tenant.

                5. All of the Liabilities and the obligations of the undersigned
hereunder shall be immediately due and payable by the undersigned, anything
contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, immediately upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Lease) whether or not
Landlord has exercised any option which it may have to require payment in full
or acceleration of payment of the Liabilities from any other person liable for
payment of the Liabilities.

                6. The undersigned agrees and consents to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the Courts of Common Pleas of Pennsylvania and/or the United
States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in any and all
actions and proceedings whether arising hereunder or under any other agreement
or undertaking between the undersigned, Landlord and/or Tenant and irrevocably
agrees to service of process by certified mail, return receipt requested, to its
address set forth herein.

                7. The obligations of the undersigned hereunder shall not be
affected, impaired or discharged, in whole or in part, by reason of: (a) the
entry of an order for relief pursuant to the United States Bankruptcy Code by or
against Tenant or the undersigned; (b) the proposal of or the consummation of a
plan of reorganization concerning Tenant or the undersigned; or (c) the
assignment of Tenant's obligations pursuant to (i) the Lease; (ii) an order of
court; or (iii) by operation of law.

                8. The waiver of any right by Landlord or its failure to
exercise promptly any right shall not be construed as the waiver of any other
right including the right to exercise the same at any time thereafter. No waiver
of modification of any of the terms or conditions of this Guaranty shall be
binding against Landlord unless such waiver or modification is in a writing
signed by Landlord.

                9. Any acknowledgement, new promise, payment of rent or other
sums by Tenant or others with respect to the Liabilities of Tenant, shall be
deemed to be made as agent of the undersigned for the purposes hereof, and
shall, if the statute of limitations in favor of the undersigned against
Landlord shall have commenced to run, toll the running of such statute of
limitations, and if such statute of limitations shall have expired, prevent the
operation of such statute.

                10. The provisions of this Guaranty shall bind the successors
and assigns of the undersigned and shall inure to the benefit of Landlord, its
successors and assigns.


                                     -iii-

<PAGE>


                11. All rights and remedies of Landlord are cumulative and not
alternative. This Guaranty is, and shall be deemed to be, a contract entered
into under and pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and
shall be in all respects governed, construed, applied and enforced in accordance
with the laws of said Commonwealth. No defense given or allowed by the laws of
any other state or country shall be interposed in any action or proceeding
hereunder unless such defense is also given or allowed by the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

                12. The undersigned represents that at the time of the execution
and delivery of this Guaranty nothing exists to impair the effectiveness of the
obligations of the undersigned to Landlord hereunder, or the immediate taking
effect of this Guaranty between the undersigned and Landlord with respect to the
undersigned becoming a surety for the Liabilities.

                13. If less than all persons who were intended to sign this
Guaranty do so, the same shall nevertheless be binding upon those who do sign
and if one person shall sign, all plural references shall be read as singular.
In the event the undersigned consists of more than one person or entity, the
obligations of such persons and entities hereunder shall be joint and several.

                14. Any notice or demand given or made under this Guaranty shall
be given or made by mailing the same by certified mail to the party to whom the
notice or demand is given or made at the following address of such party set
forth in this Guaranty or at such other address as may be stipulated by notice
given as aforesaid:

                If to Landlord:

                         c/o The Rubin Organization
                         The Bellevue, 3rd Floor
                         200 S. Broad Street
                         Philadelphia, PA  19102
                         Attn: Director of Leasing

                With a copy to:

                         Richard I. Rubin & Co., Inc.
                         Management Office
                         Concourse Level, Mellon Bank Center
                         1735 Market Street
                         Philadelphia, PA  19103
                         Attn: Building Manager


                                      -iv-

<PAGE>


                With a copy to:

                         Banque Paribas
                         The Equitable Tower
                         787 Seventh Avenue
                         New York, New York 10019
                         Attention:  Douglas Veasey

                With a copy to:

                         Winston & Strawn
                         175 Water Street
                         New York, New York 10038
                         Attention:  Douglas L. Wisner, Esq.

                If to the undersigned:

                         PMA Reinsurance Corporation
                         Suite 2800
                         1735 Market Street
                         Mellon Bank Center
                         Philadelphia, PA  19103
                         Attn: Steve Tirney

                With a copy to:

                         The PMA Building
                         380 Sentry Parkway
                         Blue Bell, PA  19422
                         Attn: Paul T. Luber

                         Banque Paribas
                         The Equitable Tower
                         787 Seventh Avenue
                         New York, New York 10019
                         Attention:  Douglas Veasey

                With a copy to:

                         Winston & Strawn
                         175 Water Street
                         New York, New York 10038
                         Attention:  Douglas L. Wisner, Esq.


                                      -v-

<PAGE>


                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Guaranty to
be executed and sealed this ____ day of ________________, 1994.


Attest:                                     PMA REINSURANCE CORPORATION



_____________________________               By: _______________________________
Name:                                           Name:
Title:                                          Title:

(Corporate Seal)


                                      -vi-

<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT J

                                Salvaged Material



1.   All 2x4 light fixtures to be removed from the ceiling, and stored in an
     area determined by Landlord.

2.   All wood and hollow metal doors to be removed prior to the demolition of
     the walls and stored in an area determined by Landlord. All hardware i.e.:
     locksets, latchsets, hinges and closures designated by Tenant prior to
     demolition, will remain on the doors.

3.   Flexible duct is to be removed and stacked on floor. All VAV boxes and
     supplemental air conditioning units are to remain in their existing
     Allocations.

4.   All plumbing fixtures i.e.: sinksand faucets, are to be removed and stored
     in an area determined by Landlord.

5.   All fire alarm equipment and devices i.e.: smoke detectors, fire horns,
     strobe lights, warden pull stations, etc., are to be tied up to the
     existing structure.

6.   All decorative light fixtures to be removed and stored in an area
     determined by Landlord.

7.   All french doors in elevator lobbies in the Premises to be removed and
     stored in an area determined by Landlord.


                                      -i-

<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT L
                                       To
                            Mellon Bank Center Lease

                           CONFIRMATION OF LEASE TERM


                THIS IS AN AGREEMENT dated as of the _____ day of ______________
, 19__ by and between NINE PENN CENTER ASSOCIATES, L.P. ("Landlord") and
("Tenant").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                WHEREAS, by a lease dated as of ____________ , 1994, between the
parties hereto (the "Lease") Landlord leased to Tenant and Tenant leased and
took from Landlord, certain premises at Mellon Bank Center in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania for the term and upon the terms and conditions more specifically
set forth therein (the "Premises");

                WHEREAS, the Lease provides that the parties shall execute a
confirmation of certain terms of the Lease when the Lease Commencement Date (as
defined in the Lease) occurred;

                NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound
hereby, agree as follows:

                A. The Lease has not been amended except as follows:

                B. The Tenant is now in possession of the Premises.

                C. The Tenant acknowledges that the Lease is in full force and
effect.

                D. The Lease Commencement Date of the Lease and the Termination
Date of the term of the Lease are as follows:

                E. Tenant's obligation to pay Rent commences on _________, being
the first day after the Rent Free Period (as defined in the Lease).

                F. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to change or modify the
rights of the parties under the Lease.


                                      -i-

<PAGE>


                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused these
presents to be executed by their duly authorized representatives the day and
year first above written.

                                    LANDLORD

Witness:                                    NINE PENN CENTER ASSOCIATES, L.P.
                                            By Transportation Associates, a
                                            Pennsylvania limited partnership,
                                            its managing general partner


__________________________________          By: _______________________________
                                                Name:  Ronald Rubin
                                                Title: Managing General Partner


                                     TENANT

Attest:


__________________________________          By: _______________________________
                                                Name:
                                                Title:


                                      -ii-

<PAGE>


                           FIRST AMENDMENT OF OFFICE LEASE


                THIS FIRST AMENDMENT OF OFFICE LEASE (this "Amendment") is made
as of the 30th day of October, 1996, by and between NINE PENN CENTER ASSOCIATES,
a Pennsylvania limited partnership (herein called "Landlord") and LORJO CORP., a
Pennsylvania corporation (herein called "Tenant").

                                   BACKGROUND


                A. Pursuant to that certain Office Lease dated as of May 26,
1994 (herein called the "Lease"), Landlord leased to Tenant, which rented from
Landlord, approximately 57,914 Rentable Square Feet of office space located on
the 28th, 29th and 30th floors of Mellon Bank Center, 1735 Market Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

                B. The parties now desire to amend the Lease as hereinafter
provided.

                                    AGREEMENT

                NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Background, the mutual
covenants and agreements herein set forth, and other good, valuable and
aufficient consideration received, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

                1. Definitions. Unless otherwise herein defined, all terms
defined in the Lease shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Lease when
used in this Amendment.

                2. Expansion. Landlord hereby demises and leases unto Tenant,
and Tenant hereby takes, leases and hires from Landlord, (a) all that certain
portion of the 27th floor of the Building comprising 16,284 Rentable Square Feet
of space, as shown on the floor plan attached hereto and marked Exhibit "A" (the
"27th Floor Space"), and (b) that certain portion of the P-2 level of the
Building comprising 3,362 Rentable Square Feet of space, being shown on the
floor plan attached hereto and marked Exhibit "B" (the "P-2 Space"), on the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. The 27th Floor Space and the P-2
Space are sometimes herein jointly referred to as the "Expansion Space".

                3. Term. Except as otherwise provided in this Amendment,
effective on the date of this Amendment the Expansion Space shall form a part of
the Premises for all purposes under the Lease.

                4. Rent.

                              4.1 Rent Commencement Date. Tenant shall commence
to pay Rent with respect to the Expansion Space on January 1, 1997. Prior to
January 1, 1997, Tenant shall not be obligated to pay Rent with respect to its
use or occupancy of the Expansion Space, excepting only that (a) commencing on


<PAGE>


the date on which Landlord tenders possession of the Expansion Space, or any
portion thereof, to Tenant, and continuing until completion of the Tenant Work,
Tenant shall pay to Landlord the Additional Rent provided for in Section 7.11
below, and (b) upon Tenant's occupancy of any portion of the Expansion Space for
purposes of conducting the Permitted Use therein following completion of the
Tenant Work, through December 31, 1996, Tenant shall be obligated to pay all
Rent on account of such space, excepting only Minimum Rent, payments on account
of Tenant's Tax Share, and payments on account of Tenant's Expense Share.

                              4.2 Minimum Rent. Minimum Rent for the P-2 space
shall be Two Dollars ($2.00) per Rentable Square Foot ($6,724 per annum, $560.34
per month). Minimum Rent for the 27th Floor Space shall be as follows:


January 1, 1997 through December 31, 1998       $13.00 per Rentable Square Foot
                                                ($211,692 per annum, $17,641
                                                per month)

January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2000       $13.50 per Rentable Square Foot
                                                ($219,834 per annum, $18,319.50
                                                per month)

January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2002       $14.50 per Rentable Square Foot
                                                ($236,118 per annum, $19,676.50
                                                per month)

January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2004       $15.00 per Rentable Square Foot
                                                ($244,260 per annum, $20,355
                                                per month)

Minimum Rent shall be payable in equal monthly installments commencing on
January 1, 1997 and thereafter due on the first day of each month during the
Term without demand, deduction or set-off, at the offfice of Agent.

                              4.3 Real Estate Taxes. Effective January 1, 1997,
and thereafter during the Term until the Expansion Area Termination Date, the
Rentable Area of the Expansion Space shall be included in the Rentable Area of
the Premises for purposes of computing Tenant's Tax Share. As of January 1,
1997, Tenant's Tax Share shall be 5.725%.

                              4.4 Operating Expenses. Effective January 1, 1997,
and thereafter during the Term until the Expansion Area Termination Date, the
Rentable Area of the Expansion Space shall be included in the Rentable Area of
the Premises for purposes of computing Tenant's Expense Share. As of January 1,
1997, Tenant's Expense Share shall be 6.298%.

                5. Permitted Use. The 27th Floor Space shall be used by Tenant
solely for the Permitted Use. The P-2 Space shall be utilized by Tenant solely
for storage purposes, mail handling and other administrative functions.


                                       2

<PAGE>


                6. Expansion Construction Allowance. Landlord agrees to pay to
Tenant, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 7.8
below, the sum of $162,840 (the "Expansion Construction Allowance") in order to
assist Tenant in defraying the cost of constructing the Tenant Work (hereinafter
defined) within the Expansion Space. The Expansion Construction Allowance shall
be Landlord's sole contribution to Tenant's cost of constructing such Tenant
Work.

                7. Improvement of Expansion Space. Except as otherwise herein
specifically provided, the terms of this Section 7, and not the terms of Section
7 of the Lease, shall apply in connection with Tenant's initial improvement of
the Expansion Space.

                              7.1 Base Building Plans. Landlord shall make
available to Tenant for use by Tenant or its architect or engineer, such
structural, electrical and mechanical drawings, specifications, and other
information with respect to the Building ("Base Building Plans") reflecting
Landlord's construction of the Core and Shell. Landlord shall also make
available for Tenant's inspection all shop drawings and submittals respecting
the construction of the Core and Shell. Tenant acknowledges that the Core and
Shell were constructed to construction industry standard tolerances permitting
limited deviations from the requirements of the Base Building Plans.
Accordingly, promptly following the execution of this Amendment, and prior to
commencement of preparation of the plans and documents which Tenant is obligated
to produce under Section 7.3 below, Tenant will cause its architect or engineer
to conduct a field survey of the Expansion Space to verify critical dimensions
and ascertain any deviation from the Base Building Plans.

                              7.2 Tenant's Construction Representative. Tenant
hereby designates Fred Harle as the "Tenant's Construction Representative," who
Tenant agrees shall be available to meet and consult with Landlord on a
continuing basis at the Expansion Space as Tenant's representative concerning
the matters which are the subject of this Section 7 and who, as between Landlord
and Tenant, shall have the power legally to bind Tenant in giving direction to
Landlord respecting the Construction Documents and the Tenant Work, in giving
approvals of design documents and work, and in making requests and approval for
changes. Tenant may from time to time change the designation of Tenant's
Construction Representative by written notice to Landlord, so long as there is
at all times at least one individual designated to serve in such capacity.

                              7.3 Preparation, Review and Approval of Tenant's
Schematic Design Documents, Design Development Documents and Construction
Documents. Tenant shall, at its expense, consult with its architect, engineer,
designer and such other consultants as it shall deem necessary for development
and timely completion of certain documents as described in this Section 7, which
documents shall conform to the Base Building Plans.


                                       3

<PAGE>


                                  7.3.1 Schematic Design. Tenant shall prepare
at its expense "Schematic Design Documents" reasonably satisfactory to Landlord
which generally indicate functional and organizational relationships, the
location and size of the Expansion Space, all demising and interior walls, and
the locations and configurations of all offices and conference rooms, libraries,
file rooms and other office areas and improvements to be contained in the
Expansion Space.

                                  7.3.2 Design Development. Subject to the
procedural requirements set forth in Subsection 7.3.4 below, Tenant, at its
expense, shall cause to be prepared and delivered to Landlord for its review and
approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed: one (l)
complete reproducible set and two (2) blue-line print sets of "Design
Development Documents" consisting of: architectural, mechanical, electrical,
plumbing and structural drawings and other documents to fix and describe the
size and character of the space, all commonly called "Space Plans", prepared by
an architect or space planner approved by Landlord. Tenant shall deliver to
Landlord in a timely manner the Schematic Design Documents and the Design
Development Documents for approval, so that the Construction Documents are
timely delivered and approved as set forth below. Tenant shall cause the Design
Development Documents to be prepared in conformity with and consistent with the
Schematic Design Documents.

                                  7.3.3 Construction Documents. Tenant, at its
expense, shall cause to be prepared and delivered to Landlord one (l) complete
reproducible set and two (2) blue-line print sets of complete and final
"Construction Documents" consisting of (a) working drawings; (b) two (2) copies
of specifications, as approved by Landlord for the construction of the Expansion
Space for Tenant's occupancy; and (c) a permit set. Tenant shall deliver the
Construction Documents to Landlord not later than October 1, 1996. Tenant shall
cause the Construction Documents to be prepared in conformity with and
consistent with the Design Development Documents.

                                      7.3.3.l Tenant's Construction Documents
shall be signed and sealed by an architect or professional engineer (where
applicable) licensed and registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In
addition to conforming to Landlord's Base Building Plans, Tenant's Construction
Documents shall also conform to all applicable laws, ordinances, building codes
and requirements of public authorities and insurance underwriters. Tenant's
Construction Documents shall contain, at a minimum, floor plans, reflected
ceiling plans, power and telephone plans, mechanical plans, electrical plans,
fire protection plans and all other details and schedules which designate the
locations and specifications for all mechanical, electrical, fire protection and
life safety equipment to be installed in the Expansion Space, and all
partitions, doors, lighting fixtures, electric receptacles and switches,
telephone outlets, special air conditioning, and other improvements to be
installed within the Expansion Space.

                                  7.3.4 Landlord Approval. Tenant shall submit
for Landlord's approval, Schematic Design Documents, Design Development
Documents and Construction Documents, in accordance with the guidelines and time
frames described above. The approval by Landlord of


                                       4

<PAGE>


Tenant's Schematic Design Documents, Design Development Documents and
Construction Documents shall be subject to the following procedural
requirements:

                                  
                                      7.3.4.1 Landlord shall promptly review the
applicable documents or any additional requested information, and either approve
the same or return the same to Tenant with requested modifications.

                                      7.3.4.2 If Landlord shall return the
modified documents to Tenant with requested modifications, Landlord shall
specify a reasonable period of time, not to exceed three (3) Business Days,
within which such modifications shall be made and within which such modified
plans shall be re-submitted to Landlord by Tenant, until the modified documents
are finally approved by Landlord.

                                      7.3.4.3 To the extent the Tenant's
Schematic Design Documents, Design Development Documents or Construction
Documents, as the case may be, in Landlord's sole judgment, involve any
modification of, or impact upon, the Building's structural, mechanical,
electrical or plumbing systems or components, then such approval may be withheld
by Landlord in its absolute and sole discretion.

                                      7.3.4.4 Tenant's Construction Documents,
as approved by Landlord and as modified by Tenant to take account of any changes
reasonably requested by Landlord, are hereinafter considered to be "Approved for
Construction."

                              7.4 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED].

                              7.5 Tenant Work Defined. Tenant shall, in a good
and workmanlike manner, cause the Expansion Space to be improved and completed
at Tenant's expense (subject to the Expansion Construction Allowance hereinafter
provided) and in accordance with Tenant's Construction Documents, which work
(including materials, supplies, components, labor and services therefor) is
herein referred to as the "Tenant Work".

                              7.6 Tenant's Contractor.

                                  7.6.1 The Tenant Work is to be performed by
Tenant's contractor, selected by Tenant subject to Landlord's written approval.
Landlord will not unreasonably withhold or delay its approval of any contractor
submitted by Tenant, and Landlord's disapproval shall not be considered
unreasonable if the disapproved contractor may, in Landlord's sole opinion,
prejudice Landlord's relationship with Landlord's contractors or subcontractors
or the relationship between such contractors and their subcontractors or
employees, or otherwise disturb harmonious labor relations in or about the
Building.

                                  7.6.2 Upon Landlord's approval of the Tenant's
contractor, Tenant shall enter into a construction contract or construction
management agreement for the Tenant Work


                                       5

<PAGE>


(the "Tenant Work Contract"). The Tenant Work Contract shall require that both
Landlord and Tenant must approve the selection of each subcontractor and
supplier furnishing goods or services costing over Fifty Thousand Dollars
($50,000.00) within three (3) Business days of written request for approval,
such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, and shall require Tenant's
contractor to comply with all requirements of Section 7.9 below.

                                  7.6.3 Prior to commencement of that portion of
the Tenant Work which requires a building permit, Tenant will provide Landlord
with a copy of the building permit respecting the Tenant Work. Additionally,
upon completion of the Tenant Work and prior to occupancy of the Expansion Space
by Tenant, Tenant will deliver to Landlord a copy of the temporary or permanent
Certificate of Occupancy respecting the Expansion Space; provided that if Tenant
delivers a temporary Certificate of Occupancy, Tenant shall diligently and
continuously pursue issuance of a permanent Certificate of Occupancy and shall
deliver a copy of same to Landlord upon receipt. Should Tenant so request,
Landlord agrees to provide reasonable assistance to Tenant, at no expense to
Landlord, in Tenant's efforts to obtain a permanent Certificate of Occupancy for
the Expansion Space.

                              7.7 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.]

                              7.8 Payment of Expansion Construction Allowance.

                                  7.8.1 Tenant may draw upon the Expansion
Construction Allowance to pay for labor and materials provided for the Tenant
Work (and to pay Tenant's architect's and engineer's fees and other professional
fees incurred in connection with the design and construction of the Tenant Work)
(herein called "Tenant's Costs") in accordance with the terms of this Section
7.8. At the time Tenant's Construction Documents are finalized, Tenant will
deliver to Landlord an estimated budget reasonably detailing the anticipated
Tenant's Costs. Tenant shall submit to Landlord on or before the twenty-eighth
(28th) day of each month, a voucher for Tenant's Costs executed by Tenant's
Construction Representative and by a partner or officer of Tenant, setting forth
in reasonable detail the amount of such Tenant's Costs and identifying in
reasonable detail the material, labor, fees, and costs to which they relate.
Landlord shall pay to Tenant the amount of each Tenant voucher within thirty
(30) days after receipt of such voucher from Tenant. Notwithstanding anything
set forth in this Section 7.8.1, any amounts held back as retainage under
contracts for the Tenant Work shall not constitute a part of Tenant's Costs
unless and until paid to the contractor under the terms of the subject contract.

                                  7.8.2 Each voucher submitted to Landlord by
Tenant (as set forth in Section 7.8.1) shall be accompanied by a certificate
duly executed and shown to by Tenant's Construction Representative stating that:
(i) based on site inspections and the data comprising the invoice submitted by
Tenant for payment by Landlord, the Tenant Work has progressed to the point
indicated and the quality and condition of the Tenant Work theretofore completed
or in the process of completion as of the date of such certificate is in
accordance with the Construction Documents; and (ii) that Tenant's contractor is
entitled to the amount so certified.


                                       6

<PAGE>


                              7.9 Tenant's Contractors. In performing The Tenant
Work or in performing alterations within any Expansion Area prior to to Tenant's
beneficial occupancy thereof, the conditions set forth in Section 7.9 of the
Lease shall be fulfilled, and Tenant, by undertaking to have such work performed
by its contractor or contractors, shall be deemed to have agreed to cause such
conditions to be fulfilled.

                              7.10 Condition of Expansion Space. Tenant accepts
the Expansion Space in its "AS-IS" condition on the date of this Amendment.

                              7.11 Site Logistics and Procedures. Tenant's
occupancy of the Expansion Space during performance of the Tenant Work shall be
subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Lease, excepting only that no
Rent shall be payable during such period except to the extent specifically
required under this Section 7.11, and except that Landlord shall not be
obligated to provide janitorial services pursuant to Section 8.4 of the Lease.
During such period, Tenant shall comply with the Site Logistics and Procedures
set forth on Exhibit "K" of the Lease. Any Tenant Work to be performed by
Tenant in the elevator lobby and common corridors of the 27th floor of the
Building shall be at Tenant's expense, shall be subject to Tenant's obtaining
the prior approval of the other tenants of the 27th floor as to the nature and
scope of such work, and shall be undertaken at such times and in such a manner
as will not unreasonably disturb other tenants of such floor or unreasonably
interfere with the conduct of their respective businesses, as reasonably
determined by Landlord. Landlord shall bear the cost of electricity consumed by
Tenant's contractors and subcontractors in the performance of the Tenant Work,
as well as the cost of electricity consumed in the provision of HVAC service to
the Expansion Space during such period.


                8. P-2 Services. Landlord will furnish the P-2 Space with
janitorial service and with heat, ventilation and electric lighting (the cost of
which services and utilities shall be billed to Tenant as Additional Rent as
provided in Section 8 of the Lease), but will not furnish any other utilities or
services to the P-2 Space, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in
the Lease.

                9. Brokers. Each of Landlord and Tenant represents and warrants
to the other that it has not dealt with any broker, agent, finder or other
person in the negotiation for or the obtaining of this Amendment other than
Agent, and each agrees to indemnify and hold the other harmless from any and all
costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees) and liability for commissions or
other compensation claimed by any such broker, agent, finder or other person
other than Agent, employed by the indemnifying party or claiming to have been
engaged by the indemnifying party in connection with this Amendment. Tenant
acknowledges that Agent has acted only as an agent with respect to the
procurement and negotiation of this Amendment and agrees that Agent shall not be
responsible or liable for any term, provision or condition of this Amendment.
Landlord agrees to pay any fee or commission owing to Agent on account of this
Amendment.


                                       7

<PAGE>


                10. Effect of Amendment. As amended hereby, the Lease continues
in full force and effect. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of
this Amendment and the terms of the Lease, the terms of this Amendment shall
govern and control. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Tenant
hereby ratifies and confirms the warrant of attorney set forth in Section 17.2
of the Lease to the same extent as if such warrant were fully set forth herein.
Time remains of the essence of the Lease.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been duly executed by the
parties hereto as of the date first above written.

                                              TENANT

                                              LORJO CORP.

                                              By: /s/ John W. Smithson
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Name: John W. Smithson
                                                 Title: Vice President

                                              LANDLORD

                                              NINE PENN CENTER ASSOCIATES,
                                              a Pennsylvania limited partnership

                                              By Transporatation Associates, a
                                              Pennsylvania limited partnership,
                                              general partner

                                              By: /s/ Ronald Rubin
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Name: Ronald Rubin
                                                 Title: General Partner

                                              By The Equitable Life Assurance
                                              Society of the United States,
                                              general partner

                                              By: /s/ Dana J. Harrell
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Name: Dana J. Harrell
                                                 Title: Investment Officer


                                       8

<PAGE>


                               First Amendment to Sublease

                THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO SUBLEASE (this "Amendment") is made as
of the______________day of_______________1996, by and between Lorjo Corp., a
Pennsylvania corporation (the "Sublandlord") and PMA Reinsurance Corporation, a
Pennsylvania corporation (the "Subtenant").

                                    Recitals

A. Pursuant to that certain Sublease dated as of May 26, 1994 (herein called the
"Sublease"), Sublandlord leased to Subtenant 57,914 Rentable Square Feet of
space in the building (the "Building") known as Mellon Bank Center situated at
1735 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

B. Subtenant desires to sublease additional space in the Building from
Sublandlord.

C. Unless otherwise defined herein, all defined terms shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Master Lease (as "Master Lease" is defined in the
Sublease).

D. The parties now desire to amend the Sublease as hereinafter provided.

                                   Agreements

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein
set forth, and other good, valuable and sufficient consideration received, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Expansion. Sublandlord hereby demises and subleases unto Subtenant, and
Subtenant hereby takes, subleases and hires from Sublandlord, (a) all that
certain portion of the 27th floor of the Building comprising 16,284 Rentable
Square Feet of space and (b) that certain portion of the P-2 level of the
Building comprising 3,362 Rentable Square Feet of space (herein called the
"Expansion Space").

2. Premises. Pursuant to this Amendment, the Premises shall consist of a total
of 77,560 Rentable Square Feet.

3. Term. Effective on the date of this Amendment, the Expansion Space shall form
a part of the Premises for all purposes under the Sublease; provided, however,
that the term of this Sublease shall terminate one (1) day prior to the
Termination Date under


                                       1

<PAGE>


the Master Lease or on such earlier date upon which this Sublease may expire or
be terminated pursuant to any of the conditions of limitation or other
provisions of the Sublease, the Master Lease, or pursuant to law.

4. Rent. Subtenant shall commence to pay Rent with respect to the Expansion
Space on January 1, 1997 at the rates set forth in the Master Lease and the
First Amendment thereto dated simultaneously herewith.

5. Incorporation by Reference. All of the terms, covenants and conditions of the
Sublease are incorporated herein by reference so that, except to the extent that
they are inapplicable or modified by the provisions of this First Amendment to
Sublease, each and every term, covenant and condition of the Sublease shall be
binding upon Sublandlord and Subtenant in relation to Subtenant's lease of the
Expansion Space.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have duly executed this First Amendment to
Sublease as of the date written above.


                                         SUBLANDLORD:

                                         LORJO CORP., a Pennsylvania corporation

                                         By: /s/ John W. Smithson
                                             -----------------------------------

                                         SUBTENANT:

                                         PMA REINSURANCE CORPORATION, a
                                         Pennsylvania corporation

                                         By: /s/ Stephen Tirney
                                             -----------------------------------




- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                      among


                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION,


                            THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN,


                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                            as Administrative Agent,


                                       and


                            FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
                               OF NORTH CAROLINA,
                             as Documentation Agent


                     $235,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility


                           Dated as of March 14, 1997


- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page


RECITALS      ................................................................1

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

1.1.   Defined Terms..........................................................1
1.2.   Accounting Terms......................................................17
1.3.   Other Terms; Construction.............................................18

                                    ARTICLE II

                           AMOUNT AND TERMS OF THE LOANS

2.1.   Commitments; Loans....................................................18
2.2.   Committed Borrowings..................................................19
2.3.   Bid Borrowings........................................................20
2.4.   Disbursements; Funding Reliance; Domicile of Loans....................23
2.5.   Notes.................................................................24
2.6.   Termination and Reduction of Commitments..............................24
2.7.   Mandatory Payment and Prepayment......................................25
2.8.   Voluntary Prepayment..................................................26
2.9.   Interest..............................................................26
2.10.  Fees..................................................................27
2.11.  Interest Periods......................................................28
2.12.  Conversions and Continuations.........................................29
2.13.  Method of Payments; Computations......................................29
2.14.  Recovery of Payments..................................................31
2.15.  Use of Proceeds.......................................................31
2.16.  Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Payments...............................31
2.17.  Increased Costs; Change in Circumstances; Illegality; etc.............32
2.18.  Taxes.................................................................34
2.19.  Compensation..........................................................35
2.20.  Replacement of Lenders................................................36

                                   ARTICLE III

                             CONDITIONS OF BORROWING

3.1.   Conditions of Initial Loans...........................................37
3.2.   Conditions to All Loans...............................................39


                                       -i-

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE IV

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

4.1.   Corporate Organization and Power......................................40
4.2.   Authorization; Enforceability.........................................40
4.3.   No Violation..........................................................40
4.4.   Governmental Authorization; Permits...................................41
4.5.   Litigation............................................................41
4.6.   Taxes.................................................................41
4.7.   Subsidiaries..........................................................42
4.8.   Full Disclosure.......................................................42
4.9.   Margin Regulations....................................................42
4.10.  No Material Adverse Change............................................42
4.11.  Financial Matters.....................................................42
4.12.  Ownership of Properties...............................................43
4.13.  ERISA.................................................................43
4.14.  Environmental Matters.................................................44
4.15.  Compliance With Laws..................................................44
4.16.  Regulated Industries..................................................44
4.17.  Insurance.............................................................44
4.18.  Certain Contracts.....................................................45
4.19.  Reinsurance Agreements................................................45
4.20.  Ranking of Obligations................................................45

                                    ARTICLE V

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

5.1.   GAAP Financial Statements.............................................46
5.2.   Statutory Financial Statements........................................46
5.3.   Other Business and Financial Information..............................47
5.4.   Corporate Existence; Franchises; Maintenance of Properties............49
5.5.   Compliance with Laws..................................................50
5.6.   Payment of Obligations................................................50
5.7.   Insurance.............................................................50
5.8.   Maintenance of Books and Records; Inspection..........................50
5.9.   Dividends.............................................................51
5.10.  Ownership of Insurance Subsidiaries...................................51
5.11.  Extinguishment of Senior Note Indebtedness............................51
5.12.  Further Assurances....................................................51

                                   ARTICLE VI

                               FINANCIAL COVENANTS

6.1.    Capitalization Ratio.................................................51
6.2.    Cash Coverage Ratio..................................................51

                                      -ii-

<PAGE>



6.3.   Statutory Surplus.....................................................51
6.4.   Risk-Based Capital....................................................51


                                   ARTICLE VII

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

7.1.    Merger; Consolidation; Disposition of Assets.........................52
7.2.    Indebtedness.........................................................53
7.3.    Liens................................................................53
7.4.    Investments; Acquisitions............................................54
7.5.    Restricted Payments..................................................55
7.6.    Transactions with Affiliates.........................................55
7.7.    Certain Amendments...................................................55
7.8.    Lines of Business....................................................55
7.9.    Limitation on Certain Restrictions...................................56
7.10.   Fiscal Year..........................................................56
7.11.   Accounting Changes...................................................56
7.12.   Reinsurance Agreements...............................................56

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

8.1.    Events of Default....................................................57
8.2.    Remedies: Termination of Commitment, Acceleration, etc...............59
8.3.    Remedies: Set-Off....................................................59

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   THE AGENTS

9.1.     Appointment.........................................................60
9.2.     Nature of Duties....................................................60
9.3.     Exculpatory Provisions..............................................60
9.4.     Reliance by Agents..................................................60
9.5.     Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders............................61
9.6.     Notice of Default...................................................61
9.7.     Indemnification.....................................................62
9.8.     Each Agent in its Individual Capacity...............................62
9.9.     Successor Agents....................................................62

                                    ARTICLE X

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

10.1.    Fees and Expenses...................................................63
10.2.    Indemnification.....................................................63

                                      -iii-

<PAGE>



10.3.   Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction...............................64
10.4.   Arbitration; Preservation and Limitation of Remedies.................64
10.5.   Notices..............................................................65
10.6.   Amendments, Waivers, etc.............................................66
10.7.   Assignments, Participations..........................................66
10.8.   No Waiver............................................................68
10.9.   Successors and Assigns...............................................69
10.10.  Survival.............................................................69
10.11.  Severability.........................................................69
10.12.  Construction.........................................................69
10.13.  Confidentiality......................................................69
10.14.  Counterparts.........................................................70
10.15.  Entire Agreement.....................................................70


                                    EXHIBITS

Exhibit A-1     Form of Committed Loan Note
Exhibit A-2     Form of Bid Loan Note
Exhibit B-1     Form of Notice of Committed Borrowing
Exhibit B-2     Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
Exhibit C-1     Form of Bid Request
Exhibit C-2     Form of Bid
Exhibit C-3     Form of Bid Loan Confirmation
Exhibit D       Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit E-1     Form of Compliance Certificate (GAAP Financial Statements) 
Exhibit E-2     Form of Compliance Certificate (Statutory Financial Statements) 
Exhibit F       Form of Financial Condition Certificate 
Exhibit G       Form of Opinion of Duane, Morris & Heckscher 
Exhibit H       Form of Opinion of Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A.


                                    SCHEDULES

Schedule 1.1    Management Group
Schedule 4.4    Licenses
Schedule 4.6    Taxes
Schedule 4.7    Subsidiaries
Schedule 4.14   Environmental Matters
Schedule 4.18   Material Contracts
Schedule 4.19   Reinsurers and Collateral Securing Certain Reinsurers' 
                Obligations
Schedule 7.2    Indebtedness
Schedule 7.3    Liens
Schedule 7.6    Transactions with Affiliates


                                      -iv-


<PAGE>



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


         THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of the 14th day of March, 1997, is made
among PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION, a Pennsylvania corporation with
its principal offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (the "Borrower"), the banks
and financial institutions listed on the signature pages hereof or that become
parties hereto after the date hereof (collectively, the "Lenders"), THE BANK OF
NEW YORK ("The Bank of New York"), as administrative agent for the Lenders (in
such capacity, the "Administrative Agent"), and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF
NORTH CAROLINA ("First Union"), as documentation agent for the Lenders (in such
capacity, the "Documentation Agent") (each of the Administrative Agent and
Documentation Agent, an "Agent" and collectively, the "Agents").


                                    RECITALS

         A. The Borrower has requested that the Lenders make available to the
Borrower a revolving credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of
$235,000,000 as reduced from time to time as provided herein. The Borrower will
use the proceeds of this facility to refinance certain existing indebtedness and
for working capital and general corporate purposes, all as more fully described
herein.

         B. The Lenders are willing to make available to the Borrower the
revolving credit facility described above subject to and on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.


                                    AGREEMENT

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual provisions, covenants
and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:


                                   ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

         1.1. Defined Terms. For purposes of this Agreement, in addition to the
terms defined elsewhere herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below (such meanings to be equally applicable to the singular and plural
forms thereof):

         "Absolute Rate" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section
2.3(c)(v).

         "Absolute Rate Auction" shall mean a solicitation of Bids setting forth
Absolute Rates pursuant to Section 2.3.

         "Absolute Rate Loan" shall mean, at any time, any Bid Loan that bears
interest at such time at an Absolute Rate established pursuant to an Absolute
Rate Auction.


<PAGE>


         "Account Designation Letter" shall mean a letter from the Borrower to
the Administrative Agent, duly completed and signed by an Authorized Officer of
the Borrower and in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,
listing any one or more accounts to which the Borrower may from time to time
request the Administrative Agent to forward the proceeds of any Loans made
hereunder.

         "Administrative Agent" shall mean The Bank of New York in its capacity
as Administrative Agent appointed under Article IX, and its successors and
permitted assigns in such capacity.

         "Affiliate" shall mean, as to any Person, each other Person that
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, owns or controls, is
controlled by or under common control with, such Person or is a director or
officer of such Person. For purposes of this definition, with respect to any
Person "control" shall mean (i) the possession, direct or indirect, of the power
to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, or
(ii) the beneficial ownership of securities or other ownership interests of such
Person having ten percent (10%) or more of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding securities or other ownership interests of such Person ordinarily
(and apart from rights accruing under special circumstances) having the right to
vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such Person.

         "Agents" shall mean the Administrative Agent and the Documentation
Agent.

         "Aggregate Unutilized Commitments" shall mean, at any time, (i) the sum
of the Commitments at such time less (ii) the sum of the aggregate principal
amount of Committed Loans outstanding at such time and the aggregate principal
amount of Bid Loans outstanding at such time.

         "Agreement" shall mean this Credit Agreement, as amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time.

         "Annual Statement" shall mean, with respect to any Insurance Subsidiary
for any fiscal year, the annual financial statements of such Insurance
Subsidiary as required to be filed with the Insurance Regulatory Authority of
its jurisdiction of domicile and in accordance with the laws of such
jurisdiction, together with all exhibits, schedules, certificates and actuarial
opinions required to be filed or delivered therewith.

         "Applicable Margin" shall mean, at any time with respect to any LIBOR
Committed Loan or the Facility Fee, except as provided in the last two sentences
of this definition, the applicable percentage as determined under the following
matrix with reference to the Capitalization Ratio calculated as provided below:


                                       -2-

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

====================================================================================================
   Capitalization
        Ratio                            LIBOR Committed Loans                        Facility Fee
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                                   <C>                                          <C>
         *.30                                    .425%                                    .275%
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   *.25 but **.30                                .375%                                    .225%
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   *.20 but **.25                                .325%                                    .175%
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        **.20                                    .250%                                    .150%
====================================================================================================
</TABLE>

 *  Greater to or less than
**  less than


The Applicable Margins shall be reset from time to time in accordance with the
above matrix on the day of the delivery by the Borrower in accordance with
Sections 5.1(a) and 5.1(b) of financial statements together with a Compliance
Certificate attaching a Covenant Compliance Worksheet (reflecting the
computation of the Capitalization Ratio as of the last day of the preceding
fiscal quarter, beginning with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 1996) that
provides for a change in the Applicable Margins from that then in effect. Until
the first effective date of any change in the Applicable Margins for LIBOR
Committed Loans and the Facility Fee, such Applicable Margins shall be .425% and
 .275%, respectively. If the Borrower shall fail to deliver a Compliance
Certificate attaching a Covenant Compliance Worksheet within sixty (60) days
after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters (or one hundred twenty
(120) days after the end of the last fiscal quarter), the Applicable Margins for
LIBOR Committed Loans and the Facility Fee shall be .425% and .275%,
respectively, for the period from and including the 61st day (the 121st day in
the case of the last quarter) after the end of such fiscal quarter to the date
of the delivery by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent of a Compliance
Certificate attaching a Covenant Compliance Worksheet demonstrating that a
different Applicable Margin is applicable.

         "Assignee" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section
10.7(a).

         "Assignment and Acceptance" shall mean an Assignment and Acceptance
entered into between a Lender and an Assignee and accepted by the Administrative
Agent and the Borrower, in substantially the form of Exhibit D.

         "Authorized Officer" shall mean any officer of the Borrower authorized
by resolution of the board of directors of the Borrower to take the action
specified herein with respect to such officer and whose signature and incumbency
shall have been certified to the Agents by the secretary or an assistant
secretary of the Borrower.

         "Available Dividend Amount" shall mean, with respect to any Insurance
Subsidiary for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, the aggregate
maximum amount of dividends that is, or would be if such period were a fiscal
year, permitted by the Insurance Regulatory Authority of its jurisdiction of
domicile, under applicable Requirements of Law (without the necessity of any
consent, approval or other action of such Insurance Regulatory Authority
involving the granting of permission or the exercise of discretion by such
Insurance Regulatory Authority), to be paid by such Insurance Subsidiary to the
Borrower or another Subsidiary of the Borrower in respect of such four-quarter
period as if such period were a fiscal year (whether or not any such dividends
are actually paid).


                                       -3-

<PAGE>


         "Bankruptcy Code" shall mean 11 U.S.C. (section)(section) 101 et seq.,
as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

         "Base Rate" shall mean the higher of (i) the per annum interest rate
publicly announced from time to time by The Bank of New York in New York, New
York to be its prime or base rate (which may not necessarily be its best lending
rate), as adjusted to conform to changes as of the opening of business on the
date of any such change in such prime or base rate, or (ii) 0.5% per annum plus
the Federal Funds Rate, as adjusted to conform to changes as of the opening of
business on the date of any such change in the Federal Funds Rate; provided,
however, that solely during the period from and including the Closing Date to
but not including March 28, 1997, the "Base Rate" shall mean 0.550% per annum
plus the Federal Funds Rate, as adjusted to conform to changes as of the opening
of business on the date of any such change in the Federal Funds Rate.

         "Base Rate Loan" shall mean, at any time, any Committed Loan that bears
interest at such time at the Base Rate as in effect at such time.

         "Benefit Arrangement" shall mean, at any time, an employee benefit plan
within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which is not a Plan or a
Multiemployer Plan and which is maintained or otherwise contributed to by any
member of the ERISA Group.

         "Bid" shall mean an offer by a Lender to make one or more Bid Loans in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3.

         "Bid Borrowing" shall mean the incurrence by the Borrower on a single
date of any one or more Bid Loans of a single Type as to which a single Interest
Period is in effect, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3.

         "Bid Loan Confirmation" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 2.3(e).

         "Bid Loan Notes" shall mean the promissory notes of the Borrower in
substantially the form of Exhibit A-2, together with any amendments,
modifications and supplements thereto, substitutions therefor and restatements
thereof.

         "Bid Loans" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 2.1(b).

         "Bid Request" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 2.3(a).

         "Borrowing" shall mean a Committed Borrowing or a Bid Borrowing.

         "Borrowing Date" shall mean, with respect to any Borrowing, the date
upon which such Borrowing is made.

         "Business Day" shall mean (i) any day other than a Saturday or Sunday,
a legal holiday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are
required or authorized by law to be closed and (ii) in respect of any
determination relevant to a LIBOR Loan, any such day that is also a day on which
tradings are conducted in the London interbank Eurodollar market.


                                       -4-

<PAGE>


         "CMOs" shall mean any security or certificate representing any interest
or participation in a pool of Mortgage Backed Securities (it being understood
that Mortgage Backed Securities themselves are not CMOs).

         "Capitalization Ratio" shall mean, as of the last day of any fiscal
quarter, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Indebtedness as of such date to (ii) the
sum of Consolidated Indebtedness and Consolidated Net Worth, each as of such
date.

         "Cash Coverage Ratio" shall mean, as of the last day of any period of
four consecutive fiscal quarters (the "Measurement Period"), the ratio of:

         (i) the aggregate of (y) the Available Dividend Amount for the
Measurement Period for the Insurance Subsidiaries, other than each Insurance
Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of another Insurance Subsidiary plus (z) the Net
Tax Sharing Payments (whether a positive or negative number) for the Measurement
Period, to

         (ii) the aggregate of (x) Interest Expense incurred during the
Measurement Period, (y) the aggregate of all operating costs and expenses of the
Borrower, including rent, utilities and payroll expenses paid by the Borrower
during the Measurement Period, and (z) all dividends paid by the Borrower during
the Measurement Period.

         "Cash Equivalents" shall mean (i) securities issued or unconditionally
guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality
thereof, backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America and
maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition, (ii) commercial paper
issued by any Person organized under the laws of the United States of America,
maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition and, at the time of
acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof by
Standard & Poor's and at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof by Moody's, 
(iii) time deposits, certificates of deposit and banker's acceptances maturing
within 180 days from the date of issuance and issued by a bank or trust company
organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof
that has combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000 and that has (or
is a subsidiary of a bank holding company that has) a long-term unsecured debt
rating of at least A or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's or at least
A2 or the equivalent thereof by Moody's, and (iv) repurchase obligations of a
bank or trust company described in clause (iii) above and having a term not
exceeding seven (7) days with respect to underlying securities of the types
described in clause (i) above entered into with any bank or trust company
meeting the qualifications specified in clause (iii) above.

         "Chestnut" shall mean Chestnut Insurance Company, Ltd., a Bermuda
corporation.

         "Closing Date" shall mean the date upon which the initial funding is
made pursuant to this Agreement.

         "Combined Annual Statement" shall mean, with respect to PMAIC and the
Consolidated Affiliates, the combined annual statement of such entities on the
Fire and Casualty form (or any successor form thereto) as required to be filed
by any such entity with the Insurance Regulatory Authority of its jurisdiction
of domicile in accordance with the laws of such jurisdiction, together with all
exhibits, schedules, certificates and actuarial opinions required to be filed or
delivered therewith.


                                       -5-

<PAGE>


         "Committed Borrowing" shall mean the incurrence by the Borrower
(including as a result of conversions and continuations of outstanding Committed
Loans pursuant to Section 2.12) on a single date of a group of Committed Loans
of a single Type and, in the case of LIBOR Committed Loans, as to which a single
Interest Period is in effect.

         "Committed Loan Notes" shall mean the promissory notes of the Borrower
in substantially the form of Exhibit A-1, together with any amendments,
modifications and supplements thereto, substitutions therefor and restatements
thereof.

         "Committed Loans" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 2.1(a).

         "Commitment" shall mean, with respect to any Lender at any time, the
amount set forth opposite such Lender's name on its signature page hereto under
the caption "Commitment" or, if such Lender has entered into one or more
Assignment and Acceptances, the amount set forth for such Lender at such time in
the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.7(b)
as such Lender's "Commitment," as such amount may be reduced at or prior to such
time pursuant to the terms hereof.

         "Compliance Certificate" shall mean a fully completed and duly executed
certificate in the form of Exhibit E-1 or Exhibit E-2, as applicable.

         "Consolidated Affiliates" shall mean, collectively, PMA Re, the PMA
Group and any other fire and casualty insurance company that is or hereafter
becomes an Affiliate of PMAIC and the accounts of which are prescribed or
permitted by Statutory Accounting Practices to be consolidated with those of
PMAIC for purposes of any Combined Annual Statements.

         "Consolidated Indebtedness" shall mean, as of the last day of any
fiscal quarter, the aggregate (without duplication) of all Indebtedness of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date, determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles but excluding
(i) reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued to secure
the reinsurance obligations of one or more Insurance Subsidiaries under
reinsurance agreements entered into as a reinsurer in the ordinary course of
such Insurance Subsidiaries' business but only in each case to the extent of the
cash and Treasury Securities provided to the issuer of such letter of credit by
the Borrower or any Subsidiary as collateral for such reimbursement obligations,
and (ii) the reimbursement obligations with respect to the letter of credit
issued upon the Borrower's application for the benefit of PMAIC with PMA Cayman
as an account party thereto, but only if the stated amount of such letter of
credit is less than $28,000,000.

         "Consolidated Net Worth" shall mean, at any time, the net worth of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such time, determined on a consolidated basis
in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles but (i) excluding
any preferred stock or other class of equity securities that, by its stated
terms (or by the terms of any class of equity securities issuable upon
conversion thereof or in exchange therefor), or upon the occurrence of any
event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, or is redeemable at the option of
the holders thereof, in whole or in part, and (ii) without regard to the
requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115 issued by
the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

         "Consolidated Statutory Surplus" shall mean, as to all Insurance
Subsidiaries, as of any date, the sum (without duplication) of the total amounts
shown (i) with respect to each Insurance Subsidiary not legally domiciled in the
United States, the shareholders' equity of such Insurance Subsidiary as


                                       -6-

<PAGE>


determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (without
regard to the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
115 issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board), (ii) with respect to
each other Insurance Subsidiary that is a life and accident and health insurance
company, on line 38, column 1, page 3 of the Annual Statement of such Insurance
Subsidiary, and (iii) with respect to each other Insurance Subsidiary, on line
25, column 1, page 3 of the Annual Statement of such Insurance Subsidiary,
excluding in each case under clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) any Insurance
Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of an Insurance Subsidiary, or the sum of
amounts determined in a consistent manner for any date other than one as of
which an Annual Statement is prepared.

         "Contingent Obligation" shall mean, with respect to any Person,
(without duplication) any direct or indirect liability of such Person with
respect to any Indebtedness, liability or other obligation (the "primary
obligation") of another Person (the "primary obligor"), whether or not
contingent, (a) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such primary
obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,
(b) to advance or provide funds (i) for the payment or discharge of any such
primary obligation or (ii) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the
primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency or any
balance sheet item, level of income or financial condition of the primary
obligor, (c) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the
purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of
the primary obligor in respect thereof to make payment of such primary
obligation or (d) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of any such
primary obligation against loss or failure or inability to perform in respect
thereof; provided, however, that, with respect to the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, the term Contingent Obligation shall not include (y) endorsements
for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or (z) obligations
entered into by an Insurance Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business
under insurance policies or contracts issued by it or to which it is a party,
including reinsurance agreements (and security posted by any such Insurance
Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business to secure obligations
thereunder).

         "Covenant Compliance Worksheet" shall mean a fully completed worksheet
in the form of Attachment A to Exhibit E-1 or Exhibit E-2, as applicable.

         "Credit Documents" shall mean this Agreement, the Notes, the Fee Letter
and all other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates now or
hereafter executed and delivered to either Agent or any Lender by or on behalf
of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby, in each case as amended, modified,
supplemented or restated from time to time.

         "Default" shall mean any event or condition that, with the passage of
time or giving of notice, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

         "Documentation Agent" shall mean First Union in its capacity as
Documentation Agent appointed under Article IX, and its successors and permitted
assigns in such capacity.

         "Dollar Roll Agreements" shall mean, as to any Person, an agreement
pursuant to which such Person sells securities to another Person and agrees to
repurchase "substantially the same" securities (as determined by the Public
Securities Association and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) at a
described or specified date and price.

         "Dollars" or "$" shall mean the lawful currency of the United States of
America.


                                       -7-

<PAGE>


         "Duff & Phelps" shall mean Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co., Inc., its
successors and assigns.

         "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended from time to time, and any successor statute, and all rules and
regulations from time to time promulgated thereunder.

         "ERISA Group" shall mean the Borrower and all members of a controlled
group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated)
under common control which, together with the Borrower, are treated as a single
employer under Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code.

         "Eligible Assignee" shall mean (i) a commercial bank organized under
the laws of the United States or any state thereof and having total assets in
excess of $1,000,000,000, (ii) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any
other country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development or any successor thereto (the "OECD") or a political subdivision of
any such country and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000, provided
that such bank or other financial institution is acting through a branch or
agency located in the United States, in the country under the laws of which it
is organized or in another country that is also a member of the OECD, (iii) the
central bank of any country that is a member of the OECD, (iv) a finance
company, insurance company or other financial institution or fund that is
engaged in making, purchasing or otherwise investing in loans in the ordinary
course of its business and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000, 
(v) any Affiliate of an existing Lender or (vi) any other Person approved by the
Borrower and the Agents, which approvals shall not be unreasonably withheld.

         "Environmental Claims" shall mean any and all administrative,
regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens,
notices of noncompliance or violation, investigations (other than internal
reports prepared by any Person in the ordinary course of its business and not in
response to any third party action or request of any kind) or proceedings
relating in any way to any Environmental Law or any permit issued, or any
approval given, under any such Environmental Law (collectively, "Claims"),
including, without limitation, (i) any and all Claims by Governmental
Authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other
actions or damages pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law and (ii) any and
all Claims by any third party seeking damages, contribution, indemnification,
cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief resulting from Hazardous
Substances or arising from alleged injury or threat of injury to human health or
the environment.

         "Environmental Laws" shall mean any and all federal, state and local
laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, permits, licenses, approvals,
interpretations, rules of common law and orders of courts or Governmental
Authorities, relating to the protection of human health or occupational safety
or the environment, now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended from
time to time, including, without limitation, requirements pertaining to the
manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal,
transportation, handling, reporting, licensing, permitting, investigation or
remediation of Hazardous Substances.

         "Event of Default" shall have the meaning given to such term in
 Section 8.1.

         "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time, and any successor statute, and all rules and
regulations from time to time promulgated thereunder.

         "Facility Fee" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 2.10.


                                       -8-

<PAGE>


         "Federal Funds Rate" shall mean, for any period, a fluctuating per
annum interest rate (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of one
percentage point) equal for each day during such period to the weighted average
of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or,
if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or if such rate is not so published for any
day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such
transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds
brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.

         "Federal Reserve Board" shall mean the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System or any successor thereto.

         "Fee Letter" shall mean the letter from First Union and The Bank of New
York to the Borrower, dated February 25, 1997, relating to the facility and
administrative fees payable in respect of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

         "Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" shall mean generally
accepted accounting principles, as followed in the United States and as set
forth in the statements, opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting
Principles Board, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the
Financial Accounting Standards Board (or, to the extent not so set forth in such
statements, opinions and pronouncements, as generally followed by entities
similar in size to the Borrower and engaged in generally similar lines of
business), consistently applied and maintained and in conformity with those used
in the preparation of the most recent financial statements of the Borrower
referred to in Section 4.11(a).

         "Governmental Authority" shall mean any nation or government, any state
or other political subdivision thereof and any central bank thereof, any
municipal, local, city or county government, and any entity exercising
executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or
pertaining to government, and any corporation or other entity owned or
controlled, through stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the
foregoing.

         "Hazardous Substances" shall mean any substances or materials (i) that
are or become defined as hazardous wastes, hazardous substances, pollutants,
contaminants or toxic substances under any Environmental Law, (ii) that are
defined by any Environmental Law as toxic, explosive, corrosive, ignitable,
infectious, radioactive, mutagenic or otherwise hazardous, (iii) the presence of
which require investigation or response under any Environmental Law, (iv) that
constitute a nuisance, trespass or health or safety hazard to Persons or
neighboring properties, (v) that consist of underground or aboveground storage
tanks, whether empty, filled or partially filled with any substance or (vi) that
contain, without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, urea
formaldehyde foam insulation, petroleum hydrocarbons, petroleum derived
substances or wastes, crude oil, nuclear fuel, natural gas or synthetic gas.

         "Hedge Agreement" shall mean any interest or foreign currency rate
swap, cap, collar, option, hedge, forward rate or other similar agreement or
arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in interest rates or
currency exchange rates.

         "Historical Statutory Statements" shall have the meaning given to such
term in Section 4.11(b).


                                       -9-

<PAGE>


         "Indebtedness" shall mean, with respect to any Person (without
duplication), (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or in
respect of loans or advances, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by
notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (iii) all reimbursement
obligations of such Person with respect to surety bonds, letters of credit and
bankers' acceptances (in each case, whether or not drawn or matured and in the
stated amount thereof), (iv) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred
purchase price of property or services, (v) all indebtedness created or arising
under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to
property acquired by such Person, (vi) all obligations of such Person as lessee
under leases that are or should be, in accordance with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles, recorded as capital leases, to the extent such
obligations are required to be so recorded, (vii) all obligations of such Person
to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of
any capital stock or other equity securities that, by their stated terms (or by
the terms of any equity securities issuable upon conversion thereof or in
exchange therefor), or upon the occurrence of any event, mature or are
mandatorily redeemable, or are redeemable at the option of the holder thereof,
in whole or in part, (viii) the net termination obligations of such Person under
any Hedge Agreements, other than any Hedge Agreement that qualifies as a hedge
of an exposure to an indentifiable interest rate risk as determined in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 80 issued by the
Financial Accounting Standards Board, calculated as of any date as if such
agreement or arrangement were terminated as of such date, (ix) all indebtedness
of such Person in respect of Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Roll
Agreements, (x) all Contingent Obligations of such Person and (xi) all
indebtedness referred to in clauses (i) through (x) above secured by any Lien on
any property or asset owned or held by such Person regardless of whether the
indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed by such Person or is
nonrecourse to the credit of such Person.

         "Insurance Regulatory Authority" shall mean, with respect to any
Insurance Subsidiary, the insurance department or similar Governmental Authority
charged with regulating insurance companies or insurance holding companies, in
its jurisdiction of domicile and, to the extent that it has regulatory authority
over such Insurance Subsidiary, in each other jurisdiction in which such
Insurance Subsidiary conducts business or is licensed to conduct business.

         "Insurance Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower the
ability of which to pay dividends is regulated by an Insurance Regulatory
Authority or that is otherwise required to be regulated thereby in accordance
with the applicable Requirements of Law of its jurisdiction of domicile, and
shall mean and include, without limitation, each of PMAIC and PMA Re.

         "Interest Expense" shall mean, for any period, total interest expense
of the Borrower for such period in respect of Indebtedness of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries (including all such interest expense accrued or capitalized
during such period, whether or not actually paid during such period, and such
portion of finance leases properly characterized as interest), adjusted to give
effect to all interest rate swap, cap or other interest rate hedging
arrangements and fees and expenses paid in connection therewith, all as
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles.

         "Interest Period" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 2.11.

         "Internal Revenue Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended from time to time, and any successor statute, and all rules and
regulations from time to time promulgated thereunder.


                                      -10-

<PAGE>


         "Invested Assets" shall mean, with respect to any Person, the amount,
on a consolidated basis, of its investments, cash and cash equivalents as
reflected on such Person's most recent balance sheet.

         "Investment Grade Securities" shall mean (i) non-equity securities
(other than those issued by an Affiliate of the Borrower and other than CMOs and
REMICs) that, if rated by the NAIC, are rated "NAIC 2" (or the equivalent
thereof) or better by the NAIC, or, if not rated by the NAIC, are rated "BBB-"
(or the equivalent thereof) or higher by Standard & Poor's, "Baa3" (or the
equivalent thereof) or higher by Moody's, or "BBB-" (or the equivalent thereof)
or higher by Duff & Phelps, (ii) municipal bonds that, if rated by the NAIC, are
rated "NAIC 2" (or the equivalent thereof) or better by the NAIC, or if not
rated by the NAIC, are rated "SP-2" (or the equivalent thereof) or higher by
Standard & Poor's, "Baa3" or "MIG4" (or the equivalent thereof) or higher by
Moody's, or "BBB-" (or the equivalent thereof) or higher by Duff & Phelps, and
(iii) Permitted CMOs and Mortgage Backed Securities that, if rated by the NAIC,
are rated "NAIC 2" (or the equivalent thereof) or higher by Standard & Poor's,
"Baa3" (or the equivalent thereof) or higher by Moody's, or "BBB-" (or the
equivalent thereof) or higher by Duff & Phelps (or, in the case of clauses (i),
(ii) and (iii) above, in the event all such rating agencies cease to publish
investment ratings, carrying an equivalent rating of a nationally recognized
rating agency).

         "Invitation for Bids" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 2.3(b).

         "LIBOR Auction" shall mean a solicitation of Bids setting forth LIBOR
Bid Margins pursuant to Section 2.3.

         "LIBOR Bid Loan" shall mean, at any time, any Bid Loan that bears
interest at such time at a rate equal to the LIBOR Rate as in effect at such
time plus (or minus) a LIBOR Bid Margin established pursuant to a LIBOR Auction.

         "LIBOR Bid Margin" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section
2.3(c)(iv).

         "LIBOR Committed Loan" shall mean, at any time, any Committed Loan that
bears interest at such time at a rate equal to the LIBOR Rate as in effect at
such time plus the Applicable Margin as in effect at such time.

         "LIBOR Loans" shall mean the LIBOR Committed Loans and the LIBOR Bid
Loans.

         "LIBOR Rate" shall mean, with respect to each LIBOR Loan comprising
part of the same Borrowing for any Interest Period, a rate of interest per
annum, as determined by the Administrative Agent, obtained by dividing (and then
rounding to the nearest 1/16 of 1% or, if there is no nearest 1/16 of 1%, then
to the next higher 1/16 of 1%) (i) the rate per annum for deposits having a
maturity most nearly comparable to the Interest Period in respect of such LIBOR
Loan in Dollars which appears on page 3750 of the Dow Jones Telerate Screen (or
any successor page) as of 11:00 a.m. London time on the date that is two
Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, or if such a rate
does not appear on page 3750 of the Dow Jones Telerate Screen, the rate of
interest per annum quoted by The Bank of New York at approximately 11:00 a.m.
London time (or as soon thereafter as practicable) two Business Days prior to
the first day of such Interest Period to leading banks in the interbank
eurodollar market as the rate at which The Bank of New York is offering Dollar
deposits in an amount approximately equal to (x) in the case of a Committed
LIBOR Loan, an amount equal to its share thereof or (y) in the case of a LIBOR
Bid Loan, an amount equal to such LIBOR Bid Loan, in each case having a period
to maturity approximately equal to such Interest Period, by (ii) an number equal
to 1.00 minus the then applicable Reserve Requirement.


                                      -11-

<PAGE>


         "Lender" shall mean each financial institution signatory hereto and
each other financial institution that becomes a "Lender" hereunder pursuant to
Section 10.7, and their respective successors and assigns.

         "Lending Office" shall mean, with respect to any Lender, the office of
such Lender designated as its "Lending Office" on its signature page hereto or
in an Assignment and Acceptance, or such other office as may be otherwise
designated in writing from time to time by such Lender to the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent. A Lender may designate separate Lending Offices as
provided in the foregoing sentence for the purposes of making or maintaining
different Types of Loans, and, with respect to LIBOR Loans, such office may be a
domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender.

         "Letter of Credit Exposure" shall mean, at any time, the sum at such
time, without duplication, of (i) the aggregate undrawn face amount of the
outstanding letters of credit issued under the Letter of Credit Facility, 
(ii) the aggregate amount of unpaid drafts drawn on all letters of credit issued
under the Letter of Credit Facility, and (iii) the aggregate unpaid
reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit issued under the
Letter of Credit Facility.

         "Letter of Credit Facility" shall mean the Letter of Credit Agreement,
dated November 10, 1995, between the Borrower, Corestates Bank, N.A., as
co-agent, The Bank of New York (as agent and issuing bank) and certain other
banks party thereto, as such agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented or
restated from time to time.

         "Licenses" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 4.4(c).

         "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment,
security interest, lien (statutory or otherwise), preference, priority, charge
or other encumbrance of any nature, whether voluntary or involuntary, including,
without limitation, the interest of any vendor or lessor under any conditional
sale agreement, title retention agreement, capital lease or any other lease or
arrangement having substantially the same effect as any of the foregoing.

         "Loans" shall mean the Committed Loans and the Bid Loans.

         "MASCCO" shall mean Mid-Atlantic States Casualty Company, a
Pennsylvania insurance corporation.

         "Management Group" shall mean, collectively, the individuals listed on
Schedule 1.1, provided, however, each individual shall be included in the
Management Group only so long as such individual is a member of the Borrower's
Board of Directors or is employed by the Borrower or any Material Insurance
Subsidiary in a senior management position.

         "Margin Stock" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Regulation U.

         "Material Adverse Change" shall mean a material adverse change in the
condition (financial or otherwise), operations, business, properties or
financial prospects of the Borrower or the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole.


                                      -12-

<PAGE>


         "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a material adverse effect upon
(i) the condition (financial or otherwise), operations, business, properties or
financial prospects of the Borrower or the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under
this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents or (iii) the legality,
validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Credit
Documents.

         "Material Insurance Subsidiary" shall mean any Insurance Subsidiary
that is a Material Subsidiary.

         "Material Plan" shall mean, at any time, a Plan or Plans having
aggregate Unfunded Liabilities in excess of $1,000,000.

         "Material Subsidiary" shall mean each of (i) MASCCO, (ii) PMA Cayman,
(iii) the members of the PMA Group, (iv) PMA Re, (v) at the relevant time of
determination, any Subsidiary of the Borrower having (after the elimination of
intercompany accounts) (y) assets constituting at least ten percent (10%) of the
total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, or
(z) revenues constituting at least ten percent (10%) of the total revenues of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, in each case as
determined as of the date of the financial statements of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries most recently delivered under Section 5.1 prior to such time (or,
with regard to determinations at any time prior to the initial delivery of
financial statements under Section 5.1, as of the date of the most recent
financial statements referred to in Section 4.11(a)), and (vi) any Subsidiary
that has one of the foregoing as a Subsidiary.

         "Maturity Date" shall mean December 31, 2002.

         "Maximum Bid Loan Amount" shall mean, at any time, the amount equal to
fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Commitments at such time.

         "Moody's" shall mean Moody's Investors Service, Inc., its successors
and assigns.

         "Mortgage Backed Securities" shall mean investment securities
representing any undivided interest or participation in, or which are secured
by, a pool of loans secured by mortgages or deeds of trust.

         "Multiemployer Plan" shall mean, at any time, an employee pension
benefit plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any
member of the ERISA Group is then making or accruing an obligation to make
contributions or has within the preceding five plan years made contributions,
including for these purposes any Person which ceased to be a member of the ERISA
Group during such five year period.

         "NAIC" shall mean the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
and any successor thereto.

         "Net Tax Sharing Payments" shall mean, for any period, (i) the
aggregate (without duplication) of all payments made or to be made to the
Borrower by its Subsidiaries pursuant to tax sharing or tax allocation
agreements or arrangements or otherwise in respect of taxable income realized
during such period, minus (ii) the aggregate (without duplication) of all
foreign, federal, state or local income, franchise and other tax payments made
or to be made by the Borrower in respect of taxable income realized during such
period and any payments made or to be made by the Borrower during such period
pursuant to such tax sharing or tax allocation agreement or arrangement.


                                      -13-

<PAGE>


         "Notes" shall mean the Committed Loan Notes and the Bid Loan Notes.

         "Notice of Committed Borrowing" shall have the meaning given to such
term in Section 2.2(a).

         "Notice of Conversion/Continuation" shall have the meaning given to
such term in Section 2.12(b).

         "Obligations" shall mean all principal of and interest (including, to
the greatest extent permitted by law, post-petition interest) on the Loans and
all fees, expenses, indemnities and other obligations owing, due or payable at
any time by the Borrower to either Agent, any Lender or any other Person
entitled thereto, under this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.

         "PAC I" shall mean a planned amortization class bond which is a tranche
or class of CMO or REMIC that is retired according to a predetermined
amortization schedule independent of the prepayment rate on the underlying
collateral and which has the highest level of protection within the pool against
prepayment or extension.

         "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any
successor thereto.

         "PMA Cayman" shall mean PMA Insurance Cayman, Ltd., a Cayman Islands
corporation.

         "PMA Group" shall mean PMAIC, Manufacturers Alliance Insurance Company,
a Pennsylvania insurance corporation, and Pennsylvania Manufacturers Indemnity
Company, a Pennsylvania insurance corporation.

         "PMA Re" shall mean PMA Reinsurance Corporation, a Pennsylvania
insurance corporation.

         "PMAIC" shall mean Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association Insurance
Company, a Pennsylvania insurance corporation.

         "Participant" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 10.7(d).

         "Permitted CMOs and Mortgage Backed Securities" shall mean (i) mortgage
participation certificates issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation,
(ii) mortgage backed securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage
Association, (iii) securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage
Association, and (iv) other securities and certificates representing
participations in any CMO or REMIC which are PAC I's or which have comparable
priority in respect of the repayment thereof.

         "Permitted Liens" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 7.3.

         "Person" shall mean any corporation, association, joint venture,
partnership, limited liability company, organization, business, individual,
trust, government or agency or political subdivision thereof or any other legal
entity.


                                      -14-

<PAGE>


         "Plan" shall mean, at any time, an employee pension benefit plan (other
than a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to
the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code and
either (i) is maintained, or contributed to, by any member of the ERISA Group
for employees of any member of the ERISA Group or (ii) has at any time within
the preceding five years been maintained, or contributed to, by any Person which
was at such time a member of the ERISA Group for employees of any Person which
was at such time a member of the ERISA Group.

         "Quarterly Statement" shall mean, with respect to any Insurance
Subsidiary for any fiscal quarter, the quarterly financial statements of such
Insurance Subsidiary as required to be filed with the Insurance Regulatory
Authority of its jurisdiction of domicile, together with all exhibits,
schedules, certificates and actuarial opinions required to be filed or delivered
therewith.

         "REMIC" shall mean a real estate mortgage investment conduit.

         "Register" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section
10.7(b).

         "Regulations D, G, T, U and X" shall mean Regulations D, G, T, U and X,
respectively, of the Federal Reserve Board, and any successor regulations.

         "Reinsurance Agreement" shall mean any agreement, contract, treaty,
certificate or other arrangement whereby any Insurance Subsidiary agrees to
transfer, cede or retrocede to another insurer or reinsurer all or part of the
liability assumed or assets held by such Insurance Subsidiary under a policy or
policies of insurance issued by such Insurance Subsidiary or under a reinsurance
agreement assumed by such Insurance Subsidiary.

         "Required Lenders" shall mean (i) at any time prior to the Termination
Date, the Lenders having more than or equal to fifty-one percent (51%) of the
aggregate Commitments at such time, and (ii) on and after the Termination Date,
the Lenders having more than or equal to fifty-one percent (51%) of the
aggregate principal amount of the Loans outstanding at such time (or, if at any
time on or after the Termination Date at which no Loans are outstanding, the
Lenders having more than or equal to fifty-one percent (51%) of the aggregate
Commitments immediately prior to the termination of the Commitments).

         "Requirement of Law" shall mean, with respect to any Person, the
charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or
other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any statute,
law, treaty, rule, regulation, order, decree, writ, injunction or determination
of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority, in each case
applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which
such Person or any of its property is subject or otherwise pertaining to any or
all of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents.

         "Reserve Adjustment" shall mean the non-recurring expense charged, in
accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, during the fourth
quarter of 1996 to the statements of earnings for Chestnut, MASCCO and the
relevant members of the PMA Group in the aggregate amount of $190,000,000 and
the corresponding adjustment in accordance with Statutory Accounting Practices.

         "Reserve Requirement" shall mean, with respect to any Interest Period,
the aggregate of the then stated maximum rates during such Interest Period of
all reserve requirements (including, without limitation, marginal, emergency,
supplemental and special reserves), expressed as a decimal, established by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any other banking authority
to which The Bank of New York, First Union and other major United States money
center banks are subject, in respect of eurocurrency funding (currently referred
to as "Eurocurrency liabilities" in Regulation D of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System) or in respect of any other category of liabilities
including deposits by reference to which the interest rate on LIBOR Loans is
determined or any category of extensions of credit or other assets which
includes loans by non-domestic offices of any Lender to United States residents.
Such reserve requirements shall include, without limitation, those imposed under
such Regulation D. The LIBOR Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of
the effective date of any change in any such reserve requirement.


                                      -15-

<PAGE>


         "Reverse Repurchase Agreement" shall mean, as to any Person, an
agreement pursuant to which such Person sells securities to another Person (the
"Counterparty") and agrees to repurchase such securities at a described or
specified date and price, provided, however, that "Reverse Repurchase
Agreements" shall not include any agreement pursuant to which such Person lends
securities pursuant to a securities lending arrangement to a Counterparty who
collateralizes such borrowing with cash, Cash Equivalents, letters of credit or
other collateral acceptable to the Required Lenders, and agrees to return such
securities to such Person at a described or specified date.

         "Special 1996 Charges" shall mean the non-recurring expense charged
with respect to receivables, equipment write-offs and other restructuring
charges, in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, during the
fourth quarter of 1996 to the statements of earnings for the Borrower in the
aggregate amount of $31,000,000.

         "Standard & Poor's" shall mean Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a
division of McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., its successors and assigns.

         "Statutory Accounting Practices" shall mean, with respect to any
Insurance Subsidiary, the statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted
by the relevant Insurance Regulatory Authority of its state of domicile,
consistently applied and maintained and in conformity with those used in the
preparation of the most recent Historical Financial Statements.

         "Subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation or
other Person of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding capital
stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of
directors, in the case of a corporation, or of the ownership or beneficial
interests, in the case of a Person not a corporation, is at the time, directly
or indirectly, owned or controlled by such Person and one or more of its other
Subsidiaries or a combination thereof (irrespective of whether, at the time,
securities of any other class or classes of any such corporation or other Person
shall or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).
When used without reference to a parent entity, the term "Subsidiary" shall be
deemed to refer to a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

         "Surplus Relief Reinsurance Agreement" shall mean any agreement or
other arrangement whereby any Insurance Subsidiary cedes business under a
reinsurance agreement that would not be considered a transaction that
indemnifies an insurer against loss or liability relating to insurance risk, as
determined in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
113 ("FAS 113") issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (without
regard to the effective date of FAS 113).

         "Surviving Senior Note Indebtedness" shall mean the Indebtedness of the
Borrower outstanding from time to time in respect of the Surviving Senior Notes.

         "Surviving Senior Notes" shall mean the $7,143,000 principal amount of
the Borrower's 9.53% Senior Notes, dated June 17, 1987, due June 30, 1997,
together with any amendment, modification, replacement, substitutes, supplements
thereto, and renewals or extensions thereof, in whole or in part.

         "Terminating Indebtedness" shall mean the Terminating Revolving Credit
Indebtedness and the Terminating Senior Note Indebtedness.

         "Terminating Revolving Credit Indebtedness" shall mean all indebtedness
and other monetary obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, dated
as of August 11, 1995, as amended, between the Borrower, the lenders and
financial institutions named therein and The Bank of New York, as agent for the
lenders.

                                      -16-

<PAGE>


         "Terminating Senior Note Indebtedness" shall mean the aggregate
Indebtedness of the Borrower outstanding from time to time in respect to the 
(i) $46,428,000 principal amount of the Borrower's 9.60% Senior Notes, dated
September 26, 1991, due October 1, 2001, (ii) the $71,000,000 principal amount
of the Borrower's 7.62% Senior Notes, dated July 19, 1995, due July 15, 2001,
and (iii) the $36,000,000 principal amount of the Borrower's 7.62% Senior Notes,
dated July 19, 1995, due July 15, 2000, together with any amendments,
modification, replacement, substitute, supplements thereto, and renewals or
extensions thereof, in whole or in part.

         "Termination Date" shall mean the Maturity Date or such earlier date of
termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.6 or Section 8.2.

         "Treasury Security" shall mean any "Treasury security" under, and as
such term is defined in, 31 C.F.R. part 306, subpart O, as amended.

         "Type" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1(c).

         "Unfunded Liabilities" shall mean, with respect to any Plan at any
time, the amount (if any) by which (i) the present value of all benefits under
such Plan exceeds (ii) the fair market value of all Plan assets allocable to
such benefits (excluding any accrued but unpaid contributions), all determined
as of the then most recent valuation date for such Plan, but only to the extent
that such excess represents a potential liability of a member of the ERISA Group
to the PBGC or any other Person under Title IV of ERISA.

         "Wholly Owned" shall mean, with respect to any Subsidiary of any
Person, that 100% of the outstanding capital stock or other ownership interests
of such Subsidiary is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

         1.2. Accounting Terms. Except as specifically provided otherwise in
this Agreement, all accounting terms used herein that are not specifically
defined shall have the meanings customarily given them, and all financial
computations hereunder shall be made, in accordance with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (or, to the extent that such terms apply solely to any
Insurance Subsidiary or if otherwise expressly required, Statutory Accounting
Practices). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any changes in
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or Statutory Accounting Practices after
the date hereof are required to be applied to the transactions described herein
and would affect the computation of the financial covenants contained in
Sections 6.1 through 6.4, as applicable, such changes shall be followed in the
computation of such financial covenants only from and after the date this
Agreement shall have been amended to take into account any such changes,
provided the parties agree to negotiate in good faith to so amend this Agreement
as soon as practicable after such a change. References to amounts on particular
exhibits, schedules, lines, pages and columns of any Annual Statement or
Quarterly Statement are based on the format promulgated by the NAIC for the 1995
Annual Statements and Quarterly Statements. In the event such format is changed
in future years so that different information is contained in such items or they
no longer exist, or if the Annual Statement or Quarterly Statement is replaced
by the NAIC or by any Insurance Regulatory Authority after the date hereof such
that different forms of financial statements are required to be furnished by the
Insurance Subsidiaries in lieu thereof, such references shall be to information
consistent with that reported in the referenced item in the 1995 Annual
Statements or Quarterly Statements, as the case may be.


                                      -17-

<PAGE>


         1.3. Other Terms; Construction. Unless otherwise specified or unless
the context otherwise requires, all references herein to sections, annexes,
schedules and exhibits are references to sections, annexes, schedules and
exhibits in and to this Agreement, and all terms defined in this Agreement shall
have the defined meanings when used in any other Credit Document or any
certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto.


                                   ARTICLE II

                          AMOUNT AND TERMS OF THE LOANS

         2.1. Commitments; Loans. (a) Each Lender severally agrees, subject to
and on the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to make loans (each, a
"Committed Loan," and collectively, the "Committed Loans") to the Borrower, from
time to time on any Business Day during the period from and including the
Closing Date to but not including the Termination Date, in an aggregate
principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding its Commitment at such
time, provided that no Committed Borrowing shall be made if, immediately after
giving effect thereto, the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Committed
Loans outstanding at such time and the aggregate principal amount of Bid Loans
outstanding at such time would exceed the aggregate Commitments at such time.
Subject to and on the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Borrower may
borrow, repay and reborrow Committed Loans.

         (b) In addition to Committed Borrowings pursuant to subsection (a)
above, each Lender severally agrees that the Borrower may, subject to and on the
terms and conditions of this Agreement and as more particularly set forth in
Section 2.3, request the Lenders to submit offers to make loans (each, a "Bid
Loan," and collectively, the "Bid Loans") to the Borrower, from time to time on
any Business Day during the period from and including the fifth (5th) Business
Day after the Closing Date to but not including the earlier of (i) the date that
is one (1) Business Day prior to the seventh (7th) day prior to the Maturity
Date or (ii) the Termination Date; provided, however, that the Lenders may, but
shall have no obligation to, submit such offers and the Borrower may, but shall
have no obligation to, accept any such offers; provided further that no Bid
Borrowing shall be made if, immediately after giving effect thereto, (y) the
aggregate principal amount of Bid Loans outstanding at such time would exceed
the Maximum Bid Loan Amount at such time, or (z) the sum of the aggregate
principal amount of Bid Loans
outstanding at such time and the aggregate principal amount of Committed Loans
outstanding at such time would exceed the aggregate Commitments at such time.

         (c) The Loans shall, at the option of the Borrower and subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, be (i) in the case of Committed Loans,
either Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Committed Loans, or (ii) in the case of Bid
Loans, either Absolute Rate Loans or LIBOR Bid Loans (Base Rate Loans, LIBOR
Committed Loans, Absolute Rate Loans and LIBOR Bid Loans, each, a "Type" of
Loan), provided that all Loans comprising the same Borrowing shall, unless
otherwise specifically provided herein, be of the same Type.


                                      -18-

<PAGE>


         2.2. Committed Borrowings. (a) In order to make a Committed Borrowing
(other than Committed Borrowings involving continuations or conversions of
outstanding Committed Loans, which shall be requested pursuant to Section 2.12),
the Borrower will give the Administrative Agent written notice by the delivery
of a Notice of Committed Borrowing, which shall be sent by telecopy (confirmed
promptly, and in any event within five Business Days, by the delivery to the
Administrative Agent of a Notice of Committed Borrowing manually signed by the
Borrower), not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, three (3) Business
Days prior to each Committed Borrowing to be comprised of LIBOR Committed Loans
and one (1) Business Day prior to each Committed Borrowing to be comprised of
Base Rate Loans; provided, however, that a request for a Committed Borrowing to
be made on the Closing Date may, at the discretion of the Administrative Agent,
be given later than the times specified hereinabove, but any Loans made on the
Closing Date shall be made initially as Base Rate Loans; and provided further
that the Borrower may, on any proposed Borrowing Date for a Bid Borrowing duly
requested in accordance with Section 2.3, give a request not later than 12:00
noon, New York City time, for a Committed Borrowing on such date to be comprised
of Base Rate Loans. Each such notice (each, a "Notice of Committed Borrowing")
shall be irrevocable, shall be given in the form of Exhibit B-1 and shall
specify (a) the aggregate principal amount and initial Type of the Committed
Loans to be made pursuant to such Committed Borrowing, (b) in the case of a
Committed Borrowing of LIBOR Committed Loans, the initial Interest Period to be
applicable thereto, and (c) the requested Borrowing Date, which shall be a
Business Day. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein:

                    (i) the aggregate principal amount of each Committed
         Borrowing comprised of Base Rate Loans shall not be less than
         $3,000,000 or, if greater, an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
         thereof (or, if less, in the amount of the Aggregate Unutilized
         Commitments), and the aggregate principal amount of each Committed
         Borrowing comprised of LIBOR Committed Loans shall not be less than
         $3,000,000 or, if greater, an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
         thereof;

                   (ii) if the Borrower shall have failed to designate the Type
         of Committed Loans comprising a Committed Borrowing, the Borrower shall
         be deemed to have requested a Committed Borrowing comprised of Base
         Rate Loans; and

                  (iii) if the Borrower shall have failed to select the duration
         of the Interest Period to be applicable to any Committed Borrowing of
         LIBOR Committed Loans, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have
         selected an Interest Period with a duration of one month.

         (b) Upon its receipt of a Notice of Committed Borrowing, the
Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of the proposed Committed
Borrowing. Not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the requested
Borrowing Date, each Lender will make available to the Administrative Agent at
its office referred to in Section 10.5 (or at such other location as the
Administrative Agent may designate) an amount, in Dollars and in immediately
available funds, equal to the amount of the Committed Loan to be made by such
Lender. To the extent the Lenders have made such amounts available to the
Administrative Agent as provided hereinabove, subject to the satisfaction of the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative
Agent, the Administrative Agent will make the aggregate of such amounts
available to the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.4(a) and in like funds as
received by the Administrative Agent.


                                      -19-

<PAGE>


         2.3. Bid Borrowings. (a) In order to request the Lenders to submit Bids
to make Bid Loans hereunder, the Borrower will give the Administrative Agent
written notice by the delivery of a Bid Request, which shall be sent by telecopy
(confirmed promptly, and in any event within five Business Days, by the delivery
to the Administrative Agent of a Bid Request manually signed by the Borrower),
not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, (y) five (5) Business Days prior
to the requested Bid Borrowing, in the case of a LIBOR Auction, or (z) two (2)
Business Days prior to the requested Bid Borrowing, in the case of an Absolute
Rate Auction. The Borrower may request offers to make Bid Loans for up to three
(3) separate Interest Periods in a single notice, and each such request for
offers for a separate Interest Period shall be deemed a request for a separate
Bid Borrowing. Each such notice (each, a "Bid Request") shall be given in the
form of Exhibit C-1 and shall specify, with respect to each requested Bid
Borrowing for a particular Interest Period:

                    (i) the Interest Period to be applicable to such
         Bid Borrowing;

                   (ii) the aggregate amount of such requested Bid Borrowing,
         which shall not (with respect to any single Interest Period) be less
         than $5,000,000 or, if greater, an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in
         excess thereof, but shall not cause the limits specified in Section
         2.1(b) to be exceeded;

                  (iii) whether the Bid Borrowing requested for a particular
         Interest Period is to be comprised of LIBOR Bid Loans or Absolute Rate
         Loans; and

                   (iv) the requested Borrowing Date, which shall be a
         Business Day;

provided, however, that (x) no Interest Period applicable to any Bid Borrowing
shall expire on a date later than the first (1st) Business Day prior to the
Maturity Date, (y) the Borrower may not submit a Bid Request within five (5)
Business Days after the date of submission of any previous Bid Request, and 
(z) no Bid Borrowing shall be made if, immediately after giving effect thereto,
there would be outstanding Bid Loans and LIBOR Committed Loans in violation of
the restrictions set forth in clause (iv) of Section 2.11. A Bid Request not
given in the form of Exhibit C-1 or otherwise not given in compliance with the
requirements of this subsection (a) may be rejected by the Administrative Agent
in its sole discretion, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the
Borrower of any such rejection.

         (b) Upon receipt of a Bid Request that is not rejected as aforesaid,
the Administrative Agent will promptly deliver to the Lenders a copy of the Bid
Request, the delivery of which shall constitute an invitation by the Borrower to
each Lender to submit Bids (each such Bid Request so delivered, an "Invitation
for Bids"), on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement,
offering to make Bid Loans pursuant to such Bid Request.


                                      -20-

<PAGE>


         (c) Each Lender may, at its discretion, submit a Bid containing an
offer or offers to make Bid Loans in response to any Invitation for Bids;
provided that such Lender may submit a single Bid containing an offer or offers
to make up to three (3) separate Bid Loans for each Interest Period specified in
the relevant Bid Request. Each Bid must comply with the requirements of this
subsection (c) and must be submitted to the Administrative Agent in writing (by
facsimile transmission or otherwise) not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City
time, (y) three (3) Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the
case of a LIBOR Auction, or (z) on the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of
an Absolute Rate Auction; provided, however, that Bids submitted by the
Administrative Agent (or any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) in its
capacity as a Lender may be submitted only if the Administrative Agent or such
Affiliate notifies the Borrower of the terms of the offer or offers contained
therein not later than 9:30 a.m., New York City time, (y) three (3) Business
Days prior to the requested Bid Borrowing, in the case of a LIBOR Auction, or
(z) on the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction.
Each Bid by a Lender shall (subject to Sections 3.2 and 8.1) be irrevocable,
shall be submitted in substantially the form of Exhibit C-2 and shall specify:

                    (i) the identity of such Lender;

                   (ii) the Interest Period with respect to each Bid Loan for
         which such Bid is being made;

                  (iii) with respect to each such Interest Period, the principal
         amount of each Bid Loan for which such Bid is being made, which
         principal amounts shall, in the aggregate with respect to each such
         Interest Period, be not less than $5,000,000 or, if greater, in an
         integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, provided that (y)
         the aggregate principal amount of all Bid Loans for which a Bid is
         submitted may be equal to, greater than or less than the Commitment of
         such Lender, and (z) the aggregate principal amount of all Bid Loans
         offered by such Lender for a single Interest Period shall not exceed
         the requested principal amount of the Bid Borrowing for such Interest
         Period;

                   (iv) in the case of a LIBOR Auction, the margin above or
         below the applicable LIBOR Rate (the "LIBOR Bid Margin") offered for
         each such Bid Loan, expressed as a percentage (rounded to the nearest
         1/1000 of 1%) to be added to or subtracted from the applicable LIBOR
         Rate;

                    (v) in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction, the fixed rate
         of interest per annum (rounded to the nearest 1/1000th of 1%) offered
         for each such Bid Loan (the "Absolute Rate"); and

                   (vi) the proposed Borrowing Date.

A Bid may contain up to three separate offers by the quoting Lender with respect
to each Interest Period specified in the related Invitation for Bids. A Bid
shall be disregarded by the Administrative Agent if it (w) is not given
substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2 or fails to specify all of the
information required by this subsection (c), (x) contains qualifying,
conditional or similar language, (y) proposes terms other than or in addition to
those set forth in the applicable Invitation for Bids (other than setting forth
separate offers for any Interest Period as contemplated by the preceding
sentence), or (z) is submitted to the Administrative Agent after 10:00 a.m., New
York City time, on the applicable requested Borrowing Date.

         (d) Promptly upon receipt thereof and in any event not later than 11:00
a.m., New York City time, (y) three (3) Business Days prior to the requested
Borrowing Date, in the case of a LIBOR Auction, or (z) on the requested
Borrowing Date, in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction, the Administrative
Agent will notify the Borrower of the terms (i) of each Bid, if any, submitted
by a Lender in compliance with the provisions of subsection (c) above, and (ii)
of each Bid, if any, submitted by a Lender that amends, modifies or is otherwise
inconsistent with a previous Bid submitted by such Lender with respect to the
same Bid Request. Any such subsequent Bid shall be disregarded by the
Administrative Agent unless such subsequent Bid is submitted solely to correct a
manifest error in such former Bid and is timely received as provided in
subsection (c) above. The Administrative Agent's notice to the Borrower shall
specify the aggregate principal amount of each Bid Borrowing in respect of which
Bids were made for each Interest Period specified in the relevant Bid Request,
the respective principal amounts and LIBOR Bid Margins or Absolute Rates, as the
case may be, so offered, and the identity of the Lender that made each such Bid.


                                      -21-

<PAGE>


         (e) Not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, (y) three (3)
Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of a LIBOR
Auction, or (z) on the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of an Absolute Rate
Auction, the Borrower shall, subject to the terms of this subsection (e),
irrevocably accept or reject each of the Bids by written notice (each such
notice, a "Bid Loan Confirmation") to the Administrative Agent in the form of
Exhibit C-3. The Borrower shall be under no obligation to accept any offer and
may choose to reject all offers, provided that the failure by the Borrower to
give such notice in a timely manner shall be deemed to constitute a rejection of
all Bids. In the case of acceptance, the Bid Loan Confirmation shall specify the
aggregate principal amount of offers for each Interest Period that are accepted.
The Borrower may accept any Bid in whole or in part, subject to the limitations
on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Bid Loans set forth in Section
2.1(b) and provided that:

                    (i) the aggregate principal amount of each Bid Borrowing
         with regard to each Interest Period shall not exceed the applicable
         amount set forth in the related Bid Request;

                   (ii) the aggregate principal amount of each Bid Borrowing
         shall not be less than $5,000,000 or, if greater, an integral multiple
         of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (subject to the provisions of clause
         (v) below);

                  (iii) acceptance of Bids may be made only on the basis of
         ascending (i.e., from the lowest effective yield to the highest) LIBOR
         Bid Margins or Absolute Rates within each Interest Period, as the case
         may be;

                   (iv) the Borrower may not accept any Bid that is required to
         be disregarded under the provisions of subsection (c) above or that
         otherwise fails to comply with the terms and conditions of this Section
         2.3; and

                    (v) if offers are made by two or more Lenders with the same
         LIBOR Bid Margins or Absolute Rates, as the case may be, for a greater
         aggregate principal amount than the amount in respect of which such
         offers are permitted to be accepted for the related Interest Period,
         then if the Borrower elects to accept any such offers, the aggregate
         principal amount of Bid Loans in respect of which such offers are
         accepted shall be allocated by the Borrower among such Lenders as
         nearly as practicable (in such integral multiples of not less than
         $1,000,000 as the Borrower, after consultation with the Administrative
         Agent, may deem appropriate) in proportion to the respective aggregate
         principal amounts of such offers. Determinations by the Borrower of the
         allocations of amounts of Bid Loans shall be conclusive absent manifest
         error.

         (f) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender having
submitted a Bid in response to an Invitation to Bid (i) whether its offer has
been accepted or rejected, and (ii) with respect to each Bid Loan made pursuant
to such Invitation to Bid, the amount, Absolute Rate or LIBOR Bid Margin (as the
case may be), and Interest Period applicable to such Bid Loan. Not later than
2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the requested Borrowing Date, each Lender that
has received notice that its offer has been accepted will make available to the
Administrative Agent at its office referred to in Section 10.5 (or at such other
location as the Administrative Agent may designate) an amount, in Dollars and in
immediately available funds, equal to the amount of the Bid Loan or Bid Loans
required to be made by such Lender. To the extent the relevant Lenders have made
such amounts available to the Administrative Agent as provided hereinabove,
subject to the satisfaction of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, as
determined by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent will make the
aggregate of such amounts available to the Borrower in accordance with Section
2.4(a) and in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.

         (g) In respect of each Bid Request received by the Administrative Agent
hereunder (regardless of whether any Bid Loans shall be offered or made in
response thereto), the Borrower will pay to the Administrative Agent, on the
date of receipt by the Administrative Agent of such Bid Request, a fee in the
amount set forth in the Fee Letter.


                                      -22-

<PAGE>


         2.4. Disbursements; Funding Reliance; Domicile of Loans. (a) The
Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to disburse the proceeds of
each Borrowing in accordance with the terms of any written instructions from any
of the Authorized Officers, provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be
obligated under any circumstances to forward amounts to any account not listed
in an Account Designation Letter. The Borrower may at any time deliver to the
Administrative Agent an Account Designation Letter listing any additional
accounts or deleting any accounts listed in a previous Account Designation
Letter.

         (b) Unless the Administrative Agent has received, prior to 2:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the relevant Borrowing Date, written notice from a Lender
that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such
Lender's ratable portion, if any, of the relevant Borrowing, the Administrative
Agent may assume that such Lender has made such portion available to the
Administrative Agent in immediately available funds on such Borrowing Date in
accordance with the relevant provisions of Section 2.2 or Section 2.3, as
applicable, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption,
but shall not be obligated to, make a corresponding amount available to the
Borrower on such Borrowing Date. If and to the extent that such Lender shall not
have made such portion available to the Administrative Agent, and the
Administrative Agent shall have made such corresponding amount available to the
Borrower, such Lender, on the one hand, and the Borrower, on the other,
severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such
corresponding amount, together with interest thereon for each day from the date
such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is
repaid to the Administrative Agent, (i) in the case of such Lender, at a rate of
interest per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate for the first three days
after the due date of such payment and the Federal Funds Rate plus 2% thereafter
until the date such payment is received by the Administrative Agent, and (ii) in
the case of the Borrower, at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate. If such
Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such
amount shall constitute such Lender's Loan as part of such Borrowing for
purposes of this Agreement. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required
to be made by it as part of any Borrowing shall not relieve any other Lender of
its obligation, if any, hereunder to make its Loan as part of such Borrowing,
but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make
the Loan to be made by such other Lender as part of any Borrowing.

         (c) Each Lender may, at its option, make and maintain any Loan at, to
or for the account of any of its Lending Offices, provided that any exercise of
such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan
to or for the account of such Lender in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.

         (d) If a Lender makes a new Committed Loan on a Borrowing Date on which
the Borrower is to repay a Committed Loan from such Lender, such Lender shall
apply the proceeds of such new Committed Loan to make such repayment, and only
the excess of the proceeds of such new Committed Loan over the Committed Loan
being repaid need be made available to the Administrative Agent.

         2.5. Notes. (a) The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced (i) in
the case of Committed Loans, by a Committed Loan Note appropriately completed in
substantially the form of Exhibit A-1, and (ii) in the case of Bid Loans, by a
Bid Loan Note appropriately completed in substantially the form of Exhibit A-2.


                                      -23-

<PAGE>


         (b) Each Committed Loan Note issued to a Lender shall (i) be executed
by the Borrower, (ii) be payable to the order of such Lender, (iii) be dated as
of the Closing Date, (iv) be in a stated principal amount equal to such Lender's
Commitment, (v) bear interest in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.9,
as the same may be applicable to the Committed Loans made by such Lender from
time to time, and (vi) be entitled to all of the benefits of this Agreement and
the other Credit Documents and subject to the provisions hereof and thereof.

         (c) Each Bid Loan Note issued to a Lender shall (i) be executed by the
Borrower, (ii) be payable to the order of such Lender, (iii) be dated as of the
Closing Date, (iv) be in a stated principal amount equal to the Maximum Bid Loan
Amount, (v) bear interest in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.9, as
the same may be applicable to the Bid Loans made by such Lender from time to
time, and (vi) be entitled to all of the benefits of this Agreement and the
other Credit Documents and subject to the provisions hereof and thereof.

         (d) Each Lender will record on its internal records the amount of each
Loan made by it and each payment received by it in respect thereof and will, in
the event of any transfer of any of its Notes, either endorse on the reverse
side thereof or on a schedule attached thereto (or any continuation thereof) the
outstanding principal amount of the Loans evidenced thereby as of the date of
transfer or provide such information on a schedule to the Assignment and
Acceptance relating to such transfer; provided, however, that the failure of any
Lender to make any such recordation or provide any such information, or any
error therein, shall not affect the Borrower's obligations under this Agreement
or the Notes. The Lenders' records as set forth above shall be presumed to be
correct absent manifest error.

         2.6. Termination and Reduction of Commitments. (a) The Commitments
shall be automatically and permanently terminated on the Maturity Date unless
sooner terminated pursuant to subsection (b) below or Section 8.2.

         (b) At any time and from time to time after the date hereof, upon not
less than five (5) Business Days' prior written notice to the Administrative
Agent, the Borrower may terminate in whole or reduce in part the aggregate
Commitments, provided that any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate
amount of not less than $10,000,000 or, if greater, an integral multiple
thereof. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall
provide the Lenders a copy thereof.

         (c) On each date set forth below, the aggregate Commitments shall
automatically be permanently reduced to the lower of (i) the amount set forth
below opposite such date or (ii) the amount to which the aggregate Commitments
have been previously reduced pursuant to Sections 2.6(a) or (b):

                 Date                                     Aggregate Commitments
                 ----                                     ---------------------
           December 31, 1999                                   $187,500,000
           December 31, 2000                                    125,000,000
           December 31, 2001                                     62,500,000
           December 31, 2002                                              0

         (d) The amount of any termination or reduction made under this Section
2.6 may not thereafter be reinstated. Each reduction of the Commitments pursuant
to this Section 2.6 shall be applied ratably among the Lenders according to
their respective Commitments. Simultaneously with each reduction of the
aggregate Commitments under this Section, the Borrower shall pay the Facility
Fee accrued on the amount by which the aggregate Commitments have been reduced.


                                      -24-

<PAGE>


         2.7. Mandatory Payment and Prepayment. (a) Except to the extent due or
made sooner pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, (i) the Borrower will
repay the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans in full on the
Maturity Date, and (ii) the Borrower will repay each Bid Loan on the last day of
the Interest Period applicable thereto.

         (b) In the event that, at any time, the sum of the aggregate principal
amount of Committed Loans outstanding at such time and the aggregate principal
amount of Bid Loans outstanding at such time shall exceed the aggregate
Commitments at such time (after giving effect to any concurrent termination or
reduction thereof), the Borrower will immediately prepay the outstanding
principal amount of the Loans in the amount of such excess. Each such prepayment
shall be applied (i) first, to the outstanding principal amount of the Committed
Loans, and (ii) second, to the outstanding principal amount of the Bid Loans,
ratably among the Lenders holding Bid Loans in proportion to the aggregate
principal amount of Bid Loans held by each.

         (c) In the event that, at any time, the sum of the aggregate principal
amount of Bid Loans outstanding at such time shall exceed the Maximum Bid Loan
Amount at such time (after giving effect to any concurrent termination or
reduction of the Commitments), the Borrower will immediately prepay the
outstanding principal amount of the Bid Loans in the amount of such excess. Each
such prepayment shall be applied to the outstanding principal amount of the Bid
Loans, ratably among the Lenders holding Bid Loans in proportion to the
aggregate principal amount of Bid Loans held by each.

         (d) Each payment or prepayment of a LIBOR Committed Loan or a Bid Loan
made pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.7 on a day other than the last
day of the Interest Period applicable thereto shall be made together with all
amounts required under Section 2.19 to be paid as a consequence thereof.

         2.8. Voluntary Prepayment. (a) At any time and from time to time, the
Borrower shall have the right to prepay the Committed Loans, in whole or in
part, without premium or penalty (except as provided in clause (iii) below),
upon written notice to the Administrative Agent given not later than 10:00 a.m.,
New York City time, three (3) Business Days prior to each intended prepayment of
LIBOR Committed Loans and one (1) Business Day prior to each intended prepayment
of Base Rate Loans, provided that (i) each partial prepayment shall be in an
aggregate principal amount of not less than $3,000,000 or, if greater, an
integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (ii) no partial prepayment of
LIBOR Committed Loans made pursuant to any single Committed Borrowing shall
reduce the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the remaining LIBOR
Committed Loans under such Committed Borrowing to less than $3,000,000 or to any
greater amount not an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and
(iii) unless made together with all amounts required under Section 2.19 to be
paid as a consequence of such prepayment, a prepayment of a LIBOR Committed Loan
may be made only on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto. Each
such notice shall specify the proposed date of such prepayment and the aggregate
principal amount and the Types of the Committed Loans to be prepaid (and, in the
case of LIBOR Committed Loans, the specific Committed Borrowing or Borrowings
pursuant to which made) and shall be irrevocable and shall bind the Borrower to
make such prepayment on the terms specified therein. Promptly upon receipt of
such notice, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders thereof. Amounts
prepaid pursuant to this subsection (a) may be reborrowed, subject to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement.

         (b) The Borrower shall not have the right to prepay the Bid Loans on a
date other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto.


                                      -25-

<PAGE>


         2.9. Interest. (a) The Borrower will pay interest in respect of the
unpaid principal amount of each Loan, from the date of Borrowing thereof until
such principal amount shall be paid in full:

                    (i) in respect of each Committed Loan, (y) at the Base Rate,
         as in effect from time to time during such periods as such Committed
         Loan is a Base Rate Loan, and (z) at a rate per annum equal to the
         LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin for LIBOR Committed Loans, each
         as in effect from time to time during such periods as such Committed
         Loan is a LIBOR Committed Loan; and

                   (ii) in respect of each Bid Loan, (y) at the applicable
         Absolute Rate established in accordance with the provisions of Section
         2.3, if such Loan is an Absolute Rate Loan, and (z) at a rate per annum
         equal to the LIBOR Rate, as in effect from time to time during the
         applicable Interest Period, plus (or minus) the applicable LIBOR Bid
         Margin, if such Loan is a LIBOR Bid Loan.

         (b) Any principal amounts of the Loans not paid when due and, to the
greatest extent permitted by law, all interest accrued on the Loans and all
other fees and amounts hereunder not paid when due (whether at maturity,
pursuant to acceleration or otherwise), shall bear interest at a rate per annum
equal to the interest rate applicable under subsection (a) above from time to
time thereafter to such Loans plus 2% (or, in the case of fees and other
amounts, at the Base Rate plus 2%), and, in each case, such default interest
shall be payable on demand. To the greatest extent permitted by law, interest
shall continue to accrue after the filing by or against the Borrower of any
petition seeking any relief in bankruptcy or under any law pertaining to
insolvency or debtor relief.

         (c) Accrued (and theretofore unpaid) interest shall be payable as
follows:

                    (i) in respect of each Base Rate Loan, in arrears on the
         last Business Day of each calendar quarter;

                   (ii) in respect of each LIBOR Committed Loan or Bid Loan, in
         arrears (x) on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto
         (subject to the provisions of clause (v) in Section 2.11), (y) in the
         case of a LIBOR Committed Loan or LIBOR Bid Loan having an Interest
         Period of more than three months, on the date three months after the
         first day of such Interest Period, and (z) in the case of a Absolute
         Rate Loan having an Interest Period of more than 90 days, the day which
         is 90 days after the first day of such Interest Period; and

                  (iii) in respect of any Loan, (x) on the date of any repayment
         or prepayment thereof (in respect of the amount so repaid or prepaid),
         (y) at maturity (whether pursuant to acceleration or otherwise) and,
         (z) after maturity, on demand.

         (d) Nothing contained in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document
shall be deemed to establish or require the payment of interest to any Lender at
a rate in excess of the maximum rate permitted by applicable law. If the amount
of interest payable for the account of any Lender on any interest payment date
would exceed the maximum amount permitted by applicable law to be charged by
such Lender, the amount of interest payable for its account on such interest
payment date shall be automatically reduced to such maximum permissible amount.
In the event of any such reduction affecting any Lender, if from time to time
thereafter the amount of interest payable for the account of such Lender on any
interest payment date would be less than the maximum amount permitted by
applicable law to be charged by such Lender, then the amount of interest payable
for its account on such subsequent interest payment date shall be automatically
increased to such maximum permissible amount, provided that at no time shall the
aggregate amount by


                                      -26-

<PAGE>


which interest paid for the account of any Lender has been increased pursuant to
this sentence exceed the aggregate amount by which interest paid for its account
has theretofore been reduced pursuant to the previous sentence.

         (e) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the
Lenders upon determining the interest rate for each Committed Borrowing of LIBOR
Committed Loans after its receipt of the relevant Notice of Committed Borrowing
or Notice of Conversion/Continuation; provided, however, that the failure of the
Administrative Agent to provide the Borrower or the Lenders with any such notice
shall neither affect any obligations of the Borrower or the Lenders hereunder
nor result in any liability on the part of the Administrative Agent to the
Borrower or any Lender. Each such determination (including each determination of
the Reserve Requirement) shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive
and binding on all parties hereto.

         2.10. Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay:

         (a) To each of The Bank of New York and First Union, for its own
respective account, on the date of this Agreement, the fees described in
paragraph (i) of the Fee Letter, in the amounts set forth therein as due and
payable on the date of this Agreement to each such party and to the extent not
theretofore paid to the appropriate party;

         (b) To the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, pro
rata according to its Commitment, a facility fee (the "Facility Fee") for the
period from the date of this Agreement to the Termination Date, at a rate per
annum equal to the Applicable Margin for a Facility Fee on the average daily
Commitment of such Lender (whether or not used), payable in arrears (i) on the
last Business Day of each fiscal quarter, beginning with the first such day to
occur after the Closing Date, and (ii) on the Termination Date; and

         (c) To each Agent, for its own account, the annual administrative fee
described in paragraph (ii) of the Fee Letter as payable to such Agent, on the
terms, in the amounts and at the times set forth therein.

         2.11. Interest Periods. Concurrently with the giving of a Notice of
Committed Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation in respect of any
Committed Borrowing comprised of LIBOR Committed Loans, and concurrently with
the giving of a Bid Request in respect of any requested Bid Loans, the Borrower
shall have the right to elect, pursuant to such notice, the interest period
(each, an "Interest Period") to be applicable to such LIBOR Committed Loans or
Bid Loans, as the case may be, which Interest Period (x) in the case of any
LIBOR Committed Loan and at the option of the Borrower, shall be a one, two,
three or six-month period commencing on the date of the Borrowing of such LIBOR
Committed Loan (including the date of any continuation of, or conversion into,
such LIBOR Committed Loan) and (as to any successive Interest Period applicable
to such LIBOR Committed Loan) on the day on which the next preceding Interest
Period applicable thereto expires, (y) in the case of any LIBOR Bid Loan and as
agreed to by the Borrower and the Lender making such LIBOR Bid Loan, shall be a
one, two, three or six-month period commencing on the date of the Borrowing of
such LIBOR Bid Loan, or (z) in the case of any Absolute Rate Loan and as agreed
to by the Borrower and the Lender making such Absolute Rate Loan, shall be a
period of not less than seven (7) nor more than one hundred eighty (180) days
commencing on the date of the Borrowing of such Absolute Rate Loan; provided,
however, that:

                    (i) all LIBOR Loans comprising a single Borrowing shall at
         all times have the same Interest Period;


                                      -27-

<PAGE>


                   (ii) the Borrower may not select any Interest Period
         applicable to a Committed Loan that expires after the Maturity Date;

                  (iii) the Borrower may not select any Interest Period
         applicable to a Bid Loan that expires after the first (1st) Business
         Day prior to the Maturity Date;

                   (iv) Bid Loans may not be outstanding under more than three
         (3) separate Interest Periods at any one time, and LIBOR Committed
         Loans and Bid Loans together may not be outstanding under more than
         eight (8) separate Interest Periods at any one time (for which purpose
         Interest Periods applicable to LIBOR Committed Loans and Interest
         Periods applicable to Bid Loans shall be deemed to be separate Interest
         Periods even if they are coterminous);

                    (v) subject to clauses (ii) and (iii) above, if any Interest
         Period otherwise would expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such
         Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day,
         provided that, in the case of an Interest Period applicable to LIBOR
         Loans, if such next succeeding Business Day falls in another calendar
         month, then such Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding
         Business Day;

                   (vi) if any Interest Period applicable to LIBOR Loans begins
         on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the
         calendar month during which such Interest Period would otherwise
         expire, such Interest Period shall expire on the last Business Day of
         such calendar month; and

                  (vii) if, upon the expiration of any Interest Period
         applicable to LIBOR Committed Loans, the Borrower shall have failed to
         elect a new Interest Period to be applicable to such LIBOR Committed
         Loans, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert
         such LIBOR Committed Loans into Base Rate Loans as of the expiration of
         the then current Interest Period applicable thereto.

         2.12. Conversions and Continuations. (a) The Borrower shall have the
right on any Business Day to elect (i) to convert all or a portion of the
outstanding principal amount of any Base Rate Loans into LIBOR Committed Loans,
or to convert any LIBOR Committed Loans the Interest Periods for which end on
the same day into Base Rate Loans, or (ii) to continue all or a portion of the
outstanding principal amount of any LIBOR Committed Loans, the Interest Periods
for which end on the same day for an additional Interest Period, provided that
(x) any such conversion or continuation shall involve an aggregate principal
amount of not less than $3,000,000 or, if greater, an integral multiple of
$1,000,000 in excess thereof, and no partial conversion of LIBOR Committed Loans
made pursuant to a single Borrowing shall reduce the outstanding principal
amount of such LIBOR Committed Loans to less than $3,000,000 or to any greater
amount not an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (y) except as
otherwise provided in Section 2.17(d), LIBOR Committed Loans may be converted
into Base Rate Loans only on the last day of the Interest Period applicable
thereto (and, in any event, if a LIBOR Committed Loan is converted into a Base
Rate Loan on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable
thereto, the Borrower will pay, upon such conversion, all amounts required under
Section 2.19 to be paid as a consequence thereof) and (z) no conversion of Base
Rate Loans into LIBOR Committed Loans or continuation of LIBOR Committed Loans
shall be permitted during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default.

         (b) The Borrower shall make each such election by giving the
Administrative Agent written notice by the delivery of a Notice of Conversion,
which shall be sent by telecopy (confirmed promptly, and


                                      -28-

<PAGE>


in any event within five Business Days, by the delivery to the Administrative
Agent of a Notice of Conversion manually signed by the Borrower), not later than
10:00 a.m., New York City time, three (3) Business Days prior to the effective
date of any conversion of Base Rate Loans into, or continuation of, LIBOR
Committed Loans and one (1) Business Day prior to the effective date of any
conversion of LIBOR Committed Loans into Base Rate Loans. Each such notice
(each, a "Notice of Conversion/Continuation") shall be irrevocable, shall be
given in the form of Exhibit B-2 and shall specify (x) the date of such
conversion or continuation (which shall be a Business Day), (y) in the case of a
conversion into, or a continuation of, LIBOR Committed Loans, the Interest
Period to be applicable thereto, and (z) the aggregate amount and Type of the
Loans being converted or continued. Upon the receipt of a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, the Administrative Agent will promptly notify each
Lender of the proposed conversion or continuation. In the event that the
Borrower shall fail to deliver a Notice of Conversion/Continuation as provided
herein with respect to any outstanding LIBOR Committed Loans, such LIBOR
Committed Loans shall automatically be converted to Base Rate Loans upon the
expiration of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto (unless repaid
pursuant to the terms hereof).

         2.13. Method of Payments; Computations. (a) All payments by the
Borrower hereunder shall be made without setoff, counterclaim or other defense,
in Dollars and in immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent, for
the account of the Lenders (except as otherwise expressly provided herein as to
payments required to be made directly to the Lenders) at its office referred to
in Section 10.5, prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date payment is
due. Any payment made as required hereinabove, but after 11:00 a.m., New York
City time, shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day
for purposes of calculating interest. If any payment falls due on a day that is
not a Business Day, then such due date shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day (except that in the case of LIBOR Loans to which the proviso of
clause (v) in Section 2.11 is applicable, such due date shall be the next
preceding Business Day), and such extension of time shall then be included in
the computation of payment of interest, fees or other applicable amounts,
provided, however, that if such next Business Day is after the Maturity Date,
such payment shall be due on the preceding Business Day.

         (b) The Administrative Agent will distribute to the Lenders like
amounts relating to payments made to the Administrative Agent for the account of
the Lenders as follows: (i) if the payment is received by 11:00 a.m., New York
City time, in immediately available funds, the Administrative Agent will make
available to each relevant Lender on the same date, by wire transfer of
immediately available funds, such Lender's ratable share of such payment (based
on the percentage that the amount of the relevant payment owing to such Lender
bears to the total amount of such payment owing to all of the relevant Lenders),
and (ii) if such payment is received after 11:00 a.m., New York City time, or in
other than immediately available funds, the Administrative Agent will make
available to each such Lender its ratable share of such payment by wire transfer
of immediately available funds on the next succeeding Business Day (or in the
case of uncollected funds, as soon as practicable after collected).

         (c) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice
from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to any Lender
hereunder that such payment will not be made in full, the Administrative Agent
may assume that the Borrower has made such payment in full to the Administrative
Agent on such date, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance on such
assumption, but shall not be obligated to, cause to be distributed to such
Lender on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due to such Lender.
If and to the extent the Borrower shall not have so made such payment in full to
the Administrative Agent, and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to
make such payment in accordance with the terms hereof, such Lender shall repay
to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such


                                      -29-

<PAGE>


amount so distributed to such Lender, together with interest thereon for each
day from the date such amount is so distributed to such Lender until the date
repaid to the Administrative Agent, at a rate of interest per annum equal to the
Federal Funds Rate for the first three days after the due date of such payment
and the Federal Funds Rate plus 2% thereafter until the date such payment is
received by the Administrative Agent.

         (d) Subject to Section 2.16(b), each Lender for whose account any
payment is to be made hereunder may, but shall not be obligated to, debit the
amount of any such payment not made as and when required hereunder to any
ordinary deposit account of the Borrower with such Lender (with prompt notice to
the Administrative Agent and the Borrower); provided, however, that the failure
to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such debit by such Lender.

         (e) With respect to each payment hereunder, except as specifically
provided otherwise herein or in any of the other Credit Documents, the Borrower
may designate by written notice to the Administrative Agent prior to or
concurrently with such payment the specific Loans or other Obligations that are
to be paid, repaid or prepaid, provided that (i) unless made together with all
amounts required under Section 2.19 to be paid as a consequence thereof, a
prepayment of a LIBOR Committed Loan or Bid may be made only on the last day of
the Interest Period applicable thereto, and (ii) each payment on account of any
Obligations to or for the account of any one or more Lenders shall be
apportioned ratably among such Lenders in proportion to the amounts of such
Obligations owed to them respectively. In the absence of any such designation by
the Borrower, or if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such
payment shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following manner and
order: (i) first, to the payment of interest on, and then the principal portion
of, any Base Rate Loans; (ii) second, to the payment of interest on, and then
the principal portion of, any Committed LIBOR Loans; (iii) third, to the payment
of interest on, and then the principal portion of, any Bid Loans; (iv) fourth,
to the payment of any other Obligations as directed by the Required Lenders.

         (f) All computations of interest and fees hereunder (including
computations of the Reserve Requirement) shall be made on the basis of a year
consisting of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be (in the case of interest on
Base Rate Loans based upon the Administrative Agent's prime rate or base rate),
or 360 days (in all other instances), and the actual number of days (including
the first day, but excluding the last day) elapsed. Any change in the interest
rate on Committed Loans resulting from a change in the Base Rate or reserve
requirements shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on
which such change shall become effective. The Administrative Agent shall, as
soon as practicable, notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the effective date
and the amount of each such change in the Base Rate, but any failure to so
notify shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to pay
interest on the Loans in the amounts and on the dates required. Each
determination of the Base Rate or a LIBOR Rate by the Administrative Agent
pursuant to this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on all parties hereto
absent manifest error. The Borrower acknowledges that to the extent interest
payable on Base Rate Loans is based on the prime rate (described in clause (i)
of the definition of Base Rate), such rate is only one of the bases for
computing interest on loans made by the Lenders, and by basing interest payable
on Base Rate Loans on such prime rate, the Lenders have not committed to charge,
and the Borrower has not in any way bargained for, interest based on a lower or
the lowest rate at which the Lenders may now or in the future make loans to
other borrowers.

         2.14. Recovery of Payments. (a) The Borrower agrees that to the extent
the Borrower makes a payment or payments to or for the account of either Agent
or any Lender, which payment or payments or any part thereof are subsequently
invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to
be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar state or federal law, common law or equitable cause, then,
to the extent of such payment or repayment, the Obligation


                                      -30-

<PAGE>


intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect
as if such payment had not been received.

         (b) If any amounts distributed by either Agent to any Lender are
subsequently returned or repaid by such Agent to the Borrower or its
representative or successor in interest, whether by court order or by settlement
approved by the Lender in question, such Lender will, promptly upon receipt of
notice thereof from such Agent, pay such Agent such amount. If any such amounts
are recovered by such Agent from the Borrower or its representative or successor
in interest, such Agent will redistribute such amounts to the Lenders on the
same basis as such amounts were originally distributed.

         2.15. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans shall be used solely
(i) to repay the Terminating Indebtedness in full and (ii) for working capital
and general corporate purposes.

         2.16. Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Payments. (a) All fundings,
continuations and conversions of Committed Loans shall be made by the Lenders
pro rata on the basis of their respective Commitments (in the case of the
initial funding of Committed Loans pursuant to Section 2.2) or Committed Loans
(in the case of continuations and conversions of Committed Loans pursuant to
Section 2.12), as applicable from time to time.

         (b) Each Lender agrees that if it shall receive any amount hereunder
(whether by voluntary payment, realization upon security, exercise of the right
of setoff or banker's lien, counterclaim or cross action, or otherwise, other
than pursuant to Section 2.20 or Section 10.7) applicable to the payment of any
of the Obligations that exceeds its ratable share (according to the proportion
of (i) the amount of such Obligations due and payable to such Lender at such
time to (ii) the aggregate amount of such Obligations due and payable to all
Lenders at such time) of payments on account of such Obligations then or
therewith obtained by all the Lenders to which such payments are required to
have been made, such Lender shall forthwith purchase from the other Lenders such
participations in such Obligations as shall be necessary to cause such
purchasing Lender to share the excess payment or other recovery ratably with
each of them; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess
payment is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, such purchase from
each such other Lender shall be rescinded and each such other Lender shall repay
to the purchasing Lender the purchase price to the extent of such recovery,
together with an amount equal to such other Lender's ratable share (according to
the proportion of (i) the amount of such other Lender's required repayment to
(ii) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest
or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total
amount so recovered. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a
participation from another Lender pursuant to the provisions of this subsection
may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise any and all rights of
payment (including, without limitation, setoff, banker's lien or counterclaim)
with respect to such participation as fully as if such participant were a direct
creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation. If under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, any Lender receives a secured
claim in lieu of a setoff to which this subsection applies, such Lender shall,
to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such secured claim
in a manner consistent with the rights of the Lenders entitled under this
subsection to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim. If at
any time any Lender having outstanding both Committed Loans and Bid Loans
exercises a right of setoff, such Lender shall apply the proceeds of such setoff
first to its Committed Loans until reduced to zero, and thereafter to its Bid
Loans.

         2.17. Increased Costs; Change in Circumstances; Illegality; etc.
(a) If, at any time after the date hereof and from time to time, the enactment
of, or any change in, any applicable law, rule or regulation or in the
interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged
with the interpretation


                                      -31-

<PAGE>


or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender with any guideline or
request from any such Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of
law), shall (i) subject such Lender to any tax or other charge, or change the
basis of taxation of payments to such Lender, in respect of any of its LIBOR
Committed Loans or LIBOR Bid Loans or any other amounts payable hereunder or its
obligation to make, fund or maintain any LIBOR Committed Loans or LIBOR Bid
Loans (other than any change in the rate or basis of tax on the overall net
income of such Lender or its applicable Lending Office), (ii) impose, modify or
deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement (other than
as a result of any change in the Reserve Requirement) against assets of,
deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, such Lender or its
applicable Lending Office, or (iii) impose on such Lender or its applicable
Lending Office any other condition affecting its LIBOR Committed Loans or LIBOR
Bid Loans, and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost
to such Lender of making or maintaining any LIBOR Committed Loans or LIBOR Bid
Loans or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender
hereunder, the Borrower will, within fifteen (15) days after delivery to the
Borrower by such Lender of written demand therefor (which shall set forth the
basis for such demand in reasonable detail), pay to such Lender such additional
amounts as shall compensate such Lender for such increase in costs or reduction
in return. Each Lender will promptly, but in no event later than ninety (90)
days after the officer of such Lender having primary responsibility for this
Agreement has knowledge thereof, notify the Borrower of any event occurring
after the date hereof that would entitle such Lender to compensation pursuant to
this subsection (a).

         (b) If, at any time after the date hereof and from time to time, any
Lender shall have reasonably determined that the enactment of, or any change in,
any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy or in the
interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged
with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by such Lender
with any guideline or request from any such Governmental Authority (whether or
not having the force of law), has or would have the effect, as a consequence of
such Lender's Commitment or Loans hereunder, of reducing the rate of return on
the capital of such Lender or any Person controlling such Lender to a level
below that which such Lender or controlling Person could have achieved but for
such introduction, change or compliance (taking into account such Lender's or
controlling Person's policies with respect to capital adequacy), the Borrower
will, within fifteen (15) days after delivery to the Borrower by such Lender of
written demand therefor (which shall set forth the basis for such demand in
reasonable detail), pay to such Lender such additional amounts as will
compensate such Lender or controlling Person for such reduction in return. Each
Lender will promptly, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the
officer of such Lender having primary responsibility for this Agreement has
knowledge thereof, notify the Borrower of any event occurring after the date
hereof that would entitle such Lender to compensation pursuant to this
subsection (b).

         (c) If, on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period, (y) the
Administrative Agent shall have determined that adequate and reasonable means do
not exist for ascertaining the applicable LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period or
(z) the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from the
Required Lenders of their determination that the rate of interest referred to in
the definition of "LIBOR Rate" upon the basis of which the applicable interest
rate for LIBOR Loans for such Interest Period is to be determined will not
adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining
LIBOR Loans during such Interest Period, the Administrative Agent will forthwith
so notify the Borrower and the Lenders. Upon such notice, (i) all then
outstanding LIBOR Committed Loans shall automatically, on the expiration date of
the respective Interest Periods applicable thereto (unless then repaid in full),
be converted into Base Rate Loans, (ii) the obligation of the Lenders to make
LIBOR Bid Loans or to make, to convert Base Rate Loans into, or to continue,
LIBOR Committed Loans shall be suspended (including pursuant to the Committed
Borrowing to which such Interest Period applies), and (iii) any Notice of
Committed Borrowing, Bid Request or Notice of Conversion/Continuation given at
any time thereafter with respect to LIBOR Committed Loans


                                      -32-

<PAGE>


shall be deemed to be a request for Base Rate Loans (or, in the case of a Bid
Borrowing, Absolute Rate Loans), in each case until the Administrative Agent or
the Required Lenders, as the case may be, shall have determined that the
circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist (and the Required
Lenders, if making such determination, shall have so notified the Administrative
Agent), and the Administrative Agent shall have so notified the Borrower and the
Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent and each Lender
will take any reasonable actions available to it (including designation of a
different Lending Office), consistent with legal and regulatory restrictions,
that will avoid the need to take the steps described in this subsection (c) and
that will not, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent or such
Lender, be materially disadvantageous to it.

         (d) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, if, at any
time after the date hereof and from time to time, any Lender shall have
determined in good faith that the enactment of, or any change in, any applicable
law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or administration thereof by
any Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration
thereof, or compliance with any guideline or request from any such Governmental
Authority (whether or not having the force of law), has or would have the effect
of making it unlawful for such Lender to make or to continue to make or maintain
LIBOR Loans, such Lender will forthwith so notify the Administrative Agent and
the Borrower. Upon such notice, (i) each of such Lender's then outstanding LIBOR
Committed Loans shall automatically, on the expiration date of the respective
Interest Period applicable thereto (or, to the extent any such LIBOR Committed
Loan may not lawfully be maintained as a LIBOR Committed Loan until such
expiration date, upon such notice), be converted into a Base Rate Loan, (ii) the
obligation of such Lender to make LIBOR Bid Loans or to make, to convert Base
Rate Loans into, or to continue, LIBOR Committed Loans shall be suspended
(including pursuant to any Committed Borrowing for which the Administrative
Agent has received a Notice of Committed Borrowing or Bid Request but for which
the Borrowing Date has not arrived), and (iii) any Notice of Committed
Borrowing, Bid Request or Notice of Conversion/Continuation given at any time
thereafter with respect to LIBOR Committed Loans shall, as to such Lender, be
deemed to be a request for a Base Rate Loan (or, in the case of a Bid Borrowing,
an Absolute Rate Loan), in each case until such Lender shall have determined
that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist and shall
have so notified the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall
have so notified the Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Agents and
each Lender will take any reasonable actions available to it (including
designation of a different Lending Office), consistent with legal and regulatory
restrictions, that will avoid the need to take the steps described in this
subsection (d) and that will not, in the reasonable judgment of such Agent or
such Lender, be materially disadvantageous to it.

         (e) Determinations by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for
purposes of this Section 2.17 of any increased costs, reduction in return,
market contingencies, illegality or any other matter shall, absent manifest
error, be conclusive, provided that such determinations are made in good faith.
Nothing in this Section 2.17 shall require or be construed to require the
Borrower to pay any interest, fees, costs or other amounts in excess of that
permitted by applicable law.

         2.18. Taxes. (a) Any and all payments by the Borrower hereunder or
under any Note shall be made, in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof,
free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes,
levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with
respect thereto, other than net income and franchise taxes imposed on either
Agent or any Lender by the United States or by the jurisdiction under the laws
of which either Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, is organized or in
which its principal office or (in the case of a Lender) its applicable Lending
Office is located, or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof (all
such nonexcluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings and
liabilities being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes"). If the Borrower


                                      -33-

<PAGE>


shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum
payable hereunder or under any Note to either Agent or any Lender, (i) the sum
payable shall be increased as may be necessary so that after making all required
deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under
this Section 2.18), such Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, receives an
amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made,
(ii) the Borrower will make such deductions, (iii) the Borrower will pay the
full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in
accordance with applicable law and (iv) the Borrower will deliver to such Agent
or such Lender, as the case may be, evidence of such payment.

         (b) The Borrower will indemnify the Agents and each Lender for the full
amount of Taxes (including, without limitation, any Taxes imposed by any
jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 2.18) paid by such Agent or
such Lender, as the case may be, and any liability (including penalties,
interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not
such Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. This indemnification shall be
made within 30 days from the date the such Agent or such Lender, as the case may
be, makes written demand therefor.

         (c) If any Lender is a "foreign corporation, partnership or trust"
within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code, and such Lender claims
exemption from United States withholding tax under Section 1441 or 1442 of the
Internal Revenue Code, such Lender will deliver to each of the Administrative
Agent and the Borrower, on or prior to the date of any payment by the Borrower
to such Lender under this Agreement or the Notes, a properly completed Internal
Revenue Service Form 4224 or 1001, as applicable (or successor forms),
certifying that such Lender is entitled to an exemption from or a reduction of
withholding or deduction for or on account of United States federal income taxes
in connection with payments under this Agreement or any of the Notes, together
with a properly completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9, as
applicable (or successor forms). Each such Lender further agrees to deliver to
each of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower an additional copy of each
such relevant form on or before the date that such form expires (currently,
three successive calendar years for Form 1001 and one calendar year for Form
4224) or becomes obsolete or after the occurrence of any event requiring a
change in the most recent forms so delivered by it, in each case certifying that
such Lender is entitled to an exemption from or a reduction of withholding or
deduction for or on account of United States federal income taxes in connection
with payments under this Agreement or any of the Notes, unless an event
(including, without limitation, any change in treaty, law or regulation) has
occurred prior to the date on which any such delivery would otherwise be
required, which event renders all such forms inapplicable or the exemption to
which such forms relate unavailable and such Lender notifies the Administrative
Agent and the Borrower that it is not entitled to receive payments without
deduction or withholding of United States federal income taxes. Each such Lender
will promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower of any changes in
circumstances that would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or
reduction.

         (d) If any Lender is entitled to a reduction in (and not a complete
exemption from) the applicable withholding tax, the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent may withhold from any interest payment to such Lender an
amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax after taking into account
such reduction. If any of the forms or other documentation required under
subsection (d) above are not delivered to the Administrative Agent as therein
required, then the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may withhold from any
interest payment to such Lender not providing such forms or other documentation
an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax.

         2.19. Compensation. The Borrower will compensate each Lender, upon its
written request (which request shall be made within three (3) Business Days
after receipt of notice of any payment or


                                      -34-

<PAGE>


proposed payment by the Borrower under this Agreement giving rise to
compensation under this Section 2.19, and shall be accompanied by a statement
setting forth the basis for requesting such compensation in reasonable detail
and, calculated using any method chosen by such Lender which is customarily used
by such Lender for such purposes), for all losses, expenses (including any
internal processing charges customarily charged by such Lender) and liabilities
(including, without limitation, any loss, expense or liability incurred by
reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds required by
such Lender to fund or maintain LIBOR Loans) that such Lender may incur or
sustain (i) if for any reason (other than a default by such Lender) a borrowing
or continuation of, or conversion into, a LIBOR Committed Loan, or a borrowing
of a Bid Loan, does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Notice of
Committed Borrowing, Notice of Conversion/Continuation or Bid Request, (ii) if
any repayment, prepayment or conversion of any LIBOR Committed Loan, or
repayment of any Bid Loan, occurs on a date other than the last day of an
Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a consequence of acceleration
of the maturity of the Loans pursuant to Section 8.2), (iii) if any prepayment
of any LIBOR Committed Loan or Bid Loan is not made on any date specified in a
notice of prepayment given by the Borrower or (iv) as a consequence of any other
failure by the Borrower to make any payments with respect to any LIBOR Committed
Loan or Bid Loan when due hereunder. Calculation of all amounts payable to a
Lender under this Section 2.19 in respect of LIBOR Loans shall be made as though
such Lender had actually funded its relevant LIBOR Loan through the purchase of
a Eurodollar deposit bearing interest at the LIBOR Rate in an amount equal to
the amount of such LIBOR Loan, having a maturity comparable to the relevant
Interest Period; provided, however, that each Lender may fund its LIBOR Loans in
any manner it sees fit and the foregoing assumption shall be utilized only for
the calculation of amounts payable under this Section 2.19. Determinations by
any Lender for purposes of this Section 2.19 of any such losses, expenses or
liabilities shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive, provided that such
determinations are made in good faith.

         2.20. Replacement of Lenders. The Borrower may, at any time and so long
as no Default or Event of Default has then occurred and is continuing, replace
any Lender (i) that has requested compensation from the Borrower under Section
2.17(a) or 2.17(b) in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000, (ii) the
obligation of which to make or maintain LIBOR Loans has been suspended under
Section 2.17(c) or (iii) that shall refuse to fund, or otherwise default in the
funding, of its ratable share of any Borrowing requested and permitted to be
made hereunder and such refusal has not been withdrawn or such default has not
been cured within three (3) Business Days after the Borrower has given such
Lender written notice thereof, in any case under clauses (i) through (iii) above
by written notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent given not more
than thirty (30) days after any such event and identifying one or more Persons
each of which shall be an Eligible Assignee and reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent (each, a "Replacement Lender," and collectively, the
"Replacement Lenders") to replace such Lender (the "Replaced Lender"), provided
that (i) the notice from the Borrower to the Replaced Lender and the Agents
provided for hereinabove shall specify an effective date for such replacement
(the "Replacement Effective Date"), which shall be at least five (5) Business
Days after such notice is given, (ii) as of the relevant Replacement Effective
Date, each Replacement Lender shall enter into an Assignment and Acceptance with
the Replaced Lender pursuant to Section 10.7(a) (but shall not be required to
pay the processing fee otherwise payable to the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Section 10.7(a)), pursuant to which such Replacement Lenders collectively shall
acquire, in such proportion among them as they may agree with the Borrower and
the Agents, all (but not less than all) of the Commitment and outstanding Loans
of the Replaced Lender, and, in connection therewith, shall pay (y) to the
Replaced Lender, as the purchase price in respect thereof, an amount equal to
the sum as of the Replacement Effective Date (without duplication) of (1) the
unpaid principal amount of, and all accrued but unpaid interest on, all
outstanding Loans of the Replaced Lender and (2) the Replaced Lender's ratable
share of all accrued but unpaid fees owing to the Replaced Lender under Section
2.10(b),


                                      -35-

<PAGE>


and (z) to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, any amounts owing to
the Administrative Agent by the Replaced Lender under Section 2.4(b), (iii) all
other obligations of the Borrower owing to the Replaced Lender (other than those
specifically described in clause (ii) above in respect of which the assignment
purchase price has been, or is concurrently being, paid), including, without
limitation, amounts payable under Section 2.17(a) and (b) which give rise to the
replacement of such Replaced Lender and amounts payable under Section 2.19 as a
result of the actions required to be taken under this Section 2.20, shall be
paid in full by the Borrower to the Replaced Lender on or prior to the
Replacement Effective Date, and (iv) the Borrower shall pay to the
Administrative Agent the processing fee provided for in Section 10.7(a).

                                   ARTICLE III

                             CONDITIONS OF BORROWING

         3.1. Conditions of Initial Loans. The obligation of each Lender to make
Loans in connection with the initial Borrowing hereunder is subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions precedent (provided that in no event
shall the Lenders be obligated to make any Loans hereunder if the initial
Borrowing does not occur on or prior to March 14, 1997):

         (a) The Documentation Agent shall have received the following, each
dated as of the Closing Date (unless otherwise specified) and, except for the
Notes, in sufficient copies for each Lender:

                    (i) a Committed Loan Note for each Lender that is a party
         hereto as of the Closing Date, in the amount of such Lender's
         Commitment and duly completed and executed by the Borrower;

                   (ii) a Bid Loan Note for each Lender that is a party hereto
         as of the Closing Date, in the amount of the Maximum Bid Loan Amount
         and duly completed and executed by the Borrower;

                  (iii) a certificate, signed by the chief executive officer,
         chief financial officer or an executive vice president of the Borrower,
         in form and substance satisfactory to the Agents, certifying that (A)
         all representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in this
         Agreement and the other Credit Documents are true and correct as of the
         Closing Date, both immediately before and after giving effect to the
         initial Loans hereunder and the application of the proceeds thereof,
         (B) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, both
         immediately before and after giving effect to the initial Loans
         hereunder and the application of the proceeds thereof, (C) there are no
         insurance regulatory proceedings pending or, to such individual's
         knowledge, threatened against any of the Insurance Subsidiaries in any
         jurisdiction that, if adversely determined, would be reasonably likely
         to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (D) both immediately before and
         after giving effect to the consummation of the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement, no Material Adverse Change has occurred
         since December 31, 1995, and there exists no event, condition or state
         of facts that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
         Adverse Change, other than the Reserve Adjustment and the Special 1996
         Charges;

                   (iv) a certificate of the secretary or an assistant secretary
         of each of the Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries, in form and
         substance satisfactory to the Agents, certifying (A) that attached
         thereto is a true and complete copy of the articles or certificate of
         incorporation and all


                                      -36-

<PAGE>


         amendments thereto of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may
         be, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or
         comparable Governmental Authority) of its jurisdiction of organization,
         and that the same has not been amended since the date of such
         certification, (B) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of
         the bylaws of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, as
         then in effect and as in effect at all times from the date on which the
         resolutions referred to in clause (C) below were adopted to and
         including the date of such certificate, and (C) as to the Borrower
         only, that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions
         adopted by the board of directors of the Borrower authorizing the
         execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other
         Credit Documents to which it is a party, and as to the incumbency and
         genuineness of the signature of each officer of the Borrower executing
         this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, and attaching all
         such copies of the documents described above;

                    (v) a certificate of the Borrower's chief financial officer
         as to the financial condition of the Borrower in the form of Exhibit F;

                   (vi) a favorable opinion of Duane, Morris & Heckscher,
         counsel to the Borrower, addressed to Agents and the Lenders, in
         substantially the form of Exhibit G and addressing such other matters
         as either Agent or any Lender may reasonably request; and

                  (vii) a favorable opinion of Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson,
         P.A., counsel to the Documentation Agent, addressed to the Agents and
         the Lenders, in substantially the form of Exhibit H.

         (b) The Documentation Agent shall have received (i) a certificate as of
a recent date of the good standing of each of the Borrower and its Material
Subsidiaries under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, from the
Secretary of State (or comparable Governmental Authority) of such jurisdiction,
and (ii) as to each Material Insurance Subsidiary, a certificate of compliance
as of a recent date, issued by the Insurance Regulatory Authority of its
jurisdiction of legal domicile and any other jurisdiction in which such
Insurance Subsidiary is reasonably likely to be commercially domiciled as
defined under the laws and regulations of such jurisdiction.

         (c) All approvals, permits and consents of any Governmental Authorities
(including, without limitation, all relevant Insurance Regulatory Authorities)
or other Persons required in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall
have been obtained (without the imposition of conditions that are not reasonably
acceptable to the Agents), and all related filings, if any, shall have been
made, and all such approvals, permits, consents and filings shall be in full
force and effect and the Agents shall have received such copies thereof as it
shall have requested; all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without
any adverse action being taken by any Governmental Authority having
jurisdiction; and no action, proceeding, investigation, regulation or
legislation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed before, and no
order, injunction or decree shall have been entered by, any court or other
Governmental Authority, in each case to enjoin, restrain or prohibit, to obtain
substantial damages in respect of, or that is otherwise related to or arises out
of, this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
or that, in the opinion of the Agents, would otherwise be reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (d) Since December 31, 1995, both immediately before and after giving
effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
other than the Reserve Adjustment and


                                      -37-

<PAGE>


the Special 1996 Charges, there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse
Change or any event, condition or state of facts that could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

         (e) The Documentation Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory
to the Agents that, concurrently with the making of the initial Loans hereunder,
(i) all principal, interest and other amounts outstanding with respect to the
Terminating Indebtedness shall be repaid and satisfied in full and that all
agreements relating thereto have been terminated, and (ii) the Letter of Credit
Facility shall have been amended, or the Borrower shall have provided proper
notice, to reduce the maximum principal amount of the facility to $50,000,000 by
an amendment, or notice from the Borrower, in form and substance satisfactory to
the Agents.

         (f) The Documentation Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory
to the Agents that the Reserve Adjustment has been made to the relevant
financial statements of MASCCO, Chestnut and the members of the PMA Group.

         (g) The Agents shall be satisfied with the actuarial review and
valuation statement of, and opinion as to the adequacy of, each Insurance
Subsidiary's loss and loss adjustment expense reserve positions as of December
31, 1996, with respect to the insurance business then in force, prepared and
given by an independent actuarial firm satisfactory to the Agents.

         (h) The Documentation Agent shall have received the following at least
five (5) days prior to the Closing Date, each of which shall be made no earlier
than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date and be in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agents: (i) certified search reports from an independent
search service satisfactory to the Agents listing any tax lien, judgment or
pending suit that names the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary as debtor or
defendant, as appropriate, in any jurisdiction or judicial district (either
state or federal) in or containing Montgomery County, Pennsylvania or
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania including, without limitation, the
Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth, and (ii) the results of a search of
all filings made against the Borrower and any Material Subsidiary under the
Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in Pennsylvania in the Pennsylvania
Secretary of the Commonwealth, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia
County, Pennsylvania.

         (i) The Borrower shall have paid (i) to The Bank of New York and First
Union, the unpaid balance of the fees described in paragraph (i) of the Fee
Letter, (ii) if the primary syndication of the Credit Agreement shall have
occurred, to each Agent, the initial payment of the annual administrative fee
described in paragraph (ii) of the Fee Letter, and (iii) all other fees and
expenses of the Agents and the Lenders required hereunder or under any other
Credit Document to be paid on or prior to the Closing Date (including fees and
expenses of counsel) in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.

         (j) The Documentation Agent shall have received Compliance Certificates
together with Covenant Compliance Worksheets (prepared on a pro-forma basis
after giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Credit Documents) satisfactory to the Agents and certified by the chief
financial officer of the Borrower.

         (k) The Administrative Agent shall have received an Account Designation
Letter, together with written instructions from an Authorized Officer of the
Borrower, including wire transfer information, directing the payment of the
proceeds of the initial Loans to be made hereunder.


                                      -38-

<PAGE>


         (l) The Agents and each Lender shall have received such other
documents, certificates, opinions and instruments as it shall have reasonably
requested.

         3.2. Conditions to All Loans. The obligation of each Lender to make any
Loans hereunder, including the initial Loans, is subject to the satisfaction of
the following conditions precedent on the relevant Borrowing Date:

         (a) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Committed
Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.2(a) or a Bid Request in accordance with
Section 2.3(a), as applicable;

         (b) Each of the representations and warranties contained in Article IV
and in the other Credit Documents shall be true and correct on and as of the
Closing Date (in the case of the initial Loans made hereunder) and as of any
such later Borrowing Date (in the case of all subsequent Loans) with the same
effect as if made on and as of such date, both immediately before and after
giving effect to the Loans to be made on such date (except to the extent any
such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a
specific date, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and
correct as of such date); and

         (c) No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on such date, both immediately before and after giving effect to the
Loans to be made on such date.

         Each giving of a Notice of Committed Borrowing or a Bid Request, and
the consummation of each Borrowing, shall be deemed to constitute a
representation by the Borrower that the statements contained in subsections 
(b) and (c) above are true, both as of the date of such notice or request and 
as of the relevant Borrowing Date.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         To induce the Agents and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and
to induce the Lenders to extend the credit contemplated hereby, the Borrower
represents and warrants to the Agents and the Lenders as follows:

         4.1. Corporate Organization and Power. Each of the Borrower and its
Material Subsidiaries (i) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, 
(ii) has the full corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform
the Credit Documents to which it is or will be a party, to own and hold its
property and to engage in its business as presently conducted, and (iii) is duly
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in
each jurisdiction where the nature of its business or the ownership of its
properties requires it to be so qualified except where the failure to be so
qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

         4.2. Authorization; Enforceability. The Borrower has taken all
necessary corporate action to execute, deliver and perform each of the Credit
Documents to which it is or will be a party, and has, or on the Closing Date (or
any later date of execution and delivery) will have, validly executed and
delivered each of the Credit Documents to which it is or will be a party. This
Agreement constitutes, and each of the other Credit Documents upon execution and
delivery by the Borrower will constitute, the legal, valid and binding


                                      -39-

<PAGE>


obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms,
except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally or by general equitable principles.

         4.3. No Violation. The execution, delivery and performance by the
Borrower of this Agreement and each of the other Credit Documents, and
compliance by it with the terms hereof and thereof, do not and will not 
(i) contravene any Requirement of Law applicable to the Borrower, (ii) conflict
with, result in a breach of or constitute (with notice, lapse of time or both) a
default under any material indenture, agreement or other instrument to which it
is a party, by which it or any of its properties is bound or to which it is
subject, or (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien
upon any of its properties or assets. No Subsidiary is subject to any
restriction or encumbrance on its ability to make dividend payments or other
distributions in respect of its capital stock, to make loans or advances to the
Borrower or any other Subsidiary, or to transfer any of its assets or properties
to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, in each case other than such
restrictions or encumbrances existing under or by reason of the Credit Documents
or applicable Requirements of Law.

         4.4. Governmental Authorization; Permits. (a) No consent, approval,
authorization or other action by, notice to, or registration or filing with, any
Governmental Authority or other Person is or will be required as a condition to
or otherwise in connection with the due execution, delivery and performance by
the Borrower of this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents or the
legality, validity or enforceability hereof or thereof.

         (b) Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has, and is in good
standing with respect to, all governmental approvals, licenses, permits and
authorizations necessary to conduct its business as presently conducted and to
own or lease and operate its properties except where the failure to do so would
not have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (c) Schedule 4.4 lists with respect to each Material Insurance
Subsidiary, as of the Closing Date, all of the jurisdictions in which such
Material Insurance Subsidiary holds licenses (including, without limitation,
licenses or certificates of authority from relevant Insurance Regulatory
Authorities), permits or authorizations to transact insurance and reinsurance
business (collectively, the "Licenses"), and indicates the line or lines of
insurance in which each such Material Insurance Subsidiary is permitted to be
engaged with respect to each License therein listed. To the knowledge of the
Borrower, (i) no such License is the subject of a proceeding for suspension,
revocation or limitation or any similar proceedings, (ii) there is no
sustainable basis for such a suspension, revocation or limitation, and (iii) no
such suspension, revocation or limitation is threatened by any relevant
Insurance Regulatory Authority. No Material Insurance Subsidiary transacts any
insurance business, directly or indirectly, in any jurisdiction other than those
listed on Schedule 4.4, where such business requires any license, permit or
other authorization of an Insurance Regulatory Authority of such jurisdiction.

         4.5. Litigation. There are no actions, investigations, suits or
proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, at law, in
equity or in arbitration, before any court, other Governmental Authority or
other Person, (i) against or affecting the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or
any of their respective properties that would, if adversely determined, be
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) with respect to this
Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.

         4.6. Taxes. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has timely filed
all federal and all material state and local tax returns and reports required to
be filed by it and has paid all taxes, assessments, fees and


                                      -40-

<PAGE>


other charges levied upon it or upon its properties that are shown thereon as
due and payable, other than those that are being contested in good faith and by
proper proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in
accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Such returns
accurately reflect in all material respects all liability for taxes of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the periods covered thereby. Except as set
forth on Schedule 4.6, there is no ongoing audit or examination or, to the
knowledge of the Borrower, other investigation by any Governmental Authority of
the tax liability of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; and there is no
unresolved claim by any Governmental Authority concerning the tax liability of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for any period for which tax returns
have been or were required to have been filed, other than claims for which
adequate reserves have been established in accordance with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles.

         4.7. Subsidiaries. Schedule 4.7 sets forth a list, as of the Closing
Date, of all of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower and, as to each such
Subsidiary, the percentage ownership (direct and indirect) of the Borrower in
each class of its capital stock and each direct owner thereof, and indicates in
each case whether such Subsidiary is a Material Subsidiary.

         4.8. Full Disclosure. All factual information heretofore or
contemporaneously furnished to either Agent or any Lender in writing by or on
behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for purposes of or in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby is, and
all other such factual information hereafter furnished to either Agent or any
Lender in writing by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
will be, true and accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such
information is dated or certified (or, if such information has been amended or
supplemented, on the date as of which any such amendment or supplement is dated
or certified) and not made incomplete by omitting to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the
circumstances under which such information was provided, not misleading.

         4.9. Margin Regulations. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in
the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
Margin Stock. No proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, to
purchase or carry any Margin Stock, to extend credit for such purpose or for any
other purpose that would violate or be inconsistent with Regulations G, T, U or
X or any provision of the Exchange Act.

         4.10. No Material Adverse Change. Other than the Reserve Adjustment and
the Special 1996 Charges, there has been no Material Adverse Change since
December 31, 1995, and there exists no event, condition or state of facts that
could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

         4.11. Financial Matters. (a) The Borrower has heretofore furnished to
the Agents copies of (i) the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993, and the related
statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the fiscal years
then ended, together with the opinion of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P. thereon, and
(ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996, and the related statements of income,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended. Such
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (subject, with respect to the unaudited financial
statements, to the absence of notes required by Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles and to normal year-end audit adjustments) and present fairly the
financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
as of the respective dates thereof and the consolidated results of operations of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the respective periods then ended. Except
as fully reflected in the most recent financial statements referred to above and
the notes thereto, there


                                      -41-

<PAGE>


are no material liabilities or obligations with respect to the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries of any nature whatsoever (whether absolute, contingent or
otherwise and whether or not due).

         (b) The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Agents copies of 
(i) the Annual Statements of each of the Insurance Subsidiaries as of December
31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, and for the fiscal years then ended, each as filed with
the relevant Insurance Regulatory Authority (collectively, the "Historical
Statutory Statements"). The Historical Statutory Statements (including, without
limitation, the provisions made therein for investments and the valuation
thereof, reserves, policy and contract claims and statutory liabilities) have
been prepared in accordance with Statutory Accounting Practices (except as may
be reflected in the notes thereto and subject, with respect to the Quarterly
Statements, to the absence of notes required by Statutory Accounting Practices
and to normal year-end adjustments), were in compliance with applicable
Requirements of Law when filed and present fairly the financial condition of the
respective Insurance Subsidiaries covered thereby as of the respective dates
thereof and the results of operations, changes in capital and surplus and cash
flow of the respective Insurance Subsidiaries covered thereby for the respective
periods then ended. Except for liabilities and obligations disclosed or provided
for in the Historical Statutory Statements (including, without limitation,
reserves, policy and contract claims and statutory liabilities), no Insurance
Subsidiary had, as of the date of its respective Historical Statutory
Statements, any material liabilities or obligations of any nature whatsoever
(whether absolute, contingent or otherwise and whether or not due) that, in
accordance with Statutory Accounting Practices, would have been required to have
been disclosed or provided for in such Historical Statutory Statements. All
books of account of each Insurance Subsidiary fully and fairly disclose all of
its material transactions, properties, assets, investments, liabilities and
obligations, are in its possession and are true, correct and complete in all
material respects.

         (c) Each of the Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries, after giving
effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (i) will
have capital sufficient to carry on its businesses as conducted and as proposed
to be conducted, (ii) will have assets with a fair saleable value, determined on
a going concern basis, (y) not less than the amount required to pay the probable
liability on its existing debts as they become absolute and matured and 
(z) greater than the total amount of its liabilities (including identified
contingent liabilities, valued at the amount that can reasonably be expected to
become absolute and matured), and (iii) will not intend to, and will not believe
that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay such debts
and liabilities as they mature.

         4.12. Ownership of Properties. Each of the Borrower and its Material
Subsidiaries (i) has good and marketable title to all real property owned by it,
(ii) holds interests as lessee under valid leases in full force and effect with
respect to all material leased real and personal property used in connection
with its business, and (iii) has good title to all of its other properties and
assets reflected in the most recent financial statements referred to in Section
4.11(a) (except as sold or otherwise disposed of since the date thereof in the
ordinary course of business), in each case under (i), (ii) and (iii) above free
and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens.

         4.13. ERISA. Each member of the ERISA Group has fulfilled its
obligations under the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Internal
Revenue Code with respect to each Plan and is in compliance in all material
respects with the presently applicable provisions of ERISA and the Internal
Revenue Code with respect to each Plan. No member of the ERISA Group has 
(i) sought a waiver of the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the
Internal Revenue Code in respect of any Plan, (ii) failed to make any
contribution or payment to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or in respect of any
Benefit Arrangement, or made any amendment to any Plan or Benefit Arrangement,
which has resulted or could result in the imposition of a Lien or the posting 
of a bond or other security under ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code or 
(iii) incurred any liability under Title IV of ERISA other than a liability to 
the PBGC for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA.


                                      -42-

<PAGE>


         4.14. Environmental Matters. (a) No Hazardous Substances are or have
been generated, used, located, released, treated, disposed of or stored by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, by any
other Person or otherwise, in, on or under any portion of any real property,
leased or owned, of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, except in material
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, and no portion of any such
real property or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any other real property at
any time leased, owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
has been contaminated by any Hazardous Substance; and no portion of any real
property, leased or owned, of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has been
or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, is presently the subject of an
environmental audit, assessment or remedial action.

         (b) Except as set forth of Schedule 4.14, to the knowledge of the
Borrower, (i) no portion of any real property, leased or owned, of the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries has been used as or for a mine, a landfill, a dump or
other disposal facility, a gasoline service station, or (other than for
petroleum substances stored in the ordinary course of business) a petroleum
products storage facility, (ii) no portion of such real property or any other
real property at any time leased, owned or operated by the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries has, pursuant to any Environmental Law, been placed on the
"National Priorities List" or "CERCLIS List" (or any similar federal, state or
local list) of sites subject to possible environmental problems, and (iii) there
are not and have never been any underground storage tanks situated on any real
property, leased or owned, of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

         (c) All activities and operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
are in compliance with the requirements of all applicable Environmental Laws,
except to the extent the failure so to comply, individually or in the aggregate,
would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. Other than
normal claims in the ordinary course of business pursuant to insurance policies
written by an Insurance Subsidiary, neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries is involved in any suit, action or proceeding, or has received any
notice, complaint or other request for information from any Governmental
Authority or other Person, with respect to any actual or alleged Environmental
Claims that, if adversely determined, would be reasonably likely, individually
or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect; and, to the knowledge of
the Borrower, there are no threatened actions, suits, proceedings or
investigations with respect to any such Environmental Claims, nor any basis
therefor.

         4.15. Compliance With Laws. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
has timely filed all material reports, documents and other materials required to
be filed by it under all applicable Requirements of Law with any Governmental
Authority, has retained all material records and documents required to be
retained by it under all applicable Requirements of Law, and is otherwise in
compliance with all applicable Requirements of Law in respect of the conduct of
its business and the ownership and operation of its properties, except for such
Requirements of Law the failure to comply with which, individually or in the
aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         4.16. Regulated Industries. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries is (i) an "investment company," a company "controlled" by an
"investment company," or an "investment advisor," within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (ii) a "holding company," a
"subsidiary company" of a "holding company," or an "affiliate" of a "holding
company" or of a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company," within the meaning
of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.


                                      -43-

<PAGE>


         4.17. Insurance. The assets, properties and business of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries are insured against such hazards and liabilities (other
than normal life insurance risk), under such coverages and in such amounts, as
are customarily maintained by prudent companies similarly situated and under
policies issued by insurers of recognized responsibility. No notice of any
pending or threatened cancellation or material premium increase has been
received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any such
insurance policies, and the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries are in
substantial compliance with all conditions contained therein.

         4.18. Certain Contracts. Schedule 4.18 lists, as of the Closing Date,
each material contract, agreement or commitment, written or oral, other than
Reinsurance Agreements, to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party, by which any of them or their respective properties is bound or to which
any of them is subject (other than insurance policies written in the ordinary
course of business) and that (i) relates to employment or labor matters, 
(ii) involves aggregate consideration payable to or by any party thereto of
$1,000,000 or more or (iii) is otherwise material to the business, condition
(financial or otherwise), operations, performance or properties of the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries, and also indicates the parties, subject matter and
term thereof. As of the Closing Date, each such contract is in full force and
effect, and neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries or, to the
knowledge of the Borrower, any other party thereto, is in breach of or default
under any such contract. As of the Closing Date, none of such other parties has
any presently exercisable right to terminate any such contract nor will any such
other party have any right to terminate any such contract on account of the
execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents.

         4.19. Reinsurance Agreements. (a) Except as set forth on Schedule F to
the Annual Statements for the Insurance Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1996, there are no material liabilities outstanding as of the
Closing Date under any Reinsurance Agreement. Each Reinsurance Agreement is in
full force and effect; none of the Insurance Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge
of the Borrower, any other party thereto, is in breach of or default under any
such contract; and the Borrower has no reason to believe that the financial
condition of any other party to any such contract is impaired such that a
default thereunder by such party could reasonably be anticipated. Each
Reinsurance Agreement is qualified under all applicable Requirements of Law to
receive the statutory credit assigned to such Reinsurance Agreement in the
relevant Annual Statement or Quarterly Statement at the time prepared. Except as
set forth on Schedule 4.19, each Person to whom any of the Insurance
Subsidiaries has ceded any material liability pursuant to any Reinsurance
Agreement on the Closing Date either (i) has a rating of "A-" or better by A.M.
Best & Company or (ii) has provided collateral in favor of the applicable
Insurance Subsidiary of the type and in an amount described in Schedule 4.19.

         (b) As of the Closing Date, no Insurance Subsidiary is a party to any
Surplus Relief Reinsurance Agreement.

         4.20. Ranking of Obligations. So long as any of the Surviving Senior
Notes remain unpaid and outstanding, the Obligations rank pari passu with the
obligations of the Borrower in respect of the Surviving Senior Notes.


                                      -44-

<PAGE>


                                    ARTICLE V

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         The Borrower covenants and agrees that, until the termination of the
Commitments and the payment in full of all principal and interest with respect
to the Loans together with all other amounts then due and owing hereunder:

         5.1. GAAP Financial Statements. The Borrower will deliver to each
Lender:

         (a) As soon as available and in any event within sixty (60) days after
the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year,
beginning with the first fiscal quarter ending after the date hereof, unaudited
consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal quarter and unaudited consolidated and
consolidating statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter then ended and for that
portion of the fiscal year then ended, in each case setting forth comparative
consolidated figures as of the end of and for the corresponding period in the
preceding fiscal year, all prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (subject to the absence of notes required by Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles and subject to normal year-end audit adjustments)
applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding quarter or containing
disclosure of the effect on the financial condition or results of operations of
any change in the application of accounting principles and practices during such
quarter; and

         (b) As soon as available and in any event within one-hundred twenty
(120) days after the end of each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, (i) an audited consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and audited
consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended, including the
applicable notes, in each case setting forth comparative figures as of the end
of and for the preceding fiscal year, certified by the independent certified
public accounting firm regularly retained by the Borrower or another independent
certified public accounting firm of recognized national standing reasonably
acceptable to the Required Lenders, together with a report thereon by such
accountants that is not qualified as to going concern or scope of audit and to
the effect that such financial statements present fairly the consolidated
financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods indicated in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, (ii) an unaudited consolidating
balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal
year and unaudited consolidating statements of income, stockholders' equity and
cash flows for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended,
all in reasonable detail, and (iii) an unaudited balance sheet of PMA Cayman as
of the end of such fiscal year and unaudited statements of income, stockholders'
equity and cash flows for PMA Cayman for the fiscal year then ended, all
prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles applied on
a consistent basis with that of the preceding fiscal year or containing
disclosure to the effect on the financial condition or results of operations of
any change in the application of accounting principles and practices during such
fiscal year.

         5.2. Statutory Financial Statements. The Borrower will deliver to each
Lender:

         (a) As soon as available and in any event within forty-five (45) days
after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year,
beginning with the first fiscal quarter ending after the date hereof, a
Quarterly Statement of each Insurance Subsidiary as of the end of such fiscal
quarter and for that


                                      -45-

<PAGE>


portion of the fiscal year then ended, in the form filed with the relevant
Insurance Regulatory Authority, prepared in accordance with Statutory Accounting
Practices;

         (b) As soon as available and in any event within sixty (60) days after
the end of each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year ended December 31,
1996, an Annual Statement of each Insurance Subsidiary as of the end of such
fiscal year and for the fiscal year then ended, in the form filed with the
relevant Insurance Regulatory Authority, prepared in accordance with Statutory
Accounting Practices; and

         (c) As soon as available and in any event within one hundred twenty-one
(121) days after the end of each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, a Combined Annual Statement of PMAIC and its
Consolidated Affiliates as of the end of such fiscal year and for the fiscal
year then ended, in the form filed with the relevant Insurance Regulatory
Authority, prepared in accordance with Statutory Accounting Practices.

         5.3. Other Business and Financial Information. The Borrower will
deliver to each Lender:

         (a) Concurrently with each delivery of the financial statements
described in Sections 5.1 and 5.2, a Compliance Certificate in the form of
Exhibit E-1 (in the case of the financial statements described in Section 5.1)
or Exhibit E-2 (in the case of the financial statements described in Section
5.2) with respect to the period covered by the financial statements then being
delivered, executed by the chief financial officer of the Borrower (or a vice
president of the Borrower having significant responsibility for financial
matters), together, in the case of the financial statements described in Section
5.1, with a Covenant Compliance Worksheet reflecting the computation of the
financial covenants set forth in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 as of the last day of the
period covered by such financial statements, and in the case of the financial
statements described in Section 5.2, with a Covenant Compliance Worksheet
reflecting the computation of the financial covenants set forth in Sections 6.3
and 6.4 as of the last day of the period covered by such financial statements;

         (b) Promptly upon filing with the relevant Insurance Regulatory
Authority and in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal
year, beginning with the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, a copy of each
Insurance Subsidiary's "Statement of Actuarial Opinion" (or equivalent
information should the relevant Insurance Regulatory Authority not require such
a statement) as to the adequacy of such Insurance Subsidiary's loss reserves for
such fiscal year, together with a copy of its management discussion and analysis
in connection therewith, each in the format prescribed by the applicable
insurance laws of such Insurance Subsidiary's jurisdiction of domicile;

         (c) Promptly upon the sending or filing thereof, copies of any
"internal control" letter filed by on behalf of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries with any Insurance Regulatory Authority;

         (d) Promptly upon the sending, filing or receipt thereof, copies of 
(i) all financial statements, reports, notices and proxy statements that the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall send or make available generally to
its shareholders, (ii) all regular, periodic and special reports, registration
statements and prospectuses that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall
render to or file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or any national securities exchange,
(iii) all significant reports on examination or similar significant reports,
financial examination reports or market conduct examination reports by the NAIC
or any Insurance Regulatory Authority or other Governmental Authority with
respect to any Insurance Subsidiary's insurance business, and


                                      -46-

<PAGE>


(iv) all significant filings made under applicable state insurance holding
company acts by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, including, without
limitation, filings seeking approval of transactions with Affiliates;

         (e) Promptly upon (and in any event within three (3) Business Days
after) an officer of the Borrower obtaining knowledge thereof, written notice of
any of the following:

                    (i) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default,
         together with a written statement of the chief executive officer or
         chief financial officer of the Borrower specifying the nature of such
         Default or Event of Default, the period of existence thereof and the
         action that the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect
         thereto;

                   (ii) the institution or threatened institution of any action,
         suit, investigation or proceeding against or affecting the Borrower or
         any of its Subsidiaries, including any such investigation or proceeding
         by any Insurance Regulatory Authority or other Governmental Authority
         (other than routine periodic inquiries, investigations or reviews),
         that would, if adversely determined, be reasonably likely, individually
         or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, and any
         material development in any litigation or other proceeding previously
         reported pursuant to Section 4.5 or this Section 5.3(e)(ii);

                  (iii) the receipt by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         from any Insurance Regulatory Authority or other Governmental Authority
         of (i) any notice asserting any failure by the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries to be in compliance with applicable Requirements of Law or
         that threatens the taking of any action against the Borrower or such
         Subsidiary or sets forth circumstances that, if taken or adversely
         determined, would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
         Effect, or (ii) any notice of any actual or threatened suspension,
         limitation or revocation of, failure to renew, or imposition of any
         restraining order, escrow or impoundment of funds in connection with,
         any license, permit, accreditation or authorization of the Borrower or
         any of its Subsidiaries, where such action would be reasonably likely
         to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                   (iv) the occurrence of any of the following, together with a
         reasonably detailed description thereof and copies of any filings,
         communications, reports or other information relating thereto made
         available to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries: (A) the assertion
         of any Environmental Claim against or affecting the Borrower, any of
         its Subsidiaries or any of their respective real property, leased or
         owned; (B) the receipt by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of
         notice of any alleged violation of or noncompliance with any
         Environmental Laws by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; or 
        (C) the taking of any remedial action by the Borrower, any of its
         Subsidiaries or any other Person in response to the actual or alleged
         generation, storage, release, disposal or discharge of any Hazardous
         Substances on, to, upon or from any real property leased or owned by
         the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; but in each case under clauses
         (A), (B) and (C) above, only to the extent the same would be reasonably
         likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                    (v) the occurrence of any actual changes in any insurance
         statute or regulation governing the investment or dividend practices of
         any Insurance Subsidiary that would be reasonably likely to have a
         Material Adverse Effect;


                                      -47-

<PAGE>


                   (vi) if and when any member of the ERISA Group gives or is
         required to give notice to the PBGC of any "reportable event" (as
         defined in section 4043 of ERISA) with respect to any Plan which might
         constitute grounds for a termination of such Plan under Title IV of
         ERISA, or knows that the plan administrator of any Plan has given or is
         required to give notice of any such reportable event, a copy of the
         notice of such reportable event given or required to be given to the
         PBGC; (ii) receives notice of complete or partial withdrawal liability
         under Title IV of ERISA or notice that any Multiemployer Plan is in
         reorganization, is insolvent or has been terminated, a copy of such
         notice; (iii) receives notice from the PBGC under Title IV of ERISA of
         an intent to terminate, impose liability (other than for premiums under
         Section 4007 of ERISA) in respect of, or appoint a trustee to
         administer any Plan, a copy of such notice; (iv) applies for a waiver
         of the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Internal
         Revenue Code, a copy of such application; (v) gives notice of intent to
         terminate any Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA, a copy of such
         notice and other information filed with the PBGC; (vi) gives notice of
         withdrawal from any Plan pursuant to Section 4063 of ERISA, a copy of
         such notice; or (vii) fails to make any payment or contribution to any
         Plan or Multiemployer Plan or in respect of any Benefit Arrangement or
         makes any amendment to any Plan or Benefit Arrangement which has
         resulted or could result in the imposition of a Lien or the posting of
         a bond or other security, a certificate of the chief financial officer
         or the chief accounting officer of the Borrower setting forth details
         as to such occurrence and action, if any, which the Borrower or
         applicable member of the ERISA Group is required or proposes to take;
         and

                  (vii) any other matter or event that has, or would be
         reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect, together with a
         written statement of the chief executive officer or chief financial
         officer of the Borrower setting forth the nature and period of
         existence thereof and the action that the Borrower has taken and
         proposes to take with respect thereto;

         (f) Promptly, notice of (i) the occurrence of any material amendment or
modification to any Reinsurance Agreement (whether entered into before or after
the Closing Date), including any such agreements that are in a runoff mode on
the Closing Date, which amendment or modification would be reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) the receipt by the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries of any written notice of any denial of coverage, litigation,
claim or arbitration arising out of any Reinsurance Agreement to which it is a
party which would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

         (g) As promptly as reasonably possible, such other information about
the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations or properties of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation,
financial, actuarial and other information with respect to Reinsurance
Agreements) as either Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably
request; and

         (h) Upon the request of either Agent at the direction of the Required
Lenders (which absent a showing of good cause shall not be more often than one
time during any twelve-month period), at the Borrower's expense, deliver to each
Lender within sixty (60) days of such request an actuarial review of the
liabilities and other items of each Insurance Subsidiary prepared by an actuary
or a firm of actuaries reasonably acceptable to the Agents, such actuarial
review to be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Required
Lenders.

         5.4. Corporate Existence; Franchises; Maintenance of Properties. The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain and preserve
in full force and effect its corporate existence, except as expressly permitted
otherwise by Section 7.1. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, (i) obtain, maintain and preserve in full force and effect all
other rights, franchises, licenses, permits, certifications, approvals and
authorizations required by Governmental Authorities and necessary to the

                                      -48-


<PAGE>


ownership, occupation or use of its properties or the conduct of its business,
except to the extent the failure to do so would not be reasonably likely to have
a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) keep all material properties in good working
order and condition (normal wear and tear excepted) and from time to time make
all necessary repairs to and renewals and replacements of such properties,
except to the extent that any of such properties are obsolete or are being
replaced.

         5.5. Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will, and will cause each of
its Subsidiaries to, comply in all respects with all Requirements of Law
applicable in respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership and
operation of its properties, except to the extent the failure so to comply would
not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         5.6. Payment of Obligations. The Borrower will, and will cause each of
its Subsidiaries to, (i) pay all liabilities and obligations as and when due
(subject to any applicable subordination provisions), except to the extent
failure to do so would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect, and (ii) pay and discharge all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges or levies imposed upon it, upon its income or profits or upon any of its
properties, prior to the date on which penalties would attach thereto, and all
lawful claims that, if unpaid, might become a Lien upon any of the properties of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to pay any such tax,
assessment, charge, levy or claim that is being contested in good faith and by
proper proceedings and as to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is
maintaining adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles.

         5.7. Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance
companies insurance with respect to its assets, properties and business, against
such hazards and liabilities (other than normal life insurance risk), of such
types and in such amounts, as is customarily maintained by companies in the same
or similar businesses similarly situated.

         5.8. Maintenance of Books and Records; Inspection. The Borrower will,
and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) maintain adequate books,
accounts and records, in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of
all financial transactions in relation to its business and properties, and
prepare all financial statements required under this Agreement, in each case in
accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or Statutory Accounting
Practices, as applicable, and in compliance with the requirements of any
Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it, and (ii) permit employees or
agents of either Agent or any Lender, at such Agent's or Lender's expense
(except as provided in Section 10.1), to inspect its properties and examine or
audit its books, records, working papers and accounts and make copies and
memoranda of them, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its
officers and employees and, with the prior consent of the Borrower (such consent
not to be unreasonably withheld), the independent public accountants of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries (and by this provision the Borrower authorizes
such accountants to discuss the finances of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries),
all at such times and from time to time, upon reasonable notice and during
business hours, as may be reasonably requested.

         5.9. Dividends. The Borrower will take all action necessary to cause
its Subsidiaries to make such dividends, distributions or other payments to the
Borrower as shall be necessary for the Borrower to make payments of the
principal of and interest on the Loans in accordance with this Agreement. In the
event the approval of any Governmental Authority or other Person is required in
order for any such Subsidiary to make any such dividends, distributions or other
payments to the Borrower, or for the Borrower to make any such principal or
interest payments, the Borrower will forthwith exercise its best efforts and
take all actions permitted by law and necessary to obtain such approval.


                                      -49-

<PAGE>


         5.10. Ownership of Insurance Subsidiaries. The Borrower will cause each
of its Insurance Subsidiaries to remain at all times a Wholly Owned Subsidiary
of the Borrower, except as expressly permitted otherwise by Section 7.1.

         5.11. Extinguishment of Senior Note Indebtedness. The Borrower, on or
before June 30, 1997, will cause the Surviving Senior Note Indebtedness,
including all fees and interest accrued thereon, to be extinguished and paid in
full and the Surviving Senior Notes to be cancelled.

         5.12. Further Assurances. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, make, execute, endorse, acknowledge and deliver any amendments,
modifications or supplements hereto and restatements hereof and any other
agreements, instruments or documents, and take any and all such other actions,
as may from time to time be reasonably requested by either Agent or the Required
Lenders to effect, confirm or further assure or protect and preserve the
interests, rights and remedies of the Agents and the Lenders under this
Agreement and the other Credit Documents.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                               FINANCIAL COVENANTS

         The Borrower covenants and agrees that, until the termination of the
Commitments and the payment in full of all principal and interest with respect
to the Loans together with all other amounts then due and owing hereunder:

         6.1. Capitalization Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the
Capitalization Ratio to be greater than 0.35 to 1.0 as of the last day of any
fiscal quarter, beginning with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 1996.

         6.2. Cash Coverage Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the Cash
Coverage Ratio to be less than (i) with respect to any four fiscal quarter
period ending on or after December 31, 1996 or ending on or before December 31,
1999, 2.50 to 1.0, and (ii) with respect to any four fiscal quarter period
ending thereafter, 2.75 to 1.0.

         6.3. Statutory Surplus. The Borrower will cause the Consolidated
Statutory Surplus of the Insurance Subsidiaries to be not less than $450,000,000
at all times from and after the Closing Date.

         6.4. Risk-Based Capital. The Borrower will not permit "total adjusted
capital" (within the meaning of the Risk-Based Capital for Insurers Model Act as
promulgated by the NAIC as of the date hereof (the "Model Act")) of the
following Insurance Subsidiaries to be less than the percentages set forth
below, as of the dates set forth below, of the applicable "Company Action Level
RBC" (within the meaning of the Model Act):

                     (i) with respect to PMA Re, as of the last day of any
         fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996,
         not less than 150%;

                    (ii) with respect to any other Insurance Subsidiary (other
         than an Insurance Subsidiary not required by the relevant Insurance
         Regulatory Authority to meet any RBC requirements), not less than 
         (w) as of December 31, 1996, 100% (x) as of December 31, 1997, 110%, 
         and (y) as of December 31, 1998, 115%, and (z) as of December 31, 1999
         and the last day of any fiscal year thereafter, 120%.


                                      -50-

<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE VII

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         The Borrower covenants and agrees that, until the termination of the
Commitments and the payment in full of all principal and interest with respect
to the Loans together with all other amounts then due and owing hereunder:

         7.1. Merger; Consolidation; Disposition of Assets. The Borrower will
not, and will not permit or cause any of its Subsidiaries to, liquidate, wind up
or dissolve, enter into any consolidation, merger or other combination, or sell,
assign, lease, convey, transfer, assumption reinsure or otherwise dispose of
(whether in one or a series of transactions) all or any portion of its assets,
business or properties outside of the ordinary course of its business, or agree
to do any of the foregoing; provided, however, that:

                     (i) any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with, or sell
         or otherwise dispose of assets to, another Subsidiary or the Borrower
         so long as (y) the surviving or transferee corporation is the Borrower
         or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary and (z) immediately after giving effect
         thereto, no Default or Event of Default would exist;

                    (ii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may sell or exchange
         used or obsolete equipment to the extent (y) the proceeds of such sale
         are applied towards, or such equipment is exchanged for, similar
         replacement equipment or (z) such equipment is no longer necessary for
         the operations of the Borrower or its applicable Subsidiary in the
         ordinary course of business; and

                   (iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may sell (y) the
         capital stock or all or any portion of the assets, business or
         properties of a Subsidiary that is not a Material Subsidiary, and 
         (z) any asset or group of assets constituting less than (A) in any
         single transaction or series or related transactions, ten percent (10%)
         of Consolidated Statutory Surplus as of the last day of the fiscal
         quarter ending on or immediately prior to the date of such sale, and
         (B) during the term of this Agreement, in the aggregate with all such
         other sales pursuant to this clause (iii), thirty percent (30%) of
         Consolidated Statutory Surplus as of the end of the immediately
         preceding fiscal year.

         7.2. Indebtedness. The Borrower will not, and will not permit or cause
any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist, any Indebtedness other than:

                   (i) Indebtedness in respect of the Letter of Credit
         Facility, provided the aggregate amount of the Letter of Credit
         Exposure does not exceed $50,000,000;

                  (ii) accrued expenses, current trade or other accounts payable
         and other current liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
         business and not incurred through the borrowing of money, provided that
         the same shall be paid when due except to the extent being contested in
         good faith and by appropriate proceedings;


                                      -51-

<PAGE>


                 (iii) Indebtedness of any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the
         Borrower to the Borrower or to another Wholly Owned Subsidiary;

                  (iv) Indebtedness due under the Credit Documents;

                   (v) subject to Section 5.11, the Surviving Senior Note
         Indebtedness;

                  (vi) the Terminating Indebtedness but only until the initial
         Borrowing hereunder shall have occurred;

                 (vii) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date as set forth
         on Schedule 7.2;

                (viii) Indebtedness in respect of any Hedge Agreement covering a
         notional principal amount not in excess of the amount of the aggregate 
         Commitments; and

                  (ix) Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness specified in
         clauses (i) through (viii) above) in the aggregate principal amount
         outstanding not exceeding $10,000,000 at any time and constituting 
         (y) unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower or (z) reimbursement
         obligations under letters of credit (whether or not drawn or matured
         and in the stated amount thereof) issued on behalf of an Insurance
         Subsidiary in the ordinary course of such Insurance Subsidiary's
         business.

         7.3. Liens. The Borrower will not, and will not permit or cause any of
its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make, create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist, or enter into or suffer to exist any agreement or restriction
that prohibits or conditions the creation, incurrence or assumption of, any Lien
upon or with respect to any part of its property or assets, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, or agree to do any of the foregoing, other than the
following (collectively, "Permitted Liens"):

                    (i) Liens (y) in existence on the Closing Date and set forth
         on Schedule 7.3 and (z) arising out of the refinancing, extension,
         renewal or refunding of any Indebtedness secured by any such Lien
         provided that such Indebtedness is not increased and is not secured by
         any additional assets;

                   (ii) Liens imposed by law, such as Liens of carriers,
         warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and landlords, and other similar
         Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not
         constituting borrowed money that are not overdue for a period of more
         than thirty (30) days or that are being contested in good faith by
         appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been
         established in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting
         Principles;

                  (iii) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA, the
         creation or incurrence of which would result in an Event of Default
         under Section 8.1(i)) incurred in the ordinary course of business in
         connection with worker's compensation, unemployment insurance or other
         forms of governmental insurance or benefits, or to secure the
         performance of letters of credit, bids, tenders, statutory obligations,
         surety and appeal bonds, leases, government contracts and other similar
         obligations (other than obligations for borrowed money) entered into in
         the ordinary course of business;


                                      -52-

<PAGE>


                   (iv) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental
         charges or statutory obligations that are not delinquent or remain
         payable without any penalty or that are being contested in good faith
         by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been
         established in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting
         Principles;

                    (v) Liens in connection with pledges and deposits made
         pursuant to statutory and regulatory requirements of Insurance
         Regulatory Authorities by an Insurance Subsidiary in the ordinary
         course of its business, for the purpose of securing regulatory capital
         or satisfying other financial responsibility requirements;

                   (vi) with respect to any real property occupied by the
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, all easements, rights of way,
         licenses and similar encumbrances on title that do not materially
         impair the use of such property for its intended purposes;

                  (vii) Liens with respect to cash and Treasury Securities of
         the Borrower or any Subsidiary conveyed pursuant to and in accordance
         with the Letter of Credit Facility to secure the Borrower's or any
         Subsidiary's reimbursement obligations thereunder; and

                 (viii) Liens (other than Liens specified in clauses (i) through
         (vii) above) securing obligations in the aggregate principal amount not
         exceeding, at any time, the greater of (y) five percent (5%) of
         Consolidated Net Worth as of the end of the immediately preceding
         fiscal year or (z) $20,000,000.

         7.4. Investments; Acquisitions. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit or cause any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, purchase,
own, invest in or otherwise acquire any capital stock, evidence of indebtedness
or other obligation or security or any interest whatsoever in any other Person,
or make or permit to exist any loans, advances or extensions of credit to, or
any investment in cash or by delivery of property in, any other Person, or
purchase or otherwise acquire (whether in one or a series of related
transactions) any portion of the assets, business or properties of another
Person, or create or acquire any Subsidiary, or become a partner or joint
venturer in any partnership or joint venture (collectively, "Investments"), or
make a commitment or otherwise agree to do any of the foregoing, if, immediately
after any such Investment, the amount of the cash, Cash Equivalents and
Investment Grade Securities owned by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a
consolidated basis, would be less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the total
Invested Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined as of the end of
the most recent fiscal quarter.

         7.5. Restricted Payments. (a) The Borrower will not, and will not
permit or cause any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, declare or
make any dividend payment, or make any other distribution of cash, property or
assets, in respect of any of its capital stock or any warrants, rights or
options to acquire its capital stock, or purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise
acquire for value any shares of its capital stock or any warrants, rights or
options to acquire its capital stock, or set aside funds for any of the
foregoing, except that:

                    (i) each Wholly Owned Subsidiary may declare and make
         dividend payments or other distributions to the Borrower or another
         Wholly Owned Subsidiary to the extent permitted under applicable
         Requirements of Law and, as to the Insurance Subsidiaries, by each
         relevant Insurance Regulatory Authority; and


                                      -53-

<PAGE>


                   (ii) the Borrower may declare and make dividend payments or
         other distributions, and may purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise
         acquire shares of its capital stock, in cash or in-kind, in each case
         provided that, immediately after giving effect thereto, no Default or
         Event of Default would exist.

         (b) The Borrower will not, and will not permit or cause any of its
Subsidiaries to, other than with respect to the Surviving Senior Note
Indebtedness and the Terminating Indebtedness, make (or give any notice in
respect of) any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment on any Indebtedness
(other than the Loans) or, directly or indirectly, make any redemption
(including pursuant to any change of control provision), retirement, defeasance
or other acquisition for value of any Indebtedness, or make any deposit or
otherwise set aside funds for any of the foregoing purposes.

         7.6. Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit or cause any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction with any
officer, director, stockholder or other Affiliate of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary, except in the ordinary course of its business and upon fair and
reasonable terms that are no less favorable to it than would obtain in a
comparable arm's length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate of the
Borrower or such Subsidiary; provided, however, that nothing contained in this
Section shall prohibit:

                    (i) transactions described on Schedule 7.6 or otherwise
         expressly permitted hereunder; and

                   (ii) the payment by the Borrower of reasonable and customary
         fees to members of its board of directors.

         7.7. Certain Amendments. The Borrower will not, and will not permit or
cause any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) amend, modify or waive, or permit the
amendment, modification or waiver of, any provision of any agreement or
instrument evidencing or governing any Indebtedness, including, without
limitation, the Letter of Credit Facility and the Surviving Senior Notes, or
(ii) amend or modify its articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws, in
each case under clauses (i) and (ii) other than any amendments or modifications
that could not reasonably be expected to affect the Lenders adversely.

         7.8. Lines of Business. The Borrower will not, and will not permit or
cause any of its Subsidiaries to, engage to any substantial degree in any
business other than the lines of property and casualty insurance business and
other businesses engaged in by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date
hereof or a business reasonably related thereto.

         7.9. Limitation on Certain Restrictions. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit or cause any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly,
create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any restriction
or encumbrance on (i) the ability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to
perform and comply with their respective obligations under the Credit Documents
or the Letter of Credit Facility, (ii) the ability of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary to grant, assume or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its assets
or properties as security, directly or indirectly, for the Obligations, other
than the restrictions set forth in the Credit Documents or Letter of Credit
Facility, or (iii) the ability of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to make any
dividend payments or other distributions in respect of its capital stock, to
make loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, or to transfer
any of its assets or properties to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, in each
case other than such restrictions or encumbrances existing under or by reason of
the Credit Documents or applicable Requirements of Law.


                                      -54-

<PAGE>


         7.10. Fiscal Year. The Borrower will not, and will not permit or cause
any of its Subsidiaries to, change the ending date of its fiscal year to a date
other than December 31 unless (i) the Borrower shall have given the Lenders
written notice of its intention to change such ending date at least sixty (60)
days prior to the effective date thereof and (ii) prior to such effective date
this Agreement shall have been amended to make any changes in the financial
covenants and other terms and conditions to the extent necessary, in the
reasonable determination of the Required Lenders, to reflect the new fiscal year
ending date.

         7.11. Accounting Changes. The Borrower will not, and will not permit or
cause any of its Subsidiaries to, make or permit any material change in its
accounting policies or reporting practices, except as may be required by
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or Statutory Accounting Practices, as
applicable, and any change to an accounting principle that can be demonstrated
by the Borrower to be "preferable" in accordance with Statements on Auditing
Standards No. 58 as promulgated by the Auditing Standards Board.

         7.12. Reinsurance Agreements. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit or cause any of its Insurance Subsidiaries to, (i) except for the
Reinsurance Agreements existing on the Closing Date with the reinsurers set
forth on Schedule 4.19, be or become a party to any Reinsurance Agreement
(whether in effect as of the Closing Date or at any time thereafter) with any
reinsurer not rated "A-" or better by A.M. Best & Company unless such reinsurer
has either (x) provided a letter of credit issued by a United States bank having
a long term senior debt rating of A or better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group
and Moody's Investors Services, Inc., in favor of the Borrower or the applicable
Insurance Subsidiary in an amount equal to or greater than the obligations
transferred pursuant to such Reinsurance Agreement, (y) placed the assets
transferred by the Insurance Subsidiary pursuant to such Reinsurance Agreement
in a trust with a fiduciary and under terms, including investment restrictions
consistent with this Agreement, satisfactory to the Agent, or (z) otherwise
provided collateral in favor of the Borrower or the applicable Insurance
Subsidiary in form and amount satisfactory to the Required Lenders, (ii) enter
into any Reinsurance Agreements, or make any amendment or modification to or
waiver of any Reinsurance Agreements, that would, individually or in the
aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) be
or become a party to any Surplus Relief Reinsurance Agreement if the increase in
Consolidated Statutory Surplus as a result of or arising from such Surplus
Relief Reinsurance Agreement, when added to the increase in Consolidated
Statutory Surplus as a result of or arising from all other Surplus Relief
Reinsurance Agreements theretofore entered into by any Insurance Subsidiary, net
of any surplus relief recaptured in respect of such Surplus Relief Reinsurance
Agreements, exceeds the lesser of (y) ten percent (10%) of Consolidated
Statutory Surplus as of the most recent fiscal year end, or (z) $45,000,000.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         8.1. Events of Default. The occurrence of any one or more of the
following events shall constitute an "Event of Default":

         (a) The Borrower shall fail to pay when due any principal on any Loan,
or shall fail to pay within five (5) days of the due date thereof interest on
any Loan, fees or any other Obligation;

         (b) The Borrower shall fail to observe, perform or comply with any
condition, covenant or agreement contained in any of Sections 2.15, 5.3, 5.4(i),
or 5.11, or in Article VI or Article VII;


                                      -55-

<PAGE>


         (c) The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to observe,
perform or comply with any condition, covenant or agreement contained in this
Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents other than those enumerated in
subsections (a) and (b) above, and such failure shall continue unremedied for
any grace period specifically applicable thereto or, if no such grace period is
applicable, for a period after the Borrower acquires knowledge thereof of 
(i) five (5) days with respect to covenants set forth in Sections 5.1 or 5.2 or
(ii) thirty (30) days with respect to any other condition, covenant or 
agreement;

         (d) Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf
of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in this Agreement, any of the other
Credit Documents or in any certificate, instrument, report or other document
furnished in connection herewith or therewith or in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall prove to have been false or
misleading in any material respect as of the time made, deemed made or
furnished;

         (e) The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) fail to pay when
due (whether by scheduled maturity, acceleration or otherwise and after giving
effect to any applicable grace period) any principal of or interest on any
Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Agreement)
having an aggregate principal amount of at least $1,000,000; or (ii) fail to
observe, perform or comply with any condition, covenant or agreement contained
in any agreement or instrument evidencing or relating to any such Indebtedness,
or any other event shall occur or condition exist in respect thereof, and the
effect of such failure, event or condition is to cause, or permit the holder or
holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on its or their behalf) to
cause (with the giving of notice, lapse of time, or both), such Indebtedness to
become due, or to be prepaid, redeemed, purchased or defeased, prior to its
stated maturity;

         (f) The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) file a voluntary
petition or commence a voluntary case seeking liquidation, winding-up,
reorganization, dissolution, arrangement, readjustment of debts or any other
relief under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the
institution of, or fail to controvert in a timely and appropriate manner, any
petition or case of the type described in subsection (g) below, (iii) apply for
or consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, trustee,
receiver or similar official for or of itself or all or a substantial part of
its properties or assets, (iv) fail generally, or admit in writing its
inability, to pay its debts generally as they become due, (v) make a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any corporate action to
authorize or approve any of the foregoing;

         (g) Any involuntary petition or case shall be filed or commenced
against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries seeking liquidation, winding-up,
reorganization, dissolution, arrangement, readjustment of debts, the appointment
of a custodian, trustee, receiver or similar official for it or all or a
substantial part of its properties or any other relief under the Bankruptcy Code
or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or
hereafter in effect, and such petition or case shall continue undismissed and
unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days; or an order, judgment or decree
approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered in any such
proceeding;

         (h) Any one or more money judgments, writs or warrants of attachment,
executions or similar processes involving an aggregate amount (exclusive of
amounts fully bonded or covered by insurance as to which the surety or insurer,
as the case may be, has acknowledged its liability in writing) in excess of
$1,000,000 (other than a liability of an Insurance Subsidiary under an insurance
contract written in the ordinary course of business) shall be entered or filed
against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective
properties and the same shall not be dismissed, stayed or discharged for a
period of thirty (30) days;


                                      -56-

<PAGE>


         (i) Any member of the ERISA Group shall fail to pay when due an amount
or amounts aggregating in excess of $1,000,000 which it shall have become liable
to pay under Title IV of ERISA; or notice of intent to terminate a Material Plan
shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by any member of the ERISA Group, any
plan administrator or any combination of the foregoing; or the PBGC shall
institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate, to impose liability
(other than for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA) in respect of, or to cause
a trustee to be appointed to administer any Material Plan; or a condition shall
exist by reason of which the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree
adjudicating that any Material Plan must be terminated; or there shall occur a
complete or partial withdrawal from, or a default, within the meaning of Section
4219(c)(5) of ERISA, with respect to, one or more Multiemployer Plans which
could cause one or more members of the ERISA Group to incur a current payment
obligation in excess of $1,000,000;

         (j) Any Insurance Regulatory Authority or other Governmental Authority
having jurisdiction shall issue any order of conservation, supervision,
rehabilitation or liquidation or any other order of similar effect in respect of
any Insurance Subsidiary, and such action, individually or in the aggregate,
would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

         (k) Any one or more licenses, permits, accreditations or authorizations
of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be suspended, limited or
terminated or shall not be renewed, or any other action shall be taken, by any
Governmental Authority in response to any alleged failure by the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries to be in compliance with applicable Requirements of Law, and
such action, individually or in the aggregate, would be reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect; or

         (l) Any of the following shall occur: (i) any Person, including,
without limitation, any individual member of the Management Group, or group of
Persons acting in concert as a partnership or other group shall, as a result of
a tender or exchange offer, open market purchases, privately negotiated
purchases or otherwise, have become, after the date hereof, the "beneficial
owner" (within the meaning of such term under Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act)
of securities of the Borrower representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the
combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Borrower
ordinarily (and apart from rights accruing under special circumstances) having
the right to vote in the election of directors, provided, however, The PMA
Foundation, a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, may become the beneficial
owner of securities of the Borrower representing fifty percent (50%) or less
of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Borrower
so long as it remains a non-profit corporation that has no members with voting
rights and the Management Group collectively may become the beneficial owner of
securities of the Borrower representing fifty percent (50%) or less of the
combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Borrower, or
(ii) the Board of Directors of the Borrower shall cease to consist of a majority
of the individuals who constituted the Board of Directors of the Borrower as of
the date hereof or who shall have become a member thereof subsequent to the date
hereof after having been nominated, or otherwise approved in writing, by at
least a majority of individuals who constituted the Board of Directors of the
Borrower as of the date hereof (or their replacements approved as herein
required).

         8.2. Remedies: Termination of Commitment, Acceleration, etc. Upon and
at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of
Default, the Agents, acting jointly, shall at the direction, or may with the
consent, of the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions at
the same or different times:


                                      -57-


<PAGE>


         (a) Declare the Commitments to be terminated, whereupon the same shall
terminate (provided that, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default pursuant to
Section 8.1(f) or Section 8.1(g), the Commitments shall automatically be
terminated);

         (b) Declare all or any part of the outstanding principal amount of the
Loans to be immediately due and payable, whereupon the principal amount so
declared to be immediately due and payable, together with all interest accrued
thereon and all other amounts payable under this Agreement, the Notes and the
other Credit Documents, shall become immediately due and payable without
presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate or other notice or
legal process of any kind, all of which are hereby knowingly and expressly
waived by the Borrower (provided that, upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default pursuant to Section 8.1(f) or Section 8.1(g), all of the outstanding
principal amount of the Loans and all other amounts described in this subsection
(b) shall automatically become immediately due and payable without presentment,
demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate or other notice or legal process
of any kind, all of which are hereby knowingly and expressly waived by the
Borrower); and

         (c) Exercise all rights and remedies available to it under this
Agreement, the other Credit Documents and applicable law.

         8.3. Remedies: Set-Off. Subject to Section 2.16(b), in addition to all
other rights and remedies available under the Credit Documents or applicable law
or otherwise, upon and at any time after the occurrence and during the
continuance of any Event of Default, each Lender may, and each is hereby
authorized by the Borrower, at any such time and from time to time, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, without presentment, demand, protest
or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby knowingly and expressly
waived by the Borrower, to set off and to apply any and all deposits (general or
special, time or demand, provisional or final) and any other property at any
time held (including at any branches or agencies, wherever located), and any
other indebtedness at any time owing, by such Lender to or for the credit or the
account of the Borrower against any or all of the Obligations to such Lender now
or hereafter existing, whether or not such Obligations may be contingent or
unmatured, the Borrower hereby granting to each Lender a continuing security
interest in and Lien upon all such deposits and other property as security for
such Obligations. Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower promptly after any
such set-off and application; provided, however, that the failure to give such
notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   THE AGENTS

         9.1. Appointment. Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and
authorizes The Bank of New York to act as Administrative Agent, First Union to
act as Documentation Agent, and both to act jointly as Agents hereunder and
under the other Credit Documents and to take such actions as agent on its behalf
hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, and to exercise such powers and
to perform such duties, as are specifically delegated to the Administrative
Agent or the Documentation Agent, as appropriate, by the terms hereof or
thereof, together with such other powers and duties as are reasonably incidental
thereto.

         9.2. Nature of Duties. Neither Agent shall have any duties or
responsibilities other than those expressly set forth as applicable to such
Agent in this Agreement and the other Credit Documents. Neither Agent shall
have, by reason of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, a fiduciary
relationship in 


                                      -58-



<PAGE>



respect of any Lender; and nothing in this Agreement or any other Credit
Document, express or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to
impose upon either Agent any obligations or liabilities in respect of this
Agreement or any other Credit Document except as expressly set forth herein or
therein. Each Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement or any
other Credit Document by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall not be
responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact
that it selects with reasonable care. Each Agent shall be entitled to consult
with legal counsel, independent public accountants and other experts selected by
it with respect to all matters pertaining to this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents and its duties hereunder and thereunder and shall not be liable for
any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with
the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts. The Lenders hereby
acknowledge that neither Agent shall be under any duty to take any discretionary
action permitted to be taken by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement
or any other Credit Document unless it shall be requested in writing to do so by
the Required Lenders (or, where a higher percentage of the Lenders is expressly
required hereunder, such Lenders).

         9.3. Exculpatory Provisions. Neither Agent nor any of their officers,
directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates shall be 
(i) liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person
under or in connection with the Credit Documents, except for its or such
Person's own gross negligence or willful misconduct, (ii) responsible in any
manner to any Lender for any recitals, statements, information, representations
or warranties herein or in any other Credit Document or in any document,
instrument, certificate, report or other writing delivered in connection
herewith or therewith, for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity,
enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or
for the financial condition of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any other
Person, or (iii) required to ascertain or make any inquiry concerning the
performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this
Agreement or any other Credit Document or the existence or possible existence of
any Default or Event of Default, or to inspect the properties, books or records
of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

         9.4. Reliance by Agents. Each Agent shall be entitled to rely, and
shall be fully protected in relying, upon any notice, statement, consent or
other communication (including, without limitation, any thereof by telephone,
telecopy, telex, telegram or cable) believed by it in good faith to be genuine
and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or
Persons. Each Agent may deem and treat each Lender as the owner of its interest
hereunder for all purposes hereof unless and until a written notice of the
assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been given to such Agent
in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Each Agent shall be
entitled to refrain from taking or omitting to take any action in connection
with this Agreement or any other Credit Document (i) if such action or omission
would, in the reasonable opinion of such Agent, violate any applicable law or
any provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or (ii) unless and
until it shall have received such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders
(or, where a higher percentage of the Lenders is expressly required hereunder,
such Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first have been indemnified to
its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense (other
than liability and expense arising from its own gross negligence or willful
misconduct) that may be incurred by it by reason of taking, continuing to take
or omitting to take any such action. Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender
shall have any right of action whatsoever against either Agent as a result of
such Agent's acting or refraining from acting hereunder or under any other
Credit Document in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders (or,
where a higher percentage of the Lenders is expressly required hereunder, such
Lenders), and such instructions and any action taken or failure to act pursuant
thereto shall be binding upon all of the Lenders (including all subsequent
Lenders).


                                      -59-



<PAGE>

         9.5. Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders. Each Lender expressly
acknowledges that neither Agent nor any of respective their officers, directors,
employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates has made any representation
or warranty to it and that no act by either Agent or any such Person hereafter
taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by either Agent to
any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Agents that (i) it has, independently
and without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and based on such
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal
of and investigation into the business, prospects, operations, properties,
financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and extend
credit to the Borrower hereunder, and (ii) it will, independently and without
reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own
credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action
hereunder and under the other Credit Documents and to make such investigation as
it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations,
properties, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement and the
other Credit Documents, neither Agent shall have any duty or responsibility,
either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender with any credit
or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, properties,
financial or other condition or creditworthiness of the Borrower, its
Subsidiaries or any other Person that may at any time come into the possession
of either Agent or any of their officers, directors, employees, agents,
attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates.

         9.6. Notice of Default. Neither Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge
or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless such Agent
shall have received written notice from the Borrower or a Lender referring to
this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that
such notice is a "notice of default." In the event that either Agent receives
such a notice, such Agent will give notice thereof to the Lenders as soon as
reasonably practicable; provided, however, that if any such notice has also been
furnished to the Lenders, such Agent shall have no obligation to notify the
Lenders with respect thereto. The Agents shall (subject to Sections 9.4 and
10.6) take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall
reasonably be directed by the Required Lenders; provided that, unless and until
the Agents shall have received such directions, the Agents may (but shall
not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with
respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the
best interests of the Lenders.

         9.7. Indemnification. To the extent either Agent is not reimbursed by
or on behalf of the Borrower, and without limiting the obligation of the
Borrower to do so, the Lenders agree (i) to indemnify each Agent and its
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact and Affiliates,
ratably in proportion to their respective percentages as used in determining the
Required Lenders as of the date of determination, from and against any and all
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses) or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever that may at any time
(including at any time following the repayment in full of the Loans and the
termination of the Commitments) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against
such Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other
Credit Document or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by
such Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing, and (ii) to
reimburse each Agent upon demand, ratably in proportion to their respective
percentages as used in determining the Required Lenders as of the date of
determination, for any expenses incurred by such Agent in connection with the
preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery, administration, amendment,
modification, waiver or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal
proceedings or otherwise) of, or 


                                      -60-


<PAGE>


legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement or
any of the other Credit Documents (including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses and compensation of agents and employees paid for
services rendered on behalf of the Lenders); provided, however, that no Lender
shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
to the extent resulting from the finally adjudicated gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the party to be indemnified.

         9.8. Each Agent in its Individual Capacity. With respect to its
Commitment, the Loans made by it and the Note or Notes issued to it, each Agent
in its individual capacity and not as an Agent shall have the same rights and
powers under the Credit Documents as any other Lender and may exercise the same
as though it were not performing the agency duties specified herein; and the
terms "Lenders," "Required Lenders," "holders of Notes" and any similar terms
shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include each Agent in its
individual capacity. Each Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from,
lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial
advisory or other business with the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of
their respective Affiliates as if such Agent were not performing the agency
duties specified herein, and may accept fees and other consideration from any of
them for services in connection with this Agreement and otherwise without having
to account for the same to the Lenders.

         9.9. Successor Agents. Either Agent may resign at any time by giving
thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the Borrower and the Lenders. Upon any
such notice of resignation, the other Agent shall have the right to succeed to
the responsibilities and authority of the resigning Agent. If such other Agent
does not provide written notice to the Lenders of its election to succeed the
resigning Agent prior to the effectiveness of such resignation, or if no other
Agent shall exist, the Required Lenders will, with the prior written consent of
the Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), appoint from
among the Lenders a successor to the Administrative or Documentation Agent, as
appropriate (provided that the Borrower's consent shall not be required in the
event a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing). If
no such successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and
shall have accepted such appointment within such thirty-day period, then the
resigning Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and after consulting with the
Lenders and the Borrower, appoint a successor Administrative or Documentation
Agent, as appropriate, from among the Lenders. Upon the acceptance of any
appointment as an Agent by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall
thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges
and duties of the resigning Agent, and the resigning Agent shall be discharged
from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Credit Documents.
After any resigning Agent's resignation as an Agent, the provisions of this
Article shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be
taken by it while it was an Agent. If no successor to an Administrative or
Documentation Agent, as appropriate, has accepted appointment as such Agent by
the thirtieth (30th) day following a resigning Agent's notice of resignation,
the resigning Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective,
and the Lenders shall thereafter perform all of the duties of such Agent
hereunder and under the other Credit Documents until such time, if any, as the
Required Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided for hereinabove.


                                    ARTICLE X

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         10.1. Fees and Expenses. The Borrower agrees (i) whether or not the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be consummated, to pay upon
demand all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and 


                                      -61-



<PAGE>

expenses of each Agent (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
expenses of counsel to each Agent) in connection with the preparation,
negotiation, execution, delivery and syndication of this Agreement and the other
Credit Documents, and any amendment, modification or waiver hereof or thereof or
consent with respect hereto or thereto, (ii) to pay upon demand all reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses of each Agent and Lender (including, without
limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to either Agent or any
Lender) in connection with (y) any refinancing or restructuring of the credit
arrangement provided under this Agreement, whether in the nature of a
"work-out," in any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding or otherwise and whether
or not consummated, and (z) the enforcement, attempted enforcement or
preservation of any rights or remedies under this Agreement or any of the other
Credit Documents, whether in any action, suit or proceeding (including any
bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding) or otherwise, and (iii) to pay and hold
harmless each Agent and Lender from and against all liability for any
intangibles, documentary, stamp or other similar taxes, fees and excises, if
any, including any interest and penalties, and any finder's or brokerage fees,
commissions and expenses (other than any fees, commissions or expenses of
finders or brokers engaged by the either Agent or any Lender), that may be
payable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
the other Credit Documents.

         10.2. Indemnification. The Borrower agrees, whether or not the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be consummated, to indemnify
and hold harmless each Agent and Lender and each of their respective directors,
officers, employees, agents and Affiliates (each, an "Indemnified Person") from
and against any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations, liabilities,
penalties, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses) of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether direct,
indirect or consequential (collectively, "Indemnified Costs"), that may at any
time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnified Person
as a result of, arising from or in any way relating to the preparation,
execution, performance or enforcement of this Agreement or any of the other
Credit Documents, any of the transactions contemplated herein or therein or any
transaction financed or to be financed in whole or in part, directly or
indirectly, with the proceeds of any Loans, or any action, suit or proceeding
(including any inquiry or investigation) by any Person, whether threatened or
initiated, related to any of the foregoing, and in any case whether or not such
Indemnified Person is a party to any such action, proceeding or suit or a
subject of any such inquiry or investigation; provided, however, that no
Indemnified Person shall have the right to be indemnified hereunder for any
Indemnified Costs to the extent resulting from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of such Indemnified Person. All of the foregoing Indemnified Costs of
any Indemnified Person shall be paid or reimbursed by the Borrower, as and when
incurred and upon demand.

         10.3. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE
OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN EXECUTED, DELIVERED AND ACCEPTED IN, AND SHALL
BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE IN, NORTH CAROLINA AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NORTH
CAROLINA (WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF); PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT THE OBLIGATIONS AND LIABILITY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS, BUT INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401
OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW. THE BORROWER HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE COURT WITHIN MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA OR NEW
YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK OR ANY 


                                      -62-



<PAGE>


FEDERAL COURT LOCATED WITHIN THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
OR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK FOR ANY PROCEEDING INSTITUTED
HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS, OR ARISING OUT OF OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS, OR ANY
PROCEEDING TO WHICH EITHER AGENT OR ANY LENDER OR THE BORROWER IS A PARTY,
INCLUDING ANY ACTIONS BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY
COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENT (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN) OR
ACTIONS OF EITHER AGENT OR ANY LENDER OR THE BORROWER. THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY
AGREES TO BE BOUND (SUBJECT TO ANY AVAILABLE RIGHT OF APPEAL) BY ANY JUDGMENT
RENDERED OR RELIEF GRANTED THEREBY AND FURTHER WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY
HAVE BASED ON LACK OF JURISDICTION OR IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS TO
THE CONDUCT OF ANY SUCH PROCEEDING. THE BORROWER CONSENTS THAT ALL SERVICE OF
PROCESS BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL DIRECTED TO IT AT ITS ADDRESS
SET FORTH HEREINBELOW, AND SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE COMPLETED UPON
THE EARLIER OF ACTUAL RECEIPT THEREOF OR THREE (3) DAYS AFTER DEPOSIT IN THE
UNITED STATES MAILS, PROPER POSTAGE PREPAID AND PROPERLY ADDRESSED. NOTHING IN
THIS SECTION SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER
PERMITTED BY LAW OR AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO BRING ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

         10.4. Arbitration; Preservation and Limitation of Remedies. (a) Upon
demand of any party hereto, whether made before or after institution of any
judicial proceeding, any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of, connected
with or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document ("Disputes")
between or among the Borrower, the Agents and the Lenders, or any of them, shall
be resolved by binding arbitration as provided herein. Institution of a judicial
proceeding by a party does not waive the right of that party to demand
arbitration hereunder. Disputes may include, without limitation, tort claims,
counterclaims, claims brought as class actions, claims arising from documents
executed in the future, or claims arising out of or connected with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.
Arbitration shall be conducted under and governed by the Commercial Financial
Disputes Arbitration Rules (the "Arbitration Rules") of the American Arbitration
Association (the "AAA"), as in effect from time to time, and Title 9 of the U.S.
Code, as amended. All arbitration hearings shall be conducted in the city in
which the principal office of the Documentation Agent is located. The expedited
procedures set forth in Rule 51 et seq. of the Arbitration Rules shall be
applicable to claims of less than $1,000,000. All applicable statutes of
limitation shall apply to any Dispute. A judgment upon the award may be entered
in any court having jurisdiction. The panel from which all arbitrators are
selected shall be comprised of licensed attorneys. The single arbitrator
selected for expedited procedure shall be a retired judge from the highest court
of general jurisdiction, state or federal, of the state where the hearing will
be conducted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this arbitration provision does not
apply to Disputes under or related to Hedge Agreements or Disputes to which the
Borrower is not a party.

         (b) Notwithstanding the preceding binding arbitration provisions, the
parties hereto agree to preserve, without diminution, certain remedies that any
party hereto may employ or exercise freely, either alone, in conjunction with or
during a Dispute. Any party hereto shall have the right to proceed in any court
of proper jurisdiction or by self-help to exercise or prosecute the following
remedies, as applicable: (i) all rights of self-help, including peaceful
occupation of real property and collection of rents, set-off, and peaceful
possession of personal property; (ii) obtaining provisional or ancillary
remedies, including injunctive relief, sequestration, garnishment, attachment,
appointment of a receiver and filing an involuntary 


                                      -63-



<PAGE>


bankruptcy proceeding; and (iii) when applicable, a judgment by confession of
judgment. Preservation of these remedies does not limit the power of an
arbitrator to grant similar remedies that may be requested by a party in a
Dispute. The parties hereto agree that no party shall have a remedy of punitive
or exemplary damages against any other party in any Dispute, and each party
hereby waives any right or claim to punitive or exemplary damages that it has
now or that may arise in the future in connection with any Dispute, whether such
Dispute is resolved by arbitration or judicially.

         10.5. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for
hereunder shall be in writing (including telegraphic, telex, facsimile
transmission or cable communication) and mailed, telegraphed, telexed,
telecopied, cabled or delivered to the party to be notified at the following
addresses:

                  (a) if to the Borrower, to Pennsylvania Manufacturers
         Corporation, Mellon Bank Center, 1735 Market Street, Philadelphia,
         Pennsylvania 19103-7590, Attention: Francis W. McDonnell, Telecopy no.
         (215) 665-5061;

                  (b) if to the Administrative Agent, to The Bank of New York,
         One Wall Street, Agency Function Administration, 18th Floor, New York,
         New York 10286, Attention: Ramona Washington, Telecopy No. 
         (212) 635-6365 or 6366 or 6367, with a copy to The Bank of New York,
         One Wall Street, Insurance Division, 17th Floor, New York, New York
         10286, Attention: Lizanne T. Eberle, Vice President, Telecopy No. 
         (212) 809-9520;

                  (c) if to the Documentation Agent, to First Union National
         Bank of North Carolina, One First Union Center, DC-5, 301 South College
         Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-0608, Attention: Jay S.
         Bullock, Telecopy No. (704) 383-7611; and

                  (d) if to any Lender, to it at the address for notices set
         forth on its signature page hereto (or if to any Lender not a party
         hereto as of the date hereof, at the address for notices set forth in
         its Assignment and Acceptance);

or in each case, to such other address as any party may designate for itself by
like notice to all other parties hereto. All such notices and communications
shall be deemed to have been given (i) if mailed as provided above by any method
other than overnight delivery service, on the third Business Day after deposit
in the mails, (ii) if mailed by overnight delivery service, telegraphed,
telexed, telecopied or cabled, when delivered for overnight delivery, delivered
to the telegraph company, confirmed by telex answerback, transmitted by
telecopier or delivered to the cable company, respectively, or (iii) if
delivered by hand, upon delivery; provided that notices and communications to
each Agent shall not be effective until received by such Agent.

         10.6. Amendments, Waivers, etc. No amendment, modification, waiver or
discharge or termination of, or consent to any departure by the Borrower from,
any provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, shall be effective
unless in a writing signed by the Required Lenders (or by the Documentation
Agent at the direction or with the consent of the Required Lenders), and then
the same shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific
purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such amendment,
modification, waiver, discharge, termination or consent shall:

         (a) unless agreed to by all of the Lenders, (i) reduce or forgive the
principal amount of, or rate of interest on, any Loan, or reduce or forgive any
fees or other Obligations (other than fees payable to the Agents for their own
account), (ii) extend any date (including the Maturity Date) fixed for the
payment of any principal of or interest on any Loan, any fees (other than fees
payable to the Agents for their own 


                                      -64-



<PAGE>


account) or any other Obligations; (iii) increase or extend the Commitment of
any Lender (it being understood that a waiver of any Event of Default, if agreed
to by the requisite Lenders hereunder, shall not constitute such an increase or
extension), (iv) change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate
unpaid principal amount of the Loans, or the number or percentage of Lenders,
that shall be required for the Lenders or any of them to take or approve, or
direct either Agent to take or approve, any action hereunder (including as set
forth in the definition of "Required Lenders"), or (v) change any provision of
Sections 2.16 or this Section 10.6; and

         (b) unless agreed to by the Agents in addition to the Lenders required
as provided hereinabove to take such action, affect the rights or obligations of
either Agent hereunder or under any of the other Credit Documents;

and provided further that the Fee Letter and any Hedge Agreement to which any
Lender is a party may be amended or modified, and any rights thereunder waived,
in a writing signed by the parties thereto.

         10.7. Assignments, Participations. (a) Each Lender may assign to one or
more other Eligible Assignees (each, an "Assignee") all or a portion of its
rights and obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all
or a portion of its Commitment, the outstanding Loans made by it and the Note or
Notes held by it); provided, however, that (i) any such assignment (other than
an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender) shall not be made without
the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (to be
evidenced by their counterexecution of the relevant Assignment and Acceptance),
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and, in the case of
the Borrower, shall not be required during the continuance of an Event of
Default, (ii) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of
a Lender, the amount of the Commitment of the assigning Lender being assigned
pursuant to each such assignment (determined as of the date of the Assignment
and Acceptance with respect to each such assignment) shall in no event be less
than the lesser of (y) the entire Commitment of such Lender immediately prior to
such assignment or (z) $5,000,000, and (iii) the parties to each such assignment
will execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, for its acceptance and
recording in the Register, an Assignment and Acceptance, together with any Note
or Notes subject to such assignment, and will pay a nonrefundable processing fee
of $3,000 to the Administrative Agent for its own account. Upon such execution,
delivery, acceptance and recording of the Assignment and Acceptance, from and
after the effective date specified therein, which effective date shall be at
least five (5) Business Days after the execution thereof (unless the
Administrative Agent shall otherwise agree), (A) the Assignee thereunder shall
be a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have
been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, shall have the
rights and obligations of the assigning Lender hereunder with respect thereto
and (B) the assigning Lender shall, to the extent that rights and obligations
hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance,
relinquish its rights (other than rights under the provisions of this Agreement
and the other Credit Documents relating to indemnification or payment of fees,
costs and expenses, to the extent such rights relate to the time prior to the
effective date of such Assignment and Acceptance) and be released from its
obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and
Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of such assigning Lender's
rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a
party hereto). The terms and provisions of each Assignment and Acceptance shall,
upon the effectiveness thereof, be incorporated into and made a part of this
Agreement, and the covenants, agreements and obligations of each Lender set
forth therein shall be deemed made to and for the benefit of the Agents and the
other parties hereto as if set forth at length herein.


                                      -65-

<PAGE>



         (b) The Administrative Agent will maintain at its address for notices
referred to herein a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to and
accepted by it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of
the Lenders and the Commitments of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to,
each Lender from time to time (the "Register"). The entries in the Register
shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and the
Borrower, the Agents and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is
recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this
Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and
each Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior
notice.

         (c) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance
executed by an assigning Lender and an Assignee and counterexecuted by the
Borrower (if required), together with the Notes subject to such assignment and
the processing fee referred to in subsection (a) above, the Administrative Agent
will (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) on the effective date
thereof, record the information contained therein in the Register and (iii) give
notice thereof to the Borrower, the Documentation Agent and the Lenders. Within
five (5) Business Days after its receipt of such notice, the Borrower, at its
own expense, will execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent in exchange
for the surrendered Notes (y) a new Committed Loan Note to the order of such
Assignee in a principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Commitment
(or, if the Commitments have been terminated, the principal amount of the
Committed Loans) assumed by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance and,
to the extent the assigning Lender has retained its Committed Loans and/or
Commitment hereunder, a new Committed Loan Note to the order of the assigning
Lender in an amount equal to the principal amount of the Commitment (or, if the
Commitments have been terminated, the principal amount of the Committed Loans)
retained by it hereunder, and (z) a new Bid Loan Note to the order of such
Assignee in a principal amount equal to the Maximum Bid Loan Amount. Such new
Notes shall be dated the date of the replaced Notes and shall otherwise be in
substantially the forms of Exhibits A-1 and A-2, as applicable. The
Administrative Agent will return cancelled Notes to the Borrower.

         (d) Each Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, either Agent
or any other Lender, sell to one or more other Persons (each, a "Participant")
participations in any portion comprising less than all of its rights and
obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, a portion of
its Commitment, the outstanding Loans made by it and the Note or Notes held by
it); provided, however, that (i) such Lender's obligations under this Agreement
shall remain unchanged and such Lender shall remain solely responsible for the
performance of such obligations, (ii) no Lender shall sell any participation
that, when taken together with all other participations, if any, sold by such
Lender, covers all of such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement,
(iii) the Borrower, the Agents and the other Lenders shall continue to deal
solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and
obligations under this Agreement, and no Lender shall permit any Participant to
have any voting rights or any right to control the vote of such Lender with
respect to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action
hereunder or under any other Credit Document (except as to actions that would
(x) reduce or forgive the principal amount of, or rate of interest on, any Loan,
or reduce or forgive any fees or other Obligations, (y) extend any date
(including the Maturity Date) fixed for the payment of any principal of or
interest on any Loan, any fees or any other Obligations, or (z) increase any
Commitment of any Lender), and (iv) no Participant shall have any rights under
this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, each Participant's rights
against the granting Lender in respect of any participation to be those set
forth in the participation agreement, and all amounts payable by the Borrower
hereunder shall be determined as if such Lender had not granted such
participation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Participant shall have the
rights of a Lender for purposes of Sections 2.17(a), 2.17(b), 2.18, 2.19 and
8.3, and shall be entitled to the benefits thereto, to the extent that the
Lender granting such participation would be entitled to such benefits 


                                      -66-


<PAGE>


if the participation had not been made, provided that no Participant shall be
entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to any of such Sections than the
Lender granting such participation would have been entitled to receive in
respect of the amount of the participation made by such Lender to such
Participant had such participation not been made.

         (e) Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prohibit any Lender
from pledging or assigning all or any portion of its rights and interest
hereunder or under any Note to any Federal Reserve Bank as security for
borrowings therefrom; provided, however, that no such pledge or assignment shall
release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder.

         (f) Any Lender may, in connection with any assignment or participation
or proposed assignment or participation pursuant to this Section, disclose to
the Assignee or Participant or proposed Assignee or Participant any information
relating to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries furnished to it by or on behalf of
any other party hereto, provided that such Assignee or Participant or proposed
Assignee or Participant agrees in writing to keep such information confidential
to the same extent required of the Lenders under Section 10.13.

         10.8. No Waiver. The rights and remedies of the Agents and the Lenders
expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Credit Documents are
cumulative and in addition to, and not exclusive of, all other rights and
remedies available at law, in equity or otherwise. No failure or delay on the
part of either Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege
shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of
any such right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege or be construed
to be a waiver of any Default or Event of Default. No course of dealing between
any of the Borrower and either Agent or the Lenders or their agents or employees
shall be effective to amend, modify or discharge any provision of this Agreement
or any other Credit Document or to constitute a waiver of any Default or Event
of Default. No notice to or demand upon the Borrower in any case shall entitle
the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other
circumstances or constitute a waiver of the right of either Agent or any Lender
to exercise any right or remedy or take any other or further action in any
circumstances without notice or demand.

         10.9. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon,
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors and
assigns of the parties hereto, and all references herein to any party shall be
deemed to include its successors and assigns; provided, however, that (i) the
Borrower shall not sell, assign or transfer any of its rights, interests, duties
or obligations under this Agreement or any other Credit Document without the
prior written consent of all of the Lenders and (ii) any Assignees shall have
such rights and obligations with respect to this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents as are provided for under and pursuant to the provisions of Section
10.7.

         10.10. Survival. All representations, warranties and agreements made by
or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in this Agreement and in
the other Credit Documents shall survive the execution and delivery hereof or
thereof and the making and repayment of the Loans. In addition, notwithstanding
anything herein or under applicable law to the contrary, the provisions of this
Agreement and the other Credit Documents relating to indemnification or payment
of fees, costs and expenses, including, without limitation, the provisions of
Sections 2.17(a), 2.17(b), 2.18, 2.19, 9.7, 10.1 and 10.2, shall survive the
payment in full of the Loans, the termination of the Commitments and any
termination of this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.


                                      -67-


<PAGE>


         10.11. Severability. To the extent any provision of this Agreement is
prohibited by or invalid under the applicable law of any jurisdiction, such
provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or
invalidity and only in such jurisdiction, without prohibiting or invalidating
such provision in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions of this
Agreement in any jurisdiction.

         10.12. Construction. The headings of the various articles, sections and
subsections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience only and shall
not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions
hereof. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein and in the other Credit
Documents, in the event of any inconsistency or conflict between any provision
of this Agreement and any provision of any of the other Credit Documents, the
provision of this Agreement shall control.

         10.13. Confidentiality. Each Lender agrees to keep confidential,
pursuant to its customary procedures for handling confidential information of a
similar nature and in accordance with safe and sound banking practices, all
nonpublic information provided to it by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document;
provided, however, that any Lender may disclose such information (i) to its
directors, employees and agents and to its auditors, counsel and other
professional advisors, (ii) at the demand or request of any bank regulatory
authority, court or other Governmental Authority having or asserting
jurisdiction over such Lender, as may be required pursuant to subpoena or other
legal process, or otherwise in order to comply with any applicable Requirement
of Law, (iii) in connection with any proceeding to enforce its rights hereunder
or under any other Credit Document or any other litigation or proceeding related
hereto or to which it is a party, (iv) to either Agent or any other Lender, 
(v) to the extent the same has become publicly available other than as a result
of a breach of this Agreement and (vi) pursuant to and in accordance with the
provisions of Section 10.7(f).

         10.14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of
which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which
shall together constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall
become effective upon the execution of a counterpart hereof by each of the
parties hereto and receipt by the Agents and the Borrower of written or
telephonic notification of such execution and authorization of delivery thereof.

         10.15. Entire Agreement. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER DOCUMENTS AND
INSTRUMENTS EXECUTED AND DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH (A) EMBODY THE ENTIRE
AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO RELATING TO
THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND THEREOF, (B) SUPERSEDE ANY AND ALL PRIOR
AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS OF SUCH PERSONS, ORAL OR WRITTEN, RELATING TO THE
SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND THEREOF, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE COMMITMENT
LETTER FROM FIRST UNION AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK TO THE BORROWER DATED JANUARY
15, 1997, BUT SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDING THE FEE LETTER, AND (C) MAY NOT BE AMENDED,
SUPPLEMENTED, CONTRADICTED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR,
CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.


                                      -68-


<PAGE>




            [The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]


                                      -69-

<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.



                                          PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION


                                          By: /s/ Francis W. McDonnell
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Chief Financial Officer
                                              ----------------------------------



                             (signatures continued)



<PAGE>



                                            ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

                     THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as an Agent, the
                        Administrative Agent, and Lender


Commitment:                               By: /s/ Lizanne T. Eberle
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------


                                          Instructions for wire transfers to
                                            the Administrative Agent:

                                          The Bank of New York
                                          ABA Routing No. 0210-0001-8
                                          New York, New York
                                          A/C 803-329-7689
                                          Attention: William Fahey
                                          Special Financial Products
                                          Re: Pennsylvania Manufacturers 
                                              Corporation

                                          Address for notices:

                                          The Bank of New York
                                          One Wall Street
                                          Insurance Division
                                          17th Floor
                                          New York, New York 10286
                                          Attention: Lizanne T. Eberle, 
                                                     Vice President
                                          Telephone: (212) 635-6475
                                          Telecopy: (212) 809-9520

                                          Lending Office:

                                          The Bank of New York
                                          One Wall Street
                                          Agency Function Administration
                                          18th Floor
                                          New York, New York 10286
                                          Attention: Ramona Washington
                                          Telephone: (212) 635-4699
                                          Telecopy: (212) 635-6365 or 6366 
                                                                   or 6367



                             (signatures continued)



<PAGE>



                                          DOCUMENTATION AGENT:

                                          FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF
                                          NORTH CAROLINA, as an Agent, the
                                          Documentation Agent and Lender


Commitment:                               By: /s/ Gail M. Golightly
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------



                                          Address for notices:

                                          First Union National Bank of
                                          North Carolina
                                          Financial Institutions Group
                                          One First Union Center
                                          301 South College Street
                                          Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-0735
                                          Attention: Jay S. Bullock
                                          Telephone: (704) 383-3789
                                          Telecopy: (704) 383-7611

                                          Lending Office:

                                          First Union National Bank of
                                          North Carolina
                                          Financial Institutions Group
                                          One First Union Center
                                          301 South College Street
                                          Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-0735
                                          Attention: Jay S. Bullock
                                          Telephone: (704) 383-3789
                                          Telecopy: (704) 383-7611

                             (signatures continued)



<PAGE>



                                          FLEET NATIONAL BANK


Commitment:  $35,000,000                  By: /s/ Michael M. Sinisgalli
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------

                                          Address for notices:

                                          Fleet National Bank
                                          777 Main Street, CT/MO/0250
                                          Insurance Industry Department
                                          Hartford, Connecticut  06115
                                          Attention: Michael Sinisgalli or 
                                                     Carla Balesano
                                          Telephone: (860) 986-2645 or 
                                                     (860) 986-5603
                                          Telecopy:  (860) 986-1264

                                          Lending Office:

                                          Fleet National Bank
                                          777 Main Street, CT/MO/0250
                                          Insurance Industry Department
                                          Hartford, Connecticut  06115
                                          Attention: Michael Sinisgalli or 
                                                     Carla Balesano
                                          Telephone: (860) 986-2645 or 
                                                     (860) 986-5603
                                          Telecopy: (860) 986-1264

                             (signatures continued)



<PAGE>



                                          PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


Commitment:  $25,000,000                  By: /s/ Kirk Seagers
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------

                                          Address for notices:

                                          PNC Bank, National Association
                                          1600 Market Street, 21st Floor
                                          Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
                                          Attention: Kirk Seagers
                                          Telephone: (215) 585-6036
                                          Telecopy: (215) 585-7615

                                          Lending Office:

                                          PNC Bank, National Association
                                          1600 Market Street, 21st Floor
                                          Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
                                          Attention: Kirk Seagers
                                          Telephone: (215) 585-6036
                                          Telecopy: (215) 585-7615

                             (signatures continued)



<PAGE>



                                          MELLON BANK N.A.


Commitment: $25,000,000                   By: /s/ Susan M. Whitewood
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Assistant Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------


                                          Address for notices:

                                          Mellon Bank N.A.
                                          One Mellon Bank Center
                                          Room 370
                                          Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258
                                          Attention: Susan Whitewood
                                          Telephone: (412) 234-7112
                                          Telecopy: (412) 234-8087

                                          Lending Office:

                                          Mellon Bank N.A.
                                          One Mellon Bank Center
                                          Room 370
                                          Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258
                                          Attention: Susan Whitewood
                                          Telephone: (412) 234-7112
                                          Telecopy: (412) 234-8087

                             (signatures continued)



<PAGE>



                                          CORESTATES BANK, N.A.


Commitment: $25,000,000                   By: /s/ John M. Hayes
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------


                                          Address for notices:

                                          CoreStates Bank, N.A.
                                          1339 Chestnut Street
                                          FC 1-8-8-4
                                          Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101-7618
                                          Attention: John M. Hayes
                                          Telephone: (215) 973-2767
                                          Telecopy: (215) 786-4114

                                          Lending Office:

                                          CoreStates Bank, N.A.
                                          1339 Chestnut Street
                                          FC 1-8-8-4
                                          Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101-7618
                                          Attention: John M. Hayes
                                          Telephone: (215) 973-2767
                                          Telecopy: (215) 786-4114

                             (signatures continued)



<PAGE>



                                          DRESDNER BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH AND
                                          GRAND CAYMAN BRANCH


Commitment: $25,000,000                   By: /s/ Thomas J. Nodramia
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------


                                          By: /s/ Bridgitte Sacin
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Assistant Treasurer
                                              ----------------------------------

                                       


                                          Address for notices:

                                          Dresdner Bank AG
                                          New York Branch
                                          75 Wall Street
                                          New York, New York  10005-2889
                                          Attention: Lora Lam
                                          Telephone: (212) 429-2288
                                          Telecopy: (212) 429-2130

                                          Lending Office:

                                          Dresdner Bank AG
                                          New York Branch
                                          75 Wall Street
                                          New York, New York  10005-2889
                                          Attention: Tony Valencourt
                                          Telephone: (212) 429-2286
                                          Telecopy: (212) 429-2524



<PAGE>


                                          Exhibit A-1 to Credit Agreement
                                          The Bank of New York, as
                                            Administrative Agent
                                          First Union National Bank
                                            of North Carolina, as
                                            Documentation Agent
                                          Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                          March 14, 1997 / $235,000,000


                                 Borrower's Taxpayer Identification No. ________

                                     FORM OF
                              COMMITTED LOAN NOTE



$__________________                                    ___________________, 1997

                                                       Charlotte, North Carolina

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION, a Pennsylvania
corporation (the "Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of
_____________________ (the "Lender"), at the offices of The Bank of New York
(the "Administrative Agent") located at One Wall Street, New York, New York (or
at such other place or places as the Administrative Agent may designate), at the
times and in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement, dated as of March __,
1997 (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit
Agreement"), among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time parties thereto,
the Administrative Agent and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, as
Documentation Agent, the principal sum of up to ________________________ DOLLARS
($______), or such lesser amount as may constitute the unpaid principal amount
of the Committed Loans made by the Lender, under the terms and conditions of
this promissory note (this "Committed Loan Note") and the Credit Agreement. The
defined terms in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meaning. The
Borrower also unconditionally promises to pay interest on the aggregate unpaid
principal amount of this Committed Loan Note at the rates provided in the Credit
Agreement.

     This Committed Loan Note is one of a series of Committed Loan Notes issued
to evidence the Committed Loans made from time to time under the Credit
Agreement. All of the terms, conditions and covenants of the Credit Agreement
are expressly made a part of this Committed Loan Note by reference in the same
manner and with the same effect as if set forth herein at length, and any holder
of this Committed Loan Note permitted under the Credit Agreement is entitled to
the benefits of and remedies provided in the Credit Agreement and the other
Credit Documents. Reference is made to the Credit Agreement for provisions
relating to the interest rate, maturity, payment, prepayment and acceleration of
this Committed Loan Note.

     In the event of an acceleration of the maturity of this Committed Loan Note
pursuant to the Credit Agreement, this Committed Loan Note, and all other
indebtedness of the Borrower to the Lender under the Credit Agreement, shall
become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or
notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.


<PAGE>


     In the event this Committed Loan Note is not paid when due at any stated or
accelerated maturity, the Borrower agrees to pay, in addition to the principal
and interest, all costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys' fees.

     This Committed Loan Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of North Carolina (without regard to the conflicts of
law provisions thereof). The Borrower hereby submits to the nonexclusive
jurisdiction and venue of the federal and state courts located in Mecklenburg
County, North Carolina and New York County, New York, although the Lender shall
not be limited to bringing an action in such courts.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Committed Loan Note to be
executed under seal by its duly authorized corporate officer as of the day and
year first above written.

                                          PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

                                          By:
                                              ----------------------------------
                                          Title:
                                                 -------------------------------

                                      -2-

<PAGE>


                                          Exhibit A-2 to Credit Agreement
                                          The Bank of New York, as
                                            Administrative Agent
                                          First Union National Bank
                                            of North Carolina, as
                                            Documentation Agent
                                          Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                          March 14, 1997 / $235,000,000


                                 Borrower's Taxpayer Identification No. ________

                                    FORM OF
                                 BID LOAN NOTE

$117,500,000                                           ___________________, 1997

                                                       Charlotte, North Carolina

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION, a Pennsylvania
corporation (the "Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of
____________________________________ (the "Lender"), at the offices of The Bank
of New York (the "Administrative Agent") located at One Wall Street, New York,
New York (or at such other place or places as the Administrative Agent may
designate), at the times and in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement,
dated as of March __, 1997 (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to
time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time
parties thereto, the Administrative Agent and First Union National Bank of North
Carolina, as Documentation Agent, the principal sum of up to ONE HUNDRED
TWENTY-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($125,000,000), or such lesser amount as may
constitute the unpaid principal amount of the Bid Loans made by the Lender,
under the terms and conditions of this promissory note (this "Bid Loan Note")
and the Credit Agreement. The defined terms in the Credit Agreement are used
herein with the same meaning. The Borrower also unconditionally promises to pay
interest on the aggregate unpaid principal amount of this Bid Loan Note at the
rates provided in the Credit Agreement.

     This Bid Loan Note is one of a series of Bid Loan Notes issued to evidence
the Bid Loans made from time to time under the Credit Agreement. All of the
terms, conditions and covenants of the Credit Agreement are expressly made a
part of this Bid Loan Note by reference in the same manner and with the same
effect as if set forth herein at length, and any holder of this Bid Loan Note
permitted under the Credit Agreement is entitled to the benefits of and remedies
provided in the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents. Reference is
made to the Credit Agreement for provisions relating to the interest rate,
maturity, payment, prepayment and acceleration of this Bid Loan Note.

     In the event of an acceleration of the maturity of this Bid Loan Note
pursuant to the Credit Agreement, this Bid Loan Note, and all other indebtedness
of the Borrower to the Lender under the Credit Agreement, shall become
immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of
any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.


<PAGE>


     In the event this Bid Loan Note is not paid when due at any stated or
accelerated maturity, the Borrower agrees to pay, in addition to the principal
and interest, all costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys' fees.

     This Bid Loan Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of North Carolina (without regard to conflicts of law
provisions thereof). The Borrower hereby submits to the nonexclusive
jurisdiction and venue of the federal and state courts located in Mecklenburg
County, North Carolina and New York County, New York, although the Lender shall
not be limited to bringing an action in such courts.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Bid Loan Note to be
executed under seal by its duly authorized corporate officer as of the day and
year first above written.

                                          PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

                                          By:
                                              ----------------------------------
                                          Title:
                                                 -------------------------------

                                      -2-

<PAGE>


                                          Exhibit B-1 to Credit Agreement
                                          The Bank of New York, as
                                            Administrative Agent
                                          First Union National Bank
                                            of North Carolina, as
                                            Documentation Agent
                                          Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                          March 14, 1997 / $235,000,000


                                     FORM OF
                         NOTICE OF COMMITTED BORROWING

                                     [Date]

The Bank of New York,
  as Administrative Agent
One Wall Street, 18th Floor
New York, New York 10286

Attention: Ramona Washington
           Agency Function Administration

The Bank of New York,
  as Administrative Agent
One Wall Street, 17th Floor
New York, New York 10286

Attention: Lizanne T. Eberle
           Vice President

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     The undersigned, Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation (the "Borrower"),
refers to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March __, 1997, among the Borrower,
certain banks and other financial institutions from time to time parties thereto
(the "Lenders"), you, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and First Union
National Bank of North Carolina, as Documentation Agent for the Lenders (as
amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreement," the
terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), and, pursuant to
Section 2.2(a) of the Credit Agreement, hereby gives you irrevocable notice that
the Borrower requests one or more Committed Borrowings under the Credit
Agreement, and to that end sets forth below the information relating to each
such Committed Borrowing (each, a "Proposed Committed Borrowing") as required by
Section 2.2(a) of the Credit Agreement.

     The Interest Period applicable to each Proposed Committed Borrowing, the
aggregate principal amount, the Type of Committed Loans, and the date on which
the Proposed Committed Borrowing is requested to be made (each such date, a
"Borrowing Date"), shall be as follows:


<PAGE>


Principal
Amount(1)           Type(2)        [Interest Period](3)        Borrowing Date(4)
__________        __________    [One/two/three/six months]        __________

__________        __________    [One/two/three/six months]        __________

__________        __________    [One/two/three/six months]        __________


     The Borrower hereby certifies that the following statements are true on and
as of the date hereof and will be true on and as of each Borrowing Date:

          (A) Each of the representations and warranties contained in Article IV
     of the Credit Agreement and in the other Credit Documents is and will be
     true and correct on and as of each such date, with the same effect as if
     made on and as of each such date, both immediately before and after giving
     effect to the Proposed Committed Borrowing and to the application of the
     proceeds therefrom (except to the extent any such representation or
     warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific date, in
     which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct as of
     such date);

          (B) No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or
     would result from the Proposed Committed Borrowing or from the application
     of the proceeds therefrom; and

          (C) After giving effect to the Proposed Committed Borrowing, the sum
     of the aggregate principal amount of Committed Loans outstanding and the
     aggregate principal amount of Bid Loans outstanding will not exceed the
     aggregate Commitments.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

                                          By:
                                              ----------------------------------
                                          Title:
                                                 -------------------------------

- - - ----------

(1)  Shall be an amount (i) with respect to Base Rate Loans, not less than
     $3,000,000 or, if greater, an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
     thereof or, if less, in the amount of the Aggregate Unutilized Commitments
     or (ii) with respect to LlBOR Committed Loans, not less than $3,000,000 or,
     if greater, an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.

(2)  Insert either Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Committed Loans.

(3)  Include this column in the case of a Proposed Committed Borrowing comprised
     of LIBOR Committed Loans, and select the applicable Interest Period.

(4)  Shall be a Business Day at least one Business Day after the date hereof (in
     the case of Base Rate Loans) or at least three Business Days after the date
     hereof (in the case of LIBOR Committed Loans).


                                      -2-

<PAGE>


                                          Exhibit B-2 to Credit Agreement
                                          The Bank of New York, as
                                            Administrative Agent
                                          First Union National Bank
                                            of North Carolina, as
                                            Documentation Agent
                                          Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                          March 14, 1997 / $235,000,000


                                FORM OF NOTICE OF
                             CONVERSION/CONTINUATION

                                     [Date]

The Bank of New York,
  as Administrative Agent
One Wall Street, 18th Floor
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Ramona Washington
           Agency Function Administration

The Bank of New York,
  as Administrative Agent
One Wall Street, 17th Floor
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Lizanne T. Eberle
           Vice President

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     The undersigned, Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation (the "Borrower"),
refers to the Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March __, 1997, among the
Borrower, certain banks and other financial institutions from time to time
parties thereto (the "Lenders"), you, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders,
and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, as Documentation Agent for the
Lenders (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit
Agreement," the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined),
and, pursuant to Section 2.12(b) of the Credit Agreement, hereby gives you
irrevocable notice that the Borrower requests a [conversion] [continuation](1)
of Committed Loans under the Credit Agreement, and to that end sets forth below
the information relating to such [conversion] [continuation] (the "Proposed
[Conversion] [Continuation]") as required by Section 2.12(b) of the Credit
Agreement:

          (i) The Proposed [Conversion] [Continuation] is requested to be made
     on ________________________.(2)                      

          (ii) The Proposed [Conversion] [Continuation] involves $________ (3)
     in aggregate principal amount of Committed Loans made pursuant to a
     Committed Borrowing on __________,(4) which Committed Loans are presently
     maintained as [Base Rate] [LIBOR Committed] Loans and are proposed hereby
     to be [converted into Base Rate Loans] [converted into LIBOR Committed
     Loans] [continued as LIBOR Committed Loans].(5)

          [(iii) The initial Interest Period for the Committed Loans being
     [converted into] [continued as] LIBOR Committed Loans pursuant to the
     Proposed [Conversion] [Continuation] shall be [one/two/three/six 
     months].](6)

     The Borrower hereby certifies that the following statement is true both on
and as of the date hereof and will be true on and as of the effective date of
the Proposed [Conversion] [Continuation]: no Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing or would result from the Proposed [Conversion]
[Continuation].

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

                                          By:
                                              ----------------------------------
                                          Title:
                                                 -------------------------------

- - - ----------

(1)  Insert "conversion" or "continuation" throughout the notice, as applicable.

(2)  Shall be a Business Day at least one Business Day after the date hereof (in
     the case of any conversion of LIBOR Committed Loans into Base Rate Loans)
     or at least three-Business Days after the date hereof (in the case of any
     conversion of Base Rate Loans into, or continuation of, LIBOR Committed
     Loans), and additionally, in the case of any conversion of LIBOR Committed
     Loans into Base Rate Loans, or continuation of LIBOR Committed Loans, shall
     be the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Committed
     Loans.

(3)  Shall be an amount not less than $3,000,000 or, if greater, an integral
     multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.

(4)  Insert the applicable Borrowing Date for the Committed Loans being
     converted or continued.

(5)  Complete with the applicable bracketed language.

(6)  Include this clause in the case of a Proposed Conversion or Continuation
     involving a conversion of Base Rate Loans into, or continuation of, LIBOR
     Committed Loans, and select the applicable Interest Period.


                                      -2-

<PAGE>


                                          Exhibit C-1 to Credit Agreement
                                          The Bank of New York, as
                                            Administrative Agent
                                          First Union National Bank
                                            of North Carolina, as
                                            Documentation Agent
                                          Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                          March 14, 1997 / $235,000,000


                                    FORM OF
                                  BID REQUEST

                                     [Date]

The Bank of New York,
  as Administrative Agent
One Wall Street, 18th Floor
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Ramona Washington
           Agency Function Administration

The Bank of New York,
  as Administrative Agent
One Wall Street, 17th Floor
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Lizanne T. Eberle
           Vice President

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     The undersigned, Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation (the "Borrower"),
refers to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March __, 1997, among the Borrower,
certain banks and other financial institutions from time to time parties thereto
(the "Lenders"), you, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and First Union
National Bank of North Carolina, as Documentation Agent for the Lenders (as
amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreement," the
terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), and, pursuant to
Section 2.3(a) of the Credit Agreement, hereby gives you notice that the
Borrower requests one or more Bid Borrowings under the Credit Agreement, and to
that end sets forth below the information relating to each such Bid Borrowing
(each, a "Proposed Bid Borrowing") as required by Section 2.3(a) of the Credit
Agreement.

     The Interest Period applicable to each Proposed Bid Borrowing, the
aggregate principal amount, the Type of Bid Loans requested to be made for each
such Interest Period, and the date on which the Proposed Bid Borrowing is
requested to be made (each such date, a "Borrowing Date"), shall be as follows:

                                      Interest
     Interest         Borrowing        Period         Principal
     Period(1)          Date         Ending Date      Amount(2)       Type(3)

_____[days][months]   _________      ___________      $_________      _______

_____[days][months]   _________      ___________      $_________      _______

_____[days][months]   _________      ___________      $_________      _______


     The Borrower hereby certifies that the following statements are true on and
as of the date hereof and will be true on and as of each Borrowing Date:

          (A) Each of the representations and warranties contained in Article IV
     of the Credit Agreement and in the other Credit Documents is and will be
     true and correct on and as of each such date, with the same effect as if
     made on and as of each such date, both immediately before and after giving
     effect to the Proposed Bid Borrowing[s] and to the application of the
     proceeds therefrom (except to the extent any such representation or
     warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific date, in
     which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct as of
     such date);

          (B) No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or
     would result from the Proposed Bid Borrowing[s] or from the application of
     the proceeds therefrom; and

          (C) After giving effect to the Proposed Bid Borrowing[s], (1) the
     aggregate principal amount of Bid Loans outstanding will not exceed the
     Maximum Bid Loan Amount, and (2) the sum of the aggregate principal amount
     of Bid Loans outstanding and the aggregate principal amount of Committed
     Loans outstanding will not exceed the aggregate Commitments.

- - - ----------
(1)  Select up to three separate Interest Periods, each of which shall not be
     less than seven nor more than one hundred eighty days (in the case of a Bid
     Borrowing comprised of Absolute Rate Loans) or shall be a period of one,
     two, three or six months (in the case of a Bid Borrowing comprised of LIBOR
     Bid Loans).

(2)  Shall be an amount for each Interest Period not less than $5,000,000 or, if
     greater, an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.

(3)  Insert either "LIBOR" or "Absolute Rate."


                                      -2-

<PAGE>



                          Very truly yours, 

                          PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION 

                          
                          By: _____________________________

                          Title:___________________________


                                      -3-
<PAGE>


                                         Exhibit C-2 to Credit Agreement
                                         The Bank of New York, as
                                           Administrative Agent
                                         First Union National Bank
                                           of North Carolina, as
                                           Documentation Agent
                                         Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                         March 14, 1997 / $235,000,000
                                         --------------------------------------


                                   FORM OF BID

                                     [Date]


The Bank of New York, 
  as Administrative Agent 
One Wall Street, 18th Floor 
New York, New York 10286 
Attention: Ramona Washington
           Agency Function Administration

The Bank of New York, 
  as Administrative Agent 
One Wall Street, 17th Floor 
New York, New York 10286 
Attention: Lizanne T. Eberle
           Vice President

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     The undersigned refers to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March __, 1997,
among Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation (the "Borrower"), certain banks and
other financial institutions from time to time parties thereto (the "Lenders"),
you, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and First Union National Bank of
North Carolina, as Documentation Agent for the Lenders (as amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreement," the terms defined
therein being used herein as therein defined), and, in response to the Bid
Request made by the Borrower on ____________________(1) and pursuant to Section
2.3(c) of the Credit Agreement, hereby irrevocably offers to make one or more
Bid Loans thereunder, and to that end sets forth below the information relating
thereto as required by Section 2.3(c) of the Credit Agreement:


- - - -----------------------------
(1) Insert date of applicable Bid Request.


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


    Interest               Borrowing         Interest Period          Principal       [Absolute           LIBOR
    Period(2)                Date              Ending Date            Amount(3)         Rate(4)     Bid Margin(4)](5)
    ---------              ---------         ----------------         ---------       ---------     -----------------

<S>                       <C>                   <C>                <C>                  <C>                <C>
_____[days][months]        _________           ___________         $______________       ____%             ____%

                                                                   $______________       ____%             ____%

                                                                   $______________       ____%             ____%

_____[days][months]        _________           ___________         $______________       ____%             ____%      

                                                                   $______________       ____%             ____%

                                                                   $______________       ____%             ____%

_____[days][months]        _________           ___________         $______________       ____%             ____%      

                                                                   $______________       ____%             ____%

                                                                   $______________       ____%             ____%


</TABLE>


     The undersigned agrees that the offer or group of offers set forth above
irrevocably obligates the undersigned, on the terms and subject to the
conditions of the Credit Agreement, to make the Bid Loan or Bid Loans for which
any such offer or offers is or are accepted, in whole or in part.


- - - ----------------------

     (2) Each Interest Period shall not be less than seven nor more than one
hundred eighty days (in the case of a Bid Borrowing comprised of Absolute Rate
Loans) or shall be a period of one, two, three or six months (in the case of a
Bid Borrowing comprised of LIBOR Bid Loans).

     (3) Shall be an aggregate amount for each Interest Period not less than
$5,000,000 or, if greater, an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.

     (4) At the discretion of the bidding Lender, amounts for each Interest
Period may be offered at up to three separate quotes.

     (5) Complete the applicable column (Absolute Rate or LIBOR Bid Margin) for
each Interest Period, and round all quotes to the nearest 1/1000th of 1%.

                                      -2 -


<PAGE>

                                           Very truly yours, 

                                           [NAME OF LENDER]

                                            By:________________________________ 

                                            Title:_____________________________


                                      -3-

<PAGE>

                                         Exhibit C-3 to Credit Agreement
                                         The Bank of New York, as
                                           Administrative Agent
                                         First Union National Bank
                                           of North Carolina, as
                                           Documentation Agent
                                         Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                         March 14, 1997 / $235,000,000
                                         --------------------------------------


                                  FORM OF BID
                               LOAN CONFIRMATION


The Bank of New York, 
  as Administrative Agent 
One Wall Street, 18th Floor 
New York, New York 10286 
Attention: Ramona Washington
           Agency Function Administration

The Bank of New York, 
  as Administrative Agent 
One Wall Street, 17th Floor 
New York, New York 10286 
Attention: Lizanne T. Eberle
           Vice President

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     The undersigned, Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation (the "Borrower"),
refers to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March ___, 1997, among the Borrower,
certain banks and other financial institutions from time to time parties thereto
(the "Lenders"), you, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and First Union
National Bank of North Carolina, as Documentation Agent for the Lenders (as
amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreement," the
terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), and, with respect
to the Bid Request made by the Borrower on ___________________(1) (the
"Applicable Bid Request") and pursuant to Section 2.3(e) of the Credit
Agreement, hereby irrevocably accepts the offers to make Bid Loans of the
following Lenders and in the following amounts(2):



- - - ----------------------
     (1) Insert date of applicable Bid Request.

     (2) Acceptance of an offer to make a Bid Loan may be in whole or in part,
subject to the restrictions set forth in footnote 4.


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                      [Absolute
                                                Borrowing         Interest Period                                     Rate][LIBOR
  Lender         Interest Period(3)                Date              Ending Date           Principal Amount(4)       Bid Margin](5)
  ------         ------------------             ---------         ----------------         -------------------       --------------
   
<S>              <C>                            <C>                <C>                     <C>                       <C>
 _________      _____[days][months]             _________           ___________             $______________              ____% 
     
 _________      _____[days][months]             _________           ___________             $______________              ____% 
     
 _________      _____[days][months]             _________           ___________             $______________              ____% 
     
 _________      _____[days][months]             _________           ___________             $______________              ____% 
     
</TABLE>
[continue as needed]

     The Borrower hereby rejects all other offers to make Bid Loans in response
to the Applicable Bid Request.

     The Borrower agreees that the Bid Loans shall be on the terms and subject
to the conditions of the Credit Agreement.

                                      Very truly yours,

                                      PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

                                      By:______________________________

                                      Title:___________________________


- - - ----------------------------

     (3) Each Interest Period shall not be less than seven nor more than one
hundred eighty days (in the case of a Bid Borrowing comprised of Absolute Rate
Loans) or shall be a period of one, two, three, or six months (in the case of a
Bid Borrowing comprised of LIBOR Bid Loans).

     (4) Shall be an aggregate amount for each Interest Period not less than
$5,000,000 or, if greater, an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.

     (5) Insert Absolute Rate or LIBOR Bid Margin, as applicable.

                                      -2-


<PAGE>

                                         Exhibit D to Credit Agreement
                                         The Bank of New York, as
                                           Administrative Agent
                                         First Union National Bank
                                           of North Carolina, as
                                           Documentation Agent
                                         Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                         March 14, 1997 / $235,000,000
                                         --------------------------------------


                                    FORM OF
                           ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

     THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE (this "Assignment and Acceptance") is made
this ______ day of _______________, _____, by and between _________________ (the
"Assignor") and __________________ (the "Assignee"). Reference is made to the
Credit Agreement, dated as of March __, 1997 (as amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among Pennsylvania
Manufacturers Corporation (the "Borrower"), certain banks and other financial
institutions from time to time parties thereto (the "Lenders"), The Bank of New
York, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (the "Administrative Agent"), and
First Union National Bank of North Carolina, as Documentation Agent for the
Lenders (the "Documentation Agent"). Unless otherwise defined herein,
capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given
to them in the Credit Agreement.

     The Assignor and the Assignee hereby agree as follows:

     1. Assignment and Assumption. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
the Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby
purchases and assumes from the Assignor, without recourse to the Assignor and,
except as expressly provided herein, without representation or warranty by the
Assignor, that interest as of the Effective Date (as hereinafter defined) in and
to all of the Assignor's rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement and
the other Credit Documents (in its capacity as a Lender thereunder) represented
by the percentage interest specified in Item 4(a) of Annex I (the "Assigned
Share"), including, without limitation, the Assigned Share of (i) the Assignor's
Commitment and (ii) the outstanding Committed Loans made by the Assignor.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such sale and assignment shall
not include any interest of the Assignor in any outstanding Bid Loans made by
the Assignor, or in any rights or obligations of the Assignor under the Credit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents with respect thereto, unless the
Assignor and the Assignee shall specify otherwise in Annex I (in which instance
the percentage of such outstanding Bid Loans so assigned (y) may, at the
election of the Assignor and the Assignee, be different from the percentage
specified in Item 4(a) of Annex I, and (z) shall be deemed, for purposes of this
Assignment and Acceptance, to be the "Assigned Share" of the Assignor's interest
in such outstanding Bid Loans and all such rights and obligations relating
thereto).

     2. The Assignor. The Assignor (i) represents and warrants that it is the
legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder, that
such interest is free and clear of any adverse claim, that as of the date hereof
the amount of its Commitment and outstanding Committed Loans (and, if so
specified in Item 4 of Annex I, outstanding Bid Loans) is as set forth in Item 4
of Annex I, and that after giving effect to the assignment provided for herein
the respective Commitments of the Assignor and the Assignee will, be as set
forth in Item 4(a) of Annex I, (ii) except as set forth in clause (i) above,
makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect
to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with
the Credit Agreement, any other Credit

<PAGE>


Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto or the
execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value
of the Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document or any other instrument or
document furnished pursuant thereto, and (iii) makes no representation or
warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition
of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the performance or observance by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any of their respective obligations
under the Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document or any other instrument or
document furnished pursuant thereto.

     3. The Assignee. The Assignee (i) represents and warrants that it is
legally authorized to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) confirms
that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the
financial statements most recently required to have been delivered under
Sections 5.1 and 5.2 of the Credit Agreement and such other documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and
decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance, (iii) agrees that it
will, independently and without reliance upon either Agent, the Assignor or any
other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or
not taking action under the Credit Agreement, (iv) confirms that it is an
Eligible Assignee, (v) appoints and authorizes each Agent to take such actions
as agent on its behalf under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit
Documents, and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties, as are
specifically delegated to such Agent by the terms thereof, together with such
other powers and duties as are reasonably incidental thereto, and (vi) agrees
that it will perform in accordance with their respective terms all of the
obligations that by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to be
performed by it as a Lender. [To the extent legally entitled to do so, the
Assignee will deliver to the Administrative Agent, as and when required to be
delivered under the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed originals of
the applicable tax withholding forms described in Section 2.18(d) of the Credit
Agreement].(1)

     4. Effective Date. Following the execution of this Assignment and
Acceptance by the Assignor and the Assignee, an executed original hereof,
together with all attachments hereto, shall be delivered to the Administrative
Agent and the Borrower (and also to the Administrative Agent, the processing fee
referred to in Section 10.7(a) of the Credit Agreement). The effective date of
this Assignment and Acceptance (the "Effective Date") shall be the earlier of
(i) the date of acceptance hereof by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower
or (ii) the date, if any, designated as the Effective Date in Item 5 of Annex I
(which date shall be not less than five (5) Business Days after the date of
execution hereof by the Assignor and the Assignee). As of the Effective Date,
(y) the Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and, to the extent
provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, shall have the rights and
obligations of a Lender thereunder and under the other Credit Documents, and (z)
the Assignor shall, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Acceptance,
relinquish its rights (other than rights under the provisions of the Credit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents relating to indemnification or payment
of fees, costs and expenses, to the extent such rights relate to the time prior
to the Effective Date) and be released from its obligations under the Credit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

     5. Payments: Settlement. On or prior to the Effective Date, in
consideration of the sale and assignment provided for herein and as a condition
to the effectiveness of this Assignment and Acceptance, the Assignee will pay to
the Assignor an amount (to be confirmed between the Assignor and the Assignee)
that represents the Assigned Share of the principal amount of the Committed
Loans (and, if so specified

- - - ----------------------
(1)Insert if the Assignee is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside
the United States.

                                      -2-

in Item 4 of Annex I, the Bid Loans) made by the Assignor and outstanding on
the Effective Date (together, if and to the extent the Assignor and the Assignee
so elect, with the Assigned Share of any related accrued but unpaid interest,
fees and other amounts). From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative
Agent will make all payments required to be made by it under the Credit
Agreement in respect of the interest assigned hereunder (including, without
limitation, all payments of principal, interest and fees in respect of the
Assigned Share of the Assignor's Commitment and Loans assigned hereunder)
directly to the Assignee. The Assignor and the Assignee shall be responsible for
making between themselves all appropriate adjustments in payments due under the
Credit Agreement in respect of the period prior to the Effective Date. All
payments required to be made hereunder or in connection herewith shall be made
in Dollars by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the appropriate
party at its address for payments designated in Annex I.

     6. Governing Law. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of North Carolina
(without regard to the conflicts of Laws principles thereof).

     7. Entire Agreement. This Assignment and Acceptance, together with the
Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, embody the entire agreement and
understanding between the parties hereto and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings of the parties, verbal or written, relating to the subject matter
hereof.

     8. Successors and Assigns. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be binding
upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns.

     9. Counterparts. This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts,
each of which, when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of
which shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

                                       -3-

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Assignment and Acceptance
to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above
written.

                                     ASSIGNOR:

                                     _______________________________


                                     By:____________________________________

                                     Title:_________________________________


                                     ASSIGNEE:

                                     ________________________________

                                     
                                     By:____________________________________

                                     Title:_________________________________


Accepted this ___ day of _________, 19__:


THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as 
  Administrative Agent

By:______________________________________

Title:___________________________________


Consented and agreed to:

PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

By:______________________________________

Title:___________________________________


                                      -4-


                                     ANNEX I
                                     -------

1.   Borrower: Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
2.   Name and Date of Credit Agreement:

     Credit Agreement, dated as of March __, 1997, among Pennsylvania
     Manufacturers Corporation, certain Lenders from time to time parties
     thereto, The Bank of New York, as Administrative Agent, and First Union
     National Bank of North Carolina, as Documentation Agent.

3.   Date of Assignment and Acceptance: __________________, 19___.

4.   Amounts:

                                                                    Amount of
                                   Aggregate for     Assigned       Assigned
                                     Assignor        Share(2)         Share

     (a) Commitment                $____________       ____%        $_________
     
     (b) Committed Loans(3)        $____________       ____%
     
     (c) Bid Loans(3)              $____________       ____%

5.   Effective Date: _____________________(4)

6.   Addresses for Payments:

Assignor:             __________________________________
                      __________________________________
                      __________________________________
                      Attention: _________________
                      Telephone: _________________
                      Telecopy: __________________
                      Reference: _________________

Assignee:             __________________________________
                      __________________________________
                      __________________________________
                      Attention: _______________________

___________________

     (2)Percentage taken to up to ten decimal places, if necessary.

     (3)Insert outstanding amounts as of the date of the Assignment and
Acceptance.

     (4)Shall be a date not less than five Business Days after the date of the
Assignment and Acceptance.

                                       -5-


<PAGE>

                      Telephone: _________________
                      Telecopy: __________________
                      Reference: _________________

7.   Addresses for Notices:

     Assignor:        ___________________________________
                      ___________________________________
                      ___________________________________
                      Attention: _________________
                      Telephone: _________________
                      Telecopy: __________________

     Assignee:        ___________________________________
                      ___________________________________
                      ___________________________________
                      Attention:__________________
                      Telephone: _________________
                      Telecopy: __________________


8.   Lending Office of Assignee:

     ____________________________________
     ____________________________________
     ____________________________________
     Attention: ____________________
     Telephone: ____________________
     Telecopy: _____________________

<PAGE>


                                          Exhibit E-1 to Credit Agreement
                                         The Bank of New York, as
                                           Administrative Agent
                                         First Union National Bank
                                           of North Carolina, as
                                           Documentation Agent
                                         Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                         March 14, 1997 / $235,000,000
                                         --------------------------------------


                                    FORM OF
                             COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
                          (GAAP Financial Statements)

     THIS CERTIFICATE is given pursuant to Section 5.3(a) of the Credit
Agreement, dated as of March ___, 1997 (as amended, modified or supplemented
from time to time, the "Credit Agreement," the terms defined therein being used
herein as therein defined), among Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation (the
"Borrower"), certain banks and other financial institutions from time to time
parties thereto (the "Lenders"), The Bank of New York, as Administrative Agent
for the Lenders, and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, as
Documentation Agent for the Lenders.

     The undersigned hereby certifies that:(1)

     1. He is [the duly appointed chief financial officer of the Borrower] [a
duly appointed vice president of the Borrower having significant responsibility
for financial matters].

     2. Enclosed with this Certificate are copies of the financial statements of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of ____________________, and for the
[________-month period] [year] then ended, required to be delivered under
Section [5.1(a)] [5.1(b)] of the Credit Agreement. Such financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
[(subject to the absence of notes required by generally accepted accounting
principles and subject to normal year-end audit adjustments)](2) and present
fairly the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis as of the date indicated and the results of operations of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the period covered
thereby.

     3. The undersigned has reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement and has
made, or caused to be made under the supervision of the undersigned, a review in
reasonable detail of the activities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during
the accounting period covered by such financial statements with a view to
determining whether the Borrower has performed and maintained all of its
obligations under the Credit Agreement.


- - - -------------------------
(1)Insert applicable bracketed language throughout the Certificate.

(2)Insert in the case of quarterly financial statements.

<PAGE>

     4. Based upon the review described in paragraph 3 above, the undersigned
has no knowledge of the existence of any Default or Event of Default during or
at the end of the accounting period covered by such financial statements or as
of the date of this Certificate [, except as set forth herein].(1)

     5. Attached to this Certificate as Attachment A is a Covenant Compliance
Worksheet reflecting the computation of the financial covenants set forth in
Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Credit Agreement, as of the last day of the period
covered by the financial statements enclosed herewith.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this
Certificate as of the ________ day of ______________, _______.

                                 [signature]________________________________

                                 Name: _____________________________________

                                 Title: _____________________________________



- - - ------------------------
  
     (1) Insert if applicable and describe in the Certificate or in a separate
attachment any exceptions to paragraph 4 above by listing, in reasonable detail,
the nature of the Default or Event of Default, the period during which it
existed and the action that the Borrower has taken or proposes to take with
respect thereto.

                                       -2-


<PAGE>

                                  ATTACHMENT A
                         TO GAAP COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

                         COVENANT COMPLIANCE WORKSHEET

Capitalization Ratio
(Section 6.1 of the Credit Agreement):         Not greater than 0.35 to 1.0

(1)  Consolidated Indebtedness:

     (a)  Indebtedness of Borrower and Subsidiaries 
          as of ___________, _____ (the "Measurement Date")     $_________
     
     (b)  Reimbursement obligations with respect to letters
          of credit to secure the reinsurance obligations 
          of Insurance Subsidiaries under reinsurance 
          agreements entered into as a reinsurer in the 
          ordinary course of business to the extent that 
          such reimbursement obligations are secured by 
          cash and Treasury Securities delivered to the 
          issuers of such letters of credit as of the 
          Measurement Date                                       _________
     
     (c)  Reimbursement obligations with respect to 
          PMA Insurance Cayman, Ltd. letter of 
          credit as of the Measurement Date(1)                   _________
     
     (d)  Consolidated Indebtedness: Subtract
          lines 1(b) and 1(c) from 1(a)                         $
                                                                 =========
                                                                               
(2)  Capitalization:

     (a) Consolidated Indebtedness as of
         the Measurement Date (from Line 1(d))                  $_________

     (b) Consolidated Net Worth as of 
         the Measurement Date                                    _________

     (c) Capitalization: Add Lines 2(a) and 2(b)               $
                                                                ==========

(3)  Ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness to Total Capitalization:
     Divide Line 1(d) by Line 2(c)                              _____ to 1.0

Applicable Margin for LIBOR Committed Loans (pursuant to the matrix
set forth in the definition of Applicable Margin in the Credit Agreement): ____%

Applicable Margin for the Facility Fee (pursuant to the matrix set forth
in the definition of Applicable Margin in the Credit Agreement):           ____%

- - - --------------------

     (1) Reimbursement obligations with respect to the letter of credit issued
upon the Borrower's application for the benefit of PMAIC with PMA Insurance
Cayman, Ltd. as account party thereto, but only if the stated amount of such
letter of credit is less than $28,000,000.

                                      -i-

<PAGE>


Cash Coverage Ratio
(Section 6.2 of the Credit Agreement):        Not less than ____ to 1.0(1)

 (1)  Cash Available:

      (a) Aggregate Available Dividend Amount 
          for the Insurance Subsidiaries(2)
          for the Measurement Period(3)                     $______________


      (b) Net Tax Sharing Payments 
          for the Measurement Period

          (i)   Tax sharing payments received by Borrower   $_____________
          (ii)  Tax sharing payments estimated to be 
                received by Borrower in respect of 
                Measurement Period                           _____________
          (iii) Taxes paid by Borrower                      (_____________)
          (iv)  Taxes estimated to be paid by Borrower 
                in respect of Measurement Period            (______________) 
          (v)   Other payments, if any, paid or to be
                paid by Borrower under tax sharing 
                agreements or arrangements 
                during Measurement Period                   (______________)
          (vi)  Net Amount (lines (i) + (ii) minus 
                lines (iii) + (iv) + (v))                    _______________

      (c) Cash Available:
          Add lines l(a) and l(b)(v)                        $
                                                             ===============
(2)   Cash Uses:

     (a) Interest Expense incurred during
         the Measurement Period                              $______________

     (b) Operating expenses paid by the Borrower
         during the Measurement Period                        _______________

     (c) Dividends paid by the Borrower during the
         Measurement Period                                   _______________

     (d) Cash Uses:

         Add lines 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c)                              $
                                                                    ===========
(3)  Cash Coverage Ratio:
     Divide line 1(c) by line 2(d)                                   ____ to 1.0

- - - -------------------

     (1) Insert (i) with respect to a Measurement Date occurring on or before
December 31, 1999, 2.5, and (ii) a Measurement Date occurring thereafter, 2.75.

     (2) Other than each Insurance Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of another
Insurance Subsidiary and determined as if the four fiscal quarters measured
constitute a fiscal year for regulatory purposes.

     (3) The four fiscal quarters immediately preceding the Measurement Date.

                                      -ii-

                                          Exhibit E-2 to Credit Agreement
                                         The Bank of New York, as
                                           Administrative Agent
                                         First Union National Bank
                                           of North Carolina, as
                                           Documentation Agent
                                         Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                         March 14, 1997 / $235,000,000
                                         --------------------------------------


                                    FORM OF
                             COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
                        (Statutory Financial Statements)

     THIS CERTIFICATE is given pursuant to Section 5.3(a) of the Credit
Agreement, dated as of March __, 1997 (as amended, modified or supplemented from
time to time, the "Credit Agreement," the terms defined therein being used
herein as therein defined), among Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation (the
"Borrower"), certain banks and other financial institutions from time to time
parties thereto (the "Lenders"), The Bank of New York, as Administrative Agent
for the Lenders, and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, as
Documentation Agent for the Lenders.

     The undersigned hereby certifies that:(1)

     1. He is [the duly appointed chief financial officer of the Borrower] [a
duly appointed vice president of the Borrower having significant responsibility
for financial matters].

     2. Enclosed with this Certificate are copies of the financial statements of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of _______________, and for the
[__________-month period] [year] then ended, required to be delivered under
Section [5.2(a)] [5.2(b)] of the Credit Agreement. Such financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with Statutory Accounting Principles and
present fairly the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis as of the date indicated and the results of operations of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the period covered
thereby.

     3. Attached to this Certificate as Attachment A is a Covenant Compliance
Worksheet reflecting the computation of the financial covenants set forth in
Sections 6.3 and 6.4 of the Credit Agreement as of the last day of the period
covered by the financial statements enclosed herewith.


- - - -----------------

     (1) Insert applicable bracketed language throughout the Certificate.


<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this
Certificate as of the ___________ day of ______________,_______.

                             [signature]________________________________

                             Name: _____________________________________

                             Title: ____________________________________

                                      -2-

<PAGE>


                                  ATTACHMENT A
                      TO STATUTORY COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

                         COVENANT COMPLIANCE WORKSHEET



Statutory Surplus
(Section 6.3 of the Credit Agreement:               Not less than $450,000,000


(l)     Statutory Surplus of each Insurance Subsidiary(1) as of
        ______________, _________ (the "Measurement Date"):

        (a) PMA Re                                                  $__________
        
        (b) PMAIC                                                   $__________
        
        (c) Pennsylvania Manufacturers Indemnity Company            $__________
        
        (d) Manufacturers Alliance Insurance Company                $__________
        
        (e) MASCCO                                                  $__________
        
        (f) PMA Life Insurance Company                              $__________
        
        (g) [Other Insurance Subsidiaries legally domiciled
            in the United States](2)                                $__________
        
        (h) PMA Cayman(3)                                           $__________
        
        (i) Chestnut(3)                                             $__________
        
        (j) Pennsylvania Manufacturers International 
            Insurance, Ltd.(3)                                      $__________
        
        (k) [Other Insurance Subsidiaries not legally
            domiciled in the United States(3)](2)                   $__________
  
(2)     Consolidated Statutory Surplus -- Sum of lines in item (1)   $
                                                                      ==========

- - - ----------------

     (1) Do not include any Insurance Subsidiary whose Statutory Surplus is
included in the Statutory Surplus of another Insurance Subsidiary.

     (2) List each such Insurance Subsidiary individually.

     (3) Include the shareholders' equity of such Insurance Subsidiary as
determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (without
regard to the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 
No. 115 issues by the Financial Accounting Standards Board).

                                      -i-


<PAGE>

Risk-Based Capital                For each Insurance Subsidiary, as appropriate,
(Section 6.4 of the Credit Agreement):(1)  line (a) to be not less than line (d)

(1)     PMA Re

        (a) Total adjusted capital as of the
            Measurement Date                                         $
                                                                      ==========

        (b) Company Action Level RBC(2) as of the
            Measurement Date                                         $__________

        (c) Required Multiple                                               150%

        (d) Required total adjusted capital as of the
            Measurement Date:
            Multiply Line 1(b) by 1(c)                             $
                                                                      ==========

(2)     Other Insurance Subsidiaries(3)

        (a) Total adjusted capital as of the
            Measurement Date                                         $
                                                                      ==========

        (b) Company Action Level RBC(2) as of the Measurement
            Date                                                     $__________

        (c) Required Percentage(3): December 31, 1996, 100%:
            December 31, 1997, 110%; December 31, 1998, 115%;
            December 31, 1999 and thereafter, 120%                             %
       (d)  Required total adjusted capital as of the
            Measurement Date:
            Multiply Line 3(b) by 3(c)                               $
                                                                     ===========



- - - ------------------

     (1) To be calculated and submitted annually.

     (2) As defined by the Risk-Based Capital for Insurers Model Act of the
NAIC.

     (3) Complete different schedule for each Insurance Subsidiary required by
the relevant Insurance Regulatory Authority to meet any RBC requirements.

                                      -ii-

<PAGE>


                                          Exhibit F to Credit Agreement
                                          The Bank of New York, as
                                            Administrative Agent
                                          First Union National Bank
                                            of North Carolina, as
                                            Documentation Agent
                                          Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                          March 14, 1997 / $235,000,000


                                    FORM OF
                         FINANCIAL CONDITION CERTIFICATE

     THIS FINANCIAL CONDITION CERTIFICATE is delivered pursuant to Section
3.1(a)(v) of the Credit Agreement, dated as of March __, 1997 (the "Credit
Agreement"), among Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation, a Pennsylvania
corporation (the "Borrower"), certain banks and other financial institutions
from time to time parties thereto (the "Lenders"), The Bank of New York, as
Administrative Agent, and First Union National Bank of North Carolina,
Documentation Agent. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have
the meanings given to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

     The undersigned hereby certifies for and on behalf of the Borrower as
follows:

     1. Capacity. The undersigned is, and at all pertinent times mentioned
herein has been, the Borrower's duly qualified and acting chief financial
officer (and in such capacity has responsibility for the management of the
Borrower's financial affairs) and senior accounting officer (and in such
capacity has responsibility for the preparation of the Borrower's financial
statements). The undersigned has, together with other officers of the Borrower,
acted on behalf of the Borrower in connection with the negotiation and
consummation of the Credit Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

     2. Procedures. For purposes of this Certificate, the undersigned, or
officers or other personnel of the Borrower under the direction and supervision
of the undersigned, have, as of or prior to the date hereof, undertaken the
following activities in connection herewith:

     2.1 The undersigned has carefully reviewed the following:

          (a)  the contents of this Certificate;

          (b)  the Credit Agreement (including the exhibits and schedules
               thereto);

          (c)  the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower for the
               fiscal years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and the
               related consolidated statements of income, stockholders equity
               and cash flows of the Borrower for the three-year period ended
               December 31, 1995, each certified by Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P.;
               and

          (d)  the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as of
               December 31, 1996, and the related consolidated statements of
               income, stockholders equity and cash flows of the Borrower for
               the fiscal year then ended.


<PAGE>


     2.2 The undersigned has made inquiries of certain other officers and
personnel of the Borrower with responsibility for financial and accounting
matters regarding whether the unaudited financial statements described in
paragraph 2.1(d) above are in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited
financial statements described in paragraph 2.1(c) above, and whether notes
omitted from the unaudited consolidated financial statements would have
disclosed any new information that would be necessary to make such materials not
misleading.

     2.3 With respect to any Contingent Obligations of the Borrower, the
undersigned:

          (a)  has inquired of certain officers and other personnel of the
               Borrower who have responsibility for the legal, financial and
               accounting affairs of the Borrower, as to the existence and
               estimated amounts of all Contingent Obligations known to them;

          (b)  has confirmed with senior officers of the Borrower that, to the
               best of such officers' knowledge, (i) all appropriate items have
               been included in the Contingent Obligations made known to the
               undersigned in the course of the inquiry of the undersigned in
               connection herewith, and (ii) the amounts relating thereto were
               the maximum estimated amounts of liability reasonably likely to
               result therefrom as of the date hereof; and

          (c)  confirms that, to the best of his knowledge, all material
               Contingent Obligations that may arise from any pending
               litigation, asserted claims and assessments, guarantees,
               uninsured risks, and other Contingent Obligations of the Borrower
               have been considered in making the certification set forth
               herein, and with respect to each such Contingent Obligation the
               estimable maximum estimated of liability with respect thereto was
               used in making such certification.

     2.4 In connection with the preparation for consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Credit Agreement, the undersigned has caused the preparation
of and has reviewed projected financial statements consisting of balance sheets
and statements of income of the Borrower giving effect to the transactions
contemplated by the Credit Agreement. The assumptions upon which such
projections are based were, in the opinion of the undersigned, reasonable when
made and continue to be reasonable as of the date hereof, subject to the
uncertainties and approximations inherent in any projections.

     2.5 The undersigned has inquired of certain officer of the Borrower having
responsibility for financial reporting and accounting matters regarding whether
such persons were aware of any events or conditions that, as of the date hereof,
would cause the statements made in Section 3 below to be untrue.

     2.6 The undersigned has conferred with counsel to the Borrower for the
purpose of discussing the meaning of the contents of this Certificate
(including, without limitation, Sections 3.1, 3.3 and 3.4 below).

     3. Certifications. Based on the foregoing, the undersigned hereby certifies
as follows:


                                      -2-

<PAGE>


     3.1 The Borrower is not now, nor will consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Credit Agreement and the incurrence of the Obligations under
the Credit Agreement render the Borrower, "insolvent" (as hereinafter defined).
The undersigned understands that, in this context, "insolvent" means that the
present fair saleable value of assets is less than the amount that will be
required to be paid on or in respect of the existing debts and other liabilities
as such debts and liabilities of the Borrower mature. The undersigned
understands that the term "debts" includes any legal liability, whether matured
or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, absolute, fixed or contingent,
including any guaranty obligations. A valuation of the Borrower, on the basis
thereof, with reasonable allowance for error, would reflect the net worth of the
Borrower in the aggregate (excess of fair value of assets over liabilities) as
not less than $________.

     3.2 After giving effect to the transaction contemplated by the Credit
Agreement, all accounts and other liabilities of the Borrower are current and
not past due.

     3.3 The undersigned believes that, by incurring the Obligations pursuant to
the Credit Agreement, the Borrower will not incur debts beyond its ability to
pay as such obligations mature (taking into account the timing and amounts of
cash to be payable on or in respect of the Borrower's Indebtedness). The
foregoing conclusion is based in part on the projections, which demonstrate that
the cash flow of the Borrower, after taking into account all anticipated uses of
the cash of the Borrower, will at all times be sufficient to pay all amounts on
or in respect of Indebtedness of the Borrower when such amounts are required to
be paid (including without limitation, scheduled payments pursuant to the Credit
Agreement).

     3.4 As of the date hereof, the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Credit Agreement will not leave the Borrower with
"unreasonably small capital" within the meaning of Section 548(a) of the
Bankruptcy Code or with remaining assets that are unreasonably small. In
reaching this conclusion, the undersigned understands that "unreasonably small
capital" depends upon the nature of the particular business or businesses
conducted or to be conducted, and has reached this conclusion based on the needs
and anticipated needs for capital of the businesses conducted or anticipated to
be conducted by the Borrower in light of the Borrower's available credit
capacity.

     3.5 The Borrower has not executed the Credit Agreement, or any documents
mentioned herein, or made any transfer or incurred any obligations thereunder,
with intent to hinder, delay or defraud either present or future creditors of
the Borrower.

     3.6 The undersigned understands that the Lenders have performed their own
review and analysis of the financial condition of the Borrower, but that the
Lenders are relying on the foregoing statements in connection with the extension
of credit to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

     Executed this ________ day of March, 1997.


                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Chief Financial Officer
                                          Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation


                                      -3-

<PAGE>


                                          Exhibit G to Credit Agreement
                                          The Bank of New York, as
                                            Administrative Agent
                                          First Union National Bank
                                            of North Carolina, as
                                            Documentation Agent
                                          Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                          March 14, 1997 / $235,000,000


                  FORM OF OPINION OF DUANE, MORRIS & HECKSCHER

                                __________, 1997

The Bank of New York, as
  Administrative Agent,
First Union National Bank
  of North Carolina, as
  Documentation Agent,
and the Lenders Party to the
Credit Agreement Referenced Below

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation, a
Pennsylvania corporation (the "Borrower") in connection with the execution and
delivery of and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Credit
Agreement, dated as of March __, 1997 (the "Credit Agreement") among the
Borrower, the banks and other financial institutions from time to time parties
thereto (collectively, the "Lenders"), The Bank of New York, as Administrative
Agent for the Lenders, and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, as
Documentation Agent for the Lenders. Unless otherwise defined herein,
capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit
Agreement.

     In this connection, we have examined a copy of the executed Credit
Agreement and the Notes (together, the "Credit Documents") and such certificates
of public officials, certificates of officers of the Borrower and copies
certified to our satisfaction of corporate documents and records of the Borrower
and of other papers, and have made such other investigations as we have deemed
relevant and necessary as a basis for our opinion hereinafter set forth. We have
relied upon such certificates of public officials and of officers of the
Borrower with respect to the accuracy of material factual matters contained
therein which were not independently established. In addition, we have assumed
and relied upon the accuracy, completeness, authenticity and genuineness of all
documents and certificates examined and all signatures thereon, other than the
signatures of representatives of the Borrower.

     In rendering this opinion, we have assumed that the Lenders and the Agents
have all requisite authority and have taken all necessary corporate or other
action to enter into and perform their obligations under the Credit Documents
and that the Credit Documents are valid and binding upon the Lenders and


<PAGE>


The Bank of New York, as Administrative Agent,
First Union National Bank of North Carolina, as
   Documentation Agent, and the
Lenders Party to the Credit Agreement Referenced Below
March __, 1997
Page 2


the Agents and enforceable against them in accordance with their respective
terms. We have also assumed that the Lenders' and the Agents' actions in
connection with the enforcement of the Credit Document will be commercially
reasonable and taken in good faith.

     Any opinion expressed "to the best of our knowledge" is made on the basis
of our actual knowledge only of the attorneys of this firm who have participated
in the legal representation of the Borrower in connection with the Credit
Documents, without having conducted an independent investigation as to the
matters stated therein.

     Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the further limitations,
qualifications and exceptions herein set forth, we are of the opinion that:

     1. Each of the Borrower and its Materials Subsidiaries is a corporation
duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and
is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of its business or the
ownership of its properties requires it to be so qualified, except where the
failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

     2. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has the full corporate power
and authority to execute, deliver and perform the Credit Documents to which it
is a party, to own and hold its property and to engage in its business as
presently conducted.

     3. The Borrower has taken all necessary corporate action to execute,
deliver and perform each Credit Document, and each Credit Document has been
validly executed and delivered by, and constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms,
except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles which
may limit rights of acceleration, self-help and the availability of equitable
remedies, including (without limitation) concepts of materiality,
reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in
a proceeding in equity or at law).

     4. No consent, approval, authorization, exemption or other action by,
notice to, or declaration or filing with, any governmental or regulatory
authority of the United States or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is required
in connection with the due execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower
of the Credit Documents, the legality, validity or enforceability thereof or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby.


                                      -2-

<PAGE>


The Bank of New York, as Administrative Agent,
First Union National Bank of North Carolina, as
  Documentation Agent, and the
Lenders Party to the Credit Agreement Referenced Below
March __, 1997
Page 3


     5. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of the Credit
Documents, and compliance by it therewith, do not and will not (i) violate any
provision of its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, (ii) contravene any
provisions of any applicable law, rule or regulation or, to the best of our
knowledge, any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree to which it is
subject, (iii) to the best of our knowledge, conflict with, result in a breach
of or constitute (with notice, lapse of time or both) a default under any
material indenture, agreement or other instrument to which it is a party, by
which it or any of its properties is bound or to which it may be subject, or
(iv) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien (except for Permitted
Liens) arising under any of the documents or instruments referred to in clause
(iii), upon any property or assets of the Borrower.

     6. To the best of our knowledge, there are no actions, investigations,
suits or proceedings pending or threatened, at law, in equity or in arbitration,
before any court, other Governmental Authority or other Person, against or
affecting the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any of their respective
properties that, if adversely determined, would be reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     7. The Surviving Senior Note Indebtedness does not have any priority or
preference senior in any respect to the Obligations.

     8. In any proceeding taken for the enforcement of the Credit Documents, the
provisions therein specifying that the internal laws of the State of North
Carolina will govern such documents would more likely than not be given effect
by a state court or federal court sitting in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
and applying the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania concerning conflicts
of law, subject to the exceptions and limitations referred to below,
Pennsylvania courts have followed Section 187 of the Restatement 2nd Conflict of
Laws (See: In re Allegheny International. Inc., 954 F.2d 167 (3rd Cir. 1992) and
Smith v. Commonwealth National Bank, 557 A2d 775 (Pa. Super 1989)). However,
even in the case where financing documents have included an express choice of
law provision identifying that a foreign state's laws shall govern the
documents, this general rule has not been followed by a Pennsylvania court in
instances where the court was asked to apply the procedural law of another state
(See: Unisys Finance Corporation v. U S Vision. Inc., 630 A2d 55 (Pa. Super
1993)) such as on a question of the applicable statute of limitations on a
claim, or where the action involved the enforcement of debts or recovery of
collateral given as security for a loan (See: Howard Savings Bank v. Cohen, 607
A2d 1077 (Pa. Super 1992)). Furthermore, we call your attention to the
existence of Fuller Co. v Campagnie Des Bauxites De Guinee, 421 F. Supp. 938
(W.D.Pa. 1976), in which the court rejected a contractual choice of law
provision primarily because the only nexus between the transaction and the
designated state was the retention by one party of counsel in such state.


<PAGE>


The Bank of New York, as Administrative Agent,
First Union National Bank of North Carolina, as
  Documentation Agent, and the
Lenders Party to the Credit Agreement Referenced Below
March __, 1997
Page 4


     9. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an "investment
company," a company "controlled" by an "investment company," or an "investment
advisor," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

     10. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged in the
business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin
Stock, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Credit
Agreement will not violate Regulations G, T, U or X of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System.

     11. The fees, interest and other charges payable under the Credit Documents
do not violate any usury or similar laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

     12. No transfer, filing, stamp, privilege, franchise, indebtedness or other
taxes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are required to be paid in connection
with the execution and delivery of the Credit Documents.

     13. Neither Agent nor any Lender is required to comply with the
requirements of any foreign lender statute in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
in order to carry out the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents or
to avail itself of the remedies provided thereby.

     The foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, and, to the extent applicable, the laws of the United States and
we express no opinion with respect to the laws of any other state or
jurisdiction. We note that the Credit Documents are expressly governed by the
laws of the State of North Carolina and we have assumed, with your permission
and without investigation, that the substantive laws of the State of North
Carolina are identical to those of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

     The opinions given herein are as of the date hereof, and we assume no
obligation to update or supplement this opinion to reflect any facts or
circumstances which may hereafter come to our attention or any changes in laws
which may hereafter occur:

     This opinion is furnished solely in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Credit Agreement, may be relied upon only by each of you and
any of your successors and Assignees under the


                                      -3-

<PAGE>


The Bank of New York, as Administrative Agent,
First Union National Bank of North Carolina, as
  Documentation Agent, and the
Lenders Party to the Credit Agreement Referenced Below
March __, 1997
Page 5


Credit Agreement, and may not be used or relied upon by you or any other person
in any other manner or for any other purpose without our prior written consent.


                                            Very truly yours,


                                            DUANE, MORRIS & HECKSCHER

RLP:efm


<PAGE>


                                          Exhibit H to Credit Agreement
                                          The Bank of New York, as
                                            Administrative Agent
                                          First Union National Bank
                                            of North Carolina, as
                                            Documentation Agent
                                          Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                          March 14, 1997 / $235,000,000


                               FORM OF OPINION OF
                       ROBINSON, BRADSHAW & HINSON, P.A.

                              _____________, 1997


The Bank of New York, as
  Administrative Agent
First Union National Bank
  of North Carolina, as
  Documentation Agent,
and the Lenders Party to the
  Credit Agreement Referenced Below


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as special counsel to First Union National Bank of North
Carolina ("First Union") in connection with the preparation, execution and
delivery of the Credit Agreement, dated as of March _, 1997 (the "Credit
Agreement"), among Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation, a Pennsylvania
corporation (the "Borrower"), the banks and other financial institutions from
time to time parties thereto (collectively, the "Lenders"), The Bank of New
York, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and First Union, as Documentation
Agent for the Lenders. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used
herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.

     In such capacity, we have examined originals of the Credit Agreement and
the Notes (together, the "Relevant Credit Documents") and originals, or copies
certified to our satisfaction, of such corporate records, certificates of public
officials, certificates of officers of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and
such other documents, records and matters of law as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate for purposes of delivering this opinion.

     We have also relied, with your permission, upon the opinions set forth in
the opinion of Duane, Morris & Heckscher of even date herewith and the
assumptions on which such opinions were based, other than the assumption that
the laws of the State 'of North Carolina are identical to the those of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

     In rendering this opinion, we have assumed the legal capacity of all
natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all
documents submitted to us as copies, and the due authorization,


<PAGE>


The Bank of New York,
  as Administrative Agent, et. al,
_____________, 1997
Page 2
____________________


execution and delivery of the Credit Documents by the parties thereto. We have
further assumed that the Borrower is duly organized and validly existing under
the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has the full corporate power
and authority to execute, deliver and perform the Credit Documents.

     Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the further limitations,
qualifications and exceptions herein set forth, we are of the opinion that each
of the Relevant Credit Documents constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

     Our opinion set forth herein is subject to the following limitations and
qualifications:

          1. The enforceability of the Relevant Credit Documents may be limited
     by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent transfer,
     reorganization or other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights
     generally and by general principles of equity (including, without
     limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair
     dealing) by which a court with proper jurisdiction may deny rights of
     specific performance, injunction, self-help or other remedies, whether
     considered in an action or proceeding at law or in equity.

          2. Under Section 6-21.2 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, in
     the enforcement or collection of a note or other evidence of indebtedness
     providing for payment by the debtor of "reasonable attorneys' fees" in the
     enforcement or collection thereof, a creditor is permitted (after specified
     written notice to the debtor) to collect attorneys' fees up to but not
     exceeding 15% of the amount outstanding.

          3. No opinion is expressed as to provisions, if any, contained in the
     Relevant Credit Documents that purport to excuse a party for liability for
     its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or unlawful conduct, purport
     to authorize a party to act in its sole discretion, require amendments or
     waivers to be made only in writing, or purport to effect waivers of
     constitutional, statutory or equitable rights or the effect of applicable
     laws.

     The foregoing opinions are limited to the federal laws of the United States
and the laws of the State of North Carolina, and we express no opinion with
respect to the laws of any other state or jurisdiction. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, we express no opinion as to the effect of the law
of any jurisdiction (other than the State of North Carolina) wherein any Lender
(or its applicable Lending Office) may be located that limits the rates of
interest legally chargeable or collectible by such Lender.

     This opinion is furnished solely in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Credit Agreement, may be relied upon only by each of you and
any of your successors and assigns under the Credit Agreement, and may not be
used or relied upon by you or any other person in any other manner


<PAGE>


The Bank of New York,
  as Administrative Agent, et. al,
_____________, 1997
Page 3
____________________


or for any other purpose without our prior written consent. This opinion speaks
only as of the date hereof, and we have no obligation to advise you or any other
person of any changes in law or fact that may occur after the date hereof.


                                            Very truly yours,

                                            ROBINSON, BRADSHAW & HINSON, P.A.


<PAGE>



                               PMC SCHEDULE 1.1 TO
                 THE CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                   LIST OF MEMBERS OF CURRENT MANAGEMENT GROUP
                   -------------------------------------------


Board of Directors
- - - ------------------

Frederick W. Anton III
Paul I. Detwiler, Jr.
Joseph H. Foster
Anne S. Genter
James F. Malone III
A. John May
Louis N. McCarter III
John W. Miller, Jr., M.D.
Edward H. Owlett
Louis I. Pollock
L.J. Rowell, Jr.
Roderic H. Ross
John W. Smithson


Management
- - - ----------

Frederick W. Anton III
John W. Smithson
Francis W. McDonnell
Vincent T. Donnelly
Stephen G. Tirney
Richard DeCoux
James J. Fleming, Jr.
Anthony J. Grosso
Stephen F. Litz
David C. Snow


<PAGE>


                            PMC SCHEDULE 4.14 TO THE
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT
                           DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                             ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

     There is presently a 10,000 gallon underground fuel oil storage tank
located at Gulph Industries, Inc.'s property, 1025 W. Eighth Street, King of
Prussia, PA. Two other tanks for gasoline and waste oil storage were formerly
located at this facility, but have been removed.


<PAGE>


                              PMC SCHEDULE 4.18 TO
                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                           LIST OF CERTAIN CONTRACTS
                           -------------------------

        Obligation to:                       Description:

        Scudder, Stevens, & Clark            Investment advisory services

        Nine Penn Center Associates, L.P.    Building lease

        IBM                                  Equipment

        PNC Leasing Corporation              Furniture, fixtures, and equipment

        Cap Gemini                           Consulting

        Decision One                         Management and maintenance of
                                             data processing equipment

        AT&T                                 Frame relay, private line, and
                                             local channel service

        CoreStates                           Sale of accounts receivable

        Frederick W. Anton III               Employment agreement

        John W. Smithson                     Employment agreement


<PAGE>


                              PMC SCHEDULE 4.19 TO
                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                          PMA REINSURANCE CORPORATION

              UNSECURED RECOVERABLES RATED LESS THAN A- BY AM BEST

                            AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996

- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             (1)
                                                 LOC        AM BEST       TICK
        NAME                                   (000's)      RATING        MARKS
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AUTHORIZED US
Aegon Reinsurance Company (Ennia)                            NR-3
American Fuji Fire & Marine                                  B++
Baltica-Skandinavia Re Co                                    C-
Cigna Reinsurance Co                                         B+g
Covenant Mutual Ins Co                                       NR-2          (3)
MONY Reinsurance Corp                                        NR-3
Philadelphia Reins Corp                                      NR-3
Republic Ins Co                                              B++g

AUTHORIZED POOLS
Associated A&H Re Underwriters                               NA

UNAUTHORIZED US
Constellation Re                                             NA             (2)
Delta America Re Ins Co (Elkhorn)                            NA
Mead Reinsurance Corp.                                       NR-3
Universal Reins Co                                           NA

AUTHORIZED - OTHER NON-U.S. INSURERS
Sphere Drake Ins plc                                         B++
Zurich Re (UK) Ltd                                           NA

UNAUTHORIZED - OTHER NON-U.S. INSURERS
Baloise Insurance Co.                                        NR-5
Beneficial American                                          NA
Bishopsgate Ins Ltd                               1          NA
Bryanston Ins Co                                             NA
Compagnie Europeene de Reassurances, S.A.        26          NA
Dai-Tokyo Ins Co (UK) Ltd                                    NA
Eagle Star Reinsurance Company Ltd.                          NA
Eisen Und Stahl Ruckversicherungs                            NA
English & American Ins Co Ltd(New Zealand)                   F
Excess Insurance Co Ltd                           2          NR-5
Fremont Ins Co (UK) Ltd                           1          NR-5
GAN Incendie Accidents                                       NR-5
GI0 (UK) Ltd                                                 NA
Hansa International                               1          NA
Municipal General Ins Ltd                         8          NA
River Thames Ins Co Ltd                          85          NR-5
Sampo Ins Co (UK) Ltd                             1          NR-5
Sparkassen-Versicherung Allgemeine                6          NA
Stockholm Reins Co Ltd                                       NR-5
Taisei Fire & Marine Ins Co                                  NA
Traders General                                              NA
Transcontinentale                                            NA

1997 REINSURERS
Monde Re                                                     NA

- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA -- Not available

(1)   AM Best rating was obtained from the 1997 edition and 1996 edition for
      foreign companies and domestic companies, respectively.

(2)   Company is in liquidation

(3)   Company demutualized and is now Covenant Insurance Company (NR-2)


<PAGE>


                              PMC SCHEDULE 4.19 TO
                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                     PMAIC AND OTHER INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES

              UNSECURED RECOVERABLES RATED LESS THAN A- BY AM BEST
              ----------------------------------------------------

                             AS OF DECEMBER 31,1996

- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             (1)
                                                 LOC        AM BEST       TICK
        NAME                                   (000's)      RATING        MARKS
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UNAUTHORIZED - OTHER US
Classie Fire & Marine Insurance Co.                          NR-4
Constellation Reinsurance Co.                                NA             (2)
Farm Bureau Mutual Ins. Co. of Michigan                      B--g
Hamburg International Reinsurance Co.                        NR-3
Mead Reinsurance Corp.                                       NR-3

AUTHORIZED US
American Fuji Fire & Marine Ins. Co.                         B-+
CIGNA Reinsurance Co.                                        B-g
Cologne Reinsurance Co. of America                           NR-3
Folksamerica National Reinsurance                            NR-3
John Hancock Property and Casualty Co.                       B-+p
New England Reinsurance Corp.                                NR-3
Signet Star Reinsurance Corp.                                NR-3
SAFR Reinsurance Corp. of the US                             B++
US International Reins. Co.                                  B-r
Unione Italiana Reins. Co. of America                        NR-3
Netherlands Reins. Group US Branch                           NA
Reliance Insurance Co.                                       NA

AUTHORIZED MANDATORY POOLS
American Accident Re Group                                   NA
Excess & Casualty Reins. Association                         NA
IRM                                                          NA
NCCI                                                         NA

UNAUTHORIZED-AFFILIATES-NON US
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Intrnl. Ins.                      NA
PMA Insurance Cayman Ltd.                                    NA

UNAUTHORIZED-OTHER NON US
Albingia Venicherungs                                        NR-5
Allianz International Ins Co. Ltd.                           NA
Ancon Insurance Co. (UK) Ltd.                                FPR-7
Anglo American Insurance Co. Ltd                             NR-5
British National Insurance Co. Ltd.                          NA
Cie Europeene De Reass Internationale                        NA
Colonia Ins. Co. (UK) Ltd.                                   B++
Compagnie Europeenne D'Assurances                            NR-5
Dai-Tokyo Insurance Co. (UK) Ltd.                            NA
D.N.H. Reinsurance Company                                   NA
Eagle Star Reinsurance Co., Ltd.                             NA
Excess Insurance Co. Ltd.                                    NR-5
Fuji International Insurance Co. Ltd                         NA
G.T.E. Reinsurance Co. Ltd.                      37          NR-5
Harleysville Ins. Co. (UK) Ltd.                              NA
LAT Syndicate                                    65          NA
INSCO, Ltd.                                                  NA
J & H Syndicate B, Inc.                          62          NA
Laurentian General Insurance Co.                             NA
Mitsui Marine & Fire Ins. Co. (Europe) Ltd.                  NR-5
MML Syndicate                                   125          NA
NW Reins. Corp. Ltd.                                         NR-5
Scan Reinsurance Co. Ltd.                                    NR-5
Security Insurance Co (UK) Ltd.                              NA
Sovereign Marine & General Ins. Co. Ltd.                     NR-5
Spear, Leeds. & Kellogg Re Corp.                             NA
Storebrand Ins. Co. (UK) Ltd.                                NA
Toa Reinsurance Co. (UK) Ltd.                                NA
Tokio Marine & Fire Ins. Co. (UK) Ltd.                       FPR-6
Turegum Insurance Co. (UK) Ltd,                 136          NA
Yusuda Fire & Marine Ins. of Europe                          NR-5

- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA -- Not available

(1)   AM Best rating was obtained from the 1997 edition and 1996 edition for
      foreign companies and domestic companies, respectively.

(2)   Company is in liquidation


<PAGE>


                               PMC SCHEDULE 4.4 TO
                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                 LIST OF LICENSES, PERMITS, AND AUTHORIZATIONS
                 ---------------------------------------------

STATE        PMAIC      PMIC      MAICO     MASCCO      PMA LIFE         PMA Re
- - - -----        -----      ----      -----     ------      --------         ------

AL                                                                         XR
AK            X                                                            XR
AZ            X                                                            XR
AR                                                                          A
CA            X                                                            XR
CO            X                                                             A
CT            X                                                            XR
DE            X           X         X                                      XR
DC            X           X         X                                      XR
FL            X                                                            XR
GA            X                                                            XR
Hl            X                                                             A
ID            X                                                            XR
IL            X                                                            XR
IN            X                                                            XR
IA            X                                                            XR
KS                                                                         XR
KY            X                                                            XR
LA            X                                                            XR
ME            X                                                             A
MD            X           X         X                                      XR
MA            X                                                            XR
Ml            X                                                            XR
MN                                                                         XR
MS            X                                                            XR
MO            X                                                            XR
MT            X                                                            XR
NE            X                                                            XR
NV            X                                                            XR
NH            X                                                             A
NJ            X           X         X                                      XR
NM            X                                                            XR
NY            X           X         X                                      XR
NC            X           X         X                                      XR
ND            X                                                            XR
OH            X           X         X                                      XR
OK            X                                                            XR
OR            X           X         X                                      XR
PA            X           X         X       X       X                      XR
Rl            X                                                            XR
SC            X           X         X                                      XR
SD            X                                                            XR
TN            X                                                            XR
TX            X                                                            XR
UT            X                                                            XR
VT            X                                                             A
VA            X           X         X                                       A
WA            X                                                            XR
WV            X
WI            X                                                            XR
WY                                                                          A

A  - Accredited Reinsurer

X  - Licensed Insurer

XR - Licensed Reinsurer


<PAGE>


                         PMC SCHEDULE 4.6 TO THE CREDIT
                      AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                                     TAXES
                                     -----

  Year    Audits/Examinations
  ----    -------------------

  1992    Claim for refund under examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
  1993    Claim for refund under examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
  1994    Tax year under audit by the Internal Revenue Service.
  1995    Tax year under audit by the Internal Revenue Service.


<PAGE>


                               PMC SCHEDULE 4.7 TO
                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                              LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES
                              --------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  PERCENT OWNED     PERCENT OWNED
                                                                      BY THE            BY THE
                                                                     BORROWER          BORROWER
        Name of Subsidiary                                           DIRECTLY         INDIRECTLY
        ------------------                                        -------------     -------------

<S>                                                         <C>      <C>                 <C>
Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association Insurance Company    *         100%
Manufacturers Alliance Insurance Company                     *         100%
PMA Reinsurance Corporation                                  *         100%
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Indemnity Company                 *         100%
Chestnut Insurance Company, Ltd.                                       100%
PMA Holdings, Inc.                                                     100%
DP Corporation                                                         100%
REM Corporation                                                        100% 
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association Finance Company                 100%
925 Chestnut, Inc                                                      100%
Mid-Atlantic States Investment Company                       *         100%
PMA Life Insurance Company                                             100%
Ajon, Inc.                                                              15%              85%
Sarfred, Inc.                                                           15%              85%
Wisteve, Inc.                                                           15%              85%
Rosemarie, Inc.                                                         15%              85%
Aud-Evad, Inc.                                                          15%              85%
Dauphin Equities, Inc.                                                  15%              85%
Lorjo Corporation                                                       15%              85%
Mid-Atlantic States Casualty Company                         *                          100%
PMA Insurance, Cayman Ltd.                                   *                          100%
PMA Services, Inc.                                                                      100%
Presque Enterprises, Inc.                                                               100%
LeeWard, Inc.                                                                           100%
Syl-Bar, Inc.                                                                           100%
Gulph Industries, Inc.                                                                  100%
Cris-Jen, Inc.                                                                          100%
Walprop, Inc.                                                                           100%
Marpan, Inc.                                                                            100%
Pennsylvania Manufacturers' International Insurance, Ltd.                               100%
PMA Holdings, Cayman Ltd.                                                               100%
PMA Management Corp.                                                                    100%
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Associates                                                   100%
</TABLE>


* - Material Subsidiary


<PAGE>


                              PMC SCHEDULE 7.2 TO
                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                                  INDEBTEDNESS

                            As of December 31, 1996


Company or                     Amount of   
Subsidiary                       Debt            Description of Debt
- - - ----------                       ----            -------------------

Cris-Jen, Inc.                  127,214    Mortgage Note payable to National
                                           Bank of the Commonwealth

Pennsylvania Manufacturers                 Guarantees of obligations of an
 Corporation                  6,794,000    unconsolidated real estate subsidiary

Pennsylvania Manufacturers                 Guarantees of obligation for 1992
 Corporation                  3,106,000    financial support program

Pennsylvania Manufacturers                 Guaranty of indemnity agreement with
 Corporation                   250,000     Colonial Insurance Company


<PAGE>

                         PMC SCHEDULE 7.3 TO THE CREDIT
                      AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                             LIST OF EXISTING LIENS

                         Existing on February 20, 1997

     The Company and its Subsidiaries are required by the laws of the various
states in which they are licensed to conduct the business of insurance to
deposit and maintain security for the performance of their obligations before
they can issue policies. In satisfaction of this requirement, the Company and
its subsidiaries have on deposit as of the Closing Date Securities with an
aggregate par value of approximately $16,810,000 in the following states:

        1.     California                 9.     North Carolina
        2.     Delaware                  10.     Oklahoma
        3.     Georgia                   11.     Oregon
        4.     Idaho                     12.     Pennsylvania
        5.     Louisiana                 13.     South Carolina
        6.     Massachusetts             14.     Tennessee
        7.     Michigan                  15.     Texas
        8.     New Mexico                16.     Virginia

Other Liens (Valued as of January 31, 1997)

Name of Subsidiary      Amount of Debt  Secured Party
- - - ------------------      --------------  -------------

PMA Reinsurance Corp.   $5,000,000      Collateral for Standby LOC Facility

PMAIC                   $5,150,000      Collateral for Standby LOC Facility

PMAIC                     $161,300      IBM Corp

PMIC / PMAIC /
MAICO / MASCCO          $7,742,281      CoreStates Bank N.A.

PMAIC                   $3,821,904      PNC Leasing Corp.

PMAIC                      $52,162      Canon Financial Services, Inc.

PMAIC                      $27,375      Great America Leasing Corp.

PMAIC                     $171,366      El Camino Resources Ltd

PMAIC                   $2,400,000      IBM Credit Corp.


<PAGE>

                               PMC SCHEDULE 7.6 TO
                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                          TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

                                      None
<PAGE>

                               PMC SCHEDULE 1.1 TO
                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997
                  LIST OF MEMBERS OF CURRENT MANAGEMENT GROUP

Board of Directors
- - - ------------------

Frederick W. Anton III
Paul I. Detwiler, Jr.
Joseph H. Foster
Anne S. Genter
James F. Malone III
A. John May
Louis N. McCarter III
John W. Miller, Jr., M.D.
Edward H. Owlett
Louis I. Pollock
L.J. Rowell, Jr.
Roderic H. Ross
John W. Smithson

Management
- - - ----------

Frederick W. Anton III
John W. Smithson
Francis W. McDonnell
Vincent T. Donnelly
Stephen G. Tirney
Richard DeCoux
James J. Fleming, Jr.
Anthony J. Grosso
Stephen F. Litz
David C. Snow


<PAGE>

                            PMC SCHEDULE 4.14 TO THE
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT
                           DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                             ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

     There is presently a 10,000 gallon underground fuel oil storage tank
located at Gulph Industries, Inc.'s property, 1025 W. Eighth Street, King of
Prussia, PA. Two other tanks for gasoline and waste oil storage were formerly
located at this facility, but have been removed.


<PAGE>

                              PMC SCHEDULE 4.18 TO
                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                           LIST OF CERTAIN CONTRACTS

Obligation to:                         Description:
- - - --------------                         ------------
Scudder, Stevens, & Clark              Investment advisory services

Nine Penn Center Associates, L.P.      Building lease

IBM                                    Equipment

PNC Leasing Corporation                Furniture, fixtures, and equipment

Cap Gemini                             Consulting

Decision One                           Management and maintenance of
                                       data processing equipment

AT&T                                   Frame relay, private line, and local
                                       channel service

CoreStates                             Sale of accounts receivable

Frederick W. Anton III                 Employment agreement

John W. Smithson                       Employment agreement

<PAGE>


                              PMC SCHEDULE 4.19 TO
                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997
                          PMA REINSURANCE CORPORATION
              UNSECURED RECOVERABLES RATED LESS THAN A- BY AM BEST

                             AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996

- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          (1)
                                          LOC           AM BEST          TICK
NAME                                    (000's)          RATING          MARKS
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AUTHORIZED US

Aegon Reinsurance Company(Ennia)                         NR-3
American Fuji Fire & Marine                              B++
Baltica-Skandinavia Re Co                                C-
Cigna Reinsurance Co                                     B+ g
Covenant Mutual Ins Co                                   NR-2            (3)
MONY Reinsurance Corp                                    NR-3
Philadelphia Reins Corp                                  NR-3
Republic Ins Co                                          B++ g   

AUTHORIZED POOLS
Associated A&H Re Underwriters                           NA

UNAUTHORIZED US
Constellation Re                                         NA              (2)
Delta America Re Ins Co (Elkhorn)                        NA
Mead Reinsurance Corp                                    NR-3
Universal Reins Co                                       NA

AUTHORIZED - OTHER NON-U.S. INSURERS
Sphere Drake Ins plc                                     B++
Zurich Re (UK) Ltd                                       NA

UNAUTHORIZED - OTHER NON-U.S. INSURERS
Baloise Insurance Co                                     NR-5
Beneficial American                                      NA
Bishopsgate Ins Ltd                               1      NA
Bryanston Ins Co                                         NA
Compagnie Europeene de Reassurances, S.A.        26      NA
Dai-Tokyo Ins Co (UK) Ltd                                NA
Eagle Star Reinsurance Company Ltd                       NA
Eisen Und Stahl Ruckversicherungs                        NA
English & American Ins Co Ltd(New Zealand)               F
Excess Insurance Co Ltd                           2      NR-5
Fremont Ins Co (UK) Ltd                           1      NR-5
GAN Incendie Accidents                                   NR-5
GIO (UK) Ltd                                             NA
Hansa International                               1      NA
Municipal General Ins Ltd                         8      NA
River Thames Ins Co Ltd                          85      NR-5
Sampo Ins Co (UK) Ltd                             1      NR-5
Sparkassen-Versicherung Allgemeine                6      NA
Stockholm Reins Co Ltd                                   NR-5
Taisei Fire & Marine Ins Co                              NA
Traders General                                          NA
Transcontinentale                                        NA

1997 REINSURERS
Monde Re                                                 NA
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NA - Not available
(1)   AM Best rating was obtained from the 1997 edition and 1996 edition for
      foreign companies and domestic companies, respectively.
(2)   Company is in liquidation
(3)   Company demutualized and is now Covenant Insurance Company (NR-2)


<PAGE>

                              PMC SCHEDULE 4.19 TO
                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997
                        PMAIC AND INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES
              UNSECURED RECOVERABLES RATED LESS THAN A-BY AM BEST

                             AS OF DECEMBER 31 1996
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            (1)
                                                LOC       AM BEST
NAME                                           (000's)     RATING         TICK
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UNAUTHORIZED - OTHER US
Classic Fire & Marine Insurance Co.                       NR-4
Constellation Reinsurance Co.                             NA             (2)
Farm Bureau Mutual Ins. Co. of Michigan                   B++g
Hamburg International Reinsurance Co.                     NR-3
Mead Reinsurance Corp.                                    NR-3

AUTHORIZED US
American Fuji Fire & Marine Ins. Co.                      B++
CIGNA Reinsurance Co.                                     B+g 
Cologne Reinsurance Co. of America                        NR-3
Folksamerica National Reinsurance                         NR-3
John Hancock Property and Casualty Co.                    B++p
New England Reinsurance Corp.                             NR-3
Signet Star Reinsurance Corp.                             NR-3
SAFR Reinsurance Corp. of the US                          B++
US International Reins. Co.                               B-r
Unione Italiana Reins. Co. of America                     NR-3
Netherlands Reins. Group US Branch                        NA
Reliance Insurance Co.                                    NA

AUTHORIZED MANDATORY POOLS
American Accident Re Group                                NA
Excess & Casualty Reins. Association                      NA
IRM                                                       NA
NCCI                                                      NA

UNAUTHORIZED-AFFILIATES-NON US
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Intrnl. Ins.                   NA
PMA Insurance Cayman. Ltd.                                NA

UNAUTHORIZED-OTHER NON US
Albingia Versieherungs                                    NR-5
Allianz International Ins Co. Ltd.                        NA
Ancon Insurance Co. (UK) Ltd,                             FPR-7
Anglo American Insurance Co. Ltd.                         NR-5
British National Insurance Co. Ltd.                       NA
Cie Europeene De Reass Internationale                     NA
Colonia Ins. Co. (UK) Ltd.                                B++
Compagnie Eurepeenne D'Assurances                         NR-5
Dai-Tokyo Insurance Co. (UK) Ltd.                         NA
D.N.H. Reinsurance Company                                NA
Eagle Star Reinsurance Co. Ltd.                           NA
Excess Insurance Co. Ltd.                                 NR-5
Fuji International Insurance Co. Ltd.                     NA
G.T.E. Reinsurance Co. Ltd.                     37        NR-5
Harleysville Ins. Co. (UK) Ltd.                           NA
IAT Syndicate                                   65        NA
INSCO Ltd.                                                NA
J & H Syndicate B, Inc.                         62        NA
Laurentian General Insurance Co.                          NA
Mitsui Marine & Fire Ins. Co. (Europe) Ltd.               NR-5
MML Syndicate                                  125        NA
NW Reins. Corp. Ltd.                                      NR-5
Scan Reinsurance Co. Ltd.                                 NR-5
Security Insurance Co. (UK) Ltd.                          NA
Sovereign Marine & General Ins Co. Ltd.                   NR-5
Spear, Leeds, & Kellogg Re Corp.                          NA
Storebrand Ins. Co. (UK) Ltd.                             NA
Toa Reinsurance Co. (UK) Ltd.                             NA
Tokio Marine & Fire Ins. Co. (UK) Ltd.                    FPR-6
Turegum Insurance Co. (UK) Ltd.                136        NA
Yasuda Fire & Marine Ins. of Europe                       NR-5
- - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NA - Not available
(1)  AM Best rating was obtained from the 1997 edition and 1996 edition for 
     foreign companies and domestic companies respectively.
(2)  Company is in liquidation.


<PAGE>

                               PMC SCHEDULE 4.4 TO
                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997
                 LIST OF LICENSES, PERMITS, AND AUTHORIZATIONS

STATE         PMAIC           PMIC    MAICO   MASCCO   PMA LIFE        PMA Re
- - - -----         -----           ----    -----   ------   --------        ------
AL                                                                         XR
AK              X                                                          XR
AZ              X                                                          XR
AR                                                                          A
CA              X                                                          XR
CO              X                                                           A
CT              X                                                          XR
DE              X               X       X                                  XR
DC              X               X       X                                  XR
FL              X                                                          XR
GA              X                                                          XR
Hl              X                                                           A
ID              X                                                          XR
IL              X                                                          XR
IN              X                                                          XR
IA              X                                                          XR
KS                                                                         XR
KY              X                                                          XR
LA              X                                                          XR
ME              X                                                           A
MD              X               X       X                                  XR
MA              X                                                          XR
Ml              X                                                          XR
MN                                                                         XR
MS              X                                                          XR
MO              X                                                          XR
MT              X                                                          XR
NE              X                                                          XR
NV              X                                                          XR
NH              X                                                           A
NJ              X               X       X                                  XR
NM              X                                                          XR
NY              X               X       X                                  XR
NC              X               X       X                                  XR
ND              X                                                          XR
OH              X               X       X                                  XR
OK              X                                                          XR
OR              X               X       X                                  XR
PA              X               X       X        X       X                 XR
RI              X                                                          XR
SC              X               X       X                                  XR
SD              X                                                          XR
TN              X                                                          XR
TX              X                                                          XR
UT              X                                                          XR
VT              X                                                           A
VA              X               X       X                                   A
WA              X                                                          XR
WV              X
Wl              X                                                          XR
WY                                                                          A

          A  - Accredited Reinsurer
          X  - Licensed Insurer
          XR - Licensed Reinsurer


<PAGE>

                         PMC SCHEDULE 4.6 TO THE CREDIT
                      AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                                     TAXES

Year    Audits/Examinations
- - - ----    -------------------
1992    Claim for refund under examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
1993    Claim for refund under examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
1994    Tax year under audit by the Internal Revenue Service.
1995    Tax year under audit by the Internal Revenue Service.


<PAGE>

                               PMC SCHEDULE 4.7 TO
                              THE CREDIT AGREEMENT
                           DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                              LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES

                                              PERCENT OWNED    PERCENT OWNED
                                                 BY THE           BY THE
                                                BORROWER         BORROWER
Name of Subsidiary                              DIRECTLY        INDIRECTLY
- - - ----------------------------------------      -------------    --------------

Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association
 Insurance Company                        *       100%
Manufacturers Alliance Insurance Company  *       100%
PMA Reinsurance Corporation               *       100%
Pennsylvania Manufacturers
 Indemnity Company                        *       100%
Chestnut Insurance Company, Ltd.                  100%
PMA Holdings, Inc.                                100%
DP Corporation                                    100%
REM Corporation                                   100%
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association
 Finance Company                                  100%
925 Chestnut, Inc.                                100%
Mid-Atlantic States Investment Company    *       100%
PMA Life Insurance Company                        100%
Ajon, Inc.                                         15%              85%
Sarfred, Inc.                                      15%              85%
Wisteve, Inc.                                      15%              85%
Rosemarie, Inc.                                    15%              85%
Aud-Evad, Inc.                                     15%              85%
Dauphin Equities, Inc.                             15%              85%
Lorjo Corporation                                  15%              85%
Mid-Atlantic States Casualty Company      *                        100%
PMA Insurance, Cayman Ltd.                *                        100%
PMA Services, Inc.                                                 100%
Presque Enterprises, Inc.                                          100%
LeeWard, Inc.                                                      100%
Syl-Bar, Inc.                                                      100%
Gulph Industries, Inc.                                             100%
Cris-Jen, Inc                                                      100%
Walprop, Inc.                                                      100%
Marpan, Inc.                                                       100%
Pennsylvania Manufacturers' International
 Insurance, Ltd.                                                   100%
PMA Holdings, Cayman Ltd.                                          100%
PMA Management Corp.                                               100%
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Associates                              100%

* - Material Subsidiary
<PAGE>

                               PMC SCHEDULE 7.2 TO
                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                                  INDEBTEDNESS
                            As of December 31, 1996

Company or                      Amount of
Subsidiary                        Debt                    Description of Debt
- - - ----------                        ----                    -------------------

Cris-Jen, Inc.                     127,214             Mortgage Note payable to
                                                       National Bank of
                                                       the Commonwealth

Pennsylvania Manufacturers       6,794,000             Guarantees of obligations
Corporation                                            of an unconsolidated
                                                       real estate subsidiary

Pennsylvania Manufacturers       3,106,000             Guarantees of obligation
Corporation                                            for 1992 financial
                                                       support program

Pennsylvania Manufacturers         250,000             Guaranty of indemnity 
Corporation                                            agreement with Colonial
                                                       Insurance Company


<PAGE>

                         PMC SCHEDULE 7.3 TO THE CREDIT
                      AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                             LIST OF EXISTING LIENS

                         Existing on February 20, 1997

     The Company and its Subsidiaries are required by the laws of the various
states in which they are licensed to conduct the business of insurance to
deposit and maintain security for the performance of their obligations before
they can issue policies. In satisfaction of this requirement, the Company and
its subsidiaries have on deposit as of the Closing Date Securities with an
aggregate par value of approximately $16,810,000 in the following states:

        -       1.      California       9.     North Carolina
                2.      Delaware        10.     Oklahoma
                3.      Georgia         11.     Oregon
                4.      Idaho           12.     Pennsylvania
                5.      Louisiana       13.     South Carolina
                6.      Massachusetts   14.     Tennessee
                7.      Michigan        15.     Texas
                8.      New Mexico      16.     Virginia

Other Liens: (Valued as of January 31. 1997)

Name of Subsidiary      Amount of Debt     Secured Party
- - - ------------------      --------------     -------------
PMA Reinsurance Corp.   $5,000,000         Collateral for Standby LOC Facility
PMAIC                   $5,150,000         Collateral for Standby LOC Facility
PMAIC                   $161,300           IBM Corp
PMIC / PMAIC /
MAICO / MASCCO          $7,742,281         CoreStates Bank N.A.
PMAIC                   $3,821,904         PNC Leasing Corp.
PMAIC                   $52,162            Canon Financial Services, Inc.
PMAIC                   $27,375            Great America Leasing Corp.
PMAIC                   $171,366           El Canino Resources Ltd
PMAIC                   $2,400,000         IBM Credit Corp.


<PAGE>

                               PMC SCHEDULE 7.6 TO
                THE CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                          TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

                                      None



(Local Currency--Single Jurisdiction)

                                      ISDA(R)
                  International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.
                                MASTER AGREEMENT
                          dated as of February 7, 1997


FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF  NORTH CAROLINA and PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS 
CORPORATION

have entered and/or anticipate entering into one or more transactions (each a
"Transaction") that are or will be governed by this Master Agreement, which
includes the schedule (the "Schedule"), and the documents and other confirming
evidence (each a "Confirmation") exchanged between the parties confirming those
Transactions.

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:--

1. Interpretation

(a) Definitions. The terms defined in Section 12 and in the Schedule will have
the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement.

(b) Inconsistency. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of
the Schedule and the other provisions of this Master Agreement, the Schedule
will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any
Confirmation and this Master Agreement (including the Schedule), such
Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

(c) Single Agreement. All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact
that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between
the parties (collectively referred to as this "Agreement"), and the parties
would not otherwise enter into any Transactions.

2. Obligations

(a) General Conditions.

    (i) Each party will make each payment or delivery specified in each
    Confirmation to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this
    Agreement.

    (ii) Payments under this Agreement will be made on the due date for value on
    that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant Confirmation
    or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, in freely transferable funds and in
    the manner customary for payments in the required currency. Where settlement
    is by delivery (that is, other than by payment), such delivery will be made
    for receipt on the due date in the manner customary for the relevant
    obligation unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation or
    elsewhere in this Agreement.

    (iii) Each obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to 
    (1) the condition precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event of
    Default with respect to the other party has occurred and is continuing, 
    (2) the condition precedent that no Early Termination Date in respect of 
    the relevant Transaction has occurred or been effectively designated and 
    (3) each other applicable condition precedent specified in this Agreement.



      Copyright (c) 1992 by International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.


<PAGE>




(b) Change of Account. Either party may change its account for receiving a
payment or delivery by giving notice to the other party at least five Local
Business Days prior to the scheduled date for the payment or delivery to which
such change applies unless such other party gives timely notice of a reasonable
objection to such change.

(c) Netting. If on any date amounts would otherwise be payable:--

    (i) in the same currency; and

    (ii) in respect of the same Transaction,

by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party's obligation to make
payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and,
if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party
exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other
party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate
amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the
larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount.

The parties may elect in respect of two or more Transactions that a net amount
will be determined in respect of all amounts payable on the same date in the
same currency in respect of such Transactions, regardless of whether such
amounts are payable in respect of the same Transaction. The election may be made
in the Schedule or a Confirmation by specifying that subparagraph (ii) above
will not apply to the Transactions identified as being subject to the election,
together with the starting date (in which case subparagraph (ii) above will not,
or will cease to, apply to such Transactions from such date). This election may
be made separately for different groups of Transactions and will apply
separately to each pairing of branches or offices through which the parties make
and receive payments or deliveries.

(d) Default Interest; Other Amounts. Prior to the occurrence or effective
designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction,
a party that defaults in the performance of any payment obligation will, to the
extent permitted by law and subject to Section 6(c), be required to pay interest
(before as well as after judgment) on the overdue amount to the other party on
demand in the same currency as such overdue amount, for the period from (and
including) the original due date for payment to (but excluding) the date of
actual payment, at the Default Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the
basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. If, prior to
the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect
of the relevant Transaction, a party defaults in the performance of any
obligation required to be settled by delivery, it will compensate the other
party on demand if and to the extent provided for in the relevant Confirmation
or elsewhere in this Agreement.

3. Representations

Each party represents to the other party (which representations will be deemed
to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered
into) that:--

(a) Basic Representations.

    (i) Status. It is duly organised and validly existing under the laws of the
    jurisdiction of its organisation or incorporation and, if relevant under
    such laws, in good standing;

    (ii) Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other
    documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver
    this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that
    it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations
    under this Agreement and any obligations it has under any Credit Support
    Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to
    authorise such execution, delivery and performance;

    (iii) No Violation or Conflict. Such execution, delivery and performance do
    not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its
    constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency
    of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual
    restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

                                       2
<PAGE>


    (iv) Consents. All governmental and other consents that are required to have
    been obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support
    Document to which it is a party have been obtained and are in full force and
    effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with; and

    (v) Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement and any Credit
    Support Document to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid and
    binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms
    (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganisation, insolvency, moratorium or
    similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and subject, as to
    enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless
    of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).

(b) Absence of Certain Events. No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default
or, to its knowledge, Termination Event with respect to it has occurred and is
continuing and no such event or circumstance would occur as a result of its
entering into or performing its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit
Support Document to which it is a party.

(c) Absence of Litigation. There is not pending or, to its knowledge, threatened
against it or any of its Affiliates any action, suit or proceeding at law or in
equity or before any court, tribunal, governmental body, agency or official or
any arbitrator that is likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability
against it of this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a
party or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or such
Credit Support Document.

(d) Accuracy of Specified Information. All applicable information that is
furnished in writing by or on behalf of it to the other party and is identified
for the purpose of this Section 3(d) in the Schedule is, as of the date of the
information, true, accurate and complete in every material respect.

4. Agreements

Each party agrees with the other that, so long as either party has or may have
any obligation under this Agreement or under any Credit Support Document to
which it is a party:--

(a) Furnish Specified Information. It will deliver to the other party any forms,
documents or certificates specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation by the
date specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation or, if none is specified, as
soon as reasonably practicable.

(b) Maintain Authorisations. It will use all reasonable efforts to maintain in
full force and effect all consents of any governmental or other authority that
are required to be obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit
Support Document to which it is a party and will use all reasonable efforts to
obtain any that may become necessary in the future.

(c) Comply with Laws. It will comply in all material respects with all
applicable laws and orders to which it may be subject if failure so to comply
would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

5. Events of Default and Termination Events

(a) Events of Default. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party
or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified
Entity of such party of any of the following events constitutes an event of
default (an "Event of Default") with respect to such party:--

    (i) Failure to Pay or Deliver. Failure by the party to make, when due, any
    payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(d)
    required to be made by it if such failure is not remedied on or before the
    third Local Business Day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

    (ii) Breach of Agreement. Failure by the party to comply with or perform any
    agreement or obligation (other than an obligation to make any payment under
    this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(d) or to give notice
    of a Termination Event) to be complied with or performed

                                       3
<PAGE>


    by the party in accordance with this Agreement if such failure is not
    remedied on or before the thirtieth day after notice of such failure is
    given to the party;

    (iii) Credit Support Default.

         (1) Failure by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party
    to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation to be complied with
    or performed by it in accordance with any Credit Support Document if such
    failure is continuing after any applicable grace period has elapsed;

         (2) the expiration or termination of such Credit Support Document or
    the failing or ceasing of such Credit Support Document to be in full force
    and effect for the purpose of this Agreement (in either case other than in
    accordance with its terms) prior to the satisfaction of all obligations of
    such party under each Transaction to which such Credit Support Document
    relates without the written consent of the other party; or

         (3) the party or such Credit Support Provider disaffirms, disclaims,
    repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of,
    such Credit Support Document;

    (iv) Misrepresentation. A representation made or repeated or deemed to have
    been made or repeated by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such
    party in this Agreement or any Credit Support Document proves to have been
    incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or repeated or
    deemed to have been made or repeated;

    (v) Default under Specified Transaction. The party, any Credit Support
    Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party 
    (1) defaults under a Specified Transaction and, after giving effect to any
    applicable notice requirement or grace period, there occurs a liquidation
    of, an acceleration of obligations under. or an early termination of, that
    Specified Transaction, (2) defaults, after giving effect to any applicable
    notice requirement or grace period, in making any payment or delivery due on
    the last payment, delivery or exchange date of, or any payment on early
    termination of, a Specified Transaction (or such default continues for at
    least three Local Business Days if there is no applicable notice requirement
    or grace period) or (3) disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in
    whole or in part, a Specified Transaction (or such action is taken by any
    person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

    (vi) Cross Default. If "Cross Default" is specified in the Schedule as
    applying to the party, the occurrence or existence of (1) a default, event
    of default or other similar condition or event (however described) in
    respect of such party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any
    applicable Specified Entity of such party under one or more agreements or
    instruments relating to Specified Indebtedness of any of them (individually
    or collectively) in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable
    Threshold Amount (as specified in the Schedule) which has resulted in such
    Specified Indebtedness becoming, or becoming capable at such time of being
    declared, due and payable under such agreements or instruments, before it
    would otherwise have been due and payable or (2) a default by such party,
    such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity (individually or
    collectively) in making one or more payments on the due date thereof in an
    aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount under such
    agreements or instruments (after giving effect to any applicable notice
    requirement or grace period);

    (vii) Bankruptcy. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or
    any applicable Specified Entity of such party:--

         (1) is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation
    or merger); (2) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or
    admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become
    due; (3) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for
    the benefit of its creditors; (4) institutes or has instituted against it a
    proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other
    relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law
    affecting creditors' rights, or a petition is presented for its

                                       4
<PAGE>




    winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or
    petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition
    (A) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an
    order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or
    liquidation or (B) is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in
    each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof; 
    (5) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or
    liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or
    merger); (6) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an
    administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee,
    custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all
    its assets; (7) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially
    all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or
    other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or
    substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession,
    or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in
    each case within 30 days thereafter; (8) causes or is subject to any event
    with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction,
    has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (1) to
    (7) (inclusive); or (9) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating
    its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts;
    or

    (viii) Merger Without Assumption. The party or any Credit Support Provider
    of such party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or
    transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and, at
    the time of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer:--

         (1) the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume all
    the obligations of such party or such Credit Support Provider under this
    Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it or its predecessor was
    a party by operation of law or pursuant to an agreement reasonably
    satisfactory to the other party to this Agreement; or

         (2) the benefits of any Credit Support Document fail to extend
    (without the consent of the other party) to the performance by such
    resulting, surviving or transferee entity of its obligations under this
    Agreement.

(b) Termination Events. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or,
if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity
of such party of any event specified below constitutes an Illegality if the
event is specified in (i) below, and, if specified to be applicable, a Credit
Event Upon Merger if the event is specified pursuant to (ii) below or an
Additional Termination Event if the event is specified pursuant to 
(iii) below:--

    (i) Illegality. Due to the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law
    after the date on which a Transaction is entered into, or due to the
    promulgation of, or any change in, the interpretation by any court, tribunal
    or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law
    after such date, it becomes unlawful (other than as a result of a breach by
    the party of Section 4(b)) for such party (which will be the Affected
    Party):--

         (1) to perform any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment
    or delivery or to receive a payment or delivery in respect of such
    Transaction or to comply with any other material provision of this
    Agreement relating to such Transaction; or

         (2) to perform, or for any Credit Support Provider of such party to
    perform, any contingent or other obligation which the party (or such Credit
    Support Provider) has under any Credit Support Document relating to such
    Transaction;

    (ii) Credit Event Upon Merger. If "Credit Event Upon Merger" is specified in
    the Schedule as applying to the party, such party ("X"), any Credit Support
    Provider of X or any applicable Specified Entity of X consolidates or
    amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially
    all its assets to, another entity and such action does not constitute an
    event described in Section 5(a)(viii) but the creditworthiness of the
    resulting, surviving or transferee entity is materially weaker than that of
    X, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity, as the case may
    be, immediately prior to such action (and, in such event, X or its successor
    or transferee, as appropriate, will be the Affected Party); or

                                       5
<PAGE>




    (iii) Additional Termination Event. If any "Additional Termination Event" is
    specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation as applying, the occurrence of
    such event (and, in such event, the Affected Party or Affected Parties shall
    be as specified for such Additional Termination Event in the Schedule or
    such Confirmation).

(c) Event of Default and Illegality. If an event or circumstance which would
otherwise constitute or give rise to an Event of Default also constitutes an
Illegality, it will be treated as an Illegality and will not constitute an Event
of Default.

6. Early Termination

(a) Right to Terminate Following Event of Default. If at any time an Event of
Default with respect to a party (the "Defaulting Party") has occurred and is
then continuing, the other party (the "Non-defaulting Party") may, by not more
than 20 days notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the relevant Event of
Default, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an
Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions. If, however,
"Automatic Early Termination" is specified in the Schedule as applying to a
party, then an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions
will occur immediately upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an
Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(1), (3), (5), (6) or, to the
extent analogous thereto, (8), and as of the time immediately preceding the
institution of the relevant proceeding or the presentation of the relevant
petition upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default
specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(4) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8).

(b) Right to Terminate Following Termination Event.

    (i) Notice. If a Termination Event occurs, an Affected Party will, promptly
    upon becoming aware of it, notify the other party, specifying the nature of
    that Termination Event and each Affected Transaction and will also give such
    other information about that Termination Event as the other party may
    reasonably require.

    (ii) Two Affected Parties. If an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) occurs
    and there are two Affected Parties, each party will use all reasonable
    efforts to reach agreement within 30 days after notice thereof is given
    under Section 6(b)(i) on action to avoid that Termination Event.

    (iii) Right to Terminate. If:--

          (1) an agreement under Section 6(b)(ii) has not been effected with
    respect to all Affected Transactions within 30 days after an Affected Party
    gives notice under Section 6( b)(i); or

          (2) an Illegality other than that referred to in Section 6(b)(ii), a
    Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event occurs,

    either party in the case of an Illegality, any Affected Party in the case of
    an Additional Termination Event if there is more than one Affected Party, or
    the party which is not the Affected Party in the case of a Credit Event Upon
    Merger or an Additional Termination Event if there is only one Affected
    Party may, by not more than 20 days notice to the other party and provided
    that the relevant Termination Event is then continuing, designate a day not
    earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date
    in respect of all Affected Transactions.

(c) Effect of Designation.

    (i) If notice designating an Early Termination Date is given under Section
    6(a) or (b), the Early Termination Date will occur on the date so
    designated, whether or not the relevant Event of Default or Termination
    Event is then continuing.

                                       6
<PAGE>


    (ii) Upon the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination
    Date, no further payments or deliveries under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(d) in
    respect of the Terminated Transactions will be required to be made, but
    without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement. The amount. if
    any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date shall be determined
    pursuant to Section 6(e).

(d) Calculations.

    (i) Statement. On or as soon as reasonably practicable following the
    occurrence of an Early Termination Date, each party will make the
    calculations on its part, if any, contemplated by Section 6(e) and will
    provide to the other party a statement (1) showing, in reasonable detail,
    such calculations (including all relevant quotations and specifying any
    amount payable under Section 6(e)) and (2) giving details of the relevant
    account to which any amount payable to it is to be paid. In the absence of
    written confirmation from the source of a quotation obtained in determining
    a Market Quotation, the records of the party obtaining such quotation will
    be conclusive evidence of the existence and accuracy of such quotation.

    (ii) Payment Date. An amount calculated as being due in respect of any Early
    Termination Date under Section 6(e) will be payable on the day that notice
    of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date
    which is designated or occurs as a result of an Event of Default) and on the
    day which is two Local Business Days after the day on which notice of the
    amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which
    is designated as a result of a Termination Event). Such amount will be paid
    together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest
    thereon (before as well as after judgment), from (and including) the
    relevant Early Termination Date to (but excluding) the date such amount is
    paid, at the Applicable Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis
    of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed.

(e) Payments on Early Termination. If an Early Termination Date occurs, the
following provisions shall apply based on the parties' election in the Schedule
of a payment measure, either "Market Quotation" or "Loss", and a payment method,
either the "First Method" or the "Second Method". If the parties fail to
designate a payment measure or payment method in the Schedule, it will be deemed
that "Market Quotation" or the "Second Method", as the case may be, shall apply.
The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date and
determined pursuant to this Section will be subject to any Set-off.

    (i) Events of Default. If the Early Termination Date results from an Event
    of Default:--

          (1) First Method and Market Quotation. If the First Method and Market
    Quotation apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party
    the excess, if a positive number, of (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount
    (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated
    Transactions and the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party over
    (B) the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party.

          (2) First Method and Loss. If the First Method and Loss apply, the
    Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party, if a positive
    number, the Non-defaulting Party's Loss in respect of this Agreement.

          (3) Second Method and Market Quotation. If the Second Method and
    Market Quotation apply, an amount will be payable equal to (A) the sum of
    the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect
    of the Terminated Transactions and the Unpaid Amounts owing to the
    Non-defaulting Party less (B) the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting
    Party. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay
    it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the
    Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the
    Defaulting Party.

          (4) Second Method and Loss. If the Second Method and Loss apply, an
    amount will be payable equal to the Non-defaulting Party's Loss in respect
    of this Agreement. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting
    Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative

                                       7
<PAGE>




    number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount
    to the Defaulting Party.

    (ii) Termination Events. If the Early Termination Date results from a
    Termination Event:--

          (1) One Affected Party. If there is one Affected Party, the amount
    payable will be determined in accordance with Section 6(e)(i)(3), if Market
    Quotation applies, or Section 6(e)(i)(4), if Loss applies, except that, in
    either case, references to the Defaulting Party and to the Non-defaulting
    Party will be deemed to be references to the Affected Party and the party
    which is not the Affected Party, respectively, and, if Loss applies and
    fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, Loss shall be
    calculated in respect of all Terminated Transactions.

          (2) Two Affected Parties. If there are two Affected Parties:

               (A) if Market Quotation applies, each party will determine a
          Settlement Amount in respect of the Terminated Transactions, and an
          amount will be payable equal to (1) the sum of (a) one-half of the
          difference between the Settlement Amount of the party with the higher
          Settlement Amount ("X") and the Settlement Amount of the party with
          the lower Settlement Amount ("Y") and (b) the Unpaid Amounts owing to
          X less (II) the Unpaid Amounts owing to Y; and

               (B) if Loss applies, each party will determine its Loss in
          respect of this Agreement (or, if fewer than all the Transactions are
          being terminated, in respect of all Terminated Transactions) and an
          amount will be payable equal to one-half of the difference between the
          Loss of the party with the higher Loss ("X') and the Loss of the party
          with the lower Loss ("Y").

          If the amount payable is a positive number, Y will pay it to X; if it 
          is a negative number, X will pay the absolute value of that amount 
          to Y.

    (iii) Adjustment for Bankruptcy. In circumstances where an Early Termination
    Date occurs because "Automatic Early Termination" applies in respect of a
    party, the amount determined under this Section 6(e) will be subject to such
    adjustments as are appropriate and permitted by law to reflect any payments
    or deliveries made by one party to the other under this Agreement (and
    retained by such other party) during the period from the relevant Early
    Termination Date to the date for payment determined under Section 6(d)(ii).

    (iv) Pre-Estimate. The parties agree that if Market Quotation applies an
    amount recoverable under this Section 6(e) is a reasonable pre-estimate of
    loss and not a penalty. Such amount is payable for the loss of bargain and
    the loss of protection against future risks and except as otherwise provided
    in this Agreement neither party will be entitled to recover any additional
    damages as a consequence of such losses.

7. Transfer

Neither this Agreement nor any interest or obligation in or under this Agreement
may be transferred (whether by way of security or otherwise) by either party
without the prior written consent of the other party, except that:--

(a) a party may make such a transfer of this Agreement pursuant to a
consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with or into, or transfer of all
or substantially all its assets to, another entity (but without prejudice to any
other right or remedy under this Agreement); and

(b) a party may make such a transfer of all or any part of its interest in any
amount payable to it from a Defaulting Party under Section 6(e).

Any purported transfer that is not in compliance with this Section will be void.

                                       8
<PAGE>


8. Miscellaneous

(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and
understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes
all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto.

(b) Amendments. No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this
Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by
a facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an
exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.

(c) Survival of Obligations. Without prejudice to Sections 2(a)(iii) and
6(c)(ii), the obligations of the parties under this Agreement will survive the
termination of any Transaction. 

(d) Remedies Cumulative. Except as provided in this Agreement, the rights, 
powers, remedies and privileges provided in this Agreement are cumulative and 
not exclusive of any rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided by law.

(e) Counterparts and Confirmations.

    (i) This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect
    of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile
    transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.

    (ii) The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each
    Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or
    otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and
    may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile
    transmission) or be created by an exchange of telexes or by an exchange of
    electronic messages on an electronic messaging system, which in each case
    will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this
    Agreement. The parties will specify therein or through another effective
    means that any such counterpart, telex or electronic message constitutes a
    Confirmation.

(f) No Waiver of Rights. A failure or delay in exercising any right, power or
privilege in respect of this Agreement will not be presumed to operate as a
waiver, and a single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege will
not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further exercise, of that right,
power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

(g) Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into
consideration in interpreting this Agreement.

9. Expenses

A Defaulting Party will, on demand, indemnify and hold harmless the other party
for and against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees,
incurred by such other party by reason of the enforcement and protection of its
rights under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which the
Defaulting Party is a party or by reason of the early termination of any
Transaction, including, but not limited to, costs of collection.

1O. Notices

(a) Effectiveness. Any notice or other communication in respect of this
Agreement may be given in any manner set forth below (except that a notice or
other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by facsimile
transmission or electronic messaging system) to the address or number or in
accordance with the electronic messaging system details provided (see the
Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated:--

    (i) if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is
    delivered;

    (ii) if sent by telex, on the date the recipient's answerback is received;

                                       9
<PAGE>


    (iii) if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date that transmission is
    received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it
    being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and
    will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender's facsimile
    machine);

    (iv) if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the
    equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date that mail is delivered or
    its delivery is attempted; or

    (v) if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date that electronic
    message is received,

unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as
applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or
attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local
Business Day, in which case that communication shall be deemed given and
effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day.

(b) Change of Addresses. Either party may by notice to the other change the
address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system details at
which notices or other communications are to be given to it.

11. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

(a) Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the law specified in the Schedule.

(b) Jurisdiction. With respect to any suit, action or proceedings relating to
this Agreement ("Proceedings"), each party irrevocably:

    (i) submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts, if this Agreement is
    expressed to be governed by English law, or to the non-exclusive
    jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States
    District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, if this
    Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York;
    and

    (ii) waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of
    venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that
    such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further
    waives the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings, that such
    court does not have any jurisdiction over such party.

Nothing in this Agreement precludes either party from banging Proceedings in any
other jurisdiction (outside, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by
English law, the Contracting States, as defined in Section 1(3) of the Civil
Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 or any modification, extension or
re-enactment thereof for the time being in force) nor will the bringing of
Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the bringing of
Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

(c) Waiver of Immunities. Each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets
(irrespective of their use or intended use), all immunity on the grounds of
sovereignty or other similar grounds from (i) suit, (ii) jurisdiction of any
court, (iii) relief by way of injunction, order for specific performance or for
recovery of property, (iv) attachment of its assets (whether before or after
judgment) and (v) execution or enforcement of any judgment to which it or its
revenues or assets might otherwise be entitled in any Proceedings in the courts
of any jurisdiction and irrevocably agrees, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, that it will not claim any such immunity in any Proceedings.

12. Definitions

As used in this Agreement:--

"Additional Termination Event" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

"Affected Party" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

                                       10
<PAGE>

"Affected Transactions" means (a) with respect to any Termination Event
consisting of an Illegality, all Transactions affected by the occurrence of such
Termination Event and (b) with respect to any other Termination Event, all
Transactions.

"Affiliate" means, subject to the Schedule, in relation to any person, any
entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the person, any entity that
controls, directly or indirectly, the person or any entity directly or
indirectly under common control with the person. For this purpose, "control" of
any entity or person means ownership of a majority of the voting power of the
entity or person.

"Applicable Rate" means:--

(a) in respect of obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been
but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate;

(b) in respect of an obligation to pay an amount under Section 6(e) of either
party from and after the date (determined in accordance with Section 6(d)(ii))
on which that amount is payable, the Default Rate;

(c) in respect of all other obligations payable or deliverable (or which would
have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Non-defaulting Party, the Non-default
Rate; and

(d) in all other cases, the Termination Rate.

"consent" includes a consent, approval, action, authorisation, exemption,
notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent.

"Credit Event Upon Merger" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

"Credit Support Document" means any agreement or instrument that is specified as
such in this Agreement.

"Credit Support Provider" has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

"Default Rate" means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or
evidence of any actual cost) to the relevant payee (as certified by it) if it
were to fund or of funding the relevant amount plus 1% per annum.

"Defaulting Party" has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

"Early Termination Date" means the date determined in accordance with Section
6(a) or 6(b)(iii).

"Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) and, if applicable,
in the Schedule.

"Illegality" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 "law" includes any treaty, law, rule or regulation and "lawful' and "unlawful"
will be construed accordingly.

"Local Business Day" means, subject to the Schedule, a day on which commercial
banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign
currency deposits) (a) in relation to any obligation under Section 2(a)(i), in
the place(s) specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if not so specified, as
otherwise agreed by the parties in writing or determined pursuant to provisions
contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Agreement, (b) in relation to
any other payment, in the place where the relevant account is located, (c) in
relation to any notice or other communication, including notice contemplated
under Section 5(a)(i), in the city specified in the address for notice provided
by the recipient and, in the case of a notice contemplated by Section 2(b), in
the place where the relevant new account is to be located and (d) in relation to
Section 5(a)(v)(2), in the relevant locations for performance with respect to
such Specified Transaction.

"Loss" means, with respect to this Agreement or one or more Terminated
Transactions, as the case may be, and a party, an amount that party reasonably
determines in good faith to be its total losses and costs (or gain, in which
case expressed as a negative number) in connection with this Agreement or that
Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, as the case may be,
including any loss of bargain, cost of funding or, at the election of such party
but without duplication, loss or cost incurred as a result of its terminating,
liquidating, obtaining or reestablishing any hedge or related trading position
(or any gain

                                       11
<PAGE>


resulting from any of them). Loss includes losses and costs (or gains) in
respect of any payment or delivery required to have been made (assuming
satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) on or before the relevant
Early Termination Date and not made, except, so as to avoid duplication, if
Section 6(e)(i)(1) or (3) or 6(e)(ii)(2)(A) applies. Loss does not include a
party's legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses referred to under Section 9. A
party will determine its Loss as of the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if
that is not reasonably practicable, as of the earliest date thereafter as is
reasonably practicable. A party may (but need not) determine its Loss by
reference to quotations of relevant rates or prices from one or more leading
dealers in the relevant markets.

"Market Quotation" means, with respect to one or more Terminated Transactions
and a party making the determination, an amount determined on the basis of
quotations from Reference Market-makers. Each quotation will be for an amount,
if any, that would be paid to such party (expressed as a negative number) or by
such party (expressed as a positive number) in consideration of an agreement
between such party (taking into account any existing Credit Support Document
with respect to the obligations of such party) and the quoting Reference
Market-maker to enter into a transaction (the "Replacement Transaction") that
would have the effect of preserving for such party the economic equivalent of
any payment or delivery (whether the underlying obligation was absolute or
contingent and assuming the satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent)
by the parties under Section 2(a)(i) in respect of such Terminated Transaction
or group of Terminated Transactions that would, but for the occurrence of the
relevant Early Termination Date, have been required after that date. For this
purpose, Unpaid Amounts in respect of the Terminated Transaction or group of
Terminated Transactions are to be excluded but, without limitation, any payment
or delivery that would, but for the relevant Early Termination Date, have been
required (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) after
that Early Termination Date is to be included. The Replacement Transaction would
be subject to such documentation as such party and the Reference Market-maker
may, in good faith, agree. The party making the determination (or its agent)
will request each Reference Market-maker to provide its quotation to the extent
reasonably practicable as of the same day and time (without regard to different
time zones) on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant Early
Termination Date. The day and time as of which those quotations are to be
obtained will be selected in good faith by the party obliged to make a
determination under Section 6(e), and, if each party is so obliged, after
consultation with the other. If more than three quotations are provided, the
Market Quotation will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, without regard
to the quotations having the highest and lowest values. If exactly three such
quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the quotation remaining
after disregarding the highest and lowest quotations. For this purpose, if more
than one quotation has the same highest value or lowest value, then one of such
quotations shall be disregarded. If fewer than three quotations are provided, it
will be deemed that the Market Quotation in respect of such Terminated
Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions cannot be determined.

"Non-default Rate" means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or
evidence of any actual cost) to the Non-defaulting Party (as certified by it) if
it were to fund the relevant amount.

"Non-defaulting Party" has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

"Potential Event of Default" means any event which, with the giving of notice or
the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

"Reference Market-makers" means four leading dealers in the relevant market
selected by the party determining a Market Quotation in good faith (a) from
among dealers of the highest credit standing which satisfy all the criteria that
such party applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make
an extension of credit and (b) to the extent practicable, from among such
dealers having an office in the same city.

"Scheduled Payment Date" means a date on which a payment or delivery is to be
made under Section 2(a)(i) with respect to a Transaction.

"Set-off" means set-off, offset, combination of accounts, right of retention or
withholding or similar right or requirement to which the payer of an amount
under Section 6 is entitled or subject (whether arising under

                                       12
<PAGE>

this Agreement, another contract, applicable law or otherwise) that is exercised
by, or imposed on, such payer.

"Settlement Amount" means, with respect to a party and any Early Termination 
Date, the sum of:--

(a) the Market Quotations (whether positive or negative) for each Terminated
Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation is
determined; and

(b) such party's Loss (whether positive or negative and without reference to any
Unpaid Amounts) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated
Transactions for which a Market Quotation cannot be determined or would not (in
the reasonable belief of the party making the determination) produce a
commercially reasonable result.

"Specified Entity" has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

"Specified Indebtedness" means, subject to the Schedule, any obligation (whether
present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise)
in respect of borrowed money.

"Specified Transaction" means, subject to the Schedule, (a) any transaction
(including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered
into between one party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such
party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party) and the other party to
this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such other party or any
applicable Specified Entity of such other party) which is a rate swap
transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity
option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option,
interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor
transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate
swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including
any option with respect to any of these transactions), (b) any combination of
these transactions and (c) any other transaction identified as a Specified
Transaction in this Agreement or the relevant confirmation.

"Terminated Transactions" means with respect to any Early Termination Date 
(a) if resulting from a Termination Event, all Affected Transactions and (b) if
resulting from an Event of Default, all Transactions (in either case) in effect
immediately before the effectiveness of the notice designating that Early
Termination Date (or, if "Automatic Early Termination" applies, immediately
before that Early Termination Date).

"Termination Event" means an Illegality or, if specified to be applicable, a
Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event.

"Termination Rate" means a rate per annum equal to the arithmetic mean of the
cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to each party (as certified
by such party) if it were to fund or of funding such amounts.

"Unpaid Amounts" owing to any party means, with respect to an Early Termination
Date, the aggregate of (a) in respect of all Terminated Transactions, the
amounts that became payable (or that would have become payable but for Section
2(a)(iii)) to such party under Section 2(a)(i) on or prior to such Early
Termination Date and which remain unpaid as at such Early Termination Date and
(b) in respect of each Terminated Transaction, for each obligation under Section
2(a)(i) which was (or would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) required to be
settled by delivery to such party on or prior to such Early Termination Date and
which has not been so settled as at such Early Termination Date, an amount equal
to the fair market value of that which was (or would have been) required to be
delivered as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in each case
together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest, in the
currency of such amounts, from (and including) the date such amounts or
obligations were or would have been required to have been paid or performed to
(but excluding) such Early Termination Date, at the Applicable Rate. Such
amounts of interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the
actual number of days elapsed. The fair market value of any obligation referred
to in clause (b) above shall be reasonably determined

                                       13
<PAGE>




by the party obliged to make the determination under Section 6(e) or, if each
party is so obliged. it shall be the average of the fair market values
reasonably determined by both parties.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this document on the respective
dates specified below with effect from the date specified on the first page of
this document.

FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK                         PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS
OF NORTH CAROLINA                                 CORPORATION
- - - --------------------------                        ---------------------------
(Name of Party)                                   (Name of Party)



By: /s/Bruce M. Young                             By: /s/ Edward S. Hochberg
    ----------------------                            ------------------------
    Name: Bruce M. Young                              Name: Edward S. Hochberg
    Title: Vice President                             Title: VP - Finance
    Date: 3/12/97                                     Date: 3/10/97


                                       14


<PAGE>

                                    SCHEDULE
                                     to the
                                MASTER AGREEMENT
                          dated as of February 7, 1997 between
                FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF North Carolina ("Party A")
                         and [NAME OF PARTY] ("Party B")

I.    Termination Provisions

(a)   "Specified Entity" for purposes of Section 5(a)(v) means each party's
      Affiliates. If a party or any Credit Support Provider of a party is a
      partnership, then for purposes of Sections 5(a)(v), 5(a)(vi), 5(a)(vii)
      and 5(b)(ii), "Specified Entity" also means each general partner of that
      partnership.

(b)   "Specified Transaction" has its meaning as defined in Section 12, provided
      that "Default under Specified Transaction" excludes Force Majeure as
      defined below.

(c)   "Cross Default" applies to both parties, but excludes Force Majeure.
      "Force Majeure" means nonpayment resulting solely from a wire transfer or
      operational problem or error (so long as sufficient funds are available),
      or from the general unavailability of the relevant currency due to
      exchange controls or other similar governmental action, but only if
      payment is made within three Business Days after the problem has been
      corrected, the error has been discovered or the currency becomes
      available.

      With respect to Party B, "Cross Default" is amended by inserting at the
      end of Section 5(a)(vi): "or (3) any default, event of default or other
      similar condition or event (however described) under any Financial
      Agreement."

      "Specified Indebtedness" means any obligation (whether present, future,
      contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise) in respect
      of borrowed money or relating to the payment or delivery of funds,
      securities or other property (including, without limitation, collateral).

      "Threshold Amount" means, with respect to Party A, an amount (including
      its equivalent in another currency) equal to the higher of $10,000,000 or
      2% of its stockholders' equity as reflected on its most recent financial
      statements or call reports, and with respect to Party B, any amount of
      Specified Indebtedness.

(d)   "Credit Event Upon Merger" applies to both parties.

(e)   "Automatic Early Termination" does not apply to either party.

(f)   Payments on Early Termination. "Market Quotation" and the "Second Method"
      apply, subject to the following:

      (i) "Market Quotation" for any Terminated Transaction that is, or is
      subject to, any unexercised option shall be determined by taking into
      account the economic equivalent of the option.

      (ii) The Non-defaulting Party may, upon the occurrence of an Early
      Termination Date, offset payments due by it under this Agreement (or under
      any Specified Transaction) against, and apply such payments


                                       1

<PAGE>

      to the satisfaction of, any obligations owing by the Defaulting Party
      (including any Office of the Defaulting Party) to the Non-defaulting Party
      or any of the Non-defaulting Party's Affiliates (including any Office of
      the Non-defaulting Party or its Affiliates) whether matured or unmatured,
      and it is a condition precedent to the Non-defaulting Party's obligation
      to make any such payments that such obligations of the Defaulting Party
      have been paid in full or satisfied by offset as contemplated hereunder.
      For this purpose, the Non-defaulting Party may convert any such payments
      or obligations into the currency of the other at a rate of exchange
      (including premiums and costs of exchange) at which it could purchase the
      relevant currency acting in good faith.

(g)   "Additional Termination Event" applies to a party (which will be the
      Affected Party) if that party, any Credit Support Provider of that party,
      or Specified Entity of that party is a natural person and means the death
      of, or the appointment of a guardian for, that natural person.

II.   Documents

(a)   Delivery of Documents. When it delivers this Agreement, Party B shall also
      deliver to Party A the Closing Documents in form and substance reasonably
      satisfactory to Party A. For each Transaction, Party B shall deliver,
      promptly upon request, a duly executed incumbency certificate for the
      person(s) executing the Confirmation for Party B for that Transaction.

(b)   "Closing Documents" means an opinion of counsel covering Party B's Basic
      Representations under Section 3(a)(i), or in lieu thereof, Party B's
      Authorizing Documents for this Agreement and the Transactions and a duly
      executed incumbency certificate for the person(s) executing this Agreement
      for Party B.

(c)   "Authorizing Documents" of a party or its Credit Support Provider means a
      certified copy of the board of directors' resolutions of that party or
      Credit Support Provider (or for a partnership, a copy of its partnership
      agreement and a certified copy of the resolutions of the partnership or of
      each general partner).

III.  Miscellaneous

(a)   Addresses for Notices.

  To Party A:                                To Party B:

  FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF               PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS        
  NORTH CAROLINA                             CORPORATION                
                                             1735 Market Street         
                                             Philadelphia, Pa 19103       
  c/o First Union National Bank              
   of North Carolina                         
  301 South College                          
  Charlotte, NC  28288-0601               
  Atention: Joseph Nenichka                  Attention: Edward S. Hochberg
  Vice President, Capital Markets Support

  Fax: (704) 383-9139                     Fax: (215) 665-5061
  Phone: (704) 383-0590                   Phone: (215)665-5069


                                       2
<PAGE>

(b)   "Calculation Agent" means Party A.

(c)   "Credit Support Document" means each document which by its terms secures,
      guarantees or otherwise supports Party B's obligations hereunder from time
      to time, whether or not this Agreement, any Transaction, or any type of
      Transaction entered into hereunder is specifically referenced or described
      in any such document.

      "Credit Support Default" is amended by adding at the end of Section
      5(a)(iii)(1):

      ", any default, event of default or other similar condition or event
      (however described) exists under any Credit Support Document, any action
      is taken to realize upon any collateral provided to secure such party's
      obligations hereunder or under any Transaction, or the other party fails
      at any time to have a valid and perfected first priority security interest
      in any such collateral;"

(d)   "Credit Support Provider" means each party to a Credit Support Document
      that provides or is obligated to provide security, a guaranty or other
      credit support for Party B's obligations hereunder.

(e)   "Affiliate" has its meaning as defined in Section 12, except for Party A
      under Section 5(a)(v), "Affiliate" means First Union Corporation.

(f)   Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in
      accordance with the law (and not the law of conflicts) of the State of New
      York.

(g)   Waiver of Jury Trial. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each
      party irrevocably waives any and all right to trial by jury in any legal
      proceeding in connection with this Agreement, any Credit Support Document
      to which it is a party, or any Transaction.

(h)   Netting of Payments. If payments are due by each party on the same day
      under two or more Transactions, then Section 2(c)(ii) will not apply to
      those payments if a party gives notice to the relevant Office(s) of the
      other party on or before the second New York Business Day before that
      payment date stating that those payments will be netted or, if given by
      the Calculation Agent, stating the net amount due.

(i)   Recorded Conversations. Each party may electronically record all telephone
      conversations between them in connection with this Agreement or any
      Transaction, and any such recordings may be submitted in evidence in any
      proceeding to establish any matters pertinent to this Agreement or any
      Transaction.

(j)   Additional Representations. Section 3 is amended by adding the following
      Sections 3(e) and 3(f):

      "(e) for any Relevant Agreement: (i) it acts as principal and not as
      agent, (ii) it acknowledges that the other party acts only at arm's length
      and is not its agent, broker, advisor or fiduciary in any respect, and any
      agency, brokerage, advisory or fiduciary services that the other party (or
      any of its affiliates) may otherwise provide to the party (or to any of
      its affiliates) excludes the Relevant Agreement, (iii) it is relying
      solely upon its own evaluation of the Relevant Agreement (including the
      present and future results, consequences, risks, and benefits thereof,
      whether financial, accounting, tax, legal, or otherwise) and upon advice
      from its own professional advisors, (iv) it understands the Relevant
      Agreement and those risks, has determined they are appropriate for it, and
      willingly assumes those


                                       3
<PAGE>

      risks, and (v) it has not relied and will not be relying upon any
      evaluation or advice (including any recommendation, opinion, or
      representation) from the other party, its affiliates or the
      representatives or advisors of the other party or its affiliates (except
      representations expressly made in the Relevant Agreement or an opinion of
      counsel required thereunder).

      "Relevant Agreement" means this Agreement, each Transaction, each
      Confirmation, any Credit Support Document, and any agreement (including
      any amendment, modification, transfer or early termination) between the
      parties relating thereto or to any Transaction.

      (f) it is an "eligible swap participant" within the meaning of 17 C.F.R.
      ss.35.1."

(k)   Joint Party. If more than one entity or natural person is executing this
      Agreement as Party B, then (i) the obligations of Party B hereunder and
      under each Transaction shall be the joint and several obligations of each
      such entity or natural person, (ii) any Event of Default or Potential
      Event of Default occurring with respect to any such entity or natural
      person shall be an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default,
      respectively, with respect to Party B, (iii) the death, release or
      discharge, in whole or in part, of any such entity or natural person, or
      the occurrence of any bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or any other
      event described in Section 5(a)(vii) with respect to any such entity or
      natural person, shall not discharge or affect the liabilities of any other
      such entity or natural person; and (iii) unless the context otherwise
      requires, each reference herein or in any Confirmation to "party" shall,
      as applied to Party B, be construed as a joint and several reference to
      each such entity or natural person.

IV.   ISDA Definitions

(a)   Incorporation. This Agreement and each Transaction are subject to the 1991
      ISDA Definitions (as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives
      Association, Inc.) and will be governed by the provisions of the ISDA
      Definitions, without regard to any amendments to the ISDA Definitions
      subsequent to the date hereof. The provisions of the ISDA Definitions are
      incorporated by reference in, and shall be deemed to be part of, this
      document and each Confirmation.

(b)   Inconsistency. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of
      this document and the ISDA Definitions, this document will prevail.

V.    Additional Terms

(a)   Covenants of Financial Agreements. (i) Party B shall provide Party A at
      all times hereunder with the same covenant protection as Party A requires
      of Party B under Financial Agreements. Therefore, in addition to the Cross
      Default provisions of this Agreement, and notwithstanding the satisfaction
      of any obligation or promise to pay money to Party A under any Financial
      Agreement, or the termination or cancellation of any Financial Agreement,
      Party B hereby agrees to perform, comply with and observe for the benefit
      of Party A hereunder all affirmative and negative covenants contained in
      each Financial Agreement applicable to Party B (excluding any obligation
      or promise to pay money under any Financial Agreement) at any time Party B
      has any obligation (whether absolute or contingent) under this Agreement.

(ii)  For purposes hereof: (A) the affirmative and negative covenants of each
      Financial Agreement applicable to Party B (together with related
      definitions and ancillary provisions, but in any event


                                       4
<PAGE>

      excluding any obligation or promise to pay money under any Financial
      Agreement) are incorporated (and upon execution of any future Financial
      Agreement, shall automatically be incorporated) by reference herein
      (mutatis mutandis); (B) if other lenders or creditors are parties to any
      Financial Agreement, then references therein to the lenders or creditors
      shall be deemed references to Party A; and (C) for any such covenant
      applying only when any loan, other extension of credit, obligation or
      commitment under the Financial Agreement is outstanding, that covenant
      shall be deemed to apply hereunder at any time Party B has any obligation
      (whether absolute or contingent) under this Agreement.

(b)   "Financial Agreement" means each existing or future agreement or
      instrument relating to any loan or extension of credit from Party A to
      Party B (whether or not anyone else is a party thereto), as the same
      exists when executed and without regard to any termination or cancellation
      thereof, or unless consented to in writing by Party A, any amendment,
      modification, addition, waiver or consent thereto or thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Schedule by their duly
authorized signatories as of the date hereof.

                              FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF


                              By: /s/ Bruce M. Young
                                  ----------------------------------
                              Title: Vice President

                              PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION


                              By: /s/ Edward S. Hochberg
                                  ----------------------------------
                              Title: Vice President - Finance


                                       5



              FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                  by and among

                     PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION,

                             THE BANKS PARTY HERETO,

                       CORESTATES BANK, N.A., AS CO-AGENT

                                       AND

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK,

                          AS AGENT AND AS ISSUING BANK

                                ----------------

                                   $50,000,000

                                ----------------

<PAGE>

                           Dated as of March 14, 1997


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. DEFINITIONS AND PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION .......................... 3
     1.1. Definitions .................................................. 3
     1.2. Principles of Construction .................................. 21

2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF LETTERS OF CREDIT .............................. 23
     2.1. Issuance of Letters of Credit ............................... 23
     2.2. Letter of Credit Participation and Funding
          Commitments ................................................. 24
     2.3. Interest Rate ............................................... 26
     2.4. Termination or Reduction of Commitment ...................... 26
     2.5. Amendments to Letters of Credit ............................. 26
     2.6. Extension of Commitment and Termination Date ................ 28
     2.7. Extension of the Stated Expiration Date of Each
          Letter of Credit ............................................ 28
     2.8. Reimbursement Obligations Absolute .......................... 29
     2.9. No Liability of the Issuing Bank ............................ 30
     2.10. Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy .......................... 31
     2.11. Withholding Tax Exemption .................................. 32
     2.12. Agent's Records ............................................ 32
     2.13. Use of Proceeds ............................................ 32
     2.14. Collateral ................................................. 33
     2.15. Replacement of Banks ....................................... 34
     2.16. Commitment Fee ............................................. 35
     2.17. Letter of Credit Commissions ............................... 35

3. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT ............................................... 35
     3.1. Conditions to Effectiveness ................................. 35
     3.2. Conditions for Issuance of All Letters of
          Credit and Extension and Increases thereof
          and Conditions to Effectiveness of
          Letters of Credit ........................................... 38

4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ..................................... 39
     4.1. Corporate Organization and Power ............................ 39
     4.2. Authorization; Enforceability ............................... 40
     4.3. No Violation ................................................ 40
     4.4. Governmental Authorization; Permits ......................... 40


                                      -i-
<PAGE>

     4.5. Litigation .................................................. 41
     4.6. Taxes ....................................................... 41
     4.7. Subsidiaries ................................................ 42
     4.8. Full Disclosure ............................................. 42
     4.9. Margin Regulations .......................................... 42
     4.10. No Material Adverse Change ................................. 42
     4.11. Financial Matters. ......................................... 43
     4.12. Ownership of Properties .................................... 44
     4.13. ERISA ...................................................... 44
     4.14. Environmental Matters ...................................... 44
     4.15. Compliance With Laws ....................................... 45
     4.16. Regulated Industries ....................................... 46
     4.17. Insurance .................................................. 46
     4.18. Certain Contracts. ......................................... 46
     4.19. Reinsurance Agreements ..................................... 47
     4.20. Ranking of Obligations ..................................... 47

5. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS .............................................. 47
     5.1. GAAP Financial Statements ................................... 47
     5.2. Statutory Financial Statements .............................. 48
     5.3. Other Business and Financial Information .................... 49
     5.4. Corporate Existence; Franchises; Maintenance of
          Properties .................................................. 53
     5.5. Compliance with Laws ........................................ 53
     5.6. Payment of Obligations ...................................... 53
     5.7. Insurance ................................................... 53
     5.8. Maintenance of Books and Records; Inspection ................ 54
     5.9. Dividends ................................................... 54
     5.10. Ownership of Insurance Subsidiaries ........................ 54
     5.11. Extinguishment of Senior Note Indebtedness ................. 54
     5.12. Further Assurances ......................................... 55

6. FINANCIAL COVENANTS ................................................ 55
     6.1. Capitalization Ratio ........................................ 55
     6.2. Cash Coverage Ratio ......................................... 55
     6.3. Statutory Surplus ........................................... 55
     6.4. Risk-Based Capital .......................................... 56

7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS ................................................. 56
     7.1. Merger; Consolidation; Disposition of Assets ................ 56
     7.2. Indebtedness ................................................ 57


                                      -ii-
<PAGE>

     7.3. Liens ....................................................... 58
     7.4. Investments; Acquisitions ................................... 59
     7.5. Restricted Payments ......................................... 59
     7.6. Transactions with Affiliates ................................ 60
     7.7. Certain Amendments .......................................... 60
     7.8. Lines of Business ........................................... 61
     7.9. Limitation on Certain Restrictions .......................... 61
     7.10. Fiscal Year ................................................ 61
     7.11. Accounting Changes ......................................... 62
     7.12. Reinsurance Agreements ..................................... 62

8. DEFAULT ............................................................ 62
     8.1. Events of Default ........................................... 63

9. THE AGENT .......................................................... 67
     9.1. Appointment ................................................. 67
     9.2. Delegation of Duties ........................................ 68
     9.3. Exculpatory Provisions ...................................... 68
     9.4. Reliance by Agent ........................................... 68
     9.5. Notice of Default ........................................... 69
     9.6. Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Banks ....................... 69
     9.7. Indemnification ............................................. 70
     9.8. Agent in Its Individual Capacity ............................ 70
     9.9. Successor Agent ............................................. 71
     9.10. Co-Agent ................................................... 71

10. OTHER PROVISIONS .................................................. 72
     10.1. Amendments and Waivers ..................................... 72
     10.2. Notices .................................................... 73
     10.3. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies ............................. 74
     10.4. Survival of Representations and Warranties ................. 74
     10.5. Payment of Expenses and Taxes .............................. 75
     10.6. Assignments and Participations ............................. 76
     10.7. Counterparts ............................................... 77
     10.8. Adjustments; Set-off ....................................... 78
     10.9. Construction ............................................... 79
     10.10. Indemnity ................................................. 79
     10.11. Governing Law ............................................. 80
     10.12. Headings Descriptive ...................................... 80
     10.13. Severability .............................................. 80
     10.14. Integration ............................................... 80


                                     -iii-
<PAGE>

     10.15. Consent to Jurisdiction ................................... 80
     10.16. Service of Process ........................................ 80
     10.17. No Limitation on Service or Suit .......................... 81
     10.18. WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY ................................... 81
     10.19. Confidentiality ........................................... 81

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A        List of Commitment Percentages
Exhibit B        Form of Assignment and Acceptance Agreement
Exhibit C        Form of Letter of Credit Request
Exhibit D        Form of Letter of Credit
Exhibit E-1      Form of Compliance Certificate (GAAP Financial Statements)
Exhibit E-2      Form of Compliance Certificate (Statutory Financial Statements)
Exhibit F        Form of Financial Condition Certificate
Exhibit G        Form of Opinion of Counsel to the Applicant
Exhibit H        Form of Opinion of Special Counsel
Exhibit I        Form of Extension Request

SCHEDULES

Schedule 1.1     Management Group
Schedule 4.4     Licenses
Schedule 4.6     Taxes
Schedule 4.7     Subsidiaries
Schedule 4.14    Environmental Matters
Schedule 4.18    Material Contracts
Schedule 4.19    Reinsurers and Collateral Securing Certain Reinsurers'
                 Obligations
Schedule 7.2     Indebtedness
Schedule 7.3     Liens
Schedule 7.6     Transactions with Affiliates
Schedule 10.2    List of Banks and their Addresses


                                      -iv-
<PAGE>

      FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of March
14, 1997, by and among PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION, a Pennsylvania
corporation (the "Applicant"), each subsidiary of the Applicant which is or may
become a party hereto (each a "Co-Applicant"), each of the banks or other
lending institutions party hereto (together with their respective assigns, the
"Banks", each a "Bank"), CORESTATES BANK, N.A., as Co-Agent (in such capacity,
the "Co-Agent") and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as agent for itself and the other
Banks (in such capacity, the "Agent"), and as issuing bank (in such capacity,
the "Issuing Bank") for the Letters of Credit (as defined in Section 1).

                                    RECITALS

      A. The Applicant, the Banks, the Co-Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Agent
entered into a Letter of Credit Agreement, dated as of November 10, 1995.

      B. Prior to the effectiveness of this First Amended and Restated Letter of
Credit Agreement, the aggregate Commitments were $75,000,000. In connection with
the execution and delivery by the Applicant of the Credit Agreement, dated as of
the date hereof, among the Applicant, the lenders party thereto, The Bank of New
York, as administrative agent and First Union National Bank of North Carolina,
as documentation agent (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified pursuant to Section 7.7, the "Revolving Credit Agreement"), the
aggregate Commitments are being reduced to $50,000,000.

      C. For convenience, this Agreement is dated as of March 14, 1997 (the
"Restatement Effective Date"), and references to certain matters related to the
period prior thereto have been deleted.

1.    DEFINITIONS AND PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION

      1.1.  Definitions

            As used in this Agreement, terms defined in the preamble have the
meanings therein indicated, and the following terms have the following meanings:

            "Affiliate" shall mean, as to any Person, each other Person that
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, owns or controls, is
controlled by or under common control with, such Person or is a director or
officer of such Person. For purposes of


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

this definition, with respect to any Person "control" shall mean (i) the
possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of
the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of
voting securities, by contract or otherwise, or (ii) the beneficial ownership of
securities or other ownership interests of such Person having ten percent (10%)
or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities or other
ownership interests of such Person ordinarily (and apart from rights accruing
under special circumstances) having the right to vote in the election of
directors or other governing body of such Person.

            "Agent" means BNY in its capacity as agent for the Banks hereunder,
and its successors in such capacity.

            "Agreement" means this First Amended and Restated Letter of Credit
Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time.

            "Alternate Base Rate" means on any date, a rate of interest per
annum equal to the higher of (i) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such date
plus 1/2 of 1% or (ii) the Prime Rate in effect on such date.

            "Annual Statement" shall mean, with respect to any Insurance
Subsidiary for any fiscal year, the annual financial statements of such
Insurance Subsidiary as required to be filed with the Insurance Regulatory
Authority of its jurisdiction of domicile and in accordance with the laws of
such jurisdiction, together with all exhibits, schedules, certificates and
actuarial opinions required to be filed or delivered therewith.

            "Applicable Fee Percentage" means with respect to the Letter of
Credit Commissions, (i) 0.55% in the case of each Unsecured Letter of Credit and
(ii) 0.30% in the case of each Secured Letter of Credit.

            "Assignment and Acceptance Agreement" means an assignment and
acceptance agreement executed by a Bank and an Eligible Assignee substantially
in the form of Exhibit B.

            "Assignment Fee" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.6(b).

            "Authorized Signatory" means as to (i) any Person which is a
corporation, the chairman of the board, the president, any vice president, the
chief financial officer or any other duly authorized officer of such Person and
(ii) any Person which is not a corporation, the general partner or other
managing Person thereof.


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

            "Available Amount" means at any time the amount of the Commitment
less the Letter of Credit Exposure.

            "Available Dividend Amount" shall mean, with respect to any
Insurance Subsidiary for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, the
aggregate maximum amount of dividends that is, or would be if such period were a
fiscal year, permitted by the Insurance Regulatory Authority of its jurisdiction
of domicile, under applicable Requirements of Law (without the necessity of any
consent, approval or other action of such Insurance Regulatory Authority
involving the granting of permission or the exercise of discretion by such
Insurance Regulatory Authority), to be paid by such Insurance Subsidiary to the
Applicant or another Subsidiary of the Applicant in respect of such four-quarter
period as if such period were a fiscal year (whether or not any such dividends
are actually paid).

            "Bank" means each bank listed on the signature pages hereof and each
assignee which becomes a Bank pursuant to Section 10.6, and their respective
assigns, each of which shall meet the criteria of "Eligible Assignee" hereunder.

            "Bankruptcy  Code"  shall  mean 11  U.S.C.  ss.ss. 101 et seq.,  as
amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

            "Beneficiary Notification Date" shall mean, with respect to an
Evergreen Letter of Credit, the last day on which the beneficiary thereof may be
notified in order that such Stated Expiration Date is not to be automatically
extended.

            "Benefit Arrangement" shall mean, at any time, an employee benefit
plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which is not a Plan or a
Multiemployer Plan and which is maintained or otherwise contributed to by any
member of the ERISA Group.

            "Benefited Bank" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.8.

            "BNY" means The Bank of New York.

            "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a
day on which commercial banks located in New York City are authorized or
required by law or other governmental action to close.

            "CMOs" shall mean any security or certificate representing any
interest or participation in a pool of Mortgage Backed Securities (it being
understood that Mortgage Backed Securities themselves are not CMOs).


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

            "Capitalization Ratio" shall mean, as of the last day of any fiscal
quarter, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Indebtedness as of such date to (ii) the
sum of Consolidated Indebtedness and Consolidated Net Worth, each as of such
date.

            "Cash Coverage Ratio" shall mean, as of the last day of any period
of four consecutive fiscal quarters (the "Measurement Period"), the ratio of:

                  (i) the aggregate of (y) the Available Dividend Amount for the
Measurement Period for the Insurance Subsidiaries, other than each Insurance
Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of another Insurance Subsidiary plus (z) the Net
Tax Sharing Payments (whether a positive or negative number) for the Measurement
Period, to

                  (ii) the aggregate of (x) Interest Expense incurred during the
Measurement Period, (y) the aggregate of all operating costs and expenses of the
Applicant, including rent, utilities and payroll expenses paid by the Applicant
during the Measurement Period, and (z) all dividends paid by the Applicant
during the Measurement Period.

            "Cash Equivalents" shall mean (i) securities issued or
unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency or
instrumentality thereof, backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States of America and maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition,
(ii) commercial paper issued by any Person organized under the laws of the
United States of America, maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition
and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 or the
equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's and at least P-1 or the equivalent
thereof by Moody's, (iii) time deposits, certificates of deposit and banker's
acceptances maturing within 180 days from the date of issuance and issued by a
bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States of America
or any state thereof that has combined capital and surplus of at least
$500,000,000 and that has (or is a subsidiary of a bank holding company that
has) a long-term unsecured debt rating of at least A or the equivalent thereof
by Standard & Poor's or at least A2 or the equivalent thereof by Moody's, and
(iv) repurchase obligations of a bank or trust company described in clause (iii)
above and having a term not exceeding seven (7) days with respect to underlying
securities of the types described in clause (i) above entered into with any bank
or trust company meeting the qualifications specified in clause (iii) above.

            "Chestnut" shall mean Chestnut Insurance Company, Ltd., a Bermuda
corporation.

            "Collateral" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.14.

            "Collateral Account" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.14
hereof.


                                      -6-
<PAGE>

            "Co-Applicant"  means each  Subsidiary of the  Applicant  which
is or becomes a party hereto.

            "Combined Annual Statement" shall mean, with respect to PMAIC and
the Consolidated Affiliates, the combined annual statement of such entities on
the Fire and Casualty form (or any successor form thereto) as required to be
filed by any such entity with the Insurance Regulatory Authority of its
jurisdiction of domicile in accordance with the laws of such jurisdiction,
together with all exhibits, schedules, certificates and actuarial opinions
required to be filed or delivered therewith.

            "Commitment" means the commitment of BNY, as Issuing Bank, to issue
Letters of Credit having an aggregate outstanding face amount up to $50,000,000
(as reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.4), and with respect to each
of the Banks shall mean their commitment to participate in the Letter of Credit
Exposure in an amount equal to their respective Commitment Percentages as set
forth in Section 2.2.

            "Commitment Fee" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.16.

            "Commitment Percentage" means as to any Bank, the percentage set
forth opposite the name of such Bank in Exhibit A under the heading "Commitment
Percentage".

            "Commitment Period" means the period from the Original Effective
Date through the day preceding the Termination Date.

            "Compliance Certificate" shall mean a fully completed and duly
executed certificate in the form of Exhibit E-1 or Exhibit E-2, as applicable.

            "Consolidated Affiliates" shall mean, collectively, PMA Re, the PMA
Group and any other fire and casualty insurance company that is or hereafter
becomes an Affiliate of PMAIC and the accounts of which are prescribed or
permitted by Statutory Accounting Practices to be consolidated with those of
PMAIC for purposes of any Combined Annual Statements.

            "Consolidated Indebtedness" shall mean, as of the last day of any
fiscal quarter, the aggregate (without duplication) of all Indebtedness of the
Applicant and its Subsidiaries as of such date, determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles but excluding
(i) reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued to secure
the reinsurance obligations of one or more Insurance Subsidiaries under
reinsurance agreements entered into as a reinsurer in the ordinary course of
such Insurance Subsidiaries' business but only in each case to the extent of the
cash and Treasury Securities provided to the issuer of such letter of credit by
the


                                      -7-
<PAGE>

Applicant or any Subsidiary as collateral for such reimbursement obligations,
and (ii) the reimbursement obligations with respect to the letter of credit
issued upon the Applicant's application for the benefit of PMAIC with PMA Cayman
as an account party thereto, but only if the stated amount of such letter of
credit is less than $28,000,000.

            "Consolidated Net Worth" shall mean, at any time, the net worth of
the Applicant and its Subsidiaries at such time, determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles but (i)
excluding any preferred stock or other class of equity securities that, by its
stated terms (or by the terms of any class of equity securities issuable upon
conversion thereof or in exchange therefor), or upon the occurrence of any
event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, or is redeemable at the option of
the holders thereof, in whole or in part, and (ii) without regard to the
requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115 issued by
the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

            "Consolidated Statutory Surplus" shall mean, as to all Insurance
Subsidiaries, as of any date, the sum (without duplication) of the total amounts
shown (i) with respect to each Insurance Subsidiary not legally domiciled in the
United States, the shareholders' equity of such Insurance Subsidiary as
determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (without
regard to the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
115 issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board), (ii) with respect to
each other Insurance Subsidiary that is a life and accident and health insurance
company, on line 38, column 1, page 3 of the Annual Statement of such Insurance
Subsidiary, and (iii) with respect to each other Insurance Subsidiary, on line
25, column 1, page 3 of the Annual Statement of such Insurance Subsidiary,
excluding in each case under clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) any Insurance
Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of an Insurance Subsidiary, or the sum of
amounts determined in a consistent manner for any date other than one as of
which an Annual Statement is prepared.

            "Contingent Obligation" shall mean, with respect to any Person,
(without duplication) any direct or indirect liability of such Person with
respect to any Indebtedness, liability or other obligation (the "primary
obligation") of another Person (the "primary obligor"), whether or not
contingent, (a) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such primary
obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,
(b) to advance or provide funds (i) for the payment or discharge of any such
primary obligation or (ii) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the
primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency or any
balance sheet item, level of income or financial condition of the primary
obligor, (c) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the
purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of
the primary obligor in respect thereof to make payment of such primary
obligation or (d) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of any such
primary obligation against


                                      -8-
<PAGE>

loss or failure or inability to perform in respect thereof; provided, however,
that, with respect to the Applicant and its Subsidiaries, the term Contingent
Obligation shall not include (y) endorsements for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business or (z) obligations entered into by an Insurance
Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business under insurance policies or
contracts issued by it or to which it is a party, including reinsurance
agreements (and security posted by any such Insurance Subsidiary in the ordinary
course of its business to secure obligations thereunder).

            "Covenant Compliance Worksheet" shall mean a fully completed
worksheet in the form of Attachment A to Exhibit E-1 or Exhibit E-2, as
applicable.

            "Credit Documents" means collectively, this Agreement, each Letter
of Credit Request and all other agreements, instruments, documents and
certificates now or hereafter executed and delivered to the Agent or any Bank by
or on behalf of the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, in each case as amended,
modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

            "Credit Party" means the Applicant, each Co-Applicant and each other
party (other than the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Banks) that is a signatory
to a Credit Document.

            "Date of Issuance" means any Business Day specified in a Letter of
Credit Request as a date on which the Applicant and, if applicable, a
Co-Applicant, requests the issuance by the Issuing Bank of a Letter of Credit.

            "Default" means any condition or event which constitutes an Event of
Default or which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would,
unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

            "Discounted Collateral Value" means, in respect of Eligible
Collateral consisting of (i) cash, 100% of the amount thereof and (ii) Treasury
Securities, 90% of the fair market value thereof. The fair market value of
Treasury Securities shall be as determined in good faith by the Agent and the
Agent's good faith determination thereof shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.

            "Dollar Roll Agreements" shall mean, as to any Person, an agreement
pursuant to which such Person sells securities to another Person and agrees to
repurchase "substantially the same" securities (as determined by the Public
Securities Association and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) at a
described or specified date and price.

            "Dollars" and "$" means lawful currency of the United States of
America.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>

            "Duff & Phelps" shall mean Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co., Inc.,
its successors and assigns.

            "Eligible Assignee" shall mean and include a commercial bank or
other financial institution (other than a property or casualty insurance
company) acceptable to the Issuing Bank and the Agent.

            "Eligible Collateral" means cash and Treasury Securities.

            "Environmental Claims" shall mean any and all administrative,
regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens,
notices of noncompliance or violation, investigations (other than internal
reports prepared by any Person in the ordinary course of its business and not in
response to any third party action or request of any kind) or proceedings
relating in any way to any Environmental Law or any permit issued, or any
approval given, under any such Environmental Law (collectively, "Claims"),
including, without limitation, (i) any and all Claims by Governmental
Authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other
actions or damages pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law and (ii) any and
all Claims by any third party seeking damages, contribution, indemnification,
cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief resulting from Hazardous
Substances or arising from alleged injury or threat of injury to human health or
the environment.

            "Environmental Laws" shall mean any and all federal, state and local
laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, permits, licenses, approvals,
interpretations, rules of common law and orders of courts or Governmental
Authorities, relating to the protection of human health or occupational safety
or the environment, now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended from
time to time, including, without limitation, requirements pertaining to the
manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal,
transportation, handling, reporting, licensing, permitting, investigation or
remediation of Hazardous Substances.

            "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute, and all rules and
regulations from time to time promulgated thereunder.

            "ERISA Group" shall mean the Applicant and all members of a
controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not
incorporated) under common control which, together with the Applicant, are
treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>

            "Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1.

            "Evergreen Letter of Credit" shall mean a Letter of Credit, the
Stated Expiration Date of which, by terms of such Letter of Credit, is
automatically extended for the period therein specified unless the beneficiary
thereof is notified a specified number of days prior to the then scheduled
Stated Expiration Date that such scheduled Stated Expiration Date will not be
extended.

            "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time, and any successor statute, and all rules and
regulations from time to time promulgated thereunder.

            "Extension Consent Period" means the period which is less than 35
days, but equal to or greater than 30 days, prior to the then current
Termination Date (provided, however, that if such 30th prior day falls on a day
that is not a Business Day, such date shall be extended to the next following
Business Day).

            "Extension Request" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.

            "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded
upward, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) equal to the weighted
average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the
Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as
published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next
succeeding such day, provided that (i) if such day is not a Business Day, the
Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the
next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day,
and (ii) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day,
the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate quoted to The Bank
of New York on such day on such transactions as determined by the Agent.

            "Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" shall mean generally
accepted accounting principles, as followed in the United States and as set
forth in the statements, opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting
Principles Board, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the
Financial Accounting Standards Board (or, to the extent not so set forth in such
statements, opinions and pronouncements, as generally followed by entities
similar in size to the Applicant and engaged in generally similar lines of
business), consistently applied and maintained and in conformity with those used
in the preparation of the most recent financial statements of the Applicant
referred to in Section 4.11(a).


                                      -11-
<PAGE>

            "Governmental Authority" shall mean any nation or government, any
state or other political subdivision thereof and any central bank thereof, any
municipal, local, city or county government, and any entity exercising
executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or
pertaining to government, and any corporation or other entity owned or
controlled, through stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the
foregoing.

            "Hazardous Substances" shall mean any substances or materials (i)
that are or become defined as hazardous wastes, hazardous substances,
pollutants, contaminants or toxic substances under any Environmental Law, (ii)
that are defined by any Environmental Law as toxic, explosive, corrosive,
ignitable, infectious, radioactive, mutagenic or otherwise hazardous, (iii) the
presence of which require investigation or response under any Environmental Law,
(iv) that constitute a nuisance, trespass or health or safety hazard to Persons
or neighboring properties, (v) that consist of underground or aboveground
storage tanks, whether empty, filled or partially filled with any substance or
(vi) that contain, without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, urea
formaldehyde foam insulation, petroleum hydrocarbons, petroleum derived
substances or wastes, crude oil, nuclear fuel, natural gas or synthetic gas.

            "Hedge Agreement" shall mean any interest or foreign currency rate
swap, cap, collar, option, hedge, forward rate or other similar agreement or
arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in interest rates or
currency exchange rates.

            "Historical Statutory Statements" shall have the meaning given to
such term in Section 4.11(b).

            "Indebtedness" shall mean, with respect to any Person (without
duplication), (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or in
respect of loans or advances, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by
notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (iii) all reimbursement
obligations of such Person with respect to surety bonds, letters of credit and
bankers' acceptances (in each case, whether or not drawn or matured and in the
stated amount thereof), (iv) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred
purchase price of property or services, (v) all indebtedness created or arising
under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to
property acquired by such Person, (vi) all obligations of such Person as lessee
under leases that are or should be, in accordance with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles, recorded as capital leases, to the extent such
obligations are required to be so recorded, (vii) all obligations of such Person
to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of
any capital stock or other equity securities that, by their stated terms (or by
the terms of any equity securities issuable upon conversion thereof or in
exchange therefor), or upon the occurrence of any event, mature or are
mandatorily redeemable, or are redeemable at the option of the


                                      -12-
<PAGE>

holder thereof, in whole or in part, (viii) the net termination obligations of
such Person under any Hedge Agreements, other than any Hedge Agreement that
qualifies as a hedge of an exposure to an indentifiable interest rate risk as
determined in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 80
issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, calculated as of any date as
if such agreement or arrangement were terminated as of such date, (ix) all
indebtedness of such Person in respect of Reverse Repurchase Agreements and
Dollar Roll Agreements, (x) all Contingent Obligations of such Person and (xi)
all indebtedness referred to in clauses (i) through (x) above secured by any
Lien on any property or asset owned or held by such Person regardless of whether
the indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed by such Person or is
nonrecourse to the credit of such Person.

            "Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.10.

            "Insurance Regulatory Authority" shall mean, with respect to any
Insurance Subsidiary, the insurance department or similar Governmental Authority
charged with regulating insurance companies or insurance holding companies, in
its jurisdiction of domicile and, to the extent that it has regulatory authority
over such Insurance Subsidiary, in each other jurisdiction in which such
Insurance Subsidiary conducts business or is licensed to conduct business.

            "Insurance Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary of the Applicant
the ability of which to pay dividends is regulated by an Insurance Regulatory
Authority or that is otherwise required to be regulated thereby in accordance
with the applicable Requirements of Law of its jurisdiction of domicile, and
shall mean and include, without limitation, each of PMAIC and PMA Re.

            "Interest Expense" shall mean, for any period, total interest
expense of the Applicant for such period in respect of Indebtedness of the
Applicant and its Subsidiaries (including all such interest expense accrued or
capitalized during such period, whether or not actually paid during such period,
and such portion of finance leases properly characterized as interest), adjusted
to give effect to all interest rate swap, cap or other interest rate hedging
arrangements and fees and expenses paid in connection therewith, all as
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles.

            "Internal Revenue Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute, and all rules and
regulations from time to time promulgated thereunder.


                                      -13-
<PAGE>

            "Invested Assets" shall mean, with respect to any Person, the
amount, on a consolidated basis, of its investments, cash and cash equivalents
as reflected on such Person's most recent balance sheet.

            "Investment Grade Securities" shall mean (i) non-equity securities
(other than those issued by an Affiliate of the Applicant and other than CMOs
and REMICs) that, if rated by the NAIC, are rated "NAIC 2" (or the equivalent
thereof) or better by the NAIC, or, if not rated by the NAIC, are rated "BBB-"
(or the equivalent thereof) or higher by Standard & Poor's, "Baa3" (or the
equivalent thereof) or higher by Moody's, or "BBB-" (or the equivalent thereof)
or higher by Duff & Phelps, (ii) municipal bonds that, if rated by the NAIC, are
rated "NAIC 2" (or the equivalent thereof) or better by the NAIC, or if not
rated by the NAIC, are rated "SP-2" (or the equivalent thereof) or higher by
Standard & Poor's, "Baa3" or "MIG4" (or the equivalent thereof) or higher by
Moody's, or "BBB-" (or the equivalent thereof) or higher by Duff & Phelps, and
(iii) Permitted CMOs and Mortgage Backed Securities that, if rated by the NAIC,
are rated "NAIC 2" (or the equivalent thereof) or higher by Standard & Poor's,
"Baa3" (or the equivalent thereof) or higher by Moody's, or "BBB-" (or the
equivalent thereof) or higher by Duff & Phelps (or, in the case of clauses (i),
(ii) and (iii) above, in the event all such rating agencies cease to publish
investment ratings, carrying an equivalent rating of a nationally recognized
rating agency).

            "Issuing Bank" means BNY in its capacity as issuing bank hereunder,
and its successors in such capacity.

            "Letters of Credit" shall mean letters of credit issued by the
Issuing Bank for the account of the Applicant and any Co-Applicant as defined in
Section 2.1.

            "Letter of Credit Commissions" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.17.

            "Letter of Credit Exposure" means at any date, (i) in respect of all
the Banks, the sum, without duplication, of (x) the aggregate undrawn face
amount of the Outstanding Letters of Credit at such date, (y) the aggregate
amount of unpaid drafts drawn on all Letters of Credit at such date, and (z) the
aggregate unpaid reimbursement obligations in respect of the Letters of Credit
at such date, and (ii) in respect of any Bank, an amount equal to such Bank's
Commitment Percentage multiplied by the amount determined under clause (i) of
this definition.

            "Letter of Credit Request" means a request from the Applicant, or
from the Applicant and a Co-Applicant, for the issuance of a Letter of Credit,
substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

            "Licenses" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section
4.4(c).


                                      -14-
<PAGE>

            "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment,
security interest, lien (statutory or otherwise), preference, priority, charge
or other encumbrance of any nature, whether voluntary or involuntary, including,
without limitation, the interest of any vendor or lessor under any conditional
sale agreement, title retention agreement, capital lease or any other lease or
arrangement having substantially the same effect as any of the foregoing.

            "MASCCO" shall mean Mid-Atlantic States Casualty Company, a
Pennsylvania insurance corporation.

            "Management Group" shall mean, collectively, the individuals listed
on Schedule 1.1, provided, however, each individual shall be included in the
Management Group only so long as such individual is a member of the Applicant's
Board of Directors or is employed by the Applicant or any Material Insurance
Subsidiary in a senior management position.

            "Margin Stock" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Regulation U.

            "Material Adverse Change" shall mean a material adverse change in
the condition (financial or otherwise), operations, business, properties or
financial prospects of the Applicant or the Applicant and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole.

            "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a material adverse effect upon
(i) the condition (financial or otherwise), operations, business, properties or
financial prospects of the Applicant or the Applicant and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Applicant to perform its obligations
under this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents or (iii) the legality,
validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Credit
Documents.

            "Material Insurance Subsidiary" shall mean any Insurance Subsidiary
that is a Material Subsidiary.

            "Material Plan" shall mean, at any time, a Plan or Plans having
aggregate Unfunded Liabilities in excess of $1,000,000.

            "Material Subsidiary" shall mean each of (i) MASCCO, (ii) PMA
Cayman, (iii) the members of the PMA Group, (iv) PMA Re, (v) at the relevant
time of determination, any Subsidiary of the Applicant having (after the
elimination of intercompany accounts) (y) assets constituting at least ten
percent (10%) of the total assets of the Applicant and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis, or (z) revenues constituting at least ten percent (10%)


                                      -15-
<PAGE>

of the total revenues of the Applicant and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis, in each case as determined as of the date of the financial statements of
the Applicant and its Subsidiaries most recently delivered under Section 5.1
prior to such time (or, with regard to determinations at any time prior to the
initial delivery of financial statements under Section 5.1, as of the date of
the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 4.11(a)), and (vi)
any Subsidiary that has one of the foregoing as a Subsidiary.

            "Moody's" shall mean Moody's Investors Service, Inc., its successors
and assigns.

            "Mortgage Backed Securities" shall mean investment securities
representing any undivided interest or participation in, or which are secured
by, a pool of loans secured by mortgages or deeds of trust.

            "Multiemployer Plan" shall mean, at any time, an employee pension
benefit plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any
member of the ERISA Group is then making or accruing an obligation to make
contributions or has within the preceding five plan years made contributions,
including for these purposes any Person which ceased to be a member of the ERISA
Group during such five year period.

            "NAIC" shall mean the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners and any successor thereto.

            "Net Tax Sharing Payments" shall mean, for any period, (i) the
aggregate (without duplication) of all payments made or to be made to the
Applicant by its Subsidiaries pursuant to tax sharing or tax allocation
agreements or arrangements or otherwise in respect of taxable income realized
during such period, minus (ii) the aggregate (without duplication) of all
foreign, federal, state or local income, franchise and other tax payments made
or to be made by the Applicant in respect of taxable income realized during such
period and any payments made or to be made by the Applicant during such period
pursuant to such tax sharing or tax allocation agreement or arrangement.

            "Obligations" means all of the obligations and liabilities of the
Applicant and the Co-Applicants under the Credit Documents, including, without
limitation, reimbursement obligations (whether absolute or contingent) under any
Letter of Credit or Credit Document and all obligations in respect of fees,
expenses and other amounts payable under any Credit Document, in each case
whether fixed, contingent, now existing or hereafter arising, created, assumed,
incurred or acquired.

            "Original Effective Date" means November 10, 1995.


                                      -16-
<PAGE>

            "Outstanding Letters of Credit" means at any time the Letters of
Credit outstanding at such time.

            "PAC I" shall mean a planned amortization class bond which is a
tranche or class of CMO or REMIC that is retired according to a predetermined
amortization schedule independent of the prepayment rate on the underlying
collateral and which has the highest level of protection within the pool against
prepayment or extension.

            "Parent" means, with respect to any Bank, any Person controlling
such Bank.

            "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any
successor thereto.

            "PMA Cayman" shall mean PMA Insurance Cayman, Ltd., a Cayman Islands
corporation.

            "PMA Group" shall mean PMAIC, Manufacturers Alliance Insurance
Company, a Pennsylvania insurance corporation, and Pennsylvania Manufacturers
Indemnity Company, a Pennsylvania insurance corporation.

            "PMA Re" shall mean PMA Reinsurance Corporation, a Pennsylvania
insurance corporation.

            "PMAIC" shall mean Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association Insurance
Company, a Pennsylvania insurance corporation.

            "Permitted CMOs and Mortgage Backed Securities" shall mean (i)
mortgage participation certificates issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation, (ii) mortgage backed securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association, (iii) securities guaranteed by the Government National
Mortgage Association, and (iv) other securities and certificates representing
participations in any CMO or REMIC which are PAC I's or which have comparable
priority in respect of the repayment thereof.

            "Permitted Liens" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 7.3.

            "Person" shall mean any corporation, association, joint venture,
partnership, limited liability company, organization, business, individual,
trust, government or agency or political subdivision thereof or any other legal
entity.

            "Plan" shall mean, at any time, an employee pension benefit plan
(other than a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or
subject to the minimum


                                      -17-
<PAGE>

funding standards under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code and either (i)
is maintained, or contributed to, by any member of the ERISA Group for employees
of any member of the ERISA Group or (ii) has at any time within the preceding
five years been maintained, or contributed to, by any Person which was at such
time a member of the ERISA Group for employees of any Person which was at such
time a member of the ERISA Group.

            "Prime Rate" means the rate of interest publicly announced by The
Bank of New York in New York City from time to time as its Prime Rate.

            "Property" means all types of real, personal, tangible, intangible
or mixed property.

            "Quarterly Statement" shall mean, with respect to any Insurance
Subsidiary for any fiscal quarter, the quarterly financial statements of such
Insurance Subsidiary as required to be filed with the Insurance Regulatory
Authority of its jurisdiction of domicile, together with all exhibits,
schedules, certificates and actuarial opinions required to be filed or delivered
therewith.

            "REMIC" shall mean a real estate mortgage investment conduit.

            "Regulations D, G, T, U and X" shall mean Regulations D, G, T, U and
X, respectively, of the Federal Reserve Board, and any successor regulations.

            "Reinsurance Agreement" shall mean any agreement, contract, treaty,
certificate or other arrangement whereby any Insurance Subsidiary agrees to
transfer, cede or retrocede to another insurer or reinsurer all or part of the
liability assumed or assets held by such Insurance Subsidiary under a policy or
policies of insurance issued by such Insurance Subsidiary or under a reinsurance
agreement assumed by such Insurance Subsidiary.

            "Replaced Bank" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15.

            "Required Banks" means at any time Banks representing at least 51%
of the Commitment or, if the Commitment shall have been terminated, at least 51%
of the Letter of Credit Exposure at such time.

            "Requirement of Law" shall mean, with respect to any Person, the
charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or
other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any statute,
law, treaty, rule, regulation, order, decree, writ, injunction or determination
of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority, in each case
applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to


                                      -18-
<PAGE>

which such Person or any of its property is subject or otherwise pertaining to
any or all of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other
Credit Documents.

            "Reserve Adjustment" shall mean the non-recurring expense charged,
in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, during the fourth
quarter of 1996 to the statements of earnings for Chestnut, MASCCO and the
relevant members of the PMA Group in the aggregate amount of $190,000,000 and
the corresponding adjustment in accordance with Statutory Accounting Practices.

            "Restatement Effective Date" has the meaning set forth in the
Recitals.

            "Reverse Repurchase Agreement" shall mean, as to any Person, an
agreement pursuant to which such Person sells securities to another Person (the
"Counterparty") and agrees to repurchase such securities at a described or
specified date and price, provided, however, that "Reverse Repurchase
Agreements" shall not include any agreement pursuant to which such Person lends
securities pursuant to a securities lending arrangement to a Counterparty who
collateralizes such borrowing with cash, Cash Equivalents, letters of credit or
other collateral acceptable to the Required Banks, and agrees to return such
securities to such Person at a described or specified date.

            "Secured Letter of Credit means a Letter of Credit designated as a
Secured Letter of Credit in the Letter of Credit Request delivered in connection
with the issuance thereof and with respect to which the Applicant or a
Co-Applicant deposits Eligible Collateral with the Agent on the Date of Issuance
thereof.

            "Special Counsel" means Emmet, Marvin & Martin, LLP, special counsel
to the Agent.

            "Special 1996 Charges" shall mean the non-recurring expense charged
with respect to receivables, equipment write-offs and other restructuring
charges, in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, during the
fourth quarter of 1996 to the statements of earnings for the Applicant in the
aggregate amount of $31,000,000.

            "Standard & Poor's" shall mean Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a
division of McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., its successors and assigns.

            "Stated Expiration Date" means, with respect to each Letter of
Credit, the date occurring up to one year after the Date of Issuance, as such
date may be extended in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.


                                      -19-
<PAGE>

            "Statutory Accounting Practices" shall mean, with respect to any
Insurance Subsidiary, the statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted
by the relevant Insurance Regulatory Authority of its state of domicile,
consistently applied and maintained and in conformity with those used in the
preparation of the most recent Historical Financial Statements.

            "Subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation
or other Person of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding
capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of
directors, in the case of a corporation, or of the ownership or beneficial
interests, in the case of a Person not a corporation, is at the time, directly
or indirectly, owned or controlled by such Person and one or more of its other
Subsidiaries or a combination thereof (irrespective of whether, at the time,
securities of any other class or classes of any such corporation or other Person
shall or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).
When used without reference to a parent entity, the term "Subsidiary" shall be
deemed to refer to a Subsidiary of the Applicant.

            "Surplus Relief Reinsurance Agreement" shall mean any agreement or
other arrangement whereby any Insurance Subsidiary cedes business under a
reinsurance agreement that would not be considered a transaction that
indemnifies an insurer against loss or liability relating to insurance risk, as
determined in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
113 ("FAS 113") issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (without
regard to the effective date of FAS 113).

            "Surviving Senior Note Indebtedness" shall mean the Indebtedness of
the Applicant outstanding from time to time in respect of the Surviving Senior
Notes.

            "Surviving Senior Notes" shall mean the $7,143,000 principal amount
of the Applicant's 9.53% Senior Notes, dated June 17, 1987, due June 30, 1997,
together with any amendment, modification, replacement, substitutes, supplements
thereto, and renewals or extensions thereof, in whole or in part.

            "Terminating Indebtedness" shall mean the Terminating Revolving
Credit Indebtedness and the Terminating Senior Note Indebtedness.

            "Terminating Revolving Credit Indebtedness" shall mean all
indebtedness and other monetary obligations of the Applicant under the Credit
Agreement, dated as of August 11, 1995, as amended, between the Applicant, the
lenders and financial institutions named therein and The Bank of New York, as
agent for the lenders.


                                      -20-
<PAGE>

            "Terminating Senior Note Indebtedness" shall mean the aggregate
Indebtedness of the Applicant outstanding from time to time in respect to the
(i) $46,428,000 principal amount of the Applicant's 9.60% Senior Notes, dated
September 26, 1991, due October 1, 2001, (ii) the $71,000,000 principal amount
of the Applicant's 7.62% Senior Notes, dated July 19, 1995, due July 15, 2001,
and (iii) the $36,000,000 principal amount of the Applicant's 7.62% Senior
Notes, dated July 19, 1995, due July 15, 2000, together with any amendments,
modification, replacement, substitute, supplements thereto, and renewals or
extensions thereof, in whole or in part.

            "Termination Date" means October 27, 1997, or such earlier date on
which the Commitment is terminated, or if the Commitment is extended with the
consent of the Banks pursuant to Section 2.6, such later date.

            "Treasury Security" shall mean any "Treasury security" under, and as
such term is defined in, 31 C.F.R. part 306, subpart O, as amended.

            "Unsecured Letter of Credit" means a Letter of Credit other than a
Secured Letter of Credit.

            "Unfunded Liabilities" shall mean, with respect to any Plan at any
time, the amount (if any) by which (i) the present value of all benefits under
such Plan exceeds (ii) the fair market value of all Plan assets allocable to
such benefits (excluding any accrued but unpaid contributions), all determined
as of the then most recent valuation date for such Plan, but only to the extent
that such excess represents a potential liability of a member of the ERISA Group
to the PBGC or any other Person under Title IV of ERISA.

            "United States" means the United States of America, including the
States and the District of Columbia, but excluding its territories and
possessions.

            "Unfunded Liabilities" shall mean, with respect to any Plan at any
time, the amount (if any) by which (i) the present value of all benefits under
such Plan exceeds (ii) the fair market value of all Plan assets allocable to
such benefits (excluding any accrued but unpaid contributions), all determined
as of the then most recent valuation date for such Plan, but only to the extent
that such excess represents a potential liability of a member of the ERISA Group
to the PBGC or any other Person under Title IV of ERISA.

            "Wholly Owned" shall mean, with respect to any Subsidiary of any
Person, that 100% of the outstanding capital stock or other ownership interests
of such Subsidiary is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

      1.2.  Principles of Construction


                                      -21-
<PAGE>

            (a) All terms defined in a Credit Document shall have the meanings
given such terms therein when used in the other Credit Documents or any
certificate, opinion or other document made or delivered pursuant thereto,
unless otherwise defined therein.

            (b) Except as specifically provided otherwise in this Agreement, all
accounting terms used herein that are not specifically defined shall have the
meanings customarily given them, and all financial computations hereunder shall
be made, in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (or, to the
extent that such terms apply solely to any Insurance Subsidiary or if otherwise
expressly required, Statutory Accounting Practices). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event that any changes in Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles or Statutory Accounting Practices after the date hereof are required
to be applied to the transactions described herein and would affect the
computation of the financial covenants contained in Sections 6.1 through 6.4, as
applicable, such changes shall be followed in the computation of such financial
covenants only from and after the date this Agreement shall have been amended to
take into account any such changes, provided the parties agree to negotiate in
good faith to so amend this Agreement as soon as practicable after such a
change. References to amounts on particular exhibits, schedules, lines, pages
and columns of any Annual Statement or Quarterly Statement are based on the
format promulgated by the NAIC for the 1995 Annual Statements and Quarterly
Statements. In the event such format is changed in future years so that
different information is contained in such items or they no longer exist, or if
the Annual Statement or Quarterly Statement is replaced by the NAIC or by any
Insurance Regulatory Authority after the date hereof such that different forms
of financial statements are required to be furnished by the Insurance
Subsidiaries in lieu thereof, such references shall be to information consistent
with that reported in the referenced item in the 1995 Annual Statements or
Quarterly Statements, as the case may be.

            (c) The words "hereof", "herein", "hereto" and "hereunder" and
similar words when used in a Credit Document shall refer to such Credit Document
as a whole and not to any particular provision thereof, and Section, schedule
and exhibit references contained therein shall refer to Sections thereof or
schedules or exhibits thereto unless otherwise expressly provided therein.

            (d) The phrase "may not" is prohibitive and not permissive.

            (e) Unless the context otherwise requires, words in the singular
number include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular.

            (f) Unless specifically provided in a Credit Document to the
contrary, references to a time shall refer to New York City time.


                                      -22-
<PAGE>

            (g) Unless specifically provided in a Credit Document to the
contrary, in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later
specified date, the word "from" means "from and including" and the words "to"
and "until" each means "to but excluding".

            (h) References in any Credit Document to a fiscal period shall refer
to that fiscal period of the Applicant.

2.    AMOUNT AND TERMS OF LETTERS OF CREDIT

      2.1.  Issuance of Letters of Credit

            (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
Issuing Bank agrees, in reliance on the agreement of the other Banks set forth
in Section 2.2, to issue standby letters of credit (the "Letters of Credit";
each, individually, a "Letter of Credit") during the Commitment Period for the
account of the Applicant, or jointly and severally for the account of the
Applicant and each Co-Applicant delivering a Letter of Credit Request. The
aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure shall not at any time exceed the amount of
the Commitment at such time. In addition, the Letter of Credit Exposure in
respect of Letters of Credit issued during the Commitment Period for the account
of Subsidiaries of the Applicant which are not Material Insurance Subsidiaries
shall not at any time exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate. Each Letter of Credit
issued pursuant to this Section shall have a Stated Expiration Date. No Letter
of Credit shall be issued if the Agent determines that the conditions set forth
in Section 3.2 have not been satisfied.

            (b) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued for the account of the
Applicant, individually, or for the account of the Applicant and one or more
Co-Applicants, jointly and severally, in support of an obligation of the
Applicant or of the Applicant and one or more Co-Applicants in favor of a
beneficiary which has requested the issuance of such Letter of Credit as a
condition to a transaction entered into in connection with the Applicant's or
the Co-Applicant's or Co-Applicants' reinsurance business or otherwise for the
general corporate purposes of the Applicant or Co-Applicant(s), provided,
however, that the Letter of Credit Exposure with respect to Letters of Credit
issued for the general corporate purposes of the Applicant or Co-Applicant(s)
shall not at any time exceed $15,000,000. The Applicant, and any Co-Applicant,
as the case may be, shall give the Agent a Letter of Credit Request for the
issuance of each Letter of Credit by 11:00 A.M., one Business Day prior to the
requested Date of Issuance. Each Letter of Credit Request executed by a
Co-Applicant shall provide that such Co-Applicant shall be, from and after the
Date of Issuance of the Letter of Credit which is requested, a party hereto and
shall have all the rights and obligations of a Co-


                                      -23-
<PAGE>

Applicant under this Agreement and under the other Credit Documents to which it
is a party. Such Letter of Credit Request shall specify (i) the beneficiary of
such Letter of Credit and the obligations of the Applicant and/or Co-Applicant
in respect of which such Letter of Credit is to be issued, (ii) the Applicant's
proposal as to the conditions under which a drawing may be made under such
Letter of Credit and the documentation to be required in respect thereof, (iii)
the maximum amount to be available under such Letter of Credit, (iv) the
requested Date of Issuance, (v) the requested Stated Expiration Date for such
Letter of Credit which shall not be more than one year from the requested Date
of Issuance, (vi) whether such Letter of Credit is to be an Evergreen Letter of
Credit and, if so, the Beneficiary Notification Date (which shall be at least 30
days prior to the Stated Expiration Date thereof), (vii) the account party with
respect to such Letter of Credit and (viii) whether such Letter of Credit is to
be a Secured Letter of Credit or an Unsecured Letter of Credit. Upon receipt of
such Letter of Credit Request, the Agent shall promptly notify the Issuing Bank
and each other Bank thereof. The Issuing Bank shall, on the proposed Date of
Issuance and subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, issue
the requested Letter of Credit. Each Letter of Credit shall be in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuing Bank, with such provisions with
respect to the conditions under which a drawing may be made thereunder and the
documentation required in respect of such drawing as the Issuing Bank shall
reasonably require. The parties agree that a Letter of Credit substantially in
the form of Exhibit D shall be deemed to be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Issuing Bank; provided, however, that Letters of Credit
issued pursuant hereto need not be in the form of said Exhibit D. Each Letter of
Credit shall be used solely for the purposes described therein.

            (c) Each payment by the Issuing Bank of a draft drawn under a Letter
of Credit shall give rise to an immediate obligation on the part of the
Applicant, or to an immediate joint and several obligation on the part of the
Applicant and the Co-Applicant, as the case may be, to reimburse the Issuing
Bank for the amount thereof on the Business Day on which the Issuing Bank shall
have notified the Applicant that payment of such draft has been made to the
beneficiary (which notice shall be given promptly and shall be deemed to
constitute a demand for reimbursement).

      2.2.  Letter of Credit Participation and Funding Commitments

            (a) Each Bank hereby unconditionally and irrevocably, severally for
itself only and without any notice to or the taking of any action by such Bank,
takes an undivided participating interest in the obligations of the Issuing Bank
under and in connection with each Letter of Credit in an amount equal to such
Bank's Commitment Percentage of the amount of such Letter of Credit. Each Bank
shall be liable to the Issuing Bank for its Commitment Percentage of the
unreimbursed amount of any draft drawn and honored under each Letter of Credit.
Each Bank shall also be liable for an amount equal to the product of


                                      -24-
<PAGE>

its Commitment Percentage and any amounts paid by the Applicant or any
Co-Applicant that are subsequently rescinded or avoided, or must otherwise be
restored or returned. Subject to the penultimate sentence of subsection (b)
below, such liabilities shall be unconditional and without regard to the
occurrence of any Default or Event of Default or the compliance by the Applicant
or any Co-Applicant with any of their obligations under the Credit Documents.

            (b) The Agent will promptly (and in no event later than two Business
Days) notify each Bank (which notice shall be promptly confirmed in writing) of
the date and the amount of any draft presented under any Letter of Credit with
respect to which full reimbursement of payment is not made by the Applicant or
any Co-Applicant immediately, and forthwith upon receipt of such notice, such
Bank (other than the Issuing Bank) shall make available to the Agent for the
account of the Issuing Bank its Commitment Percentage of the amount of such
unreimbursed draft at the office of the Agent specified in Section 10.2, in
lawful money of the United States and in immediately available funds, before
4:00 P.M., on the day such notice was given by the Agent, if the relevant notice
was given by the Agent at or prior to 1:00 P.M., on such day, and before 12:00
Noon, on the next Business Day, if the relevant notice was given by the Agent
after 1:00 P.M., on such day. The Agent shall distribute the payments made by
each Bank (other than the Issuing Bank) pursuant to the immediately preceding
sentence to the Issuing Bank promptly upon receipt thereof in like funds as
received. Each Bank shall indemnify and hold harmless the Agent and the Issuing
Bank from and against any and all losses, liabilities (including liabilities for
penalties), actions, suits, judgments, demands, costs and expenses (including,
without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) resulting from any
failure on the part of such Bank to provide, or from any delay in providing, the
Agent with such Bank's Commitment Percentage of the amount of any payment made
by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit in accordance with this subsection
(b) above (except in respect of losses, liabilities or other obligations
suffered by the Issuing Bank resulting from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the Issuing Bank). If a Bank does not make available to the Agent
when due such Bank's Commitment Percentage of any unreimbursed payment made by
the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit (other than payments made by the
Issuing Bank by reason of its gross negligence or willful misconduct), such Bank
shall be required to pay interest to the Agent for the account of the Issuing
Bank on such Bank's Commitment Percentage of such payment from the date such
Bank's payment is due until the date such payment is received by the Agent at a
rate of interest per annum equal to (i) for the first three days after the due
date of such payment, the Federal Funds Rate and (ii) thereafter, the Federal
Funds Rate plus 2%. The Agent shall distribute such interest payments to the
Issuing Bank upon receipt thereof in like funds as received.

            (c) Whenever the Agent is reimbursed by the Applicant or any
Co-Applicant, for the account of the Issuing Bank, for any payment under a
Letter of Credit and


                                      -25-
<PAGE>

such payment relates to an amount previously paid by a Bank in respect of its
Commitment Percentage of the amount of such payment under such Letter of Credit,
the Agent will pay over such payment to such Bank (i) before 4:00 P.M. on the
day such payment from the Applicant or the Co-Applicant is received, if such
payment is received at or prior to 1:00 P.M. on such day, or (ii) before 12:00
Noon on the next succeeding Business Day, if such payment from the Applicant or
the Co-Applicant is received after 1:00 P.M. on such day.

      2.3.  Interest Rate

            If all or any portion of any reimbursement obligation in respect of
a Letter of Credit shall not be paid on the Business Day on which the Issuing
Bank shall have notified the Applicant that payment of such draft has been made,
such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the
Alternate Base Rate plus 2% from the date of such nonpayment until paid in full
(whether before or after the entry of a judgment thereon). All such interest
shall be payable on demand. Interest computed with reference to the Federal
Funds Rate shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year for the actual
number of days elapsed, and interest computed with reference to the Prime Rate
shall be computed on the basis of a 365 or 366 day year, as applicable, for the
actual number of days elapsed. The Applicant acknowledges that to the extent
interest is based on the Prime Rate, such rate is only one of the bases for
computing interest on extensions of credit made by the Banks, and by basing
interest on the Prime Rate, the Banks have not committed to charge, and neither
the Applicant nor any Co-Applicant has in any way bargained for, interest based
on a lower or the lowest rate at which the Banks may now or in the future make
extensions of credit to other Persons.

      2.4.  Termination or Reduction of Commitment

            The Applicant shall have the right, upon at least three Business
Days' prior written notice to the Agent, at any time to terminate or reduce the
amount of the Commitment in an amount of $10,000,000 or such amount plus
multiples of $5,000,000 in excess thereof, provided that after giving effect
thereto, the Commitment shall not be less than the Letter of Credit Exposure at
such time. Any reduction of the Commitment shall be applied pro rata according
to the Commitment Percentage of each Bank. Simultaneously with any reduction of
the Commitment the Applicant shall pay the Commitment Fee accrued on the amount
by which the Commitment has been reduced.

      2.5.  Amendments to Letters of Credit

            (a) At any time during the Commitment Period:


                                      -26-
<PAGE>

                  (i) Evergreen Letters of Credit shall be automatically
extended unless at least two Business Days prior to the Beneficiary Notification
Date, the Agent shall have received written notice from the Applicant, a
Co-Applicant or a Bank that a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing in which event the Agent shall instruct the Issuing Bank to, and the
Issuing Bank shall, notify the beneficiary of such Evergreen Letter of Credit on
or before the Beneficiary Notification Date that the Stated Expiration date of
such Evergreen Letter of Credit will not be extended.

                  (ii) The Applicant, together with the Co-Applicant, if any,
with respect to an Outstanding Letter of Credit, shall have the right to request
in writing that such Outstanding Letter of Credit be amended, including an
amendment to increase or reduce the undrawn face amount thereof and/or, in the
case of a Letter of Credit other than an Evergreen Letter of Credit, to extend
for up to one year from the date of such amendment the then Stated Expiration
Date. Provided that (A) no Default or Event of Default shall exist and be
continuing and (B) after giving effect thereto (1) the Letter of Credit Exposure
does not exceed the Commitment and (2) the Letter of Credit Exposure with
respect to Letters of Credit issued for the account of Subsidiaries of the
Applicant which are not Material Insurance Subsidiaries does not exceed
$10,000,000 in the aggregate, the Agent shall promptly request that the Issuing
Bank amend such Letter of Credit to give effect to such increase, reduction,
extension and/or other requested amendment, and the Issuing Bank shall either
amend such Letter of Credit or issue a substitute Letter of Credit containing
such amended terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a requested
amendment of a Letter of Credit would reduce the amount available to be drawn
thereunder, reduce the period during which drawings can be made thereunder or
would otherwise be adverse to the beneficiary thereof, such amendment or such
substitute Letter of Credit shall not, by its terms, be effective unless and
until such beneficiary shall have consented in writing thereto.

            (b) Following the Termination Date, provided that no Default or
Event of Default shall then exist and be continuing, the Applicant, together
with the Co-Applicant, if any, with respect to an Outstanding Letter of Credit,
may request that an Outstanding Letter of Credit be amended, including an
amendment to increase or reduce the undrawn face amount thereof but excluding
any amendment which extends the Stated Expiration Date which extensions are
governed by Section 2.7, provided that any such increase in the face amount of
Outstanding Letters of Credit which expire on the same date, after giving effect
to any reductions which become effective on the same date as such increase with
respect to such Outstanding Letters of Credit which expire on the same date,
shall not cause an increase, at such date, in the aggregate undrawn face amount
of Outstanding Letters of Credit which expire on the same date. Upon receipt of
such request, the Agent shall promptly request that the Issuing Bank amend such
Letter of Credit to give effect to such amendment, and the Issuing Bank, shall
either amend such Letter of Credit or issue a substitute Letter of Credit
containing such amended terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing (i) in


                                      -27-
<PAGE>

the event that such requested amendment would increase the amount available to
be drawn thereunder, the Agent shall not request the Issuing Bank to either
amend such Letter of Credit or issue a substitute Letter of Credit, and the
Issuing Bank shall not so amend or issue unless all of the Banks shall have
consented thereto and (ii) in the event that a requested amendment of a Letter
of Credit would reduce the amount available to be drawn thereunder, reduce the
period during which drawings can be made thereunder or would otherwise be
adverse to the beneficiary thereof, such amendment or such substitute Letter of
Credit shall not, by its terms, be effective unless and until such beneficiary
shall have consented in writing thereto.

      2.6.  Extension of Commitment and Termination Date

            Provided that no Default or Event of Default shall exist and be
continuing, the Applicant may request that the Commitment be extended for an
additional period of 364 days by giving written notice of such request
substantially in the form of Exhibit I (an "Extension Request") to the Agent
during the period not more than 180 days but not less than 60 days prior to the
then Termination Date, and upon the receipt of such notice, the Agent shall
promptly notify each Bank of such request. If each Bank consents to such
Extension Request during the Extension Consent Period by giving written notice
thereof to the Agent, then effective on the first day of the Extension Consent
Period, the then applicable Termination Date shall be extended by 364 days. If
all of the Banks have not consented to such Extension Request during the
Extension Consent Period and such non-consenting Bank or Banks have not been
replaced pursuant to Section 2.15 during the Extension Consent Period, the
Termination Date shall not be extended.

      2.7.  Extension  of the  Stated  Expiration  Date of Each  Letter of
Credit

            The Stated Expiration Date of each Letter of Credit shall be up to
one year from its Date of Issuance thereof, or, if extended during the
Commitment Period as provided in Section 2.5, such later date. In addition, with
respect to a Letter of Credit the Stated Expiration Date of which is after the
Termination Date, such Stated Expiration Date thereof may be extended as
follows:

                  (a) Evergreen Letters of Credit. In the case of an Evergreen
Letter of Credit, the Stated Expiration Date thereof may be extended for up to
one year as provided in such Letter of Credit from the then Stated Expiration
Date in accordance with the provisions of this subsection (a). The Agent will
notify each Bank not less than 50 days prior to the Beneficiary Notification
Date with respect to each such Outstanding Letter of Credit which is an
Evergreen Letter of Credit that such Evergreen Letter of Credit will be
automatically extended if each Bank notifies the Agent not less than 41 days
prior to the Beneficiary Notification Date with respect thereto that such Bank
consents to such


                                      -28-
<PAGE>

extension. If the Agent does not receive notice from each Bank to the effect
that such Bank so consents, the Agent shall notify the Applicant not less than
35 days prior to such Beneficiary Notification Date that less than all Banks
have consented to such extension. Upon receipt of such notification, the
Applicant may obtain a replacement Bank for each such non-consenting Bank
pursuant to Section 2.15. If each such non-consenting Bank has not been replaced
pursuant to Section 2.15 on or prior to 10 days prior to the Beneficiary
Notification Date, the Agent shall notify the Applicant and the beneficiary of
such Evergreen Letter of Credit not later than the Beneficiary Notification Date
that the Stated Expiration Date thereof will not be extended. If the Agent
receives notice from each Bank as set forth above that such Bank consents to
such extension, and provided that each non-consenting Bank shall have been
replaced pursuant to Section 2.15, the Stated Expiration Date of such Evergreen
Letter of Credit will be automatically extended for one year, without further
action. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) in the event that the Termination
Date is extended pursuant to Section 2.6 after the procedures set forth in this
subsection have commenced, the provisions of Section 2.5(a)(i) shall apply and
shall supercede the provisions in this subsection and (ii) in the event that at
least two Business Days prior to the Beneficiary Notification Date, the Agent
shall have received written notice from the Applicant, a Co-Applicant or a Bank
that a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Agent
shall instruct the Issuing Bank to, and the Issuing Bank shall, notify the
beneficiary of such Evergreen Letter of Credit on or before the Beneficiary
Notification Date that the Stated Expiration date of such Evergreen Letter of
Credit will not be extended.

                  (b) Other Letters of Credit. In the case of a Letter of Credit
other than an Evergreen Letter of Credit, the Applicant and the Co-Applicants,
if any, may request in writing delivered to the Agent that the Stated Expiration
Date thereof be extended for a term of up to one year from the then Stated
Expiration Date. Upon receipt of such request, the Agent will promptly notify
each Bank thereof. If all of the Banks consent to such extension, the Agent
shall notify the Issuing Bank and the Issuing Bank shall amend such Letter of
Credit to reflect such extended Stated Expiration Date. Each Bank will use its
best efforts to promptly respond to any such request, provided that no Bank's
failure to so respond shall create any claim against it or have the effect of
extending the Stated Expiration Date of such Letter of Credit.

            (c) In General. Each Letter of Credit may be extended in the manner
set forth herein an unlimited number of times.

      2.8.  Reimbursement Obligations Absolute

            (a) The reimbursement obligations of the Applicant and each
Co-Applicant, if any, in respect of a Letter of Credit shall be absolute,
unconditional and ir-


                                      -29-
<PAGE>

revocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, irrespective of any circumstances, including, without limitation, the
following:

                  (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of
      Credit;

                  (ii) any amendment or waiver of, or consent to departure from,
      all or any of the other Credit Documents;

                  (iii) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other
      right which the Applicant, any Co-Applicant, or any other Person may have
      at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of a Letter of
      Credit (or any Person or entity for whom any such beneficiary or any such
      transferee may be acting), the Issuing Bank, the Agent, any Bank, any
      participant or assignee, or any other Person or entity, whether in
      connection with this Agreement, any other Credit Document or any unrelated
      transaction;

                  (iv) any statement or any other document presented under a
      Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any
      respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect
      whatsoever;

                  (v) payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit
      against presentation of a draft or certificate which does not comply with
      the terms of the Letter of Credit; or

                  (vi) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether
      or not similar to any of the foregoing.

      2.9.  No Liability of the Issuing Bank

            It is understood that in making any payment under a Letter of Credit
(i) the Issuing Bank's exclusive reliance on the documents presented to it under
such Letter of Credit as to any and all matters set forth therein, including
reliance on the amount of any draft presented under such Letter of Credit,
whether or not the amount due to the beneficiary equals the amount of such draft
and whether or not any document presented pursuant to such Letter of Credit
proves to be insufficient in any respect, if such document on its face appears
to be in order, and whether or not any other statement or any other document
presented pursuant to such Letter of Credit proves to be forged or invalid or
any statement therein proves to be inaccurate or untrue in any respect
whatsoever; and (ii) any noncompliance of the documents presented in an
immaterial respect under a Letter of Credit with the terms thereof shall in each
case not be deemed wilful misconduct or gross negligence of the Issuing Bank.


                                      -30-
<PAGE>

      2.10. Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy

            (a) If on or after the Original Effective Date the adoption of any
applicable law, rule or regulation, or any change in any applicable law, rule or
regulation, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any
Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by the Issuing Bank or
any Bank with any request or directive after such date (whether or not having
the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency shall
impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve (including, without limitation,
any such requirement imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System), special deposit, insurance assessment or similar requirement against
assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, the
Issuing Bank or any Bank or shall impose on any Bank any other condition
affecting its Commitment or the term thereof or its obligation to issue or
participate in Letters of Credit and the result of any of the foregoing is to
increase the cost to the Issuing Bank or such Bank of issuing or maintaining the
Letters of Credit or its obligations pursuant to Section 2.2, or to reduce the
amount of any sum received or receivable by the Issuing Bank or such Bank under
this Agreement with respect thereto, by an amount deemed by the Issuing Bank or
such Bank to be material, then, within 15 days after demand by such Bank or the
Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Agent), the Applicant shall pay to the Issuing
Bank or such Bank such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Bank
or the Issuing Bank for such increased cost or reduction.

            (b) If any Bank or the Issuing Bank shall have determined that,
after the Original Effective Date, the adoption of any applicable law, rule or
regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any change therein, or any change in
the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority,
central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof, or any request or directive regarding capital adequacy
(whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or
comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return
on capital of such Bank or the Issuing Bank (or its Parent) as a consequence of
such Bank's or the Issuing Bank's obligations hereunder to a level below that
which such Bank or the Issuing Bank (or its Parent) could have achieved but for
such adoption, change, request or directive (taking into consideration its
policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Bank or
the Issuing Bank to be material, then from time to time, within 15 days after
demand by such Bank or the Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Agent), the
Applicant shall pay to such Bank or the Issuing Bank such additional amount or
amounts as will compensate such Bank or the Issuing Bank (or its Parent) for
such reduction.

            (c) Each Bank or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, will promptly
notify the Applicant and the Agent of any event of which it has knowledge,
occurring after


                                      -31-
<PAGE>

the date hereof, which will entitle such Bank to compensation pursuant to this
Section. A certificate of any Bank or the Issuing Bank claiming compensation
under this Section and setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid
to it hereunder shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. In
determining such amount, such Bank or the Issuing Bank may use any reasonable
averaging and attribution methods.

      2.11. Withholding Tax Exemption

            At least five Business Days prior to the first date on which
interest or fees are payable hereunder for the account of any Bank, each Bank
that is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a
state thereof agrees that it will deliver to each of the Applicant and the Agent
two duly completed copies of United States Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or
4224, certifying in either case that such Bank is entitled to receive payments
under this Agreement without deduction or withholding of any United States
federal income taxes. Each Bank which so delivers a Form 1001 or 4224 further
undertakes to deliver to each of the Applicant and the Agent two additional
copies of such form (or a successor form) on or before the date that such form
expires or becomes obsolete or after the occurrence of any event requiring a
change in the most recent form so delivered by it, and such amendments thereto
or extensions or renewals thereof as may be reasonably requested by the
Applicant or the Agent, in each case certifying that such Bank is entitled to
receive payments under this Agreement without deduction or withholding of any
United States federal income taxes, unless an event (including without
limitation any change in treaty, law or regulation) has occurred prior to the
date on which any such delivery would otherwise be required which renders all
such forms inapplicable or which would prevent such Bank from duly completing
and delivering any such form with respect to it and such Bank advises the
Applicant and the Agent that it is not capable of receiving payments without any
deduction or withholding of United States federal income tax.

      2.12. Agent's Records

            The Agent's records regarding the amount of each Letter of Credit,
each payment by the Applicant or any Co-Applicant of reimbursement obligations
in respect of Letters of Credit and other information relating to the Letters of
Credit shall be presumptively correct absent manifest error.

      2.13. Use of Proceeds

            The Applicant and Co-Applicants will use the Letters of Credit only
to collateralize reinsurance liabilities assumed by direct and indirect
Wholly-Owned Consolidated Subsidiaries of the Applicant and otherwise for the
Applicant's or Co-Applicant's general corporate purposes. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in any


                                      -32-
<PAGE>

Credit Document, the Applicant and each Co-Applicant agrees that no part of the
proceeds of any Letters of Credit will be used, directly or indirectly, for the
purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying any
Margin Stock.

      2.14. Collateral

            (a) In General.

                  (i) At the option of the Applicant, a Letter of Credit may be
issued as a Secured Letter of Credit or an Unsecured Letter of Credit. With
respect to each Secured Letter of Credit, on or prior to the Date of Issuance
thereof, the Applicant and any Co-Applicant, if applicable, shall deliver to the
Agent for deposit in the Collateral Account (as defined below) Eligible
Collateral, the Discounted Collateral Value of which together with the
Discounted Collateral Value of all other Eligible Collateral then held in the
Collateral Account shall not be less than the Letter of Credit Exposure
determined with respect to all Secured Letters of Credit. In addition, upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default, the Applicant and any Co-Applicant, if
applicable shall immediately deliver to the Agent for deposit in the Collateral
Account Eligible Collateral, the Discounted Collateral Value of which together
with the Discounted Collateral Value of all other Eligible Collateral then held
in the Collateral Account shall not be less than the Letter of Credit Exposure
determined with respect to all Letters of Credit.

                  (ii) The Applicant hereby unconditionally agrees that at all
times the Obligations attributable to Secured Letters of Credit shall be secured
by Eligible Collateral, the Discounted Collateral Value of which equals or
exceeds the Letter of Credit Exposure attributable to Secured Letters of Credit.
In the event that the Discounted Collateral Value of the Eligible Collateral is
less than such amount, the Applicant or, if applicable, the Co-Applicant(s),
shall promptly (and in no event later than two Business Days) deliver to the
Agent additional Eligible Collateral as shall be necessary so that the
Discounted Collateral Value of all Eligible Collateral shall equal or exceed the
Letter of Credit Exposure attributable to Secured Letters of Credit. In the
event that the Applicant or, if applicable, the Co-Applicant(s), shall not have
delivered such additional Collateral, for purposes of computing the Letter of
Credit Commissions, the amount of the Unsecured Letters of Credit shall be
deemed increased by the amount of such collateral insufficiency.

            (b) Collateral Account. To secure the prompt and complete payment,
observance and performance of the Obligations, the Applicant and, if applicable,
each Co-Applicant hereby grants to the Agent a security interest in and to all
of the Applicant's or, if applicable, such Co-Applicant's right, title and
interest in and to the Collateral Account and all Property, including all money
and securities, at any time and from time to time on deposit therein, and all of
the Proceeds (which shall include all distributions and income on and in


                                      -33-
<PAGE>

respect of all of the foregoing and all other rights and benefits in respect
thereof) of all of the foregoing, whether now owned or existing or hereafter
arising or acquired (collectively, the "Collateral"). The Agent shall establish
and maintain, at its offices at One Wall Street, New York, New York, or at such
other offices in The City of New York as it shall designate from time to time,
in the name of the Agent, and under the sole dominion and control of the Agent,
one or more collateral accounts (collectively, the "Collateral Account"). To the
extent that any cash is held in the Collateral Account, neither the Applicant
nor any Co-Applicant shall be entitled to interest thereon. Subject to the
provisions of the Credit Documents, the Agent shall hold any Treasury Securities
delivered to it as Collateral and shall, upon the direction of the Applicant
from time to time, invest cash on deposit in the Collateral Account in Treasury
Securities, provided, however, that, any loss or expense incurred in connection
with any such holding or investment shall be for the sole account of the
Applicant or Co-Applicant, as the case may be.

                  (ii) All Property in the Collateral Account shall be held by
the Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of all Obligations.
Collateral may (A) automatically be applied by the Agent to reimburse the
Issuing Bank for Letter of Credit payments and disbursements, and (B) be held
for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Applicant and
Co-Applicants for the then outstanding Letter of Credit Exposure. If the
Applicant is required to provide an amount of Collateral hereunder as a result
of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid)
shall be returned to the Applicant within five Business Days after all Events of
Default have been cured or waived. After the occurrence and during the
continuation of an Event of Default, the Agent may, in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, apply all or any portion of the Collateral held in
the Collateral Account to the Obligations and shall have the power to sell any
securities held therein in connection therewith.

      2.15. Replacement of Banks

            (a) If any Bank does not consent to an Extension Request pursuant to
Section 2.6 or does not consent to the extension of any Stated Expiration Date
with respect to any Outstanding Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.7, the
Applicant shall have the right, if no Default or Event of Default then exists,
to replace such Bank (any such Bank being referred to herein as a "Replaced
Bank") with one or more Eligible Assignee or Eligible Assignees, each of which
shall be acceptable to the Agent and the Issuing Bank, and such Replaced Bank
shall assign to such Eligible Assignee or Eligible Assignees who are willing to
so purchase the same for such Replaced Bank, all (but not less than all) of such
Replaced Bank's rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that such
Eligible Assignee or Eligible Assignees shall pay to such Replaced Bank, an
amount equal to all interest, fees and other amounts owing or accrued to such
Replaced Bank to the date of such assignment, but without any premium.


                                      -34-
<PAGE>

            (b) For each assignment, the parties shall execute and deliver to
the Agent an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement. Upon such execution and
delivery, from and after the effective date specified in such Assignment and
Acceptance Agreement, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and the
assignor Bank released from its obligations hereunder to the extent provided
therein.

      2.16. Commitment Fee

            The Applicant agrees to pay to the Agent, for the account of the
Banks in accordance with each Bank's Commitment Percentage, a fee (the
"Commitment Fee"), during the Commitment Period, equal to 0.1875% per annum on
the average daily Available Amount. The Commitment Fee shall be payable
quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December
of each year and on the Termination Date or other date on which the Commitment
shall expire or otherwise terminate, and upon each reduction of the Available
Amount. The Commitment Fee shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year
for the actual number of days elapsed.

      2.17. Letter of Credit Commissions

            The Applicant agrees to pay to the Agent, for the account of the
Banks in accordance with each Bank's Commitment Percentage, commissions (the
"Letter of Credit Commissions") with respect to each Letter of Credit for the
period from and including the Date of Issuance thereof to and including the
expiration date thereof (giving effect to any extensions, cancellations or other
amendments thereto), at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Fee Percentage
per annum on the average daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of
Credit. The Letter of Credit Commissions shall be (i) calculated on the basis of
a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed, (ii) payable quarterly in
arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December of each year
and on the date that the Commitment shall expire and (iii) nonrefundable. In
addition to the Letter of Credit Commissions, the Applicant agrees to pay to the
Issuing Bank, for its own account, its standard fees and charges customarily
charged to customers similar to the Applicant with respect to any Letter of
Credit.

3.    CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

      3.1.  Conditions to Effectiveness

            The effectiveness of this Agreement and the obligation of the
Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit on the Restatement Effective Date or
any day thereafter, and the


                                      -35-
<PAGE>

Banks to participate therein shall be subject to the fulfillment of the
following conditions precedent:

            (a) The Agent shall have received the following, each dated as of
the Restatement Effective Date (unless otherwise specified) and in sufficient
copies for each Bank:

                  (i) a certificate, signed by the chief executive officer,
      chief financial officer or an executive vice president of the Applicant,
      in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, certifying that (A) all
      representations and warranties of the Applicant contained in this
      Agreement and the other Credit Documents are true and correct as of the
      Restatement Effective Date, (B) no Default or Event of Default has
      occurred and is continuing, (C) there are no insurance regulatory
      proceedings pending or, to such individual's knowledge, threatened against
      any of the Insurance Subsidiaries in any jurisdiction that, if adversely
      determined, would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect,
      and (D) both immediately before and after giving effect to the
      consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, no
      Material Adverse Change has occurred since December 31, 1995, and there
      exists no event, condition or state of facts that could reasonably be
      expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, other than the Reserve
      Adjustment and the Special 1996 Charges;

                  (ii) a certificate of the secretary or an assistant secretary
      of each of the Applicant and its Material Subsidiaries, in form and
      substance satisfactory to the Agent, certifying (A) that attached thereto
      is a true and complete copy of the articles or certificate of
      incorporation and all amendments thereto of the Applicant or such
      Subsidiary, as the case may be, certified as of a recent date by the
      Secretary of State (or comparable Governmental Authority) of its
      jurisdiction of organization, and that the same has not been amended since
      the date of such certification, (B) that attached thereto is a true and
      complete copy of the bylaws of the Applicant or such Subsidiary, as the
      case may be, as then in effect and as in effect at all times from the date
      on which the resolutions referred to in clause (C) below were adopted to
      and including the date of such certificate, and (C) as to the Applicant
      only, that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions
      adopted by the board of directors of the Applicant authorizing the
      execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Credit
      Documents to which it is a party, and as to the incumbency and genuineness
      of the signature of each officer of the Applicant executing this Agreement
      or any of the other Credit Documents, and attaching all such copies of the
      documents described above;


                                      -36-
<PAGE>

                  (iii) a certificate of the Applicant's chief financial officer
      as to the financial condition of the Applicant in the form of Exhibit F;

                  (iv) a favorable opinion of Duane, Morris & Heckscher, counsel
      to the Applicant, addressed to Agent and the Banks, in substantially the
      form of Exhibit G and addressing such other matters as the Agent or any
      Bank may reasonably request; and

                  (v) a favorable opinion of Special Counsel, in substantially
      the form of Exhibit H.

            (b) The Agent shall have received (i) a certificate as of a recent
date of the good standing of each of the Applicant and its Material Subsidiaries
under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, from the Secretary of State
(or comparable Governmental Authority) of such jurisdiction, and (ii) as to each
Material Insurance Subsidiary, a certificate of compliance as of a recent date,
issued by the Insurance Regulatory Authority of its jurisdiction of legal
domicile and any other jurisdiction in which such Insurance Subsidiary is
reasonably likely to be commercially domiciled as defined under the laws and
regulations of such jurisdiction.

            (c) All approvals, permits and consents of any Governmental
Authorities (including, without limitation, all relevant Insurance Regulatory
Authorities) or other Persons required in connection with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby shall have been obtained (without the imposition of conditions that are
not reasonably acceptable to the Agent), and all related filings, if any, shall
have been made, and all such approvals, permits, consents and filings shall be
in full force and effect and the Agent shall have received such copies thereof
as it shall have requested; all applicable waiting periods shall have expired
without any adverse action being taken by any Governmental Authority having
jurisdiction; and no action, proceeding, investigation, regulation or
legislation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed before, and no
order, injunction or decree shall have been entered by, any court or other
Governmental Authority, in each case to enjoin, restrain or prohibit, to obtain
substantial damages in respect of, or that is otherwise related to or arises out
of, this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
or that, in the opinion of the Agent, would otherwise be reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect.

            (d) Since December 31, 1995, both immediately before and after
giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, other than the Reserve Adjustment and the Special 1996 Charges, there
shall not have occurred any


                                      -37-
<PAGE>

Material Adverse Change or any event, condition or state of facts that could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

            (e) The Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that
all principal, interest and other amounts outstanding with respect to the
Terminating Indebtedness shall be repaid and satisfied in full and that all
agreements relating thereto have been terminated and that the Revolving Credit
Agreement has been declared (or contemporaneously herewith is being declared)
effective.

            (f) The Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that
the Reserve Adjustment has been made to the relevant financial statements of
MASCCO, Chestnut and the members of the PMA Group.

            (g) The Agent shall be satisfied with the actuarial review and
valuation statement of, and opinion as to the adequacy of, each Insurance
Subsidiary's loss and loss adjustment expense reserve positions as of December
31, 1996, with respect to the insurance business then in force, prepared and
given by an independent actuarial firm satisfactory to the Agent.

            (h) The Applicant shall have paid all fees and expenses of the Agent
required hereunder or under any other Credit Document to be paid on or prior to
the Restatement Effective Date (including fees and expenses of counsel) in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

            (i) The Agent shall have received Compliance Certificates together
with Covenant Compliance Worksheets (prepared on a pro-forma basis after giving
effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Credit
Documents) satisfactory to the Agent and certified by the chief financial
officer of the Applicant.

            (j) The Agent and each Bank shall have received such other
documents, certificates, opinions and instruments as it shall have reasonably
requested.

      3.2. Conditions for Issuance of All Letters of Credit and Extension and
Increases thereof and Conditions to Effectiveness of Letters of Credit

            The obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit on
a Date of Issuance and each Bank to participate therein and any increase of the
face amount of any Letter of Credit or any extension of the Stated Expiration
Date of any Letter of Credit is subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions precedent as of such Date of Issuance or the date of such increase or
extension:


                                      -38-
<PAGE>

            (a) On each Date of Issuance, and on each date on which the face
amount of any Letter of Credit is to be increased or the Stated Expiration Date
of any Letter of Credit is to be extended, and both before and after giving
effect to the Letters of Credit to be issued thereon or such increase or
extension, as the case may be, (i) each of the representations and warranties
contained in Section 4 and in the other Credit Documents shall be true and
correct on and as of such date with the same effect as if made on and as of such
date (except to the extent any such representation or warranty is expressly
stated to have been made as of a specific date, in which case such
representation or warranty shall be true and correct as of such date), (ii) no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date,
(c) the aggregate Letters of Credit Exposure will not exceed the Commitment, (d)
the aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure with respect to Letters of Credit issued
for the account of Subsidiaries of the Applicant which are not Material
Insurance Subsidiaries will not exceed $10,000,000 and (e) the aggregate Letter
of Credit Exposure with respect to Letters of Credit issued for the general
corporate purposes of the Applicant or a Co-Applicant shall not exceed
$15,000,000. Each request by the Applicant for the issuance of a Letter of
Credit shall constitute a certification by the Applicant as of such date that
each of the foregoing matters is true and correct in all respects.

            (b) All documents required by the provisions of the Credit Documents
to be executed or delivered to the Agent on or before the applicable Date of
Issuance shall have been executed and shall have been delivered at the office of
the Agent set forth in Section 10.2 on or before such Date of Issuance.

            (c) With respect to the issuance of each Letter of Credit, the Agent
shall have received a Letter of Credit Request duly executed by an Authorized
Signatory of the Applicant and, if applicable, the Co-Applicant.

            (d) With respect to each Secured Letter of Credit, the Applicant or
the Co-Applicants, as the case may be, shall have delivered Eligible Collateral
to the Agent as required by Section 2.14.

4.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

      In order to induce the Agent and the Banks to enter into this Agreement
and the Issuing Bank to issue the Letters of Credit and the Banks to participate
therein, the Applicant makes the following representations and warranties to the
Agent, each Bank and the Issuing Agent:

      4.1.  Corporate Organization and Power


                                      -39-
<PAGE>

            Each of the Applicant and its Material Subsidiaries (i) is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, (ii) has the full corporate power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform the Credit Documents to which it is or
will be a party, to own and hold its property and to engage in its business as
presently conducted, and (iii) is duly qualified to do business as a foreign
corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of its
business or the ownership of its properties requires it to be so qualified
except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse
Effect.

      4.2.  Authorization; Enforceability

            The Applicant has taken all necessary corporate action to execute,
deliver and perform each of the Credit Documents to which it is or will be a
party, and has, or on the Restatement Effective Date (or any later date of
execution and delivery) will have, validly executed and delivered each of the
Credit Documents to which it is or will be a party. This Agreement constitutes,
and each of the other Credit Documents upon execution and delivery by the
Applicant will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Applicant, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally or by
general equitable principles.

      4.3.  No Violation

            The execution, delivery and performance by the Applicant of this
Agreement and each of the other Credit Documents, and compliance by it with the
terms hereof and thereof, do not and will not (i) contravene any Requirement of
Law applicable to the Applicant, (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of or
constitute (with notice, lapse of time or both) a default under any material
indenture, agreement or other instrument to which it is a party, by which it or
any of its properties is bound or to which it is subject, or (iii) result in or
require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of its properties or
assets. No Subsidiary is subject to any restriction or encumbrance on its
ability to make dividend payments or other distributions in respect of its
capital stock, to make loans or advances to the Applicant or any other
Subsidiary, or to transfer any of its assets or properties to the Applicant or
any other Subsidiary, in each case other than such restrictions or encumbrances
existing under or by reason of the Credit Documents or applicable Requirements
of Law.

      4.4.  Governmental Authorization; Permits

            (a) No consent, approval, authorization or other action by, notice
to, or registration or filing with, any Governmental Authority or other Person
is or will be required as a condition to or otherwise in connection with the due
execution, delivery and


                                      -40-
<PAGE>

performance by the Applicant of this Agreement or any of the other Credit
Documents or the legality, validity or enforceability hereof or thereof.

            (b) Each of the Applicant and its Subsidiaries has, and is in good
standing with respect to, all governmental approvals, licenses, permits and
authorizations necessary to conduct its business as presently conducted and to
own or lease and operate its properties except where the failure to do so would
not have a Material Adverse Effect.

            (c) Schedule 4.4 lists with respect to each Material Insurance
Subsidiary, as of the Restatement Effective Date, all of the jurisdictions in
which such Material Insurance Subsidiary holds licenses (including, without
limitation, licenses or certificates of authority from relevant Insurance
Regulatory Authorities), permits or authorizations to transact insurance and
reinsurance business (collectively, the "Licenses"), and indicates the line or
lines of insurance in which each such Material Insurance Subsidiary is permitted
to be engaged with respect to each License therein listed. To the knowledge of
the Applicant, (i) no such License is the subject of a proceeding for
suspension, revocation or limitation or any similar proceedings, (ii) there is
no sustainable basis for such a suspension, revocation or limitation, and (iii)
no such suspension, revocation or limitation is threatened by any relevant
Insurance Regulatory Authority. No Material Insurance Subsidiary transacts any
insurance business, directly or indirectly, in any jurisdiction other than those
listed on Schedule 4.4, where such business requires any license, permit or
other authorization of an Insurance Regulatory Authority of such jurisdiction.

      4.5.  Litigation

            There are no actions, investigations, suits or proceedings pending
or, to the knowledge of the Applicant, threatened, at law, in equity or in
arbitration, before any court, other Governmental Authority or other Person, (i)
against or affecting the Applicant, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties that would, if adversely determined, be reasonably likely
to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) with respect to this Agreement or any
of the other Credit Documents.

      4.6.  Taxes

            Each of the Applicant and its Subsidiaries has timely filed all
federal and all material state and local tax returns and reports required to be
filed by it and has paid all taxes, assessments, fees and other charges levied
upon it or upon its properties that are shown thereon as due and payable, other
than those that are being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and
for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles. Such returns accurately reflect in all material
respects all liability for taxes of the Applicant and its Subsidiaries for the
periods


                                      -41-
<PAGE>

covered thereby. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.6, there is no ongoing audit
or examination or, to the knowledge of the Applicant, other investigation by any
Governmental Authority of the tax liability of the Applicant or any of its
Subsidiaries; and there is no unresolved claim by any Governmental Authority
concerning the tax liability of the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries for any
period for which tax returns have been or were required to have been filed,
other than claims for which adequate reserves have been established in
accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

      4.7.  Subsidiaries

            Schedule 4.7 sets forth a list, as of the Restatement Effective
Date, of all of the Subsidiaries of the Applicant and, as to each such
Subsidiary, the percentage ownership (direct and indirect) of the Applicant in
each class of its capital stock and each direct owner thereof, and indicates in
each case whether such Subsidiary is a Material Subsidiary.

      4.8.  Full Disclosure

            All factual information heretofore or contemporaneously furnished to
the Agent or any Bank in writing by or on behalf of the Applicant or any of its
Subsidiaries for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby is, and all other such factual information
hereafter furnished to the Agent or any Bank in writing by or on behalf of the
Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries will be, true and accurate in all material
respects on the date as of which such information is dated or certified (or, if
such information has been amended or supplemented, on the date as of which any
such amendment or supplement is dated or certified) and not made incomplete by
omitting to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained
therein, in light of the circumstances under which such information was
provided, not misleading.

      4.9.  Margin Regulations

            Neither the Applicant nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged
principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending
credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock. No Letter of
Credit will be used, directly or indirectly, to purchase or carry any Margin
Stock, to extend credit for such purpose or for any other purpose that would
violate or be inconsistent with Regulations G, T, U or X or any provision of the
Exchange Act.

      4.10. No Material Adverse Change

            Other than the Reserve Adjustment and the Special 1996 Charges,
there has been no Material Adverse Change since December 31, 1995, and there
exists no event,


                                      -42-
<PAGE>

condition or state of facts that could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Change.

      4.11. Financial Matters.

            (a) The Applicant has heretofore furnished to the Agent copies of
(i) the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Applicant and its
Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993, and the related statements
of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the fiscal years then ended,
together with the opinion of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P. thereon, and (ii) the
unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Applicant and its Subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1996, and the related statements of income, stockholders' equity
and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended. Such financial statements have
been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
(subject, with respect to the unaudited financial statements, to the absence of
notes required by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and to normal
year-end audit adjustments) and present fairly the financial condition of the
Applicant and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of the respective
dates thereof and the consolidated results of operations of the Applicant and
its Subsidiaries for the respective periods then ended. Except as fully
reflected in the most recent financial statements referred to above and the
notes thereto, there are no material liabilities or obligations with respect to
the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries of any nature whatsoever (whether
absolute, contingent or otherwise and whether or not due).

            (b) The Applicant has heretofore furnished to the Agent copies of
(i) the Annual Statements of each of the Insurance Subsidiaries as of December
31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, and for the fiscal years then ended, each as filed with
the relevant Insurance Regulatory Authority (collectively, the "Historical
Statutory Statements"). The Historical Statutory Statements (including, without
limitation, the provisions made therein for investments and the valuation
thereof, reserves, policy and contract claims and statutory liabilities) have
been prepared in accordance with Statutory Accounting Practices (except as may
be reflected in the notes thereto and subject, with respect to the Quarterly
Statements, to the absence of notes required by Statutory Accounting Practices
and to normal year-end adjustments), were in compliance with applicable
Requirements of Law when filed and present fairly the financial condition of the
respective Insurance Subsidiaries covered thereby as of the respective dates
thereof and the results of operations, changes in capital and surplus and cash
flow of the respective Insurance Subsidiaries covered thereby for the respective
periods then ended. Except for liabilities and obligations disclosed or provided
for in the Historical Statutory Statements (including, without limitation,
reserves, policy and contract claims and statutory liabilities), no Insurance
Subsidiary had, as of the date of its respective Historical Statutory
Statements, any material liabilities or obligations of any nature whatsoever
(whether absolute, contingent or otherwise and whether or not due) that, in
accordance with Statutory Accounting Practices, would have been required to have
been


                                      -43-
<PAGE>

disclosed or provided for in such Historical Statutory Statements. All books of
account of each Insurance Subsidiary fully and fairly disclose all of its
material transactions, properties, assets, investments, liabilities and
obligations, are in its possession and are true, correct and complete in all
material respects.

            (c) Each of the Applicant and its Material Subsidiaries, after
giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (i)
will have capital sufficient to carry on its businesses as conducted and as
proposed to be conducted, (ii) will have assets with a fair saleable value,
determined on a going concern basis, (y) not less than the amount required to
pay the probable liability on its existing debts as they become absolute and
matured and (z) greater than the total amount of its liabilities (including
identified contingent liabilities, valued at the amount that can reasonably be
expected to become absolute and matured), and (iii) will not intend to, and will
not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay
such debts and liabilities as they mature.

      4.12. Ownership of Properties

            Each of the Applicant and its Material Subsidiaries (i) has good and
marketable title to all real property owned by it, (ii) holds interests as
lessee under valid leases in full force and effect with respect to all material
leased real and personal property used in connection with its business, and
(iii) has good title to all of its other properties and assets reflected in the
most recent financial statements referred to in Section 4.11(a) (except as sold
or otherwise disposed of since the date thereof in the ordinary course of
business), in each case under (i), (ii) and (iii) above free and clear of all
Liens other than Permitted Liens.

      4.13. ERISA

            Each member of the ERISA Group has fulfilled its obligations under
the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code with
respect to each Plan and is in compliance in all material respects with the
presently applicable provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code with
respect to each Plan. No member of the ERISA Group has (i) sought a waiver of
the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code in
respect of any Plan, (ii) failed to make any contribution or payment to any Plan
or Multiemployer Plan or in respect of any Benefit Arrangement, or made any
amendment to any Plan or Benefit Arrangement, which has resulted or could result
in the imposition of a Lien or the posting of a bond or other security under
ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code or (iii) incurred any liability under Title
IV of ERISA other than a liability to the PBGC for premiums under Section 4007
of ERISA.

      4.14. Environmental Matters


                                      -44-
<PAGE>

            (a) No Hazardous Substances are or have been generated, used,
located, released, treated, disposed of or stored by the Applicant or any of its
Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Applicant, by any other Person or
otherwise, in, on or under any portion of any real property, leased or owned, of
the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries, except in material compliance with all
applicable Environmental Laws, and no portion of any such real property or, to
the knowledge of the Applicant, any other real property at any time leased,
owned or operated by the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries, has been
contaminated by any Hazardous Substance; and no portion of any real property,
leased or owned, of the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries has been or, to the
knowledge of the Applicant, is presently the subject of an environmental audit,
assessment or remedial action.

            (b) Except as set forth of Schedule 4.14, to the knowledge of the
Applicant, (i) no portion of any real property, leased or owned, of the
Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries has been used as or for a mine, a landfill,
a dump or other disposal facility, a gasoline service station, or (other than
for petroleum substances stored in the ordinary course of business) a petroleum
products storage facility, (ii) no portion of such real property or any other
real property at any time leased, owned or operated by the Applicant or any of
its Subsidiaries has, pursuant to any Environmental Law, been placed on the
"National Priorities List" or "CERCLIS List" (or any similar federal, state or
local list) of sites subject to possible environmental problems, and (iii) there
are not and have never been any underground storage tanks situated on any real
property, leased or owned, of the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries.

            (c) All activities and operations of the Applicant and its
Subsidiaries are in compliance with the requirements of all applicable
Environmental Laws, except to the extent the failure so to comply, individually
or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect. Other than normal claims in the ordinary course of business pursuant to
insurance policies written by an Insurance Subsidiary, neither the Applicant nor
any of its Subsidiaries is involved in any suit, action or proceeding, or has
received any notice, complaint or other request for information from any
Governmental Authority or other Person, with respect to any actual or alleged
Environmental Claims that, if adversely determined, would be reasonably likely,
individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect; and, to the
knowledge of the Applicant, there are no threatened actions, suits, proceedings
or investigations with respect to any such Environmental Claims, nor any basis
therefor.

      4.15. Compliance With Laws

            Each of the Applicant and its Subsidiaries has timely filed all
material reports, documents and other materials required to be filed by it under
all applicable Requirements of Law with any Governmental Authority, has retained
all material records and


                                      -45-
<PAGE>

documents required to be retained by it under all applicable Requirements of
Law, and is otherwise in compliance with all applicable Requirements of Law in
respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership and operation of its
properties, except for such Requirements of Law the failure to comply with
which, individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to have
a Material Adverse Effect.

      4.16. Regulated Industries

            Neither the Applicant nor any of its Subsidiaries is (i) an
"investment company," a company "controlled" by an "investment company," or an
"investment advisor," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, or (ii) a "holding company," a "subsidiary company" of a "holding
company," or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary company"
of a "holding company," within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company
Act of 1935, as amended.

      4.17. Insurance

            The assets, properties and business of the Applicant and its
Subsidiaries are insured against such hazards and liabilities (other than normal
life insurance risk), under such coverages and in such amounts, as are
customarily maintained by prudent companies similarly situated and under
policies issued by insurers of recognized responsibility. No notice of any
pending or threatened cancellation or material premium increase has been
received by the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any such
insurance policies, and the Applicant and each of its Subsidiaries are in
substantial compliance with all conditions contained therein.

      4.18. Certain Contracts.

            Schedule 4.18 lists, as of the Restatement Effective Date, each
material contract, agreement or commitment, written or oral, other than
Reinsurance Agreements, to which the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party, by which any of them or their respective properties is bound or to which
any of them is subject (other than insurance policies written in the ordinary
course of business) and that (i) relates to employment or labor matters, (ii)
involves aggregate consideration payable to or by any party thereto of
$1,000,000 or more or (iii) is otherwise material to the business, condition
(financial or otherwise), operations, performance or properties of the Applicant
or any of its Subsidiaries, and also indicates the parties, subject matter and
term thereof. As of the Restatement Effective Date, each such contract is in
full force and effect, and neither the Applicant nor any of its Subsidiaries or,
to the knowledge of the Applicant, any other party thereto, is in breach of or
default under any such contract. As of the Restatement Effective Date, none of
such other parties has any presently exercisable right to terminate any such
contract nor will


                                      -46-
<PAGE>

any such other party have any right to terminate any such contract on account of
the execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents.

      4.19. Reinsurance Agreements

            (a) Except as set forth on Schedule F to the Annual Statements for
the Insurance Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, there
are no material liabilities outstanding as of the Restatement Effective Date
under any Reinsurance Agreement. Each Reinsurance Agreement is in full force and
effect; none of the Insurance Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the
Applicant, any other party thereto, is in breach of or default under any such
contract; and the Applicant has no reason to believe that the financial
condition of any other party to any such contract is impaired such that a
default thereunder by such party could reasonably be anticipated. Each
Reinsurance Agreement is qualified under all applicable Requirements of Law to
receive the statutory credit assigned to such Reinsurance Agreement in the
relevant Annual Statement or Quarterly Statement at the time prepared. Except as
set forth on Schedule 4.19, each Person to whom any of the Insurance
Subsidiaries has ceded any material liability pursuant to any Reinsurance
Agreement on the Restatement Effective Date either (i) has a rating of "A-" or
better by A.M. Best & Company or (ii) has provided collateral in favor of the
applicable Insurance Subsidiary of the type and in an amount described in
Schedule 4.19.

            (b) As of the Restatement Effective Date, no Insurance Subsidiary is
a party to any Surplus Relief Reinsurance Agreement.

      4.20. Ranking of Obligations

            So long as any of the Surviving Senior Notes remain unpaid and
outstanding, the Obligations rank pari passu with the obligations of the
Applicant in respect of the Surviving Senior Notes.

5.    AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

      The Applicant agrees that, so long as this Agreement is in effect, any
reimbursement obligations (contingent or otherwise) in respect of any Letter of
Credit remain outstanding and unpaid, or any other amount is owing under any
Credit Document to the Issuing Bank, any Bank or the Agent:

      5.1.  GAAP Financial Statements

            The Applicant will deliver to each Bank:


                                      -47-
<PAGE>

                  (a) As soon as available and in any event within sixty (60)
days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal
year, beginning with the first fiscal quarter ending after the date hereof,
unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of the Applicant and its
Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal quarter and unaudited consolidated and
consolidating statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the
Applicant and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter then ended and for that
portion of the fiscal year then ended, in each case setting forth comparative
consolidated figures as of the end of and for the corresponding period in the
preceding fiscal year, all prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (subject to the absence of notes required by Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles and subject to normal year-end audit adjustments)
applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding quarter or containing
disclosure of the effect on the financial condition or results of operations of
any change in the application of accounting principles and practices during such
quarter; and

                  (b) As soon as available and in any event within one-hundred
twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1996, (i) an audited consolidated balance sheet of the
Applicant and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and audited
consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the
Applicant and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended, including the
applicable notes, in each case setting forth comparative figures as of the end
of and for the preceding fiscal year, certified by the independent certified
public accounting firm regularly retained by the Applicant or another
independent certified public accounting firm of recognized national standing
reasonably acceptable to the Required Banks, together with a report thereon by
such accountants that is not qualified as to going concern or scope of audit and
to the effect that such financial statements present fairly the consolidated
financial condition and results of operations of the Applicant and its
Subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods indicated in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, (ii) an unaudited consolidating
balance sheet of the Applicant and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal
year and unaudited consolidating statements of income, stockholders' equity and
cash flows for the Applicant and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then
ended, all in reasonable detail, and (iii) an unaudited balance sheet of PMA
Cayman as of the end of such fiscal year and unaudited statements of income,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for PMA Cayman for the fiscal year then
ended, all prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
applied on a consistent basis with that of the preceding fiscal year or
containing disclosure to the effect on the financial condition or results of
operations of any change in the application of accounting principles and
practices during such fiscal year.

      5.2.  Statutory Financial Statements


                                      -48-
<PAGE>

            The Applicant will deliver to each Bank:

                  (a) As soon as available and in any event within forty-five
(45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each
fiscal year, beginning with the first fiscal quarter ending after the date
hereof, a Quarterly Statement of each Insurance Subsidiary as of the end of such
fiscal quarter and for that portion of the fiscal year then ended, in the form
filed with the relevant Insurance Regulatory Authority, prepared in accordance
with Statutory Accounting Practices;

                  (b) As soon as available and in any event within sixty (60)
days after the end of each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996, an Annual Statement of each Insurance Subsidiary as of the
end of such fiscal year and for the fiscal year then ended, in the form filed
with the relevant Insurance Regulatory Authority, prepared in accordance with
Statutory Accounting Practices; and

                  (c) As soon as available and in any event within one hundred
twenty-one (121) days after the end of each fiscal year, beginning with the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, a Combined Annual Statement of PMAIC and
its Consolidated Affiliates as of the end of such fiscal year and for the fiscal
year then ended, in the form filed with the relevant Insurance Regulatory
Authority, prepared in accordance with Statutory Accounting Practices.

      5.3.  Other Business and Financial Information

            The Applicant will deliver to each Bank:

                  (a) Concurrently with each delivery of the financial
statements described in Sections 5.1 and 5.2, a Compliance Certificate in the
form of Exhibit E-1 (in the case of the financial statements described in
Section 5.1) or Exhibit E-2 (in the case of the financial statements described
in Section 5.2) with respect to the period covered by the financial statements
then being delivered, executed by the chief financial officer of the Applicant
(or a vice president of the Applicant having significant responsibility for
financial matters), together, in the case of the financial statements described
in Section 5.1, with a Covenant Compliance Worksheet reflecting the computation
of the financial covenants set forth in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 as of the last day
of the period covered by such financial statements, and in the case of the
financial statements described in Section 5.2, with a Covenant Compliance
Worksheet reflecting the computation of the financial covenants set forth in
Sections 6.3 and 6.4 as of the last day of the period covered by such financial
statements;


                                      -49-
<PAGE>

                  (b) Promptly upon filing with the relevant Insurance
Regulatory Authority and in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of
each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, a copy
of each Insurance Subsidiary's "Statement of Actuarial Opinion" (or equivalent
information should the relevant Insurance Regulatory Authority not require such
a statement) as to the adequacy of such Insurance Subsidiary's loss reserves for
such fiscal year, together with a copy of its management discussion and analysis
in connection therewith, each in the format prescribed by the applicable
insurance laws of such Insurance Subsidiary's jurisdiction of domicile;

                  (c) Promptly upon the sending or filing thereof, copies of any
"internal control" letter filed by on behalf of the Applicant or any of its
Subsidiaries with any Insurance Regulatory Authority;

                  (d) Promptly upon the sending, filing or receipt thereof,
copies of (i) all financial statements, reports, notices and proxy statements
that the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries shall send or make available
generally to its shareholders, (ii) all regular, periodic and special reports,
registration statements and prospectuses that the Applicant or any of its
Subsidiaries shall render to or file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or any national
securities exchange, (iii) all significant reports on examination or similar
significant reports, financial examination reports or market conduct examination
reports by the NAIC or any Insurance Regulatory Authority or other Governmental
Authority with respect to any Insurance Subsidiary's insurance business, and
(iv) all significant filings made under applicable state insurance holding
company acts by the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries, including, without
limitation, filings seeking approval of transactions with Affiliates;

                  (e) Promptly upon (and in any event within three (3) Business
Days after) an officer of the Applicant obtaining knowledge thereof, written
notice of any of the following:

                        (i) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default,
together with a written statement of the chief executive officer or chief
financial officer of the Applicant specifying the nature of such Default or
Event of Default, the period of existence thereof and the action that the
Applicant has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;

                        (ii) the institution or threatened institution of any
action, suit, investigation or proceeding against or affecting the Applicant or
any of its Subsidiaries, including any such investigation or proceeding by any
Insurance Regulatory Authority or other Governmental Authority (other than
routine periodic inquiries, investigations or reviews), that would, if adversely
determined, be reasonably likely, individually or in the


                                      -50-
<PAGE>

aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, and any material development in
any litigation or other proceeding previously reported pursuant to Section 4.5
or this Section 5.3(e)(ii);

                        (iii) the receipt by the Applicant or any of its
Subsidiaries from any Insurance Regulatory Authority or other Governmental
Authority of (i) any notice asserting any failure by the Applicant or any of its
Subsidiaries to be in compliance with applicable Requirements of Law or that
threatens the taking of any action against the Applicant or such Subsidiary or
sets forth circumstances that, if taken or adversely determined, would be
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) any notice of any
actual or threatened suspension, limitation or revocation of, failure to renew,
or imposition of any restraining order, escrow or impoundment of funds in
connection with, any license, permit, accreditation or authorization of the
Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries, where such action would be reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                        (iv) the occurrence of any of the following, together
with a reasonably detailed description thereof and copies of any filings,
communications, reports or other information relating thereto made available to
the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries: (A) the assertion of any Environmental
Claim against or affecting the Applicant, any of its Subsidiaries or any of
their respective real property, leased or owned; (B) the receipt by the
Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries of notice of any alleged violation of or
noncompliance with any Environmental Laws by the Applicant or any of its
Subsidiaries; or (C) the taking of any remedial action by the Applicant, any of
its Subsidiaries or any other Person in response to the actual or alleged
generation, storage, release, disposal or discharge of any Hazardous Substances
on, to, upon or from any real property leased or owned by the Applicant or any
of its Subsidiaries; but in each case under clauses (A), (B) and (C) above, only
to the extent the same would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect;

                        (v) the occurrence of any actual changes in any
insurance statute or regulation governing the investment or dividend practices
of any Insurance Subsidiary that would be reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect;

                        (vi) if and when any member of the ERISA Group gives or
is required to give notice to the PBGC of any "reportable event" (as defined in
section 4043 of ERISA) with respect to any Plan which might constitute grounds
for a termination of such Plan under Title IV of ERISA, or knows that the plan
administrator of any Plan has given or is required to give notice of any such
reportable event, a copy of the notice of such reportable event given or
required to be given to the PBGC; (ii) receives notice of complete or partial
withdrawal liability under Title IV of ERISA or notice that any Multiemployer
Plan is in reorganization, is insolvent or has been terminated, a copy of such
notice; (iii) receives notice from the PBGC under Title IV of ERISA of an intent
to terminate, impose liability (other than for premiums under Section 4007 of
ERISA) in respect of, or appoint a


                                      -51-
<PAGE>

trustee to administer any Plan, a copy of such notice; (iv) applies for a waiver
of the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code,
a copy of such application; (v) gives notice of intent to terminate any Plan
under Section 4041(c) of ERISA, a copy of such notice and other information
filed with the PBGC; (vi) gives notice of withdrawal from any Plan pursuant to
Section 4063 of ERISA, a copy of such notice; or (vii) fails to make any payment
or contribution to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or in respect of any Benefit
Arrangement or makes any amendment to any Plan or Benefit Arrangement which has
resulted or could result in the imposition of a Lien or the posting of a bond or
other security, a certificate of the chief financial officer or the chief
accounting officer of the Applicant setting forth details as to such occurrence
and action, if any, which the Applicant or applicable member of the ERISA Group
is required or proposes to take; and

                        (vii) any other matter or event that has, or would be
reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect, together with a written
statement of the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the
Applicant setting forth the nature and period of existence thereof and the
action that the Applicant has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;

                  (f) Promptly, notice of (i) the occurrence of any material
amendment or modification to any Reinsurance Agreement (whether entered into
before or after the Restatement Effective Date), including any such agreements
that are in a runoff mode on the Restatement Effective Date, which amendment or
modification would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, or
(ii) the receipt by the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries of any written
notice of any denial of coverage, litigation, claim or arbitration arising out
of any Reinsurance Agreement to which it is a party which would be reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                  (g) As promptly as reasonably possible, such other information
about the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations or properties
of the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation,
financial, actuarial and other information with respect to Reinsurance
Agreements) as the Agent or any Bank may from time to time reasonably request;
and

                  (h) Upon the request of the Agent at the direction of the
Required Banks (which absent a showing of good cause shall not be more often
than one time during any twelve-month period), at the Applicant's expense,
deliver to each Bank within sixty (60) days of such request an actuarial review
of the liabilities and other items of each Insurance Subsidiary prepared by an
actuary or a firm of actuaries reasonably acceptable to the Agent, such
actuarial review to be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the
Required Banks.


                                      -52-
<PAGE>

      5.4.  Corporate Existence; Franchises; Maintenance of Properties

            The Applicant will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
maintain and preserve in full force and effect its corporate existence, except
as expressly permitted otherwise by Section 7.1. The Applicant will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) obtain, maintain and preserve in full
force and effect all other rights, franchises, licenses, permits,
certifications, approvals and authorizations required by Governmental
Authorities and necessary to the ownership, occupation or use of its properties
or the conduct of its business, except to the extent the failure to do so would
not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) keep all
material properties in good working order and condition (normal wear and tear
excepted) and from time to time make all necessary repairs to and renewals and
replacements of such properties, except to the extent that any of such
properties are obsolete or are being replaced.

      5.5.  Compliance with Laws

            The Applicant will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
comply in all respects with all Requirements of Law applicable in respect of the
conduct of its business and the ownership and operation of its properties,
except to the extent the failure so to comply would not be reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect.

      5.6.  Payment of Obligations

            The Applicant will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i)
pay all liabilities and obligations as and when due (subject to any applicable
subordination provisions), except to the extent failure to do so would not be
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) pay and discharge
all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it, upon
its income or profits or upon any of its properties, prior to the date on which
penalties would attach thereto, and all lawful claims that, if unpaid, might
become a Lien upon any of the properties of the Applicant or any of its
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that neither the Applicant nor any of its
Subsidiaries shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or
claim that is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and as to
which the Applicant or such Subsidiary is maintaining adequate reserves with
respect thereto in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

      5.7.  Insurance

            The Applicant will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance with
respect to its assets, properties and business, against such hazards and
liabilities (other than normal life insurance


                                      -53-
<PAGE>

risk), of such types and in such amounts, as is customarily maintained by
companies in the same or similar businesses similarly situated.

      5.8.  Maintenance of Books and Records; Inspection

            The Applicant will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i)
maintain adequate books, accounts and records, in which full, true and correct
entries shall be made of all financial transactions in relation to its business
and properties, and prepare all financial statements required under this
Agreement, in each case in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles or Statutory Accounting Practices, as applicable, and in compliance
with the requirements of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it,
and (ii) permit employees or agents of the Agent or any Bank, at the Agent's or
Bank's expense (except as provided in Section 10.1), to inspect its properties
and examine or audit its books, records, working papers and accounts and make
copies and memoranda of them, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts
with its officers and employees and, with the prior consent of the Applicant
(such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), the independent public
accountants of the Applicant and its Subsidiaries (and by this provision the
Applicant authorizes such accountants to discuss the finances of the Applicant
and its Subsidiaries), all at such times and from time to time, upon reasonable
notice and during business hours, as may be reasonably requested.

      5.9.  Dividends

            The Applicant will take all action necessary to cause its
Subsidiaries to make such dividends, distributions or other payments to the
Applicant as shall be necessary for the Applicant to make payments of the
Obligations. In the event the approval of any Governmental Authority or other
Person is required in order for any such Subsidiary to make any such dividends,
distributions or other payments to the Applicant, or for the Applicant to make
any such principal or interest payments, the Applicant will forthwith exercise
its best efforts and take all actions permitted by law and necessary to obtain
such approval.

      5.10. Ownership of Insurance Subsidiaries

            The Applicant will cause each of its Insurance Subsidiaries to
remain at all times a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Applicant, except as
expressly permitted otherwise by Section 7.1.

      5.11. Extinguishment of Senior Note Indebtedness


                                      -54-
<PAGE>

            The Applicant, on or before June 30, 1997, will cause the Surviving
Senior Note Indebtedness, including all fees and interest accrued thereon, to be
extinguished and paid in full and the Surviving Senior Notes to be cancelled.

      5.12. Further Assurances

            The Applicant will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
make, execute, endorse, acknowledge and deliver any amendments, modifications or
supplements hereto and restatements hereof and any other agreements, instruments
or documents, and take any and all such other actions, as may from time to time
be reasonably requested by the Agent or the Required Banks to effect, confirm or
further assure or protect and preserve the interests, rights and remedies of the
Agent and the Banks under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

6.    FINANCIAL COVENANTS

      The Applicant agrees that, so long as this Agreement is in effect, any
reimbursement obligations (contingent or otherwise) in respect of any Letter of
Credit remain outstanding and unpaid, or any other amount is owing under any
Credit Document to the Issuing Bank, any Bank or the Agent:

      6.1.  Capitalization Ratio

            The Applicant will not permit the Capitalization Ratio to be greater
than 0.35 to 1.0 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, beginning with the
fiscal quarter ending December 31, 1996.

      6.2.  Cash Coverage Ratio

            The Applicant will not permit the Cash Coverage Ratio to be less
than (i) with respect to any four fiscal quarter period ending on or after
December 31, 1996 or ending on or before December 31, 1999, 2.50 to 1.0, and
(ii) with respect to any four fiscal quarter period ending thereafter, 2.75 to
1.0.

      6.3.  Statutory Surplus

            The Applicant will cause the Consolidated Statutory Surplus of the
Insurance Subsidiaries to be not less than $450,000,000 at all times from and
after the Restatement Effective Date.


                                      -55-
<PAGE>

      6.4.  Risk-Based Capital

            The Applicant will not permit "total adjusted capital" (within the
meaning of the Risk-Based Capital for Insurers Model Act as promulgated by the
NAIC as of the date hereof (the "Model Act")) of the following Insurance
Subsidiaries to be less than the percentages set forth below, as of the dates
set forth below, of the applicable "Company Action Level RBC" (within the
meaning of the Model Act):

            (i) with respect to PMA Re, as of the last day of any fiscal year,
      beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, not less than
      150%;

            (ii) with respect to any other Insurance Subsidiary (other than an
      Insurance Subsidiary not required by the relevant Insurance Regulatory
      Authority to meet any RBC requirements), not less than (w) as of December
      31, 1996, 100% (x) as of December 31, 1997, 110%, and (y) as of December
      31, 1998, 115%, and (z) as of December 31, 1999 and the last day of any
      fiscal year thereafter, 120%.

7.    NEGATIVE COVENANTS

      The Applicant agrees that, so long as this Agreement is in effect, any
reimbursement obligations (contingent or otherwise) in respect of any Letter of
Credit remain outstanding and unpaid, or any other amount is owing under any
Credit Document to the Issuing Bank, any Bank or the Agent:

      7.1.  Merger; Consolidation; Disposition of Assets

            The Applicant will not, and will not permit or cause any of its
Subsidiaries to, liquidate, wind up or dissolve, enter into any consolidation,
merger or other combination, or sell, assign, lease, convey, transfer,
assumption reinsure or otherwise dispose of (whether in one or a series of
transactions) all or any portion of its assets, business or properties outside
of the ordinary course of its business, or agree to do any of the foregoing;
provided, however, that:

            (i) any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with, or sell or
      otherwise dispose of assets to, another Subsidiary or the Applicant so
      long as (y) the surviving or transferee corporation is the Applicant or a
      Wholly Owned Subsidiary and (z) immediately after giving effect thereto,
      no Default or Event of Default would exist;


                                      -56-
<PAGE>

            (ii) the Applicant and its Subsidiaries may sell or exchange used or
      obsolete equipment to the extent (y) the proceeds of such sale are applied
      towards, or such equipment is exchanged for, similar replacement equipment
      or (z) such equipment is no longer necessary for the operations of the
      Applicant or its applicable Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;
      and

            (iii) the Applicant and its Subsidiaries may sell (y) the capital
      stock or all or any portion of the assets, business or properties of a
      Subsidiary that is not a Material Subsidiary, and (z) any asset or group
      of assets constituting less than (A) in any single transaction or series
      or related transactions, ten percent (10%) of Consolidated Statutory
      Surplus as of the last day of the fiscal quarter ending on or immediately
      prior to the date of such sale, and (B) during the term of this Agreement,
      in the aggregate with all such other sales pursuant to this clause (iii),
      thirty percent (30%) of Consolidated Statutory Surplus as of the end of
      the immediately preceding fiscal year.

      7.2.  Indebtedness

            The Applicant will not, and will not permit or cause any of its
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to
exist, any Indebtedness other than:

            (i) Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Agreement and any other
Credit Document (as therein defined), provided the aggregate principal amount
thereof does not exceed $250,000,000;

            (ii) accrued expenses, current trade or other accounts payable and
other current liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business and not
incurred through the borrowing of money, provided that the same shall be paid
when due except to the extent being contested in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings;

            (iii) Indebtedness of any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Applicant
to the Applicant or to another Wholly Owned Subsidiary;

            (iv) Indebtedness due under the Credit Documents;

            (v) subject to Section 5.11, the Surviving Senior Note Indebtedness;

            (vi) the Terminating Indebtedness but only until the initial
borrowing under the Revolving Credit Agreement shall have occurred;


                                      -57-
<PAGE>

            (vii) Indebtedness existing on the Restatement Effective Date as set
forth on Schedule 7.2;

            (viii) Indebtedness in respect of any Hedge Agreement covering a
notional principal amount not in excess of the amount of the aggregate
Commitments; and

            (ix) Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness specified in clauses (i)
through (viii) above) in the aggregate principal amount outstanding not
exceeding $10,000,000 at any time and constituting (y) unsecured Indebtedness of
the Applicant or (z) reimbursement obligations under letters of credit (whether
or not drawn or matured and in the stated amount thereof) issued on behalf of an
Insurance Subsidiary in the ordinary course of such Insurance Subsidiary's
business.

      7.3.  Liens

            The Applicant will not, and will not permit or cause any of its
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make, create, incur, assume or suffer
to exist, or enter into or suffer to exist any agreement or restriction that
prohibits or conditions the creation, incurrence or assumption of, any Lien upon
or with respect to any part of its property or assets, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, or agree to do any of the foregoing, other than the
following (collectively, "Permitted Liens"):

            (i) Liens (y) in existence on the Restatement Effective Date and set
forth on Schedule 7.3 and (z) arising out of the refinancing, extension, renewal
or refunding of any Indebtedness secured by any such Lien provided that such
Indebtedness is not increased and is not secured by any additional assets;

            (ii) Liens imposed by law, such as Liens of carriers, warehousemen,
mechanics, materialmen and landlords, and other similar Liens incurred in the
ordinary course of business for sums not constituting borrowed money that are
not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or that are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate
reserves have been established in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles;

            (iii) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA, the creation or
incurrence of which would result in an Event of Default under Section 8.1(k))
incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with worker's
compensation, unemployment insurance or other forms of governmental insurance or
benefits, or to secure the performance of letters of credit, bids, tenders,
statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, leases, government contracts and
other similar obligations (other than obligations for borrowed money) entered
into in the ordinary course of business;


                                      -58-
<PAGE>

            (iv) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or
statutory obligations that are not delinquent or remain payable without any
penalty or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and
for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles;

            (v) Liens in connection with pledges and deposits made pursuant to
statutory and regulatory requirements of Insurance Regulatory Authorities by an
Insurance Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business, for the purpose of
securing regulatory capital or satisfying other financial responsibility
requirements;

            (vi) with respect to any real property occupied by the Applicant or
any of its Subsidiaries, all easements, rights of way, licenses and similar
encumbrances on title that do not materially impair the use of such property for
its intended purposes;

            (vii) Liens in favor of the Agent and the Banks hereunder; and

            (viii) Liens (other than Liens specified in clauses (i) through
(vii) above) securing obligations in the aggregate principal amount not
exceeding, at any time, the greater of (y) five percent (5%) of Consolidated Net
Worth as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year or (z) $20,000,000.

      7.4.  Investments; Acquisitions

            The Applicant will not, and will not permit or cause any of its
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, purchase, own, invest in or otherwise
acquire any capital stock, evidence of indebtedness or other obligation or
security or any interest whatsoever in any other Person, or make or permit to
exist any loans, advances or extensions of credit to, or any investment in cash
or by delivery of property in, any other Person, or purchase or otherwise
acquire (whether in one or a series of related transactions) any portion of the
assets, business or properties of another Person, or create or acquire any
Subsidiary, or become a partner or joint venturer in any partnership or joint
venture (collectively, "Investments"), or make a commitment or otherwise agree
to do any of the foregoing, if, immediately after any such Investment, the
amount of the cash, Cash Equivalents and Investment Grade Securities owned by
the Applicant and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, would be less than
eighty-five percent (85%) of the total Invested Assets of the Applicant and its
Subsidiaries determined as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter.

      7.5.  Restricted Payments


                                      -59-
<PAGE>

            (a) The Applicant will not, and will not permit or cause any of its
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, declare or make any dividend payment,
or make any other distribution of cash, property or assets, in respect of any of
its capital stock or any warrants, rights or options to acquire its capital
stock, or purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any shares of
its capital stock or any warrants, rights or options to acquire its capital
stock, or set aside funds for any of the foregoing, except that:

                  (i) each Wholly Owned Subsidiary may declare and make dividend
payments or other distributions to the Applicant or another Wholly Owned
Subsidiary to the extent permitted under applicable Requirements of Law and, as
to the Insurance Subsidiaries, by each relevant Insurance Regulatory Authority;
and

                  (ii) the Applicant may declare and make dividend payments or
other distributions, and may purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire
shares of its capital stock, in cash or in-kind, in each case provided that,
immediately after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default would
exist.

            (b) The Applicant will not, and will not permit or cause any of its
Subsidiaries to, other than with respect to the Surviving Senior Note
Indebtedness and the Terminating Indebtedness, make (or give any notice in
respect of) any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment on any Indebtedness
or, directly or indirectly, make any redemption (including pursuant to any
change of control provision), retirement, defeasance or other acquisition for
value of any Indebtedness, or make any deposit or otherwise set aside funds for
any of the foregoing purposes.

      7.6.  Transactions with Affiliates

            The Applicant will not, and will not permit or cause any of its
Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction with any officer, director,
stockholder or other Affiliate of the Applicant or any Subsidiary, except in the
ordinary course of its business and upon fair and reasonable terms that are no
less favorable to it than would obtain in a comparable arm's length transaction
with a Person other than an Affiliate of the Applicant or such Subsidiary;
provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section shall prohibit:

                  (i) transactions described on Schedule 7.6 or otherwise
expressly permitted hereunder; and

                  (ii) the payment by the Applicant of reasonable and customary
fees to members of its board of directors.

      7.7.  Certain Amendments


                                      -60-
<PAGE>

            The Applicant will not, and will not permit or cause any of its
Subsidiaries to, (i) amend, modify or waive, or permit the amendment,
modification or waiver of, any provision of any agreement or instrument
evidencing or governing any Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the
Revolving Credit Agreement and the Surviving Senior Notes, or (ii) amend or
modify its articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws, in each case
under clauses (i) and (ii) other than any amendments or modifications that could
not reasonably be expected to affect the Banks adversely.

      7.8.  Lines of Business

            The Applicant will not, and will not permit or cause any of its
Subsidiaries to, engage to any substantial degree in any business other than the
lines of property and casualty insurance business and other businesses engaged
in by the Applicant and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof or a business
reasonably related thereto.

      7.9.  Limitation on Certain Restrictions

            The Applicant will not, and will not permit or cause any of its
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to
exist or become effective any restriction or encumbrance on (i) the ability of
the Applicant and its Subsidiaries to perform and comply with their respective
obligations under the Credit Documents or the Revolving Credit Agreement and the
Credit Documents (as therein defined), (ii) the ability of the Applicant or any
Subsidiary to grant, assume or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its assets
or properties as security, directly or indirectly, for the Obligations, other
than the restrictions set forth in the Credit Documents or the Revolving Credit
Agreement and the Credit Documents (as therein defined), or (iii) the ability of
any Subsidiary of the Applicant to make any dividend payments or other
distributions in respect of its capital stock, to make loans or advances to the
Applicant or any other Subsidiary, or to transfer any of its assets or
properties to the Applicant or any other Subsidiary, in each case other than
such restrictions or encumbrances existing under or by reason of the Credit
Documents or applicable Requirements of Law.

      7.10. Fiscal Year

            The Applicant will not, and will not permit or cause any of its
Subsidiaries to, change the ending date of its fiscal year to a date other than
December 31 unless (i) the Applicant shall have given the Banks written notice
of its intention to change such ending date at least sixty (60) days prior to
the effective date thereof and (ii) prior to such effective date this Agreement
shall have been amended to make any changes in the financial


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<PAGE>

covenants and other terms and conditions to the extent necessary, in the
reasonable determination of the Required Banks, to reflect the new fiscal year
ending date.

      7.11. Accounting Changes

            The Applicant will not, and will not permit or cause any of its
Subsidiaries to, make or permit any material change in its accounting policies
or reporting practices, except as may be required by Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles or Statutory Accounting Practices, as applicable, and any
change to an accounting principle that can be demonstrated by the Applicant to
be "preferable" in accordance with Statements on Auditing Standards No. 58 as
promulgated by the Auditing Standards Board.

      7.12. Reinsurance Agreements

            The Applicant will not, and will not permit or cause any of its
Insurance Subsidiaries to, (i) except for the Reinsurance Agreements existing on
the Restatement Effective Date with the reinsurers set forth on Schedule 4.19,
be or become a party to any Reinsurance Agreement (whether in effect as of the
Restatement Effective Date or at any time thereafter) with any reinsurer not
rated "A-" or better by A.M. Best & Company unless such reinsurer has either (x)
provided a letter of credit issued by a United States bank having a long term
senior debt rating of A or better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group and Moody's
Investors Services, Inc., in favor of the Applicant or the applicable Insurance
Subsidiary in an amount equal to or greater than the obligations transferred
pursuant to such Reinsurance Agreement, (y) placed the assets transferred by the
Insurance Subsidiary pursuant to such Reinsurance Agreement in a trust with a
fiduciary and under terms, including investment restrictions consistent with
this Agreement, satisfactory to the Agent, or (z) otherwise provided collateral
in favor of the Applicant or the applicable Insurance Subsidiary in form and
amount satisfactory to the Required Banks, (ii) enter into any Reinsurance
Agreements, or make any amendment or modification to or waiver of any
Reinsurance Agreements, that would, individually or in the aggregate, be
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) be or become a
party to any Surplus Relief Reinsurance Agreement if the increase in
Consolidated Statutory Surplus as a result of or arising from such Surplus
Relief Reinsurance Agreement, when added to the increase in Consolidated
Statutory Surplus as a result of or arising from all other Surplus Relief
Reinsurance Agreements theretofore entered into by any Insurance Subsidiary, net
of any surplus relief recaptured in respect of such Surplus Relief Reinsurance
Agreements, exceeds the lesser of (y) ten percent (10%) of Consolidated
Statutory Surplus as of the most recent fiscal year end, or (z) $45,000,000.

8.    DEFAULT


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<PAGE>

      8.1.  Events of Default

            The following shall each constitute an "Event of Default" hereunder:

                  (a) The failure of the Applicant or any Co-Applicant to pay
any reimbursement obligations in respect of any Letter of Credit within two
Business Days after demand; or

                  (b) The failure of the Applicant or any Co-Applicant to pay
any interest or any other fees or expenses payable under any Credit Document or
otherwise to the Agent with respect to the credit facilities established
hereunder within three Business Days of the date when due and payable; or

                  (c) The issuance of any Letter of Credit for a purpose
inconsistent with or in violation of Section 2.1(b) or the use of the proceeds
of any Letter of Credit in a manner inconsistent with or in violation of Section
2.13; or

                  (d) the Applicant shall fail to observe, perform or comply
with any condition, covenant or agreement contained in any of Sections 5.3,
5.4(i), or 5.11, Section 6 or Section 7; or

                  (e) The Applicant, any Co-Applicant or any of the Applicant's
Subsidiaries shall fail to observe, perform or comply with any condition,
covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any of the other Credit
Documents other than those enumerated in clauses (a), (b), (c), or (d) above),
and such failure shall continue unremedied for any grace period specifically
applicable thereto or, if no such grace period is applicable, for a period after
the Applicant acquires knowledge thereof of (i) five (5) days with respect to
covenants set forth in Sections 5.1 or 5.2 or (ii) thirty (30) days with respect
to any other condition, covenant or agreement; or

                  (f) Any representation, warranty, certification or statement
made by the Applicant or any Co-Applicant in this Agreement or in any Credit
Document or any certificate, financial statement or other document delivered
pursuant to this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect in any material
respect when made (or deemed made); or

                  (g) The Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) fail to
pay when due (whether by scheduled maturity, acceleration or otherwise and after
giving effect to any applicable grace period) any principal of or interest on
any Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this
Agreement) having an aggregate principal amount of at least $1,000,000; or (ii)
fail to observe, perform or comply with any condition,


                                      -63-
<PAGE>

covenant or agreement contained in any agreement or instrument evidencing or
relating to any such Indebtedness, or any other event shall occur or condition
exist in respect thereof, and the effect of such failure, event or condition is
to cause, or permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or
agent on its or their behalf) to cause (with the giving of notice, lapse of
time, or both), such Indebtedness to become due, or to be prepaid, redeemed,
purchased or defeased, prior to its stated maturity; or

                  (h) The Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) file a
voluntary petition or commence a voluntary case seeking liquidation, winding-up,
reorganization, dissolution, arrangement, readjustment of debts or any other
relief under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the
institution of, or fail to controvert in a timely and appropriate manner, any
petition or case of the type described in subsection (g) below, (iii) apply for
or consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, trustee,
receiver or similar official for or of itself or all or a substantial part of
its properties or assets, (iv) fail generally, or admit in writing its
inability, to pay its debts generally as they become due, (v) make a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any corporate action to
authorize or approve any of the foregoing; or

                  (i) Any involuntary petition or case shall be filed or
commenced against the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries seeking liquidation,
winding-up, reorganization, dissolution, arrangement, readjustment of debts, the
appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver or similar official for it or all
or a substantial part of its properties or any other relief under the Bankruptcy
Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or
hereafter in effect, and such petition or case shall continue undismissed and
unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days; or an order, judgment or decree
approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered in any such
proceeding; or

                  (j) Any one or more money judgments, writs or warrants of
attachment, executions or similar processes involving an aggregate amount
(exclusive of amounts fully bonded or covered by insurance as to which the
surety or insurer, as the case may be, has acknowledged its liability in
writing) in excess of $1,000,000 (other than a liability of an Insurance
Subsidiary under an insurance contract written in the ordinary course of
business) shall be entered or filed against the Applicant or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties and the same shall not be
dismissed, stayed or discharged for a period of thirty (30) days; or

                  (k) Any member of the ERISA Group shall fail to pay when due
an amount or amounts aggregating in excess of $1,000,000 which it shall have
become liable to pay under Title IV of ERISA; or notice of intent to terminate a
Material Plan shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by any member of the ERISA
Group, any plan administrator or any


                                      -64-
<PAGE>

combination of the foregoing; or the PBGC shall institute proceedings under
Title IV of ERISA to terminate, to impose liability (other than for premiums
under Section 4007 of ERISA) in respect of, or to cause a trustee to be
appointed to administer any Material Plan; or a condition shall exist by reason
of which the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree adjudicating that any
Material Plan must be terminated; or there shall occur a complete or partial
withdrawal from, or a default, within the meaning of Section 4219(c)(5) of
ERISA, with respect to, one or more Multiemployer Plans which could cause one or
more members of the ERISA Group to incur a current payment obligation in excess
of $1,000,000; or

                  (l) Any Insurance Regulatory Authority or other Governmental
Authority having jurisdiction shall issue any order of conservation,
supervision, rehabilitation or liquidation or any other order of similar effect
in respect of any Insurance Subsidiary, and such action, individually or in the
aggregate, would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

                  (m) Any one or more licenses, permits, accreditations or
authorizations of the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries shall be suspended,
limited or terminated or shall not be renewed, or any other action shall be
taken, by any Governmental Authority in response to any alleged failure by the
Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries to be in compliance with applicable
Requirements of Law, and such action, individually or in the aggregate, would be
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

                  (n) Any of the following shall occur: (i) any Person,
including, without limitation, any individual member of the Management Group, or
group of Persons acting in concert as a partnership or other group shall, as a
result of a tender or exchange offer, open market purchases, privately
negotiated purchases or otherwise, have become, after the date hereof, the
"beneficial owner" (within the meaning of such term under Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act) of securities of the Applicant representing thirty percent (30%)
or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the
Applicant ordinarily (and apart from rights accruing under special
circumstances) having the right to vote in the election of directors, provided,
however, The PMA Foundation, a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, may become
the beneficial owner of securities of the Applicant representing fifty percent
(50%) or less of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of
the Applicant so long as it remains a non-profit corporation that has no members
with voting rights and the Management Group collectively may become the
beneficial owner of securities of the Applicant representing fifty percent (50%)
or less of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the
Applicant, or (ii) the Board of Directors of the Applicant shall cease to
consist of a majority of the individuals who constituted the Board of Directors
of the Applicant as of the date hereof or who shall have become a member thereof
subsequent to the date hereof after having been nominated, or otherwise approved
in writing, by at least a majority of individuals who constituted the


                                      -65-
<PAGE>

Board of Directors of the Applicant as of the date hereof (or their replacements
approved as herein required).

            Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default or at any time thereafter
during the continuance thereof, (a) if such event is an Event of Default
specified in clause (h) or (i) above, the Commitment shall immediately and
automatically terminate and any reimbursement obligations owing or contingently
owing in respect of all Outstanding Letters of Credit and all other amounts
owing under the Credit Documents shall immediately become due and payable, and
if not previously deposited, the Applicant shall forthwith deposit pursuant to
Section 2.14 Eligible Collateral with a Discounted Collateral Value which,
together with the Discounted Collateral Value of all other Eligible Collateral
then held in the Collateral Account, shall not be less than the Letter of Credit
Exposure with and under the exclusive control of the Agent, and the Agent may,
and, upon the direction of the Required Banks shall, exercise any and all
remedies and other rights provided in the Credit Documents, and (b) if such
event is any other Event of Default, any or all of the following actions may be
taken: (i) with the consent of the Required Banks, the Agent may, and upon the
direction of the Required Banks shall, by notice to the Applicant, declare the
Commitment to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the Commitment shall
immediately terminate, and (ii) with the consent of the Required Banks, the
Agent may, and upon the direction of the Required Banks shall, by notice of
default to the Applicant, declare any reimbursement obligations owing or
contingently owing in respect of all Outstanding Letters of Credit and all other
amounts owing under the Credit Documents to be due and payable forthwith,
whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable, and if not
previously deposited, the Applicant shall forthwith deposit pursuant to Section
2.14 Eligible Collateral with a Discounted Collateral Value which, together with
the Discounted Collateral Value of all other Eligible Collateral then held in
the Collateral Account, shall not be less than to the Letter of Credit Exposure
with and under the exclusive control of the Agent, and the Agent may, and upon
the direction of the Required Banks shall, exercise any and all remedies and
other rights provided pursuant to the Credit Documents. Except as otherwise
provided in this Section, presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of
any kind are hereby expressly waived. Each Credit Party hereby further expressly
waives and covenants not to assert any appraisement, valuation, stay, extension,
redemption or similar laws, now or at any time hereafter in force which might
delay, prevent or otherwise impede the performance or enforcement of any Credit
Document.

            Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default or at any time thereafter
during the continuance thereof, the Agent may and, at the direction of Required
Banks, shall (i) exercise any and all rights and remedies granted to a secured
party by the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of New York or
otherwise allowed at law, and otherwise provided by this Agreement, and (i)
dispose of the Collateral consisting of Treasury Securities as it may choose, so
long as every aspect of the disposition including the method,


                                      -66-
<PAGE>

manner, time, place and terms are commercially reasonable, and the Applicant and
each Co-Applicant agrees that, without limitation, the following are each
commercially reasonable: (A) the Agent shall not in any event be required to
give more than 5 days' prior notice to the Applicant or any Co-Applicant of any
such disposition, (B) any place within the City of New York may be designated by
the Agent for disposition, and (C) the Agent may adjourn any public or private
sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and
such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it
was so adjourned.

            In the event that the Commitment shall have been terminated pursuant
to the provisions of this Section, any funds received by the Agent and the Banks
from or on behalf of the Applicant and/or any Co-Applicant shall, in the event
that any Letters of Credit remain outstanding, either be held by the Agent or
applied by the Agent in liquidation of the obligations of the Applicant and the
Co-Applicants under the Credit Documents in the Agent's discretion. Any such
funds to be applied by the Agent and the Banks in liquidation of the obligations
of the Applicant and the Co-Applicants under the Credit Documents shall be
applied (i) first, to reimburse the Agent and the Banks for any expenses due
from the Applicant and/or any Co-Applicant, pursuant to the provisions of
Section 10.5; (ii) second, to the payment of the accrued and unpaid Commitment
Fees, Letter of Credit Commissions and all other fees, expenses and amounts due
under the Credit Documents (other than the reimbursement obligations); (iii)
third, to the payment of interest due on the reimbursement obligations, on a pro
rata basis; (iv) fourth, to the payment of the reimbursement obligations, on a
pro rata basis; and (v) fifth, to the payment of any other amounts owing to the
Agent and the Banks under any Credit Document.

9.    THE AGENT

      9.1.  Appointment

            Each Bank and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably designates and
appoints BNY as Agent hereunder and under the other Credit Documents and each
such Bank and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably authorizes the Agent to take
such action on its behalf under the provisions of the Credit Documents and to
exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the
Agent by the terms of the Credit Documents, together with such other powers as
are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary
elsewhere in any Credit Document, the Agent shall not have any duties or
responsibilities other than those expressly set forth therein, or any fiduciary
relationship with any Bank or the Issuing Bank, and no implied covenants,
functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read
into the Credit Documents or otherwise exist against the Agent.


                                      -67-
<PAGE>

      9.2.  Delegation of Duties

            The Agent may execute any of its duties under the Credit Documents
by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to rely upon the
advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties.

      9.3.  Exculpatory Provisions

            Neither the Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees,
agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action
lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in
connection with the Credit Documents (except for its or their own gross
negligence or willful misconduct, including gross negligence or willful
misconduct in selecting a Person to whom duties are delegated pursuant to
Section 9.2), or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Banks for any
recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Credit Party or
any officer thereof contained in the Credit Documents or in any certificate,
report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received
by the Agent under or in connection with, the Credit Documents or for the value,
validity, effectiveness, genuineness, perfection, enforceability or sufficiency
of any of the Credit Documents or for any failure of any Credit Party or any
other Person to perform its obligations thereunder. The Agent shall not be under
any obligation to any Bank or the Issuing Bank to ascertain or to inquire as to
the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or
conditions of, the Credit Documents, or to inspect the properties, books or
records of any Credit Party. The Agent shall not be under any liability or
responsibility whatsoever, as Agent, to any Credit Party or any other Person as
a consequence of any failure or delay in performance, or any breach, by any Bank
or the Issuing Bank of any of its obligations under any of the Credit Documents.

      9.4.  Reliance by Agent

            The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in
relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit,
opinion, letter, cablegram, telegram, facsimile, telex or teletype message,
statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine
and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or
Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including, without
limitation, counsel to any Credit Party), independent accountants and other
experts selected by the Agent. The Agent may treat each Bank and the Issuing
Bank, or the Person designated in the last notice filed with it under this
Section, as the holder of all of the interests of such Bank or Issuing Bank
hereunder until written notice of transfer, signed by such Bank or Issuing Bank
(or the Person designated in the last notice filed with the Agent) and by the
Person designated in such written notice of transfer, in form and substance sat-


                                      -68-
<PAGE>

isfactory to the Agent, shall have been filed with the Agent. The Agent shall
not be under any duty to examine or pass upon the validity, effectiveness,
enforceability, perfection or genuineness of the Credit Documents or any
instrument, document or communication furnished pursuant thereto or in
connection therewith, and the Agent shall be entitled to assume that the same
are valid, effective and genuine, have been signed or sent by the proper parties
and are what they purport to be. The Agent shall be fully justified in failing
or refusing to take any action under the Credit Documents unless it shall first
receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Banks as it deems
appropriate. The Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in
refraining from acting, under the Credit Documents in accordance with a request
or direction of the Required Banks, and such request or direction and any action
taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Banks,
including all future Banks and the Issuing Bank.

      9.5.  Notice of Default

            The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the
occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless the Agent has received
written notice thereof from the Issuing Bank, a Bank or the Applicant or any
Co-Applicant. In the event that the Agent receives such a notice, the Agent
shall promptly give notice thereof to the Issuing Bank, the Banks and the
Applicant. The Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or
Event of Default as shall be directed by the Required Banks, provided, however,
that unless and until the Agent shall have received such directions, the Agent
may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking
such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem
to be in the best interests of the Banks.

      9.6.  Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Banks

            Each Bank and the Issuing Bank expressly acknowledges that neither
the Agent nor any of its respective officers, directors, employees, agents,
attorneys-in-fact or affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it
and that no act by the Agent hereinafter, including any review of the affairs of
any Credit Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty
by the Agent to any Bank or the Issuing Bank. Each Bank and the Issuing Bank
represents to the Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the
Agent or any other Bank or the Issuing Bank, and based on such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own evaluation of and
investigation into the business, operations, Property, financial and other
condition and creditworthiness of the Credit Parties and made its own decision
to enter into this Agreement. Each Bank and the Issuing Bank also represents
that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other
Bank, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate
at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, evaluations and decisions
in taking or not taking action under any Credit Document, and to make such in-


                                      -69-
<PAGE>

vestigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business,
operations, Property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the
Credit Parties. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly
required to be furnished to the Banks by the Agent hereunder, the Agent shall
not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Bank or the Issuing Bank with
any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, Property,
financial and other condition or creditworthiness of the Credit Parties which
may come into the possession of the Agent or any of its officers, directors,
employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

      9.7.  Indemnification

            Each Bank agrees to indemnify and reimburse the Agent in its
capacity as such (to the extent not promptly reimbursed by the Applicant or any
Co-Applicant and without limiting the obligation of any Credit Party to do so),
in the amount of its pro rata share (based on its Commitment Percentage
hereunder), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
of any kind whatsoever including, without limitation, any amounts paid to the
Banks (through the Agent) by the Applicant or any Co-Applicant pursuant to the
terms of the Credit Documents, that are subsequently rescinded or avoided, or
must otherwise be restored or returned) which may at any time be imposed on,
incurred by or asserted against the Agent in any way relating to or arising out
of the Credit Documents or any other documents contemplated by or referred to
therein or the transactions contemplated thereby or any action taken or omitted
to be taken by the Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing;
provided, however, that no Bank shall be liable for the payment of any portion
of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements to the extent resulting
primarily from the finally adjudicated gross negligence or willful misconduct of
the Agent (or any final settlement in which the Agent admits being guilty of
gross negligence or willful misconduct). Without limitation of the foregoing,
each Bank agrees to reimburse the Agent promptly upon demand for its pro rata
share of any unpaid fees owing to the Agent, and any costs and expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) payable
by the Applicant under Section 10.5, to the extent that the Agent has not been
paid such fees or has not be reimbursed for such costs and expenses, by the
Applicant or any other Credit Party. The failure of any Bank to reimburse the
Agent promptly upon demand for its pro rata share of any amount required to be
by the Banks to the Agent as provided in this Section shall not relieve any
other Bank of its obligation hereunder to reimburse the Agent for its pro rata
share of such amount, but no Bank shall be responsible for the failure of
another Bank to reimburse the Agent for such other Bank's pro rata share of such
amount. The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of all amounts
payable under the Credit Documents.

      9.8.  Agent in Its Individual Capacity


                                      -70-
<PAGE>

            The Agent and its respective affiliates may make loans to, accept
deposits from, issue letters of credit for the account of, and generally engage
in any kind of business with, any Credit Party as though the Agent were not
Agent hereunder. With respect to its commitment and participation as Bank with
respect to Letters of Credit, the Agent, in its individual capacity and not as
Agent, shall have the same rights and powers under the Credit Documents as any
Bank and may exercise the same as though it were not the Agent, and the terms
"Bank" and "Banks" shall in each case include the Agent in its individual
capacity and not as Agent.

      9.9.  Successor Agent

            If at any time the Agent deems it advisable, in its sole discretion,
it may submit to each of the Banks and the Issuing Bank a written notice of its
resignation as Agent under the Credit Documents, such resignation to be
effective upon the earlier of (i) the written acceptance of the duties of the
Agent under the Credit Documents by a successor Agent and (ii) on the 30th day
after the date of such notice. Upon any such resignation, the Required Banks
shall have the right to appoint from among the Banks a successor Agent. If no
successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Banks and accepted
such appointment in writing within 30 days after the retiring Agent's giving of
notice of resignation, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Banks,
appoint a successor Agent, which successor Agent shall be a commercial bank
organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof
and having a combined capital, surplus, and undivided profits of at least
$100,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder by a
successor Agent, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become
vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent,
and the retiring Agent's rights, powers, privileges and duties as Agent under
the Credit Documents shall be terminated. The Applicant, Co-Applicant, Issuing
Bank and the Banks shall execute such documents as shall be necessary to effect
such appointment. After any retiring Agent's resignation as Agent, the
provisions of the Credit Documents shall inure to its benefit as to any actions
taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under the Credit
Documents. If at any time there shall not be a duly appointed and acting Agent,
the Applicant agrees to make each payment due under the Credit Documents
directly to the Issuing Bank and the Banks entitled thereto during such time.

      9.10. Co-Agent

            The Co-Agent shall have no duties or obligations under the Credit
Documents in its capacity as Co-Agent. The Co-Agent in such capacity shall be
entitled to the same protections, indemnities and rights, and subject to the
same standards with respect to their actions, inactions and duties, as the
Agent.


                                      -71-
<PAGE>

10.   OTHER PROVISIONS

      10.1. Amendments and Waivers

            With the written consent of the Required Banks, the Agent and the
appropriate Credit Parties may, from time to time, enter into written
amendments, supplements or modifications of the Credit Documents and, with the
consent of the Required Banks, the Agent on behalf of the Banks may execute and
deliver to any such parties a written instrument waiving or a consent to a
departure from, on such terms and conditions as the Agent may specify in such
instrument, any of the requirements of the Credit Documents or any Default or
Event of Default and its consequences; provided, however, that:

            (a) no such amendment, supplement, modification, waiver or consent
shall, without the consent of all of the Banks, (i) increase the Commitment
Percentage of any Bank or the Commitment, (ii) extend the Termination Date
(except as provided in Section 2.6) or, subject to Section 2.5, the Stated
Expiration Date of any Letter of Credit, (iii) reduce interest, any fees or
other amounts payable hereunder, (iv) postpone any date fixed for payment of
reimbursement obligations, interest or any fees or other amounts payable
hereunder, (v) change the provisions of Sections 2.11, 2.12, 10.1 or 10.6(a),
(vi) increase the sublimit applicable to Letters of Credit issued at the request
of Subsidiaries of the Applicant which are not Material Insurance Subsidiaries,
(vii) change the definition of Required Banks or (viii) release any Collateral
after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default;

            (b) without the written consent of the Issuing Bank, no such
amendment, supplement, modification or waiver shall change the Commitment,
change the amount or the time of payment of the Letter of Credit Commissions or
change any other term or provision which relates to the Commitment or the
Letters of Credit; and

            (c) without the written consent of the Agent, no such amendment,
supplement, modification or waiver shall amend, modify or waive any provision of
Section 10 or otherwise change any of the rights or obligations of the Agent
hereunder or under the Credit Documents.

            Any such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver shall apply
equally to each of the Banks and shall be binding upon the parties to the
applicable Credit Document, the Banks, the Agent, the Issuing Bank and all
future Banks. In the case of any waiver, the parties to the applicable Credit
Document, the Banks and the Agent shall be restored to their former position and
rights hereunder and under the other Credit Documents


                                      -72-
<PAGE>

to the extent provided for in such waiver, and any Default or Event of Default
waived shall not extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default,
or impair any right consequent thereon. The Credit Documents may not be amended
orally or by any course of conduct.

      10.2. Notices

            All notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties
to the Credit Documents to be effective shall be in writing and, unless
otherwise expressly provided therein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or
made when delivered by hand, or when deposited in the mail, first-class postage
or, in the case of notice by facsimile, when sent, addressed as follows in the
case of the Applicant, the Issuing Bank, the Agent and to the address of a Bank
designated as such on Schedule 10.2 hereto and to the address of a Credit Party
set forth in a Credit Document, or to such other addresses as to which the Agent
may be hereafter notified by the respective parties thereto:

            The Applicant:

            Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
            Mellon Bank Center
            1735 Market Street
            Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-7590
            Attention: Francis W. McDonnell,
                       Senior Vice President and
                       Chief Financial Officer
            Telephone: (215) 665-5070
            Facsimile: (215) 665-5099

      The Agent:

            The Bank of New York
            One Wall Street
            Agency Function Administration
            18th Floor
            New York, New York 10286
            Attention: Ramona Washington
            Telephone: (212) 635-4699
            Facsimile: (212) 635-6365 or 6366 or 6367

            The Issuing Bank:


                                      -73-
<PAGE>

            The Bank of New York
            101 Barclay Street
            New York, New York 10286
            Attention: Manager,
                       Standby Letter of Credit Department
            Telephone: (212) 815-4346
            Facsimile: (212) 349-3955,

            with a copy  to in the  case of  notices  to the  Agent  or the
            Issuing Bank:

            The Bank of New York
            One Wall Street
            17th Floor
            New York, New York  10286
            Attention: Lizanne T. Eberle
                       Vice President
                       Telephone: (212) 635-6475
                       Facsimile: (212) 809-9520,

except that any notice, request or demand by the Applicant to or upon the Agent,
the Issuing Bank or the Banks pursuant to Sections 2.1, 2.5 or 2.6 shall not be
effective until received, and any notice of payment or demand for payment under
Section 2.1(c) shall not be effective until received at the facsimile number
designated above for the Applicant. Any party to a Credit Document may rely on
signatures of the parties thereto which are transmitted by facsimile or other
electronic means as fully as if originally signed.

      10.3. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

            No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of
the Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Bank, any right, remedy, power or privilege
under any Credit Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege under any
Credit Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and
privileges under the Credit Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

      10.4. Survival of Representations and Warranties

            All representations and warranties made under the Credit Documents
and in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant thereto or in
connection therewith shall survive the execution and delivery of the Credit
Documents.


                                      -74-
<PAGE>

      10.5. Payment of Expenses and Taxes

            The Applicant agrees, promptly upon presentation of a statement or
invoice therefor, and whether any Letter of Credit is issued (i) to pay or
reimburse the Agent for all its out-of-pocket costs and expenses reasonably
incurred in connection with (A) the development, preparation and execution of,
the Credit Documents and any amendment, supplement or modification thereto
(whether or not executed), any documents prepared in connection therewith and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including
syndication, and (B) any costs incurred in connection with any confirmation of
any Letters of Credit and, including, in each case without limitation, the
reasonable fees and disbursements of Special Counsel, (ii) to pay or reimburse
the Agent or the Issuing Bank for the cost of any confirmation of any Letter of
Credit, (iii) to pay or reimburse the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Banks for
all of their respective costs and expenses, including, without limitation,
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, incurred in connection with (A)
any Default or Event of Default and any enforcement or collection proceedings
resulting therefrom or in connection with the negotiation of any restructuring
or "work-out" (whether consummated or not) of the obligations of the Credit
Parties under any of the Credit Documents, (B) the enforcement of this Section,
(iv) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Bank, the Issuing Bank and the Agent
harmless from and against, any and all recording and filing fees and any and all
liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, stamp,
excise and other similar taxes, if any, which may be payable or determined to be
payable in connection with the execution and delivery of, or consummation of any
of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment, supplement or
modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of, the Credit
Documents and any such other documents, and (v) to pay, indemnify and hold each
Bank, the Issuing Bank and the Agent and each of their respective officers,
directors and employees harmless from and against any and all other liabilities,
obligations, claims, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including,
without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and disbursements) with respect to
the enforcement and performance of the Credit Documents, the use of the proceeds
of the Letter of Credit (all the foregoing, collectively, the "indemnified
liabilities") and, if and to the extent that the foregoing indemnity may be
unenforceable for any reason, the Applicant agrees to make the maximum payment
permitted or not prohibited under applicable law; provided, however, that the
Applicant shall have no obligation hereunder to pay indemnified liabilities to
the Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Bank arising from the finally adjudicated
gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent, the Issuing Bank or such
Bank or claims between one indemnified party and another indemnified party (or
any final settlement in which the Agent, the Issuing Bank, or such Bank admits
being guilty of gross negligence or willful misconduct). The agreements in this
Section shall survive the termination of the Commitment and the payment of all
amounts payable under the Credit Documents.


                                      -75-
<PAGE>

      10.6. Assignments and Participations

            (a) The Credit Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the Applicant, the Co-Applicants, the Banks, the Issuing Bank, the
Agent, all future Banks and their respective successors and assigns, except that
no Credit Party may assign, delegate or transfer any of its rights or
obligations under the Credit Documents without the prior written consent of the
Agent and each Bank.

            (b) Each Bank shall have the right at any time, upon written notice
to the Agent of its intent to do so, to sell, assign, transfer or negotiate all
or any part of such Bank's rights under the Credit Documents to one or more of
its affiliates which would otherwise be Eligible Assignees, to one or more of
the other Banks (or to affiliates of such other Banks which would be an Eligible
Assignee) or, with the prior written consent of the Applicant, the Issuing Bank
and the Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld and shall not be
required upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default),
to sell, assign, transfer or negotiate all or any part of such Bank's rights and
obligations under the Credit Documents to any other bank, insurance company,
pension fund, mutual fund or other financial institution which meets the
criteria of Eligible Assignee, provided that (i) each such sale, assignment,
transfer or negotiation (other than sales, assignments, transfers or
negotiations to affiliates of such Bank) shall be in a minimum amount of
$5,000,000, provided that the assigning Bank retains a Commitment amount of at
least $5,000,000 following such assignment, and (ii) there shall be paid to the
Agent by the assigning Bank a fee (the "Assignment Fee") of $3,000. A Bank may
sell, assign, transfer or negotiate such Bank's rights and obligations under the
Credit Documents without regard to the required minimum retention referred to in
clause (i) of the preceding sentence with the consent of the Applicant and the
Agent. For each assignment, the parties to such assignment shall execute and
deliver to the Agent for its acceptance and recording an Assignment and
Acceptance Agreement. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording by
the Agent, from and after the effective date specified in such Assignment and
Acceptance Agreement, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to
the extent provided in such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, the assignor
Bank thereunder shall be released from its obligations under the Credit
Documents. Upon any such sale, assignment or other transfer, the Commitment
Percentages set forth in Exhibit A shall be adjusted accordingly by the Agent
and a new Exhibit A shall be distributed by the Agent to the Applicant and each
Bank.

            (c) Each Bank may grant participations in all or any part of its
Commitment Percentage to one or more banks, insurance companies (other than
property and casualty insurance companies), financial institutions, pension
funds or mutual funds, provided that (i) such Bank's obligations under the
Credit Documents shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Bank shall remain solely
responsible to the other parties to the Credit


                                      -76-
<PAGE>

Documents for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the Applicant, the
Issuing Bank, the Agent and the other Banks shall continue to deal solely and
directly with such Bank in connection with such Bank's rights and obligations
under the Credit Documents, (v) no sub-participations shall be permitted and
(vi) the voting rights of any holder of any participation shall be limited to
decisions that only do any of the following: (A) subject the participant to any
additional obligation, (B) reduce interest, any fees or other amounts payable
hereunder, or (C) postpone any date fixed for the payment of reimbursement
obligations, interest or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder. The
Applicant acknowledges and agrees that any such participant shall for purposes
of Sections 2.11 and 2.12 be deemed to be a "Bank"; provided, however, the
Applicant shall not, at any time, be obligated to pay any participant in any
interest of any Bank hereunder any sum in excess of the sum which the Applicant
would have been obligated to pay to such Bank in respect of such interest had
such Bank not sold such participation.

            (d) No Bank shall, as between and among the Applicant, any
Co-Applicant, the Issuing Bank, the Agent and such Bank, be relieved of any of
its obligations under the Credit Documents as a result of any sale, assignment,
transfer or negotiation of, or granting of participations in, all or any part of
its Commitment Percentage, except that a Bank shall be relieved of its
obligations to the extent of any such sale, assignment, transfer, or negotiation
of any part of its Commitment Percentage.

            (e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Section, any Bank may at any time or from time to time assign all or any portion
of its rights under the Credit Documents to a Federal Reserve Bank, provided
that any such assignment shall not release such assignor from its obligations
thereunder.

            (f) Any Bank may, in connection with any assignment or participation
or proposed assignment or participation pursuant to this Section, disclose to
the Assignee or Participant or proposed Assignee or Participant any information
relating to the Applicant and its Subsidiaries furnished to it by or on behalf
of any other party hereto, provided that such Assignee or Participant or
proposed Assignee or Participant agrees in writing to keep such information
confidential to the same extent required of the Banks under Section 10.20.

      10.7. Counterparts

            Each Credit Document may be executed by one or more of the parties
thereto on any number of separate counterparts and all of said counterparts
taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same document. It shall
not be necessary in making proof of any Credit Document to produce or account
for more than one counterpart signed by the party to be charged. A counterpart
of any Credit Document or to any document evidencing, and of any an amendment,
modification, consent or waiver to or of any Credit Document


                                      -77-
<PAGE>

transmitted by facsimile shall be deemed to be an originally executed
counterpart. A set of the copies of the Credit Documents signed by all the
parties thereto shall be deposited with each of the Applicant and the Agent. Any
party to a Credit Document may rely upon the signatures of any other party
thereto which are transmitted by facsimile or other electronic means to the same
extent as if originally signed.

      10.8. Adjustments; Set-off

            (a) If any Bank (a "Benefited Bank") shall at any time receive any
payment or collateral in respect of the Obligations in excess of its pro rata
share (based on its Commitment Percentage) (whether voluntarily or
involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature
referred to in Section 8.1(h) or (i), or otherwise), such Benefited Bank shall
purchase from each of the other Banks such portion of each such other Bank's
participation in the Obligations, and shall provide each of such other Banks
with the benefits of any such collateral, or the proceeds thereof, as shall be
necessary to cause such Benefited Bank to share the excess payment or benefits
of such collateral or proceeds ratably with each of the Banks, provided,
however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is
thereafter recovered from such Benefited Bank, such purchase shall be rescinded,
and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery,
but without interest. The Applicant and Co-Applicants agree that each Bank so
purchasing a portion of another Bank's percentage of Obligations may exercise
all rights of payment (including, without limitation, rights of set-off, to the
extent not prohibited by law) with respect to such portion as fully as if such
Bank were the direct holder of such portion.

            (b) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Banks provided by
law, upon the occurrence of and during the continuance of an Event of Default,
under Section 8.1(a) or (b), each Bank shall have the right, without prior
notice to the Applicant, any such notice being expressly waived by each Credit
Party to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, to set-off and apply
against any indebtedness, whether contingent, matured or unmatured, of such
Credit Party to such Bank, any amount owing from such Bank to such Credit Party,
at, or at any time after, the happening of any of the above-mentioned events. To
the extent not prohibited by applicable law, the aforesaid right of set-off may
be exercised by such Bank against such Credit Party or against any trustee in
bankruptcy, custodian, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of
creditors, receiver, or execution, judgment or attachment creditor of such
Credit Party, or against anyone else claiming through or against such Credit
Party or such trustee in bankruptcy, custodian, debtor in possession, assignee
for the benefit of creditors, receiver, or execution, judgment or attachment
creditor, notwithstanding the fact that such right of set-off shall not have
been exercised by such Bank prior to the making, filing or issuance, or service
upon such Bank of, or of notice of, any such petition, assignment for the
benefit of creditors, appointment or application for the appointment of a
receiver, or issuance of execution, subpoena, order or warrant. Each


                                      -78-
<PAGE>

Bank agrees promptly to notify the applicable Credit Party, the Issuing Bank and
the Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Bank, provided
that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such
set-off and application.

      10.9. Construction

            Each Credit Party represents that it has been represented by counsel
in connection with the Credit Documents and the transactions contemplated
thereby and that the principle that agreements are to be construed against the
draftsman shall be inapplicable.

      10.10. Indemnity

            The Applicant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent, the
Issuing Bank and each Bank and their respective affiliates, directors, officers,
employees, attorneys and agents (each an "Indemnified Person") from and against
any loss, cost, liability, claim, damage or expense (including the reasonable
fees and disbursements of counsel of such Indemnified Person, including all
local counsel hired by any such counsel) incurred by such Indemnified Person in
investigating, preparing for, defending against, or providing evidence,
producing documents or taking any other action in respect of, any commenced or
threatened litigation, administrative proceeding or investigation under any
federal securities law or any other statute of any jurisdiction, or any
regulation, or at common law or otherwise, which is alleged to arise out of or
is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact by any Credit Party in any document or schedule executed or filed
with any governmental body, agency or authority, by or on behalf of any Credit
Party; (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state any material fact required
to be stated in such document or schedule, or necessary to make the statements
made therein, in light of the circumstances under which made, not misleading; or
(iii) any acts, practices or omissions or alleged acts, practices or omissions
of any Credit Party or its agents relating to the use of the proceeds of any or
all Letters of Credit made by the Applicant which are alleged to be in violation
of Section 2.13, or in violation of any federal securities law or of any other
statute, regulation or other law of any jurisdiction applicable thereto. The
indemnity set forth herein shall be in addition to any other obligations or
liabilities of the Applicant and/or Co-Applicant to each Indemnified Person
under the Credit Documents or at common law or otherwise, and shall survive any
termination of the Credit Documents, the expiration of the Commitment and the
payment of all obligations of the Applicant and Co-Applicants under the Credit
Documents, provided that the Applicant shall have no obligation under this
Section to an Indemnified Person with respect to any of the foregoing to the
extent found in a final judgment of a court having jurisdiction to have resulted
primarily out of the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of such Indemnified
Person or arising solely from claims between one such Indemnified Person and
another such Indemnified Person.


                                      -79-
<PAGE>

      10.11. Governing Law

            The Credit Documents and the rights and obligations of the parties
thereunder shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance
with, the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles
of conflict of laws.

      10.12. Headings Descriptive

            Section headings have been inserted in the Credit Documents for
convenience only and shall not be construed to be a part thereof.

      10.13. Severability

            Every provision of the Credit Documents is intended to be severable,
and if any term or provision thereof shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable
for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions thereof shall not be affected or impaired thereby, and any
invalidity, illegality or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not affect
the validity, legality or enforceability of any such term or provision in any
other jurisdiction.

      10.14. Integration

            All exhibits to a Credit Document shall be deemed to be a part
thereof. The Credit Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding
among the Credit Parties, the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Banks with respect
to the subject matter thereof and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings among the Credit Parties, the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the
Banks with respect to the subject matter thereof.

      10.15. Consent to Jurisdiction

            Each Credit Party hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of
any New York State or Federal court sitting in the City of New York over any
suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Credit Documents.
Each Credit Party hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted or
not prohibited by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the
laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a
court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a
court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each Credit Party hereby agrees
that a final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a
court, after all appropriate appeals, shall be conclusive and binding upon it.

      10.16. Service of Process


                                      -80-
<PAGE>

            Each Credit Party hereby irrevocably consents to the service of
process in any suit, action or proceeding by sending the same by first class
mail, return receipt requested or by overnight courier service, to the address
of such Credit Party set forth in or referred to in Section 10.2 or in the
applicable Credit Document executed by such Credit Party. Each Credit Party
hereby agrees that any such service (i) shall be deemed in every respect
effective service of process upon it in any such suit, action, or proceeding,
and (ii) shall to the fullest extent enforceable by law, be taken and held to be
valid personal service upon and personal delivery to it.

      10.17. No Limitation on Service or Suit

            Nothing in the Credit Documents or any modification, waiver, consent
or amendment thereto shall affect the right of the Agent or any Bank to serve
process in any manner permitted by law or limit the right of the Agent, the
Issuing Bank or any Bank to bring proceedings against any Credit Party in the
courts of any jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which such Credit Party may be
served.

      10.18. WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY

            THE AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK, THE BANKS AND EACH CREDIT PARTY HEREBY
KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL
BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH
THE CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREIN. FURTHER, EACH
CREDIT PARTY HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OR AGENT OF THE AGENT, THE
ISSUING BANK, OR THE BANKS, OR COUNSEL TO THE AGENT OR THE BANKS, HAS
REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT THE AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK OR THE
BANKS WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF SUCH LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THIS WAIVER OF
RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL PROVISION. EACH CREDIT PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE AGENT,
THE ISSUING BANK AND THE BANKS HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT
BY, INTER ALIA, THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.

      10.19. Confidentiality

            Each Bank agrees to keep confidential, pursuant to its customary
procedures for handling confidential information of a similar nature and in
accordance with safe and sound banking practices, all nonpublic information
provided to it by or on behalf of the Applicant or any of its Subsidiaries in
connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document; provided, however,
that any Bank may disclose such information (i) to its


                                      -81-
<PAGE>

directors, employees and agents and to its auditors, counsel and other
professional advisors, (ii) at the demand or request of any bank regulatory
authority, court or other Governmental Authority having or asserting
jurisdiction over such Bank, as may be required pursuant to subpoena or other
legal process, or otherwise in order to comply with any applicable Requirement
of Law, (iii) in connection with any proceeding to enforce its rights hereunder
or under any other Credit Document or any other litigation or proceeding related
hereto or to which it is a party, (iv) to the Agent or any other Bank, (v) to
the extent the same has become publicly available other than as a result of a
breach of this Agreement and (vi) pursuant to and in accordance with the
provisions of Section 10.6(f).


                                      -82-
<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as
of the day and year first above written.


                                  PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION



                                  By: /s/Francis W. McDonnell
                                      ---------------------------
                                  Name: Francis W. McDonnell
                                        -------------------------
                                  Title: Chief Financial Officer
                                         ------------------------


                                  THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                                  Individually and as Agent
                                  and Issuing Bank



                                  By: /s/ Lizanne T. Eberle
                                      ---------------------------
                                  Name: Lizanne T. Eberle
                                        -------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President
                                         ------------------------


                                  CORESTATES BANK, N.A.
                                  Individually and as Co-Agent



                                  By: /s/ H.D. Tamine
                                      ---------------------------
                                  Name: H.D. Tamine
                                        -------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President
                                         ------------------------


                                  MELLON BANK, N.A.


                                  By: /s/ Susan M. Whitewood
                                      ---------------------------
                                  Name: Susan M. Whitewood
                                        -------------------------


                                      -83-
<PAGE>
                                  Title: Assistant Vice President
                                         ------------------------


                                  FLEET BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                  By: /s/ Carla Bolesano
                                      ---------------------------
                                  Name: Carla Bolesano
                                        -------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President
                                         ------------------------


                                  PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                  By: /s/ Kirk Seagers
                                      ---------------------------
                                  Name: Kirk Seagers
                                        -------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President
                                         ------------------------


                                  FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF NORTH
                                    CAROLINA


                                  By: /s/ Gail M. Golightly
                                      ---------------------------
                                  Name: Gail M. Golightly
                                        -------------------------
                                  Title: Senior Vice President
                                         ------------------------


                                      -84-

<PAGE>

                                 PMC EXHIBIT B
                   FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT

     This Assignment and Acceptance Agreement is made and entered into as of
_____ __, 19__, by and between (the "Assignor") and ________ (the "Assignee").

                                R E C I T A L S
                                ---------------

     A. The Assignor, certain other banks (together with any prior assignees,
the "Banks"), CoreStates Bank, N.A., as Co-Agent and The Bank of New York, as
agent (the "Agent") and as issuing bank (the "Issuing Bank"), are parties to
that certain First Amended and Restated Letter of Credit Agreement dated as of
March 14, 1997 (as from time to time amended, the "Agreement") with Pennsylvania
Manufacturers Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Applicant") and
certain subsidiaries of the Applicant party thereto. Pursuant to the Agreement,
the Banks agreed to participate in Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank
under the Agreement in accordance with their Commitment Percentage. The
Assignor's Commitment (without giving effect to the assignment effected hereby
or to other assignments thereof which have not yet become effective) is
specified in Item 1 of Schedule 1 hereto. The Assignor's percentage of the
Letter of Credit Exposure (without giving effect to the assignment effected
hereby or to other assignments thereof which have not yet become effective) is
specified in Item 2 of Schedule 1 hereto. All capitalized terms not otherwise
defined herein are used herein as defined in the Agreement.

     B. The Assignor wishes to sell and assign to the Assignee, and the Assignee
wishes to purchase and assume from the Assignor, the portion of the Assignor's
Commitment specified in Item 3 of Schedule 1 hereto together with its related
rights and obligations under the Credit Documents and in respect of the
Collateral (the "Assigned Commitment").

     The parties agree as follows:

     1. Assignment. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in
the Agreement, the Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the
Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from the Assignor, without recourse, on
the date set forth above (the "Assignment Date") all obligations of the Assignor
under the Agreement with respect to the Assigned Commitment together with its
related rights and obligations under the Credit Documents and in respect of the
Collateral. As consideration for the assignment and sale contemplated hereby,
the Assignee shall pay to the Assignor on the date hereof the amount heretofore
agreed between them.

     2. Representation and Warranties. Each of the Assignor and the Assignee
represents and warrants to the other that (a) it has full power and legal right
to execute and deliver this Assignment and Acceptance Agreement and to perform
the provisions of this Assignment and Acceptance Agreement; (b) the execution,
delivery and performance of this Assignment and Acceptance Agreement have been
authorized by all action, corporate or otherwise, and do not violate any
provisions of its charter or by-laws or any contractual obligations or
requirement of law binding on it; and (c) this Assignment and Acceptance


<PAGE>

Agreement constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable
against it in accordance with its terms. The Assignor further represents that it
is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder
and that such interest is free and clear of any adverse claim created by the
Assignor. The Assignee further represents that it is an "Eligible Assignee" as
said term is defined in the Agreement.

     3. Condition Precedent. The obligations of the Assignor and the Assignee
hereunder shall be subject to the fulfillment of the condition that the Assignor
shall have complied with the other applicable provisions of Section 10.6 of the
Agreement.

     4. Notice of Assignment. The Assignor agrees to give notice of the
assignment and assumption of the Assigned Commitment to the Agent, the Issuing
Bank and the Applicant and hereby instructs the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the
Applicant to make all payments with respect to the Assigned Commitment directly
to the Assignee at the applicable office specified on Schedule 2 hereto;
provided, however, that the Applicant, the Agent and the Issuing Bank all shall
be entitled to continue to deal solely and directly with the Assignor in
connection with the interests so assigned until the Agent, the Issuing Bank and
the Applicant, to the extent required by Section 10.6 of the Agreement, shall
have received notice of the assignment, the Applicant, the Agent and the Issuing
Bank shall have consented in writing thereto to the extent required by Section
10.6 of the Agreement, and the Agent shall have recorded and accepted this
Assignment and Acceptance Agreement and received the Assignment Fee required to
be paid pursuant to Section 10.6 of the Agreement. From and after the date (the
"Effective Date") on which the Agent shall notify the Applicant and the Assignor
that the requirements set forth in the foregoing sentence shall have occurred
and all consents (if any) required shall have been given, (i) the Assignee shall
be deemed to be a party to the Agreement and, to the extent that rights and
obligations thereunder shall have been assigned to Assignee as provided in such
notice of assignment to the Agent, shall have the rights and obligations of a
Bank under the Agreement, and (ii) the Assignee shall be deemed to have
appointed the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise
such powers under the Credit Documents as are delegated to the Agent by the
terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
After the Effective Date, the Agent shall make all payments in respect of the
interest assigned hereby (including payments of interest, fees and other
amounts) to the Assignee. The Assignor and Assignee shall make all appropriate
adjustment in payments under the Assigned Commitment for periods prior to the
Effective Date hereof directly between themselves. If the Assignee is not a
United States Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, the Assignee
shall deliver herewith the forms required by Section 2.11 of the Agreement to
evidence the Assignee's complete exemption from United States withholding taxes
with respect to payments under the Credit Documents.

     5. Independent Investigation. The Assignee acknowledges that it is
purchasing the Assigned Commitment from the Assignor totally without recourse
and, except as provided in Section 2 hereof, without representation or warranty.
The Assignee further acknowledges that it has made its own independent
investigation and credit evaluation of the Applicant and any Co-Applicant in
connection with its purchase of the Assigned Commitment. Except for the
representations or warranties set forth in Section 2, the Assignee acknowledges
that it is not relying on any representation or warranty of the Assignor,
expressed or implied, including without limitation, any representation or
warranty relating to the legality, validity, genuineness, enforceability,
collectibility, interest rate, repayment schedule or status of the Assigned
Commitment, the legality, validity, genuineness or enforceability of the
Agreement, or any other Credit Document referred to in or delivered

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

pursuant to the Agreement, or financial condition or creditworthiness of
the Applicant, any Co-Applicant or any other Person. The Assignor has not and
will not be acting as either the representative, agent or trustee of the
Assignee with respect to matters arising out of or relating to the Agreement or
this Assignment and Acceptance Agreement. From and after the Effective Date,
except as set forth in Section 4 above, the Assignor shall have no rights or
obligations with respect to the Assigned Commitment.

     6. Consent of the Applicant. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.6 of
the Agreement, and to the extent required thereby, the Applicant, by signing
below, consents to this Assignment and Acceptance Agreement and to the
assignment contemplated herein.

     7. Method of Payment. Any payments to be made by either party hereunder
shall be in funds available at the place of payment on the same day and shall be
made by wire transfer to the account designated by the party to receive payment.

     8. Integration. This Assignment and Acceptance Agreement shall supersede
any prior agreement or understanding between the parties (other than the Credit
Documents) as to the subject matter hereof.

     9. Counterparts. This Assignment and Acceptance Agreement may be executed
in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original
and shall be binding upon both parties, their successors and assigns.

     10. Headings. Section headings have been inserted herein for convenience
only and shall not be construed to be a part hereof.

     11. Amendments; Waivers. This Assignment and Acceptance Agreement may not
be amended, changed, waived or modified except by a writing executed by the
parties hereto, and may not be amended, changed, waived or modified in any
manner inconsistent with Section 10.6 of the Agreement without the prior written
consent of the Agent.

     12. Governing Law. This Assignment and Acceptance Agreement shall be
governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of, the State of New
York.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Assignment and
Acceptance Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly
authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

                                                  ________________, as Assignor

                                                  By:
                                                     --------------------------
                                                  Name:
                                                       ------------------------
                                                  Title:
                                                        -----------------------

                                                  ________________, as Assignee

                                                  By:
                                                     --------------------------
                                                  Name:
                                                       ------------------------
                                                  Title:
                                                        -----------------------

Consented to:

PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

By:
   ----------------------------
Name:
     --------------------------
Title:
      -------------------------

Consented to and Accepted:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Agent

By:
   ----------------------------
Name:
     --------------------------
Title:
      -------------------------

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Issuing Bank

By:
   ----------------------------
Name:
     --------------------------
Title:
      -------------------------

                                       -4-

                                   SCHEDULE 1

                                       TO

                       ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT

                                    between


                          _______________, as Assignor
                                      and

                          _______________, as Assignee

                                  relating to

          First Amended and Restated Letter of Credit Agreement among
                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation,
                            the Banks party thereto,
                       CoreStates Bank, N.A., as Co-Agent
                                      and
              The Bank of New York, as Agent and as Issuing Bank,
                           dated as of March 14, 1997

Item 1.  (a)    Assignor's Commitment
                Percentage:                              ________%

         (b)    Assignor's Commitment:                  $________

Item 2.  Assignor's Letter of
         Credit Exposure:                               $________
         (the Assignor's Commitment Percentage
         times the Letter of Credit Exposure)

Item 3.  Assigned Commitment:                           $________


<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE 2

                                       TO

                       ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT

                                    between


                          _______________, as Assignor
                                      and

                          _______________, as Assignee
                                  relating to

          First Amended and Restated Letter of Credit Agreement among
                    Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation,
                            the Banks party thereto,
                       CoreStates Bank, N.A., as Co-Agent
                                      and
              The Bank of New York, as Agent and as Issuing Bank,
                           dated as of March 14, 1997

Address for Notices

__________________________________

__________________________________

Attention: _______________________

           _______________________

Telephone: (   )___-______________

Fax:       (   )___-______________



<PAGE>

                                  PMC EXHIBIT C

                        FORM OF LETTER OF CREDIT REQUEST

                                                          _____________, 19__

The Bank of New York, as Agent
One Wall Street
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Agency Function Administration

The Bank of New York, as Issuing Bank
101 Barclay Street
New York, New York 10286

Attention: Manager,
           Standby Letter of Credit Department

Gentlemen:

     Reference is made to the First Amended and Restated Letter of Credit
Agreement, dated as of March 14, 1997, by and among PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS
CORPORATION (the "Applicant"), each Subsidiary of the Applicant which is or may
become a party thereto (each, a "Co-Applicant"), the Banks party thereto,
CORESTATES BANK, N.A., as Co-Agent and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Agent and
Issuing Bank (as from time to time amended, the "Agreement").

     Capitalized terms used herein that are defined in the Agreement shall have
the meanings therein defined.

     1. Pursuant to Section 2.1 and 3.2(c) of the Agreement, the undersigned
Applicant [and, if applicable, ____________ (the "Co-Applicant(s)")] hereby
requests that the Issuing Bank issue the Letter(s) of Credit in accordance with
the information annexed hereto as contains the verbatim text of the proposed
letter(s) of credit including the proposed terms and conditions and a precise
description of the documentation required to be complied with and submitted by
the beneficiary, which, if complied with by the beneficiary on or prior to the
Stated Expiration Date, would require the Issuing Bank to make payment under the
Letter of Credit.

     2. The Applicant hereby certifies that on the date hereof and on the Date
of Issuance set forth in Annex A, and after giving effect to the Letter(s) of
Credit requested hereby:

        (a) The Applicant is and shall be in compliance with all of the terms,
covenants and conditions of the Credit Documents.


<PAGE>

        (b) There exists and there shall exist no Default or Event of Default
under the Agreement.

        (c) Each of the representations and warranties contained in the
Agreement which is required to be made on such Date of Issuance is and
shall be true and correct.

        (d) After giving effect to the Letters of Credit requested to be issued
hereby, the aggregate Letters of Credit Exposure will not exceed the Commitment
and the aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure with respect to Letters of Credit
issued for the account of Subsidiaries of the Applicant which are not Material
Insurance Subsidiaries will not exceed $10,000,000.

     [3. Each Co-Applicant which signs this Letter of Credit Request
acknowledges that it has received a copy of the Agreement and acknowledges and
agrees that from and after the Date of Issuance of the Letter(s) of Credit
requested hereby, the undersigned shall be jointly and severally liable with the
Applicant for all obligations with respect to the Letter(s) of Credit requested
hereby and that the undersigned shall be a party to the Agreement and the other
Credit Documents as a Co-Applicant with all the rights and obligations of a
Co-Applicant under the Agreement and Credit Documents with respect to the
Letter(s) of Credit requested hereby, and each and every reference in the
Agreement and in any other Credit Document to "Co-Applicant" shall mean and be a
reference to include the undersigned. The undersigned will at the request of the
Agent execute a copy of the Agreement and such other Credit Documents as may be
required.] 1

     [4. Each Co-Applicant which signs this Letter of Credit Request represents
and warrants that the Agreement and each Credit Document executed by the
undersigned Co-Applicant constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of
the undersigned Co-Applicant in each case enforceable in accordance with its
terms.]

     [5. Each Co-Applicant which signs this Letter of Credit Request
specifically acknowledges that certain provisions of the Agreement, including,
without limitation, Section 10.1 (Amendments and Waivers), 10.3 (No Waiver;
Cumulative Remedies), 10.6 (Assignments and Participation), 10.7 (Counterparts),
10.11 (Governing Law), 10.13 (Severability), 10.14 (Integration), 10.15 (Consent
to Jurisdiction), 10.16 (Service of Process), 10.17 (No Limitation on Service or
Suit) and 10.18 (Waiver of Trial by Jury) thereof, are made applicable to the
Co-Applicant.]

- - - ------------------
1   Delete Items 3 through 5 if inapplicable.


<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Applicant [and Co-Applicant, if applicable] has
caused this certificate to be executed by its duly authorized officer(s) as of
the date and year first written above.

                                         PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

                                         By:
                                            -----------------------------------

                                         Name:
                                              ---------------------------------

                                         Title:
                                               --------------------------------

                                         [CO-APPLICANT]

                                         By:
                                            -----------------------------------

                                         Name:
                                              ---------------------------------

                                         Title:
                                               --------------------------------

                                         [CO-APPLICANT]

                                         By:
                                            -----------------------------------

                                         Name:
                                              ---------------------------------

                                         Title:
                                               --------------------------------


<PAGE>

                                     Annex A
                          LETTER OF CREDIT INFORMATION

1.      Name of Beneficiary: _________________________________________________.

2.      Address of Beneficiary to which Letter of Credit will be sent:
        
        _______________________________________________________________________
        
        _______________________________________________________________________.
        
3.      Name of Account Party: ________________________________________________.

4.      Address of Account Party: _____________________________________________.

5.      Type of Letter of Credit requested (check one box only):

        [ ]  Secured Letter of Credit, or

        [ ]  Unsecured Letter of Credit.

6.      Conditions under which a drawing may be made (specify the required
        documentation): _______________________________________________________

        _______________________________________________________________________
        
        _______________________________________________________________________
        
        _______________________________________________________________________
        
        ______________________________________________________________________.

7.      Maximum amount to be available under such Letter of Credit: $_________.

8.      Requested Date of Issuance: _________ __, 199_.

9.      Stated Expiration Date: ___________ __, 199_.1

10.     Text of Letter of Credit: _____________________________________________

        _______________________________________________________________________

        _______________________________________________________________________
 
        ______________________________________________________________________.

11.     Name and address of Co-Applicant, if any: _____________________________

        _______________________________________________________________________
        
        _______________________________________________________________________
        
        
- - - ---------------------
1   Not to be more than one year from the date of issuance.


<PAGE>

        _______________________________________________________________________
 
        ______________________________________________________________________.

12. Obligations in respect of which the Letter of Credit is to be issued:

        _______________________________________________________________________

        _______________________________________________________________________
        
        _______________________________________________________________________
        
        ______________________________________________________________________.

13.     Letter of Credit is to be (check one box only):

        [ ]  Evergreen Letter of Credit.

        [ ]  Not an Evergreen Letter of Credit.

14.     If the Evergreen Letter of Credit box in Item 13 was checked, specify
        the Beneficiary Notification Date.


<PAGE>

                                  PMC EXHIBIT D
                            FORM OF LETTER OF CREDIT

THE BANK OF NEW YORK
Letter of Credit Department
Church St. Station
P.O. Box 11235
New York, NY 10286-1238

OUR REF NO.                        DATE

Beneficiary
[Address]

GENTLEMEN/LADIES:


OUR REFERENCE NO.

ACCOUNT OF:
[Name of Account Party]
[Address]

AVAILABLE WITH:                    OURSELVES
                                   BY PAYMENT

DRAFTS AT SIGHT
DRAWN ON THE BANK OF NEW YORK, NEW
YORK, NEW YORK, AS INDICATED BELOW.

TO THE EXTENT OF:     ***USD       ***
EXPIRY DATE:
PLACE OF EXPIRY:      OUR COUNTERS

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

WE HEREBY ESTABLISH THIS IRREVOCABLE LETTER OF CREDIT IN YOUR FAVOR FOR
DRAWINGS UP TO US$ _______________, EFFECTIVE [Date] AND EXPIRING AT OUR OFFICE
AT 101 BARCLAY STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10286, WITH OUR CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON
[Date].

<PAGE>

WE HEREBY UNDERTAKE TO PROMPTLY HONOR YOUR SIGHT DRAFT(S), MARKED "DRAWN
UNDER LETTER OF CREDIT NO. ___________", FOR ALL OR ANY PART OF THIS LETTER OF
CREDIT IF PRESENTED AT OUR 101 BARCLAY STREET OFFICE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10286
ON OR BEFORE THE EXPIRY DATE OR ANY AUTOMATICALLY EXTENDED DATE.

EXCEPT AS STATED HEREIN, THIS UNDERTAKING IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY CONDITION
OR QUALIFICATION. THE OBLIGATION OF THE BANK OF NEW YORK UNDER THIS LETTER OF
CREDIT IS THE INDIVIDUAL OBLIGATION OF THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AND IS IN NO WAY
CONTINGENT UPON REIMBURSEMENT WITH RESPECT THERETO.

[IT IS A CONDITION OF THIS LETTER OF CREDIT THAT IT IS DEEMED TO BE
AUTOMATICALLY EXTENDED, WITHOUT AMENDMENT, FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE EXPIRY DATE OR
ANY FUTURE EXPIRATION DATE, UNLESS AT LEAST __ DAYS PRIOR TO ANY EXPIRATION DATE
WE NOTIFY YOU BY REGISTERED MAIL THAT WE ELECT NOT TO CONSIDER THIS LETTER OF
CREDIT RENEWED FOR ANY SUCH ADDITIONAL PERIOD.]*

THIS LETTER OF CREDIT IS SUBJECT TO THE UNIFORM CUSTOMS AND PRACTICE FOR
DOCUMENTARY CREDITS (1993 REVISION), INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
PUBLICATION NO. 500.

YOURS VERY TRULY,

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE


- - - -----------------------
* To be included in Evergreen Letters of Credit only.

                                     - 2 -

                                 PMC EXHIBIT E-1
                         FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
                          (GAAP Financial Statements)

     THIS CERTIFICATE is given pursuant to Section 5.3(a) of the First Amended
and Restated Letter of Credit Agreement, dated as of March 14, 1997 (as amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Agreement," the terms defined
therein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Pennsylvania
Manufacturers Corporation (the "Applicant"), the Banks party thereto, CoreStates
Bank, N.A., as Co-Agent and The Bank of New York, as Agent and Issuing Bank.

The undersigned hereby certifies that: 1

        1. He is [the duly appointed chief financial officer of the Applicant]
[a duly appointed vice president of the Applicant having significant
responsibility for financial matters].

        2. Enclosed with this Certificate are copies of the financial statements
of the Applicant and its Subsidiaries as of _________, and for the [_______
- - - -month period] [year] then ended, required to be delivered under Section
[5.1(a)] [5.1(b)] of the Agreement. Such financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles [(subject to the
absence of notes required by generally accepted accounting principles and
subject to normal year-end audit adjustments)]2 and present fairly the financial
condition of the Applicant and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of
the date indicated and the results of operations of the Applicant and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the period covered thereby.

        3. The undersigned has reviewed the terms of the Agreement and has made,
or caused to be made under the supervision of the undersigned, a review in
reasonable detail of the activities of the Applicant and its Subsidiaries during
the accounting period covered by such financial statements with a view to
determining whether the Applicant has performed and maintained all of its
obligations under the Agreement.

        4. Based upon the review described in paragraph 3 above, the undersigned
has no knowledge of the existence of any Default or Event of Default during or
at the end of the accounting period covered by such financial statements or as
of the date of this Certificate [, except as set forth herein].3

        5. Attached to this Certificate as Attachment A is a Covenant Compliance
Worksheet reflecting the computation of the financial covenants set forth in
Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Agreement, as of the last day of the period covered
by the financial statements enclosed herewith.

- - - -----------------
1   Insert applicable bracketed language throughout the Certificate.

2   Insert in the case of quarterly financial statements.

3   Insert if applicable and describe in the Certificate or in a separate
    attachment any exceptions to paragraph 4 above by listing, in reasonable
    detail, the nature of the Default or Event of Default, the period during
    which it existed and the action that the Applicant has taken or proposes to
    take with respect thereto.


<PAGE>

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF,, the undersigned has executed and delivered this
Certificate as of the ____ day of ___________, ____.

                                      [signature]
                                      ----------------------------------

                                      Name:
                                           -----------------------------

                                      Title:
                                            ----------------------------

<PAGE>

                                  ATTACHMENT A
                         TO GAAP COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

                         COVENANT COMPLIANCE WORKSHEET

Capitalization Ratio
(Section 6.1 of the Agreement):                    Not greater than 0.35 to 1.0

(1) Consolidated Indebtedness:

    (a)     Indebtedness of Applicant and Subsidiaries
            as of _______, ____ (the "Measurement
            Date")                                         $_______
    (b)     Reimbursement obligations with respect
            to letters of credit to secure the
            reinsurance obligations of Insurance
            Subsidiaries under reinsurance agreements
            entered into as a reinsurer in the      
            ordinary course of business to the extent
            that such reimbursement obligations are
            secured by cash and Treasury Securities
            delivered to the issuers of such letters
            of credit as of the Measurement Date            _______
    (c)     Reimbursement obligations with respect
            to PMA Insurance Cayman, Ltd. letter
            of credit as of the Measurement Date1
    (d)     Consolidated Indebtedness: Subtract
            lines 1(b) and 1(c) from 1(a)                              $_______

(2) Capitalization:

    (a)     Consolidated Indebtedness as of
            the Measurement Date (from Line 1(d))          $_______
    (b)     Consolidated Net Worth as of
            the Measurement Date                            _______
    (c)     Capitalization: Add Lines 2(a) and 2(b)                    $_______

(3) Ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness to Total
    Capitalization:
            Divide Line 1(d) by Line 2(c)                              __to 1.0

- - - --------------

1    Reimbursement obligations with respect to the letter of credit issued upon
     the Applicant's application for the benefit of PMAIC with PMA Insurance
     Cayman, Ltd. as account party thereto, but only if the stated amount of
     such letter of credit is less than $28,000,000.


<PAGE>

Cash Coverage Ratio
(Section 6.2 of the Agreement):                 Not less than ___ to 1.0 1

(1) Cash Available:

    (a)     Aggregate Available Dividend
            Amount for the Insurance
            Subsidiaries 2
            for the Measurement Period 3                               $_______

    (b)     Net Tax Sharing Payments for
            the Measurement Period

    (i)     Tax sharing payments received
            by Applicant                                   $_______
    (ii)    Tax sharing payments estimated
            to be received by Applicant in
            respect of Measurement Period                   _______
    (iii)   Taxes paid by Applicant                        (_______)
    (iv)    Taxes estimated to be paid by       
            Applicant in respect of
            Measurement Period                             (_______)
    (v)     Other payments, if any, paid
            or to be paid by Applicant
            under tax sharing agreements
            or arrangements during
            Measurement Period                             (_______)
    (vi)    Net Amount (lines (i) +
            (ii) minus lines (iii) + (iv)
            + (v))                                                      _______

    (c)     Cash Available:
            Add lines 1(a) and 1(b)(v)                                 $

(2) Cash Uses:

    (a)     Interest Expense incurred during
            the Measurement Period                                     $_______

    (b)     Operating expenses paid by the
            Applicant during the Measurement
            Period                                                      _______

    (c)     Dividends paid by the Applicant during
            the Measurement Period                          ________
    (d)     Cash Uses:
            Add lines 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c)                   $
(3) Cash Coverage Ratio:
            Divide line l(c) by line 2(d)                              __to 1.0

- - - ---------------
1    Insert (i) with respect to a Measurement Date occurring on or before
     December 31, 1999, 2.5, and (ii) a Measurement Date occurring thereafter,
     2.75.

2    Other than each Insurance Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of another
     Insurance Subsidiary and determined as if the four fiscal quarters measured
     constitute a fiscal year for regulatory purposes.

3    The four fiscal quarters immediately preceding the Measurement Date.


<PAGE>

                                 PMC EXHIBIT E-2

                                    FORM OF
                             COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
                        (Statutory Financial Statements)

     THIS CERTIFICATE is given pursuant to Section 5.3(a) of the First Amended
and Restated Letter of Credit Agreement, dated as of March 14, 1997 (as
amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Agreement," the terms
defined therein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Pennsylvania
Manufacturers Corporation (the "Applicant"), the Banks party thereto, CoreStates
Bank, N.A., as Co-Agent and The Bank of New York, as Agent and Issuing Bank.

     The undersigned hereby certifies that: 1

        i) He is [the duly appointed chief financial officer of the Applicant]
[a duly appointed vice president of the Applicant having significant
responsibility for financial matters].

        ii) Enclosed with this Certificate are copies of the financial
statements of the Applicant and its Subsidiaries as of __________, and for the
[______-month period] [year] then ended, required to be delivered under Section
[5.2(a)] [5.2(b)] of the Agreement. Such financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with Statutory Accounting Principles and present fairly the
financial condition of the Applicant and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis as of the date indicated and the results of operations of the Applicant
and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the period covered thereby.

        iii) Attached to this Certificate as Attachment A is a Covenant
Compliance Worksheet reflecting the computation of the financial covenants set
forth in Sections 6.3 and 6.4 of the Agreement as of the last day of the period
covered by the financial statements enclosed herewith.

- - - ------------
1   Insert applicable bracketed language throughout the Certificate.


<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this
Certificate as of the ____ day of ________, ____.



                                               [signature]
                                               ------------------------------

                                               Name:
                                                    -------------------------

                                               Title:
                                                     ------------------------

<PAGE>

                                  ATTACHMENT A
                      TO STATUTORY COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

                         COVENANT COMPLIANCE WORKSHEET

Statutory Surplus
(Section 6.3 of the Agreement):                      Not less than $450,000,000

(1)     Statutory Surplus of each Insurance Subsidiary1 as
        of ________, ____ (the "Measurement Date"):

        (a)     PMA Re                                                 $_______
        (b)     PMAIC                                                  $_______
        (c)     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Indemnity Company  $_______
        (d)     Manufacturers Alliance Insurance Company               $_______
        (e)     MASCCO                                                 $_______
        (f)     PMA Life Insurance Company                             $_______
        (g)     [Other Insurance Subsidiaries legally
                domiciled in the United States]2                       $_______
        (h)     PMA Cayman3                                            $_______
        (i)     Chestnut3                                              $_______
        (j)     Pennsylvania Manufacturers International
                Insurance, Ltd.3                                       $_______
        (k)     [Other Insurance Subsidiaries not legally
                domiciled in the United States3]2                      $_______

(2)     Consolidated Statutory Surplus -- Sum of lines
        in item (1)                                                    $_______

- - - ------------
1    Do not include any Insurance Subsidiary whose Statutory Surplus is included
     in the Statutory Surplus of another Insurance Subsidiary.

2    List each such Insurance Subsidiary individually.

3    Include the shareholders' equity of such Insurance Subsidiary as determined
     in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (without regard
     to the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115
     issues by the Financial Accounting Standards Board).


<PAGE>

                                  ATTACHMENT A
                      TO STATUTORY COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

                         COVENANT COMPLIANCE WORKSHEET

     Risk-Based Capital                      For each Insurance Subsidiary, as
     (Section 6.4 of the Agreement): 1       appropriate, line (a) to be
                                             not less than line (d)
(1)  PMA Re

     (a)  Total adjusted capital as of the
          Measurement Date                                             $_______
     (b)  Company Action Level RBC2 as of the
          Measurement Date                                             $_______
     (c)  Required Multiple                                                150%
     (d)  Required total adjusted capital as of the
          Measurement Date:
          Multiply Line l(b) by l(c)                                   $_______

(2) Other Insurance Subsidiaries3

     (a)  Total adjusted capital as of the
          Measurement Date                                             $_______
     (b)  Company Action Level RBC2 as of the
          Measurement Date                                             $_______
     (c)  Required Percentage3:
          December 31, 1996, 100%;
          December 31, 1997, 110%;
          December 31, 1998, 115 %;
          December 31, 1999 and thereafter, 120%                              %
     (d)  Required total adjusted capital as of the
          Measurement Date:
          Multiply Line 3(b) by 3(c)                                   $_______

- - - -------------------

1    To be calculated and submitted annually.

2    As defined by the Risk-Based Capital for Insurers Model Act of the NAIC.

3    Complete different schedule for each Insurance Subsidiary required by the
     relevant Insurance Regulatory Authority to meet any RBC requirements.


<PAGE>

                                  PMC EXHIBIT F
                    FORM OF FINANCIAL CONDITION CERTIFICATE

     THIS FINANCIAL CONDITION CERTIFICATE is delivered pursuant to Section
3.1(a)(iii) of the First Amended and Restated Letter of Credit Agreement, dated
as of March 14, 1997 (the "Agreement"), by and among Pennsylvania Manufacturers
Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Applicant"), the Banks party
thereto, CoreStates Bank, N.A., as Co-Agent and The Bank of New York, as Agent
and as Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have
the meanings given to such terms in the Agreement.

     The undersigned hereby certifies for and on behalf of the Applicant as
follows:

        1. Capacity. The undersigned is, and at all pertinent times mentioned
herein has been, the Applicant's duly qualified and acting chief financial
officer (and in such capacity has responsibility for the management of the
Applicant's financial affairs) and senior accounting officer (and in such
capacity has responsibility for the preparation of the Applicant's financial
statements). The undersigned has, together with other officers of the Applicant,
acted on behalf of the Applicant in connection with the negotiation and
consummation of the Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

        2. Procedures. For purposes of this certificate, the undersigned, or
officers or other personnel of the Applicant under the direction and supervision
of the undersigned, have, as of or prior to the date hereof, undertaken the
following activities in connection herewith:

        a)     The undersigned has carefully reviewed the following:

               i)   the contents of this certificate;

               ii)  the Agreement (including the exhibits and schedules
                    thereto);

               iii) the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Applicant for
                    the fiscal years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and
                    the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders
                    equity and cash flows of the Applicant for the three-year
                    period ended December 31, 1995, each certified by Coopers &
                    Lybrand, L.L.P.; and

               iv)  the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Applicant as
                    of December 31, 1996, and the related consolidated
                    statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows of
                    the Applicant for the fiscal year then ended.

        b)     The undersigned has made inquiries of certain other officers and
personnel of the Applicant with responsibility for financial and accounting
matters regarding whether the unaudited financial statements described in
paragraph 2.1(a)(iv) above are in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited
financial statements described in paragraph 2.1(a)(iii) above, and whether notes
omitted from the unaudited consolidated financial statements would have
disclosed any new information that would be necessary to make such materials not
misleading.


<PAGE>

        c)     With respect to any Contingent Obligations of the Applicant, the
undersigned:

               i)   has inquired of certain officers and other personnel of the
                    Applicant who have responsibility for the legal, financial
                    and accounting affairs of the Applicant, as to the
                    existence and estimated amounts of all Contingent
                    Obligations known to them;

               ii)  has confirmed with senior officers of the Applicant that, to
                    the best of such officers' knowledge, (i) all appropriate
                    items have been included in the Contingent Obligations made
                    known to the undersigned in the course of the inquiry of
                    the undersigned in connection herewith, and (ii) the
                    amounts relating thereto were the maximum estimated amounts
                    of liability reasonably likely to result therefrom as of the
                    date hereof, and

               iii) confirms that, to the best of his knowledge, all material
                    Contingent Obligations that may arise from any pending
                    litigation, asserted claims and assessments, guarantees,
                    uninsured risks, and other Contingent Obligations of the
                    Applicant have been considered in making the certification
                    set forth herein, and with respect to each such Contingent
                    Obligation the estimable maximum estimated of liability with
                    respect thereto was used in making such certification.

        d)     In connection with the preparation for consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Agreement, the undersigned has caused the
preparation of and has reviewed projected financial statements consisting of
balance sheets and statements of income of the Applicant giving effect to the
transactions contemplated by the Agreement. The assumptions upon which such
projections are based were, in the opinion of the undersigned, reasonable when
made and continue to be reasonable as of the date hereof, subject to the
uncertainties and approximations inherent in any projections.

        e)     The undersigned has inquired of certain officers of the Applicant
having responsibility for financial reporting and accounting matters regarding
whether such persons were aware of any events or conditions that, as of the date
hereof, would cause the statements made in Section 3 below to be untrue.

        f)     The undersigned has conferred with counsel to the Applicant for
the purpose of discussing the meaning of the contents of this Certificate
(including, without limitation, Sections 3(a), 3(c) and 3(d) below).

        3.     Certifications. Based on the foregoing, the undersigned hereby
certifies as follows:

        a)     The Applicant is not now, nor will consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Agreement and the incurrence of the
Obligations under the Agreement render the Applicant, "insolvent" (as
hereinafter defined). The undersigned understands that, in this context,
"insolvent" means that the present fair saleable value of assets is less than
the amount that will be required to be paid on or in respect of the existing
debts and other liabilities as such debts and liabilities of the Applicant
mature. The undersigned understands that the term "debts" includes any legal
liability, whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, absolute,
fixed or contingent, including any guaranty obligations. A valuation of the
Applicant, on the basis thereof, with reasonable allowance for error, would
reflect the net worth of the


<PAGE>

Applicant in the aggregate (excess of fair value of assets over
liabilities) as not less than $_______.

        b)     After giving effect to the transaction contemplated by the
Agreement, all accounts and other liabilities of the Applicant are current and
not past due.

        c)     The undersigned believes that, by incurring the Obligations
pursuant to the Agreement, the Applicant will not incur debts beyond its
ability to pay as such obligations mature (taking into account the timing and
amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of the Applicant's Indebtedness).
The foregoing conclusion is based in part on the projections, which demonstrate
that the cash flow of the Applicant, after taking into account all anticipated
uses of the cash of the Applicant, will at all times be sufficient to pay all
amounts on or in respect of Indebtedness of the Applicant when such amounts are
required to be paid (including without limitation, scheduled payments pursuant
to the Agreement).

        d)     As of the date hereof, the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Agreement will not leave the Applicant with
"unreasonably small capital" within the meaning of Section 548(a) of the
Bankruptcy Code or with remaining assets that are unreasonably small. In
reaching this conclusion, the undersigned understands that "unreasonably small
capital" depends upon the nature of the particular business or businesses
conducted or to be conducted, and has reached this conclusion based on the needs
and anticipated needs for capital of the businesses conducted or anticipated to
be conducted by the Applicant in light of the Applicant's available credit
capacity.

        e)     The Applicant has not executed the Agreement, or any documents
mentioned herein, or made any transfer or incurred any obligations
thereunder, with intent to hinder, delay or defraud either present or future
creditors of the Applicant.

        f)     The undersigned understands that the Banks have performed their
own review and analysis of the financial condition of the Applicant, but
that the Banks are relying on the foregoing statements in connection with the
extension of credit to the Applicant pursuant to the Agreement.


Executed this 14th day of March, 1997.


                                         --------------------------------------
                                         Chief Financial Officer
                                         Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation


<PAGE>

                                 PMC EXHIBIT G

                  FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE APPLICANT

                                                       March 14, 1997

The Bank of New York, as
  Agent and as Issuing Bank,
CoreStates Bank, N.A., as
  Co-Agent, and the
Banks Party to the First Amended
and Restated Letter of Credit
Agreement Referenced Below

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation, a
Pennsylvania corporation (the "Applicant") in connection with the execution and
delivery of and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the First
Amended and Restated Letter of Credit Agreement, dated as of March 14, 1997 (the
"Agreement"), by and among the Applicant, the Banks party thereto, CoreStates
Bank, N.A., as Co-Agent and The Bank of New York, as Agent and Issuing Bank.
Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein have the meanings
assigned to them in the Agreement.

     In this connection, we have examined a copy of the executed Agreement and
such certificates of public officials, certificates of officers of the Applicant
and copies certified to our satisfaction of corporate documents and records of
the Applicant and of other papers, and have made such other investigations as we
have deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for our opinion hereinafter set
forth. We have relied upon such certificates of public officials and of officers
of the Applicant with respect to the accuracy of material factual matters
contained therein which were not independently established. In addition, we have
assumed and relied upon the accuracy, completeness, authenticity and genuineness
of all documents and certificates examined and all signatures thereon, other
than the signatures of representatives of the Applicant.

     In rendering this opinion, we have assumed that the Banks, the Issuing
Bank, the Co-Agent and the Agent have all requisite authority and have taken all
necessary corporate or other action to enter into and perform their obligations
under the Credit Documents and that the Credit Documents are valid and binding
upon the Banks, the Issuing Bank, the Co-Agent and the Agent and enforceable
against them in accordance with their respective terms. We have also assumed
that the Banks', the Issuing Bank's, the CoAgent's and the Agent's actions in
connection with the enforcement of the Credit Documents will be commercially
reasonable and taken in good faith.


<PAGE>

     Any opinion expressed "to the best of our knowledge" is made on the basis
of our actual knowledge only of the attorneys of this firm who have participated
in the legal representation of the Applicant in connection with the Credit
Documents, without having conducted an independent investigation as to the
matters stated therein.

     Based upon the subject to the foregoing and the further limitations,
qualifications and exceptions herein set forth, we are of the opinion that:

     1. Each of the Applicant and its Material Subsidiaries is a corporation
duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and
is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of its business or the
ownership of its properties requires it to be so qualified, except where the
failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

     2. Each of the Applicant and its Material Subsidiaries has the full
corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform the Credit
Documents to which it is a party, to own and hold its property and to engage in
its business as presently conducted.

     3. The Applicant has taken all necessary corporate action to execute,
deliver and perform each Credit Document, and each Credit Document has been
validly executed and delivered by, and constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Applicant, enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles which
may limit rights of acceleration, self-help and the availability of equitable
remedies, including (without limitation) concepts of materiality,
reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in
a proceeding in equity or at law).

     4. No consent, approval, authorization, exemption or other action by,
notice to, or declaration or filing with, any governmental or regulatory
authority of the United States or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is required
in connection with the due execution, delivery and performance by the Applicant
of the Credit Documents, the legality, validity or enforceability thereof or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby.

     5. The execution, delivery and performance by the Applicant of the Credit
Documents, and compliance by it therewith, do not and will not (i) violate any
provision of its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, (ii) contravene any
provisions of any applicable law, rule or regulation or, to the best of our
knowledge, any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree to which it is
subject, (iii) to the best of our knowledge, conflict with, result in a breach
of or constitute (with notice, lapse of time or both) a default under any
material indenture, agreement or other instrument to which it is a party, by
which it or any of its properties is bound or to which it may be subject, or
(iv) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien (except for Permitted
Liens) arising under any of the documents or instruments referred to in clause
(iii), upon any property or assets of the Applicant.

     6. To the best of our knowledge, there are no actions, investigations,
suits or proceedings pending or threatened, at law, in equity or in arbitration,
before any court, other Governmental Authority or other Person, against or
affecting the Applicant and its Subsidiaries


<PAGE>

or any of their respective properties that, if adversely determined, would
be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     7. The Surviving Senior Note Indebtedness does not have any priority or
preference senior in any respect to the Obligations.

     8. In any proceeding taken for the enforcement of the Credit Documents, the
provisions therein specifying that the internal laws of the State of New York
will govern such documents would more likely than not be given effect by a state
court or federal court sitting in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and applying
the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania concerning conflicts of law,
subject to the exceptions and limitations referred to below. Pennsylvania courts
have followed Section 187 of the Restatement 2nd Conflict of Laws (See: In re
Allegheny International. Inc., 954 F.2d 167 (3rd Cir. 1992) and Smith v.
Commonwealth National Bank, 557 A.2d 775 (Pa. Super. 1989)). However, even in
the case where financing documents have included an express choice of law
provision identifying that a foreign state's laws shall govern the documents,
this general rule has not been followed by a Pennsylvania court in instances
where the court was asked to apply the procedural law of another state (See:
Unisys Finance Corporation v. U S Vision, Inc., 630 A.2d 55 (Pa. Super. 1993))
such as on a question of the applicable statute of limitations on a claim, or
where the action involved the enforcement of debts or recovery of collateral
given as security for a loan (See: Howard Savings Bank v. Cohen, 607 A.2d 1077
(Pa. Super. 1992)). Furthermore, we call your attention to the existence of
Fuller Co. v. Campagnie Des Bauxites De Guinee, 421 F. Supp. 938 (W.D.Pa. 1976),
in which the court rejected a contractual choice of law provision primarily
because the only nexus between the transaction and the designated state was the
retention by one party of counsel in such state.

     9. Neither the Applicant nor any of its Subsidiaries is an "investment
company," a company controlled by an "investment company," or an "investment
advisor," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

     10. Neither the Applicant nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged in the
business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin
Stock, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement
will not violate Regulations G, T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.

     11. The fees, interest and other charges payable under the Credit Documents
do not violate any usury or similar laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

     12. No transfer, filing, stamp, privilege, franchise, indebtedness or other
taxes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are required to be paid in connection
with the execution and delivery of the Credit Documents.

     13. Neither Agent nor any Bank is required to comply with the requirements
of any foreign lender statute in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in order to
carry out the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents or to avail
itself of the remedies provided thereby.

     The foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania,


<PAGE>

and, to the extent applicable, the laws of the United States and we express
no opinion with respect to the law of any other state or jurisdiction. We note
that the Credit Documents are expressly governed by the laws of the State of New
York, and we have assumed, with your permission and without investigation, that
the substantive laws of the State of New York are identical to those of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

     The opinions given herein are as of the date hereof, and we assume no
obligation to update or supplement this opinion to reflect any facts or
circumstances which may hereafter come to our attention or any changes in laws
which may hereafter occur.

     This opinion is furnished solely in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Agreement, may be relied upon only by each of you and any of
your successors and Assignees under the Agreement, and may not be used or relied
upon by you or any other person in any other manner or for any other purpose
without our prior written consent.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    DUANE, MORRIS & HECKSCHER


<PAGE>

                                  PMC EXHIBIT H

                       FORM OF OPINION OF SPECIAL COUNSEL

March 14, 1997

To The Parties  
Listed on Schedule A
Attached Hereto

     Re:  First Amended and Restated Letter of Credit Agreement, dated as of
          March 14, 1997, by and among Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
          (the "Applicant"), the Banks party thereto, CoreStates Bank, N.A., as
          Co-Agent and The Bank of New York. as Agent and Issuing Bank (the
          "Agreement")

     We have acted as Special Counsel to the Agent in connection with the
Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein which are defined in the Agreement
shall have the meanings therein defined, unless the context hereof otherwise
requires.

     We have examined originals or copies certified to our satisfaction of the
documents required to be delivered pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.1 of
the Agreement. In conducting such examination, we have assumed the genuineness
of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals, and the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as
copies.

     Based upon the foregoing examination, and (i) assuming, without any
independent inquiry or investigation, the accuracy of (a) the opinion of Duane,
Morris & Heckscher, counsel to the Applicant (the "Duane' Morris Opinion"),
dated of even date herewith, (b) the representations and warranties of the
Applicant contained in the Credit Documents as to matters of fact, and (c)
certain representations and warranties of the Agent as to matters of fact, and
(ii) subject to all of the limitations, assumptions and qualifications set forth
below and contained, directly or indirectly, in the Duane, Morris Opinion, we
are of the opinion that:

     1. All legal preconditions to the effectiveness of the Agreement on the
Restatement Effective Date have been satisfactorily met or waived.

     2. The Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of
the Applicant, enforceable against the Applicant in accordance with its terms,
except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization,



<PAGE>

fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting
the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general principles of
equity, including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness,
good faith and fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific
performance or injunctive relief, regardless of whether considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law.

     For purposes of the opinion set forth in paragraph 2 above, we have assumed
that:

     (a) Each of the Banks, the Issuing Bank, the Co-Agent and the Agent
(collectively, the "Other Transaction Parties", and each an "Other Transaction
Party"), has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform the
Agreement.

     (b) The Agreement has been duly executed, delivered and accepted by each of
the Other Transaction Parties.

     (c) The Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of
each Other Transaction Party, enforceable against each Other Transaction Party
in accordance with its terms.

     (d) Each Other Transaction Party has satisfied all legal requirements
applicable to it to the extent necessary to make the Agreement enforceable
against it and has complied with all legal requirements pertaining to its status
as such status relates to its rights to enforce the Agreement.

     (e) Neither the execution, delivery, or acceptance of, nor the observance
and performance of the provisions contained in, the Agreement by each of the
Other Transaction Parties, will conflict with or result in a breach of any
requirement of law applicable to such Other Transaction Party.

     (f) Each of the Other Transaction Parties will observe and perform all of
its obligations and duties arising under the Agreement.

     The opinion expressed in paragraph 2 is subject to the further limitation
that we express no opinion herein with respect to (i) provisions of the
Agreement purporting to establish evidentiary standards, (ii) the waiver of
inconvenient forum set forth in Section 10.15 of the Agreement with respect to
proceedings in a Federal court, (iii) whether a Federal or state court outside
of the State of New York would give effect to the choice of New York law
provided for in the Agreement, (iv) the effect of the law of any jurisdiction
other than the State of New York wherein any Bank may be located or wherein
enforcement of the Agreement may be sought which limits the rates of interest
legally chargeable or collectible, (v) provisions of the Agreement regarding
delay or omission of enforcement of rights and remedies, (vi) provisions of the
Agreement to the effect that rights or remedies are not exclusive, that every
right or remedy is cumulative and may be exercised in addition to or with any
other right or remedy, or that the election of a particular remedy or remedies
does not preclude recourse to one or more other remedies, or (vii) penalties or
forfeitures, or late payment charges or an increase in interest rate upon
delinquency in

                                     - 2 -


<PAGE>

payment or upon the occurrence of default, to the extent that the same may
constitute a penalty or forfeiture; provided, however, that the
non-enforceability of any of the provisions, rights and remedies referred to in
this paragraph will not, in our opinion, materially diminish the practical
realization of the economic benefits of the Agreement intended thereby, except
for the economic consequences of any judicial, administrative, procedural or
other delay which may be imposed by, relate to or arise from applicable laws,
constitutional requirements, statutes, court decisions, codes, ordinances, rules
and regulations, equitable principles and all interpretations thereof.

     This opinion is rendered solely for your benefit in connection with the
transactions referred to herein and may not be relied upon by any other Person.

     In rendering the foregoing opinion, we express no opinion as to laws other
than the laws of the State of New York and the federal laws of the United States
of America.

                                              Very truly yours,

                                              Emmet, Marvin & Martin, LLP

                                     - 3 -


<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE A

The Bank of New York,
 as Agent and as Issuing Bank

CoreStates Bank, N.A., as Co-Agent

Each of the Banks party from time to
time to the First Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement, dated as of March 14,
1997, by and among Pennsylvania
Manufacturers Corporation, the Banks
party thereto, CoreStates Bank, N.A., as
Co-Agent and The Bank of New York, as
Agent and Issuing Bank


<PAGE>

                                  PMC EXHIBIT I

                           FORM OF EXTENSION REQUEST

        EXTENSION REQUEST (this "Extension Request"), dated as of _, 19 _, made
by PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION, a Pennsylvania corporation (the
"Applicant") pursuant to the First Amended and Restated Letter of Credit
Agreement, dated as of March 14, 1997, by and among the Applicant, the Banks
party thereto, CORESTATES BANK, N.A., as Co-Agent and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, in
its capacity as Agent and as Issuing Bank (as time amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "Agreement").

                                    RECITALS

        A. Capitalized terms used herein which are not defined herein and which
are defined in the Agreement shall have the same meanings as therein defined.

        B. Section 2.6 of the Agreement provides that so long as no Default or
Event of Default shall exist and be continuing, the Applicant may request that
the Termination Date be extended for a period of 364 days by delivering an
Extension Request to the Agent.

        C. Section 2.6 of the Agreement further provides that if each Bank
consents to an Extension Request during the Extension Consent Period by giving
written notice thereof to the Agent, then effective on the first day of the
Extension Consent Period, the then applicable Termination Date shall be extended
by 364 days.

        D. As of the date hereof, the Termination Date (without giving effect to
the extension requested hereby) is ________ __, 19__.

        E. The Applicant desires that the Termination Date be extended for an
additional period of 364 days and the Banks signing below desire to consent
thereto.

        In consideration of the premises, and the terms and conditions herein
contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

        1. Pursuant to Section 2.6 of the Agreement, the Applicant hereby
requests that the Termination Date be extended for an additional period of 364
days.

        2. The Applicant hereby represents and warrants to the Agent, the
Co-Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Bank that no Default or Event of Default
exists and is continuing.

        3. Each Bank signing below hereby consents to this Extension Request.

        4. Subject to receipt by the Agent during the Extension Consent Period
of a counterpart of this Extension Request signed by each Bank (or a replacement
bank pursuant to Section 2.15), then effective on the first day of such
Extension Consent Period, the then applicable Termination Date shall be extended
by 364 days.


<PAGE>

        5. This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute one instrument.
It shall not be necessary in making proof of this instrument to produce or
account for more than one counterpart signed by the party to be charged.

        6. This instrument is being delivered in and is intended to be performed
in the State of New York and shall be construed and enforceable in accordance
with, and be governed by, the internal laws of the State of New York without
regard to principles of conflict of laws.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Extension
Request to be executed by its duly authorized officer as of the date and year
first written above.

                                   PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS CORPORATION

                                   By:
                                      -----------------------------------

                                   Name:
                                        ---------------------------------

                                   Title:
                                         --------------------------------

                                   THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                                   Individually and as Agent and Issuing Bank


                                   By:
                                      -----------------------------------

                                   Name:
                                        ---------------------------------

                                   Title:
                                         --------------------------------

                                   CORESTATES BANK, N.A.
                                   Individually and as Co-Agent


                                   By:
                                      -----------------------------------

                                   Name:
                                        ---------------------------------

                                   Title:
                                         --------------------------------

                                     - 2 -


<PAGE>



                              PMC SCHEDULE 1.1 TO
           THE FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT
                           DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                  LIST OF MEMBERS OF CURRENT MANAGEMENT GROUP

Board of Directors
- - - ------------------

Frederick W. Anton III
Paul I. Detwiler, Jr.
Joseph H. Foster
Anne S. Genter
James F. Malone III
A. John May
Louis N. McCarter III
John W. Miller, Jr., M.D.
Edward H. Owlett
Louis I. Pollock
L.J. Rowell, Jr.
Roderic H. Ross
John W. Smithson

Management
- - - ----------

Frederick W. Anton III
John W. Smithson
Francis W. McDonnell
Vincent T. Donnelly
Stephen G. Tirney
Richard DeCoux
James J. Fleming, Jr.
Anthony J. Grosso
Stephen F. Litz
David C. Snow


<PAGE>

                         PMC SCHEDULE 4.14 TO THE FIRST
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                           LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT
                           DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                             ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

     There is presently a 10,000 gallon underground fuel oil storage tank
located at Gulph Industries, Inc.'s property, 1025 W. Eighth Street, King of
Prussia, PA. Two other tanks for gasoline and waste oil storage were formerly
located at this facility, but have been removed.


<PAGE>

                              PMC SCHEDULE 4.18 TO
           THE FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT
                           DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                           LIST OF CERTAIN CONTRACTS

Obligation to:                           Description:

Scudder, Stevens, & Clark                Investment advisory services

Nine Penn Center Associates, L.P.        Building lease

IBM                                      Equipment

PNC Leasing Corporation                  Furniture, fixtures, and equipment

Cap Gemini                               Consulting

Decision One                             Management and maintenance of
                                         data processing equipment

AT&T                                     Frame relay, private line, and local
                                         channel service

CoreStates                               Sale of accounts receivable

Frederick W. Anton III                   Employment agreement
John W. Smithson                         Employment agreement


<PAGE>

                              PMC SCHEDULE 4.19 TO
           THE FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT
                           DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                          PMA REINSURANCE CORPORATION

              UNSECURED RECOVERABLES RATED LESS THAN A- BY AM BEST

                            AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996

- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   (1)
                                       LOC       AM BEST       TICK
          NAME                       (000'S)      RATING       MARKS
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUTHORIZED US
Aegon Reinsurance Company(Ennia)                  NR-3
American Fuji Fire & Marine                       B++
Baltica-Skandinavia Re Co                         C-
Cigna Reinsurance Co                              B+ g
Covenant Mutual Ins Co                            NR-2          (3)
MONY Reinsurance Corp                             NR-3
Philadelphia Reins Corp                           NR-3
Republic Ins Co                                   B++ g

AUTHORIZED POOLS
Associated A&H Re Underwriters                    NA

UNAUTHORIZED US 
Constellation Re                                  NA            (2)
Delta America Re Ins Co (Elkhorn)                 NA
Mead Reinsurance Corp                             NR-3
Universal Reins Co                                NA

AUTHORIZED - OTHER NON-U.S. INSURERS
Sphere Drake Ins plc                              B++
Zurich Re (UK) Ltd                                NA

UNAUTHORIZED - OTHER NON-U.S. INSURERS
Baloise insurance Co                              NR-5
Beneficial American                               NA
Bishopsgate Ins Ltd                       1       NA
Bryanston Ins Co                                  NA
Compagnie Europeene de
 Reassurances, S.A.                      26       NA
Dai-Tokyo Ins Co (UK) Ltd                         NA
Eagle Star Reinsurance Company Ltd.               NA
Eisen Und Stahl Ruckversicherungs                 NA
English & American Ins Co Ltd
 (New Zealand)                                    F
Excess Insurance Co Ltd                   2       NR-5
Fremont Ins Co (UK) Ltd                   1       NR-5
GAN Incendie Accidents                            NR-5
GIO (UK) Ltd                                      NA
Hansa International                       1       NA
Municipal General Ins Ltd                 8       NA
River Thames Ins Co Ltd                  85       NR-5
Sampo Ins Co (UK) Ltd                     1       NR-5
Sparkassen-Versicherung Allgemeine        6       NA
Stockholm Reins Co Ltd                            NR-5
Taisei Fire & Marine Ins Co                       NA
Traders General                                   NA
Transcontinentale                                 NA

1997 REINSURERS
Monde Re                                          NA
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NA - Not available
(1)  AM Best rating was obtained from the 1997 edition and 1996 edition
     for foreign companies and domestic companies, respectively.
(2)  Company is in liquidation
(3)  Company demutualized and is now Covenant Insurance Company (NR-2)


<PAGE>

                              PMC SCHEDULE 4.19 TO
           THE FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT
                           DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                     PMAIC AND OTHER INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES

              UNSECURED RECOVERABLES RATED LESS THAN A- BY AM BEST

                             AS OF DECEMBER 31,1996

- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   (1)
                                       LOC       AM BEST
          NAME                       (000'S)      RATING       TICK
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNAUTHORIZED - OTHER US
Classic Fire & Marine Insurance Co.                NR-4
Constellation Reinsurance Co.                      NA          (2)
Farm Bureau Mutual Ins. Co. of Michigan            B++ g
Hamburg International Reinsurance Co.              NR-3
Mead Reinsurance Corp.                             NR-3

AUTHORIZED US
American Fuji Fire & Marine Ins. Co.               B++
CIGNA Reinsurance Co.                              B+ g
Cologne Reinsurance Co. of America                 NR-3
Folksamerica National Reinsurance                  NR-3
John Hancock Property and Casualty Co.             B++ p
New England Reinsurance Corp.                      NR-3
Signet Star Reinsurance Corp.                      NR-3
SAFR Reinsurance Corp. of the US                   B++
US International Reins. Co.                        B- r
Unione Italiana Reins. Co. of America              NR-3
Netherlands Reins. Group US Branch                 NA
Reliance Insurance Co                              NA

AUTHORIZED MANDATORY POOLS
American Accident Re Group                         NA
Excess & Casualty Reins. Association               NA
IRM                                                NA
NCCI                                               NA

UNAUTHORIZED-AFFILIATES-NON US
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Intrnl. Ins.            NA
PMA Insurance Cayman, Ltd.                         NA

UNAUTHORIZED-OTHER NON US
Albingia Versicherungs                             NR-5
Allianz International Ins. Co. Ltd.                NA
Ancon Insurance Co (UK) Ltd.                       FPR-7
Anglo American Insurance Co. Ltd.                  NR-5
British National Insurance Co. Ltd.                NA
Cie Europeene De Reass Internationale              NA
Colonia Ins. Co. (UK) Ltd.                         B++
Compagnie Europeenne D'Assurances                  NR-5
Dai-Tokyo Insurance Co. (UK) Ltd.                  NA
D.N.H. Reinsurance Company                         NA
Eagle Star Reinsurance Co., Ltd.                   NA
Excess Insurance Co. Ltd.                          NR-5
Fuji International Insurance Co. Ltd.              NA
G.T.E. Reinsurance Co. Ltd.             37         NR-5
Harleysville Ins. Co. (UK) Ltd.                    NA
IAT Syndicate                           65         NA
INSCO, Ltd                                         NA
J & H Syndicate B, Inc.                 62         NA
Laurentian General Insurance Co.                   NA
Mitsui Marine & Fire Ins. Co.
 (Europe) Ltd.                                     NR-5
MML Syndicate                          125         NA
NW Reins. COSD. Ltd.                               NR-5
Scan Reinsurance Co. Ltd.                          NR-5
Security Insurance Co. (UK) Ltd.                   NA
Sovereign Marine &
  General Ins. Co. Ltd.                            NR-5
Spear, Leeds, & Kellogg Re Corp.                   NA
Storebrand Ins. Co. (UK) Ltd.                      NA
Toa Reinsurance Co. (UK) Ltd.                      NA
Tokio Marine & Fire Ins. Co. (UK) Ltd              FPR-6
Turegum Insurance Co. (UK) Ltd.        136         NA
Yasuda Fire & Marine Ins. of Europe                NR-5
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NA - Not available
(1)  AM Best rating was obtained from the 1997 edition and 1996 edition for
     foreign companies and domestic companies, respectively
(2)  Company is in liquidation


<PAGE>

                               PMC SCHEDULE 4.4 TO
           THE FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT
                           DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                  LIST OF LICENSES, PERMITS AND AUTHORIZATIONS

STATE       PMAIC     PMIC       MAICO        MASCCO      PMA LIFE      PMA Re
- - - -----       -----     ----       -----        ------      --------      ------
AL                                                                        XR
AK            X                                                           XR
AZ            X                                                           XR
AR                                                                         A 
CA            X                                                           XR
CO            X                                                            A 
CT            X                                                           XR
DE            X          X          X                                     XR
DC            X          X          X                                     XR
FL            X                                                           XR
GA            X                                                           XR
Hl            X                                                            A 
ID            X                                                           XR
IL            X                                                           XR
IN            X                                                           XR
IA            X                                                           XR
KS                                                                        XR
KY            X                                                           XR
LA            X                                                           XR
ME            X                                                            A 
MD            X          X          X                                     XR
MA            X                                                           XR
Ml            X                                                           XR
MN                                                                        XR
MS            X                                                           XR
MO            X                                                           XR
MT            X                                                           XR
NE            X                                                           XR
NV            X                                                           XR
NH            X                                                            A 
NJ            X          X          X                                     XR
NM            X                                                           XR
NY            X          X          X                                     XR
NC            X          X          X                                     XR
ND            X                                                           XR
OH            X          X          X                                     XR
OK            X                                                           XR
OR            X          X          X                                     XR
PA            X          X          X            X          X             XR
Rl            X                                                           XR
SC            X          X          X                                     XR
SD            X                                                           XR 
TN            X                                                           XR 
TX            X                                                           XR 
UT            X                                                           XR 
VT            X                                                            A 
VA            X         X          X                                       A 
WA            X                                                           XR 
WV            X
Wl            X                                                           XR
WY                                                                         A

          A  - Accredited Reinsurer
          X  - Licensed Insurer
          XR - Licensed Reinsurer


<PAGE>


                      PMC SCHEDULE 4.6 TO THE FIRST AMENDED
                         AND RESTATED LETTER OF CREDIT
                      AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                                     TAXES

Year    Audits/Examinations
- - - ----    -------------------

1992    Claim for refund under examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
1993    Claim for refund under examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
1994    Tax year under audit by the Internal Revenue Service.
1995    Tax year under audit by the Internal Revenue Service.


<PAGE>

                               PMC SCHEDULE 4.7 TO
                THE FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LETTER OF CREDIT
                      AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                              LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES

                                             PERCENT OWNED       PERCENT OWNED
                                                BY THE              BY THE
                                               BORROWER            BORROWER
Name of Subsidiary                             DIRECTLY           INDIRECTLY
- - - ----------------------------------------     -------------       --------------

Pennsylvania Manufacturers'              *       
  Association Insurance Company                  100%
Manufacturers Alliance                   *       
  Insurance Company                              100%
PMA Reinsurance Corporation              *       100%
Pennsylvania Manufacturers               *       
  Indemnity Company                              100%
Chestnut Insurance Company, Ltd.                 100%
PMA Holdings, Inc.                               100%
DP Corporation                                   100%
REM Corporation                                  100%    
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association              
  Finance Company                                100%
925 Chestnut, Inc                                100%
Mid-Atlantic States Investment Company  *        100%
PMA Life Insurance Company                       100%
Ajon, Inc.                                        15%                85%
Sarfred, Inc.                                     15%                85%
Wisteve, Inc.                                     15%                85%
Rosemarie, Inc.                                   15%                85%
Aud-Evad, Inc.                                    15%                85%
Dauphin Equities, Inc.                            15%                85%
Lorjo Corporation                                 15%                85%
Mid-Atlantic States Casualty Company    *                           100%
PMA Insurance, Cayman Ltd.              *                           100%
PMA Services, Inc.                                                  100%
Presque Enterprises, Inc.                                           100%
LeeWard, Inc.                                                       100%
Syl-Bar, Inc.                                                       100%
Gulph Industries, Inc.                                              100%
Cris-Jen, Inc.                                                      100%
Walprop, Inc.                                                       100%
Marpan, Inc.                                                        100%
Pennsylvania Manufacturers'                                         100%
  International Insurance, Ltd.
PMA Holdings, Cayman Ltd.                                           100%
PMA Management Corp.                                                100%
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Associates                               100%

* - Material Subsidiary


<PAGE>

                                  ATTACHMENT A
                         TO GAAP COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

                          COVENANT COMPLIANCE WORKSHEET

Capitalization Ratio
(Section 6.1 of the Agreement):

The Capitalization Ratio is not to be
greater than .35 to 1.0 as of the
last day of any fiscal quarter.

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 (1) Consolidated Indebtedness:
           (a) Indebtedness of Applicant and Subsidiaries
               as of December 31, 1996
               (the "Measurement Date")                        $238,986 **

           (b) Reimbursement obligations with
               respect to letters of credit
               to secure the reinsurance obligations
               of Insurance Subsidiaries under
               reinsurance agreements entered into
               as a reinsurer in the ordinary
               course of business to the extent
               that such reimbursement obligations
               are secured by cash and Treasury
               Securities delivered to the issuers
               of such letters of credit as of
               the Measurement Date                              19,461
           (c) Reimbursement Obligations with respect to
               PMA Insurance Cayman, Ltd. letter of
               credit as of the Measurement Date                     --
                                                               ---------
           (d) Consolidated Indebtedness: Subtract
               lines l(b) and l(c) from l(a)                   $219,525

 (2) Capitalization:
           (a) Consolidated Indebtedness
               as the Measurement Date                         $219,525

           (b) Consolidated Net Worth
               as of the Measurement Date                       446,026 **
                                                               ---------
           (c) Capitalization: Add lines 2(a) and 2(b)         $665,551

 (3) Ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness
     to Total Capitalization:                                      0.33 to 1.0
           Divide line l(d) by line 2(c)
     Applicable Margin for LIBOR Committed Loans
       (pursuant to the matrix set forth in the
       definition of Applicable Margin in the
       Credit Agreement)                                          0.425

     Applicable Margin for Facility Fee
       (pursuant to the matrix set forth in the
       definition of Applicable Margin
       in the Credit Agreement)                                   0.275


** Amounts are pro-forma assuming $4,676 extraordinary loss on extinguishment
   of debt.


<PAGE>

                                  ATTACHMENT A
                         TO GAAP COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

                         COVENANT COMPLIANCE WORKSHEET

Cash Coverage Ratio
(Section 6.2 of the Agreement)

The Cash Coverage Ratio is not
to be less than 2.50 to 1.0 with respect
to any four fiscal quarter period ending
on or before 12/31/99; not less than
2.75 to 1.0 with respect to any four
fiscal quarter period ending thereafter.

(dollar amounts in thousands)

 (1) Cash Available:
     (a) Aggregate Available Dividend Amount for the
         Insurance Subsidiaries for the
         Measurement Period                                      $53,978
     (b) Net Tax Sharing Payments for the
         Measurement Period
        (i)  Tax sharing payments
             received by Applicant                       17,575
       (ii)  Tax sharing payments estimated
             to be received by Applicant in
             respect of Measurement Period                   --
       (iii) Taxes paid by Applicant                         --
       (iv)  Taxes estimated to be paid by
             Applicant in respect of Measurement Period      --
       (v)   Other payments, if any, paid or to
             be paid by Applicant under tax sharing
             agreements or arrangements during
             Measurement Period                              --
       (vi)  Net Tax Sharing Payments (lines (i)+(ii)
             minus lines (iii) + (iv) + (v))                      17,575
                                                                 -------

     (c) Cash Available: Add lines l(a) and l(b)(v)              $71,553

 (2) Cash Uses:
     (a) Interest Expense incurred during the
         Measurement Period                                      $17,052
     (b) Operating expenses paid by the
         Applicant during the
         Measurement Period                                          196
     (c) Dividends paid by the Applicant
         during the Measurement Period                             7,928
                                                                 -------
     (d) Cash Uses: Add lines 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c)               $25,176

 (3) Cash Coverage Ratio: Divide line l(c) by line 2(d)             2.84 to 1.0


<PAGE>

                                  ATTACHMENT A
                      TO STATUTORY COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

                         COVENANT COMPLIANCE WORKSHEET

Statutory Surplus
(Section 6.3 of the Agreement)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

The Consolidated Statutory Surplus of the Insurance Subsidiaries is not
to be less than $450,000 as of December 31, 1996 (the "Measurement Date").

                                          Statutory Surplus as of
                                             December 31, 1996
                                          ------------------------
                        
        PMAIC                                    $165,478
        MAICO                                      41,051
        PMIC                                       43,920
        PMA Re                                    26O,853
        MASCCO                                     16,740
        CICL                                          (10)
        PMA Life                                    4,914
        PMA Insurance Cayman, Ltd.                  1,037
        PMII                                        1,764
                                                 --------
                                                 $535,747
                                             

<PAGE>

                                  ATTACHMENT A
                      TO STATUTORY COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

                         COVENANT COMPLIANCE WORKSHEET

Risk-Based Capital
(Section 6.4 of the Agreement)

"Total adjusted capital" is not permitted to be less than the applicable
"Company Action Level RBC" as follows:

        PMA Re: 150% as of the last day of any
        fiscal year, beginning with year ended 12/31/96

        Other Insurance Subs:   As of 12/31/96                 100%
                                As of I2/31/97                 110%
                                As of 12/31/98                 115%
                                As of 12/31/99 and thereafter  120%

(dollar amounts in thousands)

PMA Re
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a)     Total adjusted capital as of 12/31/96                           238,355
                                                                        =======
(b)     Company Action Level RBC as of 12/31/96                         124,770
(c)     Required multiple                                                   150%
(d)     Required total adjusted capital as of 12/31/96 ((b) * (c))      187,155
                                                                        =======
PMAIC
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a)     Total adjusted capital as of 12/31/96                           128,198
                                                                        =======
(b)     Company Action Level RBC as of 12/31/96                         111,572
(c)     Required multiple                                                   100%
(d)     Required total adjusted capital as of 12/31/96 ((b) * (c))      111,572
                                                                        =======
MAICO
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a)     Total adjusted capital as of 12/31/96                            28,623
                                                                        =======
(b)     Company Action Level RBC as of 12/31/96                          27,272
(c)     Required multiple                                                   100%
(d)     Required total adjusted capital as of 12/31/96 ((b) * (c))       27,272
                                                                        =======
PMIC
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a)     Total adjusted capital as of 12/31/96                            31,492
                                                                        =======
(b)     Company Action Level RBC as of 12/31/96                          27,404
(c)     Required multiple                                                   100%
(d)     Required total adjusted capital as of 12/31/96 ((b) * (c))       27,404
                                                                        =======

MASCCO
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a)     Total adjusted capital as of 12/31/96                            16,740
                                                                        =======
(b)     Company Action Level RBC as of 12/31/96                          14,710
(c)     Required multiple                                                   100%
(d)     Required total adjusted capital as of 12/31/96 ((b) * (c))       14,710
                                                                        =======

PMA Life
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a)     Total adjusted capital as of 12/31/96                             4,946
                                                                        =======
(b)     Company Action Level RBC as of 12/31/96                             310
(c)     Required multiple                                                   100%
(d)     Required total adjusted capital as of 12/31/96 ((b) * (c))          310
                                                                        =======


<PAGE>

                               PMC SCHEDULE 7.2 TO
           THE FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT
                           DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                                  INDEBTEDNESS

                            As of December 31, 1996

   Company or                   Amount of
   Subsidiary                     Debt               Description of Debt
   ----------                     ----               -------------------

Cris-Jen, Inc.                   127,214       Mortgage Note payable to
                                               National Bank of
                                               the Commonwealth

Pennsylvania Manufacturers     6,794,000       Guarantees of obligations of an 
 Corporation                                   unconsolidated real estate
                                               subsidiary

Pennsylvania Manufacturers     3,106,000       Guarantees of obligation for 
 Corporation                                   1992 financial support program

Pennsylvania Manufacturers       250,000       Guaranty of indemnity agreement
 Corporation                                   with Colonial Insurance Company


<PAGE>

                         PMC SCHEDULE 7.3 TO THE FIRST
                                    AMENDED
                         AND RESTATED LETTER OF CREDIT
                      AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                             LIST OF EXISTING LIENS

                         Existing on February 20, 1997

        The Company and its Subsidiaries are required by the laws of the various
states in which they are licensed to conduct the business of insurance to
deposit and maintain security for the performance of their obligations before
they can issue policies. In satisfaction of this requirement, the Company and
its subsidiaries have on deposit as of the Closing Date Securities with an
aggregate par value of approximately $16,810,000 in the following states:

        1.      California       9.     North Carolina
        2.      Delaware        10.     Oklahoma
        3.      Georgia         11.     Oregon 
        4.      Idaho           12.     Pennsylvania
        5.      Louisiana       13.     South Carolina
        6.      Massachusetts   14.     Tennessee
        7.      Michigan        15.     Texas
        8.      New Mexico      16.     Virginia

Other Liens: (Valued as of January 31 , 1997)

Name of Subsidiary         Amount of Debt        Secured Party
- - - ------------------         --------------        -------------

PMA Reinsurance Corp.        $5,000,000     Collateral for Standby LOC Facility

PMAIC                        $5,150,000     Collateral for Standby LOC Facility

PMAIC                        $161,300       IBM Corp

PMIC / PMAIC /
MAICO / MASCCO               $7,742,281     CoreStates Bank N.A.

PMAIC                        $3,821,904     PNC Leasing Corp.

PMAIC                        $52,162        Canon Financial Services, Inc.

PMAIC                        $27,375        Great America Leasing Corp.

PMAIC                        $171,366       El Camino Resources Ltd

PMAIC                        $2,400,000     IBM Credit Corp.


<PAGE>

                                  ATTACHMENT A
                      TO STATUTORY COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

                         COVENANT COMPLIANCE WORKSHEET

Statutory Surplus
(Section 6.3 of the Agreement)

(dollar amounts in thousands))

        The Consolidated Statutory Surplus of the Insurance Subsidiaries is not
to be less than $45O,OOO as of December 31, 1996 (the "Measurement Date").

                                                   Statutory Surplus as of
                                                      December 31, 1996
                                                   -----------------------
        PMAIC                                           $165,478
        MAICO                                             41,051
        PMIC                                              43,920
        PMA Re                                           260,853
        MASCCO                                            16,740
        CICL                                                 (10)
        PMA Life                                           4,914
        PMA Insurance Cayman, Ltd.                         1,037
        PMII                                               1,764
                                                        --------
                                                        $535,747


<PAGE>

                               PMC SCHEDULE 7.6 TO
           THE FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT
                           DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                          TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

                                      None


<PAGE>

                                PMC SCHEDULE 10.2
            TO FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT
                           DATED AS OF MARCH 14, 1997

                                 LIST OF BANKS

        1.      The Bank of New York
                One Wall Street
                Agency Function Administration
                18th Floor
                New York, New York 10286
                Attention: Ramona Washington    
                Telephone: (212) 635-4699
                Telecopy: (212) 635-6365, 6366 or 6367

        2.      CoreStates Bank, N.A.
                1339 Chestnut Street
                Philadelphia, PA 19107
                Attention: H. David Tamimie
                Telephone: (215) 973-7021
                Telecopy: (215) 786-4114

        3.      Mellon Bank, N.A.
                One Mellon Bank Center
                Room 370
                Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258
                Attention: Susan Whitewood
                Telephone: (412) 234-7112
                Telecopy: (412) 234-8087

        4.      Fleet Bank, National Association
                777 Main Street MSN 367
                Hartford, Connecticut 06115
                Attention: Mike Sinisgalli
                Telephone: (860) 986-2645
                Telecopy: (860) 986-1264

        5.      PNC Bank, National Association
                1600 Market Street
                21st Floor
                Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19110
                Attention: Kirk Seagers,
                 Assistant Vice President
                Telephone: (215) 585-6036
                Telecopy: (215) 585-7615
<PAGE>

        6.      First Union National Bank of North Carolina
                One First Union Center - 5th Floor
                Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-0735
                Attention: Jay Bullock,
                 Vice President
                Telephone: (704) 383-3789
                Telecopy: (704) 383-7611

                                      -2-



                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                                  Exhibit 11.1
                        Computation of Per Share Earnings
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(In thousands, except per share data)                        Years ended December 31,
                                                        1996            1995           1994
                                                    ------------    ------------   ------------
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>            <C>       
Primary:

Weighted average shares outstanding                   23,800,791      23,815,871     23,808,847
Net effect of dilutive stock options - based
 on the treasury stock method using average
 market price                                               --           893,160        841,894
                                                    ------------    ------------   ------------
Total primary common shares                           23,800,791      24,709,031     24,650,751
                                                    ============    ============   ============
Net (loss) income                                   $   (135,334)   $     24,130   $     57,250
                                                    ============    ============   ============
Net (loss) income per common and equivalent share   $      (5.68)   $       0.98   $       2.32
                                                    ============    ============   ============
Fully diluted:

Weighted average shares outstanding                   23,800,791      23,815,871     23,808,847
Net effect of dilutive stock options - based
 on the treasury stock method using average
 market price or end of period market price                 --         1,118,708        841,894
                                                    ------------    ------------   ------------
Total fully diluted common shares                     23,800,791      24,934,579     24,650,741
                                                    ============    ============   ============
Net (loss) income                                   $   (135,334)   $     24,130   $     57,250
                                                    ============    ============   ============
Net (loss) income per common and equivalent share   $      (5.68)   $       0.97   $       2.32
                                                    ============    ============   ============
</TABLE>




                     Pennsylvania Manufacturers Corporation
                           Subsidiaries of Registrant
                                  Exhibit 21.1


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             PMC Direct               PMC Indirect
                                                                             Ownership                Ownership
                                                                            --------------------------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>                      <C>
Chestnut Insurance Company, Ltd.                                                100%
DP Corp.                                                                        100%
Manufacturers Alliance Insurance Company                                        100%
Mid Atlantic States Investment Company                                          100%
         PMA Insurance Cayman, Ltd.                                                                       100%
         Mid-Atlantic States Casualty Company                                                             100%
         PMA Holdings Cayman, Ltd.                                                                        100%
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association Insurance Company                        100%
         Ajon, Inc.                                                              15%                       85%
         Aud-Evad, Inc.                                                          15%                       85%
         Dauphin Equities, Inc.                                                  15%                       85%
         Lorjo Corp.                                                             15%                       85%
         Rosemarie, Inc.                                                         15%                       85%
         Sarfred, Inc.                                                           15%                       85%
         Wisteve, Inc.                                                           15%                       85%
         Cris-Jen, Inc.                                                                                   100%
         Gulph Industries, Inc.                                                                           100%
         Lee Ward, Inc.                                                                                   100%
         Marpan, Inc.                                                                                     100%
         PMA Management Corp.                                                                             100%
         PMA Services, Incorporated                                                                       100%
         Presque Enterprises, Inc.                                                                        100%
         Syl-Bar, Inc.                                                                                    100%
         Walprop, Inc.                                                                                    100%
Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association Finance Company                         100%
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Indemnity Company                                    100%
PMA Holdings Limited                                                            100%
         Pennsylvania Manufacturers International Insurance, Ltd.                                         100%
PMA Life Insurance Company                                                      100%
PMA Reinsurance Corp.                                                           100%
REM Corp.                                                                       100%
925 Chestnut, Inc.                                                              100%
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Associates, L.P.                                                               100%
</TABLE>




<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                           7
       
<S>                                        <C>               <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              12-MOS            3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996       DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996       MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,126,120         2,101,914
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0                 0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0                 0
<EQUITIES>                                         262               262
<MORTGAGE>                                           0                 0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0                 0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,261,353         2,143,426
<CASH>                                           7,176            13,986
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             257,983           331,184
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          44,006            53,980
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,117,516         3,167,351
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,091,072         2,138,939
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            205,982           258,434
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0                 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           12,524            12,100
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                204,699           203,232
                                0                 0
                                          0                 0
<COMMON>                                       121,716           121,716
<OTHER-SE>                                     304,112           263,189
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,117,516         3,167,351
                                     420,575           107,950
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            133,936            35,847
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               2,984            (1,251)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   9,189             2,548
<BENEFITS>                                     536,623            94,904
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     90,292            18,339
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           114,908            21,276
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (191,394)            7,318
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (56,060)            2,561
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                 0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0            (4,734)
<CHANGES>                                            0                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (135,334)               23
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (5.68)             0.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (5.68)             0.00
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0                 0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0                 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0                 0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0                 0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0                 0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0                 0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0                 0
        


</TABLE>


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