IMPERIAL CREDIT COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CORP
8-K, 1998-09-22
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                              ____________________

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


      Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 18, 1998


              IMPERIAL CREDIT COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CORP.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                    Maryland
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


       000-23089                                         95-4648345
  (Commission File No.)                        (IRS Employer Identification No.)


   11601 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2080                      90025
       Los Angeles, California                         (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (310) 231-1280


<PAGE>


ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

          (a) The Board of Directors of the Company authorized a dividend of one
preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of common
stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company. The dividend was payable on
September 21, 1998 to the stockholders of record at the close of business on
that date. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the
Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the "Preferred Shares") at a
price of $40 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, subject to adjustment.
The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in an Agreement (the
"Agreement") between the Company and U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation, as Rights
Agent.

          A copy of the Agreement and a summary description of the terms of the
Rights and the press release announcing the declaration of the Rights are
attached hereto as exhibits and incorporated herein by reference.

          (b) The Company amended the Bylaws of the Company. Such amendment is
filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1, and is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

          (c) The descriptions of the matters described in this Current Report
on Form 8-K do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by
reference to the exhibits hereto.

ITEM 7.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

     (c)  Exhibits.

          4.1  Amendment to the Bylaws of Imperial Credit Commercial Mortgage
               Investment Corp.

          4.2  Agreement, dated as of September 21, 1998, between Imperial
               Credit Commercial Mortgage Investment Corp. and U.S. Stock
               Transfer Corporation, as Rights Agent, including the form of
               Articles Supplementary as Exhibit A, the form of Right
               Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights to Purchase
               Preferred Shares as Exhibit C.

          99.1 Text of Press Release relating to the declaration of the Rights
               dated September 21, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
               99.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the
               Securities and Exchange Commission on September 21, 1998).


<PAGE>


                                    SIGNATURE

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


Dated:  September 22, 1998

                               IMPERIAL CREDIT COMMERCIAL 
                               MORTGAGE CORP.


                               By:  /s/ Michael Meltzer
                                    Name:  Michael Meltzer
                                    Title: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer


                                      -2-
<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT LIST

    Exhibit
      No.                          Description

     4.1  Amendment to the Bylaws of Imperial Credit Commercial Mortgage
          Investment Corp.

     4.2  Agreement, dated as of September 21, 1998, between Imperial Credit
          Commercial Mortgage Investment Corp. and U.S. Stock Transfer
          Corporation, as Rights Agent, including the form of Articles
          Supplementary as Exhibit A, the form of Right Certificate as Exhibit B
          and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares as Exhibit C.

     99.1 Text of Press Release relating to the declaration of the Rights dated
          September 21, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of the
          Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and
          Exchange Commission on September 21, 1998).


                                      -3-




                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.1


              IMPERIAL CREDIT COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CORP.


                               Amendment to Bylaws

1.   A new sentence is hereby added to the end of Section 3 of Article II, which
     sentence reads in its entirety as follows:

          The Board of Directors shall set the date of the special meeting and
     the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting.











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

                       IMPERIAL CREDIT COMMERICAL MORTGAGE

                                INVESTMENT CORP.


                                       and


                         U.S. STOCK TRANSFER CORPORATION


                                  Rights Agent

                                    Agreement

                         Dated as of September 21, 1998


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





<PAGE>
                                                                        
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           Page
                                                                          Number
                                                                          ------

Section 1.  Definitions..............................................        1

Section 2.  Appointment of Rights Agent..............................        7

Section 3.  Issue of Right Certificates..............................        7

Section 4.  Form of Right Certificates...............................       10

Section 5.  Countersignature and Registration........................       10

Section 6.  Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right 
            Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or 
            Stolen Right Certificates................................       11

Section 7.  Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration
            Date of Rights...........................................       12

Section 8.  Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates.......       14

Section 9.  Availability of Preferred Shares.........................       15

Section 10. Preferred Shares Record Date.............................       15

Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares
            or Number of Rights......................................       16

Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number
            of Shares................................................       27

Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of 
            Assets or Earning Power..................................       27

Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares..................       29

Section 15. Rights of Action.........................................       31

Section 16. Agreement of Right Holders...............................       32

Section 17. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder........       33

Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent..............................       33

Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights
            Agent....................................................       34

                                      -i-
<PAGE>
                                                                           Page
                                                                          Number
                                                                          ------

Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent...................................       35

Section 21. Change of Rights Agent...................................       38

Section 22. Issuance of New Right Certificates.......................       40

Section 23. Redemption...............................................       40

Section 24. Exchange.................................................       41

Section 25. Notice of Certain Events.................................       44

Section 26. Notices..................................................       45

Section 27. Supplements and Amendments...............................       46

Section 28. Successors...............................................       46

Section 29. Benefits of this Agreement...............................       47

Section 30. Severability.............................................       47

Section 31. Governing Law............................................       47

Section 32. Counterparts.............................................       47

Section 33. Descriptive Headings.....................................       48

Section 34. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors.....       48

Signatures...........................................................       49



Exhibit A   -   Form of Articles Supplementary

Exhibit B   -   Form of Right Certificate

Exhibit C   -   Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares





                                      -ii-
<PAGE>

     Agreement, dated as of September 21, 1998, between Imperial Credit
Commercial Mortgage Investment Corp., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"),
and U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation, as rights agent (the "Rights Agent").

     The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized and declared a
dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each Common Share
(as hereinafter defined) of the Company outstanding at the close of business on
September 21, 1998 (the "Record Date"), each Right representing the right to
purchase one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (as hereinafter defined), upon
the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, and has further
authorized and directed the issuance of one Right with respect to each Common
Share that shall become outstanding between the Record Date and the earliest of
the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date (as
such terms are hereinafter defined).

     Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

     Section 1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms
have the meanings indicated:


     (a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person who or which, together with
all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner of
10% or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding, but shall not
include the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of
the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, or any entity holding Common
Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no Person (including, without limitation, Imperial Credit Indus-

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

tries, Inc.) shall become an "Acquiring Person" as the result of its Beneficial
Ownership of Common Shares of the Company as of the date hereof regardless of
whether such Beneficial Ownership exceeds 10% of the Common Shares of the
Company outstanding as of the date hereof; provided, however, that, if any
Person shall be the Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of the Common Shares of the
Company as of the date hereof and shall, after the date hereof, become the
Beneficial Owner of any additional Common Shares of the Company, then such
Person shall be deemed to be an "Acquiring Person." Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no Person (including, without limitation, Imperial Credit Industries,
Inc.) shall become an "Acquiring Person" as the result of an acquisition of
Common Shares by the Company which, by reducing the number of Common Shares of
the Company outstanding, increases the proportionate number of Common Shares of
the Company beneficially owned by such Person to 10% or more of the Common
Shares of the Company then outstanding; provided, however, that, if a Person
shall become the Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of the Common Shares of the
Company then outstanding by reason of share purchases by the Company and shall,
after such share purchases by the Company, become the Beneficial Owner of any
additional Common Shares of the Company, then such Person shall be deemed to be
an "Acquiring Person." Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board of Directors
of the Company determines in good faith that a Person who would otherwise be an
"Acquiring Person," as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this
paragraph (a), has become such inadvertently, and such Person divests as
promptly as practicable a sufficient number of Common Shares of the Company so
that such Person would no longer be an "Acquiring Person," as defined pursuant
to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (a), then such Person shall not be
deemed to be an "Acquiring Person" for any purposes of this Agreement.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

     (b) "Affiliate" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2
of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the
date of this Agreement.

     (c) "Associate" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2
of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the
date of this Agreement.

     (d) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of and shall be deemed
to "beneficially own" any securities:

     (i) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates
   beneficially owns, directly or indirectly;

     (ii) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates has
   (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or
   only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
   understanding (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters
   and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of
   securities), or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights,
   rights (other than these Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise;
   provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of,
   or to beneficially own, securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange
   offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates
   or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or
   exchange; or (B) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
   understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not 


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

   be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security if
   the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security (1) arises
   solely from a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to
   a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance
   with, the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act
   and (2) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act
   (or any comparable or successor report); or

     (iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other
   Person with which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
   Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than
   customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members
   with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities) for the purpose of
   acquiring, holding, voting (except to the extent contemplated by the proviso
   to Section 1(c)(ii)(B) hereof) or disposing of any securities of the Company.

     Notwithstanding anything in this definition of Beneficial Ownership to the
contrary, the phrase "then outstanding," when used with reference to a Person's
Beneficial Ownership of securities of the Company, shall mean the number of such
securities then issued and outstanding together with the number of such
securities not then actually issued and outstanding which such Person would be
deemed to own beneficially hereunder.

     (e) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a
day on which banking institutions in California are authorized or obligated by
law or executive order to close.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

     (f) "Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., California
time, on such date; provided, however, that, if such date is not a Business Day,
it shall mean 5:00 P.M., California time, on the next succeeding Business Day.

     (g) "Common Shares" when used with reference to the Company shall mean the
shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company. "Common
Shares" when used with reference to any Person other than the Company shall mean
the capital stock (or equity interest) with the greatest voting power of such
other Person or, if such other Person is a Subsidiary of another Person, the
Person or Persons which ultimately control such first-mentioned Person.

     (h) "Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)
hereof.

     (i) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

     (j) "Exchange Ratio" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 24(a)
hereof.

     (k) "Final Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
7(a) hereof.

     (l) "NASDAQ" shall mean the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. Automated Quotation System.

     (m) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity,
and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

     (n) "Preferred Shares" shall mean shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company having the rights
and preferences set forth in the Form of Articles Supplementary attached to this
Agreement as Exhibit A.

     (o) "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4 hereof.

     (p) "Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the second paragraph
hereof.

     (q) "Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a)
hereof.

     (r) "Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 23(a)
hereof.

     (s) "Right" shall have the meaning set forth in the second paragraph
hereof.

     (t) "Right Certificate" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)
hereof.

     (u) "Shares Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of public
announcement by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has
become such.

     (v) "Subsidiary" of any Person shall mean any corporation or other entity
of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or
equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

     (w) "Summary of Rights" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b)
hereof.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

     (x) "Trading Day" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(d) hereof.

     Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby appoints the
Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company and the holders of the Rights (who,
in accordance with Section 3 hereof, shall, prior to the Distribution Date, also
be the holders of the Common Shares of the Company) in accordance with the terms
and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The
Company may from time to time appoint such co-Rights Agents as it may deem
necessary or desirable.

     Section 3. Issue of Right Certificates. (a) Until the earlier of (i) the
tenth day after the Shares Acquisition Date or (ii) the tenth Business Day (or
such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors of the
Company prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person) after the
date of the commencement by any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary
of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of
the Company, any entity holding Common Shares of the Company for or pursuant to
the terms of any such plan) of, or of the first public announcement of the
intention of any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company,
any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company,
any entity holding Common Shares of the Company for or pursuant to the terms of
any such plan) to commence, a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which
would result in any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the
Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the
Company, any entity holding Common Shares of the Company for or pursuant to the
terms of any such plan) becoming the Beneficial Owner of Common Shares of the
Company aggregating 10% or more of the then outstanding Common Shares of the
Company (including any such date which is 


                                      -7-
<PAGE>

after the date of this Agreement and prior to the issuance of the Rights; the
earlier of such dates being herein referred to as the "Distribution Date"), (x)
the Rights will be evidenced (subject to the provisions of Section 3(b) hereof)
by the certificates for Common Shares of the Company registered in the names of
the holders thereof (which certificates shall also be deemed to be Right
Certificates) and not by separate Right Certificates, and (y) the right to
receive Right Certificates will be transferable only in connection with the
transfer of Common Shares of the Company. As soon as practicable after the
Distribution Date, the Company will prepare and execute, the Rights Agent will
countersign, and the Company will send or cause to be sent (and the Rights Agent
will, if requested, send) by first-class, insured, postage-prepaid mail, to each
record holder of Common Shares of the Company as of the Close of Business on the
Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the
Company, a Right Certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (a
"Right Certificate"), evidencing one Right for each Common Share so held. As of
the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Right
Certificates.

     (b) On the Record Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the Company
will send a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares, in
substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (the "Summary of Rights"), by
first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Shares of the
Company as of the Close of Business on the Record Date, at the address of such
holder shown on the records of the Company. With respect to certificates for
Common Shares of the Company outstanding as of the Record Date, until the
Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced by such certificates registered
in the names of the holders thereof together with a copy of the Summary of
Rights attached thereto. Until the Distribution Date (or 


                                      -8-
<PAGE>

the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date), the surrender
for transfer of any certificate for Common Shares of the Company outstanding on
the Record Date, with or without a copy of the Summary of Rights attached
thereto, shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the
Common Shares of the Company represented thereby.

     (c) Certificates for Common Shares of the Company which become outstanding
(including, without limitation, reacquired Common Shares of the Company referred
to in the last sentence of this paragraph (c)) after the Record Date but prior
to the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Final
Expiration Date shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise
affixed to them substantially the following legend:

         This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to
         certain rights as set forth in an Agreement between Imperial Credit
         Commercial Mortgage Investment Corp. and U.S. Stock Transfer
         Corporation, dated as of September 21, 1998, as it may be amended from
         time to time (the "Agreement"), the terms of which are hereby
         incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the
         principal executive offices of Imperial Credit Commercial Mortgage
         Investment Corp. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the
         Agreement, such Rights (as defined in the Agreement) will be evidenced
         by separate certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this
         certificate. Imperial Credit Commercial Mortgage Investment Corp. will
         mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Agreement without
         charge after receipt of a written request therefor. Under certain
         circumstances, as set forth in the Agreement, Rights beneficially owned
         by any Person (as defined in the Agreement) who becomes an Acquiring
         Person (as defined in the Agreement) may become null and void.

With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the
Distribution Date, the Rights associated with the Common Shares of the Company
represented by such certificates shall be evidenced by such certificates alone,
and the surrender for transfer of any such certificate shall also constitute the
transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares of the Company
represented thereby. In the event that the Company purchases or acquires any
Common Shares of the Company after the Record Date but prior to the Distribution
Date, any Rights associated 


                                      -9-
<PAGE>

with such Common Shares of the Company shall be deemed cancelled and retired so
that the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any Rights associated with
the Common Shares of the Company which are no longer outstanding.

     Section 4. Form of Right Certificates. The Right Certificates (and the
forms of election to purchase Preferred Shares and of assignment to be printed
on the reverse thereof) shall be substantially the same as Exhibit B hereto, and
may have such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries
or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to
comply with any applicable law or with any applicable rule or regulation made
pursuant thereto or with any applicable rule or regulation of any stock exchange
or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. on which the Rights may
from time to time be listed, or to conform to usage. Subject to the provisions
of Sections 11 and 22 hereof, the Right Certificates shall entitle the holders
thereof to purchase such number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share as
shall be set forth therein at the price per one one-hundredth of a Preferred
Share set forth therein (the "Purchase Price"), but the number of such one
one-hundredths of a Preferred Share and the Purchase Price shall be subject to
adjustment as provided herein.

     Section 5. Countersignature and Registration. The Right Certificates shall
be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief
Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or its Treasurer,
either manually or by facsimile signature, shall have affixed thereto the
Company's seal or a facsimile thereof, and shall be attested by the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile
signature. The Right Certificates shall be manually countersigned by the Rights
Agent and shall not be 


                                      -10-
<PAGE>

valid for any purpose unless countersigned. In case any officer of the Company
who shall have signed any of the Right Certificates shall cease to be such
officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance
and delivery by the Company, such Right Certificates, nevertheless, may be
countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the Company with
the same force and effect as though the individual who signed such Right
Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Right
Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any individual who, at the
actual date of the execution of such Right Certificate, shall be a proper
officer of the Company to sign such Right Certificate, although at the date of
the execution of this Agreement any such individual was not such an officer.

     Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or cause to be
kept, at its principal office, books for registration and transfer of the Right
Certificates issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of
the respective holders of the Right Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced
on its face by each of the Right Certificates and the date of each of the Right
Certificates.

     Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates. Subject
to the provisions of Section 14 hereof, at any time after the Close of Business
on the Distribution Date, and at or prior to the Close of Business on the
earlier of the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date, any Right
Certificate or Right Certificates (other than Right Certificates representing
Rights that have become void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof or that have
been exchanged pursuant to Section 24 hereof) may be transferred, split up,
combined or exchanged for another Right Certificate 


                                      -11-
<PAGE>

or Right Certificates entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number
of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share as the Right Certificate or Right
Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder to purchase. Any registered
holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Right Certificate
or Right Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered to the Rights
Agent, and shall surrender the Right Certificate or Right Certificates to be
transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the principal office of the
Rights Agent. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver to the
Person entitled thereto a Right Certificate or Right Certificates, as the case
may be, as so requested. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any
transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Right Certificates.

     Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Right
Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or
security reasonably satisfactory to them, and, at the Company's request,
reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses
incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of
the Right Certificate if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new
Right Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for delivery to the
registered holder in lieu of the Right Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or
mutilated.

     Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights.
(a) The registered holder of any Right Certificate may exercise the Rights
evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein), in whole or in part, at
any time after the Distribution Date, upon surrender of the Right Certificate,
with the form of election to purchase on the reverse side 


                                      -12-
<PAGE>

thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the principal office of the Rights
Agent, together with payment of the Purchase Price for each one one-hundredth of
a Preferred Share as to which the Rights are exercised, at or prior to the
earliest of (i) the Close of Business on September 21, 2008 (the "Final
Expiration Date"), (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in
Section 23 hereof (the "Redemption Date"), or (iii) the time at which such
Rights are exchanged as provided in Section 24 hereof. 

     (b) The Purchase Price for each one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share
purchasable pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall initially be $40, and
shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Section 11 or 13
hereof, and shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America in
accordance with paragraph (c) below.

     (c) Upon receipt of a Right Certificate representing exercisable Rights,
with the form of election to purchase duly executed, accompanied by payment of
the Purchase Price for the shares to be purchased and an amount equal to any
applicable transfer tax required to be paid by the holder of such Right
Certificate in accordance with Section 9 hereof by certified check, cashier's
check or money order payable to the order of the Company, the Rights Agent shall
thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer agent of the Preferred
Shares certificates for the number of Preferred Shares to be purchased and the
Company hereby irrevocably authorizes any such transfer agent to comply with all
such requests, or (B) requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts
representing such number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share as are to be
purchased (in which case certificates for the Preferred Shares represented by
such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent of the Preferred Shares
with such depositary agent) and the Company hereby directs such depositary agent
to comply with such 


                                      -13-
<PAGE>

request; (ii) when appropriate, requisition from the Company the amount of cash
to be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section
14 hereof; (iii) promptly after receipt of such certificates or depositary
receipts, cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered
holder of such Right Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be
designated by such holder; and (iv) when appropriate, after receipt, promptly
deliver such cash to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right
Certificate.

     (d) In case the registered holder of any Right Certificate shall exercise
less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Right Certificate evidencing
Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued by the
Rights Agent to registered holder of such Right Certificate or to such holder's
duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof.

     Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates. All Right
Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up,
combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its
agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in cancelled form,
or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be cancelled by it, and no Right
Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by
any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights
Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and
retire, any other Right Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company
otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all
cancelled Right Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of
the Company, destroy such cancelled Right Certificates, and, in such case, shall
deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

     Section 9. Availability of Preferred Shares. The Company covenants and
agrees that it will cause to be reserved and kept available out of its
authorized and unissued Preferred Shares the number of Preferred Shares that
will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights in
accordance with Section 7 hereof. The Company covenants and agrees that it will
take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all Preferred Shares
delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the
certificates for such Preferred Shares (subject to payment of the Purchase
Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and
nonassessable shares.

     The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and
payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which may be
payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Right Certificates or of
any Preferred Shares upon the exercise of Rights. The Company shall not,
however, be required to pay any transfer tax which may be payable in respect of
any transfer or delivery of Right Certificates to a Person other than, or the
issuance or delivery of certificates or depositary receipts for the Preferred
Shares in a name other than that of, the registered holder of the Right
Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise or to issue or to deliver
any certificates or depositary receipts for Preferred Shares upon the exercise
of any Rights until any such tax shall have been paid (any such tax being
payable by the holder of such Right Certificate at the time of surrender) or
until it has been established to the Company's reasonable satisfaction that no
such tax is due.

     Section 10. Preferred Shares Record Date. Each Person in whose name any
certificate for Preferred Shares is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for
all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the Preferred
Shares represented thereby on, and 


                                      -15-
<PAGE>

such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Right Certificate
evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price
(and any applicable transfer taxes) was made; provided, however, that, if the
date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred Shares
transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have
become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate shall be dated,
the next succeeding Business Day on which the Preferred Shares transfer books of
the Company are open. Prior to the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the
holder of a Right Certificate shall not be entitled to any rights of a holder of
Preferred Shares for which the Rights shall be exercisable, including, without
limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to
exercise any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice
of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.

     Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares or Number of
Rights. The Purchase Price, the number of Preferred Shares covered by each Right
and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time
as provided in this Section 11.

     (a) (i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this
Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Shares payable in Preferred
Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Shares, (C) combine the
outstanding Preferred Shares into a smaller number of Preferred Shares or (D)
issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred
Shares (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation
or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation),
except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a), the Purchase Price in effect
at the time of the record date 


                                      -16-
<PAGE>

for such dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination or
reclassification, and the number and kind of shares of capital stock issuable on
such date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right
exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive the aggregate number and
kind of shares of capital stock which, if such Right had been exercised
immediately prior to such date and at a time when the Preferred Shares transfer
books of the Company were open, such holder would have owned upon such exercise
and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision,
combination or reclassification; provided, however, that in no event shall the
consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the
aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon
exercise of one Right.

     (ii) Subject to Section 24 hereof, in the event any Person becomes an
Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right shall thereafter have a right to
receive, upon exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current Purchase
Price multiplied by the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for
which a Right is then exercisable, in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement and in lieu of Preferred Shares, such number of Common Shares of the
Company as shall equal the result obtained by (A) multiplying the then current
Purchase Price by the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for
which a Right is then exercisable and dividing that product by (B) 50% of the
then current per share market price of the Common Shares of the Company
(determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of the occurrence of
such event. In the event that any Person shall become an Acquiring Person and
the Rights shall then be outstanding, the Company shall not take any action
which would eliminate or diminish the benefits intended to be afforded by the
Rights.

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

     From and after the occurrence of such event, any Rights that are or were
acquired or beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person (or any Associate or
Affiliate of such Acquiring Person) shall be void, and any holder of such Rights
shall thereafter have no right to exercise such Rights under any provision of
this Agreement. No Right Certificate shall be issued pursuant to Section 3
hereof that represents Rights beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person whose
Rights would be void pursuant to the preceding sentence or any Associate or
Affiliate thereof; no Right Certificate shall be issued at any time upon the
transfer of any Rights to an Acquiring Person whose Rights would be void
pursuant to the preceding sentence or any Associate or Affiliate thereof or to
any nominee of such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate; and any Right
Certificate delivered to the Rights Agent for transfer to an Acquiring Person
whose Rights would be void pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be void and
cancelled without any action on the part of the Company.

     (iii) In the event that there shall not be sufficient Common Shares of the
Company authorized but unissued to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in
accordance with subparagraph (ii) above, the Company shall take all such action
as may be necessary to authorize additional Common Shares of the Company for
issuance upon exercise of the Rights. In the event the Company shall, after good
faith effort, be unable to take all such action as may be necessary to authorize
such additional Common Shares, the Company shall substitute, for each Common
Share of the Company that would otherwise be issuable upon exercise of a Right,
a number of Preferred Shares or fraction thereof such that the current per share
market price of one Preferred Share multiplied by such number or fraction is
equal to the current per share market 


                                      -18-
<PAGE>

price of one Common Share of the Company as of the date of issuance of such
Preferred Shares or fraction thereof.

     (b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance of rights,
options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Shares entitling them (for a
period expiring within 45 calendar days after such record date) to subscribe for
or purchase Preferred Shares (or shares having the same rights, privileges and
preferences as the Preferred Shares ("equivalent preferred shares")) or
securities convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent preferred shares at a
price per Preferred Share or equivalent preferred share (or having a conversion
price per share, if a security convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent
preferred shares) less than the then current per share market price of the
Preferred Shares (as defined in Section 11(d)) on such record date, the Purchase
Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying
the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a
fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares
outstanding on such record date plus the number of Preferred Shares which the
aggregate offering price of the total number of Preferred Shares and/or
equivalent preferred shares so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial
conversion price of the convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase
at such current market price and the denominator of which shall be the number of
Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional
Preferred Shares and/or equivalent preferred shares to be offered for
subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be
offered are initially convertible); provided, however, that in no event shall
the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the
aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon
exercise of one Right. In case such subscription price may be paid in a
con-


                                      -19-
<PAGE>

sideration part or all of which shall be in a form other than cash, the value of
such consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement
filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and holders
of the Rights. Preferred Shares owned by or held for the account of the Company
shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation. Such
adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and,
in the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the
Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in
effect if such record date had not been fixed.

     (c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the making of a
distribution to all holders of the Preferred Shares (including any such
distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the
Company is the continuing or surviving corporation) of evidences of indebtedness
or assets (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend or a dividend payable in
Preferred Shares) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those referred
to in Section 11(b) hereof), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such
record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which
shall be the then current per share market price of the Preferred Shares on such
record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a
statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent
and holders of the Rights) of the portion of the assets or evidences of
indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants
applicable to one Preferred Share and the denominator of which shall be such
then-current per share market price of the Preferred Shares; provided, however,
that in no event shall 


                                      -20-
<PAGE>

the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the
aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company to be issued
upon exercise of one Right. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever
such a record date is fixed; and, in the event that such distribution is not so
made, the Purchase Price shall again be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which
would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

     (d) (i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the "current per
share market price" of any security (a "Security" for the purpose of this
Section 11(d)(i)) on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily
closing prices per share of such Security for the 30 consecutive Trading Days
immediately prior to such date; provided, however, that, in the event that the
current per share market price of the Security is determined during a period
following the announcement by the issuer of such Security of (A) a dividend or
distribution on such Security payable in shares of such Security or Securities
convertible into such shares, or (B) any subdivision, combination or
reclassification of such Security and prior to the expiration of 30 Trading Days
after the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or the record date
for such subdivision, combination or reclassification, then, and in each such
case, the current per share market price shall be appropriately adjusted to
reflect the current market price per share equivalent of such Security. The
closing price for each day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in
case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and
asked prices, regular way, in either case, as reported in the principal
consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or
admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Security is not
listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the
principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities
listed on the princi-


                                      -21-
<PAGE>

pal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to
trading or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of
the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by
NASDAQ or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the Security is
not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked
prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the
Security selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. The term "Trading
Day" shall mean a day on which the principal national securities exchange on
which the Security is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction
of business, or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on any
national securities exchange, a Business Day.

     (ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the "current per share
market price" of the Preferred Shares shall be determined in accordance with the
method set forth in Section 11(d)(i). If the Preferred Shares are not publicly
traded, the "current per share market price" of the Preferred Shares shall be
conclusively deemed to be the current per share market price of the Common
Shares of the Company as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof
(appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar
transaction occurring after the date hereof), multiplied by one hundred. If
neither the Common Shares of the Company nor the Preferred Shares are publicly
held or so listed or traded, "current per share market price" shall mean the
fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of
the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with
the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the holders of the
Rights.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>

     (e) No adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such
adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Purchase
Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section
11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into
account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11
shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one one-millionth of a
Preferred Share or one ten-thousandth of any other share or security as the case
may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment
required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three
years from the date of the transaction which requires such adjustment or (ii)
the date of the expiration of the right to exercise any Rights.

     (f) If, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof,
the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive
any shares of capital stock of the Company other than Preferred Shares,
thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any
Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms
as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the
Preferred Shares contained in Section 11(a) through (c) hereof, inclusive, and
the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10 and 13 hereof with respect to the Preferred
Shares shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.

     (g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any
adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-hundredths of a
Preferred Share purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the
Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

     (h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in
Section 11(i) hereof, upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of
the calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c) hereof, each Right outstanding
immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the
right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of one
one-hundredths of a Preferred Share (calculated to the nearest one one-millionth
of a Preferred Share) obtained by (A) multiplying (x) the number of one
one-hundredths of a share covered by a Right immediately prior to this
adjustment by (y) the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such
adjustment of the Purchase Price and (B) dividing the product so obtained by the
Purchase Price in effect immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase
Price.

     (i) The Company may elect, on or after the date of any adjustment of the
Purchase Price, to adjust the number of Rights in substitution for any
adjustment in the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share purchasable
upon the exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after such
adjustment of the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one
one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable
immediately prior to such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such
adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights
(calculated to the nearest one ten-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase
Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the
Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The
Company shall make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of
Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the
time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. This record date may be the date
on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Right
Certificates have been issued, shall be at least 10 days later than the 


                                      -24-
<PAGE>

date of the public announcement. If Right Certificates have been issued, upon
each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the
Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of
record of Right Certificates on such record date Right Certificates evidencing,
subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such holders shall
be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company,
shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and
replacement for the Right Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of
adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new Right
Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be entitled
after such adjustment. Right Certificates so to be distributed shall be issued,
executed and countersigned in the manner provided for herein, and shall be
registered in the names of the holders of record of Right Certificates on the
record date specified in the public announcement.

     (j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or in
the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share issuable upon the exercise
of the Rights, the Right Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may
continue to express the Purchase Price and the number of one one-hundredths of a
Preferred Share which were expressed in the initial Right Certificates issued
hereunder.

     (k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing the
Purchase Price below one one-hundredth of the then par value, if any, of the
Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall take
any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in
order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and
nonassessable Preferred Shares at such adjusted Purchase Price.

                                      -25-
<PAGE>

     (l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an adjustment
in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified
event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such event the
issuing to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date of the
Preferred Shares and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any,
issuable upon such exercise over and above the Preferred Shares and other
capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise
on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided,
however, that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other
appropriate instrument evidencing such holder's right to receive such additional
shares upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

     (m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in
addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to
the extent that it, in its sole discretion, shall determine to be advisable in
order that any consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred Shares, issuance
wholly for cash of any Preferred Shares at less than the current market price,
issuance wholly for cash of Preferred Shares or securities which by their terms
are convertible into or exchangeable for Preferred Shares, dividends on
Preferred Shares payable in Preferred Shares or issuance of rights, options or
warrants referred to in Section 11(b) hereof, hereafter made by the Company to
holders of the Preferred Shares shall not be taxable to such stockholders.

     (n) In the event that, at any time after the date of this Agreement and
prior to the Distribution Date, the Company shall (i) authorize, declare or pay
any dividend on the Common Shares of the Company payable in Common Shares of the
Company, or (ii) effect a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the
Common Shares of the Company (by reclassification or 


                                      -26-
<PAGE>

otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common Shares of the Company) into a
greater or lesser number of Common Shares of the Company, then, in any such
case, (A) the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share purchasable
after such event upon proper exercise of each Right shall be determined by
multiplying the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share so purchasable
immediately prior to such event by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of Common Shares outstanding immediately before such event and the
denominator of which is the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately
after such event, and (B) each Common Share outstanding immediately after such
event shall have issued with respect to it that number of Rights which each
Common Share outstanding immediately prior to such event had issued with respect
to it. The adjustments provided for in this Section 11(n) shall be made
successively whenever such a dividend is authorized, declared or paid or such a
subdivision, combination or consolidation is effected.

     Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares.
Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 or 13 hereof, the
Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment
and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment, (b) file with
the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Shares of the
Company or the Preferred Shares a copy of such certificate and (c) if such
adjustment occurs at any time after the Distribution Date, mail a brief summary
thereof to each holder of a Right Certificate in accordance with Section 25
hereof.

     Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning
Power. In the event, directly or indirectly, at any time after a Person has
become an Acquiring Person, (a) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge
with and into, any other Person, (b) 


                                      -27-
<PAGE>

any Person shall consolidate with the Company, or merge with and into the
Company and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of such
merger and, in connection with such merger, all or part of the Common Shares of
the Company shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of
any other Person (or the Company) or cash or any other property, or (c) the
Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries
shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one or more transactions, assets or
earning power aggregating 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the
Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person other than
the Company or one or more of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, then, and in each
such case, proper provision shall be made so that (i) each holder of a Right
(except as otherwise provided herein) shall thereafter have the right to
receive, upon the exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current Purchase
Price multiplied by the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for
which a Right is then exercisable, in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement and in lieu of Preferred Shares, such number of Common Shares of such
other Person (including the Company as successor thereto or as the surviving
corporation) as shall equal the result obtained by (A) multiplying the then
current Purchase Price by the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share
for which a Right is then exercisable and dividing that product by (B) 50% of
the then current per share market price of the Common Shares of such other
Person (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of consummation
of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer; (ii) the issuer of such Common
Shares shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such
consolidation, merger, sale or transfer, all the obligations and duties of the
Company pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the term "Company" shall thereafter be
deemed to refer to such issuer; and (iv) such issuer shall take such steps
(including, but not limited to, the reservation of a sufficient number of its
Common Shares 


                                      -28-
<PAGE>

in accordance with Section 9 hereof) in connection with such consummation as may
be necessary to assure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be
applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to the Common Shares of
the Company thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights. The Company
shall not consummate any such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer unless,
prior thereto, the Company and such issuer shall have executed and delivered to
the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement so providing. The Company shall not
enter into any transaction of the kind referred to in this Section 13 if at the
time of such transaction there are any rights, warrants, instruments or
securities outstanding or any agreements or arrangements which, as a result of
the consummation of such transaction, would eliminate or substantially diminish
the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights. The provisions of this
Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive mergers or consolidations or
sales or other transfers.

     Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares. (a) The Company shall
not be required to issue fractions of Rights or to distribute Right Certificates
which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such fractional Rights, there shall
be paid to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which
such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to
the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Right. For the purposes
of this Section 14(a), the "current market value" of a whole Right shall be the
closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on
which such fractional Rights would have been otherwise issuable. The "closing
price" for any day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no
such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked
prices, regular way, in either case, as reported in the principal consolidated
transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to
trading on the New 


                                      -29-
<PAGE>

York Stock Exchange or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on
the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated
transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal
national securities exchange on which the Rights are listed or admitted to
trading or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of
the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by
NASDAQ or such other system then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are
not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked
prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights
selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any such date no such
market maker is making a market in the Rights, the fair value of the Rights on
such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company
shall be used.

     (b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Preferred
Shares (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth
of a Preferred Share) upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates
which evidence fractional Preferred Shares (other than fractions which are
integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share). Fractions of
Preferred Shares in integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share
may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts,
pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Company and a depositary
selected by it; provided that such agreement shall provide that the holders of
such depositary receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences
to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of the Preferred Shares
represented by such depositary receipts. In lieu of fractional Preferred Shares
that are not integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, the
Company shall pay to the registered 


                                      -30-
<PAGE>

holders of Right Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein
provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market
value of one Preferred Share. For the purposes of this Section 14(b), the
current market value of a Preferred Share shall be the closing price of a
Preferred Share (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section
11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such
exercise.

     (c) The holder of a Right, by the acceptance of the Right, expressly waives
such holder's right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares
upon exercise of a Right (except as provided above).

     Section 15. Rights of Action. All rights of action in respect of this
Agreement, excepting the rights of action given to the Rights Agent under
Section 18 hereof, are vested in the respective registered holders of the Right
Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the
Common Shares of the Company); and any registered holder of any Right
Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares of the
Company), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other
Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares of
the Company), may, on such holder's own behalf and for such holder's own
benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding
against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, such holder's
right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate in the manner
provided in such Right Certificate and in this Agreement. Without limiting the
foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically
acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law
for any breach of this Agreement, and will be entitled to specific per-


                                      -31-
<PAGE>

formance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or
threatened violations of the obligations of any Person subject to, this
Agreement.

     Section 16. Agreement of Right Holders. Every holder of a Right, by
accepting the same, consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent
and with every other holder of a Right that:

     (a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable only in
connection with the transfer of the Common Shares of the Company;

     (b) after the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates are transferable
only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at the principal
office of the Rights Agent, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument
of transfer;

     (c) the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose
name the Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated
Common Shares certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of
the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or
writing on the Right Certificate or the associated Common Shares certificate
made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes
whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by
any notice to the contrary; and

     (d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the
Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of a Right
or any other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its
obligations under this Agreement by reason of 


                                      -32-
<PAGE>

any preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree or ruling issued
by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or
administrative agency or commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or
executive order promulgated or enacted by any governmental authority,
prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of such obligation; provided,
however, the Company must use its commercially reasonable efforts to have any
such order, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned as soon as possible.

     Section 17. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder. No holder,
as such, of any Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends
or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Shares or any other
securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of
the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any
Right Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Right
Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any
right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to
stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any
corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting
stockholders (except as provided in Section 25 hereof), or to receive dividends
or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by
such Right Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the
provisions hereof.

     Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent. The Company agrees to pay to the
Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder,
and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses
and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the administration and
execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties
hereunder. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent, 


                                      -33-
<PAGE>

and its directors, officers, employees and agents, for, and to hold each of them
harmless against, any loss, liability, or expense, incurred without negligence,
bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent or such other
indemnified party, for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent or such
other indemnified party in connection with the acceptance and administration of
this Agreement, or in the exercise or performance of its duties hereunder,
including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability in
the premises.

     The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for, or in
respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with, its
administration of this Agreement or the exercise or performance of its duties
hereunder in reliance upon any Right Certificate or certificate for the
Preferred Shares or Common Shares or for other securities of the Company,
instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit,
letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or
document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where
necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper person or persons, or
otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set forth in Section 20 hereof.

     The indemnity provided in this Section 18 shall survive the expiration of
the Rights and the termination of this Agreement.

     Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent. Any
corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be
merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from
any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights
Agent shall be a party, or any corporation 


                                      -34-
<PAGE>

succeeding to the stock transfer or corporate trust powers of the Rights Agent
or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under
this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act
on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that such corporation would
be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of
Section 21 hereof. In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed
to the agency created by this Agreement, any of the Right Certificates shall
have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may
adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such
Right Certificates so countersigned; and, in case at that time any of the Right
Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may
countersign such Right Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights
Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and, in all such cases, such
Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates
and in this Agreement.

     In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and at
such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not
delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name
and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned; and, in case at that time any
of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent
may countersign such Right Certificates either in its prior name or in its
changed name; and, in all such cases, such Right Certificates shall have the
full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.

     Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes the duties
and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and
conditions, by all of 


                                      -35-
<PAGE>

which the Company and the holders of Right Certificates, by their acceptance
thereof, shall be bound:

     (a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal
counsel for the Company), and the written advice or opinion of such counsel
shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as
to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such
written advice or opinion.

     (b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the
Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be
proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action
hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be
herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and
established by a certificate signed by any one of the Chairman of the Board, the
Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the
Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate
shall be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered
in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such
certificate.

     (c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder to the Company and any other
Person only for its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

     (d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the
statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Right
Certificates (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the
same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been
made by the Company only.


                                      -36-
<PAGE>

     (e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of
the validity of any provision of this Agreement or the execution and delivery
hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of
the validity or execution of any Right Certificate (except its countersignature
thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any
covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Right Certificate;
nor shall it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights
(including the Rights becoming void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) or any
adjustment in the terms of the Rights (including the manner, method or amount
thereof) provided for in this Agreement, or the ascertaining of the existence of
facts that would require any such change or adjustment (except with respect to
the exercise of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates after actual notice that
such change or adjustment is required); nor shall it by any act hereunder be
deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or
reservation of any Preferred Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or
any Right Certificate or as to whether any Preferred Shares will, when issued,
be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     (f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and
deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such
further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required
by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of
the provisions of this Agreement.

     (g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any
one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President,
any Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer of the Company, and to apply
to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with 


                                      -37-
<PAGE>

its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered by it in
good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer or for any delay
in acting while waiting for those instructions.

     (h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or employee of
the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other securities
of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the
Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or
otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent under this
Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any
other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.

     (i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers
hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through
its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or
accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or
agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default,
neglect or misconduct, provided that reasonable care was exercised in the
selection and continued employment thereof.

     Section 21. Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement
upon 30 days' notice in writing mailed to the Company and to each transfer agent
of the Common Shares of the Company or Preferred Shares by registered or
certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class
mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon
30 days' notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights
Agent, as 


                                      -38-
<PAGE>

the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares of the Company
or Preferred Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the
Right Certificates by first-class mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be
removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint
a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such
appointment within a period of 30 days after giving notice of such removal or
after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the
resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a Right Certificate
(which holder shall, with such notice, submit such holder's Right Certificate
for inspection by the Company), then the registered holder of any Right
Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment
of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the
Company or by such a court, shall be a corporation organized and doing business
under the laws of the United States or of the State of California (or of any
other state of the United States so long as such corporation is authorized to do
business as a banking institution in the State of California), in good standing,
having an office in the State of California, which is authorized under such laws
to exercise corporate trust or stock transfer powers and is subject to
supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the
time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at
least $50 million. After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested
with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been
originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the
predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights
Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any
further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later
than the effective date of any such appointment, the Company shall file notice
thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of
the Common Shares of the Com-


                                      -39-
<PAGE>

pany or Preferred Shares, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered
holders of the Right Certificates. Failure to give any notice provided for in
this Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality
or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment
of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

     Section 22. Issuance of New Right Certificates. Notwithstanding any of the
provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may,
at its option, issue new Right Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as
may be approved by the Board of Directors of the Company to reflect any
adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of
shares or other securities or property purchasable under the Right Certificates
made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

     Section 23. Redemption. (a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at
its option, at any time prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring
Person, redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding Rights at a
redemption price of $0.0001 per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any
stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date
hereof (such redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption
Price"). The redemption of the Rights by the Board of Directors of the Company
may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as
the Board of Directors of the Company, in its sole discretion, may establish.

     (b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company
ordering the redemption of the Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section
23, and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise
the Rights will terminate and the only 


                                      -40-
<PAGE>

right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption
Price. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such redemption;
provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, any such notice
shall not affect the validity of such redemption. Within 10 days after such
action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the redemption of the
Rights, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption to all the holders of the
then outstanding Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry
books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry
books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares of the Company. Any notice
which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or
not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of redemption will state
the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made. Neither
the Company nor any of its Affiliates or Associates may redeem, acquire or
purchase for value any Rights at any time in any manner other than that
specifically set forth in this Section 23 or in Section 24 hereof, and other
than in connection with the purchase of Common Shares of the Company prior to
the Distribution Date.

     Section 24. Exchange. (a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its
option, by resolution adopted at any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring
Person, provide that the Company shall exchange all or part of the then
outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not include Rights that have
become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) for Common
Shares of the Company at an exchange ratio of one Common Share of the Company
per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any adjustment in the number of
Rights pursuant to Section 11(i) (such exchange ratio being hereinafter referred
to as the "Exchange Ratio"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of
Directors of the Company shall 



                                      -41-
<PAGE>

not be empowered to effect such exchange at any time after any Person (other
than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of
the Company or any such Subsidiary, any entity holding Common Shares for or
pursuant to the terms of any such plan), together with all Affiliates and
Associates of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of (i)
the aggregate voting power of the Company's voting securities or (ii) the Common
Shares of the Company then outstanding.

     (b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company
ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 24
and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise
such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of such
Rights shall be to receive that number of Common Shares of the Company equal to
the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio.
The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such exchange; provided,
however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not
affect the validity of such exchange. The Company promptly shall mail a notice
of any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at their last
addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent. Any notice
which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or
not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of exchange will state the
method by which the exchange of the Common Shares of the Company for Rights will
be effected, and, in the event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights
which will be exchanged. Any partial exchange shall be effected pro rata based
on the number of Rights (other than Rights which have become void pursuant to
the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) held by each holder of Rights.


                                      -42-
<PAGE>

     (c) In the event that there shall not be sufficient Common Shares of the
Company authorized but unissued to permit any exchange of Rights as contemplated
in accordance with this Section 24, the Company shall take all such action as
may be necessary to authorize additional Common Shares of the Company for
issuance upon exchange of the Rights. In the event the Company shall, after good
faith effort, be unable to take all such action as may be necessary to authorize
such additional Common Shares of the Company, the Company shall substitute, for
each Common Share of the Company that would otherwise be issuable upon exchange
of a Right, a number of Preferred Shares or fraction thereof such that the
current per share market price of one Preferred Share multiplied by such number
or fraction is equal to the current per share market price of one Common Share
as of the date of issuance of such Preferred Shares or fraction thereof.

     (d) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common Shares
of the Company or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Common
Shares of the Company. In lieu of such fractional Common Shares of the Company,
the Company shall pay to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with
regard to which such fractional Common Shares of the Company would otherwise be
issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market
value of a whole Common Share of the Company. For the purposes of this paragraph
(d), the "current market value" of a whole Common Share of the Company shall be
the closing price of a Common Share of the Company (as determined pursuant to
the second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately
prior to the date of exchange pursuant to this Section 24.



                                      -43-
<PAGE>

     Section 25. Notice of Certain Events. (a) In case the Company shall, at any
time after the Distribution Date, propose (i) to pay any dividend payable in
stock of any class to the holders of the Preferred Shares or to make any other
distribution to the holders of the Preferred Shares (other than a regular
quarterly cash dividend), (ii) to offer to the holders of the Preferred Shares
rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional Preferred
Shares or shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or
options, (iii) to effect any reclassification of the Preferred Shares (other
than a reclassification involving only the subdivision of outstanding Preferred
Shares), (iv) to effect any consolidation or merger into or with, or to effect
any sale or other transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to
effect any sale or other transfer), in one or more transactions, of 50% or more
of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a
whole) to, any other Person, (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, or (vi) to declare or pay any dividend on the Common
Shares of the Company payable in Common Shares of the Company or to effect a
subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Shares of the Company
(by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common Shares
of the Company), then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each holder
of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of such
proposed action, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such
stock dividend, or distribution of rights or warrants, or the date on which such
reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, liquidation,
dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of participation
therein by the holders of the Common Shares of the Company and/or Preferred
Shares, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in
the case of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least 10 days
prior to the record date for determining holders of the Preferred Shares for
purposes of such action, and, in the case of any 


                                      -44-
<PAGE>

such other action, at least 10 days prior to the date of the taking of such
proposed action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the
Common Shares of the Company and/or Preferred Shares, whichever shall be the
earlier.

     (b) In case the event set forth in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall occur,
then the Company shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, give to each holder
of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of the
occurrence of such event, which notice shall describe such event and the
consequences of such event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

     Section 26. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be
given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Right Certificate to
or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with
the Rights Agent) as follows:

                  Imperial Credit Commercial Mortgage Investment Corp.
                  11601 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2080
                  Los Angeles, California 90025
                  Attention:  Corporate Secretary


Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, any notice or demand authorized
by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any
Right Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made
if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address
is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:


                                      -45-
<PAGE>

                  U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation
                  1745 Gardena Avenue
                  Glendale, California 91204
                  Attention:  William Garza

Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Right Certificate shall be
sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry
books of the Company.

     Section 27. Supplements and Amendments. The Company may from time to time
supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Right
Certificates in order to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any
provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other
provisions herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to the Rights
which the Company may deem necessary or desirable, any such supplement or
amendment to be evidenced by a writing signed by the Company and the Rights
Agent; provided, however, that, from and after such time as any Person becomes
an Acquiring Person, this Agreement shall not be amended in any manner which
would adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights, and provided,
further, that no supplement or amendment that changes the rights or duties of
the Rights Agent under this Agreement shall be effective without the consent of
the Rights Agent.

     Section 28. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement
by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to
the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.



                                      -46-
<PAGE>

     Section 29. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the
registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution
Date, the Common Shares of the Company) any legal or equitable right, remedy or
claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the sole and
exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of
the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares
of the Company).

     Section 30. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other
authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

     Section 31. Governing Law. This Agreement and each Right Certificate issued
hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of
Maryland and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of such state applicable to contracts to be made and performed
entirely within such state.

     Section 32. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to
be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and
the same instrument.


                                      -47-
<PAGE>

     Section 33. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings of the several
Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not
control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

     Section 34. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors. The Board
of Directors of the Company shall have the exclusive power and authority to
administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically
granted to the Board of Directors or to the Company, or as may be necessary or
advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including, without
limitation, the right and power (i) to interpret the provisions of this
Agreement, and (ii) to make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for
the administration of this Agreement. All such actions, calculations,
interpretations and determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below,
all omissions with respect to the foregoing) which are done or made by the Board
of Directors of the Company in good faith shall (x) be final, conclusive and
binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights and all
other parties, and (y) not subject the Board of Directors of the Company or any
member thereof to any liability to the holders of the Rights.


                                      -48-
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

                                        IMPERIAL CREDIT COMMERCIAL
Attest:                                 MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CORP.


By  /s/ Norbert Seifert                 By  /s/ Michael Meltzer
    Name:  Norbert Seifert                  Name:  Michael Meltzer
    Title: Senior V.P., General             Title  Chief Financial Officer
           Counsel and Secretary


                                        U.S. STOCK TRANSFER
Attest:                                 CORPORATION


By  /s/ James Hunter                    By  /s/ William Garza
    Name:  James Hunter                     Name:  William Garza
    Title: Senior Vice President            Title  Assistant Vice President


                                      -49-
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit A

              IMPERIAL CREDIT COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CORP.

                                      FORM
                                       of
                             ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY

                                       for

                  SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

              (Pursuant to Sections 2-105(a)(9) and 2-208(a) of the
                        Maryland General Corporation Law)

                          ____________________________


     Imperial Credit Commercial Mortgage Investment Corp., a corporation
organized and existing under the Maryland General Corporation Law (hereinafter
called the "Corporation"), hereby certifies to the State Department of
Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:

     FIRST: Pursuant to authority granted by Sections 6.1 and 6.3 of the Charter
of the Corporation (the "Charter"), the Board of Directors of the Corporation
(hereinafter called the "Board of Directors" or the "Board") as required by
Section 2-208(a) of the Maryland General Corporation Law at a meeting duly
called and held on September 18, 1998 classified and designated 3,500,000 shares
of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, into 3,500,000 shares of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, with the
preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms
and conditions of redemption as follows, which upon any restatement of the
Charter shall be made part of Article VI of the Charter, with any necessary or
appropriate changes to the enumeration or lettering of sections or subsections
thereof:

     Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock:

     Section 1. Designation and Amount. There shall be a series of Preferred
Stock designated as "Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value
$0.0001 per share" (the "Series A Preferred Stock"), and the number of shares
constituting the Series A Preferred Stock shall be 3,500,000. Such number of
shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors and
by the filing of articles supplementary in accordance with the Maryland General
Corporation Law; provided, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock to a number less than the number of shares then
outstanding plus the number 


                                      A-1
<PAGE>

of shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options, rights
or warrants or upon the conversion of any outstanding securities issued by the
Corporation convertible into Series A Preferred Stock.

     Section 2. Dividends and Distributions.

     (A) Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of any series of
   Preferred Stock (or any similar stock) ranking prior and superior to the
   Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of
   Series A Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of Common Stock, par
   value $0.0001 per share (the "Common Stock"), of the Corporation, and of any
   other junior stock, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized
   by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose,
   quarterly dividends payable in cash on the first day of March, June,
   September and December in each year (each such date being referred to herein
   as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"), commencing on the first Quarterly
   Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a
   share of Series A Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the
   nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $1 or (b) subject to the provision
   for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 100 times the aggregate per share
   amount of all cash dividends, and 100 times the aggregate per share amount
   (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions, other
   than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a subdivision of the
   outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise),
   declared on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding Quarterly
   Dividend Payment Date or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend
   Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of
   Series A Preferred Stock. In the event the Corporation shall at any time
   declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common
   Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the
   outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by
   payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser
   number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the amount to which
   holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior
   to such event under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by
   multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number
   of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the
   denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
   outstanding immediately prior to such event.

     (B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series
   A Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A) of this Section immediately
   after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than
   a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock); provided that, in the event no
   dividend or distribution shall have been declared on the Common Stock during
   the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next
   subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $1 per share on the
   Series A Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be payable on such subsequent
   Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.


                                      A-2
<PAGE>

     (C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares
   of Series A Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next
   preceding the date of issue of such shares, unless the date of issue of such
   shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment
   Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the
   date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly
   Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the
   determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to
   receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date,
   in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be
   cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid
   dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A
   Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at
   the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a
   share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board
   of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares
   of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or
   distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be not more than 60
   days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

     Section 3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall have the following voting rights:

     (A) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each
   share of Series A Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to 100
   votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the
   Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay
   any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect
   a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of
   Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend
   in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of
   Common Stock, then in each such case the number of votes per share to which
   holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior
   to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by a fraction, the
   numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
   immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
   shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

     (B) Except as otherwise provided herein, in the terms of any other series
   of Preferred Stock or any similar stock, the holders of shares of Series A
   Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock and any other stock
   of the Corporation having general voting rights shall vote together as one
   class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.

     (C) Except as set forth herein, holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall
   have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except
   to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set
   forth herein) for taking any corporate action.


                                      A-3
<PAGE>

     Section 4. Certain Restrictions.

     (A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions
   payable on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2 are in
   arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and
   distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Preferred Stock
   outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

          (i) declare or pay dividends, or make any other distributions, on any
     shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
     dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock;

          (ii) declare or pay dividends, or make any other distributions, on any
     shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon
     liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock,
     except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such
     parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to
     the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then
     entitled;

          (iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares
     of any stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
     dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock, provided that
     the Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire
     shares of any such junior stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the
     Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon dissolution,
     liquidation or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock; or

          (iv) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any
     shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a
     parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a
     purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the
     Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the
     Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend
     rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series
     and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and
     equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

     (B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to
   purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the
   Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (A) of this Section
   4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.

     Section 5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock
purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever
shall become authorized but unissued shares of Series A Preferred Stock and may
be reissued or reclassified into any other class or series of capital stock.


                                      A-4
<PAGE>

     Section 6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Upon any liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, no distribution shall be made (1)
to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock unless,
prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have
received $100 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends
and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment,
provided that the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be
entitled to receive an aggregate amount per share, subject to the provision for
adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 100 times the aggregate amount to be
distributed per share to holders of shares of Common Stock, or (2) to the
holders of shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock,
except distributions made ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such
parity stock in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such
shares are entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In the
event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the
Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or
combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by
reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common
Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each
such case the aggregate amount to which holders of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under the proviso in clause
(1) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a
fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such
event.

     Section 7. Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation shall enter
into any consolidation, merger, share exchange, combination or other transaction
in which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other
stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case each
share of Series A Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged
or changed into an amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment
hereinafter set forth, equal to 100 times the aggregate amount of stock,
securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may
be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged.
In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on
the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or
combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by
reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common
Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each
such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to the
exchange or change of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by
multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event. 

     Section 8. No Redemption. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not
be redeemable.


                                      A-5
<PAGE>

     Section 9. Rank. The Series A Preferred Stock shall rank, with respect to
the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, junior to all other
series of the Corporation's Preferred Stock.

     Section 10. Amendment. The Charter shall not be amended in any manner which
would materially alter or change the preferences, voting power or other rights
or restrictions of the Series A Preferred Stock, as set forth herein, so as to
affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting
together as a single class.

     Section 11. Fractional Shares. Series A Preferred Stock may be issued in
fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such
holder's fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends,
participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of
holders of Series A Preferred Stock.

     SECOND: The shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been classified and
designated by the Board of Directors under the authority contained in the
Charter. As of immediately prior to such classification and designation, the
Corporation had 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock authorized, and as of
immediately after such classification and designation, the Corporation had
496,500,000 shares of Common Stock authorized. As of immediately prior to such
classification and designation, the Corporation had no shares of Series A
Preferred Stock authorized, and as of immediately after such classification and
designation, the Corporation had 3,500,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
authorized.

     THIRD: These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board of
Directors in the manner and by the vote required by law.

     FOURTH: The undersigned Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation ("Chairman") acknowledges these Articles Supplementary to be the
corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be
verified under oath, the undersigned Chairman acknowledges that to the best of
his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all
material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for
perjury.


                                      A-6
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles Supplementary
to be executed under seal in its name on its behalf by its Chairman and attested
to by its Secretary on this 21st day of September, 1998.



                                                   ____________________________
                                                            Chairman

Attest:

_______________________
Secretary



                                      A-7
<PAGE>


                                                                      Exhibit B

                            Form of Right Certificate

     Certificate No. R-                                        ___Rights

          NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER SEPTEMBER 21, 2008 OR EARLIER IF REDEMPTION OR
          EXCHANGE OCCURS. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT $0.0001 PER
          RIGHT AND TO EXCHANGE ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT.

                                Right Certificate

              IMPERIAL CREDIT COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CORP.


     This certifies that ____________ , or registered assigns, is the registered
owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner
thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Agreement, dated
as of September 21, 1998 (the "Agreement"), between Imperial Credit Commercial
Mortgage Investment Corp., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), and U.S.
Stock Transfer Corporation (the "Rights Agent"), to purchase from the Company at
any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Agreement)
and prior to 5:00 P.M., California time, on September 21, 2008 at the principal
office of the Rights Agent, or at the office of its successor as Rights Agent,
one one-hundredth of a fully paid non-assessable share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the
"Preferred Shares"), at a purchase price of $40 per one one-hundredth of a
Preferred Share (the "Purchase Price"), upon presentation and surrender of this
Right Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase duly executed. The
number of Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate (and the number of one
one-hundredths of a Preferred Share which may be purchased upon exercise hereof)
set forth above, and the Purchase Price set forth above, are the number and
Purchase Price as of September 21, 1998, based on the Preferred Shares as
constituted at such date. As provided in the Agreement, the Purchase Price and
the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share which may be purchased
upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are subject
to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events.

     This Right Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are hereby
incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which Agreement
reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of
rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the Rights 


                                      B-1
<PAGE>

Agent, the Company and the holders of the Right Certificates. Copies of the
Agreement are on file at the principal executive offices of the Company and the
offices of the Rights Agent.

     This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates, upon
surrender at the principal office of the Rights Agent, may be exchanged for
another Right Certificate or Right Certificates of like tenor and date
evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of
Preferred Shares as the Rights evidenced by the Right Certificate or Right
Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase. If this
Right Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to
receive upon surrender hereof another Right Certificate or Right Certificates
for the number of whole Rights not exercised.

     Subject to the provisions of the Agreement, the Rights evidenced by this
Right Certificate (i) may be redeemed by the Company at a redemption price of
$0.0001 per Right or (ii) may be exchanged in whole or in part for Preferred
Shares or shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

     No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued upon the exercise of any
Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral
multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the election
of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), but, in lieu thereof, a
cash payment will be made, as provided in the Agreement.

     No holder of this Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Shares or of
any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the
exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Agreement or herein be
construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a
stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or
upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or
withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or
other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the Agreement), or
to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or
Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate shall have been exercised as provided
in the Agreement.

     This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.


                                      B-2
<PAGE>

     WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and
its corporate seal. Dated as of _______________.


ATTEST:                                         IMPERIAL CREDIT COMMERCIAL
                                                MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CORP.


________________________                        By  ___________________________
Name:                                               Name:
Title:                                              Title:
Countersigned:



U.S. STOCK TRANSFER CORPORATION


By  __________________________
    Name:
    Title:


                                      B-3
<PAGE>


                    Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate

                               FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

                (To be executed by the registered holder if such
               holder desires to transfer the Right Certificate.)

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED _________________________ hereby sells, assigns and
transfers unto ________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
                 (Please print name and address of transferee)

_______________________________________________________________________________
this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and
does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _______________ Attorney, to
transfer the within Right Certificate on the books of the within-named Company,
with full power of substitution.

Dated: ___________________


                                                      _________________________
                                                      Signature



Signature Guaranteed:

     Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national
securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in
the United States.

================================================================================

     The undersigned hereby certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Right
Certificate are not beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate thereof (as defined in the Agreement).


                                                      _________________________
                                                      Signature

================================================================================


                                      B-4
<PAGE>

             Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate -- continued

                          FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE

                  (To be executed if holder desires to exercise
                  Rights represented by the Right Certificate.)

To:  IMPERIAL CREDIT COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CORP.

     The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ________________
Rights represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the Preferred Shares
issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for
such Preferred Shares be issued in the name of:

Please insert social security
or other identifying number

_______________________________________________________________________________
                         (Please print name and address)

_______________________________________________________________________________

If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Right
Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the balance remaining of such Rights
shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:

Please insert social security
or other identifying number

_______________________________________________________________________________
                         (Please print name and address)

_______________________________________________________________________________


Dated: _______________

                                                      _________________________
                                                      Signature


                                      B-5
<PAGE>

Signature Guaranteed:

     Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national
securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in
the United States.


================================================================================

     The undersigned hereby certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Right
Certificate are not beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate thereof (as defined in the Agreement).


                                                      _________________________
                                                      Signature

================================================================================

                                     NOTICE

     The signature in the Form of Assignment or Form of Election to Purchase, as
the case may be, must conform to the name as written upon the face of this Right
Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever.

     In the event the certification set forth above in the Form of Assignment or
the Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, is not completed, the
Company and the Rights Agent will deem the beneficial owner of the Rights
evidenced by this Right Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate thereof (as defined in the Agreement) and such Assignment or Election
to Purchase will not be honored.


                                      B-6
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit C

                          SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
                                PREFERRED SHARES


     On September 18, 1998, the Board of Directors of Imperial Credit Commercial
Mortgage Investment Corp. (the "Company") declared a dividend of one preferred
share purchase right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of common stock, par
value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the "Common Shares"). The dividend is
payable on September 21, 1998 (the "Record Date") to the stockholders of record
at the close of business on that date. The description and terms of the Rights
are set forth in an Agreement (the "Agreement") between the Company and U.S.
Stock Transfer Corporation, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").

     Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one
one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the
Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the "Preferred Shares"), at a price of $40
per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (the "Purchase Price"), subject to
adjustment.

     In the event that any person or group of affiliated or associated persons
(other than (a) the Company, (b) any subsidiary of the Company, (c) any employee
benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or (d) any entity
holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) acquires
beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the outstanding Common Shares (an
"Acquiring Person") (with exceptions for persons who beneficially own 10% or
more of the outstanding Common Shares as of the date of the Agreement or who
beneficially own 10% or more as a result of the Company's acquisition of Common
Shares), each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the
Acquiring Person (which will thereafter be void), will thereafter have the right
to receive upon exercise that number of Common Shares having a market value of
two times the exercise price of the Right.

     If the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination
transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold
after a person or group has become an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right
(other than Rights beneficially owned by Acquiring Person, which will be void)
will thereafter have the right to receive that number of shares of common stock
of the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction will have a
market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.


                                      C-1
<PAGE>

     Until the earlier of (i) 10 days following a public announcement that a
person or group of affiliated or associated persons have acquired beneficial
ownership of 10% or more of the outstanding Common Shares; or (ii) 10 business
days (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of
Directors of the Company prior to such time as any person or group of affiliated
persons becomes an Acquiring Person) following the commencement of, or
announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer the
consummation of which would result in the beneficial ownership by a person or
group of 10% or more of the outstanding Common Shares (the earlier of such dates
being the "Distribution Date"), the Rights will be represented, with respect to
any of the Common Share certificates outstanding as of the Record Date, by such
Common Share certificate with a copy of this Summary of Rights attached thereto.
Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights),
the Rights will be transferred with and only with the Common Shares, and
transfer of those certificates will also constitute transfer of these Rights.

     As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate
certificates evidencing the Rights ("Right Certificates") will be mailed to
holders of record of the Common Shares as of the close of business on the
Distribution Date and such separate Right Certificates alone will thereafter
evidence the Rights.

     The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The Rights will
expire on September 21, 2008 (the "Final Expiration Date"), unless the Final
Expiration Date is extended or unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or
exchanged by the Company, in each case, as described below.

     The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Preferred Shares or other
securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to
adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution in the event of stock
dividends, stock splits, reclassifications, or certain distributions with
respect to the Preferred Shares. The number of outstanding Rights and the number
of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share issuable upon exercise of each Right
are also subject to adjustment if, prior to the Distribution Date, there is a
stock split of the Common Shares or a stock dividend on the Common Shares
payable in Common Shares or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the
Common Shares. With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will
be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in
such Purchase Price. No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued (other than
fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred
Share, which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary
receipts) and, in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the
market price of the Preferred Shares on the last trading day prior to the date
of exercise.

     Preferred Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be
redeemable. Each Preferred Share will be entitled to a minimum preferential
quarterly dividend payment of $1 per share but will be entitled to an aggregate
dividend of 100 times the dividend declared per Common Share. In the event of
liquidation, the holders of the Preferred Shares will be entitled to a minimum
preferential liquidation payment of $100 per share but will be entitled to an
aggregate payment of 100 times the payment made per Common Share. Each Preferred
Share will


                                      C-2
<PAGE>

have 100 votes, voting together with the Common Shares. Finally, in the event of
any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which Common Shares are
exchanged, each Preferred Share will be entitled to receive 100 times the amount
received per Common Share. These rights are protected by customary antidilution
provisions.

     The value of the one one-hundredth interest in a Preferred Share
purchasable upon exercise of each Right should, because of the nature of the
Preferred Shares' dividend, liquidation and voting rights, approximate the value
of one Common Share.

     At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, and
prior to the acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the
outstanding Common Shares, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange
the Rights (other than Rights owned by the Acquiring Person, which will have
become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one Common Share, or
one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (subject to adjustment).

     At any time prior to any person or group becoming an Acquiring Person, the
Board of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in
part, at a price of $0.0001 per Right (the "Redemption Price"). The redemption
of the Rights may be made effective at such time on such basis with such
conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish.
Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the Rights
will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive
the Redemption Price.

     The terms of the Rights may be amended by the Board of Directors of the
Company without the consent of the holders of the Rights, except that from and
after such time as any person or group of affiliated or associated persons
becomes an Acquiring Person no such amendment may adversely affect the interests
of the holders of the Rights.

     Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends.

     A copy of the Agreement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as an Exhibit to a Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated September
22, 1998. A copy of the Agreement is available free of charge from the Company.
This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.


                                      C-3


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