AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL EAGLE INC
305B2, 1998-06-16
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM T-1


                   STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION
             UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939, AS AMENDED, OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
SECTION 305(B)(2) CHECK THIS BOX [X]

                                   ----------

                            FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

        United States National Bank                     22-1147033
        (State of incorporation if                      (I.R.S. employer
        not a national bank)                            identification no.)

        First Union National Bank
        230 South Tryon Street, 9th Floor
        Charlotte, North Carolina                       28288-1179
        (Address of principal                           (Zip Code)
        executive offices)

                                  Same as above
                 (Name, address and telephone number, including
                   area code, of trustee's agent for service)

                  AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL EAGLE BOND TRUST 1998-1
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

                                    Delaware
         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

                                     Pending
                      (I.R.S. employer identification no.)

                 c/o Wilmington Trust Company, as Owner Trustee
                               Rodney Square North
                               1100 Market Street
                           Wilmington, Delaware 19890
          (Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)


<PAGE>   2
                        AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL EAGLE, INC.
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

                                    Delaware
         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

                                   33-0787975
                      (I.R.S. employer identification no.)

                        445 Marine View Avenue, Suite 100
                                   Del Mar, CA
                                      92014
          (Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

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



                  AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL EAGLE BOND TRUST 1998-1
                     COLLATERALIZED CALLABLE MORTGAGE BONDS
                       (Title of the indenture securities)

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


<PAGE>   3
1.    General information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

      (a)   Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which
            it is subject

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

            Name                                       Address

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


            Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, VA       Richmond, VA

            Comptroller of the Currency                Washington, D.C.

            Securities and Exchange Commission
            Division of Market Regulation              Washington, D.C.

            Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation      Washington, D.C.

      (b)   Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

            The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

2.    Affiliations with obligor and underwriters. If the obligor or any
underwriter for the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
affiliation.

           None.

Because the obligor is not in default on any securities issued under indentures
under which the applicant is trustee, Items 3 through 15 are not required
herein.

16.   List of Exhibits.

      All exhibits identified below are filed as a part of this statement of
      eligibility.

      1.    A copy of the Articles of Association of First Union National Bank
            as now in effect, which contain the authority to commence business
            and a grant of powers to exercise corporate trust powers.

      2.    A copy of the certificate of authority of the trustee to commence
            business, if not contained in the Articles of Association.


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      3.    A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate
            trust powers, if such authorization is not contained in the
            documents specified in exhibits (1) or (2) above.

      4.    A copy of the existing By-laws of First Union National Bank, or
            instruments corresponding thereto.

      5.    Inapplicable.

      6.    The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust
            Indenture Act of 1939 is included at Page 4 of this Form T-1
            Statement.

      7.    A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published
            pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or
            examining authority is attached hereto.

      8.    Inapplicable.

      9.    Inapplicable.


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<PAGE>   5
                                    SIGNATURE

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, First Union National Bank, a national association
organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly
caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of
Charlotte, and State of North Carolina, on the 29th day of May, 1998.

                                       FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
                                       (trustee)


                                       By:      /s/ Pablo de la Canal
                                          --------------------------------------
                                       Name:    Pablo de la Canal
                                            ------------------------------------
                                       Title:   Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------


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<PAGE>   1
                                                                       EXHIBIT 1


                                Charter No. 22693


                            FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

                             ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
                    (as restated effective February 26, 1998)


      For the purpose of organizing an Association to carry on the business of
banking under the laws of the United States, the undersigned do enter into the
following Articles of Association:

      FIRST. The title of this Association shall be FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK.

      SECOND. The main office of the Association shall be in Charlotte, County
of Mecklenburg, State of North Carolina. The general business of the Association
shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.

      THIRD. The Board of Directors of this Association shall consist of not
less than five nor more than twenty-five directors, the exact number of
directors within such minimum and maximum limits to be fixed and determined from
time to time by resolution of a majority of the full Board of Directors or by
resolution of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Unless
otherwise provided by the laws of the United States, any vacancy in the Board of
Directors for any reason, including an increase in the number thereof, may be
filled by action of the Board of Directors.

      FOURTH. The annual meeting of the shareholders for the election of
directors and the transaction of whatever other business may be brought before
said meeting shall be held at the main office or such other place as the Board
of Directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the
By-Laws, but if no election is held on that day, it may be held on any
subsequent day according to the provisions of law; and all elections shall be
held according to such lawful regulations as may be prescribed by the Board of
Directors.

      Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the
Board of Directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital
stock of the bank entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations, other
than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the bank, shall be
made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the President of the bank
and to the Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C., not less than 14 days
nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of stockholders called for the
election of directors, provided, however, that if less than 21 days' notice of
the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or
delivered to the President of the Bank and to the Comptroller of the Currency
not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on
which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the
following 


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<PAGE>   2
information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder: (a) the name and
address of each proposed nominee; (b) the principal occupation of each proposed
nominee; (c) the total number of shares of capital stock of the bank that will
be voted for each proposed nominee; (d) the name and residence address of the
notifying shareholder; and (e) the number of shares of capital stock of the bank
owned by the notifying shareholder. Nominations not made in accordance herewith
may, in his discretion, be disregarded by the Chairman of the meeting, and upon
his instructions, the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such
nominee.

      FIFTH.

      (a)   General. The amount of capital stock of this Association shall be
(I) 25,000,000 shares of common stock of the par value of twenty dollars
($20.00) each (the "Common Stock") and (ii) 160,540 shares of preferred stock of
the par value of one dollar ($ 1. 00) each (the "Non-Cumulative Preferred
Stock"), having the rights, privileges and preferences set forth below, but said
capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time in accordance with
the provisions of the laws of the United States.

      (b)   Terms of the Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock.

            1.    General. Each share of Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock shall be
identical in all respects with the other shares of Non-Cumulative Preferred
Stock. The authorized number of shares of Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock may
from time to time be increased or decreased (but not below the number then
outstanding) by the Board of Directors. Shares of Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock
redeemed by the Association shall be canceled and shall revert to authorized but
unissued shares of Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock.

            2.    Dividends.

                  (a)   General. The holders of Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of
Directors, but only out of funds legally available therefor, non-cumulative cash
dividends at the annual rate of $83.75 per share, and no more, payable quarterly
on the first days of December, March, June and September, respectively, in each
year with respect to the quarterly dividend period (or portion thereof) ending
on the day preceding such respective dividend payment date, to shareholders of
record on the respective date, not exceeding fifty days preceding such dividend
payment date, fixed for that purpose by the Board of Directors in advance of
payment of each particular dividend. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the cash
dividend to be paid on the first dividend payment date after the initial
issuance of Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock and on any dividend payment date with
respect to a partial dividend period shall be $83.75 per share multiplied by the
fraction produced by dividing the number of days since such initial issuance or
in such partial dividend period, as the case may be, by 360.

                  (b)   Non-cumulative Dividends. Dividends on the shares of
Non-cumulative Stock shall not be cumulative and no rights shall accrue to the
holders of shares of Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock by reason of the fact that
the Association may fail to declare or pay dividends on the shares of
Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock in any amount in any quarterly 


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<PAGE>   3
dividend period, whether or not the earnings of the Association in any quarterly
dividend period were sufficient to pay such dividends in whole or in part, and
the Association shall have no obligation at any time to pay any such dividend.

                  (c)   Payment of Dividends. So long as any share of
Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock remains outstanding, no dividend whatsoever shall
be paid or declared and no distribution made on any junior stock other than a
dividend payable in junior stock, and no shares of junior stock shall be
purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Association,
directly or indirectly (other than as a result of a reclassification of junior
stock, or the exchange or conversion of one junior stock for or into another
junior stock, or other than through the use of the proceeds of a substantially
contemporaneous sale of other junior stock), unless all dividends on all shares
of non-cumulative Preferred Stock and non-cumulative Preferred Stock ranking on
a parity as to dividends with the shares of Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock for
the most recent dividend period ended prior to the date of such payment or
declaration shall have been paid in full and all dividends on all shares of
cumulative Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with the shares
of Non-Cumulative Stock (notwithstanding that dividends on such stock are
cumulative) for all past dividend periods shall have been paid in full. Subject
to the foregoing, and not otherwise, such dividends (payable in cash, stock or
otherwise) as may be determined by the Board of Directors may be declared and
paid on any junior stock from time to time out of any funds legally available
therefor, and the Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to
participate in any such dividends, whether payable in cash, stock or otherwise.
No dividends shall be paid or declared upon any shares of any class or series of
stock of the Association ranking on a parity (whether dividends on such stock
are cumulative or non-cumulative) with the Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock in the
payment of dividends for any period unless at or prior to the time of such
payment or declaration all dividends payable on the Non-cumulative Preferred
Stock for the most recent dividend period ended prior to the date of such
payment or declaration shall have been paid in full. When dividends are not paid
in full, as aforesaid, upon the Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock and any other
series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends (whether dividends
on such stock are cumulative or non-cumulative) with the Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon the Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock
and any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with
the Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount
of dividends declared per share on the Non-cumulative Preferred Stock and such
other Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that
accrued dividends per share on the Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock (but without
any accumulation in respect of any unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods
on the shares of Non-Cumulative Stock) and such other Preferred Stock bear to
each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable
in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Non-Cumulative Preferred
Stock which may be in arrears.

            3.    Voting. The holders of Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock shall
not have any right to vote for the election of directors or for any other
purpose.


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<PAGE>   4
            4.    Redemption.

                  (a)   Optional Redemption. The Association, at the option of
the Board of Directors, may redeem the whole or any part of the shares of
Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, at any time or from time
to time after the fifth anniversary of the date of original issuance of the
Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, upon notice given as hereinafter specified, at
the redemption price per share equal to $1,000 plus an amount equal to the
amount of accrued and unpaid dividends from the immediately preceding dividend
payment date (but without any accumulation for unpaid dividends for prior
dividend periods on the shares of Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock) to the
redemption date.

                  (b)   Procedures. Notice of every redemption of shares of
Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock shall be mailed by first class mail, postage
prepaid, addressed to the holders of record of the shares to be redeemed at
their respective last addresses as they shall appear on the books of the
Association. Such mailing shall be at least 10 days and not more than 60 days
prior to the date fixed for redemption. Any notice which is mailed in the manner
herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether
or not the shareholder receives such notice, and failure duly to give such
notice by mail, or any defect in such notice, to any holder of shares of
Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock designated for redemption shall not affect the
validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other shares of
Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock.

      In case of redemption of a part only of the shares of Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock at the time outstanding the redemption may be either pro rata or
by lot or by such other means as the Board of Directors of the Association in
its discretion shall determine. The Board of Directors shall have full power and
authority, subject to the provisions herein contained, to prescribe the terms
and conditions upon which shares of the Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock shall be
redeemed from time to time.

      If notice of redemption shall have been duly given, and, if on or before
the redemption date specified therein, all funds necessary for such redemption
shall have been set aside by the Association, separate and apart from its other
funds, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the shares called for
redemption, so as to be and continue to be available therefor, then,
notwithstanding that any certificate for shares so called for redemption shall
not have been surrendered for cancellation, all shares so called for redemption
shall no longer be deemed outstanding on and after such redemption date, and all
rights with respect to such shares shall forthwith on such redemption date cease
and terminate, except only the right of the holders thereof to, receive the
amount payable on redemption thereof, without interest.

      If such notice of redemption shall have been duly given or if the
Association shall have given to the bank or trust company hereinafter referred
to irrevocable authorization promptly to give such notice, and, if on or before
the redemption date specified therein, the funds necessary for such redemption
shall have been deposited by the Association with such bank or trust company in
trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the shares called for
redemption, then, notwithstanding that any certificate for shares so called for
redemption shall not have been 


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surrendered for cancellation, from and after the time of such deposit, all
shares so called for redemption shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and
all rights with respect to such shares shall forthwith cease and terminate,
except only the right of the holders thereof to receive from such bank or trust
company at any time after the time of such deposit the funds so deposited,
without interest. The aforesaid bank or trust company shall be organized and in
good standing under the laws of the United States of America or any state
thereof, shall have capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating at least
$50,000,000 according to its last published statement of condition, and shall be
identified in the notice of redemption. Any interest accrued on such funds shall
be paid to the Association from time to time. In case fewer than all the shares
of Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock represented by a stock certificate are
redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unredeemed shares
without cost to the holder thereof.

      Any funds so set aside or deposited, as the case may be, and unclaimed at
the end of the relevant escheat period under applicable state law from such
redemption date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be released or repaid to
the Association, after which repayment the holders of the shares so called for
redemption shall look only to the Association for payment thereof.

            5.    Liquidation.

                  (a)   Liquidation Preference. In the event of any voluntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Association, the
holders of Non-cumulative Preferred Stock shall be entitled, before any
distribution or payment is made to the holders of any junior stock, to be paid
in full an amount per share equal to an amount equal to $1,000 plus an amount
equal to the amount of accrued and unpaid dividends per share from the
immediately preceding dividend payment date (but without any accumulation for
unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods on the shares of Non-cumulative
Preferred Stock) per share to such distribution or payment date (the
"liquidation amount").

      In the event of any involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Association, then, before any distribution or payment shall
be made to the holders of any junior stock, the holders of Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to be paid in full an amount per share equal
to the liquidation amount.

      If such payment shall have been made in full to all holders of shares of
Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, the remaining assets of the Association shall be
distributed among the holders of junior stock, according to their respective
rights and preferences and in each case according to their respective numbers of
shares.

                  (b)   Insufficient Assets. In the event that, upon any such
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the available
assets of the Association are insufficient to pay such liquidation amount on all
outstanding shares of Non-cumulative Preferred Stock, then the holders of
Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock shall share ratably in any distribution of assets
in proportion to the full amounts to which they would otherwise be respectively
entitled.


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<PAGE>   6
                  (c)   Interpretation. For the purposes of this paragraph 5,
the consolidation or merger of the Association with any other corporation or
association shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Association.

            6.    Preemptive Rights. The Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock is not
entitled to any preemptive, subscription, conversion or exchange rights in
respect of any securities of the Association.

            7.    Definitions. As used herein with respect to the Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

                  (a)   The term "junior stock" shall mean the Common Stock and
any other class or series of shares of the Association hereafter authorized over
which the Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock has preference or priority in the
payment of dividends or in the distribution of assets on any liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Association.

                  (b)   The term "accrued dividends", with respect to any share
of any class or series, shall mean an amount computed at the annual dividend
rate for the class or series of which the particular share is a part, from, if
such share is cumulative, the date on which dividends on such share became
cumulative to and including the date to which such dividends are to be accrued,
less the aggregate amount of all dividends theretofore paid thereon and, if such
share is noncumulative, the relevant date designated to and including the date
to which such dividends are accrued, less the aggregate amount of all dividends
theretofore paid with respect to such period.

                  (c)   The term "Preferred Stock" shall mean all outstanding
shares of all series of preferred stock of the Association as defined in this
Article Fifth of the Articles of Association, as amended, of the Association.

            8.    Restriction on Transfer. No shares of Non-Cumulative Preferred
Stock, or any interest therein, may be sold, pledged, transferred or otherwise
disposed of without the prior written consent of the Association. The foregoing
restriction shall be stated on any certificate for any shares of Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock.

            9.    Additional Rights. The shares of Non-Cumulative Preferred
Stock shall not have any relative, participating, optional or other special
rights and powers other than as set forth herein.

      SIXTH. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members President
of this Association, who shall be Chairman of the Board, unless the Board
appoints another director to be the Chairman. The Board of Directors shall have
the power to appoint one or more Vice Presidents; and to appoint a cashier or
such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of
this Association.

      The Board of Directors shall have the power to define the duties of the
officers and employees of the Association, to fix the salaries to be paid to
them; to dismiss them, to require bonds from them and to fix the penalty
thereof; to regulate the manner in which any increase of 


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the capital of the Association shall be made; to manage and administer the
business and affairs of the Association; to make all By-Laws that it may be
lawful for them to make; and generally to do and perform all acts that it may be
legal for a Board of Directors to do and perform.

      SEVENTH. The Board of Directors shall have the power to change the
location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Charlotte,
North Carolina, without the approval of the shareholders but subject to the
approval of the Comptroller of the Currency; and shall have the power to
establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the Association to
any other location, without the approval of the shareholders but subject to the
approval of the Comptroller of the Currency.

      EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this Association shall continue until
terminated in accordance with the laws of the United States.

      NINTH. The Board of Directors of this Association, or any three or more
shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 10 percent of the stock of
this Association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless
otherwise provided by the laws of the United States, a notice of the time,
place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall
be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed at least ten days prior to
the date of such meeting to each shareholder of record at his address as shown
upon the books of this Association.

      TENTH. Each director and executive officer of this Association shall be
indemnified by the association against liability in any proceeding (including
without limitation a proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Association
itself) arising out of his status as such or his activities in either of the
foregoing capacities, except for any liability incurred on account of activities
which were at the time taken known or believed by such person to be clearly in
conflict with the best interests of the Association. Liabilities incurred by a
director or executive officer of the Association in defending a proceeding shall
be paid by the Association in advance of the final disposition of such
proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by the director or executive officer
to repay such amount if it shall be determined, as provided in the last
paragraph of this Article Tenth, that he is not entitled to be indemnified by
the Association against such liabilities.

      The indemnity against liability in the preceding paragraph of this Article
Tenth, including liabilities incurred in defending a proceeding, shall be
automatic and self-operative.

      Any director, officer or employee of this Association who serves at the
request of the Association as a director, officer, employee or agent of a
charitable, not-for-profit, religious, educational or hospital corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or a trade association,
or as a trustee or administrator under an employee benefit plan, or who serves
at the request of the Association as a director, officer or employee of a
business corporation in connection with the administration of an estate or trust
by the Association, shall have the right to be indemnified by the Association,
subject to the provisions set forth in the following paragraph of this Article
Tenth, against liabilities in any manner arising out of or attributable to such
status or activities in any such capacity, except for any liability incurred on
account of activities which were at the time taken known or believed by such
person to be clearly in conflict with the best 


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<PAGE>   8
interests of the Association, or of the corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, enterprise, Association or plan being served by such person.

      In the case of all persons except the directors and executive officers of
the Association, the determination of whether a person is entitled to
indemnification under the preceding paragraph of this Article Tenth shall be
made by and in the sole discretion of the Chief Executive Officer of the
Association. In the case of the directors and executive officers of the
Association, the indemnity against liability in the preceding paragraph of this
Article Tenth shall be automatic and self-operative.

      For purposes of this Article Tenth of these Articles of Association only,
the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

      (a)   Association means First Union National Bank and its direct and
indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries.

      (b)   Director means an individual who is or was a director of the
Association.

      (c)   Executive officer means an officer of the Association who by
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Association has been determined to
be an executive officer of the Association for purposes of Regulation O of the
Federal Reserve Board.

      (d)   Liability means the obligation to pay a judgment, settlement,
penalty, fine (including an excise tax assessed with respect to an employee
benefit plan), or reasonable expenses, including counsel fees and expenses,
incurred with respect to a proceeding.

      (e)   Party includes an individual who was, is, or is threatened to be
made a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding.

      (f)   Proceeding means any threatened, pending, or completed claim,
action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or
investigative and whether formal or informal.

      The Association shall have no obligation to indemnify any person for an
amount paid in settlement of a proceeding unless the Association consents in
writing to such settlement.

      The right to indemnification herein provided for shall apply to persons
who are directors, officers, or employees of banks or other entities that are
hereafter merged or otherwise combined with the Association only after the
effective date of such merger or other combination and only as to their status
and activities after such date.

      The right to indemnification herein provided for shall inure to the
benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of any person entitled to such
right.

      No revocation of, change in, or adoption of any resolution or provision in
the Articles of Association or By-laws of the Association inconsistent with,
this Article Tenth shall adversely 


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<PAGE>   9
affect the rights of any director, officer, or employee of the Association with
respect to (i) any proceeding commenced or threatened prior to such revocation,
change, or adoption, or (ii) any proceeding arising out of any act or omission
occurring prior to such revocation, change, or adoption, in either case, without
the written consent of such director, officer, or employee.

      The rights hereunder shall be in addition to and not exclusive of any
other rights to which a director, officer, or employee of the Association may be
entitled under any statute, agreement, insurance policy, or otherwise.

      The Association shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, or employee of the
Association, or is or was serving at the request of the Association as a
director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, trade association, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise,
against any liability asserted against such director, officer, or employee in
any such capacity, or arising out of their status as such, whether or not the
Association would have the power to indemnify such director, officer, or
employee against such liability, excluding insurance coverage for a formal order
assessing civil money penalties against an Association director or employee.

      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided herein, no person shall
have a right to indemnification with respect to any liability (i) incurred in an
administrative proceeding or action instituted by an appropriate bank regulatory
agency which proceeding or action results in a final order assessing civil money
penalties or requiring affirmative action by an individual or individuals in the
form of payments to the Association, (ii) to the extent such person is entitled
to receive payment therefor under any insurance policy or from any corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, trade association, employee benefit plan, or
other enterprise other than the Association, or (iii) to the extent that a court
of competent jurisdiction determines that such indemnification is void or
prohibited under state or federal law.

      ELEVENTH. These Articles of Association may be amended at any regular or
special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the stock of this Association, unless the vote of holders of a
greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case, by the vote of the
holders of such greater amount.


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<PAGE>   1
                                                                       EXHIBIT 4







                                   BY-LAWS OF

                            FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

                                Charter No. 22693


                     As Restated Effective February 26, 1998



<PAGE>   2
                                   BY-LAWS OF

                            FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK


                                    ARTICLE I

                            Meetings of Shareholders

      Section 1.1 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders for the
election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may
properly come before the meeting shall be held on the third Tuesday of April in
each year, commencing with the year 1998, except that the Board of Directors
may, from time to time and upon passage of a resolution specifically setting
forth its reasons, set such other date for such meeting during the month of
April as the Board of Directors may deem necessary or appropriate; provided,
however, that if an annual meeting would otherwise fall on a legal holiday, then
such annual meeting shall be held on the second business day following such
legal holiday. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote which are represented at any meeting of the shareholders may choose persons
to act as Chairman and as Secretary of the meeting.

      Section 1.2 Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specifically provided by
statute, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose at
any time by the Board of Directors or by any three or more shareholders owning,
in the aggregate, not less than ten percent of the stock of the Association.
Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by
mailing, postage prepaid, not less than ten days prior to the date fixed for
such meeting, to each shareholder at his address appearing on the books of the
Association, a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.

      Section 1.3 Nominations for Directors. Nominations for election to the
Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder
of any outstanding class of capital stock of the bank entitled to vote for the
election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the
existing management of the bank, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered
or mailed to the President of the Bank and to the Comptroller of the Currency,
Washington, D. C., not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any
meeting of stockholders called for the election of directors, provided however,
that if less than 21 days' notice of such meeting is given to shareholders, such
nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the President of the Bank and to the
Comptroller of the Currency not later than the close of business on the seventh
day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such
notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the
notifying shareholder: (a) the name and address of each proposed nominee; (b)
the principal occupation of each proposed nominee; (c) the total number of
shares of capital stock of the bank that will be voted for each proposed
nominee; (d) the name and residence address of the notifying shareholder; and
(e) the number of shares of capital stock of the bank owned by the notifying
shareholder. Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his discretion,
be disregarded by the 


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chairman of the meeting, and upon his instructions, the vote tellers may
disregard all votes cast for each such nominee.

      Section 1.4 Judges of Election. The Board may at any time appoint from
among the shareholders three or more persons to serve as Judges of Election at
any meeting of shareholders; to act as judges and tellers with respect to all
votes by ballot at such meeting and to file with the Secretary of the meeting a
Certificate under their hands, certifying the result thereof.

      Section 1.5 Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the
shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee
of this Association shall act as proxy. Proxies shall be valid only for one
meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies
shall be dated and shall be filed with the records of the meeting.

      Section 1.6 Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock,
represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of
shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law; but less than a quorum may
adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as
adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide
every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless
otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Association.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                    Directors

      Section 2.1 Board of Directors. The Board of Directors (hereinafter
referred to as the "Board"), shall have power to manage and administer the
business and affairs of the Association. Except as expressly limited by law, all
corporate powers of the Association shall be vested in and may be exercised by
said Board.

      Section 2.2 Number. The Board shall consist of not less than five nor more
than twenty-five directors, the exact number within such minimum and maximum
limits to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority
of the full Board or by resolution of the shareholders at any meeting thereof;
provided, however, that a majority of the full Board of Directors may not
increase the number of directors to a number which, (1) exceeds by more than two
the number of directors last elected by shareholders where such number was
fifteen or less, and (2) to a number which exceeds by more than four the number
of directors last elected by shareholders where such number was sixteen or more,
but in no event shall the number of directors exceed twenty-five.

      Section 2.3 Organization Meeting. The Secretary of the meeting upon
receiving the certificate of the judges, of the result of any election, shall
notify the directors-elect of their election and of the time at which they are
required to meet at the Main Office of the Association for the purpose of
organizing the new Board and electing and appointing officers of the Association
for the succeeding year. Such meeting shall be held as soon thereafter as
practicable. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum
present, the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, until
a quorum is obtained.


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      Section 2.4 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors
shall be held at such place and time as may be designated by resolution of the
Board of Directors. Upon adoption of such resolution, no further notice of such
meeting dates or the places or times thereof shall be required. Upon the failure
of the Board of Directors to adopt such a resolution, regular meetings of the
Board of Directors shall be held, without notice, on the third Tuesday in
February, April, June, August, October and December, commencing with the year
1997, at the main office or at such other place and time as may be designated by
the Board of Directors. When any regular meeting of the Board would otherwise
fall on a holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next business day unless the
Board shall designate some other day.

      Section 2.5 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors
may be called by the President of the Association, or at the request of three
(3) or more directors. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be given
notice stating the time and place, by telegram, letter, or in person, of each
such special meeting.

      Section 2.6 Quorum. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum
at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law; but a less number may
adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as
adjourned, without further notice.

      Section 2.7 Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, the
remaining members of the Board, in accordance with the laws of the United
States, may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of
the Board, or at a special meeting called for that purpose.

      Section 2.8 Advisory Boards. The Board of Directors may appoint Advisory
Boards for each of the states in which the Association conducts operations. Each
such Advisory Board shall consist of as many persons as the Board of Directors
may determine. The duties of each Advisory Board shall be to consult and advise
with the Board of Directors and senior officers of the Association in such state
with regard to the best interests of the Association and to perform such other
duties as the Board of Directors may lawfully delegate.

      The senior officer in such state, or such officers as directed by such
senior officer, may appoint advisory boards for geographic regions within such
state and may consult with the State Advisory Boards prior to such appointments.

                                   ARTICLE III

                             Committees of the Board

      Section 3.1 The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of
the number of directors fixed by these By-Laws, may designate two or more
directors to constitute an Executive Committee and other committees, each of
which, to the extent authorized by law and provided in such resolution, shall
have and may exercise all of the authority of the Board of Directors and the
management of the Association. The designation of any committee and the
delegation thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve the Board of
Directors, or any member 


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thereof, of any responsibility or liability imposed upon it or any member of the
Board of Directors by law. The Board of Directors reserves to itself alone the
power to act on (1) dissolution, merger or consolidation, or disposition of
substantially all corporate property, (2) designation of committees or filling
vacancies on the Board of Directors or on a committee of the Board (except as
hereinafter provided), (3) adoption, amendment or repeal of By-laws, (4)
amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board which by its terms is not so
amendable or repealable, and (5) declaration of dividends, issuance of stock, or
recommendations to stockholders of any action requiring stockholder approval.

      The Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Association may change the membership of any committee at any time, fill
vacancies therein, discharge any committee or member thereof either with or
without cause at any time, and change at any time the authority and
responsibility of any such committee.

      A majority of the members of any committee of the Board of Directors may
fix such committee's rules of procedure. All action by any committee shall be
reported to the Board of Directors at a meeting succeeding such action, except
such actions as the Board may not require to be reported to it in the resolution
creating any such committee. Any action by any committee shall be subject to
revision, alteration, and approval by the Board of Directors, except to the
extent otherwise provided in the resolution creating such committee; provided,
however, that no rights or acts of third parties shall be affected by any such
revision or alteration.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                             Officers and Employees

      Section 4.1 Officers. The officers of the Association may be a Chairman of
the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, one or more Chairmen or Vice Chairmen
(who shall not be required to be directors of the Association), a President, one
or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Cashier or Treasurer, and such other
officers, including officers holding similar or equivalent titles to the above
in regions, divisions or functional units of the Association, as may be
appointed by the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board and the President
shall be members of the Board of Directors. Any two or more offices may be held
by one person, but no officer shall sign or execute any document in more than
one capacity.

      Section 4.2 Election, Term of Office, and Qualification. Each officer
shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and shall hold office until the annual
meeting of the Board of Directors held next after his election or until his
successor shall have been duly chosen and qualified, or until his death, or
until he shall resign, or shall have been disqualified, or shall have been
removed from office.

      Section 4.2(a) Officers Acting as Assistant Secretary. Notwithstanding
Section 1 of these By-laws, any Senior Vice President, Vice President, or
Assistant Vice President shall have, by virtue of his office, and by authority
of the By-laws, the authority from time to time to act as an Assistant Secretary
of the Bank, and to such extent, said officers are appointed to the office of
Assistant Secretary.


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      Section 4.3 Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors shall
designate one of its members to be the President of this Association, and the
officer so designated shall be an ex officio member of all committees of the
Association except the Examining Committee, and its Chief Executive Officer
unless some other officer is so designated by the Board of Directors.

      Section 4.4 Duties of Officers. The duties of all officers shall be
prescribed by the Board of Directors. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors may
delegate to the Chief Executive Officer the authority to prescribe the duties of
other officers of the corporation not inconsistent with law, the charter, and
these By-laws, and to appoint other employees, prescribe their duties, and to
dismiss them. Notwithstanding such delegation of authority, any officer or
employee also may be dismissed at any time by the Board of Directors.

      Section 4.5 Other Employees. The Board of Directors may appoint from time
to time such tellers, vault custodians, bookkeepers, and other clerks, agents,
and employees as it may deem advisable for the prompt and orderly transaction of
the business of the Association, define their duties, fix the salary to be paid
them, and dismiss them. Subject to the authority of the Board of Directors, the
Chief Executive Officer or any other officer of the Association authorized by
him, may appoint and dismiss all such tellers, vault custodians, bookkeepers and
other clerks, agents, and employees, prescribe their duties and the conditions
of their employment, and from time to time fix their compensation.

      Section 4.6 Removal and Resignation. Any officer or employee of the
Association may be removed either with or without cause by the Board of
Directors. Any employee other than an officer elected by the Board of Directors
may be dismissed in accordance with the provisions of the preceding Section 4.5.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of
Directors or to the Chief Executive Officer of the Association. Any such
resignation shall become effective upon its being accepted by the Board of
Directors, or the Chief Executive Officer.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                Fiduciary Powers

      Section 5.1 Capital Management Group. There shall be an area of this
Association known as the Capital Management Group which shall be responsible for
the exercise of the fiduciary powers of this Association. The Capital Management
Group shall consist of four service areas: Fiduciary Services, Retail Services,
Investments and Marketing. The Fiduciary Services unit shall consist of personal
trust, employee benefits, corporate trust and operations. The General Office for
the Fiduciary Services unit shall be located in Charlotte, N.C., with City Trust
Offices located in such cities within the State of North Carolina as designated
by the Board of Directors.

      Section 5.2 Trust Officers. There shall be a General Trust Officer of this
Association whose duties shall be to manage, supervise and direct all the
activities of the Capital Management Group. Further, there shall be one or more
Senior Trust Officers designated to assist the General Trust Officer in the
performance of his duties. They shall do or cause to be done all things


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necessary or proper in carrying out the business of the Capital Management Group
in accordance with provisions of applicable law and regulation.

      Section 5.3 Capital Management/General Trust Committee. There shall be a
Capital Management/General Trust Committee composed of not less than four (4)
members of the Board of Directors or officers of this Association who shall be
appointed annually or from time to time by the Board of Directors of the
Association. The General Trust Officer shall serve as an ex-officio member of
the Committee. Each member shall serve until his successor is appointed. The
Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board may change the membership of the
Capital Management/General Trust Committee at any time, fill vacancies therein,
or discharge any member thereof with or without cause at any time. The Committee
shall counsel and advise on all matters relating to the business or affairs of
the Capital Management Group and shall adopt overall policies for the conduct of
the business of the Capital Management Group including but not limited to:
general administration, investment policies, new business development, and
review for approval of major assignments of functional responsibilities. The
Committee shall meet at least quarterly or as called for by its Chairman or any
three (3) members of the Committee. A quorum shall consist of three (3) members.
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Capital Management/General Trust
Committee shall review the actions of all officers, employees and committees
utilized by this Association in connection with the activities of the Capital
Management Group and may assign the administration and performance of any
fiduciary powers or duties to any of such officers or employees or to the
Investment Policy Committee, Personal Trust Administration Committee, Account
Review Committee, Corporate and Institutional Accounts Committee, or any other
committees it shall designate. One of the methods to be used in the review
process will be the thorough scrutiny of the Report of Examination by the Office
of the Comptroller of the Currency and the reports of the Audit Division of
First Union Corporation, as they relate to the activities of the Capital
Management Group. These reviews shall be in addition to reviews of such reports
by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Capital
Management/ General Trust Committee shall be appointed by the Chairman of the
Board of Directors. He shall cause to be recorded in appropriate minutes all
actions taken by the Committee. The minutes shall be signed by its Secretary and
approved by its Chairman. Further, the Committee shall summarize all actions
taken by it and shall submit a report of its proceedings to the Board of
Directors at its next regularly scheduled meeting following a meeting of the
Capital Management/General Trust Committee. As required by Section 9.7 of
Regulation 9 of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Directors retains
responsibility for the proper exercise of the fiduciary powers of this
Association.

      The Fiduciary Services unit of the Capital Management Group will maintain
a list of securities approved for investment in fiduciary accounts and will from
time to time provide the Capital Management/General Trust Committee with current
information relative to such list and also with respect to transactions in other
securities not on such list. It is the policy of this Association that members
of the Capital Management/General Trust Committee should not buy, sell or trade
in securities which are on such approved list or in any other securities in
which the Fiduciary Services unit has taken, or intends to take, a position in
fiduciary accounts in any circumstances in which any such transaction could be
viewed as a possible conflict of interest or could constitute a violation of
applicable law or regulation. Accordingly, if any such securities are owned by
any member of the Capital Management/General Trust Committee at the time of


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appointment to such Committee, the Capital Management Group shall be promptly so
informed in writing. If any member of the Capital Management/General Trust
Committee intends to buy, sell, or trade in any such securities while serving as
a member of the Committee, he should first notify the Capital Management Group
in order to make certain that any proposed transaction will not constitute a
violation of this policy or of applicable law or regulation.

      Section 5.4 Investment Policy Committee. There shall be an Investment
Policy Committee composed of not less than seven (7) officers and/or employees
of this Association who shall be appointed annually or from time to time by the
Board of Directors. Each member shall serve until his successor is appointed.
Meetings shall be called by the Chairman or any two (2) members of the
Committee. A quorum shall consist of five (5) members. The Investment Policy
Committee shall exercise such fiduciary powers and perform such duties as may be
assigned to it by the Capital Management/General Trust Committee. All actions
taken by the Investment Policy Committee shall be recorded in appropriate
minutes, signed by the Secretary thereof, approved by its Chairman and submitted
to the Capital Management/General Trust Committee at its next ensuing regular
meeting for its review and approval.

      Section 5.5 Personal Trust Administration Committee. There shall be a
Personal Trust Administration Committee composed of not less than five (5)
officers, who shall be appointed annually or from time to time by the Board of
Directors. Each member shall serve until his successor is appointed. Meetings
shall be called by the Chairman or any three (3) members of the Committee. A
quorum shall consist of three (3) members. The Personal Trust Administration
Committee shall exercise such fiduciary powers and perform such duties as may be
assigned to it by the Capital Management/General Trust Committee. All action
taken by the Personal Trust Administration Committee shall be recorded in
appropriate minutes signed by the Secretary thereof, approved by its Chairman,
and submitted to the Capital Management/General Trust Committee at its next
ensuing regular meeting for its review and approval.

      Section 5.6 Account Review Committee. There shall be an Account Review
Committee composed of not less than four (4) officers and/or employees of this
Association, who shall be appointed annually or from time to time by the Board
of Directors. Each member shall serve until his successor is appointed. Meetings
shall be called by the Chairman or any two (2) members of the Committee. A
quorum shall consist of three (3) members. The Account Review Committee shall
exercise such fiduciary powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to it
by the Capital Management/General Trust Committee. All actions taken by the
Account Review Committee shall be recorded in appropriate minutes, signed by the
Secretary thereof, approved by its Chairman and submitted to the Capital
Management/ General Trust Committee at its next ensuing regular meeting for its
review and approval.

      Section 5.7 Corporate and Institutional Accounts Committee. There shall be
a Corporate and Institutional Accounts Committee composed of not less than five
(5) officers and/or employees of this Association, who shall be appointed
annually, or from time to time, by the Capital Management/General Trust
Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. Meetings may be called by the
Chairman or any two (2) members of the Committee. A quorum shall consist of
three (3) members. The Corporate and Institutional Accounts Committee shall
exercise such fiduciary powers and duties as may be assigned to it by the
General Trust Committee. All actions 


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taken by the Corporate and Institutional Accounts Committee shall be recorded in
appropriate minutes, signed by the Secretary thereof, approved by its Chairman
and made available to the General Trust Committee at its next ensuing regular
meeting for its review and approval.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                          Stock and Stock Certificates

      Section 6.1 Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books
of the Association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of
stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer
shall, in proportion to his shares, succeed to all rights and liabilities of the
prior holder of such shares.

      Section 6.2 Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the
signature of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, the President, or a Vice President
(which may be engraved, printed, or impressed), and shall be signed manually or
by facsimile process by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Cashier, Assistant
Cashier, or any other officer appointed by the Board of Directors for that
purpose, to be known as an Authorized Officer, and the seal of the Association
shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the
stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the Association
properly endorsed.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                 Corporate Seal

      Section 7.1 The President, the Cashier, the Secretary, or any Assistant
Cashier, or Assistant Secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the
Board of Directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any
document requiring such seal, and to attest the same. Such seal shall be
substantially in the following form.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                            Miscellaneous Provisions

      Section 8.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Association shall be the
calendar year.

      Section 8.2 Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures,
mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts,
discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, notices,
applications, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies, and
other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified,
delivered or accepted in behalf of the Association by the Chairman of the Board,
the Vice Chairman of the Board, any Chairman or Vice Chairman, the President,
any Vice President or Assistant Vice President, the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary, the Cashier or Treasurer or any Assistant Cashier or Assistant
Treasurer, or any officer holding similar or equivalent titles to the above in
any regions, divisions or functional units of the Association, or, if in
connection with the exercise of fiduciary powers of the Association, by any of
said officers or by any Trust 


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Officer or Assistant Trust Officer (or equivalent titles); provided, however,
that where required, any such instrument shall be attested by one of said
officers other than the officer executing such instrument. Any such instruments
may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted in behalf of
the Association in such other manner and by such other officers as the Board of
Directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this Section 8.2 are
supplementary to any other provision of these By-laws.

      Section 8.3 Records. The Articles of Association, the By-laws, and the
proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board of Directors,
standing committees of the Board, shall be recorded in appropriate minute books
provided for the purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the
Secretary, Cashier, or other officer appointed to act as Secretary of the
meeting.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                     By-laws

      Section 9.1 Inspection. A copy of the By-laws, with all amendments
thereto, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the Head Office of
the Association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders, during
banking hours.

      Section 9.2 Amendments. The By-laws may be amended, altered or repealed,
at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, by a vote of a
majority of the whole number of Directors.


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                                    Exhibit A


                            First Union National Bank
                                    Article X
                                Emergency By-laws



      In the event of an emergency declared by the President of the United
States or the person performing his functions, the officers and employees of
this Association will continue to conduct the affairs of the Association under
such guidance from the directors or the Executive Committee as may be available
except as to matters which by statute require specific approval of the Board of
Directors and subject to conformance with any applicable governmental directives
during the emergency.

                        OFFICERS PRO TEMPORE AND DISASTER

      Section 1. The surviving members of the Board of Directors or the
Executive Committee shall have the power, in the absence or disability of any
officer, or upon the refusal of any officer to act, to delegate and prescribe
such officer's powers and duties to any other officer, or to any director, for
the time being.

      Section 2. In the event of a state of disaster of sufficient severity to
prevent the conduct and management of the affairs and business of this
Association by its directors and officers as contemplated by these By-laws, any
two or more available members of the then incumbent Executive Committee shall
constitute a quorum of that Committee for the full conduct and management of the
affairs and business of the Association in accordance with the provisions of
Article II of these By-laws; and in addition, such Committee shall be empowered
to exercise all of the powers reserved to the General Trust Committee under
Section 5.3 of Article V hereof. In the event of the unavailability, at such
time, of a minimum of two members of the then incumbent Executive Committee, any
three available directors shall constitute the Executive Committee for the full
conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Association in
accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section. This By-law shall be
subject to implementation by resolutions of the Board of Directors passed from
time to time for that purpose, and any provisions of these By-laws (other than
this section) and any resolutions which are contrary to the provisions of this
section or to the provisions of any such implementary resolutions shall be
suspended until it shall be determined by an interim Executive Committee acting
under this section that it shall be to the advantage of this Association to
resume the conduct and management of its affairs and business under all of the
other provisions of these By-laws.

                               Officer Succession

      BE IT RESOLVED, that if consequent upon war or warlike damage or disaster,
the Chief Executive Officer of this Association cannot be located by the then
acting Head Officer or is 


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unable to assume or to continue normal executive duties, then the authority and
duties of the Chief Executive Officer shall, without further action of the Board
of Directors, be automatically assumed by one of the following persons in the
order designated:

      Chairman
      President
      Division Head/Area Administrator - Within this officer class, officers
      shall take seniority on the basis of length of service in such office or,
      in the event of equality, length of service as an officer of the
      Association.

      Any one of the above persons who in accordance with this resolution
assumes the authority and duties of the Chief Executive Officer shall continue
to serve until he resigns or until five-sixths of the other officers who are
attached to the then acting Head Office decide in writing he is unable to
perform said duties or until the elected Chief Executive Officer of this
Association, or a person higher on the above list, shall become available to
perform the duties of Chief Executive Officer of the Association.

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that anyone dealing with this Association may
accept a certification by any three officers that a specified individual is
acting as Chief Executive Officer in accordance with this resolution; and that
anyone accepting such certification may continue to consider it in force until
notified in writing of a change, said notice of change to carry the signatures
of three officers of the Association.

                               Alternate Locations

      The offices of the Association at which its business shall be conducted
shall be the main office thereof in each city which is designated as a City
Office (and branches, if any), and any other legally authorized location which
may be leased or acquired by this Association to carry on its business. During
an emergency resulting in any authorized place of business of this Association
being unable to function, the business ordinarily conducted at such location
shall be relocated elsewhere in suitable quarters, in addition to or in lieu of
the locations heretofore mentioned, as may be designated by the Board of
Directors or by the Executive Committee or by such persons as are then, in
accordance with resolutions adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors
dealing with the exercise of authority in the time of such emergency, conducting
the affairs of this Association. Any temporarily relocated place of business of
this Association shall be returned to its legally authorized location as soon as
practicable and such temporary place of business shall then be discontinued.

                               Acting Head Offices

      BE IT RESOLVED, that in case of and provided because of war or warlike
damage or disaster, the General Office of this Association, located in
Charlotte, North Carolina, is unable temporarily to continue its functions, the
Raleigh office, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, shall automatically and
without further action of this Board of Directors, become the "Acting Head
Office of this Association";


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      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if by reason of said war or warlike damage or
disaster, both the General Office of this Association and the said Raleigh
Office of this Association are unable to carry on their functions, then and in
such case, the Asheville Office of this Association, located in Asheville, North
Carolina, shall, without further action of this Board of Directors, become the
"Acting Head Office of this Association"; and if neither the Raleigh Office nor
the Asheville Office can carry on their functions, then the Greensboro Office of
this Association, located in Greensboro, North Carolina, shall, without further
action of this Board of Directors, become the "Acting Head Office of this
Association"; and if neither the Raleigh Office, the Asheville Office, nor the
Greensboro Office can carry on their functions, then the Lumberton Office of
this Association, located in Lumberton, North Carolina, shall, without further
action of this Board of Directors, become the "Acting Head Office of this
Association". The Head Office shall resume its functions at its legally
authorized location as soon as practicable.


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<PAGE>   1
                                                                       EXHIBIT 6


                               CONSENT OF TRUSTEE

      Under section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and
in connection with the proposed issuance by American Residential Eagle, Inc. of
its Collateralized Callable Mortgage Bonds, First Union National Bank as the
trustee herein named, hereby consents that reports of examinations of said
Trustee by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished
by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests
therefor.

                                       FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK


                                       By:        /s/ Pablo de la Canal
                                          --------------------------------------
                                       Name:      Pablo de la Canal
                                            ------------------------------------
                                       Title:     Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------


Dated: May 29, 1998



<PAGE>   1
<TABLE>
<S>                                                     <C>
Legal Title of Bank: First Union National Bank          Call Date: 12/31/97  ST-BK:  37-0351   FFIEC 031
Address:             Two First Union Center                                                    Page RC-1
City, State, Zip:    Charlotte, NC  28288-0201
FDIC Certificate #:  04885
</TABLE>



                                                                       EXHIBIT 7

CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR MARCH 31, 1998

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars. Unless otherwise
indicated, report the amount outstanding as of the last business day of the
quarter.

SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                    C400
                                                                          Dollar Amount  in Thousands  RCFD Bil Mil Thou
<S>                                                                             <C>         <C>        <C>     <C>             <C>
ASSETS                                                                                                 /////////////////////////
 1.  Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule RC-A):                          /////////////////////////
      a.   Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin (1)..................................... 0081      7,346,667      1.a.
      b.   Interest-bearing balances (2).............................................................. 0071         12,481      1.b.
 2.  Securities:                                                                                       /////////////////////////
      a.   Held-to-maturity securities (from Schedule RC-B, column A)................................. 1754      1,937,159      2.a.
      b.   Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D)............................... 1773     31,508,601      2.b.
 3.  Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell..........................  1350      4,501,133      3.
 4.  Loans and lease financing receivables                                                             /////////////////////////
      a.   Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule RC-C)........RCFD 2122   98,043,231 /////////////////////////4.a.
      b.   LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses............................RCFD 3123    1,213,121 /////////////////////////4.b.
      c.   LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve................................RCFD 3128            0 /////////////////////////4.c.
      d.   Loans and leases, net of unearned income,                                                   /////////////////////////
           allowance, and reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c)........................................ 2125     96,830,110      4.d.
 5.  Trading assets (from Schedule RC-D).............................................................  3545      3,818,431      5.
 6.  Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)........................................  2145      2,660,908      6.
 7.  Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M)....................................................  2150        112,869      7.
 8.  Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies (from Schedule RC-M)........  2130        269,234      8.
 9.  Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding....................................  2155        575,447      9.
10.  Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M)..........................................................  2143      2,896,263     10.
11.  Other assets (from Schedule RC-F)...............................................................  2160      7,274,331     11.
12.  Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11)........................................................  2170    159,743,634     12.
</TABLE>

- ----------
(1) Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits. 
(2) Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.


                                       1
<PAGE>   2
<TABLE>
<S>                                                     <C>
Legal Title of Bank: First Union National Bank          Call Date: 12/31/97  ST-BK:  37-0351   FFIEC 031
Address:             Two First Union Center                                                    Page RC-1
City, State, Zip:    Charlotte, NC  28288-0201
FDIC Certificate #:  04885
</TABLE>



Schedule RC--Continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Dollar Amount    in Thousands    Bil Mil Thou
                                                                       -------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                                                    <C>              <C>             <C>    
LIABILITIES                                                                                         //////////////////////
13.  Deposits:                                                                                      //////////////////////
      a.   In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C from Schedule RC-E,                //////////////////////
           part I)................................................................................. RCON 2200  101,438,219  13.a.
           (1)  Noninterest-bearing (1)................................RCON 6631         19,061,893 //////////////////////  13.a.(1)
           (2)  Interest-bearing.......................................RCON 6636         82,376,326 //////////////////////  13.a.(2)
      b.   In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs (from Schedule RC-E,       //////////////////////
           part II)................................................................................ RCFN 2200    5,487,257  13.b.
           (1)  Noninterest-bearing....................................RCFN 6631             29,619 //////////////////////  13.b.(1)
           (2)  Interest-bearing.......................................RCFN 6636          5,457,638 //////////////////////  13.b.(2)
14.  Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase.................... RCFD 2800   24,525,123  14.
15.   a.   Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury................................................ RCON 2840      426,758  15.a.
      b.   Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D)................................................ RCFD 3548    4,547,787  15.b.
16.  Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under                     //////////////////////
     capitalized leases):.......................................................................... //////////////////////
      a.   With a remaining maturity of one year or less........................................... RCFD 2332    3,391,194  16.a.
      b.   With a remaining maturity of more than one year through three years..................... RCFD A547      635,109  16.b.
      c.   With a remaining maturity of more than three years...................................... RCFD A548      416,618  16.c.
17.  Not applicable................................................................................ //////////////////////
18.  Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding...................................... RCFD 2920      575,222  18.
19.  Subordinated notes and debentures (2)......................................................... RCFD 3200    2,797,773  19.
20.  Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)........................................................ RCFD 2930    3,662,892  20.
21.  Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20)................................................ RCFD 2948  147,903,952  21.
22.  Not applicable................................................................................ //////////////////////
EQUITY CAPITAL                                                                                      //////////////////////
23.  Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus................................................. RCFD 3838      160,540  23.
24.  Common stock.................................................................................. RCFD 3230       82,795  24.
25.  Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)...................................... RCFD 3839    8,532,323  25.
26.  a.    Undivided profits and capital reserves.................................................. RCFD 3632    2,823,904  26.a.
     b.    Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities.................. RCFD 8434      240,120  26.b.
27.  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments........................................... RCFD 3284            0  27.
28.  Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27)............................................. RCFD 3210   11,839,682  28.
29.  Total liabilities and equity capital (sum of items 21 and 28)................................. RCFD 3300  159,743,634  29.

Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.
 1.  Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that best describes the
      most comprehensive level of auditing work performed for the bank by independent external                          Number
      auditors as of any date during 1996.......................................................... RCFD 6724  N/A       M.1.
</TABLE>


1 =   Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance with generally
      accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting firm which
      submits a report on the bank
  
2 =   Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company conducted in
      accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified
      public accounting firm which submits a report on the consolidated holding
      company (but not on the bank separately)
  
3 =   Directors' examination of the bank conducted in accordance with
      generally accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting
      firm (may be required by state chartering authority)
  
  
4 =   Directors' examination of the bank performed by other external auditors
      (may be required by state chartering authority)
  
5 =   Review of the bank's financial statements by external auditors
  
6 =   Compilation of the bank's financial statements by external auditors
  
7 =   Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work)
 
8 =   No external audit work


- ----------

(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings
    deposit. 
(2) Includes limited-life preferred stock and related surplus.


                                       2


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