TJX COMPANIES INC /DE/
S-3, 1995-06-07
VARIETY STORES
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<PAGE>   1
      AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 7, 1995
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 33-
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM S-3
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                            THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

              DELAWARE                                     04-2207613
   State or other jurisdiction of                       (I.R.S. Employer
   incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)
 
      770 COCHITUATE ROAD, FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 01701  (508) 390-1000
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                               DONALD G. CAMPBELL
                         SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT--FINANCE
                            The TJX Companies, Inc.
                              770 Cochituate Road
                        Framingham, Massachusetts 01701
                                 (508) 390-1000
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                        of agent for service of process)

                            ------------------------
                                   COPIES TO:
 
        ARTHUR G. SILER, ESQ.                        KIRK A. DAVENPORT, ESQ.
             ROPES & GRAY                                LATHAM & WATKINS
       One International Place                           885 Third Avenue
     Boston, Massachusetts 02110                     New York, New York 10022
            (617) 951-7000                                (212) 906-1200
 
                            ------------------------
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:  From time
to time or at one time after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.
 
     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box./ /
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are being offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  /X/
<TABLE>
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                     Proposed        Proposed
                                     Amount          maximum          maximum
  Title of each class of              to be       offering price     aggregate       Amount of
  securities to be registered      registered      per unit(1)   offering price(1) registration fee
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>                   <C>         <C>                <C>
Debt Securities...............   $232,500,000(2)       100%        $232,500,000       $80,173
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN> 
(1) Estimated solely for the purposes of determining the registration fee in
    accordance with Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933 and exclusive of
    accrued interest, if any.
(2) If any Debt Securities are issued at an original issue discount, the net
    proceeds to be received by The TJX Companies, Inc. shall be deemed to be the
    amount to be registered (excluding any fees and commissions). Any offering
    of Debt Securities denominated other than in U.S. dollars will be treated as
    the equivalent in U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate applicable to the
    purchase of such Debt Securities from The TJX Companies, Inc.
</TABLE>
     Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933, the Prospectus
included herein also relates to a total of $17,500,000 of Debt Securities of the
registrant that are registered under Registration Statement No. 33-50259, which
was declared effective on October 6, 1993. In the event any of such previously
registered Debt Securities are offered and sold prior to the effective date of
this Registration Statement, the amount of such Debt Securities will not be
included in any Prospectus hereunder.
 
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FUTURE AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
            PROSPECTUS (SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, ISSUED JUNE 7, 1995)
 
                                  $250,000,000
 
                            THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.
 
                                DEBT SECURITIES
                            ------------------------
 
     The TJX Companies, Inc. ("TJX" or the "Company") intends to issue from time
to time up to $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its debt securities
(the "Debt Securities"), or if any Debt Securities are issued at an original
issue discount, such greater amount as shall result in net proceeds to TJX of
$250,000,000, which will be offered to the public on terms determined by market
conditions at the time of sale. The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more
series with the same or various maturities at par, at a premium, or with an
original issue discount. When particular Debt Securities are offered, a
prospectus supplement ("Prospectus Supplement"), together with this Prospectus,
will be delivered setting forth the terms of such Debt Securities, including,
where applicable, the specific designation, aggregate principal amount,
denominations, maturity, rate and taxability of any interest (or manner of
calculation thereof) and time of payment thereof, any redemption provisions, the
initial public offering price and any other specific terms in connection with
the offering and sale of such Debt Securities. Each Debt Security will be
represented by either a permanent Global Security (a "Global Debt Security")
registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, as Depositary (the
"Depositary"), or a nominee of the Depositary (each such Debt Security
represented by a Global Debt Security being referred to herein as a "Book-Entry
Debt Security"), or a certificate issued in definitive form and registered in
the name of the holder or its nominee (each such Debt Security represented by a
certificate issued in definitive form, a "Certificated Debt Security"), as set
forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Interests in Book-Entry Debt
Securities will be shown on, and transfer thereof will be effected only through,
records maintained by the Depositary and its participants. Book-Entry Debt
Securities will not be issuable as Certificated Debt Securities except under the
circumstances described herein.
 
                            ------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
    EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
       COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
         ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
                     TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                            ------------------------
 
     The Company may sell Debt Securities through underwriters, dealers or
agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. The Prospectus Supplement will
set forth the names of underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, any applicable
commissions or discounts and the net proceeds to the Company from any such sale.
See "Plan of Distribution" for possible indemnification arrangements for
underwriters, dealers, agents and purchasers.
 

June   , 1995
<PAGE>   3
 
     NO DEALER, SALESMAN, OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY TJX OR ANY UNDERWRITER, DEALER OR AGENT. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE AN
IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF TJX SINCE THE DATE
HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION
OF AN OFFER TO BUY SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     TJX is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance therewith,
files periodic reports, proxy materials and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
materials and other information filed by TJX can be inspected and copied at the
public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices at 7
World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048, and Citicorp Center,
500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of
such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. In addition, similar information concerning TJX
can be inspected at the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New
York, New York 10005.
 
     This Prospectus constitutes a part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3
(together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, the "Registration
Statement") filed by TJX with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the securities offered
hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all the information included in the
Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information, reference
is made to such Registration Statement and to the exhibits thereto.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                    INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     TJX's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 1995
and TJX's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended April 29,
1995 are incorporated in this Prospectus by reference. All documents filed by
the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering
made hereby shall be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and shall be
deemed to be a part of this Prospectus from the date of filing of such
documents. See "Available Information." Any statement contained in a document
incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to
the extent that a statement contained in this Prospectus or in any other
subsequently filed incorporated document or Prospectus Supplement modifies or
supersedes such statement. TJX will provide, upon request, without charge to
each person to whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, a copy of any
or all of the documents that have been or may be incorporated in this Prospectus
by reference, other than certain exhibits to such documents. Requests for such
copies should be directed to: The TJX Companies, Inc., 770 Cochituate Road,
Framingham, Massachusetts 01701 (telephone 508 390-2309), Attention: Sherry
Lang, Manager of Investor Relations.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                            THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.
 
     TJX is a major off-price specialty apparel retailer. TJX operates its
off-price businesses through the T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods and Hit or Miss chains and
the Chadwick's of Boston ("Chadwick's") mail order catalog in the United States,
and the Winners Apparel Ltd. ("Winners") chain in Canada. TJX is also developing
T.K. Maxx, an off-price apparel concept in the United Kingdom.
 
     TJX was incorporated in the State of Delaware in April 1962. Its principal
executive offices are located at 770 Cochituate Road, Framingham, Massachusetts
01701, (Telephone 508 390-1000).
 
                 RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     THIRTEEN WEEKS                  FISCAL YEAR ENDED
                                         ENDED          -------------------------------------------
                                  --------------------   JAN.     JAN.     JAN.     JAN.     JAN.
                                  APRIL 30,  APRIL 29,    26,      25,      30,      29,      28,
                                    1994       1995      1991     1992     1993     1994     1995
                                  ---------  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
<S>                               <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
  Charges........................   2.50x      1.58x     2.85x    2.69x    3.27x    3.82x    2.54x
</TABLE>
 
     For the purpose of computing the consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings represent income from continuing operations plus provision for
taxes, interest expense and a portion of rentals which is considered
representative of the interest factor. "Fixed charges" represents interest
expense, capitalized interest, and the interest portion of rentals.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds from the sale of the Debt Securities may be applied by TJX
for any or all of the following purposes: repayment of scheduled maturities of
outstanding long-term debt maturing through January 1998 in the approximate
amount of $93 million, new store and other capital expenditures and general
corporate purposes.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The Debt Securities offered hereby are to be issued under an Indenture,
dated as of September 15, 1993 (the "Indenture"), between TJX and The First
National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (the "Trustee"). The following summary of
certain provisions of the Indenture, a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement, does not purport to be complete and is subject to,
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all provisions of the
Indenture, including the definition therein of certain terms. Wherever
particular sections or defined terms of the Indenture are referred to, it is
intended that such sections or defined terms shall be incorporated herein by
reference.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Debt Securities will rank equally with all other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of TJX.
 
     The Debt Securities that may be offered under the Indenture are not limited
in amount. As of June 1, 1995, TJX had an aggregate of $57,500,000 in principal
amount of Debt Securities outstanding under the Indenture.
 
     The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series with the same or
various maturities, at par, at a premium, or with an original issue discount.
The Prospectus Supplement will set forth the initial offering price, the
aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the Debt Securities in
respect of which this Prospectus is delivered: (1) the title of such Debt
Securities; (2) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of such Debt
Securities; (3) the date or dates on which principal on such Debt Securities
will be payable; (4) the rate or rates and, if applicable, the method used to
determine the rate including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange
index or financial index, at which such Debt Securities will bear interest, if
any, the date or dates from which such interest will accrue, the dates on which
such interest shall be payable
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
and the record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date; (5)
the place or places where principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such
Debt Securities will be payable; (6) the period or periods within which, the
price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Debt
Securities may be redeemed; (7) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem
or purchase the Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
provisions or at the option of a holder thereof; (8) the denominations of such
Debt Securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof; (9) the portion of principal amount of such Debt Securities that shall
be payable upon acceleration, if other than the principal amount thereof; (10)
the currency of denomination of such Debt Securities; (11) the designation of
the currency or currencies in which payment of principal of and interest on such
Debt Securities will be made; (12) the manner in which the amounts of payment of
principal of premium, if any, or interest on such Debt Securities will be
determined, if such amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on
a currency or currencies other than that in which the Debt Securities are
denominated or designated to be payable or by reference to a commodity,
commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index; (13) if payments of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities are to be made
in currency other than the denominated currency, the manner in which the
exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined; (14) any other
terms of such Debt Securities, which other terms will not be inconsistent with
the provisions of the Indenture; and (15) any depositaries, interest rate
calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with
respect to the Debt Securities other than those originally appointed. (Indenture
sec.2.2) The Prospectus Supplement will set forth any federal income tax,
accounting or special considerations applicable to the Debt Securities.
 
PAYMENT OF INTEREST AND EXCHANGE
 
     Each Debt Security will be issued as a Certificated Debt Security,
registered in the name of the holder or its nominee, or as a Book-Entry Debt
Security represented by a Global Debt Security registered in the name of the
Depositary or its nominee.
 
  Certificated Debt Securities
 
     Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Certificated Debt Securities
will be payable to the Holders thereof at the principal office of the Trustee in
Chicago, Illinois, or at any paying agency, as defined in the Indenture,
maintained at the time by TJX for such purpose. At the option of TJX, payment of
interest on Certificated Debt Securities may be made by check mailed to the
address of the record holder thereof (the "Holder") as of the applicable record
date as such address appears in the Certificated Debt Securities Register.
Certificated Debt Securities may be transferred or exchanged at the
aforementioned Trustee's office or paying agencies in accordance with the terms
of the Indenture. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of
Certificated Debt Securities, but TJX may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Certificated Debt Securities will not be exchangeable for Book-Entry Debt
Securities, except under the circumstances described below under "Global Debt
Securities and Book-Entry System." (Indenture sec.sec.2.4 and 2.7)
 
     The transfer of Certificated Debt Securities and the right to the principal
of premium, if any, and interest on such Certificated Debt Securities may be
effected only by surrender of the old certificate representing such Certificated
Debt Securities and either reissuance by TJX or the Trustee of the old
certificate to the new Holder or the issuance by TJX or the Trustee of a new
certificate to the new Holder.
 
  Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System
 
     Upon issuance, all Book-Entry Debt Securities having the same Issue Date,
interest rate, if any, amortization schedule, if any, maturity date and other
terms, if any, will be represented by one or more Global Debt Securities. Each
Global Debt Security representing Book-Entry Debt Securities will be deposited
with, or on behalf of, the Depositary, and registered in the name of the
Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. Book-Entry Debt Securities will not
be exchangeable for Certificated Debt Securities and will not otherwise be
issuable as Certificated Debt Securities.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
     The procedures that the Depositary has indicated it intends to follow with
respect to Book-Entry Debt Securities are set forth below.
 
     Ownership of beneficial interests in a Book-Entry Debt Securities will be
limited to persons that have accounts with the Depositary for the related Global
Debt Security ("participants") or persons that may hold interests through
participants. Upon the issuance of a Global Debt Security, the Depositary will
credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants'
accounts with the respective principal amounts of the Book-Entry Debt Securities
represented by such Global Debt Security beneficially owned by such
participants. The accounts to be credited shall be designated by any dealers,
underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of such Book-Entry Debt
Securities. Ownership of Book-Entry Debt Securities will be shown on, and the
transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records
maintained by the Depositary for the related Global Debt Security (with respect
to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect
to interests of persons holding through participants). The laws of some states
may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such
securities in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability
to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in Book-Entry Debt Securities.
 
     So long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of such
Global Debt Security, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will
be considered the sole owner or holder of the Book-Entry Debt Securities
represented by such Global Debt Security for all purposes under the Indenture.
Except as set forth below, owners of Book-Entry Debt Securities will not be
entitled to have such securities registered in their names, will not receive or
be entitled to receive physical delivery of a certificate in definitive form
representing such securities and will not be considered the owners or holders
thereof under the Indenture. Accordingly, each person owning Book-Entry Debt
Securities must rely on the procedures of the Depositary and, if such person is
not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such
person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the
Indenture. TJX understands that under existing industry practices, if TJX
requests any action of holders or if an owner of Book-Entry Debt Securities
desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or take
under the Indenture, the Depositary would authorize the participants holding the
relevant Book-Entry Debt Securities to give or take such action, and such
participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants
to give or take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of
beneficial owners holding through them.
 
     Payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on Book-Entry Debt
Securities will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as
the registered holder of the related Global Debt Security. None of TJX, the
Trustee or any other agent of TJX or agent of the Trustee will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such Global Debt
Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to
such beneficial ownership interests.
 
     TJX expects that the Depositary, upon receipt of any payment of principal,
premium, if any, or interest on a Global Debt Security, will immediately credit
participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to the respective
amount of Book-Entry Debt Securities held by each such participant as shown on
the records of the Depositary. TJX also expects that payments by participants to
owners of beneficial interests in Book-Entry Debt Securities held through such
participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary
practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of
customers in bearer form or registered in "street name," and will be the
responsibility of such participants.
 
     If the Depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as
Depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act,
and a successor Depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange
Act is not appointed by TJX within 90 days, TJX will issue Certificated Debt
Securities in exchange for such Global Debt Security. In addition, TJX may at
any time and in its sole discretion determine not to have any of the Book-Entry
Debt Securities represented by one or more Global Debt Securities and, in such
event, will issue Certificated Debt Securities in exchange for such Global Debt
Security or Securities. Any Certificated Debt Securities issued in exchange for
a Global Debt Security will be registered in such
 
                                        5

<PAGE>   7
 
name or names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. It is expected that
such instructions will be based upon directions received by the Depositary from
participants with respect to ownership of Book-Entry Debt Securities relating to
such Global Debt Security.
 
     The foregoing information in this section concerning the Depositary and the
Depositary's Book-Entry System has been obtained from sources the Company
believes to be reliable, but the Company takes no responsibility for the
accuracy thereof.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF TJX
 
     Restrictions on Liens.  TJX will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, issue, assume or guarantee any Indebtedness secured by any
mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or other encumbrance (herein referred
to as a "Mortgage" or "Mortgages") upon any Operating Property or Operating
Asset of TJX or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Operating Property or
Operating Asset is now owned or hereafter acquired, without in any such case
effectively providing concurrently with the issuance, assumption or guarantee of
any such Indebtedness that the Debt Securities (together with, if TJX shall so
determine, any other Indebtedness ranking equally with the Debt Securities other
than Debt Securities not having the benefit of this provision) shall be secured
equally and ratably with such Indebtedness, except that the foregoing
restrictions shall not apply to: (i) the giving, within 180 days after the later
of the acquisition or completion of construction or completion of substantial
reconstruction, renovation, remodeling, expansion or improvement (each a
"substantial improvement") of such property, and the placing in operation of
such property after the acquisition or completion of any such construction or
substantial improvement, of any purchase money Mortgage (including security for
bankers acceptances and similar inventory financings in the ordinary course of
business and vendors' rights under purchase contracts under an agreement whereby
title is retained for the purpose of securing the purchase price thereof), or
the acquiring of property not theretofore owned by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary subject to any then existing Mortgage securing
Indebtedness (whether or not assumed) including Indebtedness incurred for
reimbursement of funds previously expended for any such purpose, provided that
in each case (x) such Mortgage is limited to such property, including accretions
thereto and any such construction or substantial improvement (or, with respect
to bankers acceptances and similar inventory financings in the ordinary course
of business, any inventory acquired by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
during the 180-day period immediately preceding the date of creation of such
Mortgage); (y) the principal amount of the Indebtedness being incurred that is
secured by such Mortgage shall not exceed the cost of such acquired property,
construction or substantial improvement, as the case may be; and (z) the
principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Mortgage, together with all
other Indebtedness to persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
secured by Mortgages on such property, shall not exceed the lesser of the total
costs of such property, including any such construction or substantial
improvement, to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or the fair market value
thereof immediately following the acquisition, construction or substantial
improvement thereof by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) the giving
by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of a Mortgage on real property that is
the sole security for Indebtedness (w) incurred within three years after the
latest of (1) September 15, 1993, (2) the date of acquisition of such real
property or (3) the date of completion of construction or substantial
improvement made thereon by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, (x)
incurred for the purpose of reimbursing itself for the cost of acquisition
and/or the cost of improvement of such real property, (y) the amount of which
does not exceed the lesser of the aggregate cost of such real property and
improvements or the fair market value thereof, and (z) the holder of which shall
be entitled to enforce payment of such Indebtedness solely by resorting to the
security therefor, without any liability on the part of the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary for any deficiency; (iii) any Mortgage on assets of the
Company or any Subsidiary existing on the date of the Indenture or any Mortgage
on the assets of a Restricted Subsidiary on the date it became a Subsidiary or
any Mortgage on the assets of a Subsidiary that is newly designated as a
Restricted Subsidiary, if such Mortgage was created while such Subsidiary was a
Non-Restricted Subsidiary, and such Mortgage would have been permitted under the
provisions of this paragraph if such Subsidiary had been a Restricted Subsidiary
at the time such Mortgage was created; (iv) any Mortgage incurred in connection
with any refunding or extension of Indebtedness secured by a Mortgage permitted
under clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, provided that the principal amount of the
refinancing or extending
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness so
refunded or extended and that such Mortgage applies only to the same property or
assets subject to the prior permitted Mortgage and fixtures and building
improvements thereon (and if the prior Mortgage was incurred under clause (ii)
above, the requirements of clause (z) thereof are satisfied), or (v) any
Mortgage given in favor of the Company or any Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary. (Indenture sec.4.5(a)) On September 15, 1993, no Operating Property
was subject to any Mortgage.
 
     Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.  Without equally and
ratably securing the Debt Securities, TJX will not, nor will it permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement with any person providing
for the leasing by TJX or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Operating Property or
Operating Asset that has been or is to be sold or transferred by TJX or such
Restricted Subsidiary to such person subsequent to September 15, 1993 with the
intention of taking back a lease of such property (a "Sale and Leaseback
Transaction") unless the terms of such sale or transfer have been determined by
TJX's Board of Directors to be fair and arms' length and, within 180 days after
the receipt of the proceeds of such sale or transfer, TJX or any Restricted
Subsidiary applies an amount equal to the greater of the net proceeds of such
sale or transfer or the fair value of such Operating Property or Operating Asset
at the time of such sale or transfer to the prepayment or retirement (other than
any mandatory prepayment or retirement) of Senior Funded Debt of TJX or such
Restricted Subsidiary. The foregoing restriction will not apply to (i) any Sale
and Leaseback Transaction for a term of not more than three years including
renewals, (ii) any Sale and Leaseback Transaction with respect to Operating
Property if a binding commitment with respect thereto is entered into within
three years after the date such property was acquired (as the term "acquired" is
used in the definition of Operating Property) or any Sale and Leaseback
Transaction with respect to Operating Assets if a binding commitment with
respect thereto is entered into within 180 days after the later of the date such
property was acquired and, if applicable, the date such property was first
placed in operation, or (iii) any Sale and Leaseback Transaction between TJX and
a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries provided that the
lessor shall be TJX or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary. (Indenture
sec.4.6(a))
 
     Exempted Debt.  Notwithstanding the restrictions on Mortgages and Sale and
Leaseback Transactions described above under "Restrictions on Liens" and
"Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions," TJX or its Restricted
Subsidiaries may, in addition to amounts permitted under such restrictions,
create or assume Mortgages, and renew, extend or replace such Mortgages, or
enter into Sale and Leaseback Transactions, provided that, after giving effect
thereto, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Exempted Debt of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net
Tangible Assets. (Indenture sec.sec.4.5(b) and 4.6(b))
 
     Maintenance of Properties.  The Company will cause all properties used or
useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be
maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied
with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs,
renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the
judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in
connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times,
provided that the Company may discontinue the operation or maintenance of any of
such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company,
desirable in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary and
not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders of the Debt
Securities.
 
     Payment of Taxes and other Claims.  The Company will pay or discharge or
cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all
taxes, assessments and governmental charges in excess of $250,000 levied or
imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or
property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2) all lawful claims for labor,
materials and supplies in excess of $250,000 which, if unpaid, might by law
become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary, provided that
the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or
discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability
or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
     No Special Protection in the Event of a Highly Leveraged
Transaction.  Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating
thereto, the terms of the Debt Securities will not afford the holders special
protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
     Set forth below are certain significant terms which are defined in Section
1.1 of the Indenture:
 
     "Attributable Debt" in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means,
at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the imputed rate
of interest of such transaction determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles) of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments
during the remaining term of the lease included in such arrangement (including
any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the
lessor, be extended). The term "net rental payments" under any lease for any
period shall mean the sum of the rental and other payments required to be paid
in such period by the lessee thereunder, not including any amounts required to
be paid by such lessee (whether or not designated as rental or additional
rental) on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments,
water rates or similar charges required to be paid by such lessee thereunder or
any amounts required to be paid by such lessee thereunder contingent upon the
amount of sales, maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water
rates or similar charges.
 
     "Capitalized Lease Obligations" means obligations created pursuant to
leases that are required to be shown on the liability side of a balance sheet in
accordance with FASB Statement No. 13, "Accounting for Leases," as amended and
interpreted, or any successor or comparable accounting standard.
 
     "consolidated" when used with respect to any of the terms defined in the
Indenture, refers to such terms as reflected in a consolidation of the accounts
of TJX and its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
     "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the total amount of assets (less
depreciation and valuation reserves and other reserves and items deductible from
the gross book value of specific asset accounts under generally accepted
accounting principles) that under generally accepted accounting principles would
be included on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, after deducting therefrom (i) all liability items except Funded
Debt, Capitalized Lease Obligations, stockholders' equity and reserves for
deferred income taxes, (ii) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents,
unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles (other than
leasehold costs and investments in so-called safe harbor leases), which in each
such case would be so included on such balance sheet, and (iii) all amounts
which would be so included on such balance sheet in respect of Investments (less
applicable reserves) in Non-Restricted Subsidiaries in excess of the amount of
such Investments at July 31, 1993. As of July 31, 1993, the amount of
Investments in Non-Restricted Subsidiaries totaled approximately $315 million.
 
     "Default" means any event that is or with the passage of time or the giving
of notice or both would be an Event of Default.
 
     "Exempted Debt" means the sum of the following items outstanding as of the
date Exempted Debt is being determined: (i) Indebtedness for money borrowed of
TJX and its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred after the date of the Indenture and
secured by liens created or assumed or permitted to exist pursuant to Section
4.5(b) of the Indenture, and (ii) Attributable Debt of TJX and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in respect of all Sale and Leaseback Transactions entered into
pursuant to Section 4.6(b) of the Indenture.
 
     "Funded Debt" of any person means Indebtedness, whether incurred, assumed
or guaranteed, maturing by its terms more than one year from the date of
creation thereof, or that is extendable or renewable at the sole option of the
obligor so that it may become payable more than one year from the date of
creation thereof; provided, however, that Funded Debt shall not include (i)
obligations created pursuant to leases, (ii) any Indebtedness or portion thereof
maturing by its terms within one year from the time of any computation of the
amount of outstanding Funded Debt unless such Indebtedness shall be extendable
or renewable at the sole option of the obligor in such manner that it may become
payable more than one year from such time, or (iii)
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
any Indebtedness for the payment or redemption of which money in the necessary
amount shall have deposited in trust either at or before the maturity date
thereof.
 
     "Indebtedness" of any person means indebtedness for borrowed money and
indebtedness under purchase money mortgages or other purchase money liens or
conditional sales or similar title retention agreements, in each case where such
indebtedness has been created, incurred, or assumed by such person to the extent
such indebtedness would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such
Person prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
guarantees by such Person of such indebtedness, and indebtedness for borrowed
money secured by any mortgage, pledge or other lien or encumbrance upon property
owned by such person, even though such person has not assumed or become liable
for the payment of such indebtedness.
 
     "Investment" means and includes any investment in stock, evidences of
indebtedness, loans or advances, however made or acquired, but shall not include
accounts receivable of TJX or of any Restricted Subsidiary arising from
transactions in the ordinary course of business, or any evidences of
indebtedness, loans or advances made in connection with the sale to any
Subsidiary of accounts receivable of TJX or any Restricted Subsidiary arising
from transactions in the ordinary course of business of TJX or any Restricted
Subsidiary.
 
     "Non-Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary other than a Restricted
Subsidiary.
 
     "Operating Assets" means all merchandise inventories, furniture, fixtures
and equipment (including all transportation and warehousing equipment but
excluding office equipment and data processing equipment) owned by TJX or a
Restricted Subsidiary.
 
     "Operating Property" means all real property and improvements thereon owned
by TJX or a Restricted Subsidiary constituting, without limitation, any store,
warehouse, service center or distribution center wherever located; provided that
such term shall not include any store, warehouse, service center or distribution
center that TJX's Board of Directors declares by resolution not to be of
material importance to the business of TJX and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Operating Property is treated as having been "acquired" on the day the Operating
Property is placed in operation by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after
the later of (a) its acquisition from a third party, including a Non-Restricted
Subsidiary, (b) completion of its original construction or (c) completion of its
substantial reconstruction, renovation, remodeling, expansion or improvement
(whether or not constituting an Operating Property prior to such reconstruction,
renovation, remodeling, expansion or improvement).
 
     "Restricted Subsidiaries" means any Subsidiary so designated by the Board
of Directors or duly authorized officers of TJX in accordance with the Indenture
provided that (a) the Board of Directors or duly authorized officers of the
Company may, subject to certain limitations, designate any Non-Restricted
Subsidiary and (b) any Subsidiary of which the majority of the voting stock is
owned directly or indirectly by one or more Non-Restricted Subsidiaries shall be
a Non-Restricted Subsidiary. As of June 1, 1995, TJX had no Restricted
Subsidiaries, and TJX will have no Restricted Subsidiaries as of the closing of
the offering of the Debt Securities offered hereby.
 
     "Subsidiary" means a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting
stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by TJX or by one or more other
Subsidiaries, or by TJX and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of
this definition, "voting stock" means stock that ordinarily has voting power for
the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior
class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
 
     "Senior Funded Debt" means all Funded Debt of TJX or any person, except
Funded Debt the payment of which is subordinated in the manner provided in the
Indenture to the payment of the Debt Securities.
 
MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION
 
     The Indenture provides that TJX may, without the consent of the Holders of
the Debt Securities, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation, or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety
to any person, provided that in any such case (i) the successor shall be a
domestic corporation and such corporation shall assume by a supplemental
indenture TJX's obligations under the
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
Indenture and the Debt Securities, (ii) immediately after such transaction, and
treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of TJX or a Subsidiary as a
result of such transaction as having been incurred by TJX or such Subsidiary at
the time of such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have happened
and be continuing, and (iii) if as a result of any such transaction properties
or assets of TJX would become subject to a Mortgage that would not be permitted
under the Indenture, the Debt Securities would be secured, equally and ratably
with (or prior to) all Indebtedness so secured. Upon compliance with these
provisions by a successor corporation, TJX (except in the case of a lease) would
be relieved of its obligations under the Indenture and the Debt Securities.
(Indenture sec.sec.5.1 and 5.2)
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     The following will be Events of Default under the Indenture with respect to
Debt Securities of any series: (a) default in the payment of any interest upon
any Debt Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and
continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; (b) default in the payment
of principal of or premium, if any, on any Debt Security of that series when
due; (c) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due in
respect of any Debt Security of that series; (d) default in the performance or
breach of any other covenant or warranty of TJX in the Indenture (other than a
covenant or warranty that has been included in the Indenture solely for the
benefit of a series of Debt Securities other than that series), which default
continues uncured for a period of 60 days after written notice to the Company by
the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series as provided
in the Indenture; (e) unless the terms of such series otherwise provide, a
default under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of Indebtedness for
money borrowed by the Company (including a default with respect to Debt
Securities of any series other than that series) or under any mortgage,
indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be
secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company
(including the Indenture), whether such Indebtedness now exists or shall
hereafter be created, which default shall have resulted in such Indebtedness
becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would
otherwise have become due and payable, and the principal amount of the
Indebtedness so accelerated, together with the principal amount of all other
Indebtedness similarly accelerated, shall be $10 million or more, and such
acceleration shall not have been rescinded or annulled within a period of 10
days after there shall have been given written notice to the Company by the
Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series as provided
in the Indenture; (f) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization; and (g) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Debt
Securities of that series that is described in the Prospectus Supplement
accompanying this Prospectus. No Event of Default with respect to a particular
series of Debt Securities (except as to the certain events in bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with
respect to any other series of Debt Securities. (Indenture sec.6.1) The
occurrence of an Event of Default would constitute an event of default under
certain of TJX's existing bank lines. In addition, the occurrence of certain
Events of Default or an acceleration under the Indenture would constitute an
event of default under certain other bank lines and other indebtedness of TJX.
 
     If an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any series at the
time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the
Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
outstanding Debt Securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to TJX
(and to the Trustee if given by Holders), declare to be due and payable
immediately the principal (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are
Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in
the term of that series) and premium, if any, of all Debt Securities of that
series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from the certain events in
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified
amount) and premium, if any, of all outstanding Debt Securities shall ipso facto
become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act
on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. At any time after a declaration of
acceleration with respect to Debt Securities of any series has been made, but
before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by
the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Debt Securities of that series may, subject to the Company having paid or
deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay overdue interest and
principal which has become due other
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
than by acceleration and certain other conditions, rescind and annul such
acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated
principal and premium, if any, with respect to Debt Securities of that series
have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture. (Indenture sec.6.2) For
information as to waiver of defaults see the discussion set forth below under
"Modification and Waiver." Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement
relating to any series of Debt Securities that are Discount Securities for the
particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal
amount of such Discount Securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default
and the continuation thereof.
 
     The Indenture provides that the Trustee will be under no obligation to
exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any
Holder, unless the Trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any
loss, liability or expense. (Indenture sec.7.1(e)) Subject to certain rights of
the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Debt Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee
or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the
Debt Securities of that series. (Indenture sec.6.12)
 
     No Holder of any Debt Security of any series will have any right to
institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the Indenture
or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy thereunder,
unless such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of
a continuing Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of that series and
unless also the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
Debt Securities of that series shall have made written request, and offered
reasonable security and indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding
as trustee, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series a
direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such
proceeding within 60 days. (Indenture sec.6.7) Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Holder of any Debt Security will have an absolute and unconditional right to
receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and any interest on such
Debt Security on or after the due dates expressed in such Debt Security and to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment. (Indenture sec.6.8)
 
     The Indenture requires TJX, within 120 days after the end of each of its
fiscal years, to furnish to the Trustee a statement as to compliance with the
Indenture. (Indenture sec.4.8) The Indenture provides that the Trustee may
withhold notice to the Holders of Debt Securities of any series of any Default
or Event of Default (except in payment on any Debt Securities of such series)
with respect to Debt Securities of such series if it in good faith determines
that withholding such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Debt
Securities. (Indenture sec.7.5)
 
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
     Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by TJX and the
Trustee with the consent of the Holders of 66-2/3% in principal amount of the
outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such modifications or
amendments; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may,
without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Debt Security affected
thereby: (a) reduce the amount of Debt Securities whose Holders must consent to
an amendment or waiver; (b) change the rate of or change the time for payment of
interest (including default interest) on any Debt Security; (c) change the
principal, premium, if any, or the fixed maturity of any Debt Security; (d)
waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest
on any Debt Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Debt Securities
of any series by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the then outstanding Debt Securities of such Series and a waiver of
the payment default that resulted from such acceleration); (e) make the Debt
Security payable in currency other than that stated in the Debt Security; (f)
make any change to certain provisions of the Indenture relating to remedies or
amendments; (g) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Debt Security or
change any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of any Debt
Securities; (h) waive the provisions for determining the Dollar equivalent of
foreign currency denominated Securities in connection with actions of Holders of
Debt Securities under the Indenture; or (i) waive provisions relating to
conversion of a currency in which a judgment is rendered into another required
currency. (Indenture sec.9.3)
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
     The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt
Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all Debt Securities of
that series waive, insofar as that series is concerned, compliance by TJX with
provisions of the Indenture other than certain specified provisions. (Indenture
sec.9.2) The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt
Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities
of such series waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to such
series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal
of, premium, if any, or any interest on any Debt Security of that series or in
respect of a provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended
without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Debt Security of that
series affected. (Indenture sec.6.13)
 
DEFEASANCE OF DEBT SECURITIES OR CERTAIN COVENANTS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
 
     Defeasance and Discharge.  The Indenture provides that TJX may be
discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Debt Securities of any
series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of
Debt Securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Debt
Securities of such series, to maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for
payment in trust) upon the deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money and/or
government obligations in the same currency as such series that, through the
payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their
terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally
recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each
installment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest on and any mandatory
sinking fund payments in respect of the Debt Securities of such series on the
stated maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the Indenture
and such Debt Securities. Such discharge may occur only if: TJX has received
from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service
a ruling to the effect that Holders of the Debt Securities of such Series will
not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes
as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to
United States federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and
at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and
discharge had not occurred; and such discharge will not be applicable to any
Debt Securities of such series then listed on the New York Stock Exchange or any
other securities exchange if such deposit would cause said Debt Securities to be
de-listed as a result thereof. (Indenture sec.8.3)
 
     Defeasance of Certain Covenants.  The Indenture provides that unless
otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of Debt Securities,
upon compliance with certain conditions, (i) TJX may omit to comply with the
restrictive covenants contained in Sections 4.2 (except as to corporate
existence), 4.3 through 4.9 and Section 5.1(3) of the Indenture, including the
restrictive covenants described above under the captions "Certain Covenants of
TJX"; and (ii) cross accelerations constituting Events of Default under Section
6.1(5) shall be inapplicable to such series. The conditions include: the deposit
with the Trustee of money and/or government obligations in the same currency as
such series that, through the payment of interest and principal in respect
thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount
sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public
accountants to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on and any mandatory
sinking fund payments in respect of the Debt Securities of such series on the
stated maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the Indenture
and such Debt Securities; and the delivery to the Trustee of an opinion of
counsel to the effect that the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series
will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax
purposes as a result of such deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be
subject to United States federal income tax on the same amount and in the same
manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and
related covenant defeasance had not occurred. (Indenture sec.8.4)
 
     Defeasance and Events of Default.  In the event TJX exercises its opinion
to omit compliance with certain covenants of the Indenture with respect to any
series of Debt Securities and the Debt Securities of such series are declared
due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of
money and government obligations on deposit with the Trustee will be sufficient
to pay amounts due on the Debt Securities of such series at the time of their
stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
on the Debt Securities of such series at the time of the acceleration resulting
from such Event of Default. However, TJX shall remain liable for such payments.
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
     TJX maintains banking relationships in the ordinary course of business with
the Trustee.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
GENERAL
 
     TJX may sell the Debt Securities being offered hereby; (i) directly to
purchasers; (ii) through agents; (iii) through dealers; (iv) through
underwriters; or (v) through a combination of any such methods of sale.
 
     The distribution of the Debt Securities may be effected from time to time
in one or more transactions either: (i) at a fixed price or prices which may be
changed; (ii) at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; (iii) at prices
related to such prevailing market prices; or (iv) at negotiated prices.
 
     Offers to purchase Debt Securities may be solicited directly by TJX. Offers
to purchase Debt Securities may also be solicited by agents designated by TJX
from time to time. Any such agent, who may be deemed to be an "underwriter" as
that term is defined in the Securities Act, involved in the offer or sale of the
Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered will be named,
and any commissions payable by TJX to such agent will be set forth, in the
Prospectus Supplement.
 
     If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the Debt Securities in respect of
which this Prospectus is delivered, TJX will sell such Debt Securities to the
dealer, as principal. The dealer, who may be deemed to be an "underwriter" as
that term is defined in the Securities Act may then resell such Debt Securities
to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of
resale.
 
     If an underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sales, TJX will
execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriters at the time of sale of
them and the name of the underwriters will be set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement, which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the Debt
Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered to the public.
 
     Underwriters, dealers, agents and other persons may be entitled, under
agreements that may be entered into with TJX, to indemnification by TJX against
certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
DELAYED DELIVERY ARRANGEMENTS
 
     If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, TJX will authorize
underwriters, dealers or other persons to solicit offers by certain institutions
to purchase Debt Securities pursuant to contracts providing for payment and
delivery on a future date or dates. Institutions with which such contracts may
be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension
funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others.
The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will not be subject to
any conditions except that (a) the purchase of the Debt Securities shall not at
the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which
such purchaser is subject and (b) if the Debt Securities are also being sold to
underwriters, TJX shall have sold to such underwriters the Debt Securities not
sold for delayed delivery. The underwriters, dealers and such other persons will
not have any responsibility in respect to the validity or performance of such
contracts.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
                                 LEGAL OPINION
 
     The validity of the Debt Securities offered hereby will be passed upon for
TJX by Ropes & Gray, Boston, Massachusetts.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated balance sheets as of January 28, 1995 and January 29,
1994, and the consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash
flows for the fiscal years ended January 28, 1995, January 29, 1994 and January
30, 1993, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus have been incorporated
herein in reliance on the report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent
accountants, given on the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
                                    PART II

                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

<TABLE>
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

        The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the Registrant in connection
with the distribution of the securities being registered hereunder.  All of the
amounts shown are estimates, except the Securities and Exchange Commission
registration fee.

  <S>                                                                <C>
  Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee. . . . . .     $ 80,173.00
  Printing expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       12,000.00
  Accounting fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       20,000.00
  Legal fees and expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      100,000.00
  Blue Sky fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       10,500.00
  Trustee fees and expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        5,000.00
  Rating agency fees and expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      110,000.00
  Miscellaneous expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       12,327.00
                                                                     -----------
  Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $350,000.00
                                                                     ===========

</TABLE>

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

        Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended,
provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or
is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. 
Section 145 further provides that a corporation similarly may indemnify any
such person serving in any such capacity who was or is a party or is threatened
to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or
in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall
be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall
have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the
extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court in which such
action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the
adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case,
such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as
the Court of Chancery or such other court may deem proper.

        TJX's Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate")
requires TJX to indemnify each person who is or was a director or officer of
TJX against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts
paid in settlement to the maximum extent permitted from time to time under the
Delaware General Corporation Law.  In addition, TJX has entered into
indemnification agreements with each of its directors and officers indemnifying
them against expenses, settlements, judgments and fines incurred in connection
with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration or
proceeding, where the individual's involvement is by reason of the fact that
such person is or was a director or officer or served at TJX's request as a
director of another organization (except that indemnification is not provided
against judgments and fines in a derivative suit unless permitted by Delaware
law).  An individual may not be indemnified if such person is found not to have
acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of TJX, except to the extent Delaware law
permits broader contractual indemnification.  These indemnification agreements
provide procedures, presumptions and remedies which substantially strengthen
the indemnification rights beyond those provided by the Certificate and by
Delaware law.

                                     II-1

<PAGE>   17

        Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended,
permits a corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a
provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the
corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit
the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director's duty of
loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not
in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (relating
to unlawful payment of dividends and unlawful stock purchases and redemptions)
or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit.  The Certificate provides that TJX's directors shall be
exculpated from such liabilities, and further provides that if the Delaware
General Corporation Law is amended to authorize corporate action further
eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability
of a director of TJX shall be eliminated or limited to the full extent
permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so amended. 

ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS

        The following is an index of all exhibits filed as a part of this
Registration Statement, including exhibits filed herewith and exhibits
incorporated herein by reference.

         4.1  Indenture dated as of September 15, 1993 between TJX and The First
              National Bank of Chicago as Trustee regarding the Debt Securities.

         4.2  Form of Fixed Rate Note (incorporated herein by reference to 
              Exhibit 4.1 in Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3,
              No. 33-50259).

         4.3  Form of Floating Rate Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
              4.2 in Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3, 
              No. 33-50259).

              Each other long-term debt instrument relates to securities the
              total amount of which does not exceed 10% of the total assets of
              TJX and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.  TJX agrees
              to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission copies of
              each such instrument not otherwise filed herewith or incorporated
              herein by reference.

          5   Opinion of Ropes & Gray.

         12   Statement re: computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

         23.1 Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

         23.2 Consent of Ropes & Gray (contained in Exhibit 5).

         24   Power of Attorney (contained in Part II hereof under "Signatures 
              and Power of Attorney").

         25   Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee on Form T-1.

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

        (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                (i)  To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
              the Securities Act of 1933;

                (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
              after the effective date of this registration statement (or the
              most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually
              or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
              information set forth in this registration statement;

                                     II-2

<PAGE>   18

                (iii) To include any material information with respect to the
              plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
              statement or any material change to such information in the
              registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (1) (i) and (1) (ii) above do not apply if
the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those  
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

        (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.

        (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination
of the offering.

        The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference to the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 above, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore,
unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred in
the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


                                     II-3

<PAGE>   19

                                  SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the Town of Framingham, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
 
                                  THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.


                                  /s/ Donald G. Campbell
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                  By:  Donald G. Campbell
                                       Senior Vice President - Finance

Dated:  June 6, 1995

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints
Bernard Cammarata, Donald G. Campbell and Jay H. Meltzer, and each of them
singly, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form
S-3 and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting
unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.

<TABLE>
        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf
of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.


<S>                                           <C>
/s/ Bernard Cammarata                         /s/ Donald G. Campbell
- ------------------------------------          ------------------------------------       
Bernard Cammarata, President, Chief           Donald G. Campbell, Senior Vice   
 Executive Officer and Director                  President - Finance and Principal
                                                 Financial and Accounting Officer


/s/ John M. Nelson                            /s/ Robert F. Shapiro
- ------------------------------------          ------------------------------------       
John M. Nelson, Director                      Robert F. Shapiro, Director     


/s/ Phyllis B. Davis                          /s/ Richard G. Lesser
- ------------------------------------          ------------------------------------       
Phyllis B. Davis, Director                    Richard G. Lesser, Director     


/s/ Stanley H. Feldberg                       /s/ Fletcher H. Wiley
- ------------------------------------          ------------------------------------       
Stanley H. Feldberg, Director                 Fletcher H. Wiley, Director

     
/s/ Arthur F. Loewy                           /s/ Abraham Zaleznik
- ------------------------------------          ------------------------------------       
Arthur F. Loewy, Director                     Abraham Zaleznik, Director


     
/s/ Burton S. Stern                           /s/ Willow B. Shire
- ------------------------------------          ------------------------------------       
Burton S. Stern, Director                     Willow B. Shire, Director     
</TABLE>

Dated:  June 6, 1995

                                     II-4
<PAGE>   20
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT NO.          DESCRIPTION
- -----------          -----------
  4.1   Indenture dated as of September 15, 1993 between TJX and The First
        National Bank of Chicago as Trustee regarding the Debt Securities.

  4.2   Form of Fixed Rate Note (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1
        in Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 No. 33-50259).

  4.3   Form of Floating Rate Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 in
        Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 No. 33-50259).

        Each other long-term debt instrument relates to securities the total
        amount of which does not exceed 10% of the total assets of TJX and its
        subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.  TJX agrees to furnish to the
        Securities and Exchange Commission copies of each such instrument not
        otherwise filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference.

   5    Opinion of Ropes & Gray.

  12    Statement re: computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

  23.1  Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

  23.2  Consent of Ropes & Gray (contained in Exhibit 5).

  24    Power of Attorney (contained in Part II hereof under "Signatures and
        Power of Attorney").

  25    Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee on Form T-1.


<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 4.1
                                                                     -----------








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





                           THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.
                                      
                                      TO
                                      
                      THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                                      
                                                        TRUSTEE





                                ______________


                                  Indenture

                        Dated as of September 15, 1993








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


<PAGE>   2

<TABLE>
                     THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.

  Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and
               Indenture, dated as of 
                                      ------------
<CAPTION>
Trust Indenture
  Act Section                                                              Indenture Section
<S>                                                                        <C>
[SECTION] 310(a)(1)     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7.10
             (a)(2)     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7.10
             (a)(3)     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Not Applicable
             (a)(4)     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Not Applicable
             (b)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7.10
                                                                           7.10
[SECTION] 311(a)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7.11  
             (b)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7.11  
             (c)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Not Applicable
    
[SECTION] 312(a)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2.6
             (b)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10.3
             (c)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10.3

[SECTION] 313(a)(b)(1)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7.6
             (b)(2)     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7.6
             (c)(1)     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7.6

[SECTION] 314(a)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4.8 and 4.9
             (b)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Not Applicable
             (c)(1)     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10.4
             (c)(2)     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10.4
             (c)(3)     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Not Applicable
             (d)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Not Applicable
             (e)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10.5
             (f)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Not Applicable

[SECTION] 315(a)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7.1
             (b)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7.5
                                                                           10.2
             (c)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7.1
             (d)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7.1
             (e)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6.14

[SECTION] 316(a)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2.10
             (a)(1)(A)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6.2
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>
                                                                           6.12
             (a)(1)(B)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6.13
             (a)(2)     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6.4
             (b)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6.8

[SECTION] 317(a)(1)     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6.3
             (a)(2)     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6.4
             (b)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2.5

[SECTION] 318(a)        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10.1
<FN>                  
______________

         Note:  This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part
of the Indenture.



</TABLE>



                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
                        TABLE OF CONTENTS
<CAPTION>
                                                                       PAGE
                                                                       ----
<S>                                                                    <C>
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE . . . . . . . . .  1

  SECTION 1.1  Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1
  SECTION 1.2  Other Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
  SECTION 1.3  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act . . .  8
  SECTION 1.4  Rules of Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8

ARTICLE 2 THE SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9

  SECTION 2.1  Issuable in Series. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
  SECTION 2.2  Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities. . . . .  9
  SECTION 2.3  Execution and Authentication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
  SECTION 2.4  Registrar and Paying Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
  SECTION 2.5  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust . . . . . . . . . . 12
  SECTION 2.6  Securityholder Lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
  SECTION 2.7  Transfer and Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
  SECTION 2.8  Replacement Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
  SECTION 2.9  Outstanding Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
  SECTION 2.10  Treasury Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
  SECTION 2.11  Temporary Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
  SECTION 2.12  Cancellation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
  SECTION 2.13  Defaulted Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
  SECTION 2.14  Global Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
  SECTION 2.15  CUSIP Numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
                                                               
ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

  SECTION 3.1  Notice to Trustees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
  SECTION 3.2  Selection of Securities to be Redeemed. . . . . . . . . 17
  SECTION 3.3  Notice of Redemption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
  SECTION 3.4  Effect of Notice of Redemption. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
  SECTION 3.5  Deposit of Redemption Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
  SECTION 3.6  Securities Redeemed in Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

  SECTION 4.1  Payment of Principal and Interest . . . . . . . . . . . 18
  SECTION 4.2  Corporate Existence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
</TABLE>


                                      -i-
<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>
  SECTION 4.3  Maintenance of Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
  SECTION 4.4  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims . . . . . . . . . . . 19
  SECTION 4.5  Limitation Upon Liens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
  SECTION 4.6  Limitation Upon Sale and Leaseback Transactions . . . . 21
  SECTION 4.7  Limitations Upon Permitting Restricted Subsidiaries to
           become
            Non-Restricted Subsidiaries and Non-Restricted Subsidiaries
            to become Restricted Subsidiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
  SECTION 4.8  Compliance Certificate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
  SECTION 4.9  SEC Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

ARTICLE 5 CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR
            LEASE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

  SECTION 5.1  Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms. . 22
  SECTION 5.2  Successor Corporation Substituted . . . . . . . . . . . 23

ARTICLE 6 REMEDIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

  SECTION 6.1  Events of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
  SECTION 6.2  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. . . 25
  SECTION 6.3  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by
           Trustee.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
  SECTION 6.4  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. . . . . . . . . . . . 26
  SECTION 6.5  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of
           Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
  SECTION 6.6  Application of Money Collected. . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
  SECTION 6.7  Limitation on Suits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
  SECTION 6.8  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and
           Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
  SECTION 6.9  Restoration of Rights and Remedies. . . . . . . . . . . 28
  SECTION 6.10  Rights and Remedies Cumulative . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
  SECTION 6.11  Delay or Omission Not Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
  SECTION 6.12  Control by Holders.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
  SECTION 6.13  Waiver of Past Defaults. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
  SECTION 6.14  Undertaking for Costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
  SECTION 6.15  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws . . . . . . . . . . . 30

ARTICLE 7 TRUSTEE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

  SECTION 7.1  Duties of Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
  SECTION 7.2  Rights of Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
  SECTION 7.3  Individual Rights of Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

</TABLE>

                                     -ii-
<PAGE>   6
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>
  SECTION 7.4  Trustee's Disclaimer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
  SECTION 7.5  Notice of Defaults. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
  SECTION 7.6  Reports by Trustee to Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
  SECTION 7.7  Compensation and Indemnity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
  SECTION 7.8  Replacement of Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
  SECTION 7.9  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . 33
  SECTION 7.10  Eligibility; Disqualification. . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
  SECTION 7.11  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. . . 33

ARTICLE 8 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

  SECTION 8.1  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.. . . . . . . . 34
  SECTION 8.2  Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification . . . . . . 35
  SECTION 8.3  Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Securities of 
           any Series. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
  SECTION 8.4  Defeasance of Certain Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . 37
  SECTION 8.5  Repayment to Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

  SECTION 9.1  Without Consent of Holders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
  SECTION 9.2  With Consent of Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
  SECTION 9.3  Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
  SECTION 9.4  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act . . . . . . . . . . 39
  SECTION 9.5  Revocation and Effect of Consents . . . . . . . . . . . 39
  SECTION 9.6  Notation on or Exchange of Securities . . . . . . . . . 40
  SECTION 9.7  Trustee Protected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

ARTICLE 10 MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

  SECTION 10.1  Trust Indenture Act Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
  SECTION 10.2  Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
  SECTION 10.3  Communication by Holders with Other Holders. . . . . . 41
  SECTION 10.4  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent . . 41
  SECTION 10.5  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. . . . . 41
  SECTION 10.6  Rules by Trustee and Agents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
  SECTION 10.7  Legal Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
  SECTION 10.8  Governing Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
  SECTION 10.9  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. . . . . 42
  SECTION 10.10  No Recourse Against Others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
  SECTION 10.11  Duplicate Originals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
  SECTION 10.12  Securities in a Foreign Currency or in ECU. . . . . . 42
  SECTION 10.13  Judgment Currency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
</TABLE>


                                     -iii-
<PAGE>   7

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>
ARTICLE 11 SINKING FUNDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

  SECTION 11.1  Applicability of Article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
  SECTION 11.2  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. 44
  SECTION 11.3  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. . . . . . . 44

</TABLE>



                                     -iv-
<PAGE>   8

        Indenture dated as of September 15, 1993, between THE TJX COMPANIES,
INC., a Delaware corporation ("Company"), and The First National Bank of
Chicago, a national banking association ("Trustee").

        Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for
the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this
Indenture.

                                   ARTICLE 1
                                       
                  DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.1  Definitions.
             ------------

        "Affiliate" means any person directly or indirectly controlling or
controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company.  For
the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any
specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such
Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" having meanings correlative to the foregoing.

        "Agent" means any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.

        "Attributable Debt" in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction
referred to in Section 4.6 means, at the time of determination, the present
value (discounted at the imputed rate of interest of such transaction determined
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) of the obligation
of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease
included in such arrangement (including any period for which such lease has been
extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended).  The term "net
rental payments" under any lease for any period shall mean the sum of the rental
and other payments required to be paid in such period by the lessee thereunder,
not including any amounts required to be paid by such lessee (whether or not
designated as rental or additional rental) on account of maintenance and
repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges required
to be paid by such lessee thereunder or any amounts required to be paid by such
lessee thereunder contingent upon the amount of sales, maintenance and repairs,
insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges.

        "Authorized Newspaper" means a newspaper in an official language of the
country of publication customarily published at least once a day for at least
five days in each calendar week and of general circulation in the place in
connection with which the term is used.  If it shall be impractical in the
opinion of the Trustee to make any publication of any notice required hereby in
an Authorized Newspaper, any publication or other notice in lieu thereof that is
made or given by the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such
notice.


                                      -1-
<PAGE>   9

        "Bearer" means anyone in possession from time to time of a Bearer
Security.

        "Bearer Security" means any Security that does not provide for the
identification of the Holder thereof.

        "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or any
duly authorized committee thereof.

        "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the
Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to
be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the
Trustee.

        "Capitalized Lease Obligations" means obligations created pursuant to
leases that are required to be shown on the liability side of the balance sheet
in accordance with FASB Statement No. 13, "Accounting for Leases," as amended
and interpreted, of any successor or comparable accounting standard.

        "Company" means the party named as such above until a successor replaces
it and thereafter means the successor.

        "Company Order" means an order by two Officers or by any Officer and an
Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company.

        "Company Request" means a written request signed in the name of the
Company by its Chairman of the Board, its President or a Vice President, and by
its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary,
and delivered to the Trustee.

        "consolidated" when used with respect to any of the terms defined herein
refers to such terms as reflected in a consolidation of the accounts of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.

        "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the total amount of assets
(less depreciation and valuation reserves and other reserves and items
deductible from the gross book value of specific asset accounts under generally
accepted accounting principles) that under generally accepted accounting
principles would be included on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries, after deducting therefrom (i) all liability items
except Funded Debt, Capitalized Lease Obligations, stockholders' equity and
reserves for deferred income taxes, (ii) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks,
patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles (other
than leasehold costs and investments in so-called safe harbor leases), which in
each such case would be so included on such balance sheet, and (iii) all amounts
which would be so included on such balance sheet in respect of Investments (less
applicable reserves) in Non-Restricted Subsidiaries in excess of the amount of
such Investments at July 31, 1993.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   10

        "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which at any
particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered.

        "corporation" includes corporations, associations, companies and
business trusts.

        "Default" means any event that is or with the passage of time or the
giving of notice or both would be an Event of Default.

        "Depository" means, with respect to the Securities of any Series
issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global
Securities, the person designated as Depository for such Series by the Company,
which Depository shall be a clearing agency registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and if at any time there is more than one such
person, "Depository" as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall
mean the Depository with respect to the securities of such Series.

        "Discount Security" means any Security that provides for an amount less
than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration
of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

        "Dollars" means the currency of the United States of America.

        "ECU" means the European Currency Unit as determined by the Commission
of the European Communities.

        "Exempted Debt" means the sum of the following items outstanding as of
the date Exempted Debt is being determined:  (i) Indebtedness for money borrowed
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred after the date of this
Indenture and secured by liens created or assumed or permitted to exist pursuant
to Section 4.5(b), and (ii) Attributable Debt of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in respect of all Sale and Leaseback Transactions entered into
pursuant to Section 4.6(b).

        "Foreign Currency" means any currency issued by a government other than
the government of the United States of America.

        "Foreign Government Securities" means with respect to Securities of any
series that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, noncallable (i) direct
obligations of the government that issued such Foreign Currency for the payment
of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of
a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality
of such government, the payment of which obligations is unconditionally
guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government.

        "Funded Debt" of any Person means Indebtedness, whether incurred,
assumed or guaranteed, maturing by its terms more than one year from the date of
creation thereof or that is 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   11

extendable or renewable at the sole option of the obligor in such manner that it
may become payable more than one year from the date of creation thereof;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Funded Debt shall not include (i) obligations created
pursuant to leases, (ii) any Indebtedness or portion thereof maturing by its
terms within one year from the time of any computation of the amount of
outstanding Funded Debt unless such Indebtedness shall be extendable or
renewable at the sole option of the obligor in such manner that it may become
payable more than one year from such time, or (iii) any Indebtedness for the
payment or redemption of which money in the necessary amount shall have been
deposited in trust either at or before the maturity date thereof.

        "Global Security" or "Global Securities" means a Security or Securities,
as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.1 evidencing
all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depository for such Series
or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or nominee.

        "Holder" or "Securityholder" means a person in whose name a Security is
registered or the holder of a Bearer Security.

        "Indebtedness" of any Person means indebtedness for borrowed money and
indebtedness under purchase money mortgages or other purchase money liens or
conditional sales or similar title retention agreements, in each case where such
indebtedness has been created, incurred or assumed by such Person to the extent
such indebtedness would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such
Person prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
guarantees by such Person of such indebtedness, and indebtedness for borrowed
money secured by any mortgage, pledge or other lien or encumbrance upon property
owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable
for the payment of such indebtedness.

        "Indenture" means this Indenture as amended from time to time and shall
include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established or
contemplated hereunder.

        "Investment" means and includes any investment in stock, evidences of
indebtedness, loans or advances, however made or acquired, but shall not include
accounts receivable of the Company or of any Restricted Subsidiary arising from
transactions in the ordinary course of business, or any evidences of
indebtedness, loans or advances made in connection with the sale to any
Subsidiary of accounts receivable of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business of the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary.

        "Maturity", when used with respect to any Security or installment of
principal thereof, means the date on which the principal of such Security or
such installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein
provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call
for redemption or otherwise.

        "Non-Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary other than a Restricted
Subsidiary.


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   12

        "Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, any Vice Chairman of the
Board, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary or the
Controller of the Company.

        "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers or by
any Officer and an Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary of the Company.

        "Operating Assets" means all merchandise inventories, furniture,
fixtures and equipment (including all transportation and warehousing equipment
but excluding office equipment and data processing equipment) owned by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

        "Operating Property" means all real property and improvements thereon
owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary constituting, without
limitation, any store, warehouse, service center or distribution center wherever
located, provided that such term shall not include any store, warehouse, service
center or distribution center that the Company's Board of Directors declares by
resolution not to be of material importance to the business of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries.  Operating Property is treated as having been
"acquired" on the day the Operating Property is placed in operation by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after the later of (a) its acquisition from a
third party, including a Non-Restricted Subsidiary, (b) completion of its
original construction or (c) completion of its substantial reconstruction,
renovation, remodeling, expansion or improvement (whether or not constituting an
Operating Property prior to such reconstruction, renovation, remodeling,
expansion or improvement).

        "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of legal counsel who is
acceptable to the Trustee.  The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the
Company.

        "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

        "Principal" of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when
appropriate, the premium, if any, on the Security.

        "Responsible Officer" when used with respect to the Trustee, means the
chairman or the vice-chairman of the board of directors or trustees, the
chairman or vice-chairman of the executive committee of the board of directors
or trustees, the president, any vice-president, the treasurer, the secretary,
any trust officer, any second or assistant vice-president or any officer or
assistant officer of the Trustee other than those specifically above mentioned
customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the persons who
at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust
matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with a particular
subject.

        "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary which, subject to Section
4.7, shall be designated by the Board of Directors or by duly authorized
officers of the Company as a 


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   13

Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (a) the Board of Directors or
duly authorized officers of the Company may, subject to Section 4.7, designate
any Non-Restricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary and any Restricted
Subsidiary as a Non-Restricted Subsidiary and (b) any Subsidiary of which
the majority of the voting stock is owned directly or indirectly by one or more
Non-Restricted Subsidiaries shall be a Non-Restricted Subsidiary.

        "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        "Securities" means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of
this Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

        "Senior Funded Debt" means all Funded Debt of the Company or any other
Person, except Subordinated Funded Debt.

        "Series" or "Series of Securities" means each series of debentures,
notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1
and 2.2 hereof.

        "Stated Maturity" when used with respect to any Security or any
installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified
in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or
such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

        "Subordinated Funded Debt" means any unsecured Indebtedness of the
Company that is expressly made subordinate and junior in rank and right of
payment to the Securities and such other Indebtedness of the Company as may be
specified or characterized in the instruments evidencing the Subordinated Funded
Debt or the indenture or other similar instrument under which it is issued
(which indenture or other instrument shall be binding on all holders of such
Subordinated Funded Debt) (the Securities and any other Indebtedness of the
Company to which the Subordinated Funded Debt is subordinate and junior being
hereinafter in this paragraph called "Superior Debt"), by provisions not
substantially more favorable to the holders of the Subordinated Funded Debt than
the following:

                (i) In the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings,
        any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar
        proceedings in connection therewith, relative to the Company or to its
        creditors, as such, or to its property, and in the event of any
        proceedings for voluntary liquidation, dissolution or other winding up
        of the Company, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, then
        the holders of Superior Debt shall be entitled to receive payment in
        full of all Principal and interest on all Superior Debt before the
        holders of the Subordinated Funded Debt are entitled to receive any
        payment on account of Principal or interest upon the Subordinated Funded
        Debt, and to that end (but subject to the power of a court of competent
        jurisdiction to make other equitable provision reflecting the rights
        conferred by the provisions of the Subordinated Funded Debt upon the
        Superior Debt and the holders thereof with respect to the Subordinated
        Funded Debt and the holders thereof by a lawful plan or reorganization
        under applicable 

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   14

        bankruptcy or insolvency law) the holders of Superior Debt shall be
        entitled to receive for application in payment thereof any payment or
        distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash or property or
        securities, which may be payable or deliverable in any such proceedings
        in respect of the Subordinated Funded Debt, except securities which are
        subordinate and junior in right of payment to the same extent as the    
        Subordinated Funded Debt to the payment of all Superior Debt (and any
        securities issued in exchange therefor) then outstanding; (ii) in the
        event that any Subordinated Funded Debt is declared due and payable
        before its expressed maturity because of the occurrence of an event of
        default with respect to such Subordinated Funded Debt (under
        circumstances when the provisions of the foregoing clause (i) shall not
        be applicable), the holders of the Superior Debt outstanding at the time
        such Subordinated Funded Debt became so due and payable because of such
        occurrence of such an event of default shall be entitled to receive
        payment in full of all Principal and interest on all Superior Debt
        before the holders of such Subordinated Funded Debt are entitled to
        receive any payments on account of the Principal or interest upon such
        Subordinated Funded Debt except payments at the expressed maturity of
        such Subordinated Funded Debt, current interest payments as provided in
        such Subordinated Funded Debt, payments pursuant to any mandatory
        sinking fund (or analogous provision) in respect of such Subordinated
        Funded Debt, and payments for the purpose of curing any such event of
        default; (iii) in the event that (x) there shall have occurred a default
        in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Superior Debt, or
        (y) there shall have occurred any other event of default with respect to
        any Superior Debt permitting the holders thereof to accelerate the
        maturity thereof and if written notice thereof shall have been given to
        the Company by a holder or holders of such Superior Debt or their
        representative or representatives or trustee or trustees under any
        indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any such Superior
        Debt may have been issued, or (z) the payment hereinafter referred to
        would itself constitute an event of default with respect to any Superior
        Debt, then, in any such case, unless or until such event of default
        shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, no
        payment shall be made by the Company on account of Principal of or
        interest on any Subordinated Funded Debt (whether pursuant to any
        sinking fund or otherwise) or on account of the purchase or other
        acquisition of any Subordinated Funded Debt; and (iv) no holder of
        Superior Debt or trustee for such holder shall be prejudiced in his or
        her right to enforce subordination of the Subordinated Funded Debt by
        any act or failure to act on the part of the Company;



PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Subordinated Funded Debt may provide that the
foregoing provisions are solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights
of the holders of Superior Debt on the one hand, and the holders of the
Subordinated Funded Debt on the other hand, and that nothing therein shall
impair, as between the Company and the holders of the Subordinated Funded Debt,
the obligation of the Company, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay to
the holders thereof the Principal thereof and interest thereon in accordance
with its terms, nor shall anything therein prevent the holders of the
Subordinated Funded Debt from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by
applicable law or thereunder upon default thereunder, subject to the rights
under clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above of holders of Superior Debt to receive
cash, property or securities 



                                      -7-

<PAGE>   15

otherwise payable or deliverable to the holders of the Subordinated Funded Debt;
and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that the Subordinated Funded Debt may provide that,
insofar as a trustee or paying agent for such Subordinated Funded Debt is
concerned, the foregoing provisions shall not prevent the application by such
trustee or paying agent of any moneys deposited with such trustee or paying
agent for the purpose of the payment of or on account of the principal and
interest on such Subordinated Funded Debt if such trustee or paying agent did
not have knowledge at the time of such application that such payment was
prohibited by the foregoing provisions.

        "Subsidiary" means a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting
stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or
more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. 
For the purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock that ordinarily
has voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so
long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any
contingency.

        "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code
[SECTION][SECTION]77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended
after such date, "TIA" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the
Trust Indenture Act as so amended.

        "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph
of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to
the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean
or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there
is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities
of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.

        "U.S. Government Obligations" means direct obligations of the United
States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or
obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or
instrumentality of the United States the payment of which are unconditionally
guaranteed by the United States.

        "Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary all
of the outstanding Funded Debt and capital stock of which, other than directors'
qualifying shares, is owned by the Company and its other Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiaries.

        "Yield to Maturity" means as the context may require the yield to
maturity (i) on a Series of Securities or (ii) if the Securities of a Series are
issuable from time to time, on a Security of such Series, calculated at the time
of issuance of such Series in the case of clause (i) or at the time of issuance
of such Security of such Series in the case of clause (ii), or, if applicable,
at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Series or on such
Security, and calculated in accordance with the constant interest method or such
other generally accepted financial practice as is specified in the terms of such
Security. 

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   16

<TABLE>
SECTION 1.2  Other Definitions.
             ------------------

<CAPTION>
                   DEFINED IN     
  TERM
  ----
                                                                 SECTION 
                                                                 -------
<S>                                                               <C>
"Bankruptcy Law" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            6.1
"Custodian". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            6.1
"Event of Default" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            6.1
"Exchange Act. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           2.14
"Judgment Currency". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          10.13
"Legal Holiday". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           10.7
"Mortgage" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            4.5
"Market Exchange Rate" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          10.12
"New York Banking Day" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          10.13
"Paying Agent" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            2.4
"Registrar". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            2.4
"Required Currency". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          10.13
"Sale and Leaseback Transaction" . . . . . . . . . . . .            4.6
"Service Agent". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            2.4
</TABLE>

SECTION 1.3  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
             --------------------------------------------------

        Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision
is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.  The
following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

                 "Commission" means the SEC.

                 "indenture securities" means the Securities.

                 "indenture security holder" means a Securityholder.

                 "indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture.

                 "indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the 
Trustee.

                 "obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company and 
any successor obligor upon the Securities.



                                      -9-
<PAGE>   17

        All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined by TIA reference to another statue or defined by SEC rule under the TIA
and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.

SECTION 1.4  Rules of Construction.
             ----------------------

        Unless the context otherwise requires:

        (1)  a term has the meaning assigned to it;
    
        (2)  an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned
to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

        (3)  "or" is not exclusive; and

        (4)  words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include
the singular.


                                   ARTICLE 2

                                THE SECURITIES

SECTION 2.1  Issuable in Series.
             -------------------

        The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated
and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.  The Securities may be issued
in one or more Series.  All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as
may be provided in a Board Resolution and/or an Officer's Certificate detailing
the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to the Board Resolution or an
indenture supplement hereto.  In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued
from time to time, the Officers' Certificate may provide for the method by which
specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from
which interest should accrue) are to be determined.  Securities may differ
between Series, in respect of any matters; provided that all Series of
Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the
Indenture.

SECTION 2.2  Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities.
             -----------------------------------------------

        At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the
following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of
Subsections 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 and either as to such Securities within the Series
or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections 2.2.3 through 2.2.16)
by either a Board Resolution or an indenture supplemental hereto (and, to the
extent not set forth in such Board Resolution or supplemental indenture, in an
Officers' Certificate detailing the adoption of terms pursuant to the Board
Resolution):


                                     -10-
<PAGE>   18

        2.2.1.  the title of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities
of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series);

        2.2.2.  any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities
of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture
(except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer
of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant
to Section 2.7, 2.8 or 2.11);

        2.2.3.  the date or dates on which the Principal of the Securities of
the Series is payable;

        2.2.4.  the rate or rates and, if applicable, the method used to
determine the rate including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity
index, stock exchange index or financial index, at which the Securities of the
Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest
shall accrue, the dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record
date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

        2.2.5.  the place or places where the Principal of and interest of the
Securities of the Series shall be payable, or the method of such payment, if by
wire transfer, mail or other means;

        2.2.6.  the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which
and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of the Series may be
redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

        2.2.7.  the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the
Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or
at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the
price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of
the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such
obligation;
    
        2.2.8.  if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be
issuable;

        2.2.9.  if other than the Principal amount thereof, the portion of the
Principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2;

        2.2.10.  the currency of denomination of the Securities of the Series,
which may be Dollars, any Foreign Currency or other composite currency,
including but not limited to the ECU, and if such currency of denomination is a
composite currency other than the ECU, the agency or organization, if any,
responsible for overseeing such composite currency;

        2.2.11.  the designation of the currency or currencies in which payment
of the Principal of and interest on the Securities of the Series will be made,
and the designation, if any, of the 


                                     -11-
<PAGE>   19

currency or currencies in which payment of the Principal or interest on the
Securities of the Series, at the election of a Holder thereof, may also be      
payable;

        2.2.12.  if the amount of payments of Principal of or interest on the
Securities of the Series may be determined with reference to an index based on a
currency or currencies other than that in which the Securities are denominated
or designated to be payable or determined by reference to a commodity, commodity
index, stock exchange index or financial index, the manner in which such amounts
shall be determined;

        2.2.13.  if the payments of Principal of or interest on the Securities
of the Series are to be made in a Foreign Currency other than the currency in
which such Securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate
with respect to such payments shall be determined;

        2.2.14.  any other terms of the Securities of the Series (which terms
shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture); and

        2.2.15.  the forms of the Securities of the Series in Bearer or fully
registered form (and, if in fully registered form, whether the Securities will
be issuable as Global Securities); and

        2.2.16.  any depositories, interest rate calculation agents, exchange
rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such
Series if other than those appointed herein.

        All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and
may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if
so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution or Officers' Certificate
referred to above or as set forth in an indenture supplemental hereto, and,
unless otherwise provided, the authorized principal amount of any Series may be
increased to provide for issuances of additional Securities of such Series.

SECTION 2.3  Execution and Authentication.
             -----------------------------

        Securities shall be executed by an Officer for the Company and attested
by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.  Signatures shall be manual or
facsimile.  The Company's seal, which may be in facsimile form, shall be
reproduced on the Securities.  

        If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that
office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall be valid
nevertheless.

        A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual
signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.  The signature shall be
conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this
Indenture.

        The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate
Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board
Resolution or Officers' Certificate detailing 


                                     -12-

<PAGE>   20

the adoption of terms pursuant to the Board Resolution, upon receipt by the
Trustee of a Company Order.  If provided for in such procedures, such Company
Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic
instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent or agents, which
oral instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing.  Each Security shall
be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by Board
Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto.

        The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding
as any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such
Series set forth in the Board Resolution or Officers' Certificate or indenture
supplemental hereto delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in
Section 2.8.

        Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall
have received and (subject to Section 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying
on: (a) the Board Resolution or Officers' Certificate detailing the adoption of
terms pursuant to the Board Resolution or an indenture supplemental hereto
establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within
that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities
within that Series and (b) an Officers' Certificate complying with Section 10.4.

        The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver
any Securities of such Series: (A) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel,
determines that such action may not lawfully be taken; or (B) if the Trustee in
good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust
committee of directors and/or vice-presidents shall determine that such action
would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then
outstanding Series of Securities.

        The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent to authenticate
Securities.  An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the
Trustees may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the
Trustee includes authentication by such agent.  An authenticating agent has the
same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate.

SECTION 2.4  Registrar and Paying Agent.
             ---------------------------

        The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Notes, at the
place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.2,
an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or
surrendered for payment ("Paying Agent"), where Securities of such Series may be
surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange ("Registrar") and where
notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such
Series and this Indenture may be served ("Service Agent").  The Registrar shall
keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and to their transfer
and exchange.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the
name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar,
Paying Agent or Service Agent.  If at any time the Company shall fail to
maintain any such required Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent or shall
fail to furnish the Trustee 


                                     -13-
<PAGE>   21

with the name and address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and
demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee,
and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such
presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars,
additional paying agents or additional service agents and may from time to time
rescind such designations; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such designation or
rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to
maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent in each place so specified
pursuant to Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series for such purposes.  The
Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation
or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar,
additional paying agent or additional service agent.  The term "Registrar"
includes any co-registrar; the term "Paying Agent" includes any additional
paying agent; and the term "Service Agent" includes any additional service
agent.

        The Company hereby appoints the Trustee the initial Registrar, Paying
Agent and Service Agent for each Series unless another Registrar, Paying Agent
or Service Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities
of that Series are first issued.

SECTION 2.5  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
             ------------------------------------

        The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to
agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of
Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by
the Paying Agent for the payment of Principal or interest on the Series of
Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making
any such payment.  While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a
Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  The Company at any
time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. 
Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or
a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money.  If the Company or
a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money and hold it as a
separate trust fund.

SECTION 2.6  Securityholder Lists.
             ---------------------

        The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
Securityholders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA
[SECTION]312(a).  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish
to the Trustee at least ten days before each interest payment date and at such
other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of
such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of
Securityholders of each Series of Securities.



                                     -14-
<PAGE>   22

SECTION 2.7  Transfer and Exchange.
             ----------------------

        Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a
co-registrar with a request to register transfer or to exchange them for an
equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series and date of maturity of
other denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the
exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met.  To permit
registration of transfer and exchanges the Trustee shall authenticate Securities
at the Registrar's request.  The Company will not make any charge for any
registration of transfer or exchange but may require the payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith.

        Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue,
register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period
beginning at the opening of business 15 days immediately preceding the mailing
of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption
and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to
register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called
or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any
such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.

SECTION 2.8  Replacement Securities.
             -----------------------

        If the Holder of a Security provides evidence satisfactory to the
Trustee that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the
Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon a Company Order a
replacement Security of the same Series and date of maturity if the Trustee's
requirements are met.  If required by the Company or the Trustee, an indemnity
bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the
Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent or any
authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Security is
replaced.  The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Security.

        Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company
and shall be entitled to all benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 2.9  Outstanding Securities.
             -----------------------

        Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by
the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for
cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by
the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this
Section as not outstanding.

        If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8, it ceases to be
outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the
replaced Security is held by a bona fine purchaser.


                                     -15-
<PAGE>   23

        If the Payment Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an
Affiliate of any thereof) holds on a redemption date or Maturity Date money
sufficient to pay Securities of a Series payable on that date, then on and after
that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on
them ceases to accrue.

        A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an
Affiliate holds the Security.

        In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of
outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Discount
Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the
amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of
such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof
pursuant to Section 6.2.

SECTION 2.10  Treasury Securities.
              --------------------

        In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of
Securities of a Series have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent,
Securities of a Series owned by the Company or an Affiliate shall be
disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee
shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only
Securities of a Series that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so
disregarded.

SECTION 2.11  Temporary Securities.
              ---------------------

        Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may
prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities upon a Company
Order.  Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive
Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for
temporary Securities.  Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and
the Trustee upon request shall authenticate definitive Securities of the same
Series and date of maturity in exchange for temporary Securities.  Until so
exchanged, temporary securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture
as the definitive Securities. 

SECTION 2.12  Cancellation.
              -------------

        The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for
cancellation.  The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee
any Securities surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment.  The
Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment
or cancellation and shall destroy such cancelled Securities (subject to the
record retention requirement of the Exchange Act) and deliver a certificate of
such destruction to the Company, unless the Company otherwise directs.  The
Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid or
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. 


                                     -16-
<PAGE>   24


SECTION 2.13  Defaulted Interest.
              -------------------

        If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of
Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted
by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the persons who are
Securityholders of the Series on a subsequent special record date.  The Company
shall fix the record date and payment date.  At least 30 days before the record
date, the Company shall mail to the Trustee and to each Securityholder of the
Series a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of
interest to be paid.  The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful
manner. 

SECTION 2.14  Global Securities.
              ------------------

        2.14.1.  TERMS OF SECURITIES.  An indenture supplemental to the
Indenture or a Board Resolution (and, to the extent not set forth in the Board
Resolution, in an Officers' Certificate detailing the adoption of terms pursuant
to the Board Resolution) shall establish whether the Securities of a Series
shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities
and the Depository for such Global Security or Securities.

        2.14.2.  TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.  Notwithstanding any provisions to the
contrary contained in Section 2.7 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, any
Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Indenture
for securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depository for
such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depository notifies the Company
that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global
Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a clearing agency
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depository
within 90 days of such event, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall
be so exchangeable or (iii) an event shall have happened and be continuing which
is or after notice or lapse of time or both, would be, an Event of Default with
respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security.  Any Global
Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be
exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depository shall
direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount
of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.

        Except as provided in this Section 2.14.2, a Global Security may not be
transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such Global
Security to a nominee of such Depository, by a nominee of such Depository to
such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or by
the Depository or any such a nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of
such a successor Depository.

        2.14.3.  LEGEND.  Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a
legend in substantially the following form:



                                     -17-
<PAGE>   25

                "This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the
        Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the
        Depository or a nominee of the Depository.  This Security is
        exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other
        than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances
        described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole
        by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the
        Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by
        the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a
        nominee of such a successor Depository."

        2.14.4.  ACTS OF HOLDERS.  The Depository, as a Holder, may appoint
agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder
is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.

        2.14.5.  ACCELERATION.  Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary
contained in Section 6.2 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, upon receipt
by the Trustee of any declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment
thereof, with respect to Securities of a Series all or part of which is
represented by a Global Security, the Trustee shall establish a record date for
determining Holders of outstanding Securities of such Series entitled to join in
such declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may
be, which record date shall be at the close of business on the day the Trustee
receives such declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the
case may be.  The Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies,
and only such Holders, shall be entitled to join in such declaration of
acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, whether or not
such Holders remain Holders after such record date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
unless such declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the
case may be, shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage
having been obtained prior to the day which is 90 days after such record date,
such declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may
be, shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be cancelled
and of no further effect.  Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or
a proxy of a Holder, from giving, after expiration of such 90-day period, a new
declaration of acceleration, or rescission or annulment thereof, as the case may
be, that is identical to a declaration of acceleration, or rescission or
annulment thereof, which has been cancelled pursuant to the proviso to the
preceding sentence, in which event a new record date shall be established
pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.14.5.

        2.14.6.  CONTROL BY MAJORITY.  Notwithstanding any provisions to the
contrary contained in Section 6.12 of the Indenture, and in addition thereto,
upon receipt by the Trustee of any direction with respect to Securities of a
Series all or part of which is represented by a Global Security, the Trustee
shall establish a record date for determining Holders of outstanding Securities
of such Series entitled to join in such direction, which record date shall be at
the close of business on the date the Trustee receives such direction.  The
Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such
Holders, shall be entitled to join in such direction, whether or not such
Holders remain Holders after such record date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that 


                                     -18-
<PAGE>   26

unless such majority in principal amount shall have been obtained prior to the
day which is 90 days after such record date, such direction shall automatically
and without further action by any Holder be cancelled and of no further effect.
Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of a Holder from
giving, after expiration of such 90-day period, a new direction identical to a
direction which has been cancelled pursuant to the provisions to the preceding
sentence, in which event a new record date shall be established pursuant to the
provisions of this Section 2.14.6.

SECTION 2.15  CUSIP Numbers.
              --------------

        The Company in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then
generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices
of redemption as a convenience to Holders; PROVIDED that any such notice may
state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers
either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a
redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of
identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be
affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.


                                   ARTICLE 3
                                       
                                  REDEMPTION

SECTION 3.1  Notice to Trustees.
             -------------------

        The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the
right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and
pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof before maturity at such time
and on such terms as provided for in such Securities.  If a Series of Securities
is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the
scheduled maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to
the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the redemption date
and the principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed.  The Company
shall give the notice at least 60 days before the redemption date (or such
shorter notice as may be acceptable to the Trustee).

SECTION 3.2  Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
             ---------------------------------------

        Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution
or by indenture supplemental hereto (or to the extent not set forth in such
Board Resolution or supplemental indenture, in an Officers' Certificate so
indicating pursuant to the Board Resolution), if less than all the Securities
of a Series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities of the
Series to be redeemed in any manner that the Trustee deems fair and
appropriate.  The Trustee shall make the selection from Securities of the
Series outstanding not previously called for redemption.  The Trustee may
select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities of the 


                                     -19-
<PAGE>   27

Series that have denominations larger than $1,000.  Securities of the Series and
portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of
$1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other   
denominations pursuant to Section 2.2.8, the minimum principal denomination for
each Series and integral multiples thereof.  Provisions of this Indenture that
apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to portions of
Securities of that Series called for redemption, including a portion consisting
of Securities both bearing the same interest rate and having the same Maturity. 

SECTION 3.3  Notice of Redemption.
             ---------------------

        Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution
or by indenture supplemental hereto, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days
before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by
first-class mail to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed and if any
Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion a notice in an
Authorized Newspaper. 

        The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed   
and shall state:

        (1) the redemption date;

        (2) the redemption price;

        (3) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

        (4) that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be
surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price; 

        (5) that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption
ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date; and 

        (6) any other information as may be required by the terms of the
particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed. 

        At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the notice of
redemption in the Company's name and at its expense. 

SECTION 3.4  Effect of Notice of Redemption. 
             -------------------------------

        Once notice of redemption is mailed or published as provided in Section
3.3, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the
redemption date and at the redemption price.  A notice of redemption may not be
conditional.  Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid
at the redemption price plus accrued interest to the redemption date. 


                                     -20-
<PAGE>   28

SECTION 3.5  Deposit of Redemption Price.
             ----------------------------

        On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the
Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued
interest on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.

SECTION 3.6  Securities Redeemed in Part. 
             ----------------------------

        Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall
authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same
maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security
surrendered. 
    

                                   ARTICLE 4
                                       
                                   COVENANTS

SECTION 4.1  Payment of Principal and Interest.
             ----------------------------------

        The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each Series of
Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the Principal of and interest on
the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities
and this Indenture.

SECTION 4.2  Corporate Existence.
             --------------------

        Subject to Article 5, the Company will do or cause to be done all things
necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence,
rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the
Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer
desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss
thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

SECTION 4.3  Maintenance of Properties.
             --------------------------

        The Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of
its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good
condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment
and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements,
betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may
be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be
properly and advantageously conducted at all times; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the
operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in
the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of 


                                     -21-
<PAGE>   29

its business or the business of any Subsidiary and not disadvantageous in any 
material respect to the Holders.

SECTION 4.4  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
             ----------------------------------

        The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged,
before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and
governmental charges in excess of $250,000 levied or imposed upon the Company or
any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any
Subsidiary, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies in
excess of $250,000 which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the
property of the Company or any Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company
shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any
such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

SECTION 4.5  Limitation Upon Liens.
             ----------------------

        (a)  The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, issue, assume or guarantee any Indebtedness secured by any mortgage,
security interest, pledge, lien or other encumbrance upon any Operating Property
or Operating Asset of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether such
Operating Property or Operating Asset is now owned or hereafter acquired (such
mortgages, security interests, pledges, liens and other encumbrances being
hereinafter called a "Mortgage" or "Mortgages"), without in any such case
effectively providing concurrently with the issuance, assumption or guarantee of
any such Indebtedness that the Securities (together with, if the Company shall
so determine, any other Indebtedness ranking equally with such Securities other
than Securities not having the benefit of this provision) shall be secured
equally and ratably with such Indebtedness; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
foregoing restrictions shall not prevent, restrict or apply to:

                (i)  the giving, within 180 days after the later of the
        acquisition or completion of construction or completion of substantial
        reconstruction, renovation, remodeling, expansion or improvement (each a
        "substantial improvement") of such property, and the placing in
        operation of such property or the placement of such property after the
        acquisition or completion of any such construction or substantial
        improvement, of any purchase money Mortgage (including security for
        bankers acceptances and similar inventory financings in the ordinary
        course of business and vendors' rights under purchase contracts under an
        agreement whereby title is retained for the purpose of securing the
        purchase price thereof) whether occurring prior to or after the date of
        this Indenture, or the acquiring hereafter of property not theretofore
        owned by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary subject to any then
        existing Mortgage securing Indebtedness (whether or not assumed),
        including Indebtedness incurred for reimbursement of funds previously
        expended for any such purpose; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in each case (x)
        such Mortgage is limited to such property, including accretions thereto
        and any such 


                                     -22-
<PAGE>   30

        construction or substantial improvement (or, with respect to bankers
        acceptances and similar inventory financings in the ordinary course of
        business, any inventory acquired by the Company or such Restricted
        Subsidiary during the 180-day period immediately preceding the date of
        creation of such Mortgage), (y) the principal amount of the Indebtedness
        being incurred that is secured by such Mortgage shall not exceed the
        cost of such acquired property, construction or substantial improvement,
        as the case may be, and (z) the principal amount of the Indebtedness
        secured by such Mortgage, together with all other Indebtedness to
        Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary secured by
        Mortgages on such property, shall not exceed the lesser of the
        total costs of such property, including any such construction or
        substantial improvement, to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or
        the fair market value thereof immediately following the acquisition,
        construction or substantial improvement thereof by the Company or a
        Restricted Subsidiary;

                (ii)  the giving by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of a
        Mortgage on real property that is the sole security for Indebtedness (w)
        incurred within three years after the latest of (1) September 15, 1993,
        (2) the date of acquisition of such real property or (3) the date of
        completion of construction or substantial improvement made thereon by
        the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, (x) incurred for the purpose
        of reimbursing itself for the cost of acquisition and/or the cost of
        improvement of such real property, (y) the amount of which does not
        exceed the lesser of the aggregate cost of such real property and
        improvements or the fair market value thereof, and (z) the holder of
        which shall be entitled to enforce payment of such Indebtedness solely
        by resorting to the security therefor, without any liability on the part
        of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary for any deficiency; 

                (iii) any Mortgage on assets of the Company or any Subsidiary
        existing on the date of this Indenture or any Mortgage on the assets of
        a Restricted Subsidiary on the date it became a Subsidiary or any
        Mortgage on the assets of a Subsidiary that is newly designated a
        Restricted Subsidiary, if such Mortgage was created while such
        Subsidiary was a Non-Restricted Subsidiary, and such Mortgage would have
        been permitted under this Section 4.5(a) if such Subsidiary had been a
        Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Mortgage was created; 

                (iv) any Mortgage incurred in connection with any refunding or
        extension of Indebtedness secured by a Mortgage permitted under clause
        (i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section 4.5(a), PROVIDED, that the principal
        amount of the refinancing or extending Indebtedness does not exceed the
        principal amount of the Indebtedness so refunded or extended and that
        such Mortgage applies only to the same property or assets subject to the
        prior permitted Mortgage and fixtures and building improvements thereon
        (and, if such prior Mortgage was incurred under clause (ii) of this
        Section 4.5(a), the requirements of subclause (2) thereof are
        satisfied); or


                                     -23-
<PAGE>   31

                (v)  any Mortgage given in favor of the Company or any Wholly
        Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

        (b)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section
4.5, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may, in addition to Mortgages
permitted by subsection (a) of this Section 4.5, create or assume and renew,
extend or replace Mortgages which would otherwise be subject to such subsection
(a), provided that at the time of such creation, assumption, renewal, extension
or replacement, and after giving effect thereto, Exempted Debt does not exceed
10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

SECTION 4.6  Limitation Upon Sale and Leaseback Transactions.
             ------------------------------------------------

        (a)  Without equally and ratably securing the Securities, the Company
will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any
arrangements with any Person providing for the leasing by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of any Operating Property or Operating Asset now owned or
hereafter acquired that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person subsequent to September 15, 1993
with the intention of taking back a lease of such property (a "Sale and
Leaseback Transaction") unless the terms of such sale or transfer have been
determined by the Board of Directors to be fair and arms' length and the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary applies or causes to be applied an amount equal to
the greater of the net proceeds of such sale or transfer or the fair value of
such Operating Property or Operating Asset at the time of such sale or transfer,
within 180 days of the closing of such sale or transfer, to the retirement or
prepayment (other than any mandatory retirement or prepayment) of Senior Funded
Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.  The foregoing restriction
shall not apply to (i) any Sale and Leaseback Transaction for a term of not more
than three years including renewals, (ii) in the case of any Operating Property
heretofore or hereafter acquired (as the term "acquired" is used in the
definition of Operating Property) or any Operating Asset heretofore or hereafter
acquired, any Sale and Leaseback Transaction with respect thereto if a binding
commitment is entered into with respect to said Sale and Leaseback Transaction
within three years after the date when the Operating Property is acquired (as so
defined) or 180 days after the later of the date when the Operating Asset is
acquired and, if applicable, the date such Operating Asset is first placed in
operation, or (iii) any Sale and Leaseback Transaction between the Company and
any Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries provided that the
lessor shall be the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary.

        (b)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section
4.6, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may, in addition to Sale Leaseback
Transactions permitted by subsection (a) of this Section 4.6, enter into Sale
and Leaseback Transactions without any obligation to retire any Senior Funded
Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, at the time of
entering into such Sale and Leaseback Transactions, and after giving effect
thereto, Exempted Debt does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.



                                     -24-
<PAGE>   32

SECTION 4.7  Limitations Upon Permitting Restricted Subsidiaries to become 
             Non-Restricted Subsidiaries and Non-Restricted Subsidiaries to 
             become Restricted Subsidiaries.  
             ---------------------------------------------------------------

        (a)  The Company will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to be
designated as or otherwise to become a Non-Restricted Subsidiary unless
immediately after such Restricted Subsidiary becomes a Non-Restricted
Subsidiary, it will not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock of any
other Restricted Subsidiary or any Mortgage on property of any other Restricted
Subsidiary.

        (b)  The Company will not permit any Non-Restricted Subsidiary that has
previously been a Restricted Subsidiary to be designated as a Restricted
Subsidiary unless such Non-Restricted Subsidiary shall not, at any time after it
ceased to be a Restricted Subsidiary have participated in any sale and leaseback
transaction involving any Operating Property or Operating Asset owned by such
Subsidiary, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than in a
transaction permitted under Section 4.6 for such Subsidiary if it had been a
Restricted Subsidiary at the time), unless the Operating Property or Operating
Asset involved in such transaction shall no longer be leased by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary or such Subsidiary or shall be owned by the Company or
a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary;

        (c)  Promptly after the adoption of any Board Resolution designating a
Restricted Subsidiary as a Non-Restricted Subsidiary or a Non-Restricted
Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, or the making of an election by duly
authorized officers of the Company to effect any such designation, a copy of
such Board Resolution or a written statement as to such designation signed by
such officers shall be filed with the Trustee, together with an Officers'
Certificate stating that the provisions of this Section 4.7 have been complied
with in connection with such designation, and, in case of the designation of a
Restricted Subsidiary as a Non-Restricted Subsidiary, setting forth the name of
each other Subsidiary (if any) that has become a Non-Restricted Subsidiary as a
result of such designation.

SECTION 4.8  Compliance Certificate.
             -----------------------

        The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end
of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers' Certificate signed by the
principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting
officer of the Company stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the
signers thereof the Company is in Default in the performance and observance of
any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Indenture, and if the Company
shall be in Default, specifying all such Defaults and the nature and status
thereof of which they may have knowledge.  If the Company shall be in Default,
the certificate shall describe the Default.  The Company shall give notice to
the Trustee within 10 business days after a Default under Section 6.1(5) occurs.


                                     -25-
<PAGE>   33

SECTION 4.9  SEC Reports.
             ------------

        The Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it files
them with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the definitive
information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of
the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the
Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The Company also shall comply with the other
provisions of TIA [SECTION]314(a).

                                   ARTICLE 5

             CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

SECTION 5.1  Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.  
             -----------------------------------------------------

        The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other
corporation or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially
as an entirety to any Person, and the Company shall not permit any Person to
consolidate with or merge into the Company or convey, transfer or lease its
properties and assets substantially as an entirety to the Company, unless:

        (1)  in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another
corporation or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially
as an entirety to any Person, the corporation formed by such consolidation or
into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or
transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company
substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of
Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto,
executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the
due and punctual payment of the Principal of and interest on all the Securities
and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the
Company to be performed or observed;

        (2)  immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating
any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Company or a Subsidiary as a
result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Company or such
Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall
have happened and be continuing;

        (3)  if, as a result of any such consolidation or merger or such
conveyance, transfer or lease, properties or assets of the Company would become
subject to a mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance
which would not be permitted by this Indenture, the Company or such successor
corporation or Person, as the case may be, shall take such steps as shall be
necessary effectively to secure the Securities equally and ratably with (or
prior to) all Indebtedness secured thereby; and



                                     -26-
<PAGE>   34

        (4)  the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger,
conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in
connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture complies with this
Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such
transaction have been complied with.

SECTION 5.2  Successor Corporation Substituted.
             ----------------------------------

        Upon any consolidation by the Company with or merger by the Company into
any other corporation or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and
assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section
6.1, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall
succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of,
the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor
corporation had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the
case of a lease, the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of all
obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities. 

                                   ARTICLE 6

                                   REMEDIES

SECTION 6.1  Events of Default.
             ------------------

        "Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to Securities of
any Series, means any one of the following events, except the events set forth
in clause (5) below, which shall not apply for the benefit of Securities of a
Series as to which, pursuant to Section 2.2.14 in the establishing Board
Resolution and Officers' Certificate or indentures supplemental hereto, it is
provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default
(whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary
or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment,
decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any
administrative or governmental body):

        (1)  default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that
Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a
period of 30 days; or

        (2)  default in the payment of the Principal of any Security of that
Series at its Maturity; or

        (3)  default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due
by the terms of a Security of that Series; or

        (4)  default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty
of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in
whose performance or whose 


                                     -27-
<PAGE>   35

breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has
expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of Series of
Securities other than that Series), and continuance of such default or breach
for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by  registered or certified
mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of
that Series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it
to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder;
or

        (5)  a default under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of
Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company (including a default with respect
to Securities of any Series other than that Series) or under any mortgage,
indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be
secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company
(including this Indenture), whether such Indebtedness now exists or shall
hereafter be created, which default shall have resulted in such Indebtedness
becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would
otherwise have become due and payable, and the principal amount of the
Indebtedness so accelerated, together with the principal amount of all other
Indebtedness similarly accelerated, shall be $10,000,000 or more, and such
acceleration shall not have been rescinded or annulled, within a period of 10
days after there shall have been given, by registered or certified mail, to the
Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at
least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a
written notice specifying such default and requiring the Company to cause such
acceleration to be rescinded or annulled and stating that such notice is a
"Notice of Default" hereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, subject to the
provisions of Section 7.1, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of
such defaults unless either (A) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in its
Corporate Trust Office shall have actual knowledge of such default or (B) the
Trustee shall have received written notice thereof at its Corporate Trust Office
from the Company, from any Holder, from the holder of any such indebtedness or
from the trustee under any such mortgage, indenture or other instrument; or

        (6)  the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a
decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or
proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the
Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition
seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect
of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a
custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other
similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or
ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of
any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed
and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

        (7)  the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding
under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a
bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the 


                                     -28-
<PAGE>   36

entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an
involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any
bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a
petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any
applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such
petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian,
receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the
Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of
its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of
corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or

        (8)  any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of
that Series.

SECTION 6.2  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
             ---------------------------------------------------

        If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the
time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee
or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities of that Series may declare the Principal amount (or, if any
Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the Principal
amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of all of the
Securities of that Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in
writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any
such declaration such Principal amount (or specified amount) shall become
immediately due and payable.  If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(6)
or (7) shall occur, the Principal amount (or specified amount) of all
outstanding Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and
payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any
Holder.

        At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to any
Series had been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money
due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided,
the Holders of a majority in Principal amount of the outstanding Securities of
that Series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and
annul such declaration and its consequences if

           (1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum
           sufficient to pay
                (A) all overdue interest on all Securities of that Series,
                (B) the Principal of any Securities of that Series which have
              become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and
              interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such
              Securities,
                (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,
              interest upon any overdue Principal and overdue interest at the
              rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and


                                     -29-

<PAGE>   37

                (D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the
              reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of
              the Trustee, its agents and counsel;
        and
                (2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that
        Series, other than the non-payment of the Principal of Securities of
        that Series which have become due solely by such declaration of
        acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.13.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right
consequent thereon.
        
SECTION 6.3  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
             ----------------------------------------------------------------

        The Company covenants that if

                (1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any
        Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default
        continues for a period of 60 days, or

                (2) default is made in the payment of Principal of any Security
        at the Maturity thereof, or

                (3) default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment
        when and as due by the terms of a Security,

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the
Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such
Securities for Principal and interest and, to the extent that payment of such
interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue  Principal or any
overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,
and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover
the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

        If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the
Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a
judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may
prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same
against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the
moneys adjudged or deemed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the
property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever
situated.

        If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any Series
occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect
and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such
Series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most
effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific
enforcement 

                                     -30-
<PAGE>   38

of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the
exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy. 

SECTION 6.4  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
             ---------------------------------

        In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation,
bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other
judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the
Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their
creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the Principal of the Securities
shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or
otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on
the Company for the payment of overdue Principal or interest) shall be entitled
and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

                (i)  to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of Principal
        and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file
        such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order
        to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the
        reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
        Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such
        judicial proceeding, and 

                (ii)  to collect and receive any moneys or other property
        payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same,

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by
each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the
Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders,
to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and
any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.

        Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities
or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in
respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding. 

SECTION 6.5  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities. 
             ------------------------------------------------------------

        All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities
may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of
the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and
any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name
as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after
provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and 

                                     -31-
<PAGE>   39

advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of
the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been
recovered. 

SECTION 6.6  Application of Money Collected.
             -------------------------------

        Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be
applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and,
in case of the distribution of such money on account of Principal or interest,
upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if
only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

                First:  To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under
        Section 7.7; and 

                Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for
        Principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for
        the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without
        preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and
        payable on such Securities for Principal and interest, respectively.

SECTION 6.7  Limitation on Suits.
             --------------------

        No Holder of any Security of any Series shall have any right to
institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture,
or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy
hereunder, unless

                (1)  such Holder has previously given written notice to the
        Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities
        of that Series;

                (2)  the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
        outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written request to
        the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default
        in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

                (3)  such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee
        reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be
        incurred in compliance with such request;

                (4)  the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice,
        request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such
        proceeding; and

                (5)  no direction inconsistent with such written request has
        been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a
        majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that
        Series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have
any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision
of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of
such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or 


                                     -32-
<PAGE>   40

preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this
Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable
benefit of all such Holders.

SECTION 6.8  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest.
             -----------------------------------------------------------------

        Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any
Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive
payment of the Principal of and interest on such Security on the Stated Maturity
or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption,
on the redemption date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such
Holder.

SECTION 6.9  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
             -----------------------------------

        If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce
any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been
discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to
the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any
determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall
be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and
thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue
as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

SECTION 6.10  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
              -------------------------------

        Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment
of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of
Section 2.8, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee
or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and
every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and
in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter
existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any
right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 6.11  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
              -----------------------------

        No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities
to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair
any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or
an acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law
to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as
often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case
may be.

                                     -33-
<PAGE>   41


SECTION 6.12  Control by Holders.
              -------------------

        The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities of any Series shall have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the
Securities of such Series, provided that

                (1)  such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of
        law or with this Indenture,

                (2)  the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the
        Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

                (3)  subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall
        have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in
        good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee,
        determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in
        personal liability.

SECTION 6.13  Waiver of Past Defaults.
              ------------------------

        The Holders of not less than a majority in Principal amount of the
outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all the
Securities of such Series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to such
Series and its consequences, except a Default (1) in the payment of the
Principal of or interest on any Security of such Series or (2) in respect of a
covenant or provision hereof which under Article 9 cannot be modified or amended
without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of such Series
affected.  Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any
Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every
purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or
other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 6.14  Undertaking for Costs.
              ----------------------

        All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by
his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its
discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under
this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken,
suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such
suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in
its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and
good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the
provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the
Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any
Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of any Series, or to any suit instituted by
any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the Principal 

                                     -34-
<PAGE>   42

of or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated
Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or
after the redemption date).

SECTION 6.15  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.
              ---------------------------------

        The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it
will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or
take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted,
now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the
performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law
and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any
power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of
every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

                                   ARTICLE 7
                                       
                                    TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.1  Duties of Trustee.
             ------------------

        (a)  If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the
same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise
or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

        (b)  Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

                (1)  The Trustee need perform only those duties that are
           specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others.

                (2)  In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
           conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
           correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officers'
           Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and
           conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, the
           Trustee shall examine  the Officers' Certificates and Opinions of
           Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements
           of this Indenture.

        (c)  The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful
misconduct, except that:

                (1)  This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b)
           of this Section.

                                     -35-
<PAGE>   43

                (2)  The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
           made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that
           the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

                (3)  The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action
           it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a
           direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.12.

        (d)  Every provision of this Indenture that in any way related
to the Trustee is subject to paragraph (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

        (e)  The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any
right or power at the request of any Holder unless it receives indemnity 
satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

        (f)  The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money
received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.  
Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds 
except to the extent required by law.

SECTION 7.2  Rights of Trustee.
             ------------------

        (a)  The Trustee may rely on any document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper person.  The Trustee need not
investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

        (b)  Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may consult
with counsel or require an Officer's Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel.  The
Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good
faith in reliance on the written advice of counsel or an Officer's Certificate
or an Opinion of Counsel.

        (c)  The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for
the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

        (d)  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to
take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or
powers.

SECTION 7.3  Individual Rights of Trustee.
             -----------------------------

        The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner
or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an affiliate
with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Agent may do the
same with like rights and duties.  However, the Trustee is subject to Sections
7.10 and 7.11.


                                     -36-
<PAGE>   44

SECTION 7.4  Trustee's Disclaimer.
             ---------------------

        The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of
this Indenture or the Securities.  It shall not be accountable for the Company's
use of the proceeds from the Securities or for monies paid over to the Company
pursuant to the Indenture, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in
the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.

SECTION 7.5  Notice of Defaults.
             -------------------

        If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect
to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee
shall mail to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series and, if any
Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized
Newspaper notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it
occurs.  Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment on any
Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as
its Corporate Trust Committee or a committee of its Responsible Officers in good
faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of
Securityholders of that Series.

SECTION 7.6  Reports by Trustee to Holders.
             ------------------------------

        Within 60 days after May 15 in each year, the Trustee shall transmit by
mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on the Security
Register, and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish in an
Authorized Newspaper, a brief report dated as of such May 15, in accordance
with, and to the extent required under, TIA [SECTION] 313.

        A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Security holders of
any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the
Securities of that Series are listed.  The Company shall promptly notify the
Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange.

SECTION 7.7  Compensation and Indemnity.
             ---------------------------

        The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable
compensation for its services.  The Trustee's compensation shall not be limited
by any law on compensation of a trustee or an express trust.  The Company shall
reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by it.  Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and
expenses of the Trustee's agents and counsel.

        The Company shall indemnify the Trustee against any loss or liability
incurred by it.  The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for
which it may seek indemnity.

        The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss
or liability incurred by the Trustee through negligence or bad faith.


                                     -37-
<PAGE>   45

        To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee
shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property
held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay Principal and
interest on particular Securities of that Series.

        When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of
Default specified in Section 6.1(6) or (7) occurs, the expenses and the
compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

SECTION 7.8  Replacement of Trustee.
             -----------------------

        A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor
Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee's acceptance of
appointment as provided in this Section.

        The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more
Series by so notifying the Company.  The Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to
that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company and may appoint a
successor Trustee with the Company's consent.  The Company may remove the
Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:

                (1)  the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

                (2)  the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an
        order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any
        Bankruptcy Law;

                (3)  a receiver or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or
        its property; or

                (4)  the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

        If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the
office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
Trustee.

        If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more
Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or
is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in
principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

        If the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series
fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Securityholder of the applicable Series
may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee
and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

        A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Immediately after that,
the retiring Trustee shall transfer all 


                                     -38-
<PAGE>   46

property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien
provided for in Section 7.7, the resignation or removal of the retiring
Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the
rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of
Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture.  A successor
Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such
Series and if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish such notice on one
occasion in an Authorized Newspaper.

SECTION 7.9  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
             ---------------------------------

        If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers
all or substantially all of its corporate trust business assets to, another
corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the
successor Trustee; provided, however, that within one year after such merger,
consolidation or transfer of assets the Company may appoint a successor Trustee
to replace the Trustee resulting from such merger, consideration or transfer of
assets.

SECTION 7.10  Eligibility; Disqualification.
              -----------------------------

        This indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the
requirements of TIA [SECTION]310(a)(1), (2) and (5).  The Trustee shall at all
times be a corporation that is organized and doing business under the laws of
the United States of America or of any state thereof, that is authorized under
such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or
examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and
surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual
report of condition.  The Trustee is subject to TIA [SECTION]310(b).

SECTION 7.11  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
              --------------------------------------------------

        The Trustee is subject to TIA [SECTION]311(a), excluding any creditor
relationship listed in TIA [SECTION]311(b).  A trustee who has resigned or been
removed shall be subject to TIA [SECTION]311(a) to the extent indicated.

                            ARTICLE 8

                    SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 8.1  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
             ----------------------------------------

        This Indenture shall upon Company Order cease to be of further effect
(except as to any surviving rights or registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of
the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture, when

        (1)  either





                                     -39-





<PAGE>   47

                (a)  all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered
           (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and
           that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee
           for cancellation; or

                (b)  all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the
           Trustee for cancellation

                (i)   have become due and payable, or

                (ii)  will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity 
              within one year, or

                (iii) are to be called for redemption within one year
              under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of
              notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the
              expense, of the Company, or

                (iv)  are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to Section 8.3, as
              applicable.

        and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited
        or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust in
        an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the
        entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the
        Trustee for cancellation, for Principal and interest to the date of     
        such deposit (in the case of Securities which become due and payable)
        or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;

        (2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable
hereunder by the Company; and

        (3)  the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein
provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have
been complied with.

        Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.7, and, if money shall
have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (1) of this Section or
if money or obligations shall have been deposited with or received by the
Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3, the obligations of the Trustee under Section
8.2 and Section 8.5 shall survive. 




                                     -40-
<PAGE>   48
SECTION 8.2  Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.
             ---------------------------------------------

                (a)  Subject to the provisions of Section 8.5, all money
        deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.1, all money and U.S.
        Government Obligations or Foreign Government Securities deposited with
        the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 and all money received by the
        Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government
        Securities deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4,
        shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the
        provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either
        directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as
        its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons
        entitled thereto, of the Principal and interest for whose payment such
        money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make
        mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments as contemplated by
        Sections 8.3 or 8.4.

                (b)  The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee
        against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S.
        Government Obligations or Foreign Government Securities deposited
        pursuant to Sections 8.3 or 8.4 or the interest and Principal received
        in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of
        Holders.

                (c)  The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time
        to time upon Company Request any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign
        Government Securities or money held by it as provided in Sections 8.3 or
        8.4 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent
        certified public accountants expressed in a written certification
        thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount
        thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the
        purpose for which such Obligations or Foreign Government Securities or
        money were deposited or received.  This provision shall not authorize
        the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign
        Government Securities held under this Indenture.

SECTION 8.3  Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Securities of any Series.
             -------------------------------------------------------------------

        Unless this Section 8.3 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section
2.2.14, to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company shall be
deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the
outstanding Securities of any such Series on the 91st day after the date of the
deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) hereof, and the provisions of this
Indenture, as it relates to such outstanding Securities of any such Series,
shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company,
shall, at Company request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same),
except as to:

                (a)  the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to
        receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (d) hereof, (i)
        payment of the Principal of and each installment of Principal of or
        interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the 


                                     -41-
<PAGE>   49

        Stated Maturity of such Principal or installment of Principal or
        interest and    (ii) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments
        applicable to the Securities of such Series on the day on which such
        payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this
        Indenture and the Securities of such Series;

                (b)  the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities
        of such Series under Sections 2.4, 2.7 and 2.8; and

                (c)  the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee
        hereunder and the duties of the duties of the Trustee under Section 8.2
        and the duty of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such Series
        issued on registration of transfer or exchange;

provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
        
                (d)  the Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited
        irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of
        making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and
        dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in
        the case of Securities of such Series denominated in U.S. dollars, cash
        in U.S. dollars (or such other money or currencies as shall then be
        legal tender in the United States) and/or U.S. Government Obligations,
        or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a
        Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign
        Government Securities in the same Foreign Currency, which through the
        payment of interest and Principal in respect thereof, in accordance with
        their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax
        liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day
        before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash,
        sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
        independent public accountants expressed in a written certification
        thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment
        of Principal, (including mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments)
        of and any interest on all the Securities of such Series on the dates
        such installments of interest or Principal are due;

                (e)  such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of,
        or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or
        instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

                (f)  such provision would not cause any outstanding Securities
        of such Series then listed on the New York Stock Exchange or other
        securities exchange to be de-listed as a result thereof;

                (g)  no Default or Event of Default with respect to the
        Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the
        date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after
        such date;


                                     -42-
<PAGE>   50

                (h)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
           Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that
           the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the
           Internal Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that Holders of the
           Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for
           Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposits, defeasance
           and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same
           amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have
           been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not
           occurred;

                (i)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
           Officers' Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the
           Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities
           of such Series over any other creditors of the company or with the
           intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other
           creditors of the Company; and 

                (j)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
        Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all
        conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance
        contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

SECTION 8.4  Defeasance of Certain Obligations.
             ----------------------------------

        Unless this Section 8.4 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section
2.2.14 to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, on and after the 91st day
after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (1) hereof, the
Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth under
Sections 4.2 (except as to corporate existence), 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8,
4.9 and 5.1(3) (and the failure to comply with any such provisions shall not
constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 6.1) and the occurrence
of any event described in clause (5) of Section 6.1 shall not constitute a
Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such
Series, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

                (1)  With reference to this Section 8.4, the Company has
        deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in
        Section 8.3) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically
        pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the
        Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series
        denominated in U.S. dollars, cash in U.S. dollars (or such other money
        or currencies as shall then be legal tender in the United States) and/or
        U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such
        Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite
        currency), money and/or Foreign Government Securities in the same
        Foreign Currency, which through the payment of interest and Principal in
        respect thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide (and
        without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on
        such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment
        of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally
        recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in
        a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and
        discharge each installment of Principal (including 


                                     -43-
<PAGE>   51

        mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments) of and any interest on all
        the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of
        interest or Principal are due;

                (2)  Such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of,
        or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or
        instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

                (3)  No Default or Event of Default with respect to the
        Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the
        date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after
        such date; 

                (4)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion
        of Counsel confirming that Holders of the Securities of such Series will
        not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a
        result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to federal
        income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times
        as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not
        occurred;

                (5)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
        Officers' Certificate stating the deposit was not made by the Company
        with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such
        Series over any other creditors of the company or with the intent of
        defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the
        Company; and

                (6)  The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
        Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all
        conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the defeasance
        contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

SECTION 8.5  Repayment to Company.
             ---------------------

        The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request
any money held by them for the payment of Principal and interest that remains
unclaimed for two years.  After that, Securityholders entitled to the money must
look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable
abandoned property law designates another person.  

                                   ARTICLE 9

                            AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

SECTION 9.1  Without Consent of Holders.
             ---------------------------

        The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture to
amend this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without consent of
any Securityholder:

                (1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;


                                     -44-
<PAGE>   52

                (2) to comply with Article 5;

                (3) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or
           in place of certificated Securities;

                (4) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights
           of any Securityholder;

                (5) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and
        terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by this
        Indenture;

                (6) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
        hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one
        or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this
        Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the
        administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or

                (7) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or
        maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

SECTION 9.2  With Consent of Holders.
             ------------------------

        The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with
the written consent of the Holders of at least 66 2/3% in principal amount of
the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such supplemental
indenture, for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner
or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental
indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Securityholders of
each such Series.  Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by
such waiver by notice to the Trustee may waive compliance by the Company with
any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.  

        It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities
under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed
supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent
approves the substance thereof.  After a supplemental indenture or waiver under
this section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of
Securities affected thereby and, if any Bearer Securities affected thereby are
outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper a notice briefly
describing the supplemental indenture or waiver.  Any failure by the Company to
mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any
way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.

                                     -45-
<PAGE>   53

SECTION 9.3  Limitations.
             ------------

        Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or
waiver may not:

                (1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent
        to an amendment or waiver;

                (2) change the rate of or change the time for payment of
        interest (including default interest) on any Security;

                (3) change the Principal or the Stated Maturity of any Security;

                (4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the
        Principal of or interest on any Security (except a rescission of
        acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least
        a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding
        Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that
        resulted from such acceleration);

                (5) make the Security payable in currency other than that stated
        in the Security;

                (6) make any change in Sections 6.4, 6.7, 6.13, this 9.3, 10.12
        or 10.13; or    

                (7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security or
        change any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of any
        Securities.

SECTION 9.4  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
             ------------------------------------

        Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more
Series shall be set forth in an indenture supplemental hereto that complies with
the TIA as then in effect.

SECTION 9.5  Revocation and Effect of Consents.
             ----------------------------------

        Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a
Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent
Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as
the consenting Holder's Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on
any Security.  However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the
consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the
notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective.

        Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder
of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver except as otherwise provided
in Section 9.3.  In that case the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of
a Security who has consented to it and every 

                                     -46-
<PAGE>   54

subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the
same debt as the consenting Holder's Security.

    
SECTION 9.6  Notation on or Exchange of Securities.
             --------------------------------------

        The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or
waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated.  The Company in
exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall
authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the
amendment or waiver.

SECTION 9.7  Trustee Protected.
             ------------------

        The Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely
affects its rights or the rights of any Holder of any outstanding Series under
this Indenture.

                            ARTICLE 10

                          MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 10.1  Trust Indenture Act Controls.
              -----------------------------

        If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with
another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture
by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.

SECTION 10.2  Notices.
              --------

        Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other
is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class
mail:

    if to the Company:

         The TJX Companies, Inc.
         770 Cochituate Road
         Framingham, Massachusetts 01701

         Attention:  General Counsel

    if to the Trustee:
    
         The First National Bank of Chicago
         One First National Plaza, Suite 0126

                                     -47-
<PAGE>   55

         Chicago, Illinois  60670-0126

         Attention:  Corporate Trust Services Division


        The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate
additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

        Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by
first-class mail to his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar and,
if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, published in an Authorized Newspaper. 
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder of any Series or
any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other
Securityholders of that or any other Series.

        If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner
provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the
Securityholder receives it.

        If the Company mails a notice or communication to Securityholders, it
shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

SECTION 10.3  Communication by Holders with Other Holders.
              --------------------------------------------

        Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA [SECTION]
312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with
respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or
all Series.  The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have
the protection of TIA [SECTION] 312(c).

SECTION 10.4  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
              ---------------------------------------------------

        Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take
any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

                (1) an Officers' Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the
        signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this
        Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

                (2) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such
        counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

SECTION 10.5  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
              ----------------------------------------------


                                     -48-

<PAGE>   56

        Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition
or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided
pursuant to TIA [SECTION]314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA
[SECTION]314(e) and shall include:

                (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or
        opinion has read such covenant or condition;

                (2) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made
        such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to
        express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
        condition has been complied with; and

                (3) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
        person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 10.6  Rules by Trustee and Agents.
              ----------------------------

        The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of
Securityholders of one or more Series.  The Paying Agent or Registrar may make
reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

SECTION 10.7  Legal Holidays. 
              ---------------

        Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution or indenture supplemental
hereto for a particular Series, a "Legal Holiday" is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a
day on which banking institutions or trust companies are not required to be
open.  If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may
be made at the place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and
no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

SECTION 10.8  Governing Laws.
              ---------------

        THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN THIS  INDENTURE
AND THE SECURITIES.

SECTION 10.9  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
              ----------------------------------------------

        This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or
debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary.  Any such indenture, loan or debt
agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
    
SECTION 10.10  No Recourse Against Others.
               ---------------------------

        All liability described in the Securities of any director, officer,
employee or stockholders, as such, of the Company is waived and released.

                                     -49-
<PAGE>   57

SECTION 10.11  Duplicate Originals.
               --------------------

        The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each
signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same
agreement.

SECTION 10.12  Securities in a Foreign Currency or in ECU.
               -------------------------------------------

        Unless otherwise specified in an Officers' Certificate delivered
pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of
Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by
the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of
Securities of all Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the
time outstanding and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any
Series which are denominated in a coin or currency other than Dollars (including
ECUs), then the principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be
deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that
amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange
Rate.  For purposes of this Section 10.12, Market Exchange Rate shall mean the
noon Dollar buying rate in New York City for cable transfers of that currency as
published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in the
case of ECUs, Market Exchange Rate shall mean the rate of exchange determined by
the Commission of the European Communities (or any successor thereto) as
published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (such publication
or any successor publication, the "Journal").  If such Market Exchange Rate is
not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the Trustee shall
use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of
the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, in the case of ECUs, the rate of
exchange as published in the Journal, as of the most recent available date, or
quotations or, in the case of ECUs, rates of exchange from one or more major
banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in
question, which for purposes of the ECU shall be Brussels, Belgium, or such
other quotations or, in the case of ECUs, rates of exchange as the Trustee, upon
consultation with the Company, shall deem appropriate.  The provisions of this
paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect
of Securities of a Series denominated in a currency other than Dollars in
connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms
of this Indenture.

        All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the Market
Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding
paragraph shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest
error, be conclusive to the extent permitted by law for all purposes and
irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders.

SECTION 10.13  Judgment Currency.
               ------------------

        The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so
under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any
court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or
interest or other amount on the Securities of any Series (the "Required
Currency") into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the "Judgment


                                     -50-
<PAGE>   58

Currency"), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance
with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New
York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final
unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a New York Banking Day,
then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rate of exchange used shall
be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee
could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment
Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which final
unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to
make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied
by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered
in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required
Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the
actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency
expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable
as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in
the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall
fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be
payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other
sum due under this Indenture.  For purposes of the foregoing, "New York Banking
Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of
New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to
close.

                                  ARTICLE 11
                                       
                                 SINKING FUNDS

SECTION 11.1  Applicability of Article.
              -------------------------

        The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund
for the retirement of the Securities of a Series, except as otherwise permitted
or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this
Indenture.

        The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms
of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking
fund payment" and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of
such Series is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund payment".  If
provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any
sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.2. 
Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of
any Series as provided for by the terms of the Securities of such Series.

SECTION 11.2  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
              ------------------------------------------------------

        The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund
payment with respect to the Securities of such Series to be made pursuant to the
terms of such Securities (1) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to
which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities
previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and 


                                     -51-
<PAGE>   59

(2) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment
is applicable and which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company
pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any
mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking
fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such
Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. 
Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officers'
Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on
which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and
shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such
Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount
of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.  If as a result of
the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this
Section 11.2, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed
in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the
Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon
receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment
shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next
succeeding sinking fund payment, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Trustee or such
Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over
and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such
Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that
Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the
cash payment required to be released to the Company.

SECTION 11.3  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
              ------------------------------------------

        Not less than 60 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board
Resolution or Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a
particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any
Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund
payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion
thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion
thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of
Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.2, and the optional amount, if
any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and
the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. 
Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution or
Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular
Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee
shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date
in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption
thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the
manner provided in Section 3.3.  Such notice having been duly given, the
redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner
stated in Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.


                                     -52-
<PAGE>   60

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested, all as of the day and year first above written.r



                             THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.


(SEAL)                       By: /s/ Donald G. Campbell   
                                -------------------------
                                Name:  Donald G. Campbell
                                Title: Senior Vice President - Finance




                             THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO


(SEAL)                       By: /s/ Steven M. Wagner      
                                -------------------------
                                Name:  Steven M. Wagner
                                Title: Vice President









                                     -53-

<PAGE>   61


STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS  )
                        )  ss.:
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX     )

        On the 8th day of October, 1993, before me personally came Donald G.
Campbell, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he
is Senior Vice President of The TJX Companies, Inc., one of the corporations
described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal
of said corporation; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of
Directors of said corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like
authority.



                                       /s/ Joan P. Flores                
                                       ---------------------------
                                       Joan P. Flores
                                       Notary Public
                                       Commission Expires 01/08/99 


STATE OF ILLINOIS       )
                        )  ss.:
COUNTY OF COOK               )

        On the 7th day of October, 1993, before me personally came Steven M.
Wagner, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is
Vice President of The First National Bank of Chicago, one of the corporations
described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal
of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate
seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said
corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like authority.



                                       /s/ C.J. Bertelson                       
                                       -------------------------------
                                       Official Seal
                                       C.J. Bertelson
                                       Notary Public State of Illinois
                                       My Commission Expires 09/01/97







                                     -54-

<PAGE>   1

                                                                      EXHIBIT 5


                                 ROPES & GRAY
                            One International Place
                       Boston, Massachusetts  02110-2624
                                (617) 951-7000
                          Telecopier:  (617) 951-7050




                          June 7, 1995




The TJX Companies, Inc.
770 Cochituate Road
Framingham, Massachusetts  01701

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        This opinion is rendered to you in connection with the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement"),
for the registration and sale by The TJX Companies, Inc. (the "Company") of
debt securities to be issued from time to time up to an aggregate initial
public offering price of $250,000,000 (the "Debt Securities").  The Debt
Securities are to be issued pursuant to the provisions of an Indenture (the
"Indenture") between the Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as
Trustee.  Certain terms of the Debt Securities remain to be fixed in accordance
with resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company and the Executive
Committee thereof.

        We have acted as counsel to the Company in connection with the issuance
and sale of the Debt Securities and the preparation and filing of the
Registration Statement.  For purposes of this opinion, we have examined and
relied upon the information set forth in the Registration Statement and such
other documents and records that we have deemed necessary.

        Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

        1.  The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing
under the laws of the State of Delaware.

        2.  When the definitive terms of each Debt Security shall have been
determined and approved by authorized officers of the Company in accordance
with the Indenture and resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company and
the Executive Committee or Finance Committee thereof, and such Debt Security
shall have been duly executed and authenticated as provided in the Indenture
and delivered against payment therefor, such Debt Security will be the valid
and legally binding obligation of the Company and will be entitled to the
benefits of the Indenture, subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting the rights and remedies
of creditors and (ii) general principles of equity, regardless of whether
applied in proceedings in equity or law.

        We understand that this opinion is to be used in connection with the
Company's Registration Statement relating to the Debt Securities to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended.  We consent to the filing of this opinion with and as a part of
said Registration Statement and the use of our name therein and in the related
Prospectus under the caption "Legal Opinion".

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          /s/ Ropes & Gray
                                          Ropes & Gray

<PAGE>   1
<TABLE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 12
                                                                             
                                                                             
                           THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.
              COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                            (Dollars In Millions)

<CAPTION>
                               Thirteen
                                Weeks
                                Ended                Fiscal Year Ended                
                            -------------- --------------------------------------
                            April    April  Jan.    Jan.    Jan.    Jan.     Jan.
                             30,      29,    26,     25,     30,     29,     28,
                            1994     1995   1991    1992    1993    1994    1995
                            -----   -----  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
<S>                         <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Income from continuing
   operations               $19.4   $ 8.1  $ 74.1  $ 70.1  $104.0  $127.1  $ 82.6

Add back:

    Taxes                    13.5     7.0    49.4    51.1    69.1    83.6    59.2  
    Interest expense          5.5     8.9    25.6    27.3    26.3    19.0    25.9
    Interest portion of
      leases                 16.4    17.1    39.6    44.3    49.5    55.6    65.6
                            -----   -----  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------

Income before taxes and
   fixed charges            $54.8   $41.1  $188.7  $192.8  $248.9  $285.3  $233.3
                            =====   =====  ======  ======  ======  ======  ======
Fixed charges

    Capitalized interest    $  .0   $  .0  $   .9  $   .0  $   .3  $   .2  $   .3
    Interest expense          5.5     8.9    25.6    27.3    26.3    19.0    25.9
    Interest portion of
      leases                 16.4    17.1    39.6    44.3    49.5    55.6    65.6
                            -----   -----  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
                            $21.9   $26.0  $ 66.1  $ 71.6  $ 76.1  $ 74.8  $ 91.8
                            =====   =====  ======  ======  ======  ======  ======
Ratio of earnings to fixed
   charges                   2.50x   1.58x   2.85x   2.69x   3.27x   3.82x   2.54x
                            =====   =====  ======  ======  ======  ======  ======

</TABLE>


<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1
                                                                  


                     CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

                                      
        We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement of The TJX Companies, Inc. on Form S-3 of our report dated March 1,
1995, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of The TJX
Companies, Inc. as of January 28, 1995 and January 29, 1994 and for the years   
ended January 28, 1995, January 29, 1994 and January 30, 1993 which report is
incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The TJX
Companies, Inc. for the fiscal year ended January 28, 1995.  We also consent to
the references to our Firm under the caption "Experts."


                                              /s/Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
                                                 Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.




Boston, Massachusetts
June 7, 1995






                                     -1-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 25



                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                   FORM T-1
                                   --------
    
                           STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                     UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                 OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

               CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
                OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)____

                                                        
                            _____________________

                      THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
              (EXACT NAME OF TRUSTEE AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

    A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION                             36-0899825
                                                               (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                                                          IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
                                       
ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                   60670-0126
  (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                    (ZIP CODE)
                                       
                      THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                     ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, SUITE 0286
                        CHICAGO, ILLINOIS   60670-0286
           ATTN:  LYNN A. GOLDSTEIN, LAW DEPARTMENT (312) 732-6919
          (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                            _____________________
                                                         

                           THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF OBLIGOR AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

          DELAWARE                                             04-2207613
   (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                             (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
   INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                         IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)


          770 COCHITUATE ROAD
          FRAMINGHAM, MA                                       01701
  (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                     (ZIP CODE)


                               DEBT SECURITIES
                       (TITLE OF INDENTURE SECURITIES)
                                      

<PAGE>   2



ITEM 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.

          Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.,
          Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 
          Washington, D.C., The Board of Governors of
          the Federal Reserve System, Washington D.C.

          (b)  WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE
          CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

          The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate
          trust powers.

ITEM 2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.  IF THE OBLIGOR
          IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH
          SUCH AFFILIATION.

          No such affiliation exists with the trustee.

  
ITEM 16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.   LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS A 
          PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY.

          1.   A copy of the articles of association of the  
               trustee now in effect.*

          2.   A copy of the certificates of authority of the
               trustee to commence business.*

          3.   A copy of the authorization of the trustee to
               exercise corporate trust powers.*

          4.   A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee.*

          5.   Not Applicable.

          6.   The consent of the trustee required by
               Section 321(b) of the Act.



                                      2

<PAGE>   3

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

       8.   Not Applicable.

       9.   Not Applicable.


Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
the trustee, The First National Bank of Chicago, a national banking     
association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of
America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of
Chicago and State of Illinois, on the  6th day of June,1995.


            THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
            TRUSTEE,

                 
                 /S/ R. D. MANELLA
            BY  
                 R. D. MANELLA
                 VICE PRESIDENT AND SENIOR COUNSEL

* EXHIBIT 1,2,3 AND 4 ARE HEREIN INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO EXHIBITS BEARING
IDENTICAL NUMBERS IN ITEM 12 OF THE FORM T-1 OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
CHICAGO, FILED AS EXHIBIT 26 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 OF THE   
CIT GROUP HOLDINGS, INC., FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON
FEBRUARY 16, 1993 (REGISTRATION NO. 33-58418).



                                      3
<PAGE>   4
                                  EXHIBIT 6
                                  ---------    


                     THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED
                         BY SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT
                                      

                                                         June 6, 1995




Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C.  20549

Gentlemen:

In connection with the qualification of an indenture between The TJX Companies,
Inc. and The First National Bank of Chicago, the undersigned, in accordance
with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, hereby
consents that the reports of examinations of the undersigned, made by Federal
or State authorities authorized to make such examinations, may be furnished by
such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request
therefor.


                                Very truly yours,

                                THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                      
                                               /S/ R. D. MANELLA  
                                           BY:     
                                              R. D. MANELLA
                                              VICE PRESIDENT AND SENIOR COUNSEL




                                      4
<PAGE>   5
                                   EXHIBIT 7
                                   ---------
<TABLE>
Legal Title of Bank:       The First National Bank of Chicago   Call Date: 3/31/95  ST-BK: 17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:           One First National Plaza, Suite 0460                                  Page RC-1
City, State  Zip:          Chicago, IL  60670-0460                 
FDIC Certificate No.: 0/3/6/1/8
                      ---------

CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR MARCH 31, 1995

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

SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               C400  
                                                                             DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN            ------------     
               <-                                                               THOUSANDS      RCFD       BIL MIL THOU        
             ------                                                          ----------------- ----       ------------
<S>                                                                         <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    2,948,128         1.a.
    b. Interest-bearing balances(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            0071    8,482,108         1.b.
2.  Securities 
    a. Held-to-maturity securities(from Schedule RC-B, column A) . . . .            1754      167,911         2.a.
    b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D). . .            1773      540,011         2.b.
3.  Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to
    resell in domestic offices of the bank and its Edge and Agreement
    subsidiaries, and in IBFs:                                       
    a. Federal Funds sold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            0276    2,508,883         3.a.
    b. Securities purchased under agreements to resell . . . . . . . . .            0277    1,422,695         3.b.
4.  Loans and lease financing receivables:
    a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule
    RC-C). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    RCFD    2122   16,238,310         4.a.
    b. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses . . . . . . . . . . . .    RCFD    3123      358,207         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   15,880,103         4.d.
5.  Assets held in trading accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            3545   13,257,798         5.  
6.  Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) . . . . . .            2145      516,827         6.
7.  Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M) . . . . . . . . . . . .            2150       13,166         7.
8.  Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated
    companies (from Schedule RC-M) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            2130       10,363         8.
9.  Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding . . . .            2155      463,961         9.
10. Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            2143      119,715        10.  
11. Other assets (from Schedule RC-F). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            2160    1,346,941        11.
12. Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            2170   47,678,610        12.
<FN>
____________
         
(1)  Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2)  Includes time certificates of deposit not held in trading accounts.
</TABLE>

                                                                 5
<PAGE>   6
<TABLE>
Legal Title of Bank:       The First National Bank of Chicago    Call Date: 3/31/95 ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                   One First National Plaza, Suite 0460                                 Page RC-2
City, State  Zip:               Chicago, IL  60670-0460            
FDIC Certificate No.:      0/3/6/1/8
                           ---------

SCHEDULE RC-CONTINUED
<CAPTION>
                                                                     DOLLAR AMOUNTS 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 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCON 2200       14,675,401      13.a.
       (1) Noninterest-bearing(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCON 6631        5,498,690      13.a.(1)
       (2) Interest-bearing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCON 6636        9,176,711      13.a.(2)
    b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and
       IBFs (from Schedule RC-E, part II). . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCFN 2200       11,809,645      13.b.
       (1) Noninterest bearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCFN 6631          304,669      13.b.(1)
       (2) Interest-bearing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCFN 6636       11,504,976      13.b.(2)
14. Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements 
    to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and of
    its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs:
    a. Federal funds purchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCFD 0278        2,072,830      14.a.
    b. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase. . . . . . .      RCFD 0279        1,484,164      14.b.
15. a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury. . . . . . . . . .      RCON 2840          103,138      15.a.
    b. Trading Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCFD 3548        9,101,186      15.b.      
16. Other borrowed money:
    a. With original maturity of one year or less. . . . . . . . .      RCFD 2332        2,307,860      16.a.
    b. With original maturity of more than one year. . . . . . . .      RCFD 2333          506,476      16.b.       
17. Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized
            leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCFD 2910          278,108      17.
18. Bank's liability on acceptance executed and outstanding. . . .      RCFD 2920          463,961      18.
19. Subordinated notes and debentures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCFD 3200        1,225,000      19.
20. Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G) . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCFD 2930          699,375      20.
21. Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20) . . . . . . . .      RCFD 2948       44,727,144      21.
22. Limited-Life preferred stock and related surplus . . . . . . .      RCFD 3282                0      22.
EQUITY CAPITAL
23. Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus. . . . . . . . .      RCFD 3838                0      23.
24. Common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCFD 3230          
200,858     24.
25. Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock) . . .      RCFD 3839        2,304,657      25.
26. a. Undivided profits and capital reserves. . . . . . . . . . .      RCFD 3632          447,916      26.a.          
    b. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale 
       securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      RCFD 8434           [2,165)     26.b.     
27. Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments. . . . . .      RCFD 3284              200      27.
28. Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27). . . . . . .      RCFD 3210        2,951,466      28.
29. Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity 
            capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28). . . . . . . . .      RCFD 3300        47,678,610     29.
<FN>
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
</TABLE>

                                                                 6
<PAGE>   7
<TABLE>
                                                                                    -------
     auditors as of any date during 1993  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    RFCD               M.1. 
                                                                                    -------
<S>                                                                                 <C>
1 =  Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance                          4. =  Directors' examination of the bank 
performed by other with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified              external auditors (may be required by 
state chartering public accounting firm which submits a report on the bank      
authority)

2 =  Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company         

5 =  Review of the bank's financial statements by external
     conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing auditors
     standards by a certified public accounting firm which                          6 =  Compilation of the bank's financial 
     statements by external submits a report on the consolidated holding company         auditors
     (but not on the bank separately)                                               7 =  Other audit procedures (excluding 
                                                                                         tax preparation work)

3 =  Directors' examination of the bank conducted in                                8 =  No external audit work
     accordance with generally accepted auditing standards
     by a certified public accounting firm (may be required by
     state chartering authority)
<FN>
___________                   
(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings deposits.

</TABLE>







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