DEERE JOHN CAPITAL CORP
424B2, 1996-09-04
SHORT-TERM BUSINESS CREDIT INSTITUTIONS
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<PAGE>
                                                      PURSUANT TO RULE 424(B)(2)
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated September 3, 1996)
 
                              U.S. $1,108,850,000
                         JOHN DEERE CAPITAL CORPORATION
                          Medium-Term Notes, Series C
                Due from 9 Months to 30 Years from Date of Issue
                              -------------------
 
    John  Deere Capital Corporation  (the "Capital Corporation")  may offer from
time to time its Medium-Term Notes, Series C,
(the  "Notes")  at  an   aggregate  initial  offering  price   of  up  to   U.S.
$1,108,850,000,  or  the  equivalent  in  one  or  more  Currencies,  subject to
reduction as a result of the sale  of other Debt Securities (including the  sale
of  Debt Securities having substantially similar  terms to the Notes outside the
United States or  the sale  of Debt  Securities pursuant  to another  prospectus
supplement)  or  Debt Warrants.  Unless  otherwise specified  in  the applicable
pricing supplement, the  Notes will bear  interest at either  fixed or  floating
rates or a combination thereof and will have a Maturity Date from 9 months to 30
years from the date of issue. The principal amount, Currency of denomination and
payment,  Maturity Date, redemption and repayment  provisions, if any, and price
to public of a Note, together with the interest rate or the interest rate basis,
as adjusted by any Spread, Spread Multiplier  or other formula, as the case  may
be,  will  be  established by  the  Capital  Corporation and  set  forth  in the
applicable pricing supplement.
 
    Interest on each Fixed Rate Note will  be payable on March 15 and  September
15   of  each  year,  unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  applicable  pricing
supplement, and on  the date of  Maturity. Interest on  each Floating Rate  Note
will  be payable on the dates set forth in the applicable pricing supplement and
on the date of Maturity.
 
    The Notes may  be issued  as Senior Securities  or Subordinated  Securities.
Subordinated  Securities will be subordinated to  all Senior Indebtedness of the
Capital Corporation. See  "Description of Debt  Securities -- Subordination"  in
the accompanying prospectus.
 
    Each  Note will be represented by a Global  Note registered in the name of a
nominee of The Depository Trust Company unless the applicable pricing supplement
specifies otherwise. A beneficial  interest in a Global  Note will be shown  on,
and  transfers thereof will be effected  only through, records maintained by the
Depository and its participants. A beneficial  interest in a Global Note may  be
exchanged  for Notes  in definitive  form only  under the  limited circumstances
described herein. See "Description of Notes -- General" herein and  "Description
of   Debt  Securities  --  Book-Entry   Debt  Securities"  in  the  accompanying
prospectus.
                            ------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT  BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES  AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
  AND  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
   ACCURACY  OR  ADEQUACY  OF   THIS  PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT,  ANY   PRICING
    SUPPLEMENT HERETO OR THE PROSPECTUS. ANY
     REPRESENTATION    TO   THE    CONTRARY   IS    A   CRIMINAL   OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Price to                Agents' Discounts                    Proceeds to the
                                Public (1)              and Commissions (2)              Capital Corporation (2)(3)
<S>                      <C>                       <C>                             <C>
Per Note...............            100%                     .125%--.675%                      99.875%--99.325%
Total (4)..............       $1,108,850,000           $1,386,062--$7,484,738          $1,107,463,938--$1,101,365,262
<FN>
(1)  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, each  Note
     will be issued at 100% of its principal amount.
(2)  The  Capital  Corporation will  pay a  commission to  Merrill Lynch  & Co.,
     Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs & Co. or
     Salomon Brothers  Inc (each,  an "Agent"),  in the  form of  a discount  or
     otherwise, ranging from .125% to .675% of the price to public of any Senior
     Note  sold through them as Agent depending upon the maturity of such Senior
     Note. The  schedule of  commissions  payable in  connection with  sales  of
     Senior  Notes  will  also  apply  to  sales  of  Subordinated  Notes unless
     otherwise agreed to by the Capital Corporation and the Agents. The  Capital
     Corporation  also may sell the Notes to  an Agent, as principal, for resale
     to investors and other purchasers at varying prices relating to  prevailing
     market  prices at the time of resale  as determined by the applicable Agent
     or, if so specified in the  applicable pricing supplement, for resale at  a
     fixed public offering price. None of the proceeds from such resale of Notes
     will  be received by the Capital Corporation. Unless otherwise specified in
     the applicable pricing supplement, any Note  sold to an Agent as  principal
     will  be purchased by such Agent  at a price equal to  100% of the price to
     public of such Note less a percentage of such price equal to the commission
     applicable to an agency sale of a Note of identical maturity and rank.
(3)  Before deduction of estimated expenses of $950,000.
(4)  Or the equivalent thereof in one or more Currencies.
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
    The Notes are being offered on a continuing basis by the Capital Corporation
through the  Agents,  who have  agreed  to use  their  best efforts  to  solicit
purchases  of such Notes, and also  may be sold to an  Agent or other person, as
principal, for resale. The  Capital Corporation reserves the  right to sell  the
Notes  directly to  investors on its  own behalf. The  Notes may be  sold at the
price to the public set  forth above to dealers who  later resell such Notes  to
investors. Such dealers may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. There can be no assurance that the Notes
offered  hereby will be  sold or that there  will be a  secondary market for the
Notes. The Capital Corporation reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or  modify
the  offer made hereby without notice. The Capital Corporation or the applicable
Agent, if it solicited such offer, may reject any offer in whole or in part.
 
                            ------------------------
Merrill Lynch & Co.
 
                              Goldman, Sachs & Co.
                                                            Salomon Brothers Inc
                                  ------------
 
          The date of this prospectus supplement is September 3, 1996.
<PAGE>
    IN  CONNECTION WITH AN OFFERING OF NOTES  PURCHASED BY ONE OR MORE AGENTS AS
PRINCIPAL ON  A  FIXED-PRICE  BASIS,  SUCH AGENT(S)  MAY  OVER-ALLOT  OR  EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS  WHICH STABILIZE  OR MAINTAIN  THE MARKET PRICE  OF THE  NOTES AT A
LEVEL ABOVE  THAT  WHICH  MIGHT  OTHERWISE PREVAIL  IN  THE  OPEN  MARKET.  SUCH
TRANSACTIONS  MAY BE EFFECTED IN ANY  OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH
STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
                              DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
 
    The following  description of  the  particular terms  of the  Notes  offered
hereby  should  be read  in  conjunction with,  supplements  and, to  the extent
inconsistent therewith,  replaces  the  description of  the  general  terms  and
provisions  of the Debt  Securities set forth under  the heading "Description of
Debt Securities" in the accompanying prospectus. The following description  will
apply  to  each  Note  unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  applicable pricing
supplement. Capitalized terms  used herein without  further definition have  the
meanings ascribed thereto in the accompanying prospectus or in the Indentures.
 
    The  following  summaries of  certain provisions  of  the Indentures  do not
purport to be complete, are subject to,  and are qualified in their entirety  by
reference to, all of the provisions of the Indentures, including the definitions
therein of certain terms.
 
Certain Defined Terms
 
    Unless  otherwise specified  in the  applicable pricing  supplement, as used
herein, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed thereto below:
 
    "Business Day": with respect to any Note, any day that is not a Saturday  or
Sunday  and  that is  not  a day  on  which banking  institutions  are generally
authorized or obligated by law  or executive order to close  in The City of  New
York;  PROVIDED  that, with  respect to  Notes  denominated in  or indexed  to a
Currency other than U.S. dollars,  such day is also not  a day on which  banking
institutions  are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to
close in the  city which is  the principal  financial center of  the country  or
countries  of such Currency (or, in the  case of Notes denominated in or indexed
to ECU, Brussels); and,  PROVIDED, FURTHER, that, with  respect to LIBOR  Notes,
such day is also a London Banking Day.
 
    "ECU": European Currency Units.
 
    "Exchange  Rate Agent":  the agent of  the Capital  Corporation specified as
such in an applicable pricing supplement.
 
    "Fixed Rate Note": a Note that bears interest at a fixed rate, as more fully
described herein.
 
    "Floating Rate Note": a Note that bears interest at a floating rate, as more
fully described herein.
 
    "Foreign Currency Note":  any Note  denominated or  payable in  one or  more
Currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
 
    "Indexed  Note": a Note as to which  all or certain interest payments and/or
the principal  (and premium,  if  any) payable  at  Maturity are  determined  by
reference  to  prices,  changes in  prices,  or differences  between  prices, of
securities, Currencies, intangibles, goods, articles  or commodities or by  such
other  objective  price, economic  or  other measures  as  are specified  in the
applicable pricing supplement.
 
    "Interest Payment Date": each date on which interest is payable on a Note.
 
    "LIBOR": London interbank offered rate for deposits in a specific  Currency,
calculated  as  provided  herein  or  as  provided  in  the  applicable  pricing
supplement.
 
    "London Banking Day": any day on which dealings in deposits in the  relevant
Currency are transacted in the London interbank market.
 
    "Maturity":  the date  on which  the principal of  a Note  or an installment
thereof becomes due and payable, whether on the Maturity Date or by  declaration
of  acceleration, call  for redemption, exercise  of an option  for repayment or
otherwise.
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
    "Maturity Date": the date on which a  Note will mature, as specified in  the
applicable pricing supplement.
 
    "Original Issue Discount Note": a Note, including any zero-coupon note, that
is  issued at an  issue price lower  than the principal  amount thereof and that
provides that upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof an amount less than  the
principal amount thereof shall become due and payable.
 
    "Senior Note": a Note issued under the Senior Indenture.
 
    "Specified Currency": the Currency in which a Note is denominated.
 
    "Subordinated Note": a Note issued under the Subordinated Indenture.
 
    "U.S. $", "$" and "U.S. dollar": the lawful currency of the United States.
 
General
 
    Unless  otherwise specified in the  applicable pricing supplement, the Notes
will have the following terms and provisions.
 
    The Notes will be offered on a continuous basis and may be issued as  Senior
Notes or Subordinated Notes.
 
    The  Notes  offered by  this  prospectus supplement  will  be limited  to an
aggregate initial  offering  price of  U.S.  $1,108,850,000, or  the  equivalent
thereof  in one or  more Specified Currencies  other than U.S.  dollars, less an
amount equal to the aggregate principal face amount of any other Debt Securities
issued at their principal face amount, the aggregate issue price rather than the
principal face amount  of any  other Debt  Securities issued  at original  issue
discount,  the  aggregate issue  price of  any Debt  Warrants and  the aggregate
exercise price of any Debt Securities  issuable upon exercise of Debt  Warrants,
in  any such case that  are covered by the  registration statement of which this
prospectus supplement is  a part and  are sold by  the Capital Corporation.  The
U.S.  dollar equivalent of Notes denominated  in a Specified Currency other than
U.S. dollars will  be determined on  the applicable trade  date by the  Exchange
Rate  Agent on the basis of the noon buying rate for cable transfers in The City
of New York, as  determined by the  Federal Reserve Bank of  New York, for  such
Currency on the applicable trade date.
 
    The  Medium-Term Notes, Series C, Due from 9 Months to 30 Years from Date of
Issue issued under the  Senior Indenture, of which  the Senior Notes offered  by
this  prospectus supplement will form a part, constitute one series of Indenture
Securities, unlimited  as  to  principal  amount,  established  by  the  Capital
Corporation  pursuant to  the Senior Indenture.  At the date  of this prospectus
supplement, there were $960,000,000 Medium-Term Notes, Series C, outstanding.
 
    The Medium-Term Notes, Series C, issued under the Subordinated Indenture, of
which the Subordinated Notes offered by  this prospectus supplement will form  a
part,  constitute one series of Indenture  Securities, unlimited as to principal
amount, established by  the Capital  Corporation, pursuant  to the  Subordinated
Indenture.  At the  date of  this prospectus  supplement, no  Medium-Term Notes,
Series C, were outstanding under the Subordinated Indenture.
 
    The Notes will be direct  unsecured obligations of the Capital  Corporation.
The  Senior Notes will rank equally  with all other unsecured and unsubordinated
indebtedness  of  the  Capital  Corporation.  The  Subordinated  Notes  will  be
subordinated  in right  of payment to  the prior  payment in full  of the Senior
Indebtedness of the Capital Corporation as described under "Description of  Debt
Securities -- Subordinated Indenture Provisions" in the accompanying prospectus.
At  July 31, 1996, subordinated  indebtedness and unsubordinated indebtedness of
the Capital Corporation were $300 million and $4.346 billion, respectively.
 
    The  defeasance  and  covenant  defeasance  provisions  of  the   Indentures
described under "Description of Debt Securities -- Provisions Applicable to Both
the Senior and Subordinated Indentures -- Satisfaction and Discharge, Defeasance
and Covenant Defeasance" in the accompanying prospectus will apply to the Notes,
with only such modifications thereto respecting any particular issuance of Notes
as shall be set forth in the applicable pricing supplement.
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
    The  Notes will be denominated in U.S.  dollars and payments of principal of
(and premium, if any) and  interest, if any, on the  Notes will be made in  U.S.
dollars   unless  the  pricing  supplement   indicates  otherwise.  For  further
information regarding Foreign Currency Notes see "Special Provisions Relating To
Foreign Currency Notes", "Important Currency Exchange Information" and  "Foreign
Currency  Considerations". Payment  of the purchase  price of the  Notes must be
made in immediately available funds.
 
    A Note may be issued as  a Fixed Rate Note or a  Floating Rate Note or as  a
Note  that is a Floating  Rate Note for a  portion of its term  and a Fixed Rate
Note for a  portion of  its term,  all as  specified in  the applicable  pricing
supplement.
 
    The  Notes also  may be  issued (a)  as Currency  Indexed Notes  (as defined
below), the principal amount  of which payable on  the date of Maturity,  and/or
the  interest on which payable on each Interest  Payment Date and on the date of
Maturity, will be determined  by reference to the  rate of exchange between  the
Specified  Currency and another  Currency (the "Indexed  Currency") set forth in
the applicable pricing supplement  or (b) as other  Indexed Notes the  principal
amount  of which payable on  the date of Maturity,  and/or the interest on which
payable on each  Interest Payment  Date and  on the  date of  Maturity, will  be
determined  by reference  to prices, changes  in prices,  or differences between
prices, of securities, intangibles,  goods, articles or  commodities or by  such
other  objective  price, economic  or  other measures  as  are specified  in the
applicable pricing supplement. See "Currency  Indexed Notes" and "Other  Indexed
Notes and Certain Terms Applicable to All Indexed Notes".
 
    Each Note will be issued in fully registered form and will be represented by
either  one or more Global Securities ("Global Notes") registered in the name of
a nominee of  DTC or  another depository  (DTC or  such other  depository as  is
specified  in the  applicable pricing  supplement is  herein referred  to as the
"Depository"), or  a  certificate issued  in  definitive form  (a  "Certificated
Note"),  as set forth in the applicable pricing supplement. A single Global Note
will represent all  Notes issued  on the  same day  and having  the same  terms,
including,  but not limited  to, rank, Interest Payment  Dates, interest rate or
formula, Maturity Date and redemption and repayment provisions, if any; PROVIDED
that one Global Note will be issued with respect to each $200 million  principal
amount  of such Notes and an additional  Global Note will be issued with respect
to any remaining  principal amount  of such Notes.  A beneficial  interest in  a
Global  Note  will be  shown on,  and  transfers thereof  will be  effected only
through,  records  maintained  by  the  Depository  and  its  participants.  See
"Description   of  Debt  Securities  --   Book-Entry  Debt  Securities"  in  the
accompanying prospectus for  a description of  the Depository's procedures  with
respect  to Book-Entry  Notes. Except  as set  forth under  "Description of Debt
Securities -- Book-Entry Debt Securities" in the accompanying prospectus, Global
Notes will not be issuable in certificated form.
 
    The authorized denominations of  Notes denominated in  U.S. dollars will  be
$1,000  and  any  integral  multiple thereof.  The  authorized  denominations of
Foreign Currency Notes will be set forth in the applicable pricing supplement.
 
    Interest rates  offered with  respect to  Notes may  differ depending  upon,
among  other things,  the aggregate principal  amount of Notes  purchased in any
single transaction. Notes  with similar  variable terms  but different  interest
rates,  as  well  as  Notes  with  different  variable  terms,  may  be  offered
concurrently to different investors. Interest rates or formulas and other  terms
of Notes are subject to change from time to time, but no such change will affect
any Note already issued or as to which an offer to purchase has been accepted.
 
    Payments  of principal of  (and, premium, if  any) and interest,  if any, on
Notes represented  by a  Global  Note will  be made  in  same-day funds  to  the
Depository in accordance with arrangements then in effect between the applicable
Trustee and the Depository.
 
    Certificated Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange
in the case of the Senior Notes, at the corporate trust office of the Trustee in
The  City  of New  York  and, in  the  case of  the  Subordinated Notes,  at the
corporate trust office of  the Trustee in  The City of Chicago  or an office  or
agency of the Trustee in The City of New York.
 
    Payments  in  U.S. dollars  of interest  on  Certificated Notes  (other than
interest payable on the Maturity Date  or upon earlier redemption or  repayment)
will   be   made  by   mailing   a  check   to   the  holder   at   the  address
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
of such  holder  appearing  on  the  security register  for  the  Notes  on  the
applicable  Regular Record Date. Notwithstanding  the foregoing, upon receipt of
appropriate written  instructions  from  a  holder of  $10,000,000  or  more  in
aggregate  principal  amount  of  Certificated Notes  issued  under  one  of the
Indentures (whether having identical or  different terms and provisions) by  the
applicable  Trustee on or prior to a Regular Record Date, such Trustee will make
such payments of interest commencing  with the next succeeding Interest  Payment
Date  by transfer of immediately available funds to  an account at a bank in The
City of  New York  (or another  bank consented  to by  the Capital  Corporation)
designated  by such holder, but only if such bank has the appropriate facilities
therefor.
 
    Payments of principal  of (and, premium,  if any) and  interest, if any,  on
Notes  payable on the Maturity  Date or upon earlier  redemption or repayment on
Certificated Notes will  be made to  the holder in  immediately available  funds
upon  surrender of the  applicable Notes, at  the corporate trust  office of the
relevant Trustee in The City of New York.
 
    Notes may be issued in the form of zero-coupon notes that will be offered at
a discount from the principal  amount thereof due on  the Maturity Date of  such
Notes.  There will be no periodic payments  of interest on zero-coupon notes. In
the event of an acceleration of the maturity of an Original Issue Discount Note,
the amount payable to  the holder of  such Note upon  such acceleration will  be
determined  in accordance with the  terms of the Note,  but generally will be an
amount less than the  amount payable on  the Maturity Date  of the principal  of
such  Note. In addition, a Note issued at a discount may, for federal income tax
purposes, be  considered an  original  issue discount  note, regardless  of  the
amount  payable  upon acceleration  of the  maturity of  such Note.  See "United
States Taxation -- United States Persons -- Discount Notes".
 
    For a  description of  the rights  attaching to  Debt Securities  under  the
applicable  Indenture, see "Description of  Debt Securities" in the accompanying
prospectus. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, the
Notes will have the  terms described below, except  that references to  interest
payments and interest-related information do not apply to zero-coupon notes.
 
Interest and Interest Rates
 
    Each  Note, other than  an Original Issue Discount  Note, will bear interest
from its date of issue at the annual  rate, or at a rate determined pursuant  to
an interest rate formula, stated in the applicable pricing supplement, until the
principal  thereof is paid or duly made  available for payment. Interest will be
payable on each Interest Payment Date  and at Maturity. Any interest other  than
at  Maturity  will  be payable  to  the person  in  whose  name a  Note  (or any
predecessor Note) is registered at the  close of business on the Regular  Record
Date  next  preceding the  relevant Interest  Payment  Date, subject  to certain
exceptions; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, if a Note is issued between a Regular Record Date
and the Interest Payment Date  pertaining thereto, the initial interest  payment
will  be made on the Interest Payment Date following the next succeeding Regular
Record Date  to the  holder on  such Regular  Record Date.  Interest payable  at
Maturity  will be paid to the  person to whom the principal  of the Note will be
paid.
 
    All percentages resulting from any calculation in respect of the Notes  will
be  rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage
point, with  five one-millionths  of a  percentage point  rounded upward  (e.g.,
7.123455% (or 0.07123455) being rounded to 7.12346% (or 0.0712346) and 7.123454%
(or  0.07123454) being  rounded to  7.12345% (or  0.0712345)), and  all currency
amounts used in or resulting  from any such calculation  will be rounded to  the
nearest  one-hundredth  of a  unit (with  five one-thousandths  of a  unit being
rounded upwards).
 
    The interest rate on the Notes will  in no event be higher than the  maximum
rate  permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law
of general application. Under present New York law, the maximum rate of interest
is 25% per annum on a simple interest  basis. This limit may not apply to  Notes
in which $2,500,000 or more has been invested.
 
Fixed Rate Notes
 
    The  "Interest Payment Dates" for  Fixed Rate Notes will  be on March 15 and
September 15 of each year  and the "Regular Record  Dates" for Fixed Rate  Notes
will  be the  March 1  and September  1, respectively,  immediately preceding an
Interest Payment  Date.  Interest on  Fixed  Rate  Notes will  accrue  from  and
including  the date of issue  or from and including  the next preceding Interest
Payment Date to which interest
 
                                      S-5
<PAGE>
has been duly paid  or provided for, as  the case may be,  to but excluding  the
relevant  Interest Payment  Date or date  of Maturity,  as the case  may be. Any
payment of principal of (or,  premium, if any) or interest,  if any, on a  Fixed
Rate  Note required to be made  on a day that is not  a Business Day need not be
made on such day, but will be made on the next succeeding Business Day with  the
same  force and effect as if  made on such day and  no interest will accrue as a
result of such delayed  payment. Interest on Fixed  Rate Notes will be  computed
and paid on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
    AMORTIZING NOTES
 
    The  Capital Corporation may from  time to time offer  Fixed Rate Notes (the
"Amortizing Notes") that pay  certain amounts in respect  of both principal  and
interest  over  the life  of such  Fixed  Rate Notes.  Payments with  respect to
Amortizing Notes will be applied first  to interest due and payable thereon  and
then   to  the  reduction  of  the  unpaid  principal  amount  thereof.  Further
information  concerning  additional  terms  and  conditions  of  any  issue   of
Amortizing  Notes  will  be  provided  in  the  applicable  pricing  supplement,
including a table setting forth repayment information for each payment date.
 
Floating Rate Notes
 
    The applicable  pricing  supplement  will  designate  one  or  more  of  the
following  interest rate bases as applicable to each Floating Rate Note: (a) the
CD Rate (a "CD Rate Note"), (b)  the Commercial Paper Rate (a "Commercial  Paper
Rate Note"), (c) the Federal Funds Rate (a "Federal Funds Rate Note"), (d) LIBOR
(a  "LIBOR Note"), (e)  the Prime Rate  (a "Prime Rate  Note"), (f) the Treasury
Rate (a "Treasury Rate Note"), (g)  the Constant Maturity Treasury Rate (a  "CMT
Rate  Note") or  (h) such  other interest  rate basis  as is  set forth  in such
pricing supplement.
 
    Unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  applicable  pricing  supplement,  the
interest rate on each Floating Rate Note will be equal to (i) in the case of the
period,  if any, commencing on the date of  issue up to the first Interest Reset
Date (as defined below), an interest rate established by the Capital Corporation
as described in the applicable pricing supplement  and (ii) in the case of  each
period  commencing on  an Interest Reset  Date, an interest  rate (the "Floating
Interest Rate") equal to  (a) the interest rate  determined by reference to  the
specified interest rate basis plus or minus the Spread, if any, (b) the interest
rate  calculated by reference to the specified interest rate basis multiplied by
the Spread Multiplier, if any, or (c) the interest rate calculated by  reference
to  the specified  interest rate  basis determined  under such  other formula or
adjusted in such  other manner  as may be  specified in  the applicable  pricing
supplement.
 
    The  "Spread"  is the  number of  basis points  specified in  the applicable
pricing supplement as being applicable to  a Floating Rate Note and the  "Spread
Multiplier"  is the percentage specified in the applicable pricing supplement as
being applicable to a Floating Rate Note. The specified interest rate basis will
be based on the Index Maturity. The  "Index Maturity" is the period to  maturity
of the instrument or obligation on which the interest rate formula is based. Any
Floating  Rate Note may also have either or both of the following: (i) a maximum
numerical interest rate limitation,  or ceiling, on the  rate at which  interest
may  accrue during  any Interest  Period, as defined  below, and  (ii) a minimum
numerical interest rate limitation, or floor, on the rate at which interest  may
accrue during any Interest Period.
 
    The rate of interest on each Floating Rate Note will be reset daily, weekly,
monthly,  quarterly,  semi-annually  or  annually  or  at  another  interval, as
specified in the applicable pricing supplement.  The date or dates on which  the
interest  rate will reset (each, an "Interest  Reset Date") will be, in the case
of Floating Rate Notes that reset (a) daily, each Business Day, (b) weekly,  the
Wednesday of each week (with the exception of weekly reset Treasury Rate Notes),
(c)  monthly,  the  third Wednesday  of  each  month, (d)  quarterly,  the third
Wednesday of  March,  June, September  and  December  of each  year,  (e)  semi-
annually,  the third  Wednesday of  the two  months specified  in the applicable
pricing supplement and (f) annually, the third Wednesday of the month  specified
in  the applicable pricing supplement. In the  case of a Treasury Rate Note that
resets weekly, the Interest Reset Date will  be the Tuesday of each week  except
that  if a Treasury auction  falls on any Interest  Reset Date for such Treasury
Rate Note, then such Interest Reset Date will instead be the first Business  Day
immediately  following such Treasury auction. If any Interest Reset Date for any
Floating Rate Note would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day for  such
Floating Rate
 
                                      S-6
<PAGE>
Note,  the Interest Reset Date for such  Floating Rate Note will be postponed to
the next succeeding Business Day, except that,  in the case of a LIBOR Note,  if
such  Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Reset
Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day.
 
    The "Interest Determination Date" pertaining to an Interest Reset Date for a
CD Rate Note, a  CMT Rate Note,  a Commercial Paper Rate  Note, a Federal  Funds
Rate  Note and a Prime  Rate Note will be the  second Business Day preceding the
Interest Reset Date; the "Interest Determination Date" pertaining to an Interest
Reset Date for a LIBOR Note will be the second London Banking Day preceding such
Interest Reset  Date; and  the "Interest  Determination Date"  pertaining to  an
Interest  Reset Date for  a Treasury Rate  Note will be  the day of  the week in
which such Interest Reset Date falls on which Treasury bills (as defined  below)
would  normally  be auctioned.  Treasury bills  are usually  sold at  auction on
Monday of each  week, unless  that day  is a legal  holiday, in  which case  the
auction  is usually held on the following  Tuesday, except that such auction may
be held  on the  preceding Friday.  If, as  the result  of a  legal holiday,  an
auction  is so held  on the preceding  Friday, such Friday  will be the Interest
Determination Date pertaining to the Interest  Reset Date occurring in the  next
succeeding week.
 
    Interest  will be payable in the case  of Floating Rate Notes that reset (a)
daily, weekly  or  monthly, the  third  Wednesday of  each  month or  the  third
Wednesday  of March, June, September and December  of each year, as specified in
the applicable pricing supplement, (b) quarterly, the third Wednesday of  March,
June,  September  and  December  of  each  year,  (c)  semi-annually,  the third
Wednesday of the  two months of  each year specified  in the applicable  pricing
supplement  and (d) annually, the third Wednesday  of the month specified in the
applicable pricing supplement (each of the foregoing dates, an "Interest Payment
Date"); and, in each case, on  the date of Maturity. Unless otherwise  specified
in  the applicable pricing  supplement, each Regular Record  Date for a Floating
Rate Note will be the  15th day (whether or not  a Business Day) next  preceding
each  Interest Payment  Date. If the  date of  Maturity of a  Floating Rate Note
falls on a day that  is not a Business Day,  the principal of (and, premium,  if
any)  and interest required  to be paid  on such date  will be paid  on the next
succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such  date,
and  no  interest shall  accrue  as a  result of  such  delayed payment.  If any
Interest Payment Date other than the date  of Maturity for a Floating Rate  Note
would  otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date
will be postponed  to the  next day  that is a  Business Day  and interest  will
accrue  for the period of such postponement, except that, in the case of a LIBOR
Note, if  such Business  Day is  in  the next  succeeding calendar  month,  such
Interest Payment Date will be the immediately preceding Business Day.
 
    Interest  on Floating Rate Notes will accrue  from and including the date of
issue or from and  including the next preceding  Interest Payment Date to  which
interest  has  been paid  or  duly provided  for,  as the  case  may be,  to but
excluding the applicable Interest Payment Date or date of Maturity, as the  case
may  be; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the case of Floating Rate Notes on which the
interest rate is  reset daily  or weekly,  the interest  payments will  include,
unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  applicable  pricing  supplement, interest
accrued only  from but  excluding the  last Regular  Record Date  through  which
interest  has been paid (or from and including the date of issue, if no interest
has been paid  with respect  to such Notes)  through and  including the  Regular
Record Date next preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date, except that the
interest  payment on the date  of Maturity will include  interest accrued to but
excluding such date. An "Interest Period" pertaining to a Note means a period of
time during which interest accrues on such Note.
 
    Accrued interest with respect to a Floating Rate Note will be calculated  by
multiplying  the  principal amount  of  such Floating  Rate  Note by  an accrued
interest factor. Such  accrued interest factor  will be computed  by adding  the
interest  factor calculated for each day in the Interest Period or from the last
date from which accrued  interest is being calculated.  The interest factor  for
each such day is computed by dividing the interest rate in effect on such day by
360,  in the case of  CD Rate Notes, Commercial  Paper Rate Notes, Federal Funds
Rate Notes, Prime Rate Notes and LIBOR Notes, or by the actual number of days in
the year, in the case of Treasury Rate Notes and CMT Rate Notes.
 
    Unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  applicable  pricing  supplement,  the
calculation agent (the "Calculation Agent") for purposes of determining the rate
of  interest payable on Floating Rate Notes will be The Chase Manhattan Bank for
Senior Notes and The First National  Bank of Chicago for Subordinated Notes.  If
the  applicable  Calculation Agent  is unwilling  or unable  to so  act, another
institution will be selected by the
 
                                      S-7
<PAGE>
Capital Corporation. Upon the request of the holder of a Floating Rate Note, the
Calculation Agent  will  provide  the  interest rate  then  in  effect  and,  if
determined,  the interest rate  that will become effective  on the next Interest
Reset Date with  respect to  such Floating  Rate Note.  The "Calculation  Date",
where  applicable, pertaining to any Interest  Determination Date is the date by
which the applicable interest rate is calculated  and is the earlier of (i)  the
tenth calendar day after such Interest Determination Date or, if any such day is
not  a Business Day, the next succeeding  Business Day and (ii) the Business Day
preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or date of Maturity, as the  case
may be.
 
    The  applicable pricing supplement will specify the particular terms of each
Floating Rate Note, including, but not  limited to, the interest rate basis  and
the  Spread, Spread Multiplier or other formula,  if any, the maximum or minimum
interest rate limitation, if any, the Index Maturity, the initial interest rate,
the Interest  Payment  Dates,  the  Regular Record  Dates,  the  Maturity  Date,
redemption and repayment provisions, if any, and any other applicable terms with
respect to such Note.
 
    CD RATE NOTES
 
    CD  Rate Notes  will bear  interest at  the interest  rates (calculated with
reference to the CD Rate and the Spread, Spread Multiplier or other formula,  if
any) specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
 
    "CD  Rate" means, with respect  to any Interest Determination  Date for a CD
Rate Note, the rate on such  date for negotiable certificates of deposit  having
the  Index Maturity designated in the applicable pricing supplement as published
in "Statistical Release  H.15(519), Selected Interest  Rates", or any  successor
publication   of  the  Board   of  Governors  of   the  Federal  Reserve  System
("H.15(519)"), under  the  caption  "CDs  (secondary market)"  or,  if  not  yet
published  by 3:00 P.M., New York City  time, on the Calculation Date pertaining
to such Interest  Determination Date,  the rate on  such Interest  Determination
Date for negotiable certificates of deposit having the Index Maturity designated
in  the  applicable pricing  supplement as  published  in the  daily statistical
release  entitled   "Composite  3:30   P.M.  Quotations   for  U.S.   Government
Securities", or any successor publication, published by the Federal Reserve Bank
of  New  York  ("Composite  Quotations")  under  the  caption  "Certificates  of
Deposit". If  by  3:00  P.M.,  New  York City  time,  on  the  Calculation  Date
pertaining to such Interest Determination Date such rate is not yet published in
either  H.15(519)  or  Composite  Quotations,  the  CD  Rate  on  such  Interest
Determination Date will be calculated by  the Calculation Agent and will be  the
arithmetic mean of the secondary market offered rates as of 10:00 A.M., New York
City  time,  on  such Interest  Determination  Date, of  three  leading non-bank
dealers in negotiable  U.S. dollar certificates  of deposit in  The City of  New
York  (which may  include the Agents)  selected by the  Calculation Agent (after
consultation with  the  Capital  Corporation)  for  negotiable  certificates  of
deposit of major United States money market banks of the highest credit standing
(in  the  market  for negotiable  certificates  of deposit)  having  a remaining
maturity closest  to the  Index Maturity  designated in  the applicable  pricing
supplement  in a  denomination of  $5,000,000; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that,  if the
dealers selected  as aforesaid  by  the Calculation  Agent  are not  quoting  as
mentioned  in this sentence, the interest rate  for the period commencing on the
Interest Reset  Date following  such  Interest Determination  Date will  be  the
interest rate in effect on such Interest Determination Date.
 
    CD  Rate Notes, like other Notes, are  not deposit obligations of a bank and
are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
 
    COMMERCIAL PAPER RATE NOTES
 
    Commercial Paper  Rate  Notes  will  bear interest  at  the  interest  rates
(calculated  with reference to the Commercial  Paper Rate and the Spread, Spread
Multiplier or  other  formula,  if  any) specified  in  the  applicable  pricing
supplement.
 
    "Commercial  Paper Rate" means,  with respect to  any Interest Determination
Date for a  Commercial Paper Rate  Note, the Money  Market Yield (calculated  as
described  below) of the rate on such date for commercial paper having the Index
Maturity designated  in  the  applicable  pricing  supplement  as  published  in
H.15(519)  under the caption "Commercial paper" or  if not yet published by 3:00
P.M., New York City  time, on the Calculation  Date pertaining to such  Interest
Determination  Date,  the  Money  Market  Yield of  the  rate  on  such Interest
Determination Date for commercial paper having the Index Maturity designated  in
the applicable pricing supplement as published in Composite Quotations under the
caption "Commercial
 
                                      S-8
<PAGE>
Paper".  If by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Calculation Date pertaining
to such Interest  Determination Date such  rate is not  yet published in  either
H.15(519)  or Composite Quotations,  the Commercial Paper  Rate on such Interest
Determination Date will be calculated by  the Calculation Agent and will be  the
Money Market Yield of the arithmetic mean of the offered rates as of 11:00 A.M.,
New York City time, on such Interest Determination Date of three leading dealers
of  commercial paper in The  City of New York  selected by the Calculation Agent
(after consultation with the Capital  Corporation), for commercial paper  having
the Index Maturity designated in the applicable pricing supplement placed for an
industrial  issuer  whose  bond  rating  is  "AA",  or  the  equivalent,  from a
nationally recognized securities rating agency; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if  the
dealers  selected  as aforesaid  by  the Calculation  Agent  are not  quoting as
mentioned in this sentence, the interest  rate for the period commencing on  the
Interest  Reset  Date following  such Interest  Determination  Date will  be the
interest rate in effect on such Interest Determination Date.
 
    "Money Market Yield" will be a yield (expressed as a percentage)  calculated
in accordance with the following formula:
 
                            D X 360
Money Market Yield =   -----------------   X 100
                         360 - (D X M)
 
where  "D" refers to the  per annum rate for commercial  paper, quoted on a bank
discount basis and expressed as a decimal;  and "M" refers to the actual  number
of days in the Interest Period for which interest is being calculated.
 
    FEDERAL FUNDS RATE NOTES
 
    Federal   Funds  Rate  Notes  will  bear  interest  at  the  interest  rates
(calculated with reference  to the  Federal Funds  Rate and  the Spread,  Spread
Multiplier  or  other  formula,  if any)  specified  in  the  applicable pricing
supplement.
 
    "Federal Funds Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination  Date
for  a Federal  Funds Rate  Note, the  rate on  such date  for federal  funds as
published in H.15(519) under the caption "Federal funds (effective)" or, if  not
so  published  by  3:30  P.M.,  New York  City  time,  on  the  Calculation Date
pertaining to  such  Interest Determination  Date,  the rate  on  such  Interest
Determination  Date  as  published  in Composite  Quotations  under  the caption
"Federal Funds/Effective Rate".  If,  by 3:30 P.M., New  York City time, on  the
Calculation Date pertaining to such Interest Determination Date such rate is not
yet  published in  either H.15(519) or  Composite Quotations,  the Federal Funds
Rate for such Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the  Calculation
Agent  and will be the arithmetic mean of  the rates for the last transaction in
overnight federal  funds arranged  by  three leading  dealers of  federal  funds
transactions  in The City of  New York, which dealers  have been selected by the
Calculation Agent (after consultation with the Capital Corporation), as of  9:00
A.M.,  New  York  City  time, on  such  Interest  Determination  Date; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that if the dealers selected as aforesaid by the Calculation Agent  are
not  quoting as  mentioned in  this sentence, the  interest rate  for the period
commencing on the Interest Reset Date following such Interest Determination Date
will remain the interest rate in effect on such Interest Determination Date.
 
    LIBOR NOTES
 
    LIBOR Notes  will  bear interest  at  the interest  rates  (calculated  with
reference  to LIBOR and the Spread, Spread  Multiplier or other formula, if any)
specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
 
    LIBOR with  respect to  LIBOR Notes  indexed to  the offered  rate for  U.S.
dollar  deposits will be determined by  the Calculation Agent in accordance with
the following provisions under USD-LIBOR-Reuters or under USD-LIBOR-Telerate, as
specified in the applicable pricing supplement:
 
        (i)  If  USD-LIBOR-Reuters  is  specified  in  the  applicable   pricing
    supplement for a LIBOR Note as the method for determining LIBOR with respect
    to  an  Interest  Determination Date  for  such  LIBOR Note,  LIBOR  will be
    determined on the basis  of the offered rates  for deposits in U.S.  dollars
    having  the Index Maturity  specified in the  applicable pricing supplement,
    commencing on  the  second London  Banking  Day immediately  following  such
    Interest Determination Date, which appear on the Reuters Screen LIBO Page as
    of  11:00 A.M., London  time, on such  Interest Determination Date. "Reuters
 
                                      S-9
<PAGE>
    Screen LIBO Page" means the display designated as page "LIBO" on the  Reuter
    Monitor Money Rates Service (or such other page as may replace the LIBO page
    on that service for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates
    of  major banks). If at  least two such offered  rates appear on the Reuters
    Screen LIBO Page,  LIBOR for such  Interest Determination Date  will be  the
    arithmetic  mean  of such  offered rates  as  determined by  the Calculation
    Agent. If fewer  than two  offered rates appear,  LIBOR in  respect of  such
    Interest Determination Date will be determined as described in (iii) below.
 
        (ii)  If  USD-LIBOR-Telerate  is  specified  in  the  applicable pricing
    supplement for a LIBOR  Note as the  method for determining  LIBOR or if  no
    other  method is specified in the  applicable pricing supplement for a LIBOR
    Note as  the  method for  determining  LIBOR  with respect  to  an  Interest
    Determination  Date for such LIBOR Note, LIBOR will be the rate for deposits
    in U.S.  dollars having  the  Index Maturity  designated in  the  applicable
    pricing  supplement, commencing on the second London Banking Day immediately
    following such Interest Determination Date,  which appears on Telerate  Page
    3750  as of  11:00 A.M., London  time, on such  Interest Determination Date.
    "Telerate Page 3750" means the display  page so designated on the Dow  Jones
    Telerate  Service  (or such  other page  as  may replace  that page  on that
    service, or  such other  service  as may  be  nominated as  the  information
    vendor,  for the  purpose of  displaying London  interbank offered  rates of
    major banks). If such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750, LIBOR  for
    such  Interest Determination Date  will be determined  as described in (iii)
    below.
 
       (iii)   With   respect   to   an   Interest   Determination   Date,    if
    USD-LIBOR-Reuters  is  the applicable  interest  rate basis  for determining
    LIBOR and fewer  than two offered  rates appear on  the Reuters Screen  LIBO
    Page  as specified in  (i) above or if  USD-LIBOR-Telerate is the applicable
    interest rate basis for  determining LIBOR and no  rate appears on  Telerate
    Page  3750 as specified in (ii) above,  then LIBOR will be determined on the
    basis of the  rate at which  deposits in  U.S. dollars are  offered by  four
    major  banks in the London interbank  market, which banks have been selected
    by the Calculation Agent (after  consultation with the Capital  Corporation)
    (the  "Reference Banks"), at approximately 11:00  A.M., London time, on such
    Interest Determination  Date commencing  on the  second London  Banking  Day
    immediately following such Interest Determination Date to prime banks in the
    London  interbank  market  having  the  Index  Maturity  designated  in  the
    applicable pricing supplement and in a  principal amount equal to an  amount
    of  not  less  than U.S.  $1,000,000  that  is representative  for  a single
    transaction in such market at such time. The Calculation Agent will  request
    the  principal London office  of each of  such Reference Banks  to provide a
    quotation of its rate. If at  least two such quotations are provided,  LIBOR
    in  respect of such Interest Determination  Date will be the arithmetic mean
    of such quotations.  If fewer  than two  quotations are  provided, LIBOR  in
    respect  of such Interest Determination Date  will be the arithmetic mean of
    the rates quoted by three  major banks in The City  of New York selected  by
    the  Calculation Agent (after consultation  with the Capital Corporation) at
    approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on such Interest Determination
    Date for loans in U.S. dollars  to leading European banks, having the  Index
    Maturity  designated in the applicable  pricing supplement commencing on the
    second London Banking Day immediately following such Interest  Determination
    Date  and in  a principal amount  equal to an  amount of not  less than U.S.
    $1,000,000 that is representative for a single transaction in such market at
    such time; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,  that, if the  banks in The  City of New  York
    selected  as aforesaid by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned
    in this  sentence,  the interest  rate  for  the period  commencing  on  the
    Interest  Reset Date following such Interest  Determination Date will be the
    interest rate in effect on such Interest Determination Date.
 
    If any LIBOR Note is indexed to  the offered rates in a Currency other  than
U.S.  dollars, the applicable  pricing supplement will set  forth the method for
determing such rate.
 
    PRIME RATE NOTES
 
    Prime Rate Notes will bear interest  at the interest rates (calculated  with
reference  to the Prime Rate and the Spread, Spread Multiplier or other formula,
if any) specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
 
    "Prime Rate" means, with  respect to any Interest  Determination Date for  a
Prime  Rate Note,  the rate  on such  date as  published in  H.15(519) under the
caption "Bank prime loan" or  if not yet published by  9:00 A.M., New York  City
time,  on the Calculation  Date pertaining to  such Interest Determination Date,
the
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>
Prime Rate  will  be  determined  by  the Calculation  Agent  and  will  be  the
arithmetic  mean of the rates of interest  publicly announced by each bank named
on the "Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page" as such bank's prime rate or base  lending
rate as in effect for such Interest Determination Date. "Reuters Screen USPRIME1
Page"  means the  display designated as  page "USPRIME1" on  the Reuters Monitor
Money Rates Service (such  term to include  such other page  as may replace  the
USPRIME1  page on that service for the purpose of displaying prime rates or base
lending rates  of major  United States  banks). If  fewer than  four such  rates
appear on the Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page for such Interest Determination Date,
the  Prime Rate  will be  determined by  the Calculation  Agent and  will be the
arithmetic mean of the prime rates quoted  on the basis of the actual number  of
days  in the year  divided by 360 as  of the close of  business on such Interest
Determination Date by  four major money  center banks  in The City  of New  York
selected   by  the  Calculation  Agent  (after  consultation  with  the  Capital
Corporation).  If  fewer  than  four  major  money  center  banks  provide  such
quotations, such Prime Rate will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will
be  the arithmetic mean  of four prime rates  quoted on the  basis of the actual
number of days in the year  divided by 360 as of  the close of business on  such
Interest  Determination Date as furnished  in The City of  New York by the major
money center banks that have provided quotations and by as many substitute banks
or trust companies as  necessary, which are organized  and doing business  under
the  laws of the United States, or any  state thereof, in each case having total
equity capital of at least U.S. $500 million and being subject to supervision or
examination by federal  or state  authority, selected by  the Calculation  Agent
(after consultation with the Capital Corporation) to provide such rate or rates;
PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that, if the banks  or trust companies selected as aforesaid
by the Calculation  Agent are  not quoting as  mentioned in  this sentence,  the
interest  rate for  the period commencing  on the Interest  Reset Date following
such Interest Determination  Date will be  the interest rate  in effect on  such
Interest Determination Date.
 
    TREASURY RATE NOTES
 
    Treasury Rate Notes will bear interest at the interest rate (calculated with
reference  to  the Treasury  Rate  and the  Spread,  Spread Multiplier  or other
formula, if any) specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
 
    "Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date for a
Treasury Rate Note, the rate (expressed as a bond equivalent, on the basis of  a
year  of 365 or 366 days,  as applicable, and applied on  a daily basis) for the
auction of direct obligations  of the United States  ("Treasury bills") held  on
such  Interest Determination  Date having the  Index Maturity  designated in the
applicable pricing  supplement  as  published in  H.15(519)  under  the  caption
"Treasury  bills-Auction average" or, if not so published by 3:00 P.M., New York
City time, on  the Calculation  Date pertaining to  such Interest  Determination
Date,  the rate for the applicable Index Maturity on such Interest Determination
Date displayed under  the caption "Average  Investment Yield" on  the Dow  Jones
Telerate  Service ("Telerate") on page 56 or 57 or any successor page or, if not
so displayed,  the auction  average rate  for such  Interest Determination  Date
(expressed  as a bond equivalent, on the basis of  a year of 365 or 366 days, as
applicable, and applied on a daily  basis) as otherwise announced by the  United
States  Department of the Treasury. In the event that the results of the auction
of Treasury bills having the Index Maturity designated in the applicable pricing
supplement are not otherwise reported as  provided above by 3:00 P.M., New  York
City  time, on such Calculation Date or displayed on Telerate or no such auction
is held in a particular week, then  the Treasury Rate will be calculated by  the
Calculation  Agent  and  will  be  a yield  to  maturity  (expressed  as  a bond
equivalent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied
on a daily basis) of the arithmetic  mean of the secondary market bid rates,  as
of  3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such Interest Determination Date, of three
leading primary  United States  government securities  dealers selected  by  the
Calculation  Agent (after  consultation with  the Capital  Corporation), for the
issue of Treasury bills with a remaining maturity closest to the Index  Maturity
specified  in the applicable pricing supplement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if the
dealers selected  as aforesaid  by  the Calculation  Agent  are not  quoting  as
mentioned  in this sentence, the interest rate  for the period commencing on the
Interest Reset  Date following  such  Interest Determination  Date will  be  the
interest rate in effect on such Interest Determination Date.
 
                                      S-11
<PAGE>
    CMT RATE NOTES
 
    CMT  Rate Notes  will bear  interest at  the interest  rate (calculated with
reference to  the  Constant  Maturity  Treasury  Rate  and  the  Spread,  Spread
Multiplier  or  other  formula,  if any)  specified  in  the  applicable pricing
supplement.
 
    "CMT Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date for a  CMT
Rate  Note, the rate displayed  on the Designated CMT  Telerate Page (as defined
below) under  the  caption "...Treasury  Constant  Maturities...Federal  Reserve
Board  Release H.15...Mondays Approximately 3:45 P.M.", under the column for the
Designated CMT Maturity Index (as defined  below) for (i) if the Designated  CMT
Telerate  Page  is  7055  or  any successor  page,  the  rate  on  such Interest
Determination Date and (ii) if the Designated  CMT Telerate Page is 7052 or  any
successor  page,  the rate  for  the week  or  the month,  as  applicable, ended
immediately preceding the week in which the related Interest Determination  Date
occurs.  If such  rate is no  longer displayed on  the relevant page,  or if not
displayed by 3:00 P.M., New York  City time, on the Calculation Date  pertaining
to  such Interest Determination  Date, then the interest  rate for such Interest
Determination Date will  be the rate  for the Designated  CMT Maturity Index  as
published  in H.15(519)  under the caption  "U.S. government securities/Treasury
constant maturities." If such rate is  no longer published, or if not  published
by  3:00 P.M., New  York City time,  on the Calculation  Date pertaining to such
Interest  Determination  Date,  then  the   interest  rate  for  such   Interest
Determination  Date will be the  rate for the Designated  CMT Maturity Index (or
other United States Treasury rate for the Designated CMT Maturity Index) as  may
then be published by either the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
or  the  United States  Department of  the Treasury  that the  Calculation Agent
determines (with the concurrence of the Capital Corporation) to be comparable to
the rate formerly displayed on the Designated CMT Telerate Page and published in
H.15(519). If such information is not provided by 3:00 P.M., New York City time,
on the Calculation Date pertaining to such Interest Determination Date, then the
interest rate for  such Interest Determination  Date will be  calculated by  the
Calculation  Agent and will be a yield to maturity, based on the arithmetic mean
of the secondary market closing offer side prices as of approximately 3:30 P.M.,
New York  City time,  on such  Interest Determination  Date, reported  by  three
leading  primary United States government securities dealers (each, a "Reference
Dealer") in  The  City  of  New  York,  for  the  most  recently  issued  direct
noncallable  fixed rate obligations of the United States ("U.S. Treasury Notes")
with an original maturity of approximately the Designated CMT Maturity Index and
a remaining term to maturity of not less than such Designated CMT Maturity index
minus one  year. The  three Reference  Dealers  will be  determined by  (i)  the
selection of five Reference Dealers by the Calculation Agent (after consultation
with  the Capital Corporation) and (ii) the elimination of the Reference Dealers
providing the highest (or,  in the event  of equality, one  of highest) and  the
lowest  (or, in the  event of equality,  one of the  lowest) quotations for such
Interest Determination Date. If the  Calculation Agent cannot obtain three  such
U.S. Treasury Note quotations, the interest rate for such Interest Determination
Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be a yield to maturity
based  on the arithmetic  mean of the  secondary market offer  side prices as of
approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on the Interest Determination Date,
reported by three Reference  Dealers in The  City of New  York, selected in  the
manner described above, for U.S. Treasury Notes with an original maturity of the
number  of years that is  the next highest to  the Designated CMT Maturity Index
and a remaining term  to maturity closest to  the Designated CMT Maturity  index
and  in an amount of at least $100 million. If only three or four such Reference
Dealers are quoting as described above, then the interest rate will be based  on
the arithmetic mean of the offer side prices so obtained from all such Reference
Dealers, without eliminating the Reference Dealers providing the highest and the
lowest of such quotes. If fewer than three such Reference Dealers are quoting as
described  above, then the interest rate will be  the CMT Rate in effect on such
Interest Determination  Date. If  two such  U.S. Treasury  Notes have  remaining
terms to maturity equally close to the Designated CMT Maturity Index, the quotes
for  the U.S. Treasury Note with the  shorter remaining term to maturity will be
used.
 
    "Designated CMT Telerate Page" means the  display on the Dow Jones  Telerate
Service  on the  page designated  in the  applicable pricing  supplement (or any
other page  as  may  replace such  page  on  that service  for  the  purpose  of
displaying  treasury constant maturities  as reported in  H.15(519)). If no such
page is so specified,  the Designated CMT  Telerate Page shall  be 7052 for  the
most recent week.
 
                                      S-12
<PAGE>
    "Designated CMT Maturity Index" means the original period to maturity of the
U.S.  Treasury securities  specified in  the applicable  pricing supplement with
respect to which  the CMT Rate  will be calculated.  If no such  maturity is  so
specified, the Designated CMT Maturity Index shall be 2 years.
 
    INVERSE FLOATING RATE NOTES
 
    Any  Floating  Rate  Note  may  be  designated  in  the  applicable  pricing
supplement as an "Inverse Floating Rate Note", in which event the interest  rate
on  such Floating  Rate Note  will be  equal to  (i) in  the case  of the period
commencing on the date  of issue up  to the first Interest  Reset Date, a  fixed
rate  of interest  established by  the Capital  Corporation as  described in the
applicable pricing supplement and (ii) in the case of each period commencing  on
an  Interest Reset Date,  a fixed rate  of interest specified  in the applicable
pricing supplement  minus  the interest  rate  determined by  reference  to  the
Floating  Interest Rate; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that  the interest rate thereon will
not be less than zero.
 
Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Notes
 
    The applicable pricing supplement may provide that a Note will be a Floating
Rate Note for a portion of its term and  a Fixed Rate Note for a portion of  its
term, in which event the interest rate on such Note will be determined as herein
provided  as if it were a Floating Rate Note and a Fixed Rate Note hereunder for
each such  respective  period,  all  as specified  in  such  applicable  pricing
supplement.
 
Currency Indexed Notes
 
    The  Capital  Corporation may  from time  to time  offer Indexed  Notes, the
principal amount of which  payable on the date  of Maturity and/or the  interest
payable  on  each Interest  Payment Date  and on  the date  of Maturity  will be
determined by reference to the rate  of exchange between the Specified  Currency
and  the  other Currency  specified as  the Indexed  Currency in  the applicable
pricing supplement, or is determined in such other manner as may be specified in
the applicable pricing supplement  ("Currency Indexed Notes"). Unless  otherwise
specified  in the applicable pricing supplement,  and subject to the limitations
set forth under "Payment of Principal  and Interest" below, holders of  Currency
Indexed  Notes will be entitled to receive  (i) a principal amount exceeding the
amount designated  as the  face  amount (the  "Face  Amount") of  such  Currency
Indexed  Note and/or  an amount  of interest at  an interest  rate exceeding the
stated rate of interest, if,  on the date of  Maturity or the relevant  Interest
Payment  Date, the rate at which the Specified Currency can be exchanged for the
Indexed Currency is  greater than the  rate of such  exchange designated as  the
Base  Exchange Rate, expressed in units of  the Indexed Currency per one unit of
the Specified Currency, in the applicable pricing supplement (the "Base Exchange
Rate"), or (ii) a principal  amount less than the  Face Amount of such  Currency
Indexed  Note and/or  an amount of  interest at  an interest rate  less than the
stated rate of interest  if, on the  date of Maturity  or the relevant  Interest
Payment  Date, the rate at which the Specified Currency can be exchanged for the
Indexed Currency is less than such  Base Exchange Rate, in each case  determined
as  described below under "Payment of Principal and Interest". Information as to
the relative historical  value (which  is not necessarily  predictive of  future
value)  of  the applicable  Specified  Currency against  the  applicable Indexed
Currency, any exchange controls applicable to such Specified Currency or Indexed
Currency and  certain tax  consequences to  holders  will be  set forth  in  the
applicable pricing supplement. See "Foreign Currency Considerations" below.
 
    The  term "Exchange Rate  Day" means any day  that is a  Business Day in The
City of  New York  and,  if the  Specified Currency  or  Indexed Currency  is  a
Currency  other than the U.S.  dollar, in the principal  financial center of the
country of such Specified Currency or Indexed Currency.
 
    PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST
 
    Interest on  a  Currency Indexed  Note,  if  indexed, will  be  payable  and
calculated  in  the  manner  set  forth herein  and  in  the  applicable pricing
supplement.
 
    Principal of a  Currency Indexed Note,  if indexed, will  be payable in  the
Specified Currency on the date of Maturity in an amount equal to the Face Amount
of  the Currency Indexed Note, plus or minus an amount of the Specified Currency
determined by  the  determination  agent specified  in  the  applicable  pricing
supplement  (the "Determination Agent")  by reference to  the difference between
the Base Exchange  Rate and  the rate  at which  the Specified  Currency can  be
exchanged for the Indexed Currency as determined on the second Exchange Rate Day
(the  "Determination  Date") prior  to  the date  of  Maturity of  such Currency
 
                                      S-13
<PAGE>
Indexed Note by the  Determination Agent based upon  the arithmetic mean of  the
open  market spot offer quotations for the Indexed Currency (spot bid quotations
for the  Specified  Currency)  obtained  by the  Determination  Agent  from  the
Reference  Dealers (as defined below) in The City of New York at 11:00 A.M., New
York City time,  on the Determination  Date, for an  amount of Indexed  Currency
equal  to the Face Amount  of such Currency Indexed  Note multiplied by the Base
Exchange Rate, in terms of the Specified Currency for settlement on the date  of
Maturity  (such rate of exchange, as so determined and expressed in units of the
Indexed Currency per one unit of the Specified Currency, is hereinafter referred
to as the "Spot Rate").  If such quotations from  the Reference Dealers are  not
available  on the Determination Date due  to circumstances beyond the control of
the Capital  Corporation or  the  Determination Agent,  the  Spot Rate  will  be
determined  on  the basis  of the  most recently  available quotations  from the
Reference Dealers. The principal amount of the Currency Indexed Notes determined
by the Determination Agent to be payable on the date of Maturity will be payable
to the holders  thereof in the  manner set  forth herein and  in the  applicable
pricing  supplement. As used herein, the term "Reference Dealers" shall mean the
three banks or firms specified as such in the applicable pricing supplement  or,
if any of them shall be unwilling or unable to provide the requested quotations,
such other major money center bank or banks in The City of New York, selected by
the Capital Corporation, in consultation with the Determination Agent, to act as
Reference  Dealer or Dealers in replacement therefor. In the absence of manifest
error, the determination  by the Determination  Agent of the  Spot Rate and  the
principal  amount  of Currency  Indexed Notes  payable on  the date  of Maturity
thereof will be final and binding on the Capital Corporation and the holders  of
such Currency Indexed Notes.
 
    PROSPECTIVE  INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ADVISORS
AS TO THE RISKS  ENTAILED BY AN INVESTMENT  IN CURRENCY INDEXED NOTES.  CURRENCY
INDEXED   NOTES  ARE  NOT  AN  APPROPRIATE  INVESTMENT  FOR  INVESTORS  WHO  ARE
UNSOPHISTICATED WITH RESPECT TO FOREIGN CURRENCY MATTERS.
 
Other Indexed Notes and Certain Terms Applicable to All Indexed Notes
 
    The Capital Corporation  may from time  to time offer  Indexed Notes,  other
than  Currency Indexed Notes, the principal amount (or premium, if any) of which
payable on the date  of Maturity and/or  the interest on  which payable on  each
Interest Payment Date and at Maturity will be determined by reference to prices,
changes  in prices, or  differences between prices,  of securities, intangibles,
goods, articles or  commodities or by  such other objective  price, economic  or
other  measures. The  pricing supplement relating  to such an  Indexed Note will
describe, as applicable, the method by which the amount of interest, premium and
principal payable in respect  of such Indexed Note  will be determined,  certain
special tax consequences to holders of such Notes, certain risks associated with
an investment in such Notes and other information relating to such Notes.
 
    Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, (i) for the
purpose of determining whether holders of the requisite principal amount of Debt
Securities  outstanding under  the applicable  Indenture have  made a  demand or
given a notice or  waiver or taken any  other action, the outstanding  principal
amount of Indexed Notes will be deemed to be the Face Amount thereof and (ii) in
the  event of an acceleration of the  maturity of an Indexed Note, the principal
amount payable  to  the  holder of  such  Note  upon acceleration  will  be  the
principal  amount determined by reference to  the formula by which the principal
amount of such Note would be determined on the Maturity Date thereof, as if  the
date of acceleration were the Maturity Date.
 
    PROSPECTIVE  INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ADVISORS
AS TO THE RISKS ENTAILED  BY AN INVESTMENT IN  INDEXED NOTES. INDEXED NOTES  ARE
NOT AN APPROPRIATE INVESTMENT FOR INVESTORS WHO ARE UNSOPHISTICATED WITH RESPECT
TO  FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS, COMMODITY  PRICES AND COMMODITY AND FINANCIAL
OR NON-FINANCIAL INDICES.
 
    An investment  in  Indexed Notes  entails  significant risks  that  are  not
associated  with similar investments in a conventional fixed-rate debt security.
If the interest  rate is indexed,  the interest  payable may be  less than  that
payable  on a  conventional fixed-rate  debt security  issued at  the same time,
including the possibility that no interest  will be paid, and, if the  principal
(or   premium,   if   any)   is   indexed,   the   amount   of   principal   (or
 
                                      S-14
<PAGE>
premium, if  any) payable  in respect  thereof  may be  less than  the  original
purchase  price  (when allowed  pursuant to  the  terms thereof),  including the
possibility that no such interest will be paid. The secondary market for Indexed
notes, as well as the market value of such Indexed Notes, will be affected by  a
number   of  factors  independent   of  the  creditworthiness   of  the  Capital
Corporation. The  value of  the applicable  index  will depend  on a  number  of
interrelated  factors, including economic, financial  and political events, over
which the Capital Corporation has no control. Additionally, if the formula  used
to  determine the amount of principal (or  premium, if any) and interest payable
contains a  multiple  or  leverage factor,  the  effect  of any  change  in  the
applicable  index will be  magnified. The historical  experience of the relevant
indices should  not be  taken as  an indication  of future  performance of  such
indices.  In recent years,  values of certain indices  have been highly volatile
and such volatility may be expected to continue in the future. Past fluctuations
in any particular index are not necessarily indicative, however, of fluctuations
that may occur during the term of any Indexed Notes. The credit ratings assigned
to the Capital Corporation's  medium-term note program are  a reflection of  the
Capital  Corporation's  credit status  and, in  no  way, are  a reflection  of a
potential impact of the  factors discussed above, or  any other factors, on  the
market value of the Notes.
 
Subsequent Interest Periods
 
    The  pricing  supplement relating  to each  Note  will indicate  whether the
Capital Corporation  has the  option with  respect  to such  Note to  reset  the
interest  rate, in the case of a Fixed Rate Note, or to reset the Spread, Spread
Multiplier or  other  formula by  which  the  interest rate  basis  is  adjusted
(collectively,  the "Floating  Rate Formula"),  in the  case of  a Floating Rate
Note, and, if so, the date or dates on which such interest rate or such Floating
Rate Formula, as the case may be, may be reset (each, an "Optional Reset Date").
If the  Capital  Corporation has  such  option with  respect  to any  Note,  the
following procedures will apply.
 
    The  Capital Corporation may exercise such option  with respect to a Note by
notifying the applicable Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more  than
60  days prior to an Optional  Reset Date for such Note.  Not later than 40 days
prior to  such Optional  Reset Date,  the applicable  Trustee will  mail to  the
holder of such Note a notice (the "Reset Notice") setting forth (i) the election
of  the Capital Corporation to  reset the interest rate, in  the case of a Fixed
Rate Note, or the Floating  Rate Formula, in the case  of a Floating Rate  Note,
(ii)  such new interest rate or such new  Floating Rate Formula, as the case may
be, and (iii) the provisions, if any, for redemption during the period from such
Optional Reset Date to the next Optional Reset Date or, if there is no such next
Optional Reset Date,  to the Maturity  Date of  such Note (each  such period,  a
"Subsequent  Interest  Period"), including  the date  or dates  on which  or the
period or periods during which and the price or prices at which such  redemption
may occur during such Subsequent Interest Period.
 
    Notwithstanding  the foregoing, not later than  20 days prior to an Optional
Reset Date  for  a  Note,  the  Capital Corporation  may,  if  provided  in  the
applicable  pricing supplement, at its option,  revoke the interest rate, in the
case of a  Fixed Rate  Note, or  the Floating  Rate Formula,  in the  case of  a
Floating  Rate Note,  provided for  in the Reset  Notice and  establish a higher
interest rate, in  the case of  a Fixed Rate  Note, or a  Floating Rate  Formula
providing  for higher interest rates,  in the case of  a Floating Rate Note, for
the Subsequent Interest Period commencing on such Optional Reset Date by causing
the applicable  Trustee to  transmit  notice of  such  higher interest  rate  or
Floating  Rate Formula,  as the case  may be, to  the holder of  such Note. Such
notice will be irrevocable. All Notes with respect to which the interest rate or
Floating Rate Formula is reset on an  Optional Reset Date will bear such  higher
interest  rate, in  the case of  a Fixed Rate  Note, or a  Floating Rate Formula
providing for higher interest rates, in the case of a Floating Rate Note.
 
    If the Capital Corporation elects to reset the interest rate of a Fixed Rate
Note or the Floating Rate Formula of  a Floating Rate Note, as described  above,
the  holder  of  such  Note  may, if  provided  for  in  the  applicable pricing
supplement, have  the option  to elect  repayment of  such Note  by the  Capital
Corporation  on any Optional Reset Date at a price equal to the principal amount
thereof plus any accrued interest  to such Optional Reset  Date. In order for  a
Note  to be so repaid on an Optional  Reset Date, the holder thereof must follow
the procedures set  forth below  under "Repayment and  Repurchase" for  optional
repayment,  except that the period for delivery  of such Note or notification to
the applicable Trustee will be  at least 25 but not  more than 35 days prior  to
such  Optional Reset Date and  except that a holder who  has tendered a Note for
repayment pursuant to  a Reset Notice  may, by written  notice to such  Trustee,
revoke  any such tender for  repayment until the close  of business on the tenth
day prior to such Optional Reset Date.
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>
Extension of Maturity
 
    The pricing  supplement relating  to  each Note  will indicate  whether  the
Capital  Corporation has the option to extend the Maturity Date of such Note for
one or more periods (each an "Extension Period") up to, but not beyond, the date
(the "Final Maturity Date") specified in such pricing supplement. If the Capital
Corporation has such option with respect  to any Note, the following  procedures
will apply.
 
    The  Capital Corporation may exercise such option  with respect to a Note by
notifying the applicable Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more  than
60  days prior to the Maturity Date of such Note in effect prior to the exercise
of such option (the "Original  Maturity Date"). No later  than 40 days prior  to
the  Original Maturity Date, the  applicable Trustee will mail  to the holder of
such Note a notice (the "Extension  Notice") relating to such Extension  Period,
setting forth (i) the election of the Capital Corporation to extend the Original
Maturity  Date of such Note, (ii) the new  Maturity Date, (iii) in the case of a
Fixed Rate Note, the interest rate applicable to the Extension Period or, in the
case of  a Floating  Rate Note,  the  Floating Rate  Formula applicable  to  the
Extension  Period, and  (iv) the provisions,  if any, for  redemption during the
Extension Period, including the date or dates on which or the period or  periods
during  which and the price  or prices at which  such redemption may occur. Upon
the transmittal by the applicable Trustee  of an Extension Notice to the  holder
of   a  Note,  the  Original  Maturity  Date  of  such  Note  will  be  extended
automatically, and, except as modified by the Extension Notice and as  described
in  the next  paragraph, such  Note will  have the  same terms  as prior  to the
transmittal of such Extension Notice.
 
    Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days prior to the  Original
Maturity  Date  for a  Note, the  Capital  Corporation may,  if provided  in the
applicable pricing supplement, at  its option, reset the  interest rate, in  the
case  of a  Fixed Rate  Note, or  the Floating  Rate Formula,  in the  case of a
Floating Rate Note, provided for in the Extension Notice and establish a  higher
interest  rate, in  the case of  a Fixed Rate  Note, or a  Floating Rate Formula
providing for higher interest rates,  in the case of  a Floating Rate Note,  for
the  Extension Period  by causing the  applicable Trustee to  transmit notice of
such higher interest rate or Floating Rate  Formula, as the case may be, to  the
holder  of such Note. Such notice will be irrevocable. All Notes with respect to
which the Maturity Date is extended will bear such higher interest rate, in  the
case  of a  Fixed Rate  Note, or  a Floating  Rate Formula  providing for higher
interest rates, in the case of a Floating Rate Note, for the Extension Period.
 
    If the Capital Corporation elects to extend the Original Maturity Date of  a
Note,  the  holder of  such  Note may,  if  provided in  the  applicable pricing
supplement, have  the option  to elect  repayment of  such Note  by the  Capital
Corporation  on the  Original Maturity  Date at a  price equal  to the principal
amount thereof plus any accrued interest to such date. In order for a Note to be
so repaid on  the Original  Maturity Date, the  holder thereof  must follow  the
procedures  set  forth  below  under  "Repayment  and  Repurchase"  for optional
repayment, except that the period for  delivery of such Note or notification  to
the  applicable Trustee will be at  least 25 but not more  than 35 days prior to
the Original Maturity Date and except that a holder who has tendered a Note  for
repayment  pursuant  to  an  Extension  Notice may,  by  written  notice  to the
applicable Trustee, revoke  any such  tender for  repayment until  the close  of
business on the tenth day prior to the Original Maturity Date.
 
Redemption
 
    The  pricing supplement relating  to each Note will  indicate when such Note
will be subject to redemption by the Capital Corporation and, if so, the initial
redemption date applicable to such Note  (the "Initial Redemption Date"). If  no
Initial  Redemption Date is indicated with respect to a Note, such Note will not
be redeemable prior to  the Maturity Date. On  and after the Initial  Redemption
Date with respect to any Note, such Note will be redeemable at any time in whole
or in part in increments of $1,000 (provided that any remaining principal amount
of  such Note will not be less  than the minimum authorized denomination of such
Note) at  the option  of the  Capital  Corporation at  a redemption  price  (the
"Redemption  Price")  determined  in accordance  with  the  following paragraph,
together with interest accrued  to the date of  redemption, on notice given  not
more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the date of redemption.
 
    The Redemption Price for each Note subject to redemption shall be (i) in the
case  of Notes  other than Original  Issue Discount Notes,  the unpaid principal
amount of such  Note or  the portion  thereof redeemed or  (ii) in  the case  of
Original  Issue  Discount Notes,  an amount  equal  to the  issue price  of such
Original Issue
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>
Discount Note plus accrued  original issue discount to  the date of  redemption,
minus  any amounts considered as part of the stated redemption price at Maturity
of such Note previously paid, in either case multiplied by a certain  percentage
not  less  than  100%, which  will  initially  be the  percentage  (the "Initial
Redemption Percentage") specified in the applicable pricing supplement and which
will decline at each anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date with respect  to
such  Note by  a percentage (the  "Annual Redemption  Percentage Reduction"), if
any, of the principal amount (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount  Notes,
such lesser amount as specified above) to be redeemed until the Redemption Price
is  100%  of  such amount.  The  Initial  Redemption Percentage  and  any Annual
Redemption Percentage Reduction with respect to each Note subject to  redemption
prior  to the Maturity Date will  be fixed at the time  of sale and specified in
the applicable pricing supplement.
 
    The Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund.
 
Repayment and Repurchase
 
    The pricing supplement relating  to each Note will  indicate when such  Note
will  be subject to repayment  at the option of the  holders thereof and, if so,
the terms of such repayment option  and the optional repayment dates  applicable
to  such Note (the "Optional Repayment Dates"). If no Optional Repayment Date is
specified with respect to a Note, such Note will not be repayable at the  option
of  the holder prior to  the Maturity Date. On  any Optional Repayment Date with
respect to  any Note,  such  Note will  be  repayable in  whole  or in  part  in
increments  of $1,000 (provided that any remaining principal amount of such Note
will not be less than the minimum  authorized denomination of such Note) at  the
option  of the holder thereof  at a repayment price  specified in the applicable
pricing supplement  together  with  interest  accrued thereon  to  the  date  of
repayment.
 
    In order for a Note to be repaid at the option of the holder, the applicable
Trustee  must receive the Note, at least 30 days but not more than 45 days prior
to the repayment date, with the section entitled "Option to Elect Repayment"  on
the reverse of the Note duly completed.
 
    With  respect  to  a  Global  Note, the  Depository's  nominee  that  is the
registered holder of such Global Note will be the only entity that can  exercise
a  right to  repayment. In  order to ensure  the timely  exercise of  a right to
repayment, the owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Note must instruct the
broker or  other  direct or  indirect  participant  through which  it  owns  its
interest  in such Global Note to notify the Depository of its desire to exercise
such right. Each beneficial owner should  consult the broker or other direct  or
indirect  participant through  which it  owns its interest  in a  Global Note in
order to ascertain the deadline  by which such an  instruction must be given  in
order  for timely notice to be delivered by the applicable broker or participant
to the Depository.
 
    The Capital Corporation may purchase Notes  at any price in the open  market
or  otherwise.  Notes  so  purchased  by the  Capital  Corporation  may,  at the
discretion of the  Capital Corporation, be  held, resold or  surrendered to  the
applicable Trustee for cancellation.
 
             SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES
 
General
 
    Unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  applicable  pricing  supplement,  the
principal of (and  premium, if any)  and interest, if  any, on Foreign  Currency
Notes  will be paid in  U.S. dollars (converted from  such Specified Currency in
the manner described in the next paragraph) unless such holder elects to be paid
in such Specified Currency.
 
    Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, the  amount
of  U.S. dollar payments to  be received by a holder  of a Foreign Currency Note
will be based  on the bid  quotation in The  City of New  York at  approximately
11:00  A.M.,  New York  City  time, on  the  second Business  Day  preceding the
applicable payment  date by  the Exchange  Rate Agent  for the  purchase by  the
Exchange Rate Agent of the Specified Currency for U.S. dollars for settlement on
such  payment date in the aggregate amount  of the Specified Currency payable to
all holders of Foreign Currency Notes scheduled to receive U.S. dollar  payments
and  at which the Exchange Rate Agent commits to execute a contract. If such bid
quotation is not available, payments will be made in the Specified Currency.
 
                                      S-17
<PAGE>
    Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, a holder of
Foreign Currency  Notes  may elect  to  receive  payment of  principal  of  (and
premium,  if any)  and interest, if  any, on  the Foreign Currency  Notes in the
Specified  Currency  (subject  to  certain  conditions,  see  "Foreign  Currency
Considerations -- Payment Currency" below) by transmitting a written request for
such  payment in the case of the Senior  Notes, to the corporate trust office of
the Trustee in The City of New York and, in the case of the Subordinated  Notes,
to the corporate trust office of the Trustee in the City of Chicago or an office
or  agency of the  Trustee in The  City of New  York on or  prior to the Regular
Record Date or at least 16 days prior  to the date of Maturity, as the case  may
be. Such request may be in writing (mailed or hand delivered) or by cable, telex
or other form of facsimile transmission. A holder of a Foreign Currency Note may
elect  to  receive payment  in  the Specified  Currency  for all  principal (and
premium, if any) and  interest, if any,  payments and need  not file a  separate
election  for each payment. Such election will remain in effect until revoked by
written notice  to  the applicable  Trustee,  but  written notice  of  any  such
revocation  must be received by  such Trustee on or  prior to the Regular Record
Date or at least  16 days prior  to the date  of Maturity, as  the case may  be.
Holders  of Foreign Currency Notes whose  Notes are to be held  in the name of a
broker or nominee should contact such broker or nominee to determine whether and
how an election to receive payments in the Specified Currency may be made.
 
    All currency exchange costs will be borne by the Capital Corporation  unless
a  holder of a Note  has made the election to  receive payments in the Specified
Currency referred to in the preceding paragraph. In that case, such holder shall
bear its pro rata portion of currency exchange costs, if any, by deductions from
payments otherwise due to such holder.
 
    Principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Foreign Currency
Notes paid in U.S. dollars will be paid in the manner specified above for  Notes
denominated  in U.S.  dollars. Interest  on Foreign  Currency Notes  paid in the
Specified Currency, other than interest payable at Maturity, will be paid by the
applicable Trustee on the relevant Interest Payment Date to the holders  thereof
by transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank designated by
such  holders, but  only if such  bank has the  appropriate facilities therefor.
Unless otherwise specified in the  applicable pricing supplement, the  principal
of  (and  premium, if  any)  on Foreign  Currency  Notes paid  in  the Specified
Currency, together with  interest accrued  and unpaid thereon,  due at  Maturity
will  be paid in immediately available funds upon surrender of such Notes in the
case of the Senior Notes,  at the corporate trust office  of the Trustee in  The
City  of New York. and, in the case  of the Subordinated Notes, at the corporate
trust office of the Trustee in the City of Chicago or an office or agency of the
Trustee in The City of New York.
 
    The pricing  supplement relating  to  a Note  denominated  or payable  in  a
Specified  Currency other than U.S. dollars  will set forth specific information
relating to such Specified Currency,  including a description of such  Currency,
historical exchange rates and any exchange controls relating thereto and, in the
case  of a composite  Currency, a description  of provisions for  payment in the
event such composite Currency is  no longer used for  the purposes for which  it
was established. See "Foreign Currency Considerations" below.
 
Payment for Notes
 
    Purchasers  are  required  to  pay  for  Notes  in  the  Specified Currency.
Currently, there are limited facilities in  the United States for conversion  of
U.S.  dollars into foreign currencies and VICE  VERSA and banks do not generally
offer non-U.S.  dollar checking  or  savings account  facilities in  the  United
States. However, if requested by a prospective purchaser of Notes denominated in
a  Currency other than U.S. dollars, the  Agent soliciting the offer to purchase
will arrange for the conversion of U.S. dollars into such Specified Currency  to
enable  the purchaser  to pay for  such Notes. Such  request must be  made on or
before the fifth Business Day preceding the date of delivery of the Notes, or by
such other date as is  determined by the Agent that  presents such offer to  the
Capital  Corporation. Each such conversion will be made by the relevant Agent on
such terms and subject to such conditions, limitations and charges as such Agent
may from time to time establish in accordance with its regular foreign  exchange
practice. All costs of exchange will be borne by the purchasers of the Notes.
 
Governing Law and Judgments
 
    The  Indentures  and  the  Notes  will  be  governed  by,  and  construed in
accordance with, the  laws of the  State of New  York. An action  based upon  an
obligation   payable   in   a  currency   other   than  U.S.   dollars   can  be
 
                                      S-18
<PAGE>
brought in courts  in the United  States. However, courts  in the United  States
have  not customarily  rendered judgments for  money damages  denominated in any
currency other  than U.S.  dollars. In  addition, it  is not  clear, whether  in
granting  such  judgment,  the  rate  of  conversion  would  be  determined with
reference to the date of  default, the date judgment  is rendered or such  other
date.  The Judiciary  Law of the  State of  New York provides,  however, that an
action based upon an  obligation payable in a  currency other than U.S.  dollars
will  be  rendered in  the  foreign currency  of  the underlying  obligation and
converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on the date of  the
entry  of the  judgment or  decree. In such  cases, holders  of Foreign Currency
Notes would bear  the risk of  exchange rate fluctuations  between the time  the
amount  of  judgment  is calculated  and  the  time the  Specified  Currency was
converted into U.S. dollars and paid to such holders.
 
                        FOREIGN CURRENCY CONSIDERATIONS
 
Exchange Rates and Exchange Controls
 
    An investment in Foreign Currency  Notes and Currency Indexed Notes  entails
significant  risks that are not associated  with investments in debt instruments
denominated in  U.S.  dollars.  Such  risks  include,  without  limitation,  the
possibility  of significant  changes in  the rate  of exchange  between the U.S.
dollar and the Specified Currency or  Indexed Currency and the rate of  exchange
between  the Specified Currency in which  a Currency Indexed Note is denominated
and the Indexed Currency and the  possibility of the imposition or  modification
of foreign exchange controls by either the United States or foreign governments,
which  risks generally  depend on economic  and political events  over which the
Capital Corporation has no control. In  recent years, rates of exchange  between
the  U.S.  dollar and  certain foreign  currencies have  been volatile  and such
volatility may  continue in  the  future. Past  fluctuations in  any  particular
exchange  rate are not  necessarily indicative, however,  of fluctuations in the
rate that may occur  during the term  of any Foreign  Currency Note or  Currency
Indexed  Note.  Fluctuations in  exchange rates  against  the U.S.  dollar could
result in a  decrease in the  U.S. dollar-equivalent yield  of Foreign  Currency
Notes  or Currency  Indexed Notes,  in the  U.S. dollar-equivalent  value of the
principal repayable  at Maturity  of  such Notes  and,  generally, in  the  U.S.
dollar-equivalent market value of such Notes. The currency risks with respect to
Foreign Currency Notes or Currency Indexed Notes may be further described in the
applicable pricing supplement.
 
    Foreign   exchange  rates  can  either  float   or  be  fixed  by  sovereign
governments. Exchange rates of most economically developed nations are permitted
to fluctuate in value relative to  the U.S. dollar. Governments, however,  often
do  not  voluntarily  allow their  currencies  to  float freely  in  response to
economic forces.  Instead, governments  use  a variety  of techniques,  such  as
intervention  by that  country's central bank,  or the  imposition of regulatory
controls or taxes, to affect the exchange rate of their currencies.  Governments
may  also issue  a new  currency to  replace an  existing currency  or alter the
exchange rate  or  relative  exchange  characteristics  by  the  devaluation  or
revaluation  of a currency. Thus, a  special risk in purchasing Foreign Currency
Notes or  Currency Indexed  Notes is  that their  U.S. dollar-equivalent  yields
could  be affected by  governmental actions that could  change or interfere with
theretofore freely determined  currency valuation, fluctuations  in response  to
other market forces and the movement of currencies across borders. There will be
no  adjustment or change in the terms  of the Foreign Currency Notes or Currency
Indexed Notes in the event  that exchange rates should  become fixed, or in  the
event  of  any devaluation  or revaluation  or imposition  of exchange  or other
regulatory controls or taxes, or in  the event of other developments,  affecting
the U.S. dollar or any applicable Currency.
 
    Unless  otherwise  specified  in the  applicable  pricing  supplement, Notes
denominated in a Specified Currency other than U.S. dollars will not be sold in,
or to residents of, the country of  such Specified Currency in which such  Notes
are  denominated. The  information set  forth in  this prospectus  supplement is
directed to prospective purchasers who are residents of the United States and is
not directed at  persons who are  residents of countries  other than the  United
States.  Persons who are not residents of the United States should consult their
own legal advisors with regard to such matters.
 
    AS INDICATED  ABOVE, AN  INVESTMENT IN  FOREIGN CURRENCY  NOTES OR  CURRENCY
INDEXED  NOTES INVOLVES  SUBSTANTIAL RISKS,  AND THE  EXTENT AND  NATURE OF SUCH
RISKS CHANGE  CONTINUOUSLY.  PROSPECTIVE  PURCHASERS SHOULD  CONSULT  THEIR  OWN
 
                                      S-19
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL  AND  LEGAL ADVISORS  AS TO  THE  RISKS ENTAILED  IN AN  INVESTMENT IN
FOREIGN CURRENCY  NOTES  OR  CURRENCY  INDEXED NOTES.  SUCH  NOTES  ARE  NOT  AN
APPROPRIATE  INVESTMENT FOR PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS  WHO ARE UNSOPHISTICATED WITH
RESPECT TO FOREIGN CURRENCY MATTERS.
 
Payment Currency
 
    Except as set forth  below, if an applicable  Specified Currency other  than
U.S.  dollars is not available for the payment of principal (or premium, if any)
or interest, if any, with respect to Foreign Currency Notes or Currency  Indexed
Notes,  as the case may be, due to  the imposition of exchange controls or other
circumstances beyond the  control of the  Capital Corporation, or  is no  longer
used  by  the  government  of  the country  issuing  such  Currency  or  for the
settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international
banking community,  the Capital  Corporation  will be  entitled to  satisfy  its
obligations  to holders of such Notes by  making such payment in U.S. dollars on
the basis of the Market Exchange Rate  on the second Business Day prior to  such
payment  or, if such Market Exchange Rate is then not available, on the basis of
the most recently available Market Exchange Rate or as otherwise indicated in an
applicable pricing  supplement. The  "Market  Exchange Rate"  will be  the  noon
buying  rate  in The  City of  New York  for cable  transfers of  such Specified
Currency as certified for  customs purposes by the  Federal Reserve Bank of  New
York.
 
    If  payment on a Foreign Currency Note  or Currency Indexed Note is required
to be made  in ECU  and ECU  is unavailable due  to the  imposition of  exchange
controls  or other circumstances beyond the  control of the Capital Corporation,
or ECU is no longer  used in the European Monetary  System, all payments due  on
that  due date  with respect to  such Notes shall  be made in  U.S. dollars. The
amount so payable on any  date in ECU will be  converted into U.S. dollars at  a
rate  determined by the Exchange Rate Agent  as of the second Business Day prior
to the date on which such payment  is due on the following basis. The  component
currencies  of the ECU for this purpose  (the "Components") will be the currency
amounts which were components of  the ECU as of the  last date on which the  ECU
was  used in  the European Monetary  System. The  equivalent of the  ECU in U.S.
dollars will be  calculated by aggregating  the U.S. dollar  equivalents of  the
Components.  The  U.S.  dollar equivalent  of  each  of the  Components  will be
determined by  the  Exchange  Rate Agent  on  the  basis of  the  most  recently
available  Market Exchange  Rate, or  as otherwise  specified in  the applicable
pricing supplement.
 
    If the official unit of any component currency of the ECU is altered by  way
of  combination  or subdivision,  the  number of  units  of that  currency  as a
Component shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If two or  more
component  currencies are  consolidated into a  single currency,  the amounts of
those currencies as  Components shall be  replaced by an  amount in such  single
currency  equal  to  the  sum  of  the  amounts  of  the  consolidated component
currencies expressed  in such  single  currency. If  any component  currency  is
divided  into two or more currencies, the amount of that currency as a Component
will be replaced by amounts of such two or more currencies, each of which  shall
have a value on the date of division equal to the amount of the former component
currency  divided  by the  number  of currencies  into  which that  currency was
divided.
 
    All determinations referred to above made by the Exchange Rate Agent will be
at its  sole  discretion (except  to  the  extent expressly  provided  that  any
determination  is subject  to approval by  the Capital Corporation)  and, in the
absence of manifest error,  will be conclusive for  all purposes and binding  on
holders  of the Foreign Currency  Notes and Currency Indexed  Notes, as the case
may be, and the Exchange Rate Agent will have no liability therefor.
 
    Any payment made  in U.S.  dollars under the  circumstances described  above
where  the required payment  is in a  Currency other than  U.S. dollars will not
constitute a default under either Indenture.
 
                                      S-20
<PAGE>
                             UNITED STATES TAXATION
 
    In  the opinion of Shearman  & Sterling, special tax  counsel to the Capital
Corporation, the  following summary  accurately  describes the  material  United
States   federal  income  tax  consequences  of  the  purchase,  ownership,  and
disposition of a Note.  Such opinion is  based on the  Internal Revenue Code  of
1986,   as  amended  (the  "Code"),  Treasury  Regulations  (including  proposed
Regulations and temporary Regulations) promulgated thereunder, rulings, official
pronouncements and judicial  decisions, all  as in effect  on the  date of  this
prospectus  supplement and  all of  which are  subject to  change, possibly with
retroactive effect,  or  to  different interpretations.  This  summary  provides
general  information only  and does  not purport to  address all  of the federal
income tax consequences that may  be applicable to a holder  of a Note. It  does
not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to certain types of
holders  subject to special treatment under the  federal income tax law, such as
individual retirement and other tax-deferred accounts, dealers in securities  or
currencies,  life insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, persons holding
Notes as a hedge or  hedged against currency risk, as  a position in a  straddle
for  tax  purposes,  as  part  of a  "synthetic  security"  or  other integrated
investment comprised  of a  Note and  one or  more other  investments or  United
States  persons (as defined  below) whose functional currency  is other than the
U.S. dollar.  It  also does  not  discuss  the tax  consequences  to  subsequent
purchasers  of Notes  and is limited  to investors  who hold Notes  as a capital
asset. The federal income tax  consequences of purchasing, holding or  disposing
of  a particular Note will depend, in part, on the particular terms of such Note
as set  forth in  the  applicable pricing  supplement.  The federal  income  tax
consequences of purchasing, holding or disposing of certain Floating Rate Notes,
Foreign  Currency Notes  (other than Single  Foreign Currency  Notes, as defined
below), Amortizing Notes, Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Notes, Inverse Floating  Rate
Notes,  Currency Indexed Notes or any other Indexed Notes will be set out in the
applicable pricing supplement.  Persons considering  the purchase  of Notes  and
making  any election under the Code or  the Treasury Regulations with respect to
such Notes should consult their own  tax advisors concerning the application  of
the  United States federal income tax law to their particular situations as well
as any tax consequences arising under the law of any state, local or foreign tax
jurisdiction.
 
    "Single Foreign Currency  Note" shall mean  a Note on  which all payments  a
holder  is entitled to receive are denominated  in or determined by reference to
the value of a single Foreign Currency. "Foreign Currency" shall mean a currency
or currency unit, other than a hyperinflationary currency or the U.S. dollar.
 
United States Persons
 
    For purposes of the  following discussion, "United  States person" means  an
individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, an estate or trust
subject  to  United States  federal income  taxation without  regard to  the the
source of its income, or a  corporation, partnership or other entity created  or
organized  in or under the law of the United States or any state or the District
of Columbia. The following discussion pertains only to a holder of a Note who is
a beneficial owner of such Note and who is a "United States person".
 
    PAYMENTS OF INTEREST ON NOTES THAT ARE NOT DISCOUNT NOTES
 
    Except as discussed  below under  "Discount Notes"  and "Short-Term  Notes",
payments  of interest on a Note will be taxable to a holder as ordinary interest
income at the time  it is accrued  or received in  accordance with the  holder's
method  of tax accounting. If  the payment is denominated  in or determined with
reference to a single  Foreign Currency, the amount  required to be included  in
income  by a cash basis holder will be  the U.S. dollar value of the amount paid
(determined on  the  basis of  the  "spot rate"  on  the date  such  payment  is
received)  regardless  of whether  the payment  is in  fact converted  into U.S.
dollars. No exchange gain or loss will be recognized with respect to the receipt
of such payment.
 
    Except in the case of a Spot Rate Convention Election (as defined below),  a
holder  of a  Single Foreign  Currency Note who  is required  to accrue interest
income prior to receipt will be required  to include in income for each  taxable
year  the U.S. dollar value  of the interest that  has accrued during such year,
determined by translating such interest at the average rate of exchange for  the
period  or periods during which  such interest has accrued.  The average rate of
exchange for  an interest  accrual  period (or  partial  period) is  the  simple
average of the spot exchange rates for each business day of such period (or such
other  average  that  is  reasonably derived  and  consistently  applied  by the
holder). Upon  receipt  of  an  interest payment,  such  holder  will  recognize
ordinary  gain  or  loss  in  an amount  equal  to  the  difference  between the
 
                                      S-21
<PAGE>
U.S. dollar value of the Foreign  Currency received (determined on the basis  of
the  "spot  rate" on  the date  such payment  is  received) or,  in the  case of
interest received in U.S. dollars rather than in Foreign Currency, the amount so
received and the U.S. dollar value of  the interest income that such holder  has
previously  included in income  with respect to  such payment. Any  such gain or
loss generally will not be treated as interest income or expense, except to  the
extent provided by administrative pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service
(the "Service").
 
    A  holder may elect (a "Spot Rate Convention Election") to translate accrued
interest into U.S.  dollars at the  "spot rate" on  the last day  of an  accrual
period  for the interest,  or, in the case  of an accrual  period that spans two
taxable years,  at  the  "spot rate"  on  the  last day  of  the  taxable  year.
Additionally,  if a payment of interest is received within five business days of
the last day  of the accrual  period, an electing  holder may instead  translate
such  accrued  interest into  U.S.  dollars at  the "spot  rate"  on the  day of
receipt.
 
    For purposes of this discussion, the "spot rate" generally means a rate that
reflects a fair  market rate of  exchange available to  the public for  currency
under a "spot contract" in a free market and involving representative amounts. A
"spot  contract"  is a  contract to  buy or  sell  a currency  on or  before two
business days following the  date of the  execution of the  contract. If such  a
spot rate cannot be demonstrated, the Service has the authority to determine the
spot rate.
 
    PURCHASE, SALE, EXCHANGE OR RETIREMENT OF NOTES
 
    A holder's tax basis in a Note generally will be the U.S. dollar cost of the
Note to such holder (which in the case of a Note purchased with Foreign Currency
will  be determined by  translating the purchase  price at the  spot rate on the
date of purchase), increased by any original issue discount, market discount  or
acquisition  discount (all as defined below) previously included in the holder's
gross income (as  described below),  and reduced  by any  amortized premium  (as
described below) and any principal payments and payments of stated interest that
are not payments of fixed periodic interest (as defined below).
 
    Upon  the sale, exchange  or retirement of  a Note, a  holder generally will
recognize gain or loss  equal to the difference  between the amount realized  on
the  sale, exchange or retirement (or the U.S.  dollar value at the spot rate on
the date of the sale, exchange or  retirement of the amount realized in  Foreign
Currency), except to the extent such amount is attributable to accrued interest,
and  the holder's  tax basis in  the Note. Except  with respect to  (i) gains or
losses attributable  to changes  in exchange  rates (as  described in  the  next
paragraph),  (ii) gain attributable to market  discount (as described below) and
(iii) gain on the disposition of a Short-Term Note (as described below), gain or
loss so recognized will be  capital gain or loss  and will be long-term  capital
gain  or loss, if, at the time of the sale, exchange or retirement, the Note was
held for  more than  one year.  Under current  law, long-term  capital gains  of
individuals are, under certain circumstances, taxed at lower rates than items of
ordinary income.
 
    Gain or loss recognized by a holder on the sale, exchange or retirement of a
Single  Foreign Currency Note that is  attributable to changes in exchange rates
will be treated as ordinary income or loss and generally will not be treated  as
interest  income  or expense  except to  the  extent provided  by administrative
pronouncements of the Service. Gain or loss attributable to changes in  exchange
rates  is recognized  on the  sale, exchange or  retirement of  a Single Foreign
Currency Note only to the  extent of the total gain  or loss recognized on  such
sale, exchange or retirement.
 
    EXCHANGE OF FOREIGN CURRENCY
 
    A  holder's tax basis in Foreign  Currency purchased by the holder generally
will be the U.S. dollar value thereof at the spot rate on the date such  Foreign
Currency  is purchased.  A holder's  tax basis  in Foreign  Currency received as
interest on,  or  on the  sale,  exchange or  retirement  of, a  Single  Foreign
Currency Note will be the U.S. dollar value thereof at the spot rate at the time
such  Foreign Currency is received.  The amount of gain  or loss recognized by a
holder on a  sale, exchange  or other disposition  of Foreign  Currency will  be
equal  to the difference between (i) the amount of U.S. dollars, the U.S. dollar
value at the spot rate of the Foreign Currency, or the fair market value in U.S.
dollars of the property received  by the holder in  the sale, exchange or  other
disposition, and (ii) the holder's tax basis in the Foreign Currency.
 
    Accordingly,  a  holder that  purchases a  Note  with Foreign  Currency will
recognize gain or loss  in an amount  equal to the  difference, if any,  between
such   holder's   tax   basis   in   the   Foreign   Currency   and   the   U.S.
 
                                      S-22
<PAGE>
dollar value at the spot rate of  the Foreign Currency on the date of  purchase.
Generally, any such gain or loss will be ordinary income or loss and will not be
treated  as  interest  income  or  expense, except  to  the  extent  provided by
administrative pronouncements of the Service.
 
    SUBSEQUENT INTEREST PERIODS AND EXTENSION OF MATURITY
 
    If so specified in  the pricing supplement relating  to a Note, the  Capital
Corporation may have the option (a) to reset the interest rate, in the case of a
Fixed  Rate Note, or to reset the Spread, the Spread Multiplier or other formula
by which the interest  rate basis is  adjusted, in the case  of a Floating  Rate
Note,  and/or (b) to extend the Maturity of such Note. See "Description of Notes
- -- Subsequent  Interest  Periods" and  "Description  of Notes  --  Extension  of
Maturity".  The treatment  of a holder  of Notes  with respect to  which such an
option has been  exercised who does  not elect to  have the Capital  Corporation
repay such Notes on the applicable Optional Reset Date or Original Maturity Date
will  depend on the terms established for  such Notes by the Capital Corporation
pursuant to the exercise of such option (the "revised terms"). Depending on  the
particular  circumstances, such holder may be treated as having surrendered such
Notes for new Notes  with the revised  terms in either a  taxable exchange or  a
recapitalization qualifying for nonrecognition of gain or loss.
 
    DISCOUNT NOTES
 
    The  following summary is  a general description of  U.S. federal income tax
consequences to holders of Notes issued with original issue discount  ("Discount
Notes")  and is based  on the provisions  of the Code  as in effect  on the date
hereof and on  certain Treasury Regulations  promulgated thereunder relating  to
original issue discount (the "OID Regulations").
 
    For  U.S. federal income tax purposes, original issue discount is the excess
of the stated redemption price at maturity of each Discount Note over its  issue
price, if such excess is greater than or equal to a DE MINIMIS amount (generally
1/4  of 1% of the Discount Note's stated redemption price at maturity multiplied
by the number  of complete years  to maturity  from the issue  date). The  issue
price  of an issue of Discount  Notes that are issued for  cash will be equal to
the first price  at which a  substantial amount of  such Notes are  sold to  the
public. The stated redemption price at maturity of a Discount Note is the sum of
all  payments provided  by the Discount  Note other than  payments of "qualified
stated  interest".  Under  the  OID  Regulations,  "qualified  stated  interest"
includes  stated interest  that is unconditionally  payable in  cash or property
(other than debt instruments of the issuer) at least annually at a single  fixed
rate  or at current  values of (i) a  single qualified floating  rate, or (ii) a
single objective rate. A  "qualified floating rate" is  any floating rate  where
variations  in such rate  can reasonably be  expected to measure contemporaneous
variations in the  cost of  newly borrowed  funds (E.G.,  LIBOR). An  "objective
rate"  is a  rate that  is not  itself a  qualified floating  rate but  which is
determined using a single fixed formula and that is based on objective financial
or economic information. A rate will not  qualify as an objective rate if it  is
based  on information  that is within  the control  of the issuer  (or a related
party) or  that is  unique to  the circumstances  of the  issuer (or  a  related
party), such as dividends, profits, or the value of the issuer's stock (although
a  rate does not fail to be an objective  rate merely because it is based on the
credit quality of the issuer). Interest is  payable at a single fixed rate  only
if  the rate appropriately takes into account the length of the interval between
payments. Except as described below with  respect to Short-Term Notes, a  holder
of  a  Discount Note  will be  required  to include  original issue  discount in
taxable income as  it accrues before  the receipt of  cash attributable to  such
income, regardless of such holder's method of accounting for tax purposes.
 
    Special  rules may apply where variable rate debt instruments are subject to
interest rate caps, floors or certain other interest rate adjustment features.
 
    The amount of original  issue discount includible in  taxable income by  the
initial  holder of a Discount Note is the  sum of the daily portions of original
issue discount with respect to such Note for each day during the taxable year on
which such holder held such Note ("accrued original issue discount"). Generally,
the daily portion of the original issue discount is determined by allocating  to
each  day  in any  "accrual  period" a  ratable  portion of  the  original issue
discount allocable  to  such accrual  period.  Under the  OID  Regulations,  the
"accrual  periods" for a Discount Note may be selected by each holder, may be of
any length, and may vary  in length over the term  of a Discount Note,  provided
that  each accrual period is no longer  than one year and each scheduled payment
of principal or  interest occurs  either on  the first day  or final  day of  an
accrual
 
                                      S-23
<PAGE>
period.  The amount of original issue  discount allocable to each accrual period
is equal to the excess (if any) of (a) the product of a Discount Note's adjusted
issue price at the beginning  of such accrual period  and its yield to  maturity
(determined  on the basis of compounding at the close of each accrual period and
adjusted for the length of such accrual period) over (b) the amount of qualified
stated interest, if  any, payable on  such Discount Note  and allocable to  such
accrual  period. The "adjusted issue price" of  a Discount Note at the beginning
of any accrual period generally is the sum of the issue price of a Discount Note
plus the accrued original issue discount allocable for all prior accrual periods
reduced by  any prior  payment on  the Discount  Note other  than a  payment  of
qualified  stated  interest. Under  these  rules, a  holder  of a  Discount Note
generally will have to include in taxable income increasingly greater amounts of
original issue discount in successive accrual periods.
 
    Original issue discount  on a Discount  Note that is  also a Single  Foreign
Currency  Note  will be  determined  for any  accrual  period in  the applicable
Foreign Currency and  then translated into  U.S. dollars in  the same manner  as
interest  income  accrued  by  a  holder on  the  accrual  basis,  including the
application of a  Spot Rate Convention  Election. See "Payments  of Interest  on
Notes   that  are  not  Discount  Notes".  Likewise,  upon  receipt  of  payment
attributable to original issue discount (whether in connection with a payment of
interest or the sale, exchange or retirement of a Discount Note), a holder  will
recognize  exchange gain or  loss to the  extent of the  difference between such
holder's basis in the  accrued original issue discount  (determined in the  same
manner  as  for accrued  interest) and  the  U.S. dollar  value of  such payment
(determined by translating any Foreign Currency received at the spot rate on the
date of payment).  Generally, any such  exchange gain or  loss will be  ordinary
income  or loss and will not be treated as interest income or expense, except to
the extent provided in  administrative pronouncements of  the Service. For  this
purpose, all payments on a Note will be viewed first as the payment of qualified
stated  interest (determined under the original issue discount rules), second as
payments of previously accrued original issue discount (to the extent  thereof),
with  payments  considered  made for  the  earliest accrual  periods  first, and
thereafter as the payment of principal.
 
    If a  holder's tax  basis  in a  Discount  Note immediately  after  purchase
exceeds the adjusted issue price of the Discount Note (the amount of such excess
is  considered  "acquisition  premium")  but  is  not  greater  than  the stated
redemption price at  maturity of such  Discount Note, the  amount includible  in
income in each taxable year as original issue discount is reduced (but not below
zero) by that portion of the excess properly allocable to such year.
 
    If  a holder purchases a Discount Note for an amount in excess of the stated
redemption price at  maturity, the holder  does not include  any original  issue
discount  in income  and generally  may be subject  to the  "bond premium" rules
discussed below. See "Amortizable Bond Premium". If a holder has a tax basis  in
a  Discount Note  that is less  than the  adjusted issue price  of such Discount
Note, the difference will be subject to the market discount provisions discussed
below. See "Market Discount".
 
    Under the OID Regulations, a holder of a Note may elect to include in  gross
income  all interest that accrues on such  Note using the constant yield method.
For this  purpose,  interest  includes stated  interest,  acquisition  discount,
original issue discount, DE MINIMIS original issue discount, market discount, DE
MINIMIS  market discount, and unstated interest,  as adjusted by any amortizable
bond premium or acquisition premium. Special rules apply to elections made  with
respect  to Notes issued with amortizable  bond premium or market discount. Once
made with respect to a Note, the election cannot be revoked without the  consent
of  the  Service. A  holder  considering an  election  under these  rules should
consult a tax advisor.
 
    MARKET DISCOUNT
 
    If a holder purchases a Note (other than a Discount Note) for an amount that
is less than  its issue price  or, in the  case of a  subsequent purchaser,  its
stated  redemption price at maturity, or purchases a Discount Note for less than
its "revised issue price" (as defined under  the Code) as of the purchase  date,
the  amount of the difference  will be treated as  "market discount" unless such
difference is less than a specified DE MINIMIS amount. Under the market discount
rules of the  Code, a holder  will be  required to treat  any partial  principal
payment  (or,  in  the  case of  a  Discount  Note, any  payment  that  does not
constitute fixed  periodic interest)  on,  or any  gain  realized on  the  sale,
exchange or retirement of, a Note as ordinary income to the extent of the market
discount  which has  not previously  been included in  income and  is treated as
having
 
                                      S-24
<PAGE>
accrued on such  Note at the  time of  such payment or  disposition. Further,  a
disposition  of a Note by gift (and in certain other circumstances) could result
in the recognition of market discount income, computed as if such Note had  been
sold  at its then fair market value. In  addition, a holder who purchases a Note
with market discount may be required to defer the deduction of all or a  portion
of  the interest paid or  accrued on any indebtedness  incurred or maintained to
purchase or  carry such  Note until  the maturity  of the  Note or  its  earlier
disposition in a taxable transaction.
 
    Market  discount is considered to accrue  ratably during the period from the
date of acquisition to the maturity date of a Note, unless the holder elects  to
accrue  market discount under the rules applicable to original issue discount. A
holder may elect to include market  discount in income currently as it  accrues,
in  which  case the  rules described  above regarding  the deferral  of interest
deductions will not apply.
 
    With  respect  to  a  Single  Foreign  Currency  Note,  market  discount  is
determined  in the applicable Foreign Currency. In the case of a holder who does
not elect current  inclusion, accrued  market discount is  translated into  U.S.
dollars  at the spot  rate on the date  of disposition. No  part of such accrued
market discount is treated as exchange gain or loss. In the case of a holder who
elects current  inclusion,  the amount  currently  includible in  income  for  a
taxable  year is the U.S.  dollar value of the  market discount that has accrued
during such year, determined by translating such market discount at the  average
rate  of exchange  for the period  or periods  during which it  accrued. Such an
electing holder will  recognize exchange gain  or loss with  respect to  accrued
market  discount under the same  rules as apply to  accrued interest on a Single
Foreign Currency Note received by a  holder on the accrual basis. See  "Payments
of Interest on Notes that are not Discount Notes".
 
    AMORTIZABLE BOND PREMIUM
 
    Generally, if a holder's tax basis in a Note held as a capital asset exceeds
the stated redemption price at maturity of such Note, such excess may constitute
amortizable  bond  premium  that the  holder  may  elect to  amortize  under the
constant interest rate method over the  period from his acquisition date to  the
Note's  maturity date. Under certain circumstances, amortizable bond premium may
be determined  by reference  to an  early call  date. Special  rules apply  with
respect to Single Foreign Currency Notes.
 
    SHORT-TERM NOTES
 
    In general, an individual or other cash method holder of a Note that matures
one  year or  less from the  date of its  issuance (a "Short-Term  Note") is not
required to accrue original issue discount on such Note unless it has elected to
do so.  Holders who  report income  for federal  income tax  purposes under  the
accrual  method, however, and certain other holders, including banks, dealers in
securities and electing holders, are required to accrue original issue  discount
(unless  the holder elects to accrue  "acquisition discount" in lieu of original
issue discount)  on such  Note.  "Acquisition discount"  is  the excess  of  the
remaining  stated redemption price  at maturity of the  Short-Term Note over the
holder's tax basis in the Short-Term Note at the time of the acquisition. In the
case of a holder who is not required and does not elect to accrue original issue
discount on  a Short-Term  Note, any  gain  realized on  the sale,  exchange  or
retirement  of such Short-Term Note will be ordinary income to the extent of the
original  issue  discount  accrued  through  the  date  of  sale,  exchange   or
retirement.  Such a holder will be required to defer, until such Short-Term Note
is sold or otherwise  disposed of, the  deduction of a  portion of the  interest
expense  on any  indebtedness incurred  or continued  to purchase  or carry such
Short-Term Note. Original issue discount or acquisition discount on a Short-Term
Note accrues on  a straight-line basis  unless an  election is made  to use  the
constant yield method (based on daily compounding).
 
    In  the case  of a Short-Term  Note that  is also a  Single Foreign Currency
Note, the amount of original issue  discount or acquisition discount subject  to
current  accrual and the amount of any exchange gain or loss on a sale, exchange
or retirement are determined under the same rules that apply to accrued interest
on a Single Foreign  Currency Note held  by a holder on  the accrual basis.  See
"Payments of Interest on Notes that are not Discount Notes".
 
    The  market discount rules will not apply to a Short-Term Note having market
discount.
 
                                      S-25
<PAGE>
Non-United States Persons
 
    Subject  to  the  discussion  of  backup  withholding  below,  payments   of
principal,  premium, if any, and interest (including original issue discount) by
the Capital Corporation or its agent (in its capacity as such) to any holder who
is a beneficial owner of a  Note but is not a  United States person will not  be
subject  to  United States  federal  withholding tax  provided,  in the  case of
premium, if any, and interest (including original issue discount) that (i)  such
holder does not actually or constructively own 10% of more of the total combined
voting  power of  all classes  of stock of  the Capital  Corporation entitled to
vote, (ii) such holder is not a controlled foreign corporation for United States
tax purposes that is related to the Capital Corporation through stock ownership,
and (iii) either (A) the beneficial owner  of the Note certifies to the  Capital
Corporation  or its agent, under  penalties of perjury, that  he is not a United
States person and  provides his name  and address or  (B) a securities  clearing
organization,   bank  or  other  financial  institution  that  holds  customers'
securities in  the  ordinary course  of  its  trade or  business  (a  "financial
institution") certifies to the Capital Corporation or its agent, under penalties
of  perjury,  that the  certification described  in clause  (A) hereof  has been
received from the  beneficial owner by  it or by  another financial  institution
acting for the beneficial owner.
 
    If  a holder of  a Note who  is not a  United States person  is engaged in a
trade or  business  in  the United  States  and  premium, if  any,  or  interest
(including  original issue discount)  on the Note  is effectively connected with
the conduct of such trade or business, such holder, although exempt from  United
States  withholding tax as discussed in the preceding paragraph (or by reason of
the delivery  of a  properly completed  Form 4224),  will be  subject to  United
States  federal  income tax  on such  premium, if  any, and  interest (including
original issue  discount) in  the same  manner as  if it  were a  United  States
person.
 
    Subject  to the discussion  of "backup" withholding  below, any capital gain
realized upon the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note by a holder who is  not
a  United States person will  not be subject to  United States federal income or
withholding taxes unless (i)  such gain is effectively  connected with a  United
States  trade or business of  the holder, or (ii) in  the case of an individual,
such holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the  taxable
year of the retirement or disposition and certain other conditions are met.
 
    Notes  held by an individual who is neither  a citizen nor a resident of the
United States for United States federal income tax purposes at the time of  such
individual's  death will  not be  subject to  United States  federal estate tax,
provided that  the  income  from the  Notes  was  not or  would  not  have  been
effectively  connected with a United States trade or business of such individual
and that such individual qualified for the exemption from United States  federal
withholding  tax  (without regard  to  the certification  requirements)  that is
described above.
 
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
 
    The "backup" withholding and information reporting requirements may apply to
certain payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest (including original
issue discount) on a  Note and to  certain payments of proceeds  of the sale  or
retirement  of a Note. The Capital Corporation, its agent, a broker, the Trustee
or any paying agent, as the case may  be, will be required to withhold tax  from
any  payment that  is subject  to backup withholding  at a  rate of  31% of such
payment if  the  holder fails  to  furnish his  taxpayer  identification  number
(social security number or employer identification number), to certify that such
holder  is not subject  to backup withholding,  or to otherwise  comply with the
applicable  requirements  of  the  backup  withholding  rules.  Certain  holders
(including,  among  others,  all corporations)  are  not subject  to  the backup
withholding and reporting requirements.
 
    Under current  Treasury  Regulations,  backup  withholding  and  information
reporting  will not  apply to  payments made by  the Capital  Corporation or any
agent thereof (in its capacity as such) to  a holder of a Note who has  provided
the  required certification under penalties  of perjury that it  is not a United
States person  as  set  forth in  clause  (iii)  in the  first  paragraph  under
"Non-United  States Persons" or has otherwise established an exemption (provided
that neither the Capital  Corporation nor such agent  has actual knowledge  that
the  holder  is a  United  States person  or that  the  conditions of  any other
exemption are not in fact satisfied).
 
                                      S-26
<PAGE>
    Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to  a
holder  may be claimed as  a credit against such  holder's United States federal
income tax liability.
 
    THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX  DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE  IS INCLUDED FOR  GENERAL
INFORMATION  ONLY AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER'S PARTICULAR
SITUATION. HOLDERS SHOULD  CONSULT THEIR TAX  ADVISORS WITH RESPECT  TO THE  TAX
CONSEQUENCES  TO THEM OF  THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND  DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES,
INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES  UNDER STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN  AND OTHER TAX  LAWS
AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    The  Notes  are offered  on a  continuing basis  by the  Capital Corporation
through the  Agents,  who have  agreed  to use  their  best efforts  to  solicit
purchases  of the Notes. The Capital Corporation may also sell Notes directly to
investors on its own behalf or to an Agent as principal. Unless otherwise agreed
by the Capital Corporation and the Agents, the Capital Corporation will have the
sole right  to accept  offers to  purchase  Notes and  may reject  any  proposed
purchase  of such Notes in whole or in  part. Each Agent will have the right, in
its discretion reasonably exercised,  to reject any  proposed purchase of  Notes
through  it as Agent in whole or in  part. The Capital Corporation will pay each
Agent a commission, in the form of  a discount or otherwise, ranging from  .125%
to .675% of the price to the public of any Senior Notes sold through such Agent,
depending  on the  maturity of  such Senior  Notes. The  schedule of commissions
payable in connection with  sales of Senior  Notes will also  apply to sales  of
Subordinated Notes unless otherwise agreed to by the Capital Corporation and the
Agents.
 
    In addition, the Agents may offer the Notes they have purchased as principal
to  other brokers or dealers. The Agents may  sell Notes to any broker or dealer
at a  discount  and,  unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  applicable  pricing
supplement,  such discount allowed to any broker or dealer will not be in excess
of 66  2/3% of  the discount  to  be received  by such  Agent from  the  Capital
Corporation.  Unless otherwise  indicated in the  applicable pricing supplement,
any Note sold  to an Agent  as principal will  be purchased by  such Agent at  a
price  equal to 100% of the principal  amount thereof less a percentage equal to
the commission applicable to an agency sale of a Note of identical maturity  and
rank,  and may  be resold  by such  Agent to  investors and  other purchasers at
varying prices relating  to prevailing market  prices at the  time of resale  as
determined  by  such  Agent  or,  if  so  specified  in  the  applicable pricing
supplement, for  resale at  a fixed  public offering  price. After  the  initial
public  offering of Notes  to be resold  to investors and  other purchasers, the
public offering price  (in the  case of  Notes to be  resold on  a fixed  public
offering price basis), the concession and the reallowance may be changed.
 
    Unless  otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, payment of
the purchase price of the Notes acquired through the Agents acting as agents  is
required to be made in funds immediately available in The City of New York.
 
    The  Agents may  be deemed  to be "underwriters"  within the  meaning of the
Securities  Act  of  1933,  as  amended  (the  "Securities  Act").  The  Capital
Corporation  has  agreed to  indemnify the  Agents against  certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.  The Agents may engage in  other
transactions with, or perform other services for, the Capital Corporation in the
ordinary course of business.
 
    The  Notes are a new issue of  securities with no established trading market
and will not be listed on  any securities exchange. The Capital Corporation  has
been  advised that the Agents may from time  to time make a market in the Notes,
but the Agents are not obligated to do so and may discontinue such market-making
at any time without notice.  Further, each of the Agents  may from time to  time
purchase  and sell Notes in the secondary market, but is not obligated to do so.
No assurance can  be given as  to the liquidity  of any trading  market for  the
Notes.
 
    Any  secondary market  for Notes  will be  affected by  a number  of factors
independent of the creditworthiness of the Capital Corporation and the value  of
the applicable index or indices or formula or formulas, including the complexity
and  volatility of  each such  index or formula,  the method  of calculating the
principal, premium, if any, and/or interest,  if any, in respect of such  Notes,
the time remaining to the
 
                                      S-27
<PAGE>
maturity  of such  Notes, the outstanding  amount of such  Notes, any redemption
features of such Notes, the amount of other debt securities linked to such index
or formula and  the level,  direction and  volatility of  market interest  rates
generally.  Such factors  also will  affect the market  value of  such Notes. In
addition, certain Notes may  be designed for  specific investment objectives  or
strategies  and,  therefore,  may  have  a  more  limited  secondary  market and
experience more price  volatility than conventional  debt securities.  Investors
may  not  be able  to sell  such Notes  readily  or at  prices that  will enable
investors to realize their anticipated yield. No investor should purchase  Notes
unless  such investor understands and is able  to bear the risks that such Notes
may not be readily saleable,  that the value of  such Notes will fluctuate  over
time and that such fluctuations may be significant.
 
    In  addition to  the offerings  of Notes  described herein,  Debt Securities
having terms substantially similar to the terms of the Notes offered hereby (but
constituting a separate series of Debt Securities for purposes of the applicable
Indenture) may be offered outside the  United States by the Capital  Corporation
on  a continuing basis, concurrently with the  offering of the Notes hereby. The
Capital Corporation may also  sell Notes, other Debt  Securities or Warrants  to
Purchase  Debt  Securities  pursuant  to another  prospectus  supplement  to the
accompanying prospectus.  Any such  sales will  reduce the  principal amount  of
Notes  that may  be offered by  this prospectus supplement  and the accompanying
prospectus.
 
                                      S-28
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
 
                         JOHN DEERE CAPITAL CORPORATION
 
                                DEBT SECURITIES
                      WARRANTS TO PURCHASE DEBT SECURITIES
 
    John  Deere Capital Corporation  (the "Capital Corporation")  may offer from
time to time under  this prospectus, together or  separately, (i) its  unsecured
debt  securities (the "Debt Securities") which may be either senior (the "Senior
Securities") or subordinated (the  "Subordinated Securities") and (ii)  warrants
to purchase Debt Securities (the "Debt Warrants"), all on terms to be determined
at the time of the offering.
 
    The  Debt Securities or Debt Warrants, or a combination thereof, proposed to
be sold pursuant to this  prospectus and the accompanying prospectus  supplement
are  referred  to  as  the "Offered  Securities",  and  the  Offered Securities,
together with any Debt Securities issuable  upon exercise of Debt Warrants,  are
referred  to as the "Securities". Securities  with an aggregate initial offering
price of  up  to  $1,108,850,000  (or  the equivalent  thereof  if  any  of  the
Securities  are denominated in  a currency, currency  unit or composite currency
("Currency") other than the U.S. dollar) may be issued under this prospectus.
 
    The prospectus  supplement accompanying  this  prospectus sets  forth,  with
respect  to each series or issue of Securities for which this prospectus and the
prospectus supplement are being delivered: (i) the terms of the Debt  Securities
offered or issuable upon exercise of any Debt Warrants offered, including, where
applicable,  their title, ranking, maturity, rate  of any interest (or manner of
calculation) and time of payment thereof, any redemption or repayment terms, the
Currency or Currencies  in which  such Debt  Securities will  be denominated  or
payable,  any  index,  formula  or other  method  pursuant  to  which principal,
premium, if any, or  interest, if any,  may be determined and  the form of  such
Debt  Securities (which may be in registered or bearer or global or certificated
form); (ii) the  terms of  any Debt  Warrants offered,  including, the  exercise
price,  detachability, expiration  date and  other terms  and (iii)  any initial
public offering  price, the  purchase  price and  net  proceeds to  the  Capital
Corporation  and  the  other specific  terms  related  to the  offering  of such
Securities.
 
    The  Capital  Corporation  may  sell   Offered  Securities  to  or   through
underwriters,  dealers or agents, and also  may sell Offered Securities directly
to other purchasers. See  "Plan of Distribution". No  Offered Securities may  be
sold  without  delivery  of  a  prospectus  supplement  describing  such Offered
Securities and the method and terms of offering thereof.
 
THESE SECURITIES  HAVE  NOT  BEEN  APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED  BY  THE  SECURITIES
    AND   EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY   STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR
       HAS THE  SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE  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 date of this prospectus is September 3, 1996.
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    John Deere Capital Corporation is subject to the informational  requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and in accordance therewith files reports
and   other  information  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the
"Commission"). Such reports and other information may be inspected and copied at
the public  reference  facilities maintained  by  the Commission  at  450  Fifth
Street,  N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549; 500  W. Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois
60606; and Seven World  Trade Center, New  York, New York  10048; and copies  of
such  material  may  be  obtained  from  the  Public  Reference  Section  of the
Commission at  450 Fifth  Street,  N.W., Washington,  D.C. 20549  at  prescribed
rates. Reports and other information concerning the Capital Corporation may also
be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New
York,  New  York  10005.  In  addition to  the  locations  specified  above, the
Commission maintains a Web site at http://www.sec.gov containing reports,  proxy
and   information  statements  and   other  information  regarding  registrants,
including the Capital Corporation, that file electronically with the Commission.
 
    UPON RECEIPT OF  A REQUEST  BY AN INVESTOR  WHO HAS  RECEIVED AN  ELECTRONIC
PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT  AND  PROSPECTUS  FROM  THE  CAPITAL  CORPORATION  OR ANY
UNDERWRITER, DEALER  OR AGENT  OR A  REQUEST BY  SUCH INVESTOR'S  REPRESENTATIVE
WITHIN  THE PERIOD DURING WHICH  THERE IS AN OBLIGATION  TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT AND PROSPECTUS, THE CAPITAL CORPORATION OR ANY UNDERWRITER, DEALER OR
AGENT WILL PROMPTLY DELIVER, OR CAUSE  TO BE DELIVERED, WITHOUT CHARGE, TO  SUCH
INVESTOR  A  PAPER  COPY OF  THE  PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT  (INCLUDING  ANY PRICING
SUPPLEMENT) AND PROSPECTUS.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
    The following documents filed by the Capital Corporation with the Commission
are incorporated in this prospectus by reference: (i) annual report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995, (ii) quarterly reports on Form  10-Q
for  the quarter ended January  31, 1996, April 30, 1996  and July 31, 1996, and
(iii) current reports on  Form 8-K dated November  30, 1995, February 15,  1996,
May 14, 1996 and August 13, 1996.
 
    All  documents  subsequently filed  by the  Capital Corporation  pursuant to
section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934  prior
to  the termination of  any offering of  the Securities made  by this prospectus
shall be deemed to be incorporated by  reference in this prospectus and to be  a
part  of this  prospectus from  the date  of the  filing of  such documents. Any
statement contained  herein  or in  a  document  incorporated or  deemed  to  be
incorporated  by reference herein  shall be deemed to  be modified or superseded
for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained  herein
(or  in the  accompanying prospectus  supplement) or  in any  other subsequently
filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies  or  replaces  such  statement.  Any  such  statement  so  modified  or
superseded  shall  not  be  deemed,  except as  so  modified  or  superseded, to
constitute a part of this prospectus.
 
    The Capital Corporation will provide without  charge to each person to  whom
this  prospectus is delivered, on the written  or oral request of such person, a
copy of any or all of the documents  referred to above that have been or may  be
incorporated  by  reference  in this  prospectus,  other than  exhibits  to such
documents. Such written or oral request should be directed to John Deere Capital
Corporation, 1  East First  Street, Suite  600, Reno,  Nevada 89501,  Attention:
Manager (702/786-5527).
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                                  THE COMPANY
 
    The  principal  business of  the  Capital Corporation  and  its subsidiaries
(collectively called the "Company") is providing and administering financing for
retail purchases  of  new  and  used John  Deere  agricultural,  industrial  and
commercial  and  consumer equipment.  The  Company purchases  retail installment
sales  and  loan  contracts  (retail  notes)  from  Deere  &  Company  and   its
wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively called "John Deere"). These retail notes
are  acquired by  John Deere  through John  Deere retail  dealers in  the United
States. The  Company  also  purchases  and  finances  certain  agricultural  and
industrial  retail  notes  unrelated to  John  Deere. In  addition,  the Company
purchases and finances recreational vehicle and yacht retail notes acquired from
independent dealers of those products and from marine products mortgage  service
companies.  The Company also leases equipment  to retail customers, finances and
services revolving charge accounts acquired  from and offered through  merchants
in  the agricultural,  commercial and consumer,  and marine  retail markets, and
provides  financing  for   wholesale  inventories   of  recreational   vehicles,
manufactured   housing  units,  yachts,  John  Deere  engines,  and  John  Deere
industrial equipment owned by dealers of those products.
 
    A substantial part of the retail sales and leases of John Deere products  is
financed by financial institutions outside of the John Deere organization.
 
    John  Deere  Credit Company,  a wholly-owned  finance holding  subsidiary of
Deere & Company, is the parent of the Capital Corporation.
 
    John Deere's operations are categorized into six business segments:
 
        John Deere's worldwide AGRICULTURAL  EQUIPMENT segment manufactures  and
    distributes  a full range of equipment used in commercial farming--including
    tractors; tillage,  soil  preparation, planting  and  harvesting  machinery;
    sprayers; crop handling equipment and precision farming devices.
 
        John  Deere's  worldwide INDUSTRIAL  EQUIPMENT segment  manufactures and
    distributes a broad range of machines used in construction, earthmoving  and
    forestry--including   backhoe   loaders;   crawler   dozers   and   loaders;
    four-wheel-drive loaders;  scrapers;  motor  graders;  excavators;  and  log
    skidders.  This segment  also includes  the manufacture  and distribution of
    engines and drivetrain components  for the original equipment  manufacturers
    (OEM) market.
 
        John   Deere's  worldwide  COMMERCIAL  AND  CONSUMER  EQUIPMENT  segment
    manufactures  and  distributes  equipment  for  commercial  and  residential
    uses--including small tractors for lawn, garden and utility purposes; riding
    and  walk-behind mowers; golf course  equipment; utility transport vehicles;
    snowblowers; hand-held products such as chain saws, string trimmers and leaf
    blowers; and other outdoor power products.
 
        The products produced by the  equipment segments are marketed  primarily
    through independent retail dealer networks and other retail outlets.
 
        The  CREDIT segment includes  the operations of  the Company, John Deere
    Credit Company, and  John Deere Finance  Limited, which primarily  purchases
    and  finances retail  notes from  John Deere's  equipment sales  branches in
    Canada, as  well  as recreational  vehicle  and marine  product  notes  from
    independent  dealers. John  Deere Finance  Limited, through  its subsidiary,
    Canadian Equipment Finance Corporation  (CEFC), also purchases and  finances
    non-Deere  construction and transportation  equipment notes from independent
    dealers.
 
        The INSURANCE segment issues  policies in the  United States and  Canada
    primarily  for  general  and  specialized  lines  of  property  and casualty
    insurance to the general public; and group accident and health insurance for
    employees of participating John Deere  dealers and disability insurance  for
    employees of John Deere.
 
        The  HEALTH CARE segment provides health management programs and related
    administrative services in the United States to corporate customers as  well
    as employees of John Deere.
 
    The  Capital Corporation's  executive offices  are located  at 1  East First
Street, Suite 600, Reno, Nevada 89501. Its telephone number is 702/786-5527.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    Except as may  be described otherwise  in a prospectus  supplement, the  net
proceeds  from the sale of the Securities will  be added to the general funds of
the Company and  will be used  for working capital  and other general  corporate
purposes,  and  will  be available  for,  among  other things,  the  purchase of
receivables. Such  proceeds  may  be  applied  initially  to  the  reduction  of
short-term indebtedness.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
    The  Capital Corporation may issue (either separately or together with other
Offered Securities) its Debt Securities from time to time. The Senior Securities
will be issued under  an Indenture dated  as of June  15, 1995, as  supplemented
from  time to time (the "Senior Indenture"), between the Capital Corporation and
The Chase  Manhattan Bank  (successor  by merger  to  The Chase  Manhattan  Bank
(National  Association)), Trustee  (the "Senior Trustee"),  and the Subordinated
Securities will be  issued under  an Indenture  dated as  of June  15, 1995,  as
supplemented  from  time to  time  (the "Subordinated  Indenture"),  between the
Capital Corporation  and  The  First  National Bank  of  Chicago,  Trustee  (the
"Subordinated  Trustee"). The term "Trustee" as used herein refers to either the
Senior Trustee or the Subordinated Trustee, as appropriate. The Senior Indenture
and the Subordinated Indenture (being sometimes referred to herein  collectively
as  the "Indentures"  and individually  as an  "Indenture") are  exhibits to the
registration statement. The Indentures are subject to and governed by the  Trust
Indenture  Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"). The following summary of certain
provisions of the Indentures does not purport to be complete and is subject  to,
and  qualified in  its entirety by  reference to, the  Indentures, including the
definitions of certain terms therein. Parenthetical references below are to  the
Indentures or to the TIA, as applicable.
 
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO BOTH THE SENIOR AND SUBORDINATED INDENTURES
 
    GENERAL
 
    The   Debt  Securities  will   be  unsecured  obligations   of  the  Capital
Corporation. The Senior Securities  will rank equally  with all other  unsecured
and  unsubordinated indebtedness  of the  Capital Corporation.  The Subordinated
Securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full
of the  Senior  Indebtedness  of  the Capital  Corporation  as  described  under
"Subordinated Indenture Provisions -- Subordination".
 
    Each  Indenture  provides  that  any Debt  Securities  proposed  to  be sold
pursuant to this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement ("Offered
Debt Securities") and  any Debt Securities  issuable upon the  exercise of  Debt
Warrants  ("Underlying  Debt  Securities"),  as  well  as  other  unsecured debt
securities of the Company,  may be issued  under such Indenture  in one or  more
series, in each case as authorized from time to time by the Capital Corporation.
The  particular terms  of the  Offered Debt  Securities and  any Underlying Debt
Securities, and any modifications  of or additions to  the general terms of  the
Debt  Securities as described herein  that may be applicable  in the case of the
Offered Debt  Securities or  Underlying Debt  Securities, are  described in  the
prospectus  supplement.  Accordingly,  for a  description  of the  terms  of any
Offered Debt Securities and Underlying  Debt Securities, reference must be  made
to  both the prospectus supplement relating  thereto and the description of Debt
Securities set forth in  this prospectus. The  terms "prospectus supplement"  as
used herein includes pricing supplements relating to the particular Securities.
 
    Reference  is made to  the prospectus supplement for  the following terms of
the Offered Debt Securities, the Underlying Debt Securities or both, as the case
may be, being offered thereby:
 
        (1) The title of such Debt  Securities and whether such Debt  Securities
    will be Senior Securities or Subordinated Securities.
 
        (2) The aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities and any limit
    on the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of such series.
 
        (3)  If  other than  the principal  amount thereof,  the portion  of the
    principal amount thereof  payable upon  declaration of  acceleration of  the
    maturity thereof or the method by which such portion will be determined.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
        (4) The date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be
    determined  or extended, on which the principal of such Debt Securities will
    be payable.
 
        (5) The rate or rates at which such Debt Securities will bear  interest,
    if  any, or the method  by which such rate or  rates will be determined, the
    date or dates from which  such interest will accrue  or the method by  which
    such  date or  dates will  be determined,  the date  or dates  on which such
    interest, if any, will be payable and  the Regular Record Date or Dates,  if
    any,  for the  interest payable on  any Registered Security  on any Interest
    Payment Date, or the method by which  any such date will be determined,  and
    the  basis upon which  interest will be  calculated if other  than that of a
    360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
        (6) The period or  periods within which, the  price or prices at  which,
    the Currency or Currencies in which, and the other terms and conditions upon
    which,  such Debt Securities  may be redeemed,  in whole or  in part, at the
    option of the Capital Corporation and whether the Capital Corporation is  to
    have that option.
 
        (7)  The obligation, if any, of the Capital Corporation to redeem, repay
    or purchase  such Debt  Securities, in  whole or  in part,  pursuant to  any
    sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a holder thereof and
    the  period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price
    or prices at which, the Currency or Currencies in which and the other  terms
    and  conditions upon which, such Debt Securities will be so redeemed, repaid
    or purchased.
 
        (8) Whether  such  Debt Securities  are  to be  issuable  as  Registered
    Securities,  Bearer Securities or  both, any restrictions  applicable to the
    offer, sale or  delivery of Bearer  Securities and the  terms, if any,  upon
    which  Bearer  Securities  of the  series  may be  exchanged  for Registered
    Securities of the series and VICE VERSA (if permitted by applicable laws and
    regulations), whether such  Debt Securities  will be  issuable initially  in
    temporary  global form, whether any such Debt Securities will be issuable in
    permanent global form with or without coupons and, if so, whether beneficial
    owners of interests in any such permanent global security may exchange  such
    interests for Debt Securities of such series in certificate form and of like
    tenor  of any authorized  form and denomination  and the circumstances under
    which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided  in
    the  applicable Indenture, and, if Registered  Securities are to be issuable
    as a  global  security,  the  identity  of  the  depository  for  such  Debt
    Securities.
 
        (9)  If other  than U.S.  dollars, the  Currency or  Currencies in which
    payments of the principal of  (or premium, if any)  or interest, if any,  on
    such  Debt Securities will be made or  in which such Debt Securities will be
    denominated.
 
       (10) Whether the amount of payments of principal of (or premium, if  any)
    or  interest,  if  any,  on  such Debt  Securities  may  be  determined with
    reference to an  index, formula  or other  method (which  index, formula  or
    method  may be based on one  or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices
    or other indices) and the manner in which such amounts will be determined.
 
       (11) Whether the Capital Corporation or a holder may elect payment of the
    principal of  (or  premium,  if any)  or  interest,  if any,  on  such  Debt
    Securities  in one or  more Currencies, other  than that in  which such Debt
    Securities are denominated or  stated to be payable,  the period or  periods
    within  which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be
    made, and the time and manner  of determining the exchange rate between  the
    Currency  or Currencies  in which  such Debt  Securities are  denominated or
    stated to  be payable  and the  Currency or  Currencies in  which such  Debt
    Securities are to be so paid.
 
       (12)  The place or places, if any, other  than or in addition to The City
    of New York, where the principal of  (and premium, if any) and interest,  if
    any,  on  such  Debt  Securities  will  be  payable,  where  any  Registered
    Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where such  Debt
    Securities  may be surrendered for exchange  and where notices or demands to
    or upon the Capital Corporation in  respect of such Debt Securities and  the
    applicable Indenture may be served.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
       (13) The denomination or denominations in which such Debt Securities will
    be  issuable, if other than  $1,000 or any integral  multiple thereof in the
    case of Registered Securities and $5,000 in the case of Bearer Securities.
 
       (14) If other than the applicable Trustee, the identity of each  Security
    Registrar and/or Paying Agent.
 
       (15)  The date as  of which any  Bearer Securities of  the series and any
    temporary Debt  Security  issued  in global  form  representing  Outstanding
    Securities  of the series will  be dated if other  than the date of original
    issuance of the first Debt Security of the series to be issued.
 
       (16) The  applicability,  if at  all,  to  such Debt  Securities  of  the
    provisions  of Article Fourteen of  the applicable Indenture described under
    "Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance" and any provisions in modification  of,
    in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of such Article.
 
       (17)  The Person to whom  any interest on any  Registered Security of the
    series will  be  payable,  if other  than  the  Person in  whose  name  such
    Registered Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at
    the  close of  business on  the Regular Record  Date for  such interest, the
    manner in which, or the Person to whom, any interest on any Bearer  Security
    of  the series  shall be  payable, if  otherwise than  upon presentation and
    surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto as they severally mature,  and
    the  extent to  which, or  the manner  in which,  any interest  payable on a
    temporary Debt Security issued in global form will be paid if other than  in
    the manner provided in the applicable Indenture.
 
       (18)  If  such Debt  Securities  are to  be  issuable in  definitive form
    (whether upon original issue or upon  exchange of a temporary Debt  Security
    of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents
    or  satisfaction  of  other  conditions,  the  form  and/or  terms  of  such
    certificates, documents or conditions.
 
       (19) Whether and  under what circumstances  the Capital Corporation  will
    pay  Additional Amounts, as  contemplated by Section  1004 of the applicable
    Indenture on such Debt Securities to any  holder who is not a United  States
    person  (including  any  modification  to the  definition  of  such  term as
    contained in the applicable Indenture as originally executed) in respect  of
    any  tax, assessment or governmental charge  and, if so, whether the Capital
    Corporation will have the option to redeem such Debt Securities rather  than
    pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option).
 
       (20)  The provisions, if  any, granting special rights  to the holders of
    such Debt Securities upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified.
 
       (21) Any deletions from, modifications of  or additions to the Events  of
    Default  or covenants of  the Capital Corporation with  respect to such Debt
    Securities (which Events  of Default  or covenants are  consistent with  the
    Events  of Default or covenants  set forth in the  general provisions of the
    applicable Indenture).
 
       (22) The designation of the initial Exchange Rate Agent, if any.
 
       (23) Any other terms of such Debt Securities.
 
    If applicable, the  prospectus supplement  will also  set forth  information
concerning  any other  Securities offered  thereby and  a discussion  of federal
income tax considerations relevant to the Securities being offered.
 
    For purposes of this prospectus, any  reference to the payment of  principal
of  (or premium, if  any) or interest, if  any, on such  Debt Securities will be
deemed to include mention of the  payment of any Additional Amounts required  by
the terms of such Debt Securities.
 
    Debt  Securities  may  provide for  less  than the  entire  principal amount
thereof to be payable upon declaration  of acceleration of the maturity  thereof
("Original   Issue  Discount   Securities").  Federal   income  tax   and  other
considerations pertaining to any such Original Issue Discount Securities will be
discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
    Each Indenture provides that  the Debt Securities referred  to on the  cover
page  of this prospectus and additional unsecured debt securities of the Capital
Corporation unlimited as to aggregate principal  amount may be issued in one  or
more  series thereunder,  in each  case as  authorized from  time to  time by or
pursuant to  authority  granted  by  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Capital
Corporation.  (Section  301 of  each Indenture)  The applicable  Debt Securities
referred to  on  the cover  page  of this  prospectus  and any  additional  debt
securities  so issued  under an Indenture  are herein  collectively referred to,
when a  single Trustee  is acting  for  all debt  securities issued  under  such
Indenture,  as  the "Indenture  Securities". Each  Indenture also  provides that
there may be more than one Trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or  more
different  series  of Indenture  Securities. See  also "Resignation  of Trustee"
herein. At a time when two or  more Trustees are acting under either  Indenture,
each  with respect to  only certain series, the  term "Indenture Securities", as
used herein,  will mean  the  one or  more series  with  respect to  which  each
respective  Trustee is acting. In the event  that there is more than one Trustee
under either Indenture,  the powers  and trust  obligations of  each Trustee  as
described  herein  will extend  only  to the  one  or more  series  of Indenture
Securities for which it  is Trustee. If  two or more  Trustees are acting  under
either Indenture, then the Indenture Securities for which each Trustee is acting
would in effect be treated as if issued under separate indentures.
 
    The  general provisions of the Indentures do not contain any provisions that
would limit the ability of the Capital Corporation to incur indebtedness or that
would afford holders  of Debt  Securities protection in  the event  of a  highly
leveraged  or similar  transaction involving  the Company.  However, the general
provisions of each Indenture do provide that neither the Capital Corporation nor
any Subsidiary will pledge or subject to any lien any of its property or  assets
unless  the Indenture Securities issued under such Indenture are secured by such
pledge or lien equally and ratably with other indebtedness thereby secured.  See
"Senior  Indenture Provisions -- Limitation on  Liens". Reference is made to the
prospectus supplement  for  information  with respect  to  any  deletions  from,
modifications  of or  additions to  the Events  of Default  or covenants  of the
Capital Corporation  that  are described  below,  including any  addition  of  a
covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.
 
    Under  the  Indentures, the  Capital Corporation  has  the ability  to issue
Indenture Securities with  terms different  from those  of Indenture  Securities
previously issued thereunder and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to
reopen a previous issue of a series of Indenture Securities and issue additional
Indenture  Securities of such series (unless  such reopening was restricted when
such series was  created), in an  aggregate principal amount  determined by  the
Capital Corporation. (Section 301 of each Indenture)
 
DENOMINATIONS, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
 
    Debt Securities of a series may be issuable solely as Registered Securities,
solely  as  Bearer  Securities  or  as  both  Registered  Securities  and Bearer
Securities. The Indentures also provide that Debt Securities of a series may  be
issuable  in  global form.  See "Book-Entry  Debt Securities".  Unless otherwise
provided in  the  prospectus supplement,  Debt  Securities denominated  in  U.S.
dollars  (other than  Global Securities, which  may be of  any denomination) are
issuable in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiples of $1,000 (in  the
case of Registered Securities) and in the denomination of $5,000 (in the case of
Bearer  Securities). Unless  otherwise indicated  in the  prospectus supplement,
Bearer Securities  will have  interest coupons  attached. (Section  201 of  each
Indenture)
 
    Registered  Securities will be exchangeable  for other Registered Securities
of the same  series. If  (but only if)  provided in  the prospectus  supplement,
Bearer Securities (with all unmatured coupons, except as provided below, and all
matured  coupons which are in default) of  any series may be similarly exchanged
for Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and
of a  like  aggregate  principal  amount  and  tenor.  If  so  provided,  Bearer
Securities  surrendered in exchange for  Registered Securities between a Regular
Record Date  or a  Special Record  Date and  the relevant  date for  payment  of
interest  will  be surrendered  without  the coupon  relating  to such  date for
payment of  interest,  and  interest will  not  be  payable in  respect  of  the
Registered  Security issued  in exchange for  such Bearer Security,  but will be
payable only to the holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the  terms
of  the  applicable  Indenture.  Unless otherwise  specified  in  the prospectus
supplement, Bearer  Securities will  not be  issued in  exchange for  Registered
Securities. (Section 305 of each Indenture)
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
    Registered  Securities  of a  series may  be  presented for  registration of
transfer and Debt Securities of  a series may be  presented for exchange (i)  at
each  office or agency required to be  maintained by the Capital Corporation for
payment of such series as described in "Payment and Paying Agents", and (ii)  at
each other office or agency that the Capital Corporation may designate from time
to  time for such purposes.  No service charge will be  made for any transfer or
exchange of Debt Securities, but the Capital Corporation may require payment  of
any  tax or other governmental charge  payable in connection therewith. (Section
305 of each Indenture)
 
    The Capital Corporation  will not  be required  to (i)  issue, register  the
transfer  of or exchange  Debt Securities called for  redemption during a period
beginning at  the opening  of business  15  days before  any selection  of  Debt
Securities  of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on
(A) if Debt Securities of the series are issuable only as Registered Securities,
the day  of  mailing of  the  relevant notice  of  redemption and  (B)  if  Debt
Securities of the series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the day of the first
publication  of the relevant notice of redemption, or, if Debt Securities of the
series are also issuable as Registered  Securities and there is no  publication,
the  day of  mailing of  the relevant  notice of  redemption; (ii)  register the
transfer of or exchange any Registered Security, or portion thereof, called  for
redemption,  except  the unredeemed  portion  of any  Registered  Security being
redeemed in  part; (iii)  exchange any  Bearer Security  called for  redemption,
except to exchange such Bearer Security for a Registered Security of that series
and like tenor that is simultaneously surrendered for redemption; or (iv) issue,
register  the  transfer  of  or  exchange  any  Debt  Security  which  has  been
surrendered for repayment at  the option of the  holder, except the portion,  if
any, of such Debt Security not to be so repaid. (Section 305 of each Indenture)
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
 
    Unless  otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, principal, premium,
if any, and  interest, if  any, and Additional  Amounts, if  any, on  Registered
Securities  will be  payable at  any office  or agency  to be  maintained by the
Capital Corporation, in the case of the Senior Securities, in New York, New York
and, in the case  of the Subordinated Securities,  in Chicago, Illinois and  New
York,  New York, except that  at the option of  the Capital Corporation interest
(including Additional Amounts, if any)  may be paid (i)  by check mailed to  the
address  of the  Person entitled  thereto as  such address  shall appear  in the
Security Register  or (ii)  by wire  transfer to  an account  maintained by  the
Person  entitled thereto as  specified in the  Security Register. (Sections 301,
1001 and 1002  of each Indenture)  Unless otherwise provided  in the  prospectus
supplement, payment of any installment of interest on Registered Securities will
be  made to the Person  in whose name such  Registered Security is registered at
the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. (Section 307
of each Indenture)
 
    If Debt Securities of a series  are issuable solely as Bearer Securities  or
as  both Registered Securities and  Bearer Securities, unless otherwise provided
in the  prospectus  supplement, the  Capital  Corporation will  be  required  to
maintain  an office or agency (i) outside the United States at which, subject to
any applicable laws and regulations, the principal of (and premium, if any)  and
interest,  if any, on  such series will be  payable and (ii) in  The City of New
York for payments with respect to any Registered Securities of such series  (and
for  payments with respect  to Bearer Securities  of such series  in the limited
circumstances described below, but not otherwise); provided that, if required in
connection with any  listing of  such Debt  Securities on  the Luxembourg  Stock
Exchange  or any  other stock  exchange located  outside the  United States, the
Capital Corporation will maintain an office  or agency for such Debt  Securities
in  any city located outside the United  States required by such stock exchange.
(Section 1002  of each  Indenture) The  initial locations  of such  offices  and
agencies  will  be  specified  in the  prospectus  supplement.  Unless otherwise
provided in the prospectus  supplement, principal of (and  premium, if any)  and
interest,  if  any, on  Bearer Securities  may be  paid by  wire transfer  to an
account maintained by the  Person entitled thereto with  a bank located  outside
the  United States. (Sections  307 and 1002 of  each Indenture) Unless otherwise
provided in the prospectus  supplement, payment of  installments of interest  on
any  Bearer Securities on or before Maturity will be made only against surrender
of coupons for  such interest  installments as they  severally mature.  (Section
1001  of each Indenture) Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement,
no payment with respect  to any Bearer  Security will be made  at any office  or
agency of the Capital Corporation in the United States or by check mailed to any
address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank
located in the
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
United  States.  Notwithstanding the  foregoing, payments  of principal  of (and
premium, if any)  and interest,  if any, on  Bearer Securities  payable in  U.S.
dollars  will be made at the office of the Capital Corporation's Paying Agent in
The City of New York if (but only if) payment of the full amount thereof in U.S.
dollars at  all offices  or agencies  outside the  United States  is illegal  or
effectively  precluded  by  exchange  controls  or  other  similar restrictions.
(Section 1002 of each Indenture)
 
    The Capital Corporation may from  time to time designate additional  offices
or  agencies, approve  a change  in the  location of  any office  or agency and,
except as provided above, rescind the designation of any office or agency.
 
    Unless otherwise  provided in  the prospectus  supplement, all  payments  of
principal  of (and premium, if  any) and interest, if  any, on any Debt Security
that is payable  in a  Currency other  than U.S. dollars  will be  made in  U.S.
dollars  in the event that such Currency (i)  is a currency, and it ceases to be
used by both the  government of the  country that issued the  currency and by  a
central  bank or other public institution of or within the international banking
community for the settlement of transactions, (ii) is the ECU, and it ceases  to
be  used both  within the  European Monetary  System and  for the  settlement of
transactions by public  institutions of  or within the  European Communities  or
(iii) is any other currency unit (or composite currency) other than the ECU, and
it  ceases to be used for the purposes for which it was established (each of the
events described in clauses (i)  through (iii), a "Conversion Event").  (Section
312 of each Indenture)
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
    Each  Indenture provides, with respect to any series of Debt Securities of a
series outstanding  thereunder, that  the following  will constitute  Events  of
Default:  (i) default  in the  payment of  any interest  upon or  any Additional
Amounts payable in respect of any Debt Security of that series, or of any coupon
appertaining thereto, when the  same becomes due and  payable, continued for  30
days;  (ii) default in the payment of the  principal of (or premium, if any, on)
any Debt Security of that series at  its maturity; (iii) default in the  deposit
of  any sinking fund payment when due by  the terms of any Debt Security of that
series; (iv) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement
of the Capital Corporation in the applicable Indenture with respect to any  Debt
Security  of that  series, continued  for 60  days after  written notice  to the
Capital  Corporation;   (v)  certain   events  in   bankruptcy,  insolvency   or
reorganization  affecting the Capital  Corporation; and (vi)  any other Event of
Default provided with respect to Debt Securities of that series. (Section 501 of
each Indenture) The Capital Corporation is required to file with the  applicable
Trustee,  annually,  an officer's  certificate as  to the  Capital Corporation's
compliance with all  conditions and  covenants under  the applicable  Indenture.
(Section  1005 of  each Indenture) Each  Indenture provides  that the applicable
Trustee may withhold notice to the holders of Debt Securities of a series of any
default (except payment defaults on such  Debt Securities of that series) if  it
considers it in the interest of the holders of Debt Securities of such series to
do so. (Section 601 of each Indenture)
 
    If  an Event  of Default  with respect  to Debt  Securities of  a series has
occurred and is continuing,  the applicable Trustee or  the holders of not  less
than  25% in principal amount of Outstanding  Debt Securities of that series may
declare the principal  amount (or,  if the Debt  Securities of  that series  are
Original  Issue Discount Securities  or Indexed Securities,  such portion of the
principal amount as may be  specified in the terms thereof)  of all of the  Debt
Securities  of that  series due  and payable  immediately. (Section  502 of each
Indenture)
 
    Subject to the provisions of the applicable Indenture relating to the duties
of the Trustee  thereunder, in case  an Event  of Default with  respect to  Debt
Securities  of a series has occurred and is continuing, that Trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights  or powers under such Indenture at  the
request, order or direction of the applicable holders of Debt Securities of that
series,  unless  such holders  have  offered such  Trustee  reasonable indemnity
against the expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance
with such request. (Section 507 of  each Indenture and TIA Section 315)  Subject
to  such  provisions  for the  indemnification  of the  applicable  Trustee, the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities  of
such  series  will  have the  right  to direct  the  time, method  and  place of
conducting  any  proceeding  for  any  remedy  available  to  such  Trustee,  or
exercising any trust or power conferred on such Trustee with respect to the Debt
Securities of that series. (Section 512 of each Indenture)
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
    The  holders  of  not  less  than a  majority  in  principal  amount  of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of  a series may,  on behalf of  the holders of  all
Debt  Securities of such series and any  related coupons, waive any past default
under the applicable Indenture with respect to such series and its consequences,
except a default (i) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any)  or
interest,  if  any, on  or Additional  Amounts  payable in  respect of  any Debt
Security of such series or any related coupons, or (ii) in respect of a covenant
or provision  that cannot  be modified  or amended  without the  consent of  the
holder  of  each  Outstanding Debt  Security  of such  series  affected thereby.
(Section 513 of each Indenture)
 
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION
 
    Each Indenture provides  that the  Capital Corporation  may not  consolidate
with  or merge  with or  into any  other corporation  or convey  or transfer its
properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless  either
the  Capital Corporation  is the continuing  corporation or  such corporation or
Person assumes  by supplemental  indenture all  the obligations  of the  Capital
Corporation  under such Indenture and the Indenture Securities issued thereunder
and immediately after the transaction no default shall exist. In addition, under
the Senior Indenture, no such consolidation,  merger or transfer may be made  if
as  a result  thereof any  property or  assets of  the Capital  Corporation or a
Subsidiary would  become subject  to  any mortgage,  lien or  other  encumbrance
unless  either (i)  such mortgage,  lien or  other encumbrance  could be created
pursuant to Section 1006 of such Indenture (see "Senior Indenture Provisions  --
Limitation  on Liens" below) without equally  and ratably securing the Indenture
Securities issued under  such Indenture  or (ii) such  Indenture Securities  are
secured  equally and ratably with or prior to the debt secured by such mortgage,
lien or other encumbrance. (Section 801 of each Indenture)
 
MODIFICATION OR WAIVER
 
    Modification and  amendment of  an  Indenture may  be  made by  the  Capital
Corporation  and the Trustee thereunder  with the consent of  the holders of not
less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Indenture Securities
issued thereunder that are affected by such modification or amendment;  provided
that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of
each  Outstanding Indenture Security  affected thereby, among  other things: (i)
change the Stated Maturity of the principal  of (or premium, if any, on) or  any
installment  of principal  of or interest  on any such  Indenture Security; (ii)
reduce the principal  amount of or  the rate  of interest on  or any  Additional
Amounts  payable in respect of,  or any premium payable  upon the redemption of,
any such  Indenture  Security;  (iii)  change  any  obligation  of  the  Capital
Corporation to pay Additional Amounts in respect of any such Indenture Security;
(iv)  reduce the portion of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security
or Indexed  Security  that  would be  due  and  payable upon  a  declaration  of
acceleration  of the Maturity  thereof or provable  in bankruptcy; (v) adversely
affect any right of repayment at the option of the holder of any such  Indenture
Security;  (vi) change the place or Currency  of payment of principal of, or any
premium or interest on, any such  Indenture Security; (vii) impair the right  to
institute  suit for the enforcement  of any such payment  on or after the Stated
Maturity thereof or on or after any Redemption Date or Repayment Date  therefor;
(viii)  reduce the percentage in principal  amount of such Outstanding Indenture
Securities, the  consent  of  whose  holders  is  required  to  amend  or  waive
compliance  with  certain  provisions  of such  Indenture  or  to  waive certain
defaults thereunder; (ix) reduce the requirements for voting or quorum described
below; or (x) modify any of the foregoing requirements or any of the  provisions
relating  to  waiving  past  defaults  or  compliance  with  certain restrictive
provisions, except to increase the percentage of holders required to effect  any
such  waiver or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot
be modified  or waived  without the  consent  of the  holder of  each  Indenture
Security affected thereby. (Section 902 of each Indenture).
 
    In  addition, under the Subordinated Indenture, no modification or amendment
thereof may, without the consent of the holder of each Outstanding  Subordinated
Security  affected  thereby,  modify any  of  the provisions  of  such Indenture
relating to the subordination of the Subordinated Securities in a manner adverse
to the  holders thereof  and no  such modification  or amendment  may  adversely
affect  the rights of any holder of Senior Indebtedness under Article Sixteen of
such Indenture (described under  the caption "Subordinated Indenture  Provisions
- --  Subordination") without the  consent of such  holder of Senior Indebtedness.
(Sections 902 and 907 of the Subordinated Indenture)
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
    The holders  of a  majority  in aggregate  principal amount  of  Outstanding
Indenture  Securities  have  the  right  to  waive  compliance  by  the  Capital
Corporation with certain covenants in the applicable Indenture. (Section 1007 of
the Senior Indenture; Section 1006 of the Subordinated Indenture)
 
    Modification and  amendment of  an  Indenture may  be  made by  the  Capital
Corporation  and the applicable  Trustee thereunder, without  the consent of any
holder, for any  of the following  purposes: (i) to  evidence the succession  of
another  Person to the Capital Corporation as obligor under such Indenture; (ii)
to add  to the  covenants of  the Capital  Corporation for  the benefit  of  the
holders of all or any series of Indenture Securities issued under such Indenture
and  any related coupons or  to surrender any right  or power conferred upon the
Capital Corporation by such  Indenture; (iii) to add  Events of Default for  the
benefit of the holders of all or any series of Indenture Securities; (iv) to add
to  or change any provisions of such Indenture to facilitate the issuance of, or
to liberalize the terms  of, Bearer Securities, or  to permit or facilitate  the
issuance  of Indenture Securities in uncertificated form, provided that any such
actions do not adversely affect the holders of such Indenture Securities or  any
related  coupons; (v) to  change or eliminate any  provisions of such Indenture,
provided that any  such change or  elimination will become  effective only  when
there  are no such Indenture Securities  Outstanding of any series created prior
thereto which are entitled to the benefit  of such provisions; (vi) in the  case
of  the Senior  Securities to secure  the Indenture Securities  under the Senior
Indenture pursuant to  the requirements of  Section 801 or  Section 1006 of  the
Senior  Indenture, or otherwise;  (vii) to establish  the form or  terms of such
Indenture Securities of any  series and any related  coupons; (viii) to  provide
for  the  acceptance of  appointment by  a successor  Trustee or  facilitate the
administration of the trusts under such Indenture by more than one Trustee; (ix)
to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in such Indenture, provided  such
action  does  not  adversely  affect  the  interests  of  holders  of  Indenture
Securities of a series issued thereunder or any related coupons in any  material
respect;  or (x) to  supplement any of  the provisions of  such Indenture to the
extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any  series
of  Indenture  Securities  thereunder,  provided  that  such  action  shall  not
adversely affect the interests of the  holders of any such Indenture  Securities
and any related coupons in any material respect. (Section 901 of each Indenture)
 
    In  determining whether  the holders  of the  requisite principal  amount of
Outstanding Indenture Securities have given any request, demand,  authorization,
direction,  notice, consent or waiver under either Indenture or whether a quorum
is present at a meeting of  holders of Indenture Securities thereunder, (i)  the
principal  amount of an Original Issue Discount  Security that will be deemed to
be outstanding will be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and
payable as of the date of  such determination upon acceleration of the  Maturity
thereof,  (ii) the  principal amount of  an Indenture Security  denominated in a
foreign Currency or Currencies will be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on
the trade date for such Indenture Security, of the principal amount thereof (or,
in the case of an Original  Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar  equivalent
on  the  trade date  of  such Indenture  Security  of the  amount  determined as
provided in (i) above or (iii) below), (iii) the principal amount of an  Indexed
Security  that may  be counted in  making such determination  or calculation and
that will be deemed outstanding for such purpose will be equal to the  principal
face  amount of  such Indexed  Security at  original issuance,  unless otherwise
provided with respect to such Indexed  Security pursuant to Section 301 of  such
Indenture, and (iv) Indenture Securities owned by the Capital Corporation or any
other  obligor upon  the Indenture  Securities or  any Affiliate  of the Capital
Corporation or of such other obligor shall be disregarded. (Section 101 of  each
Indenture)
 
    Each  Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the holders of
Indenture Securities of  a series  if Indenture  Securities of  that series  are
issuable as Bearer Securities. (Section 1501 of each Indenture) A meeting may be
called  at any time  by the applicable  Trustee, and also,  upon request, by the
Capital Corporation or the holders  of at least 10%  in principal amount of  the
Outstanding  Indenture Securities of  that series, in any  such case upon notice
given as provided in the applicable Indenture. (Section 1502 of each  Indenture)
Except  for  any consent  that must  be given  by the  holder of  each Indenture
Security affected thereby,  as described  above, any resolution  presented at  a
meeting  (or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened)  at which a quorum is present
may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in principal
amount of  the  Outstanding  Indenture  Securities  of  that  series;  provided,
however, that any
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
resolution  with  respect  to  any  request,  demand,  authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action that may be made, given or taken by  the
holders  of a specified  percentage which is  less than a  majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Indenture Securities of a series, may be adopted at  a
meeting  (or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened)  at which a quorum is present
by the affirmative vote of the holders of such specified percentage in principal
amount of the Outstanding  Indenture Securities of  that series. Any  resolution
passed  or decision taken at any meeting of holders of Indenture Securities of a
series duly  held in  accordance with  that  Indenture will  be binding  on  all
holders  of Indenture  Securities of  that series  and any  related coupons. The
quorum at any meeting called  to adopt a resolution  will be persons holding  or
representing  a  majority  in  principal  amount  of  the  Outstanding Indenture
Securities of a series; provided, however, that, if any action is to be taken at
such meeting with  respect to  a consent  or waiver which  may be  given by  the
holders  of not  less than  a specified  percentage in  principal amount  of the
Outstanding  Indenture  Securities   of  a  series,   the  persons  holding   or
representing  such specified percentage  in principal amount  of the Outstanding
Indenture Securities of that series will  constitute a quorum. (Section 1504  of
each Indenture)
 
    Notwithstanding  the foregoing provisions, if any action is to be taken at a
meeting of  holders of  Indenture Securities  of a  series with  respect to  any
request,  demand,  authorization, direction,  notice,  consent, waiver  or other
action that the applicable  Indenture expressly provides may  be made, given  or
taken  by  the holders  of a  specified  percentage in  principal amount  of all
Outstanding Indenture  Securities affected  thereby or  of the  holders of  such
series  and one or more additional series:  (i) there shall be no minimum quorum
requirement for such meeting  and (ii) the principal  amount of the  Outstanding
Indenture  Securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action will be  taken
into  account  in  determining  whether  such  request,  demand,  authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken
under such Indenture. (Section 1504 of each Indenture)
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE, DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
    The Capital Corporation may discharge certain obligations to holders of Debt
Securities of a series  that have not already  been delivered to the  applicable
Trustee  for cancellation and that either have  become due and payable or are by
their terms due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption  within
one year) by irrevocably depositing with the applicable Trustee, in trust, funds
in  an amount sufficient to pay the  entire indebtedness on such Debt Securities
for principal (and  premium, if any)  and interest, if  any, and any  Additional
Amounts  with  respect  thereto, to  the  date  of such  deposit  (if  such Debt
Securities have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or  Redemption
Date, as the case may be. (Section 401 of each Indenture)
 
    Each Indenture provides that, if the provisions of Article Fourteen are made
applicable  to  the Debt  Securities of  or  within any  series and  any related
coupons pursuant to Section  301 thereunder, the  Capital Corporation may  elect
either  (a)  to defease  and be  discharged  from any  and all  obligations with
respect to  such  Debt  Securities  and any  related  coupons  (except  for  the
obligations  to pay Additional  Amounts, if any, upon  the occurrence of certain
events of tax,  assessment or governmental  charge with respect  to payments  on
such Debt Securities and the obligations to register the transfer or exchange of
such Debt Securities and any related coupons; to replace temporary or mutilated,
destroyed,  lost or stolen Debt Securities  and any related coupons; to maintain
an office or agency in respect of such Debt Securities and any related  coupons;
and  to hold moneys for  payment in trust) ("defeasance")  (Section 1402 of each
Indenture) or (b) to be released from its obligations with respect to such  Debt
Securities  and any related coupons under  Section 1006 of such Indenture (being
the restrictions described under "Senior  Indenture Provisions -- Limitation  on
Liens")  or,  if so  provided pursuant  to  Section 301  of such  Indenture, its
obligations with respect to any other covenant, and any omission to comply  with
such  obligations shall  not constitute  a default or  an Event  of Default with
respect to such Debt Securities and any related coupons ("covenant  defeasance")
(Section  1403),  in either  case upon  the irrevocable  deposit by  the Capital
Corporation with the applicable Trustee (or other qualifying trustee), in trust,
of (i) an amount, in  the Currency or Currencies  in which such Debt  Securities
and  any related coupons are then specified  as payable at Stated Maturity, (ii)
Government Obligations (as defined below) applicable to such Debt Securities and
coupons (with such applicability being
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
determined on the basis of the Currency  in which such Debt Securities are  then
specified  as payable at Stated Maturity)  that through the payment of principal
and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount;  or
(iii)  a combination thereof  in an amount,  sufficient to pay  the principal of
(and premium, if  any) and interest,  if any,  on such Debt  Securities and  any
related  coupons, and any mandatory sinking  fund or analogous payments thereon,
on the scheduled due dates therefor.
 
    Such a trust  may only be  established if, among  other things, the  Capital
Corporation  has delivered to  the applicable Trustee an  Opinion of Counsel (as
specified in the applicable  Indenture) to the effect  that the holders of  such
Debt  Securities and any related coupons will not recognize income, gain or loss
for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance  or
covenant  defeasance and will be subject to  United States federal income tax on
the same amounts, in the  same manner and at the  same times as would have  been
the  case if such defeasance  or covenant defeasance had  not occurred, and such
Opinion of Counsel, in the case of defeasance under clause (a) above, must refer
to and be based  upon a ruling of  the Internal Revenue Service  or a change  in
applicable  United States federal income tax law occurring after the date of the
Indenture. (Section 1404 of each Indenture)
 
    "Government Obligations" means securities  which are (i) direct  obligations
of  the United  States or  the government which  issued the  foreign Currency in
which the Debt Securities of that series  are payable, for the payment of  which
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 the United States
or the government which issued the foreign Currency in which the Debt Securities
of  such series are payable, the  payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed
as a  full faith  and  credit obligation  by the  United  States or  such  other
government,  which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option
of the issuer thereof. Such terms also include a depository receipt issued by  a
bank  or  trust  company  as  custodian  with  respect  to  any  such Government
Obligation or  a  specific payment  of  interest on  or  principal of  any  such
Government  Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a
depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian  is
not  authorized to make any  deduction from the amount  payable to the holder of
such depository receipt from the amount received by such custodian in respect of
the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of
the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt. (Section 101  of
each Indenture)
 
    Unless  otherwise  provided  in  the prospectus  supplement,  if,  after the
Capital Corporation  has  deposited funds,  Government  Obligations or  both  to
effect  defeasance or covenant  defeasance with respect to  Debt Securities of a
series, (i) the holder  of a Debt  Security of such series  is entitled to,  and
does,  elect pursuant to the terms of such Debt Security to receive payment in a
Currency other than that in which such deposit has been made in respect of  such
Debt  Security,  or  (ii)  a  Conversion  Event  occurs,  then  the indebtedness
represented by such  Debt Security will  be deemed  to have been,  and will  be,
fully  discharged and  satisfied through  the payment  of the  principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Debt Security as they become  due
out  of the proceeds yielded by converting the amount so deposited in respect of
such Debt Security into the Currency in which such Debt Security becomes payable
as a result of such  election or such Conversion  Event based on the  applicable
Market Exchange Rate. (Section 1405 of each Indenture) Unless otherwise provided
in the prospectus supplement, all payments of principal of (and premium, if any)
and  interest, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any, on any Debt Security that
is payable in a foreign Currency with respect to which a Conversion Event occurs
will be made in U.S. dollars. (Section 312 of each Indenture)
 
    In the  event  the  Capital Corporation  effects  covenant  defeasance  with
respect  to any Debt Securities and any related coupons and such Debt Securities
and coupons are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any  Event
of Default other than the Event of Default described in clause (4) under "Events
of  Default" (Section 501 of the Senior  Indenture) with respect to Section 1006
of the Senior  Indenture (which Section  would no longer  be applicable to  such
Debt  Securities or any related coupons) or described in clause (4) or (6) under
"Events of Default" (Section  501 of each Indenture)  with respect to any  other
covenant   to  which  there  has  been  defeasance,  the  amount  of  Government
Obligations and funds on deposit with the applicable Trustee will be  sufficient
to  pay amounts  due on such  Debt Securities and  coupons at the  time of their
Stated Maturity  but may  not be  sufficient to  pay amounts  due on  such  Debt
Securities and
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
coupons at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. In
such  case, the Capital Corporation would remain  liable to make payment of such
amounts due at the time of acceleration. (Section 501 of each Indenture).
 
    If the  Trustee  or  any Paying  Agent  is  unable to  apply  any  money  in
accordance  with the applicable Indenture by reason  of any order or judgment of
any  court  or  governmental  authority  enjoining,  restraining  or   otherwise
prohibiting  such application, then the  Capital Corporation's obligations under
such Indenture and such Debt Securities and any related coupons shall be revived
and reinstated as  though no deposit  had occurred pursuant  to such  Indenture,
until  such time as such Trustee or Paying  Agent is permitted to apply all such
money in accordance with such Indenture; provided, however, that if the  Capital
Corporation  makes any payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest,
if any,  on  any  such  Debt  Security  or  any  related  coupon  following  the
reinstatement of its obligations, the Capital Corporation shall be subrogated to
the  rights of the  holders of such  Debt Securities and  any related coupons to
receive such payment from the money held by such Trustee or Paying Agent.
 
    The prospectus  supplement  may further  describe  the provisions,  if  any,
permitting  such defeasance or covenant  defeasance, including any modifications
to the provisions  described above, with  respect to the  Debt Securities of  or
within a particular series and any related coupons.
 
BOOK-ENTRY DEBT SECURITIES
 
    Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in global form
that  will be deposited  with, or on  behalf of, a  depository identified in the
prospectus supplement. Global securities may  be issued in either registered  or
bearer  form  and  in  either  temporary  or  permanent  form  (each  a  "Global
Security").  Unless  otherwise  provided  in  the  prospectus  supplement,  Debt
Securities  that  are  represented  by  a  Global  Security  will  be  issued in
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and will be issued in
registered form only, without coupons. Payments of principal of (and premium, if
any) and interest, if any, on  Debt Securities represented by a Global  Security
will  be made by the Capital Corporation  to the applicable Trustee, and then by
such Trustee to the depository.
 
    The Capital  Corporation  anticipates that  any  Global Securities  will  be
deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), New York,
New  York, that such Global  Securities will be registered  in the name of DTC's
nominee, and  that  the  following  provisions  will  apply  to  the  depository
arrangements with respect to any such Global Securities. Additional or differing
terms  of  the  depository  arrangement  will  be  described  in  the prospectus
supplement.
 
    So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a Global  Security,
DTC  or its nominee, as the  case may be, will be  considered the sole holder of
the Debt Securities represented by such  Global Security for all purposes  under
the  applicable  Indenture.  Except  as  provided  below,  owners  of beneficial
interests in a  Global Security  will not be  entitled to  have Debt  Securities
represented  by such Global Security registered in their names, will not receive
or be entitled to receive physical  delivery of Debt Securities in  certificated
form  and  will  not be  considered  the  owners or  holders  thereof  under the
applicable Indenture. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in certificated form;  such
laws may limit the transferability of beneficial interests in a Global Security.
 
    If  (i) DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository and
a successor depository  is not appointed  by the Capital  Corporation within  90
days  following notice to the Capital  Corporation; (ii) the Capital Corporation
determines, in its sole discretion, not to have any Debt Securities  represented
by  one  or more  Global  Securities, or  (iii) an  Event  of Default  under the
applicable  Indenture  has  occurred  and   is  continuing,  then  the   Capital
Corporation  will  issue  individual  Debt Securities  in  certificated  form in
exchange for the relevant Global Securities. In any such instance, an owner of a
beneficial interest in a Global Security  will be entitled to physical  delivery
of individual Debt Securities in certificated form of like tenor and rank, equal
in principal amount to such beneficial interest and to have such Debt Securities
in  certificated form registered  in its name. Unless  otherwise provided in the
prospectus supplement, Debt Securities  so issued in  certificated form will  be
issued  in denominations of $1,000 or any  integral multiple thereof and will be
issued in registered form only, without coupons.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
    The following is based on information furnished by DTC:
 
            DTC will act as securities  depository for the Debt Securities.  The
    Debt  Securities will be issued as fully registered securities registered in
    the name of  Cede & Co.  (DTC's partnership nominee).  One fully  registered
    Debt  Security certificate  is issued with  respect to each  $200 million of
    principal amount  of the  Debt Securities  of a  series, and  an  additional
    certificate is issued with respect to any remaining principal amount of such
    series.
 
            DTC  is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York
    Banking Law, a  "banking organization" within  the meaning of  the New  York
    Banking   Law,  a  member  of  the   Federal  Reserve  System,  a  "clearing
    corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and
    a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A  of
    the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934.  DTC  holds  securities  that  its
    participants ("Participants")  deposit with  DTC. DTC  also facilitates  the
    settlement  among Participants of securities transactions, such as transfers
    and  pledges,  in  deposited  securities  through  electronic   computerized
    book-entry  changes in Participants' accounts,  thereby eliminating the need
    for  physical  movement  of  securities  certificates.  Direct  Participants
    include  securities brokers  and dealers,  banks, trust  companies, clearing
    corporations and certain other organizations ("Direct Participants"). DTC is
    owned by a  number of  its Direct  Participants and  by the  New York  Stock
    Exchange,   Inc.,  the  American  Stock  Exchange,  Inc.  and  the  National
    Association of Securities  Dealers, Inc. Access  to the DTC  system is  also
    available  to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust
    companies that clear  through or  maintain a custodial  relationship with  a
    Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants").
    The  rules  applicable to  DTC and  its  Participants are  on file  with the
    Commission.
 
            Purchases of Debt Securities under the DTC system must be made by or
    through Direct  Participants,  which will  receive  a credit  for  the  Debt
    Securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser
    of each Debt Security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn recorded on the Direct
    and  Indirect  Participants' records.  A Beneficial  Owner does  not receive
    written confirmation from DTC of its purchase, but such Beneficial Owner  is
    expected  to  receive  a  written  confirmation  providing  details  of  the
    transaction, as well as periodic statements of its holdings, from the Direct
    or Indirect Participant through which such Beneficial Owner entered into the
    transaction.  Transfers  of  ownership  interests  in  Debt  Securities  are
    accomplished  by entries made on the  books of Participants acting on behalf
    of  Beneficial  Owners.  Beneficial  Owners  do  not  receive   certificates
    representing  their ownership  interests in  Debt Securities,  except in the
    event that  use  of  the  book-entry  system  for  the  Debt  Securities  is
    discontinued.
 
            To   facilitate  subsequent  transfers,   the  Debt  Securities  are
    registered in the name of DTC's partnership nominee, Cede & Co. The  deposit
    of the Debt Securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede &
    Co.  effects no change in beneficial ownership.  DTC has no knowledge of the
    actual Beneficial Owners of  the Debt Securities;  DTC records reflect  only
    the  identity of the  Direct Participants to  whose accounts Debt Securities
    are  credited,  which  may  or  may  not  be  the  Beneficial  Owners.   The
    Participants  remain responsible  for keeping  account of  their holdings on
    behalf of their customers.
 
            Delivery of  notices  and  other communications  by  DTC  to  Direct
    Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct
    Participants  and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners are governed by
    arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements
    as may be in effect from time to time.
 
            Redemption notices shall be sent to Cede  & Co. If less than all  of
    the Debt Securities within an issue are being redeemed, DTC's practice is to
    determine  by lot the amount of interest  of each Direct Participant in such
    issue to be redeemed.
 
            Neither DTC nor  Cede & Co.  consents or votes  with respect to  the
    Debt  Securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails a proxy (an "Omnibus
    Proxy")   to    the    issuer    as   soon    as    possible    after    the
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
    record  date. The  Omnibus Proxy assigns  Cede & Co.'s  consenting or voting
    rights to those Direct  Participants to whose  accounts the Debt  Securities
    are  credited  on the  record date  (identified  on a  list attached  to the
    Omnibus Proxy).
 
            Payments of principal of (and premium,  if any) and interest on  the
    Debt  Securities will  be made  to DTC. DTC's  practice is  to credit Direct
    Participants'  accounts  on  the  payable  date  in  accordance  with  their
    respective  holdings  as shown  on DTC's  records unless  DTC has  reason to
    believe that it will  not receive payment on  the payable date. Payments  by
    Participants  to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions
    and customary  practices,  as is  the  case  with securities  held  for  the
    accounts  of customers  in bearer form  or registered in  "street name", and
    will be the responsibility  of such Participant and  not of DTC, the  Paying
    Agent  or the  Capital Corporation, subject  to any  statutory or regulatory
    requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal  of
    (and  premium, if  any) and  interest to  DTC is  the responsibility  of the
    Capital Corporation or the  Paying Agent, disbursement  of such payments  to
    Direct  Participants is the responsibility of  DTC, and disbursement of such
    payments to  the  Beneficial Owners  is  the responsibility  of  Direct  and
    Indirect Participants.
 
            DTC  may discontinue providing its services as securities depository
    with respect to the Debt Securities at any time by giving reasonable  notice
    to  the  Capital  Corporation or  the  applicable Paying  Agent.  Under such
    circumstances, in the event  that a successor  securities depository is  not
    appointed,  Debt  Security  certificates  are  required  to  be  printed and
    delivered.
 
            The Capital Corporation may decide to discontinue use of the  system
    of  book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository).
    In that event, Debt Security certificates will be printed and delivered.
 
    The information in this section  concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry  system
has  been obtained  from sources  (including DTC)  that the  Capital Corporation
believes to be reliable, but the Capital Corporation takes no responsibility for
the accuracy thereof.
 
    Unless stated otherwise  in the prospectus  supplement, the underwriters  or
agents  with respect to a series of  Debt Securities issued as Global Securities
will be Direct Participants in DTC.
 
    None of the Capital  Corporation, any underwriter  or agent, the  applicable
Trustee or any applicable Paying Agent will have any responsibility or liability
for  any  aspect of  the  records relating  to or  payments  made on  account of
beneficial interests in a  Global Security, or  for maintaining, supervising  or
reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests.
 
RESIGNATION OF TRUSTEE
 
    Each  Trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of
Indenture Securities  and a  successor  Trustee may  be  appointed to  act  with
respect to such series. (Section 608 of each Indenture) In the event that two or
more persons are acting as Trustee with respect to different series of Indenture
Securities  under one of the Indentures, each such Trustee shall be a Trustee of
a trust thereunder separate and apart  from the trust administered by any  other
such Trustee (Section 609 of each Indenture), and any action described herein to
be  taken by the "Trustee"  may then be taken by  each such Trustee with respect
to, and only with respect to, the one or more series of Indenture Securities for
which it is Trustee.
 
SENIOR INDENTURE PROVISIONS
 
    LIMITATION ON LIENS
 
    The Capital Corporation covenants  in the Senior  Indenture that neither  it
nor  any Subsidiary will  pledge or subject to  any lien any  of its property or
assets unless the Indenture Securities  issued under such Indenture are  secured
by  such  pledge or  lien equally  and ratably  with other  indebtedness thereby
secured. There  are  excluded  from  this  covenant,  liens  created  to  secure
obligations  for the purchase price of  physical property, liens of a Subsidiary
securing indebtedness  owed  to  the  Capital  Corporation,  liens  existing  on
property acquired upon exercise of rights arising out of defaults on receivables
acquired in the ordinary
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
course  of business, sales of receivables  accounted for as secured indebtedness
in accordance with generally accepted  accounting principles, certain liens  not
related  to the borrowing of  money and other liens  not securing borrowed money
aggregating less than $500,000. (Section 1004 of the Senior Indenture)
 
SUBORDINATED INDENTURE PROVISIONS
 
    SUBORDINATION
 
    Upon any  distribution  of  assets  of  the  Capital  Corporation  upon  any
dissolution,  winding  up, liquidation  or  reorganization, the  payment  of the
principal of  (and  premium, if  any)  and  interest, if  any,  on  Subordinated
Securities  is to  be subordinated  to the  extent provided  in the Subordinated
Indenture in  right of  payment  to the  prior payment  in  full of  all  Senior
Indebtedness  (Sections 1601  and 1602 of  the Subordinated  Indenture), but the
obligation of the  Capital Corporation  to make  payment of  the principal  (and
premium,  if any) and interest, if any,  on the Subordinated Securities will not
otherwise be affected. (Section 1604 of the Subordinated Indenture) In addition,
no payment  on account  of principal  (or premium,  if any),  sinking funds,  or
interest,  if any, may be made on the Subordinated Securities at any time unless
full payment of all  amounts due in  respect of the  principal (and premium,  if
any),  sinking fund and  interest on Senior  Indebtedness has been  made or duly
provided for  in money  or  money's worth.  (Section  1603 of  the  Subordinated
Indenture) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such payment by
the  Capital Corporation is received by  the Subordinated Trustee or the holders
of any of the Subordinated Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid  in
full,  such payment or  distribution shall be  paid over to  the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness or  on their behalf  for application to  the payment of  all
such Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness has
been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution
to  the holders of such  Senior Indebtedness. Subject to  the payment in full of
all Senior Indebtedness upon such  distribution of the Capital Corporation,  the
holders  of the Subordinated Securities will be  subrogated to the rights of the
holders of the Senior Indebtedness to the extent of payments made to the holders
of such Senior Indebtedness  out of the distributive  share of the  Subordinated
Securities.  (Section  1602 of  the Subordinated  Indenture)  By reason  of such
subordination, in the event of a distribution of assets upon insolvency, certain
general creditors of  the Capital  Corporation may recover  more, ratably,  than
holders of the Subordinated Securities. The Subordinated Indenture provides that
the subordination provisions thereof will not apply to money and securities held
in  trust pursuant to  the defeasance provisions  of the Subordinated Indenture.
(Section 1402 of the Subordinated Indenture)
 
    Senior  Indebtedness  is  defined  in  the  Subordinated  Indenture  as  the
principal  of (and premium, if  any) and unpaid interest  on (i) indebtedness of
the Capital  Corporation (including  indebtedness of  others guaranteed  by  the
Capital  Corporation),  whether outstanding  on  the date  hereof  or thereafter
created, incurred, assumed  or guaranteed,  for money borrowed  (other than  the
Indenture  Securities issued  under the  Subordinated Indenture  and the  9 5/8%
Subordinated Notes due 1998 and the  8 5/8% Subordinated Debentures due 2019  of
the  Capital Corporation), unless  in the instrument  creating or evidencing the
same or pursuant  to which  the same  is outstanding  it is  provided that  such
indebtedness  is not  senior or  prior in right  of payment  to the Subordinated
Securities and (ii)  renewals, extensions, modifications  and refundings of  any
such indebtedness. (Section 101 of the Subordinated Indenture)
 
    If  this  prospectus  is being  delivered  in  connection with  a  series of
Subordinated  Securities,  the   accompanying  prospectus   supplement  or   the
information  incorporated by reference will set  forth the approximate amount of
Senior Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.
 
THE TRUSTEES UNDER THE INDENTURES
 
    The Chase Manhattan Bank and The First National Bank of Chicago are two of a
number of banks with which the Capital Corporation and Deere & Company  maintain
ordinary  banking relationships and from which the Capital Corporation and Deere
& Company  have  obtained credit  facilities  and  lines of  credit.  The  Chase
Manhattan  Bank also  serves as trustee  under other indentures  under which the
Capital Corporation or Deere  & Company is the  obligor, and The First  National
Bank  of Chicago also serves as trustee  under another indenture under which the
Capital Corporation is an obligor.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF DEBT WARRANTS
 
    The Capital  Corporation  may  issue (either  together  with  other  Offered
Securities  or separately) Debt Warrants  to purchase Underlying Debt Securities
("Offered Debt  Warrants"). Such  Debt  Warrants will  be issued  under  warrant
agreements  (each a  "Debt Warrant  Agreement") to  be entered  into between the
Capital Corporation and  a bank or  trust company, as  warrant agent (the  "Debt
Warrant  Agent"), all as shall be set forth in the prospectus supplement. A copy
of the form  of Debt  Warrant Agreement,  has been filed  as an  exhibit to  the
registration  statement. The following summary of certain provisions of the Debt
Warrant Agreement does not  purport to be  complete and is  subject to, and  are
qualified  in  its entirety  by reference  to,  all the  provisions of  the Debt
Warrant Agreement and the Debt Warrant Certificates, respectively, including the
definitions therein of certain terms.
 
GENERAL
 
    Reference is made to the prospectus supplement for the terms of the  Offered
Debt Warrants, including the following:
 
        (1) The title and aggregate number of such Debt Warrants.
 
        (2)  The title, aggregate  principal amount and  terms of the Underlying
    Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Debt Warrants.
 
        (3) The  principal amount  of  Underlying Debt  Securities that  may  be
    purchased  upon exercise  of each  such Debt Warrant,  and the  price or the
    manner of  determining the  price  at which  such  principal amount  may  be
    purchased upon such exercise.
 
        (4)  The time or  times at which,  or period or  periods, in which, such
    Debt Warrants  may  be  exercised  and the  expiration  date  of  such  Debt
    Warrants.
 
        (5) The terms of any right of the Company to redeem such Debt Warrants.
 
        (6)  Whether Certificates  evidencing such Debt  Warrants ("Debt Warrant
    Certificates") will  be  issued  in  registered  or  bearer  form,  and,  if
    registered, where they may be transferred and exchanged.
 
        (7) Whether such Debt Warrants are to be issued with any Debt Securities
    or any other Securities.
 
        (8)  The date, if  any, on and  after which such  Debt Warrants and such
    Debt Securities will be separately transferable.
 
        (9) Any other terms of such Debt Warrants.
 
    If applicable, the  prospectus supplement  will also  set forth  information
concerning  other securities offered thereby and  a discussion of federal income
tax  considerations  relevant  thereto.   Debt  Warrant  Certificates  will   be
exchangeable for new Debt Warrant Certificates of different denominations.
 
    No  service charge will  be made for  any permitted transfer  or exchange of
Debt Warrant Certificates,  but the Company  may require payment  of any tax  or
other  governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Debt Warrants may be
exercised and exchanged and  Debt Warrants in registered  form may be  presented
for  registration of transfer at the corporate  trust office of the Debt Warrant
Agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement.
 
EXERCISE OF DEBT WARRANTS
 
    Each Offered Debt Warrant will entitle  the holder thereof to purchase  such
amount  of Underlying  Debt Securities  at the exercise  price set  forth in, or
calculable  from  the  prospectus  supplement  relating  to  such  Offered  Debt
Warrants.  After the close of business  on the Expiration Date, unexercised Debt
Warrants will become void.
 
    Debt Warrants may be exercised by payment  to the Debt Warrant Agent of  the
applicable  exercise price  and by  delivery to  the Debt  Warrant Agent  of the
related Debt  Warrant  Certificate,  with  the  reverse  side  thereof  properly
completed.  Debt Warrants will be deemed to  have been exercised upon receipt of
the exercise price,  subject to the  receipt by the  Debt Warrant Agent,  within
five business days thereafter, of the
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
Debt  Warrant Certificate  or Certificates  evidencing such  Debt Warrants. Upon
receipt of such payment and the properly completed Debt Warrant Certificates  at
the  corporate  trust office  of  the Debt  Warrant  Agent or  any  other office
indicated in the prospectus supplement, the Capital Corporation will, as soon as
practicable, deliver the  amount of  Underlying Debt  Securities purchased  upon
such  exercise. If fewer than  all of the Debt  Warrants represented by any Debt
Warrant Certificate are exercised, a new Debt Warrant Certificate will be issued
for the unexercised Debt Warrants. The holder of a Debt Warrant will be required
to pay any tax or other governmental  charge that may be imposesd in  connection
with  any  transfer  involved  in the  issuance  of  Underlying  Debt Securities
purchased upon such exercise.
 
MODIFICATIONS
 
    The Debt Warrant Agreement and the terms of the Offered Debt Warrants may be
modified or  amended by  the Capital  Corporation and  the Debt  Warrant  Agent,
without  the consent of any holder, for  the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or
of curing, correcting or supplementing  any defective or inconsistent  provision
contained  therein, or  in any other  manner that the  Capital Corporation deems
necessary or desirable  and that will  not materially and  adversely affect  the
interests of the holders of the Offered Debt Warrants.
 
    The  Capital Corporation and the Debt Warrant Agent may also modify or amend
the Debt Warrant Agreement and the terms  of the Offered Debt Warrants with  the
consent  of  the holders  of not  less than  a  majority in  number of  the then
outstanding unexercised Debt  Warrants affected thereby;  provided that no  such
modification  or amendment that  accelerates the expiration  date, increases the
exercise price, reduces the number of  outstanding Debt Warrants the consent  of
the  holders of  which is  required for any  such modification  or amendment, or
otherwise materially and adversely affects the rights of the holders of the Debt
Warrants, may be made without the consent of each holder affected thereby.
 
NO RIGHTS AS HOLDERS OF UNDERLYING DEBT SECURITIES
 
    Holders of Debt Warrants are not entitled, by virtue of being such  holders,
to  payments of principal  of (or premium, if  any) or interest,  if any, on the
related Underlying Debt Securities or to exercise any other rights whatsoever as
holders of the Underlying Debt Securities.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Capital  Corporation  may sell  the  Offered Securities  to  or  through
underwriters or dealers, agents or directly to one or more other purchasers.
 
    The  prospectus  supplement sets  forth  the terms  of  the offering  of the
particular series  of Offered  Securities to  which such  prospectus  supplement
relates,  including, as applicable, (i) the name or names of any underwriters or
agents with  whom the  Capital Corporation  has entered  into arrangements  with
respect  to the  sale of  such series  of Offered  Securities, (ii)  the initial
public offering or purchase  price of such series  of Offered Securities,  (iii)
any   underwriting   discounts,   commissions  and   other   items  constituting
underwriters' compensation from the Capital Corporation and any other discounts,
concessions or commissions allowed or reallowed  or paid by any underwriters  to
other  dealers, (iv) any commissions paid to any agents, (v) the net proceeds to
the Capital Corporation and (vi) the securities exchanges, if any, on which such
series of Offered Securities will be listed.
 
    Unless otherwise  set  forth in  the  prospectus supplement  relating  to  a
particular series of Securities, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase
such  series  of  Offered  Securities  will  be  subject  to  certain conditions
precedent and each of  the underwriters with respect  to such series of  Offered
Securities  will be obligated to purchase all  of the Offered Securities of such
series allocated to it if any such Offered Securities are purchased. Any initial
public offering price and any discounts  or concessions allowed or reallowed  or
paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
 
    The  Offered Securities may  be offered and sold  by the Capital Corporation
directly or through agents  designated by the Capital  Corporation from time  to
time.  Any agent  involved in  the offer  or sale  of the  Offered Securities in
respect of  which  this  prospectus is  delivered  will  be named  in,  and  any
commissions
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
payable  by  the Company  to such  agent will  be set  forth in,  the applicable
prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise  indicated in the applicable  prospectus
supplement,  each such  agent will  be acting  on a  best efforts  basis for the
period of its appointment.
 
    Any underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the distribution of the
Offered Securities  may be  deemed  to be  underwriters,  and any  discounts  or
commissions  received by them on the sale or resale of Offered Securities may be
deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act  of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Underwriters, dealers and agents may be
entitled,  under  agreements  entered  into  with  the  Capital  Corporation, to
indemnification by the  Capital Corporation against  certain civil  liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
    If so indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series
of  Offered  Securities, the  Capital  Corporation will  authorize underwriters,
dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase  Offered
Securities  of  such series  from the  Capital  Corporation pursuant  to delayed
delivery contracts providing  for payment and  delivery at a  future date.  Such
contracts  will be subject only to those  conditions set forth in the prospectus
supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission  payable
for solicitation of such contracts.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
    The  validity  of  the  Securities  will  be  passed  upon  for  the Capital
Corporation by Shearman  & Sterling, 599  Lexington Avenue, New  York, New  York
10022,  and for  any underwriters, dealers  or agents  by Brown &  Wood LLP, One
World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The financial  statements  and  the  related  financial  statement  schedule
incorporated  in  this prospectus  by reference  from the  Capital Corporation's
Annual Report  on  Form  10-K  have  been audited  by  Deloitte  &  Touche  LLP,
independent  auditors, as stated in their report (which expresses an unqualified
opinion  and   includes  an   explanatory   paragraph  regarding   the   Capital
Corporation's  change in method  of accounting, effective  November 1, 1992, for
postretirement benefits  other  than  pensions  to  conform  with  Statement  of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  106),  which  is  incorporated  herein by
reference, and have  been so incorporated  in reliance upon  the report of  such
firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
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  No  dealer,  salesman or  any other  person  has been  authorized to  give any
information or  to  make  any  representations other  than  those  contained  or
incorporated  by  reference in  this prospectus  supplement or  the accompanying
prospectus, in  connection with  the offer  made by  this prospectus  supplement
(including  any  pricing supplement)  and the  accompanying prospectus,  and, if
given or made, such  information or representations must  not be relied upon  as
having  been  authorized  by  the  Capital  Corporation  or  any  other  person,
underwriter, dealer or agent. Neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement
(including any pricing supplement) and the accompanying prospectus nor any  sale
made hereunder and thereunder shall under any circumstance create an implication
that  there has been no  change in the affairs  of the Capital Corporation since
the date hereof or  thereof. This prospectus  supplement (including any  pricing
supplement)  and  the  accompanying prospectus  do  not constitute  an  offer or
solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction  in which such offer or  solicitation
is  not authorized or in  which the person making  such offer or solicitation is
not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or
solicitation.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Page
                                                 ---------
<S>                                              <C>
             Prospectus Supplement
Description of Notes...........................        S-2
Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency
  Notes........................................       S-17
Foreign Currency Considerations................       S-19
United States Taxation.........................       S-21
Plan of Distribution...........................       S-27
                  Prospectus
Available Information..........................          2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference....................................          2
The Company....................................          3
Use of Proceeds................................          4
Description of Debt Securities.................          4
Description of Debt Warrants...................         18
Plan of Distribution...........................         19
Legal Opinions.................................         20
Experts........................................         20
</TABLE>
 
                                       O
 
                              U.S. $1,108,850,000
 
                               JOHN DEERE CAPITAL
                                  CORPORATION
 
                               Medium-Term Notes,
                                    Series C
 
                              -------------------
 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
                              -------------------
 
                              Merrill Lynch & Co.
 
                              Goldman, Sachs & Co.
 
                              Salomon Brothers Inc
 
                               September 3, 1996
 
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