DUPONT E I DE NEMOURS & CO
424B2, 1995-06-15
PLASTIC MATERIAL, SYNTH RESIN/RUBBER, CELLULOS (NO GLASS)
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<PAGE>   1
 
             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 25, 1994
                              U.S. $3,442,560,000
                      E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
                          Medium-Term Notes, Series G
                    Due 9 Months or more from Date of Issue
                               ------------------
 
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (the "Company') may offer from time to time
its Medium-Term Notes, Series G (the "Notes") for aggregate gross proceeds up
 to U.S. $3,442,560,000 (or the equivalent thereof if any of the Notes are
 denominated in foreign currencies or currency units), subject to reduction
   as a result of the sale of other Debt Securities. See "Description of
   Notes -- General" and "Plan of Distribution". Unless otherwise indicated
    in an accompanying supplement to this Prospectus Supplement (a "Pricing
     Supplement"), the Interest Payment Dates for Fixed Rate Notes (as
     defined below) will be May 1 and November 1 of each year. Each Note
      will mature on a date 9 months or more from its date of issue as
      selected by the initial purchaser and agreed to by the Company, and
       may be subject to redemption at the option of the Company or
        repayment at the option of the Holder prior to its Stated
        Maturity, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
Each Note may be denominated or payable in U.S. dollars or in a foreign
currency, European Currency Units ("ECU") or such other currency unit
   specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement (the "Specified Currency").
   Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, Notes
     denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued in denominations of U.S.
       $100,000 and any integral multiple of U.S. $1,000 in excess
       thereof. The authorized denominations of Notes not denominated in
        U.S. dollars will be set forth in the applicable Pricing
           Supplement. See "Special Provisions Relating to Foreign
                               Currency Notes".
Each Note will be issued only in fully registered form and will be represented
by either a Global Security registered in the name of a nominee of The
 Depository Trust Company, as Depositary (a "Book-Entry Note"), or a
 certificate issued in definitive form (a "Certificated Note"), as set forth
  in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Beneficial interests in Book-Entry
  Notes will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only
    through, the records maintained by the Depositary and its participants.
     Except as described in "Description of Notes -- Book-Entry System",
     owners of beneficial interests in Global Securities will not be
      entitled to receive Notes in definitive form and will not be
                       considered the holders thereof.
The interest rate or interest rate formula, if any, issue price, Interest
Payment Dates, redemption or repayment provisions, if any, Stated Maturity,
  Specified Currency and certain other terms with respect to each Note will be
  established by the Company at the date of issuance of such Note and will
    be indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement. The Notes will bear
    interest at a fixed rate (a "Fixed Rate Note"), which may be zero in
      the case of certain Notes issued at a price representing a discount
       from the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity thereof
       (a "Zero-Coupon Note"), or at a floating rate (a "Floating Rate
        Note") determined by reference to the Commercial Paper Rate,
        LIBOR, the Treasury Rate, the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds
         Rate, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate or any other
           interest rate formula or formulas, set forth in the
           applicable Pricing Supplement, as adjusted by a Spread
             and/or Spread Multiplier, if any, applicable to such
             Notes. Holders of Zero-Coupon Notes will not receive
               periodic payments of interest on such Notes.
                               ------------------
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 SUPPLEMENT HERETO
     OR THE PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
                                   OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                <C>                   <C>                                <C>
                         Price to                     Agents'                             Proceeds to
                        Public(1)                 Commissions(2)                         Company(2)(3)
Per Note.........          100%                     .125%-.750%                         99.250%-99.875%
Total (4)........  U.S. $3,442,560,000   U.S. $4,303,200-U.S. $25,819,200   U.S. $3,416,740,800-U.S. $3,438,256,800
</TABLE>
 
(1) Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, Notes will
    be issued at 100% of their principal amount.
(2) The company will pay CS First Boston Corporation, Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
    Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated,
    J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (the
    "Agents"), a commission ranging from .125% to .750% of the principal amount
    of any Note, depending upon its Stated Maturity, sold through any such
    Agent. Commissions (or discounts) with respect to Notes with a Stated
    Maturity greater than thirty years will be negotiated at the time of sale.
    The Company may also sell Notes to any Agent at a discount or premium for
    resale to one or more investors or other purchasers at varying prices
    related to prevailing market prices at the time of resale, as determined by
    such Agent. The Company may also sell Notes directly to purchasers on its
    own behalf, in which case no commission will be payable.
(3) Before deduction of expenses payable by the Company estimated at U.S.
    $200,000.
(4) In U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof in foreign currencies or currency
    units.
                               ------------------
 
    The Notes are being offered on a continuing basis by the Company through the
Agents, each of which has agreed to use its best efforts to solicit offers to
purchase the Notes. The Company may also sell Notes to any Agent acting as
principal for resale to one or more investors or other purchasers. The Company
has reserved the right to sell Notes directly or indirectly to investors from
time to time on its own behalf. The Notes will not be listed on any securities
exchange, and there can be no assurance that the Notes offered by this
Prospectus Supplement will be sold or that there will be a secondary market for
the Notes. The Company reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the
offer or solicitations of offers made hereby without notice. The Company, or any
Agent, if it solicits such offer, may reject any offer to purchase Notes, in
whole or in part. See "Plan of Distribution".
CS First Boston
              Goldman, Sachs & Co.
                            Merrill Lynch & Co.
                                       J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
                                                 Morgan Stanley & Co.
                                                     Incorporated
            The date of this Prospectus Supplement is June 15, 1995.
<PAGE>   2
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE AGENTS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE SECURITIES
OFFERED HEREBY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. 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 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, to which description reference is hereby made. The following
description will apply unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings assigned to
such terms in the Prospectus or Indenture.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Notes offered hereby will be issued under the Indenture (the
"Indenture") referred to in the accompanying Prospectus with Chemical Bank, as
Trustee (the "Trustee"). The Notes offered hereby constitute a portion of a
single series of Debt Securities for purposes of the Indenture, unlimited in
aggregate principal amount. The aggregate gross proceeds for which the Notes
offered hereby may be issued is limited to U.S. $3,442,560,000 (or the
equivalent thereof in foreign currencies or currency units), less an amount
equal to the gross proceeds from the sales of other Debt Securities (other than
the Notes) pursuant to the Registration Statement of which the accompanying
Prospectus is a part. See "Plan of Distribution". Unless otherwise indicated in
the applicable Pricing Supplement, currency amounts in this Prospectus
Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus and any Pricing Supplement are stated in
United States dollars ("$", "dollars", "U.S. dollars", "United States dollars"
or "U.S.$"). See "Plan of Distribution".
 
     Each Note will mature on a date 9 months or more from its date of issue, as
selected by the initial purchaser and agreed to by the Company and may be
subject to redemption at the option of the Company or repayment at the option of
the Holder prior to its Stated Maturity, as specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Notes
will be issuable only in fully registered form and, if denominated in U.S.
dollars, in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess
thereof. For a description of the denominations of Notes denominated or payable
in a Specified Currency other than U.S. dollars (a "Foreign Currency Note") see
"Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes".
 
     Each Note will be issued initially as either a Book-Entry Note or a
Certificated Note. The Company currently contemplates that only Notes
denominated and payable in U.S. dollars will be issued as Book-Entry Notes. See
"Book-Entry System".
 
     A Note, including any Zero-Coupon Note, is an "Original Issue Discount
Note" if (a) it is issued at a price lower than the principal amount thereof and
it provides that upon redemption or acceleration of the maturity thereof an
amount less than the principal thereof shall become due and payable or (b) it is
otherwise issued with original issue discount for United States Federal income
tax purposes. In the event of redemption or acceleration of the maturity of an
Original Issue Discount Note, the amount payable to the Holder upon such
redemption or acceleration will be determined in accordance with the terms of
such Note, and may be an amount less than the amount payable at the Stated
Maturity thereof. For a discussion of Federal income tax considerations with
respect to Original Issue Discount Notes, see "United States Taxation--United
States Holders--Discount Notes".
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, payments
of interest on Notes (other than interest payable at Maturity) will be made,
except as provided below, by check mailed to the Holders of such Notes (which,
in the case of a Global Security or Global Securities representing Book-Entry
Notes, will
 
                                       S-2
<PAGE>   3
 
be a nominee of the Depositary). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Holder of
$10,000,000 or more in aggregate principal amount of Notes of like tenor and
terms (or the Holder of the equivalent thereof in a Specified Currency other
than U.S. dollars) shall be entitled to receive such interest payments by wire
transfer in immediately available funds, but only if appropriate instructions
have been received in writing by the Paying Agent on or prior to the applicable
Record Date for such payment of interest. Payments of principal of (and premium,
if any) and interest on any Note payable at Maturity will be made in immediately
available funds at the office of the Paying Agent in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, provided that payments in such funds will be made only if
such Notes are presented to the Paying Agent in time for the Paying Agent to
make such payments in such funds in accordance with its normal procedures. The
Company has initially designated Chemical Bank, acting through its principal
corporate trust office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as its
Paying Agent for the Notes.
 
     Any payment required to be made in respect of a Fixed Rate Note, or any
payment required to be made in respect of any Note at Maturity, on a date that
is not a Business Day need not be made on such date but may be made on the next
succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such date.
No additional interest will accrue as a result of such delayed payment.
"Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that meets each
of the following applicable requirements: the day is (a) not a day on which
banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to be
closed in The City of New York, (b) if the Note is denominated or payable in a
Specified Currency other than U.S. dollars, (i) not a day on which banking
institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close in the
major financial center of the country issuing the Specified Currency (which in
the case of ECU shall include the financial center of each country that issues a
component currency of the ECU) and (ii) a day on which banking institutions in
such financial center are carrying out transactions in such Specified Currency,
and (c) with respect to LIBOR Notes, a London Banking Day. "London Banking Day"
means any day on which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in
the London interbank market.
 
     The Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange at the
principal corporate trust office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The
City of New York.
 
INTEREST
 
     Each Note will bear interest from the date of issue or from the most recent
Interest Payment Date to which interest on such Note has been paid or duly
provided for at the fixed rate per annum, which may be zero in the case of
Zero-Coupon Notes, or at the rate per annum determined pursuant to the interest
rate formula, stated therein and in the applicable Pricing Supplement until the
principal thereof is paid or made available for payment. Interest will be
payable at each Interest Payment Date and at Maturity. See "Description of Debt
Securities--Payment and Paying Agents" in the Prospectus; see "Description of
Notes--General". Interest will be payable to the Person in whose name a Note is
registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date next preceding
each Interest Payment Date; provided, however, that interest payable at Maturity
will be payable to the Person to whom principal shall be payable. The first
payment of interest on any Note originally issued between a Regular Record Date
and an Interest Payment Date will be made on the Interest Payment Date following
the next succeeding Regular Record Date. The Regular Record Dates for any Note
shall be the date fifteen calendar days prior to each Interest Payment Date for
such Note, whether or not a Business Day. Holders of Zero-Coupon Notes will not
receive periodic payments of interest on such Notes.
 
     Interest rates, or interest rate formulas, are subject to change by the
Company 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 by the Company.
 
FIXED RATE NOTES
 
     The applicable Pricing Supplement relating to a Fixed Rate Note will
designate a fixed rate of interest per annum payable on such Note. Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Interest Payment
Dates for Fixed Rate Notes will be May 1 and November 1 of each year and at
Maturity. Unless
 
                                       S-3
<PAGE>   4
 
otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest payments for
Fixed Rate Notes shall be the amount of interest accrued to, but excluding, the
relevant Interest Payment Date. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable
Pricing Supplement, interest on Fixed Rate Notes will be computed on the basis
of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
FLOATING RATE NOTES
 
     The applicable Pricing Supplement relating to a Floating Rate Note will
designate an interest rate basis for such Floating Rate Note which may be
adjusted by adding or subtracting the Spread and/or multiplying by the Spread
Multiplier specified therein. Such basis may be: (a) the Commercial Paper Rate,
in which case such Note will be a Commercial Paper Rate Note, (b) LIBOR, in
which case such Note will be a LIBOR Note, (c) the Treasury Rate, in which case
such Note will be a Treasury Rate Note, (d) the Prime Rate, in which case such
Note will be a Prime Rate Note, (e) the Federal Funds Rate, in which case such
Note will be a Federal Funds Rate Note, (f) the Eleventh District Cost of Funds
Rate, in which case such Note will be an Eleventh District Cost of Funds Note or
(g) such other interest rate formula or formulas set forth in such Pricing
Supplement. In addition, a Floating Rate Note may also have either or both of
the following: (a) a maximum numerical interest rate limitation, or ceiling, on
the rate of interest which may accrue during any interest period and (b) a
minimum numerical interest rate limitation, or floor, on the rate of interest
which may accrue during any interest period. The applicable Pricing Supplement
for a Floating Rate Note will specify the Spread and/or Spread Multiplier, if
any, and the maximum or minimum interest rate limitation, if any, applicable to
each Floating Rate Note and, in addition, will define or particularize for each
such Note the following terms, if applicable: Calculation Date, Initial Interest
Rate, Interest Payment Dates, Index Maturity, Interest Determination Dates and
Interest Reset Dates with respect to such Note. The "Spread" is the number of
basis points specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as being applicable
to the interest rate for such Note and the "Spread Multiplier" is the percentage
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as being applicable to the
interest rate for such Note. "Index Maturity" means, with respect to a Floating
Rate Note, the period to maturity of the instrument or obligation on which the
interest rate formula is based, as specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement.
 
     The rate of interest on each Floating Rate Note will be reset daily,
weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually (each an "Interest Reset
Date"), as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Interest Reset Date will be,
in the case of Floating Rate Notes which reset daily, each Business Day; in the
case of Floating Rate Notes (other than Treasury Rate Notes) which reset weekly,
the Wednesday of each week; in the case of Treasury Rate Notes which reset
weekly, the Tuesday of each week; in the case of Floating Rate Notes which reset
monthly, the third Wednesday of each month; in the case of Floating Rate Notes
which reset quarterly, the third Wednesday of March, June, September and
December; in the case of Floating Rate Notes which reset semiannually, the third
Wednesday of two months of each year, as specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement; and in the case of Floating Rate Notes which reset annually, the
third Wednesday of one month of each year, as specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement; provided, however, that the interest rate in effect from the
date of issue to the first Interest Reset Date with respect to a Floating Rate
Note will be the Initial Interest Rate (as set forth in the applicable Pricing
Supplement). 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 Note, the
Interest Reset Date for such Floating Rate Note shall be postponed to the next
day that is a Business Day for such Floating Rate Note, 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
Commercial Paper Rate Note (the "Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date"),
for a Prime Rate Note (the "Prime Rate Interest Determination Date"), for a
Federal Funds Rate Note (the "Federal Funds Interest Determination Date") and
for an Eleventh District Cost of Funds Note (the "Eleventh District Cost of
Funds Rate Determination Date") will be the second Business Day preceding the
Interest Reset Date with respect to such Note. The Interest Determination Date
pertaining to an Interest Reset Date for a LIBOR Note (the "LIBOR Interest
Determination Date") will be the second London Banking Day preceding such
Interest Reset Date. The
 
                                       S-4
<PAGE>   5
 
Interest Determination Date pertaining to an Interest Reset Date for a Treasury
Rate Note (the "Treasury Interest Determination Date") will be the day of the
week in which such Interest Reset Date falls on which Treasury bills 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 Treasury Interest Determination
Date pertaining to the Interest Reset Date occurring in the next succeeding
week. If an auction date shall fall on any Interest Reset Date for a Treasury
Rate Note, then such Interest Reset Date shall instead be the first Business Day
immediately following such auction date.
 
     In addition to any maximum interest rate which may be applicable to any
Floating Rate Note pursuant to the above provisions, assuming that a court would
enforce the provisions of the Notes and the Indenture specifying New York law as
the governing law, the interest rate on the Floating Rate 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. The
limit may not apply to Floating Rate Notes in which $2,500,000 or more has been
invested.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement and except
as provided below, interest will be payable, in the case of Floating Rate Notes
which reset daily, weekly or monthly, on the third Wednesday of each month or on
the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December of each year (as
indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement); in the case of Floating Rate
Notes which reset quarterly, on the third Wednesday of March, June, September
and December of each year; in the case of Floating Rate Notes which reset
semiannually, on the third Wednesday of the two months of each year specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement; and in the case of Floating Rate Notes which
reset annually, on the third Wednesday of the month specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement (each an "Interest Payment Date"), and in each case, at
Maturity. If an Interest Payment Date with respect to any Floating Rate Note
would otherwise fall on a day that is not a Business Day with respect to such
Note, such Interest Payment Date will be the following day that is a Business
Day with respect to such Note, except that in the case of a LIBOR Note, if such
day falls in the next calendar month, such Interest Payment Date will be the
preceding day that is a Business Day with respect to such LIBOR Note.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest
payments for Floating Rate Notes shall be the amount of interest accrued from
and including an Interest Payment Date (or from and including the Original Issue
Date if no interest has been paid or duly provided for) to, but excluding, the
next succeeding Interest Payment Date or Maturity, as the case may be. With
respect to a Floating Rate Note, accrued interest from the date of issue or from
the last date to which interest has been paid is calculated by multiplying the
face amount of such Floating Rate Note by an accrued interest factor. Such
accrued interest factor is computed by adding the interest factor calculated for
each day from the date of issue, or from the last date to which interest has
been paid or duly provided for, to the date for which accrued interest is being
calculated. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the
interest factor for each such day is computed by dividing the interest rate
applicable to such date by 360, in the case of Commercial Paper Rate Notes,
LIBOR Notes, Prime Rate Notes, Federal Fund Rate Notes and Eleventh District
Cost of Funds Notes, or by the actual number of days in the year, in the case of
Treasury Rate Notes.
 
     Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Pricing Supplement, Chemical
Bank will be the calculation agent (the "Calculation Agent"). Upon the request
of the Holder of any Floating Rate Note, the Calculation Agent will provide the
interest rate then in effect, and, if different, the interest rate which will
become effective as a result of a determination made on the most recent Interest
Determination Date with respect to such Floating Rate Note. Unless otherwise
indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, all percentages resulting from
any calculation relating to the rate of interest on a Note will be rounded
upwards, if necessary, to the nearest one-hundred-thousandth of a percentage
point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point being rounded upwards
(e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655) and
9.876544% (or .09876544) being rounded to 9.87654% or .0987654)), and all
currency or currency unit amounts used and
 
                                       S-5
<PAGE>   6
 
resulting from such calculations on the Notes will be rounded to the nearest
one-hundredth of a unit (with five one-thousandths of a unit being rounded
upwards).
 
     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 and/or Spread Multiplier, if any), and will be payable
on the dates, specified on the face of or pursuant to such Commercial Paper Rate
Note and in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, the "Calculation Date" pertaining to a Commercial
Paper Interest Determination Date will be the earlier of (i) the tenth day after
such Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date or, if such day is not a
Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day and (ii) the Business Day next
preceding the relevant Interest Payment Date or Maturity Date, as the case may
be.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
"Commercial Paper Rate" means, with respect to any Commercial Paper Interest
Determination Date, the Money Market Yield (as defined below) of the rate on
such date for commercial paper having the Index Maturity designated in the
applicable Pricing Supplement as published by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System 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 heading "Commercial Paper". In the event
that such rate is not published by 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the
Calculation Date pertaining to such Commercial Paper Interest Determination
Date, then the Commercial Paper Rate will be the Money Market Yield of the rate
on such Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date for commercial paper having
the Index Maturity designated in the applicable Pricing Supplement as published
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in its daily statistical release,
"Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities" ("Composite
Quotations") under the heading "Commercial Paper". If such rate is not yet
published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Calculation Date pertaining
to such Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date, then the Commercial Paper
Rate for such Commercial Paper 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 of three leading dealers of commercial paper in New York
City selected by the Calculation Agent as of 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on
such Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date 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 rating agency; provided, however, that if the dealers
selected as aforesaid by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in
this sentence, the Commercial Paper Rate will be the Commercial Paper Rate then
in effect on such Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date.
 
     "Money Market Yield" means a yield calculated in accordance with the
following formula:
 
<TABLE>
<C>                         <C>              <S>
     Money Market Yield =       D X 360       X 100
                             -------------
                             360 - (D X M)
</TABLE>
 
where "D" refers to the per annum rate for the 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.
 
     LIBOR Notes.  LIBOR Notes will bear interest at the interest rates
(calculated with reference to LIBOR and the Spread and/or Spread Multiplier, if
any), and will be payable on the dates, specified on the face of or pursuant to
such LIBOR Note and in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, LIBOR will
be determined by the Calculation Agent in accordance with the following
provisions: On each LIBOR Interest Determination Date, LIBOR will be determined
on the basis of 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 LIBOR Interest Determination Date, which
appears on the Telerate Page 3750 (as defined below) as of 11:00 A.M., London
time, on the LIBOR Interest Determination Date. If such rate does not so appear
on the Telerate Page 3750, the rate in respect of such LIBOR Interest
Determination Date will be determined on the basis of the rates at which
deposits in U.S. dollars are offered by four major banks in the London interbank
market (selected by the Calculation Agent) at approximately 11:00 A.M., London
time, on
 
                                       S-6
<PAGE>   7
 
the LIBOR Interest Determination Date next preceding the relevant Interest Reset
Date to prime banks in the London interbank market for a period of the Index
Maturity commencing on that Interest Reset Date and in a principal amount equal
to an amount not less than $1,000,000 that is representative for a single
transaction in such market at such time. In such case, the Calculation Agent
will request the principal London office of each of the aforesaid major banks to
provide a quotation of such rate. If at least two such quotations are provided
in respect of such LIBOR Interest Determination Date, the rate for that Interest
Reset Date will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, and, if fewer than two
quotations are provided as requested in respect of such LIBOR Interest
Determination Date, the rate for that Interest Reset Date will be the arithmetic
mean of the rates quoted by major banks in the City of New York, selected by the
Calculation Agent, at approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on that
LIBOR Interest Determination Date for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European
banks for a period of the Index Maturity commencing on that Interest Reset Date
and in a principal amount equal to an amount not less than $1,000,000 that is
representative for a single transaction in such market at such time; provided,
however, if the aforesaid rate cannot be determined by the Calculation Agent,
LIBOR in respect of such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be LIBOR then in
effect on such LIBOR 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 rates or prices relating to LIBOR).
 
     Treasury Rate Notes.  Treasury Rate Notes will bear interest at the
interest rates (calculated with reference to the Treasury Rate and the Spread
and/or Spread Multiplier, if any), and will be payable on the dates, specified
on the face of or pursuant to such Treasury Rate Note and in the applicable
Pricing Supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, the "Calculation Date" with respect to a Treasury Interest
Determination Date will be the earlier of (i) the tenth day after such Treasury
Interest Determination Date or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next
succeeding Business Day and (ii) the Business Day next preceding the relevant
Interest Payment Date or Maturity Date, as the case may be.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, "Treasury
Rate" means, with respect to any Treasury Interest Determination Date, the rate
for the most recent auction of direct obligations of the United States
("Treasury bills") having the Index Maturity designated in the applicable
Pricing Supplement as published in H.15(519) under the heading "U.S. Government
Securities--Treasury Bills--Auction Average (Investment)" or, if not so
published by 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Calculation Date pertaining
to such Treasury Interest Determination Date, the Treasury Rate will be the
auction average rate (expressed as a bond equivalent on the basis of 365 or 366
days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis) for such auction as otherwise
announced by the United States Department of the Treasury. If the results of the
auction of Treasury bills having the Index Maturity designated in the applicable
Pricing Supplement are not published or announced as provided above by 3:00
P.M., New York City time, on such Calculation Date or if 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 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a
daily basis) of the arithmetic mean of the secondary market bid rates, as of
approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such Treasury Interest
Determination Date, of three leading primary United States government securities
dealers selected by the Calculation Agent, for the issue of Treasury bills with
a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity designated 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
Treasury Rate with respect to such Treasury Interest Determination Date will be
the Treasury Rate then in effect on such Treasury Interest Determination Date.
 
     Prime Rate Notes.  Prime Rate Notes will bear interest at the interest
rates (calculated with reference to the Prime Rate and the Spread and/or Spread
Multiplier, if any), and will be payable on the dates, specified on the face of
or pursuant to such Prime Rate Note and in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, "Prime
Rate" means, with respect to any Prime Rate Interest Determination Date, the
rate on such date as such rate is published in H.15(519) under the heading "Bank
Prime Loan." If such rate is not published prior to 3:00 P.M., New York City
time,
 
                                       S-7
<PAGE>   8
 
on the related Calculation Date, then the Prime Rate shall be the arithmetic
mean of the rates of interest publicly announced by each bank that appears on
the Reuters Screen NYMF Page (as defined below) as such bank's prime rate or
base lending rate as in effect for such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date.
If fewer than four such rates but more than one such rate appear on the Reuters
Screen NYMF Page for such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date, the Prime Rate
shall be the arithmetic mean of the prime rates quoted on the basis of the
actual number of days in the year divided by a 360-day year as of the close of
business on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date by four major money
center banks in The City of New York selected by the Calculation Agent. If fewer
than two such rates appear on the Reuters Screen NYMF Page, the Prime Rate will
be determined by the Calculation Agent on the basis of the rates furnished in
The City of New York by three substitute banks or trust companies organized and
doing business under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof, having
total equity capital of at least $500 million and being subject to supervision
or examination by Federal or State authority, selected by the Calculation Agent
to provide such rate or rates; provided, however, that if the banks or trust
companies selected as aforesaid are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence,
the Prime Rate determined as of such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date will
be the Prime Rate in effect on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date.
 
     "Reuters Screen NYMF Page" means the display designated as page "NYMF" on
the Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service (or such other page as may replace the
NYMF page on that service for the purpose of displaying prime rates or base
lending rates of major United States banks).
 
     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 and/or Spread Multiplier, if any), and will be payable on the dates,
specified on the face of or pursuant to such Federal Funds Rate Note and in the
applicable Pricing Supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement, the "Calculation Date" with respect to a Federal Funds
Interest Determination Date will be the earlier of (i) the tenth day after such
Federal Funds Interest Determination Date or, if such day is not a Business Day,
the next succeeding Business Day and (ii) the Business Day next preceding the
relevant Interest Payment Date or Maturity Date, as the case may be.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, "Federal
Funds Rate" means, with respect to any Federal Funds Interest Determination
Date, the rate set forth in H.15(519) for that day opposite the caption "Federal
Funds (Effective)". If such rate for any Federal Funds Interest Determination
Date is not published in H.15(519) by 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the
Calculation Date, the rate for that Federal Funds Interest Determination Date
will be the rate set forth in the statistical release designated as the
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 3:30
P.M. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities") for that day under the caption
"Federal Funds/Effective Rate". If by 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the
Calculation Date the rate for any Federal Funds Interest Determination Date such
rate is not yet published in either H.15(519) or Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations
for U.S. Government Securities, the rate for that Federal Funds Interest
Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates for the last
transaction in overnight U.S. Dollar Federal funds arranged by three leading
brokers, selected by the Calculation Agent, of U.S. Dollar Federal funds
transactions in New York City prior to 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the
applicable Federal Funds Interest Determination Date; provided, however, that if
rates are not available as aforesaid, the Federal Funds Rate with respect to
such Federal Funds Interest Determination Date will be the Federal Funds Rate
then in effect on such Federal Funds Interest Determination Date.
 
     Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate.  Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate
Notes will bear interest at the interest rates (calculated with reference to the
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate and the Spread and/or Spread Multiplier, if
any) and will be payable on the dates, specified on the face of or pursuant to
such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Note and in the applicable Pricing
Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
"Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate" means, with respect to any Eleventh
District Cost of Funds Interest Determination Date, the monthly weighted average
cost of funds as set forth under the caption "11th District" on the Telerate
Page 7175 as of 11:00 A.M., San Francisco time, on that Eleventh District Cost
of Funds Interest Determination Date. If such rate does not so appear on the
Telerate Page 7175, the rate for that Eleventh District Cost of Funds Interest
Determination Date will be
 
                                       S-8
<PAGE>   9
 
the monthly weighted average cost of funds paid by member institutions of the
Eleventh Federal Home Loan Bank District that was most recently announced by the
Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (the "FHLBSF") or its successor, as such
cost of funds for the calendar month preceding the date of such announcement;
provided, however, if the FHLBSF fails to announce such rate for that calendar
month, then the rate in respect of such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Interest
Determination Date will be the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate then in
effect on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Interest Determination Date.
 
     "Telerate Page 7175" 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 rates or prices relating to the Eleventh District Cost of
Funds Rate).
 
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
 
     Upon issuance, all Book-Entry Notes will be represented by a single Global
Security. Any Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes will be deposited
with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, as Depositary (the
"Depositary"), and registered in the name of a nominee of the Depositary.
Book-Entry Notes will not be exchangeable for Certificated Notes, provided that
if the Depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary
and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the
Company will issue Certificated Notes in exchange for the Global Security or
Securities representing Book-Entry Notes. In addition, the Company may at any
time and in its sole discretion determine not to have Book-Entry Notes
represented by Global Securities, and, in such event, will issue Certificated
Notes in exchange for all Global Securities representing such Book-Entry Notes.
 
     The Depositary has advised the Company as follows: The Depositary 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. The
Depositary holds securities that its participants ("participants") deposit with
the Depositary. The Depositary 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. The Rules applicable to the Depositary and its
participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
     A further description of the Depositary's procedures with respect to Global
Securities representing Book-Entry Notes is set forth in the attached Prospectus
under "Description of Debt Securities--Global Securities". The Depositary has
confirmed to the Company and the Trustee that it intends to follow such
procedures.
 
REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE
 
     The Pricing Supplement relating to each Note will indicate either that such
Note cannot be redeemed prior to its Stated Maturity or that such Note will be
redeemable at the option of the Company on a date or dates specified prior to
such Stated Maturity at a price or prices, set forth in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, together with accrued interest to the date of redemption. The
Company may redeem any of the Notes that are redeemable and remain outstanding
either in whole or from time to time in part, upon not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days' notice. If less than all Notes with like tenor and terms are to be
redeemed, the Notes to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee by such
method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate. The Notes will not have a
sinking fund and will not be subject to the provisions of the Indenture
described in the Prospectus under "Description of Debt Securities--Discharge and
Defeasance".
 
     The Company may at any time purchase Notes at any price in the open market
or otherwise. Notes so purchased by the Company may, at its discretion, be held,
resold or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.
 
                                       S-9
<PAGE>   10
 
REPAYMENT
 
     The Pricing Supplement relating to each Note will indicate either that such
Note cannot be repaid prior to its Stated Maturity or that the Note will be
repayable at the option of the Holder on a date or dates specified prior to its
Stated Maturity at a price or prices set forth in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, together with accrued interest to the date of repayment.
 
     In order for a Note to be repaid at other than its Stated Maturity, the
Paying Agent must receive at least 30 days but no more than 45 days prior to the
repayment date (a) appropriate wire instructions and (b) either (i) the Note
with the form entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" on the reverse of the Note
duly completed or (ii) a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or a letter
from a member of a national securities exchange or the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company in the United
States setting forth the name of the holder of the Note, the principal amount of
the Note, the principal amount of the Note to be repaid, the certificate number
or a description of the tenor and terms of the Note, a statement that the option
to elect repayment is being exercised thereby and, if applicable, a guarantee
that the Note to be repaid with the form entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" on
the reverse of the Note duly completed will be received by the Paying Agent not
later than five Business Days after the date of such telegram, telex, facsimile
transmission or letter and such Note and form duly completed are received by the
Paying Agent by such fifth Business Day. Exercise of such repayment option will
be irrevocable. The repayment option may be exercised by the Holder of a Note
for less than the entire principal amount of the Note, provided that the
principal amount of the Note remaining outstanding after repayment is an
authorized denomination.
 
     If a Note is represented by a Global Security, the Depositary's nominee
will be the Holder of such Note and therefore will be the only entity that can
exercise a right to repayment. In order to ensure that the Depositary's nominee
will timely exercise a right to repayment with respect to a particular Note, the
beneficial owner of such Note must instruct the participant through which it
holds an interest in such Note to notify the Depositary of its desire to
exercise a right to repayment. Different firms or participants have different
cut-off times for accepting instructions from their customers and, accordingly,
each beneficial owner should consult the participant through which it holds an
interest in a Note in order to ascertain the cut-off time by which such an
instruction must be given in order for timely notice to be delivered to the
Depositary.
 
INDEXED NOTES
 
     General.  The Company may from time to time offer Notes, the principal
amount of which payable at Stated Maturity and/or the interest on which will be
determined by reference to one or more specified currencies, currency units,
commodities, interest rates or financial or nonfinancial indices or any
combination of the foregoing. Holders of Indexed Notes may receive a principal
amount at maturity that is greater than or less than the face amount of such
Notes depending upon the fluctuation of the relative value, rate or price of the
specified index. Specific information pertaining to the method for determining
the principal amount payable at maturity, an historical comparison of the
relative value, rate or price of the specified index and the face amount of the
Indexed Note and any additional tax considerations will be described in the
applicable Pricing Supplement.
 
     Certain Investment Considerations.  An investment in Notes indexed, as to
principal, premium and/or interest, to one or more values of currencies
(including exchange rates between currencies), commodities or interest rate
indices entails significant risks that are not associated with similar
investments in a conventional fixed-rate debt security. If the interest rate of
such a Note is so indexed, it may result in an interest rate that is 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
of and/or premium on such a Note is so indexed, the amount of principal and/or
premium payable in respect thereof may be less than the original purchase price
of such Note if allowed pursuant to the terms thereof, including the possibility
that no such amount will be paid. The secondary market for such Notes will be
affected by a number of factors, independent of the creditworthiness of the
Company and the value of the applicable currency, commodity or interest rate
index, including the volatility of the applicable currency, commodity or
interest rate index, the time remaining to the
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>   11
 
maturity of such Notes, the amount outstanding of such Notes and market interest
rates. The value of the applicable currency, commodity or interest rate index
depends on a number of interrelated factors, including economic, financial and
political events, over which the Company has no control. Additionally, if the
formula used to determine the amount of principal, premium and/or interest
payable with respect to such Notes contains a multiple or leverage factor, the
effect of any change in the applicable currency, commodity or interest rate
index will be increased. The historical experience of the relevant currencies,
commodities or interest rate indices should not be taken as an indication of
future performance of such currencies, commodities or interest rate indices
during the term of any Note. The credit ratings assigned to the Company's
medium-term note program are a reflection of the Company's credit status and, in
no way, are a reflection of the potential impact of the factors discussed above,
or any other factors, on the market value of the Notes. Accordingly, prospective
investors should consult their own financial and legal advisors as to the risks
entailed by an investment in such Notes and the suitability of such Notes in
light of their particular circumstances.
 
     Currency Indexed Notes.  The Company may from time to time offer Notes, the
principal amount of which payable at Stated Maturity and/or the interest amounts
payable on each Interest Payment Date and at Stated Maturity is determined by
the rate of exchange between the currency or currency unit in which such Notes
(the "Currency Indexed Notes") are denominated (the "Denominated Currency") and
the other currency or currency unit designated as the Indexed Currency in the
applicable Pricing Supplement (the "Indexed Currency"). Unless otherwise
indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, Holders of Currency Indexed
Notes (i) will be entitled to receive a principal amount of such Currency
Indexed Notes exceeding the amount designated as the face amount of such
Currency Indexed Notes in the applicable Pricing Supplement (the "Face Amount")
if, at Stated Maturity, the rate at which the Denominated Currency can be
exchanged for the Indexed Currency is greater than the rate of such exchange
designated as the Base Exchange Rate in the applicable Pricing Supplement (the
"Base Exchange Rate"), and will be entitled to receive a principal amount of
such Currency Indexed Notes less than the Face Amount of such Currency Indexed
Notes, if, at Stated Maturity, the rate at which the Denominated Currency can be
exchanged for the Indexed Currency is less than such Base Exchange Rate and/or
(ii) will be entitled to receive an amount of interest on each Interest Payment
Date and at Stated Maturity at an interest rate greater than the base interest
rate of such Currency Indexed Note as designated in the applicable Pricing
Supplement (the "Base Interest Rate") if, on such Interest Payment Date or at
Stated Maturity, as the case may be, the rate at which the Denominated Currency
can be exchanged into the Indexed Currency is greater than the Base Exchange
Rate, and will be entitled to receive an amount of interest on each Interest
Payment Date and/or at Stated Maturity at an interest rate less than the Base
Interest Rate if, on such Interest Payment Date and/or at Stated Maturity, as
the case may be, the rate at which the Denominated Currency can be exchanged
into the Indexed Currency is less than the Base Exchange Rate, in each case
determined as described below under "Payment of Principal and Interest".
Information as to the relative historical value of the applicable Denominated
Currency against the applicable Indexed Currency, any exchange controls
applicable to such Denominated Currency or Indexed Currency, and the tax
consequences to Holders of Currency Indexed Notes will be set forth in the
applicable Pricing Supplement.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the term
"Exchange Rate Day" shall mean any day which is a Business Day in The City of
New York and (a) if the Denominated Currency or Indexed Currency is the Canadian
Dollar, in Toronto, Canada, (b) if the Denominated Currency or Indexed Currency
is the Japanese Yen, in Tokyo, Japan, (c) if the Denominated Currency or Indexed
Currency is the Deutsche Mark, in Frankfurt, Germany, (d) if the Denominated
Currency or Indexed Currency is the Pound Sterling, in London, England, (e) if
the Denominated Currency or the Indexed Currency is the Australian Dollar, in
Melbourne or Sydney, Australia, (f) if the Denominated Currency or the Indexed
Currency is the ECU, in each of the financial centers of each country that
issues a component currency of the ECU and/or (g) if the Denominated Currency or
Indexed Currency is any other currency or currency unit (other than the U.S.
dollar), in the capital and/or the principal financial center of the country of
such Denominated Currency or Indexed Currency.
 
                                      S-11
<PAGE>   12
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, principal
of a Currency Indexed Note will be payable by the Company in the Denominated
Currency at Stated Maturity in an amount equal to the Face Amount of the
Currency Indexed Note, plus or minus an amount 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 Denominated Currency can be exchanged for the Indexed Currency as
determined on the second Exchange Rate Day prior to the Stated Maturity of such
Currency Indexed Note (the "Determination Date") by the Determination Agent in
the manner specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, on the Determination
Date, for an amount of Indexed Currency equal to the aggregate Face Amount of
such Currency Indexed Notes multiplied by the Base Exchange Rate (such rate of
exchange, as so determined on such date, is hereinafter referred to as the "Spot
Rate"). The principal amount of the Currency Indexed Notes determined by the
Determination Agent to be payable at Stated Maturity will be payable to the
Holders thereof in the manner set forth herein and in the applicable Pricing
Supplement. 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 at Stated Maturity shall be final and binding on the
Company and the Holders of such Currency Indexed Notes.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, on the
basis of the aforesaid determination by the Determination Agent, (i) if the Base
Exchange Rate equals the Spot Rate for any Currency Indexed Note, then the
principal amount of such Currency Indexed Note payable at Stated Maturity would
be equal to the Face Amount of such Currency Indexed Note; (ii) if the Spot Rate
exceeds the Base Exchange Rate (i.e., the Denominated Currency has appreciated
against the Indexed Currency during the term of the Currency Indexed Note), then
the principal amount so payable would be greater than the Face Amount of such
Currency Indexed Note; (iii) if the Spot Rate is less than the Base Exchange
Rate (i.e., the Denominated Currency has depreciated against the Indexed
Currency during the term of the Currency Indexed Note) but is greater than
one-half of the Base Exchange Rate, then the principal amount so payable would
be less than the Face Amount of such Currency Indexed Note; and (iv) if the Spot
Rate is less than or equal to one-half of the Base Exchange Rate, then the Spot
Rate will be deemed to be one-half of the Base Exchange Rate and no principal
amount of the Currency Indexed Note would be payable at Stated Maturity.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the
formulas to be used by the Determination Agent to determine the principal amount
of a Currency Indexed Note payable at Stated Maturity will be as follows:
 
          If the Spot Rate exceeds or equals the Base Exchange Rate, the
     principal amount of a Currency Indexed Note payable at Stated Maturity
     shall equal:
 
<TABLE>
<C>                              <C>                              <S>
    Face Amount + (Face Amount X  Spot Rate - Base Exchange Rate).
                                  --------------------------------
                                            Spot Rate
</TABLE>
 
          If the Base Exchange Rate exceeds the Spot Rate, the principal amount
     of a Currency Indexed Note payable at Stated Maturity (which shall, in no
     event, be less than zero) shall equal:
 
<TABLE>
<C>                              <C>                              <S>
    Face Amount - (Face Amount X  Base Exchange Rate - Spot Rate).
                                  --------------------------------
                                            Spot Rate
</TABLE>
 
     If the formulas set forth above are applicable to a Currency Indexed Note,
the maximum principal amount payable at Stated Maturity in respect of such
Currency Indexed Note would be an amount equal to twice the Face Amount and the
minimum principal amount so payable would be zero.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest
will be payable by the Company in the Denominated Currency based on the Face
Amount of the Currency Indexed Notes, and such interest will be payable at the
rate and times and in the manner set forth herein and in the applicable Pricing
Supplement. In the event that the applicable Pricing Supplement specifies that
interest on the Currency Indexed Notes will be determined by reference to a
specified currency or currency unit and unless otherwise specified in such
Pricing Supplement, interest will be payable by the Company in the Denominated
Currency on each Interest Payment Date and at Stated Maturity at a rate per
annum equal to the Base Interest Rate
 
                                      S-12
<PAGE>   13
 
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement multiplied by an Interest Index
Factor. The "Interest Index Factor" shall be an amount determined by the
Determination Agent by reference to the following formula:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>                   <C>
                                      Interest Spot Rate
                                      ------------------
                                      Base Exchange Rate
</TABLE>
 
where, "Interest Spot Rate" is (i) if at an Interest Payment Date, the rate at
which the Denominated Currency can be exchanged for the Indexed Currency as
determined on the second Exchange Rate Day prior to such Interest Payment Date
(the "Interest Determination Date") by the Determination Agent in the manner
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, on such Interest Determination
Date, for an amount of Indexed Currency equal to (a) the product of (x) the
aggregate Face Amount of such Currency Indexed Notes and (y) the Base Interest
Rate specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, multiplied by (b) the Base
Exchange Rate and (ii) if at Stated Maturity, the Spot Rate. The amount of
interest determined by the Determination Agent to be payable on any Interest
Payment Date and at Stated Maturity in respect of the Currency Indexed Notes
will be payable to the Holders thereof in the manner set forth herein and in the
applicable Pricing Supplement. In the absence of manifest error, the
determination by the Determination Agent of the Interest Index Factor, the
Interest Spot Rate on each Interest Payment Date, the interest payments payable
and the Spot Rate at Stated Maturity on the Currency Indexed Notes shall be
final and binding on the Company and the Holders of such Currency Indexed Notes.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, on the
basis of the aforesaid determinations by the Determination Agent, (i) if the
Base Exchange Rate equals the Interest Spot Rate on any Interest Determination
Date or the Spot Rate on the Determination Date for any Currency Indexed Note,
then the amount of interest payable in respect of such Currency Indexed Note on
the applicable Interest Payment Date or at Stated Maturity, as the case may be,
would represent an effective interest rate equal to the Base Interest Rate of
such Currency Indexed Note; (ii) if the Interest Spot Rate on any Interest
Determination Date or the Spot Rate on the Determination Date exceeds the Base
Exchange Rate (i.e., the Denominated Currency has appreciated against the
Indexed Currency during the term of the Currency Indexed Note), then the amount
of interest so payable would represent an effective interest rate greater than
the Base Interest Rate of such Currency Indexed Note; (iii) if the Interest Spot
Rate on any Interest Determination Date or the Spot Rate on the Determination
Date is less than the Base Exchange Rate (i.e., the Denominated Currency has
depreciated against the Indexed Currency during the term of the Currency Indexed
Note) but is greater than zero, then the amount of interest so payable would
represent an effective interest rate less than the Base Interest Rate of such
Currency Indexed Note; and (iv) if the Interest Spot Rate on any Interest
Determination Date or the Spot Rate on the Determination Date is less than or
equal to zero, then the Interest Spot Rate or Spot Rate, as the case may be,
will be deemed to be zero and no amount of interest would be payable in respect
of the Currency Indexed Note on the applicable Interest Payment Date or at
Stated Maturity, as the case may be. If the methods of determining interest
amounts set forth above are applicable to a Currency Indexed Note, there would
be no maximum amount of interest payable in respect of such Currency Indexed
Note on any Interest Payment Date or at Stated Maturity, but the minimum amount
of interest so payable would be zero.
 
     The Company may also from time to time offer Notes, the principal amount of
which payable at Stated Maturity and/or interest on which is determined by
reference to the relative changes in the rates of exchange between the currency
in which such Notes are denominated and each of the other currencies or currency
units designated as an Indexed Currency in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
Any such Notes will be described in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
 
     Price Indexed Notes.  The Company may from time to time offer Notes, the
principal amount of which payable at Stated Maturity and/or interest on which
will be determined by reference to the price of one or more U.S. or non-U.S.
specified securities or commodities, to one or more U.S. or non-U.S. commodities
exchange index or indices or other U.S. or non-U.S. indices or by other similar
methods or formulae (the "Price Indexed Notes"). The Pricing Supplement relating
to a Price Indexed Note will set forth the method by which the amount of
interest payable and the amount payable at Stated Maturity in respect of such
Price Indexed Note will be determined, the tax consequences to Holders of Price
Indexed Notes, a description of
 
                                      S-13
<PAGE>   14
 
certain risks associated with investments in Price Indexed Notes and other
information relating to such Price Indexed Notes. In the absence of manifest
error, the determination by the Determination Agent of the amount of interest
payable and the amount payable at Stated Maturity in respect of such Price
Indexed Notes shall be final and binding on the Company and the Holders of such
Price Indexed Notes.
 
     Miscellaneous.  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, (a) for the purpose of determining whether holders of the requisite
principal amount of Debt Securities outstanding under the Indenture have made a
demand or given a notice of waiver or taken any other action, the outstanding
principal amount of Indexed Notes will be deemed to be the Face Amount thereof,
and (b) in the event of an acceleration of the Stated Maturity of an Indexed
Note, the principal amount payable to the Holder of such Indexed Note upon
acceleration will be the principal amount determined by reference to the formula
by which the principal amount of such Indexed Note would be determined on the
date of the Stated Maturity thereof as if the date of acceleration were the date
of the Stated Maturity.
 
     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, INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONS, COMMODITY PRICES
AND COMMODITY AND FINANCIAL OR NON-FINANCIAL INDICES.
 
DUAL CURRENCY NOTES
 
     The Company may from time to time offer Notes with respect to which the
Company will have the option of making each scheduled payment of principal and
interest due on such Notes in either the Face Amount Currency specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement or the Optional Payment Currency specified therein
(the "Dual Currency Notes"). Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement, if the Company elects to make a payment in the Optional
Payment Currency, the amount payable in such Optional Payment Currency shall be
determined using the Designated Exchange Rate specified in such Pricing
Supplement. If the Company chooses on any Option Election Date to pay in the
Optional Payment Currency instead of the Face Amount Currency, payments of
interest and principal may be worth less, at the then current exchange rate,
than if the Company had made such payment in the Face Amount Currency.
Accordingly, a Holder of Dual Currency Notes may receive a principal payment at
Stated Maturity which, at the then current exchange rate, is less than such
Holder's investment denominated in the Face Amount Currency. See "Foreign
Currency Risks". Information as to the relative historical value of the
applicable Face Amount Currency against the applicable Optional Payment
Currency, any exchange controls applicable to such Face Amount Currency or
Optional Payment Currency, and the tax consequences to Holders of Dual Currency
Notes will be set forth in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
 
     The Pricing Supplement for each issuance of Dual Currency Notes will
specify, among other things, the Face Amount of the Dual Currency Notes of such
issuance, the Face Amount Currency and Optional Payment Currency of such
issuance and the Designated Exchange Rate for such issuance, which will be a
fixed exchange rate used for converting amounts denominated in the Face Amount
Currency into amounts denominated in the Optional Payment Currency. The Pricing
Supplement will also specify the Option Election Dates and Interest Payment
Dates for the related issuance of Dual Currency Notes. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, each Option Election Date will
be approximately 10 days before an Interest Payment Date and will be the date on
which the Company must elect to make payments due on the related Interest
Payment Date in the Optional Payment Currency (if the Company wishes to make
such election).
 
     Any payment required to be made with respect to a Dual Currency Note on a
day that is not a Business Day need not be made on such day, but may be made on
the next succeeding Business Day.
 
     Scheduled Payments of Principal and Interest.  Unless otherwise specified
in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest on the Dual Currency Notes will
be payable based on the Face Amount of the Dual Currency Notes at the fixed rate
per annum stated in the applicable Pricing Supplement on each Interest
 
                                      S-14
<PAGE>   15
 
Payment Date until the principal thereof is paid or made available for payment.
The principal of each Dual Currency Note will be payable at Stated Maturity.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, any payment of
principal or interest due on any Interest Payment Date or at Stated Maturity may
be made in the Face Amount Currency or the Company may elect to make such
payment in the Optional Payment Currency. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, the amounts payable in the Optional Payment
Currency on any Interest Payment Date or at Stated Maturity shall be determined
by the Company using the Designated Exchange Rate. Unless otherwise specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement, if such election is made, notice of such
election shall be provided in accordance with the Indenture within four Business
Days of the Option Election Date and shall state (i) the Interest Payment Date
and (ii) the Designated Exchange Rate. Any such notice by the Company, once
given, may not be withdrawn. If the Company elects on any Option Election Date
to pay the amounts due on the succeeding Interest Payment Date in the Optional
Payment Currency, then it shall pay all amounts (including principal) due with
respect to the affected issuance of Dual Currency Notes in the Optional Payment
Currency on such Interest Payment Date. If the Company does not elect on an
Option Election Date to pay the amount due on the related Interest Payment Date
in the Optional Payment Currency, then such payment shall be made in the Face
Amount Currency and no notice of such payment will be published.
 
     To the extent that Dual Currency Notes are denominated in a Specified
Currency other than U.S. dollars or payments on Dual Currency Notes are required
to be made in an Optional Payment Currency other than U.S. dollars, such Dual
Currency Notes are also Foreign Currency Notes. See "Special Provisions Relating
to Foreign Currency Notes".
 
     Payment Due Upon Redemption or Acceleration.  Unless otherwise specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement, if any Dual Currency Note is redeemed prior
to its Stated Maturity, or if the payment of principal of and interest on any
Dual Currency Note is accelerated in accordance with the provisions described
under "Description of Debt Securities--Events of Default" in the attached
Prospectus, then the Company shall pay to the Holder of such Dual Currency Note
on the Redemption Date or the date of acceleration an amount equal to the Face
Amount thereof in the Face Amount Currency plus accrued interest in such
currency to but excluding the Redemption Date or date of acceleration, as the
case may be, minus the Total Option Value (as defined below) multiplied by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the Face Amount of such Dual Currency Note
and the denominator of which is the aggregate Face Amount of all Dual Currency
Notes of the issuance of such Dual Currency Note.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the "Total
Option Value" of any Dual Currency Note is an amount (calculated as of the date
on which the Company notifies the Trustee that such Dual Currency Note will be
redeemed, or the date of acceleration, as the case may be, by the option value
calculation agent who will be designated in the applicable Pricing Supplement
(the "Option Value Calculation Agent")) equal to the sum of the Option Values
(calculated as of such date by the Option Value Calculation Agent) for all
Interest Payment Dates occurring after the date of calculation up to and
including the Stated Maturity. The "Option Value" for an Interest Payment Date
is the amount calculated by the Option Value Calculation Agent to be the
arithmetic average of the prices quoted on the date of calculation by three
reference banks (which banks shall be selected by the Option Value Calculation
Agent and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company) for the right on the
Option Election Date immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date to
purchase for value on such Interest Payment Date from such reference banks (A)
the aggregate amount of the Face Amount Currency due on such Interest Payment
Date with respect to all of the Dual Currency Notes of the issuance of such Dual
Currency Note in exchange for (B) the amount of the Optional Payment Currency
that would be received if the amount in clause (A) were converted into the
Optional Payment Currency at the Designated Exchange Rate.
 
     PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ADVISORS
AS TO THE RISKS ENTAILED BY AN INVESTMENT IN DUAL CURRENCY NOTES. DUAL CURRENCY
NOTES ARE NOT AN APPROPRIATE INVESTMENT FOR INVESTORS WHO ARE UNSOPHISTICATED
WITH RESPECT TO FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS.
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>   16
 
             SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES
 
GENERAL
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Notes
will be denominated in U.S. dollars and payments of principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on the Notes will be made in U.S. dollars. The following
provisions shall apply to Foreign Currency Notes. Such provisions are in
addition to, and to the extent inconsistent therewith replace, the description
of general terms and provisions of Notes set forth in the attached Prospectus
and elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement. To the extent Dual Currency Notes
are denominated or payable in a Specified Currency other than U.S. dollars, such
Dual Currency Notes are also Foreign Currency Notes.
 
     Foreign Currency Notes are issuable in registered form only, without
coupons. The denominations for particular Foreign Currency Notes will be
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
 
     Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Pricing Supplement, payment of
the purchase price of Foreign Currency Notes will be made in immediately
available funds.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, all
currency and currency unit amounts used and resulting from calculations relating
to currencies for a Foreign Currency Note will be rounded to the nearest
one-hundredth of a unit (with five one-thousandths of a unit being rounded
upwards).
 
CURRENCIES
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, purchasers
are required to pay for Foreign Currency Notes in the Specified Currency. At the
present time there are limited facilities in the United States for the
conversion of U.S. dollars into foreign currencies or currency units and vice
versa, and banks generally do not offer non-U.S. dollar checking or savings
account facilities in the United States. However, if requested on or prior to
the fifth Business Day preceding the date of delivery of the Notes, or by such
other day as determined by the Agent which presented such offer to purchase
Notes to the Company, such Agent is prepared to arrange for the conversion of
U.S. dollars into the Specified Currency set forth in the applicable Pricing
Supplement to enable the purchasers to pay for the Notes. Each such conversion
will be made by the applicable Agent on such terms and subject to such
conditions, limitations and charges as the applicable Agent may from time to
time establish in accordance with its regular foreign exchange practices. All
costs of exchange will be borne by the purchasers of the Notes.
 
     The Foreign Currency Notes provide that, in the event of an official
redenomination of a foreign currency or currency unit, the obligations of the
Company with respect to payments on Notes denominated or payable in such foreign
currency or currency unit shall, in all cases, be deemed immediately following
such redenomination to provide for payment of that amount of redenominated
currency representing the amount of such obligations immediately before such
redenomination. In no event, however, shall any adjustment be made to any amount
payable under the Notes as a result of any change in the value of such foreign
currency or currency unit relative to any other currency due solely to
fluctuations in exchange rates. See "Foreign Currency Risks--Exchange Rates and
Exchange Controls".
 
PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM, IF ANY, AND INTEREST
 
     The principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Foreign Currency Notes
(other than Dual Currency Notes) are payable by the Company in the Specified
Currency. However, the agent appointed by the Company, initially Chemical Bank
(the "Exchange Rate Agent"), will convert all payments of principal of, premium,
if any, and interest on Foreign Currency Notes to U.S. dollars. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Holder of a Foreign Currency
Note may elect to receive such payments in the Specified Currency as described
below. For the payment of principal and interest on Dual Currency Notes, see
"Description of Notes--Dual Currency Notes".
 
     Any U.S. dollar amount to be received by a Holder of a Foreign Currency
Note will be based on the highest firm bid quotation in The City of New York
received by the Exchange Rate Agent at approximately
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>   17
 
11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding the
applicable payment date from three recognized foreign exchange dealers (one of
whom may be the Exchange Rate Agent) for the purchase by the quoting dealer 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 on such date. If such
bid quotations are not available, payments will be made in the Specified
Currency. All currency exchange costs will be borne by the Holder of the Foreign
Currency Note by deductions from such payments.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, a Holder
of Foreign Currency Notes may elect to receive payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the Notes in the Specified Currency by
transmitting a written request for such payment to the principal office of
Chemical Bank in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York on or prior to
the Regular Record Date or at least fifteen days prior to 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,
premium, if any, and interest payments and need not file a separate election for
each payment. Such election will remain in effect until revoked by written
notice to Chemical Bank in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, but
written notice of any such revocation must be received by Chemical Bank in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York on or prior to the Regular Record
Date or at least fifteen days prior to Maturity, as the case may be. Holders of
Foreign Currency Notes whose Foreign Currency 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.
 
     Interest on Foreign Currency Notes paid in U.S. dollars will be paid in the
manner specified in the attached Prospectus and this Prospectus Supplement for
interest on Notes denominated in U.S. dollars. Interest on Foreign Currency
Notes paid in the Specified Currency will be paid by a check drawn on an account
maintained at a bank outside the United States, unless other arrangements have
been made. The principal and premium, if any, of Foreign Currency Notes,
together with interest accrued and unpaid thereon, due at Maturity will be paid
in immediately available funds against presentation of such Foreign Currency
Notes at the principal offices of Chemical Bank in the Borough of Manhattan, The
City of New York. Any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest
required to be made on an Interest Payment Date or at Maturity of a Foreign
Currency Note which is not a Business Day need not be made on such day, but may
be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if
made on the Interest Payment Date or at Maturity, as the case may be, and no
interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date
or Maturity.
 
PAYMENT CURRENCY
 
     Except as set forth below, if payment on a Foreign Currency Note is
required to be made in a Specified Currency and such currency is unavailable due
to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the
Company's control, 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, then all payments due on that due
date with respect to such Foreign Currency Note shall be made in U.S. dollars.
The amount so payable on any date in such Specified Currency shall be converted
into U.S. dollars at a rate determined by the Exchange Rate Agent on the basis
of the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers in the
Specified Currency, as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York (the "Market Exchange Rate"), on the date of such payment. In
the event such Market Exchange Rate is not then available, the Company will be
entitled to make payments in U.S. dollars (i) if such Specified Currency is not
a composite currency, on the basis of the most recently available Market
Exchange Rate for such Specified Currency or (ii) if such Specified Currency is
a composite currency, in an amount determined by the Exchange Rate Agent to be
the sum of the results obtained by multiplying the number of units of each
component currency of such composite currency, as of the most recent date on
which such composite currency was used, by the Market Exchange Rate for such
component currency on the second Business Day prior to
 
                                      S-17
<PAGE>   18
 
such payment date (or if such Market Exchange Rate is not then available, by the
most recently available Market Exchange Rate for such component currency).
 
     If payment on a Foreign Currency Note is required to be made in ECU and ECU
are unavailable due to the imposition of exchange controls or other
circumstances beyond the Company's control, or are no longer used in the
European Monetary System, then all payments due on that date with respect to
such Foreign Currency Note shall be made in U.S. dollars. The amount so payable
on any date in ECU shall 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") shall be the currency amounts that were
components of the ECU as of the last date on which ECU were used in the European
Monetary System. The equivalent of ECU in U.S. dollars shall be calculated by
aggregating the U.S. dollar equivalents of the Components. The U.S. dollar
equivalent of each of the Components shall be determined by the Exchange Rate
Agent on the basis of the most recently available Market Exchange Rate, or as
otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
 
     If the official unit of any component currency 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 shall 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 shall
be at its sole discretion (except to the extent expressly provided herein that
any determination is subject to approval by the Company) and, in the absence of
manifest error, shall be conclusive for all purposes and binding on Holders of
the Notes and the Exchange Rate Agent shall have no liability therefor.
 
                             FOREIGN CURRENCY RISKS
 
     THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, ANY PRICING SUPPLEMENT HERETO AND THE ATTACHED
PROSPECTUS DO NOT DESCRIBE ALL THE RISKS OF AN INVESTMENT IN FOREIGN CURRENCY
NOTES, CURRENCY INDEXED NOTES OR DUAL CURRENCY NOTES AND THE COMPANY DISCLAIMS
ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVISE PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS OF SUCH RISKS AS THEY EXIST
AT THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR AS SUCH RISKS MAY CHANGE FROM TIME
TO TIME. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN FINANCIAL AND LEGAL
ADVISORS AS TO THE RISKS ENTAILED BY AN INVESTMENT IN SUCH NOTES. SUCH NOTES ARE
NOT AN APPROPRIATE INVESTMENT FOR INVESTORS WHO ARE UNSOPHISTICATED WITH RESPECT
TO FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS.
 
GOVERNING LAW AND JUDGMENTS
 
     The Notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of
the State of New York. Courts in the United States have not customarily rendered
judgments for money damages denominated or payable in any currency other than
the U.S. dollar. New York statutory law provides, however, that a court shall
render a judgment or decree in the foreign currency of the underlying obligation
and that the judgment or decree shall be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate
of exchange prevailing on the date of the entry of the judgment or decree.
 
EXCHANGE RATES AND EXCHANGE CONTROLS -- RISKS
 
     AN INVESTMENT IN FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES ENTAILS SIGNIFICANT RISKS THAT ARE
NOT ASSOCIATED WITH A SIMILAR INVESTMENT IN A SECURITY DENOMINATED AND PAYABLE
IN U.S. DOLLARS. SUCH RISKS INCLUDE, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE
 
                                      S-18
<PAGE>   19
 
POSSIBILITY OF SIGNIFICANT MARKET CHANGES IN RATES OF EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE U.S.
DOLLAR AND THE VARIOUS FOREIGN CURRENCIES, THE POSSIBILITY OF SIGNIFICANT
CHANGES IN RATES OF EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE U.S. DOLLAR AND THE VARIOUS FOREIGN
CURRENCIES RESULTING FROM OFFICIAL REDENOMINATION WITH RESPECT TO A SPECIFIED
CURRENCY AND THE POSSIBILITY OF THE IMPOSITION OR MODIFICATION OF FOREIGN
EXCHANGE CONTROLS BY EITHER THE UNITED STATES OR FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS. SUCH RISKS
GENERALLY DEPEND ON FACTORS OVER WHICH THE COMPANY HAS NO CONTROL, SUCH AS
ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL EVENTS AND ON THE SUPPLY OF AND DEMAND FOR THE RELEVANT
CURRENCIES. IN RECENT YEARS, RATES OF EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE U.S. DOLLAR AND
CERTAIN FOREIGN CURRENCIES HAVE BEEN VOLATILE AND SUCH VOLATILITY MAY BE
EXPECTED IN THE FUTURE. FLUCTUATIONS IN ANY PARTICULAR EXCHANGE RATE THAT HAVE
OCCURRED IN THE PAST ARE NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE, HOWEVER, OF FLUCTUATIONS IN
THE RATE THAT MAY OCCUR DURING THE TERM OF ANY FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTE.
DEPRECIATION OF THE SPECIFIED CURRENCY OF A FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTE AGAINST THE
U.S. DOLLAR WOULD RESULT IN A DECREASE IN THE EFFECTIVE YIELD OF SUCH FOREIGN
CURRENCY NOTE BELOW ITS COUPON RATE, AND IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES COULD RESULT
IN A LOSS TO THE INVESTOR, ON A U.S. DOLLAR BASIS.
 
     GOVERNMENTS HAVE IMPOSED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND MAY IN THE FUTURE IMPOSE,
EXCHANGE CONTROLS THAT COULD AFFECT EXCHANGE RATES AS WELL AS THE AVAILABILITY
OF A SPECIFIED CURRENCY AT AN INTEREST PAYMENT DATE OR AT MATURITY OF A FOREIGN
CURRENCY NOTE. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT EXCHANGE CONTROLS WILL NOT
RESTRICT OR PROHIBIT PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL (AND PREMIUM, IF ANY) OR INTEREST IN
ANY SPECIFIED CURRENCY OTHER THAN U.S. DOLLARS. EVEN IF THERE ARE NO ACTUAL
EXCHANGE CONTROLS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT AT AN INTEREST PAYMENT DATE OR A MATURITY
OF ANY PARTICULAR FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTE, THE SPECIFIED CURRENCY FOR SUCH FOREIGN
CURRENCY NOTE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND
THE CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. IN ANY SUCH EVENT, THE COMPANY WILL MAKE REQUIRED
PAYMENTS IN U.S. DOLLARS ON THE BASIS DESCRIBED HEREIN.
 
     UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN THE APPLICABLE PRICING SUPPLEMENT, NOTES
DENOMINATED OR PAYABLE IN A SPECIFIED CURRENCY OTHER THAN U.S. DOLLARS OR ECU
WILL NOT BE SOLD IN OR TO RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTRY ISSUING THE SPECIFIED
CURRENCY. THE INFORMATION SET FORTH IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE
APPLICABLE PRICING SUPPLEMENT IS DIRECTED TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS WHO ARE
UNITED STATES RESIDENTS, AND THE COMPANY DISCLAIMS ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVISE
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF COUNTRIES OTHER THAN THE UNITED
STATES WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTERS THAT MAY AFFECT THE PURCHASE, HOLDING OR
RECEIPT OF PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL (AND PREMIUM, IF ANY) OR INTEREST ON THE NOTES.
SUCH PERSONS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN COUNSEL WITH REGARD TO SUCH MATTERS.
 
     PRICING SUPPLEMENTS RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES WILL CONTAIN
INFORMATION CONCERNING HISTORICAL EXCHANGE RATES FOR THE SPECIFIED CURRENCY
AGAINST THE U.S. DOLLAR AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENCY AND ANY EXCHANGE
CONTROLS AFFECTING SUCH CURRENCY. PRICING SUPPLEMENTS RELATING TO CURRENCY
INDEXED NOTES WILL CONTAIN INFORMATION AS TO THE RELATIVE HISTORICAL VALUE OF
THE APPLICABLE DENOMINATED CURRENCY AGAINST THE APPLICABLE INDEX CURRENCY AND
ANY EXCHANGE CONTROLS APPLICABLE TO SUCH DENOMINATED CURRENCY OR INDEXED
CURRENCY. PRICING SUPPLEMENTS RELATING TO DUAL CURRENCY NOTES WILL CONTAIN
INFORMATION AS TO THE RELATIVE HISTORICAL VALUE OF THE APPLICABLE FACE AMOUNT
CURRENCY AGAINST THE APPLICABLE OPTIONAL PAYMENT CURRENCY AND ANY EXCHANGE
CONTROLS APPLICABLE TO SUCH FACE AMOUNT CURRENCY OR OPTIONAL PAYMENT CURRENCY.
THE INFORMATION THEREIN CONCERNING EXCHANGE RATES IS FURNISHED AS A MATTER OF
INFORMATION ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS INDICATIVE OF THE RANGE OF OR
TRENDS IN FLUCTUATIONS IN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES THAT MAY OCCUR IN THE FUTURE.
 
                 CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The following summary of the principal U.S. Federal income tax consequences
resulting from the beneficial ownership of Notes by certain persons is based
upon the advice of David S. Poston, Esq., Senior Counsel of the Company. This
summary does not purport to consider all the possible U.S. Federal tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of the Notes and is not
intended to reflect the individual tax position of any beneficial owner. It
deals only with Notes and currencies or composite currencies other than U.S.
dollars ("Foreign Currency") held as capital assets. Moreover, except as
expressly indicated, it addresses the tax consequences to initial purchasers and
does not address the tax consequences to beneficial owners with a special tax
status or special tax situations, such as banks, insurance companies, dealers in
securities or currencies, Notes (or Foreign Currency) held as a hedge against
currency risks or as part of a
 
                                      S-19
<PAGE>   20
 
straddle with other investments or as part of a "synthetic security" or other
integrated investment (including a "conversion transaction") comprised of a Note
and one or more other investments, or purchasers that have a "functional
currency" other than the U.S. dollar. Except to the extent discussed below under
"Non-U.S. Holders", this summary is not applicable to non-United States persons
that are not subject to U.S. Federal income tax on their worldwide income. This
summary is based upon the U.S. Federal tax laws and regulations as now in effect
and as currently interpreted and does not take into account possible changes in
such tax laws or such interpretations, any of which may be applied
retroactively. It does not include any description of the tax laws of any state,
local or foreign governments that may be applicable to the Notes or holders
thereof, and it does not discuss the tax treatment of Notes denominated in
certain hyperinflationary currencies. Persons considering the purchase of Notes
should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the U.S.
Federal tax laws to their particular situations as well as any consequences to
them under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
 
U.S. HOLDERS
 
  Payments of Interest
 
     In general, interest on a Note, whether payable in U.S. dollars or a
Foreign Currency (other than certain payments on a Discount Note, as defined and
described below under "Original Issue Discount"), will be taxable to a
beneficial owner who or which is (i) a citizen or resident of the United States,
(ii) a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States or
any State thereof (including the District of Columbia) or (iii) a person
otherwise subject to United States Federal income taxation on its worldwide
income (a "U.S. Holder") as ordinary income at the time it is received or
accrued, depending on the holder's method of accounting for tax purposes. If an
interest payment is denominated in or determined by reference to a Foreign
Currency, then special rules, described below under "Foreign Currency Notes",
apply.
 
  Original Issue Discount
 
     The following discussion summarizes the United States Federal income tax
consequences to holders of Notes issued with original issue discount ("OID").
The basic rules for reporting OID are contained in the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"). On February 4, 1994, the Treasury Department
published final regulations (the "OID Regulations"), which expand and illustrate
the rules provided by the Code.
 
     Special rules apply to OID on a Discount Note that is denominated in
Foreign Currency. See "Foreign Currency Notes -- Foreign Currency Discount
Notes".
 
     General.  A Note will be treated as issued with OID (a "Discount Note") if
the excess of the Note's "stated redemption price at maturity" over its issue
price is greater than a de minimis amount (set forth in the Code and the OID
Regulations). Generally, the issue price of a Note (or any Note that is part of
an issue of Notes) will be the first price at which a substantial amount of
Notes that are part of such issue of Notes are sold (other than to underwriters,
placement agents or wholesalers). Under the OID Regulations, the "stated
redemption price at maturity" of a Note is the sum of all payments provided by
the Note that are not payments of "qualified stated interest". A "qualified
stated interest" payment includes any stated interest payment on a Note that is
unconditionally payable at least annually at a single fixed rate (or at certain
floating rates) that appropriately takes into account the length of the interval
between stated interest payments. The Pricing Supplement will state whether a
particular issue of Notes will constitute an issue of Discount Notes.
 
     In general, if the excess of a Note's stated redemption price at maturity
over its issue price is de minimis, then such excess constitutes "de minimis
OID". Under the OID Regulations, unless the election described below under
"Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount" is made, such a Note
will not be treated as issued with OID (in which case the following paragraphs
under "Original Issue Discount" will not apply) and a U.S. Holder of such a Note
will recognize capital gain with respect to such de minimis OID as stated
principal payments on the Note are made. The amount of such gain with respect to
each such payment will equal the product of the total amount of the Note's de
minimis OID and a fraction, the numerator of
 
                                      S-20
<PAGE>   21
 
which is the amount of the principal payment made and the denominator of which
is the stated principal amount of the Note.
 
     In certain cases, Notes that bear stated interest and are issued at par may
be deemed to bear OID for Federal income tax purposes, with the result that the
inclusion of interest in income for Federal income tax purposes may vary from
the actual cash payments of interest made on such Notes, generally accelerating
income for cash method taxpayers. Under the OID Regulations, a Note may be a
Discount Note where, among other things, (i) a Note bearing interest at a
floating rate (a "Floating Rate Note") provides for a maximum interest rate or a
minimum interest rate that is reasonably expected as of the issue date to cause
the yield on the debt instrument to be significantly less, in the case of a
maximum rate, or more, in the case of a minimum rate, than the expected yield
determined without the maximum or minimum rate, as the case may be; (ii) a
Floating Rate Note provides for significant front-loading or back-loading of
interest; or (iii) a Note bears interest at a floating rate in combination with
one or more other floating or fixed rates. Notice will be given in the
applicable Pricing Supplement when the Company determines that a particular Note
will be a Discount Note. Unless specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
Floating Rate Notes will not be Discount Notes.
 
     The Code and the OID Regulations provide rules that require a U.S. Holder
of a Discount Note having a maturity of more than one year from its date of
issue to include OID in gross income before the receipt of cash attributable to
such income, without regard to the holder's method of accounting for tax
purposes. The amount of OID includible in gross income by a U.S. Holder of a
Discount Note is the sum of the "daily portions" of OID with respect to the
Discount Note for each day during the taxable year or portion of the taxable
year in which the U.S. Holder holds such Discount Note ("accrued OID"). The
daily portion is determined by allocating to each day in any "accrual period" a
pro rata portion of the OID allocable to that accrual period. Under the OID
Regulations, accrual periods with respect to a Note may be any set of periods
(which may be of varying lengths) selected by the U.S. Holder as long as (i) no
accrual period is longer than one year and (ii) each scheduled payment of
interest or principal on the Discount Note occurs on the first day or final day
of an accrual period.
 
     The amount of OID allocable to an accrual period equals the excess of (a)
the product of the Discount Note's adjusted issue price at the beginning of the
accrual period and the Discount Note's yield to maturity (determined on the
basis of compounding at the close of each accrual period and properly adjusted
for the length of the accrual period) over (b) the sum of any payments of
qualified stated interest on the Discount Note allocable to the accrual period.
The "adjusted issue price" of a Discount Note at the beginning of the first
accrual period is the issue price and at the beginning of any accrual period
thereafter is (x) the sum of the issue price of such Discount Note, the accrued
OID for each prior accrual period (determined without regard to the amortization
of any acquisition premium or bond premium, which are discussed below), and the
amount of any qualified stated interest on the Discount Note that has accrued
prior to the beginning of the accrual period but is not payable until a later
date, less (y) any prior payments on the Discount Note that were not qualified
stated interest payments. If a payment (other than a payment of qualified stated
interest) is made on the first day of an accrual period, then the adjusted issue
price at the beginning of such accrual period will be decreased by the amount of
the payment. If a portion of the initial purchase price of a Discount Note is
attributable to interest that accrued prior to the Discount Note's issue date,
the first stated interest payment on the Discount Note is to be made within one
year of the Discount Note's issue date and such payment will equal or exceed the
amount of pre-issuance accrued interest, then the U.S. Holder may elect to
decrease the issue price of the Discount Note by the amount of pre-issuance
accrued interest, in which case a portion of the first stated interest payment
will be treated as a return of the excluded preissuance accrued interest and not
as an amount payable on the Discount Note.
 
     The OID Regulations contain certain special rules that generally allow any
reasonable method to be used in determining the amount of OID allocable to a
short initial accrual period (if all other accrual periods are of equal length)
and require that the amount of OID allocable to the final accrual period equal
the excess of the amount payable at the maturity of the Discount Note (other
than any payment of qualified stated interest) over the Discount Note's adjusted
issue price as of the beginning of such final accrual period. In addition, if an
interval between payments of qualified stated interest on a Discount Note
contains more than one accrual
 
                                      S-21
<PAGE>   22
 
period, then the amount of qualified stated interest payable at the end of such
interval is allocated pro rata (on the basis of their relative lengths) between
the accrual periods contained in the interval.
 
     A U.S. Holder of a Discount Note generally will have to include in income
increasingly greater amounts of OID over the life of the Discount Note.
 
     Acquisition Premium.  A U.S. Holder that purchases a Discount Note at its
original issuance for an amount in excess of its issue price but less than its
stated redemption price at maturity (any such excess being "acquisition
premium"), and that does not make the election described below under "Original
Issue Discount -- Election To Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount", is
permitted to reduce the daily portions of OID by a fraction, the numerator of
which is the excess of the U.S. Holder's purchase price for the Note over the
issue price, and the denominator of which is the excess of the sum of all
amounts payable on the Note after the purchase date, other than payments of
qualified stated interest, over the Note's issue price. Alternatively, a U.S.
Holder may elect to compute OID accruals as described under "Original Issue
Discount -- General" above, treating the U.S. Holder's purchase price as the
issue price.
 
     Optional Redemption.  If the Company has an option to redeem a Discount
Note, or the Holder has an option to cause a Discount Note to be repurchased,
prior to the Discount Note's stated maturity, such option will be presumed to be
exercised if, by utilizing any date on which such Discount Note may be redeemed
or repurchased as the maturity date and the amount payable on such date in
accordance with the terms of such Discount Note (the "redemption price") as the
stated redemption price at maturity, the yield on the Discount Note would be (i)
in the case of an option of the Company, lower than its yield to stated
maturity, or (ii) in the case of an option of the Holder, higher than its yield
to stated maturity. If such option is not in fact exercised when presumed to be
exercised, the Discount Note would be treated solely for OID purposes as if it
were redeemed or repurchased, and a new Discount Note were issued, on the
presumed exercise date for an amount equal to the Discount Note's adjusted issue
price on that date.
 
     Short-Term Notes.  Under the Code, special rules apply with respect to OID
on Notes that mature one year or less from the date of issuance ("Short-Term
Notes"). In general, a cash basis U.S. Holder of a Short-Term Note is not
required to include OID in income as it accrues for United States Federal income
tax purposes unless it elects to do so. Accrual basis U.S. Holders and certain
other U.S. Holders, including banks, regulated investment companies, dealers in
securities and cash basis U.S. Holders who so elect, are required to include OID
in income as it accrues on Short-Term Notes on a straight-line basis or, at the
election of the U.S. Holder, under the constant yield method (based on daily
compounding). In the case of a U.S. Holders not required and not electing to
include OID in income currently, any gain realized on the sale or retirement of
Short-Term Notes will be ordinary income to the extent of the OID accrued on a
straight-line basis (unless an election is made to accrue the original issue
discount under the constant yield method) through the date of sale or
retirement. U.S. Holders who are not required and do not elect to include OID on
Short-Term Notes in income as it accrues will be required to defer deductions
for interest on borrowings allocable to Short-Term Notes in an amount not
exceeding the deferred income until the deferred income is realized.
 
     Any U.S. Holder of a Short-Term Note can elect to apply the rules in the
preceding paragraph taking into account the amount of "acquisition discount", if
any, with respect to the Note (rather than the OID with respect to such Note).
Acquisition discount is the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity of
the Short-Term Note over the U.S. Holder's purchase price therefor. Acquisition
discount will be treated as accruing on a ratable basis or, at the election of
the U.S. Holder, on a constant-yield basis.
 
     For purposes of determining the amount of OID subject to these rules, the
OID Regulations provide that no interest payments on a Short-Term Note are
qualified stated interest, but instead such interest payments are included in
the Short-Term Note's stated redemption price at maturity.
 
  Notes Purchased at a Premium
 
     Under the Code, a U.S. Holder that purchases a Note for an amount in excess
of its stated redemption price at maturity will not be subject to the OID rules
and may elect to treat such excess as "amortizable bond premium", in which case
the amount of qualified stated interest required to be included in the U.S.
Holder's
 
                                      S-22
<PAGE>   23
 
income each year with respect to interest on the Note will be reduced by the
amount of amortizable bond premium allocable (based on the Note's yield to
maturity) to such year. Any election to amortize bond premium is applicable to
all bonds (other than bonds the interest on which is excludible from gross
income) held by the U.S. Holder at the beginning of the first taxable year to
which the election applies or thereafter acquired by the U.S. Holder, and may
not be revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). See
also "Original Issue Discount -- Election to Treat All Interest as Original
Issue Discount".
 
  Notes Purchased at a Market Discount
 
     A Note, other than a Short-Term Note, will be treated as issued at a market
discount (a "Market Discount Note") if the amount for which a U.S. Holder
purchased the Note is less than the Note's issue price, subject to a de minimis
rule similar to the rule relating to de minimis OID described under "Original
Issue Discount -- General".
 
     In general, any gain recognized on the maturity or disposition of a Market
Discount Note will be treated as ordinary income to the extent that such gain
does not exceed the accrued market discount on such Note. Alternatively, a U.S.
Holder of a Market Discount Note may elect to include market discount in income
currently over the life of the Market Discount Note. Such an election applies to
all debt instruments with market discount acquired by the electing U.S. Holder
on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election
applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.
 
     Market discount accrues on a straight-line basis unless the U.S. Holder
elects to accrue such discount on a constant yield to maturity basis. Such an
election is applicable only to the Market Discount Note with respect to which it
is made and is irrevocable. A U.S. Holder of a Market Discount Note that does
not elect to include market discount in income currently generally will be
required to defer deductions for interest on borrowings allocable to such Note
in an amount not exceeding the accrued market discount on such Note until the
maturity or disposition of such Note.
 
     The market discount rules do not apply to a Short-Term Note.
 
  Election To Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount
 
     Any U.S. Holder may elect to include in gross income all interest that
accrues on a Note using the constant yield method described above under the
heading "Original Issue Discount -- General," with the modifications described
below. For purposes of this election, interest includes stated interest, OID, de
minimis OID, market discount acquisition discount, de minimis market discount
and unstated interest, as adjusted by any amortizable bond premium or
acquisition premium.
 
     In applying the constant yield method to a Note with respect to which this
election has been made, the issue price of the Note will equal the electing U.S.
Holder's adjusted basis in the Note immediately after its acquisition, the issue
date of the Note will be the date of its acquisition by the electing U.S.
Holder, and no payments on the Note will be treated as payments of qualified
stated interest. This election is generally applicable only to the Note with
respect to which it is made and may not be revoked without the consent of the
IRS. If this election is made with respect to a Note with amortizable bond
premium, the electing U.S. Holder will be deemed to have elected to apply
amortizable bond premium against interest with respect to all debt instruments
with amortizable bond premium (other than debt instruments the interest on which
is excludible from gross income) held by such electing U.S. Holder as of the
beginning of the taxable year in which the election is made or any debt
instrument acquired thereafter. The deemed election with respect to amortizable
bond premium may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.
 
     If the election described above to apply the constant yield method to all
interest on a Note is made with respect to a Market Discount Note, as defined
above, then the electing U.S. Holder will be treated as having made the election
discussed above under "Notes Purchased at a Market Discount" to include market
discount in income currently over the life of all debt instruments held or
thereafter acquired by such U.S. Holder.
 
                                      S-23
<PAGE>   24
 
  Purchase, Sale and Retirement of the Notes
 
     General.  A U.S. Holder's tax basis in a Note will generally be its U.S.
dollar cost (which, in the case of a Note purchased with a Foreign Currency,
will be the U.S. dollar value of the purchase price on the date of purchase),
increased by the amount of any OID or market discount (or acquisition discount,
in the case of a Short-Term Note) included in the U.S. Holder's income with
respect to the Note and the amount, if any, of income attributable to de minimis
OID included in the U.S. Holder's income with respect to the Note, and reduced
by the sum of (i) the amount of any payments that are not qualified stated
interest payments, and (ii) the amount of any amortizable bond premium applied
to reduce interest on the Note. A U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or
loss on the sale or retirement of a Note equal to the difference between the
amount realized on the sale or retirement and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the
Note. The amount realized on a sale or retirement for an amount in Foreign
Currency will be the U.S. dollar value of such amount on the date of sale or
retirement. Except to the extent described above under "Original Issue
Discount -- Short Term Notes" or "Market Discount" or below under "Foreign
Currency Notes -- Exchange Gain or Loss", and except to the extent attributable
to accrued but unpaid interest, gain or loss recognized on the sale or
retirement of a Note will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital
gain or loss if the Note was held for more than one year.
 
  Foreign Currency Notes
 
     Interest Payments.  If an interest payment is denominated in or determined
by reference to a Foreign Currency, the amount of income recognized by a cash
basis U.S. Holder will be the U.S. dollar value of the interest payment, based
on the exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the
payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Accrual basis U.S. Holders may
determine the amount of income recognized with respect to such interest payment
in accordance with either of two methods. Under the first method, the amount of
income recognized will be based on the average exchange rate in effect during
the interest accrual period (or, with respect to an accrual period that spans
two taxable years, the partial period within the taxable year). Upon receipt of
an interest payment (including a payment attributable to accrued but unpaid
interest upon the sale or retirement of a Note) determined by reference to a
Foreign Currency, an accrual basis U.S. Holder will recognize ordinary income or
loss measured by the difference between such average exchange rate and the
exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the
payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Under the second method, an
accrual basis U.S. Holder may elect to translate interest income into U.S.
dollars at the spot exchange rate in effect on the last day of the accrual
period or, in the case of an accrual period that spans two taxable years, at the
exchange rate in effect on the last day of the partial period within the taxable
year. Additionally, if a payment of interest is actually received within 5
business days of the last day of the accrual period or taxable year, an accrual
basis U.S. Holder applying the second method may instead translate such accrued
interest into U.S. dollars at the spot exchange rate in effect on the day of
actual receipt (in which case no exchange gain or loss will result). Any
election to apply the second method will apply to all debt instruments held by
the U.S. Holder at the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election
applies or thereafter acquired by the U.S. Holder and may not be revoked without
the consent of the IRS.
 
     Exchange of Amounts in Other than U.S. Dollars.  Foreign Currency received
as interest on a Note or on the sale or retirement of a Note will have a tax
basis equal to its U.S. dollar value at the time such interest is received or at
the time of such sale or retirement, as the case may be. Foreign Currency that
is purchased will generally have a tax basis equal to the U.S. dollar value of
the Foreign Currency on the date of purchase. Any gain or loss recognized on a
sale or other disposition of a Foreign Currency (including its use to purchase
Notes or upon exchange for U.S. dollars) will be ordinary income or loss.
 
     Foreign Currency Discount Notes.  OID for any accrual period on a Discount
Note that is denominated in a Foreign Currency will be determined in the Foreign
Currency and then translated into U.S. dollars in the same manner as stated
interest accrued by an accrual basis U.S. Holder. Upon receipt of an amount
attributable to original issue discount (whether in connection with a payment of
interest or the sale or retirement of a Note), a U.S. Holder may recognize
ordinary income or loss.
 
                                      S-24
<PAGE>   25
 
     Amortizable Bond Premium.  In the case of a Note that is denominated in a
Foreign Currency, bond premium will be computed in units of Foreign Currency,
and amortizable bond premium will reduce interest income in units of the Foreign
Currency. At the time amortized bond premium offsets interest income, a U.S.
Holder may realize ordinary income or loss, measured by the difference between
exchange rates at that time and at the time of the acquisition of the Notes.
 
     Exchange Gain or Loss.  Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on the
sale or retirement of a Note that is attributable to changes in exchange rates
will be treated as ordinary income or loss. However, exchange gain or loss is
taken into account only to the extent of total gain or loss realized on the
transaction.
 
  Indexed Notes
 
     The applicable Pricing Supplement will contain a discussion of any special
United States Federal income tax rules with respect to Currency Indexed Notes,
Priced Indexed Notes, Dual Currency Notes or other indexed Notes.
 
NON-U.S. HOLDERS
 
     Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, payments of
principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including OID) by the Company or
any agent of the Company (acting in its capacity as such) to any holder of a
Note that is not a U.S. Holder (a "Non-U.S. Holder") will not be subject to U.S.
Federal withholding tax, provided, in the case of interest (including OID), that
(i) the Non-U.S. Holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of
the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled
to vote, (ii) the Non-U.S. Holder is not a controlled foreign corporation for
U.S. tax purposes that is related to the Company (directly or indirectly)
through stock ownership and (iii) either (A) the Non-U.S. Holder certifies to
the Company or its agent under penalties of perjury that it is not a United
States person and provides its 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") and holds the Note certifies to the Company or its agent under
penalties of perjury that such statement has been received from the Non-U.S.
Holder by it or by another financial institution and furnishes the payor with a
copy thereof.
 
     If a Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a trade or business in the United States
and interest (including OID) on the Note is effectively connected with the
conduct of such trade or business, the Non-U.S. Holder, although exempt from the
withholding tax discussed in the preceding paragraph (provided that such holder
furnishes a properly executed IRS Form 4224 on or before any payment date to
claim such exception), may be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on such
interest (or OID) in the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder. In addition,
if the Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch
profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits for
the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments. For purposes of the branch
profits tax, interest (including OID) on a Note will be included in the earnings
and profits of such holder if such interest (or OID) is effectively connected
with the conduct by such holder of a trade or business in the United States. In
lieu of the certificate described in the preceding paragraph, such a holder must
provide the payor with a properly executed IRS Form 4224 to claim an exemption
from U.S. Federal withholding tax.
 
     Any capital gain, market discount or exchange gain realized on the sale,
exchange, retirement or other disposition of a Note by a Non-U.S. Holder will
not be subject to U.S. Federal income or withholding taxes if (i) such gain is
not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. Holder
and (ii) in the case of an individual, such Non-U.S. Holder (A) is not present
in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale,
exchange, retirement or other disposition or (B) does not have a tax home (as
defined in Section 911(d)(3) of the Code) in the United States in the taxable
year of the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition and the gain is not
attributable to an office or other fixed place of business maintained by such
individual in the United States.
 
     Notes held by an individual who is neither a citizen nor a resident of the
United States for U.S. Federal tax purposes at the time of such individual's
death will not be subject to U.S. Federal estate tax, provided that
 
                                      S-25
<PAGE>   26
 
the income from such Notes was not or would not have been effectively connected
with a U.S. trade or business of such individual and that such individual
qualified for the exemption from U.S. Federal withholding tax (without regard to
the certification requirements) described above.
 
     PURCHASERS OF NOTES WHO ARE NON-U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX
ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE POSSIBLE APPLICABILITY OF UNITED STATES WITHHOLDING
AND OTHER TAXES UPON INCOME REALIZED IN RESPECT OF THE NOTES.
 
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
     For each calendar year in which the Notes are outstanding, the Company is
required to provide the IRS with certain information, including the holder's
name, address and taxpayer identification number (either the holder's Social
Security number or its employer identification number, as the case may be), the
aggregate amount of principal and interest paid (including OID, if any) to that
holder during the calendar year and the amount of tax withheld, if any. This
obligation, however, does not apply with respect to certain U.S. Holders,
including corporations, tax-exempt organizations, qualified pension and profit
sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts.
 
     In the event that a U.S. Holder subject to the reporting requirements
described above fails to supply its correct taxpayer identification number in
the manner required by applicable law or underreports its tax liability, the
Company, its agents or paying agents or a broker may be required to "backup"
withhold a tax equal to 31% of each payment of interest (including OID) and
principal (and premium, if any) on the Notes. This backup withholding is not an
additional tax and may be credited against the U.S. Holder's U.S. Federal income
tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
 
     Under current Treasury Regulations, backup withholding and information
reporting will not apply to payments made by the Company or any agent thereof
(in its capacity as such) to a Non-U.S. Holder of a Note if such holder has
provided the required certification that it is not a United States person as set
forth in clause (iii) in the first paragraph under "Non-U.S. Holders" above, or
has otherwise established an exemption (provided that neither the Company nor
its agent has actual knowledge that the holder is a United States person or that
the conditions of any exemption are not in fact satisfied).
 
     Payment of the proceeds from the sale of a Note to or through a foreign
office of a broker will not be subject to information reporting or backup
withholding, except that if the broker is a United States person, a controlled
foreign corporation for United States tax purposes or a foreign person 50
percent or more of whose gross income from all sources for the three-year period
ending with the close of its taxable year preceding the payment was effectively
connected with a U.S. trade or business, information reporting may apply to such
payments. Payment of the proceeds from a sale of a Note to or through the U.S.
office of a broker is subject to information reporting and backup withholding
unless the holder or beneficial owner certifies as to its taxpayer
identification number or otherwise establishes an exemption from information
reporting and backup withholding.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     Under the terms of an Agency Agreement dated June 15, 1995 (the "Agency
Agreement"), the Notes are being offered on a continuing basis by the Company
through the Agents, each of which has agreed to use its best efforts to solicit
offers to purchase the Notes. The Company will pay each Agent a commission of
from .125% to .750% of the principal amount of each Note, depending upon its
Stated Maturity, sold through such Agent; provided, however, that commissions
with respect to Notes with a Stated Maturity of more than thirty years will be
negotiated between the Company and the applicable Agent at the time of sale. The
Company will have the sole right to accept offers to purchase Notes and may
reject any such offer, in whole or in part. Each Agent will have the right, in
its discretion reasonably exercised, without notice to the Company, to reject
any offer to purchase Notes received by it, in whole or in part. The Company may
also sell Notes to any Agent, acting as principal, or to a group of underwriters
for whom an Agent acts as representative, at a discount or
 
                                      S-26
<PAGE>   27
 
premium to be agreed upon at the time of sale, for resale to one or more
investors or purchasers at a fixed offering price or varying prices related to
prevailing market prices at the time of such resale, as determined by such
Agent, or for resale to certain securities dealers at the offering price set
forth on the cover page of the applicable Pricing Supplement, less a concession,
such concession allowed not to be in excess of the discount received by the
Agent from the Company unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement. The offering price and other selling terms for such resales may from
time to time be varied by such Agent. The Company has reserved the right to sell
Notes directly or indirectly to investors from time to time on its own behalf,
in which case no commission will be paid. The Company may accept (but not
solicit) offers to purchase Notes through additional agents on substantially the
same terms and conditions (including commission rates) as would apply to
purchases under the Agency Agreement. In addition, the Company may appoint
additional agents for the purpose of soliciting offers to purchase Notes. Such
other agents, if any, will be named in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, payment of
the purchase price of Notes will be required to be made in immediately available
funds in The City of New York.
 
     The Agents may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"). The Company has agreed to indemnify the
Agents against and contribute toward certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Act. The Company has agreed to reimburse the Agents for certain
expenses. In the event the Company sells Notes through additional agents named
in an applicable Pricing Supplement, the Company anticipates that it will enter
into similar arrangements for the benefit of such additional agents.
 
     In addition to offering Notes through the Agents as described herein, Debt
Securities (other than Notes) sold pursuant to the Registration Statement of
which the attached Prospectus is a part may reduce the remaining amount of Notes
which may be offered by this Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange and will not have
an established trading market when issued. Each Agent may make a market in the
Notes, but such Agent is not obligated to do so and may discontinue
market-making at any time without notice. There can be no assurance that the
Notes offered by this Prospectus Supplement will be sold or that there will be a
secondary market for the Notes.
 
     The Agents and, in certain cases, affiliates of the Agents have engaged,
and may in the future engage, in transactions (including, in the case of J.P.
Morgan Securities Inc., commercial banking transactions) with the Company and
certain of its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
     The validity of the Notes offered hereby will be passed on for the Company
by Howard J. Rudge, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the
Company, and for the Agents by Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Mr. Rudge beneficially
owned as of June 15, 1995, 98,900 shares of Common Stock of the Company,
including 86,056 shares of which he has the right to acquire beneficial
ownership within 60 days through the exercise of stock options awarded under the
Company's Stock Option Plan. Cravath, Swaine & Moore performs legal services for
the Company from time to time.
 
                                      S-27
<PAGE>   28
 
                                     (LOGO)
 
                            E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS
                                  AND COMPANY
 
                                DEBT SECURITIES
                            ------------------------
     E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (the "Company" or "DuPont") may sell
from time to time debt securities (the "Debt Securities") on terms to be
determined at the time of sale, from which the Company will receive up to an
aggregate of $3,442,560,000 in proceeds or, if the principal of the Debt
Securities is payable in a foreign or composite currency, the equivalent thereof
at the time of offering. The specific designation, aggregate principal amount,
designated currency or composite currency, authorized denominations, purchase
price, maturity, rate (which may be fixed or variable) and time of payment of
any interest, any redemption terms, terms for sinking fund payments, and other
specific terms in connection with the offering and sale of Debt Securities, and
any listing on a securities exchange of the Debt Securities in respect of which
this Prospectus is being delivered ("Offered Debt Securities") are set forth in
the accompanying prospectus supplement ("Prospectus Supplement"), together with
the terms of offering of the Offered Debt Securities.
 
     The Debt Securities will be sold through agents designated from time to
time, through underwriters or dealers or directly by the Company. If any agents
of the Company or any underwriters are involved in the sale of the Offered Debt
Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, the names of
such agents or underwriters and any applicable commissions or discounts are set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement. The net proceeds to the Company from such
sale are also set forth in the Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Debt Securities of a series may be issuable in registered form without
coupons ("Registered Securities"), in bearer form with coupons attached ("Bearer
Securities") or in the form of one or more global securities (each a "Global
Security"). Bearer Securities will be offered only outside the United States and
its possessions to non-United States persons and to offices located outside the
United States and its possessions of certain United States financial
institutions and other exempt persons.
 
                           ------------------------
 
 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.
 
                           ------------------------
 
     This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Debt Securities
unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.
 
                  The date of this Prospectus is May 25, 1994
<PAGE>   29
 
     NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND,
IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS
HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY AGENT, UNDERWRITER OR DEALER. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO
WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION. THE DELIVERY OF
THIS PROSPECTUS AT ANY TIME DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS
CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company 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. Reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission can be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and at the following Regional Offices of the Commission: New York
Regional Office, 7 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048; and Chicago
Regional Office, Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite
1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can also be obtained from
the Public Reference Section of the Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549 at
prescribed rates. Such reports, proxy statements and other information can also
be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange Inc., 20 Broad
Street, New York, New York 10005, on which certain of the Company's securities
are listed. This Prospectus does not contain all information set forth in the
Registration Statement and Exhibits thereto, which the Company has filed with
the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 and to which reference is hereby
made.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The documents listed below heretofore filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission are incorporated herein by reference.
 
          (a) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
     December 31, 1993.
 
          (b) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 25, 1994.
 
     All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this Prospectus
and prior to the termination of the offering of the Debt Securities shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be part hereof
from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be modified
or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein, or contained 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 supersedes such statement. Any
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. Any documents
incorporated by reference do not form part of the listing particulars of the
Council of The International Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom and the
Republic of Ireland Limited.
 
     THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES TO PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM A
COPY OF THIS PROSPECTUS HAS BEEN DELIVERED, ON THE WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF
ANY SUCH PERSON, A COPY OF ANY OR ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO ABOVE WHICH
HAVE BEEN OR MAY BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS, OTHER THAN
EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS (UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED
BY REFERENCE INTO THE INFORMATION THAT THIS PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES). REQUESTS
FOR SUCH COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO CAPITAL MARKETS, DUPONT FINANCE, E. I. DU
PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY, 1007 MARKET STREET, WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19898
(TELEPHONE: 302-774-1000).
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   30
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (the "Company") was founded in 1802
and was incorporated in Delaware in 1915. Its principal executive offices are at
1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19898 (telephone: (302) 774-1000).
 
     The Company has five principal business segments--Chemicals, Fibers,
Polymers, Petroleum and Diversified Businesses. Manufacturing and selling
activities of businesses in the Chemicals, Fibers, Polymers and Diversified
Businesses segments are conducted principally through various operating units.
The Petroleum segment businesses are conducted principally through Conoco Inc.
Other subsidiaries and affiliates also conduct exploration, production,
manufacturing or selling activities, and some are distributors of products
manufactured by the Company.
 
     The Company has approximately 85 businesses that manufacture and sell a
wide range of products to many different markets, including the energy,
transportation, textile, construction, automotive, electronics, printing, health
care, packaging and agricultural markets. The Company and its subsidiaries have
operations in about 70 nations worldwide and, as a result, about 45% of
consolidated revenues are derived from sales outside the United States, based on
the location of the corporate unit making the sale.
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,             
                                       THREE MONTHS ENDED     -----------------------------------------    
                                         MARCH 31, 1994       1993     1992     1991     1990     1989     
                                      --------------------    -----    -----    -----    -----    -----    
<S>                                             <C>            <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed                      
  Charges...........................            6.2            2.0      2.7      3.5      4.7      6.0                 
</TABLE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Except as may otherwise be disclosed in the Prospectus Supplement, the net
proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Debt Securities offered hereby will
be used for general corporate purposes.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell the Debt Securities in any of four ways: (i) through
underwriters or dealers; (ii) directly to one or more purchasers, (iii) to both
investors and dealers through a specific bidding or auction process or
otherwise; or (iv) through agents. The Prospectus Supplement with respect to the
Offered Debt Securities sets forth the terms of the offering of the Offered Debt
Securities, including the name or names of any underwriters, the purchase price
of the Offered Debt Securities and the proceeds to the Company from such sale,
any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters'
compensation, any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions
allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchanges on which
the Offered Debt Securities may be listed. If a bidding or auction process is
utilized, it is described in the Prospectus Supplement.
 
     If underwriters are used in the sale, the Debt Securities will be acquired
by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in
one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public
offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The Debt
Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates
represented by managing underwriters or directly by any underwriters. Unless
otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, the obligations of the
underwriters to purchase the Offered Debt Securities will be subject to certain
conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the
Offered Debt Securities if any 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.
 
     Offered Debt Securities may be sold directly by the Company or through
agents designated by the Company from time to time. Any agent involved in the
offer or sale of the Offered Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus
is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by the Company to such
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   31
 
agent will be set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise
indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best
efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
 
     If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize
agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain specified
institutions to purchase Offered Debt Securities from the Company at the public
offering price set forth in the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to delayed
delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the
future. 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 the solicitation of such contracts.
 
     Agents and underwriters may be entitled under agreements entered into with
the Company to indemnification by the Company against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribution with
respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in
respect thereof. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in
transactions with, or perform services for the Company in the ordinary course of
business.
 
     Each underwriter, dealer and agent participating in the distribution of any
Offered Debt Securities which are issuable in bearer form will agree that it
will not offer, sell or deliver Offered Debt Securities in bearer form within
the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons
(other than qualifying financial institutions) (i) until 40 days after the
settlement date or (ii) at any time if the obligation is held as part of an
unsold allotment or subscription (the "Restricted Period").
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The Debt Securities are to be issued either under an Indenture dated as of
June 1, 1992 between the Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee (the "BT
Indenture") or under an Indenture dated as of June 1, 1992 between the Company
and Chemical Bank, as Trustee (the "Chemical Indenture", and collectively with
the BT Indenture, the "Indenture"), each of which is incorporated or filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement, of which this Prospectus is a part, filed
by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Trustee will be
designated in the Prospectus Supplement for each series of Debt Securities, and
all references herein to the "Trustee" shall be deemed to mean the Trustee so
identified in such Prospectus Supplement. The following summaries of certain
provisions of the Indenture do not purport to be complete and are subject to,
and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the
Indenture, including the definition therein of certain terms.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Indenture does not limit the amount of Debt Securities which can be
issued thereunder and provides that Debt Securities may be issued thereunder up
to the aggregate principal amount which may be authorized from time to time by
the Company. The Debt Securities will be unsecured and will rank on a parity
with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.
 
     Reference is hereby made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the
Offered Debt Securities for the terms of such Debt Securities, including, where
applicable: (i) the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency or
currencies and denominations of such Debt Securities; (ii) the price or prices
(expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which
such Debt Securities will be issued; (iii) the date or dates on which such Debt
Securities will mature; (iv) the currency or currencies in which such Debt
Securities are being sold and in which the principal of and any interest on such
Debt Securities will be payable and whether the holder of any such Debt
Securities may elect the currency in which payments thereon are to be made, and,
if so, the manner of such election; (v) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or
variable) per annum at which such Debt Securities will bear interest, if any;
(vi) the date from which such interest on such Debt Securities will accrue, the
dates on which such interest will be payable and the date on which payment of
such interest will commence; (vii) the dates on which and the price or prices at
which such Debt Securities will, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund
provision, or may, pursuant to any optional redemption or required repayment
provisions, be redeemed or repaid and the other terms and provisions of any such
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   32
 
mandatory sinking fund, optional redemption or required repayment; (viii)
whether such Debt Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities, Bearer
Securities or both and the terms upon which any Bearer Securities of such series
may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series; (ix) whether such
Debt Securities are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more
Global Securities and, if so, the identity of the Depositary or Depositaries for
such Global Security or Securities; (x) any special provisions for the payment
of additional amounts with respect to such Debt Securities; (xi) if a temporary
Global Security is to be issued with respect to such series, the requirements
for certification of ownership by non-United States persons that will apply
prior to (a) the issuance of a definitive Bearer Security or (b) the payment of
interest on an Interest Payment Date that occurs before the issuance of a
definitive Bearer Security; (xii) if a temporary Global Security is to be issued
with respect to such series, the terms upon which interests in such temporary
Global Security may be exchanged for interests in a definitive Global Security
or for definitive Debt Securities of the series and the terms upon which
interests in a definitive Global Security, if any, may be exchanged for
definitive Debt Securities of the series; (xiii) any additional restrictive
covenants included for the benefit of holders of such Debt Securities; (xiv)
additional Events of Default provided with respect to such Debt Securities; (xv)
if the Debt Securities of such series are subject to defeasance at the option of
the Company, the provisions, Federal income tax consequences and other
considerations applicable thereto; and (xvi) the designated Trustee for such
Debt Securities. (Section 301)
 
     The Debt Securities may be issuable as Registered Securities, Bearer
Securities or both. Debt Securities of a series may be issuable in whole or in
part in the form of one or more Global Securities, as described below under
"Global Securities". Unless the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto specifies
otherwise, Registered Securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued only
in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof and Bearer
Securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued only in the denominations
of $1,000, $10,000, and $100,000. See, however, "Limitations on Issuance of
Bearer Securities" below. One or more Global Securities will be issued in a
denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the aggregate principal amount
of Outstanding Debt Securities of the series to be represented by such Global
Security or Securities. The Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Debt
Securities denominated in a foreign or composite currency will specify the
denomination thereof and any special U.S. Federal income tax and other
considerations relating thereto. No service charge will be made for any transfer
or exchange of Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith. (Sections 302 and 305)
 
     At the option of the Holder upon request confirmed in writing, and subject
to the terms of the Indenture, Bearer Securities (with all unmatured coupons,
except as provided below) of any series will be exchangeable into an equal
aggregate principal amount of Registered Securities (if the Debt Securities of
such series are issuable as Registered Securities) or Bearer Securities of the
same series (with the same interest rate and maturity date), but no Bearer
Security will be delivered in or to the United States, and Registered Securities
of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) will be
exchangeable into an equal aggregate principal amount of Registered Securities
of the same series (with the same interest rate and maturity date) of different
authorized denominations. If a Holder surrenders Bearer Securities in exchange
for Registered Securities between a Regular Record Date or, in certain
circumstances, a Special Record Date, and the relevant interest payment date,
such Holder will not be required to surrender the coupon relating to such
interest payment date. Registered Securities may not be exchanged for Bearer
Securities. (Section 305)
 
     Debt Securities may be presented for exchange, and Registered Securities
(other than a Global Security) may be presented for transfer (with the form of
transfer endorsed thereon duly executed), at the office of any transfer agent or
at the office of the Security Registrar, without service charge and upon payment
of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the Indenture. Such
transfer or exchange will be effected upon the transfer agent or the Security
Registrar, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and
identity of the person making the request. (Section 305) Bearer Securities will
be transferable by delivery.
 
     Debt Securities may be issued under the Indenture as Original Issue
Discount Securities to be offered and sold at a substantial discount below their
stated principal amount. Federal income tax consequences and other special
considerations applicable to any such Original Issue Discount Securities will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. "Original Issue
Discount Securities" means any Debt Securities that
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   33
 
provide for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and
payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default and the continuation thereof and any Debt
Securities issued with original issue discount for U.S. Federal income tax
purposes. (Section 101)
 
GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
     The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more Global Securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf
of, a depositary (the "Depositary") identified in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such series. Global Securities may be issued in either registered or
bearer form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is
exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities in definitive form, a Global
Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such
Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such
Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such
Depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such Depositary or a nominee of
such successor. (Sections 303 and 305)
 
     The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any Debt
Securities of a series will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating
to such series if other than or in addition to the description below. The
Company anticipates that the following provisions will apply to all depositary
arrangements.
 
     Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global
Security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the
respective principal amounts of the Debt Securities represented by such Global
Security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with such Depositary
("participants"). The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the
underwriters of such Debt Securities, by certain agents of the Company or by the
Company, if such Debt Securities are offered and sold directly by the Company.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to
participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership
of beneficial interests in such Global Security will be shown on, and the
transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by
the Depositary for such Global Security or by participants or persons that hold
through participants. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such
limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in
a Global Security.
 
     So long as the Depositary for a Global Security, or its nominee, is the
owner of such Global Security, such Depositary or such nominee, as the case may
be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Debt Securities
represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the Indenture
governing such Debt Securities. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial
interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have Debt Securities of
the series represented by such Global Security registered in their names, will
not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Debt Securities of
such series in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders
thereof under the Indenture governing such Debt Securities. Accordingly, each
person owning a beneficial interest in a Global Security must rely on the
procedures of the Depositary and, if such person is not a participant, on the
procedures of the participant and, if applicable, the indirect participant,
through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder
under the Indenture.
 
     Subject to the restrictions discussed under "Limitations on Issuance of
Bearer Securities" below, principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on
Debt Securities registered in the name of or held by a Depositary or its nominee
will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
registered owner or the holder of the Global Security representing such Debt
Securities. None of the Company, the Trustee for such Debt Securities, any
paying agent or the Security Registrar for such Debt Securities will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security
for such Debt Securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
 
     The Company expects that the Depositary for Debt Securities of a series,
upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest in respect of a
definitive Global Security, will credit immediately participants' accounts with
payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in
the principal
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   34
 
amount of such Global Security as shown on the records of such Depositary. The
Company also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial
interests in such Global Security held through such participants will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now 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 participants. Receipt
by owners of beneficial interests in a temporary Global Security of payments in
respect of such temporary Global Security will be subject to the restrictions
discussed under "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities" below.
 
     If a Depositary for Debt Securities of a series is at any time unwilling or
unable to continue as Depositary and a successor Depositary is not appointed by
the Company within 90 days, the Company will issue Debt Securities of such
series in definitive form in exchange for the Global Security or Securities
representing the Debt Securities of such series. In addition, the Company may at
any time and in its sole discretion determine not to have any Debt Securities of
a series represented by one or more Global Securities and, in such event, will
issue Debt Securities of such series in definitive form in exchange for the
Global Security or Securities representing such Debt Securities. Further, an
owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security representing Debt Securities
of such series may, on terms acceptable to the Company and the Depositary for
such Global Security, receive Debt Securities of such series in definitive form.
In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security
will be entitled to physical delivery in definitive form of Debt Securities of
the series represented by such Global Security equal in principal amount to such
beneficial interest and to have such Debt Securities registered in its name (if
the Debt Securities of such series are issuable as Registered Securities). Debt
Securities of such series so issued in definitive form will be issued (a) as
Registered Securities in denominations, unless otherwise specified by the
Company, of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof if the Debt Securities of such
series are issuable as Registered Securities, (b) as Bearer Securities in the
denomination, unless otherwise specified by the Company, of $1,000, $10,000 or
$100,000 if the Debt Securities of such series are issuable as Bearer Securities
or (c) as either Registered or Bearer Securities, if the Debt Securities of such
series are issuable in either form. (Section 305) See, however, "Limitations on
Issuance of Bearer Securities" below for a description of certain restrictions
on the issuance of a Bearer Security in definitive form in exchange for an
interest in a Global Security.
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
 
     Payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on Bearer
Securities will be payable in the currency designated in the Prospectus
Supplement, subject to any applicable laws and regulations, at such paying
agencies outside the United States as the Company may appoint from time to time.
Any such payment may be made, at the option of a Holder, by a check in the
designated currency or by transfer to an account in the designated currency
maintained by the payee with a bank located outside the United States. No
payment with respect to any Bearer Security will be made at the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee or any other paying agency maintained by the Company in
the United States nor will any such payment be made by transfer to an account,
or by mail to an address, in the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on Bearer Securities
will be made in U.S. dollars at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in The
City of New York if payment of the full amount thereof at all paying agencies
outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange
controls or other similar restrictions. (Section 1002)
 
     Payment of principal of and premium, if any, on Registered Securities will
be made in the designated currency against surrender of such Registered
Securities at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in The City of New York.
Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, payment of any
installment of interest on Registered Securities will be made to the person in
whose name such Debt Security is registered at the close of business on the
Regular Record Date for such interest. Unless otherwise indicated in the
Prospectus Supplement, payments of such interest will be made at the Corporate
Trust Office of the Trustee in The City of New York, or by a check in the
designated currency mailed to each Holder at such Holder's registered address.
(Sections 307 and 1001)
 
     The paying agents outside the United States initially appointed by the
Company for a series of Debt Securities will be named in the Prospectus
Supplement. The Company may terminate the appointment of any
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   35
 
of the paying agents from time to time, except that the Company will maintain at
least one paying agent in The City of New York for payments with respect to
Registered Securities and at least one paying agent in a city outside the United
States so long as any Bearer Securities are outstanding where Bearer Securities
may be presented for payment and may be surrendered for exchange, provided that
so long as any series of Debt Securities is listed on The International Stock
Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland Limited or the
Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United
States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a
paying agent in London or Luxembourg or any other required city located outside
the United States, as the case may be, for such series of Debt Securities.
(Section 1002)
 
     All moneys paid by the Company to a paying agent for the payment of
principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Debt Security that remains
unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest
shall have become due and payable will be repaid to the Company and the Holder
of such Debt Security or any coupon appertaining thereto will thereafter look
only to the Company for payment thereof. (Section 1003)
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
 
     The Company covenants that, so long as any of the Debt Securities remains
outstanding, it will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary (as
defined, see "Definition of Certain Terms" below) to issue, assume, or guarantee
any debt for money borrowed (herein referred to as "Debt") if such Debt is
secured by a mortgage on any Principal Property (as defined), or on any shares
of stock or indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (whether such Principal
Property, shares of stock, or indebtedness are now owned or hereafter acquired)
without in any such case effectively providing that the Debt Securities shall be
secured equally and ratably with such Debt. This restriction, however, shall not
apply to: (i) mortgages on property, shares of stock, or indebtedness of any
corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary; (ii) mortgages on property existing at the time that it is acquired,
or to secure Debt incurred for the purpose of financing the purchase price of
such property or improvements or construction on the property, which Debt is
incurred prior to, at the time of or within one year after such acquisition,
completion of such construction, or the commencement of commercial operation of
such property thereon; (iii) mortgages securing Debt owing by any Restricted
Subsidiary to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) mortgages on
property of a corporation existing at the time such corporation is merged into
or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of a
sale, lease or other disposition of the properties of a corporation as an
entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary; (v) mortgages on property of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
in favor of the United States of America or any State thereof, or any
department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of the United
States of America or any State thereof or in favor of any other country, or any
political subdivision thereof, to secure certain payments pursuant to any
contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of
financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of construction of
the property subject to such mortgages (including without limitation mortgages
incurred in connection with pollution control, industrial revenue or similar
financings); (vi) mortgages existing at the date of the Indenture; (vii)
mortgages on particular property (or any proceeds of the sale thereof) to secure
all or any part of the cost of exploration, drilling, mining or development
thereof (including construction of facilities for field processing of minerals)
intended to obtain or materially increase the production and sale or other
disposition of oil, gas, coal, uranium, copper or other minerals therefrom, or
any indebtedness created, issued, assumed or guaranteed to provide funds for any
or all such purposes; or (viii) any extension, renewal or replacement (or
successive extensions, renewals or replacements), in whole or in part, of any
mortgage referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) through (vii) inclusive.
Notwithstanding the above, the Company and one or more Restricted Subsidiaries
may, without securing the Debt Securities, issue, assume, or guarantee secured
Debt which would otherwise be subject to the above restrictions, provided that
the aggregate amount of such Debt which would then be outstanding (not including
secured Debt permitted under the foregoing exceptions) and the aggregate
Attributable Debt (as defined) of sale and leaseback transactions subject to the
restrictions described in the second following paragraph and in existence at
such time (not including any sale and leaseback transaction as to which the
Company has complied with clause (b) of such paragraph) does not at any one time
exceed 10%
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   36
 
of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (as defined) of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries. (Section 1004)
 
     For the purposes of the foregoing covenant, the following types of
transactions shall not be deemed to create Debt secured by a mortgage: the sale
or other transfer of (i) oil, gas, coal, uranium, copper or other minerals in
place for a period of time until, or in an amount such that, the purchaser will
realize therefrom a specified amount of money (however determined) or a
specified amount of such minerals or (ii) any other interest in property of the
character commonly referred to as a "production payment". (Section 1004)
 
     Sale and leaseback transactions by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
of any Principal Property are prohibited unless (a) the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled (pursuant to the provisions of the
second preceding paragraph) to issue, assume, or guarantee Debt secured by the
property involved at least equal in amount to the Attributable Debt (as defined)
in respect of such transaction without equally and ratably securing the Debt
Securities or (b) an amount equal to such Attributable Debt is applied to the
retirement of nonsubordinated Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
which by its terms matures at or is extendible or renewable at the option of the
obligor to a date more than twelve months after the creation of such Debt.
(Section 1005)
 
     The Company will not consolidate or merge with or dispose of all or
substantially all of its property to any corporation unless the surviving
corporation (if other than the Company) shall assume the obligations of the
Company under the Indenture and under the Debt Securities. (Section 801) If on
any consolidation or merger of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with or
into any other corporation, or on any sale, conveyance, or lease of
substantially all its properties, any Principal Property or any shares of stock
or indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary would then become subject to any
mortgage, pledge, security interest, or other lien or encumbrance, the Company,
prior to such event, will secure the Debt Securities by a direct lien on such
Principal Property, shares of stock or indebtedness, prior to all liens other
than any previously existing. (Section 802)
 
     Except for the limitations on secured debt and sale and leaseback
transactions described above, the Indenture and Debt Securities do not contain
any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the Debt
Securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving
the Company.
 
DEFINITION OF CERTAIN TERMS
 
     "Subsidiary" is defined to mean any corporation which is consolidated in
the Company's accounts and any corporation of which at least a majority of the
outstanding stock having voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect a
majority of the board of directors of said corporation shall at the time be
owned or controlled by the Company or by the Company and one or more
Subsidiaries or by one or more Subsidiaries. (Section 101)
 
     "Restricted Subsidiary" is defined to mean any wholly-owned Subsidiary (i)
substantially all the property of which is located within the continental United
States of America, (ii) which owns a Principal Property, and (iii) in which the
Company's investment exceeds 1% of the consolidated assets of the Company as of
the end of the last preceding year; provided, however, that the term "Restricted
Subsidiary" does not include any wholly-owned Subsidiary which is principally
engaged in leasing or in financing installment receivables or which is
principally engaged in financing the Company's operations outside the
continental United States. (Section 101)
 
     "Principal Property" is defined as any manufacturing plant or facility or
any mineral producing property or any research facility located within the
continental United States of America owned by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, unless, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, such plant,
facility, property or research facility is not of material importance to the
total business conducted by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
(Section 101)
 
     "Attributable Debt" is defined as the present value (discounted as provided
in the Indenture) of the obligation of a lessee for rental payments during the
remaining term of any lease. (Section 1005)
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   37
 
     "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the total amount of assets (less
applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting
therefrom (a) all current liabilities (excluding any thereof which are by their
terms extendible or renewable at the option of the obligor thereon to a time
more than 12 months after the time as of which the amount thereof is being
computed), and (b) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, purchased
technology, unamortized debt discount and other like intangible assets, all as
set forth on the most recent quarterly balance sheet of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries and computed in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. (Section 101)
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
 
     The Indenture permits the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the
holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities
at the time outstanding thereunder and affected thereby, to execute a
supplemental indenture modifying the Indenture or the rights of the holders of
such Debt Securities and any related coupons, provided that no such modification
shall, without the consent of the holder of each Debt Security affected thereby,
(i) change the maturity of any Debt Security or coupon, or reduce the principal
amount thereof, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment of interest
thereon, or change any Place of Payment or change the coin or currency in which
a Debt Security or coupon is payable or impair the right of any holder to
institute suit for the enforcement of payment in accordance with the foregoing,
or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debt Securities, the consent of the
holders of which is required for any such modification. (Section 902)
 
     The Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the Holders of
Debt Securities of a series. (Section 1401) A meeting may be called at any time
by the Trustee or upon the request of the Company or the Holders of at least 10%
in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series, in any
such case upon notice given in accordance with the Indenture. (Section 1402)
Except as limited by the proviso in the preceding paragraph, any resolution
presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present may be
adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series; provided,
however, that, except as limited by the proviso in the preceding paragraph, any
resolution with respect to any demand, 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 outstanding Debt Securities of a series,
may be adopted at a meeting or adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present by
the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal
amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series. (Section 1403)
 
     Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Debt
Securities of any series duly held in accordance with the Indenture will be
binding on all Holders of Debt Securities of that series and the related
coupons. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any
reconvened meeting, will be persons holding or representing not less than a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of a series.
(Section 1403)
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     The Indenture defines an Event of Default with respect to any series of
Debt Securities as being any one of the following events and such other event as
may be established for the Debt Securities of a particular series: (a) default
for 30 days in any payment of interest on such series; (b) default in any
payment of principal, and premium, if any, on such series; (c) default in the
payment of any sinking fund installment; (d) default for 60 days after
appropriate notice in performance of any other covenant in the Indenture; or (e)
certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. No Event of
Default with respect to a particular series of Debt Securities issued under the
Indenture necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other
series of Debt Securities issued thereunder. (Section 501) The Company is
required to file with the Trustee annually an Officer's Certificate indicating
whether the Company is in default under the Indenture. (Section 1008)
 
     The Indenture provides that if an Event of Default specified therein shall
occur and be continuing with respect to any series of Debt Securities, either
the Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   38
 
Debt Securities of such series (in the case of defaults under clauses (d) and
(e), the Holders of 25% in principal amount of all the Debt Securities) then
outstanding may declare the principal (or in the case of Original Issue Discount
Securities, such portion of the principal amount thereof as may be specified in
the terms thereof) of the Debt Securities of such series (or of all the Debt
Securities, as the case may be) to be due and payable. (Section 502) In certain
cases, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt
Securities of any series (or in the case of defaults under clauses (d) and (e),
the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all the Debt Securities) may on
behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of any such series (or of all
the Debt Securities, as the case may be) and any related coupons waive any past
default or event of default except a default not theretofore cured in payment of
the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debt Securities
of such series (or of all the Debt Securities, as the case may be) and any
related coupons. (Sections 502 and 513)
 
     The Indenture contains a provision entitling the Trustee, subject to the
duty of the Trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, to
be indemnified by the Holders of the Debt Securities of any series or any
related coupons before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the
Indenture with respect to such series at the request of such Holders. (Section
603) The Indenture provides that no Holder of any Debt Securities of any series
or any related coupons may institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, to
enforce such Indenture except, among other things, where the Trustee has, for 60
days after it is given notice of default, failed to act, and where there has
been both a request to enforce such Indenture by the Holders of not less than
25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Debt Securities of
such series and an offer of reasonable indemnity to the Trustee. (Section 507)
This provision will not prevent any Holder of Debt Securities or any related
coupons from enforcing payment of the principal thereof and premium, if any, and
interest thereon at the respective due dates thereof. (Section 508) The Holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series
then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or
power conferred on it with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.
However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law
or the Indenture or which would be unjustly prejudicial to Holders not joining
therein. (Section 512)
 
     The Indenture provides that the Trustee will, within 90 days after the
occurrence of a default with respect to any series of Debt Securities known to
it, give to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series notice of such default
if not cured or waived, but, except in the case of a default in the payment of
principal of (or premium, if any), or interest on, any Debt Securities, the
Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if it determines in good
faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of
such Debt Securities. (Section 602)
 
DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE
 
     The Indenture provides that the Company may specify that, with respect to
the Debt Securities of a certain series, it will be discharged from any and all
obligations in respect of such Debt Securities (except for certain obligations
to register the transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, to replace stolen, lost
or mutilated Debt Securities, to maintain paying agencies and hold monies for
payment in trust and, if so specified with respect to the Debt Securities of a
certain series, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if
any, on such specified Debt Securities) upon the irrevocable deposit with the
Trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations which through the
payment of interest and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will
provide money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal (and
premium, if any) and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund
payments in respect of such Debt Securities on the stated maturity of such
payments in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and such Debt Securities.
If so specified with respect to the Debt Securities of a series, such a trust
may only be established if establishment of the trust would not cause the Debt
Securities of any such series listed on any nationally recognized securities
exchange to be de-listed as a result thereof. Also, if so specified with respect
to a series of Debt Securities, such establishment of such a trust may be
conditioned on the delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Opinion of
Counsel (who may be counsel to the Company) to the effect that, based upon
applicable U.S. Federal income tax law or a ruling published by the United
States Internal
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   39
 
Revenue Service, such a defeasance and discharge will not be deemed, or result
in, a taxable event with respect to Holders of such Debt Securities. The
designation of such provisions, U.S. Federal income tax consequences and other
considerations applicable thereto will be described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto. (Section 1301)
 
TRUSTEE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISSUER
 
     Chemical Bank will act as Trustee for Debt Securities issued under the
Chemical Indenture. Chemical Bank acts as depositary for funds of, makes loans
to, and performs other services for the Company in the normal course of
business. It also acts as trustee for the Company's Medium-Term Notes Series C,
Euro Medium-Term Notes Series C, Medium-Term Notes Series D, Euro Medium-Term
Notes Series D, Medium-Term Notes Series E, Euro Medium-Term Notes Series E,
8.45% Notes Due October 15, 1996, 8.65% Notes Due 1997, 9.15% Notes Due 2000, 6%
Debentures Due 2001, 8.50% Notes Due February 15, 2003, 8.125% Notes Due March
15, 2004, 8.25% Notes Due September 15, 2006, and 8 1/4% Debentures Due 2022. It
also acts as fiscal agent for the Company's 9% Notes Due 1994.
 
     Bankers Trust Company will act as Trustee for Debt Securities issued under
the BT Indenture and may act as underwriter or agent (through an affiliate) with
respect to securities of the Company. Bankers Trust Company acts as depositary
for funds of, makes loans to, and performs other services for the Company in the
normal course of business. It also acts as trustee for the Company's Medium-Term
Notes Series F, 6 3/4% Notes Due 2002, 7.95% Debentures Due 2023, and 7 1/2%
Debentures Due 2033. It also acts as fiscal agent for the Company's 8 1/2% Notes
Due 1996, 8 1/2% Notes Due 1998, 7 1/2% Notes Due 1999, and 8% Notes Due 2002.
 
                  LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF BEARER SECURITIES
 
     In compliance with United States Federal tax laws and regulations, in
general Bearer Notes may not be offered or sold during the Restricted Period (as
defined under "Plan of Distribution") to a person within the United States or
its possessions or to or for the account or benefit of, a United States person.
However, offers or sales can be made to (i) the U.S. office of international
organizations (as defined in Section 7701(a)(18) of the U.S. Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and the regulations thereunder), (ii) the
U.S. office of foreign central banks (as defined in Section 895 of the Code and
the regulations thereunder) and (iii) foreign branches of United States
financial institutions which are purchasing for their own account or for resale,
and which have agreed to comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A),
(B) or (C) of the Code. In addition, sales can be made to a United States person
acquiring a Bearer Note through a financial institution described in clause
(iii) of the preceding sentence. Definitive Bearer Notes will not be delivered
within the United States, or in any event unless the beneficial owner of the
Notes had complied with the certification requirements described above under
"Description of Debt Securities-- General".
 
     Bearer Notes will bear the following legend on their face and on any
interest coupons which may be detached therefrom or, if the obligation is
evidenced by a book entry, appears in the book of record in which the book entry
is made: "Any United States person who holds this obligation will be subject to
limitations under the United States income tax laws, including the limitations
provided in Sections 165(j) and 1287(a) of the United States Internal Revenue
Code". The Sections referred to in such legend provide that a United States
person who holds a Bearer Note will not be allowed to deduct any loss realized
on the sale, exchange or redemption of such Bearer Note and any gain (which
might otherwise be characterized as capital gain) recognized on such sale,
exchange or redemption will be treated as ordinary income.
 
     As used herein, "United States person" means an individual who is a citizen
or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity
created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political
subdivision thereof, or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to
United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   40
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and
Company incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, have been so
incorporated in reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse, independent
accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   41
 
- ----------------------------------------------------
 
     NO DEALER, AGENT, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE
ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS,
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND ANY PRICING SUPPLEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER
CONTAINED HEREIN AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST
NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR BY ANY AGENT.
THIS PROSPECTUS, PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND ANY PRICING SUPPLEMENT SHALL NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES
OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS, PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND
SUCH PRICING SUPPLEMENT OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY
ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM
IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION. THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS, PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND ANY PRICING SUPPLEMENT AT ANY TIME DOES
NOT IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME
SUBSEQUENT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE DATES.
                               ------------------
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      PAGE
                                      ----
<S>                                   <C>
       PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Description of Notes................  S-2
Special Provisions Relating to
  Foreign Currency Notes............  S-16
Foreign Currency Risks..............  S-18
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax
  Considerations....................  S-19
Plan of Distribution................  S-26
Legal Opinions......................  S-27
             PROSPECTUS
Available Information...............    2
Incorporation of Certain Documents
  by Reference......................    2
The Company.........................    3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
  Charges...........................    3
Use of Proceeds.....................    3
Plan of Distribution................    3
Description of Debt Securities......    4
Limitations on Issuance of Bearer
  Securities........................   12
Experts.............................   13
 
- ------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------------------------------------------
 
                                     (LOGO)
 
                            E. I. du Pont de Nemours
                                  and Company
                              U.S. $3,442,560,000
                               Medium-Term Notes,
                                    Series G
 
                            PROSPECTUS    SUPPLEMENT
                                CS First Boston
                              Goldman, Sachs & Co.
                              Merrill Lynch & Co.
                          J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
                              Morgan Stanley & Co.
                      Incorporated
 
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