PROTECTIVE LIFE CORP
8-K, 1996-11-22
LIFE INSURANCE
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D. C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT



Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)            November 18, 1996



                           PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                           Delaware 1-12332 95-2492236
             (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
               of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)


                2801 Highway 280 South, Birmingham, Alabama 35223
              (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (205) 879-9230


                                       N/A
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

<PAGE>



Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

    (c)     Exhibits.

            The  following  exhibits  are filed with  reference to the
            Registration  Statements  on Form S-3  (Registration  Nos.
            333-03435,  33-55063  and  33-52831)  of  Protective  Life
            Corporation and PLC Capital L.L.C.:


            1(e)(2)        Terms  Agreement,  dated as of November 15,
                           1996,  by  and  between   Protective   Life
                           Corporation and Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P.

            4(g)(3)        Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of November
                           15, 1996, to Senior Indenture, dated as of July 1,
                           1994, from Protective Life Corporation to The Bank of
                           New York.

            4(n)           Specimen   7.10%   Medium-Term   Note   due
                           December 1, 2011  (included as Exhibit A to
                           Exhibit 4(g)(3)).

            5(d)           Opinion of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, L.L.P. as to
                           the legality of the securities.

            8(c)           Opinion of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, L.L.P. as to
                           tax matters (included in Exhibit 5(d)).

            23(f)          Consent of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, L.L.P.
                           (included in Exhibit 5(d)).



                                   SIGNATURES

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


                           PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION



Date:  November 22, 1996                 By:       /s/ Jerry W. DeFoor
                                                  --------------------
                                                  Jerry W. DeFoor
                                                  Vice President, Controller and
                                                  Chief Accounting Officer



<PAGE>



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS



1(e)(2)   Terms  Agreement,  dated  as of  November  15,  1996,  by and  between
          Protective Life Corporation and Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P.

4(g)(3)   Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of November 15, 1996, to Senior
          Indenture, dated as of July 1, 1994, from Protective Life Corporation
          to The Bank of New York.

4(n)      Specimen  7.10%  Medium-Term  Note due  December 1, 2011  (included as
          Exhibit A to Exhibit 4(g)(3)).

5(d)      Opinion of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, L.L.P. as to the legality of
          the securities.

8(c)      Opinion of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, L.L.P. as to tax matters
          (included in Exhibit 5(d)).

23(f)     Consent of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit
           5(d)).



<PAGE>


                                                                Exhibit 1(e)(2)


                                 TERMS AGREEMENT



Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P.
12555 Manchester Road
St. Louis, Missouri 63131-3729


                                November 18, 1996

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  Protective  Life  Corporation,  a  Delaware  corporation  (the
"Company"),  proposes,  subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and in
the Distribution Agreement,  dated July 31, 1996 (the "Distribution Agreement"),
to issue and sell to you (the  "Agent") the  Securities  specified in Schedule I
hereto (the "Designated Securities"). The Distribution Agreement incorporates by
reference certain provisions of the Underwriting Agreement,  dated June 23, 1994
filed as Exhibit 1(a) to the Company's  Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 1,
1994 and filed with the Commission July 5, 1994 (the "Underwriting  Agreement").
Each of the provisions of the Distribution  Agreement is incorporated  herein by
reference  in its  entirety,  including  such  provisions  of  the  Underwriting
Agreement, and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent
as if such  provisions  had  been  set  forth  in full  herein;  and each of the
representations and warranties set forth or incorporated therein shall be deemed
to have been made at and as of the date of this  Terms  Agreement,  except  that
each representation and warranty in Section 2 of the Underwriting  Agreement (as
incorporated into the Distribution Agreement) which refers to the Prospectus (as
defined in the Underwriting Agreement) shall be deemed to be a representation or
warranty  as of the  date  of the  Distribution  Agreement  in  relation  to the
Prospectus  as  amended  or  supplemented  relating  to the  Notes,  and  also a
representation  and warranty as of the date of this Terms  Agreement in relation
to the  Prospectus  as  amended  or  supplemented  relating  to  the  Designated
Securities which are the subject of this Terms Agreement.  Each reference to the
Representatives in the Distribution  Agreement,  including the provisions of the
Underwriting Agreement so incorporated by reference therein and herein, shall be
deemed to refer to you. Unless  otherwise  defined herein,  terms defined in the
Distribution Agreement are used herein as therein defined.

                  A  pricing  supplement  to  the  Prospectus,  relating  to the
Designated  Securities,  in the form heretofore delivered to you is now proposed
to be filed with the Commission.

                  Subject to the terms and  conditions  set forth  herein and in
the Distribution Agreement incorporated herein by reference,  the Company agrees
to issue and sell to the  Agent,  and the  Agent  agrees  to  purchase  from the
Company,  at the time and place and at the purchase price to the Agent set forth
in Schedule I hereto, the principal amount of Designated Securities set forth in
Schedule I.




<PAGE>



                  If the  foregoing is in  accordance  with your  understanding,
please sign and return to us five (5) counterparts  hereof,  and upon acceptance
hereof by you, on behalf of the Agent,  this letter and such acceptance  hereof,
including the provisions of the Distribution  Agreement  incorporated  herein by
reference,  shall  constitute  a  binding  agreement  between  the Agent and the
Company.

                                Very truly yours,

                                PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION




                              By: /s/ John D. Johns
                                      John D. Johns
                                      President and Chief Operating Officer


Accepted as of the date hereof:

EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P.



By: /s/ Victoria Westall
         Victoria Westall
         Principal




<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE I

TITLE OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:

         7.10% Medium-Term Notes, due December 1, 2011

AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT:

         $12,500,000.00

PRICE TO PUBLIC:

         At varying prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of
         resale

PURCHASE PRICE BY AGENT:

         97.5% of the principal amount of the Designated Securities

SPECIFIED FUNDS FOR PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE:

         Immediately Available Funds

INDENTURE:

         Senior  Indenture dated June 1, 1994,  between the Company and The Bank
of New York, as Trustee, as supplemented by Supplemental  Indenture No. 4, dated
as of November 15, 1996 between the Company and The Bank of New York

MATURITY:

         December 1, 2011

INTEREST RATE:

         7.10% per annum, payable semi-annually

INTEREST PAYMENT DATES:

         June 1 and December 1 of each year commencing June 1, 1997

RECORD DATES:

         May 15 and November 15 of each year

CALCULATION OF INTEREST:

         Interest  will be  calculated  on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months and, for any period that is shorter than a full calendar month, on
the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in such month.




<PAGE>



REDEMPTION PROVISIONS:

         Right of redemption at option of the Company at any time on or after
         December 1, 2001, as described in Supplemental Indenture No. 4

         Limited right of redemption at the option of the holder, at certain
         times on or after November 22, 1998, as described in Supplemental
         Indenture No. 4

SINKING FUND PROVISIONS:

         No sinking fund provisions

DEFEASANCE PROVISIONS:

         Sections 4.4 and 4.5 of the Indenture shall apply to the Designated
         Securities as and to the extent specified in Supplemental Indenture
         No. 4

TIME OF DELIVERY:

         9:00 a.m., November 22, 1996 (St. Louis time)

CLOSING LOCATION:

         Bryan Cave LLP
         One Metropolitan Square, Suite 3600
         St. Louis, Missouri 63102

NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT:

         Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P.
         12555 Manchester Road
         St. Louis, Missouri 63131-3729

OTHER TERMS:

         Not applicable



<PAGE>



                                                             Exhibit 4(g)(3)


                           PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION

                                       to

                        THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee

                          SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 4

                          Dated as of November 15, 1996

                  7.10% Medium-Term Notes Due December 1, 2011

                                  ($12,500,000)





<PAGE>




                           PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION

                          SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 4

                                   $12,500,000
                  7.10% Medium-Term Notes Due December 1, 2011


SUPPLEMENTAL  INDENTURE  NO. 4, dated as of November 15, 1996,  from  PROTECTIVE
LIFE  CORPORATION,  a Delaware  corporation (the "Company"),  to THE BANK OF NEW
YORK, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the "Trustee").

         The Company has  heretofore  executed  and  delivered  to the Trustee a
Senior Indenture, dated as of June 1, 1994 (the "Indenture"),  providing for the
issuance from time to time of series of the Company's Securities.

         Section 3.1 of the Indenture  provides for various matters with respect
to any series of Securities  issued under the Indenture to be  established in an
indenture supplemental to the Indenture.

         Section  8.1(7)  of the  Indenture  provides  for the  Company  and the
Trustee to enter into an indenture  supplemental  to the  Indenture to establish
the form or terms of  Securities  of any series as provided by Sections  2.1 and
3.1 of the Indenture.

         For and in consideration of the premises and the issuance of the series
of  Securities  provided  for herein,  it is mutually  covenanted  and agreed as
follows for the equal and ratable  benefit of the Holders of the  Securities  of
such series:

                                   ARTICLE I.

                       RELATION TO INDENTURE; DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1.  This Supplemental Indenture No. 4 constitutes an integral part of
              the Indenture.

Section 1.2.  For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture No. 4:

         (1)      Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have
                  the meanings specified in the Indenture;

         (2)      All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless
                  otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and
                  Sections of this Supplemental Indenture No. 4; and

         (3)      The terms "herein", "hereof", "hereunder" and other words of
                  similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture No. 4.





<PAGE>



                                    ARTICLE 2

                         THE SERIES OF MEDIUM-TERM NOTES

         Section  2.1.  TITLE OF THE  SECURITIES.  There  shall  be a series  of
Securities  designated  the 7.10%  Medium-Term  Notes due  December 1, 2011 (the
"Series C Medium-Term Notes").

         Section 2.2. LIMITATION ON AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT; DATE OF SERIES C
MEDIUM-TERM  NOTES.  The aggregate  principal amount of the Series C Medium-Term
Notes shall be limited to $12,500,000.  Each Series C Medium-Term  Note shall be
dated the date of its authentication.

         Section 2.3.  PRINCIPAL  PAYMENT  DATES.  The principal on the Series C
Medium-Term  Notes  Outstanding  (together with any accrued and unpaid  interest
thereon) shall be payable in a single installment on December 1, 2011.

         Section 2.4.  INTEREST AND INTEREST RATES. The rate of interest on each
Series C Medium-Term  Note shall be 7.10% per annum,  accruing from November 22,
1996 or from the most recent  Interest  Payment  Date to which  interest on such
Series C Medium-Term Note has been paid or duly provided for.  Interest shall be
payable on each Series C Medium-Term Note  semiannually on June 1 and December 1
of each year (each an "Interest Payment Date"),  commencing on June 1, 1997. The
interest so payable on any Series C Medium-Term Note which is punctually paid or
duly  provided for on any  Interest  Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in
whose name such Series C Medium-Term Note is registered at the close of business
on the May 15 or  November  15,  as the case may be,  preceding  such  June 1 or
December 1 (each a "Regular Record Date"). The interest so payable on any Series
C  Medium-Term  Note which is not  punctually  paid or duly  provided for on any
Interest Payment Date shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Person in whose
name such Series C Medium-Term Note is registered on the relevant Regular Record
Date,  and such  defaulted  interest  shall  instead be payable to the Person in
whose name such Series C Medium-Term  Note is  registered on the Special  Record
Date or other specified date determined in accordance with the Indenture.

         Section 2.5. PLACE OF PAYMENT.  The Place of Payment where the Series C
Medium-Term Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment,  where the Series
C Medium-Term  Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange
and where notices and demands to and upon the Company in respect of the Series C
Medium-Term  Notes and the  Indenture  may be served  shall be in the Borough of
Manhattan,  The City of New York, New York, and the office or agency  maintained
by the Company for such purpose shall initially be the Corporate Trust Office of
the Trustee.

         Section 2.6.  REDEMPTION AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY.

         (a)   Redemption Right at Company's  Option.  The Company has the right
               to redeem the Series C Medium-Term  Notes at its sole option,  in
               whole or in part,  at any time and from  time to time on or after
               December  1, 2001,  at a  redemption  price  equal to one hundred
               percent (100%) of the aggregate  principal amount of the Series C
               Medium-Term Notes  Outstanding and to be redeemed,  together with
               accrued  but  unpaid  interest  on  the  principal  amount  to be
               redeemed  to  the  redemption  date,  subject  to the  terms  and
               conditions  set forth in this  Section  2.6.  The election of the
               Company  to  redeem  any  Series  C  Medium-Term  Note  shall  be
               evidenced by a Board Resolution.
<PAGE>



          (b)  Notice to  Trustee.  If the  Company  wishes  to redeem  Series C
               Medium-Term  Notes pursuant to the terms hereof and of the Series
               C  Medium-Term   Notes,  it  shall  notify  the  Trustee  of  the
               redemption date and the principal  amount of Series C Medium-Term
               Notes to be redeemed.  The Company shall give the notice provided
               for in this  Section not less than 45 nor more than 60 days prior
               to the redemption date.

          (c)  Selection of Series C Medium-Term  Notes to be Redeemed.  If less
               than all the Series C Medium-Term  Notes are to be redeemed,  the
               Trustee  shall  select  the  Series  C  Medium-Term  Notes  to be
               redeemed  by lot or by any other  method the  Trustee  shall deem
               fair and  reasonable.  The Trustee  shall make the  selection not
               more  than 60 days  before  the  redemption  date  from  Series C
               Medium-Term  Notes then outstanding that have not been previously
               called for  redemption.  The Trustee  shall  promptly  notify the
               Company in writing of the Series C Medium-Term Notes selected for
               redemption  and,  in the case of any  Series C  Medium-Term  Note
               selected for partial purchase or redemption, the principal amount
               thereof to be purchased  or redeemed.  The Trustee may select for
               redemption  portions of the  principal  of Series C Medium-  Term
               Notes  that  have  denominations  larger  than  $1,000.  Series C
               Medium-Term Notes and portions of Series C Medium-Term Notes that
               the  Trustee  selects  shall be in amounts of $1,000 or  integral
               multiples of $1,000.  Provisions of this  Indenture that apply to
               Series C Medium-Term  Notes called for  redemption  also apply to
               portions of Series C Medium-Term Notes called for redemption.

          (d)  Notice of Redemption.  At least 30 days but not more than 60 days
               before a redemption  date,  the Company shall mail or cause to be
               mailed,  by first  class  mail,  a notice of  redemption  to each
               Holder whose Series C Medium-Term Notes are to be redeemed at its
               registered address.

               The notice shall identify the Series C Medium-Term Notes to be
               redeemed and shall state:

                           (i)      the redemption date;

                           (ii)     the redemption price;

                           (iii)    if any  Series C  Medium-Term  Note is being
                                    redeemed   in  part,   the  portion  of  the
                                    principal    amount   of   such   Series   C
                                    Medium-Term Note to be redeemed;

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

                           (v)      that the Series C Medium-Term Notes called
                                    for redemption must be surrendered to the
                                    Paying Agent to collect the redemption
                                    price;

                           (vi)     that,  unless the Company defaults in making
                                    such redemption payment,  interest on Series
                                    C  Medium-Term  Notes called for  redemption
                                    ceases to accrue on and after the redemption
                                    date; and

                           (vii)    that  no  representation  is  made as to the
                                    correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number,
                                    if any,  listed in such notice or printed on
                                    the Series C Medium-Term Notes.



<PAGE>



               At the Company's request, the  Trustee  shall  give the notice of
               redemption in the Company's name and at their expense;  provided,
               however, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at
               least  45  days  prior  to  the  redemption  date,  an  Officers'
               Certificate  requesting  that the  Trustee  give such  notice and
               setting  forth the  information  to be  stated in such  notice as
               provided in the preceding paragraph (which request may be revoked
               by so notifying  the Trustee in writing on or before the Business
               Day  immediately  preceding the date requested for the mailing of
               such notice).

          (e)  Effect of Notice of  Redemption.  Once  notice of  redemption  is
               mailed  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  hereof,  Series  C
               Medium-Term  Notes called for redemption  become  irrevocably due
               and payable on the  redemption  date at the  redemption  price. A
               notice of redemption may not be conditional.

          (f)  Deposit  of  Redemption  Price.  One  Business  Day  prior to the
               redemption  date,  the Company  shall deposit with the Trustee or
               with the Paying  Agent  money  sufficient  to pay the  redemption
               price  of,  and  accrued  interest,  if  any,  on  all  Series  C
               Medium-Term Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the
               Paying  Agent  shall  promptly  return to the  Company  any money
               deposited  with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in
               excess of the amounts  necessary to pay the redemption  price of,
               and accrued  interest  on, all Series C  Medium-Term  Notes to be
               redeemed.

               If the Company complies with  the  provisions  of  the  preceding
               paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease
               to accrue on the Series C  Medium-Term  Notes or the  portions of
               Series C Medium-Term  Notes called for redemption.  If a Series C
               Medium-Term  Note is redeemed on or after an interest record date
               but on or prior to the related  interest  payment date,  then any
               accrued and unpaid  interest shall be paid to the Person in whose
               name such Series C Medium-Term  Note was  registered at the close
               of business on such record date. If any Series C Medium-Term Note
               called for  redemption  shall not be so paid upon  surrender  for
               redemption  because of the  failure of the Company to comply with
               the  preceding  paragraph,  interest  shall be paid on the unpaid
               principal, from the redemption date until such principal is paid,
               and to the extent  lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid
               principal,  in each  case at the rate  provided  in the  Series C
               Medium-Term Notes and in Section 2.4 hereof.

          (g)  Series C Medium-Term  Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a
               Series C Medium-Term  Note that is redeemed in part,  the Company
               shall issue and, upon the Company's written request,  the Trustee
               shall  authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company,
               a new Series C Medium-Term  Note equal in principal amount to the
               unredeemed  portion of the Series C Medium-Term Note surrendered;
               provided, however, that so long as the Series C Medium Term Notes
               are  issued  in the form of  global  securities  as  provided  in
               Section 2.12 hereof,  then, in lieu of surrendering  the Series C
               Medium-Term  Note being redeemed in part, the principal amount of
               the applicable  global Series C Medium-Term Note shall be reduced
               as and to the extent provided in Section 2.12(d) hereof.



<PAGE>



         SECTION 2.7.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REDEMPTION AT OPTION OF BENEFICIAL
OWNER.

     (a) Unless the Series C Medium-Term Notes have become due and payable prior
to their Stated Maturity by reason of an Event of Default,  commencing  November
22,  1998 the  Representative  (as  defined  below) of a  deceased  holder of an
interest  in the  Series C Medium  Term  Notes  (each  such  holder,  whether by
purchase or transfer from a purchaser or other transferee, a "Beneficial Owner")
has the right to request redemption of all or part of his or her interest in the
Series C Medium-Term  Notes, in integral  multiples of $1,000, for payment prior
to  Stated  Maturity,  and the  Company  will  redeem  the same  subject  to the
limitations  that the  Company  will  not be  obligated  to  redeem  during  any
twelve-month  period  beginning  November 22, 1998 or any November 22 thereafter
and ending on any November 21  thereafter,  (i) on behalf of any given  deceased
Beneficial Owner any interest in the Series C Medium-Term Notes which exceeds an
aggregate  principal  amount  of  $25,000  or (ii)  interests  in the  Series  C
Medium-Term Notes in an aggregate  principal amount exceeding two percent of the
aggregate  principal  amount of Series C  Medium-Term  Notes  originally  issued
(i.e.,  $250,000).  In the case of interests in the Series C  Medium-Term  Notes
owned by a deceased  Beneficial Owner, a request for redemption may be presented
to the Trustee at any time and in any principal amount. If the Company, although
not  obligated to do so,  chooses to redeem  interests of a deceased  Beneficial
Owner in the  Series C  Medium-Term  Notes in any such  period  in excess of the
$25,000 limitation,  such redemption,  to the extent that it exceeds the $25,000
limitation for any Beneficial Owner, shall not be included in the computation of
the two percent limitation for such period or any succeeding period.

     (b) Subject to the $25,000  and the two  percent  limitations,  the Company
will  upon  the  death  of any  Beneficial  Owner  redeem  the  interest  of the
Beneficial  Owner in the Series C  Medium-Term  Notes  within 60 days  following
receipt by the  Trustee of a validly  completed  Redemption  Request (as defined
below),  including all supporting  documentation,  from such Beneficial  Owner's
personal representative, or surviving joint tenant(s), tenant(s) by the entirety
or tenant(s) in common,  or other  persons  entitled to effect such a Redemption
Request  (each,  a  "Representative").  If a  Redemption  Request on behalf of a
deceased  Beneficial Owner exceeds the $25,000 per prepayment period limitation,
or if Redemption Requests in the aggregate exceed the two percent per prepayment
period limitation,  then such excess Redemption  Request(s) (subject in the case
of the $25,000  limitation  to the  provisions of the last sentence of paragraph
(a))  will be  applied  to  successive  periods  in the  order  of  receipt  for
prepayment,  regardless  of the  number  of  periods  required  to  redeem  such
interest, unless sooner withdrawn as described below.

     (c) A request for  redemption  of an  interest in the Series C  Medium-Term
Notes may be made by delivering a request to the direct or indirect  participant
in the Depository (each, a "Participant") through whom the Beneficial Owner owns
such interest,  in form satisfactory to the Participant,  together with evidence
of  death  of  the  Beneficial   Owner  and  authority  of  the   Representative
satisfactory to the Participant and the Trustee.  A Representative of a deceased
Beneficial Owner may make the request for redemption and shall submit such other
evidence of the right to such  redemption  as the  Participant  or Trustee shall
require.  The  request  shall  specify  the  principal  amount  of the  Series C
Medium-Term Notes to be redeemed. A request for redemption  in form satisfactory


<PAGE>



to the Participant and accompanied by the documents relevant to the request
as described  above,  together with a certification  by the Participant  that it
holds the  interest on behalf of the deceased  Beneficial  Owner with respect to
whom the request for redemption is being made (the "Redemption Request"),  shall
be provided to the Depository by a Participant  and the Depository  will forward
the  request to the  Trustee.  Redemption  Requests,  including  all  supporting
documentation,  shall be in form  satisfactory to the Trustee and no request for
redemption shall be considered validly made until the Redemption Request and all
supporting  documentation,  in form satisfactory to the Trustee, shall have been
received by the Trustee.

     (d) The price to be paid by the  Company  for an  interest  in the Series C
Medium-Term  Notes  to be  redeemed  pursuant  to a  Redemption  Request  from a
deceased Beneficial Owner's  Representative is one hundred percent (100%) of the
principal  amount  thereof  plus  accrued but unpaid  interest on the  principal
amount redeemed to the date of payment to the Depository of the redemption price
of such interest in the Series C Medium-Term Notes. Subject to arrangements with
the Depository,  payment of the redemption price for an interest in the Series C
Medium-Term Notes which is to be redeemed shall be made to the Depository within
60 days following  receipt by the Trustee of the Redemption  Request,  including
all supporting documentation,  and the Series C Medium-Term Notes to be redeemed
in the aggregate  principal amount specified in the Redemption Request submitted
to the Trustee by the  Depository  which is to be fulfilled in  connection  with
such payment. An acquisition of Series C Medium-Term Notes by the Company or its
subsidiaries  other than by redemption at the option of any  Representative of a
deceased Beneficial Owner shall not be included in the computation of either the
$25,000 or two percent limitations for any period.

     (e)  Interests  in the  Series C  Medium-Term  Notes held by tenants by the
entirety,  joint  tenants or  tenants  in common  will be deemed to be held by a
single  Beneficial  Owner  and the death of a tenant  in  common,  tenant by the
entirety or joint  tenant will be deemed the death of a  Beneficial  Owner.  The
death  of  a  person  who,  during  such  person's  lifetime,  was  entitled  to
substantially  all of the rights of a Beneficial  Owner will be deemed the death
of the Beneficial  Owner,  regardless of the recordation of such interest on the
records  of  the  Participant,   if  such  rights  can  be  established  to  the
satisfaction of the Participant and the Trustee.  Such interests shall be deemed
to exist in typical  cases of nominee  ownership,  ownership  under the  Uniform
Gifts to Minors Act or the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act,  community  property
or other joint  ownership  arrangements  between a husband  and wife  (including
individual  retirement  accounts or Keogh plans maintained  solely by or for the
decedent or by or for the decedent and any spouse),  and trust and certain other
arrangements  where  one  person  has  substantially  all  of  the  rights  of a
Beneficial Owner during such person's lifetime.

     (f) Any  Redemption  Request may be  withdrawn  upon  delivery of a written
request  for such  withdrawal  given to the Trustee by the  Depository  prior to
payment to the Depository of the redemption  price of the interest in the Series
C Medium-Term Notes.



<PAGE>



         Section 2.8. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS.  For the benefit of the Holders from
time to time of the Series C Medium-Term Notes, and in addition to the covenants
set forth in Article 9 of the  Indenture,  the  Company  further  covenants  and
agrees as follows:

     (a) LIMITATIONS ON DISPOSITION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.
The Company will not, and will not permit any  Restricted  Subsidiary  to, sell,
assign,  transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of the capital stock of any
Restricted  Subsidiary  unless  the  entire  capital  stock  of such  Restricted
Subsidiary  at the time owned by the  Company  and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries
shall be disposed of at the same time for a consideration  consisting of cash or
other  property which the Board of Directors has determined to be at least equal
to the fair value  thereof.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing  provision,  (i) the
Company  shall be permitted to sell,  assign,  transfer or otherwise  dispose of
shares of the capital stock of a Restricted  Subsidiary  (a) to any director (or
any individual nominated to become a director) of such Restricted Subsidiary but
only to the extent ownership of such shares is required as directors' qualifying
shares for such director or individual and (b) to any  Subsidiary;  and (ii) any
Restricted Subsidiary shall be permitted to sell, assign,  transfer or otherwise
dispose  of  shares  of its  capital  stock or the  capital  stock of any  other
Restricted Subsidiary (a) to any director (or any individual nominated to become
a director) of such  Restricted  Subsidiary but only to the extent  ownership of
such shares is required as  directors'  qualifying  shares for such  director or
individual, or (b) to the Company or any Subsidiary.

     (b)  LIMITATIONS  UPON  CREATION  OF LIENS ON CAPITAL  STOCK OF  RESTRICTED
SUBSIDIARIES.  The  Company  will  not,  and  will  not  permit  any  Restricted
Subsidiary to, at any time directly or indirectly,  issue, assume,  guarantee or
permit to exist any  indebtedness  secured by a Lien on the capital stock of any
Restricted  Subsidiary  without making effective  provision whereby the Series C
Medium-Term  Notes then  outstanding  (and if the  Company so elects,  any other
indebtedness  ranking on a parity with the Series C Medium-Term  Notes) shall be
equally and ratably  secured with such  indebtedness as to such property so long
as such other  indebtedness  shall be so secured;  provided,  however,  that the
covenant set forth in this Section 2.8(b) will not be applicable to Liens (i) on
the shares of stock of a subsidiary  of a Person that is merged with or into the
Company or a Subsidiary securing debt of such Person, which debt was outstanding
prior to such  merger,  but only if such  pledge and debt were not  incurred  in
anticipation  of such merger,  (ii) in favor of the Company  securing  debt of a
Restricted  Subsidiary  owed to the Company,  (iii) for taxes or  assessments or
governmental  charges or levies not then due and  delinquent  or the validity of
which are being  contested in good faith or which are less than  $5,000,000,  or
(iv) created by or  resulting  from any  litigation  or legal  proceeding  being
contested in good faith.

     If the  Company  shall  hereafter  be  required  to  secure  the  Series  C
Medium-Term  Notes equally and ratably with any other  indebtedness  pursuant to
this Section  2.8(b),  (i) the Company will  promptly  deliver to the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate stating that the foregoing covenant has been complied with
and an Opinion of  Counsel  stating  that in the  opinion  of such  counsel  the
foregoing  covenant has been complied with and that any instruments  executed by
the Company or any  Restricted  Subsidiary in the  performance  of the foregoing
covenant  comply with the  requirements  of the foregoing  covenant and (ii) the
Trustee is hereby authorized to enter into an indenture or agreement


<PAGE>



supplemental  hereto  and to  take  such  action,  if any,  as it may  deem
advisable  to enable it to  enforce  the  rights of the  Holders of the Series C
Medium-Term Notes.

         For purposes of this Section 2.8, Restricted  Subsidiary shall mean any
Subsidiary of the Company with assets greater than or equal to 20% of all assets
of the Company and its  Subsidiaries,  computed and  consolidated  in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.

         For  purposes of this  Section  2.8,  "Lien"  shall mean any  mortgage,
pledge,  lien,  charge,  security  interest,  conditional  sale or  other  title
retention agreement or other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever.

         Section 2.9.  MODIFICATION OF EVENTS OF DEFAULT. For the benefit of the
Holders from time to time of the Series C Medium-Term Notes, clause 4 of Section
5.1 of the  Indenture  is  hereby  modified  by  deleting  such  clause 4 in its
entirety and replacing it with the following:

     A(4) a default under any mortgage, agreement, indenture or instrument under
which  there may be issued,  or by which  there may be  secured,  guaranteed  or
evidenced any Debt of the Company  (including this Indenture)  whether such Debt
now exists or shall hereafter be created,  in an aggregate principal amount then
outstanding of $15,000,000 or more, which default (a) shall constitute a failure
to pay any  portion of the  principal  of such Debt when due and  payable or (b)
shall result in such Debt  becoming or being  declared due and payable  prior to
the  date on  which  it  would  otherwise  become  due  and  payable,  and  such
acceleration shall not be rescinded or annulled,  or such Debt shall not be paid
in full, within a period of 30 days after there has been given, by registered or
certified  mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee
by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate  principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of that series a written notice  specifying such event of default and
requiring the Company to cause such  acceleration to be rescinded or annulled or
to pay in full such Debt and  stating  that such notice is a "Notice of Default"
hereunder; (it being understood however, that the Trustee shall not be deemed to
have knowledge of such default under such agreement or instrument  unless either
(A) a  Responsible  Officer of the Trustee  shall have actual  knowledge of such
default or (B) a Responsible  Officer of the Trustee shall have received written
notice  thereof from the Company,  from any Holder,  from the holder of any such
indebtedness or from the trustee under any such agreement or other  instrument);
PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that  if  such  default  under  such  mortgage,  agreement,
indenture  or  instrument  is  remedied or cured by the Company or waived by the
holders  of such  indebtedness,  then the Event of Default  hereunder  by reason
thereof  shall be deemed  likewise  to have been  thereupon  remedied,  cured or
waived without further action upon the part of either the Trustee or any of such
Holders;  PROVIDED,  FURTHER,  that the foregoing shall not apply to any secured
Debt under which the obligee has recourse  (exclusive  of recourse for ancillary
matters such as environmental  indemnities,  misapplication  of funds,  costs of
enforcement  and the like) only to the collateral  pledged for repayment so long
as the fair market value of such  collateral  does not exceed 2% of Total Assets
at the time of the "default;"

     Section  2.10.  DENOMINATION.  The  Series  C  Medium-Term  Notes  shall be
issuable in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.


<PAGE>



     Section 2.11. CURRENCY.  Principal and interest on the Series C Medium-Term
Notes shall be payable in Dollars.

         Section 2.12.  REGISTERED  SECURITIES IN GLOBAL FORM.  (a) The Series C
Medium-Term  Notes  will be issued in the form of one or more  fully  registered
global securities,  representing the aggregate  principal amount of the Series C
Medium-Term  Notes, that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository
Trust Company ("DTC"),  and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of
DTC.

         (b)      Except as provided in Section 3.5 of the Indenture, Beneficial
                  Owners of interests in the Series C Medium-Term  Notes may not
                  exchange such interests for certificated  Series C Medium-Term
                  Notes.

         (c)      In  addition  to the legend  specified  in Section  2.4 of the
                  Indenture,   each   certificate   evidencing   the   Series  C
                  Medium-Term Notes shall bear the following legend:

                  UNLESS  THIS   CERTIFICATE   IS  PRESENTED  BY  AN  AUTHORIZED
                  REPRESENTATIVE  OF THE DEPOSITORY  TRUST  COMPANY,  A NEW YORK
                  CORPORATION  ("DTC"),  TO ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION
                  OF TRANSFER,  EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED
                  IS  REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME
                  AS IS REQUESTED BY AN  AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE  OF DTC (AND
                  ANY  PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER  ENTITY AS
                  IS  REQUESTED BY AN  AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE  OF DTC),  ANY
                  TRANSFER,  PLEDGE,  OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE
                  BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS  WRONGFUL  INASMUCH  AS THE  REGISTERED
                  OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

         (d)      If the Series C  Medium-Term  Notes are  redeemed  pursuant to
                  Sections 2.6 or 2.7 hereof in whole or in part,  the principal
                  amount of the  applicable  global  Series C  Medium-Term  Note
                  shall be  reduced by the  amount of the  interest,  or portion
                  thereof,  so redeemed and an endorsement shall be made on such
                  Series C  Medium-Term  Note by the  Trustee  to  reflect  such
                  reduction.

         Section  2.13.  FORM OF  SERIES  C  MEDIUM-TERM  NOTES.  The  Series  C
Medium-Term  Notes  shall be  substantially  in the form  attached  as Exhibit A
hereto.

         Section 2.14.  DEFEASANCE  AND COVENANT  DEFEASANCE.  The provisions of
Section 4.4 of the Indenture shall apply to the Series C Medium-Term  Notes. The
provisions  of  Section  4.5 of the  Indenture  shall  apply  to  the  Series  C
Medium-Term  Notes with respect to the  covenants  specified in said Section 4.5
and the covenants set forth in Section 2.8 of this Supplemental Indenture No. 4.

          Section 2.15.  REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT. The Trustee shall initially
serve as Registrar and Paying Agent.




<PAGE>



                                    ARTICLE 3

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

          Section  3.1.  The  Indenture,  as  supplemented  and  amended by this
Supplemental  Indenture No. 4, is in all respects hereby adopted,  ratified
and confirmed.

          Section 3.2. This Supplemental  Indenture No. 4 may be executed in any
     number  of  counterparts,  each of  which  shall be an  original;  but such
     counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

         SECTION  3.3.  THIS  SUPPLEMENTAL  INDENTURE  NO. 4 AND  EACH  SERIES C
MEDIUM-TERM  NOTE  SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A  CONTRACT  MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

                [REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]



<PAGE>




                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Supplemental  Indenture No. 4 to be duly executed,  as of the day and year first
written above.

                                        PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION

                                        By: /s/ John D. Johns
                                           John D. Johns
                                           President and Chief Operating Officer

(Seal)                                  By: /s/ Jerry W. DeFoor
                                            Jerry W. DeFoor
                                            Vice President, Controller and Chief
                                            Accounting Officer

Attest: /s/Deborah J. Long

Name:  Deborah J. Long
Title: Senior Vice President, Secretary
       and General Counsel

                                        THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                                        Trustee

                                        By:/s/ Byron Merino

                                        Name:  Byron Merino
                                        Title: Assistant Treasurer

(Seal)

Attest:/s/Marie E. Trimbal

Name:  Marie E. Trimbal
Title: Assistant Treasurer






<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT A TO
                          SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 4

                       (FORM OF FACE OF MEDIUM-TERM NOTE)

UNLESS THIS  CERTIFICATE  IS PRESENTED BY AN  AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE  OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO ISSUER OR ITS AGENT
FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER,  EXCHANGE,  OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED
IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY
AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO
SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE  OF DTC), ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON
IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST
HEREIN.

THIS  MEDIUM-TERM  NOTE IS IN GLOBAL FORM  WITHIN THE  MEANING OF THE  INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER  REFERRED  TO AND IS  REGISTERED  IN THE NAME OF DTC OR A NOMINEE OF
DTC. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR MEDIUM-TERM  NOTES
IN CERTIFICATED  FORM IN THE LIMITED  CIRCUMSTANCES  DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE,
THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR
BY A NOMINEE OF DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY DTC OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A
SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.

                           PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
                   7.10% Medium-Term Note Due December 1, 2011

No. 1                                                         $12,500,000
                                                              CUSIP: 743674 AF 0

Protective Life Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing under the
laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company",  which term includes
any  successor  corporation  under the  Indenture  (as  defined  on the  reverse
hereof)),  for  value  received,  hereby  promises  to  pay to  Cede  & Co.,  or
registered  assigns,  the  principal  sum of  $12,500,000  (Twelve  Million Five
Hundred Thousand  Dollars) on December 1, 2011, and to pay interest thereon from
November  22,  1996,  or from the most  recent  Interest  Payment  Date to which
interest has been paid or duly  provided for.  Interest  shall be payable on the
Company's  7.10%  Medium-Term  Note due  December 1, 2011  ("Medium-Term  Note")
semiannually  on June 1 and December 1 of each year (each an  "Interest  Payment
Date"),  commencing  on June 1, 1997 at the rate of 7.10% per  annum,  until the
principal  hereof is paid or made available for payment;  PROVIDED that any such
installment  of interest,  which is overdue  shall bear  interest at the rate of
7.10%  per annum (to the  extent  that the  payment  of such  interest  shall be
legally  enforceable) from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or
made available for payment,  and such interest  shall be payable on demand.  The
amount of interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be computed on the
basis of twelve  30-day  months and a 360-day  year and,  for any period that is
shorter than a full calendar month, will be



<PAGE>



calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in such period.  In
the event that any date on which interest is payable on this Medium-Term Note is
not a Business  Day,  then payment of the interest  payable on such date will be
made on the next  succeeding  day  which is a  Business  Day  (and  without  any
interest or other  payment in respect to any such delay),  except that,  if such
Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made
on the immediately  preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and
effect as if made on such date. The interest so payable on any Interest  Payment
Date which is punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest  Payment Date
will, as provided in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, be paid to
the Person in whose name this  Medium-Term  Note is  registered  at the close of
business on the Regular Record Date for such Interest  Payment Date, which shall
be the May 15 or  November  15,  as the case  may be,  preceding  such  Interest
Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will
forthwith cease to be payable to the Person in whose name this  Medium-Term Note
is registered on the relevant  Regular Record Date, and such defaulted  interest
shall  instead by payable to the Person in whose name this  Medium-Term  Note is
registered  on the Special  Record Date or other  specified  date  determined in
accordance with the Indenture and  Supplemental  Indenture No. 4, referred to on
the reverse hereof.

         Payment of the principal of and interest on this  Medium-Term Note will
be made at the office or agency of the Company  maintained  for that  purpose in
the Borough of  Manhattan,  The City of New York (which  shall  initially be the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee), in same day funds by wire transfer to an
account  maintained by the Person entitled  thereto as specified in the Register
of Holders of the  Medium-Term  Notes,  in such coin or  currency  of the United
States of  America as at the time of  payment  is legal  tender  for  payment of
public and private debts.

         Reference is hereby made to the further  provisions of this Medium-Term
Note set forth on the reverse  hereof,  which further  provisions  shall for all
purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

         Unless the  certificate of  authentication  hereon has been executed by
the  Trustee  referred  to on the  reverse  hereof  by  manual  signature,  this
Medium-Term  Note shall not be entitled to any benefit  under the  Indenture and
Supplemental  Indenture  No. 4 referred to on the reverse  hereof or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.




<PAGE>



         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Protective  Life  Corporation  has  caused  this
instrument to be executed under its corporate seal.

Dated: November 22, 1996
(Corporate Seal)                               PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION


                                               By: /s/ John D. Johns
                                                   John D. Johns
                                                   President and Chief Operating
                                                   Officer

                                               By: /s/ Jerry W. DeFoor
                                                   Jerry W. DeFoor
                                                   Vice President, Controller
                                                   and Chief Accounting Officer


This is one of the  Securities of the series  described in the  within-mentioned
Indenture.


Dated: November 22, 1996                       THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                                               as Trustee


                                               By:____________________________
                                                  Authorized Signatory





<PAGE>



                      (FORM OF REVERSE OF MEDIUM-TERM NOTE)

This  Medium-Term  Note is one of a duly  authorized  issue of securities of the
Company (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more
series under a Senior Indenture, dated as of June 1, 1994 (herein, together with
all indentures  supplemental thereto,  including  Supplemental  Indenture No. 4,
dated as of November 15, 1996, called the "Indenture"),  from the Company to The
Bank of New York (herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any successor
trustee under the Indenture),  to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a
statement of the respective rights, limitations or rights, duties and immunities
thereunder of the Company,  the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of
the terms  upon  which the  Securities  are,  and are to be,  authenticated  and
delivered.  This  Security is one of the series  designated  on the face hereof,
limited in aggregate principal amount to $12,500,000,  and is issued pursuant to
Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of November 15, 1996, from the Company to
the  Trustee,   relating  to  the  Securities  of  this  series  (herein  called
"Supplemental Indenture No. 4").

The  Securities  of this series shall not be subject to redemption at the option
of the Company at any time and the Company shall have no obligation to redeem or
purchase the Securities pursuant to any sinking fund, except in each instance as
follows:

         Optional Redemption.  On or after December 1, 2001, the Company may, at
its option,  redeem the Medium-Term Notes in whole or in part, from time to time
at a  redemption  price equal to 100% of the  principal  amount to be  redeemed,
together with accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on the principal amount to be
redeemed to the date of the redemption.

In the event that less than all of the  Medium-Term  Notes are to be redeemed at
any time,  selection of the Medium-Term Notes or portions thereof for redemption
will be made by the Trustee by lot or by any other method the Trustee shall deem
fair and reasonable;  provided,  however, that Medium-Term Notes and portions of
the Medium-Term  Notes that the Trustee selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or
integral  multiples  of  $1,000.  Notice of  redemption  to the  Holders  of the
Medium-Term  Notes to be  redeemed  shall be given  by  mailing  notice  of such
redemption by first-class mail, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior
to the date fixed for  redemption  to such Holders of the  Medium-Term  Notes at
their registered address.  Unless the Company defaults in making such redemption
payment,  interest on the  Medium-Term  Notes  called for  redemption  ceases to
accrue on and after the redemption date.

         Redemption at the Option of the Holder.  Unless the  Medium-Term  Notes
have become due and payable prior to their Stated Maturity by reason of an Event
of Default or by reason of redemption  at the option of the Company,  commencing
November 22, 1998 the Representative (as defined below) of a deceased Beneficial
Owner  of an  interest  in the  Medium-Term  Notes  has  the  right  to  request
redemption of all or part of his or her interest in the  Medium-Term  Notes,  in
integral  multiples of $1,000,  for payment  prior to Stated  Maturity,  and the
Company  will redeem the same subject to the  limitations  that the Company will
not be obligated to redeem during any twelve-month period beginning November 22,
1998 or any November 22 thereafter and ending on any November 21 thereafter, (i)
on behalf of any given deceased Beneficial Owner any interest in the Medium-Term
Notes which exceeds an aggregate  principal  amount of $25,000 or (ii) interests
in the Medium-Term Notes in an aggregate  principal amount exceeding two percent
of the aggregate  principal amount of Medium-Term Notes originally issued (i.e.,
$250,000). In the case of interests in the Medium-Term



<PAGE>



Notes owned by a deceased  Beneficial  Owner,  a request for  redemption  may be
presented  to the  Trustee  at any  time  and in any  principal  amount.  If the
Company,  although  not  obligated  to do so,  chooses to redeem  interests of a
deceased  Beneficial Owner in the Medium-Term Notes in any such period in excess
of the $25,000  limitation,  such redemption,  to the extent that it exceeds the
$25,000  limitation  for any  Beneficial  Owner,  shall not be  included  in the
computation  of the two percent  limitation  for such  period or any  succeeding
period.

Subject to the $25,000 and the two percent  limitations,  the Company  will upon
the death of any Beneficial Owner redeem the interest of the Beneficial Owner in
the  Medium-Term  Notes  within 60 days  following  receipt by the  Trustee of a
validly  completed   Redemption  Request  (as  defined  below),   including  all
supporting documentation,  from such Beneficial Owner's personal representative,
or surviving joint tenant(s),  tenant(s) by the entirety or tenant(s) in common,
or  other  persons  entitled  to  effect  such a  Redemption  Request  (each,  a
"Representative").  If a Redemption  Request on behalf of a deceased  Beneficial
Owner exceeds the $25,000 per  prepayment  period  limitation,  or if Redemption
Requests  in  the  aggregate  exceed  the  two  percent  per  prepayment  period
limitation,  then such excess Redemption  Request(s) (subject in the case of the
$25,000  limitation  to the  provisions  of the last  sentence of the  preceding
paragraph)  will be applied to  successive  periods in the order of receipt  for
prepayment, regardless of the number of periods required to redeem such interest
unless sooner withdrawn as described below.

A request for redemption of an interest in the Medium-Term  Notes may be made by
delivering a request to the Participant  through whom the Beneficial  Owner owns
such interest,  in form satisfactory to the Participant,  together with evidence
of  death  of  the  Beneficial   Owner  and  authority  of  the   Representative
satisfactory to the Participant and the Trustee.  A Representative of a deceased
Beneficial Owner may make the request for redemption and shall submit such other
evidence of the right to such  redemption  as the  Participant  or Trustee shall
require. The request shall specify the principal amount of the Medium-Term Notes
to be redeemed. A request for redemption in form satisfactory to the Participant
and  accompanied  by the documents  relevant to the request as described  above,
together with a certification  by the Participant  that it holds the interest on
behalf of the  deceased  Beneficial  Owner with  respect to whom the request for
redemption is being made (the  "Redemption  Request"),  shall be provided to the
Depository by a Participant  and the Depository  will forward the request to the
Trustee. Redemption Requests,  including all supporting documentation,  shall be
in form  satisfactory  to the  Trustee and no request  for  redemption  shall be
considered  validly  made  until  the  Redemption  Request  and  all  supporting
documentation,  in form satisfactory to the Trustee, shall have been received by
the Trustee.

The price to be paid by the Company for an interest in the Medium-Term  Notes to
be redeemed pursuant to a Redemption Request from a deceased  Beneficial Owner's
Representative  is one hundred  percent  (100%) of the principal  amount thereof
plus accrued but unpaid interest on the principal amount redeemed to the date of
payment  to the  Depository  of the  redemption  price of such  interest  in the
Medium-Term Notes.  Subject to arrangements with the Depository,  payment of the
redemption  price  for an  interest  in the  Medium-Term  Notes  which  is to be
redeemed shall be made to the Depository within 60 days following receipt by the
Trustee of the Redemption Request,  including all supporting documentation,  and
the Medium-Term Notes to be redeemed in the aggregate principal amount specified
in the Redemption Request submitted to the Trustee by the Depository which is to
be fulfilled in connection  with such payment.  An  acquisition  of  Medium-Term
Notes by the Company or its subsidiaries  other than by redemption at the option
of any



<PAGE>



Representative  of a deceased  Beneficial  Owner  shall not be  included  in the
computation of either the $25,000 or two percent limitations for any period.

Interests  in the  Medium-Term  Notes  held by tenants  by the  entirety,  joint
tenants or tenants  in common  will be deemed to be held by a single  Beneficial
Owner and the  death of a tenant in  common,  tenant  by the  entirety  or joint
tenant  will be deemed the death of a  Beneficial  Owner.  The death of a person
who, during such person's  lifetime,  was entitled to  substantially  all of the
rights of a Beneficial  Owner will be deemed the death of the Beneficial  Owner,
regardless  of  the   recordation  of  such  interest  on  the  records  of  the
Participant,  if such  rights  can be  established  to the  satisfaction  of the
Participant and the Trustee.  Such interests shall be deemed to exist in typical
cases of nominee  ownership,  ownership under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or
the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act, community property or other joint ownership
arrangements  between  a  husband  and  wife  (including  individual  retirement
accounts or Keogh plans  maintained  solely by or for the  decedent or by or for
the decedent and any spouse), and trust and certain other arrangements where one
person has  substantially  all of the rights of a  Beneficial  Owner during such
person's lifetime.

Any Redemption  Request may be withdrawn upon delivery of a written  request for
such withdrawal  given to the Trustee by the Depository  prior to payment to the
Depository of the redemption price of the interest in the Medium-Term Notes.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the indebtedness
on this Security or of certain restrictive  covenants and Events of Default with
respect to this  Security,  in each case upon  compliance  by the  Company  with
certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions apply to this Security.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and
be  continuing,  the principal of the  Securities of this series may be declared
due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

The  Indenture  permits,  with  certain  exceptions  as  therein  provided,  the
amendment  thereof and the  modification  of the rights and  obligations  of the
Company  and the rights of the  Holders of the  Securities  of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate  principal  amount of
the  Securities  at the time  Outstanding  of each  series to be  affected.  The
Indenture  also  contains   provisions   permitting  the  Holders  of  specified
percentages  in aggregate  principal  amount of the Securities of each series at
the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series,
to waive compliance by the Company with certain  provisions of the Indenture and
certain past  defaults  under the  Indenture  and their  consequences.  Any such
consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding
upon  such  Holder  and upon all  future  Holders  of this  Security  and of any
Security issued upon the  registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor
or in lieu  hereof,  whether or not  notation of such  consent or waiver is made
upon this  Security.  No reference  herein to the  Indenture or to  Supplemental
Indenture  No. 4 and no  provision  of this  Security or of the  Indenture or of
Supplemental  Indenture  No.  4 shall  alter or  impair  the  obligation  of the
Company,  which is absolute  and  unconditional,  to pay the  principal  of, and
interest  on,  this  Security at the times,  place and rate,  and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.




<PAGE>



As provided in the  Indenture  and subject to certain  limitations  as set forth
therein and in  Supplemental  Indenture  No. 4, the transfer of this Security is
registrable on the Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of
transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal
of and interest on this Security are payable,  duly endorsed by, or  accompanied
by a written  instrument of transfer in form  satisfactory  to the Company,  the
Trustee and the  Registrar  duly  executed by the Holder  hereof or his attorney
duly  authorized in writing,  and  thereupon one or more new  Securities of this
series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate
principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

The  Securities  of this series are  issuable  only in  registered  form without
coupons  in  denominations  of $1,000  and any  integral  multiple  thereof.  As
provided in the Indenture and subject to certain  limitations therein set forth,
Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount
of  Securities  of  this  series  of a  like  tenor  of a  different  authorized
denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

No  service  charge  shall be made  for any such  registration  of  transfer  or
exchange,  but the Company may require  payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due  presentment  of this Security for  registration  of transfer,  the
Company,  the  Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
person in whose name this  Security is  registered  as the owner  hereof for all
purposes,  whether or not the Security be overdue,  and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent of the  Company or the  Trustee  shall be affected by
notice to the contrary.

THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF
CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

All terms used in this Security  which are defined in the  Indenture  shall have
the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.






<PAGE>



                             SCHEDULE OF REDEMPTIONS

         The  following  redemptions  of interests in this Global Note have been
made:


             Amount of Decrease     Principal Amount of the     Signature of
Date of      in Principal Amount          Global Note         Authorized Officer
Redemption   of this Global Note    Following Such Decrease      of Trustee







<PAGE>



                                                                   Exhibit 5(d)

           S u t h e r l a n d, A s b i l l & B r e n n a n, L. L. P.
                    ATLANTA O AUSTIN O NEW YORK o WASHINGTON

999 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.                                TEL:   (404) 853-8000
ATLANTA, GEORGIA  30309-3996                              FAX:   (404) 853-8806


                                                 November 22, 1996



Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P.
12555 Manchester Road
St. Louis, Missouri  63131-3729

 Re: Protective Life Corporation -- 7.10% Medium-Term Notes Due December 1, 2011
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      We have  acted as  special  counsel  to  Protective  Life  Corporation,  a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with (i) the preparation and
filing with the Securities and Exchange  Commission  under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Act"),  of a Prospectus  Supplement,  dated  November 15,
1996, as supplemented by Pricing Supplement No. 3, dated November 18, 1996, each
in the form filed  pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the General Rules and  Regulations
under  the  Act  (the   "Prospectus   Supplement"   and  "Pricing   Supplement,"
respectively), relating to the Company's 7.10% Medium-Term Notes due December 1,
2011 (the "Notes") in an aggregate  principal amount of $12,500,000,  to be sold
to you today,  (ii) the  preparation,  execution  and  delivery of  Supplemental
Indenture No. 4, dated as of November 15, 1996,  from the Company to The Bank of
New York, as trustee (the "Trustee"), to the Senior Indenture,  dated as of June
1, 1994, from the Company to the Trustee (as so supplemented,  the "Indenture"),
and (iii) the preparation, execution and delivery of the Distribution Agreement,
dated July 31,  1996 (the  "Distribution  Agreement")  and the Terms  Agreement,
dated  November 18, 1996,  between you and the Company (the "Terms  Agreement").
Capitalized  terms used in this opinion  letter and not defined  herein have the
respective meanings assigned to those terms in the Distribution Agreement.

      In our capacity described above, we have reviewed such documents, records,
agreements and  certificates,  and we have considered such matters of law and of
fact, as we deemed  appropriate.  We have relied upon certificates or statements
or both of various governmental  officials,  and, as to factual matters material
to the opinions expressed herein, certificates of officers of the Company and of
the Trustee and upon the  representations  and warranties made by the Company in
the Distribution Agreement.

      In our  examination,  we have assumed the  genuineness  of  signatures  on
original  documents and the conformity to the originals of all copies  submitted
to us as certified,  conformed or photographic  copies, and the legal competence
of  natural  persons.  As to  certificates  or  statements  or  both  of  public
officials, we have assumed that they have been properly given and are accurate.




<PAGE>



      Based upon the  foregoing and subject to the  qualifications,  assumptions
and limitations set forth herein, we are of the following opinions:

      1.  The Notes have been duly authorized,  executed, issued,  authenticated
          and  delivered  by  the  Company  and  constitute  valid  and  binding
          obligations  of the Company  entitled to the benefits  provided by the
          Indenture,  enforceable  against the Company in accordance  with their
          terms.  The Notes conform in all material  respects to the description
          thereof contained in the Prospectus,  dated October 12, 1994, included
          in the Registration  Statement (the "Prospectus"),  as supplemented by
          the Prospectus Supplement and the Pricing Supplement.

      2.  The Indenture has been duly authorized,  executed and delivered by the
          Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the
          Trustee,  constitutes  a valid  and  binding  instrument,  enforceable
          against the Company in  accordance  with its terms.  The Indenture has
          been duly qualified  under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended
          (the "Trust Indenture Act"), and conforms in all material  respects to
          the description  thereof contained in the Prospectus,  as supplemented
          by the Prospectus Supplement and the Pricing Supplement.

      3.  The Distribution Agreement  and the  Terms  Agreement  have  been duly
          authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

      4.  The Registration Statement and the Prospectus,  as supplemented by the
          Prospectus  Supplement  and the  Pricing  Supplement,  (other than the
          financial  statements  and  related  notes,  the  financial  statement
          schedules and other financial and statistical  data included  therein,
          as to which we express no opinion)  comply as to form in all  material
          respects with the  requirements of the Act and the Trust Indenture Act
          and the rules and regulations thereunder.

      5.  The  statements   contained  in  the  Prospectus   under  the  caption
          "Description  of Debt  Securities of  Protective  Life," as amended or
          supplemented by the statements contained in the Prospectus  Supplement
          under the  caption  "Description  of the Notes" and by the  statements
          contained  in the  Pricing  Supplement,  insofar  as  such  statements
          constitute  summaries of certain  provisions of the documents referred
          to  therein,   fairly  summarize  the  material   provisions  of  such
          documents.

      6.  The  statements  contained  in the  Prospectus  Supplement  under  the
          caption "Certain United States Income Tax Considerations,"  insofar as
          such statements  constitute  summaries of certain provisions of United
          States tax laws  referred to therein,  fairly  summarize  the material
          provisions of such United States tax laws.

      While we have not checked the  accuracy or  completeness  of or  otherwise
verified,  and are not  passing  upon,  and assume no  responsibility  for,  the
accuracy  or  completeness  of, the  statements  contained  in the  Registration
Statement, the Prospectus,  the Prospectus Supplement or the Pricing Supplement,
except to the limited  extent stated in  paragraphs 1, 2, 5 and 6 above,  in the
course  of our  review  and  discussion  of  the  contents  of the  Registration
Statement, the Prospectus,  the Prospectus Supplement and the Pricing Supplement
with  certain  officers  and  employees  of  the  Company  and  its  independent
accountants,  but without independent check or verification,  no facts have come
to our attention that have caused us to believe that the Registration Statement,
the



<PAGE>


Prospectus,  the Prospectus Supplement or the Pricing Supplement, as of the date
of the Terms Agreement and the date hereof (other than the financial  statements
and related notes,  the financial  statement  schedules and other  financial and
statistical data included  therein,  and except for the Statement of Eligibility
of the Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act, as to each of which we
express no  opinion),  contained  or contains an untrue  statement of a material
fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact required to be stated  therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.

      The  foregoing  opinions  are  subject  to the  following  qualifications,
assumptions and limitations:

      a.  Our opinions  expressed  above are limited to the laws of the State of
          New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the
          Federal laws of the United  States.  No opinion is expressed as to any
          other laws, nor to any ordinances, regulations or rules of any county,
          city or other  political  subdivision  of the State of Delaware or the
          State of New York.

     b.   Any opinion as to enforceability is limited by applicable  bankruptcy,
          insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium  or other similar laws now or
          hereafter in effect related to creditors' rights  (including,  without
          limitation,  fraudulent  conveyance and other laws of similar  import)
          and by equitable  principles and defenses affecting  creditors' rights
          generally,  and by the discretion of the courts in granting  equitable
          remedies,  including specific performance  (regardless of whether such
          enforceability  is  considered in a proceeding at law or in equity and
          regardless of whether such limitations are derived from constitutions,
          statutes,  judicial  decisions or  otherwise).

     This  opinion  letter is provided to you for your  exclusive  use solely in
connection with the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
in the Distribution Agreement and the Terms Agreement, and may be relied upon by
you only in  connection  therewith,  may not be relied upon by you for any other
purpose or by anyone else for any purpose,  and may not be quoted,  published or
otherwise  disseminated  without our prior written consent;  provided,  however,
that (i) we hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to
the Registration  Statement with respect to the opinions expressed in paragraphs
1 and 6  above,  and to the  reference  to our firm  under  the  caption  "Legal
Opinions" in the Prospectus Supplement, and (ii) the Trustee may rely, solely in
connection  with  the  consummation  of  the  transactions  contemplated  in the
Distribution Agreement and the Terms Agreement, on our opinions contained in the
first  sentence of  paragraph 1 above and in the first  sentence of  paragraph 2
above,  subject to the  qualifications,  assumptions  and  limitations set forth
above in this opinion letter and upon the additional  assumption  that the Notes
have been duly authenticated by the Trustee.

                                         Very truly yours,



                                        /s/ Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, L.L.P.





<PAGE>




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