PROTECTIVE LIFE CORP
8-K, 1996-09-20
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)            September 15, 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.333-3435,
         33-55063 and  33-52831) of  Protective  Life Corporation and PLC
         Capital L.L.C.:


1(e)(2)  Terms Agreement, dated as of September 16, 1996, by and between
         Protective Life Corporation and Edward D.Jones & Co.

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

4(n)     Specimen 7.45% Medium-Term Note due October 1, 2011 (included as
         Exhibit A to Exhibit 4(g)(3)).

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

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

23(f)    Consent of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan (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:  September 20, 1996                   By:     /s/ Jerry W. DeFoor
                                                   --------------------
                                                   Jerry W. DeFoor
                                                   Vice President and Controller










EXHIBIT 1(e)(2)


                              TERMS AGREEMENT



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

                                                             September 16, 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


                                                         1

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purchase price to the Agent set forth in Schedule I hereto, the principal amount
of Designated Securities set forth in Schedule I.

                  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
                                                            Name: John D. Johns
                                                        Title:   President and
                                                        Chief Operating Officer


Accepted as of the date hereof:

EDWARD D. JONES & CO.



By:    /s/   Victoria R. Westall
         Name: Victoria R. Westall
         Title:    Principal


                                                         2

<PAGE>



                                                    SCHEDULE I

TITLE OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:

         7.45% Medium-Term Notes, due October 1, 2011

AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT:

         $10,000,000.00

PRICE TO PUBLIC:

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

PURCHASE PRICE BY AGENT:

         96.75% 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.
         3, dated as of  September  15, 1996 between the Company and The Bank of
         New York

MATURITY:

         October 1, 2011

INTEREST RATE:

         7.45% per annum, payable semi-annually

INTEREST PAYMENT DATES:

         April 1 and October 1 of each year
         commencing April 1, 1997

RECORD DATES:

         March 15 and September 15 of each year

                                                         1

<PAGE>


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.

REDEMPTION PROVISIONS:

         Right of redemption at option of the Company at any time on or after
         October 1, 2001, as described in Supplemental Indenture No. 3

         Limited right of redemption at the option of the holder, at certain
         times on or after September 20, 1998, as described in Supplemental
         Indenture No. 3

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. 3

TIME OF DELIVERY:

         9:00 a.m., September 20, 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.
         12555 Manchester Road
         St. Louis, Missouri 63131-3729

OTHER TERMS:

         Not applicable



                                                         2



EXHIBIT 4(g)(3)


                           PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION

                                       to

                        THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee

                          SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 3

                         Dated as of September 15, 1996

                   7.45% Medium-Term Notes Due October 1, 2011

                                 ($10,000,000)





<PAGE>




                           PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION

                          SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 3

                                   $10,000,000
                   7.45% Medium-Term Notes Due October 1, 2011


         SUPPLEMENTAL  INDENTURE  NO. 3, dated as of September  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").

                                    RECITALS

         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
1

                       RELATION TO INDENTURE; DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1.  This Supplemental Indenture No. 3 constitutes an integral part of
              the Indenture.

Section 1.2.  For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture No. 3:

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


                                                       1

<PAGE>



         (2) All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise
             specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this
             Supplemental Indenture No. 3; and

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

                                    ARTICLE 2

                         THE SERIES OF MEDIUM-TERM NOTES

         Section  2.1.  TITLE OF THE  SECURITIES.  There  shall  be a series  of
Securities  designated  the "7.45%  Medium-Term  Notes due October 1, 2011" (the
"Series B Medium-Term Notes").

         Section 2.2. LIMITATION ON AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT; DATE OF SERIES B
MEDIUM-TERM  NOTES. The aggregate  principal amount of the Series B Medium- Term
Notes shall be limited to $10,000,000.  Each Series B Medium-Term  Note shall be
dated the date of its authentication.

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

         Section 2.4.  INTEREST AND INTEREST RATES. The rate of interest on each
Series B Medium-Term Note shall be 7.45% per annum,  accruing from September 20,
1996 or from the most recent  Interest  Payment  Date to which  interest on such
Series B Medium-Term Note has been paid or duly provided for.  Interest shall be
payable on each Series B Medium-Term Note  semiannually on April 1 and October 1
of each year (each an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing on April 1, 1997. The
interest so payable on any Series B 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 B Medium-Term Note is registered at the close of business
on the March 15 or September 15, as the case may be,  preceding  such April 1 or
October 1 (each a "Regular Record Date").  The interest so payable on any Series
B  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 B 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 B 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 B
Medium- Term Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, where the Series
B 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 B
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


<PAGE>



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 B Medium-Term  Notes at its sole option,  in whole or
         in part, at any time and from time to time on or after October 1, 2001,
         at a  redemption  price  equal to one  hundred  percent  (100%)  of the
         aggregate   principal   amount  of  the  Series  B  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 B Medium-  Term Note shall
         be evidenced by a Board Resolution.

         (b)  Notice to  Trustee.  If the  Company  wishes  to  redeem  Series B
         Medium-Term  Notes  pursuant  to the terms  hereof  and of the Series B
         Medium-Term  Notes,  it shall notify the Trustee of the redemption date
         and the principal amount of Series B 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 B  Medium-Term  Notes to be Redeemed.  If less
         than all the Series B Medium-Term Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee
         shall  select the Series B 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 B 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 B  Medium-Term
         Notes  selected  for  redemption  and,  in the  case  of any  Series  B
         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 B Medium-Term
         Notes that have denominations larger than $1,000.  Series B Medium-Term
         Notes and  portions  of Series B  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 B Medium-Term  Notes
         called for  redemption  also apply to portions of Series B  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
         B Medium-Term Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.

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


                                                         3

<PAGE>



                           (i)   the redemption date;

                           (ii)  the redemption price;

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

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

                           (v)   that the Series B 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 B 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 B Medium-Term Notes.

                  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 B 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 B  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 B
         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 B Medium-Term

                                                         4

<PAGE>



         Notes  or the  portions  of  Series  B  Medium-Term  Notes  called  for
         redemption.  If a Series B 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 B  Medium-Term  Note was  registered  at the
         close of business on such record date. If any Series B 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 B Medium-Term Notes and in
         Section 2.4 hereof.

         (g) Series B Medium-Term  Notes  Redeemed in Part.  Upon surrender of a
         Series B 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
         B Medium-Term Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed  portion
         of the Series B Medium-Term Note surrendered; provided, however that so
         long as the Series B 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 B Medium- Term Note being redeemed in part, the
         principal  amount of the  applicable  global Series B Medium-Term  Note
         shall be  reduced  as and to the extent  provided  in  Section  2.12(d)
         hereof.

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

         (a) Unless the Series B  Medium-Term  Notes have become due and payable
         prior  to their  Stated  Maturity  by  reason  of an Event of  Default,
         commencing  September 20, 1998 the Representative (as defined below) of
         a deceased  holder of an  interest  in the  Series B 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  B
         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  September 20, 1998 or any September 20
         thereafter and ending on any September 19 thereafter,  (i) on behalf of
         any given  deceased  Beneficial  Owner  any  interest  in the  Series B
         Medium-Term  Notes  which  exceeds  an  aggregate  principal  amount of
         $25,000  or (ii)  interests  in the  Series B  Medium-Term  Notes in an
         aggregate  principal  amount  exceeding  two  percent of the  aggregate
         principal  amount of  Series B Medium-  Term  Notes  originally  issued
         (i.e.,  $200,000). In the case of interests in the Series B 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  B
         Medium-Term Notes in any such period in excess of the $25,000


                                                         5

<PAGE>



         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 B  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 B 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  B
         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.

         (d) The price to be paid by the Company for an interest in the Series B
         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 B
         Medium-Term

                                                         6

<PAGE>



         Notes.  Subject to  arrangements  with the  Depository,  payment of the
         redemption  price for an  interest  in the Series B  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 B 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 B
         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 B 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 B Medium-Term Notes.

         Section 2.8. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS.  For the benefit of the Holders from
time to time of the Series B 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

                                                         7

<PAGE>



         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 B Medium-Term Notes then outstanding (and
         if the Company so elects,  any other  indebtedness  ranking on a parity
         with the  Series B  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 B
         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  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 B 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.


                                                         8

<PAGE>



         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 B 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:

         "(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 B Medium-Term Notes shall be
         issuable in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.


                                                         9

<PAGE>



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

         Section 2.12.  REGISTERED  SECURITIES IN GLOBAL FORM.  (a) The Series B
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 B
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 B  Medium-Term  Notes may not  exchange  such
interests for certificated Series B Medium-Term Notes.

         (c)  In  addition  to  the  legend  specified  in  Section  2.4  of the
Indenture, each certificate evidencing the Series B 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 B 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 B 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
B Medium-Term Note by the Trustee to reflect such reduction.

         Section 2.13. FORM OF SERIES B MEDIUM-TERM  NOTES. The Series B 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 B Medium-Term  Notes. The
provisions  of  Section  4.5 of the  Indenture  shall  apply  to  the  Series  B
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. 3.


                                                        10

<PAGE>



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


                                    ARTICLE 3

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         Section 3.1.  The Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this
Supplemental Indenture No. 3, is in all respects hereby adopted, ratified and
confirmed.

         Section 3.2.  This Supplemental Indenture No. 3 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. 3 AND  EACH  SERIES B
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]


                                                        11

<PAGE>




                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Supplemental  Indenture No. 3 to be duly executed,  as of the day and year first
written above.

                                 PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION

                                 By:    /s/   John D. Johns

                                 Name: John D. Johns
                                 Title:   President and Chief Operating Officer

                                 By:     /s/   Jerry W. DeFoor

                                 Name: Jerry W. DeFoor
                                 Title:   Vice President, Controller and
                                                     Chief Accounting Officer
(Seal)

Attest:    /s/   John K. Wright

Name:   John K. Wright
Title:     Secretary

                                                     THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                                     Trustee

                                                     By:  /s/  Walter N. Gitlin

                                      Name:  Wlater N. Gitlin
                                      Title:  Vice-President

(Seal)

Attest:  /s/   Marie E. Trimboli

Name:   Marie E. Trimboli
Title:     Assistant Treasurer




                                                        12

<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT A TO
                          SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 3

                       (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
                   7.45% Medium-Term Note Due October 1, 2011

No. 1                                                         $10,000,000
                                                         CUSIP: 743674 AD 5

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 $10,000,000  (Ten Million Dollars) on
October 1, 2011,  and to pay interest  thereon from  September 20, 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 7.45% Medium-Term Note
due October 1, 2011 ("Medium-Term  Note")  semiannually on April 1 and October 1
of each year (each an "Interest  Payment Date"),  commencing on April 1, 1997 at
the  rate of  7.45%  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 7.45% per annum (to the extent that
the payment of such

                                                         1

<PAGE>



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  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 March 15 or September  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. 3, 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. 3 referred to on the reverse  hereof or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.



                                                         2

<PAGE>



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

Dated: September 20, 1996
(Corporate Seal)                           PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION


                                           By:
                                           John D. Johns
                                           President and Chief Operating Officer


                                           By:
                                           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: September 20, 1996                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                                                  as Trustee


                                                By:____________________________
                                                      Authorized Signatory



                                                         3

<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. 3,
dated as of September 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 $10,000,000,  and is issued pursuant to
Supplemental  Indenture No. 3, dated as of September 15, 1996,  from the Company
to the  Trustee,  relating  to the  Securities  of this  series  (herein  called
"Supplemental Indenture No. 3").

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 October 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
September  20,  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
September 20, 1998 or any September 20 thereafter and ending

                                                         1

<PAGE>



on any September 19 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.,  $200,000).  In the case of interests
in the  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 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


                                                         2

<PAGE>



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 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

                                                         3

<PAGE>



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. 3 and no  provision  of this  Security or of the  Indenture or of
Supplemental  Indenture  No.  3 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.

As provided in the  Indenture  and subject to certain  limitations  as set forth
therein and in  Supplemental  Indenture  No. 3, 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.


                                                         4

<PAGE>



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.

                [REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


                                                         5

<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



                                                         1

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 5(d)

Edward D. Jones & Co.
September 20, 1996
Page 1







                                                          September 20, 1996



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

 Re:  Protective Life Corporation -- 7.45% Medium-Term Notes Due October 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 July 24, 1996,
as supplemented  by Pricing  Supplement No. 2, dated September 16, 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 7.45% Medium-Term Notes due October 1,
2011 (the "Notes") in an aggregate  principal amount of $10,000,000,  to be sold
to you today,  (ii) the  preparation,  execution  and  delivery of  Supplemental
Indenture No. 3, dated as of September 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 September 16, 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


<PAGE>


Edward D. Jones & Co.
September 20, 1996
Page 2


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.

         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;  and  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.



<PAGE>


Edward D. Jones & Co.
September 20, 1996
Page 3


                  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 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).



<PAGE>


Edward D. Jones & Co.
September 20, 1996
Page 4

         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 opinion contained in the
first sentence of paragraph 2 above,  subject to the qualifications,  exemptions
and limitations set forth in this opinion letter.

                                               Very truly yours,

                                               /s/ Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan

<PAGE>




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