FREMONT GENERAL CORP
10-Q, 1997-11-14
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
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<PAGE>
                                                                            
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                    FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

[X]    QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
       OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly period ended September 30, 1997

                                       OR

       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
       OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition period from __________ to __________

                          Commission File Number 1-8007

                           FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in this charter)

 
               NEVADA                                       95-281526         
    (State or other jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)   

                             2020 Santa Monica Blvd.
                         Santa Monica, California 90404
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip Code)

                                 (310) 315-5500
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required by Section 13 or 15 (d) of  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days. Yes [X]      No __

     Indicate the number of shares  outstanding of each of the issuer's  classes
of common stock:

                                                          SHARES OUTSTANDING   
           CLASS                                           NOVEMBER 10, 1997
Common Stock, $1.00 par value                                  33,015,626


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>


                           FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION

                                      INDEX

                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION


                                                                       Page No.
                                                                       --------

Item    1.   Financial Statements

             Consolidated Balance Sheets
               September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 ............          3

             Consolidated Statements of Income                                 
               Three Months and Nine Months Ended                  
               September 30, 1997 and 1996 .........................          4

             Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                           
                Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 ......          5

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
               on Form 10-Q ........................................          6 

Item    2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial                
               Condition  and Results of Operations ................          8

Item    3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
               About Market Risk
  
                 Not applicable.


                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Items 1-5.   Not applicable

Item    6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K ......................         19

Signature ..........................................................         24






                                       2


<PAGE>

                  FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                 SEPTEMBER 30,     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                     1997             1996
                                                                                 -------------     ------------
                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                     (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S>                                                                             <C>               <C>      
ASSETS
Securities available for sale at fair value:
   Fixed maturity investments  (cost: 1997 - $2,196,065; 1996 - $1,004,248) ...  $  2,253,593      $  1,005,147
   Non-redeemable preferred stock  (cost: 1997 - $355,895; 1996 - $351,812) ...       367,330           354,958
                                                                                 ------------      ------------
      Total securities available for sale .....................................     2,620,923         1,360,105
Loans receivable ..............................................................     1,951,400         1,688,040
Short-term investments ........................................................       170,432           118,582
Other investments .............................................................         8,159             5,623
                                                                                 ------------      ------------
      Total Investments and Loans .............................................     4,750,914         3,172,350

Cash ..........................................................................        65,028            55,378
Accrued investment income .....................................................        37,757            26,794
Premiums receivable and agents' balances ......................................       229,095            99,404
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses ........................................        25,675            13,173
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses ......................................       548,062           438,459
Deferred policy acquisition costs .............................................        34,626            25,551
Costs in excess of net assets acquired ........................................       144,497            67,287
Deferred income taxes .........................................................       160,747            64,035
Other assets ..................................................................       222,817            79,881
Assets held for discontinued operations .......................................       278,635           265,200
                                                                                 ------------      ------------
      Total Assets ............................................................  $  6,497,853      $  4,307,512
                                                                                 ============      ============

LIABILITIES
Claims and policy liabilities:
   Losses and loss adjustment expenses ........................................  $  2,226,145      $  1,256,345
   Life insurance benefits and liabilities ....................................       186,560           202,465
   Unearned premiums ..........................................................       153,551            87,422
   Dividends to policyholders .................................................        59,436            33,093
                                                                                 ------------      ------------
      Total Claims and Policy Liabilities .....................................     2,625,692         1,579,325

Reinsurance premiums payable and funds withheld ...............................        11,181             4,106
Other liabilities .............................................................       226,005            65,574
Thrift deposits ...............................................................     1,372,628         1,114,352
Short-term debt ...............................................................       370,414            16,896
Long-term debt ................................................................       792,248           636,456
Liabilities of discontinued operations ........................................       245,121           231,686
                                                                                 ------------       ------------
      Total Liabilities .......................................................     5,643,289         3,648,395

Commitments and contingencies

Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of
   subsidiary Trust holding solely Company junior subordinated debentures .....       100,000           100,000

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock, par value $1 per share -- Authorized: 49,500,000 shares;
   issued and outstanding: (1997 - 33,013,000 and 1996 - 28,093,000) ..........        33,013            28,093
Additional paid-in capital ....................................................       281,684           168,452
Retained earnings .............................................................       483,383           419,136
Deferred compensation .........................................................       (88,342)          (59,193)
Net unrealized gain on investments, net of deferred taxes .....................        44,826             2,629
                                                                                 ------------      ------------
      Total Stockholders' Equity ..............................................       754,564           559,117
                                                                                 ------------      ------------
      Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity ..............................  $  6,497,853      $  4,307,512
                                                                                 ============      ============

See notes to consolidated financial statements on Form 10-Q.

</TABLE>



                                       3


<PAGE>

                  FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                THREE MONTHS ENDED          NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                   SEPTEMBER 30,               SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                1997          1996          1997           1996
                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                 (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>       
REVENUES
Property and casualty premiums earned ....   $  168,436    $  120,096    $  404,466    $  372,334
Net investment income ....................       42,694        30,159       103,739        95,228
Loan interest ............................       49,018        42,216       140,514       119,270
Realized investment losses ...............         (456)         (170)       (1,485)       (1,694)
Other revenue ............................        7,580         5,085        20,928        15,589
                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
        Total Revenues ...................      267,272       197,386       668,162       600,727

EXPENSES
Losses and loss adjustment expenses ......      105,092        82,035       254,369       261,540
Policy acquisition costs .................       34,107        23,072        82,889        72,587
Provision for loan losses ................        2,747         3,305         6,643         9,153
Other operating costs and expenses .......       44,453        26,562       107,018        78,522
Interest expense .........................       38,647        28,735       103,053        84,704
                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
        Total Expenses ...................      225,046       163,709       553,972       506,506
                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

Income before taxes ......................       42,226        33,677       114,190        94,221
Income tax expense .......................       13,407        10,738        36,074        30,339
                                             ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

            NET INCOME ...................   $   28,819    $   22,939    $   78,116    $   63,882
                                             ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========



PER SHARE DATA

 Net income:
      Primary ............................   $     0.91    $     0.85    $     2.61    $     2.42
      Fully diluted ......................         0.85          0.71          2.34          2.01
                                                                             
 Cash dividends ..........................         0.15          0.15          0.45          0.45

Weighted average shares:
      Primary ............................       31,840        26,961        29,982        26,345
      Fully diluted ......................       34,460        34,199        34,236        33,563




See notes to consolidated financial statements on Form 10-Q.

</TABLE>




                                       4


<PAGE>
                  FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                        SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                   1997            1996
                                                                                -----------     -----------
                                                                                   (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S>                                                                             <C>             <C>        
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income ..................................................................   $    78,116     $    63,882
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
    by operating activities:
     Change in premiums receivable and agents' balances
         and reinsurance recoverable on paid losses .........................        (8,208)          7,059
     Change in accrued investment income ....................................         8,160           9,779
     Change in claims and policy liabilities ................................      (140,373)       (173,710)
     Amortization of policy acquisition costs ...............................        82,889          72,587
     Policy acquisition costs deferred ......................................       (84,606)        (70,312)
     Provision for deferred income taxes ....................................        12,838          18,854
     Provision for loan losses ..............................................         6,643           9,153
     Provision for depreciation and amortization ............................        21,604          18,216
     Net amortization on fixed maturity investments .........................       (12,694)        (18,008)
     Realized investment losses .............................................         1,485           1,694
     Change in other assets and liabilities .................................        77,568         (28,976)
                                                                                -----------     -----------
          Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities ...............        43,422         (89,782)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
Securities available for sale:
     Purchases of securities ................................................    (3,509,089)     (1,286,971)
     Sales of securities ....................................................     2,867,205       1,297,117
     Securities matured or called ...........................................        23,923          49,955
(Increase) decrease in short-term and other investments .....................       465,134         245,355
Loan originations and bulk purchases funded .................................      (733,800)       (508,796)
Receipts from repayments of loans ...........................................       463,797         291,789
Purchase of subsidiaries, less cash acquired ................................      (317,205)              -
Purchase of property and equipment ..........................................       (15,700)         (8,815)
                                                                                -----------     -----------
          Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities ...............      (755,735)         79,634

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from short-term debt ...............................................       353,539         145,401
Repayments of short-term debt ...............................................        (1,967)        (72,191)
Proceeds from long-term debt ................................................       274,260         121,058
Repayments of long-term debt ................................................      (117,750)       (101,004)
Net increase in thrift deposits .............................................       258,276         108,190
Annuity contract receipts ...................................................         1,202         128,543
Annuity contract withdrawals ................................................       (25,269)        (30,756)
Proceeds from sale of Preferred Securities ..................................             -         100,000
Dividends paid ..............................................................       (13,046)        (10,942)
Stock options exercised .....................................................        13,111           1,374
Settlement under life insurance reinsurance agreement .......................             -        (360,000)
Net increase in deferred compensation plans .................................       (20,393)        (28,158)
                                                                                -----------     -----------
          Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities .........................       721,963           1,515
                                                                                -----------     -----------

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH .................................................         9,650          (8,633)

Cash at beginning of year ...................................................        55,378          39,559
                                                                                -----------     -----------

CASH AT SEPTEMBER 30, .......................................................   $    65,028     $    30,926
                                                                                ===========     ===========

See notes to consolidated financial statements on Form 10-Q.

</TABLE>



                                       5


<PAGE>

                  FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ON FORM 10-Q
                                   (Unaudited)


NOTE A --- BASIS OF PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     These  statements have been prepared in accordance with generally  accepted
accounting  principles  and,  accordingly,  adjustments  (consisting  of  normal
accruals)   have  been  made  as   management   considers   necessary  for  fair
presentations.  For further  information,  refer to the  consolidated  financial
statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended  December  31,  1996.  Certain  1996  amounts  have been
reclassified to conform to the 1997 presentation.


NOTE B --- ACQUISITION

     On August 1, 1997,  the Company  completed  the  acquisition  of Industrial
Indemnity  Holdings,  Inc.  a  Delaware  corporation  ("Industrial  Indemnity"),
pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of May 16, 1997 by and among the
Company,  Fremont Indemnity Company,  a California  corporation and wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company ("Fremont  Indemnity") and Talegen  Holdings,  Inc., a
Delaware  corporation and subsidiary of Xerox Corporation  ("Talegen"),  whereby
Fremont  Indemnity  purchased  from  Talegen  all of the issued and  outstanding
capital stock of Industrial  Indemnity.  The purchase  price paid by the Company
consisted of $365 million in cash and the pay-off of  approximately  $79 million
of an outstanding  debt obligation  that  Industrial  Indemnity owed to Talegen.
Financing  for  the   transaction  was  provided  by  internal  funds  and  bank
borrowings.  The aggregate purchase price was determined pursuant to arms-length
negotiations among the constituent corporations. The acquisition will be treated
as a purchase for accounting purposes.

     Industrial  Indemnity's  operating  results are  included in the  Company's
consolidated  statement of income from the date of  acquisition.  The  following
unaudited pro forma  consolidated  data present operating results of the Company
as if the acquisition of Industrial  Indemnity had occurred  January 1, 1997 and
1996,  respectively.  The pro forma results are not intended to be indicative of
the  consolidated  results of  operations  that would have been  reported if the
acquisition had occurred at the dates indicated or of the  consolidated  results
of future operations.

                                                 NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                 1997        1996
                                              ---------    ---------
                                               (MILLIONS OF DOLLARS,
                                              EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


Revenues ...................................   $    861    $     832
Net income .................................         83           74

Per share data:
Net Income
      Primary ..............................   $   2.77    $    2.81
      Fully diluted ........................       2.49         2.31


NOTE C --- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

     During the first three months of 1997,  the Company  purchased an aggregate
864,824  shares  at an  aggregate  cost of  approximately  $26  million  to fund
stock-based management and employee benefit programs.


                                       6



<PAGE>

NOTE D --- NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

     In February 1997, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement  No. 128 ("FASB  128"),  "Earnings  Per Share" and  Statement  No. 129
("FASB 129"), "Disclosure of Information about Capital Structure" which are both
effective for periods ending after December 15, 1997. At that time,  pursuant to
FASB 128,  the Company will be required to change the method  currently  used to
compute  earnings  per  share  and  to  restate  all  prior  periods.   The  new
requirements  replace primary  earnings per share with basic earnings per share.
The dilutive  effect of stock options will be excluded  under basic earnings per
share.  The impact of FASB 128 on the calculation of primary  earnings per share
would have  resulted in an increase of nil and $0.01 per share for the  quarters
ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.  The impact for the nine months
ended  September  30,  1997 and 1996,  respectively,  would have  resulted in an
increase of $0.01 and $0.10.  There was no impact on fully diluted  earnings per
share for the three  months ended  September  30, 1997 and 1996 and for the nine
months ended  September 30, 1996. The impact on the nine months ended  September
30, 1997 would have  resulted in an  increase  of $0.01.  FASB 129  consolidates
existing  requirements  regarding  disclosure  of certain  information  about an
entity's capital, and therefore will have no impact.

     In June 1997,  the FASB issued  Statement No. 130 ("FASB 130"),  "Reporting
Comprehensive  Income"  and  Statement  131  ("FASB  131"),  "Disclosures  about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." Both standards are effective
for periods ending after December 15, 1997.  FASB 130 requires most companies to
report  "Comprehensive  Income," a new, additional measure of income, to include
foreign  currency  translation  gains and losses and other  unrealized gains and
losses that are today excluded from net income and reflected  instead in equity.
FASB 131 changes the disclosure guidelines for reporting operating segments. The
Company has not yet determined the impact of FASB 130 and FASB 131.


                                       7


<PAGE>

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS



     THE FOLLOWING  MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS  CONTAINS  CERTAIN  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS  WHICH
INVOLVE  RISKS AND  UNCERTAINTIES.  THE  COMPANY'S  ACTUAL  RESULTS COULD DIFFER
MATERIALLY FROM THE RESULTS ANTICIPATED IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A
RESULT OF CERTAIN FACTORS  INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH ELSEWHERE IN THIS QUARTERLY
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q.


GENERAL

     Fremont General  Corporation (the "Company") is a nationwide  insurance and
financial  services  holding  company,  operating  select  businesses  in  niche
markets.  Fremont  General's  insurance  business  includes  one of the  largest
underwriters of workers' compensation  insurance in the nation. The Company also
provides medical  malpractice  insurance.  Fremont General's  financial services
business  includes  commercial  real  estate  lending,  residential  real estate
lending, commercial finance and premium financing. The Company's total assets as
of September 30, 1997 were $6.5 billion.  The primary operating  strategy of the
Company  is  to  build  upon  its  core  business   units  through   acquisition
opportunities and new business development.  The Company's secondary strategy is
to achieve income balance and geographic  diversity  among its business units in
order to limit the  exposure of the  Company to  industry,  market and  regional
concentrations.  The  Company's  stock is traded on the New York Stock  Exchange
under the symbol "FMT" (NYSE: FMT).


     Consistent  with its primary  operating  strategy,  the Company's  workers'
compensation insurance operations have recently expanded through the acquisition
on  August  1,  1997  of  Industrial  Indemnity  Holdings,   Inc.   ("Industrial
Indemnity")  from  Talegen  Holdings,  Inc  ("Talegen),  a  subsidiary  of Xerox
Corporation, whereby a subsidiary of the Company purchased all of the issued and
outstanding  capital stock of Industrial  Indemnity.  The purchase price paid by
the Company  consisted of $365 million in cash and the pay-off of  approximately
$79 million of an outstanding debt obligation that Industrial  Indemnity owed to
Talegen.  Financing for the  transaction was provided by internal funds and bank
borrowings.  Industrial  Indemnity,  which specializes in underwriting  workers'
compensation  insurance,  has a strong  presence  in the western  United  States
dating back over 70 years. In 1996,  Industrial Indemnity had premiums earned of
$234  million,   with  invested  assets  of  approximately  $1.1  billion.   The
acquisition was treated as a purchase for accounting  purposes and two months of
Industrial  Indemnity's  operating results are included in the Company's results
of operations for the quarter ended September 30, 1997.

     The Company's  balance  sheet at September 30, 1997 has been  significantly
impacted by the acquisition of Industrial  Indemnity.  At the acquisition  date,
the assets  acquired and  liabilities  assumed are  summarized  in the following
table: 


                                       8

<PAGE>

                                                                     (THOUSANDS
                                                                     OF DOLLARS)
                                                                     -----------
Assets acquired:
      Fixed maturity investments - at market .....................   $   520,741
      Short-term investments .....................................       518,294
      Premiums receivable and agents' balances ...................       124,295
      Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses ...................       146,510
      Deferred income taxes ......................................       129,537
      Costs in excess of net assets acquired .....................        70,572
      Assets held for discontinued operations ....................        22,737
      Other assets, including cash, accrued
         investment income, reinsurance recoverable
         on paid losses, and deferred policy acquisition
         costs ...................................................       269,806
                                                                     -----------
                                                                     $ 1,802,492
                                                                     ===========

Liabilities assumed:
      Losses and loss adjustment expenses ........................   $ 1,115,736
      Unearned premiums ..........................................        53,932
      Dividends to policyholders .................................        33,841
      Long-term debt .............................................        78,750
      Accrued costs for discontinued operations ..................        22,737
      Other liabilities ..........................................       132,496
                                                                     -----------
         Total liabilities assumed ...............................     1,437,492
                                                                     -----------

Net Purchase Price ...............................................   $   365,000
                                                                     ===========


     Allocation of the purchase price is subject to valuations and other studies
which are not yet complete.  Accordingly,  the final  allocation of the purchase
price may be different from the amounts  summarized in the preceding  table.  In
addition to the purchase price, the Company incurred  approximately $9.9 million
in acquisition-related costs.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The  following  table  presents  information  for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 with respect to the Company's primary business
segments.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     THREE MONTHS ENDED            NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                        SEPTEMBER 30,                SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                     1997          1996           1997          1996
                                                  ----------    ----------     ----------    ----------
                                                              (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S>                                               <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>       
Revenues:
     Property and casualty ...................    $  207,664    $  147,776     $  498,628    $  456,381
     Financial services ......................        59,517        49,333        168,913       143,041
     Corporate ...............................            91           277            621         1,305
                                                  ----------    ----------     ----------    ----------
              Total ..........................    $  267,272    $  197,386     $  668,162    $  600,727
                                                  ==========    ==========     ==========    ==========

Income (Loss) Before Taxes:
     Property and casualty ...................    $   38,720    $   30,715     $  103,818    $   86,120
     Financial services ......................        10,483         9,724         31,444        26,112
     Corporate ...............................        (6,977)       (6,762)       (21,072)      (18,011)
                                                  ----------    ----------     ----------    ----------
              Total ..........................    $   42,226    $   33,677     $  114,190    $   94,221
                                                  ==========    ==========     ==========    ==========

</TABLE>

    The Company  generated  revenues  of  approximately  $267  million and $668
million  in the three and nine  month  periods  ended  September  30,  1997,  as
compared to $197 million and $601 million in the same periods in


                                       9


<PAGE>

1996. Revenues were higher in the three and nine months ended September 30, 1997
as compared to the same prior year periods,  due primarily to the acquisition of
Industrial Indemnity and higher loan interest revenues in the financial services
segment.  Higher loan interest  revenues in the financial  services segment were
due mainly to  significant  growth in the average  loan  portfolios  of the real
estate  lending and commercial  finance  operations.  See "Financial  Services."
Realized  investment  losses in the three and nine month periods ended September
30, 1997 were $456,000 and  $1,485,000,  respectively,  compared to $170,000 and
$1,694,000, respectively, for the same periods in 1996.

     The  Company  had net income of $28.8  million or $0.91 per share and $78.1
million or $2.61 per share for the three and nine month periods ended  September
30,  1997,  respectively,  as compared  to $22.9  million or $0.85 per share and
$63.9  million or $2.42 per share for the same  periods in 1996.  Income  before
taxes for the three and nine month  periods  ended  September 30, 1997 was $42.2
million and $114.2 million, respectively, as compared to $33.7 million and $94.2
million for the same periods in 1996,  representing increases of 25.4% and 21.2%
for the three and nine month periods, respectively.

     The property and casualty  insurance  operations,  consisting  primarily of
workers' compensation insurance, posted income before taxes of $38.7 million and
$103.8  million for the three and nine month periods  ended  September 30, 1997,
respectively,  as  compared  to $30.7  million  and $86.1  million  for the same
periods in 1996. The increases in income before taxes of 28.8% and 22.3% for the
three  and  nine  month  periods,  respectively,   were  due  primarily  to  the
recognition of continued lower claim frequency and the acquisition of Industrial
Indemnity.  The  combined  ratio  for the  three and nine  month  periods  ended
September 30, 1997 was 93.2% and 92.0%  compared to 93.9% and 95.8% for the same
periods in 1996.

     The financial  services business segment posted income before taxes for the
three and nine  months  ended  September  30, 1997 of $10.5  million,  and $31.4
million,  respectively,  as compared to $9.7  million and $26.1  million for the
same periods of 1996.  These  increases were due mainly to the general growth in
the average loan portfolio. The average loan portfolio grew to $1.86 billion for
the nine month period ended September 30, 1997, respectively, from $1.57 billion
for the same period of 1996.

     Corporate  revenues during the three and nine month periods ended September
30, 1997 and 1996  consisted  primarily of investment  income,  while  corporate
expenses consisted  primarily of interest expense and general and administrative
expenses.  The corporate  loss before income taxes for the three and nine months
ended  September 30, 1997 was $7.0 million and $21.1 million as compared to $6.8
million and $18.0  million  for the same  periods of 1996.  The  increase in the
corporate  loss before  taxes for both the three and nine month  periods was due
primarily to lower investment income and increased administrative expenses.

     Income tax  expense of $13.4  million  and $36.1  million for the three and
nine months ended  September 30, 1997,  respectively,  represents  effective tax
rates of 31.8% and 31.6% on  respective  pre-tax  income  of $42.2  million  and
$114.2  million.  These  effective tax rates are lower than the enacted  federal
income tax rate of 35%,  due  primarily  to tax exempt  investment  income which
reduces the Company's taxable income.


   PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS


     The following  table  represents  information  for the three and nine month
periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 with respect to the Company's property
and casualty insurance operations:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED       NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                  SEPTEMBER 30,            SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                1997        1996         1997        1996
                                              ----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
                                                          (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

<S>                                           <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>       
Revenues .................................    $  207,664  $  147,776   $  498,628  $  456,381
Expenses .................................       168,944     117,061      394,810     370,261
                                              ----------  ----------   ----------  ----------
Income Before Taxes ......................    $   38,720  $   30,715   $  103,818  $   86,120
                                              ==========  ==========   ==========  ==========

</TABLE>


                                       10


<PAGE>

     PREMIUMS.   Premiums  earned  from  the  Company's  property  and  casualty
insurance  operations  were $168.4  million and $404.5  million in the three and
nine month periods ended  September 30, 1997, as compared to $120.1  million and
$372.3  million  for the same  periods  of 1996.  The higher  premiums  were due
primarily to the acquisition of Industrial Indemnity. With this acquisition, the
Company has broadened the geographic  diversity of its premium  writings.  Using
the Company's  estimated  annual premiums on policies in effect at September 30,
1997  and  1996  (referred  to as  "inforce  premium"),  the  percentage  of the
Company's  inforce  premium in California is 41%, up  significantly  from 30% at
September 30, 1996. Additionally, the Company's percentage of inforce premium in
Illinois is 22% at September 30, 1997, down  substantially from 47% at September
30,  1996.  The  Company  has  observed a  moderation  of price  competition  in
California, which adopted an open rating system effective January 1, 1995, while
Illinois  continues  to  experience  price  competition.   See  "Variability  of
Operating  Results"  and  "Workers'  Compensation  Regulation."  The  Industrial
Indemnity  acquisition  has also afforded the Company a significant  presence in
the western United  States,  in addition to  California.  These western  states,
excluding California,  have collectively exhibited relatively stable competitive
environments.

     NET  INVESTMENT  INCOME.  Net  investment  income  within the  property and
casualty insurance  operations was $39.7 million and $95.7 in the three and nine
month periods ended September 30, 1997,  higher as compared to $27.8 million and
$85.7  million  for the same  periods  of  1996.  This is due  primarily  to the
acquisition of Industrial Indemnity.

     LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT  EXPENSE.  The property and casualty loss and loss
adjustment expenses ("LAE") were $105.1 million and $254.4 million for the three
and nine month  periods  ended  September 30, 1997, as compared to $82.0 million
and $261.5 million for the same periods of 1996. In addition, the ratio of these
losses and LAE to property and casualty insurance premiums earned ("loss ratio")
was 62.4% and 62.9% for the three and nine month  periods  ended  September  30,
1997, as compared to 68.3% and 70.2% for the same periods of 1996.  The decrease
in the loss ratio was due primarily to the  recognition of savings  generated by
the Company's implementation of more effective claims handling procedures in its
mid-west  region,  offset  partially  by  higher  loss  ratios  associated  with
Industrial Indemnity.

        The Company regularly reviews its reserving techniques,  overall reserve
position  and  reinsurance.   In  light  of  present  facts  and  current  legal
interpretations, management believes that adequate provisions have been made for
loss  reserves.  In making this  determination,  management  has  considered its
claims experience to date, loss development history for prior accident years and
estimates  of  future  trends  of  claims   frequency  and  severity.   However,
establishment of appropriate  reserves is an inherently  uncertain process,  and
there  can be no  certainty  that  currently  established  reserves  will  prove
adequate in light of subsequent actual experience.  Subsequent actual experience
has resulted and could result in loss reserves being too high or too low. Future
loss development could require reserves for prior periods to be increased, which
would adversely impact earnings in future periods.

     POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS AND OTHER OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES.  The ratio
of policy  acquisition  costs and other operating costs and expenses to premiums
earned is referred to as the  expense  ratio,  which was 30.0% and 28.8% for the
three and nine month periods ended  September 30, 1997, as compared to 25.6% for
both the three and nine month  periods of 1996.  The  increase in this ratio was
due primarily to higher agents'  commission costs and higher operating costs and
expenses.

     DIVIDENDS  TO  POLICYHOLDERS.  The  policyholder  dividends  ratio  for the
Company's  property  and  casualty  insurance  business was 0.8% and 0.3% in the
three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1997. During 1996 there were no
dividends  accrued.  This is due primarily to the type of workers'  compensation
insurance policies written by the Company.  The Company's workers'  compensation
insurance policies are predominately  written as  non-participating,  which does
not include provisions for dividend consideration.  The dividends accrued in the
three and nine month periods  ended  September 30, 1997 were due entirely to the
acquisition of Industrial Indemnity.

     VARIABILITY  OF  OPERATING  RESULTS.  The  Company's  profitability  can be
affected significantly by many factors including  competition,  the severity and
frequency of claims, interest rates, regulations,  court decisions, the judicial
climate, and general economic conditions and trends, all of which are outside of
the Company's control.  These factors have contributed,  and in the future could
contribute,  to  significant  variation  of results of  operations  in different
aspects of the Company's business from quarter to quarter and year to year. With
respect to the workers'  compensation  insurance  business,  changes in economic
conditions  can lead to reduced  premium levels due to lower


                                       11


<PAGE>

payrolls as well as increased claims due to the tendency of workers who are laid
off to submit workers'  compensation claims.  Legislative and regulatory changes
can also  contribute  to variable  operating  results for workers'  compensation
insurance businesses.  For example, in 1995 the Company experienced the negative
impact of lower  premiums and lower  profitability  on the Company's  California
workers' compensation business due to increased price competition resulting from
legislation  enacted in  California  in July 1993  which,  among  other  things,
repealed the minimum rate law  effective  January 1, 1995.  Additionally,  price
competition in Illinois, where the Company has a significant presence, continues
to impact the Company's profitability,  where overall average decreases of 10.0%
and 13.6% in advisory  premium  rates,  which  workers'  compensation  insurance
companies  in  Illinois  tend to follow,  became  effective  January 1, 1997 and
January 1, 1996,  respectively.  See  "Workers'  Compensation  Regulation."  The
acquisition  of Industrial  Indemnity  may mitigate the adverse  effects of this
price competition in Illinois by providing the Company with a broader geographic
diversity of its premium writings.  The Company  anticipates that its results of
operations and financial condition will continue to be adversely affected by the
increased price competition in Illinois.  Also, the establishment of appropriate
reserves  necessarily  involves  estimates,  and reserve adjustments have caused
significant fluctuations in operating results from year to year.

     WORKERS'  COMPENSATION  REGULATION.  Illinois began operating under an open
rating  system  in 1982  and  California  began  operating  under  such a system
effective  January 1, 1995.  In an open  rating  system,  workers'  compensation
companies  are provided with advisory  premium rates by job  classification  and
each insurance  company  determines its own premium rates based in part upon its
particular  operating  and loss  costs.  Although  insurance  companies  are not
required to adopt such advisory premium rates,  companies in Illinois  generally
follow such rates.  This  characteristic  has resulted in price  competition  in
Illinois, where overall average decreases in advisory premium rates of 10.0% and
13.6%  became  effective  January  1,  1997  and  1996,  respectively.  However,
insurance  companies in  California  have,  since the adoption of an open rating
system,  generally set their premium  rates below such advisory  premium  rates.
Before January 1, 1995,  California  operated under a minimum rate law,  whereby
premium rates  established  by the  California  Department of Insurance were the
minimum rates which could be charged by an insurance carrier.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

     The Company's financial services operations,  which are comprised primarily
of the results of Fremont General Credit Corporation  ("FGCC"),  are principally
engaged in commercial and residential  real estate lending,  commercial  finance
and premium  financing.  Revenues consist primarily of interest income and, to a
lesser extent fees and other income.

     The  following  table  presents  information  for the three and nine  month
periods  ended  September  30,  1997  and 1996  with  respect  to the  Company's
financial services operations:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED      NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                  SEPTEMBER 30,           SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                 1997        1996       1997        1996
                                              ---------  ---------   ----------  ----------
                                                         (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

<S>                                           <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>       
Revenues ..................................   $  59,517  $  49,333   $  168,913  $  143,041
Expenses ..................................      49,034     39,609      137,469     116,929
                                              ---------  ---------   ----------  ----------
Income Before Taxes .......................   $  10,483  $   9,724   $   31,444  $   26,112
                                              =========  =========   ==========  ==========

</TABLE>

     Revenues  increased  20.6% and 18.1% in the  three and nine  month  periods
ended September 30, 1997, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 1996,
due primarily to greater loan interest revenue attributable to the growth in the
average loan portfolio of the commercial and residential real estate lending and
commercial finance operations.

     Income before taxes in the financial services  operations was $10.5 million
and $31.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1997,
as compared to $9.7 million and $26.1 million for the same periods of 1996.  The
7.8% and 20.4%  increases  in income  before  taxes in the three and nine  month
periods ended September 30, 1997 was due primarily to higher income before taxes
in the real estate lending operation.  Contributing to this higher income before
taxes were higher loan  interest  revenue due to a greater  average  real estate



                                       12

<PAGE>

loan  portfolio and a lower loan loss  provision  relative to loans  receivable,
which resulted from lower loan loss experience.  These conditions were partially
offset by an increase in the cost of funds and increases in operating expenses.

     The following  table  identifies  the interest  income,  interest  expense,
average  interest-bearing  assets and liabilities,  and interest margins for the
Company's financial services operations:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 1997                                   1996
                                                 -----------------------------------      -----------------------------------
                                                   AVERAGE                    YIELD/        AVERAGE                   YIELD/
                                                   BALANCE        INTEREST   COST (1)       BALANCE       INTEREST   COST (1)
                                                 ------------    ----------  --------     ------------   ----------  --------
                                                                (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PERCENTS)
<S>                                              <C>             <C>            <C>       <C>            <C>            <C>  
Interest bearing assets (2) :
    Commercial finance, premium
       finance and other loans ...............   $    648,026    $   52,341     10.77%    $    650,888   $   53,603     10.98%
    Thrift and loan:
       Cash equivalents ......................        115,675         4,710      5.43          148,519        5,925      5.32 
       Investments ...........................         50,682         2,165      5.70           30,196        1,277      5.64
       Commercial real estate loans ..........        925,977        66,597      9.59          724,363       52,511      9.67
       Residential real estate loans .........        305,792        22,063      9.62          198,727       14,087      9.45
       Other thrift loans ....................          1,354           103     10.14              579           54     12.44  
                                                 ------------    ----------               ------------   ----------

    Total interest bearing assets ............   $  2,047,506    $  147,979      9.64%    $  1,753,272   $  127,457      9.69%
                                                 ============    ==========               ============   ==========

Interest bearing liabilities:
    Savings deposits .........................   $    257,449    $    9,710      5.03%    $    252,918   $    9,405      4.96%
    Time deposits ............................        992,296        43,306      5.82          718,757       30,859      5.72
    Commercial paper and other ...............          7,093           303      5.70            2,132           77      4.82
    Securitization obligation ................        301,355        13,819      6.11          297,017       13,598      6.10
    Debt with banks ..........................        219,762        10,904      6.62          233,940       11,322      6.45
    Debt from affiliates .....................         50,968         2,042      5.34           58,915        2,161      4.89
                                                 ------------    ----------               ------------   ----------
    Total interest bearing liabilities .......   $  1,828,923    $   80,084      5.84%    $  1,563,679   $   67,422      5.75%
                                                 ============    ==========               ============   ==========

                                                                                                     
Net interest income ..........................                   $   67,895                              $   60,035
                                                                 ==========                              ==========
Net yield ....................................                                   4.42%                                   4.57%

- ------------------
 (1)   Annualized
 (2)   Average loan balances inclue non-accrual loan balances.

</TABLE>

     The  margin  between  the  Company's  interest  income  and  cost of  funds
decreased in the nine month period ended  September  30, 1997 as compared to the
nine month period ended  September 30, 1996,  due primarily to a decrease in the
net margins in the commercial finance lending segment due primarily to increases
in the credit quality of the  commercial  loan  portfolio,  as well as increased
competition.  Partially offsetting this was a slight increase in the net margins
in the real estate lending operation,  due mainly to an increase in the yield on
residential  real estate  loans  offset  partially  by decreases in the yield on
commercial real estate loans.

     LOANS  RECEIVABLE  AND RESERVE  ACTIVITY.  The following  table shows loans
receivable in the various financing  categories and the percentages of the total
represented by each category:


                                       13

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           SEPTEMBER 30,            DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1997                     1996
                                                       --------------------     --------------------
                                                                       % OF                   % OF
                                                          AMOUNT      TOTAL      AMOUNT       TOTAL
                                                       -----------   ------     -----------   ------
                                                          (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PERCENTS)
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>        <C>           <C>
Accounts receivable and inventory loans:
      Commercial finance ...........................   $   418,697       21%    $   385,734       22%
Term loans:
      Thrift and loan ..............................     1,349,576       68       1,113,950       65
      Commercial finance, premium finance
      and other loans ..............................       224,363       11         226,103       13
                                                       -----------   ------     -----------   ------
           Total term loans ........................     1,573,939       79       1,340,053       78
                                                       -----------   ------     -----------   ------
           Total loans .............................     1,992,636      100       1,725,787      100
Less allowance for possible loan losses ............        41,236        2          37,747        2
                                                       -----------   ------     -----------   ------
      Loans receivable .............................   $ 1,951,400       98%    $ 1,688,040       98%
                                                       ===========   ======     ===========   ======

</TABLE>


     The following  table  illustrates  the  maturities  of the Company's  loans
receivable:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      MATURITIES AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1 TO 24    25 TO 60     OVER 60
                                                                MONTHS      MONTHS      MONTHS        TOTAL
                                                              ---------   ---------   ---------   -----------
                                                                         (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>      
Accounts receivable and inventory
       loans -- variable rate ............................    $ 424,384   $       -   $       -   $   424,384
Term loans -- variable rate ..............................      246,157     578,902     532,791     1,357,850
Term loans -- fixed rate .................................      111,523      46,615      52,264       210,402
                                                              ---------   ---------   ---------   -----------
       Total .............................................    $ 782,064   $ 625,517   $ 585,055   $ 1,992,636
                                                              =========   =========   =========   ===========

</TABLE>

     The Company  monitors the relationship of fixed and variable rate loans and
interest bearing liabilities in order to minimize interest rate risk.

     Adverse economic  developments can negatively affect the Company's business
and results of  operations in a number of ways.  Such  developments  can,  among
other  things,  reduce the demand for loans,  impair the ability of borrowers to
pay loans and impair the value of the underlying collateral.

     The following  table describes the asset  classifications,  loss experience
and reserve  reconciliation  of the real estate lending and  commercial  finance
operations as of or for the periods ended as shown below:


                                       14

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                               SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                         -------------------------
                                                                              1997          1996
                                                                         ------------  -----------
                                                                           (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS,
                                                                              EXCEPT PERCENTS)

<S>                                                                      <C>           <C>        
Non-accrual loans ....................................................   $    28,610   $    26,824
Accrual loans 90 days past due .......................................           882           349
Real estate owned ("REO") ............................................        10,631         9,953
                                                                         -----------   -----------
Total non-performing assets ..........................................   $    40,123   $    37,126
                                                                         ===========   ===========

Beginning allowance for possible loan losses .........................   $    37,747   $    31,781
Provision for loan losses ............................................         6,643         9,153
Reserves established with portfolio acquisitions .....................             -         1,830
Charge-offs:
         Commercial finance, premium finance and other loans .........         2,453         5,456
         Thrift and Loan:
                Commercial real estate ...............................           790         2,681
                Residential real estate loans ........................           977           229
                Other thrift loans ...................................             2            94
                                                                         -----------   -----------
         Total charge-offs ...........................................         4,222         8,460
                                                                         -----------   -----------
Recoveries:
         Commercial finance, premium finance and other loans .........            36            29
         Thrift and Loan:
                Commercial real estate ...............................           338           564
                Residential real estate loans ........................           596           139
                Other thrift loans ...................................            98           258
                                                                         -----------   -----------
         Total recoveries ............................................         1,068           990
                                                                         -----------   -----------
Net charge-offs ......................................................         3,154         7,470
                                                                         -----------   -----------
Ending allowance for possible loan losses ............................   $    41,236   $    35,294
                                                                         ===========   ===========

Allocation of allowance for possible loan losses:
         Commercial finance, premium finance and other loans .........   $    12,311   $    13,672
         Thrift and loan .............................................        28,925        21,622
                                                                         -----------   -----------
         Total allowance for possible loan losses ....................   $    41,236   $    35,294
                                                                         ===========   ===========

Total loans receivable ...............................................   $ 1,992,636   $ 1,741,495
Average total loans receivable .......................................   $ 1,864,222   $ 1,573,796
Net charge-offs to average total loans receivable (annualized) .......          0.23%         0.63%
Non-performing assets to total loans receivable ......................          2.01%         2.13%
Allowance for possible loan losses to total loans receivable .........          2.07%         2.03%
Allowance for possible loan losses to non-performing assets ..........        102.77%        95.07%
Allowance for possible loan losses to non-accrual
         loans and accrual loans 90 days past due ....................        139.82%       129.89%

</TABLE>

     Non-performing  assets increased modestly to $40.1 million at September 30,
1997 from $37.1 million at September 30, 1996. This increase is due primarily to
increases in non-accrual  commercial finance loans, accrual real estate loans 90
days  past  due and  REO.  Overall,  these  increases  are  consistent  with the
significant increase in total loans receivable to $1.86 billion at September 30,
1997 from $1.57 billion at September 30, 1996.

     The  lower  provision  for loan  losses  in the  nine  month  period  ended
September  30, 1997 as  compared  to the same  period of the prior year,  is due
primarily to improved loan loss experience in the real estate lending operation.
Additionally,  a lower loan loss provision  occurred in the  commercial  finance
operation  as the Company was  adversely  impacted in the first three  months of
1996  by a  specific  loan  loss  provision  associated  with  one  loan  in the
commercial  finance loan portfolio.  Substantially all of the charge-offs in the
commercial finance segment in the first nine months of 1996 were also related to
this loan. The Company's  overall  improved loan loss experience is evidenced by
the  decreases  in both the ratio of net  charge-offs  to  average  total  loans
receivable and the ratio of  non-performing  assets to total loans receivable in
the  preceding  table.   The  Company's   allowance  for  possible  loan  losses
strengthened  in 1997 as indicated by the increase in the ratio of the allowance
for possible loan losses to


                                       15

<PAGE>

non-accrual loans and accrual loans 90 days past due to 139.82% at September 30,
1997 from 129.89% at September 30, 1996.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     The property and casualty  insurance  operations  must have cash and liquid
assets  available to meet their  obligations to policyholders in accordance with
contractual  obligations,  in  addition  to having the funds  available  to meet
ordinary operating costs. These operations have several sources of funds to meet
their  obligations,   including  cash  flow  from  operations,  recoveries  from
reinsurance contracts and investment securities. By statute, the majority of the
cash from these  operations  is  required to be  invested  in  investment  grade
securities to provide protection for policyholders. The Company invests in fixed
income  and  preferred  equity  securities  with an  objective  of  providing  a
reasonable  return while  limiting  credit and  liquidity  risk.  The  Company's
investment portfolio had an unrealized gain of $69.0 million and $4.0 million at
September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively.

     The Company's thrift and loan subsidiary,  which is principally  engaged in
real estate lending,  finances its lending activities primarily through customer
deposits,  which have grown to $1.37  billion at  September  30, 1997 from $1.11
billion at December  31,  1996.  In addition,  this  subsidiary  is eligible for
financing  through the Federal Home Loan Bank of San  Francisco  ("FHLB").  This
financing is available at varying  rates and terms.  As of  September,  30 1997,
$292 million was available under the facility with no outstanding advances.

     The Company's  commercial  finance  operation funds its lending  activities
primarily through its asset securitization  program, an unsecured revolving line
of credit with a syndicated bank group and its capital. The asset securitization
program was  established to provide a stable and cost effective  source of funds
to  facilitate  the  expansion of this  business.  As of September  30, 1997, an
aggregate   $235  million   senior  series  and  an  aggregate   $39.26  million
subordinated series of asset-backed certificates were outstanding.  The interest
rate on the  certificates,  set  monthly,  ranged from LIBOR plus 0.23% to LIBOR
plus 0.95% at September 30, 1997. The  securities  issued in this program have a
scheduled maturity of three to five years, but could mature earlier depending on
fluctuations  in  outstanding  balances  of loans  in the  portfolio  and  other
factors.  As of September 30, 1997,  up to $265 million in  additional  publicly
offered asset-backed certificates may be issued pursuant to a shelf registration
statement to fund future growth in the commercial finance portfolio. In February
1996, $135 million of the senior series  certificates  ("Series C") were issued.
The proceeds  were used,  in  conjunction  with  existing  cash,  to retire $200
million in Series A  certificates,  which were  outstanding  as of December  31,
1995. In April 1997,  $109.26 million in certificates  ("Series D") were issued,
comprised  of  $100  million  in  senior   certificates  and  $9.26  million  in
subordinated certificates.  The Series D certificates were issued to retire $100
million in maturing Series B certificates.  In December 1995, a commercial paper
facility  was  established  as part of the asset  securitization  program.  This
facility,  which  expires in December  1998,  provides for the issuance of up to
$150 million in commercial paper,  dependent upon the level of assets within the
asset  securitization  program.  As of  September  30,  1997,  $42  million  was
outstanding under this facility.  The commercial finance  operation's  unsecured
revolving line of credit is with a syndicated bank group that presently  permits
borrowings of up to $450 million,  which includes a revolving credit facility of
$350 million and a term loan of $100  million.  The  revolving  credit  facility
coverts to a term loan in August 2000,  with ultimate  maturity of the term loan
in June  2002.  The $100  million  term loan  matures  July  2001.  The  balance
outstanding at September 30, 1997 of the revolving  credit facility and the term
loan was $114 million and $100 million,  respectively,  with a weighted  average
interest  rate of 6.06%.  This credit line is primarily  used to finance  assets
which are not included in the Company's asset securitization program.

     As a holding company,  Fremont General pays its operating  expenses,  meets
its other  obligations and pays  stockholders'  dividends from its cash on hand,
management fees paid by its subsidiaries and dividends paid by its subsidiaries.
Stockholders'  dividends declared aggregated $13.8 million and $11.7 million for
the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.  Several of the
Company's   subsidiaries  are  subject  to  certain   statutory  and  regulatory
restrictions and various agreements,  principally loan agreements, that restrict
their ability to distribute  dividends to the Company.  The Company expects that
during  the next few years  dividends  from its  subsidiaries  will  consist  of
dividends from its property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and dividends on
preferred  stock of its thrift and loan holding  company and commercial  finance
subsidiaries.  The maximum  amount  available  for payment of  dividends  by the
property  and  casualty  insurance   subsidiaries  during  1997,  without  prior
regulatory approval, is approximately $62.6 million.



                                       16


<PAGE>

     To  facilitate  general  corporate  operations,  the  Company  maintains  a
revolving line of credit with a syndicated bank group that permits borrowings of
up to $400 million,  of which $245 million was  outstanding  as of September 30,
1997. This credit facility expires in July 2002.

     During 1997,  an  aggregate  $185,952,000  principal  amount at maturity of
Liquid  Yield  OptionTM  Notes due October  12, 2013 (Zero  Coupon-Subordinated)
("LYONs") were converted  into 3,586,000  shares of the Company's  Common Stock.
The effect of these  conversions was an increase in  stockholders'  equity and a
decrease in long-term debt of $81 million. During 1996, an aggregate $72,505,000
principal  amount at maturity of LYONs were converted  into 1,399,000  shares of
the Company's  Common Stock.  The effect of the  conversions  was an increase in
stockholders' equity and a decrease in long-term debt of $31 million.

     On March 1, 1996,  Fremont General Financing I, a statutory  business trust
(the "Trust") and consolidated wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, sold $100
million  of  9%  Trust  Originated   Preferred   SecuritiesSM   ("the  Preferred
Securities") in a public offering.  The Preferred Securities represent preferred
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. The proceeds from the
sale  of the  Preferred  Securities  were  invested  in 9%  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures of the Company ("the Junior Subordinated  Debentures").  The proceeds
from  the  sale  of the  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  were  used  to  repay
approximately  $50 million in revolving bank line of credit  indebtedness,  with
the  remainder  used for general  corporate  purposes.  The $100 million  Junior
Subordinated  Debentures  are  the  sole  asset  of  the  Trust.  The  Preferred
Securities will be redeemed upon maturity of the Junior Subordinated  Debentures
in 2026, subject to the election available to the Company to extend the maturity
up to 2045,  and they may be  redeemed,  in whole or in part,  at any time on or
after  March 31,  2001 and under  certain  specified  circumstances.  The Junior
Subordinated   Debentures  rank  PARI  PASSU  with  the  Company's  $115,293,000
aggregate  principal  amount at maturity of Liquid  Yield  Option(TM)  Notes due
2013,  and  subordinate  and junior to all senior  indebtedness  of the Company.
Payment  of  distributions  out of  cash  held by the  Trust,  and  payments  on
liquidation  of the Trust or the  redemption  of the  Preferred  Securities  are
guaranteed by the Company.

     Net  cash  provided  by  (used  in)  operating   activities  of  continuing
operations  was $43.4  million  and $(89.8)  million  for the nine months  ended
September  30,  1997 and  1996,  respectively.  Net cash  provided  by (used in)
continuing operations increased in the nine months ended September 30, 1997, due
primarily to an increase in net income,  a lower  reduction in claims and policy
liabilities,  an increase  in premiums  receivable  and agents'  balances  and a
decrease in other  assets,  coupled with an increase in other  liabilities.  The
increase  in other  liabilities  is due mainly to  increases  in the  accrual of
certain operating  expenses.  The decrease in other assets is due primarily to a
$45 million collection on a policyholder receivable classified in other assets.

     Net cash  provided by (used in)  investing activities decreased to $(755.7)
million  from $79.6  million for the nine months  ended  September  30, 1997 and
1996,  respectively.  The decrease in net cash  provided by (used in)  investing
activities  was due  mainly  to the  August 1, 1997  acquisition  of  Industrial
Indemnity  for a net  cash  disbursement  of  $317.2  million,  an  increase  in
investment  purchases,  net  of  sales,  maturities  and  short-term  investment
activity,  and an increase in loan  originations,  net of loan  repayments.  The
increase in loan  originations  is  consistent  with the  general  growth in the
Company's  financial  services' loan  portfolio.  The increase in net investment
purchases is due primarily to increases in liquidity in the Company's thrift and
loan  operation  and the  investing of certain  short-term  debt proceeds in the
Company's property and casualty insurance operation.  Additionally, the decrease
in  short-term  investments  is due  primarily to the  investing of the acquired
short-term   investment   portfolio  of  Industrial   Indemnity  into  long-term
investments.

     Net cash  provided  by  financing  activities  was $722.0  million and $1.5
million in the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.  Net
cash  provided  by  financing  activities  increased  in the nine  months  ended
September 30, 1997,  due  primarily to an increase in  short-term  and long-term
debt proceeds, net of repayments,  an increase in thrift deposits, a decrease in
the  funding  of  certain  deferred  compensation  plans,  net of stock  options
exercised,  and the  payment in 1996 of $360  million in  settlement  of certain
reinsurance and assumption agreements within the life insurance operation. These
reinsurance and assumption  agreements,  which became  effective on December 31,
1995 and January 1, 1996  resulted in a  significant  reduction in the Company's
life  insurance  operations  beginning in 1996.  The increase in long-term  debt
proceeds, net of repayments,  is due primarily to $140 million in net additional
borrowings  used in conjunction  with the  acquisition of Industrial  Indemnity.
Contributing to the increase in short-term debt proceeds was an increase of $328
million in borrowings  pursuant to certain reverse repurchase  agreements within
the  property and  casualty  insurance  operation.  Partially  offsetting  these
increases in financing  activities were decreases in annuity contract  receipts,
net of  contract  


                                       17


<PAGE>

withdrawals.  The decrease in annuity  contract  receipts is consistent with the
Company's  substantial  reduction in life insurance operations which occurred on
January 1, 1996.  Additionally,  the Company's financing activities in the first
quarter of 1996 were significantly impacted by the proceeds of $100 million from
the sale of the Preferred Securities which were issued on March 1, 1996.

     The amortized cost of the Company's  invested assets were $2.73 billion and
$1.48  billion at September  30, 1997 and December 31, 1996,  respectively.  The
$1.25  billion  increase in the  invested  assets  resulted  primarily  from the
approximate $1.0 billion in invested assets acquired  pursuant to the Industrial
Indemnity acquisition, an increase in liquidity in the Company's thrift and loan
subsidiary  and  the  investing  of  certain  short-term  debt  proceeds  in the
Company's property and casualty insurance operation.

     The Company's  property and casualty  premium to surplus ratio for the year
ended December 31, 1996 was 1.2 to 1, which is within industry  guidelines.  The
FDIC has  established  certain  capital and  liquidity  standards for its member
institutions,  and the Company's  thrift and loan  subsidiary  was in compliance
with these standards as of September 30, 1997.

     The Company  believes  that its  existing  cash,  its bank lines of credit,
revenues  from  operations  and other  available  sources of  liquidity  will be
sufficient to satisfy its liquidity needs for the next several years.


NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

     In February 1997, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement  No. 128 ("FASB  128"),  "Earnings  Per Share" and  Statement  No. 129
("FASB 129"), "Disclosure of Information about Capital Structure" which are both
effective for periods ending after December 15, 1997. At that time,  pursuant to
FASB 128,  the Company will be required to change the method  currently  used to
compute  earnings  per  share  and  to  restate  all  prior  periods.   The  new
requirements  replace primary  earnings per share with basic earnings per share.
The dilutive  effect of stock options will be excluded  under basic earnings per
share.  The impact of FASB 128 on the calculation of primary  earnings per share
would have  resulted in an increase of nil and $0.01 per share for the  quarters
ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.  The impact for the nine months
ended  September  30,  1997 and 1996,  respectively,  would have  resulted in an
increase of $0.01 and $0.10.  There was no impact on fully diluted  earnings per
share for the three  months ended  September  30, 1997 and 1996 and for the nine
months ended  September 30, 1996. The impact on the nine months ended  September
30, 1997 would have  resulted in an  increase  of $0.01.  FASB 129  consolidates
existing  requirements  regarding  disclosure  of certain  information  about an
entity's capital, and therefore will have no impact.

     In June 1997,  the FASB issued  Statement No. 130 ("FASB 130"),  "Reporting
Comprehensive  Income"  and  Statement  131  ("FASB  131"),  "Disclosures  about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." Both standards are effective
for periods ending after December 15, 1997.  FASB 130 requires most companies to
report  "Comprehensive  Income" a new,  additional measure of income, to include
foreign  currency  translation  gains and losses and other  unrealized gains and
losses that are today excluded from net income and reflected  instead in equity.
FASB 131 changes the disclosure guidelines for reporting operating segments. The
Company has not yet determined the impact of FASB 130 and FASB 131.


                                       18

<PAGE>


                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1:        Legal Proceedings.
               None.

Item 2:        Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds.
               None.

Item 3:        Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
               None.

Item 4:        Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
               None.

Item 5:        Other Information.
               None.

Item 6:        Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

    (a) Exhibits.

    Exhibit No.                          Description
    -----------                          -----------

      2.1         Stock Purchase Agreement among Fremont Compensation  Insurance
                  Company,  Fremont  General  Corporation,   the  Buckeye  Union
                  Insurance  Company,  The Continental  Corporation and Casualty
                  Insurance  Company,  dated as of December 16, 1994.  (Filed as
                  Exhibit No. 2.1 to Current  Report on Form 8-K, as of February
                  22, 1995,  Commission  File Number  1-8007,  and  incorporated
                  herein by reference.)

      2.2         Amendment  No. 1 to Stock  Purchase  Agreement  among  Fremont
                  Compensation  Insurance Company,  Fremont General Corporation,
                  the  Buckeye  Union   Insurance   Company,   The   Continental
                  Corporation  and  Casualty  Insurance  Company,  Dated  as  of
                  December 16, 1994. (Filed as Exhibit No. 2.2 to Current Report
                  on Form 8-K, as of February 22, 1995,  Commission  File Number
                  1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

      2.3         Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Talegen Holdings,  Inc.,
                  Fremont  Indemnity  Company  and Fremont  General  Corporation
                  dated as of May 16, 1997 including exhibits thereto. (Filed as
                  Exhibit No. 2.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K, as of August 1,
                  1997,  Commission File Number 1-8007, and incorporated  herein
                  by reference.)

      2.4         Tax Allocation and Indemnification  Agreement, dated as of May
                  16, 1997 by and among Xerox financial Services,  Inc., Talegen
                  Holdings,  Inc., Industrial Indemnity Holdings,  Inc., Fremont
                  General  Corporation,  and Fremont  Indemnity  Corporation,  a
                  California  corporation.  (Filed as Exhibit No. 2.2 to Current
                  Report on Form 8-K,  as of August  1,  1997,  Commission  File
                  Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

      3.1         Restated   Articles  of   Incorporation   of  Fremont  General
                  Corporation.   (Filed  as  Exhibit  No.  3.1  to  Registration
                  Statement  on Form S-3 File No  33-64771  which  was  declared
                  effective  on  March  1,  1996,  and  incorporated  herein  by
                  reference.)

      3.2         Certificate  of  Amendment  of  Articles of  Incorporation  of
                  Fremont  General   Corporation.   (Filed  as  Exhibit  3.2  to
                  Registration Statement on Form S-3 File No. 33-64771 which was
                  declared effective on March 1, 1996 and herein incorporated by
                  reference.)

      3.3         Amended and Restated  By-Laws of Fremont General  Corporation.
                  (Filed as Exhibit No. 3.3 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for
                  the fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                  Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)


                                       19

<PAGE>

    Exhibit No.                          Description
    -----------                          -----------

      4.1         Form of Stock  Certificate for Common Stock of the Registrant.
                  (Filed as Exhibit  No.  (1) Form 8-A filed on March 17,  1993,
                  Commission  File Number  1-8007,  and  incorporated  herein by
                  reference.)

      4.2         Indenture  with  respect to Liquid Yield Option Notes Due 2013
                  between the Registrant  and Bankers Trust  Company.  (Filed as
                  Exhibit No. 4.4 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on
                  October 1, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference.)

      4.3         Indenture among the Registrant, the Trust and First Interstate
                  Bank of  California,  a  California  banking  corporation,  as
                  trustee.  (Filed as Exhibit  No. 4.3 to Annual  Report on Form
                  10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995,  Commission
                  File Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

      4.4         Declaration  of  Trust  among  the  Registrant,   the  Regular
                  Trustees  and The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank  (USA),  a  Delaware
                  banking  corporation,  as Delaware trustee.  (Filed as Exhibit
                  No.  4.4 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal  year
                  ended December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number 1-8007,  and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)
 
      4.5         Amended   and   Restated   Declaration   of  Trust  among  the
                  Registrant,  the Regular  Trustees,  The Chase  Manhattan Bank
                  (USA), a Delaware banking  corporation,  as Delaware  trustee,
                  and  The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  N.A.,  a  national  banking
                  association,  as Institutional Trustee.  (Filed as Exhibit No.
                  4.5 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended
                  December  31,  1995,   Commission  File  Number  1-8007,   and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

      4.6         Preferred   Securities   Guarantee   Agreement   between   the
                  Registrant  and The Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  N.A.,  a national
                  banking association, as Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (Filed as
                  Exhibit No. 4.6 to Annual Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                  year ended December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number 1-8007,
                  and incorporated herein by reference.)

      4.7         Common  Securities  Guarantee  Agreement  by  the  Registrant.
                  (Filed as Exhibit No. 4.7 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for
                  the fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                  Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

      4.8         Form of  Preferred  Securities.  (Included  in  Exhibit  4.5).
                  (Filed as Exhibit No. 4.8 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for
                  the fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                  Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

      4.9         Form of 9% Junior Subordinated Debenture. (Included in Exhibit
                  4.3). (Filed as Exhibit No. 4.9 to Annual Report on Form 10-K,
                  for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995,  Commission  File
                  Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.1         Fremont General  Corporation  Employee Stock Ownership Plan as
                  amended.  (Filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to Annual  Report on Form
                  10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995,  Commission
                  File Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.2         Amended and  Restated  Trust  Agreement  for  Fremont  General
                  Corporation  Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  (Filed as Exhibit
                  No.  10.2 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year
                  ended December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number 1-8007,  and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.3 (a)     Fremont    General   Corporation   and   Affiliated  Companies
                  Investment  Incentive  Program.  (Filed as Exhibit No. 10.3 to
                  Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December
                  31, 1995,  Commission  File Number  1-8007,  and  incorporated
                  herein by reference.)


                                       20

<PAGE>

    Exhibit No.                          Description
    -----------                          -----------

     10.3 (b)     Amendments  One,  Two and  Three to the  Fremont  General  and
                  Affiliated Companies Investment Incentive Program.

     10.4 (a)     Trust Agreement for Investment  Incentive  Program.  (Filed as
                  Exhibit No.  (10)(xi) to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the
                  Fiscal Year Ended  December 31, 1993,  Commission  File Number
                  1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.4 (b)     Amendment to Trust Agreement for Investment Incentive Program.
                  (Filed as Exhibit No. 10.4 to Annual Report on Form 10-K,  for
                  the fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                  Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.5         Supplemental  Retirement  Plan  of the  Company,  as  restated
                  January 1, 1997.

     10.6         Trust  Agreement  for  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan  of  the
                  Company  and the Senior  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan of The
                  Company,  as  amended.  (Filed as Exhibit  No.  10.6 to Annual
                  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended  December  31,
                  1995,  Commission File Number 1-8007, and incorporated  herein
                  by reference.)

     10.7         Senior  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan, as restated January 1,
                  1997.

     10.8 (a)     Excess  Benefit  Plan of the  Company.  (Filed as Exhibit  No.
                  (10)(vi)  to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the Fiscal Year
                  Ended December 31, 1993,  Commission  File Number 1-8007,  and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.8 (b)     Amendment to Excess  Benefit  Plan of the  Company.  (Filed as
                  Exhibit No. 10.8 to Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal
                  year ended December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number 1-8007,
                  and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.8 (c)     Trust Agreement for Excess Benefit Plan. (Filed as Exhibit No.
                  10.8 to Annual Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended
                  December  31,  1995,   Commission  File  Number  1-8007,   and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.9         Amended  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option Plan of 1989 and related
                  agreements  of the  Company.  (Filed as  Exhibit  No.  10.9 to
                  Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December
                  31, 1996,  Commission  File Number  1-8007,  and  incorporated
                  herein by reference.)

     10.10        1997 Stock Plan and related agreements.  (Filed as Exhibit No.
                  10.10 to Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q,  for the period ended
                  June 30, 1997, Commission File Number 1-8007, and incorporated
                  herein by reference.)

     10.11 (a)    Long-Term Incentive  Compensation Plan of the Company - Senior
                  Executive  Plan.  (Filed as Exhibit No. 10.10 (a) on Form 10-Q
                  for the period  ended  September  30,  1996,  Commission  File
                  Number 1-8007,  and incorporated  herein by reference.)  10.11
                  (b)  Long-Term  Incentive  Compensation  Plan  of the  Company
                  (Filed as  Exhibit  No.  10.10 (b) on Form 10-Q for the period
                  ended September 30, 1996,  Commission File Number 1-8007,  and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.12        1995  Restricted  Stock  Award  Plan as  amended  and forms of
                  agreement   thereunder.   (Filed  as   Exhibit   No.   4.1  to
                  Registration  Statement  on Form  S-8/S-3  File No.  333-17525
                  which was filed on December 10, 1996, and incorporated  herein
                  by reference.)

     10.13        Fremont General Corporation  Employee Benefits Trust Agreement
                  ("Grantor  Trust") dated September 7, 1995 between the Company
                  and  Merrill  Lynch  Trust  Company of  California.  (Filed as
                  Exhibit  No.  10.12 to  Annual  Report on Form  10-K,  for the
                  fiscal year ended  December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number
                  1-8007,  and  incorporated  herein by reference.)


                                       21

<PAGE>

    Exhibit No.                          Description
    -----------                          -----------

     10.14 (a)    Employment Agreement between the Company and James A. McIntyre
                  dated  January  1,  1994.  (Filed as  Exhibit  No.  (10)(i) to
                  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period  ended March 31,
                  1994,  Commission File Number 1-8007, and incorporated  herein
                  by reference.)

     10.14 (b)    First  Amendment to Employment  Agreement  between the Company
                  and James A. McIntyre dated August 1, 1996.  (Filed as Exhibit
                  No.  10.10 to  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q,  for the period
                  ended  June 30,  1997,  Commission  File  Number  1-8007,  and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.14 (c)    Second Amendment to Employment  Agreement  between the Company
                  and James A. McIntyre dated August 8, 1997.

     10.15 (a)    Employment  Agreement between the Company and Louis J. Rampino
                  dated  February 8, 1996.  (Filed as Exhibit  No.  10.14 (a) to
                  Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December
                  31, 1995,  Commission  File Number  1-8007,  and  incorporated
                  herein by reference.)

     10.15 (b)    Employment  Agreement  between the Company and Wayne R. Bailey
                  dated February 8, 1996.  (Filed as Exhibit No. 10.14 to Annual
                  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended  December  31,
                  1995,  Commission File Number 1-8007, and incorporated  herein
                  by reference.)

     10.16        Management   Continuity  Agreement  between  the  Company  and
                  Raymond G. Meyers  dated  February 8, 1996.  (Filed as Exhibit
                  No. 10.15 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year
                  ended December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number 1-8007,  and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.17        1996 Management  Incentive  Compensation  Plan of the Company.
                  (Filed as Exhibit No. 10.16 to Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q,
                  for the period  ended March 31, 1996,  Commission  File Number
                  1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.18        Continuing Compensation Plan for Retired Directors.  (Filed as
                  Exhibit  No.  10.17 to  Annual  Report on Form  10-K,  for the
                  fiscal year ended  December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number
                  1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.19        Non-Employee  Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan. (Filed as
                  Exhibit  No.  10.18 to  Annual  Report on Form  10-K,  for the
                  fiscal year ended  December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number
                  1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.20        Credit  Agreement among Fremont General  Corporation,  Various
                  Lending  Institutions  and the Chase Manhattan Bank,  N.A., As
                  Agent dated August 1, 1997.

     10.21        Credit Agreement  $15,000,000 by and among Merrill Lynch Trust
                  Company of  California  as  trustee  for the  Fremont  General
                  Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Trust. The Plan Committee
                  (hereinafter  described)  on  behalf  of the  Fremont  General
                  Corporation  Employee Stock  Ownership  Plan,  Fremont General
                  Corporation,  and First  Interstate Bank of California  August
                  10, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit No. (10)(viii) to Quarterly Report
                  on Form 10-Q for the period  ended  September  30,  1995,  and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

     11           Statement re: Computation of per share earnings.

     27           Financial Data Schedule



                                       22


<PAGE>



    (b) Current Reports on Form 8-K during the third quarter of 1997:

        A  Current  Report  on form 8-K  dated  August  14,  1997  reported  the
        completion on August 1, 1997 of the acquisition of Industrial  Indemnity
        Company ("II")  pursuant to a Stock Purchase  Agreement  dated as of May
        16,  1997  by and  among  the  Company,  Fremont  Indemnity  Company,  a
        California  corporation  and  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  the  Company
        ("Fremont Indemnity") and Talegen Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
        and  subsidiary  of  Xerox  Corporation  ("Talegen"),   whereby  Fremont
        Indemnity  purchased  from  Talegen  all of the issued  and  outstanding
        capital stock of Industrial Indemnity.

        A Form 8-K/A dated October 14, 1997 (amending Current Report on Form 8-K
        dated August 14, 1997) which  included the  financial  statements of the
        business  acquired and the  Company's pro forma  condensed  consolidated
        financial information.


                                       23

<PAGE>




                                    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 thereunto duly authorized.


                                                 FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION



Date:  November 14, 1997                         /s/    LOUIS J. RAMPINO
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Louis J. Rampino, President,
                                                 Chief Operating Officer and
                                                 Director






Date:  November 14, 1997                         /s/    JOHN A. DONALDSON
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 John A. Donaldson, Senior Vice
                                                 President, Controller and
                                                 Chief Accounting Officer




                                       24


<PAGE>

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   Sequentially
    Exhibit No.                          Description                              Numbered Page
    -----------   --------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
     <C>          <S>                                                             <C>
      2.1         Stock Purchase Agreement among Fremont Compensation  Insurance
                  Company,  Fremont  General  Corporation,   the  Buckeye  Union
                  Insurance  Company,  The Continental  Corporation and Casualty
                  Insurance  Company,  dated as of December 16, 1994.  (Filed as
                  Exhibit No. 2.1 to Current  Report on Form 8-K, as of February
                  22, 1995,  Commission  File Number  1-8007,  and  incorporated
                  herein by reference.)

      2.2         Amendment  No. 1 to Stock  Purchase  Agreement  among  Fremont
                  Compensation  Insurance Company,  Fremont General Corporation,
                  the  Buckeye  Union   Insurance   Company,   The   Continental
                  Corporation  and  Casualty  Insurance  Company,  Dated  as  of
                  December 16, 1994. (Filed as Exhibit No. 2.2 to Current Report
                  on Form 8-K, as of February 22, 1995,  Commission  File Number
                  1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

      2.3         Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Talegen Holdings,  Inc.,
                  Fremont  Indemnity  Company  and Fremont  General  Corporation
                  dated as of May 16, 1997 including exhibits thereto. (Filed as
                  Exhibit No. 2.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K, as of August 1,
                  1997,  Commission File Number 1-8007, and incorporated  herein
                  by reference.)

      2.4         Tax Allocation and Indemnification  Agreement, dated as of May
                  16, 1997 by and among Xerox financial Services,  Inc., Talegen
                  Holdings,  Inc., Industrial Indemnity Holdings,  Inc., Fremont
                  General  Corporation,  and Fremont  Indemnity  Corporation,  a
                  California  corporation.  (Filed as Exhibit No. 2.2 to Current
                  Report on Form 8-K,  as of August  1,  1997,  Commission  File
                  Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

      3.1         Restated   Articles  of   Incorporation   of  Fremont  General
                  Corporation.   (Filed  as  Exhibit  No.  3.1  to  Registration
                  Statement  on Form S-3 File No  33-64771  which  was  declared
                  effective  on  March  1,  1996,  and  incorporated  herein  by
                  reference.)

      3.2         Certificate  of  Amendment  of  Articles of  Incorporation  of
                  Fremont  General   Corporation.   (Filed  as  Exhibit  3.2  to
                  Registration Statement on Form S-3 File No. 33-64771 which was
                  declared effective on March 1, 1996 and herein incorporated by
                  reference.)

      3.3         Amended and Restated  By-Laws of Fremont General  Corporation.
                  (Filed as Exhibit No. 3.3 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for
                  the fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                  Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

      4.1         Form of Stock  Certificate for Common Stock of the Registrant.
                  (Filed as Exhibit  No.  (1) Form 8-A filed on March 17,  1993,
                  Commission  File Number  1-8007,  and  incorporated  herein by
                  reference.)

      4.2         Indenture  with  respect to Liquid Yield Option Notes Due 2013
                  between the Registrant  and Bankers Trust  Company.  (Filed as
                  Exhibit No. 4.4 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on
                  October 1, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference.)

      4.3         Indenture among the Registrant, the Trust and First Interstate
                  Bank of  California,  a  California  banking  corporation,  as
                  trustee.  (Filed as Exhibit  No. 4.3 to Annual  Report on Form
                  10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995,  Commission
                  File Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

      4.4         Declaration  of  Trust  among  the  Registrant,   the  Regular
                  Trustees  and The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank  (USA),  a  Delaware
                  banking  corporation,  as Delaware trustee.  (Filed as Exhibit
                  No.  4.4 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal  year
                  ended December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number 1-8007,  and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)
 
      4.5         Amended   and   Restated   Declaration   of  Trust  among  the
                  Registrant,  the Regular  Trustees,  The Chase  Manhattan Bank
                  (USA), a Delaware banking  corporation,  as Delaware  trustee,
                  and  The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  N.A.,  a  national  banking
                  association,  as Institutional Trustee.  (Filed as Exhibit No.
                  4.5 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended
                  December  31,  1995,   Commission  File  Number  1-8007,   and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

<PAGE>
                                                                                   Sequentially
    Exhibit No.                          Description                              Numbered Page
    -----------   --------------------------------------------------------------  -------------

      4.6         Preferred   Securities   Guarantee   Agreement   between   the
                  Registrant  and The Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  N.A.,  a national
                  banking association, as Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (Filed as
                  Exhibit No. 4.6 to Annual Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                  year ended December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number 1-8007,
                  and incorporated herein by reference.)

      4.7         Common  Securities  Guarantee  Agreement  by  the  Registrant.
                  (Filed as Exhibit No. 4.7 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for
                  the fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                  Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

      4.8         Form of  Preferred  Securities.  (Included  in  Exhibit  4.5).
                  (Filed as Exhibit No. 4.8 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for
                  the fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                  Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

      4.9         Form of 9% Junior Subordinated Debenture. (Included in Exhibit
                  4.3). (Filed as Exhibit No. 4.9 to Annual Report on Form 10-K,
                  for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995,  Commission  File
                  Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.1         Fremont General  Corporation  Employee Stock Ownership Plan as
                  amended.  (Filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to Annual  Report on Form
                  10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995,  Commission
                  File Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.2         Amended and  Restated  Trust  Agreement  for  Fremont  General
                  Corporation  Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  (Filed as Exhibit
                  No.  10.2 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year
                  ended December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number 1-8007,  and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.3 (a)     Fremont    General   Corporation   and   Affiliated  Companies
                  Investment  Incentive  Program.  (Filed as Exhibit No. 10.3 to
                  Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December
                  31, 1995,  Commission  File Number  1-8007,  and  incorporated
                  herein by reference.)

     10.3 (b)     Amendments  One,  Two and  Three to the  Fremont  General  and
                  Affiliated Companies Investment Incentive Program.

     10.4 (a)     Trust Agreement for Investment  Incentive  Program.  (Filed as
                  Exhibit No.  (10)(xi) to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the
                  Fiscal Year Ended  December 31, 1993,  Commission  File Number
                  1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.4 (b)     Amendment to Trust Agreement for Investment Incentive Program.
                  (Filed as Exhibit No. 10.4 to Annual Report on Form 10-K,  for
                  the fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                  Number 1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.5         Supplemental  Retirement  Plan  of the  Company,  as  restated
                  January 1, 1997.

     10.6         Trust  Agreement  for  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan  of  the
                  Company  and the Senior  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan of The
                  Company,  as  amended.  (Filed as Exhibit  No.  10.6 to Annual
                  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended  December  31,
                  1995,  Commission File Number 1-8007, and incorporated  herein
                  by reference.)

     10.7         Senior  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan, as restated January 1,
                  1997.

     10.8 (a)     Excess  Benefit  Plan of the  Company.  (Filed as Exhibit  No.
                  (10)(vi)  to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the Fiscal Year
                  Ended December 31, 1993,  Commission  File Number 1-8007,  and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.8 (b)     Amendment to Excess  Benefit  Plan of the  Company.  (Filed as
                  Exhibit No. 10.8 to Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal
                  year ended December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number 1-8007,
                  and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.8 (c)     Trust Agreement for Excess Benefit Plan. (Filed as Exhibit No.
                  10.8 to Annual Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended
                  December  31,  1995,   Commission  File  Number  1-8007,   and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.9         Amended  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option Plan of 1989 and related
                  agreements  of the  Company.  (Filed as  Exhibit  No.  10.9 to
                  Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December
                  31, 1996,  Commission  File Number  1-8007,  and  incorporated
                  herein by reference.)

<PAGE>
                                                                                   Sequentially
    Exhibit No.                          Description                              Numbered Page
    -----------   --------------------------------------------------------------  -------------

     10.10        1997 Stock Plan and related agreements.  (Filed as Exhibit No.
                  10.10 to Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q,  for the period ended
                  June 30, 1997, Commission File Number 1-8007, and incorporated
                  herein by reference.)

     10.11 (a)    Long-Term Incentive  Compensation Plan of the Company - Senior
                  Executive  Plan.  (Filed as Exhibit No. 10.10 (a) on Form 10-Q
                  for the period  ended  September  30,  1996,  Commission  File
                  Number 1-8007,  and incorporated  herein by reference.)  

     10.11(b)     Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan of the Company (Filed as
                  Exhibit  No.  10.10  (b) on Form  10-Q  for the  period  ended
                  September  30,  1996,   Commission  File  Number  1-8007,  and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.12        1995  Restricted  Stock  Award  Plan as  amended  and forms of
                  agreement   thereunder.   (Filed  as   Exhibit   No.   4.1  to
                  Registration  Statement  on Form  S-8/S-3  File No.  333-17525
                  which was filed on December 10, 1996, and incorporated  herein
                  by reference.)

     10.13        Fremont General Corporation  Employee Benefits Trust Agreement
                  ("Grantor  Trust") dated September 7, 1995 between the Company
                  and  Merrill  Lynch  Trust  Company of  California.  (Filed as
                  Exhibit  No.  10.12 to  Annual  Report on Form  10-K,  for the
                  fiscal year ended  December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number
                  1-8007,  and  incorporated  herein by reference.)

     10.14 (a)    Employment Agreement between the Company and James A. McIntyre
                  dated  January  1,  1994.  (Filed as  Exhibit  No.  (10)(i) to
                  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period  ended March 31,
                  1994,  Commission File Number 1-8007, and incorporated  herein
                  by reference.)

     10.14 (b)    First  Amendment to Employment  Agreement  between the Company
                  and James A. McIntyre dated August 1, 1996.  (Filed as Exhibit
                  No.  10.10 to  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q,  for the period
                  ended  June 30,  1997,  Commission  File  Number  1-8007,  and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.14 (c)    Second Amendment to Employment  Agreement  between the Company
                  and James A. McIntyre dated August 8, 1997.

     10.15 (a)    Employment  Agreement between the Company and Louis J. Rampino
                  dated  February 8, 1996.  (Filed as Exhibit  No.  10.14 (a) to
                  Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December
                  31, 1995,  Commission  File Number  1-8007,  and  incorporated
                  herein by reference.)

     10.15 (b)    Employment  Agreement  between the Company and Wayne R. Bailey
                  dated February 8, 1996.  (Filed as Exhibit No. 10.14 to Annual
                  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended  December  31,
                  1995,  Commission File Number 1-8007, and incorporated  herein
                  by reference.)

     10.16        Management   Continuity  Agreement  between  the  Company  and
                  Raymond G. Meyers  dated  February 8, 1996.  (Filed as Exhibit
                  No. 10.15 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year
                  ended December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number 1-8007,  and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.17        1996 Management  Incentive  Compensation  Plan of the Company.
                  (Filed as Exhibit No. 10.16 to Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q,
                  for the period  ended March 31, 1996,  Commission  File Number
                  1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.18        Continuing Compensation Plan for Retired Directors.  (Filed as
                  Exhibit  No.  10.17 to  Annual  Report on Form  10-K,  for the
                  fiscal year ended  December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number
                  1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.19        Non-Employee  Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan. (Filed as
                  Exhibit  No.  10.18 to  Annual  Report on Form  10-K,  for the
                  fiscal year ended  December 31, 1995,  Commission  File Number
                  1-8007, and incorporated herein by reference.)

     10.20        Credit  Agreement among Fremont General  Corporation,  Various
                  Lending  Institutions  and the Chase Manhattan Bank,  N.A., As
                  Agent dated August 1, 1997.

<PAGE>

                                                                                   Sequentially
    Exhibit No.                          Description                              Numbered Page
    -----------   --------------------------------------------------------------  -------------

     10.21        Credit Agreement  $15,000,000 by and among Merrill Lynch Trust
                  Company of  California  as  trustee  for the  Fremont  General
                  Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Trust. The Plan Committee
                  (hereinafter  described)  on  behalf  of the  Fremont  General
                  Corporation  Employee Stock  Ownership  Plan,  Fremont General
                  Corporation,  and First  Interstate Bank of California  August
                  10, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit No. (10)(viii) to Quarterly Report
                  on Form 10-Q for the period  ended  September  30,  1995,  and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

     11           Statement re: Computation of per share earnings.

     27           Financial Data Schedule

</TABLE>





                              AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE
                                     TO THE
                           FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION
               AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES INVESTMENT INCENTIVE PLAN


WHEREAS,  pursuant to a Stock Purchase  Agreement (the  Agreement),  dated as of
December 16, 1994, among Fremont Compensation  Insurance Company, the ("Buyer"),
Fremont General Corporation ("Fremont"), Casualty Insurance Company ("CIC"), The
Buckeye Union Insurance  Company (the "Seller") and The Continental  Corporation
("Continental"), the Buyer purchased all outstanding shares of stock of CIC from
the Seller;

WHEREAS,  under the terms of the  Agreement,  effective as of February 22, 1995,
the "Closing Date," employees of CIC and its subsidiary,  Workers'  Compensation
and Indemnity Company of California  ("WCIC"),  ceased to be active participants
in The Incentive  Savings Plan of The Continental  Corporation (the "Continental
Plan"),  and became eligible to participate in the Fremont  General  Corporation
and Affiliated Companies Investment Incentive Plan (the "Fremont Plan");

WHEREAS, under the terms of the Agreement,  service with the Seller, CIC or WCIC
shall be credited  for  purposes of  eligibility  and vesting  under the Fremont
Plan;

WHEREAS,  pursuant to the Agreement,  the accounts of all CIC and WCIC employees
who were  participants  in the  Continental  Plan are to be  transferred  to the
Fremont Plan as soon as practicable after the Closing Date;

WHEREAS,  certain  provisions  in the  Continental  Plan must be preserved  with
respect to Continental Plan accounts transferred to the Fremont Plan;

NOW, THEREFORE,  BE IT RESOLVED:  That,  effective as of February 22, 1995,  and
notwithstanding  anything in the Fremont Plan to the contrary,  the Fremont Plan
is amended to provide as follows:

(Unless  otherwise  specified  herein,  all terms used in this  Amendment are as
defined in the Fremont Plan.)

I.      PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS: Effective as of February 22, 1995, Exhibit A to
        the Fremont Plan, listing  Participating  Employers in the Fremont Plan,
        shall be amended to include CIC and WCIC.

II.     CREDIT  FOR  SERVICE:  Service  with the  Seller,  CIC or WCIC  shall be
        counted for purposes of  determining  eligibility  and vesting under the
        Fremont Plan.

III.    LIMITATIONS  ON  CONTRIBUTIONS:   The   Administrator   shall  have  the
        responsibility  for monitoring the Fremont  Plan's  compliance  with the
        limitations  of  Section  401(a) of the Code.  The  Administrator  shall
        maintain such records as are necessary to demonstrate the 


<PAGE>


        Fremont  Plan's  compliance  with Section  401(a) of the Code, and shall
        have discretionary power to take any and all steps it deems necessary or
        appropriate  to ensure such  compliance,  including  but not limited to,
        restricting the amount of Salary Reduction  Contributions by any Fremont
        Plan Participant.

IV.     VESTING SCHEDULE: The following vesting schedule shall be applicable for
        Participants  in the Fremont  Plan who were hired by the Seller,  CIC or
        WCIC prior to February 22, 1995:

               Years of Service                       Vested Percentage
              ------------------                      -----------------
 
              Less than 1 year                                 0%
              1 but less than 2                               20%
              2 but less than 3                               40%
              3 but less than 4                               60%
              4 but less than 5                               80%
              5 years or more                                100%


V.      AFTER TAX CONTRIBUTIONS: After tax contributions are not permitted under
        the Fremont Plan;  however,  after tax  contribution  accounts under the
        Continental  Plan which are  transferred  to the  Fremont  Plan shall be
        maintained and  distributed in accordance  with the terms of the Fremont
        Plan, as modified by this Amendment.

VI.     SPECIAL  WITHDRAWALS:  Once in any  twelve  consecutive  month  period a
        Participant may, by written request addressed to the Plan Administrator,
        withdraw  funds from his or her  Continental  Plan after tax account and
        the vested portion of his or her Continental  Plan company  contribution
        account.  The minimum  withdrawal  amount  under this Section is $1,000,
        unless the  Participant  requests  withdrawal  of the total value of the
        Participant's   Continental  Plan  after  tax  account,  or  unless  the
        Participant  requests withdrawal of the total value of the Participant's
        combined  Continental  Plan after tax account and the vested  portion of
        the  Participant's   Continental  Plan  company  contribution   account.
        Withdrawals  pursuant  to  this  Section  must be made  first  from  the
        Participant's  after tax  account,  until  exhausted,  and then from the
        vested   portion  of  the   Participant's   Continental   Plan   company
        contribution account.

VII.    NORMAL  RETIREMENT  AGE:  The  Normal  Retirement  Age for  Participants
        employed  by the  Seller,  CIC or WCIC prior to January 1, 1988 shall be
        age  60.  The  Normal   Retirement   Age  for  all  other  Fremont  Plan
        Participants shall be age 65.


Dated:  July 12, 1995                              FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION



                                                   By: /s/  RAYMOND G. MEYERS
                                                       -------------------------
                                                   Raymond G. Meyers     


                                       2


<PAGE>



                              AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO
                                     TO THE
                           FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION
                    AND AFFILIATED INVESTMENT INCENTIVE PLAN


        Effective as of January 1, 1995,  the Fremont  General  Corporation  and
Affiliated Companies Investment Incentive Plan is amended as follows:

FIRST: Section 3.1 is restated in its entirety, to read as follows:

        "3.1 PARTICIPATION:

          (a) Each Employee,  except Employees employed by an Affiliated Company
     which  is  not  a  Participating  Employer,  Leased  Employees,   Temporary
     Employees,  and Union Employees may commence  participation  in the Plan on
     the Entry Date following his or her date of hire.

          (b) For  purposes  of  this  Section, the following definitions  shall
     apply:

               (i)  TEMPORARY  EMPLOYEES  - Employees  hired on a  temporary  or
          seasonal  basis  who is  classified  as  such  in the  records  of the
          Employer.

               (ii) UNION EMPLOYEES - Employees  included in a unit of Employees
          covered by a collective  bargaining agreement between the Employer and
          "Employee representatives"  if retirement benefits were the subject of
          good faith  bargaining and if two percent or less of the Employees who
          are covered pursuant to that agreement are professionals as defined in
          Treasury  Regulations Section 1.410(b)-9.  For this purpose,  the term
          Employee  representatives  does not include any organization more than
          half of whose  members  are  Employees  who are  owners,  officers  or
          executives of the Employer."

SECOND: Paragraph (a) of Section 14.4 is amended in its  entirety,  to  read  as
     follows:

               "(a) If the  vesting  schedule  for  Matching  and  Discretionary
          Contributions  in Section 6.1 results in vesting  which is slower,  in
          any respect,  than the vesting schedule set forth below,  then for any
          Plan  Year in  which  the Plan is  Top-Heavy,  the  following  vesting
          schedule  shall  apply  to  any  such  Matching  and/or  Discretionary
          Contributions made for that Plan Year:

               Years of Service                           Vested Percentage
               -----------------                          -----------------
               Less  than 1 year                                     0%
               1 but less than 2                                    10% 
               2 but less than 3                                    20% 
               3 but less than 4                                    40%
               4 but less than 5                                    60%
               5 but less than 6                                    80%
               6 years or more                                     100%


<PAGE>


The Top-Heavy  vesting  schedule shall also apply to any  subsequent  Plan Years
unless the Employer  amends the Plan to provide for a vesting  schedule which is
more rapid than the one in this Section."


Dated: July 12, 1995                        FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION



                                            By: /s/  RAYMOND G. MEYERS
                                                -------------------------------
                                            Raymond G. Meyers


                                       2



<PAGE>



                             AMENDMENT NUMBER THREE
                                     TO THE
                           FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION
               AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES INVESTMENT INCENTIVE PLAN


        Effective  as of January 1, 1997,  Paragraph  (a) of Section  4.1 of the
Fremont General Corporation and Affiliated  Companies  Investment Incentive Plan
is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

        "(a) An eligible  Employee may elect, in writing on a form prescribed by
the  Administrator,  to have up to 15% of Compensation  from each payroll period
contributed  to his or her Salary  Reduction  Contributions  Account;  provided,
however, in no event shall the dollar amount for any taxable year exceed $7,000,
as adjusted  annually  by the  Adjustment  Factor.  A  Participant  may elect to
increase, discontinue or decrease Salary Reduction Contributions by making a new
election  with the  Administrator  in such a manner as the  Administrator  shall
specify  during  such  reasonable  period  of  time as the  Administrator  shall
specify, but in no event less frequently than once each calendar year."



 Dated: December 30, 1996                            FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION



                                                     By: /s/  RAYMOND G. MEYERS
                                                         -----------------------
                                                     Raymond G. Meyers

<PAGE>







                        SUMMARY OF MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS
                                     TO THE
                           FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION
               AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES INVESTMENT INCENTIVE PLAN


PLAN SPONSOR: Fremont General Corporation

EIN: 95-28 15260

PLAN NO: 002


        Effective as of January 1, 1997,  the Fremont  General  Corporation  and
Affiliated Companies Investment Incentive Plan is amended to provide that Salary
Reduction Contribution elections are not subject to a minimum amount.






                           FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION
                          SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

ARTICLE 1.     ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE......................................1
        1.1    Establishment of Supplemental Plan.............................1
        1.2    Purpose of Supplemental Plan...................................1
        1.3    Application of Supplemental Plan...............................1
        1.4    Irrevocable Trust..............................................1

ARTICLE 2.     DEFINITIONS....................................................2
        2.1    Definitions....................................................2
        2.2    Gender and Name................................................3

ARTICLE 3.     ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION..................................4
        3.1    Eligibility....................................................4
        3.2    Salary Deferral Election.......................................4
        3.3    New Participants...............................................4

ARTICLE 4.     BENEFITS.......................................................6
        4.1    Contributions..................................................6
        4.2    Maintenance And Investment Of Accounts.........................6
        4.3    Vesting and Forfeiture.........................................7
        4.4    Payment........................................................7
        4.5    Death..........................................................7
        4.6    Voting of Employer Stock.......................................7

ARTICLE 5.     ADMINISTRATION.................................................8
        5.1    Administrative Committee.......................................8
        5.2    Uniform Rules..................................................8
        5.3    Notice of Address..............................................8
        5.4    Records........................................................8

ARTICLE 6.     AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION......................................9
        6.1    Amendment and Termination......................................9
        6.2    Reorganization of Employer.....................................9
        6.3    Protected Benefits.............................................9

ARTICLE 7.     GENERAL PROVISIONS............................................10
        7.1    Nonassignability..............................................10
        7.2    Employment Rights.............................................10
        7.3    Illegality of Particular......................................10
        7.4    Applicable Laws...............................................10


                                       i

<PAGE>


                           FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION
                          SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN


                                   ARTICLE 1.

ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE

     1.1 ESTABLISHMENT OF SUPPLEMENTAL  PLAN.  FREMONT GENERAL  CORPORATION (the
"Company") adopted the FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION  SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN
(the "Supplemental Plan"),  effective September 30, 1990, for eligible employees
of the Company and selected  Affiliates.  The Supplemental  Plan was restated in
its entirety  effective  January 1, 1995,  and the Company now wishes to restate
the Supplemental Plan in its entirety as of January 1, 1997, except as otherwise
specifically  stated herein. The Supplemental Plan is intended to be exempt from
the  participation,  vesting and funding  provisions of the Employee  Retirement
Income  Security  Act of 1974,  as amended,  and is  intended  to be  maintained
"primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group
of management or highly compensated employees."

     1.2  PURPOSE OF  SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN.  It is the purpose of the  Supplemental
Plan to permit eligible  employees to receive  benefits that will (1) compensate
them  for  benefits  lost as a result  of  limitations  on  benefits  under  the
Company's  tax  qualified  retirement  plans  imposed  by  Sections  401(a)(17),
401(k)(3),  401(m)(2) and 402(g) of the Code upon salary deferral  contributions
and matching  contributions;  and (2) compensate them for the disparity in value
of Employer Stock  released from the suspense  account and allocated in the ESOP
to participants in the ESOP who are also Participants in the Supplemental Plan.

     1.3   APPLICATION OF SUPPLEMENTAL  PLAN. The terms of the Supplemental Plan
are  applicable  to  eligible  employees  employed  by the  Company  on or after
September 30, 1990, with respect to their  Compensation and service on and after
that date.

     1.4   IRREVOCABLE TRUST. The Company shall  establish an irrevocable  trust
(the "Trust") to set aside  contributions by the Company to meet its obligations
under the Supplemental  Plan. The Company shall make contributions to the Trust,
which  amount  shall be held and  invested by the  trustee  (the  "Trustee")  in
accordance  with the  terms of this  Plan and the Trust  agreement  between  the
Company and the Trustee. Amounts allocated to the Trust and the earnings thereon
shall be used by the Trustee to satisfy the liabilities of the Company under the
Supplemental  Plan with respect to each Participant for whom an Account has been
established, and such utilization shall be in accordance with the procedures set
forth in the Supplemental Plan and under the terms of the Trust agreement.


<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE 2.

DEFINITIONS

     2.1  DEFINITIONS.  Whenever used in the  Supplemental  Plan,  the following
terms shall have the  respective  meanings set forth  below,  unless a different
meaning  is  required  by the  context  in which the word is used,  and when the
defined meaning is intended, the term is capitalized:

               (a)  "Account"  shall  mean  the  Account  or  Accounts  that the
Administrative Committee shall maintain for a Participant under the Supplemental
Plan.

               (b)  "Administrative  Committee"  shall mean the  committee  with
authority to administer the Supplemental Plan as provided under Paragraph 5.1.

               (c) "Affiliate" shall mean any corporation which is controlled by
or under common  control  with the Company  within the meaning of Section 414 of
the Code.

               (d) "Beneficiary" shall mean the beneficiary designated under the
Investment Incentive Plan by the Participant to receive benefits in the event of
the Participant's death.

               (e)    "Board of Directors" shall mean the Board of Directors of
 the Company.

               (f)    "Code" shall  mean  the  Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
 amended.

               (g) "Compensation" shall mean all of a Participant's Code Section
3401(a)  [W-2]  wages;  wages as defined in Section  3401(a) of the Code for the
purposes of income tax  withholding at the source but determined  without regard
to any rules that limit the  remuneration  included in wages based on the nature
or location of the employment or the services  performed  (such as the exception
for agricultural  labor in Section  3401(a)(2) of the Code).  Compensation shall
include only that  compensation  which is actually paid to the  Participant  (or
accrued on behalf of the Participant)  during the Plan Year.  Compensation shall
also  include any amount  which is  contributed  by the  Employer  pursuant to a
salary  reduction  agreement and which is not  includable in the gross income of
the Employee under Sections 125, 402(e)(3), 402(h) or 403(b) of the Code.

               (h) "Deferral  Contributions" shall mean Company contributions to
the  Supplemental  Plan  pursuant  to  Paragraph  4.1(b)  that are  intended  to
compensate  Participants for Company contributions that would have been made for
the  Participants'  benefit  under  the  Investment  Incentive  Plan but for the
limitations imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Code.

               (i) "Employer"  shall mean the Company and any Affiliate which is
designated  by the  Board  of  Directors  and  which  approves  adoption  of the
Supplemental Plan by


                                       2
<PAGE>


appropriate corporate action.

               (j)    "Employer Stock" shall mean the  common  stock  of Fremont
General Corporation.

               (k) "ESOP" shall mean the FREMONT  GENERAL  CORPORATION  EMPLOYEE
STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN, as amended from time to time, or any successor plan.

               (l) "ESOP Excess  Contributions" shall mean Company contributions
to the  Supplemental  Plan  pursuant to  Paragraph  4.1(c) that are  intended to
compensate Participants for benefits lost under the ESOP as a result of Sections
415  and  401(a)(17)  of  the  Code.  For  each  Participant,  the  ESOP  Excess
Contribution shall be based on the difference between the value (as a percentage
of   Compensation)   of  Employer  Stock  allocated  to  the  accounts  of  ESOP
participants  whose  ESOP  benefit  is not  limited  by  Section  415 or Section
401(a)(17)  of the  Code,  and the  value of  Employer  Stock  allocated  to the
accounts of ESOP  participants  whose ESOP  benefit is limited by Section 415 or
Section  401(a)(17)  of the Code and who are  Participants  in the  Supplemental
Plan.

               (m) "Interim Contribution" shall mean the maximum salary deferral
contribution  percentage that each  Participant will be permitted to make to the
Investment  Incentive  Plan for a plan year as established by the plan committee
of such Plan.

               (n)  "Investment  Incentive  Plan" shall mean the FREMONT GENERAL
CORPORATION AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES INVESTMENT INCENTIVE PLAN, a profit sharing
plan qualified under Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Code.

               (o)  "Management  Employee" shall mean an employee of an Employer
who is classified in pay grade 13 through 17 and who is either (i) an officer of
the Employer, or (ii) a designated senior management employee of the Employer.

               (p)  "Participant"  shall mean any Management  Employee who meets
the requirements set forth in Article 3 to participate in the Supplemental Plan.

               (q)    "Plan Year" shall mean the calendar year.

               (r)  "Retire"  and   "Retirement"   shall  mean  a  Participant's
termination of employment after becoming eligible for "Retirement" as defined in
the Investment Incentive Plan.

               (s) "Salary  Deferral  Election"  shall mean an election to defer
compensation under an agreement described in Paragraph 3.2.

     2.2  GENDER AND NAME. Except when otherwise  indicated by the context,  any
masculine  terminology used herein shall also include the feminine,  and the use
of any term herein in the singular may also include the plural.


                                       3


<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE 3.

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

     3.1 ELIGIBILITY.  Any Management Employee who is eligible to participate in
the  Investment  Incentive  Plan and,  for a given  plan year of the  Investment
Incentive Plan,

               (a)  whose base salary plus auto allowance is equal to or greater
than the amount defined in Section 414(q)(1)(B) of the Code, as adjusted; and

               (b)  whose

                             (i) salary deferral contributions to the Investment
Incentive  Plan are limited  due (A) to the dollar  limitations  under  Sections
401(a)(17) and 402(g) of the Code, or (B) to the limitation on average  deferral
percentages under Section 401(k)(3) of the code;

                             (ii) matching  contributions  under  the Investment
Incentive Plan  are limited  due  to  the  limitation  on  average  contribution
percentages under Section 401(m)(2) of the Code; or

                             (iii) who  is  eligible  to  receive an SOP  Excess
Contribution under the Supplemental Plan;

shall become a Participant  in the  Supplemental  Plan effective as of the first
day of the month in which the Management  Employee satisfies the requirements of
this Section 3.1.

     3.2   SALARY  DEFERRAL  ELECTION. Prior to the first day of each Plan Year,
each Management Employee who satisfies the eligibility requirements of Paragraph
3.1 shall execute a Salary Deferral Election authorizing the Company to withhold
a specified amount of the  Participant's  Compensation  which would otherwise be
paid  during  such Plan Year with  respect  to  services  rendered.  Subject  to
Paragraph 4.1(a),  Compensation  deferrals made by a Participant under this Plan
shall be held in the Trust.  A Salary  Deferral  Election made with respect to a
calendar  year  shall be  irrevocable  for such Plan Year once  made;  provided,
however,  that such election shall cease to be in effect upon (a) termination of
the Participant's  employment with the Employer, (b) the Participant's death, or
(c) a determination by the Administrative Committee (in its absolute discretion)
that the Participant has suffered a significant  hardship to justify  permitting
the revocation of his or her election for that Plan Year.

     3.3   NEW PARTICIPANTS. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section
3.2 above, as soon as practicable before a Management Employee initially becomes
a Participant,  but in no event later than the beginning of the first pay period
for which the Participant's  Salary Deferral Election will apply, the Management
Employee shall execute a Salary  Deferral  Election


                                       4

<PAGE>

authorizing  the  Company to withhold a  specified  amount of the  Participant's
Compensation which would otherwise be paid during such Plan Year with respect to
services rendered. Subject to Paragraph 4.1(a), Compensation deferrals made by a
Participant  under  this  Plan  shall be held in the  Trust.  A Salary  Deferral
Election made with respect to a calendar year shall be irrevocable for such Plan
Year once made;  provided,  however,  that such  election  shall  cease to be in
effect upon (a) termination of the  Participant's  employment with the Employer,
(b)  the  Participant's  death,  or (c) a  determination  by the  Administrative
Committee  (in its  absolute  discretion)  that the  Participant  has suffered a
significant hardship to justify permitting the revocation of his or her election
for that Plan Year.



                                       5


<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE 4.

BENEFITS

        4.1    CONTRIBUTIONS.

               (a)  The   excess   of   each   Participant's   salary   deferral
contributions   under   Paragraph  3.2  over  the  lesser  of  (i)  the  Interim
Contribution,  or (ii) the dollar  limitation  for that plan year under  Section
402(g)  of  the  Code,   together  with  the  matching   contribution   directly
attributable to such excess salary deferral contributions,  shall be contributed
by the Employer on a periodic basis in accordance  with the  Employer's  payroll
practices to the Trust.

        In the  event  the  Plan  Committee  of the  Investment  Incentive  Plan
notifies  the   Administrative   Committee  that   additional   salary  deferral
contributions and matching contributions can be made to the Investment Incentive
Plan for each  Participant for a plan year, the  Administrative  Committee shall
promptly  direct the  Trustee to transfer  such  amounts  (but not the  earnings
attributable  to such amounts) to the trustee of the  Investment  Incentive Plan
within 10 days of such notification.

               (b) Effective for Plan Years beginning January 1, 1993 and after,
Deferral  Contributions for Participants shall be contributed by the Employer on
a periodic  basis in accordance  with the  Employer's  payroll  practices to the
Trust.

               (c) Effective for Plan Years beginning January 1, 1994 and after,
ESOP Excess  Contributions for Participants shall be contributed by the Employer
to the Trust.

        4.2    MAINTENANCE AND INVESTMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

               (a) The Employer  shall  establish and  maintain,  in the name of
each  Participant,  a record  keeping  Account  which shall  reflect all amounts
contributed  to the  Supplemental  Plan  on  behalf  of each  Participant.  Such
contributed  amounts  shall  be  invested  by the  Trustee  as  directed  by the
Administrative  Committee  in such  investment  funds as may be specified by the
Administrative  Committee.  The Administrative Committee may, in its discretion,
permit  Participants  to select the  investments in which their Accounts will be
deemed  to  be  invested  at  such  times  and  in  such   percentages   as  the
Administrative Committee shall determine.

               (b) The individual  Account of each Participant shall represent a
liability,  payable  when due under the  Supplemental  Plan,  out of the general
assets of the  Employer,  or from the assets of the Trust or of any other trust,
custodial account or escrow arrangement which the Employer may establish for the
purpose of assuring  availability of funds  sufficient to pay benefits under the
Supplemental Plan. The money and other assets in any such trust or Account shall
at all times remain the property of the Employer,  and neither the  Supplemental
Plan or any  Participant  shall have any  beneficial  ownership  interest in the
assets  thereof.  No  property  or


                                       6

<PAGE>


assets of the Employer shall be pledged,  encumbered or otherwise subjected to a
lien or security interest for payment of benefits hereunder.  Accounting for the
Supplemental Plan shall be based on generally accepted accounting principles.

     4.3  VESTING AND FORFEITURE. All benefits under the Supplemental Plan shall
be contingent and forfeitable, and each Participant shall have a vested interest
in any  benefit  under the  Supplemental  Plan in  accordance  with the  vesting
provisions set forth in Paragraph 6.1 of the Investment Incentive Plan. A person
who  terminates  employment  with the  Employer for any reason prior to becoming
fully vested  hereunder  shall be entitled to receive his or her vested  Account
balance.

     4.4   PAYMENT. Every Participant who retires or terminates employment shall
have  his or  her  vested  Account  distributed  to  him or her in a  single-sum
payment.  The  Employer  shall  submit  distribution  requests to the Trustee or
custodian of the Account at the end of each regular pay period.  Within five (5)
business days of receipt of the distribution  request the  Participant's  vested
Account will be terminated. The Participant's final benefit shall be established
at the time  his or her  vested  Account  is  terminated  within  this  five (5)
business day period without regard to any prior  valuation(s).  The  Participant
shall receive his or her final  benefit  distribution  as soon  thereafter as is
administratively feasible, subject to applicable tax withholding.

     4.5   DEATH. The Account of a  Participant  who dies while  employed by the
Employer shall be paid in a single-sum to the Participant's  Beneficiary as soon
as  administratively  feasible  following  the  death of the  Participant.  If a
Participant dies after Retirement or termination of employment,  then his or her
surviving Beneficiary shall be paid the amount in the Participant's Account in a
single-sum.  Distributions under this paragraph shall be made in accordance with
the provisions outlined in Paragraph 4.4 above.

     4.6   VOTING OF EMPLOYER STOCK.  A Participant may direct the Trustee as to
the manner in which  Employer  Stock  allocated  to his or her Account  shall be
voted.  Before each meeting of the  Company's  shareholders,  the Trustee  shall
deliver to each Participant a copy of any proxy solicitation  materials together
with a form by which the  Participant  may  instruct the Trustee how to vote the
Employer Stock allocated to the  Participant's  Account.  The Trustee shall vote
Employer Stock through proxy in accordance with  instructions  received from the
Participants. The Trustee shall vote Employer Stock which has not been allocated
to a Participant or which is held in a suspense  account in accordance  with the
direction of the Administrative  Committee, or, in the absence of a direction of
the Administrative  Committee,  in direct proportion to the instructions to vote
received from Participants.  The Trustee shall vote allocated Employer Stock for
which  instructions are not received from  Participants in direct  proportion to
the instructions to vote received from Participants.



                                       7


<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE 5.

ADMINISTRATION

     5.1  ADMINISTRATIVE  COMMITTEE. The Supplemental Plan shall be administered
by the Administrative Committee, whose members shall be the same persons who are
the plan committee of the Investment  Incentive  Plan.  The  interpretation  and
construction  by  the   Administrative   Committee  of  any  provisions  of  the
Supplemental  Plan shall be final unless  otherwise  determined  by the Board of
Directors.  Subject to the Board of Directors,  the Administrative  Committee is
authorized to interpret the Supplemental Plan, to prescribe,  amend, and rescind
rules and  regulations  relating  to it,  and to make all  other  determinations
necessary  for its  administration,  including  but not  limited to  calculating
amounts  allocable to  Participants,  maintaining  and adjusting  accounts,  and
delegating  responsibility  for performance of  administrative  functions of the
Supplemental Plan to such officers of the Employer,  including Participants,  as
the Administrative Committee shall in its discretion deem appropriate.

     5.2  UNIFORM  RULES.   In   administering   the   Supplemental   Plan,  the
Administrative Committee shall apply uniform rules to all Participants similarly
situated.

     5.3  NOTICE OF ADDRESS. Any payment to a Participant or Beneficiary, at the
last known post office  address  submitted to the Employer,  shall  constitute a
complete  acquittance  and discharge of the Employer and any director or officer
with respect  thereto.  Neither the  Employer nor any director or officer  shall
have any duty or obligation to search for or ascertain  the  whereabouts  of any
Participant or his or her Beneficiary.

     5.4  RECORDS. The records of the  Administrative  Committee with respect to
the   Supplemental   Plan  shall  be   conclusive  on  all   Participants,   all
Beneficiaries, and all other persons whomsoever.




                                       8


<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE 6.

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

     6.1 AMENDMENT  AND  TERMINATION.  The Company  reserves the right to amend,
modify, or terminate the Supplemental Plan at any time by action of its Board of
Directors,  provided  that no amendment  shall  reduce the amount  credited to a
Participant's  Account  and  any  such  termination  or  amendment  shall  apply
uniformly to all Participants.  The  Administrative  Committee in its discretion
may  amend  the  Supplemental  Plan if it finds  that  such  amendment  does not
significantly increase or decrease benefits or costs.

     6.2  REORGANIZATION OF EMPLOYER.  In the event of a merger or consolidation
of the  Employer,  or the  transfer  of  substantially  all of the assets of the
Employer  to another  corporation,  such  continuing,  resulting  or  transferee
corporation  shall have the right to continue and carry on the Supplemental Plan
and to assume all liabilities of the Employer  hereunder  without  obtaining the
consent of any  Participant or  Beneficiary.  If such successor shall assume the
liabilities  of the Employer  hereunder,  then the Employer shall be relieved of
all such  liability,  and no Participant or Beneficiary  shall have the right to
assert any claim against the Employer for benefits  under or in connection  with
the Supplemental Plan.

     6.3 PROTECTED  BENEFITS.  If the Supplemental Plan is terminated or amended
so as to  prevent  further  previous  earnings  adjustments,  or if  liabilities
accrued  hereunder up to the date of an event specified in Paragraph 6.2 are not
assumed by the successor to the Employer, then the dollar amount credited to the
Account of each  Participant,  or  Beneficiary  (whether or not vested) shall be
paid in cash to such  Participant or Beneficiary in a single-sum on the last day
of the second month  following the month in which the  amendment or  termination
occurs.



                                       7


<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE 7.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

     7.1  NONASSIGNABILITY.  Benefits under the Supplemental Plan are not in any
way subject to the debts or other  obligations of the persons  entitled  thereto
and may not voluntarily or involuntarily be sold, transferred,  or assigned. Any
voluntary  attempt to sell,  anticipate,  assign, or encumber benefits under the
Supplemental  Plan  shall  operate to cancel  the  benefit  or the  balance of a
Participant's Account as of the date of such attempt and to relieve the Employer
from any future  liability to pay or distribute any benefit with respect to such
canceled amount.

     7.2 EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS. The establishment of the Supplemental Plan shall not
be construed as conferring  any legal rights upon any  Participant  or any other
person for a continuation of employment,  nor shall it interfere with the rights
of the  Employer to discharge  any person or treat him or her without  regard to
the  effect  which  such  treatment  might  have  upon  him  or  her  under  the
Supplemental Plan.

     7.3  ILLEGALITY  OF  PARTICULAR.   If  any  particular   provision  of  the
Supplemental  Plan is  unenforceable,  such provision shall not affect any other
provision,  but the  Supplemental  Plan shall be construed in all respects as if
such invalid provision were omitted.

     7.4  APPLICABLE  LAWS.  The  Supplemental  Plan  shall be  governed  by and
construed according to the laws of the State of California.



        IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,   Fremont  General  Corporation  has  caused  this
instrument   to   be   executed   by   its   duly    authorized    officers   on
December 30, 1996, effective, except as otherwise specifically provided,  as  of
January 1, 1997.

                                            FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION,
                                            a Nevada corporation



                                            By: /s/  RAYMOND G. MEYERS
                                                --------------------------------
                                            Raymond G. Meyers

APPROVED AS TO FORM



Attorney for Employer






                           FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION
                       SENIOR SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

ARTICLE 1.     ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.......................... ............1
        1.1    Establishment of Senior Supplemental Plan.......................1
        1.2    Purpose of Senior Supplemental Plan.............................1
        1.3    Application of Senior Supplemental Plan.........................1
        1.4    Irrevocable Trust...............................................1

ARTICLE 2.     DEFINITIONS.....................................................2
        2.1    Definitions.....................................................2
        2.2    Gender and Name.................................................4

ARTICLE 3.     ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION...................................5
        3.1    Eligibility.....................................................5
        3.2    Salary Deferral Election........................................5
        3.3    New Participants................................................5

ARTICLE 4.     BENEFITS........................................................7
        4.1    Contributions...................................................7
        4.2    Maintenance And Investment Of Accounts..........................7
        4.3    Vesting and Forfeiture..........................................8
        4.4    Payment.........................................................8
        4.5    Death...........................................................8
        4.6    Voting of Employer Stock........................................8

ARTICLE 5.     ADMINISTRATION..................................................9
        5.1    Administrative Committee........................................9
        5.2    Uniform Rules...................................................9
        5.3    Notice of Address...............................................9
        5.4    Records.........................................................9

ARTICLE 6.     AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION......................................10
        6.1    Amendment and Termination......................................10
        6.2    Reorganization of Employer.....................................10
        6.3    Protected Benefits.............................................10

ARTICLE 7.     GENERAL PROVISIONS.............................................11
        7.1    Nonassignability...............................................11
        7.2    Employment Rights..............................................11
        7.3    Illegality of Particular.......................................11
        7.4    Applicable Laws................................................11


                                       i

<PAGE>

                           FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION
                       SENIOR SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN


                                   ARTICLE 1.

ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE

     1.1 ESTABLISHMENT OF SENIOR  SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN. FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION
(the "Company")  adopted the FREMONT  GENERAL  CORPORATION  SENIOR  SUPPLEMENTAL
RETIREMENT PLAN (the "Senior Supplemental Plan"),  effective September 30, 1990,
for  eligible  employees  of the Company  and  selected  Affiliates.  The Senior
Supplemental  Plan was restated in its entirety  effective  January 1, 1995, and
the Company now wishes to restate the Senior  Supplemental  Plan in its entirety
as of January 1, 1997,  except as  otherwise  specifically  stated  herein.  The
Senior  Supplemental  Plan is  intended  to be  exempt  from the  participation,
vesting and funding provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended, and is intended to be maintained "primarily for the purpose of
providing  deferred  compensation  for a select  group of  management  or highly
compensated employees."

     1.2   PURPOSE OF SENIOR  SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN. It is the purpose of the Senior
Supplemental Plan to permit eligible employees to receive benefits that will (1)
compensate  them for benefits lost as a result of  limitations on benefits under
the  Company's tax qualified  retirement  plans imposed by Sections  401(a)(17),
401(k)(3),  401(m)(2) and 402(g) of the Code upon salary deferral  contributions
and matching  contributions;  and (2) compensate them for the disparity in value
of Employer Stock  released from the suspense  account and allocated in the ESOP
to participants in the ESOP who are also Participants in the Senior Supplemental
Plan.

     1.3  APPLICATION  OF SENIOR  SUPPLEMENTAL  PLAN.  The  terms of the  Senior
Supplemental Plan are applicable to eligible  employees  employed by the Company
on or after September 30, 1990, with respect to their  Compensation  and service
on and after that date.

     1.4   IRREVOCABLE  TRUST. The Company shall establish an irrevocable  trust
(the "Trust") to set aside  contributions by the Company to meet its obligations
under the Senior  Supplemental Plan. The Company shall make contributions to the
Trust, which amount shall be held and invested by the trustee (the "Trustee") in
accordance  with the  terms of this  Plan and the Trust  agreement  between  the
Company and the Trustee. Amounts allocated to the Trust and the earnings thereon
shall be used by the Trustee to satisfy the liabilities of the Company under the
Senior  Supplemental  Plan with respect to each  Participant for whom an Account
has been  established,  and such  utilization  shall be in  accordance  with the
procedures set forth in the Senior  Supplemental Plan and under the terms of the
Trust agreement.


<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE 2.

DEFINITIONS

        2.1  DEFINITIONS.  Whenever used in the Senior  Supplemental  Plan,  the
following  terms shall have the  respective  meanings set forth below,  unless a
different meaning is required by the context in which the word is used, and when
the defined meaning is intended, the term is capitalized:

               (a)  "Account"  shall  mean  the  Account  or  Accounts  that the
Administrative  Committee  shall  maintain  for a  Participant  under the Senior
Supplemental Plan.

               (b)  "Administrative  Committee"  shall mean the  committee  with
authority to administer the Senior Supplemental Plan as provided under Paragraph
5.1.

               (c) "Affiliate" shall mean any corporation which is controlled by
or under common  control  with the Company  within the meaning of Section 414 of
the Code.

               (d) "Beneficiary" shall mean the beneficiary designated under the
Investment Incentive Plan by the Participant to receive benefits in the event of
the Participant's death.

               (e)    "Board of Directors" shall mean the Board of Directors of
 the Company.

               (f)    "Code" shall mean the Internal  Revenue  Code  of 1986, as
 amended.

               (g) "Compensation" shall mean all of a Participant's Code Section
3401(a)  [W-2]  wages;  wages as defined in Section  3401(a) of the Code for the
purposes of income tax  withholding at the source but determined  without regard
to any rules that limit the  remuneration  included in wages based on the nature
or location of the employment or the services  performed  (such as the exception
for agricultural  labor in Section  3401(a)(2) of the Code).  Compensation shall
include only that  compensation  which is actually paid to the  Participant  (or
accrued on behalf of the Participant)  during the Plan Year.  Compensation shall
also  include any amount  which is  contributed  by the  Employer  pursuant to a
salary  reduction  agreement and which is not  includable in the gross income of
the Employee under Sections 125, 402(e)(3), 402(h) or 403(b) of the Code.

               (h) "Deferral  Contributions" shall mean Company contributions to
the Senior  Supplemental  Plan pursuant to Paragraph 4.1(b) that are intended to
compensate  Participants for Company contributions that would have been made for
the  Participants'  benefit  under  the  Investment  Incentive  Plan but for the
limitations imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Code.

               (i) "Employer"  shall mean the Company and any Affiliate which is
designated by the Board of Directors and which  approves  adoption of the Senior
Supplemental Plan by appropriate corporate action.


                                       2

<PAGE>



               (j) "Employer Stock" shall  mean  the  common  stock  of  Fremont
General Corporation.

               (k) "ESOP" shall mean the FREMONT  GENERAL  CORPORATION  EMPLOYEE
STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN, as amended from time to time, or any successor plan.

               (l) "ESOP Excess  Contributions" shall mean Company contributions
to the Senior  Supplemental  Plan pursuant to Paragraph 4.1(c) that are intended
to  compensate  Participants  for  benefits  lost  under the ESOP as a result of
Sections 415 and 401(a)(17) of the Code. For each  Participant,  the ESOP Excess
Contribution shall be based on the difference between the value (as a percentage
of   Compensation)   of  Employer  Stock  allocated  to  the  accounts  of  ESOP
participants  whose  ESOP  benefit  is not  limited  by  Section  415 or Section
401(a)(17)  of the  Code,  and the  value of  Employer  Stock  allocated  to the
accounts of ESOP  participants  whose ESOP  benefit is limited by Section 415 or
Section  401(a)(17)  of  the  Code  and  who  are  Participants  in  the  Senior
Supplemental Plan.

               (m) "Interim Contribution" shall mean the maximum salary deferral
contribution  percentage that each  Participant will be permitted to make to the
Investment  Incentive  Plan for a plan year as established by the plan committee
of such Plan.

               (n)  "Investment  Incentive  Plan" shall mean the FREMONT GENERAL
CORPORATION AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES INVESTMENT INCENTIVE PLAN, a profit sharing
plan qualified under Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Code.

               (o)  "Management  Employee" shall mean an employee of an Employer
who is  classified in pay grade 18 or higher and who is either (i) an officer of
the Employer, or (ii) a designated senior management employee of the Employer.

               (p)  "Participant"  shall mean any Management  Employee who meets
the   requirements  set  forth  in  Article  3  to  participate  in  the  Senior
Supplemental Plan.

               (q)    "Plan Year" shall mean the calendar year.

               (r)  "Retire"  and   "Retirement"   shall  mean  a  Participant's
termination of employment after becoming eligible for "Retirement" as defined in
the Investment Incentive Plan.

               (s) "Salary  Deferral  Election"  shall mean an election to defer
compensation under an agreement described in Paragraph 3.2.

                                       3

<PAGE>


     2.2 GENDER AND NAME.  Except when otherwise  indicated by the context,  any
masculine  terminology used herein shall also include the feminine,  and the use
of any term herein in the singular may also include the plural.



                                       4

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE 3.

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

     3.1 ELIGIBILITY.  Any Management Employee who is eligible to participate in
the  Investment  Incentive Plan and who, for a given plan year of the Investment
Incentive Plan,

                      (a)    has base salary equal to or greater than the amount
defined in Section 414(q)(1)(B) of the Code, as adjusted; and

                      (b)    whose

                             (i) salary deferral contributions to the Investment
Incentive  Plan are limited  due (A) to the dollar  limitations  under  Sections
401(a)(17) and 402(g) of the Code, or (B) to the limitation on average  deferral
percentages under Section 401(k)(3) of the code;

                             (ii) matching  contributions  under  the Investment
Incentive  Plan  are  limited  due  to  the  limitation  on average contribution
percentages under Section 401(m)(2) of the Code; or

                             (iii)  who  is  eligible  to receive an ESOP Excess
Contribution under the Senior Supplemental Plan;

shall become a Participant in the Senior  Supplemental  Plan effective as of the
first  day  of  the  month  in  which  the  Management  Employee  satisfies  the
requirements of this Section 3.1.

     3.2  SALARY  DEFERRAL  ELECTION.  Prior to the first day of each Plan Year,
each Management Employee who satisfies the eligibility requirements of Paragraph
3.1 shall execute a Salary Deferral Election authorizing the Company to withhold
a specified amount of the  Participant's  Compensation  which would otherwise be
paid  during  such Plan Year with  respect  to  services  rendered.  Subject  to
Paragraph 4.1(a),  Compensation  deferrals made by a Participant under this Plan
shall be held in the Trust.  A Salary  Deferral  Election made with respect to a
calendar  year  shall be  irrevocable  for such Plan Year once  made;  provided,
however,  that such election shall cease to be in effect upon (a) termination of
the Participant's  employment with the Employer, (b) the Participant's death, or
(c) a determination by the Administrative Committee (in its absolute discretion)
that the Participant has suffered a significant  hardship to justify  permitting
the revocation of his or her election for that Plan Year.

     3.3  NEW PARTICIPANTS.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section
3.2 above, as soon as practicable before a Management Employee initially becomes
a Participant,  but in no event later than the beginning of the first pay period
for which the Participant's  Salary Deferral Election will apply, the Management
Employee shall execute a Salary  Deferral  Election


                                       5

<PAGE>

authorizing  the  Company to withhold a  specified  amount of the  Participant's
Compensation which would otherwise be paid during such Plan Year with respect to
services rendered. Subject to Paragraph 4.1(a), Compensation deferrals made by a
Participant  under  this  Plan  shall be held in the  Trust.  A Salary  Deferral
Election made with respect to a calendar year shall be irrevocable for such Plan
Year once made;  provided,  however,  that such  election  shall  cease to be in
effect upon (a) termination of the  Participant's  employment with the Employer,
(b)  the  Participant's  death,  or (c) a  determination  by the  Administrative
Committee  (in its  absolute  discretion)  that the  Participant  has suffered a
significant hardship to justify permitting the revocation of his or her election
for that Plan Year.



                                       6


<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE 4.
BENEFITS

        4.1    CONTRIBUTIONS.

               (a)  The   excess   of   each   Participant's   salary   deferral
contributions   under   Paragraph  3.2  over  the  lesser  of  (i)  the  Interim
Contribution,  or (ii) the dollar  limitation  for that plan year under  Section
402(g)  of  the  Code,   together  with  the  matching   contribution   directly
attributable to such excess salary deferral contributions,  shall be contributed
by the Employer on a periodic basis in accordance  with the  Employer's  payroll
practices to the Trust.

        In the  event  the  Plan  Committee  of the  Investment  Incentive  Plan
notifies  the   Administrative   Committee  that   additional   salary  deferral
contributions and matching contributions can be made to the Investment Incentive
Plan for each  Participant for a plan year, the  Administrative  Committee shall
promptly  direct the  Trustee to transfer  such  amounts  (but not the  earnings
attributable  to such amounts) to the trustee of the  Investment  Incentive Plan
within 10 days of such notification.

               (b) Effective for Plan Years beginning January 1, 1993 and after,
Deferral  Contributions for Participants shall be contributed by the Employer on
a periodic  basis in accordance  with the  Employer's  payroll  practices to the
Trust.

               (c) Effective for Plan Years beginning January 1, 1994 and after,
ESOP Excess  Contributions for Participants shall be contributed by the Employer
to the Trust.

        4.2    MAINTENANCE AND INVESTMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

               (a) The Employer  shall  establish and  maintain,  in the name of
each  Participant,  a record  keeping  Account  which shall  reflect all amounts
contributed to the Senior Supplemental Plan on behalf of each Participant.  Such
contributed  amounts  shall  be  invested  by the  Trustee  as  directed  by the
Administrative  Committee  in such  investment  funds as may be specified by the
Administrative  Committee.  The Administrative Committee may, in its discretion,
permit  Participants  to select the  investments in which their Accounts will be
deemed  to  be  invested  at  such  times  and  in  such   percentages   as  the
Administrative Committee shall determine.

               (b) The individual  Account of each Participant shall represent a
liability,  payable  when due under the  Senior  Supplemental  Plan,  out of the
general assets of the Employer,  or from the assets of the Trust or of any other
trust,  custodial account or escrow arrangement which the Employer may establish
for the purpose of assuring  availability  of funds  sufficient  to pay benefits
under the Senior Supplemental Plan. The money and other assets in any such trust
or Account shall at all times remain the property of the  Employer,  and neither
the  Senior  Supplemental  Plan or any  Participant  shall  have any  beneficial
ownership interest in the assets


                                       7

<PAGE>

thereof.  No property or assets of the Employer shall be pledged,  encumbered or
otherwise  subjected  to a lien or  security  interest  for  payment of benefits
hereunder.  Accounting  for the  Senior  Supplemental  Plan  shall  be  based on
generally accepted accounting principles.

     4.3 VESTING AND FORFEITURE. All benefits under the Senior Supplemental Plan
shall be contingent and forfeitable,  and each  Participant  shall have a vested
interest in any benefit under the Senior  Supplemental  Plan in accordance  with
the vesting  provisions set forth in Paragraph 6.1 of the  Investment  Incentive
Plan. A person who terminates  employment with the Employer for any reason prior
to  becoming  fully  vested  hereunder  shall be  entitled to receive his or her
vested Account balance.

     4.4 PAYMENT.  Every Participant who retires or terminates  employment shall
have  his or  her  vested  Account  distributed  to  him or her in a  single-sum
payment.  The  Employer  shall  submit  distribution  requests to the Trustee or
custodian of the Account at the end of each regular pay period.  Within five (5)
business days of receipt of the distribution  request the  Participant's  vested
Account will be terminated. The Participant's final benefit shall be established
at the time  his or her  vested  Account  is  terminated  within  this  five (5)
business day period without regard to any prior  valuation(s).  The  Participant
shall receive his or her final  benefit  distribution  as soon  thereafter as is
administratively feasible, subject to applicable tax withholding.

     4.5 DEATH.  The  Account of a  Participant  who dies while  employed by the
Employer shall be paid in a single-sum to the Participant's  Beneficiary as soon
as  administratively  feasible  following  the  death of the  Participant.  If a
Participant dies after Retirement or termination of employment,  then his or her
surviving Beneficiary shall be paid the amount in the Participant's Account in a
single-sum.  Distributions under this paragraph shall be made in accordance with
the provisions outlined in Paragraph 4.4 above.

     4.6   VOTING OF EMPLOYER  STOCK. A Participant may direct the Trustee as to
the manner in which  Employer  Stock  allocated  to his or her Account  shall be
voted.  Before each meeting of the  Company's  shareholders,  the Trustee  shall
deliver to each Participant a copy of any proxy solicitation  materials together
with a form by which the  Participant  may  instruct the Trustee how to vote the
Employer Stock allocated to the  Participant's  Account.  The Trustee shall vote
Employer Stock through proxy in accordance with  instructions  received from the
Participants. The Trustee shall vote Employer Stock which has not been allocated
to a Participant or which is held in a suspense  account in accordance  with the
direction of the Administrative  Committee, or, in the absence of a direction of
the Administrative  Committee,  in direct proportion to the instructions to vote
received from Participants.  The Trustee shall vote allocated Employer Stock for
which  instructions are not received from  Participants in direct  proportion to
the instructions to vote received from Participants.

                                       8


<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE 5.

ADMINISTRATION

     5.1  ADMINISTRATIVE  COMMITTEE.  The  Senior  Supplemental  Plan  shall  be
administered by the  Administrative  Committee,  whose members shall be the same
persons  who are the  plan  committee  of the  Investment  Incentive  Plan.  The
interpretation  and  construction  by  the   Administrative   Committee  of  any
provisions  of the  Senior  Supplemental  Plan shall be final  unless  otherwise
determined  by the Board of Directors.  Subject to the Board of  Directors,  the
Administrative  Committee is  authorized  to interpret  the Senior  Supplemental
Plan, to prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to it, and
to make all other determinations necessary for its administration, including but
not limited to calculating  amounts  allocable to Participants,  maintaining and
adjusting   accounts,   and  delegating   responsibility   for   performance  of
administrative functions of the Senior Supplemental Plan to such officers of the
Employer,  including Participants,  as the Administrative Committee shall in its
discretion deem appropriate.

     5.2  UnIFORM  RULES. In  administering  the Senior  Supplemental  Plan, the
Administrative Committee shall apply uniform rules to all Participants similarly
situated.

     5.3  NOTICE OF ADDRESS. Any payment to a Participant or Beneficiary, at the
last known post office  address  submitted to the Employer,  shall  constitute a
complete  acquittance  and discharge of the Employer and any director or officer
with respect  thereto.  Neither the  Employer nor any director or officer  shall
have any duty or obligation to search for or ascertain  the  whereabouts  of any
Participant or his or her Beneficiary.

     5.4  RECORDS. The records of the  Administrative  Committee with respect to
the  Senior  Supplemental  Plan shall be  conclusive  on all  Participants,  all
Beneficiaries, and all other persons whomsoever.



                                       9


<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE 6.

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

     6.1  AMENDMENT  AND  TERMINATION. The Company  reserves the right to amend,
modify,  or terminate the Senior  Supplemental Plan at any time by action of its
Board of Directors,  provided that no amendment shall reduce the amount credited
to a  Participant's  Account and any such  termination or amendment  shall apply
uniformly to all Participants.  The  Administrative  Committee in its discretion
may amend the Senior  Supplemental Plan if it finds that such amendment does not
significantly increase or decrease benefits or costs.

     6.2  REORGANIZATION OF EMPLOYER.  In the event of a merger or consolidation
of the  Employer,  or the  transfer  of  substantially  all of the assets of the
Employer  to another  corporation,  such  continuing,  resulting  or  transferee
corporation   shall  have  the  right  to  continue  and  carry  on  the  Senior
Supplemental  Plan and to  assume  all  liabilities  of the  Employer  hereunder
without  obtaining  the  consent  of any  Participant  or  Beneficiary.  If such
successor  shall  assume the  liabilities  of the Employer  hereunder,  then the
Employer  shall  be  relieved  of all  such  liability,  and no  Participant  or
Beneficiary  shall have the right to assert any claim  against the  Employer for
benefits under or in connection with the Senior Supplemental Plan.

     6.3  PROTECTED  BENEFITS. If the Senior  Supplemental Plan is terminated or
amended  so  as  to  prevent  further  previous  earnings  adjustments,   or  if
liabilities  accrued hereunder up to the date of an event specified in Paragraph
6.2 are not assumed by the  successor to the  Employer,  then the dollar  amount
credited  to the Account of each  Participant,  or  Beneficiary  (whether or not
vested) shall be paid in cash to such Participant or Beneficiary in a single-sum
on the last day of the second month  following  the month in which the amendment
or termination occurs.



                                       10


<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE 7.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

     7.1   NONASSIGNABILITY. Benefits under the Senior Supplemental Plan are not
in any way subject to the debts or other  obligations  of the  persons  entitled
thereto  and may not  voluntarily  or  involuntarily  be sold,  transferred,  or
assigned.  Any  voluntary  attempt  to sell,  anticipate,  assign,  or  encumber
benefits under the Senior  Supplemental Plan shall operate to cancel the benefit
or the balance of a Participant's  Account as of the date of such attempt and to
relieve the Employer from any future  liability to pay or distribute any benefit
with respect to such canceled amount.

     7.2   EMPLOYMENT  RIGHTS.The establishment of the Senior  Supplemental Plan
shall not be construed as conferring  any legal rights upon any  Participant  or
any other person for a continuation  of employment,  nor shall it interfere with
the rights of the Employer to  discharge  any person or treat him or her without
regard to the effect which such  treatment  might have upon him or her under the
Senior Supplemental Plan.

     7.3  ILLEGALITY OF PARTICULAR.  If any  particular  provision of the Senior
Supplemental  Plan is  unenforceable,  such provision shall not affect any other
provision,  but the Senior  Supplemental Plan shall be construed in all respects
as if such invalid provision were omitted.

     7.4   APPLICABLE LAWS.The Senior Supplemental Plan shall be governed by and
construed according to the laws of the State of California.


        IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,   Fremont  General  Corporation  has  caused  this
instrument   to   be   executed   by   its   duly    authorized    officers   on
December 30, 1996, effective, except as otherwise specifically provided,  as  of
January 1, 1997.

                                            FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION,
                                            a Nevada corporation



                                            By: /s/ RAYMOND G. MEYERS
                                                --------------------------------
                                            Raymond G. Meyers

APPROVED AS TO FORM



Attorney for Employer




<PAGE>

                    SECOND AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         This  Amendment is made  effective as of August 1, 1997, by and between
Fremont  General   Corporation  (the  "Company")  and  James  A.  McIntyre  (the
"Executive").  Unless otherwise  defined herein,  capitalized terms used in this
Amendment  shall have the same  meaning  as in the  Employment  Agreement  dated
January 1, 1994.

         WHEREAS,  the  Executive  and the Company  entered  into an  employment
agreement dated January 1, 1994, as amended  effective as of August 1, 1996 (the
"Employment Agreement"); and

         WHEREAS,  the Executive and the Company  desire to amend the Employment
Agreement to extend the employment period to provide additional  security to the
Executive  and to  encourage  the  Executive  to  continue  employment  with the
Company.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the foregoing  recitals and the
respective  covenants and  agreements of the parties  contained in this document
and in consideration  of the continuing  employment of Executive by the Company,
the  Company  and the  Executive  agree to amend  the  Employment  Agreement  as
follows:

         1.       Section 2 ("Employment Period") shall be  amended by  revising
subsection (a) thereof to read as follows:

                  "(a)  Basic  Rule.  The  employment  period  (the  "Employment
Period")  began upon the  Effective  Date and  continued  for an initial term of
three years.  Effective as of January 1, 1997,  the  Employment  Period shall be
extended for an  additional  term of three years,  unless  sooner  terminated in
accordance  with  paragraphs  (b)-(d) below.  After such  additional  three-year
Employment  Period,  or any  extension  term,  the  Employment  Period  shall be
automatically extended for additional one-year terms unless terminated by


<PAGE>


either party with a least 90 days'  advance  written  notice prior to the end of
the then-current term."

         2.       To the extent not amended hereby, the Employment Agreement  is
ratified and confirmed in its entirety.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been entered into as of the date
first set forth above.


EXECUTIVE                                            FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION

/s/  JAMES A. MCINTYRE                               By: /s/ LOUIS J. RAMPINO
- ----------------------                                   -----------------------
James A. McIntyre                                    Louis Rampino
                                                     Title: President & Chief
Date: August 8, 1997                                 Operating Officer
      --------------

                                                     By: /s/ DICKINSON C. ROSS
                                                         -----------------------
                                                     Dickinson C. Ross
                                                     Title:  Chair, Compensation
                                                     Committee of the Board of
                                                     Directors





                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                      among

                          FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION,

                          VARIOUS LENDING INSTITUTIONS,

                                       and

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,

                                    as Agent

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

                           Dated as of August 1, 1997
                          -----------------------------


                                  $400,000,000





<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS



                                                                           PAGE


SECTION 1.    Amount and Terms of Credit.....................................-1-
        1.01  Commitments....................................................-1-
        1.02  Minimum Amount of Each Borrowing; Maximum Number
              of Borrowings..................................................-2-
        1.03  Notice of Borrowing of Loans...................................-2-
        1.04  Competitive Bid Borrowings.....................................-2-
        1.05  Disbursement of Funds..........................................-5-
        1.06  Notes; Register................................................-5-
        1.07  Conversions....................................................-6-
        1.08  Pro Rata Borrowings............................................-7-
        1.09  Interest.......................................................-7-
        1.10  Interest Periods...............................................-8-
        1.11  Increased Costs, Illegality, etc...............................-9-
        1.12  Compensation..................................................-11-
        1.13  Change of Lending Office......................................-11-

SECTION 2.    Fees; Commitments.............................................-12-
        2.01  Fees..........................................................-12-
        2.02  Voluntary Reduction of Commitments............................-12-
        2.03  Mandatory Reduction of Commitments............................-12-

SECTION 3.    Payments......................................................-12-
        3.01  Voluntary Prepayments.........................................-12-
        3.02  Mandatory Prepayments and Repayments..........................-13-
        3.03  Method and Place of Payment...................................-14-
        3.04  Net Payments..................................................-14-

SECTION 4.    Conditions Precedent..........................................-15-
        4.01  Effectiveness; Notes..........................................-15-
        4.02  No Default; Representations and Warranties....................-15-
        4.03  Officer's Certificate.........................................-16-
        4.04  Opinions of Counsel...........................................-16-
        4.05  Corporate Proceedings.........................................-16-
        4.06  Consummation of the Transaction...............................-16-

<PAGE>


        4.07  Adverse Change, etc...........................................-17-
        4.08  Litigation....................................................-18-
        4.09  Pledge Agreement..............................................-18-
        4.10  Financial Statements..........................................-18-
        4.11  Approvals.....................................................-19-
        4.12  Payment of Fees...............................................-19-
        4.13  Consent Letter................................................-19-
        4.14  Notice of Borrowing...........................................-19-

SECTION 5.    Representations, Warranties and Agreements....................-20-
        5.01  Corporate Status..............................................-20-
        5.02  Corporate Power and Authority.................................-20-
        5.03  No Violation..................................................-20-
        5.04  Litigation....................................................-21-
        5.05  Use of Proceeds...............................................-21-
        5.06  Governmental Approvals........................................-21-
        5.07  Investment Company Act........................................-22-
        5.08  Public Utility Holding Company Act............................-22-
        5.09  True and Complete Disclosure..................................-22-
        5.10  Financial Condition; Financial Statements.....................-22-
        5.11  Security Interests............................................-24-
        5.12  Tax Returns and Payments......................................-24-
        5.13  Compliance with ERISA.........................................-24-
        5.14  Subsidiaries..................................................-25-
        5.15  Intellectual Property.........................................-25-
        5.16  Pollution and Other Regulations...............................-26-
        5.17  Properties....................................................-26-
        5.18  Labor Relations; Collective Bargaining Agreements.............-26-
        5.19  Capitalization................................................-26-
        5.20  Indebtedness..................................................-27-
        5.21  Compliance with Statutes, etc.................................-27-
        5.22  Transaction...................................................-27-
        5.23  Special Purpose Corporation...................................-27-

SECTION 6.    Affirmative Covenants.........................................-28-
        6.01  Information Covenants.........................................-28-
        6.02  Books, Records and Inspections................................-33-
        6.03  Insurance.....................................................-33-
        6.04  Payment of Taxes..............................................-33-
        6.05  Corporate Franchises..........................................-33-
        6.06  Compliance with Statutes, etc.................................-34-

<PAGE>


        6.07  ERISA.........................................................-34-
        6.08  Performance of Obligations....................................-35-
        6.09  Good Repair...................................................-35-
        6.10  End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters..........................-35-
        6.11  NAIC Tests....................................................-35-

SECTION 7.    Negative Covenants............................................-35-
        7.01  Changes in Business...........................................-35-
        7.02  Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Purchase of Assets, etc........-36-
        7.03  Liens.........................................................-37-
        7.04  Indebtedness..................................................-40-
        7.05  Investments...................................................-42-
        7.06  Prepayments and Modifications of Permitted Subordinated
              Debt and Liquid Yield Option Notes............................-43-
        7.07  Restrictions on Subsidiary Payments...........................-43-
        7.08  Transactions with Affiliates..................................-44-
        7.09  Issuance of Stock.............................................-44-
        7.10  Liabilities to Policyholder Surplus Ratio.....................-44-
        7.11  Net Premiums Written Ratio....................................-44-
        7.12  Leverage Ratio................................................-44-
        7.13  Minimum Consolidated Net Worth................................-44-
        7.14  Interest Coverage Ratio.......................................-44-
        7.15  FIC Combined Surplus..........................................-45-
        7.16  Insured Depository Subsidiaries...............................-45-

SECTION 8.    Events of Default.............................................-45-
        8.01  Payments......................................................-45-
        8.02  Representations, etc..........................................-45-
        8.03  Covenants.....................................................-45-
        8.04  Default Under Other Agreements................................-45-
        8.05  Bankruptcy, etc...............................................-46-
        8.06  ERISA.........................................................-47-
        8.07  Pledge Agreement..............................................-47-
        8.08  Judgments.....................................................-47-
        8.09  Ownership.....................................................-47-

SECTION 9.    Definitions...................................................-48-

SECTION 10.   The Agent.....................................................-66-

<PAGE>

        10.01  Appointment..................................................-66-
        10.02  Delegation of Duties.........................................-66-
        10.03  Exculpatory Provisions.......................................-67-
        10.04  Reliance by Agent............................................-67-
        10.05  Notice of Default............................................-68-
        10.06  Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Banks........................-68-
        10.07  Indemnification..............................................-68-
        10.08  Agent in Its Individual Capacity.............................-69-
        10.09  Resignation of the Agent; Successor Agent....................-69-

SECTION 11.    Miscellaneous................................................-69-
        11.01  Payment of Expenses, etc.....................................-69-
        11.02  Right of Setoff..............................................-70-
        11.03  Notices......................................................-70-
        11.04  Benefit of Agreement.........................................-71-
        11.05  No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative...............................-72-
        11.06  Payments Pro Rata............................................-72-
        11.07  Calculations; Computations...................................-73-
        11.08  Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue.............-73-
        11.09  Counterparts.................................................-74-
        11.10  Effectiveness................................................-74-
        11.11  Amendment or Waiver..........................................-74-
        11.12  Survival.....................................................-75-
        11.13  Domicile of Loans............................................-75-
        11.14  Confidentiality..............................................-75-
        11.15  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.........................................-76-
        11.16  Headings Descriptive.........................................-76-



ANNEX I   --   List of Banks and Commitments
ANNEX II  --   Bank Addresses
ANNEX III --   Subsidiaries
ANNEX IV  --   Collective Bargaining Agreements
ANNEX V   --   Existing Indebtedness
ANNEX VI  --   Existing Liens


EXHIBIT A-1        --    Form of Notice of Borrowing
EXHIBIT A-2        --    Form of Notice of Competitive Bid

<PAGE>

                         Borrowing

EXHIBIT B          --    Form of Note
EXHIBIT C-1        --    Form of Opinion of Wilson, Sonsini,
                           Goodrich & Rosati
EXHIBIT C-2        --    Form of Opinion of Alan W. Faigin, Esq.
EXHIBIT C-3        --    Form of Opinion of White & Case
EXHIBIT D          --    Form of Officer's Certificate
EXHIBIT E          --    Form of Second Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement
EXHIBIT F          --    Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement
EXHIBIT G          --    Form of CT Corporation Consent Letter


<PAGE>

               CREDIT  AGREEMENT,  dated as of August  1,  1997,  among  FREMONT
GENERAL  CORPORATION,  a  Nevada  corporation  (the  "Borrower"),   the  lending
institutions  listed  from  time to time on Annex I hereto  (each a "Bank"  and,
collectively,  the  "Banks"),  and THE  CHASE  MANHATTAN  BANK,  as  Agent  (the
"Agent"). Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used herein and
defined in Section 9 are used herein as so defined.


                              W I T N E S S E T H :


               WHEREAS,  subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set
forth,  the Banks are  willing  to make  available  to the  Borrower  the credit
facilities provided for herein;

               NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:

               SECTION 1.  AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT



               1.01  COMMITMENTS.   (a)  Subject  to  and  upon  the  terms  and
conditions  herein set forth, each Bank severally agrees to make a loan or loans
(each a "Loan" and, collectively,  the "Loans") to the Borrower, which Loans (i)
shall be made at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective  Date
and prior to the Final Maturity  Date,  (ii) may, at the option of the Borrower,
be  incurred  and  maintained  as,  and/or  converted  into,  Base Rate Loans or
Eurodollar Loans, PROVIDED that all Loans made by all Banks pursuant to the same
Borrowing shall, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, consist entirely
of Loans of the same Type, (iii) may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with
the  provisions  hereof,  (iv)  shall  not  exceed  for  any  Bank  at any  time
outstanding that aggregate  principal amount which equals the Commitment of such
Bank at such time and (v) shall not exceed in the aggregate for all Banks at any
time outstanding that aggregate  principal amount which,  when added to the then
aggregate  outstanding principal amount of all Competitive Bid Loans, equals the
Total Commitment at such time.

               (b)  Subject  to and upon the terms  and  conditions  herein  set
forth,  each Bank  severally  agrees that the Borrower may incur a loan or loans
(each a "Competitive  Bid Loan" and  collectively,  the "Competitive Bid Loans")
pursuant to a Competitive Bid Borrowing at any time and from time to time on and
after the Effective  Date and prior to the date which is the third  Business Day
preceding the date which is 14 days prior to the Final Maturity  Date,  PROVIDED
that after giving  effect to any  Competitive  Bid  Borrowing and the use of the
proceeds thereof, the aggregate  outstanding principal amount of Competitive Bid
Loans, when combined with the then aggregate outstanding principal amount of all
Loans, shall not exceed the Total Commitment at such time.


<PAGE>


               1.02  MINIMUM  AMOUNT  OF  EACH  BORROWING;   MAXIMUM  NUMBER  OF
BORROWINGS. The aggregate principal amount of each Borrowing hereunder shall not
be less than (i) $5,000,000, in the case of Loans, and (ii) $25,000,000,  in the
case of  Competitive  Bid  Loans,  and,  if in  excess  thereof,  shall be in an
integral multiple of $1,000,000.  More than one Borrowing may be incurred on any
day;  PROVIDED  that at no  time  shall  there  be  outstanding  more  than  six
Borrowings of Eurodollar Loans.

               1.03  NOTICE OF BORROWING  OF LOANS.  (a)  Whenever  the Borrower
desires to incur Loans hereunder,  it shall give the Agent at its Notice Office,
(x) in  the  case  of a  Borrowing  of  Eurodollar  Loans,  written  notice  (or
telephonic  notice  promptly  confirmed in writing) of such  proposed  Borrowing
which  notice  must be given  prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) at least three
Business Days prior to the date of such  proposed  Borrowing and (y) in the case
of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, written notice (or telephonic notice promptly
confirmed  in writing) of such  proposed  Borrowing,  which notice must be given
prior to 11:00 A.M.  (New York time) at least one Business Day prior to the date
of such proposed  Borrowing.  Each such notice (each, a "Notice of  Borrowing"),
except as otherwise  expressly  provided in Section 1.11,  shall be irrevocable,
and, in the case of a written  notice or a  confirmation  of telephonic  notice,
shall be in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto,  appropriately  completed to specify
(i) the  aggregate  principal  amount of the Loans to be made  pursuant  to such
Borrowing,  (ii) the date of such Borrowing  (which shall be a Business Day) and
(iii)  whether  the  respective  Borrowing  shall  consist of Base Rate Loans or
Eurodollar  Loans and, if Eurodollar  Loans, the Interest Period to be initially
applicable  thereto.  The Agent shall promptly give each Bank written notice (or
telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each proposed Borrowing,  of
such Bank's  proportionate share thereof and of the other matters covered by the
Notice of Borrowing.

               (b) Without in any way limiting the obligation of the Borrower to
confirm in writing any notice it may give hereunder by telephone,  the Agent may
act prior to receipt of written confirmation without liability upon the basis of
such  telephonic  notice,  believed  by the  Agent  in good  faith to be from an
Authorized Officer of the Borrower. In each such case the Borrower hereby waives
the right to  dispute  the  Agent's  record of the terms of any such  telephonic
notice.

               1.04  COMPETITIVE  BID  BORROWINGS.  (a)  Whenever  the  Borrower
desires to incur a  Competitive  Bid  Borrowing,  it shall deliver to the Agent,
prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) (x) at least five Business Days prior to the
date of  such  proposed  Competitive  Bid  Borrowing,  in the  case of a  Spread
Borrowing, and (y) at least two Business Days prior to the date of such proposed
Competitive Bid Borrowing,  in the case of an Absolute Rate Borrowing, a written
notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto (a "Notice of Competitive
Bid  Borrowing"),  which notice  shall  specify in each case (i) the date (which
shall be a Business  Day) and the aggregate  amount of the proposed  Competitive
Bid  Borrowing,  (ii)  the  maturity  date  for  repayment  of  each  and  every
Competitive Bid Loan to be made as part of such Competitive Bid Borrowing (which
maturity  date may be (A) one,  two,  three or six

                                       2

<PAGE>


months after the date of such Competitive Bid Borrowing, in the case of a Spread
Borrowing,  and (B) between 14 and 364 days,  inclusive,  after the date of such
Competitive Bid Borrowing,  in the case of an Absolute Rate Borrowing,  PROVIDED
that in no event shall the maturity  date of any  Competitive  Bid  Borrowing be
later than the third Business Day preceding the Final Maturity Date),  (iii) the
interest  payment  date or dates  relating  thereto,  (iv)  whether the proposed
Competitive  Bid  Borrowing  is to be an  Absolute  Rate  Borrowing  or a Spread
Borrowing, and if a Spread Borrowing, the Interest Rate Basis, and (v) any other
terms to be  applicable  to such  Competitive  Bid  Borrowing.  The Agent  shall
promptly  notify each Bidder Bank by telephone or facsimile of each such request
for a  Competitive  Bid  Borrowing  received by it from the  Borrower and of the
contents of the related Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing.


               (b) Each Bidder Bank shall, if, in its sole discretion, it elects
to do so,  irrevocably  offer to make one or more  Competitive  Bid Loans to the
Borrower as part of such proposed  Competitive  Bid Borrowing at a rate or rates
of interest  specified by such Bidder Bank in its sole discretion and determined
by such Bidder Bank  independently  of each other Bidder Bank,  by notifying the
Agent (which shall give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower) before 10:00 A.M.
(New York time) on the date (the  "Reply  Date")  which is (x) in the case of an
Absolute  Rate  Borrowing,  one  Business  Day before the date of such  proposed
Competitive  Bid  Borrowing  and (y) in the  case of a  Spread  Borrowing,  four
Business Days before the date of such proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing, of the
minimum amount and maximum amount of each Competitive Bid Loan which such Bidder
Bank would be willing to make as part of such proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing
(which  amounts  may,  subject to the  proviso to the first  sentence of Section
1.01(b),  exceed such Bidder Bank's  Commitment),  the rate or rates of interest
therefor and such Bidder Bank's lending office with respect to such  Competitive
Bid Loan;  PROVIDED that if the Agent in its capacity as a Bidder Bank shall, in
its sole discretion,  elect to make any such offer, it shall notify the Borrower
of such offer before 9:45 A.M.  (New York time) on the Reply Date. If any Bidder
Bank shall elect not to make such an offer, such Bidder Bank shall so notify the
Agent, before 10:00 A.M. (New York time) on the Reply Date, and such Bidder Bank
shall not be obligated to, and shall not, make any  Competitive Bid Loan as part
of such Competitive Bid Borrowing;  PROVIDED that the failure by any Bidder Bank
to give such notice shall not cause such Bidder Bank to be obligated to make any
Competitive Bid Loan as part of such proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing.

               (c) The Borrower  shall, in turn, (x) before 12:00 Noon (New York
time) on the Reply Date in the case of a proposed  Absolute  Rate  Borrowing and
(y) before 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the Business  Day  following  the Reply
Date in the case of a proposed Spread Borrowing, either:

               (i) cancel such  Competitive  Bid  Borrowing  by giving the Agent
        notice  to such  effect  (it being  understood  and  agreed  that if the
        Borrower  gives  no  such  notice  of  cancellation  and  no  notice  of
        acceptance  pursuant to clause (ii)

                                       3

<PAGE>

        below,   then  the   Borrower   shall  be  deemed to have cancelled such
        Competitive Bid Borrowing), or

              (ii)  accept one or more of the offers  made by any Bidder Bank or
        Bidder Banks  pursuant to clause (b) above by giving  notice (in writing
        or by telephone confirmed in writing) to the Agent of the amount of each
        Competitive Bid Loan (which amount shall be equal to or greater than the
        minimum amount,  and equal to or less than the maximum amount,  notified
        to the  Borrower  by the Agent on behalf  of such  Bidder  Bank for such
        Competitive  Bid  Borrowing  pursuant to clause (b) above) to be made by
        each Bidder Bank as part of such  Competitive Bid Borrowing,  and reject
        any remaining  offers made by Bidder Banks  pursuant to clause (b) above
        by giving the Agent notice to that effect;  PROVIDED that the acceptance
        of offers may only be made on the basis of ascending  Absolute Rates (in
        the case of an  Absolute  Rate  Borrowing)  or Spreads (in the case of a
        Spread  Borrowing),  in each case  commencing  with the  lowest  rate so
        offered;  PROVIDED FURTHER,  however,  if offers are made by two or more
        Bidder  Banks at the same rate and  acceptance  of all such equal offers
        would  result in a greater  principal  amount of  Competitive  Bid Loans
        being  accepted than the  aggregate  principal  amount  requested by the
        Borrower,  if the  Borrower  elects to  accept  any of such  offers  the
        Borrower  shall  accept such offers PRO RATA from such Bidder  Banks (on
        the basis of the maximum  amounts of such offers) unless any such Bidder
        Bank's PRO RATA share would be less than the minimum amount specified by
        such Bidder Bank in its offer, in which case the Borrower shall have the
        right to accept  one or more such  equal  offers in their  entirety  and
        reject the other equal offer or offers or to allocate  acceptance  among
        all such equal  offers  (but  giving  effect to the  minimum and maximum
        amounts  specified for each such offer pursuant to clause (b) above), as
        the Borrower may elect in its sole discretion.

               (d) If the Borrower  notifies the Agent that such Competitive Bid
Borrowing  is  cancelled,  or  if  such  Competitive  Bid  Borrowing  is  deemed
cancelled,  pursuant to clause (c)(i) above,  the Agent shall give prompt notice
thereof to the Bidder  Banks and such  Competitive  Bid  Borrowing  shall not be
made.

               (e) If the Borrower accepts one or more of the offers made by any
Bidder Bank or Bidder Banks pursuant to clause (c)(ii) above, the Agent shall in
turn promptly notify (x) each Bidder Bank that has made an offer as described in
clause (b)  above,  of the date and  aggregate  amount of such  Competitive  Bid
Borrowing  and  whether  or not any offer or  offers  made by such  Bidder  Bank
pursuant  to clause (b) above have been  accepted by the  Borrower  and (y) each
Bidder Bank that is to make a Competitive  Bid Loan as part of such  Competitive
Bid  Borrowing,  of the amount of each  Competitive  Bid Loan to be made by such
Bidder Bank as part of such Competitive Bid Borrowing.

                                       4

<PAGE>


               1.05  DISBURSEMENT  OF  FUNDS.  (a)  Subject  to  the  terms  and
conditions  herein  set forth,  no later than 11:00 A.M.  (New York time) on the
date of each  incurrence of Loans or Competitive  Bid Loans (1:00 P.M. (New York
time)  on such  date  in the  case  of a  Borrowing  of  Base  Rate  Loans  or a
Competitive Bid Borrowing  constituting an Absolute Rate  Borrowing),  each Bank
will make available its PRO RATA share,  if any, of each Borrowing  requested to
be made on such date in the manner provided below.

               (b) Each Bank  shall  make  available  all  amounts it is to fund
under any Borrowing in U.S. dollars and immediately available funds to the Agent
at the Agent's  Payment Office and the Agent will make available to the Borrower
by depositing to its account at the Agent's  Payment Office the aggregate of the
amounts so made available in the type of funds received.  Unless the Agent shall
have been notified by any Bank prior to the date of any such Borrowing that such
Bank does not intend to make available to the Agent its portion of the Borrowing
or Borrowings  to be made on such date,  the Agent may assume that such Bank has
made such  amount  available  to the Agent on such  date of  Borrowing,  and the
Agent, in reliance upon such assumption, may (in its sole discretion and without
any obligation to do so) make available to the Borrower a corresponding  amount.
If such corresponding  amount is not in fact made available to the Agent by such
Bank and the Agent has made available  same to the Borrower,  the Agent shall be
entitled to recover such corresponding  amount from such Bank. If such Bank does
not pay such  corresponding  amount  forthwith upon the Agent's demand therefor,
the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower, and the Borrower shall immediately
pay such corresponding  amount to the Agent. The Agent shall also be entitled to
recover  from such Bank or the  Borrower,  as the case may be,  interest on such
corresponding  amount in  respect  of each day from the date such  corresponding
amount  was made  available  by the  Agent  to the  Borrower  to the  date  such
corresponding amount is recovered by the Agent, at a rate per annum equal to (x)
if paid by such Bank, the overnight  Federal Funds Effective Rate or (y) if paid
by the Borrower, the then applicable rate of interest,  calculated in accordance
with Section 1.09, for the respective Loans or Competitive Bid Loans.

               (c) Nothing in this  Section  1.05 shall be deemed to relieve any
Bank from its  obligation to fulfill its  commitments  hereunder or to prejudice
any  rights  which the  Borrower  may have  against  any Bank as a result of any
default by such Bank hereunder.

               1.06 NOTES;  REGISTER.  (a) The Borrower's  obligation to pay the
principal  of,  and  interest  on,  the Loans  made to it by each Bank  shall be
evidenced by a  promissory  note  substantially  in the form of Exhibit B hereto
with blanks  appropriately  completed in conformity  herewith (each a "Note" and
collectively the "Notes").

               (b) The Note  issued to each Bank  shall (i) be  executed  by the
Borrower,  (ii) be payable to the order of such Bank and be dated the  Effective
Date, (iii) be in a


                                       5

<PAGE>


stated  principal  amount equal to the Commitment of such Bank and be payable in
the principal  amount of the Loans evidenced  thereby,  (iv) mature on the Final
Maturity  Date,  (v) bear  interest  as provided  in the  appropriate  clause of
Section 1.09 in respect of the Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar Loans, as the case
may be, evidenced thereby, (vi) be subject to mandatory repayment as provided in
Section  3.02 and (vii) be entitled to the  benefits of this  Agreement  and the
other Credit Documents.

               (c) Each Bank will record on its  internal  records the amount of
each  Loan and  Competitive  Bid Loan  made by it and each  payment  in  respect
thereof and will prior to any  transfer of its Note  endorse on the reverse side
thereof the  outstanding  principal  amount of Loans and  Competitive  Bid Loans
evidenced  thereby.  Failure to make any such  notation or any error in any such
notation  shall not affect the  Borrower's  obligations in respect of such Loans
and Competitive Bid Loans.

               (d) The Agent shall maintain at its Payment Office a register for
the recordation of the names and addresses of the Banks,  the Commitments of the
Banks from time to time, and the principal  amount of the Loans and  Competitive
Bid Loans owing to each Bank from time to time  together  with the  maturity and
interest  rates  applicable to each such  Competitive  Bid Loan, and other terms
applicable  thereto  (the  "Register").   The  entries  in  the  Register  shall
constitute PRIMA FACIE evidence as to the information set forth therein.

               1.07  CONVERSIONS.  The Borrower shall have the option to convert
on any Business Day all or a portion at least equal to  $5,000,000  (and,  if in
excess thereof, an integral multiple of $1,000,000) of the outstanding principal
amount  of the  Loans of one Type  owing by the  Borrower  into a  Borrowing  or
Borrowings of the other Type;  PROVIDED that (i) except as otherwise provided in
Section 1.11(b),  Eurodollar Loans may be converted into Base Rate Loans only on
the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto, and no partial conversion
of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans shall reduce the outstanding principal amount
of the Eurodollar Loans pursuant to such Borrowing to less than $5,000,000, (ii)
Base Rate Loans may only be  converted  into  Eurodollar  Loans if no Default or
Event of Default is in existence on the date of the conversion, (iii) Borrowings
of Eurodollar  Loans resulting from this Section 1.07 shall be limited in number
as provided in Section 1.02 and (iv) each such conversion shall be made PRO RATA
among the Loans of each Bank of the Type being  converted.  Each such conversion
shall be  effected  by the  Borrower  by giving the Agent at its Notice  Office,
prior to 12:00  Noon (New York  time),  at least  three  Business  Days' (or one
Business  Day's in the case of a conversion  into Base Rate Loans) prior written
notice (or telephonic  notice promptly  confirmed in writing) (each a "Notice of
Conversion")  specifying  the Loans to be so converted,  the Type of Loans to be
converted into and, if to be converted into a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, the
Interest Period to be initially  applicable  thereto.  The Agent shall give each
Bank prompt notice of any such proposed conversion.


                                       6

<PAGE>

               1.08 PRO RATA  BORROWINGS.  All  Borrowings  of Loans  under this
Agreement shall be loaned by the Banks PRO RATA on the basis of their respective
Commitments.  It is understood that no Bank shall be responsible for any default
by any other  Bank in its  obligation  to make  Loans or  Competitive  Bid Loans
hereunder  and  that  each  Bank  shall  be  obligated  to make  the  Loans  and
Competitive  Bid Loans  provided to be made by it  hereunder,  regardless of the
failure of any other Bank to fulfill its commitments hereunder.

               1.09 INTEREST.  (a) The unpaid principal amount of each Base Rate
Loan shall bear interest from the date of the incurrence  thereof until maturity
(whether by  acceleration  or  otherwise) at a rate per annum which shall at all
times be the Base Rate in effect from time to time.

               (b) The unpaid  principal  amount of each  Eurodollar  Loan shall
bear interest from the date of the incurrence thereof until maturity (whether by
acceleration  or  otherwise) at a rate per annum which shall at all times be the
Applicable Eurodollar Margin plus the relevant Eurodollar Rate.

               (c) The  unpaid  principal  amount of each  Competitive  Bid Loan
shall bear interest from the date the proceeds thereof are made available to the
Borrower until maturity  (whether by  acceleration  or otherwise) at the rate or
rates per annum  specified by a Bidder Bank or Bidder Banks, as the case may be,
pursuant to Section  1.04(b) and  accepted by the  Borrower  pursuant to Section
1.04(c).

               (d)  Overdue  principal  and,  to the  extent  permitted  by law,
overdue  interest  in respect of each Loan and  Competitive  Bid Loan shall bear
interest  at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate in effect from time to time
plus 2%; PROVIDED that principal in respect of Eurodollar  Loans and Competitive
Bid  Loans  shall  bear  interest   after  the  same  becomes  due  (whether  by
acceleration or otherwise)  until the end of the applicable  Interest Period for
such Eurodollar  Loans, or the original  scheduled  maturity of such Competitive
Bid Loans,  as the case may be, at a per annum rate equal to 2% plus the rate of
interest applicable on the due date therefor.

               (e)  Interest  shall  accrue from and  including  the date of any
incurrence of a Loan or a Competitive  Bid Loan to and excluding the date of any
repayment  thereof  and shall be payable  (i) in respect of each Base Rate Loan,
quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter,  (ii) in
respect of each  Competitive  Bid Loan, at such times as specified in the Notice
of  Competitive  Bid  Borrowing  relating  thereto,  (iii)  in  respect  of each
Eurodollar Loan, on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto and,
in the case of an  Interest  Period  in  excess  of three  months,  on each date
occurring at three month  intervals  after the first day of such Interest Period
and (iv) in respect of each Loan or  Competitive  Bid Loan, on any conversion or
prepayment  (on the amount so  converted or  prepaid),  at maturity  (whether by
acceleration or otherwise) and, after such maturity, on demand.


                                       7

<PAGE>

               (f) All  computations  of  interest  hereunder  shall  be made in
accordance with Section 11.07(b).

               (g)  The  Agent,  upon  determining  the  interest  rate  for any
Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans for any Interest Period, shall promptly notify the
Borrower and the Banks thereof.

               1.10 INTEREST PERIODS. At the time the Borrower gives a Notice of
Borrowing or Notice of  Conversion,  in respect of the making of, or  conversion
into,  a Borrowing  of  Eurodollar  Loans (in the case of the  initial  Interest
Period applicable thereto),  or prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the third
Business  Day prior to the  expiration  of an Interest  Period  applicable  to a
Borrowing of  Eurodollar  Loans,  it shall have the right to elect by giving the
Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of the
Interest Period to be applicable to such Borrowing, which Interest Period shall,
at the  option  of the  Borrower,  be a one,  two,  three or six  month  period.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above:

               (i) the initial  Interest  Period for any Borrowing of Eurodollar
        Loans shall commence on the date of such  Borrowing  (including the date
        of any conversion from a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans) and each Interest
        Period occurring  thereafter in respect of such Borrowing shall commence
        on the day on which the next preceding Interest Period expires;

            (ii) if any  Interest  Period  begins on a day for which there is no
        numerically  corresponding  day in the calendar month at the end of such
        Interest Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day
        of such calendar month;

           (iii) if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day which is
        not a  Business  Day,  such  Interest  Period  shall  expire on the next
        succeeding  Business  Day,  PROVIDED  that if any Interest  Period would
        otherwise  expire on a day which is not a  Business  Day but is a day of
        the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such
        Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding Business Day;

            (iv)  no  Interest  Period may be elected if it would  extend beyond
        the Final Maturity Date; and

             (v) no Interest Period may be elected at any time when a Default or
        Event of Default is then in existence.

If upon the expiration of any Interest  Period,  the Borrower has failed,  or is
not permitted,  to elect a new Interest Period to be applicable to any Borrowing
of  Eurodollar  Loans as provided  above,  the Borrower  shall be deemed to have
elected to convert such Borrowing into a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans  effective
as of the expiration date of such current Interest Period.


                                       8

<PAGE>


               1.11 INCREASED COSTS, ILLEGALITY,  ETC. (a) In the event that (1)
in the case of clause  (i) below,  the Agent or (2) in the case of clauses  (ii)
and (iii) below,  any Bank shall have  determined  (which  determination  shall,
absent  manifest  error,  be final and  conclusive  and binding upon all parties
hereto):

               (i) on any  date  for  determining  the  Eurodollar  Rate for any
        Interest  Period  or in  respect  of  any  Spread  Borrowing  priced  by
        reference to the Eurodollar  Rate that, by reason of any changes arising
        after the date of this  Agreement  affecting  the  interbank  Eurodollar
        market,  adequate  and fair  means do not  exist  for  ascertaining  the
        applicable  interest rate on the basis provided for in the definition of
        Eurodollar Rate; or

            (ii) at any time,  that such Bank  shall  incur  increased  costs or
        reductions in the amounts received or receivable  hereunder with respect
        to any  Eurodollar  Loans or  Competitive  Bid Loans  because of (x) any
        change  since the date of this  Agreement  (or,  in the case of any such
        cost or reduction with respect to any  Competitive  Bid Loan,  since the
        making of such Competitive Bid Loan) in any applicable law, governmental
        rule, regulation, guideline, order or request (whether or not having the
        force of law) or in the  interpretation  or  administration  thereof and
        including  the  introduction  of  any  new  law  or  governmental  rule,
        regulation,  guideline,  order or request (such as, for example, but not
        limited  to, a change in  official  reserve  requirements,  but,  in all
        events,  excluding  reserves  required under  Regulation D to the extent
        included in the  computation  of the  Eurodollar  Rate) and/or (y) other
        circumstances  affecting the interbank Eurodollar market or the position
        of such Bank in such market; or

           (iii) at any time,  that the making or  continuance of any Eurodollar
        Loan or Competitive  Bid Loan has become  unlawful by compliance by such
        Bank  in  good  faith  with  any  law,  governmental  rule,  regulation,
        guideline or order (or would conflict with any such  governmental  rule,
        regulation,  guideline  or order  not  having  the force of law but with
        which such Bank  customarily  complies even though the failure to comply
        therewith  would not be  unlawful),  or has  become  impracticable  as a
        result  of a  contingency  occurring  after  the  Effective  Date  which
        materially and adversely affects the interbank Eurodollar market;

then,  and in any such event,  such Bank (or the Agent in the case of clause (i)
above to the extent  applicable  to Loans) shall on such date give notice (if by
telephone  promptly  confirmed  in writing) to the  Borrower and to the Agent of
such  determination  (which notice the Agent shall promptly  transmit to each of
the other  Banks).  Thereafter  (x) in the case of clause (i) above,  Eurodollar
Loans  (or  Competitive  Bid Loans  constituting  a Spread  Borrowing  priced by
reference to the Eurodollar  Rate) shall no longer be available  until such time
as the Agent notifies the Borrower and the Banks that the  circumstances  giving
rise to such notice by the Agent no longer  exist,  and any Notice of Borrowing,
Notice  of  Competitive  Bid  Borrowing  or Notice  of  Conversion  given by the
Borrower  with  respect to  Eurodollar  Loans (or any affected  Competitive  Bid
Loans)


                                       9

<PAGE>

which have not yet been incurred shall be deemed rescinded by the Borrower,  (y)
in the case of clause  (ii) above,  the  Borrower  shall pay to such Bank,  upon
written demand  therefor,  such additional  amounts (in the form of an increased
rate of, or a different  method of  calculating,  interest or  otherwise as such
Bank in its sole discretion  shall determine) as shall be required to compensate
such Bank for such increased costs or reductions in amounts receivable hereunder
(a written  notice as to the  additional  amounts owed to such Bank,  showing in
reasonable detail the basis for the calculation  thereof,  including such Bank's
method of allocating such costs among its affected  customers,  submitted to the
Borrower by such Bank shall,  absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and
binding upon all parties hereto) and (z) in the case of clause (iii) above,  the
Borrower shall take one of the actions  specified in Section 1.11(b) as promptly
as possible and, in any event, within the time period required by law.

               (b) At any  time  that any  Eurodollar  Loan is  affected  by the
circumstances  described  in  Section  1.11(a)(ii)  or any  Eurodollar  Loan  or
Competitive  Bid Loan is  affected  by the  circumstances  described  in Section
1.11(a)(iii),  the  Borrower  may  (and  in the  case  of a  Eurodollar  Loan or
Competitive Bid Loan affected pursuant to Section 1.11(a)(iii) shall) either (x)
if the  affected  Eurodollar  Loan or  Competitive  Bid Loan is then  being made
pursuant to a Borrowing,  cancel said  Borrowing by giving the Agent  telephonic
notice  (promptly  confirmed  in  writing)  thereof  on the same  date  that the
Borrower was notified by a Bank pursuant to Section 1.11(a)(ii) or (iii), (y) if
the affected  Eurodollar Loan is then outstanding,  upon at least three Business
Days'  notice to the Agent,  require  the  affected  Bank to  convert  each such
Eurodollar  Loan into a Base  Rate  Loan or (z)  subject  to the  provisions  of
Section  3.02(c),  if the  affected  Competitive  Bid Loan is then  outstanding,
prepay such Competitive Bid Loan in full (which  prepayment may be made with the
proceeds  of a Loan);  PROVIDED,  that if more than one Bank is  affected at any
time,  then all affected Banks must be treated the same pursuant to this Section
1.11(b).

               (c) If any Bank shall have determined that the adoption after the
Effective  Date of any  applicable  law,  rule or regulation  regarding  capital
adequacy,  or any change  therein after the Effective  Date, or any change after
the  Effective  Date in the  interpretation  or  administration  thereof  by any
governmental  authority,  central  bank or  comparable  agency  charged with the
interpretation  or  administration  thereof,  or  compliance by such Bank or its
parent with any request or directive  made after the  Effective  Date  regarding
capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority,
central bank or comparable  agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the
rate of return on such Bank's or its parent's capital or assets as a consequence
of its  commitments  or  obligations  hereunder to a level below that which such
Bank or its  parent  could  have  achieved  but for  such  adoption,  change  or
compliance  (taking into consideration such Bank's or its parent's policies with
respect  to  capital  adequacy),  then from time to time,  within 30 days  after
demand by such Bank (with a copy to the Agent),  the Borrower  shall pay to such
Bank or its parent such  additional  amount or amounts as will  compensate  such
Bank or its parent for such reduction. Each Bank, upon determining in good faith
that any additional  amounts will


                                       10

<PAGE>

be payable  pursuant to this Section  1.11(c),  will give prompt  written notice
thereof to the Borrower,  which notice shall set forth in reasonable  detail the
basis of the  calculation  of such  additional  amounts,  including  such Bank's
method of  allocating  such costs among its  affected  customers,  although  the
failure  to give any such  notice  shall  not  release  or  diminish  any of the
Borrower's  obligations  to pay  additional  amounts  pursuant  to this  Section
1.11(c) upon receipt of such notice.

               1.12 COMPENSATION.  The Borrower shall compensate each Bank, upon
its written request (which request shall set forth the basis for requesting such
compensation),  for all reasonable losses,  expenses and liabilities (including,
without  limitation,  any loss,  expense or liability  incurred by reason of the
liquidation or  reemployment of deposits or other funds required by such Bank to
fund its  Eurodollar  Loans or  Competitive  Bid Loans but excluding any loss of
anticipated  profit with respect to such Loans or  Competitive  Bid Loans) which
such Bank may sustain:  (i) if for any reason (other than a default by such Bank
or the  Agent) a  Borrowing  of  Eurodollar  Loans or of  Competitive  Bid Loans
accepted by the Borrower in accordance with Section 1.04(c)(ii),  does not occur
on a date specified therefor in a Notice of Borrowing, Notice of Competitive Bid
Borrowing or Notice of  Conversion  (whether or not withdrawn by the Borrower or
deemed withdrawn pursuant to Section 1.11(a)); (ii) if any repayment, prepayment
or conversion of any of its Eurodollar Loans or any repayment of Competitive Bid
Loans  occurs  on a date  which  is not  the  last  day  of an  Interest  Period
applicable  thereto;  (iii) if any prepayment of any of its Eurodollar  Loans or
Competitive  Bid  Loans  is not  made  on any  date  specified  in a  notice  of
prepayment  given by the  Borrower;  or (iv) as a  consequence  of (x) any other
default by the Borrower to repay its Eurodollar  Loans or Competitive  Bid Loans
when required by the terms of this Agreement or (y) an election made pursuant to
Section 1.11(b). Calculation of all amounts payable to a Bank under this Section
1.12 in respect of Eurodollar Loans or Competitive Bid Loans priced by reference
to the Eurodollar Rate shall be made as though that Bank had actually funded its
relevant  Loan or  Competitive  Bid Loan  through the  purchase of a  Eurodollar
deposit bearing interest at the Eurodollar Rate in an amount equal to the amount
of that  Loan or  Competitive  Bid Loan,  having a  maturity  comparable  to the
relevant  Interest  Period and through the transfer of such  Eurodollar  deposit
from an offshore  office of that Bank or other bank to a domestic office of that
Bank in the United States of America; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that each Bank may fund
each of its Eurodollar  Loans or Competitive Bid Loans in any manner it sees fit
and the  foregoing  assumption  shall be utilized  only for the  calculation  of
amounts payable under this Section 1.12.

               1.13 CHANGE OF LENDING  OFFICE.  Each Bank agrees that,  upon the
occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section  1.11(a)(ii)  or
(iii) or 3.04 with respect to such Bank,  it will, if requested by the Borrower,
use reasonable  efforts (subject to overall policy  considerations of such Bank)
to  designate  another  lending  office for any Loans or  Competitive  Bid Loans
affected by such event;  PROVIDED,  that such  designation is made on such terms
that,  in the opinion of such Bank,  such Bank and its lending  office suffer no
economic,  legal or  regulatory


                                       11

<PAGE>

disadvantage,  with the object of avoiding the  consequence  of the event giving
rise to the  operation of any such  Section.  Nothing in this Section 1.13 shall
affect or postpone  any of the  obligations  of the Borrower or the right of any
Bank provided in Section 1.11 or 3.04.

               SECTION 2.  FEES; COMMITMENTS

               2.10 FEES. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent a facility
fee (the  "Facility  Fee") for the account of the Banks PRO RATA on the basis of
their  respective  Commitments  for the period from and  including the Effective
Date to and  excluding  the  date the  Total  Commitment  has  been  terminated,
computed at a rate per annum equal to the  Applicable  Facility  Fee  Percentage
from  time to time of the  Total  Commitment  as in  effect  from  time to time.
Accrued  Facility  Fees shall be due and payable in arrears on the last Business
Day of each March, June, September and December,  and on the date upon which the
Total Commitment is terminated.

               (b) In addition to any fees set forth herein,  the Borrower shall
pay to the Agent,  for the account of the Agent,  when and as due,  such fees as
have been, or are from time to time, separately agreed upon.

               (c) All computations of Fees  shall  be made in  accordance  with
Section 11.07(b).

               2.02  VOLUNTARY  REDUCTION  OF  COMMITMENTS.  Upon at least three
Business Days' prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly  confirmed in
writing)  given by the Borrower to the Agent at its Notice  Office (which notice
shall be irrevocable  and shall be promptly  transmitted by the Agent to each of
the Banks),  the Borrower shall have the right,  without premium or penalty,  to
terminate,  in whole or in part,  the  Total  Unutilized  Commitment  (or to the
extent that at such time there are no Loans outstanding,  to terminate the Total
Commitment),  PROVIDED,  that (x) any partial  reduction of the Total Unutilized
Commitment  pursuant  to this  Section  2.02  shall be in the amount of at least
$10,000,000 (and, if greater,  in an integral  multiple of $1,000,000),  and (y)
any such termination shall apply to  proportionately  and permanently reduce the
Commitment of each of the Banks.

               2.03 MANDATORY  REDUCTION OF  COMMITMENTS.  The Total  Commitment
shall terminate on the Final Maturity Date.

               SECTION 3.  PAYMENTS

               3.01 VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENTS.  The Borrower shall have the right to
prepay Loans, without premium or penalty, in whole or in part, from time to time
on the following terms and conditions:  (i) the Borrower shall give the Agent at
its Notice Office  written notice (or telephonic  notice  promptly  confirmed in
writing) of its intent to prepay the Loans,  the amount of such  prepayment  and
(in the case of Eurodollar

                                       12

<PAGE>

Loans) the specific  Borrowing(s)  pursuant to which made, which notice shall be
given by the Borrower no later than 12:00 Noon (New York time) two Business Days
prior to the  date of such  prepayment,  and  which  notice  shall  promptly  be
transmitted by the Agent to each of the Banks;  (ii) each partial  prepayment of
any Borrowing shall be in an aggregate  principal  amount of at least $5,000,000
(and,  if greater,  in an integral  multiple of  $1,000,000),  PROVIDED  that no
partial prepayment of Eurodollar Loans made pursuant to a Borrowing shall reduce
the  aggregate  principal  amount  of the  Loans  outstanding  pursuant  to such
Borrowing to an amount less than  $5,000,000;  (iii)  prepayments  of Eurodollar
Loans made  pursuant to this Section 3.01 may only be made on the last day of an
Interest Period applicable  thereto;  and (iv) each prepayment in respect of any
Loans made  pursuant to a Borrowing  shall be applied PRO RATA among such Loans.
Upon receipt of a notice of prepayment  pursuant to this Section 3.01, the Agent
shall  promptly  notify  each Bank of the  contents  thereof  and of such Bank's
ratable share of such  prepayment.  The Borrower  shall have no right under this
Section 3.01 to prepay any principal amount of any Competitive Bid Loans.

               3.02 MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS AND REPAYMENTS. (a) If on any date the
sum of the outstanding  principal amount of Loans and Competitive Bid Loans (all
the foregoing,  collectively,  the "Aggregate  Loan  Outstandings")  exceeds the
Total  Commitment as then in effect,  the Borrower shall prepay on such date the
principal of Loans,  in an amount equal to such excess.  If, after giving effect
to the  prepayment of all  outstanding  Loans as set forth above,  the remaining
Aggregate  Loan  Outstandings  exceed the Total  Commitment,  the Borrower shall
repay on such date the principal of Competitive Bid Loans in an aggregate amount
equal to such excess,  PROVIDED  that no  Competitive  Bid Loan shall be prepaid
pursuant  to this  sentence  unless  the Bank that made  same  consents  to such
prepayment.  In the absence of such consent,  the provisions of Section  3.02(c)
shall be applicable.

               (b)  With  respect  to each  prepayment  or  repayment  of  Loans
required by this Section  3.02,  the Borrower may  designate  the Types of Loans
which are to be prepaid and the  specific  Borrowing(s)  pursuant to which made;
PROVIDED,  that (i) if any  prepayment  of  Eurodollar  Loans made pursuant to a
single  Borrowing  shall  reduce the  outstanding  Loans made  pursuant  to such
Borrowing to an amount less than $5,000,000, such Borrowing shall be immediately
converted  into Base Rate  Loans;  and (ii) each  prepayment  of any Loans  made
pursuant  to a  Borrowing  shall be applied  PRO RATA among such  Loans.  In the
absence of a  designation  of Loans by the Borrower as described in this Section
3.02(b),  the Agent shall,  subject to the above,  make such  designation in its
sole discretion with a view, but no obligation, to minimize breakage costs owing
under Section 1.12.

               (c) At any time that the  Borrower  is  obligated  to prepay  any
Competitive Bid Loan pursuant to Section 1.11(b) or 3.02(a) on a date other than
the scheduled  maturity date thereof,  such prepayment shall only be made if the
respective Bank that made such Competitive Bid Loan has consented in writing (or
by telephone  confirmed in writing) to the Borrower to such prepayment within 48
hours after  notice (in  writing


                                       13

<PAGE>


or by  telephone  confirmed  in  writing)  by the  Borrower to such Bank of such
prepayment (it being understood that the Borrower will give such notice and that
any failure to respond to such notice will constitute a rejection  thereof);  if
such  prepayment is not so consented to by the respective Bank then, in the case
of a prepayment  otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.02(a),  the provisions
of the immediately succeeding sentence will be applicable.  At the time any such
Competitive  Bid Loans are  otherwise  required to be prepaid the Borrower  will
deposit  100% of the  principal  amount that  otherwise  would have been paid in
respect of the  Competitive  Bid Loans with the Agent to be held as security for
the  obligations  of  the  Borrower  hereunder  pursuant  to a  cash  collateral
agreement to be entered into in form and  substance  satisfactory  to the Agent,
with such cash collateral to be released from such cash collateral  account (and
applied to repay the principal  amount of such  Competitive Bid Loans) upon each
occurrence  thereafter of the last day of an Interest  Period  applicable to the
relevant Competitive Bid Loans, with the amount to be so released and applied on
the last day of each  Interest  Period to be the amount of the  Competitive  Bid
Loans to which such Interest  Period applies (or, if less, the amount  remaining
in such cash collateral account).

               3.03   METHOD  AND  PLACE  OF   PAYMENT.   Except  as   otherwise
specifically  provided  herein,  all payments under this Agreement and the Notes
shall  be made to the  Agent  for the  ratable  account  of the  Banks  entitled
thereto,  not later  than  12:00  Noon (New York  time) on the date when due and
shall be made in immediately  available  funds and in lawful money of the United
States of  America at the  Agent's  Payment  Office,  it being  understood  that
written,  telex or  facsimile  notice  by the  Borrower  to the  Agent to make a
payment from the funds in the Borrower's  account at the Agent's  Payment Office
shall  constitute the making of such payment to the extent of such funds held in
such account.  Any payments under this Agreement which are made later than 12:00
Noon (New York  time)  shall be deemed to have been made on the next  succeeding
Business Day.  Whenever any payment to be made  hereunder  shall be stated to be
due on a day which is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended
to the next succeeding  Business Day and, with respect to payments of principal,
interest shall be payable during such extension at the applicable rate in effect
immediately prior to such extension.

               3.04 NET PAYMENTS.  All payments  made by the Borrower  hereunder
will be made without setoff or counterclaim.  Promptly upon notice from any Bank
to the  Borrower,  the Borrower will pay,  prior to the date on which  penalties
attach thereto,  all present and future income,  stamp and other taxes,  levies,
costs and charges  whatsoever  imposed,  assessed,  levied or collected on or in
respect of a Loan or a  Competitive  Bid Loan solely as a result of the interest
rate being  determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate and/or the provisions
of  this  Agreement  relating  to the  Eurodollar  Rate  and/or  the  recording,
registration,  notarization  or other  formalization  of any thereof  and/or any
payments of principal, interest or other amounts made on or in respect of a Loan
or a  Competitive  Bid Loan when the interest rate is determined by reference to
the  Eurodollar  Rate (all such taxes,  levies,  costs and charges  being herein


                                       14

<PAGE>

collectively  called  "Taxes");  PROVIDED  that Taxes  shall not  include  taxes
imposed on or  measured by the overall net income or overall net profits of that
Bank by the  United  States of America or any  political  subdivision  or taxing
authority thereof or therein,  or taxes on or measured by the overall net income
or overall net profits of any foreign  branch or  subsidiary of that Bank by any
foreign  country or  subdivision  thereof in which that branch or  subsidiary is
doing  business.  The Borrower shall also pay such  additional  amounts equal to
increases in taxes payable by that Bank described in the foregoing proviso which
increases are  attributable  to payments  made by the Borrower  described in the
immediately  preceding sentence of this Section 3.04. Promptly after the date on
which  payment of any such Tax is due pursuant to  applicable  law, the Borrower
will, at the request of that Bank,  furnish to that Bank  evidence,  in form and
substance  satisfactory  to that Bank,  that the Borrower has met its obligation
under this Section 3.04.  The Borrower  will  indemnify  each Bank against,  and
reimburse each Bank on demand for, any Taxes,  as determined by that Bank in its
good faith  discretion.  Such Bank shall provide the Borrower  with  appropriate
receipts for any  payments or  reimbursements  made by the Borrower  pursuant to
this  Section  3.04.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the  Borrower  shall  be
entitled,  to the extent it is  required  to do so by law, to deduct or withhold
(and shall not be  required  to make  payments  as  otherwise  required  in this
Section  3.04 on account of such  deductions  or  withholdings)  income or other
similar  taxes imposed by the United  States of America from  interest,  fees or
other  amounts  payable  hereunder for the account of any Bank other than a Bank
(i) who is a U.S.  Person for  Federal  income tax  purposes or (ii) who has the
Prescribed Forms on file with the Borrower for the applicable year to the extent
deduction or withholding of such taxes is not required as a result of the filing
of such  Prescribed  Forms,  PROVIDED  that if the  Borrower  shall so deduct or
withhold  any such taxes,  it shall  provide a  statement  to the Agent and such
Bank,  setting  forth the  amount of such taxes so  deducted  or  withheld,  the
applicable rate and any other  information or documentation  which such Bank may
reasonably  request for assisting  such Bank to obtain any allowable  credits or
deductions  for the  taxes  so  deducted  or  withheld  in the  jurisdiction  or
jurisdictions in which such Bank is subject to tax.

               SECTION 4. CONDITIONS  PRECEDENT.  The obligation of the Banks to
make any Loan or Competitive Bid Loan to the Borrower  hereunder is subject,  at
the time of the making of such Loan or Competitive Bid Loan (except as otherwise
hereinafter indicated), to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

               4.01  EFFECTIVENESS;  NOTES. On or prior to the Initial Borrowing
Date,  (i) the  Effective  Date shall have occurred as provided in Section 11.10
and (ii) there  shall have been  delivered  to the Agent for the account of each
Bank the appropriate Note executed by the Borrower, and in the amount,  maturity
and as otherwise provided herein.

               4.02 NO DEFAULT;  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  At the time of
the making of such Loan or  Competitive  Bid Loan and also after  giving  effect
thereto,  (i) there  shall  exist no Default or Event of Default and (ii) all of
the representations and


                                       15

<PAGE>

warranties  contained  herein or in the other Credit Documents shall be true and
correct  in  all  material   respects  with  the  same  effect  as  though  such
representations  and  warranties  had been made on and as of such  date,  unless
stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such  representations
and  warranties  shall be true and correct in all  material  respects as of such
earlier date.

               4.03 OFFICER'S  CERTIFICATE.  On the Initial  Borrowing Date, the
Agent  shall  have  received  a  certificate  dated  such  date,  signed  by  an
appropriate  officer  of the  Borrower,  stating  that  all  of  the  applicable
conditions set forth in Section 4.02,  4.06,  4.07,  4.08 and 4.11 exist or have
been satisfied as of such date.

               4.04  OPINIONS OF COUNSEL.  On the Initial  Borrowing  Date,  the
Agent  shall have  received  an  opinion,  or  opinions,  in form and  substance
reasonably  satisfactory to the Agent,  addressed to each of the Banks and dated
the Initial Borrowing Date, from (i) Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, special
counsel to the Borrower,  which opinion  shall be  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit  C-1  hereto,  (ii) Alan W.  Faigin,  Associate  General  Counsel of the
Borrower, which opinion shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2 hereto
and (iii) White & Case,  special  counsel to the Banks,  which  opinion shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit C-3 hereto.

               4.05 CORPORATE  PROCEEDINGS.  (a) On the Initial  Borrowing Date,
the Banks shall have received a certificate,  dated the Initial  Borrowing Date,
signed by the  President,  any  Executive  Vice  President  or any  Senior  Vice
President of the  Borrower,  and attested to by the  Secretary or any  Assistant
Secretary  of the  Borrower,  in the form of Exhibit D hereto  with  appropriate
insertions, together with copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws
of each of the Borrower and FCIG, the  resolutions of the Borrower and the other
documents referred to in such certificate, and the foregoing shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent.

               (b) On the  Initial  Borrowing  Date,  all  corporate  and  legal
proceedings   and  all   instruments  and  agreements  in  connection  with  the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents
shall be reasonably  satisfactory  in form and  substance to the Agent,  and the
Agent  shall have  received  all  information  and  copies of all  certificates,
documents  and  papers,   including   records  of  corporate   proceedings   and
governmental approvals, if any, which the Agent reasonably may have requested in
connection  therewith,  such  documents  and  papers  where  appropriate  to  be
certified by proper corporate or governmental authorities.

               4.06  CONSUMMATION  OF  THE  TRANSACTION.   (a)  On  the  Initial
Borrowing Date, the Acquisition  shall have been  consummated in accordance with
the  Acquisition  Documents and all applicable  laws, and each of the conditions
precedent to the  consummation  of the Acquisition to be satisfied by the Seller
shall have been  satisfied  and not waived  except with the consent of the Agent
and the Required Banks.


                                       16

<PAGE>

               (b) (i) On the  Initial  Borrowing  Date,  the total  commitments
under the Existing Credit  Agreements shall have been terminated,  and all loans
and notes  issued  thereunder  shall  have been  repaid in full,  together  with
interest thereon,  and all other amounts  (including  premiums) owing thereunder
shall have been repaid in full and the  Existing  Credit  Agreements  shall have
been  terminated  and be of no further  force or effect.  The Borrower  shall be
entitled to utilize this  Agreement to terminate the  commitments  and repay the
loans under the Existing Credit Agreements.

               (ii) On the  Initial  Borrowing  Date,  the  creditors  under the
Existing  Credit  Agreements  shall have  terminated  and  released all security
interests in and Liens on the assets owned by the Borrower and Industrial and/or
their  respective  Subsidiaries.  The Agent shall have received such releases of
security  interests  in and  Liens  on the  assets  owned  by  the  Borrower  or
Industrial  and/or their  respective  Subsidiaries as may have been requested by
the Agent, which releases shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the Agent. Without limiting the foregoing, there shall have been delivered to
the Agent (i)  proper  termination  statements  (Form  UCC-3 or the  appropriate
equivalent)  for filing  under the UCC of each  jurisdiction  where a  financing
statement (Form UCC-1 or the  appropriate  equivalent) was filed with respect to
the Borrower or Industrial  and/or their  respective  Subsidiaries in connection
with  the  security  interests  created  with  respect  to the  Existing  Credit
Agreements  and  the   documentation   related  thereto,   (ii)  termination  or
reassignment of any security  interest in, or Lien on, any patents,  trademarks,
copyrights,  or similar  interests  of the Borrower or  Industrial  and/or their
respective  Subsidiaries on which filings have been made, (iii)  terminations of
all mortgages,  leasehold mortgages, deeds of trust and leasehold deeds of trust
created  with  respect to property of the  Borrower or  Industrial  and/or their
respective  Subsidiaries,  in each case, to secure the obligations in respect of
the  Existing  Credit  Agreements,  all of which shall be in form and  substance
reasonably  satisfactory  to the  Agent,  and (iv) all  collateral  owned by the
Borrower or Industrial and/or their respective Subsidiaries in the possession of
any of the  creditors  in  respect  of the  Existing  Credit  Agreements  or any
collateral agent or trustee under any related security  document shall have been
returned to the Borrower or Industrial and/or their respective Subsidiaries.

               (c) On or prior to the Initial  Borrowing Date,  there shall have
been  delivered  to the  Agent  and the  Banks  true and  correct  copies of all
Transaction   Documents   entered  into  in  connection   with  the  Transaction
(including, without limitation, the Acquisition Documents), and all of the terms
and conditions of such  Transaction  Documents,  as well as the structure of the
Acquisition,  shall be in form and substance  satisfactory  to the Agent and the
Required Banks.

               4.07 ADVERSE  CHANGE,  ETC. On or prior to the Initial  Borrowing
Date,  since  December 31, 1996,  nothing shall have occurred which the Agent or
the Required Banks shall  determine (i) has, or could  reasonably be expected to
have,  a material  adverse  effect on the rights or remedies of the Agent or the
Banks,  or on the ability of the  Borrower to perform  its  obligations  to them
hereunder or under any other Credit


                                       17

<PAGE>

Document,  (ii) has, or could reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse
effect on the corporate,  organizational  or legal  structure of the Borrower or
its  Subsidiaries  or (iii) has, or could  reasonably  be  expected  to have,  a
materially adverse effect on the condition  (financial or otherwise,  determined
pursuant  to  GAAP  or  SAP),  businesses,   operations,   properties,   assets,
liabilities, investments or prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken
as a whole, it being understood that,  changes in the market value of securities
held in the  Borrower's  investment  portfolio  alone  shall  not  constitute  a
material adverse effect of the type described in clause (iii) above.

               4.08 LITIGATION. On the Initial Borrowing Date, there shall be no
actions, suits or proceedings pending or threatened with respect to the Borrower
or any of its  Subsidiaries  which in the  judgment of the Agent or the Required
Banks could  reasonably be expected to (i) have a material adverse effect on the
condition  (financial  or  otherwise,  determined  pursuant  to  GAAP  or  SAP),
businesses,   operations,   properties,  assets,  liabilities,   investments  or
prospects of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole or (ii) have a
material  adverse  effect on the rights or  remedies of the Banks  hereunder  or
under any other Credit Document or on the ability of the Borrower to perform its
obligations to the Banks hereunder or under any other Credit Document.

               4.09 PLEDGE AGREEMENT. On or prior to the Initial Borrowing Date,
the  Borrower  shall have duly  authorized,  executed and  delivered  the Pledge
Agreement  in the form of Exhibit E hereto (the  "Pledge  Agreement")  and shall
have  delivered  to the  Collateral  Agent,  as pledgee  thereunder,  all of the
Pledged Stock referred to therein,  together with undated stock powers  executed
in blank.

               4.10 FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS.  Prior to the Initial Borrowing Date,
the Borrower  shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to the Agent and to
each Bank:

                    (i) the audited  consolidated  and  unaudited  consolidating
        balance  sheet of the Borrower as of December 31, 1996,  and the related
        consolidated and consolidating statements of income and of stockholders'
        equity and  consolidated  statements  of cash flows for the fiscal  year
        then ended, in each case prepared in accordance with GAAP;

                   (ii) the  audited  balance  sheet of FFC as of  December  31,
        1996, and the related statements of income, of stockholders'  equity and
        of cash flows for the fiscal year then ended,  in each case  prepared in
        accordance with GAAP;

                   (iii) the audited  balance sheet of each  Material  Insurance
        Subsidiary  as of  December  31,  1996,  and the related  statements  of
        income,  of  stockholders'  equity and of cash flows for the fiscal year
        then ended,  in each case prepared in  accordance  with SAP and as filed
        with the Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority;


                                       18

<PAGE>

                   (iv) the audited  consolidated  balance  sheet of FIL and its
        Subsidiaries  as of December 31,  1996,  and the related  statements  of
        income,  of  stockholders'  equity and of cash flows for the fiscal year
        then ended, in each case prepared in accordance with GAAP; and

                   (v) the unaudited  consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower
        as of March 31, 1997, and the related consolidated statements of income,
        of stockholders' equity and of cash flows for the quarter then ended, in
        each case prepared in accordance  with GAAP (subject to normal  year-end
        audit adjustments).

               4.11 APPROVALS.  On the Initial Borrowing Date, all necessary and
material  governmental  and third party approvals and filings in connection with
the Credit Documents and otherwise  referred to herein including the approval of
the California Department of Insurance, to the extent such approvals and filings
are required to be obtained or made prior to the Initial  Borrowing Date,  shall
have been  obtained  and remain in full  force and  effect,  and all  applicable
waiting  periods  shall  have  expired  without  any action  being  taken by any
competent authority which restrains, prevents or imposes, in the judgment of the
Required Banks or the Agent, materially adverse conditions upon the consummation
of the transactions contemplated thereby.

               4.12 PAYMENT OF FEES. On the Initial  Borrowing  Date, all costs,
fees and expenses, and all other compensation  contemplated by this Agreement or
the other Credit  Documents,  due to the Agent or any Banks shall have been paid
to the extent due.

               4.13 CONSENT  LETTER.  On the Initial  Borrowing  Date, the Agent
shall have received a letter from CT Corporation  System,  substantially  in the
form of  Exhibit G hereto,  indicating  its  consent to its  appointment  by the
Borrower  as its agent to receive  service of  process as  specified  in Section
11.08.

               4.14 NOTICE OF BORROWING.  The Agent shall have received a Notice
of  Borrowing  satisfying  the  requirements  of  Section  1.03 in the case of a
Borrowing of Loans,  or a Notice of  Competitive  Bid Borrowing  satisfying  the
requirements  of Section  1.04 in the case of a  Borrowing  of  Competitive  Bid
Loans.

The  acceptance  of the  benefits  of each Loan and  Competitive  Bid Loan shall
constitute  a  representation  and warranty by the Borrower to each of the Banks
that  all of the  applicable  conditions  specified  above  exist  or have  been
satisfied as of such date.  All of the  certificates,  legal  opinions and other
documents and papers referred to in this Section 4, unless otherwise  specified,
shall be delivered to the Agent at its Notice  Office for the account of each of
the Banks and,  except for the Notes and the  Pledged  Stock and  related  stock
transfers,  in  sufficient  counterparts  for  each of the  Banks  and  shall be
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent.


                                       19

<PAGE>

               SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS,  WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS.  In order
to induce  the  Banks to enter  into  this  Agreement  and to make the Loans and
Competitive  Bid Loans  provided for herein,  the Borrower  makes the  following
representations  and warranties to, and agreements with, the Banks, all of which
shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the
Loans and  Competitive  Bid Loans (with the making of each Loan and  Competitive
Bid Loan being deemed to  constitute  a  representation  and  warranty  that the
matters  specified  in this  Section  5 are true  and  correct  in all  material
respects  on and as of the date of the  making of each such Loan or  Competitive
Bid Loan, as the case may be, unless such  representation and warranty expressly
indicates  that it is being  made as of any  specific  date in which  case  such
representation  and warranty shall be true and correct in all material  respects
as of such specified  date, it being  understood  that all  representations  and
warranties  with respect to the  Acquisition  Documents shall be made only as of
the Initial Borrowing Date):

               5.01 CORPORATE STATUS.  The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries
(i) is a duly organized and validly existing  corporation in good standing under
the laws of the  jurisdiction of its organization and has the corporate or other
organizational  power  and  authority  to own its  property  and  assets  and to
transact  the business in which it is engaged and  presently  proposes to engage
and (ii) has duly  qualified  and is  authorized  to do business  and is in good
standing in all jurisdictions  where it is required to be so qualified and where
the  failure to be so  qualified  would have a  material  adverse  effect on the
condition  (financial  or  otherwise,  determined  pursuant  to  GAAP  or  SAP),
businesses,  operations,  properties,  assets, liabilities or investments of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

               5.02  CORPORATE  POWER  AND  AUTHORITY.   The  Borrower  has  the
corporate  power and  authority to execute,  deliver and carry out the terms and
provisions of each of the  Transaction  Documents to which it is a party and has
taken all necessary  corporate  action to authorize the execution,  delivery and
performance of its  obligations  under each of the  Transaction  Documents.  The
Borrower has duly executed and delivered each such Transaction Document and each
such Transaction Document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of
the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

               5.03  NO   VIOLATION.   Neither  the   execution,   delivery  and
performance by the Borrower of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party,
nor compliance with the terms and provisions  thereof,  nor the  consummation of
the  transactions  contemplated  therein  (i)  will  contravene  any  applicable
provision of any law, statute,  rule,  regulation,  order,  writ,  injunction or
decree of any court or  governmental  instrumentality,  (ii) will conflict or be
inconsistent  with or  result  in any  breach  of any of the  terms,  covenants,
conditions  or  provisions  of, or  constitute a default  under,  or (other than
pursuant to the Pledge  Agreement)  result in the creation or  imposition of (or
the  obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the property or assets
of the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  pursuant  to the  terms  of,  any
indenture,  mortgage,

                                       20

<PAGE>

deed of trust, loan agreement or other material instrument to which the Borrower
or any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party or by which it or any of its property or
assets  are  bound or to which it may be  subject  or  (iii)  will  violate  any
provision of the charter or By-Laws of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

               5.04  LITIGATION.  There  are no  actions,  suits or  proceedings
pending  or,  to the  Borrower's  knowledge,  threatened,  with  respect  to the
Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  (i) that are  reasonably  likely to have a
material  adverse  effect on the condition  (financial or otherwise,  determined
pursuant  to  GAAP  or  SAP),  businesses,   operations,   properties,   assets,
liabilities or investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole
or (ii) that could  reasonably be expected to have a material  adverse effect on
the  rights  or  remedies  of the Banks or the  Agent or on the  ability  of the
Borrower to perform its obligations to them hereunder and under the other Credit
Documents.

               5.05 USE OF PROCEEDS. (a) Subject to Section 5.05(b) and (c), all
proceeds of the Loans and  Competitive Bid Loans shall be utilized to (i) effect
the Transaction,  (ii) to pay fees and expenses related to the Transaction,  and
(iii) for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

               (b)  Neither  the  making  of any  Loan or  Competitive  Bid Loan
hereunder,  nor the use of the proceeds thereof, will violate or be inconsistent
with the  provisions of Regulation G, T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal  Reserve  System.  At the time of the making of each Loan or Competitive
Bid Loan, not more than 25% of the value of the assets subject to the provisions
of Section 7 of the  Borrower,  or of the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  on a
consolidated basis, shall constitute Margin Stock.

               (c)  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing  provisions  of this Section
5.05,  no proceeds of any Loan or any  Competitive  Bid Loan will be utilized to
purchase  any  capital  stock  or other  ownership  interests  of a Person  in a
transaction, or as part of a series of transactions,  the result of which is the
ownership by the Borrower  and/or its  Subsidiaries of 5% or more of the capital
stock or other ownership  interests of such Person unless the Board of Directors
(or  similar  body if such  Person  is not a  corporation)  of such  Person  has
approved such transaction prior to any public  announcement of the purchase,  or
the intent to purchase, any such capital stock or ownership interests.

               5.06  GOVERNMENTAL  APPROVALS.   No  order,  consent,   approval,
license,  authorization,  or validation of, or filing, recording or registration
with,  or exemption by, any foreign or domestic  governmental  or public body or
authority,  or any subdivision  thereof, is required to authorize or is required
in  connection  with  (i)  the  execution,   delivery  and  performance  of  any
Transaction  Document  or  (ii)  the  legality,   validity,  binding  effect  or
enforceability of any Transaction Document.


                                       21

<PAGE>

               5.07 INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries  is  an  "investment  company"  or a  company  "controlled"  by  an
"investment  company," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.

               5.08 PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT. Neither the Borrower nor
any of its Subsidiaries is a "holding  company," or a "subsidiary  company" of a
"holding  company," or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary
company"  of a  "holding  company,"  within the  meaning  of the Public  Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

               5.09 TRUE AND COMPLETE DISCLOSURE. All factual information (taken
as a whole)  heretofore  or  contemporaneously  furnished by or on behalf of the
Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  in  writing  to  the  Agent  or any  Bank
(including,   without  limitation,   all  such  information   contained  in  the
Transaction Documents) for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement, the
other Credit Documents or any transaction contemplated herein or therein is, and
all other such factual  information (taken as a whole) hereafter furnished by or
on behalf of the  Borrower in writing to the Agent or any Bank will be, true and
accurate in all material  respects on the date as of which such  information  is
dated or certified  and not  incomplete  by omitting to state any material  fact
necessary to make such  information  (taken as a whole) not  misleading  at such
time in light of the  circumstances  under which such  information was provided.
There is no fact known to the Borrower which  materially  and adversely  affects
the  condition  (financial or  otherwise,  determined  pursuant to GAAP or SAP),
businesses,  operations,  assets, liabilities,  properties or investments of the
Borrower and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  which has not been disclosed
herein or in such other documents,  certificates and statements furnished to the
Banks for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

               5.10 FINANCIAL CONDITION;  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. (a) On and as of
the Initial Borrowing Date and after giving effect to the Transaction and to all
Indebtedness  (including each Loan and Competitive Bid Loan) incurred, and to be
incurred, and Liens created and to be created, in connection therewith,  (x) the
sum of the assets,  at a fair valuation,  of the Borrower will exceed its debts,
(y) the  Borrower  will not have  incurred  nor  intended to, or believe that it
will,  incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as such debts mature and
(z) the  Borrower  will  have  sufficient  capital  with  which to  conduct  its
business. For purposes of this Section 5.10(a),  "debt" means any liability on a
claim,  and  "claim"  means (i) right to payment  whether or not such a right is
reduced to  judgment,  liquidated,  unliquidated,  fixed,  contingent,  matured,
unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured; or (ii)
right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise
to a payment,  whether or not such  right to an  equitable  remedy is reduced to
judgment, fixed, contingent,  matured, unmatured,  disputed, undisputed, secured
or unsecured.

               (b) The financial  statements  delivered to the Banks pursuant to
Sections 4.10 and 5.10(d)  present fairly the financial  position of the Persons
specified


                                       22

<PAGE>

therein,  at the dates of said  statements and the results of operations for the
periods  covered  thereby.  All such financial  statements have been prepared in
accordance  with  SAP or GAAP,  as  indicated  in  Sections  4.10  and  5.10(d),
consistently  applied  except  to the  extent  provided  in the  notes  to  said
financial statements.

               (c)  Except  as  fully  disclosed  in  the  financial  statements
delivered  pursuant to Sections 4.10 and 5.10(d),  there are no  liabilities  or
obligations  with  respect to the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  of any
nature  whatsoever  (whether  absolute,  accrued,  contingent  or otherwise  and
whether  or not  due)  which,  either  individually  or in  aggregate,  would be
material to the  Borrower or to the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a
whole.  The Borrower does not know of any basis for the assertion  against it of
any liability or obligation of any nature whatsoever that is not fully disclosed
in the  financial  statements  delivered  pursuant to Sections  4.10 and 5.10(d)
which, either individually or in the aggregate,  could reasonably be expected to
be material to the  Borrower or the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a
whole.

               (d) The  balance  sheets of  Industrial  for the fiscal  year and
three month period ended on December 31, 1996 and March 31, 1997,  respectively,
and the related  statements of income,  cash flows and  shareholders'  equity of
Industrial for the fiscal year or three month period,  as the case may be, ended
on such  dates,  copies of which have been  furnished  to the Banks prior to the
Initial  Borrowing Date,  present fairly in all material  respects the financial
position of  Industrial  at the dates of such balance  sheets and the results of
the  operations  of  Industrial  for the  periods  covered  thereby.  All of the
foregoing  financial  statements  have been  prepared  in  accordance  with GAAP
consistently  applied.  The PRO FORMA consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries as of the Initial Borrowing Date and after giving effect to
the Transaction and the financing  therefor,  a copy of which has been furnished
to the Banks  prior to the Initial  Borrowing  Date,  has been  prepared in good
faith and is based on  reasonable  assumptions,  and there are no  statements or
conclusions  in such balance  sheet which are based upon or include  information
known to the Borrower to be misleading in any material  respect or which fail to
take into  account  material  information  known to the Borrower  regarding  the
matters  reported  therein.  There has been no  material  adverse  change in the
condition  (financial  or  otherwise,  determined  pursuant  to  GAAP  or  SAP),
businesses,  operations, properties, assets or liabilities of the Borrower or of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries  taken as a whole from that of the Borrower or
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole as of December 31, 1996.

               (e) On  and  as of the  Initial  Borrowing  Date,  the  financial
projections  (the  "Projections")  delivered to the Agent and the Banks prior to
the  Initial  Borrowing  Date have been  prepared in good faith and are based on
reasonable  assumptions,  and  there are no  statements  or  conclusions  in the
Projections which are based upon or include information known to the Borrower to
be  misleading  in any  material  respect  or which  fail to take  into  account
material  information  known to the  Borrower  regarding  the  matters  reported
therein.  On  the  Initial  Borrowing  Date,  the  Borrower  believes  that


                                       23

<PAGE>

the Projections are reasonable and attainable, it being recognized by the Banks,
however,  that projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and
that the actual results during the period or periods  covered by the Projections
may differ from the projected results and that the differences may be material.

               5.11  SECURITY  INTERESTS.   The  Pledge  Agreement  creates,  as
security for the Obligations, valid and enforceable perfected security interests
in and Liens on all of the  Collateral,  superior  to and prior to the rights of
all third  persons,  and  subject to no other Liens  (except for  Non-Consensual
Permitted Liens), in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Banks.
The Borrower has good and marketable  title to all Collateral  free and clear of
all Liens  (except as created  pursuant to the Pledge  Agreement  and except for
Non-Consensual Permitted Liens). No filings,  recordings or consents (except for
those  that have been  made)  are  required  in order to  perfect  the  security
interests created under the Pledge Agreement.

               5.12 TAX  RETURNS  AND  PAYMENTS.  The  Borrower  and each of its
Subsidiaries has filed all federal income tax returns and all other tax returns,
domestic and foreign, required to be filed by it and has paid all material taxes
and  assessments  payable by it which have become due,  other than those not yet
delinquent and except for those  contested in good faith.  The Borrower and each
of its  Subsidiaries  has paid, or has provided  adequate  reserves (in the good
faith  judgment  of the  management  of such  Person)  for the  payment  of, all
federal,  state and foreign  income taxes  applicable for all prior fiscal years
and for the current fiscal year to the date hereof.

               5.13  COMPLIANCE   WITH  ERISA.   Each  Plan  is  in  substantial
compliance  with  ERISA and the Code;  no  Reportable  Event has  occurred  with
respect to a Plan;  no Plan is insolvent  or in  reorganization;  the  aggregate
amount of Unfunded  Current  Liabilities in respect of all Plans does not exceed
$1,000,000;  no Plan  has an  accumulated  or  waived  funding  deficiency,  has
permitted  decreases  in its  funding  standard  account or has  applied  for an
extension of any  amortization  period  within the meaning of Section 412 of the
Code;  neither the  Borrower  nor any  Subsidiary  nor any ERISA  Affiliate  has
incurred any material  liability to or on account of a Plan  pursuant to Section
409,  502(i),  502(l),  515, 4062,  4063,  4064,  4069, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or
Section  4971 or 4975 of the Code or has been  notified  that it will  incur any
material liability under any of the foregoing Sections with respect to any Plan;
no  proceedings  have been  instituted  by the PBGC to  terminate  any Plan;  no
condition  exists  which  presents  a  material  risk  to  the  Borrower  or any
Subsidiary  or any ERISA  Affiliate of  incurring a material  liability to or on
account of a Plan pursuant to the foregoing provisions of ERISA and the Code; no
material  lien imposed  under the Code or ERISA on the assets of the Borrower or
any  Subsidiary  or any  ERISA  Affiliate  exists  nor  has  the  Borrower,  any
Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate been notified that such a lien will be imposed
on the assets of the Borrower,  any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate on account
of any Plan; and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries do not maintain or contribute
to any  employee  welfare  benefit  plan (as  defined in Section  3(1) of ERISA)
(other  than such an employee  welfare  benefit  plan which is a  "multiemployer
plan"


                                       24

<PAGE>

within the  meaning of Section  414(f) of the Code) which  provides  benefits to
retired  employees  (other  than as  required  by  Section  601 of ERISA) or any
employee  pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) (other than
any such employee  pension  benefit plan which is intended to be qualified under
Section  401(a) of the Code),  the  obligations  with respect to which  employee
welfare benefit plans or employee pension benefit plans,  individually or in the
aggregate, would have a material adverse effect upon the condition (financial or
otherwise,  determined  pursuant  to  GAAP  or  SAP),  businesses,   operations,
properties,   assets,  liabilities  or  investments  of  the  Borrower  and  its
Subsidiaries  taken as a whole.  With  respect to Plans  that are  multiemployer
plans (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA) the  representations and warranties
in this  Section  5.13,  other  than any made with  respect to  liability  under
Section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA, are made to the best knowledge of the Borrower.

               5.14  SUBSIDIARIES.  (a) Annex III lists each  Subsidiary  of the
Borrower  (and the  direct  and  indirect  ownership  interest  of the  Borrower
therein) in each case existing on the Effective  Date. As of the Effective Date,
all such Subsidiaries are Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

               (b)  There  are no  restrictions  on the  Borrower  or any of its
Insurance  Subsidiaries  which prohibit or otherwise restrict (x) the ability of
any Insurance Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends or make other distributions or pay
any  Indebtedness  owed to the Borrower or any  Insurance  Subsidiary,  (b) make
loans or advances to the Borrower or any Insurance Subsidiary,  (c) transfer any
of its  properties or assets to the Borrower or any Insurance  Subsidiary or (d)
guarantee  the  Obligations  or (y) the ability of the Borrower or any Insurance
Subsidiary of the Borrower to create,  incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien
upon its property or assets to secure the Obligations,  other than  prohibitions
or  restrictions  existing under or by reason of (i) this Agreement or the other
Transaction Documents,  (ii) Legal Requirements,  (iii) customary non-assignment
provisions  entered into in the ordinary  course of business and consistent with
past practices,  (iv) purchase money  obligations  for property  acquired in the
ordinary  course of business,  so long as such  obligations  are permitted under
this Agreement,  (v) any restriction or encumbrance with respect to an Insurance
Subsidiary  imposed pursuant to an agreement which has been entered into for the
sale or disposition of all or  substantially  all of the capital stock or assets
of such Insurance  Subsidiary,  so long as such sale or disposition is permitted
under  this  Agreement,  and (vi) Liens  permitted  under  Section  7.03 and any
documents  or  instruments  governing  the  terms of any  Indebtedness  or other
obligations  secured by any such  Liens,  PROVIDED,  that such  prohibitions  or
restrictions apply only to the assets subject to such Liens.

               5.15  INTELLECTUAL   PROPERTY.  The  Borrower  and  each  of  its
Subsidiaries  have  obtained or are in the process of applying  for all material
patents, trademarks,  servicemarks,  trade names, copyrights, licenses and other
rights, free from burdensome restrictions,  that are necessary for the operation
of their  respective  businesses  as presently  conducted  and as proposed to be
conducted.


                                       25

<PAGE>

               5.16  POLLUTION AND OTHER  REGULATIONS.  The Borrower and each of
its  Subsidiaries  are in compliance with all laws and  regulations  relating to
pollution and environmental  control,  equal employment opportunity and employee
safety in all domestic and foreign  jurisdictions in which the Borrower and each
of its  Subsidiaries is presently  doing business,  and the Borrower will comply
and cause each of its  Subsidiaries to comply with all such laws and regulations
which may be imposed in the future in  jurisdictions  in which the  Borrower  or
such  Subsidiary may then be doing  business;  in each case other than those the
non-compliance  with  which  would  not have a  material  adverse  effect on the
condition  (financial  or  otherwise,  determined  pursuant  to  GAAP  or  SAP),
businesses,  operations,  properties,  assets, liabilities or investments of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the ability of the Borrower
to perform its obligations under any Credit Document.

               5.17  PROPERTIES.  The Borrower and each of its  Subsidiaries has
good and marketable title to all properties owned by them, free and clear of all
Liens, other than as permitted by Section 7.03.

               5.18 LABOR RELATIONS;  COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS.  (a) Set
forth on Annex IV is a list and description  (including dates of termination) of
all  collective  bargaining or similar  agreements  between or applicable to the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any union,  labor  organization or other
bargaining  agent  in  respect  of the  employees  of the  Borrower  and/or  any
Subsidiary on the Effective Date.

               (b) Neither the Borrower nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is engaged
in any  unfair  labor  practice  that is  reasonably  likely to have a  material
adverse effect on the Borrower or on the Borrower and its Subsidiaries  taken as
a whole.  There is (i) no significant  unfair labor practice  complaint  pending
against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the
Borrower,  threatened  against any of them,  before the National Labor Relations
Board,  and no  significant  grievance  or  significant  arbitration  proceeding
arising  out of or under any  collective  bargaining  agreement  is now  pending
against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the
Borrower,  threatened  against any of them,  (ii) no significant  strike,  labor
dispute,  slowdown  or stoppage  is pending  against the  Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower,  threatened  against the
Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  and  (iii) to the best  knowledge  of the
Borrower, no union representation  question exists with respect to the employees
of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,  except (with respect to any matter
specified in clause (i),  (ii) or (iii)  above,  either  individually  or in the
aggregate) such as is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on
the  condition  (financial  or  otherwise,  determined  pursuant to GAAP or SAP)
businesses,  operations,  properties,  assets, liabilities or investments of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

               5.19  CAPITALIZATION.  On  the  Effective  Date,  the  authorized
capital stock of the Borrower consists of (i) 49,500,000 shares of common stock,
$1.00 par value, of which  32,649,265 were issued and outstanding as of June 30,
1997 and (ii)


                                       26

<PAGE>

2,000,000 shares of preferred stock,  $0.01 par value,  none of which are issued
and outstanding.  As of the Effective Date, all such  outstanding  shares of the
Borrower have been duly and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.
Except for the Liquid  Yield Option  Notes,  neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries has outstanding any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
its capital stock or outstanding any rights to subscribe for or to purchase,  or
any options for the purchase of, or any  agreements  providing  for the issuance
(contingent  or  otherwise)  of,  or any  calls,  commitments  or  claims of any
character relating to, its capital stock.

               5.20 INDEBTEDNESS. Annex V sets forth a true and complete list of
all Indebtedness (including, without limitation,  Contingent Obligations) of the
Borrower as of the Effective Date (other than  Indebtedness  having an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed  $4,000,000),  in each case showing the aggregate
principal amount thereof, the name of the lender in respect thereof and the name
of  any  other  entity  which  has  directly  or  indirectly   guaranteed   such
Indebtedness.

               5.21 COMPLIANCE WITH STATUTES,  ETC. The Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries  is in  compliance  in all material  respects  with all  applicable
statutes, regulations and orders of, and all applicable restrictions imposed by,
all governmental bodies, domestic or foreign, in respect of the conduct of their
businesses and the ownership of their properties (including applicable statutes,
regulations,  orders and restrictions  relating to  environmental  standards and
controls).

               5.22  TRANSACTION.  At the  time  of  consummation  thereof,  the
Transaction  shall have been consummated in all material  respects in accordance
with the terms of the respective  Transaction Documents and all applicable laws.
At the time of consummation  thereof, all consents and approvals of, and filings
and  registrations  with, and all other actions in respect of, all  governmental
agencies,  authorities  or  instrumentalities  required  in  order  to  make  or
consummate the Transaction shall have been obtained,  given,  filed or taken and
are or will be in full force and  effect  (or  effective  judicial  relief  with
respect  thereto  shall have been  obtained)  (other  than  immaterial  consents
relating to the  Acquisition).  All  applicable  waiting  periods  with  respect
thereto have or, prior to the time when required, will have, expired without, in
all such  cases,  any  action  being  taken  by any  competent  authority  which
restrains,   prevents,   or  imposes  material   adverse   conditions  upon  the
Transaction.   Additionally,  there  does  not  exist  any  judgment,  order  or
injunction   prohibiting  or  imposing  material  adverse  conditions  upon  the
Transaction,  or the  incurrence  of any  Loan or  Competitive  Bid  Loan or the
performance by the Borrower of its obligations  under the Transaction  Documents
to which it is  party.  All  actions  taken by the  Borrower  pursuant  to or in
furtherance  of the  Transaction  have been taken in all  material  respects  in
compliance with the respective Transaction Documents and all applicable laws.

               5.23 SPECIAL PURPOSE CORPORATION. The TOPRS Subsidiary was formed
for the purpose of, and shall  conduct no business  other than:  (i) issuing the
TOPRS,  (ii)  loaning the  proceeds of the TOPRS to the  Borrower,  (iii) making
distributions to


                                       27

<PAGE>

the  holders  of the TOPRS  solely  from  payments  received  from the  Borrower
pursuant to the TOPRS Debt and (iv) any other actions necessary to implement the
foregoing.

               SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE  COVENANTS.  The Borrower hereby covenants
and  agrees  that on the  Effective  Date  and  thereafter,  for so long as this
Agreement  is in  effect  and  until  such  time  as the  Total  Commitment  has
terminated,  no Notes are  outstanding  and the Loans and Competitive Bid Loans,
together with interest,  Fees and all other Obligations incurred hereunder,  are
paid in full:

               6.01  INFORMATION  COVENANTS.  The Borrower  will furnish to each
Bank (without exhibits, unless requested by such Bank):

               (a) ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  (i) As soon as available and in
        any event  within  120 days after the close of each  fiscal  year of the
        Borrower,  (x) the consolidated and  consolidating  balance sheet of the
        Borrower and its  Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year and the
        related  consolidated  and  consolidating  statements  of income  and of
        stockholders'  equity and consolidated  statement of cash flows for such
        fiscal year, and (y) the balance sheet of each of the Borrower,  FFC and
        FCIG  (on a stand  alone  basis  in the  case of the  Borrower  and on a
        consolidated  basis in the  case of FFC and  FCIG) as at the end of such
        fiscal year and the related  statements  of income and of  stockholders'
        equity for such fiscal year, in each case  prepared in  accordance  with
        GAAP and setting  forth  comparative  figures for the  preceding  fiscal
        year,  and, (1) in the case of such  consolidated  financial  statements
        furnished to each Bank with respect to the Borrower and FFC, examined by
        independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing
        whose  opinion  shall not be qualified as to the scope of audit or as to
        the status of the Borrower, FFC or any of their respective  Subsidiaries
        as a going  concern  and (2) in the  case of such  financial  statements
        furnished to each Bank with respect to the Borrower on an unconsolidated
        or consolidating basis and FCIG,  accompanied by an opinion of the Chief
        Financial  Officer or other  Authorized  Officer of the Borrower stating
        that such financial  statements  fairly present the financial  condition
        and results of  operations  of the Borrower or FCIG, as the case may be,
        in accordance with GAAP.

            (ii) As soon as available and in any event within 120 days after the
        close of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the annual combined financial
        statements  of  FIC  and  its  Subsidiaries  and  the  annual  financial
        statements  of FIC and each  Material  Insurance  Subsidiary  on a stand
        alone  basis (in each case  prepared  in  accordance  with SAP) for such
        fiscal  year,  as  filed  with  the  respective   Applicable   Insurance
        Regulatory  Authority  and  setting  forth  comparative  figures for the
        preceding  fiscal year,  together with an opinion of the Chief Financial
        Officer or other  Authorized  Officer of the Borrower  stating that such
        financial statements fairly present the combined financial condition and
        results of operations of FIC and each respective  Subsidiary  (including
        each Material Insurance Subsidiary) in accordance with SAP.


                                       28

<PAGE>


               (iii) As soon as available and in any event within 120 days after
        the close of each fiscal year of the Borrower,  (x) the consolidated and
        consolidating  balance sheet of Investors Bancor and its Subsidiaries as
        at the  end of  such  fiscal  year  and  the  related  consolidated  and
        consolidating  statements of income and of stockholders' equity for such
        year,  setting forth comparative  figures for the preceding fiscal year,
        together  with an  opinion  of the  Chief  Financial  Officer  or  other
        Authorized  Officer of the Borrower  stating  that,  in the case of such
        consolidated  financial  statements,  such financial  statements  fairly
        present the consolidated  financial  condition and results of operations
        of Investors  Bancor and each  respective  Subsidiary in accordance with
        GAAP, (y) the balance sheet of FIL as at the end of such fiscal year and
        the related  statements of income,  of stockholders'  equity and of cash
        flows for such fiscal year,  setting forth  comparative  figures for the
        preceding  fiscal year,  and examined by  independent  certified  public
        accountants of recognized  national  standing whose opinion shall not be
        qualified  as to scope of  audit or as to the  status  of FIL as a going
        concern  and (z) to the extent  not  included  in clause (y) above,  the
        balance sheet of each  Subsidiary  of Investors  Bancor as at the end of
        such fiscal  year and the related  statement  of income,  setting  forth
        comparative  figures for the  preceding  fiscal year,  together  with an
        opinion of the Chief Financial  Officer or other  Authorized  Officer of
        the Borrower  stating that such balance sheet fairly presents the assets
        and liabilities such Subsidiary in accordance with GAAP.

               (iv) As soon as available  and in any event within 120 days after
        the close of each  fiscal  year of the  Borrower,  a  written  favorable
        opinion, in form and substance  satisfactory to the Agent, by either the
        firm of independent  certified public accountants  providing the opinion
        referred to in Section  6.01(a)(i)  in respect of such fiscal year or an
        independent  actuarial  consulting firm  reasonably  satisfactory to the
        Agent,  which firm shall be provided  access to or copies of all reserve
        analyses  and  valuations  relating  to the  insurance  business of each
        Insurance  Subsidiary in the  possession of or available to the Borrower
        or its  Subsidiaries  stating  that the loss  reserves of the  Insurance
        Subsidiaries  (on an aggregate  basis) as of the last day of such fiscal
        year (A) make a  reasonable  provision in the  aggregate  for all unpaid
        losses and loss  adjustment  expenses,  gross and net as to  reinsurance
        ceded, under the terms of the Insurance  Subsidiaries' policies, (B) are
        computed  in a manner  that  conforms to the  appropriate  Standards  of
        Practice of the Actuarial Standards Board, (C) are computed on the basis
        of similar  general  methods as used as of the last day of the preceding
        fiscal year and (D) meet the relevant requirements of the insurance laws
        of the jurisdictions where the Insurance Subsidiaries are domiciled.

               (b) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  (i) As soon as available and
        in any event  within 60 days after the close of each of the first  three
        quarterly  accounting  periods in each fiscal year of the Borrower,  (x)
        the  consolidated  balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as
        at the  end of  such  quar-


                                       29

<PAGE>

        terly  period and the  related  consolidated  statements  statements  of
        income,  of  stockholders'  equity and of cash flows for such  quarterly
        period and for the  elapsed  portion  of the fiscal  year ended with the
        last day of such  quarterly  period,  and (y) the  balance  sheet of the
        Borrower and FFC (on a stand alone basis in the case of the Borrower and
        on a consolidated basis in the case of FFC) as at the end of such fiscal
        quarter and the related statements of income and of stockholders' equity
        for such quarterly period and for the elapsed portion of the fiscal year
        ended with the last day of such quarterly  period;  in each case setting
        forth  comparative  figures for the related  periods in the prior fiscal
        year  (prepared  in  accordance  with  GAAP),  and all of which shall be
        certified by the Chief Financial Officer or other Authorized  Officer of
        the Borrower,  subject to changes  resulting from normal  year-end audit
        adjustments.

            (ii) As soon as available  and in any event (x) within 90 days after
        the close of each of the first  three  quarterly  accounting  periods in
        each fiscal year of the Borrower,  quarterly financial statements of FIC
        (on a  combined  basis and  prepared  in  accordance  with SAP) for such
        fiscal period,  together with the opinion thereon of the Chief Financial
        Officer or other  Authorized  Officer of the Borrower  stating that such
        financial  statements fairly present the financial condition and results
        of  operations  of FIC in  accordance  with SAP,  and (y) within 60 days
        after the close of each of the first three quarterly  accounting periods
        in each fiscal year of the Borrower,  quarterly financial  statements of
        each Material Insurance Subsidiary (prepared in accordance with SAP) for
        such  fiscal  period,  together  with the  opinion  thereon of the Chief
        Financial  Officer or other  Authorized  Officer of the Borrower stating
        that such financial  statements  fairly present the financial  condition
        and results of operations of each such Material Insurance  Subsidiary in
        accordance with SAP.

           (iii) As soon as available  and in any event within 45 days after the
        close of each of the first three  quarterly  accounting  periods in each
        fiscal year of the  Borrower,  the call  report with  respect to FIL for
        such fiscal quarter,  certified by the Chief Financial  Officer or other
        Authorized  Officer of the Borrower,  subject to changes  resulting from
        normal year-end audit adjustments.

               (c)  OFFICER'S  CERTIFICATES.  At the time of the delivery of the
        financial  statements  provided  for in  Sections  6.01(a)  and  (b),  a
        certificate of the Chief Financial  Officer or other Authorized  Officer
        of the Borrower to the effect that no Default or Event of Default exists
        or, if any Default or Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature
        and extent thereof,  which  certificate shall set forth the calculations
        required to establish  whether the Borrower and its Subsidiaries were in
        compliance  with the provisions of Sections 6.11,  7.05 and 7.10 through
        7.15 as at the end of such fiscal year or quarter, as the case may be.

               (d) NOTICE OF DEFAULT OR LITIGATION.  Promptly,  and in any event
        within  three  Business  Days  after a senior  officer  of the  Borrower
        obtains



                                       30


<PAGE>

        knowledge  thereof,  notice of (x) the  occurrence  of any  event  which
        constitutes  a Default or Event of Default,  which notice shall  specify
        the nature thereof,  the period of existence thereof and what action the
        Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto and (y) any litigation or
        governmental  or regulatory  proceeding  pending against the Borrower or
        any of its  Subsidiaries  which is  likely  to have a  material  adverse
        effect on the condition (financial or otherwise,  determined pursuant to
        GAAP or SAP), businesses, operations, properties, assets, liabilities or
        investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or the
        ability of the  Borrower to perform its  obligations  hereunder or under
        any other Credit Document.

               (e) AUDITORS'  REPORTS.  Promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of
        each other report or  "management  letter"  submitted to the Borrower or
        any of its Subsidiaries by their independent  accountants or independent
        actuaries in connection  with any annual,  interim or special audit made
        by them of the  books of the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  (it
        being  understood  and agreed  that if the  Borrower  receives  any such
        report or  "management  letter"  that  relates to the  Borrower  and its
        Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis,  the delivery of such report or
        letter will satisfy the provisions of this clause (e)).

               (f) LOSS RESERVE  REPORT.  As promptly as reasonably  practicable
        following  a request  therefor  by the Agent or the  Required  Banks,  a
        report  prepared by an  independent  accounting or actuarial  consulting
        firm of recognized  professional  standing  selected by the Agent or the
        Required Banks  reviewing the adequacy of loss reserves of the Insurance
        Subsidiaries  (on an  aggregate  basis),  which firm  shall be  provided
        access to or copies of all reserve  analyses and valuations  relating to
        the  insurance  business  of  each  such  Insurance  Subsidiary  in  the
        possession of or available to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries; PROVIDED
        that (x) no more than one  request  may be made  pursuant to this clause
        (f)  during any  20-month  period,  and (y) the cost of such  review and
        report  shall be for the  account  of the Banks (PRO RATA  according  to
        their respective Commitments).

               (g) OTHER REGULATORY  STATEMENTS AND REPORTS.  Promptly (A) after
        their becoming available,  copies of any statutory financial  statements
        which are not otherwise  delivered  pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) through
        (f),  inclusive,  and  which the  Borrower  or any  Regulated  Insurance
        Company  periodically  files with the  Applicable  Insurance  Regulatory
        Authority of the state in which it is domiciled or any state in which it
        is deemed to be  commercially  domiciled or any  governmental  agency or
        agencies  substituted  therefor  (including  all exhibits and  schedules
        thereto);  provided  that,  notwithstanding  anything  to  the  contrary
        contained in this clause (A), no statutory  financial  statements  of an
        Insurance  Subsidiary that is not a Material Insurance  Subsidiary shall
        be required to be furnished,  (B) after receipt  thereof,  copies of all
        regular  and  periodic  reports of reviews or  examinations  (including,
        without  limitation,  triennial  examinations


                                       31

<PAGE>

        and risk based capital reports) of any Regulated  Insurance Company that
        is a  Subsidiary,  or any of  them,  delivered  to  such  Person  by any
        Applicable  Insurance  Regulatory  Authority,  insurance  commission  or
        similar regulatory authority,  (C) after receipt thereof, written notice
        of any assertion by any Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority or any
        governmental agency or agencies substituted  therefor, as to a violation
        of any Legal  Requirement  by any Regulated  Insurance  Company which is
        likely to have a material adverse effect on the condition  (financial or
        otherwise, determined pursuant to GAAP or SAP), businesses,  operations,
        properties,  assets,  liabilities or investments of the Borrower and its
        Subsidiaries  taken as a whole or the ability of the Borrower to perform
        its obligations hereunder or under any other Credit Document,  (D) after
        receipt thereof, a copy of the final report to each Regulated  Insurance
        Company  from  the  NAIC  for each  fiscal  year,  as to such  Company's
        compliance  or  noncompliance  with  each of the NAIC  Tests,  (E) after
        receipt  thereof,  a copy of A.M.  Best's  rating  analysis for FIC on a
        combined  basis for each fiscal year,  (F) and in any event within three
        Business  Days  after  receipt  thereof,  copies of any notice of actual
        suspension,  termination  or  revocation of any license of any Regulated
        Insurance  Company  by any  Applicable  Insurance  Regulatory  Authority
        (other  than any  termination  voluntarily  effected  by such  Regulated
        Insurance  Company),  including any request by an  Applicable  Insurance
        Regulatory Authority which commits a Regulated Insurance Company to take
        or  refrain  from  taking  any  action or which  otherwise  affects  the
        authority of such Regulated  Insurance  Company to conduct its business,
        and (G) and in any event within three  Business  Days after the Borrower
        or any of its  Subsidiaries  obtains  knowledge  thereof,  notice of any
        actual  changes in the insurance  laws enacted in any state in which any
        Regulated  Insurance  Company  is  domiciled  which,  in the case of the
        foregoing  clause (F) or (G), could (in the  reasonable  judgment of the
        Borrower) have a material adverse effect on the condition  (financial or
        otherwise, determined pursuant to GAAP or SAP), businesses,  operations,
        properties,  assets,  liabilities or investments of the Borrower and its
        Subsidiaries  taken  as a whole or on the  ability  of the  Borrower  to
        perform its obligations under any Credit Document.

               (h) CREDIT  RATING  CHANGES.  Promptly,  and in any event  within
        three  Business  Days  after a senior  officer of the  Borrower  obtains
        knowledge thereof, notice of any change in the credit rating assigned by
        Moody's or S&P to any long-term debt of the Borrower  (including without
        limitation  any change in the  Moody's  Credit  Rating or the S&P Credit
        Rating).

               (i) OTHER INFORMATION. Promptly upon transmission thereof, copies
        of any filings and  registrations  with,  and reports to, the SEC by the
        Borrower  or  any of  its  Subsidiaries  (other  than  any  registration
        statement  on Form S-8) and copies of all  financial  statements,  proxy
        statements,   notices  and  reports  as  the  Borrower  or  any  of  its
        Subsidiaries  shall send to analysts  generally or to the holders (other
        than the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries) of their capital stock in 


                                       32


<PAGE>

        their  capacity  as  such  holders  (in  each  case  to the  extent  not
        theretofore delivered to the Banks pursuant to this Agreement) and, with
        reasonable promptness, such other information or documents (financial or
        otherwise) as the Agent or any Bank may reasonably  request from time to
        time.

               6.02 BOOKS, RECORDS AND INSPECTIONS.  The Borrower will, and will
cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to, keep proper  books of record and account in
which full, true and correct entries in conformity in all material respects with
GAAP or SAP,  as the case may be, and all  requirements  of law shall be made of
all dealings and  transactions in relation to its business and  activities.  The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to, permit officers and
designated representatives of the Agent or any Bank to visit and inspect, during
regular  business  hours and under  guidance of officers of the Borrower or such
Subsidiary,  any of the  properties  or  assets of the  Borrower  and any of its
Subsidiaries in whomsoever's  possession (but only to the extent the Borrower or
such  Subsidiary  has the  right to do so to the  extent  in the  possession  of
another Person),  and to examine the books of account of the Borrower and any of
its Subsidiaries and discuss the affairs,  finances and accounts of the Borrower
and of any of its  Subsidiaries  with, and be advised as to the same by, its and
their officers and independent  accountants and independent  actuaries,  if any,
all at such reasonable times and intervals and to such reasonable  extent as the
Agent or such Bank may  request;  PROVIDED,  that so long as no Event of Default
has  occurred  and is  continuing,  such  inspections  shall  not be  made  more
frequently than semiannually.

               6.03  INSURANCE.  The Borrower  will,  and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries  to, at all times  maintain in full force and effect  insurance  in
such amounts,  covering such risks and liabilities and with such  deductibles or
self-insured  retentions as are in accordance with normal industry practice. The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to, furnish annually to
the Banks a summary of the insurance carried.

               6.04 PAYMENT OF TAXES.  The Borrower will pay and discharge,  and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay and discharge, all taxes, assessments
and  governmental  charges  or  levies  imposed  upon it or upon its  income  or
profits,  or upon any  properties  belonging  to it,  prior to the date on which
penalties  attach thereto,  and all lawful claims (other than claims relating to
the  adjustment or settling,  in the ordinary  course of business,  of claims in
respect of insurance policies or reinsurance  contracts) which, if unpaid, might
become  a Lien or  charge  upon any  properties  of the  Borrower  or any of its
Subsidiaries;  PROVIDED  that neither the Borrower nor any  Subsidiary  shall be
required to pay any such tax,  assessment,  charge, levy or claim which is being
contested in good faith and by proper proceedings if it has maintained  adequate
reserves with respect  thereto in  accordance  with GAAP or SAP, as the case may
be.

               6.05 CORPORATE  FRANCHISES.  The Borrower will do, and will cause
each Subsidiary to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary to preserve and
keep in full


                                       33

<PAGE>

force and effect its corporate  existence,  rights and authority,  PROVIDED that
any  transaction  permitted by Section 7.02 will not constitute a breach of this
Section 6.05.

               6.06 COMPLIANCE  WITH STATUTES,  ETC. The Borrower will, and will
cause each  Subsidiary  to, comply in all material  respects with all applicable
statutes, regulations and orders of, and all applicable restrictions imposed by,
all governmental  bodies,  domestic or foreign, in respect of the conduct of its
business  and the  ownership  of its property  (including  applicable  statutes,
regulations,  orders and restrictions  relating to  environmental  standards and
controls).

               6.07 ERISA. As soon as possible and, in any event, within 10 days
after the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  knows or has  reason to know any of the
following  (and with  regard to Plans with  respect to which an ERISA  Affiliate
contributes  pursuant to collective  bargaining  requirements or maintains,  the
Borrower shall use its best efforts to obtain  information  therefrom  regarding
any of the  following),  the  Borrower  will  deliver  to  each  of the  Banks a
certificate of the Chief Financial  Officer or other  Authorized  Officer of the
Borrower  setting forth details as to such  occurrence and such action,  if any,
which the  Borrower,  such  Subsidiary  or such ERISA  Affiliate  is required or
proposes to take,  together with any notices required or proposed to be given to
or filed with or by the Borrower, the Subsidiary, the ERISA Affiliate, the PBGC,
a Plan participant  (other than notices relating to an individual  participant's
benefits)  or the plan  administrator  with respect  thereto:  that a Reportable
Event has occurred,  that an accumulated funding deficiency has been incurred or
an  application  has  been or could  reasonably  be  expected  to be made to the
Secretary of the Treasury for a waiver or  modification  of the minimum  funding
standard  (including any required  installment  payments) or an extension of any
amortization period under Section 412 of the Code with respect to a Plan, that a
Plan which has an Unfunded  Current  Liability  has been or could  reasonably be
expected to be terminated, reorganized,  partitioned or declared insolvent under
Title IV of ERISA,  that a Plan has an Unfunded Current Liability giving rise to
a lien under ERISA or the Code, that  proceedings  have been or could reasonably
be expected to be instituted  to terminate a Plan which has an Unfunded  Current
Liability,  that a  proceeding  has been  instituted  pursuant to Section 515 of
ERISA to collect a delinquent  contribution to a Plan, or that the Borrower, any
Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate will or could  reasonably be expected to incur
any liability (including any contingent or secondary liability) to or on account
of the termination of or withdrawal from a Plan under Section 4062,  4063, 4064,
4201 or 4204 of ERISA. Upon request of a Bank, the Borrower will deliver to such
Bank a complete  copy of the annual  report (Form 5500) of each Plan required to
be filed with the Internal Revenue  Service.  In addition to any certificates or
notices delivered to the Banks pursuant to the first sentence hereof,  copies of
any notices received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary  required to be delivered
to the Banks  hereunder  shall be  delivered  to the Banks no later than 10 days
after the later of the date such notice has been filed with the Internal Revenue
Service or the PBGC, given to Plan participants  (other than notices relating to
an  individual  participant's  benefits)  or  received  by the  Borrower or such
Subsidiary.


                                       34

<PAGE>

               6.08  PERFORMANCE  OF  OBLIGATIONS.  The Borrower  will, and will
cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to,  perform all of its  obligations  under the
terms of each  mortgage,  deed of trust,  indenture,  loan  agreement,  security
agreement, other debt instrument and each other material agreement,  contract or
instrument  by  which  it is  bound  or to  which  it is a  party,  except  such
non-performance  as could not  individually  or in the aggregate,  reasonably be
expected  to have a  material  adverse  effect on the  condition  (financial  or
otherwise,  determined in accordance with GAAP or SAP), businesses,  operations,
properties,   assets,  liabilities  or  investments  of  the  Borrower  and  its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

               6.09 GOOD REPAIR.  The Borrower  will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries  to, to the extent and in the manner  customary  for  companies  in
similar  businesses,  ensure that its material  properties and equipment used or
useful in its business in whomsoever's  possession they may be, are kept in good
repair,  working order and condition,  normal wear and tear  excepted,  and that
from time to time there are made in such  properties  and  equipment all needful
and proper repairs, renewals, replacements,  extensions,  additions, betterments
and improvements thereto.

               6.10 END OF FISCAL YEARS; FISCAL QUARTERS. The Borrower will, for
financial  reporting  purposes,   cause  (i)  each  of  its,  and  each  of  its
Subsidiaries'  fiscal  years to end on December 31 of each year and (ii) each of
its, and each of its Subsidiaries', fiscal quarters to end on March 31, June 30,
September 30 and December 31 of each year.

               6.11  NAIC  TESTS.   The   Borrower   shall  cause  FIC  and  its
Subsidiaries  to maintain  risk-based  capital ratios that are above the minimum
levels  required  by the NAIC Tests below  which FIC or such  Subsidiary  may be
required  to take  action  of any kind as a  result  of such  ratios  (including
communication with regulatory authorities required as a result of the failure to
maintain such minimum ratio levels, etc.).

               SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.  The Borrower hereby covenants and
agrees that on the Effective Date and thereafter,  for so long as this Agreement
is in effect  and until such time as the Total  Commitment  has  terminated,  no
Notes are outstanding  and the Loans and  Competitive  Bid Loans,  together with
interest, Fees and all other Obligations incurred hereunder, are paid in full:

               7.01  CHANGES IN BUSINESS.  The  Borrower  will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make equity  investments to acquire ownership
or  control of  businesses  other  than  property  and  casualty  insurance  and
financial services  businesses (and businesses  incidental or reasonably related
thereto) in an aggregate amount exceeding  $20,000,000 at any time  outstanding.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence,  no Insurance Subsidiary shall engage in
any business  other than the ownership  and  management of property and casualty
insurance operations,  workers compensation  insurance operations and businesses
reasonably related or incidental thereto; no


                                       35

<PAGE>

Financial Services Non-Thrift Subsidiary shall engage in any business other than
the ownership and  management of financial  services  operations  and businesses
reasonably related or incidental thereto;  and no Thrift Subsidiary shall engage
in any business other than the ownership and management of thrift operations and
businesses reasonably related or incidental thereto.

               7.02 CONSOLIDATION,  MERGER, SALE OR PURCHASE OF ASSETS, ETC. The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, wind up,  liquidate or
dissolve its affairs,  or enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation,
or convey,  sell, lease or otherwise  dispose of (in one transaction or a series
of related  transactions) all or any substantial part of its property or assets,
(but  excluding  any sale or  disposition  of property or assets in the ordinary
course of business), or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in one transaction
or a series of related  transactions)  all or any part of the property or assets
of any Person (excluding any purchases, leases or other acquisitions of property
or assets  in,  and for use in,  the  ordinary  course of  business,  other than
Capital  Expenditures,  except to the extent  permitted by clause (e) below, and
Investments,  except to the extent permitted by clause (f) below) or agree to do
any of the  foregoing at any future  time,  except that the  following  shall be
permitted:

               (a) So long as no  Default  or Event of  Default  exists or would
        exist   immediately   after  giving  effect   thereto,   the  merger  or
        consolidation  of any  Wholly-Owned  Subsidiary  of the Borrower with or
        into another Wholly-Owned  Subsidiary of the Borrower,  PROVIDED that no
        Insurance  Subsidiary  may  merge  or  consolidate  with  any  Financial
        Services Subsidiary;

               (b)  Any  Subsidiary   (other  than  FCIG)  not  engaged  to  any
        significant  extent  in any  business  other  than  acting  as a holding
        company for other Subsidiaries of the Borrower may be liquidated,  wound
        up,  dissolved,  or merged  with its  direct  parent  (if other than the
        Borrower) or direct Subsidiary;

               (c) The Borrower and its  Subsidiaries may acquire new businesses
        or   operations   (including   without   limitation   by  acquiring  new
        Subsidiaries)  (each, a "Permitted  Acquisition"),  PROVIDED that (i) no
        Default  or Event of Default  exists or would  exist  immediately  after
        giving  effect  thereto,  (ii) the value of the assets of such  acquired
        entity  shall not exceed 40% of the value of the assets of the  Borrower
        and its  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis as of the last day of the
        most  recently  ended fiscal  quarter as determined on the date on which
        any  one or more  of the  Borrower  or its  Subsidiaries  enters  into a
        binding agreement to effect such Permitted  Acquisition and (iii) to the
        extent  that the  consideration  paid by the  Borrower in respect of any
        such  acquisition  is other  than  all  capital  stock  of the  Borrower
        (including  without  limitation cash and/or assumption of Indebtedness),
        the  aggregate  amount of  consideration  paid by the  Borrower  and its
        Subsidiaries   in  respect   thereof,   shall  not  exceed  30%  of  the
        Consolidated  Net Worth of the  Borrower  as of the last day of the most
        recently  recorded fiscal quarter as determined on the date on which any
        one or more of the Borrower


                                       36

<PAGE>



        and its  Subsidiaries  enters into a binding  agreement  to  effect such
        Permitted Acquisition;

               (d)  The   Borrower  and  its   Subsidiaries   may  make  Capital
        Expenditures so long as the aggregate  amount thereof made in any fiscal
        year does not exceed $35,000,000,  provided that if Capital Expenditures
        made by the  Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  in any fiscal year are less
        than  $35,000,000,  then in the immediately  succeeding  fiscal year the
        Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make Capital Expenditures in an amount
        up to the  sum of (i)  $35,000,000  plus  (ii)  the  lesser  of (x)  the
        unutilized  amount from the  immediately  preceding  fiscal year and (y)
        $7,500,000;

               (e) The Borrower and its  Subsidiaries may acquire and dispose of
        Investments  so long as the Borrower is in compliance  with Section 7.05
        before and after giving effect thereto;

               (f) The Securitization  Subsidiaries may (i) convey and transfer,
        or, as the case may be, purchase and acquire, the interests contemplated
        by the securitization transactions to which they respectively are or may
        after  the  date  hereof   become   parties,   (ii)   purchase  or  sell
        participating  interests,   whether  evidenced  by  certificates,   debt
        instruments,  or otherwise, in the securitization  transactions to which
        they  respectively  are or may after the date hereof become  parties and
        (iii) be liquidated,  wound up or dissolved following the termination of
        the securitization  transactions to which they are respectively parties;
        and

               (g) The Acquisition  shall be permitted so long as (i) no Default
        or Event of  Default  exists or would  exist  immediately  after  giving
        effect thereto and (ii) after giving effect to such  Acquisition 100% of
        the capital  stock of Industrial is owned,  directly or  indirectly,  by
        FCIG.

               7.03 LIENS. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, create,  incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with
respect to any  property  or assets of any kind (real or  personal,  tangible or
intangible  (including,  without  limitation,  the  capital  stock of any of the
Borrower's  Subsidiaries)  of the  Borrower or any such  Subsidiary  whether now
owned or hereafter  acquired,  or sell any such property or assets subject to an
understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to repurchase such property
or assets (including sales of accounts  receivable or notes with recourse to the
Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries) or assign any right to receive income,  or
file or permit the filing of any financing  statement under the UCC or any other
similar notice of Lien under any similar recording or notice statute, except:

               (a)  Liens  for  taxes  not  yet due or  Liens  for  taxes  being
        contested  in  good  faith  and by  appropriate  proceedings  for  which
        adequate  reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP or SAP,
        as the case may be;


                                       37

<PAGE>

               (b)  Liens  in  respect  of  property  or  assets  of  any of the
        Borrower's  Subsidiaries  imposed  by law  which  were  incurred  in the
        ordinary  course of  business,  such as  carriers',  warehousemen's  and
        mechanics'  Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course
        of business,  and (x) which do not in the aggregate  materially  detract
        from the value of such property or assets or  materially  impair the use
        thereof  in  the  operation  of the  business  of  the  Borrower  or any
        Subsidiary or (y) which are being contested in good faith by appropriate
        proceedings,  which  proceedings  have  the  effect  of  preventing  the
        forfeiture or sale of the property or asset subject to such Lien;

               (c)  Liens  created  by  this  Agreement  or  the  other   Credit
        Documents;

               (d)  Liens in existence on the  Effective  Date which are listed,
        and the property  subject  thereto on the Effective Date  described,  in
        Annex VI, without giving effect to any extensions or renewals thereof;

               (e)  Liens arising from judgments,   decrees  or  attachments  in
        circumstances not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.08;

               (f) Liens  (other  than any Lien  imposed by ERISA)  incurred  or
        deposits  made in the  ordinary  course of business in  connection  with
        workers' compensation,  unemployment insurance and other types of social
        security,   or  to  secure  the   performance   of  tenders,   statutory
        obligations,   surety  and  appeal  bonds,  bids,   leases,   government
        contracts,  performance  and  return-of-money  bonds and  other  similar
        obligations  incurred in the ordinary  course of business  (exclusive of
        obligations in respect of the payment for borrowed money);

               (g) Leases or subleases  granted to others not interfering in any
        material  respect  with  the  business  of  the  Borrower  or any of its
        Subsidiaries  and any  interest or title of a lessor under any lease not
        in violation of this Agreement;

               (h)  Easements,  rights-of-way,  restrictions,  minor  defects or
        irregularities  in title and other similar charges or  encumbrances  not
        interfering  in any material  respect  with the ordinary  conduct of the
        business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

               (i) Liens arising from UCC financing  statements regarding leases
        or other precautionary UCC filings in respect of transactions not giving
        rise  to  Indebtedness,  and in  each  case  not in  violation  of  this
        Agreement;

               (j) Liens  incurred  in the  ordinary  course of  business by the
        Borrower or any  Regulated  Insurance  Company on  securities  to secure
        repurchase  and  reverse  repurchase  obligations  in  respect  of  such
        securities;


                                       38

<PAGE>

               (k) Liens constituting  pledges or deposits of cash or securities
        made by any Regulated  Insurance  Company as a condition to obtaining or
        maintaining  any  licenses  issued  to it by  any  Applicable  Insurance
        Regulatory Authority;

               (l) Liens arising  pursuant to purchase money mortgages  securing
        Indebtedness  representing  the  purchase  price  (or  financing  of the
        purchase price within 90 days after the  respective  purchase) of assets
        acquired  after the  Effective  Date,  PROVIDED  that (i) any such Liens
        attach only to the assets so purchased, attachments thereto and proceeds
        thereof,  (ii) the principal amount of the  Indebtedness  secured by any
        such Lien does not exceed  100%,  nor is less than 70%, of the lesser of
        the fair  market  value or the  purchase  price  of the  property  being
        purchased at the time of the incurrence of such  Indebtedness  and (iii)
        the aggregate  outstanding  principal amount of Indebtedness  secured by
        Liens permitted by this clause (l) shall not exceed 3.5% of Consolidated
        Net Worth at any time;

               (m) Liens on  property  or assets  acquired  pursuant  to Section
        7.02(c)  after  the  Effective  Date,  or on  property  or  assets  of a
        Subsidiary  of the Borrower in existence at the time such  Subsidiary is
        acquired pursuant to Section 7.02(c), PROVIDED that (i) any Indebtedness
        that is secured  by such Liens is  otherwise  permitted  to be  incurred
        under   Section   7.04,   and  (ii)  such  Liens  are  not  incurred  in
        contemplation  of such  acquisition and do not attach to any other asset
        of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

               (n) Liens  which  constitute  rights of  set-off  of a  customary
        nature or  bankers'  liens on amounts  on  deposit,  whether  arising by
        contract or by operation of law, in connection with arrangements entered
        into with depository institutions in the ordinary course of business;

               (o) Liens  encumbering  customary  initial  deposits  and  margin
        deposits,  and similar Liens attaching to commodity  trading accounts or
        other  brokerage  accounts  and the  funds  or  investments  on  deposit
        therein,   incurred  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business,   securing
        Indebtedness under Interest Rate Protection  Agreements or Other Hedging
        Agreements or in respect of repurchase  obligations permitted by Section
        7.04(f);

               (p) Liens  constituting  extensions,  renewals or replacements of
        any Lien  referred  to in clause  (l) or (m)  above,  PROVIDED  that the
        principal  amount of the  Indebtedness  secured thereby is not increased
        and that any such extension,  renewal or replacement  Lien attaches only
        to the property originally encumbered thereby;

               (q)  Liens  on  assets  of  the  Thrift   Subsidiaries   securing
        Indebtedness owing by such Thrift  Subsidiaries to the Federal Home Loan
        Bank;



                                       39

<PAGE>

               (r)  Liens on assets of the Securitization Subsidiaries;

               (s)  Liens on assets of FCMF or on  assets of any  Subsidiary  of
        FCMF (other than any such  Subsidiary  that engages in banking or thrift
        operations  or the  activities of which are limited to holding the stock
        or securities of another  Subsidiary or  Subsidiaries of FCMF engaged in
        banking or thrift operations), PROVIDED that (i) the principal amount of
        the  Indebtedness  secured  by any such Lien does not  exceed 80% of the
        lesser of the fair  market  value or the  purchase  price of asset being
        encumbered at the time of the incurrence of such  Indebtedness  and (ii)
        the aggregate  outstanding  principal amount of Indebtedness  secured by
        Liens permitted by this clause (s) shall not exceed  $300,000,000 at any
        time; and

               (t)  Liens  in favor of the trustee for the holders of the  TOPRS
        to secure its fees and expenses.

               7.04 INDEBTEDNESS. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, contract,  create,  incur, assume or suffer to exist any
Indebtedness, except:

               (a)  Indebtedness  incurred  pursuant  to  this Agreement and the
        other Credit Documents;

               (b)  Permitted Subordinated Debt;

               (c)  Indebtedness  (including,  without  limitation,   Contingent
        Obligations) in existence on the Effective Date which is listed on Annex
        V,  without  giving  effect  to any  subsequent  extension,  renewal  or
        refinancing thereof;

               (d)  Indebtedness  of the  Borrower  incurred after the Effective
        Date constituting  guaranties of Indebtedness of the Financial Services
        Non-Thrift Subsidiaries;

               (e)  Permitted Acquisition Debt of any Insurance Subsidiary;

               (f)  Repurchase or reverse repurchase obligations of the Borrower
        or any Insurance  Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business
        for short term liquidity management purposes;

               (g)  Additional Indebtedness of Insurance Subsidiaries consisting
        of reimbursement  obligations in respect of letters of credit,  or other
        Contingent  Obligations,  so long as the aggregate outstanding principal
        amount of  Indebtedness  incurred  under this clause (g) does not exceed
        $20,000,000 at any time;


                                       40

<PAGE>


               (h)  other Indebtedness of Insurance Subsidiaries not  to  exceed
        1% of FIC Combined Surplus at any time;


               (i)  Indebtedness  of  (x)  the  Financial  Services   Non-Thrift
        Subsidiaries,  PROVIDED,  that the proceeds of such Indebtedness  (other
        than  the  proceeds  of  securitization  transactions  entered  into  by
        Securitization  Subsidiaries)  are used to fund the  operations  of, and
        acquisitions by, such Financial Services Non-Thrift  Subsidiaries and no
        part of  such  proceeds  are  advanced,  loaned  or  distributed  to the
        Borrower or any of its other  Subsidiaries  (other than other  Financial
        Services  Non-Thrift  Subsidiaries),  and (y) the  Thrift  Subsidiaries,
        PROVIDED,  that the proceeds of such  Indebtedness  are used to fund the
        operations of, and acquisitions by, such Thrift Subsidiaries and no part
        of such proceeds are advanced,  loaned or distributed to the Borrower or
        any of its other Subsidiaries (other than other Thrift Subsidiaries);

               (j)  Indebtedness   owing  to  brokers  in  respect  of  accounts
        maintained with such brokers, including margin deposits, incurred in the
        ordinary course of business;

               (k)   Indebtedness   consisting  of  Interest   Rate   Protection
        Agreements or Other Hedging  Agreements  entered into by the Borrower or
        any of its  Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business,  so long as
        such Agreements are entered into in respect of the assets or obligations
        of the Borrower or such  Subsidiary  for bona fide hedging  purposes and
        not for purposes of speculation;

               (l)  Indebtedness of the Borrower owing to any Subsidiary  (other
        than a Thrift Subsidiary),  Indebtedness of any Subsidiary (other than a
        Thrift Subsidiary) owing to the Borrower,  Indebtedness of any Insurance
        Subsidiary owing to any other Insurance Subsidiary,  Indebtedness of any
        Financial  Services  Non-Thrift  Subsidiary owing to any other Financial
        Services   Non-Thrift   Subsidiaries  and  Indebtedness  of  any  Thrift
        Subsidiary owing to any other Thrift Subsidiary;

               (m) any guaranty by an Insurance Subsidiary of the obligations of
        another  Insurance  Subsidiary,  or by a Financial  Services  Non-Thrift
        Subsidiary of the obligations of another Financial  Services  Non-Thrift
        Subsidiary,  or by a Thrift  Subsidiary  of the  obligations  of another
        Thrift Subsidiary;

               (n) purchase money debt not exceeding 3.5%  of  Consolidated  Net
        Worth at any time;

               (o)    any guaranty by the Borrower of any ESOP Loan; and


                                       41

<PAGE>

               (p) additional unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower, so long as
        (i) at the time of the incurrence of any such Indebtedness no Default or
        Event of Default  exists or would  result from the  incurrence  thereof,
        (ii)  at the  time  of the  incurrence  of any  such  Indebtedness,  the
        Borrower will be in compliance with Sections 7.12 and 7.14 determined on
        a pro forma basis as if such  Indebtedness were outstanding and (iii) no
        such  Indebtedness   shall  mature,  or  be  subject  to  any  mandatory
        prepayment,  redemption,  put or similar  requirement prior to the Final
        Maturity Date.

               7.05 INVESTMENTS.  (a) The Borrower will not permit any Insurance
Subsidiary to purchase or otherwise acquire any Non-Investment Grade Security if
at such time, or immediately after giving effect thereto,  the fair market value
(determined  on a  consolidated  basis)  of all  Investments  of  the  Insurance
Subsidiaries   (other  than  Investments  in  the  Insurance   Subsidiaries)  in
Non-Investment  Grade  Securities  would  exceed  10% of the fair  market  value
(determined  on a  consolidated  basis)  of all  Investments  of  the  Insurance
Subsidiaries (other than Investments in Insurance Subsidiaries).

               (b)  The   Borrower   will  not  permit  the  fair  market  value
(determined  on a  consolidated  basis)  of all real  property  (including  real
property  leasehold  interests)  and mortgage loans  (excluding  mortgage-backed
securities)  held by the Insurance  Subsidiaries to exceed 5% of the fair market
value  (determined on a consolidated  basis) of all Investments of the Insurance
Subsidiaries (other than Investments in Insurance Subsidiaries).

               (c) The  Borrower  will not permit the fair  market  value of all
real property  (including real property leasehold  interests) and mortgage loans
(excluding  mortgage-backed  securities)  held by the  Borrower  to exceed 5% of
Consolidated Net Worth at any time.

               (d) The  Borrower  will  not,  and  will not  permit  FIC and its
Subsidiaries to,  materially alter their respective  investment  strategies from
those in effect on the Effective Date.

               (e) The Borrower will not permit any Insurance Subsidiary to make
or permit to remain  outstanding  any  Investment  in the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries  or Affiliates  (other than another  Insurance  Subsidiary)  if the
aggregate book value of all such Investments shall at any time exceed 25% of FIC
Combined Surplus at such time.

               (f) The  Borrower  will  not,  and  will  not  permit  any of its
Subsidiaries to, make any real estate construction loans.

               (g) The  Borrower  will  not,  and  will  not  permit  any of its
Subsidiaries  (other than Thrift  Subsidiaries) to, lend money or credit or make
advances to any Thrift


                                       42

<PAGE>

Subsidiary,  or purchase or acquire any capital  stock,  obligations  (including
loans)  or  securities  of,  or any  other  interest  in,  or make  any  capital
contribution to, any Thrift Subsidiary.

               7.06 PREPAYMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS OF PERMITTED SUBORDINATED DEBT
AND LIQUID YIELD OPTION NOTES. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to:

               (a) make (or give any notice in respect thereof) any voluntary or
        optional payment or prepayment or redemption or repurchase (including by
        virtue of the  exercise  of any put right) or  acquisition  for value of
        (including,  without  limitation,  by way of depositing with the trustee
        with respect  thereto money or securities  before due for the purpose of
        paying when due),  or exchange  of, the Liquid  Yield  Option  Notes or,
        after its issuance, any Permitted Subordinated Debt; provided,  that the
        Borrower may pay premiums to holders of its Liquid Yield Option Notes as
        exchange fees upon the conversion thereof to equity securities; or

               (b) amend or modify (or permit the amendment or modification  of)
        any of the terms or  provisions  of the Liquid  Yield  Option  Notes or,
        after  its  issuance,   any  Permitted  Subordinated  Debt,  except  for
        amendments  or  modifications  the sole effect of which is to reduce the
        interest rate, extend the maturity,  waive covenant compliance or reduce
        covenant requirements and do not involve the payment of any fee or other
        compensation  to the holders of the Liquid  Yield Option Notes or, after
        its issuance, such Permitted Subordinated Debt.

               7.07 RESTRICTIONS ON SUBSIDIARY PAYMENTS.  The Borrower will not,
and will not permit any of its  Insurance  Subsidiaries  to, create or otherwise
cause or suffer to exist any  encumbrance  or  restriction  which  prohibits  or
otherwise  restricts  (x) the  ability of any  Insurance  Subsidiary  to (a) pay
dividends  or  make  other  distributions  or pay any  Indebtedness  owed to the
Borrower or any Insurance Subsidiary, (b) make loans or advances to the Borrower
or any Insurance Subsidiary, (c) transfer any of its properties or assets to the
Borrower or any Insurance Subsidiary or (d) guarantee the Obligations or (y) the
ability of the Borrower or any  Insurance  Subsidiary of the Borrower to create,
incur,  assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon its property or assets to secure
the Obligations,  other than  prohibitions or restrictions  existing under or by
reason  of (i)  this  Agreement  or  the  other  Credit  Documents,  (ii)  Legal
Requirements,  (iii)  customary  non-assignment  provisions  entered into in the
ordinary course of business and consistent  with past  practices,  (iv) purchase
money obligations for property  acquired in the ordinary course of business,  so
long as such obligations are permitted under this Agreement, (v) any restriction
or encumbrance  with respect to an Insurance  Subsidiary of the Borrower imposed
pursuant to an agreement which has been entered into for the sale or disposition
of all or  substantially  all of the capital  stock or assets of such  Insurance
Subsidiary, so long as such sale or disposition is permitted under this


                                       43

<PAGE>

Agreement,  and (vi) Liens  permitted  under  Section 7.03 and any  documents or
instruments governing the terms of any Indebtedness or other obligations secured
by any such Liens,  PROVIDED,  that such prohibitions or restrictions apply only
to the assets subject to such Liens.

               7.08  TRANSACTIONS  WITH  AFFILIATES.  The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any  Subsidiary  to,  enter  into any  transaction  or series of
transactions  with any Affiliate (other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the
Borrower),  other than on terms and conditions substantially as favorable to the
Borrower  or such  Subsidiary  as would be  obtainable  by the  Borrower or such
Subsidiary at the time in a comparable  arm's-length  transaction  with a Person
other than an  Affiliate.  In addition,  in  transactions  in which the Borrower
purchases or participates in loans made by a Financial Services Subsidiary,  the
Borrower and such Financial Services  Subsidiary will not use selection criteria
for determining  the particular  loans that will be purchased or participated in
by the Borrower that are adverse to the Borrower.

               7.09 ISSUANCE OF STOCK. The Borrower will not issue any shares of
preferred stock, preference stock or redeemable common stock. The Borrower shall
not  permit  any of its  Insurance  Subsidiaries  to issue any  shares of common
stock,  preferred  stock,  preference  stock or  redeemable  common stock or any
options or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into, any such stock,
except for common stock issued to the Borrower or  Wholly-Owned  Subsidiaries of
the Borrower.

               7.10  LIABILITIES TO  POLICYHOLDER  SURPLUS  RATIO.  The Borrower
shall  not  permit  the  Liabilities  to  Policyholder   Surplus  Ratio  of  all
Subsidiaries of FCIG which are Regulated  Insurance  Companies  (determined on a
combined basis) at any time to exceed 6.00 to 1.

               7.11 NET PREMIUMS WRITTEN RATIO. The Borrower will not permit the
ratio  of (i)  Net  Premiums  Written  of all  Subsidiaries  of FCIG  which  are
Regulated  Insurance  Companies  (determined on a combined basis) for any fiscal
year to  (ii)  Policyholder  Surplus  of all  Subsidiaries  of  FCIG  which  are
Regulated Insurance  Companies  (determined on a combined basis) on the last day
of such fiscal year to exceed 3.0:1.0.

               7.12  LEVERAGE  RATIO.  The Borrower will not permit the ratio of
(i) Total  Indebtedness to (ii) Total  Capitalization at any time to exceed 0.45
to 1.0:

               7.13 MINIMUM CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH. The Borrower will not permit
Consolidated Net Worth at any time to be less than $475,000,000.

               7.14 INTEREST  COVERAGE  RATIO.  The Borrower will not permit the
ratio of (i)  Consolidated  EBIT to (ii)  Consolidated  Interest Expense for any
period  of four  consecutive  fiscal  quarters  of the  Borrower  (taken  as one
accounting period) to be less than 3.0 to 1.0.


                                       44

<PAGE>

               7.15 FIC  COMBINED  SURPLUS.  The  Borrower  will not  permit FIC
Combined Surplus at any time to be less than $400,000,000.

               7.16 INSURED DEPOSITORY  SUBSIDIARIES.  (a) The Borrower will not
permit any Insured  Depository  Subsidiary  to be or become  "undercapitalized",
"significantly  undercapitalized" or "critically  undercapitalized" for purposes
of 12 U.S.C. ss. 1831o, as amended, restated or redesignated from time to time.

               (b) The Borrower  shall not,  nor shall it permit any  Subsidiary
(including,  without limitation, any Insured Depository Subsidiary) to, submit a
"capital restoration plan" or enter into a "capital management  agreement" under
12 U.S.C. ss. 1831o(b)(2)(C),  as amended, restated or redesignated from time to
time, with respect to any Insured Depository Subsidiary.


               SECTION 8 EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  Upon the  occurrence  of any of the
following specified events (each an "Event of Default"):

               8.01 PAYMENTS. The Borrower shall (i) default in the payment when
due of any principal of the Loans or Competitive Bid Loans or (ii) default,  and
such default shall continue for two or more days, in the payment when due of any
interest on the Loans or Competitive  Bid Loans or any Fees or any other amounts
owing hereunder or under any other Credit Document; or

               8.02  REPRESENTATIONS,  ETC.  Any  representation,   warranty  or
statement made or deemed made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  herein
or in any other Credit Document or in any statement or certificate  delivered or
required to be  delivered  pursuant  hereto or thereto  shall prove to have been
untrue in any material respect on the date as of which made or deemed made; or

               8.03  COVENANTS.  The  Borrower  shall  (a)  default  in the  due
performance or observance by it of any term,  covenant or agreement contained in
Section 6.10,  6.11 or 7, or (b) default in the due performance or observance by
it of any term,  covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in Sections
8.01, 8.02, 8.07 or clause (a) of this Section 8.03) contained in this Agreement
or in the Pledge  Agreement and such default  shall  continue  unremedied  for a
period of at least 30 consecutive days; or

               8.04 DEFAULT UNDER OTHER  AGREEMENTS.  (a) The Borrower or any of
its  Subsidiaries  shall (i) default in any payment with respect to Indebtedness
(other than the Loans and Competitive Bid Loans) in excess of $5,000,000 (or its
equivalent in any other  currency)  individually  or in the  aggregate,  for the
Borrower and its  Subsidiaries,  beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in
the instrument or agreement  under which such  Indebtedness  was created or (ii)
default in the observance or performance of any agreement or condition  relating
to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing,
securing or relating thereto, or any other event


                                       45

<PAGE>

shall occur or condition  exist,  the effect of which  default or other event or
condition is to cause,  or to permit the holder or holders of such  Indebtedness
(or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause (determined
without  regard to whether  any notice or lapse of time is  required),  any such
Indebtedness  to  become  due  prior  to its  stated  maturity;  or (b) any such
Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  shall be declared to be
due and payable,  or required to be prepaid other than by a regularly  scheduled
required prepayment, prior to the stated maturity thereof; or

               8.05  BANKRUPTCY,  ETC. The  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries
shall commence a voluntary case  concerning  itself under Title 11 of the United
States Code entitled "Bankruptcy," as now or hereafter in effect and applicable,
or any successor  thereto (the  "Bankruptcy  Code");  or an involuntary  case is
commenced  against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  and, with respect to
any  such  case  commenced  under  the  Bankruptcy  Code,  the  petition  is not
controverted  within 10 days, or is not dismissed  within 60  consecutive  days,
after  commencement  of the case; or a custodian  (as defined in the  Bankruptcy
Code) is  appointed  for, or takes  charge of, all or  substantially  all of the
property of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries;  or the Borrower or any of
its  Subsidiaries  commences  (including by way of applying for or consenting to
the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a  rehabilitator,  receiver,
custodian, trustee, conservator or liquidator (collectively, a "conservator") of
itself  or all or any  substantial  portion  of  its  property,  whether  or not
confidential)  any  other  proceeding  under  any  reorganization,  arrangement,
adjustment of debt,  relief of debtors,  dissolution,  insolvency,  liquidation,
rehabilitation,  conservatorship or similar law of any jurisdiction  whether now
or hereafter in effect relating to the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries;  or
any such  proceeding is commenced  against (a) any Regulated  Insurance  Company
which is engaged in the business of underwriting insurance and/or reinsurance in
the  United  States,  whether or not such  proceeding  is  consented  to by such
Person, or (b) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any Regulated
Insurance Company described in the immediately preceding clause (a)), whether or
not such  proceeding  is consented to by such Person but only to the extent that
such proceeding remains  undismissed for a period of 60 consecutive days; or the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt; or any
order of relief or other order approving any such case or proceeding is entered;
or (a) any  Regulated  Insurance  Company  which is engaged in the  business  of
underwriting  insurance  and/or  reinsurance  in the United  States  suffers any
appointment of any conservator or the like for it or any substantial part of its
property,  or (b)  the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  (other  than  any
Regulated  Insurance Company described in the immediately  preceding clause (a))
suffers any appointment of any  conservator or the like for it or  substantially
all of its property which continues  undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60
consecutive  days;  or the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  makes a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any formal corporate action is taken
by the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  for the purpose of effecting any of
the foregoing; or


                                       46

<PAGE>

               8.06  ERISA.  (a) Any Plan shall  fail to  maintain  the  minimum
funding  standard  required by Section 412 of the Code for any plan year or part
thereof or a waiver of such standard or extension of any amortization  period is
sought or granted  under  Section 412 of the Code or shall  provide  security to
induce the issuance of such waiver or  extension,  (b) any Plan is or shall have
been  terminated  or the subject of  termination  proceedings  under ERISA or an
event has occurred  entitling the PBGC to terminate a Plan under Section 4042(a)
of ERISA,  (c) any Plan  shall have an  Unfunded  Current  Liability  or (d) the
Borrower or a  Subsidiary  or any ERISA  Affiliate  has incurred or is likely to
incur a material  liability to or on account of a termination of or a withdrawal
from a Plan under Section 515,  4062,  4063,  4064,  4201 or 4204 of ERISA;  and
there shall  result  from any such event or events  described  in the  preceding
clauses of this  Section  8.06 the  imposition  of a lien upon the assets of the
Borrower or any  Subsidiary or any ERISA  Affiliate,  the granting of a security
interest, or a liability or a material risk of incurring a liability to the PBGC
or a Plan or a trustee  appointed under ERISA or a penalty under Section 4971 or
4975 of the Code or  Section  409,  502(i) or  502(l)  of  ERISA,  any of which,
individually or in the aggregate,  would have a material adverse effect upon the
condition  (financial  or  otherwise,  determined  pursuant  to  GAAP  or  SAP),
businesses,   operations,   properties,  assets,  liabilities,   investments  or
prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; or

               8.07  PLEDGE  AGREEMENT.  Except  in  each  case  to  the  extent
resulting  from the  negligent  or willful  failure of the  Collateral  Agent to
retain  possession of any Pledged Stock,  the Pledge Agreement shall cease to be
in full force and effect, or shall cease to give the Collateral Agent the Liens,
rights,  powers  and  privileges  purported  to be created  thereby  (including,
without  limitation,  a first priority  perfected security interest in, and Lien
on, all of the Collateral  subject  thereto,  in favor of the Collateral  Agent,
superior  to and prior to the  rights of all third  Persons,  and  subject to no
other Liens other than  Non-Consensual  Permitted Liens), or the Borrower or any
other pledgor  thereunder  shall default in the due performance or observance of
any material term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed
pursuant to the Pledge Agreement; or

               8.08 JUDGMENTS. One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered
against  the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  involving  a  liability  of
$1,000,000 or more in the  aggregate for all such  judgments and decrees for the
Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  and any such judgments or decrees shall not have
been vacated,  discharged,  stayed or bonded  pending appeal within 30 days from
the entry thereof; or

               8.09 OWNERSHIP. (a) There shall occur a Change of Control;

then, and in any such event, and at any time thereafter, if any Event of Default
shall then be  continuing,  the Agent  shall,  upon the  written  request of the
Required  Banks,  by  written  notice  to the  Borrower,  take any or all of the
following  actions,  without prejudice to the rights of the Agent or any Bank to
enforce  its claims  against  the  Borrower,  except as  otherwise  specifically
provided for in this Agreement  (PROVIDED


                                       47

<PAGE>

that if an Event of Default  specified  in Section 8.05 shall occur with respect
to the Borrower,  the result which would occur upon the giving of written notice
by  the  Agent  as   specified  in  clauses  (i)  and  (ii)  below  shall  occur
automatically  without  the giving of any such  notice):  (i)  declare the Total
Commitment  (or  the  unutilized  portion  thereof)  terminated,  whereupon  the
Commitment (or the unutilized portion thereof,  as the case may be) of each Bank
shall  forthwith  terminate  immediately;  (ii) declare the principal of and any
accrued  interest  in  respect  of all Loans and  Competitive  Bid Loans and all
Obligations  owing  hereunder  and  under  the  other  Credit  Documents  to be,
whereupon the same shall become,  forthwith due and payable without presentment,
demand,  protest or other notice of any kind,  all of which are hereby waived by
the  Borrower;  and/or  (iii)  enforce,  as  Collateral  Agent  (or  direct  the
Collateral  Agent to enforce),  any or all of the Liens and  security  interests
created pursuant to the Pledge Agreement.

               SECTION 9 DEFINITIONS.  As used herein, the following terms shall
have the  meanings  herein  specified  unless the  context  otherwise  requires.
Defined terms in this Agreement  shall include in the singular number the plural
and in the plural the singular:

               "Absolute  Rate"  shall mean an  interest  rate  (rounded  to the
nearest .0001) expressed as a decimal.

               "Absolute Rate Borrowing"  shall mean a Competitive Bid Borrowing
with respect to which the Borrower  has  requested  that the Banks offer to make
Competitive Bid Loans at Absolute Rates.

               "Acquisition"   shall  mean  the   acquisition  by  the  Borrower
(directly or  indirectly) of all of the  outstanding  shares of capital stock of
Industrial  pursuant to, and in  accordance  with the terms of, the  Acquisition
Agreement.

               "Acquisition  Agreement" shall mean the Stock Purchase Agreement,
dated as of May 16, 1997 between the Seller and the Borrower.

               "Acquisition  Documents" shall mean the Acquisition Agreement and
all other agreements and documents relating to the Acquisition.

               "Affiliate"  shall mean,  with  respect to any Person,  any other
Person  directly or  indirectly  controlling  (including  but not limited to all
directors  and  officers  of such  Person),  controlled  by, or under  direct or
indirect common control with, such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control a
corporation if such Person possesses,  directly or indirectly,  the power (i) to
vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election
of directors of such corporation or (ii) to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of such  corporation,  whether  through the ownership of
voting securities, by contract or otherwise.


                                       48

<PAGE>


               "Agent" shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of
this Agreement and shall include any successor to the Agent  appointed  pursuant
to Section 10.09.

               "Aggregate Loan Outstandings" shall have the meaning provided  in
Section 3.02(a).

               "Agreement" shall mean this Credit Agreement,  as the same may be
from time to time modified, amended and/or supplemented.

               "Applicable  Eurodollar Margin" shall mean, for any day, the rate
per annum set forth below opposite the Applicable Rating Period then in effect:


        Applicable Rating                   Applicable Eurodollar
             Period                                Margin
        -----------------                  ---------------------

        Category A Period                           0.250%
        Category B Period                           0.300%
        Category C Period                           0.325%
        Category D Period                           0.450%
        Category E Period                           0.575%

               "Applicable Facility Fee Percentage" shall mean, for any day, the
percentage set forth below opposite the Applicable Rating Period then in effect:

        Applicable Rating                   Applicable Facility
             Period                            Fee Percentage
        -----------------                   --------------------

        Category A Period                           0.125%
        Category B Period                           0.150%
        Category C Period                           0.175%
        Category D Period                           0.200%
        Category E Period                           0.300%

               "Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority" shall mean, when used
with respect to any Regulated  Insurance  Company,  the insurance  department or
similar  administrative  authority or agency  located in (x) each state or other
jurisdiction  in which such Regulated  Insurance  Company is domiciled or (y) to
the extent  asserting  regulatory  jurisdiction  over such  Regulated  Insurance
Company,  the insurance  department,  authority or agency in each state or other
jurisdiction in which such Regulated  Insurance  Company is licensed,  and shall
include any Federal insurance  regulatory  department,  authority or agency that
may be created and that  asserts  regulatory  jurisdiction  over such  Regulated
Insurance Company.


                                       49

<PAGE>


               "Applicable  Rating Period" shall mean,  subject to the terms and
conditions set forth below in this  definition,  the period set forth below then
in effect:

Applicable Rating
     Period                            Criteria
- -----------------                   -------------

Category A Period                   The S&P  Credit  Rating is BBB+ or above  OR
                                    the Moody's Credit Rating is Baa1 or above

Category B Period                   The S&P  Credit  Rating  is BBB or  above OR
                                    the Moody's  Credit Rating is Baa2 or above,
                                    but no Category A  period is  in  effect  at
                                    such time.

Category C Period                   The S&P  Credit  Rating is BBB- or above  OR
                                    the Moody's  Credit Rating is Baa3 or above,
                                    but no  Category A or B period is  in effect
                                    at such time.

Category D Period                   The S&P Credit Rating is BB+ or above OR the
                                    Moody's Credit Rating is Ba1 or  above,  but
                                    no Category  A, B or C Period  is in  effect
                                    at such time.

Category E Period                   The S&P Credit  Rating is below BB+
                                    OR the Moody's Credit Rating is below Ba1.

If (a) only one of a Moody's  Credit  Rating and an S&P Credit  Rating exists at
any time (the Rating  Agency which has assigned a Credit  Rating is  hereinafter
referred to as the "Assigning  Rating Agency" and the Rating Agency which has no
assigned Credit Rating is hereinafter  referred to as the "Non-Assigning  Rating
Agency") and (b) the  Non-Assigning  Rating  Agency either (i) states an implied
rating for the  Borrower's  senior  long-term  debt and/or (ii) assigns a Credit
Rating to the TOPRS,  then the  Applicable  Rating Period shall be determined as
set forth above based on the Credit  Rating of the  Assigning  Rating Agency and
the stated implied senior debt rating of the Non-Assigning  Rating Agency or, if
no such stated implied  senior debt rating  exists,  one "full rating" above the
Credit Rating assigned by the Non-Assigning Rating Agency to the TOPRS (it being
understood  that a "full rating" shall include  numerical  modifiers and (+) and
(-)  modifiers).  In the event that an  Assigning  Rating  Agency has assigned a
Credit  Rating and the  Non-Assigning  Rating  Agency  does not state an implied
rating for the Borrower's senior long-term debt or assign a Credit Rating to the
TOPRS,  then the Applicable Rating Period shall be determined as set forth above
based on such Credit Rating.

In the event that (a) no Credit  Rating  exists with  respect to the  Borrower's
senior long-term debt, then the Applicable  Rating Period shall be determined as
follows:  (a) if both  Moody's  and S&P state an  implied  rating for any senior
long-term  debt of the


                                       50

<PAGE>

Borrower,  then the Applicable Rating Period shall be determined by reference to
such  implied  ratings;  or (b) if (i) only one of  Moody's  and S&P  states  an
implied  rating  for any  senior  long-term  debt of the  Borrower  and (ii) the
Non-Assigning  Rating  Agency  assigns a Credit  Rating to the  TOPRS,  then the
Applicable  Rating  Period shall be  determined  as set forth above based on the
stated implied  senior debt rating of the Assigning  Rating Agency and one "full
rating" above the Credit Rating of the  Non-Assigning  Rating Agency assigned to
the TOPRS.

In the event that (a) no Credit  Rating  exists with  respect to the  Borrower's
senior  long-term  debt and no  stated  implied  rating  exists  for the  senior
long-term  debt of the  Borrower,  then the  Applicable  Rating  Period shall be
determined as follows: (a) if both Moody's and S&P assign a Credit Rating to the
TOPRS,  then the Applicable  Rating Period shall be one "full rating" above such
assigned ratings;  (b) if only one of Moody's and S&P assigns a Credit Rating to
the TOPRS,  then the  Applicable  Rating Period shall be one "full rating" above
the Credit Rating assigned to the TOPRS assigned by the Assigning Rating Agency.

In the event of a split  rating of two or more rating  levels,  the rating level
one below the higher  rating  level shall apply.  If any Credit  Rating shall be
changed by Moody's or S&P,  such change shall be effective  for purposes of this
definition  as of the  Business  Day  following  the day on which  the  Borrower
notifies the Banks of such change pursuant to Section 6.01(h),  PROVIDED that if
such change  represents a downgrade  and the Borrower  fails to notify the Banks
thereof pursuant to Section 6.01(h),  then such change shall be effective on the
fourth Business Day after a senior officer obtained knowledge of such downgrade.
Any change in the  Applicable  Rating  Period due to a change in a Credit Rating
shall  apply  during the  effective  date of such  change and ending on the date
immediately  preceding the effective date of the next such change.  In the event
that and for so long as the  Borrower  has no senior debt or TOPRS that is rated
by Moody's or S&P including,  without limitation,  stated implied rating, then a
Category E Period shall be deemed to exist.

               "Authorized  Officer"  shall  mean  any  senior  officer  of  the
Borrower  designated as such in writing by the Borrower to, and found acceptable
by, the Agent.

               "Bank" shall have the meaning  provided in the first paragraph of
this Agreement.

              "Bankruptcy Code" shall have the meaning provided in Section 8.05.

               "Base  Rate" at any time  shall  mean the  higher of (x) the rate
which is 1/2 of 1% plus  the  Federal  Funds  Effective  Rate and (y) the  Prime
Lending Rate as in effect from time to time.

               "Base Rate Loans"  shall mean each Loan  bearing  interest at the
rates provided in Section 1.09(a).


                                       51

<PAGE>

               "Bermuda"   shall  mean   Fremont  Reinsurance  Company, Ltd., a
Bermuda corporation.

               "Bidder  Bank" shall mean each Bank that has  notified in writing
(and has not  withdrawn  such  notice) the Agent that it desires to  participate
generally in the bidding arrangements relating to Competitive Bid Borrowings.

               "Borrower" shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph
of this Agreement.

               "Borrowing"  shall mean (i) the incurrence of one Type of Loan by
the  Borrower  from all of the  Banks on a PRO  RATA  basis on a given  date (or
resulting from  conversions  on a given date),  having in the case of Eurodollar
Loans the same Interest Period,  PROVIDED that Base Rate Loans incurred pursuant
to  Section  1.11(b)  shall  be  considered  part of any  related  Borrowing  of
Eurodollar Loans or (ii) a Competitive Bid Borrowing.

               "Business  Day"  shall  mean (i) for all  purposes  other than as
covered by clause (ii) below,  any day  excluding  Saturday,  Sunday and any day
which shall be in the City of New York a legal holiday or a day on which banking
institutions  are authorized by law or other  governmental  actions to close and
(ii) with respect to all notices and  determinations  in  connection  with,  and
payments of principal and interest on, Eurodollar Loans or Competitive Bid Loans
priced by  reference  to the  Eurodollar  Rate,  any day which is a Business Day
described in clause (i) and which is also a day for trading by and between banks
in U.S. dollar deposits in the interbank Eurodollar market.

               "Capital  Expenditures"  shall  mean  expenditures  by any Person
that,  in  conformity  with GAAP,  are or are  required  to be  included  in the
property, plant or equipment reflected in the balance sheet of such Person.

               "Capital Lease" as applied to any Person, shall mean any lease of
any property  (whether real,  personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee which,
in conformity  with GAAP,  is, or is required to be,  accounted for as a capital
lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

               "Capitalized  Lease Obligations" shall mean all obligations under
Capital Leases of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries in each case taken at
the amount thereof accounted for as liabilities in accordance with GAAP.

               "Change of Control"  shall mean (i) the  Borrower  shall cease to
own,  directly,  100% of the capital  stock of FCIG, or FCIG shall cease to own,
directly or indirectly,  100% of the capital stock of FIC and  Industrial,  (ii)
the acquisition,  whether  directly or indirectly,  by any Person or "group" (as
defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended)
(other than an employee benefit or stock


                                       52

<PAGE>

ownership  plan of the  Borrower)  of more than 30% of the  voting  stock of the
Borrower  or (iii)  during  any  period of 25  consecutive  calendar  months,  a
majority of the Board of Directors  of the Borrower  shall no longer be composed
of  individuals  (x) who were  members  of said  Board on the  first day of such
period,  (y)  whose  election  or  nomination  to said  Board  was  approved  by
individuals  referred  to in clause (x) above  constituting  at the time of such
election or nomination  at least a majority of said Board or (z) whose  election
or nomination to said Board was approved by  individuals  referred to in clauses
(x) and (y) above  constituting  at the time of such  election or  nomination at
least a majority of said Board.

               "Chase" shall mean The Chase Manhattan Bank.

               "Code" shall mean the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended
from  time  to  time,  and  the  regulations   promulgated  and  rulings  issued
thereunder.

               "Collateral" shall mean all of the Collateral as  defined  in the
Pledge Agreement.

               "Collateral  Agent" shall mean the  Agent  acting  as  collateral
agent for the Banks.

               "Commitment"  shall mean,  with respect to each Bank,  the amount
set  forth  opposite  such  Bank's  name in Annex I  hereto,  as the same may be
reduced or terminated pursuant to Sections 2.02, 2.03 and/or 8.

               "Competitive   Bid   Borrowing"   shall   mean  a  Borrowing  of 
Competitive Bid Loans pursuant to Section 1.04.

               "Competitive  Bid Loan"  shall  have  the   meaning  provided  in
Section 1.01(b).

               "Comstock" shall mean Comstock  Insurance  Company,  an insurance
company organized under the laws of California.

               "Consolidated  EBIT" shall mean,  for any period,  the sum of (i)
Consolidated  Net Income of the Borrower for such period,  (ii)  provisions  for
taxes  based on income or  profits  to the extent  such  income or profits  were
included  in  computing  Consolidated  Net  Income  for such  period  and  (iii)
Consolidated Interest Expense (including amortization of original issue discount
and the interest  component of Capitalized Lease  Obligations),  net of interest
income,  theretofore deducted from earnings in computing Consolidated Net Income
for such period,  PROVIDED that in determining  Consolidated EBIT for any period
there shall be excluded any portion thereof otherwise  included therein (whether
positive or negative) attributable to FFC and its Subsidiaries.


                                       53

<PAGE>


               "Consolidated Interest Expense" shall mean, for any period, total
interest  expense  (including that  attributable to Capital Leases in accordance
with GAAP) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries  for such period,  but excluding
therefrom all interest attributable to FGCC and its Subsidiaries.

               "Consolidated  Net Income"  shall mean,  for any period,  the net
income (or loss) of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  on a consolidated  basis
for such period taken as a single accounting period, as determined in accordance
with GAAP.

               "Consolidated  Net Worth" shall mean,  at any time,  Net Worth of
the  Borrower  and  its  Subsidiaries  determined  on a  consolidated  basis  in
accordance with GAAP after appropriate  deduction for any minority  interests in
Subsidiaries.

               "Contingent  Obligations"  shall mean, as to any Person,  without
duplication, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee
any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations ("primary obligations")
of any other Person (the "primary  obligor") in any manner,  whether directly or
indirectly,  including,  without  limitation,  any  obligation  of such  Person,
whether or not  contingent,  (a) to purchase any such primary  obligation or any
property  constituting  direct or indirect security therefor,  (b) to advance or
supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of any such primary  obligation  or
(ii) to maintain  working  capital or equity  capital of the primary  obligor or
otherwise  to  maintain  the  net  worth  or  solvency  of the  primary  obligor
(excluding any obligation or commitment of any Financial Services  Subsidiary to
advance funds to any borrower pursuant to a lending contract entered into in the
ordinary course of business),  (c) to purchase property,  securities or services
primarily  for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary  obligation
of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation
or (d) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of such primary obligation
against loss in respect  thereof;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that the term Contingent
Obligation  shall not include (x)  endorsements  of  instruments  for deposit or
collection in the ordinary course of business,  (ii) indemnities  granted in the
ordinary course of business and (iii) any insurance or reinsurance obligation of
any  Regulated  Insurance  Company  entered into in the  ordinary  course of the
insurance  business  of such  Regulated  Insurance  Company.  The  amount of any
Contingent  Obligation  shall,  subject to any contractual  limitation stated in
such  Contingent  Obligation,  be deemed to be an amount  equal to the stated or
determinable  amount  of  the  primary  obligation  in  respect  of  which  such
Contingent  Obligation  is made or, if not stated or  determinable,  the maximum
reasonably  anticipated  liability in respect  thereof  (assuming such Person is
required to perform thereunder) as determined by such Person in good faith.

               "Credit  Documents" shall mean this Agreement,  the Notes and the
Pledge Agreement and all other documents or instruments required to be delivered
hereunder or thereunder and all other  documents or  instruments  required to be
delivered hereunder or thereunder.



                                       54

<PAGE>


               "Credit  Rating" shall mean the Moody's Credit Rating and the S&P
Credit Rating.

               "Default"  shall  mean any  event,  act or  condition  which with
notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

              "Effective Date" shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.10.

               "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time. Section references to ERISA are to ERISA, as
in effect at the date of this Agreement and any subsequent  provisions of ERISA,
amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.

               "ERISA  Affiliate"  shall mean each person (as defined in Section
3(9) of ERISA)  which,  from and after the  Effective  Date,  together  with the
Borrower,  or any Subsidiary of the Borrower,  would be deemed to be a member of
the same "controlled  group" within the meaning of Section 414(b),  (c), (m) and
(o) of the Code.

               "ESOP Loan" shall mean any indebtedness of a third party incurred
in  connection  with an employee  stock  ownership  plan and  guaranteed  by the
Borrower.

               "Eurodollar  Loans" shall mean each Loan bearing  interest at the
rates provided in Section 1.09(b).

               "Eurodollar  Rate"  shall  mean  with  respect  to each  Interest
Period,  (i) the arithmetic  average (rounded to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) of the
offered  quotations to first-class  banks in the interbank  Eurodollar market by
each Reference Bank for dollar deposits of amounts in same day funds  comparable
to the  outstanding  principal  amount of the Eurodollar  Loan of such Reference
Bank for which an interest  rate is then being  determined  (or in the case of a
Competitive  Bid Loan  that is a Spread  Borrowing  priced by  reference  to the
Eurodollar Rate, the arithmetic  average (rounded to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) of
the offered  rates for  deposits in U.S.  dollars  for the  applicable  Interest
Period (or the period closest to such applicable  Interest  Period) which appear
on the Telerate Page 3750, British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rates
(or if such Telerate Page is  unavailable,  the  comparable  page on the Reuters
Screen LIBO Page)) with maturities comparable to the Interest Period, determined
as of 10:00 A.M. (New York time) on the date which is two Business Days prior to
the  commencement  of such Interest  Period,  divided (and rounded upward to the
next whole multiple of 1/16 of 1%) by (ii) a percentage  equal to 100% minus the
then  stated  maximum  rate  of all  reserve  requirements  (including,  without
limitation, any marginal,  emergency,  supplemental,  special or other reserves)
applicable  to any  member  bank of the  Federal  Reserve  System in  respect of
Eurocurrency  liabilities as defined in Regulation D (or any successor  category
of  liabilities  under  Regulation  D);  PROVIDED  that  if one or  more  of the
Reference  Banks fails to provide the Agent with its  aforesaid  rate,  then the
Eurodollar  


                                       55

<PAGE>

Rate shall be determined based on the rate or rates provided to the Agent by the
other Reference Bank or Banks.

               "Event of Default" shall have the meaning provided in Section 8.

               "Existing  Credit  Agreements"  shall  mean and  include  (i) the
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 1995, by and among
the Borrower,  various  lending  institutions  and The Chase  Manhattan Bank, as
Agent  and  (ii)  the  [Loan  Agreement],  dated  as  of  ____________,  between
Industrial and the Seller, in each case, as in effect on the Effective Date.

               "Facility Fee" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

               "FCIG" shall mean Fremont Compensation Insurance  Group,  Inc.  a
Delaware corporation.

               "FCMF" shall mean FGC Commercial Mortgage Finance,  a  California
corporation.

               "Federal  Funds  Effective  Rate"  shall mean for any  period,  a
fluctuating  interest rate equal for each day during such period to the weighted
average of the rates on overnight Federal Funds transactions with members of the
Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal Funds brokers,  as published for such
day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day)
by the Federal  Reserve  Bank of New York,  or, if such rate is not so published
for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the  quotations for such day
on such  transactions  received by the Agent from three Federal Funds brokers of
recognized standing selected by the Agent.

               "Fees" shall mean all amounts payable pursuant to, or referred to
in, Section 2.01.

               "FFC"  shall mean Fremont Financial  Corporation,   a  California
corporation.

               "FGCC"  shall  mean  Fremont   General  Credit   Corporation,   a
California  corporation  which  is  a  direct  Wholly-Owned  Subsidiary  of  the
Borrower.

               "FIC"  shall mean  Fremont  Indemnity  Company,  a  property  and
casualty insurance company organized under the laws of California.

               "FIC  Combined  Surplus"  shall mean,  at any time,  the combined
Policyholder Surplus of FIC and its Subsidiaries at such time.

               "FIL" shall mean  Fremont  Investment  and  Loan,   a  California
corporation.



                                       56

<PAGE>

               "Final Maturity Date" shall mean August 1, 2002.

               "Financial  Services  Non-Thrift  Subsidiaries"  shall  mean  all
Financial Services Subsidiaries other than Thrift Subsidiaries.

               "Financial Services Subsidiaries" shall mean and include (i) FGCC
and its Subsidiaries,  (ii) any Securitization  Subsidiary that is not otherwise
included in clause (i) above,  (iii) any Thrift Subsidiary that is not otherwise
included in clause (i) above and (iv) all other  Subsidiaries  of the  Borrower,
whether in existence on the  Effective  Date or created or acquired  thereafter;
but in any event excluding the Insurance Subsidiaries.

               "FRC" shall mean Fremont  Reinsurance   Company,   a   California
corporation.

               "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America;  it being understood and agreed that determinations in
accordance with GAAP for purposes of Section 7, including  defined terms as used
therein, are subject (to the extent provided therein) to Section 11.07(a).

               "Indebtedness" of any Person shall mean, without duplication, (i)
all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money,  (ii) the deferred  purchase
price of assets or services which in accordance  with GAAP would be shown on the
liability side of the balance sheet of such Person, (iii) the face amount of all
letters  of  credit  issued  for  the  account  of  such  Person  and,   without
duplication,  all drafts drawn  thereunder,  (iv) all  Indebtedness  of a second
Person secured by any Lien on any property  owned by such first Person,  whether
or not such Indebtedness has been assumed, PROVIDED that if such Indebtedness is
not assumed, the amount of such Indebtedness shall be deemed for purposes hereof
to be the  lesser  of the  principal  amount of such  Indebtedness  and the fair
market value of the property  securing such  Indebtedness,  (v) all  Capitalized
Lease  Obligations of such Person,  (vi) all obligations of such Person to pay a
specified  purchase  price for goods or  services  whether or not  delivered  or
accepted,  I.E.,  take-or-pay and similar obligations,  (vii) all obligations of
such  Person  under  Interest  Rate  Protection   Agreements  or  Other  Hedging
Agreements,  (viii)  all  Contingent  Obligations  of such  Person  and (ix) any
obligation  of the type  referred to in any of clauses  (i)-(viii)  above of any
general  partnership  of which  such  Person  is the or a general  partner  (but
excluding  any general  partnership  the general  partners of which  include the
Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries and Merrill Lynch & Co. and the business of
which shall be to hold and  administer  loans  acquired in connection  with loan
portfolio purchases; PROVIDED that Indebtedness shall not include trade payables
(including reinsurance payables),  daylight overdrafts,  open accounts,  accrued
expenses,  indemnities,  and insurance and reinsurance  obligations of Regulated
Insurance Companies, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business.


                                       57

<PAGE>


               "Industrial" shall mean Industrial Indemnity Holdings,   Inc.,  a
Delaware corporation.

               "Initial  Borrowing  Date"  shall  mean the date  upon  which the
initial Borrowing of Loans or Competitive Bid Loans occurs.

               "Insurance  Business"  shall  mean  one or  more  aspects  of the
business of selling, issuing or underwriting insurance or reinsurance.

               "Insurance Subsidiaries" shall mean (i) FCIG, (ii) each of FCIG's
Subsidiaries  (whether in existence on the Effective Date or created or acquired
thereafter) and (iii) each other  Subsidiary of the Borrower created or acquired
after the  Effective  Date that  engages  in  property  and  casualty  insurance
operations, workers compensation insurance operations or the activities of which
are limited to holding the stock or other  securities  of another  Subsidiary or
Subsidiaries  engaged in  property  and  casualty  insurance  operations  and/or
workers compensation insurance.

               "Insured Depository Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary  of the
Borrower that is an "insured depository  institution" within  the meaning  of 12
U.S.C. ss. 1813(c)(2).

               "Interest  Period" shall mean (x) with respect to any  Eurodollar
Loan, the interest period applicable  thereto, as determined pursuant to Section
1.10 and (y) with respect to any Competitive  Bid Loan, the period  beginning on
the date of incurrence thereof and ending on the stated maturity thereof.

               "Interest Rate Basis" shall mean the Eurodollar  Rate and/or such
other basis for  determining  an interest rate as the Borrower and the Agent may
agree upon from time to time.

               "Interest Rate Protection Agreement" shall mean any interest rate
swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest collar agreement, interest
rate hedging agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.

               "Investment"  shall  mean,  for any Person:  (a) the  acquisition
(whether for cash,  property,  services or  securities  or otherwise) of capital
stock,  bonds,  notes,  debentures,  partnership or other ownership interests or
other  securities  of any  other  Person  or any  agreement  to  make  any  such
acquisition (including,  without limitation, any "short sale" or any sale of any
securities at a time when such  securities are not owned by the Person  entering
into such short sale);  (b) the making of any deposit with, or advance,  loan or
other  extension  of credit to, any other  Person  (including  the  purchase  of
property  from  another  Person  subject  to  an   understanding  or  agreement,
contingent  or  otherwise,  to resell such property to such Person) and (without
duplication) the entering into of any commitment to deposit funds with,  advance
or lend funds to or otherwise  extend  credit to such  Person;  (c) the entering
into  of any


                                       58

<PAGE>

Contingent  Obligation  with respect to  Indebtedness  or other liability of any
other  Person;  or (d) the  entering  into by such Person of any  interest  rate
protection agreement.

               "Investment  Grade  Securities" shall mean (i) any securities (as
defined in Section  8-102(1)(c) of the UCC as in effect in the State of New York
on the  Effective  Date) that are rated BBB- or higher by S&P, Baa3 or higher by
Moody's,  Class (2) or higher by NAIC or the  equivalent  of such rating by S&P,
Moody's or NAIC,  or if none of S&P,  Moody's  and NAIC shall  then  exist,  the
equivalent of such rating by any other nationally  recognized  securities rating
agency  or (ii)  any  fund  investing  exclusively  in  investments  of the type
described  in clause  (i) which  fund may also hold  immaterial  amounts of cash
pending investment and/or distribution.

               "Investors Bancor" shall mean Investors   Bancor,   a  California
corporation.

               "Legal  Requirements"  shall  mean all  applicable  laws,  rules,
orders and regulations  made by any  governmental  body or regulatory  authority
(including,  without limitation,  any Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority)
having jurisdiction over the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

               "Liabilities  to  Policyholder  Surplus Ratio" shall mean, at any
time, the ratio of (a)  consolidated  liabilities  (determined on a consolidated
basis without  duplication in accordance  with SAP) of FIC and its  consolidated
Subsidiaries at such time to (b) the  consolidated  Policyholder  Surplus of FIC
and its consolidated Subsidiaries at such time.

               "Lien"  shall  mean  any  mortgage,  pledge,  security  interest,
encumbrance,  lien or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give any of
the foregoing,  any conditional  sale or other title retention  agreement or any
lease in the nature thereof).

              "Liquid Yield Option Notes" shall mean the Borrower's $373,750,000
Aggregate Principal Amount at Maturity  Liquid Yield  Option(TM)  Notes due 2013
(Zero Coupon Subordinated) Effective October 4, 1993.

               "Loan" and "Loans" shall have the meaning  provided  in  Section
1.01(a).

               "Margin Stock" shall have the meaning provided in Regulation U.

               "Material   Insurance   Subsidiary"   shall  mean  any  Insurance
Subsidiary whose  Policyholder  Surplus  constitutes 10% or more of the combined
Policyholder Surplus of FCIG.

               "Moody's" shall mean Moody's Investors  Service,   Inc.  and  its
successors.


                                       59

<PAGE>

               "Moody's  Credit  Rating"  shall mean the rating  level (it being
understood that a rating level shall include numerical modifiers and (+) and (-)
modifiers)  assigned by Moody's to the senior  unsecured  long-term  debt of the
Borrower.

               "NAIC"   shall  mean  the  National   Association   of  Insurance
Commissioners or any successor organization thereto.

               "NAIC   Tests"   shall  mean  the  ratios  and  other   financial
measurements  developed by the NAIC under its Insurance  Regulatory  Information
System,  as initially in effect with respect to property and casualty  insurance
companies and as thereafter modified, supplemented,  replaced or eliminated from
time to time.

               "Net Premiums Written" shall mean, for any period,  determined in
accordance  with  SAP,  the  aggregate   amount  of  premiums   written  by  all
Subsidiaries of FCIG which are Regulated  Insurance  Companies  (determined on a
combined basis) during such period.

               "Net Worth" shall mean, as to any Person,  the sum of its capital
stock,  capital in excess of par or stated value of shares of its capital stock,
retained  earnings  and any  other  account  which,  in  accordance  with  GAAP,
constitutes  stockholders  equity, but excluding (i) any treasury stock and (ii)
the effect, if any, of unrealized capital gains and losses.

               "Non-Consensual  Permitted  Lien" shall mean Liens  permitted  by
Section 7.03(a) or (e), PROVIDED that such Liens have not specifically  attached
to the Collateral by the filing of a notice of lien or otherwise.

               "Non-Investment  Grade  Securities" shall mean any securities (as
defined in Section  8-102(1)(c) of the UCC as in effect in the State of New York
on the Effective Date) (i) that are not rated by any of S&P, Moody's or the NAIC
or (ii) that are not Investment Grade Securities.

               "Note"  and  "Notes"  shall  have the meaning provided in Section
 1.06(a).

               "Notice of Borrowing"  shall have the meaning provided in Section
 1.03.

               "Notice of  Competitive  Bid  Borrowing"  shall have the  meaning
provided in Section 1.04.

               "Notice of Conversion" shall have the meaning provided in Section
1.07.

               "Notice Office" shall mean the office of the Agent at [Four Chase
Metrotech Center,  Brooklyn,  New York 11245], or such other office as the Agent
may designate to the Borrower and the Banks from time to time.


                                       60

<PAGE>


               "Obligations"  shall  mean  all  amounts,   direct  or  indirect,
contingent or absolute, of every type or description,  and at any time existing,
owing to the Agent,  the  Collateral  Agent or any Bank pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement or any other Credit Document.

               "Other  Hedging   Agreement"  shall  mean  any  foreign  exchange
contracts,  currency swap agreements or other similar agreements or arrangements
designed to protect against the fluctuations in currency values.

               "Payment  Office" shall mean the office of the Agent at One Chase
Manhattan Plaza, New York, New York 10081, or such other office as the Agent may
designate to the Borrower and the Banks from time to time.

               "PBGC"  shall  mean  the  Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation
established pursuant to Section 4002 of ERISA, or any successor thereto.

               "Percentage"   shall   mean  for  each   Bank  on  each  date  of
determination  a fraction the  numerator of which is equal to the  Commitment of
such  Bank on such  date and the  denominator  of  which  is equal to the  Total
Commitment on such date,  PROVIDED  that if the  Percentage of any Bank is to be
determined after the Total  Commitment has been terminated,  then the Percentage
for  each  Bank  shall  be a  fraction  the  numerator  of which is equal to the
aggregate  principal  amount of Loans of such Bank  outstanding on such date and
the denominator of which is equal to the aggregate principal amount of all Loans
outstanding on such date.

              "Permitted Acquisition" shall have the meaning provided in Section
7.02(c).

               "Permitted  Acquisition  Debt"  shall  mean  Indebtedness  of any
Insurance Subsidiary acquired by the Borrower after the Effective Date, PROVIDED
that (i) such  Indebtedness  was in existence prior to such  acquisition and was
not created in connection  with, or in  contemplation  of, such  acquisition and
(ii)  neither the Borrower nor any of its other  Subsidiaries  guaranties  or is
otherwise obligated in any manner in respect of such Indebtedness.

               "Permitted  Subordinated  Debt"  shall mean  Indebtedness  of the
Borrower expressly  subordinated to the Obligations,  which (i) shall contain no
financial maintenance covenants or cross-default provisions (it being understood
and agreed that a cross-acceleration  provision shall be permitted),  (ii) shall
have no maturities,  scheduled  repayments or sinking fund requirements prior to
one year  following  the Final  Maturity  Date and (iii) shall contain terms and
conditions  relating  to  the  interest  rate  applicable  thereto,   covenants,
defaults, remedies and subordination provisions, and shall be issued pursuant to
documentation, which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Required
Banks.


                                       61

<PAGE>

               "Person" shall mean any individual,  partnership,  joint venture,
firm, corporation,  association,  trust or other enterprise or any government or
political subdivision or any agency, department or instrumentality thereof.

               "Plan" shall mean any  multiemployer or  single-employer  plan as
defined in Section 4001 of ERISA, which is contributed to pursuant to collective
bargaining  requirements  or  maintained  by,  or at any  time  during  the five
calendar years  preceding the date of this Agreement was contributed to pursuant
to  collective  bargaining  requirements  or maintained  by, the  Borrower,  any
Subsidiary or an ERISA Affiliate.

             "Pledge Agreement" shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.09.

              "Pledged Stock" shall mean all the Pledged Stock as defined in the
Pledge Agreement.

               "Policyholder Surplus" of any Person shall mean, at any time, the
consolidated  policyholders' surplus (determined on a consolidated basis without
duplication  in  accordance  with  SAP) of  such  Person  and  its  consolidated
Subsidiaries at such time (but excluding  therefrom the effect of any unrealized
gains and losses from the marketable securities portfolio of such Person and its
consolidated Subsidiaries).

               "Prescribed  Forms"  shall  mean such duly  executed  form(s)  or
statement(s),  and in such number of copies,  which may,  from time to time,  be
prescribed by law and which,  pursuant to applicable provisions of (a) an income
tax treaty  between the United  States and the country of  residence of the Bank
providing the form(s) or statement(s),  (b) the Code, or (c) any applicable rule
or regulation under the Code, permit the Borrower to make payments hereunder for
the account of such Bank free of deduction or  withholding  of income or similar
taxes.

               "Prime  Lending  Rate"  shall  mean  the  rate  which  the  Agent
announces  from time to time as its prime  commercial  lending  rate,  the Prime
Lending Rate to change when and as such prime  commercial  lending rate changes.
The Prime Lending Rate is a reference  rate and does not  necessarily  represent
the lowest or best rate  actually  charged to any  customer.  The Agent may make
commercial  loans or other  loans at rates of  interest  at,  above or below the
Prime Lending Rate.

               "Projections" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.10(e).

               "Rating Agencies" shall mean each of Moody's and S&P.

               "Reference  Banks"   shall   mean  Chase,  Fleet  Bank,  National
 Association and Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

               "Register" shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.06(d).


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<PAGE>

               "Regulated  Insurance  Company"  shall mean any Subsidiary of the
Borrower,  whether  now  owned or  hereafter  acquired,  that is  authorized  or
admitted to carry on or transact  Insurance  Business in any jurisdiction and is
regulated by the insurance  department or similar  regulatory  authority of such
jurisdiction.

               "Regulation D" shall mean  Regulation D of the Board of Governors
of the Federal  Reserve  System as from time to time in effect and any successor
to all or a portion thereof establishing reserve requirements.

               "Regulation U" shall mean  Regulation U of the Board of Governors
of the Federal  Reserve  System as from time to time in effect and any successor
to all or a portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

               "Reply Date" shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.04(b).

               "Reportable  Event"  shall  mean an event  described  in  Section
4043(b)  of  ERISA  with  respect  to a  Plan  as to  which  the  30-day  notice
requirement has not been waived by the PBGC.

               "Required  Banks"  shall  mean  Banks  having  Commitments  which
constitute  more than 50% of the  Total  Commitment,  PROVIDED  that at any time
after the Total Commitment has been terminated,  the "Required Banks" shall mean
Banks  whose Loans and  Competitive  Bid Loans  constitute  more than 50% of the
aggregate  principal  amount of Loans and Competitive  Bid Loans  outstanding at
such time.

               "Reuters  Screen" shall mean,  when used in  connection  with any
designated  page in determining  the applicable  Eurodollar Rate for an Interest
Period for a Competitive  Bid  Borrowing  that is a Spread  Borrowing  priced by
reference to the Eurodollar  Rate, the display page so designated on the Reuters
Monitor Money Rates Service (or such other page as may replace that page on that
service for the purpose of displaying comparable rates).

               "S&P" shall mean  Standard & Poor's  Rating  Group. a division of
the McGraw-Hill Industries, Inc., and its successors.

               "S&P  Credit  Rating"  shall  mean the  rating  level  (it  being
understood that a rating level shall include numerical modifiers and (+) and (-)
modifiers)  assigned  by S&P to  the  senior  unsecured  long-term  debt  of the
Borrower.

               "SAP"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to  any  Regulated  Insurance
Company, the accounting  procedures and practices prescribed or permitted by the
Applicable  Insurance  Regulatory Authority of the state in which such Regulated
Insurance   Company  is  domiciled;   it  being   understood   and  agreed  that
determinations  in  accordance  with SAP for  purposes  of Section 7,  including
defined terms as used therein,  are subject (to the extent provided  therein) to
Section 11.07(a).


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<PAGE>

               "SEC" shall mean the Securities and  Exchange  Commission  or any
successor thereto.

               "SEC Regulation D" shall mean  Regulation D as promulgated  under
the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  as the same may be in effect from time
to time.

               "Securitization  Subsidiaries"  shall mean (i) FFC,  (ii) each of
FFC's  Subsidiaries  (whether in existence on the  Effective  Date or created or
acquired  thereafter),  (iii) each other  Subsidiary of the Borrower  created or
acquired  after  the  Effective  Date  that  engages  in  asset   securitization
operations  or the  activities  of which are  limited  to  holding  the stock or
securities of another Subsidiary or Subsidiaries engaged in asset securitization
operations and (iv) any other Financial Services  Subsidiaries which enters into
asset securitization transactions after the Effective Date.

               "Seller" shall mean Talegen Holdings, Inc.

               "Spread"  shall mean a percentage per annum in excess of, or less
than, an Interest Rate Basis.

               "Spread  Borrowing"  shall mean a Competitive  Bid Borrowing with
respect to which the Borrower has  requested the Banks to make  Competitive  Bid
Loans at a Spread over or under a specified Interest Rate Basis.

               "Subsidiary"  of any  Person  shall  mean  and  include  (i)  any
corporation  more than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes  having by the
terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such
corporation  (irrespective  of  whether or not at the time stock of any class or
classes of such  corporation  shall have or might have voting power by reason of
the happening of any  contingency)  is at the time owned by such Person directly
or indirectly through Subsidiaries and (ii) any partnership,  association, joint
venture or other  entity in which such  Person  directly or  indirectly  through
Subsidiaries  has more than a 50% equity or voting interest at the time.  Unless
otherwise expressly provided, all references herein to "Subsidiary" shall mean a
Subsidiary of the Borrower.

               "Taxes" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.04.

               "Telerate  Page" shall  mean,  when used in  connection  with any
designated page number, the display page so designated on the Dow Jones Telerate
Service (or such other page as may replace  that page on that  service,  or such
other service as may be nominated as the information  vendor, for the purpose of
displaying rates or prices comparable to the Eurodollar Rate).

               "Thrift  Subsidiaries" shall mean (i) Investors Bancor, (ii) each
of Investors Bancor's  Subsidiaries  (whether in existence on the Effective Date
or created or acquired thereafter,  and in any event including FIL and FCMF) and
(iii) each other


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<PAGE>

Subsidiary of the Borrower  created or acquired  after the  Effective  Date that
engages in thrift  operations or the  activities of which are limited to holding
the stock or securities of another Subsidiary or Subsidiaries  engaged in thrift
operations.

               "TOPRS"  shall  mean the trust  originated  preferred  securities
issued  by the  TOPRS  Subsidiary,  the  proceeds  of which  were  loaned to the
Borrower.

               "TOPRS Debt" shall mean that certain indebtedness of the Borrower
owed to the TOPRS Subsidiary and incurred in connection with the issuance of the
TOPRS by the TOPRS Subsidiary.

               "TOPRS Subsidiary" shall mean that Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the
Borrower  which issued the TOPRS and loaned the proceeds  received  therefrom to
the Borrower.

               "Total  Capitalization" shall mean, at any time, the sum of Total
Funded  Indebtedness plus Consolidated Net Worth (which shall include solely for
this purpose the TOPRS Debt) at such time.

               "Total Commitment"  shall mean the sum of the Commitments of each
Bank.

               "Total  Funded  Indebtedness"  shall  mean,  at any  time,  Total
Indebtedness  at  such  time  less  any  portion  of  such  Total   Indebtedness
constituting Contingent Obligations.

               "Total  Indebtedness"  shall mean, at any time, all  Indebtedness
(including,  without  limitation,  the Borrower's Liquid Yield Option Notes, but
excluding the TOPRS Debt and any ESOP Loan) of the Borrower at such time.

               "Total  Unutilized  Commitment"  shall  mean at any  time for the
determination  thereof,  the Total  Commitment  less the  aggregate  outstanding
principal amount of all Loans at such time.

               "Transaction" shall mean, collectively, (i) the Acquisition, (ii)
the  refinancing of the Existing Credit  Agreements,  (iii) the entering into of
the Credit  Documents and the incurrence of Loans on the Initial  Borrowing Date
and (iv) the payment of all fees and expenses in connection with the foregoing.

               "Transaction Documents" shall mean the Acquisition Documents, the
Credit  Documents  and all  other  documents  effectuating  the  Transaction  or
executed in connection therewith.

               "Type" shall mean any type of Loan determined with respect to the
interest option applicable thereto, I.E., a Base Rate Loan or Eurodollar Loan.


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<PAGE>

               "UCC" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code.

               "Unfunded  Current  Liability" of any Plan shall mean the amount,
if any, by which the present value of the accrued benefits under such Plan as of
the close of its most  recent plan year  exceeds  the fair  market  value of the
assets allocable thereto, determined in accordance with Section 412 of the Code.

               "United  States"  and  "U.S."  shall  each mean the United States
of America.

               "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" of any Person shall mean any Subsidiary
of such  Person  to the  extent  all of the  capital  stock or  other  ownership
interests in such  Subsidiary,  other than  directors'  or nominees'  qualifying
shares, is owned directly or indirectly by such Person.

               "Written"  or  "in  writing"  shall  mean  any  form  of  written
communication or a communication by means of telex, facsimile device,  telegraph
or cable.

               SECTION 10.  THE AGENT

               10.01  APPOINTMENT.  Subject to the  provisions of Section 10.09,
each Bank hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Chase as Agent of such Bank
(such  term to  include,  for  purposes  of this  Section  10,  Chase  acting as
Collateral  Agent) to act as specified  herein and in the other Credit Documents
and each such Bank  hereby  irrevocably  authorizes  Chase as the Agent for such
Bank to take such action on its behalf under the  provisions  of this  Agreement
and the other  Credit  Documents  and to exercise  such powers and perform  such
duties as are  expressly  delegated to the Agent by the terms of this  Agreement
and  the  other  Credit  Documents,  together  with  such  other  powers  as are
reasonably  incidental thereto. The Agent agrees to act as such upon the express
conditions  contained in this Section 10.  Notwithstanding  any provision to the
contrary  elsewhere  in this  Agreement,  the Agent shall not have any duties or
responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein or in the other Credit
Documents,  or  any  fiduciary  relationship  with  any  Bank,  and  no  implied
covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall
be read into this Agreement or otherwise exist against the Agent. The provisions
of this  Section 10 are solely for the  benefit of the Agent and the Banks,  and
the  Borrower  shall have no rights as a third party  beneficiary  of any of the
provisions  hereof. In performing its functions and duties under this Agreement,
the Agent shall act solely as agent of the Banks and the Agent shall not assume,
nor shall it be deemed to have assumed, any obligation or relationship of agency
or trust with or for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

               10.02  DELEGATION  OF DUTIES.  The Agent may  execute  any of its
duties under this Agreement or any other Credit Document by or through agents or
attorneys-in-fact  and shall be  entitled  to advice of counsel  concerning  all
matters  pertaining to such duties.  The Agent shall not be responsible  for the
negligence or misconduct of


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<PAGE>

any agents or  attorneys-in-fact  selected by it with  reasonable care except to
the extent otherwise required by Section 10.03.

               10.03  EXCULPATORY  PROVISIONS.  Neither the Agent nor any of its
respective   officers,   directors,    employees,    representatives,    agents,
attorneys-in-fact  or  affiliates  shall be (i) liable  for any action  lawfully
taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person  under or in  connection  with
this Agreement  (except for its or such Person's own gross negligence or willful
misconduct)  or (ii)  responsible  in any  manner  to any of the  Banks  for any
recitals,  statements,  representations or warranties made by the Borrower,  any
Subsidiary or any of their respective officers contained in this Agreement,  any
other Credit Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document
referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agent under or in  connection
with,  this  Agreement  or any other  Credit  Document or for any failure of the
Borrower or any  Subsidiary or any of their  respective  officers to perform its
obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Agent shall not be under any obligation
to any Bank to ascertain or to inquire as to the  observance or  performance  of
any of the  agreements  contained in, or conditions  of, this  Agreement,  or to
inspect the properties,  books or records of the Borrower or any Subsidiary. The
Agent shall not be responsible to any Bank for the effectiveness (other than its
own  execution),   genuineness,  validity,  enforceability,   collectibility  or
sufficiency of this Agreement or any Credit Document or for any representations,
warranties, recitals or statements made herein or therein or made in any written
or oral statement or in any financial or other statements, instruments, reports,
certificates  or  any  other  documents  in  connection  herewith  or  therewith
furnished  or made by the Agent to the Banks or by or on behalf of the  Borrower
to the  Agent or any Bank or be  required  to  ascertain  or  inquire  as to the
performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants
or  agreements  contained  herein or therein or as to the use of the proceeds of
the Loans or Competitive Bid Loans or of the existence or possible  existence of
any Default or Event of Default.

               10.04 RELIANCE BY AGENT. The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and
shall be fully protected in relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice,
consent, certificate,  affidavit, letter, cablegram,  telegram, facsimile, telex
or teletype message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed
by it to be genuine  and correct  and to have been  signed,  sent or made by the
proper  Person or  Persons  and upon  advice  and  statements  of legal  counsel
(including,   without   limitation,   counsel  to  the  Borrower),   independent
accountants  and other experts  selected by the Agent.  The Agent shall be fully
justified  in failing or refusing  to take or continue to take any action  under
this Agreement or any other Credit  Document  unless it shall first receive such
advice or concurrence of the Required Banks as it deems  appropriate or it shall
first be  indemnified  to its  satisfaction  by the  Banks  against  any and all
liability  and  expense  which  may be  incurred  by it by  reason  of taking or
continuing  to take any  such  action.  The  Agent  shall in all  cases be fully
protected in acting, or in refraining from acting,  under this Agreement and the
other Credit  Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Banks,  (or
to the extent  specifically  provided in Section 11.11, all the


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<PAGE>

Banks), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto
shall be binding upon all the Banks.


               10.05  NOTICE OF  DEFAULT.  The Agent shall not be deemed to have
knowledge  or  notice  of the  occurrence  of any  Default  or Event of  Default
hereunder  unless  the Agent has  received  notice  from a Bank or the  Borrower
referring  to this  Agreement,  describing  such Default or Event of Default and
stating that such notice is a "notice of  default".  In the event that the Agent
receives such a notice, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Banks.
The Agent  shall  take such  action  with  respect  to such  Default or Event of
Default as shall be reasonably  directed by the Required  Banks,  PROVIDED that,
unless and until the Agent shall have  received such  directions,  the Agent may
(but shall not be obligated  to) take such  action,  or refrain from taking such
action,  with  respect  to such  Default  or Event of  Default  as it shall deem
advisable in the best interests of the Banks.

               10.06  NON-RELIANCE ON AGENT AND OTHER BANKS. Each Bank expressly
acknowledges  that  neither  the  Agent  nor  any  of its  respective  officers,
directors, employees, agents,  representatives,  attorneys-in-fact or affiliates
has made any  representations  or  warranties to it and that no act by the Agent
hereinafter  taken,  including  any review of the affairs of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary,  shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the
Agent to any Bank. Each Bank represents to the Agent that it has,  independently
and  without  reliance  upon the  Agent or any  other  Bank,  and  based on such
documents and information as it has deemed  appropriate,  made its own appraisal
of  and  investigation  into  the  businesses,  assets,  operations,   property,
financial and other conditions,  prospects and  creditworthiness of the Borrower
and its  Subsidiaries  and  made its own  decision  to make  its  Loans  and its
Competitive Bid Loans  hereunder and enter into this  Agreement.  Each Bank also
represents that it will,  independently  and without  reliance upon the Agent or
any other Bank,  and based on such  documents and  information  as it shall deem
appropriate at the time,  continue to make its own credit  analysis,  appraisals
and decisions in taking or not taking action under this  Agreement,  and to make
such  investigation  as it deems  necessary to inform itself as to the business,
assets,  operations,  property,  financial and other  conditions,  prospects and
creditworthiness  of the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries.  Except for  notices,
reports and other documents  expressly  required to be furnished to the Banks by
the Agent  hereunder,  the Agent  shall not have any duty or  responsibility  to
provide any Bank with any credit or other information concerning the businesses,
operations,  assets,  property,  financial  and other  conditions,  prospects or
creditworthiness  of the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  which  may come into the
possession of the Agent or any of its officers,  directors,  employees,  agents,
representatives, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

               10.07 INDEMNIFICATION.  The Banks agree to indemnify the Agent in
its capacity as such ratably according to their respective "percentages" as used
in  determining  the  Required  Banks at such time from and  against any and all
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs,  reasonable


                                       68

<PAGE>

expenses  or  disbursements  of any  kind  whatsoever  which  may  at  any  time
(including,  without  limitation,  at any  time  following  the  payment  of the
Obligations)  be imposed on,  incurred  by or asserted  against the Agent in its
capacity as such in any way relating to or arising out of this  Agreement or any
other Credit Document, or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or
the transactions  contemplated hereby or any action taken or omitted to be taken
by the Agent under or in connection  with any of the foregoing,  but only to the
extent  that  any of the  foregoing  is not paid by the  Borrower  or any of its
Subsidiaries, PROVIDED that no Bank shall be liable to the Agent for the payment
of any portion of such liabilities,  obligations,  losses,  damages,  penalties,
actions,  judgments,  suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the
gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent. If any indemnity  furnished
to the Agent for any purpose shall,  in the opinion of the Agent be insufficient
or become  impaired,  the Agent may call for additional  indemnity and cease, or
not commence, to do the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity
is furnished.  The agreements in this Section 10.07 shall survive the payment of
all Obligations.


               10.08  AGENT  IN ITS  INDIVIDUAL  CAPACITY.  The  Agent  and  its
affiliates may make loans to, accept  deposits from and generally  engage in any
kind of business  with the Borrower and its  Affiliates as though the Agent were
not the Agent  hereunder.  With respect to the Loans and  Competitive  Bid Loans
made by it and all Obligations owing to it, the Agent shall have the same rights
and powers under this  Agreement as any Bank and may exercise the same as though
it were not the Agent and the terms "Bank" and "Banks"  shall  include the Agent
in its individual capacity.

               10.09  RESIGNATION OF THE AGENT;  SUCCESSOR  AGENT. The Agent may
resign as the Agent upon 20 days' notice to the Banks.  Upon the  resignation of
the Agent,  the  Required  Banks shall  appoint from among the Banks a successor
Agent for the Banks subject to prior  approval by the Borrower,  whereupon  such
successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Agent, and
the  term  "Agent"  shall  include  such  successor  agent  effective  upon  its
appointment,  and the resigning  Agent's rights,  powers and duties as the Agent
shall be  terminated,  without  any other or further  act or deed on the part of
such former Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement. After the resignation
of the Agent  hereunder,  the  provisions  of this Section 10 shall inure to its
benefit  as to any  actions  taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was the
Agent under this Agreement.

               SECTION 11.  MISCELLANEOUS

               11.01  PAYMENT OF  EXPENSES,  ETC.  The  Borrower  agrees to: (i)
whether or not the transactions  herein  contemplated  are consummated,  pay all
reasonable  out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Agent in connection with the
negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of the Credit Documents and the
documents  and  instruments  referred  to therein and any  amendment,  waiver or
consent relating thereto (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
disbursements  of  White & Case)  and of the  Agent  and  each of the  Banks  in
connection  with the  enforcement of the Credit  Docu-


                                       69

<PAGE>

ments and the documents and instruments referred to therein (including,  without
limitation,  the reasonable fees and  disbursements of counsel for the Agent and
for each of the Banks);  (ii) pay and hold each of the Banks  harmless  from and
against  any and all  present  and  future  stamp and other  similar  taxes with
respect to the  foregoing  matters and save each of the Banks  harmless from and
against any and all  liabilities  with respect to or resulting from any delay or
omission (other than to the extent attributable to such Bank) to pay such taxes;
and (iii)  indemnify  the Agent and each Bank,  and their  respective  officers,
directors,  employees,  representatives  and  agents  from and hold each of them
harmless against any and all losses,  liabilities,  claims,  damages or expenses
incurred by any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or in any way related
to, or by reason of, any investigation,  litigation or other proceeding (whether
or not the Agent or any Bank is a party  thereto)  related to the entering  into
and/or  performance  of any Credit  Document  or the use of the  proceeds of any
Loans or  Competitive  Bid  Loans  hereunder  or the  consummation  of any other
transactions contemplated in any Credit Document, including, without limitation,
the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel incurred in connection with any
such  investigation,  litigation  or other  proceeding  (but  excluding any such
losses,  liabilities,  claims,  damages or  expenses  to the extent  incurred by
reason  of the  gross  negligence  or  willful  misconduct  of the  Person to be
indemnified).

               11.02 RIGHT OF SETOFF. In addition to any rights now or hereafter
granted under  applicable law or otherwise,  and not by way of limitation of any
such rights,  upon the  occurrence  of an Event of Default,  each Bank is hereby
authorized  at any  time or from  time to  time,  without  presentment,  demand,
protest or other notice of any kind to the Borrower or to any other Person,  any
such notice being hereby  expressly  waived,  to set off and to appropriate  and
apply any and all deposits  (general or special) and any other  Indebtedness  at
any time held or owing by such Bank (including,  without limitation, by branches
and agencies of such Bank wherever  located) to or for the credit or the account
of the Borrower against and on account of the Obligations and liabilities of the
Borrower  to such Bank under  this  Agreement  or under any of the other  Credit
Documents,  including,  without limitation,  all interests in Obligations of the
Borrower  purchased  by such Bank  pursuant to Section  11.06(b),  and all other
claims of any  nature  or  description  arising  out of or  connected  with this
Agreement  or any  other  Credit  Document,  which  are  then  due  and  payable
irrespective of whether or not such Bank shall have made any demand hereunder.

               11. 03 NOTICES.  Except as otherwise  expressly  provided herein,
all notices and other communications  provided for hereunder shall be in writing
(including  telegraphic,  telex,  facsimile or cable  communication) and mailed,
telegraphed,  telexed,  telecopied,  cabled or delivered, if to the Borrower, at
the address  specified  opposite its  signature  below;  if to any Bank,  at its
address specified for such Bank on Annex II hereto; or, at such other address as
shall be  designated  by any  party in a written  notice  to the  other  parties
hereto.  All such  notices  and  communications  shall be  mailed,  telegraphed,
telexed, telecopied,  cabled or sent by overnight courier and shall be effective
when received.


                                       70

<PAGE>

               11.04 BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT.  (a) This Agreement  shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors
and assigns of the parties hereto;  PROVIDED that the Borrower may not assign or
transfer any of its rights or  obligations  hereunder  without the prior written
consent of the Banks.  Each Bank may at any time grant  participations in any of
its rights hereunder or under any of its Notes to another financial institution;
PROVIDED that in the case of any such  participation,  the participant shall not
have any rights under this  Agreement or any of the other Credit  Documents (the
participant's  rights against such Bank in respect of such  participation  to be
those  set  forth  in the  agreement  executed  by  such  Bank in  favor  of the
participant  relating thereto) and all amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder
shall be determined as if such Bank had not sold such participation, except that
the  participant  shall be  entitled  to receive the  additional  amounts  under
Sections 1.11, 1.12 and 3.04 to, and only to, the extent that such Bank would be
entitled to such  benefits if the  participation  had not been  entered  into or
sold;  and  PROVIDED  FURTHER that no Bank shall  transfer,  grant or assign any
participation  under  which the  participant  shall have  rights to approve  any
amendment to or waiver of this Agreement or any other Credit  Document except to
the  extent  such  amendment  or waiver  would (i)  extend  the final  scheduled
maturity of any Loan or Competitive  Bid Loan or Note in which such  participant
is  participating  or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of  interest
thereon  (except  in  connection  with  a  waiver  of the  applicability  of any
post-default increase in interest rates) or Fees, or reduce the principal amount
thereof,  or increase the Commitment in which such  participant is participating
over the amount thereof then in effect (it being understood that a waiver of any
Default or Event of Default or of a mandatory  reduction in the Total Commitment
or of a mandatory  prepayment  shall not constitute a change in the terms of any
Commitment and that an increase in any Commitment shall be permitted without the
consent of any participant  therein if such  participant's  participation is not
increased as a result  thereof),  (ii) release all or  substantially  all of the
Collateral  (except as  expressly  provided  in the Credit  Documents)  or (iii)
consent to the  assignment  or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights and
obligations  under  this  Agreement  or any  other  Credit  Document  except  in
accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

               (b) Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  any Bank may assign all or a
portion of its Commitment,  and its rights and obligations hereunder,  to one or
more  commercial  banks or other financial  institutions  (including one or more
Banks);  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that no Bank may effect such an assignment without
the prior  written  consent  of the  Borrower  and the  Agent,  neither of which
consents  will be  unreasonably  withheld.  No  assignment of less than all of a
Bank's  Commitment  and its rights and  obligations  hereunder  pursuant  to the
immediately preceding sentence shall, to the extent such transaction  represents
an assignment to an institution other than one or more Banks hereunder, be in an
aggregate amount less than the minimum of $10,000,000.  Each assignment shall be
of a constant,  and not a varying  percentage,  of all of the  assigning  Bank's
rights and obligations under this Agreement. If any Bank so sells or assigns all
or a part of its  Commitment  and its rights  hereunder or under the Notes,  any
reference in this Agreement or the Notes to such assigning Bank shall thereafter
refer  to such


                                       71

<PAGE>

Bank and to the respective assignee to the extent of their respective  interests
and the respective assignee shall have, to the extent of such assignment (unless
otherwise provided therein), the same rights and benefits as it would if it were
such assigning Bank. Each assignment  pursuant to this Section 11.04(b) shall be
effected by the assigning Bank and the assignee Bank executing an Assignment and
Assumption  Agreement  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  F  (appropriately
completed).  At the time of any such assignment,  (i) Annex I shall be deemed to
be amended to reflect the  Commitment of the  respective  assignee  (which shall
result in a direct reduction to the Commitment of the assigning Bank) and of the
other Banks, (ii) if any such assignment occurs after the Effective Date, at the
request of the assignor or the assignee the Borrower will issue new Notes to the
respective   assignee  and  to  the  assigning  Bank  in  conformity   with  the
requirements  of  Section  1.06 and  (iii)  the  Agent  shall  receive  from the
assigning Bank and/or the assignee Bank or financial  institution at the time of
each  assignment the payment of a nonrefundable  assignment fee of $3,000.  Each
Bank and the  Borrower  agrees to execute  such  documents  (including,  without
limitation,  amendments  to this  Agreement  and the other Credit  Documents) as
shall be necessary to effect the foregoing at the expense of the assignee  Bank.
Promptly  following  any  assignment  pursuant  to this  Section  11.04(b),  the
assigning Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Agent thereof. Nothing
in this Section 11.04 shall prevent or prohibit any Bank from pledging its Loans
or Competitive Bid Loans or Notes hereunder to a Federal Reserve Bank in support
of borrowings made by such Bank from such Federal Reserve Bank.

               11.05 NO WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.  No failure or delay on the
part of the  Agent or any  Bank in  exercising  any  right,  power or  privilege
hereunder  or under any other Credit  Document and no course of dealing  between
the Borrower and the Agent or any Bank shall  operate as a waiver  thereof;  nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege  hereunder
or under any other  Credit  Document  preclude  any  other or  further  exercise
thereof or the  exercise of any other  right,  power or  privilege  hereunder or
thereunder. The rights and remedies herein expressly provided are cumulative and
not  exclusive  of any  rights or  remedies  which  the Agent or any Bank  would
otherwise have. No notice to or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle
the  Borrower  to any other or  further  notice or  demand in  similar  or other
circumstances  or constitute a waiver of the rights of the Agent or the Banks to
any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.

               11.06 PAYMENTS PRO RATA. (a) The Agent agrees that promptly after
its receipt of each  payment from or on behalf of the Borrower in respect of any
Obligations  of the  Borrower,  it shall  distribute  such  payment to the Banks
(other than any Bank that has  consented  in writing to waive its PRO RATA share
of such  payment) PRO RATA based upon their  respective  shares,  if any, of the
Obligations with respect to which such payment was received.

               (b) Each of the  Banks  agrees  that,  if it should  receive  any
amount hereunder (whether by voluntary payment, by realization upon security, by
the exercise


                                       72

<PAGE>

of the right of setoff or banker's lien, by counterclaim or cross action, by the
enforcement  of any right under the Credit  Documents,  or  otherwise)  which is
applicable  to the payment of the  principal  of, or  interest  on, the Loans or
Competitive Bid Loans or Fees, of a sum which with respect to the related sum or
sums received by other Banks is in a greater  proportion  than the total of such
Obligation  then owed and due to such Bank bears to the total of such Obligation
then owed and due to all of the Banks  immediately  prior to such receipt,  then
such Bank receiving such excess payment shall purchase for cash without recourse
or warranty from the other Banks an interest in the  Obligations of the Borrower
to such Banks in such amount as shall result in a proportional  participation by
all of the Banks in such  amount,  PROVIDED  that if all or any  portion of such
excess amount is thereafter  recovered  from such Bank,  such purchase  shall be
rescinded and the purchase price  restored to the extent of such  recovery,  but
without interest.

               11.07 CALCULATIONS; COMPUTATIONS. (a) The financial statements to
be  furnished  to the  Banks  pursuant  hereto  shall  be made and  prepared  in
accordance with GAAP or SAP, as the case may be, consistently applied throughout
the periods  involved  (except as set forth in the notes thereto or as otherwise
disclosed  in writing by the  Borrower to the  Banks).  In  addition,  except as
otherwise specifically provided herein, all computations  determining compliance
with Section 7, including  definitions  used therein,  shall utilize  accounting
principles  and policies in effect from time to time;  PROVIDED that if any such
accounting  principle or policy (whether GAAP or SAP or both) shall change after
the Effective  Date,  the Borrower shall give prompt notice thereof to the Agent
and each of the Banks and if within 30 days  following such notice the Borrower,
the Agent or the  Required  Banks shall elect by giving  written  notice of such
election to the other parties hereto, such computations shall not give effect to
such change unless and until this Agreement shall be amended pursuant to Section
11.11 to give effect to such change.

               (b) All  computations  of interest  and Facility  Fees  hereunder
shall be made on the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days.

               11.08 GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION;  VENUE. (a) THIS
AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT  DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS AND  OBLIGATIONS OF THE
PARTIES  HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER  SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH AND BE
GOVERNED  BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  Any legal  action or  proceeding
with respect to this  Agreement  or any other Credit  Document may be brought in
the  courts of the State of New York or of the United  States  for the  Southern
District of New York,  and, by  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement,  the
Borrower hereby  irrevocably  accepts for itself and in respect of its property,
generally and  unconditionally,  the jurisdiction of the aforesaid  courts.  The
Borrower  hereby  irrevocably  designates,  appoints and empowers CT Corporation
System,  with offices on the date hereof at 1633  Broadway,  New York,  New York
10019 as its designee,  appointee and agent to receive,  accept and  acknowledge
for and on its behalf,  and in respect of its


                                       73


<PAGE>

property,  service of any and all legal process,  summons, notices and documents
which may be served in any such action or  proceeding.  The Agent  agrees to use
reasonable  good faith efforts to mail, by registered or certified  mail, to the
Borrower,  at its address set forth opposite its signature below,  copies of any
correspondence  mailed or delivered to CT Corporation  System in connection with
the immediately preceding sentence;  PROVIDED that no failure of the Borrower to
receive,  for any reason,  copies of such correspondence shall in any way affect
the  effectiveness  of the  delivery of any legal  process,  summons,  notice or
documents  delivered to CT Corporation  System. If for any reason such designee,
appointee  and agent shall cease to be  available  to act as such,  the Borrower
agrees to designate a new designee,  appointee and agent in New York City on the
terms and for the  purposes of this  provision  satisfactory  to the Agent.  The
Borrower  further  irrevocably  consents to the service of process out of any of
the  aforementioned  courts in any such action or  proceeding  by the mailing of
copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Borrower
at its address for notices  pursuant to Section  11.03,  such  service to become
effective 30 days after such mailing.  Nothing  herein shall affect the right of
the Agent or any Bank to serve  process in any other manner  permitted by law or
to commence legal  proceedings or otherwise  proceed against the Borrower in any
other jurisdiction.

               (b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives any objection which it
may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions
or proceedings  arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any other
Credit Document brought in the courts referred to in clause (a) above and hereby
further  irrevocably  waives  and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court
that any such action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in
an inconvenient forum.

               11.09 COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts  and by the different  parties hereto on separate  counterparts,
each of which when so executed and  delivered  shall be an original,  but all of
which  shall  together  constitute  one  and  the  same  instrument.  A  set  of
counterparts  executed  by all the  parties  hereto  shall  be  lodged  with the
Borrower and the Agent.

               11.10 EFFECTIVENESS. This Agreement shall become effective on the
date (the  "Effective  Date") on which the  Borrower,  the Agent and each of the
Banks shall have signed a  counterpart  hereof  (whether  the same or  different
counterparts)  and shall have delivered  (including by way of facsimile  device)
the same to the Agent at its Notice  Office or, in the case of the Banks,  shall
have given to the Agent  telephonic  (confirmed  in  writing),  written or telex
notice  (actually  received)  at such  office  that the same has been signed and
mailed to it.  The Agent will give the  Borrower  and each Bank  prompt  written
notice of the occurrence of the Effective Date.

               11.11  AMENDMENT OR WAIVER.  Neither this Agreement nor any other
Credit  Document  nor any  terms  hereof  or  thereof  may be  changed,  waived,
discharged or terminated unless such change, waiver, discharge or termination is
in writing signed


                                       74

<PAGE>

by the Borrower and the Required  Banks,  PROVIDED that no such change,  waiver,
discharge  or  termination  shall,  without  the  consent of each Bank  affected
thereby,  (i) extend any date fixed for any payment of  principal of any Loan or
Competitive Bid Loan or Note or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of
interest thereon or Fees or reduce the principal amount thereof, or increase the
Commitment  of any  Bank  over the  amount  thereof  then in  effect  (it  being
understood that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default shall not constitute
a change in the terms of any  Commitment  of any Bank),  (ii) release any of the
Collateral (except as expressly provided in the Credit Documents),  (iii) amend,
modify or waive any  provision  of this  Section,  (iv)  reduce  any  percentage
specified  in, or otherwise  modify,  the  definition  of Required  Banks or any
provision  of this  Agreement  specifying  the  number  or  percentage  of Banks
required  to take any  action  hereunder  or (v)  consent to the  assignment  or
transfer  by the  Borrower  of any of its  rights  and  obligations  under  this
Agreement or any other Credit Document.  No provision of Section 10 or any other
term or  provision  relating  to the rights or  obligations  of the Agent may be
amended without the consent of the Agent.

               11.12  SURVIVAL.  All  indemnities  set forth  herein  including,
without  limitation,  in Section 1.11,  1.12, 3.04, 10.07 or 11.01 shall survive
the  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement  and the making of the Loans and
Competitive  Bid Loans,  the repayment of the Obligations and the termination of
the Total Commitment.

               11.13 DOMICILE OF LOANS.  Subject to Section 11.04, each Bank may
transfer and carry its Loans and Competitive Bid Loans at, to or for the account
of any branch  office,  subsidiary or affiliate of such Bank,  PROVIDED that the
Borrower shall not be  responsible  for costs arising under Section 1.11 or 3.04
resulting from any such transfer to the extent not otherwise  applicable to such
Bank prior to such transfer.

               11.14  CONFIDENTIALITY.  Each  Bank  shall  hold  all  non-public
information  furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower in  connection  with such
Bank's evaluation of whether to become a Bank hereunder or obtained by such Bank
pursuant to the  requirements  of this  Agreement,  which has been identified as
such by the Borrower,  in accordance  with its customary  procedure for handling
confidential  information  of this nature and in accordance  with safe and sound
banking or lending  practices  and in any event may make  disclosure  reasonably
required by any bona fide actual or  contemplated  transferee or  participant in
connection with an actual or  contemplated  transfer of any Loans or Competitive
Bid  Loans  or  participation  therein  or  as  required  or  requested  by  any
governmental agency or representative thereof or pursuant to legal process or to
such Bank's  attorneys or  independent  auditors or  affiliates;  PROVIDED  that
unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court order, each Bank shall
notify the Borrower of any request or requirement by any governmental  agency or
representative thereof (other than any such request or requirement in connection
with an examination of the financial condition of such Bank by such governmental
agency) or  pursuant  to legal  process for  disclosure  of any such  non-public
information prior to disclosure of such information;  and PROVIDED FURTHER, that
in no event shall any Bank be  obligated  or


                                       75

<PAGE>

required to return any materials  furnished by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
the Borrower.

               11.15 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT
HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING
OR COUNTERCLAIM  ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT,  THE OTHER CREDIT
DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

               11.16 HEADINGS DESCRIPTIVE.  The headings of the several sections
and  subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience  only and  shall
not in any way  affect the  meaning or  construction  of any  provision  of this
Agreement.

               IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the  parties  hereto  has caused a
counterpart  of this  Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date
first above written.








                                       76


<PAGE>



ADDRESS:


2020 Santa Monica Boulevard                FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION
Santa Monica, CA  904004
Telephone: (310) 315-5500
Telecopy:  (310) 315-5594                  By  /S/ WAYNE R. BAILEY
                                           ------------------------------------
Attn:                                      Title: Executive Vice President
                                           Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer


                                           THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                           Individually and as Agent


                                           By  /S/ HEATHER LINDSTROM
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Title: Vice President


                                           CREDIT LYONNAIS SAN FRANCISCO
                                           BRANCH


                                           By  /S/ EDWARD W. LEONG
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Title: Vice President & Manager





                                       77

<PAGE>




                                            DRESDNER BANK AG, NEW YORK
                                            BRANCH


                                            By  /S/ LLOYD C. STEVENS

                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Vice President

                                            By /S/ ROBERT P. DONOHUE
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Vice President


                                            THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
                                            CHICAGO



                                            By /S/ KAREN J. MUCKIN
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Assistant Vice President


                                            WELLS FARGO BANK N.A.


                                            By /S/ DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Vice President


                                            By /S/ RACHEL T. VYAMA
                                           -------------------------------------
                                            Title:  Assistant Vice President



                                            FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK


                                            By /S/ GAIL M. GOLIGHTLY

                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Senior Vice President


                                            FLEET BANK, NATIONAL
                                             ASSOCIATION

                                            By /S/ DAVID A. ALBANESI
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Vice President


                                       78


<PAGE>



                                            UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.


                                            By /S/ KRISTINE A. KASSELMAN
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Vice President


                                            DEUTSCHE BANK AG, New York and/or
                                            Cayman Island Branches


                                            By /S/ LOUIS CALTAVUTURO
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title:  Vice President


                                            By /S/ JOHN S. MCGILL
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Vice President


                                            BANK OF MONTREAL


                                            By /S/ CHARLES W. REED
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Director


                                            THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                                            By /S/ MICHAEL E. MURRAY
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Assistant Vice President


                                            THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA


                                            By /S/ M. VAN OTTERLOU
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Senior Relationship Manager


                                       79

<PAGE>




                                            CIBC INC.


                                            By /S/ GERALD J. GIRARDI
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Director, CIBC Wood Gundy
                                            Securities Corp., as Agent


                                            THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN,
                                             LIMITED, LOS ANGELES AGENCY


                                            By /S/ VICENTE L. TIMIRAOS
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Senior Vice President &
                                                   Senior Manager


                                            LASALLE NATIONAL BANK


                                            By /S/ JANET R. GATES
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: First Vice President


                                            SAKURA BANK LTD.
                                            


                                            By /S/ OFUSA SATO
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Senior Vice President &
                                            Assistant General Manager


                                            THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED

                                            By /S/ GORO HIRAI
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Joint General Manager



                                       80




<PAGE>




                                            SUNTRUST BANK, CENTRAL
                                             FLORIDA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                            By /S/ JANET P. SAMMONS
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Title: Vice President







                                       81


<PAGE>



                                                                        ANNEX I



                          LIST OF BANKS AND COMMITMENTS



        NAME OF BANK                                            COMMITMENT
        ------------                                           ------------
The Chase Manhattan Bank                                       $ 25,000,000
Credit Lyonnais San Francisco Branch                             25,000,000
Dresdner Bank AG, New York Branch and Grand                      25,000,000
  Cayman Branch
The First National Bank of Chicago                               25,000,000
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.                                           25,000,000
First Union National Bank                                        25,000,000
Fleet Bank, National Association                                 25,000,000
Union Bank of California, N.A.                                   25,000,000
Deutsche Bank AG, New York and/or Cayman Island
  Branches                                                       20,000,000
Bank of Montreal                                                 20,000,000
The Bank of New York                                             20,000,000
The Bank of Nova Scotia                                          20,000,000
CIBC Inc.                                                        20,000,000
The Industrial Bank of Japan                                     20,000,000
Lasalle National Bank                                            20,000,000
Sakura Bank Ltd.                                                 20,000,000
The Sumitomo Bank, Limited                                       20,000,000
Suntrust Bank, Central Florida, National Association             20,000,000

                                                               ---------------
Total:                                                          $400,000,000.00
                                                               ===============




<PAGE>

                                                                      EXHIBIT E
                                                         [Conformed as Executed]



                     SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED PLEDGE AGREEMENT


               SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED PLEDGE AGREEMENT,  dated as of August
1, 1997  (this  "Agreement"),  made by  FREMONT  GENERAL  CORPORATION,  a Nevada
corporation (the "Pledgor"), in favor of THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Collateral
Agent (the  "Pledgee") for the benefit of the Secured  Creditors (as hereinafter
defined).  Except as otherwise defined herein,  terms used herein and defined in
the New Credit Agreement shall be used herein as therein defined.


                              W I T N E S S E T H :


               WHEREAS,  the Pledgor,  various  financial  institutions  and The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as Agent, have entered into an Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement,  dated as of August 24, 1995 (as amended, modified or supplemented to
the date hereof, the "Existing Credit Agreement");

               WHEREAS, the Pledgor, various financial institutions from time to
time party thereto (the  "Banks"),  and The Chase  Manhattan Bank (the "Agent"),
have  entered into a Credit  Agreement,  dated as of August 1, 1997 (as amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time, the "New Credit Agreement");

               WHEREAS,  in connection with the execution of the Existing Credit
Agreement,  the Pledgor and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Collateral Agent and as
Pledgee  entered  into an Amended and  Restated  Pledge  Agreement,  dated as of
August 24, 1995 (as amended,  modified or  supplemented  from time to time,  the
"Existing Pledge Agreement");

               WHEREAS,  proceeds of Loans under the New Credit Agreement are to
be used in part to refinance all indebtedness and commitments under the Existing
Credit Agreement;

               WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the making of Loans under
the New Credit Agreement that the Pledgor shall have executed and delivered this
Agreement; and

               WHEREAS,   the  Pledgor  desires  to  execute  and  deliver  this
Agreement


<PAGE>


 to satisfy the condition described in the preceding paragraph;

               NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the benefits accruing to the
Pledgor,  the  receipt and  sufficiency  of which are hereby  acknowledged,  the
Pledgor hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the Pledgee
for the benefit of the Secured  Creditors  and hereby  covenants and agrees with
the Pledgee for the benefit of the Secured Creditors as follows:

               1.  SECURITY  FOR  OBLIGATIONS.  This  Agreement  is  made by the
Pledgor  for the  benefit  of the Banks and the Agent  (collectively,  the "Bank
Creditors") and any Bank (or any affiliate of any Bank) that has entered into or
enters into an Interest Rate  Protection  Agreement or Other  Hedging  Agreement
with the Pledgor (any such Bank or  affiliate  thereof  (even if the  respective
Bank ceases to be a "Bank" under the New Credit  Agreement  for any reason),  an
"Other  Creditor"  and,  together  with the Bank  Creditors,  collectively,  the
"Secured Creditors"; and any such agreement, a "Hedging Agreement") to secure:

               (i) the full and prompt  payment  when due (whether at the stated
        maturity,  by  acceleration  or  otherwise)  of (x) the principal of and
        interest  on the Notes  issued by,  and the Loans  made to, the  Pledgor
        under  the  New  Credit  Agreement  and (y) all  other  obligations  and
        indebtedness  (including,  without  limitation,  indemnities,  Fees  and
        interest  thereon) of the Pledgor,  now  existing or hereafter  incurred
        under, arising out of or in connection with the New Credit Agreement and
        the other Credit Documents and the due performance and compliance by the
        Pledgor  with the terms of the  Credit  Documents  (all such  principal,
        interest, obligations and liabilities under this clause (i) being herein
        collectively called the "Credit Agreement Obligations");

                (ii) the full and prompt payment when due (whether at the stated
        maturity,   by   acceleration  or  otherwise)  of  all  obligations  and
        liabilities  owing by the Pledgor to the Other Creditors  under, or with
        respect to, any Hedging  Agreement whether such Hedging Agreement is now
        in  existence  or  hereafter  arising,   and  the  due  performance  and
        compliance  by the Pledgor with the terms of such  agreements  (all such
        obligations  and  liabilities   under  this  clause  (ii)  being  herein
        collectively called the "Other Obligations");

               (iii)  any and all  sums  advanced  by the  Pledgee  in  order to
        preserve  the  Collateral  (as  hereinafter  defined) or to preserve its
        security interest in the Collateral (as hereinafter defined); and


                                       2

<PAGE>


                (iv)  in the  event  of any  proceeding  for the  collection  or
        enforcement  of any  indebtedness,  obligations,  or  liabilities of the
        Pledgor  referred to in clauses (i),  (ii) and (iii),  after a Specified
        Event of Default shall have occurred and be  continuing,  the reasonable
        expenses of retaking,  holding,  preparing for sale or lease, selling or
        otherwise  disposing of or realizing on the Collateral  (as  hereinafter
        defined),  or of any  exercise by the  Pledgee of its rights  hereunder,
        together with reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs;

all such  obligations,  liabilities,  sums and expenses set forth in clauses (i)
through (iv) of this Section 1 being collectively  called the "Obligations".  As
used herein,  the term  "Specified  Event of Default" shall mean (i) an Event of
Default or (ii) a default in the payment when due of any Other Obligation.

               2.  DEFINITION OF STOCK.  As used herein,  the term "Stock" shall
mean all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock at any time owned
by the Pledgor of Fremont  Compensation  Insurance  Group,  Inc.  ("FCIG").  The
Pledgor  represents  and warrants  that on the date hereof (a) the Stock held by
the Pledgor  consists of the number and type of shares as  described  in Annex A
hereto;  (b) the  Pledgor is the holder of record and sole  beneficial  owner of
such  Stock;  (c) such  Stock  constitutes  that  percentage  of the  issued and
outstanding  capital stock of FCIG as is set forth in Annex A hereto; and (d) on
the date hereof, the Pledgor owns no other Stock.

               3.  PLEDGE OF STOCK, ETC.

               3.1 PLEDGE.  To secure the  Obligations  and for the purposes set
forth in Section 1, the  Pledgor  hereby:  (i) grants to the  Pledgee a security
interest in all of the Collateral (as hereinafter defined) owned by the Pledgor;
(ii)  pledges and  deposits as security  with the Pledgee all Stock owned by the
Pledgor  on the  date  hereof,  and  delivers  to the  Pledgee  certificates  or
instruments therefor, accompanied by undated stock powers duly executed in blank
by the Pledgor,  or such other  instruments of transfer as are acceptable to the
Pledgee; (iii) assigns,  transfers,  hypothecates,  mortgages,  charges and sets
over to the Pledgee all of the Pledgor's right, title and interest in and to the
Stock (and in and to the certificates  evidencing the Stock),  to be held by the
Pledgee,  upon the terms and  conditions  set forth in this  Agreement  and (iv)
confirms,  ratifies and affirms all actions  heretofore taken in connection with
the Existing  Pledge  Agreement to  accomplish  any of the foregoing and further
acknowledges that any Stock heretofore pledged thereunder shall for all purposes
be deemed to be pledged pursuant to this Agreement.

               3.2 SUBSEQUENTLY ACQUIRED STOCK. If the Pledgor shall acquire (by


 
                                     3


<PAGE>


purchase,  stock dividend or otherwise) any additional Stock at any time or from
time to time  after the date  hereof,  the  Pledgor  will  forthwith  pledge and
deposit such Stock (or certificates or instruments  representing  such Stock) as
security  with the Pledgee and deliver to the Pledgee  certificates  therefor or
instruments thereof, accompanied by undated stock powers duly executed in blank,
or such other instruments of transfer as are acceptable to the Pledgee, and will
promptly thereafter deliver to the Pledgee a certificate executed by a principal
executive  officer of the Pledgor  describing such Stock and certifying that the
same has been duly pledged with the Pledgee hereunder.

               3.3  UNCERTIFICATED  STOCK.   Notwithstanding   anything  to  the
contrary  contained  in Sections  3.1 and 3.2, if any Stock  (whether or not now
owned or hereafter  acquired) are uncertificated  securities,  the Pledgor shall
promptly  notify  the  Pledgee  thereof,  and shall  promptly  take all  actions
required to perfect the security  interest of the Pledgee under  applicable  law
(including, in any event, under Sections 8-313 and 8-321 of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code if applicable).  The Pledgor further agrees to take such actions
as the Pledgee  deems  necessary  or desirable  to effect the  foregoing  and to
permit the Pledgee to exercise  any of its rights and  remedies  hereunder,  and
agrees to provide an opinion of counsel  reasonably  satisfactory to the Pledgee
with respect to any such pledge of uncertificated Stock promptly upon request of
the Pledgee.

               3.4 DEFINITIONS OF PLEDGED STOCK AND COLLATERAL. All Stock at any
time  pledged or  required to be pledged  hereunder  is  hereinafter  called the
"Pledged  Stock",  which  together  with all  proceeds  thereof,  including  any
securities and moneys received and at the time held by the Pledgee hereunder, is
hereinafter called the "Collateral".

               4.  APPOINTMENT  OF  SUB-AGENTS;  ENDORSEMENTS,  ETC. The Pledgee
shall  have the right to  appoint  one or more  sub-agents  for the  purpose  of
retaining  physical  possession of the Pledged Stock,  which may be held (in the
discretion  of the Pledgee) in the name of the Pledgor,  endorsed or assigned in
blank or in favor of the  Pledgee or any nominee or nominees of the Pledgee or a
sub-agent appointed by the Pledgee.

               5. VOTING, ETC., While No Specified Event of Default.  Unless and
until a Specified Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the
Pledgee shall have notified the Pledgor that the Pledgor may no longer  exercise
the rights  referred to below  (except  that no such notice shall be required in
the case of an Event of Default under  Section 8.05 of the New Credit  Agreement
with  respect to the


                                       4

<PAGE>


Pledgor (a  "Bankruptcy  Event of  Default")),  the Pledgor shall be entitled to
exercise all voting rights  attaching to any and all Pledged Stock,  and to give
consents,  waivers or ratifications  in respect  thereof;  provided that no vote
shall be cast or any consent,  waiver or ratification  given or any action taken
which  would  violate  or be  inconsistent  with any of the terms of the  Credit
Documents or any Hedging Agreement,  or which would have the effect of impairing
the  position or  interests  of the Pledgee or any  Secured  Creditor  under the
Credit  Documents  or any Hedging  Agreement.  All such rights of the Pledgor to
vote and to give  consents,  waivers  and  ratifications  shall  cease in case a
Specified Event of Default shall occur and be continuing and, except in the case
of a Bankruptcy Event of Default with respect to the Pledgor,  the Pledgee shall
have  notified  the  Pledgor  of such  cessation,  and  Section  7 shall  become
applicable.

               6.  DIVIDENDS  AND  OTHER  DISTRIBUTIONS.   Unless  and  until  a
Specified  Event of Default  shall have  occurred  and be  continuing,  all cash
dividends  payable in respect of the Pledged Stock shall be paid to the Pledgor;
provided,  that all dividends  payable in respect of the Pledged Stock which are
determined by the Pledgee, in its absolute discretion,  to represent in whole or
in part a liquidating or other  distribution  in return of capital shall be paid
to the Pledgee and retained by it as part of the  Collateral.  The Pledgee shall
also be entitled to receive directly, and to retain as part of the Collateral:

               (a) all other or additional stock or other securities or property
        (other than cash) paid or distributed by way of dividend or otherwise in
        respect of the Pledged Stock;

               (b) all other or additional stock or other securities or property
        (including  cash) paid or distributed in respect of the Pledged Stock by
        way of stock-split, spin-off, split-up, reclassification, combination of
        shares or similar rearrangement; and

               (c) all other or additional stock or other securities or property
        (including  cash)  which may be paid in  respect  of the  Collateral  by
        reason of any consolidation,  merger,  exchange of stock,  conveyance of
        assets, liquidation or similar corporate reorganization.

All dividends, distributions or other payments which are received by the Pledgor
contrary to the  provisions  of this Section 6 or Section 7 shall be received in
trust for the benefit of the Pledgee, shall be segregated from other property or
funds of the  Pledgor  and  shall  be  forthwith  paid  over to the  Pledgee  as
Collateral in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement).


                                       5

<PAGE>


               7.  REMEDIES IN CASE OF A SPECIFIED  EVENT OF DEFAULT.  In case a
Specified  Event of Default shall have occurred and be  continuing,  the Pledgee
shall be entitled to exercise all of the rights,  powers and  remedies  (whether
vested in it by this  Agreement  or any other  Credit  Document  or any  Hedging
Agreement or by law) for the protection and enforcement of its rights in respect
of the Collateral, including, without limitation, all the rights and remedies of
a secured party upon default under the Uniform  Commercial  Code of the State of
New York, and the Pledgee shall be entitled, without limitation, to exercise the
following rights, which the Pledgor hereby agrees to be commercially reasonable:

               (a)  to receive all amounts payable in respect of the Collateral
        otherwise payable under Section 6 to the Pledgor;

               (b)  to  transfer  all  or  any  part  of the Collateral into the
        Pledgee's name or the name of its nominee or nominees;

               (c) subject to the notice requirements set forth in Section 5, to
        vote all or any part of the Pledged  Stock  (whether or not  transferred
        into  the  name of the  Pledgee)  and give  all  consents,  waivers  and
        ratifications  in  respect  of the  Collateral  and  otherwise  act with
        respect  thereto  as  though it were the  outright  owner  thereof  (the
        Pledgor hereby  irrevocably  constituting and appointing the Pledgee the
        proxy  and   attorney-in-fact  of  the  Pledgor,   with  full  power  of
        substitution to do so); and

               (d) at any time or from time to time to sell, assign and deliver,
        or grant options to purchase, all or any part of the Collateral,  or any
        interest  therein,  at any public or  private  sale,  without  demand of
        performance, advertisement or notice of intention to sell or of the time
        or place of sale or  adjournment  thereof or to redeem or otherwise (all
        of which are hereby waived by the  Pledgor),  for cash, on credit or for
        other property,  for immediate or future delivery without any assumption
        of credit  risk,  and for such  price or prices and on such terms as the
        Pledgee in its absolute discretion may determine; provided that at least
        10 days' notice of the time and place of any such sale shall be given to
        the Pledgor.  Each purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property so
        sold absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of the Pledgor,
        and the  Pledgor  hereby  waives  and  releases  to the  fullest  extent
        permitted by law any right or equity of  redemption  with respect to the
        Collateral,  whether before or after sale hereunder, all rights, if any,
        of marshalling the Collateral and any other security for the Obligations
        or


                                       6

<PAGE>


        otherwise, and all rights, if any, of stay and/or appraisal which it now
        has or may at any time in the  future  have under rule of law or statute
        now existing or hereafter  enacted.  At any such sale, unless prohibited
        by  applicable  law,  the  Pledgee  may  bid on  behalf  of all  Secured
        Creditors  for and  purchase all or any part of the  Collateral  so sold
        free from any such right or equity of  redemption.  Neither  the Pledgee
        nor any  Secured  Creditor  shall be liable  for  failure  to collect or
        realize upon any or all of the  Collateral  or for any delay in so doing
        nor shall it, except as otherwise  required by  non-waivable  applicable
        law, be under any obligation to take any action  whatsoever  with regard
        thereto.

               8. REMEDIES,  ETC.,  Cumulative.  Each right, power and remedy of
the Pledgee  provided for in this Agreement or any other Credit  Document or any
Hedging Agreement now or hereafter  existing,  at law or in equity or by statute
shall be cumulative  and concurrent and shall be in addition to every other such
right, power or remedy. The exercise or beginning of the exercise by the Pledgee
of any  one or more of the  rights,  powers  or  remedies  provided  for in this
Agreement  or any other  Credit  Document  or any  Hedging  Agreement  or now or
hereafter  existing  at law or in equity or by  statute or  otherwise  shall not
preclude  the  simultaneous  or later  exercise  by the  Pledgee or any  Secured
Creditor of all such other rights,  powers or remedies,  and no failure or delay
on the part of the Pledgee or any Secured  Creditor to exercise  any such right,
power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof.

               9.     APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS.  (a)  All moneys collected by the
Pledgee upon  any  sale  or other disposition of the Collateral pursuant to  the
terms  of this Agreement, together with all other moneys received by the Pledgee
hereunder, shall be applied as follows:

               (i) first, to the payment of all Obligations owing to the Pledgee
        of the type  described  in  clauses  (iii) and (iv) of Section 1 of this
        Agreement;

                (ii) second,  to the extent moneys remain after the  application
        pursuant to the preceding clause (i), an amount equal to the outstanding
        Primary  Obligations  (as  defined  below)  shall be paid to the Secured
        Creditors  as  provided  in Section  9(e),  with each  Secured  Creditor
        receiving an amount equal to the outstanding  Primary  Obligations  then
        owing to it or, if the proceeds are insufficient to pay in full all such
        Primary Obligations, its Pro Rata Share (as defined below) of the amount
        remaining to be distributed;


                                       7

<PAGE>


               (iii) third,  to the extent proceeds remain after the application
        pursuant to the  preceding  clauses (i) and (ii), an amount equal to the
        outstanding  Secondary  Obligations  (as defined below) shall be paid to
        the Secured  Creditors  as provided in Section  9(e),  with each Secured
        Creditor  receiving  an  amount  equal  to  its  outstanding   Secondary
        Obligations then owing to it or, if the proceeds are insufficient to pay
        in full all such Secondary Obligations, its Pro Rata Share of the amount
        remaining to be distributed; and

                (iv) fourth,  to the extent moneys remain after the  application
        pursuant to the  preceding  clauses (i) through  (iii),  inclusive,  and
        following the  termination of this Agreement  pursuant to Section 18(b),
        to the Pledgor or to whomever  may be lawfully  entitled to receive such
        surplus.

               (b) To the extent  that any Class (as  defined  below) of Secured
Creditors  elects,  in  accordance  with  Section  20, not to be secured by this
Agreement,  then  such  Class  of  Secured  Creditors  shall  not  share  in any
distribution  of  proceeds  pursuant to Section  9(a),  and in such event to the
extent such proceeds are then being  distributed  (i) the Pro Rata Share of each
Secured Creditor of the respective Class with respect to its Obligations of such
Class  shall  be $0 and  (ii)  the Pro  Rata  Shares  of the  remaining  Secured
Creditors,  to the extent determined in connection with the distribution of such
proceeds,  shall be  calculated  as if the  Class of  Obligations  described  in
preceding clause (i) were not then outstanding.

               (c) For  purposes of this  Agreement,  (i) "Pro Rata Share" shall
mean,  when  calculating a Secured  Creditor's  portion of any  distribution  or
amount,  the  amount  (expressed  as a  percentage)  equal  to a  fraction,  the
numerator of which is the then unpaid amount of such Secured  Creditor's Primary
Obligations or Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, and the denominator of
which is the then  outstanding  amount of all Primary  Obligations  or Secondary
Obligations,  as the case may be, (ii) "Primary  Obligations"  shall mean (x) in
the case of the Credit Agreement Obligations, all principal of, and interest on,
all Loans and all Competitive Bid Loans under the New Credit Agreement,  and all
regularly  accruing fees owing by the Pledgor under the New Credit Agreement and
(y) in the case of the Other  Obligations,  all net  amounts  due under  Hedging
Agreements  (other  than  indemnities,  fees  (including,   without  limitation,
attorneys'  fees) and similar  obligations and liabilities) and (iii) "Secondary
Obligations" shall mean all Obligations other than Primary Obligations.

               (d) When  payments to the Secured  Creditors are based upon their


                                       8

<PAGE>


respective  Pro Rata  Shares,  the amounts  received by such  Secured  Creditors
hereunder  shall be applied (for  purposes of making  determinations  under this
Section 9 only) (i) first,  to their  Primary  Obligations  and (ii) second,  to
their Secondary  Obligations.  If any payment to any Secured Creditor of its Pro
Rata Share of any  distribution  would  result in  overpayment  to such  Secured
Creditor,  such excess  amount shall  instead be  distributed  in respect of the
unpaid Primary Obligations or Secondary Obligations,  as the case may be, of the
other Secured Creditors, with each Secured Creditor whose Primary Obligations or
Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, have not been paid in full to receive
an amount equal to such excess amount  multiplied by a fraction the numerator of
which is the unpaid Primary  Obligations or Secondary  Obligations,  as the case
may be, of such  Secured  Creditor  and the  denominator  of which is the unpaid
Primary Obligations or Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, of all Secured
Creditors entitled to such distributions.

               (e) All payments  required to be made hereunder shall be made (i)
if to the Bank  Creditors,  to the Agent under the New Credit  Agreement for the
account of the Bank Creditors and (ii) if to the Other Creditors,  in accordance
with their  respective  written  instruction  delivered from time to time to the
Pledgee.

               (f) For purposes of applying payments received in accordance with
this  Section 9, the Pledgee  shall be entitled to rely,  (i) in the case of the
Bank  Creditors,   upon  the  Agent  under  the  New  Credit   Agreement  for  a
determination   as  to  the  outstanding   Primary   Obligations  and  Secondary
Obligations owed to the Bank Creditors and (ii) in the case of any other Secured
Creditor,  such Secured  Creditor for a  determination  (which the Agent and the
Secured  Creditors  shall agree to provide  upon  request of the Pledgee) of the
outstanding Primary Obligations and Secondary Obligations owed to the respective
Secured Creditors.  Unless it has actual knowledge  (including by way of written
notice from a Bank Creditor or any other Secured Creditor) to the contrary,  the
Pledgee,  in acting  hereunder,  shall be entitled  to assume that no  Secondary
Obligations are outstanding. Unless it has actual knowledge (including by way of
written notice from an Other Creditor) to the contrary,  the Pledgee,  in acting
hereunder,  shall be  entitled  to  assume  that no  Hedging  Agreements  are in
existence.

               (g) It is  understood  and agreed that the Pledgor  shall  remain
liable to the extent of any deficiency between the amount of the proceeds of the
Collateral hereunder and the aggregate amount of the sums referred to in clauses
(i) through  (iii),  inclusive,  of Section 9(a) and the  aggregate  outstanding
amount of the Obligations.

            10.PURCHASERS OF COLLATERAL.  Upon any sale of the Collateral by the


                                       9

<PAGE>

Pledgee  hereunder  (whether  by  virtue of the  power of sale  herein  granted,
pursuant to judicial  process or  otherwise),  the receipt of the Pledgee or the
officer  making the sale shall be a  sufficient  discharge  to the  purchaser or
purchasers of the Collateral so sold, and such purchaser or purchasers shall not
be obligated to see to the  application  of any part of the purchase  money paid
over  to the  Pledgee  or  such  officer  or be  answerable  in any  way for the
misapplication or nonapplication thereof.

            11.INDEMNITY.  The Pledgor agrees (a) to indemnify and hold harmless
the  Pledgee  and the  Secured  Creditors  from and  against any and all claims,
demands, losses, judgments and liabilities (including liabilities for penalties)
of whatsoever  kind or nature,  and (b) to reimburse the Pledgee and the Secured
Creditors  for all costs and expenses,  including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees,
growing out of or resulting  from this  Agreement or the exercise by the Pledgee
of any right or remedy granted to it hereunder  except,  with respect to clauses
(a) and (b) above,  for those  arising from the  Pledgee's  gross  negligence or
willful  misconduct.  In no event shall the Pledgee be liable, in the absence of
gross  negligence or willful  misconduct on its part, for any matter or thing in
connection  with this  Agreement  other  than to  account  for  moneys  actually
received by it in accordance  with the terms  hereof.  If and to the extent that
the obligations of the Pledgor under this Section 11 are  unenforceable  for any
reason,  the  Pledgor  hereby  agrees to make the  maximum  contribution  to the
payment  and  satisfaction  of  such  obligations  which  is  permissible  under
applicable law.

            12.FURTHER  ASSURANCES;  POWER-OF-ATTORNEY.  (a) The Pledgor  agrees
that it will join with the  Pledgee  in  executing  and,  at the  Pledgor's  own
expense,  file and  refile  under the  Uniform  Commercial  Code such  financing
statements,  continuation  statements and other documents in such offices as the
Pledgee may deem necessary or appropriate and wherever  required or permitted by
law in order to perfect and  preserve  the  Pledgee's  security  interest in the
Collateral and hereby  authorizes  the Pledgee to file financing  statements and
amendments  thereto  relative to all or any part of the  Collateral  without the
signature of the Pledgor  where  permitted by law, and agrees to do such further
acts and things and to  execute  and  deliver  to the  Pledgee  such  additional
conveyances,   assignments,  agreements  and  instruments  as  the  Pledgee  may
reasonably  require or deem  advisable to carry into effect the purposes of this
Agreement or to further  assure and confirm unto the Pledgee its rights,  powers
and remedies hereunder.

               (b)  The  Pledgor  hereby  appoints  the  Pledgee  the  Pledgor's
attorney-in-fact,  with full authority in the place and stead of the Pledgor and
in the name of the Pledgor or  otherwise,  from time to time after notice to the
Pledgee following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Specified Event
of Default,  in the 


                                       10

<PAGE>


Pledgee's  discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument which the
Pledgee may reasonably deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of
this Agreement.

            13.THE  PLEDGEE AS AGENT.  The Pledgee will hold in accordance  with
this  Agreement  all items of the  Collateral  at any time  received  under this
Agreement.  It is expressly  understood  and agreed that the  obligations of the
Pledgee as holder of the  Collateral  and interests  therein and with respect to
the disposition  thereof,  and otherwise  under this  Agreement,  are only those
expressly  set forth in this  Agreement.  The Pledgee shall act hereunder on the
terms and  conditions  set forth  herein  and in  Section  10 of the New  Credit
Agreement.

            14.TRANSFER  BY THE PLEDGOR.  The Pledgor will not sell or otherwise
dispose of, grant any option with  respect to, or mortgage,  pledge or otherwise
encumber any of the Collateral or any interest therein.

            15.REPRESENTATIONS,  WARRANTIES  AND  COVENANTS OF THE PLEDGOR.  The
Pledgor represents,  warrants and covenants that (a) it is the legal, record and
beneficial  owner of, and has good and marketable title to, all Stock pledged by
it hereunder,  subject to no pledge,  lien,  mortgage,  hypothecation,  security
interest,  charge, option or other encumbrance whatsoever,  except the liens and
security interests created by this Agreement and Non-Consensual Permitted Liens;
(b) it has full power, authority and legal right to pledge all the Stock pledged
by it pursuant to this Agreement;  and (c) all the shares of the Stock have been
duly and  validly  issued  and are fully  paid and  nonassessable.  The  Pledgor
covenants and agrees that it will defend the Pledgee's right, title and security
interest  in and to the Stock and the  proceeds  thereof  against the claims and
demands of all persons whomsoever;  and the Pledgor covenants and agrees that it
will have  like  title to and right to  pledge  any other  property  at any time
hereafter  pledged to the  Pledgee as  Collateral  hereunder  and will  likewise
defend the right  thereto and security  interest  therein of the Pledgee and the
Secured Creditors.

            16.PLEDGOR'S  OBLIGATIONS  ABSOLUTE,  ETC.  The  obligations  of the
Pledgor  under this  Agreement  shall be absolute  and  unconditional  and shall
remain in full force and effect  without  regard to, and shall not be  released,
suspended, discharged,  terminated or otherwise affected by, any circumstance or
occurrence  whatsoever,   including,   without  limitation:   (a)  any  renewal,
extension,  amendment  or  modification  of, or  addition  or  supplement  to or
deletion from any of the Credit Documents or any Hedging  Agreement or any other
instrument or agreement  referred to therein,  or any  assignment or transfer of
any thereof; (b) any waiver, consent,  extension,  indulgence


                                       11

<PAGE>


or other  action  or  inaction  under or in  respect  of any such  agreement  or
instrument or this Agreement;  (c) any furnishing of any additional  security to
the  Pledgee or its  assignee  or any  acceptance  thereof or any release of any
security  by the  Pledgee or its  assignee;  (d) any  limitation  on any party's
liability  or  obligations  under  any  such  instrument  or  agreement  or  any
invalidity or  unenforceability,  in whole or in part, of any such instrument or
agreement   or  any   term   thereof;   or  (e)  any   bankruptcy,   insolvency,
reorganization,  composition, adjustment, dissolution, liquidation or other like
proceeding  relating to the Pledgor or any  Subsidiary  of the  Pledgor,  or any
action  taken with respect to this  Agreement by any trustee or receiver,  or by
any court, in any such proceeding,  whether or not the Pledgor shall have notice
or knowledge of any of the foregoing.

            17.REGISTRATION, ETC. (a) If a Specified Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing  and the Pledgor shall have received from the Pledgee
a  written  request  or  requests  that  the  Pledgor  cause  any  registration,
qualification or compliance under any Federal or state securities law or laws to
be effected with respect to all or any part of the Stock, the Pledgor as soon as
practicable  and at its  expense  will  use  its  best  efforts  to  cause  such
registration  to be  effected  (and be kept  effective)  and  will  use its best
efforts to cause such  qualification  and compliance to be effected (and be kept
effective) as may be so requested and as would permit or facilitate the sale and
distribution of such Stock,  including,  without limitation,  registration under
the  Securities  Act of 1933, as then in effect (or any similar  statute then in
effect),  appropriate  qualifications  under  applicable blue sky or other state
securities  laws  and  appropriate   compliance  with  any  other   governmental
requirements;  provided  that the  Pledgee  shall  furnish to the  Pledgor  such
information  regarding  the Pledgee as the Pledgor may request in writing and as
shall be required in connection  with any such  registration,  qualification  or
compliance.  The Pledgor will cause the Pledgee to be kept reasonably advised in
writing  as  to  the  progress  of  each  such  registration,  qualification  or
compliance  and as to the completion  thereof,  will furnish to the Pledgee such
number of prospectuses,  offering circulars and other documents incident thereto
as the Pledgee from time to time may reasonably  request,  and will use its best
efforts to cause the issuer of the Stock to indemnify the Pledgee and all others
participating in the distribution of such Stock against all losses, liabilities,
claims or damages caused by any untrue  statement (or alleged untrue  statement)
of a material fact contained therein (or in any related registration  statement,
notification  or the like) or by any  omission  (or alleged  omission)  to state
therein (or in any related registration  statement,  notification or the like) a
material fact required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not  misleading,  except  insofar as the same may have been caused by an
untrue statement or omission based upon information  furnished in writing to the
Pledgor by the Pledgee expressly for use therein.



                                       12

<PAGE>


               (b) If at any time when the Pledgee  shall  determine to exercise
its right to sell all or any part of the  Pledged  Stock  pursuant to Section 7,
such  Pledged  Stock or the part  thereof to be sold  shall not,  for any reason
whatsoever,  be effectively registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as then
in effect,  the Pledgee  may,  in its sole and  absolute  discretion,  sell such
Pledged  Stock or part  thereof  by private  sale in such  manner and under such
circumstances as Pledgee may deem necessary or advisable in order that such sale
may legally be effected  without such  registration;  provided  that at least 10
days'  notice  of the time and  place  of any  such  sale  shall be given to the
Pledgor. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in any such event the
Pledgee,  in its sole and  absolute  discretion  (i) may  proceed  to make  such
private sale  notwithstanding  that a registration  statement for the purpose of
registering  such Pledged Stock or part thereof shall have been filed under such
Securities Act, (ii) may approach and negotiate with a single possible purchaser
to effect such sale and (iii) may  restrict  such sale to a  purchaser  who will
represent and agree that such purchaser is purchasing  for its own account,  for
investment,  and not  with a view to the  distribution  or sale of such  Pledged
Stock or part thereof. In the event of any such sale, the Pledgee shall incur no
responsibility  or liability for selling all or any part of the Pledged Stock at
a price which the  Pledgee,  in its sole and  absolute  discretion,  may in good
faith deem reasonable under the circumstances,  notwithstanding  the possibility
that a  substantially  higher price might be realized if the sale were  deferred
until the registration as aforesaid.

            18.TERMINATION;  RELEASE.  (a) The Pledgee shall, at the request and
expense of the Pledgor, release (without recourse and without any representation
or warranty) any or all of the Collateral and deliver an appropriate  instrument
acknowledging  such  release,  provided  that such release has been  approved in
writing  by the  Required  Secured  Creditors.  As used  herein,  the  term  (i)
"Required  Secured  Creditors"  shall mean the  requisite  percentage of Secured
Creditors  which are needed to take  actions  with  respect to a given  Class of
Obligations,  i.e.,  whether the Required  Banks,  all Banks and/or the Required
Other  Creditors and (ii) "Required Other  Creditors"  shall mean the holders of
51% of all Obligations  outstanding from time to time under Hedging  Agreements,
determined in such reasonable fashion as is acceptable to the Pledgee.

               (b) After the Termination Date (as defined below), this Agreement
shall  terminate  (provided  that all  indemnities  set forth herein  including,
without limitation, in Section 11 hereof shall survive any such termination) and
the Pledgee, at the request and expense of the Pledgor, will execute and deliver
to the Pledgor a proper instrument or instruments acknowledging the satisfaction
and  termination  of


                                       13

<PAGE>

this Agreement as provided above, and will duly assign,  transfer and deliver to
the Pledgor (without  recourse and without any  representation or warranty) such
of the  Collateral  as may be in the  possession  of the  Pledgee and as has not
theretofore  been  sold  or  otherwise  applied  or  released  pursuant  to this
Agreement,  together with any moneys at the time held by the Pledgee  hereunder.
As used in this  Agreement,  "Termination  Date"  shall mean the date upon which
Total  Commitment and all Hedging  Agreements shall have been terminated and the
Obligations have been paid in full.

               (c) At any time  that the  Pledgor  desires  that  Collateral  be
released as provided in the foregoing  Section 18(a) or (b), it shall deliver to
the Pledgee a certificate signed by its chief financial officer stating that the
release of the respective  Collateral is permitted  pursuant to Section 18(a) or
(b),  as the case may be.  Upon any  release of  Collateral  pursuant to Section
18(a) or (b), none of the Secured  Creditors shall have any continuing  right or
interest in such Collateral.

            19.NOTICES,  ETC.  All  notices and other  communications  hereunder
shall be in  writing  and shall be  delivered  or mailed  by first  class  mail,
postage prepaid, addressed:

               (a)    if to the Pledgor, at:

                      Fremont General Corporation
                      2020 Santa Monica Boulevard
                      Santa Monica, California  90904
                      Attention:  Alan Faigin, Esq.


               (b)    if to the Pledgee, at:

                      The Chase Manhattan Bank
                      One Chase Manhattan Plaza
                      New York, New York 10081
                      Attention:  Richard Bosek

               (c)    if  to  any  Bank  Creditor,  at such address as such Bank
Creditor shall have specified in the New Credit Agreement; and

               (d)    if to any Other Creditor, at such address as such Other
Creditor shall have specified in writing to the Pledgor and Pledgee;


                                       14

<PAGE>


or at such  address  as shall  have been  furnished  in  writing  by any  Person
described above to the party required to give notice hereunder.

            20.WAIVER,  AMENDMENT.  (a) Except as  provided in clause (b) below,
none of the terms and  conditions  of this  Agreement  may be  changed,  waived,
modified or varied in any manner whatsoever unless in writing duly signed by the
Pledgor and the  Pledgee  with the consent of the  Required  Secured  Creditors;
provided,  however, that any change, waiver,  modification or variance affecting
the  rights  and  benefits  of a single  Class (as  defined  below)  of  Secured
Creditors  (and not all Secured  Creditors  in a like or similar  manner)  shall
require the written consent of the Required  Secured  Creditors of such affected
Class. For the purpose of this Agreement, the term "Class" shall mean each class
of Secured  Creditors,  i.e.,  whether (i) the Bank  Creditors as holders of the
Credit Agreement Obligations or (ii) the Other Creditors as holders of the Other
Obligations.

               (b)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained in this
Agreement,  any Class of  Secured  Creditors  (with the  written  consent of the
Required Secured Creditors of such Class, or all Secured Creditors of such Class
to the extent  required by the Credit  Documents or Hedging  Agreements,  as the
case may be, of such Class),  may elect to release their security  interest (but
only to the extent  securing  Obligations  of the  respective  Class) under this
Agreement,  in which case the  respective  Obligations  of such Class of Secured
Creditors  shall no  longer be  secured  by this  Agreement.  In the event of an
election  made pursuant to the  immediately  preceding  sentence,  then upon the
further request of the respective  Class of Secured  Creditors,  the Pledgor and
the  Pledgee  hereby  agree  to take  such  action  as is  reasonably  necessary
(including a  modification  of this  Agreement) to effectuate the removal of the
respective Class of Secured Creditors as secured parties under this Agreement.

            21.MISCELLANEOUS.  This Agreement shall create a continuing security
interest  in the  Collateral  and shall (a)  remain  in full  force and  effect,
subject to release and/or termination as set forth in Section 18, (b) be binding
upon the Pledgor,  its  successors  and  assigns;  provided,  however,  that the
Pledgor shall not assign any of its rights or obligations  hereunder without the
prior  written  consent of the Pledgee  (with the prior  written  consent of the
Required Secured Creditors) and (c) inure, together with the rights and remedies
of the Pledgee hereunder,  to the benefit of the Pledgee,  the Secured Creditors
and their respective  successors,  transferees and assigns. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL
BE  CONSTRUED  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH AND  GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK. The headings of


                                       15

<PAGE>

the several  sections  and  subsections  in this  Agreement  are for purposes of
reference only and shall not limit or define the meaning hereof.  This Agreement
may be  executed  in any  number  of  counterparts,  each of  which  shall be an
original,  but all of which together shall  constitute  one  instrument.  In the
event  that  any  provision  of this  Agreement  shall  prove to be  invalid  or
unenforceable,  such  provision  shall be deemed to be severable  from the other
provisions of this Agreement which shall remain binding on all parties hereto.

            22.WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE PLEDGOR HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  WAIVES ALL
RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION,  PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM  ARISING OUT
OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

            23. ACTIONS REQUIRING APPROVAL. (a) Notwithstanding  anything to the
contrary  contained in this Agreement or any of the documents  executed pursuant
hereto, the Pledgee will not take any action pursuant to this Agreement,  or any
such documents,  which would  constitute or result in any transfer of control of
FCIG  (including  any direct or indirect  voting of the Pledged  Stock)  without
first  obtaining the approval (or an exemption  from the  requirement  to obtain
such  approval) of the  California  Department of Insurance  pursuant to Section
1215.2 of the California Insurance Code.

                      (b)  If a Specified Event of Default  shall  have occurred
and be  continuing,  the  Pledgor  shall take any action  which the  Pledgee may
request in the exercise of its rights and remedies under this Agreement in order
to transfer or assign the Collateral to the Pledgee or to such one or more third
parties as the Pledgee may designate,  or to a combination of the foregoing.  To
enforce the provisions of this Section 23, the Pledgee is empowered to seek from
any governmental  authority,  to the extent required,  consent to or approval of
any involuntary transfer of control of any entity whose Collateral is subject to
this  Agreement for the purpose of seeking a bona fide purchaser to whom control
will  ultimately be  transferred.  The Pledgor agrees to cooperate with any such
purchaser and with the Pledgee in the  preparation,  execution and filing of any
forms  and  providing  any  information  that may be  necessary  or  helpful  in
obtaining any applicable  governmental  authority's consent to the assignment to
such  purchaser of the  Collateral.  The Pledgor hereby agrees to consent to any
such  involuntary  transfer of control upon the request of the Pledgee after and
during the  continuation of a Specified Event of Default and,  without  limiting
any rights of the Pledgee  under this  Agreement,  to  authorize  the Pledgee to
nominate a trustee or receiver to assume control of the Collateral, subject only
to required judicial or other consent required by governmental  authorities,  in
order to  effectuate  the  transactions


                                       16

<PAGE>


contemplated  in this  Section 23. Such  trustee or receiver  shall have all the
rights and powers as  provided  to it by law or court  order,  or to the Pledgee
under this  Agreement.  The  Pledgor  shall  cooperate  fully in  obtaining  the
approval or consent of each  governmental  authority  required to effectuate the
foregoing.

                      (c)  The Pledgor shall use its best efforts to assist in
obtaining consent or approval of any governmental  authority,  if required,  for
any action or transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  including,  without
limitation,  the  preparation,  execution  and  filing  of the  transferor's  or
assignor's  portion  of any  application  or  applications  for  consent  to the
transfer of control or  assignment  necessary or  appropriate  under  applicable
rules and  regulations for approval of the transfer or assignment of any portion
of the Collateral.

                                      *  *  *  *


<PAGE>




               IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the Pledgor and the Pledgee have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their duly elected  officers  duly  authorized as of
the date first above written.


                                    FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION,
                                     as Pledgor


                                    By /s/ WAYNE R. BAILEY
                                       -------------------
                                           Wayne R. Bailey
                                    Title: Executive Vice President,
                                           Treasuer and Chief Financial Officer



                                    THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                     as Pledgee


                                    By /s/ HEATHER LINDSTROM
                                       ----------------------
                                    Title: Vice President


<PAGE>



                                                                         ANNEX A
                                                                              to
                                                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT


                                  LIST OF STOCK



                            Percentage
                         of Outstanding
Name of Issuing                Type               Number             Shares of
  Corporation                of Shares          of Shares          Capital Stock
- -----------------------  ---------------        ---------         --------------

Fremont Compensation
  Insurance Group, Inc.                                                 100%



FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION                                           EXHIBIT 11
STATEMENT RE: COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                        Three Months Ended           Nine Months Ended
                                                          September 30,                September 30,
                                                  ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                     1997           1996            1997           1996
                                                  ------------   ------------    ------------   -----------
                                                       (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                                <C>            <C>             <C>           <C>   
Primary:
Weighted average shares outstanding ...........        31,598         26,008          29,833        25,398
Net effect of dilutive stock options -
  based on the treasury stock method
  using average market price ..................           242            953             149           947
                                                  ------------   ------------    ------------   -----------
Total .........................................        31,840         26,961          29,982        26,345
                                                  ============   ============    ============   ===========

Net income ....................................   $    28,819    $    22,939     $    78,116    $    3,882
                                                  ============   ============    ============   ===========

Per share earnings ............................   $      0.91    $      0.85     $      2.61    $     2.42
                                                  ============   ============    ============   ===========


Fully Diluted:
Weighted average shares outstanding ...........        31,598         26,008          29,833        25,398
Net effect of dilutive stock options -
  based on the treasury stock method
  using the quarter-end market price, if
  higher than average market price ............           299          1,043             206           977

Assumed conversion of LYONs: ..................         2,563          7,148           4,197         7,188
                                                  ------------   ------------    ------------   -----------
Total .........................................        34,460         34,199          34,236        33,563
                                                  ============   ============    ============   ===========

Net income ....................................   $    28,819    $    22,939     $    78,116    $   63,882

Income adjustments for fully diluted computation:
   Add interest expense and amortization
      of prepaid expense, net of federal
      income tax, for assumed conversion
      of LYONs ................................           447          1,185           2,148         3,543
                                                  ------------   ------------    ------------   -----------

Total .........................................   $    29,266    $    24,124     $    80,264    $   67,425
                                                  ============   ============    ============   ===========

Per share earnings ............................   $      0.85    $      0.71     $      2.34    $     2.01
                                                  ============   ============    ============   ===========
</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
SEC Form 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000038984
<NAME> FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,253,593
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     367,330
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               4,750,914<F1>
<CASH>                                          65,028
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              25,675
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          34,626
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,497,853
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,412,705
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            153,551
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           59,436
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                              1,162,662
                          100,000
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        33,013
<OTHER-SE>                                     721,551<F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,497,853
                                     404,466
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            103,739
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              (1,485)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 161,442<F3>
<BENEFITS>                                     254,369
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     82,889
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            33,531
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                114,190
<INCOME-TAX>                                    36,074
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             78,116
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    78,116
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.34
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Includes loans receivable, short-term and other investments.
<F2>Sum of Additional paid-in-capital, Retained earnings, Deferred Compensation
and Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments.
<F3>Includes Loan interest and Other revenue.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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