FREMONT GENERAL CORP
10-Q, 1999-08-16
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
Previous: FOUNDERS FUNDS INC, 497, 1999-08-16
Next: CULLEN FROST BANKERS INC, 10-Q, 1999-08-16



<PAGE>

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


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)

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

For the Quarterly period ended June 30, 1999

                                       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                                  95-2815260
 (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                                          JULY 31, 1999
- ------------------------------                           ------------------
Common Stock, $1.00 par value                               70,076,930


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

<PAGE>



                                 FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION

                                            INDEX

                                PART I - Financial Information


                                                                        PAGE NO.
                                                                        --------


Item    1.   Financial Statements

             Consolidated Balance Sheets
               June 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998.............................3

             Consolidated Statements of Income
             Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 1999 and 1998.................4

             Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
               Six Months Ended June 30, 1999 and 1998.........................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.......................................9

Item    3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk........24


                                 PART II - Other Information


Items 1-3.   Not applicable

Item    4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders..............25

Item    5.   Not applicable

Item    6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.................................26

Signatures   .................................................................32


                                        2


<PAGE>
<TABLE>


                  FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<CAPTION>


                                                                                  JUNE 30,      DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                    1999           1998
                                                                                -----------     -----------
                                                                                (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                   (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

<S>                                                                             <C>             <C>
ASSETS
Securities available for sale at fair value:
   Fixed maturity investments (cost: 1999-$1,555,296; 1998-$1,597,585) ......   $ 1,535,886     $ 1,646,772
   Non-redeemable preferred stock (cost: 1999-$451,363; 1998-$489,714) ......       446,301         500,376
                                                                                -----------     -----------
      Total securities available for sale ...................................     1,982,187       2,147,148
Loans receivable ............................................................     3,517,425       2,958,176
Loans held for sale .........................................................       183,443               -
Short-term investments ......................................................       202,791         222,719
Other investments ...........................................................        15,515          16,890
                                                                                -----------     -----------
      TOTAL INVESTMENTS AND LOANS ...........................................     5,901,361       5,344,933

Cash ........................................................................        92,230          79,875
Accrued investment income ...................................................        50,648          44,038
Premiums receivable and agents' balances ....................................       210,603         184,355
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses ......................................        16,610          15,801
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses ....................................       981,218         829,002
Deferred policy acquisition costs ...........................................        55,624          44,996
Costs in excess of net assets acquired ......................................       161,214         164,467
Deferred income taxes .......................................................       129,820         145,410
Other assets ................................................................       351,599         273,157
Assets held for discontinued operations .....................................       237,240         243,578
                                                                                -----------     -----------
      TOTAL ASSETS ..........................................................   $ 8,188,167     $ 7,369,612
                                                                                ===========     ===========

LIABILITIES
Claims and policy liabilities:
   Losses and loss adjustment expenses ......................................   $ 2,243,852     $ 2,298,118
   Life insurance benefits and liabilities ..................................       126,514         136,973
   Unearned premiums ........................................................       152,728         119,774
   Dividends to policyholders ...............................................        13,229          16,162
                                                                                -----------     -----------
      TOTAL CLAIMS AND POLICY LIABILITIES ...................................     2,536,323       2,571,027

Reinsurance premiums payable and funds withheld .............................        54,185          46,124
Other liabilities ...........................................................       266,368         277,938
Thrift deposits .............................................................     2,866,798       2,134,839
Short-term debt .............................................................       203,307         165,702
Long-term debt ..............................................................       998,034         913,006
Liabilities of discontinued operations ......................................       203,726         210,064
                                                                                -----------     -----------
      TOTAL LIABILITIES .....................................................     7,128,741       6,318,700

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: 150,000,000 shares;
   issued and outstanding: (1999-70,077,000 and 1998-69,939,000) ............        70,077          69,939
Additional paid-in capital ..................................................       305,860         308,369
Retained earnings ...........................................................       678,815         620,612
Deferred compensation .......................................................       (79,419)        (86,910)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ...............................       (15,907)         38,902
                                                                                -----------     -----------
      TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY ............................................       959,426         950,912
                                                                                -----------     -----------
      TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY ............................   $ 8,188,167     $ 7,369,612
                                                                                ===========     ===========

See notes to consolidated financial statements on Form 10-Q.
</TABLE>



                                       3


<PAGE>

<TABLE>

                  FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                   (UNAUDITED)

<CAPTION>


                                                        THREE MONTHS ENDED          SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                             JUNE 30,                   JUNE 30,
                                                        1999         1998          1999          1998
                                                     ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
                                                       (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

<S>                                                  <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
REVENUES
Property and casualty premiums earned ............   $ 197,632     $ 119,368     $ 367,975     $ 273,530
Loan interest ....................................      89,053        56,527       168,498       108,903
Net investment income ............................      43,283        47,953        88,603        94,931
Realized investment losses .......................         273          (466)          298          (924)
Other revenue ....................................       5,870        12,878         9,516        21,773
                                                     ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
        TOTAL REVENUES ...........................     336,111       236,260       634,890       498,213

EXPENSES
Losses and loss adjustment expenses ..............     118,010        70,233       215,551       173,489
Policy acquisition costs .........................      45,556        32,638        88,678        58,353
Provision for loan losses ........................       5,748         2,595         9,874         4,982
Other operating costs and expenses ...............      48,163        42,974        94,006        89,468
Dividends to policyholders .......................       6,849         1,464        13,111         2,945
Interest expense .................................      59,864        38,172       110,538        73,659
                                                     ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
        TOTAL EXPENSES ...........................     284,190       188,076       531,758       402,896
                                                     ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------

Income before taxes ..............................      51,921        48,184       103,132        95,317
Income tax expense ...............................      16,946        15,601        33,846        31,082
                                                     ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------

          NET INCOME .............................   $  34,975     $  32,583     $  69,286     $  64,235
                                                     =========     =========     =========     =========



PER SHARE DATA
 Net income:
      Basic ......................................   $    0.52     $    0.51     $    1.03     $   1.01
      Diluted ....................................        0.50          0.47          0.99         0.93

 Cash dividends ..................................        0.08         0.075          0.16         0.15

Weighted average shares:
      Basic ......................................      67,188        64,026        67,035       63,818
      Diluted ....................................      70,008        70,165        69,906       70,055




See notes to consolidated financial statements on Form 10-Q.
</TABLE>


                                       4


<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                            FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                            (UNAUDITED)
<CAPTION>

                                                                                        SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                           JUNE 30,
                                                                                    1999              1998
                                                                                ------------      ------------
                                                                                    (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S>                                                                             <C>               <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income ..................................................................   $     69,286      $     64,235
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 ..........................        (26,751)          (13,113)
    Change in accrued investment income .....................................         (6,610)            2,543
    Change in claims and policy liabilities .................................       (169,310)         (184,633)
    Amortization of policy acquisition costs ................................         88,678            58,353
    Policy acquisition costs deferred .......................................        (99,306)          (59,798)
    Provision for deferred income taxes .....................................         45,102            11,557
    Provision for loan losses ...............................................          9,874             4,982
    Provision for depreciation and amortization .............................         20,783            18,215
    Net amortization on fixed maturity investments ..........................         (7,498)          (24,215)
    Realized investment (gains) losses ......................................           (298)              924
    Change in other assets and liabilities ..................................        (77,191)           31,433
                                                                                ------------      --------------
       Net Cash Used in Operating Activities ................................       (153,241)          (89,517)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Securities available for sale:
    Purchases of securities .................................................       (391,335)         (421,514)
    Sales of securities .....................................................        324,296           338,984
    Securities matured or called ............................................        155,475           269,638
Increase in short-term and other investments ................................         21,303           (61,778)
Loan originations and bulk purchases funded .................................     (2,215,434)       (1,035,847)
Receipts from repayments of loans and bulk sales of loans ...................      1,462,868           771,211
Purchase of property and equipment ..........................................        (14,179)          (15,196)
                                                                                ------------      ------------
       Net Cash Used in Investing Activities ................................       (657,006)         (154,502)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from short-term debt ...............................................         38,322            16,007
Repayments of short-term debt ...............................................        (13,217)             (800)
Proceeds from long-term debt ................................................        435,237           130,000
Repayments of long-term debt ................................................       (336,285)           (6,228)
Net increase in thrift deposits .............................................        731,959           185,988
Annuity contract receipts ...................................................            195               267
Annuity contract withdrawals ................................................        (17,805)          (24,223)
Dividends paid ..............................................................        (11,072)          (10,188)
Stock options exercised                                                                    -             1,214
Net increase in deferred compensation plans .................................         (4,732)           (8,638)
                                                                                ------------      ------------
       Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities                                     822,602           283,399
                                                                                ------------      ------------

Increase in Cash ............................................................         12,355            39,380

Cash at beginning of year ...................................................         79,875            64,987
                                                                                ------------     -------------
Cash at June 30, ............................................................   $     92,230     $     104,367
                                                                                ============     =============

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,  1998.  Certain  1998  amounts  have been
reclassified to conform to the 1999 presentation.


NOTE B - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     The  components  of  total  comprehensive  income  are  summarized  in  the
following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       THREE MONTHS ENDED         SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                            JUNE 30,                   JUNE 30,
                                                                      ---------------------     ---------------------
                                                                        1999         1998         1999          1998
                                                                      --------     --------     --------     --------
                                                                                      (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

<S>                                                                   <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Net income .......................................................    $ 34,975     $ 32,583     $ 69,286     $ 64,235
Other comprehensive income:
    Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax:
       Net change in unrealized gains (losses)
         during the period .......................................     (40,791)       2,624      (47,707)       6,404
       Less: reclassification adjustment .........................      (2,980)      (2,332)      (7,102)      (4,165)
                                                                      --------     --------     --------     --------
         Other comprehensive income ..............................     (43,771)         292      (54,809)       2,239
                                                                      --------     --------     --------     --------
Total comprehensive income .......................................    $ (8,796)    $ 32,875     $ 14,477     $ 66,474
                                                                      ========     ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>


     The net change in  unrealized  gains  (losses)  during the period is net of
deferred income tax expense  (benefit) of  $(21,965,000)  and $1,412,000 for the
three months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998,  respectively and  $(25,688,000)  and
$3,449,000  for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998,  respectively.  The
reclassification adjustments are net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of
$1,604,000  and  $1,255,000  for the three  months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998,
respectively  and  $3,824,000  and  $2,243,000 for the six months ended June 30,
1999 and 1998,  respectively.  The  reclassification  adjustments  avoid  double
counting  net   unrealized   gains  (losses)   included  in  accumulated   other
comprehensive income in different periods.


NOTE C - OPERATIONS BY REPORTABLE SEGMENT

     The  Company's  businesses  are  managed  within two  reportable  segments:
property and casualty insurance services and financial  services.  Additionally,
there are certain  corporate  revenues  and  expenses,  comprised  primarily  of
investment  income,  interest  expense  and certain  general and  administrative
expenses, that the Company does not allocate to its segments.


                                       6


<PAGE>


     The following  data at and for the three and six months ended June 30, 1999
and  1998  provide  certain   information   necessary  for  reportable   segment
disclosure,  as  well  as  a  reconciliation  to  total  consolidated  financial
information:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            THREE MONTHS ENDED             SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                 JUNE 30,                      JUNE 30,
                                                          -----------------------     -----------------------
                                                             1999         1998          1999         1998
                                                          ---------     ---------     ---------    ----------
                                                                         (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
REVENUES
Property and casualty insurance services ..............   $ 238,824     $ 163,326     $ 452,651     $ 360,769
Financial services ....................................      96,709        72,084       181,350       136,435
Unallocated corporate .................................         578           850           889         1,009
                                                          ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Total .................................................     336,111       236,260       634,890       498,213

Intersegment:
Property and casualty insurance services ..............         272           309           544           615
Unallocated corporate .................................       9,809         8,921        18,986        17,639
                                                          ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
                                                             10,081         9,230        19,530        18,254
                                                          ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Total revenue .........................................     346,192       245,490       654,420       516,467

Reconciling items:  intersegment revenues .............     (10,081)       (9,230)      (19,530)      (18,254)
                                                          ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Total consolidated ....................................   $ 336,111     $ 236,260     $ 634,890     $ 498,213
                                                          =========     =========     =========     =========


INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
Property and casualty insurance services ..............   $  42,227     $  41,015     $  84,480     $  82,024
Financial services ....................................      17,222        14,191        33,668        27,294
Unallocated corporate .................................      (6,459)       (5,953)      (12,877)      (11,862)
                                                          ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Total .................................................      52,990        49,253       105,271        97,456

Reconciling items - intercompany dividends ............      (1,069)       (1,069)       (2,139)       (2,139)
                                                          ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Total consolidated ....................................   $  51,921     $  48,184     $ 103,132     $  95,317
                                                          =========     =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>

     The assets of the financial  services segment  increased by $853 million at
June 30, 1999 versus the amount  reported at December 31, 1998 due to the growth
in the loan  portfolio of the  commercial  and  residential  real estate lending
operations.


                                       7


<PAGE>


 NOTE D - EARNINGS PER SHARE

     The  following  table  sets  forth the  computation  of basic  and  diluted
earnings per share for the three and six month  periods  ended June 30, 1999 and
1998, respectively:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     THREE MONTHS ENDED      SIX MONTHS ENDED

                                                                          JUNE 30,               JUNE 30,
                                                                   ---------------------  ----------------------
                                                                      1999        1998       1999        1998
                                                                   ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------
                                                                   (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


<S>                                                                <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
Net income (numerator for basic earnings per share) ............   $ 34,975     $ 32,583     $ 69,286    $ 64,235
Effect of dilutive securities:
  Liquid Yield Option Notes ("LYONs") ..........................         35           83           77         192
                                                                   --------     --------     --------    --------
Income available to common stockholders after assumed
  conversions (numerator for diluted earnings per share) .......   $ 35,010     $ 32,666     $ 69,363    $ 64,427
                                                                   ========     ========     ========    ========



Weighted-average shares
  (denominator for basic earnings per share) ...................     67,188       64,026       67,035      63,818

Effect of dilutive securities:
  Restricted stock .............................................      2,083        4,170        2,083       4,170
  Stock options ................................................        349        1,056          369         990
  LYONs ........................................................        388          913          419       1,077
                                                                   --------     --------     --------    --------
Dilutive potential common shares ...............................      2,820        6,139        2,871       6,237
                                                                   --------     --------     --------    --------
Adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed
  conversions (denominator for diluted earnings per share) .....     70,008       70,165       69,906      70,055
                                                                   ========     ========     ========    ========


Basic earnings per share .......................................   $   0.52     $   0.51     $   1.03    $   1.01
                                                                   ========     ========     ========    ========


Diluted earnings per share .....................................   $   0.50     $   0.47     $   0.99    $   0.93
                                                                   ========     ========     ========    ========
</TABLE>


NOTE E - SENIOR NOTES

     On March 17,  1999,  the Company  issued $425 million of Senior Notes ("the
Senior  Notes")  in a private  placement.  The Senior  Notes  were  subsequently
exchanged for notes registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
a Form S-4 Registration Statement effective on May 11, 1999. These notes consist
of $200 million  Series B 7.70% Senior Notes due 2004 and $225 million  Series B
7.875% Senior Notes due 2009.


                                       8


<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  ("MD&A") CONTAINS  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS WITHIN
THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF THE  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND SECTION 21E OF THE
SECURITIES  ACT OF 1934. THE COMPANY'S  ACTUAL  RESULTS COULD DIFFER  MATERIALLY
FROM THOSE PROJECTED IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES,  INCLUDING THOSE FACTORS SET FORTH IN THIS MD&A SECTION
AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     Fremont  General  Corporation  is  a  nationwide  insurance  and  financial
services  holding  company  operating  select  businesses in niche markets.  The
property and casualty insurance services business of Fremont General Corporation
and its subsidiaries ("the Company") includes one of the largest underwriters of
workers' compensation  insurance in the nation. The Company's financial services
business  includes  commercial and residential  real estate lending,  commercial
finance,  syndicated  loans  and  insurance  premium  financing.  The  Company's
reported  assets as of June 30, 1999 were $8.2 billion.  Income before taxes for
the six months ended June 30, 1999 was $103.1  million.  The Company's  business
strategy  includes  achieving income balance and geographic  diversity among its
business  units in order to limit its exposure to industry,  market and regional
concentrations.  In addition, the Company seeks to expand its businesses through
new business development and acquisitions.  The Company's stock is traded on the
New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FMT."

     The following table presents information for the three and six months ended
June 30, 1999 and 1998 with respect to the Company's primary business segments.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     THREE MONTHS ENDED           SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                          JUNE 30,                   JUNE 30,
                                                                  -----------------------     -----------------------
                                                                     1999         1998          1999          1998
                                                                  ----------    ---------     ---------     ---------
                                                                             (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

<S>                                                               <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Revenues:
  Property and casualty insurance services ....................   $ 238,824     $ 163,326     $ 452,651     $ 360,769
  Financial services ..........................................      96,709        72,084       181,350       136,435
  Unallocated corporate revenue ...............................         578           850           889         1,009
                                                                  ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
    Total .....................................................   $ 336,111     $ 236,260     $ 634,890     $ 498,213
                                                                  =========     =========     =========     =========

Income (Loss) Before Taxes:
  Property and casualty insurance services ....................   $  42,227     $  41,015     $  84,480     $  82,024
  Financial services ..........................................      17,222        14,191        33,668        27,294
  Unallocated corporate loss ..................................      (7,528)       (7,022)      (15,016)      (14,001)
                                                                  ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
    Total .....................................................   $  51,921     $  48,184     $ 103,132     $  95,317
                                                                  =========     =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>

     The Company  generated  revenues  of  approximately  $336  million and $635
million in the three and six months  ended June 30,  1999,  as  compared to $236
million and $498 million for the three and six months  ended June 30, 1998.  The
increases  in revenues are due mainly to higher loan  interest in the  financial
services  segment and higher  workers'  compensation  insurance  premiums in the
property and casualty insurance services segment.  The increase in loan interest
revenue is consistent with the significant  growth in the average loan portfolio
of the financial  services  operation in the three and six months ended June 30,
1999, as compared with the same prior year periods. (See "Financial  Services.")
Higher workers' compensation insurance premiums were achieved primarily from the
September 1, 1998 acquisition of UNICARE Specialty  Services,  Inc.  ("Unicare")
from Wellpoint  Health  Networks,  Inc., as well as to increases in new business
development.  (See  "Property  and  Casualty  Insurance  Services -  Premiums.")
Realized investment gains (losses) in the three and six month periods ended June
30, 1999 were  $273,000 and $298,000 ,  respectively,  as compared to $(466,000)
and $(924,000) for the same respective periods in 1998.

     The Company  posted net income of $35.0 million or $0.50  diluted  earnings
per share and $69.3  million or $0.99  diluted  earnings per share for the three
and six months ended June 30, 1999,  respectively,  as compared to

                                       9


<PAGE>


$32.6  million or $0.47  diluted  earnings per share and $64.2  million or $0.93
diluted  earnings  per share for the same  respective  periods  in 1998.  Income
before taxes for the three and six month  periods  ended June 30, 1999 was $51.9
million and $103.1 million, respectively, as compared to $48.2 million and $95.3
million for the same respective periods of 1998,  representing increases of 7.8%
and 8.2%.

     The  property  and  casualty  insurance  services  operations,   consisting
primarily of workers'  compensation  insurance,  posted  income  before taxes of
$42.2  million and $84.5  million for the three and six month periods ended June
30, 1999,  respectively,  as compared to $41.0 million and $82.0 million for the
same respective periods in 1998. The increase in income before taxes of 3.0% for
both the three and six months ended June 30, 1999 is due  primarily to increased
premium  revenues  resulting  from new business  development,  as well as to the
acquisition  of  Unicare.   (See  "Property  and  Casualty   Insurance  Services
Premiums.") Additionally,  for the six months ended June 30, 1999, income before
taxes increased in part from lower losses incurred  resulting from the Company's
recognition  of a continued  trend in lower  frequency  of claims.  The combined
ratio for the three and six  months  ended  June 30,  1999 was 95.7% and  96.0%,
respectively,  as compared to 96.3% and 96.6% for the same respective periods in
1998.

     The financial services  operations posted income before taxes for the three
and six  months  ended  June  30,  1999 of  $17.2  million  and  $33.7  million,
respectively,  as  compared  to $14.2  million  and $27.3  million  for the same
respective  periods in 1998. The increases in income before taxes are due mainly
to the growth in the total  average loan  portfolio,  offset  partially by lower
gains on residential  real estate loan sales.  The average loan portfolio of the
financial  services  operations  grew to $3.88 billion and $3.64 billion for the
three and six month  periods  ended  June 30,  1999,  respectively,  from  $2.23
billion and $2.14 billion for the same respective periods in 1998.

     Unallocated corporate revenues during the three and six month periods ended
June 30, 1999  consisted  primarily  of  investment  income,  while  unallocated
corporate  expenses  consisted  primarily  of  interest  expense and general and
administrative  expenses.  The  unallocated  corporate loss before taxes for the
three and six months  ended June 30, 1999 was $7.5  million  and $15.0  million,
respectively,  as  compared  to $7.0  million  and  $14.0  million  for the same
respective  periods in 1998. The increases in unallocated  corporate loss before
taxes  are due  mainly to the  effects  of an  increase  in  long-term  debt and
interest  rates  pursuant to the  issuance on March 17, 1999 of $425  million of
Senior Notes ("the Senior Notes") in a private placement.  The Senior Notes were
subsequently  exchanged for notes  registered under the Securities Act in a Form
S-4  Registration  Statement  effective on May 11,  1999.  (See  "Liquidity  and
Capital  Resources.")  Net proceeds from the Senior Notes were used to repay all
indebtedness  outstanding  under the Company's  revolving line of credit and for
general corporate  purposes,  including working capital.  The Senior Notes carry
interest rates which are higher than the revolving line of credit, and this also
contributed  to the  increase  in  interest  expense  in the three and six month
periods ended June 30, 1999, as compared to the same prior year periods.

     Income tax expense of $16.9 million and $33.8 million for the three and six
months ended June 30, 1999,  respectively,  represents  an effective tax rate of
33% on income  before  taxes of $51.9  million  and $103.1  million for the same
respective  periods.  The effective  tax rate is 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 SERVICES

     The  following  table  represents  information  for the three and six month
periods ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 with respect to the Company's  property and
casualty insurance services operations:



                                       10



<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            THREE MONTHS ENDED          SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                JUNE 30,                    JUNE 30,
                                         -----------------------     -----------------------
                                            1999          1998          1999          1998
                                         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
                                                        (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

<S>                                      <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Revenues .............................   $ 238,824     $ 163,326     $ 452,651     $ 360,769
Expenses .............................     196,597       122,311       368,171       278,745
                                         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Income Before Taxes ..................   $  42,227     $  41,015     $  84,480     $  82,024
                                         =========     =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>

     PREMIUMS.  Insurance  premiums  from the  Company's  property  and casualty
insurance  services  operations  were $197.6  million and $368.0  million in the
three and six month periods  ended June 30, 1999, as compared to $119.4  million
and $273.5  million for the same  respective  periods in 1998.  The increases in
premiums are due primarily to the September 1, 1998  acquisition  of Unicare and
to new business  development.  New business  development  was significant in the
three and six months ended June 30, 1999 totaling approximately $180 million and
$275 million,  respectively,  in estimated annual direct premiums written.  This
compares  to $31 million and $57 million in  estimated  annual  direct  premiums
written for the same  respective  prior year  periods.  Using  estimated  annual
premiums  on  policies  in  effect  at June 30,  1999 and 1998  (referred  to as
"inforce  premiums"),  the  Company's  inforce  premium  has grown 58% to $942.8
million at June 30, 1999 from $596.0 million at June 30, 1998.  While the growth
in  inforce  premium  is  considered  significant,   the  Company  has  remained
conservative in its underwriting  standards.  This is evidenced by the fact that
the $275 million is new  business  written in the six months ended June 30, 1999
represents  only 10.7% of the  approximate  $2.57  billion in  estimated  annual
premiums  submitted to the Company for  underwriting  consideration  in the same
period.  This  percentage  is at or below the Company's  historical  experience.
Additionally,  this  growth in inforce  premium has  occurred  across all of the
Company's geographic regions nationally. The Company has also broadened the size
of premium  accounts  underwritten  to include  accounts in excess of  $100,000.
During the six months ended June 30, 1998 the Company's new business written did
not include any premium accounts in excess of $100,000.

     NET  INVESTMENT  INCOME.  Net  investment  income  within the  property and
casualty insurance  services  operations was slightly lower at $40.1 million and
$83.2  million  in the three and six  month  periods  ended  June 30,  1999,  as
compared to $44.4 million and $88.2 million for the same  respective  periods in
1998.  Higher invested assets  associated with the Unicare  acquisition was more
than offset by higher ceded reinsurance  costs and claim payments,  resulting in
lower average  invested  assets in the three and six months ended June 30, 1999,
as compared to the same respective prior year periods.

     LOSS AND LOSS  ADJUSTMENT  EXPENSE.  The property  and  casualty  insurance
services  loss and loss  adjustment  expenses  ("LAE")  were $118.0  million and
$215.6  million  for the three and six month  periods  ended June 30,  1999,  as
compared to $70.2 million and $173.5 million for the same respective  periods in
1998.  In  addition,  the ratio of these losses and LAE to property and casualty
insurance  premiums earned ("loss ratio") was 59.7%, and 58.6% for the three and
six months ended June 30, 1999, respectively. This is compared to loss ratios of
58.9%  and  63.4%  for the  same  respective  periods  in 1998.  The loss  ratio
decreased in the six months  ended June 30, 1999,  as compared to the same prior
year  period,  due  mainly  to the  recognition  of a  continued  trend in lower
frequency of claims in the six months ended June 30, 1999.

     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 insurance
premiums is referred to as the expense ratio,  which was 32.5% and 33.8% for the
three and six month  periods ended June 30, 1999, as compared to 36.2% and 32.1%
for the same

                                       11



<PAGE>


respective  periods in 1998. The higher expense ratio for the three month period
ended June 30, 1998 relative to the other periods  presented,  was due primarily
to a lower premium base resulting from additional  reinsurance  purchased by the
Company in the second quarter of 1998.

     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,  legislation  and  regulations,   court
decisions, the judicial climate, and general economic conditions and trends, all
of which are outside of Fremont's control. In addition, the Company's results of
operations  may be affected  by the  Company's  ability to assess and  integrate
successfully   the  operations  of  acquired   companies.   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 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 adversely  impact the  Company's  profitability,  where
overall average  decreases of 0.2%,  7.9%, and 10.0% in advisory  premium rates,
which  workers'  compensation  insurance  companies in Illinois  tend to follow,
became effective  January 1, 1999, 1998 and 1997,  respectively.  (See "Workers'
Compensation  Regulation.") The August 1, 1997 acquisition of Fremont Industrial
Indemnity Company (formerly  Industrial  Indemnity  Company)  ("Industrial") has
mitigated the adverse effects of this price competition in Illinois by providing
the  Company  with a  broader  geographic  diversity  of its  premium  writings.
Industrial has a significant  presence in the western United States, in addition
to  California.  The  Company  anticipates  that its results of  operations  and
financial  condition  will  continue to be adversely  affected by the  continued
price  competition  in Illinois  and  California.  Also,  the  establishment  of
appropriate  reserves  necessarily  involves estimates,  and reserve adjustments
have caused significant fluctuations in operating results from year to year.

     The Company's workers' compensation insurance business competes in a market
characterized  by  competition  on the basis of price and service.  In addition,
state  regulatory  changes  could  affect  competition  in the states  where the
Company transacts  business.  Although the Company is one of the largest writers
of workers' compensation insurance in the nation, certain of its competitors are
larger and have  greater  resources  than the  Company.  The  Company  cannot be
certain that it will continue to maintain its market share in the future.

     WORKERS'  COMPENSATION  REGULATION.  The  Company's  workers'  compensation
insurance   operations  are  concentrated  in  California  and  Illinois,   with
additional  writings in 44 other states and the District of Columbia.  Insurance
companies  are subject to  supervision  and  regulation  by the state  insurance
authority in each state in which they transact  business.  Such  supervision and
regulation relate to the numerous aspects of an insurance company's business and
financial  condition.  The primary purpose of such supervision and regulation is
the protection of policyholders  rather than the investors or stockholders of an
issuer. The Company's multistate insurance operations require, and will continue
to  require,  the  Company to devote  significant  resources  to comply with the
regulations of each state in which the Company transacts business.

     At June 30, 1999,  approximately 63% of the Company's workers' compensation
insurance  policies  inforce were in  California  and Illinois.  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
(expected  losses and expenses) or loss costs (expected  losses only) which vary
by job classification.  Each insurance company determines its own rates based in
part  upon  its  particular  loss  experience  and  operating  costs.  Insurance
companies have generally set their premium rates below such advisory rates. This
characteristic  has resulted in continued price  competition in Illinois,  where
overall  average  decreases in advisory  premium rates of 0.2%,  7.9%, and 10.0%
became effective January 1, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. 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.  The repeal of the minimum rate
law has resulted in lower  premiums  and lower  profitability  on the


                                       12



<PAGE>

Company's California workers'  compensation  insurance policies due to increased
price  competition.  Most of the states in which Fremont writes premiums operate
under some form of open rating system.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

     The Company's  financial  services  operations,  which are comprised of the
results of Fremont General Credit Corporation ("FGCC"),  are principally engaged
in  commercial  and  residential  real  estate  lending,   commercial   finance,
syndicated  loans  (large  commercial  loans  originated  and  serviced by other
financial  institutions)  and  insurance  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 six month
periods  ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 with  respect to the  Company's  financial
services operations:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            THREE MONTHS ENDED          SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                JUNE 30,                    JUNE 30,
                                         -----------------------     -----------------------
                                            1999          1998         1999         1998
                                         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
                             (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

<S>                                      <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Revenues .............................   $  96,709     $  72,084     $ 181,350     $ 136,435
Expenses .............................      79,487        57,893       147,682       109,141
                                         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Income Before Taxes ..................   $  17,222     $  14,191     $  33,668     $  27,294
                                         =========     =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>

     Revenues increased 34.2% and 32.9% in the three and six month periods ended
June 30, 1999, respectively, as compared to the same respective periods in 1998,
due primarily to greater loan interest revenue attributable to the growth in the
total average loan  portfolio of the  financial  services  operation.  Partially
offsetting  the  increase in interest  revenues  were lower gains on the sale of
residential real estate loans and lower investment  income. The residential real
estate loan sales are pursuant to a program,  begun by the Company's real estate
lending  operation in 1995 and expanded in 1997, of selling certain  residential
real estate loans to other financial institutions.  This has allowed the Company
an  opportunity  to become more  selective in its  residential  real estate loan
portfolio,  as well as to offer a broader range of residential real estate loans
to its customers,  primarily through independent  brokers.  These loan sales are
made  without  recourse  to the  Company  or  its  subsidiaries.  Due to  market
disruption  and  oversupply,  the Company  observed  that prices for these loans
began to  decrease  in late 1998.  The  Company,  rather  than sell the loans at
prices lower than what it believed was the economic benefit to be derived, began
a  program  to  retain  these  benefits  by  either  retaining  the loans in its
portfolio or by  securitizing  them.  On March 23, 1999,  the  Company's  thrift
issued,   through  the  Fremont  Home  Loan  Owner  Trust   1999-1,   its  first
securitization  of these loans in the amount of approximately  $415 million.  On
June 24, 1999,  another  securitization  was completed  through the Fremont Home
Loan Owner Trust 1999-2 in the approximate amount of $495 million.  These trusts
issued notes  collateralized  by pools of the Company's  first lien  residential
mortgage  loans.  The notes are  subject  to an  unconditional  and  irrevocable
guarantee of timely  payment of interest and ultimate  payment of loan principal
provided by financial guarantee insurance policies (issued by Financial Security
Assurance  Inc.)  Servicing of the loans is being provided by Fairbanks  Capital
Corporation.  These notes have been rated AAA by Standard  and Poor's and Aaa by
Moody's. The Company will continue to monitor market conditions to determine the
appropriateness of any additional securitizations.

     Income before taxes in the financial  services  operation was $17.2 million
and $33.7  million for the three and six month  periods  ended June 30, 1999, as
compared to $14.2 million and $27.3 million for the same  respective  periods in
1998.  The increases in income before taxes of 21.4% and 23.4% for the three and
six month periods ended June 30, 1999,  respectively,  was due to the previously
described  growth  in the  total  average  financial  services  loan  portfolio,
partially offset by lower gains on the sale of residential real estate loans.

                                       13

<PAGE>


     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>


                                                                                   SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                      1999                                   1998
                                                      -------------------------------------    -------------------------------------
                                                        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 real estate loans ...................   $ 1,889,685     $  84,779      9.05%      $ 1,106,851     $  54,274      9.89%
   Residential real estate loans ..................       728,270        33,500      9.28           400,674        19,050      9.59
   Commercial finance loans .......................       511,100        27,256     10.75           389,267        23,072     11.95
   Syndicated loans ...............................       448,197        19,857      8.93           184,910         9,522     10.38
   Insurance premium finance loans ................        58,714         3,106     10.67            53,906         2,985     11.17
   Investments ....................................       212,090         4,501      4.28           211,887         5,767      5.49
                                                      -----------     ---------                 -----------     ---------
   Total interest bearing assets ..................   $ 3,848,056     $ 172,999      9.07%      $ 2,347,495     $ 114,670      9.85%
                                                      ===========     =========                 ===========     =========

Interest bearing liabilities:
   Time deposits ..................................   $ 1,858,825     $  48,975      5.31%      $ 1,234,898     $  35,371      5.78%
   Savings deposits ...............................       604,942        14,865      4.96           339,088         8,766      5.21
   Securitization obligation ......................       325,204         8,808      5.46           285,647         8,788      6.20
   Debt with banks ................................       644,412        17,071      5.34           187,617         6,205      6.67
   Debt from affiliates ...........................        96,932         2,807      5.84            53,660         1,594      5.99
   Other ..........................................        42,730         1,224      5.78             1,673            30      3.62
                                                      -----------     ---------                 -----------     ---------
   Total interest bearing liabilities .............   $ 3,573,045     $  93,750      5.29%      $ 2,102,583     $  60,754      5.83%
                                                      ===========     =========                 ===========     =========

Net interest income ...............................                   $  79,249                                 $  53,916
                                                                      =========                                 =========
Net yield .........................................                                  4.15%                                     4.63%

- -------------------------
(1)  Annualized
(2) Average loan balances include non-acccrual loan balances
 </TABLE>


     The  margin  between  the  Company's  interest  income  and  cost of  funds
decreased  in the six months  ended June 30, 1999 as compared to the same period
of 1998,  due primarily to the combined  effects of a decrease in the net yields
on real estate, syndicate and commercial finance loans. Additionally,  increases
in the level of syndicated  loans,  which generally carry lower net yields,  has
also contributed to the decline in net yields.

                                       14

<PAGE>


     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:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 JUNE 30,                DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  1999                      1998
                                                         ----------------------     -------------------
                                                                          % OF                    % OF
                                                             AMOUNT       TOTAL        AMOUNT     TOTAL
                                                         ------------     -----     -----------   -----
                                                             (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PERCENTS)

<S>                                                       <C>               <C>     <C>              <C>
Term loans:
  Commercial and residential real estate loans ........   $ 2,491,477       69%     $ 2,110,301      70%
  Commercial finance loans ............................       172,849        5          168,040       5
  Syndicated loans ....................................       344,807       10          168,170       6
  Insurance premium finance loans .....................        59,291        2           58,563       2
                                                          -----------     ----      -----------    ----
    Total term loans ..................................     3,068,424       86        2,505,074      83
                                                          -----------     ----      -----------    ----


Revolving loans:
  Commercial finance loans ............................       379,018      10           317,468      11
  Syndicated loans ....................................       136,075       4           191,980       6
                                                          -----------    ----       -----------   -----
    Total revolving loans .............................       515,093      14           509,448      17
                                                          -----------    ----       -----------   -----
    Total loans .......................................     3,583,517     100         3,014,522     100
Less allowance for possible loan losses ...............        66,092       2            56,346       2
                                                          -----------    ----       -----------   -----
  Loans receivable ....................................   $ 3,517,425      98%      $ 2,958,176      98%
                                                          ===========    ====       ===========   =====
</TABLE>






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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  MATURITIES AT JUNE 30, 1999
                                                  -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1 TO 24         25 - 60         OVER 60
                                                     MONTHS          MONTHS          MONTHS          TOTAL
                                                  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
                                                                    (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

<S>                                               <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Term loans -- variable rate ...................   $ 1,000,556     $   864,118     $   843,499     $ 2,708,173
Term loans -- fixed rate ......................       115,172          86,190         158,889         360,251
Revolving loans -- variable rate ..............       496,847          14,133           4,113         515,093
                                                  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
            Total .............................   $ 1,612,575     $   964,441     $ 1,006,501     $ 3,583,517
                                                  ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>


                                       15

<PAGE>

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

     During 1997, the Company began  originating both commercial and residential
real estate loans outside of California.  The Company  intends to seek portfolio
growth outside of California in order to achieve greater geographic diversity in
its loan  portfolio  and  thereby  lessen the  Company's  exposure  to  regional
economic conditions.  The total amount of commercial and residential real estate
loans  outstanding on properties  located outside of California at June 30, 1999
was $626.7 million and $273.1 million, respectively.

     During  periods when economic  conditions  are  unfavorable,  the Company's
financial services  businesses may not be able to originate new loan products or
maintain  credit  quality at previously  attained  levels.  This may  negatively
affect the Company's net finance income and levels of non-performing  assets and
net  charge-offs.  Changes in market  interest  rates,  or in the  relationships
between various  interest rates,  could cause the Company's  interest margins to
vary and may result in  significant  changes in the  prepayment  patterns of the
Company's  finance  receivables,  which  could  adversely  affect the  Company's
results of operations and financial condition.

     The Company's  financial services  businesses  maintain reserves for credit
losses on its  portfolio  of finance  receivables  in amounts  that the  Company
believes is sufficient to provide adequate  protection against potential losses.
The Company attempts to minimize the impact that adverse  economic  developments
could have on the Company's  financial  services loan portfolio by concentrating
primarily on lending on a senior and secured  basis and by carefully  monitoring
the  underlying  collateral  that  secures  these  loans.  Although  the Company
believes  that its level of reserves is  sufficient  to cover  potential  credit
losses, the Company's reserves could prove to be inadequate due to unanticipated
adverse changes in economic  conditions or discrete events that adversely affect
specific borrowers, industries or markets. Any of these changes could impair the
Company's  ability to realize  the  expected  value of the  collateral  securing
certain of its finance receivables.

     The Company's  financial  services  businesses  compete in markets that are
highly competitive and are characterized by factors that vary based upon product
and geographic  region.  The markets in which the Company competes are typically
characterized  by a large number of competitors who compete based primarily upon
price,  terms and loan  structure.  The Company  primarily  competes with banks,
mortgage,  insurance,  and finance companies,  many of which are larger and have
greater financial  resources than the Company.  The competitive  forces of these
markets  could  adversely   affect  the  Company's  net  finance  income,   loan
origination volume or net credit losses.


                                     16

<PAGE>

     The following  table describes the asset  classifications,  loss experience
and reserve  reconciliation of the financial services operation as of or for the
periods ended as shown below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          JUNE 30,
                                                                                ----------------------------
                                                                                   1999             1998
                                                                                ----------       -----------
                                                                                   (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS,
                                                                                       EXCEPT PERCENTS)

<S>                                                                             <C>              <C>
Non-accrual loans ..........................................................    $   27,526       $    25,207
Accrual loans 90 days past due .............................................         2,767             1,515
Real estate owned ("REO") ..................................................         8,297             9,638
                                                                                ----------       -----------
Total non-performing assets ................................................    $   38,590       $    36,360
                                                                                ==========       ===========

Beginning allowance for possible loan losses ...............................    $   56,346       $    44,402
Provision for loan losses ..................................................         9,874             4,982
Reserves established with portfolio acquisitions ...........................         2,010                 -
Charge-offs:
     Commercial and residential real estate loans ..........................         1,121               744
     Commercial finance loans ..............................................           125               892
     Syndicated loans ......................................................           950                 -
     Insurance premium finance loans .......................................            31                97
                                                                                ----------       -----------
     Total charge-offs .....................................................         2,227             1,733
                                                                                ----------       -----------
Recoveries:
     Commercial and residential real estate loans ..........................            65               336
     Commercial finance loans ..............................................            13               111
     Syndicated loans ......................................................             -                 -
     Insurance premium finance loans .......................................            11                13
                                                                                ----------       -----------
     Total recoveries ......................................................            89               460
                                                                                -----------      -----------
Net charge-offs ............................................................         2,138             1,273
                                                                                -----------      -----------
Ending allowance for possible loan losses ..................................    $    66,092      $    48,111
                                                                                ===========      ===========


Allocation of allowance for possible loan losses:
     Commercial and residential real estate loans ..........................    $    46,268      $    36,299
     Commercial finance loans ..............................................         10,934            9,869
     Syndicated loans ......................................................          8,409            1,527
     Insurance premium finance loans .......................................            481              416
                                                                                -----------      -----------
     Total allowance for possible loan losses ..............................    $    66,092      $    48,111
                                                                                ===========      ===========

Total loans receivable .....................................................    $ 3,583,517      $ 2,291,452
Average total loans receivable .............................................    $ 3,635,966      $ 2,135,611
Net charge-offs to average total loans receivable (annualized) .............           0.12%            0.12%
Non-performing assets to total loans receivable ............................           1.08%            1.59%
Allowance for possible loan losses to total loans receivable ...............           1.84%            2.10%
Allowance for possible loan losses to non-performing assets ................         171.27%          132.32%
Allowance for possible loan losses to non-accrual
     loans and accrual loans 90 days past due ..............................         218.18%          180.04%
</TABLE>

     Non-performing  assets increased a modest 6.1% to $38.6 million at June 30,
1999 from $36.4  million at June 30,  1998,  despite a 56.4%  increase  in total
loans  receivable to $3.6 billion at June 30, 1999 from $2.3 billion at June 30,
1998.

     The higher provision for loan losses in the six month period ended June 30,
1999,  as compared to the same prior year period,  is also  consistent  with the
overall increase in total loans receivable.  The Company continues to experience
low  loan  loss  experience  as  evidenced  by the  continued  low  ratio of net
charge-offs  to average  total loans  receivable.  The  Company's  low loan loss
experience is further  evidenced by the decrease in the ratio of  non-performing
assets to total loans  receivable in the preceding table. The Company's ratio of
the allowance for possible loan losses to non-accrual loans and accrual loans 90
days past due  increased to 218.18% from 180.04% for the six month periods ended
June 30, 1999 and 1998,  respectively,  thereby increasing the coverage of these
non-performing assets by the allowance for possible loan losses.

                                       17

<PAGE>

MARKET RISK

     The Company is subject to market risk resulting primarily from fluctuations
in interest  rates  arising from balance  sheet  financial  instruments  such as
investments,  loans and debt.  In the property and casualty  insurance  services
operations,  the greatest  interest rate risk exposure occurs where the interest
rate of the  financial  instrument  is fixed in nature and there is a difference
between the fixed rate of the  financial  instrument  and the market  rate.  The
greatest interest rate risk exposure in the financial services operations occurs
when interest rate gaps arise wherein assets are funded with liabilities  having
different   repricing  intervals  or  different  market  indices  to  which  the
instruments'  interest rates are tied. Changes in interest rates will affect the
Company's net  investment  income,  loan  interest,  interest  expense and total
stockholders'  equity.  The  objective  of the  Company's  asset  and  liability
management activities is to provide the highest level of net interest income and
to seek cost effective sources of capital,  while maintaining  acceptable levels
of interest  rate and  liquidity  risk.  The Company has  designated  its entire
investment portfolio as investments that would be available for sale in response
to changing market conditions,  liquidity requirements,  interest rate movements
and other investment factors. The Company currently owns no derivative financial
instruments  and,  consequently,   is  not  subject  to  market  risk  for  such
off-balance sheet financial instruments.  Furthermore, the Company does not have
exposure to foreign currency or commodity price risk.

     For additional  information  regarding  market risk, see the discussion set
forth under the subheadings "Property and Casualty Insurance Operations Interest
Rate Risk,"  "Financial  Services  Operations  Interest  Rate Risk" and "Fremont
General  Corporation  (Parent-only)-Interest  Rate  Risk"  in the  corresponding
Management's Discussion and Analysis in the Company's 1998 Annual Report on Form
10-K. No material  changes in market risk have occurred since  year-end,  except
for Fremont General Corporation's  issuance on March 17, 1999 of $425 million of
Senior  Notes  offered  in a private  placement.  (See  "Liquidity  and  Capital
Resources.") The proceeds were used to repay all outstanding  indebtedness under
the Company's revolving line of credit and for general corporate purposes.  This
transaction  has the effect of increasing the interest rate exposure  related to
LIBOR and United States prime  interest rates because the Senior Notes are fixed
rate  obligations,  the proceeds of which were used to repay  variable  interest
rate debt.

     During the six months ended June 30, 1999, the Company experienced a change
in the unrealized  gain (loss) on investments  from an unrealized  gain of $59.8
million at December 31, 1998 to an  unrealized  loss of $(24.5)  million at June
30, 1999.  The $84.3 million  decrease  resulted  primarily  from an increase in
market  interest  rates  during the period  which had the effect of lowering the
fair value of the  Company's  fixed rate  investment  portfolio.  (See Note B of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on Form 10-Q.)

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 (loss) of $(24.5) million and $59.8
million at June 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998, respectively.

     The Company's thrift and loan subsidiary,  which is principally  engaged in
commercial and residential  real estate lending,  syndicated loans and insurance
premium financing,  finances its lending  activities  primarily through customer
deposits,  which have grown to $2.87 billion at June 30, 1999 from $2.13 billion
at December 31, 1998.  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 June 30, 1999,  approximately  $445
million was available under the facility of which $106 million was outstanding.


                                       18

<PAGE>

     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 June 30, 1999, an aggregate
$235 million senior series and an aggregate $39 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
June 30, 1999. The securities  issued in this program have a scheduled  maturity
of two to four years,  but could mature  earlier  depending on  fluctuations  in
outstanding balances of loans in the portfolio and other factors. As of June 30,
1999,  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  December  1995,  a
commercial  paper facility was  established as part of the asset  securitization
program.  This  facility,  which  expires in  December  2000,  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 June 30, 1999, $73 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 $425 million,  which includes a revolving
credit  facility of $350 million and a term loan of $75 million.  The  revolving
credit facility  converts to a term loan in August 2000, with ultimate  maturity
of the term loan in June 2002. The term loan matures July 2001. This facility is
also used to finance certain  syndicated loans. The balance  outstanding at June
30, 1999 of the  revolving  credit  facility and the term loan was $320 million,
with a weighted  average  interest rate of 5.43%.  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 $11.1 million and $10.2 million for
the six month periods ended June 30, 1999 and 1998, 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  1999,  without  prior
regulatory approval, is approximately $235.3 million.

     To  facilitate  general  corporate  operations,  the  Company  maintains  a
revolving line of credit with a syndicated bank group that permits borrowings of
up to $300 million. There were no advances outstanding as of June 30, 1999. This
credit  facility  expires  in June  2003.  On March 17,  1999,  Fremont  General
Corporation  issued $425 million of Senior Notes  consisting  of $200 million of
7.70% Senior  Notes due 2004 and $225  million of 7.875%  Senior Notes due 2009.
Net  proceeds  from  the  Senior  Notes  were  used to  repay  all  indebtedness
outstanding  under  the  revolving  line of  credit  and for  general  corporate
purposes,  including working capital. The Senior Notes were offered in a private
placement  to   qualified   institutional   buyers  and  a  limited   number  of
institutional   accredited   investors.   The  Company   subsequently   filed  a
Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-4,  which  was  declared  effective  by the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  on May 11,  1999,  in  connection  with an
exchange offer by the Company and the issuance of an equal  principal  amount of
exchange  notes upon tender of the initial  $425  million of Senior  Notes.  The
exchange  notes  consist of $200 million of 7.70% Series B Senior Notes due 2004
and $225 million of 7.875% Series B Senior Notes due 2009. The form and terms of
the exchange  notes are  substantially  identical to those of the initial notes,
except that the exchange notes have been registered under the Securities Act and
therefore,  do not bear legends  restricting their transfer and are not entitled
to  registration  rights or additional  interest as did the initial notes. As of
June 11, 1999, the closing date for the exchange offer,  all outstanding  Senior
Notes had been exchanged for Series B Senior Notes.  The exchange notes evidence
the same debt as the initial  notes and both the initial  notes and the exchange
notes are governed by the same indenture.

     During 1998,  an aggregate  $21.0 million  principal  amount at maturity of
Liquid  Yield  OptionTM  Notes due October  12, 2013 (Zero  Coupon-Subordinated)
("LYONs") were converted into 809,000 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 $10 million.  During the first six months of 1999,
an aggregate $3.6 million  principal  amount at maturity of LYONs were converted
into  140,000  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 $1.7 million.

                                       19

<PAGE>


     Net cash used in operating  activities was $153.2 million and $89.5 million
for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998,  respectively.  The increase in
net cash used in operating activities was due primarily to increases in premiums
receivable and agents' balances; increases in policy acquisition costs deferred,
net of amortization;  and a decrease in the change in other assets, net of other
liabilities.  Partially  offsetting  these  conditions  was an  increase  in net
income;  a lower  decline in claims and policy  liabilities;  an increase in the
provision for deferred income taxes;  and a decrease in the net  amortization on
fixed  maturity  investments.  The  increase in premiums  receivable  and policy
acquisition  costs  deferred  is  consistent  with  the  significant  growth  in
insurance  premiums  earned.  (See  "Property  and Casualty  Insurance  Services
Premiums.") The significant decrease in the change in other assets, net of other
liabilities,  is due mainly to the payment of certain accrued operating expenses
including  payments  under  additional  reinsurance  contracts  purchased by the
Company in 1998, as well as payments under various incentive compensation plans.
Additionally,  the recognition of approximately $42 million in residual interest
receivable   in   connection   with  the  March  23,  1999  and  June  24,  1999
securitizations  of certain  residential  real estate  loans  originated  by the
Company  contributed to the decrease in the change in other assets, net of other
liabilities. (See "Financial Services.")

     Net cash used in  investing  activities  increased  to $657.0  million from
$154.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998, respectively. The
increase in net cash used in investing  activities was due mainly to significant
increases in loan originations,  net of loan repayments and bulk sales of loans,
and a decrease  in  investment  securities  sold,  matured,  or  called,  net of
purchases and short-term investment activity.  The increase in loan originations
is consistent with the overall  increase in loans receivable to $3.58 billion at
June 30, 1999 from $2.29  billion at June 30,  1998.  Additionally,  included in
receipts  from  repayments  of loans and bulk sales of loans is $910  million in
residential real estate loans sold through the securitizations on March 23, 1999
and June 24, 1999.  The decrease in  investment  securities  sold,  matured,  or
called,  net of  purchases  and  short-term  investment  activity  is due to the
offsetting  effects  of  security  sales and  short-term  investment  reductions
required to support the cash requirements of the Company's property and casualty
insurance services operations, partially offset by the investing of the residual
proceeds from Fremont General  Corporation's  issuance of March 17, 1999 of $425
million of Senior Notes.

     Net cash  provided by financing  activities  was $822.6  million and $283.4
million  for the six months  ended  June 30,  1999 and 1998,  respectively.  The
increase in net cash  provided by financing  activities  was due primarily to an
increase in thrift deposits offset  partially by a decrease in the proceeds from
long-term  and  short-term  debt,  net of  repayments.  The  increase  in thrift
deposits was used to support the growth in the Company's financial services loan
portfolio.  The decrease in net proceeds from long-term and short-term  debt was
due  primarily to a lower net  utilization  of the Company's  revolving  line of
credit in the  commercial  finance  operation  and a net repayment of borrowings
under the Company's thrift and loan financing facility with the FHLB.  Partially
offsetting  these decreases was an increase in net long-term debt resulting from
Fremont  General  Corporation's  issuance on March 17,  1999 of $425  million of
Senior Notes,  and the use of a majority of the proceeds in the repayment of all
the indebtedness under Fremont General Corporation's revolving line of credit.

     The amortized cost of the Company's  invested  assets was $2.22 billion and
$2.33 billion at June 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998, respectively. The invested
assets are down slightly at June 30, 1999, as compared to December 31, 1998, due
mainly to decreases in invested assets resulting from cash  requirements  within
the Company's  property and casualty insurance  services  operation,  as well as
payments under various incentive  compensation plans. Partially offsetting these
decreases is an increase in invested assets resulting from the residual proceeds
(after the repayment of all indebtedness  under the Company's  revolving line of
credit), from the issuance on March 17, 1999 of $425 million of Senior Notes.

     The Company's  property and casualty  premium to surplus ratio for the year
ended December 31, 1998 was 1.0 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 June 30, 1999.

     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.


                                       20

<PAGE>

YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE

     Problems may arise from computer  software  programs and operating  systems
that use only two digits to designate  the  calendar  year in a date code field.
For example,  where the date December 21, 2000 is encoded as "12/21/00"  instead
of "12/21/2000." Based on this two-digit format for date coding,  computers with
date-sensitive  programs could  recognize the year 2000 as "00" and  incorrectly
assume that the year is 1900.  Similar problems can arise for systems  dependent
upon  embedded  chips that are encoded to only use or recognize  two digits when
referring  to a  calendar  year.  Additionally,  problems  may  arise  from  the
computer's inability to process (including calculating,  comparing,  sequencing,
displaying, or storing),  transmit, or receive date data from, into, and between
the 20th and 21st  centuries,  and during the years 1999 and 2000, and leap year
calculations.   Fremont  General   Corporation  and  its  subsidiary   companies
(collectively  "the  Company")  refers  to  these  problems  as the  "Year  2000
Problem."  The  Company  considers  the Year 2000  Problem a  critical  business
continuity  issue and has  categorized  the Year 2000 Problem into the following
four areas:

Office facilities and equipment - Will the telephones,  facsimile machines, copy
machines,  elevators,  air conditioning  and heating systems,  and other utility
systems used by the Company in its leased and owned facilities function properly
in the year 2000 and beyond?

Key  business  partners,  vendors,  other  suppliers  - Will the  Company's  key
business  partners,   major  vendors,   and  other  suppliers  face  significant
disruption  to the goods and  services  provided to the Company due to Year 2000
Problems?

Customers - Will the Company's  revenues be significantly  adversely affected by
customers' inability to remediate successfully their own Year 2000 Problems?

Internal computer systems - Considered the most important area to resolve,  will
the Company's computer systems operate properly in the year 2000 and beyond?

     The following discussion establishes the extent of work performed, or to be
performed, and results obtained as of August 9, 1999 in addressing the impact of
the Year 2000 Problem on the above-described areas.

OFFICE FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT:

     The Company has  evaluated  all of its  telephone  systems to determine the
extent of any Year 2000 Problems.  Substantially all of the Company's  telephone
systems have been rendered Year 2000 compliant.

     Regarding the Company's leased  facilities,  we have inquired from facility
owners  the  extent of any Year  2000  Problems  (if any) as they  relate to the
elevator,  air   conditioning/heating,   and  other  utility  systems  in  these
facilities. The Company has evaluated representations rendered by these facility
owners for most of the Company's leased facilities. Based on the representations
received  through  August  9,  1999,  the  Company  anticipates  no  significant
disruption  from these  various  facility-related  systems  due to the Year 2000
Problem.  Further, with respect to the Company's owned facilities, an evaluation
of the extent of any Year 2000 Problems  relating to these  facilities'  utility
and elevator  systems has been made and no significant  disruptions  (if any) to
the Company's operations from these systems are anticipated.

     Finally,  with  regard  to  office  equipment  such as  facsimile  and copy
machines,  the Company  considers the risk minimal as to any significant cost or
disruption to its operations resulting from a Year 2000 Problem impacting any of
its office equipment (excluding telephone and computer systems). Accordingly, no
significant work is currently being planned in this area.

KEY BUSINESS PARTNERS, VENDORS, OTHER SUPPLIERS:

     The Company has identified its key business partners,  such as its critical
banking, employee benefits,  reinsurance,  auditors,  outside legal counsel, and
other  professional  service  relationships.   The  Company  has  surveyed,  and
evaluated survey responses,  for substantially all of these  relationships as to
their Year 2000 compliance,  and has developed appropriate  contingency plans in
its effort to avoid significant disruption to the Company's operations.

     In addition to key business partners,  the Company's  suppliers and vendors
are  concentrated  into the  areas of  office  supplies,  office  furniture  and
equipment,  and computer  hardware and software.  With the exception of computer
software,  the Company  believes that there are many  alternative  suppliers for
their office supply and furniture needs, as well as several  alternative sources
for computer hardware.  Accordingly, the risk of a significant disruption to the
Company's  operations  due to a  supplier's  inability  to resolve its Year 2000
Problems is  considered  minimal  since the Company  could  select an  alternate
supplier. (With regard to computer software, refer to the separate discussion on
the  Company's  internal  computer  systems.)  In an  effort to  identify  which
suppliers may have Year 2000 compliance difficulties, the Company has identified
its more  significant  suppliers/vendors  and has surveyed them as to their Year
2000  compliance  status.  The  results  of these  surveys  were  evaluated  and
appropriate contingency plans have been developed.


                                       21

<PAGE>

CUSTOMERS:

     In the  financial  services  operation,  the  Company's  revenues  could be
impacted should a  customer/borrower  be unable to pay interest and/or principal
when due because of the customers'  inability to resolve its Year 2000 Problems.
Regarding   commercial  and  residential  real  estate  loans,  the  risk  of  a
significant  impact to operating results is considered minimal since the Company
would  utilize the  collateral  securing  existing  loans to  mitigate  any loan
losses.  Additionally for commercial real estate loans, the borrower's Year 2000
risk is further  limited by the multiple tenant nature of most of the properties
under  collateral.  The Company has focused its  attention  on those  commercial
properties  that are single tenant.  The Company has surveyed these customers to
determine their Year 2000 compliance.  For commercial finance loans, the Company
has surveyed the majority of its customer  base to ascertain  whether or not any
significant Year 2000 issues exist with existing  borrowers.  With regard to new
loan customers,  the Company has adopted  additional  review procedures for both
real  estate  and  commercial  finance  loans  to  determine  the  extent  of an
applicant's  Year 2000  compliance.  Based on the results  obtained to date, the
Company does not anticipate  any  significant  impact to its financial  services
revenues due to the Year 2000 Problem.  For the Company's thrift  deposits,  the
Company's effort to mitigate the risk of significant  depositor  withdrawals has
been pursued through an educational  program,  as recommended by the FDIC, aimed
at informing  current and  prospective  depositors  as to the thrift's Year 2000
compliance efforts and results.

     In its property and casualty insurance services operation,  the Company has
surveyed its largest agents and producers. As of August 9, 1999, the majority of
those  surveyed have  responded and the Company has evaluated  these  responses.
Based on these  evaluations,  the  Company  does not  anticipate  a  significant
disruption to its insurance premium revenues  resulting from a Year 2000 Problem
effecting its agents and producers.

INTERNAL COMPUTER SYSTEMS:

     As of August 9, 1999,  significant Year 2000 compliance  issues remain only
within the Company's  property and casualty insurance  services  operation.  The
Company's  computer-based  systems ("Systems") supporting the financial services
operation,  administrative  systems  (personnel,  payroll  and  accounting)  and
treasury systems (cash management and investment portfolio  management) have all
been rendered substantially Year 2000 compliant.

     Within the financial services segment, substantially all operations utilize
application  Systems that are vendor  supported.  For commercial and residential
real estate lending, all current application Systems are substantially Year 2000
compliant.  Additionally,  these application Systems have been tested internally
to validate their Year 2000 compliance, with no significant errors identified or
left  unresolved.  Similarly,  the  application  Systems for commercial  finance
lending,  while  substantially  compliant in their present  form,  will be fully
compliant  after  upgrading  to the current  version of the  software,  which is
already available and installed at several of the vendor's clients.  The Company
has  installed  the software  upgrade and will test these  Systems to verify the
vendors'  representations.  The Company expects to complete these  procedures by
September  30,  1999.  For  syndicated  loans,  the Company has  migrated to new
software which has been certified by the vendor as Year 2000 compliant.  Testing
of the vendor's representations will be completed by September 30, 1999.

     With regard to the property and casualty insurance services operation,  the
Company  developed  an action plan in 1996 to render its  workers'  compensation
Systems Year 2000  compliant.  Based on an evaluation of the progress made as of
August  9,  1999,  the  Company  believes  that its  Systems  that  support  its
operations  are  substantially  Year 2000  compliant  (including  testing).  The
property and casualty  insurance  operation will be moving onto new Systems that
will, after full implementation,  be the workers'  compensation  operation's new
nationwide claims and policy handling platform.  The costs to be incurred by the
Company in  completing  these Year 2000  initiatives  are not expected to have a
material  impact  on  the  Company's   results  of  operations  (1998  costs  of
approximately $4.5 million).

     Regarding  administrative and back-office operations,  the Company believes
that its  personnel,  payroll,  accounting,  and treasury  Systems are Year 2000
compliant.  The Company  intends to test these  Systems by September 30, 1999 to
verify the vendors' representations.


                                       22

<PAGE>

     In addition  to its  various  application  Systems,  the Company  maintains
several PC-based  client/server network  infrastructures.  The majority of these
installations were established within the past five years.  Substantially all of
these  networks  use the most  current  versions of network  operating  and data
transmission software, all of which are believed to be Year 2000 compliant.  The
Company has tested the vendors'  representations  as to Year 2000  compliance of
installed  network  software  with  no  significant  errors  identified  or left
unresolved.  Additionally,  the Company has  inventoried all of its PC hardware.
Substantially all of the PC hardware is believed to be Year 2000 compliant.

     Management  of the Company  continues  to monitor the  progress of its Year
2000 compliance initiatives and will continue to allocate resources necessary to
resolve  significant  Year 2000  Problems as they are  identified.  Based on the
progress of the work performed  through August 9, 1999, the Company  anticipates
that its office  facilities and equipment;  key business  partners,  vendors and
other  suppliers;  major  customers;  and  internal  computer  systems  will  be
substantially  Year 2000  compliant  before  December 31, 1999.  For all mission
critical Systems, the Company is developing appropriate contingency plans in the
event an unanticipated Year 2000 Problem occurs.  These plans are expected to be
completed by September 30, 1999.

RISK FACTORS:

     Due to the  dependence  of the Company's  insurance  services and financial
services  businesses on computer  technology to operate its businesses,  and the
dependence  of the  insurance  and  financial  services  industries  on computer
technology,  the  nature  and  impact of Year 2000  processing  failures  on the
Company's  businesses  could be  material.  The  Company  believes  its  mission
critical  Systems will be  substantially  Year 2000  compliant by September  30,
1999. The Company cannot assure you that its Year 2000  compliance  efforts will
be  completed  in a timely  manner or that the  Company's  Year 2000  compliance
efforts will be successful even if these  compliance  efforts are completed in a
timely  manner.  It is difficult to predict with  certainty  what will happen in
connection  with the Year 2000 Problem  after  December  31,  1999.  Despite the
Company's  best efforts to mitigate and remediate its Year 2000 Problem,  if key
business  partners,  vendors and other suppliers,  facility owners, or customers
have over-estimated their own Year 2000 readiness, or been less than truthful or
forthcoming in their Year 2000 readiness disclosure,  the Company will be forced
to implement  certain of its  contingency  plans,  and may be  jeopardized  with
respect to its own Year 2000 compliance status. In this scenario, it is possible
that the Company may experience unfavorable business factors and expenditures in
excess  of budget  which  could  result  in a  negative  effect  on  results  of
operations  in  one  or all of the  Company's  businesses,  depending  upon  the
specific nature of the problem or problems.

     Worst-case  scenarios  (events the Company does not anticipate  will occur)
might involve the inability of several of the  Company's  workers'  compensation
insurance operation's major insureds, and/or agents, to resolve their respective
Year 2000  Problem.  If this were to occur,  effects  could  include the loss of
business that might be material to the Company.  Furthermore,  negative economic
conditions  precipitated  by the Year 2000 Problem  could  adversely  impact the
financial  services  operation's  ability to originate  loans or maintain credit
quality at previously  attained levels and could negatively affect the Company's
net finance income,  levels of  non-performing  assets and net charge-offs.  The
Company's operations are highly dependent on the ability of its banking business
partners to process its  financial  transactions.  If the  Company's key banking
business partners,  as well as the banking industry in general,  fail to resolve
their respective Year 2000 Problems, if any, serious consequences to the Company
could result  including the disruption to its normal  pattern of cash flows,  or
increased  risk for possible legal actions for breach of contract or other harm.
These  consequences  could adversely affect the Company's  results of operations
and  financial  condition.  While the Company does not  anticipate  any of these
scenarios to occur, in making its own Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure statements,
the Company has relied upon the honesty and  forthrightness  of its key business
partners,  vendors and other suppliers,  facility owners and customers in making
their respective Year 2000 readiness representations to the Company.


                                       23

<PAGE>


SAFE  HARBOR  STATEMENT  (FORWARD  LOOKING  STATEMENTS  AND YEAR 2000  READINESS
DISCLOSURE)

     Except for historical information contained herein, statements in this Year
2000 Readiness  Disclosure statement are forward looking statements that involve
certain  risks and  uncertainties  that  could  cause  actual  results to differ
materially  from those in the forward  looking  statements.  Such risks include,
among others, the negative impact on the Company's financial results which could
result from the inability of any of the named parties or organizations, or other
unnamed parties or organizations,  to become Year 2000 compliant by December 31,
1999. For more complete  information  concerning  factors which could affect the
Company's financial results, reference is made to the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, the Company's  Quarterly  Report
on Form 10-Q for the  quarter  ending  March 31,  1999,  and other  reports  the
Company has filed with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  Statements in
this Year 2000 Readiness  Disclosure  are intended to, in all respects,  comport
with and meet the requirements of the Y2K Disclosure Act, which became effective
on October 19, 1998 (the "Act"),  and to provide the fullest  extent of the safe
harbor protections provided under the Act.



ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     The  information  set  forth  under  the  subheading  "Market  Risk" in the
Company's Management  Discussion and Analysis contained in this Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.

                                       24


<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.

a) The Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on May 18, 1999.

b)    The  following  directors  were  elected  to serve  until the next  Annual
      Meeting of  Stockholders  or until their  successors have been elected and
      qualified:

      J.A. McIntyre                         D.W. Morrisroe
      W.R. Bailey                           L.J. Rampino
      H.I. Flournoy                         D.C. Ross
      C.D. Kranwinkle

c)    The directors  named in (b) above were elected.  The results of the voting
      of the  63,365,301  shares  represented at the meeting are summarized in
      the following table:
                                                                      VOTES
                                                 FOR                WITHHELD
                                             ----------             --------
      J.A. McIntyre                          63,029,643              335,658
      W.R. Bailey                            63,044,093              321,208
      H.I. Flournoy                          63,057,549              307,752
      C.D. Kranwinkle                        63,064,142              301,159
      D.W. Morrisroe                         64,057,179              308,122
      L.J. Rampino                           63,047,273              318,028
      D.C. Ross                              63,028,852              336,449



d)    The  appointment  of the  accounting  firm of  Ernst  &  Young  LLP as the
      Corporation's Independent Auditors was ratified. The results of the voting
      of the 63,365,301 shares  represented at the meeting are summarized in the
      following table:


         FOR                            AGAINST                    ABSTAINED
      ----------                        -------                    ---------
      63,252,234                         56,387                       56,680



                                       25


<PAGE>



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 by and among Talegen  Holdings,
                      Inc.,   Fremont  Indemnity  Company  and  Fremont  General
                      Corporation  dated as of May 16, 1997  including  exhibits
                      thereto.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the
                      Registrant's  Report  on Form 8-K,  as of August 1,  1997,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

           2.2        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.  (Incorporated by
                      reference  to Exhibit  2.2 to the  Registrant's  Report on
                      Form 8-K,  as of August 1, 1997,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

          3.1         Restated  Articles  of  Incorporation  of Fremont  General
                      Corporation.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
                      the  Registrant's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q, for the
                      period  ended  June  30,  1998,   Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

          3.2         Certificate of Amendment of Articles of  Incorporation  of
                      Fremont General Corporation. (Incorporated by reference to
                      Exhibit  3.2 to the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form
                      10-K,  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1998,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

          3.3         Amended   and   Restated   By-Laws  of   Fremont   General
                      Corporation.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

          4.1         Form of Stock Certificate for Common Stock of the
                      Registrant. (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit (1) to
                      the Registrant's Form 8-A filed on March 17, 1993,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

          4.2         Indenture  with  respect to Liquid  Yield Option Notes Due
                      2013 between the  Registrant  and Bankers  Trust  Company.
                      (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Registration
                      Statement on Form S-3 filed on October 1, 1993.)

          4.3         Indenture  among  the  Registrant,  the  Trust  and  First
                      Interstate  Bank  of  California,   a  California  banking
                      corporation,  as trustee.  (Incorporated  by  reference to
                      Exhibit  4.3 to the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form
                      10-K,  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1995,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

          4.4         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.
                      (Incorporated   by   reference   to  Exhibit  4.5  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

                                       26

<PAGE>


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


          4.5         Preferred   Securities  Guarantee  Agreement  between  the
                      Registrant and The Chase Manhattan Bank,  N.A., a national
                      banking  association,   as  Preferred  Guarantee  Trustee.
                      (Incorporated   by   reference   to  Exhibit  4.6  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

          4.6         Common Securities  Guarantee  Agreement by the Registrant.
                      (Incorporated   by   reference   to  Exhibit  4.7  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

          4.7         Form of Preferred  Securities.  (Included in Exhibit 4.5).
                      (Incorporated   by   reference   to  Exhibit  4.8  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

          4.8         Form of 9% Junior  Subordinated  Debenture.  (Included  in
                      Exhibit 4.3). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

          4.9         Indenture dated as of March 1, 1999 between the Registrant
                      and The  First  National  Bank  of  Chicago,  as  trustee.
                      (Incorporated   by   reference   to  Exhibit  4.9  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1998,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

          4.10        Registration  Rights  Agreement  among the  Registrant and
                      Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Credit
                      Suisse First Boston Corporation, Goldman, Sachs & Co., and
                      Warburg  Dillon Read LLC.  (Incorporated  by  reference to
                      Exhibit  4.10 to the  Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form
                      10-K,  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1998,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

          4.11        Form of Fremont General Corporation 7.70% Senior Notes due
                      2004.  (Incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1998,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

          4.12        Form of Fremont  General  Corporation  7.875% Senior Notes
                      due 2009.  (Incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 4.12 to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1998,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

          4.13        Form of  Registrant's Series B 7.70% Senior Note due 2004.
                      (Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4.3 to the
                      Registrant's Registration Statement on Form  S-4 filed on
                      April 26, 1999.)

          4.14        Form of Registrant's Series B 7.875% Senior Note due 2009.
                      (Incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the
                      Registrant's Registration Statement on Form  S-4 filed on
                      April 26, 1999.)

         10.1(a)      Fremont General Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
                      (Incorporated   by   reference  to  Exhibit  10.1  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

         10.1(b)      Amendment  Number One to the Fremont  General  Corporation
                      Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit 10.1 (b) to the  Registrant's  Annual Report on
                      Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended  December  31, 1998,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.1(c)      Amendment  Number Two to the Fremont  General  Corporation
                      Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit 10.1 (b) to the  Registrant's  Annual Report on
                      Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended  December  31, 1997,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)



                                       27

<PAGE>


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


         10.1(d)      Amendment Number Three to the Fremont General  Corporation
                      Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit 10.1(c) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
                      form  10-Q,  for the  period  ended  September  30,  1998,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.1(e)      Amendment  Number Four to the Fremont General  Corporation
                      Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit  10.1(d) to the  Registrant's  Annual Report on
                      Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended  December  31, 1998,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.2         Restated Trust Agreement for Fremont  General  Corporation
                      Employee Stock Ownership Plan. and amendment (Incorporated
                      by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.2 to Annual  Report on Form
                      10-K,  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1995,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.3(a)      Fremont  General  Corporation  and  Affiliated   Companies
                      Investment  Incentive Plan.  (Incorporated by reference to
                      Exhibit 10.3 to Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

         10.3(b)      Amendments  Number  One,  Two  and  Three  to the  Fremont
                      General  Corporation and Affiliated  Companies  Investment
                      Incentive Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3
                      (b) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on form 10-Q, for
                      the period  ended  September  30,  1997,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007)

         10.3(c)      Amendment  Number Four to the Fremont General  Corporation
                      and  Affiliated   Companies   Investment  Incentive  Plan.
                      (Incorporated   by   reference  to  Exhibit  10.3  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the Fiscal
                      Year Ended  December  31,  1997,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

         10.3(d)      Amendment  Number Five to the Fremont General  Corporation
                      and  Affiliated   Companies   Investment  Incentive  Plan.
                      (Incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.3(d)  to the
                      Registrant's Quarterly Report on form 10-Q, for the period
                      ended September 30, 1998, Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.4(a)      Fremont General Corporation  Investment  Incentive Program
                      Trust.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit (10)(xi) to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      Fiscal  Year Ended  December  31,  1993,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

         10.4(b)      Amendment to the Fremont  General  Corporation  Investment
                      Incentive  Program  Trust.  (Incorporated  by reference to
                      Exhibit 10.4 to Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

         10.5(a)      Fremont General Corporation  Supplemental Retirement Plan,
                      as restated January 1, 1997. (Incorporated by reference to
                      Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant's  Quarterly Report on Form
                      10-Q, for the period ended September 30, 1997,  Commission
                      File Number 1-8007.)

         10.5(b)      Amendment  Number One to the Fremont  General  Corporation
                      Supplemental  Retirement Plan.  (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit 10.5 to the  Registrant's  Quarterly  Report on
                      Form 10-Q, for the period ended March 31, 1998, Commission
                      File Number 1-8007.)

         10.5(c)      Amendment  Number Two to the Fremont  General  Corporation
                      Supplemental Retirement Plan of the Company. (Incorporated
                      by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.5  (b) to the  Registrant's
                      Annual  Report on Form  10-K,  for the  fiscal  year ended
                      December 31, 1998, Commission File Number 1-8007.)


                                       28

<PAGE>


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

         10.6         Trust   Agreement   for   Fremont   General    Corporation
                      Supplemental   Retirement   Plan   and   Fremont   General
                      Corporation  Senior   Supplemental   Retirement  Plan  and
                      amendment.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

         10.7(a)      Fremont General Corporation Senior Supplemental Retirement
                      Plan,  as  restated  January  1,  1997.  (Incorporated  by
                      reference  to Exhibit 10.7 to the  Registrant's  Quarterly
                      Report on Form 10-Q,  for the period ended  September  30,
                      1997, Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.7(b)      First Amendment to the Fremont General  Corporation Senior
                      Supplemental  Retirement Plan.  (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit 10.7 (b) to the  Registrant's  Annual Report on
                      Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended  December  31, 1998,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.8(a)      Fremont General  Corporation  Excess Benefit Plan Restated
                      effective as of January 1, 1997 and First  Amendment dated
                      December 21, 1998.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
                      10.8 (a) to the  Registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K,
                      for the fiscal year ended  December 31,  1998,  Commission
                      File Number 1-8007.)

         10.8(b)      Amendment  to  Excess  Benefit  Plan  of  Fremont  General
                      Corporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

         10.8(c)      Trust  Agreement for Fremont  General  Corporation  Excess
                      Benefit Plan.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.8
                      to the  Registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

         10.9         Amended  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option  Plan  of  1989  and
                      related  agreements  of  the  Company.   (Incorporated  by
                      reference to Exhibit  10.9 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,
                      for the fiscal year ended  December 31,  1996,  Commission
                      File Number 1-8007.)

         10.10        1997 Stock Plan and related  agreements.  (Incorporated by
                      reference to Exhibit  10.10 to  Quarterly  Report on
                      Form 10-Q, for the period ended June 30, 1997, Commission
                      File Number 1-8007.)

         10.11(a)     Long-Term  Incentive  Compensation  Plan of the  Company -
                      Senior  Executive  Plan.  (Incorporated  by  reference  to
                      Exhibit 10.10 (a) on Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form
                      10-Q for the period ended  September 30, 1996,  Commission
                      File Number 1-8007.)

         10.11(b)     Long-Term  Incentive  Compensation  Plan  of  the  Company
                      (Incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.10  (b)  on
                      Registrant's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
                      ended September 30, 1996, Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.12        1995 Restricted  Stock Award Plan As Amended and forms of
                      agreement  thereunder.  (Incorporated by reference to
                      Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Registrant's Form
                      S-8/S-3 File 333-17525 which was filed on December 9,
                      1997.)

         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. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

         10.14(a)     Employment  Agreement  between  the  Company  and James A.
                      McIntyre dated January 1, 1994. (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit (10)(i) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
                      Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1994,  Commission
                      File Number 1-8007.)


                                       29

<PAGE>


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

         10.14(b)     First  Amendment  to  Employment   Agreement  between  the
                      Company  and  James A.  McIntyre  dated  August  1,  1996.
                      (Incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.10  to  the
                      Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period
                      ended June 30, 1997, Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.14(c)     Second  Amendment  to  Employment  Agreement  between  the
                      Company  and  James A.  McIntyre  dated  August  8,  1997.
                      (Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  10.14 (c) to the
                      Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period
                      ended  September 30, 1997,  Commission  File Number 1-8007
                      Incorporated by reference to.)

         10.15(a)     Employment  Agreement  between  the  Company  and Louis J.
                      Rampino dated February 8, 1996. (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit 10.14 (a) to the Registrant's  Annual Report on
                      Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended  December  31, 1995,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.15(b)     Employment  Agreement  between  the  Company  and Wayne R.
                      Bailey dated February 8, 1996.  (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit 10.14 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
                      10-K,  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1995,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.16        Management  Continuity  Agreement  between the Company and
                      Raymond G. Meyers dated February 8, 1996. (Incorporated by
                      reference  to  Exhibit  10.15 to the  Registrant's  Annual
                      Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal  year ended  December
                      31, 1995, Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.17        1999  Management   Incentive   Compensation  Plan  of  the
                      Company.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.17 to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1998,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

         10.18        Continuing   Compensation  Plan  for  Retired   Directors.
                      (Incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.17  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

         10.19        Amended  and  Restated  Credit   Agreement  among  Fremont
                      General Corporation, Various Lending Institutions, and The
                      Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, Dated as of
                      August 1, 1997 and  amended  and  restated  as of June 30,
                      1999.

         10.20        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.  (Incorporated by reference to
                      Exhibit (10)(viii) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
                      Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1995.)

         10.21(a)     Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Fremont
                      Financial Corporation, Various Lending Institutions, Wells
                      Fargo Bank N.A.  and Fleet Bank  National  Association  as
                      Co-Agents, and The Chase Manhattan Bank as Agent, dated as
                      of June 23,  1997.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
                      10.22  (a) to the  Registrant's  Quarterly  Report on Form
                      10-Q/A  Amendment  1, for the period ended  September  30,
                      1998, Commission File Number 1-8007.)


                                       30

<PAGE>


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

         10.21(b)     First  Amendment and Consent dated as of October 21, 1997,
                      to the Second Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement among
                      Fremont    Financial    Corporation,    Various    Lending
                      Institutions,   Wells  Fargo  Bank  N.A.  and  Fleet  Bank
                      National Association as Co-Agents, and The Chase Manhattan
                      Bank as Agent. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22
                      (b) to the  Registrant's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q/A
                      Amendment No. 1, for the period ended  September 30, 1998,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007).

            27        Financial Data Schedule


     (b) Report on Form 8-K.   None.


                                       31


<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:  August 12, 1999                          /s/    LOUIS J. RAMPINO
                                                -----------------------------
                                                Louis J. Rampino, President,
                                                Chief Operating Officer and
                                                Director






Date: August 12, 1999                           /s/    JOHN A. DONALDSON
                                                ------------------------------
                                                John A. Donaldson, Senior
                                                Vice President, Controller and
                                                Chief Accounting Officer



                                       32


<PAGE>


                                 EXHIBIT INDEX



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

           2.1        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.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the
                      Registrant's  Report  on Form 8-K,  as of August 1,  1997,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

           2.2        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.  (Incorporated by
                      reference  to Exhibit  2.2 to the  Registrant's  Report on
                      Form 8-K,  as of August 1, 1997,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

          3.1         Restated  Articles  of  Incorporation  of Fremont  General
                      Corporation.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
                      the  Registrant's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q, for the
                      period  ended  June  30,  1998,   Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

          3.2         Certificate of Amendment of Articles of  Incorporation  of
                      Fremont General Corporation. (Incorporated by reference to
                      Exhibit  3.2 to the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form
                      10-K,  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1998,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

          3.3         Amended   and   Restated   By-Laws  of   Fremont   General
                      Corporation.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

          4.1         Form of Stock Certificate for Common Stock of the
                      Registrant. (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit (1) to
                      the Registrant's Form 8-A filed on March 17, 1993,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

          4.2         Indenture  with  respect to Liquid  Yield Option Notes Due
                      2013 between the  Registrant  and Bankers  Trust  Company.
                      (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Registration
                      Statement on Form S-3 filed on October 1, 1993.)

          4.3         Indenture  among  the  Registrant,  the  Trust  and  First
                      Interstate  Bank  of  California,   a  California  banking
                      corporation,  as trustee.  (Incorporated  by  reference to
                      Exhibit  4.3 to the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form
                      10-K,  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1995,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

          4.4         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.
                      (Incorporated   by   reference   to  Exhibit  4.5  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)


<PAGE>


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


          4.5         Preferred   Securities  Guarantee  Agreement  between  the
                      Registrant and The Chase Manhattan Bank,  N.A., a national
                      banking  association,   as  Preferred  Guarantee  Trustee.
                      (Incorporated   by   reference   to  Exhibit  4.6  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

          4.6         Common Securities  Guarantee  Agreement by the Registrant.
                      (Incorporated   by   reference   to  Exhibit  4.7  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

          4.7         Form of Preferred  Securities.  (Included in Exhibit 4.5).
                      (Incorporated   by   reference   to  Exhibit  4.8  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

          4.8         Form of 9% Junior  Subordinated  Debenture.  (Included  in
                      Exhibit 4.3). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

          4.9         Indenture dated as of March 1, 1999 between the Registrant
                      and The  First  National  Bank  of  Chicago,  as  trustee.
                      (Incorporated   by   reference   to  Exhibit  4.9  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1998,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

          4.10        Registration  Rights  Agreement  among the  Registrant and
                      Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Credit
                      Suisse First Boston Corporation, Goldman, Sachs & Co., and
                      Warburg  Dillon Read LLC.  (Incorporated  by  reference to
                      Exhibit  4.10 to the  Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form
                      10-K,  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1998,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

          4.11        Form of Fremont General Corporation 7.70% Senior Notes due
                      2004.  (Incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1998,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

          4.12        Form of Fremont  General  Corporation  7.875% Senior Notes
                      due 2009.  (Incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 4.12 to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1998,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

          4.13        Form of  Registrant's Series B 7.70% Senior Note due 2004.
                      (Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4.3 to the
                      Registrant's Registration Statement on Form  S-4 filed on
                      April 26, 1999.)

          4.14        Form of Registrant's Series B 7.875% Senior Note due 2009.
                      (Incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the
                      Registrant's Registration Statement on Form  S-4 filed on
                      April 26, 1999.)

         10.1(a)      Fremont General Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
                      (Incorporated   by   reference  to  Exhibit  10.1  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

         10.1(b)      Amendment  Number One to the Fremont  General  Corporation
                      Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit 10.1 (b) to the  Registrant's  Annual Report on
                      Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended  December  31, 1998,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.1(c)      Amendment  Number Two to the Fremont  General  Corporation
                      Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit 10.1 (b) to the  Registrant's  Annual Report on
                      Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended  December  31, 1997,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)





<PAGE>


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


         10.1(d)      Amendment Number Three to the Fremont General  Corporation
                      Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit 10.1(c) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
                      form  10-Q,  for the  period  ended  September  30,  1998,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.1(e)      Amendment  Number Four to the Fremont General  Corporation
                      Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit  10.1(d) to the  Registrant's  Annual Report on
                      Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended  December  31, 1998,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.2         Restated Trust Agreement for Fremont  General  Corporation
                      Employee Stock Ownership Plan. and amendment (Incorporated
                      by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.2 to Annual  Report on Form
                      10-K,  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1995,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.3(a)      Fremont  General  Corporation  and  Affiliated   Companies
                      Investment  Incentive Plan.  (Incorporated by reference to
                      Exhibit 10.3 to Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

         10.3(b)      Amendments  Number  One,  Two  and  Three  to the  Fremont
                      General  Corporation and Affiliated  Companies  Investment
                      Incentive Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3
                      (b) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on form 10-Q, for
                      the period  ended  September  30,  1997,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007)

         10.3(c)      Amendment  Number Four to the Fremont General  Corporation
                      and  Affiliated   Companies   Investment  Incentive  Plan.
                      (Incorporated   by   reference  to  Exhibit  10.3  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the Fiscal
                      Year Ended  December  31,  1997,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

         10.3(d)      Amendment  Number Five to the Fremont General  Corporation
                      and  Affiliated   Companies   Investment  Incentive  Plan.
                      (Incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.3(d)  to the
                      Registrant's Quarterly Report on form 10-Q, for the period
                      ended September 30, 1998, Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.4(a)      Fremont General Corporation  Investment  Incentive Program
                      Trust.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit (10)(xi) to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      Fiscal  Year Ended  December  31,  1993,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

         10.4(b)      Amendment to the Fremont  General  Corporation  Investment
                      Incentive  Program  Trust.  (Incorporated  by reference to
                      Exhibit 10.4 to Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

         10.5(a)      Fremont General Corporation  Supplemental Retirement Plan,
                      as restated January 1, 1997. (Incorporated by reference to
                      Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant's  Quarterly Report on Form
                      10-Q, for the period ended September 30, 1997,  Commission
                      File Number 1-8007.)

         10.5(b)      Amendment  Number One to the Fremont  General  Corporation
                      Supplemental  Retirement Plan.  (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit 10.5 to the  Registrant's  Quarterly  Report on
                      Form 10-Q, for the period ended March 31, 1998, Commission
                      File Number 1-8007.)

         10.5(c)      Amendment  Number Two to the Fremont  General  Corporation
                      Supplemental Retirement Plan of the Company. (Incorporated
                      by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.5  (b) to the  Registrant's
                      Annual  Report on Form  10-K,  for the  fiscal  year ended
                      December 31, 1998, Commission File Number 1-8007.)


<PAGE>


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

         10.6         Trust   Agreement   for   Fremont   General    Corporation
                      Supplemental   Retirement   Plan   and   Fremont   General
                      Corporation  Senior   Supplemental   Retirement  Plan  and
                      amendment.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

         10.7(a)      Fremont General Corporation Senior Supplemental Retirement
                      Plan,  as  restated  January  1,  1997.  (Incorporated  by
                      reference  to Exhibit 10.7 to the  Registrant's  Quarterly
                      Report on Form 10-Q,  for the period ended  September  30,
                      1997, Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.7(b)      First Amendment to the Fremont General  Corporation Senior
                      Supplemental  Retirement Plan.  (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit 10.7 (b) to the  Registrant's  Annual Report on
                      Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended  December  31, 1998,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.8(a)      Fremont General  Corporation  Excess Benefit Plan Restated
                      effective as of January 1, 1997 and First  Amendment dated
                      December 21, 1998.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
                      10.8 (a) to the  Registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K,
                      for the fiscal year ended  December 31,  1998,  Commission
                      File Number 1-8007.)

         10.8(b)      Amendment  to  Excess  Benefit  Plan  of  Fremont  General
                      Corporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

         10.8(c)      Trust  Agreement for Fremont  General  Corporation  Excess
                      Benefit Plan.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.8
                      to the  Registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

         10.9         Amended  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option  Plan  of  1989  and
                      related  agreements  of  the  Company.   (Incorporated  by
                      reference to Exhibit  10.9 to Annual  Report on Form 10-K,
                      for the fiscal year ended  December 31,  1996,  Commission
                      File Number 1-8007.)

         10.10        1997 Stock Plan and related  agreements.  (Incorporated by
                      reference to Exhibit  10.10 to  Quarterly  Report on
                      Form 10-Q, for the period ended June 30, 1997, Commission
                      File Number 1-8007.)

         10.11(a)     Long-Term  Incentive  Compensation  Plan of the  Company -
                      Senior  Executive  Plan.  (Incorporated  by  reference  to
                      Exhibit 10.10 (a) on Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form
                      10-Q for the period ended  September 30, 1996,  Commission
                      File Number 1-8007.)

         10.11(b)     Long-Term  Incentive  Compensation  Plan  of  the  Company
                      (Incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.10  (b)  on
                      Registrant's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
                      ended September 30, 1996, Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.12        1995 Restricted  Stock Award Plan As Amended and forms of
                      agreement  thereunder.  (Incorporated by reference to
                      Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Registrant's Form
                      S-8/S-3 File 333-17525 which was filed on December 9,
                      1997.)

         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. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

         10.14(a)     Employment  Agreement  between  the  Company  and James A.
                      McIntyre dated January 1, 1994. (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit (10)(i) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
                      Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1994,  Commission
                      File Number 1-8007.)




<PAGE>


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

         10.14(b)     First  Amendment  to  Employment   Agreement  between  the
                      Company  and  James A.  McIntyre  dated  August  1,  1996.
                      (Incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.10  to  the
                      Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period
                      ended June 30, 1997, Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.14(c)     Second  Amendment  to  Employment  Agreement  between  the
                      Company  and  James A.  McIntyre  dated  August  8,  1997.
                      (Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  10.14 (c) to the
                      Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period
                      ended  September 30, 1997,  Commission  File Number 1-8007
                      Incorporated by reference to.)

         10.15(a)     Employment  Agreement  between  the  Company  and Louis J.
                      Rampino dated February 8, 1996. (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit 10.14 (a) to the Registrant's  Annual Report on
                      Form 10-K,  for the fiscal year ended  December  31, 1995,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.15(b)     Employment  Agreement  between  the  Company  and Wayne R.
                      Bailey dated February 8, 1996.  (Incorporated by reference
                      to Exhibit 10.14 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
                      10-K,  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1995,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.16        Management  Continuity  Agreement  between the Company and
                      Raymond G. Meyers dated February 8, 1996. (Incorporated by
                      reference  to  Exhibit  10.15 to the  Registrant's  Annual
                      Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal  year ended  December
                      31, 1995, Commission File Number 1-8007.)

         10.17        1999  Management   Incentive   Compensation  Plan  of  the
                      Company.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.17 to
                      the  Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  for the
                      fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1998,  Commission  File
                      Number 1-8007.)

         10.18        Continuing   Compensation  Plan  for  Retired   Directors.
                      (Incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.17  to  the
                      Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  for the fiscal
                      year ended  December  31,  1995,  Commission  File  Number
                      1-8007.)

         10.19        Amended  and  Restated  Credit   Agreement  among  Fremont
                      General Corporation, Various Lending Institutions, and The
                      Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, Dated as of
                      August 1, 1997 and  amended  and  restated  as of June 30,
                      1999.

         10.20        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.  (Incorporated by reference to
                      Exhibit (10)(viii) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
                      Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1995.)

         10.21(a)     Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Fremont
                      Financial Corporation, Various Lending Institutions, Wells
                      Fargo Bank N.A.  and Fleet Bank  National  Association  as
                      Co-Agents, and The Chase Manhattan Bank as Agent, dated as
                      of June 23,  1997.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
                      10.22  (a) to the  Registrant's  Quarterly  Report on Form
                      10-Q/A  Amendment  1, for the period ended  September  30,
                      1998, Commission File Number 1-8007.)



<PAGE>


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

         10.21(b)     First  Amendment and Consent dated as of October 21, 1997,
                      to the Second Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement among
                      Fremont    Financial    Corporation,    Various    Lending
                      Institutions,   Wells  Fargo  Bank  N.A.  and  Fleet  Bank
                      National Association as Co-Agents, and The Chase Manhattan
                      Bank as Agent. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22
                      (b) to the  Registrant's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q/A
                      Amendment No. 1, for the period ended  September 30, 1998,
                      Commission File Number 1-8007).

            27        Financial Data Schedule




================================================================================








                      AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                      among


                          FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION,


                          VARIOUS LENDING INSTITUTIONS,


                                       and


                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,


                             as Administrative Agent




                         Dated as of August 1, 1997 and
                    amended and restated as of June 30, 1999




                                  $300,000,000






================================================================================

                             CHASE SECURITIES INC.,

                        as Book Manager and Lead Arranger

<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                            PAGE



SECTION 1. Amount and Terms of Credit..........................................1

        1.01 Commitments.......................................................2
        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.............................................4
        1.06 Notes; Register...................................................5
        1.07 Conversions.......................................................5
        1.08 Pro Rata Borrowings...............................................6
        1.09 Interest..........................................................6
        1.10 Interest Periods..................................................7
        1.11 Increased Costs, Illegality, etc..................................8
        1.12 Compensation.....................................................10
        1.13 Change of Lending Office.........................................10

SECTION 2. Fees; Commitments..................................................10

        2.01 Fees.............................................................11
        2.02 Voluntary Reduction of Commitments...............................11
        2.03 Mandatory Reduction of Commitments...............................11

Section 3. Payments...........................................................11

        3.01 Voluntary Prepayments............................................11
        3.02 Mandatory Prepayments and Repayments.............................12
        3.03 Method and Place of Payment......................................13
        3.04 Net Payments.....................................................13


SECTION 4. Conditions Precedent...............................................14

        4.01 Conditions Precedent to Amendment and Restatement................14
        4.02 Conditions Precedent to Borrowings...............................17

SECTION 5. Representations, Warranties and Agreements.........................17

        5.01 Corporate Status.................................................18
        5.02 Corporate Power and Authority....................................18
        5.03 No Violation.....................................................18
        5.04 Litigation.......................................................18
        5.05 Use of Proceeds..................................................18
        5.06 Governmental Approvals...........................................19
        5.07 Investment Company Act...........................................19



                                   (i)


<PAGE>



                                                                            PAGE

        5.08 Public Utility Holding Company Act...............................19
        5.09 True and Complete Disclosure.....................................19
        5.10 Financial Condition; Financial Statements........................20
        5.11 Tax Returns and Payments.........................................20
        5.12 Compliance with ERISA............................................21
        5.13 Subsidiaries.....................................................21
        5.14 Intellectual Property............................................22
        5.15 Pollution and Other Regulations..................................22
        5.16 Properties.......................................................22
        5.17 Labor Relations; Collective Bargaining Agreements................22
        5.18 Capitalization...................................................23
        5.19 Indebtedness.....................................................23
        5.20 Compliance with Statutes, etc....................................23
        5.21 Special Purpose Corporation......................................23
        5.22 Year 2000........................................................23


SECTION 6.  Affirmative Covenants.............................................24

        6.01 Information Covenants............................................24
        6.02 Books, Records and Inspections...................................27
        6.03 Insurance........................................................28
        6.04 Payment of Taxes.................................................28
        6.05 Corporate Franchises.............................................28
        6.06 Compliance with Statutes, etc....................................28
        6.07 ERISA............................................................28
        6.08 Performance of Obligations.......................................29
        6.09 Good Repair......................................................29
        6.10 End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters.............................29
        6.11 NAIC Tests.......................................................29

SECTION 7. Negative Covenants.................................................29

        7.01 Changes in Business..............................................30
        7.02 Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Purchase of Assets, etc...........30
        7.03 Liens............................................................31
        7.04 Indebtedness.....................................................34
        7.05 Investments......................................................36
        7.06 Prepayments and Modifications of Permitted Subordinated Debt.....36
        7.07 Restrictions on Subsidiary Payments..............................36
        7.08 Transactions with Affiliates.....................................37
        7.09 Issuance of Stock................................................37
        7.10 Liabilities to Policyholder Surplus Ratio........................37
        7.11 Net Premiums Written Ratio.......................................37
        7.12 Leverage Ratio...................................................37
        7.13 Minimum Consolidated Net Worth...................................38



                                      (ii)


<PAGE>



                                                                            PAGE


        7.14 Interest Coverage Ratio..........................................38
        7.15 FIC Combined Surplus.............................................38
        7.16 Insured Depository Subsidiaries..................................38


SECTION 8.  Events of Default.................................................38

        8.01 Payments.........................................................38






                                     (iii)





<PAGE>


     AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of August 1,
1997 and amended and restated as of June 30, 1999, 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 Administrative 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, the Borrower, the Agent and certain of the Banks have
previously entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1997 (such
Credit Agreement, as amended, modified and supplemented prior to the date
hereof, the "Existing Credit Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks wish to amend
and restate the Existing Credit Agreement upon the terms and conditions set
forth herein;

     NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED THAT, upon satisfaction or waiver
of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.01, the Existing Credit
Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

     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 Restatement
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 Restatement Effective Date and prior to the date which is the third
Business Day preceding the date which is seven 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) $10,000,000, 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 ten
Borrowings of Eurodollar Loans.

     1.03 NOTICE OF BORROWING OF LOANS. (b) 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) on 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 four Business Days prior to the
date of such proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing, in the case of a Spread
Borrowing, and (y) at least one Business Day 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 months after the date of such
Competitive Bid Borrowing, in the case of a Spread Borrowing, and (B) between
seven 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

                                       2

<PAGE>


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 9:30 A.M. (New York time) on the date (the "Reply Date") which is (x) in
the case of an Absolute Rate Borrowing, the date of such proposed Competitive
Bid Borrowing and (y) in the case of a Spread Borrowing, three 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 9:15 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 9:30 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,  before 11:00 A.M. (New York time) on the
Reply Date, 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) 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


                                       3


<PAGE>


     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.

     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


                                       4

<PAGE>


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 Restatement
Effective Date, (iii) be in a 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


                                       5

<PAGE>


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.

     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 of the incurrence thereof 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.


                                       6

<PAGE>


     (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.

     (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


                                       7

<PAGE>

     (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.

     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
     Restatement  Effective  Date  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  Restatement  Effective Date (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  Restatement  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


                                       8

<PAGE>

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) 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 reasonable 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
Restatement  Effective Date of any applicable law, rule or regulation  regarding
capital adequacy, or any change therein after the Restatement Effective Date, or
any  change  after  the  Restatement  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
Restatement 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

                                       9

<PAGE>


Bank, upon determining in good faith that any additional amounts will 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 on a timely  basis  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 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.


                                       10

<PAGE>


     2.01 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
Restatement 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) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent a utilization fee
(the "Utilization Fee") for the account of the Banks PRO RATA on the basis of
their respective outstanding Loans for the period from and including the
Restatement Effective Date to and excluding the date the Total Commitment has
been terminated and all outstanding Loans have been repaid in full, computed at
a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Utilization Fee Percentage from time to
time of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Loans from time to time.
Accrued Utilization Fees shall be due and payable in arrears on the last
Business Day of each March, June, September and December, on the date which the
Total Commitment is terminated and on any date thereafter when all outstanding
Loans are paid in full.

     (c) 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.

     (d) 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 or Competitive Bid 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 Loans) the specific Borrowing(s)
pursuant to which


                                       11

<PAGE>

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 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


                                       12

<PAGE>

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 12:30 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 12:30
p.m. (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
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


                                       13

<PAGE>


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.

     4.01  CONDITIONS  PRECEDENT TO AMENDMENT AND  RESTATEMENT.  This  Agreement
shall become  effective,  and the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended and
restated in its  entirety  as set forth  herein,  on the date (the  "Restatement
Effective Date") on which all of the following conditions have been satisfied or
waived:

     (a)  EFFECTIVENESS;  NOTES.  The  Borrower and each of the Banks shall have
signed a copy of this Agreement (whether the same or different copies) and shall
have  delivered  the same to the Agent at the Agent's  Notice  Office or, in the
case of the  Banks,  shall  have  given to the Agent  telephonic  (confirmed  in
writing),  written,  telex or telecopy notice (actually received) at such office
that the same has been signed and mailed to the Agent. In addition,  there shall
have been  delivered  to the Agent for the account of each Bank the  appropriate
Notes executed by the Borrower in the amount, maturity and as otherwise provided
herein.

     (b)  NO  DEFAULT;   REPRESENTATIONS  AND  WARRANTIES.  On  the  Restatement
Effective  Date  (both  before  and after  giving  effect to the  amendment  and
restatement),  (i) there shall exist no Default or Event of Default and (ii) all
of the  representations  and 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.

     (c) OFFICER'S  CERTIFICATE.  On the  Restatement  Effective 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  4.01(b),  (f),  (g), (h) and (j) exist or have been  satisfied as of
such date.

     (d) OPINIONS OF COUNSEL. On the Restatement Effective Date, the Agent shall
have  received  an  opinion,  or  opinions,  in form  and  substance  reasonably
satisfactory  to the  Agent,


                                       14

<PAGE>

addressed to each of the Banks and dated the  Restatement  Effective  Date, from
(i) Alan W. Faigin,  Esq., General Counsel of the Borrower,  which opinion shall
be  substantially  in the form of Exhibit  C-1 hereto and (ii) White & Case LLP,
special counsel to the Agent and the Banks, which opinion shall be substantially
in the form of Exhibit C-2 hereto.

     (e) CORPORATE PROCEEDINGS. (i) On the Restatement Effective
Date, the Banks shall have received a certificate, dated the Restatement
Effective Date, signed by the President or any 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 the Borrower, the resolutions
of the Borrower and the other documents referred to in such certificate, and the
foregoing shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

     (ii) On the Restatement Effective Date, all corporate and
legal proceedings and all instruments and agreements in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Credit 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.

     (f)  REPAYMENT  OF  EXISTING  OBLIGATIONS.   After  giving  effect  to  the
application of the proceeds of any Borrowing  which may occur on the Restatement
Effective  Date, all Existing  Obligations  shall have been paid in full through
and including such date, whether or not then due and payable.

     (g) ADVERSE  CHANGE,  ETC. On or prior to the  Restatement  Effective Date,
since  December 31, 1998,  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 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.

     (h)  LITIGATION.  On the  Restatement  Effective  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


                                       15

<PAGE>


the  Borrower to perform its  obligations  to the Banks  hereunder  or under any
other Credit Document.

     (i) FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS.  Prior to the  Restatement  Effective  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, 1998, 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, 1998, 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,  1998,  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;

          (iv)  the  audited   consolidated   balance   sheet  of  FIL  and  its
     Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998, 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,  1999,  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).

          (j) APPROVALS.  On the  Restatement  Effective 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
     Restatement  Effective  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.

          (k) PAYMENT OF FEES. On the  Restatement  Effective  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.

          (l) CONSENT LETTER. On the Restatement Effective Date, the Agent shall
     have received a letter from CT  Corporation  System,  substantially  in the
     form of Exhibit E hereto,  indicating its consent to its appointment by the
     Borrower as its agent to receive service of process as specified in Section
     11.08.


                                       16

<PAGE>

     (m)  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, in sufficient  counterparts for each of the
Banks and shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent.

     4.02 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BORROWINGS. 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, to the
satisfaction of the following conditions:

     (a) 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.

     (b) 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
representations and 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 the date
of such Loan or Competitive Bid Loan, as the case may be, unless stated to
relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and
warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such
earlier date.

     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.

     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):


                                       17

<PAGE>


     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 Credit 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 Credit Documents. The Borrower
has duly executed and delivered each such Credit Document and each such Credit
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 Credit 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 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, 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)
repay the Existing Obligations, (ii) to pay fees and expenses in connection
therewith and (iii) for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries.


                                       18

<PAGE>

     (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 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 of the Borrower, or of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, in each case which
are subject to the provisions of Section 7, 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 Credit
Document or (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any
Credit Document.

     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 Credit
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

                                       19

<PAGE>


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 Restatement Effective Date and after giving effect 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 Section 4.01(i) and 5.10(d) present fairly the financial position of the
Persons specified 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 4.01(i)
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 4.01(i) 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 4.01(i) 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) 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, 1998.

     5.11 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.


                                       20



<PAGE>


     5.12 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" 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 5.12, other than any made with respect to liability under
Section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA, are made to the best knowledge of the Borrower.

     5.13 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 Restatement Effective Date. As of the
Restatement 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
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

                                       21

<PAGE>


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.

     5.14 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.

     5.15 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.

     5.16 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.

     5.17 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 Restatement 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


                                       22

<PAGE>

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.

     5.18 CAPITALIZATION. On the Restatement Effective Date, the
authorized capital stock of the Borrower consists of (i) 90,000,000 shares of
common stock, $1.00 par value, of which 70,076,109 were issued and outstanding
as of May 19, 1999 and (ii) 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par
value, none of which are issued and outstanding. As of the Restatement Effective
Date, all such outstanding shares of the Borrower have been duly and validly
issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

     5.19 INDEBTEDNESS. Annex V sets forth a true and complete list
of all Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Contingent Obligations) of
the Borrower as of the Restatement Effective Date (other than Indebtedness
having an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000), 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.

     5.20 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).

     5.21 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 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.

     5.22 YEAR 2000 Any reprogramming determined by the Borrower to
be necessary to permit the proper functioning, in and following the year 2000,
of (i) the Borrower's and its Subsidiaries' computer systems and (ii) equipment
containing embedded microchips (in each case, to the extent that the Borrower
intends to continue use or operation of such systems or equipment after December
31, 1999) and the testing of all such systems and equipment, as so reprogrammed,
has been completed as of the date of this Agreement, unless the failure to
complete such programming or testing would not reasonably be expected to cause a
Material Adverse Effect. The cost to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of such
reprogramming and testing and of the reasonably foreseeable consequences of the
year 2000 to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation,
reprogramming errors and, to the best of the Borrower's ability to assess it,
the failure of others' systems or equipment) is not reasonably expected to
result in an Event of Default or a Material Adverse Effect. Except for such of
the reprogramming referred to in the preceding sentence as may be necessary, the
computer and management information


                                       23

<PAGE>

systems of the Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  are and,  with  ordinary  course
upgrading and maintenance, will continue (for the term of this Agreement) to be,
sufficient  to permit the  Borrower to conduct  its  business  without  Material
Adverse Effect.

     SECTION 6 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. The Borrower hereby covenants
and agrees that on the Restatement 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) Borrower's  annual report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC, together
     with the opinion of the Borrower's  independent certified public accountant
     thereon  which shall not be qualified as to the scope of the audit or as to
     the status of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  as a going concern,
     and (y) the balance  sheet of the  Borrower  (on a stand alone basis) 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.

          (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,  which shall be
     certified by 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.

          (iii) As soon as available  and in any event within 120 days after the
     close  of  each  fiscal  year  of  the  Borrower,   the   consolidated  and
     consolidating  balance sheet of FGCC 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, which shall be certified
     by 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 FGCC and its  Subsidiaries  in accordance with
     GAAP.

          (iv) At the request of any Bank, which request cannot be made prior to
     the date  which is 120  days  after  the  close of any  fiscal  year of the
     Borrower,  a written favorable opinion, in form and substance  satisfactory
     to  the  Agent,  by  either  the  firm  of  independent


                                       24

<PAGE>

     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 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
     Borrower's  quarterly  report on Form 10-Q,  as filed with the SEC, and (y)
     the balance sheet of the Borrower (on a stand alone basis) 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  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,  which shall be certified by 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 60 days after the
     close of each of the  first  three  quarterly  accounting  periods  in each
     fiscal year of the Borrower, the consolidated balance sheet of FGCC and its
     Subsidiaries  as at the  end of  such  quarterly  period  and  the  related
     consolidated  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.

          (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


                                       25



<PAGE>


     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,
     7.02(d),  7.05(a),  (b), (c) and (e) 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
     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.  At the  request of any Bank,  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
     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,  (B) 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


                                       26

<PAGE>


     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 (C) 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 (B) or (C), 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 the
     holders  (other than the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries)  of their  capital
     stock in 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.


                                       27

<PAGE>


     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.

     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 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


                                       28

<PAGE>

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.

     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  material
Subsidiaries'  fiscal  years to end on December 31 of each year and (ii) each of
its, and each of its material 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  Restatement  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:



                                       29


<PAGE>


     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 in an aggregate amount exceeding $50,000,000 at any
time outstanding, other than property and casualty insurance and financial
services businesses (and businesses incidental or reasonably related thereto).
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 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 (d) below, and Investments, except to the extent permitted by clause (e)
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


                                       30

<PAGE>

     Indebtedness),  the  aggregate  amount  of such  consideration  paid by the
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries in respect  thereof,  shall not exceed 40% 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  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  $40,000,000,  provided  that if  Capital  Expenditures  made by the
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries in any fiscal year are less than $40,000,000,
     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) $40,000,000 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  and  (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;

          (g) FIL and its 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  and  (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

          (h)  Any  Subsidiary  of  FIL or any  Subsidiary  of a  Securitization
     Subsidiary  may  be  liquidated,   wound  up  or  dissolved  following  the
     termination  of  the   securitization   transactions   to  which  they  are
     respectively parties.

          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:


                                       31

<PAGE>


          (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;

          (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 pursuant to Section 3.02(c) of this Agreement;

          (d) Liens in existence  on the  Restatement  Effective  Date which are
     listed, and the property subject thereto on the Restatement  Effective Date
     described, in Annex VI, without giving effect to any extensions or renewals
     thereof (except for extensions or renewals related to extensions,  renewals
     or refinancings of Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.04(c));

          (e)  Liens  arising  from   judgments,   decrees  or   attachments  in
     circumstances not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.07;

          (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;



                                       32

<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  Restatement  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  5.0% of  Consolidated  Net Worth at any
     time;

          (m) Liens on property or assets  acquired  pursuant to Section 7.02(c)
     after  the  Restatement  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 or other
     similar government sponsored entities;

          (r) Liens on assets of the Securitization Subsidiaries;

          (s) Liens on assets of FIL and its  Subsidiaries  created  pursuant to
     securitization transactions permitted under Section 7.02(g);



                                       33

<PAGE>


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

          (u) Liens on  unallocated  capital stock of the Borrower  securing any
     ESOP Loan;

          (v) FIC and other Insurance  Subsidiaries  may enter into  reinsurance
     transactions in the ordinary course of business; and

          (w)  Liens on loan  receivables  and  collateral  therefor  to  secure
     Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.04(p).

          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 Restatement Effective Date which is listed
     on Annex V and any subsequent extension, renewal or refinancing thereof, so
     long as the  principal  amount of such  Indebtedness  is not increased as a
     result of such extension, renewal or refinancing;

          (d)  Indebtedness  of the  Borrower  incurred  after  the  Restatement
     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;

          (h)  Indebtedness  of  Insurance  Subsidiaries  that is not  otherwise
     permitted under this Section 7.04 not to exceed 5% 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


                                       34

<PAGE>


     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) (i)  Indebtedness  of the Borrower owing to any  Subsidiary,  (ii)
     Indebtedness of any Subsidiary owing to the Borrower, (iii) Indebtedness of
     any Insurance  Subsidiary  owing to any other  Insurance  Subsidiary,  (iv)
     Indebtedness of any Financial Services  Non-Thrift  Subsidiary owing to any
     other Financial Services Non-Thrift  Subsidiaries,  (v) Indebtedness of any
     Thrift Subsidiary owing to any other Thrift  Subsidiary,  (vi) Indebtedness
     of FGCC to any other Financial  Services  Subsidiary and (vii) Indebtedness
     of any Financial Services Subsidiary to FGCC;

          (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,  or by FGCC of the  obligations of another  Financial  Services
     Subsidiary;

          (n) purchase money debt not exceeding 5% of Consolidated  Net Worth at
     any time;

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

          (p)   Indebtedness  of  any  Financial   Services   Subsidiary   under
     warehousing lines of credit (or similar credit  facilities)  established as
     part of a loan securitization program; and

          (q) 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.



                                       35

<PAGE>

     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 Restatement Effective Date, unless pursuant to Legal Requirements.

     (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.

     7.06  PREPAYMENTS AND  MODIFICATIONS  OF PERMITTED  SUBORDINATED  DEBT. 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, after its issuance,  any Permitted  Subordinated
     Debt; or

          (b) amend or modify (or permit the amendment or  modification  of) any
     of  the  terms  or  provisions  of,  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.

     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


                                       36

<PAGE>

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
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,  other  than  Qualified
Preferred Stock and Non-Qualified Preferred 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 6.0 to 1.0.

     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.


                                       37

<PAGE>

     7.13  MINIMUM   CONSOLIDATED  NET  WORTH.  The  Borrower  will  not  permit
Consolidated Net Worth at any time to be less than $675,000,000.

     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.

     7.15 FIC  COMBINED  SURPLUS.  The  Borrower  will not permit  FIC  Combined
Surplus at any time to be less than $450,000,000.

     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
or clause (a) of this Section 8.03) contained in this 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 $20,000,000  (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)


                                       38

<PAGE>


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 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

     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


                                  39

<PAGE>

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  JUDGMENTS.  One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  involving a liability of $20,000,000 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

     8.08 OWNERSHIP. 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 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; and/or (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.

     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.


                                       40

<PAGE>


     "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.

     "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.

     "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 Amended and Restated 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                        0.4250%
               Category B Period                        0.5250%
               Category C Period                        0.6250%
               Category D Period                        1.0000%


     "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                        0.2000%
               Category B Period                        0.2250%
               Category C Period                        0.2500%
               Category D Period                        0.3750%


     "Applicable  Insurance  Regulatory  Authority"  shall mean,  when used with
respect to any Regulated Insurance Company,  the insurance department or similar
administrative


                                       41

<PAGE>


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.

     "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 AND the Moody's
                         Credit Rating is Baa1 or above

Category B Period        The S&P Credit Rating is BBB+ or above AND 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 AND 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 below BBB- OR the Moody's
                         Credit Rating is below Baa3.


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, two "full ratings" 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 Borrower, then the Applicable Rating


                                       42

<PAGE>


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  two  "full   ratings"   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 two "full ratings" 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 two "full ratings" above
the Credit Rating assigned to the TOPrS assigned by the Assigning Rating Agency.

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 of the
Borrower obtained knowledge of such downgrade. Any change in the Applicable
Rating Period due to a change in a Credit Rating shall apply during the period
commencing on 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 D Period shall be deemed to exist.

     "Applicable  Utilization Fee Percentage" shall mean (i) 0% at any time when
the Aggregate Loan  Outstandings  are less than or equal to 33-1/3% of the Total
Commitment, (ii) 0.0625% at any time when the Aggregate Loan Outstandings exceed
33-1/3% but are less than or equal to 66-2/3% of the Total  Commitment and (iii)
0.1250% at any time when the Aggregate Loan  Outstandings  exceed 66-2/3% of the
Total Commitment.

     "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).


                                       43

<PAGE>


     "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 its  surviving  or  successor
corporation pursuant to a transaction  permitted by Section 7.02), or FCIG shall
cease to own,  directly or indirectly,  100% of the capital stock of FIC (or its
surviving  or  successor  corporation  pursuant to a  transaction  permitted  by
Section 7.02),  (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 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


                                       44

<PAGE>


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.

     "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).

     "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.

     "Consolidated  Interest Expense" shall mean, for any period, the sum of (i)
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 and
(ii) all cash  dividends  paid on Qualified  Preferred  Stock and  Non-Qualified
Preferred Stock during such period.

     "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


                                       45

<PAGE>

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 (i) 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 all other
documents or instruments required to be delivered hereunder or thereunder.

     "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.

     "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 Restatement  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


                                       46

<PAGE>

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

     "Existing  Obligations"  shall  mean  all  amounts,   direct  or  indirect,
contingent  or  absolute,  of  every  type or  description  (including,  without
limitation,  principal,  interest and facility fees),  and at any time existing,
owing to the  Agent or any other  bank  pursuant  to the  terms of the  Existing
Credit Agreement.

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

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


                                       47

<PAGE>

     "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 & Loan, a California corporation.

     "Final Maturity Date" shall mean June 30, 2003.

     "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 Restatement  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;  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.

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


                                       48

<PAGE>

     "Insurance   Subsidiaries"  shall  mean  (i)  FCIG,  (ii)  each  of  FCIG's
Subsidiaries  (whether in existence on the Restatement Effective Date or created
or acquired  thereafter) and (iii) each other Subsidiary of the Borrower created
or acquired  after the  Restatement  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 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
Restatement 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.


                                       49

<PAGE>

     "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  Adverse  Effect"  shall  mean a material  adverse  effect in the
condition  (financial  or  otherwise  ,  determined  pursuant  to GAAP or  SAP),
business, operations,  properties, assets or liabilities of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     "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.

     "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.


                                       50

<PAGE>

     "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-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
Restatement 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.

     "Non-Qualified  Preferred  Stock" shall mean any preferred  stock issued by
the Borrower other than Qualified Preferred Stock, so long as (i) at the time of
the issuance of any such preferred  stock, no Default or Event of Default exists
or would result from the issuance  thereof,  (ii) at the time of the issuance of
any such preferred  stock, the Borrower will be in compliance with Sections 7.12
and 7.14  determined  on a PRO  FORMA  basis  as if such  preferred  stock  were
outstanding and (iii) no such preferred stock shall mature, or be subject to any
mandatory  redemption,  put or similar  requirement  prior to the Final Maturity
Date.

     "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 270 Park Avenue,  New
York,  New York 10017,  or such other  office as the Agent may  designate to the
Borrower and the Banks from time to time.

     "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 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.


                                       51

<PAGE>

     "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  Restatement  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 reasonably  satisfactory to
the Agent.

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

     "Plan" shall mean any multi-employer 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.

     "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


                                       52

<PAGE>

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.

     "Qualified Preferred Stock" shall mean any perpetual preferred stock issued
by the Borrower which shall not be subject to any mandatory  redemption,  put or
similar requirements.

     "Rating Agencies" shall mean each of Moody's and S&P.

     "Reference  Banks" shall mean Chase,  Dresdner Bank AG, New York Branch and
Grand Cayman Branch and First Union National Bank.

     "Register" shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.06(d).

     "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.

     "Restatement  Effective  Date" shall have the  meaning  provided in Section
4.01.


                                       53

<PAGE>

     "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).

     "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 Restatement Effective Date or created
or acquired thereafter),  (iii) each other Subsidiary of the Borrower created or
acquired   after  the   Restatement   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  Restatement
Effective Date.

     "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, limited liability company

                                       54

<PAGE>

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  Restatement
Effective Date or created or acquired thereafter, and in any event including FIL
and FCMF) and (iii) each other  Subsidiary  of the Borrower  created or acquired
after the  Restatement  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 a
TOPrS Subsidiary, the proceeds of which were loaned to the Borrower.

     "TOPrS  Debt"  shall  mean  indebtedness  of the  Borrower  owed to a TOPrS
Subsidiary  and  incurred in  connection  with the issuance of the TOPrS by such
TOPrS Subsidiary.

     "TOPrS  Subsidiary"  shall mean a  Wholly-Owned  Subsidiary of the Borrower
which issued TOPrS and loaned the proceeds received therefrom to the Borrower.

     "Total Capitalization" shall mean, at any time, the sum of (i) Total Funded
Indebtedness,  plus (ii)  Consolidated Net Worth (which shall include solely for
this purpose the TOPrS Debt) at such time, plus (iii) to the extent not included
in the determination of Total Funded Indebtedness or Consolidated Net Worth, all
Qualified Preferred Stock and Non-Qualified  Preferred Stock outstanding 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,  the  sum  of  (i)  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 and (ii) all Non-Qualified Preferred Stock outstanding at such time.

     "Total Unutilized  Commitment" shall mean at any time for the determination
thereof, the Total Commitment less the Aggregate Loan Outstandings at such time.


                                       55

<PAGE>

     "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.

     "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.

     "Utilization Fee" shall have the meaning provided for in Section 2.01(b).

     "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 facsimile device.

     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 each such Bank to
act as  specified  herein and in the other Credit  Documents  and each such Bank
hereby irrevocably authorizes Chase as the Agent for each 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 any agents or attorneys-in-fact  selected by it with
reasonable care except to the extent otherwise required by Section 10.03.


                                       56

<PAGE>

     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 11.10, all the 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

                                       57

<PAGE>


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 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.


                                       58

<PAGE>

     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.


                                       59

<PAGE>

     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  LLP) and of the  Agent  and each of the Banks in
connection  with the  enforcement of the Credit  Documents 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, or a breach of any of the Credit  Documents by, 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


                                       60

<PAGE>

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.

     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), or (ii) 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  $5,000,000  (or such lesser amount as the Borrower and
the Agent  shall  agree).  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 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

                                       61

<PAGE>


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 Restatement  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  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


                                       62

<PAGE>

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 Restatement 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,  Facility  Fees and  Utilization  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 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


                                       63

<PAGE>


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  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 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) amend,
modify or waive any  provision  of this  Section,  (iii)  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 (iv)  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.

     11.11  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.

     11.12 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.


                                       64

<PAGE>

     11.13  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  required  to return any  materials
furnished by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower.

     11.14 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.

     11.15  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.


                                       65


<PAGE>


     11.16  EXISTING  NOTES.  Each Bank that is a party to the  Existing  Credit
Agreement shall, on the Restatement Effective Date or within 30 days thereafter,
deliver to the  Borrower for  cancellation  any Note (as such term is defined in
the  Existing  Credit  Agreement)  made by the  Borrower  in favor of such  Bank
pursuant  to the  Existing  Credit  Agreement.  If any such  Bank has  failed to
deliver to the  Borrower  any such Note by the close of business of the Borrower
on such  thirtieth  day,  such Bank shall  execute and deliver to the Borrower a
letter in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower pursuant to
which such Bank will agree to  indemnify  the  Borrower  against  losses that my
arise from the failure of such Bank to deliver any such Note to the Borrower.

                                     * * *

                                       66







<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         1,535,886
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     446,301
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               5,901,361<F1>
<CASH>                                          92,230
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              16,610
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          55,624
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,188,167
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,370,366
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            152,728
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           13,229
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                              1,201,341
                          100,000
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        70,077
<OTHER-SE>                                     889,349<F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 8,188,167
                                     367,975
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             88,603
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 298
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 178,014<F3>
<BENEFITS>                                     215,551
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     88,678
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            35,748
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                103,132
<INCOME-TAX>                                    33,846
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             69,286
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    69,286
<EPS-BASIC>                                     1.03<F4>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.99<F5>
<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, Loans held for sale, Short-term and Other
investments.
<F2>Sum of Additional paid-in-capital, Retained earnings, Deferred Compensation
and Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
<F3>Includes Loan interest and Other revenue.
<F4>Basic earnings per share
<F5>Diluted earnings per share
</FN>


</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission