AMERCO /NV/
S-3, 1996-08-14
AUTO RENTAL & LEASING (NO DRIVERS)
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<PAGE>   1
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 14, 1996
                                                     REGISTRATION NO.
================================================================================
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                                     AMERCO
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 

            NEVADA                                               88-0106815
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                            (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
  INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                             IDENTIFICATION NO.)
 
                            ------------------------
                         1325 AIRMOTIVE WAY, SUITE 100
                            RENO, NEVADA 89502-3239
                                 (702) 688-6300
              (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
       INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                            ------------------------
                           GARY V. KLINEFELTER, ESQ.
                                GENERAL COUNSEL
                                     AMERCO
                         1325 AIRMOTIVE WAY, SUITE 100
                            RENO, NEVADA 89502-3239
                                 (702) 688-6300
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                            ------------------------
                                   COPIES TO:

       JON S. COHEN, ESQ.                            ARNOLD B. PEINADO, III
     SNELL & WILMER L.L.P.                      MILBANK, TWEED, HADLEY & MCCLOY
      ONE ARIZONA CENTER                          ONE CHASE MANHATTAN PLAZA
  PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85004-0001                       NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005
         (602) 382-6247                                  (212) 530-5546
                            ------------------------
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
     From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. / /
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. /X/
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
                            ------------------------
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>                            <C>
====================================================================================================
TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES TO BE            PROPOSED MAXIMUM                  AMOUNT OF
  REGISTERED                            AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE(1)          REGISTRATION FEE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt Securities(1)....................          $600,000,000                   $206,897(2)
====================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) Such indeterminate amount of Debt Securities as shall be issued at
    indeterminate prices.
(2) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) of the Rules and Regulations under the
    Securities Act of 1933.
                            ------------------------
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(A) MAY
DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
                 (Subject to Completion, Dated August 14, 1996)
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                  $600,000,000
 
                                  A M E R C O
                                DEBT SECURITIES
 
                                      LOGO
 
     AMERCO (the "Company"), a holding company for U-Haul International, Inc.,
Ponderosa Holdings, Inc., Amerco Real Estate Company, and other companies, may
issue and sell from time to time unsecured debt securities ("Securities")
consisting of debentures, notes and/or other unsecured evidences of indebtedness
in one or more series. The Securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus may be
issued in one or more series or issuances and will be limited to an aggregate
public offering price of $600,000,000.
 
     The specific terms of the particular Securities in respect of which this
Prospectus is being delivered ("Offered Securities") will be set forth in a
supplement to this Prospectus ("Prospectus Supplement") which will be delivered
together with this Prospectus, including, where applicable, the specific
designation, aggregate principal amount, denomination, maturity, premium, if
any, rate (which may be fixed or variable), time and method of calculating
payments of interest, if any, place or places where principal, premium, if any,
and interest, if any, on such Securities will be payable, any terms of
redemption at the option of the Company, any sinking fund provisions, and the
initial public offering price for the Offered Securities.
 
     The Company may sell Securities directly to purchasers or through agents
designated from time to time by the Company or to or through underwriters or a
group of underwriters which may be managed by one or more underwriters. If any
agents of the Company or any underwriters are involved in the sale of Securities
in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents
or underwriters and any applicable commission or discount will be set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The net proceeds to the Company from the
sale of Securities will be the public offering price of such Securities less
such discount, in the case of an offering through an underwriter, or the
purchase price of such Securities less such commission, in the case of an
offering through an agent, and less, in each case, other expenses of the Company
associated with the issuance and distribution of such Securities.
 
     No person is authorized to give the information or to make any
representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus in connection with this Prospectus and, if given or made, any such
information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized
by the Company. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any state or other jurisdictions
where, or to any person to whom, it is unlawful to make such an offer or a
solicitation. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made
hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has
been no change in the affairs of the Company since the date hereof.
 
THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS"
ON PAGES 5-6.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
     PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
       REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                      ------------------------------------
 
               THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS SEPTEMBER   , 1996.
<PAGE>   3
 
                            ------------------------
 
      THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA HAS NOT
               APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THIS OFFERING NOR HAS THE
                    COMMISSIONER PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
                          ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
                            ------------------------
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance therewith, files reports, proxy
statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission"). Reports, proxy statements, and other information filed by
the Company may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington,
D.C. 20549, and at its regional offices located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th
Floor, New York, New York 10048, and Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material may
be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. In addition, such
material may be accessed electronically by means of the Commission's home page
on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement (the
"Registration Statement") with respect to the Securities offered hereby. This
Prospectus, which constitutes part of the Registration Statement, does not
contain all of the information contained in the Registration Statement and the
exhibits thereto. For further information with respect to the Company and the
Securities offered hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement,
including the exhibits thereto, which may be examined without charge at the
public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all or any part thereof may be
obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at prescribed
rates. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any
contract or any other document are not necessarily complete and, in each
instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or document filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement, each statement being qualified in all
respects by such reference.
 
     The Company's Series A 8 1/2% Preferred Stock is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange and the Company's Common Stock is listed on Nasdaq. Reports,
proxy statements, and other information filed by the Company may be inspected
and copied at the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York
10005 and at the National Association of Securities Dealers, 1735 K Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007.
 
     In addition, Summary Quarterly Financial Reports may be accessed
electronically by means of the Company's home page on the Internet at:
http://www.uhaul.com.
 
                     INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
     The Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996, the Quarterly Report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June 30, 1996, and the Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K filed
with the Commission on May 6, 1996 are incorporated herein by reference.
 
     All reports filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be made a part hereof from
their respective dates of filing.
 
     Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company will cause to be furnished without charge to each person,
including any beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon the
written or oral request of such person, a copy of any documents described above,
other than certain exhibits to such documents. Requests should be addressed to:
AMERCO, Investor Relations, 1325 Airmotive Way, Suite 100, Reno, Nevada 89502;
telephone: (702) 688-6300.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
                                COMPANY SUMMARY
 
     The Company is the holding company for its principal subsidiary, U-Haul
International, Inc. ("U-Haul"). The Company's U-Haul rental operations
represented 83.9%, 85.1%, and 85.0% of the Company's total revenue for the years
ended March 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The Company is also a holding
company for Ponderosa Holdings, Inc. ("Ponderosa") and Amerco Real Estate
Company ("AREC"). Throughout this Prospectus, unless the context otherwise
requires, the term "Company" includes all of the Company's subsidiaries.
 
     U-Haul U-Move Operations.  Founded in 1945, U-Haul is primarily engaged,
through subsidiaries, in the rental of trucks, automobile-type trailers, and
support rental items to the do-it-yourself moving customer. The Company's
do-it-yourself moving business operates under the U-Haul name through an
extensive and geographically diverse distribution network of approximately 1,100
Company-owned U-Haul Centers and approximately 13,700 independent dealers
throughout the United States and Canada. The Company believes it has more moving
equipment rental locations than its two largest competitors combined. U-Haul's
rental equipment fleet consists of approximately 87,000 trucks and approximately
99,000 trailers. The Company, as part of its fleet renewal program, purchased
approximately 80,000 new trucks between March 1987 and March 1996 and reduced
the overall average age of its truck fleet from approximately eleven years at
March 1987 to approximately five years at March 1996. Since 1990, U-Haul has
replaced approximately 62% of its trailer fleet with new, more aerodynamically
designed trailers better suited to the low height profile of many newly
manufactured automobiles. Additionally, U-Haul sells related products (such as
boxes, tape and packaging materials) and rents various kinds of equipment (such
as floor polishing and carpet cleaning equipment).
 
     U-Haul Self-Storage Rental Operations.  U-Haul entered the self-storage
business in 1974 and offers for rent more than 18.7 million square feet of
self-storage space through approximately 800 Company-owned or managed storage
locations. The Company believes it is the second largest self-storage operator
(in terms of square feet) in the industry. The Company believes its self-storage
operations are complementary to its do-it-yourself moving business. All of its
self-storage space is located at or near one or more U-Haul Centers or
independent U-Haul dealers.
 
     Ponderosa.  Ponderosa serves as the holding company for the Company's
insurance businesses. Ponderosa's two principal subsidiaries are Oxford Life
Insurance Company ("Oxford") and Republic Western Insurance Company ("RWIC").
For financial statement presentation, the Company's insurance subsidiaries
report on a calendar year basis while the Company reports on the basis of a
fiscal year ending on March 31.
 
     Oxford primarily reinsures life, health, and annuity type insurance
products and administers the Company's self-insured employee health plan.
Approximately 7.2% of Oxford's premium revenue results from business with the
Company. Oxford's revenues represented 3.8%, 3.2%, and 2.8% of the Company's
total revenue for the years ended March 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively.
Approximately 97% of Oxford's invested assets are in investment grade (NAIC-2 or
greater) fixed income securities. Oxford is rated "A-VII" by A.M. Best.
 
     RWIC originates and reinsures property and casualty type insurance products
for various market participants, including independent third parties, the
Company's customers, and the Company. RWIC's principal strategy is to capitalize
on its knowledge of insurance products aimed at the moving and rental markets.
Approximately 39% of RWIC's written premiums result from U-Haul and
U-Haul-affiliated underwriting activities. RWIC's revenues represented 12.3%,
11.7%, and 12.2% of the Company's total revenue for the years ended March 31,
1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. Approximately 98% of RWIC's invested assets
are in investment grade (NAIC-2 or greater) fixed income securities. RWIC is
rated "A+-VIII" by A.M. Best.
 
     AREC.  AREC owns and actively manages most of the Company's real estate
assets, including the Company's U-Haul Center locations. In addition to its
U-Haul operations, AREC actively seeks to lease or dispose of the Company's
surplus properties.
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
     The Company's principal executive offices are located at 1325 Airmotive
Way, Suite 100, Reno, Nevada 89502, and the telephone number of the Company is
(702) 688-6300. For more information on the Company, see "Business."
 
     The following chart represents the corporate structure of the major
operating subsidiaries of the Company.
 
                                      LOGO
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     THE FOLLOWING MATTERS, INCLUDING THOSE MENTIONED ELSEWHERE, SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED CAREFULLY BY A PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IN EVALUATING A PURCHASE OF THE
SECURITIES.
 
COMPANY STOCK REPURCHASE
 
     As discussed in "Shoen Litigation," the Company will repurchase 10,094,852
shares of its Common Stock on or before October 1, 1996 in satisfaction of a
judgment arising out of a lawsuit brought by certain significant shareholders of
the Company against certain of its current and former directors. The Company has
previously repurchased 8,160,124 shares of Common Stock from four of the
plaintiffs in the lawsuit in satisfaction of their claims. After completing all
of these repurchases, the Company will have acquired approximately 47.3% of its
outstanding Common Stock. The Company is not a defendant in this action.
 
     The Company will acquire the remaining shares of Common Stock and will
satisfy the remainder of the judgment in full with the payment of approximately
$256.0 million, plus interest, if ultimately awarded. The Company is currently
evaluating alternative methods for funding this repurchase. The Company has sold
mortgage notes for proceeds of $83.5 million and has completed a $97.4 million
sale and subsequent lease-back of rental trailers to raise a portion of the cash
needed. In order to comply with covenants in the Company's current credit
agreements following the repurchase of the remaining plaintiffs' stock, it may
be necessary to increase stockholders' equity by issuing capital stock. Such
capital stock may consist of dividend paying preferred stock, Series B Common
Stock, Common Stock, or a combination of the foregoing. There can be no
assurance, however, that the Company will be able to issue such capital stock on
terms desirable to the Company or that the Company will not have to borrow under
its credit agreements or issue additional debt to fund a portion of the
repurchase of Common Stock.
 
     Because the Company has not yet determined all of the sources of cash to
satisfy the judgment, the Company is unable to determine with certainty the
impact the repurchase will have on the Company's prospective financial
condition, results of operations, cash flows, or capital expenditure plans.
However, as a result of funding the repurchase, the Company may incur additional
costs in the future in the form of dividends on any dividend paying capital
stock issued to fund the repurchase and/or interest on borrowed funds.
Furthermore, following the repurchase, and without giving effect to any capital
stock which may be issued as described above, the Company's outstanding Common
Stock will be reduced by 10,094,852 shares, in addition to the 8,160,124 shares
repurchased from the plaintiffs to date.
 
     Other uncertainties remain about the repurchase, including the tax
treatment of the payments made and to be made by the Company to the plaintiffs.
Specifically, the Company plans to deduct for income tax purposes approximately
$324.3 million of the payments already made and remaining to be made by the
Company to the plaintiffs, which will reduce the Company's income tax liability.
While the Company believes that such income tax deductions are appropriate,
there can be no assurance that any such deductions ultimately will be allowed in
full. Accordingly, for tax and other reasons, the repurchase could result in
material changes in the Company's financial condition, results of operations,
and earnings per common share.
 
     Furthermore, in the event the fair value of the consideration paid by the
Company to the plaintiffs is in excess of the fair value of the stock
repurchased by the Company, the Company will be required to record an expense
equal to the difference. Based upon the uncertainties surrounding the
repurchase, the amount of such expense, if any, is not estimable as of the date
of this Prospectus. No such expense was recorded for the previous transactions
with the plaintiffs and no provision has been made in the Company's financial
statements for any payments to be made to the plaintiffs in the future. For the
reasons set forth above, the repurchase could have the effect of reducing the
Company's net income. See "Shoen Litigation."
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
     The Company has since fiscal 1989 managed a testing and removal program
that is expected to result in the removal of all but approximately 100 of its
underground storage tanks ("USTs") by the year 2000. Under this program, the
Company budgets $7 million annually for UST testing, removal and remediation and
has
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
removed a total of 2,296 USTs from April 1, 1989 through June 30, 1996 at a
total cost of approximately $26.2 million. At June 30, 1996, the Company owned
properties containing approximately 680 USTs. The USTs are used to store various
petroleum products, including gasoline, fuel oil, and waste oil, and a majority
of USTs have a capacity of less than 6,000 gallons. See
"Business -- Environmental Matters."
 
SEASONALITY
 
     The Company's U-Haul rental operations are seasonal and proportionally more
of the Company's revenues and net earnings from its rental operations are
generated in the first and second quarters of each fiscal year (April through
September). In addition, the Company's results of operations have in the past
been and will continue to be affected by a wide variety of factors, including
natural disasters (which affect, among other things, results of insurance
operations) and other events that are beyond the control of the Company.
 
LIMITED PRIOR MARKET
 
     There has been no public market for any of the Company's securities other
than the Company's Series A 8 1/2% Preferred Stock which is trading on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AO/A" and a small percentage of the
Company's Common Stock which is trading on Nasdaq under the symbol "AMOO". There
is currently no established market for any Securities that may be offered
pursuant to this Prospectus. Although the Company may apply to have the
Securities offered hereby listed on a national securities exchange or approved
for quotation on Nasdaq, there can be no assurance that it will do so or that an
active trading market will develop or be maintained following such offering. The
absence of any trading market for any of the Securities may have an adverse
effect on the liquidity of such Securities.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The use of proceeds for a particular offering of Securities will be set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such offering.
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     The following table sets forth the Company's ratios of earnings to fixed
charges for the periods indicated. For purposes of computing the ratio of
earnings to fixed charges, "earnings" consists of pretax earnings from
operations plus total fixed charges excluding interest capitalized during the
period, and "fixed charges" consists of interest expense, capitalized interest,
amortization of debt expense and discounts, and one-third of the Company's
annual rental expense (which the Company believes is a reasonable approximation
of the interest factor of such rentals). The ratio for the three months ended
June 30, 1996 may not be indicative of the ratio to be expected for fiscal 1997
because, among other reasons, the Company's U-Haul rental operations are
seasonal and proportionally more of its earnings are generated in the first and
second quarters of each fiscal year.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS
   ENDED
  JUNE 30,                                  YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,
- ------------           ----------------------------------------------------------------
    1996               1996           1995           1994           1993           1992
- ------------           ----           ----           ----           ----           ----
<S>                    <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
    3.48               2.01           1.99           1.67           1.45           1.21
</TABLE>
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following selected financial information, insofar as it relates to each
of the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, and 1992, has been
derived from and is qualified by reference to the financial statements and other
information and data contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, which is incorporated by reference herein.
The selected financial information related to the three months ended June 30,
1996 and 1995 has been derived from the Company's unaudited quarterly report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996, which is incorporated by
reference herein. Oxford and RWIC have been consolidated on the basis of fiscal
years ended December 31. The summaries for the three months ended June 30, 1996
and 1995 are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, all adjustments
necessary for a fair presentation of such financial information have been
included. The results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 1996 may
not be indicative of the results to be expected for fiscal 1997 because, among
other reasons, the Company's U-Haul rental operations are seasonal and
proportionally more of its revenue and net earnings are generated in the first
and second quarters of each fiscal year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               FOR THE THREE
                                                                                                               MONTHS ENDED
                                                        FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,                            JUNE 30,
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------    -----------------------
                                         1996(1)        1995         1994         1993         1992          1996       1995(1)
                                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>
Summary of Operations:
Rental, net sales and other revenue.... $1,094,185   $1,058,499   $  967,743   $  900,863   $  845,128    $  315,551   $  288,427
Premiums and net investment income.....    200,238      177,733      162,151      139,465      126,756        44,157       42,082
                                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------
                                         1,294,423    1,236,232    1,129,894    1,040,328      971,884       359,708      330,509
                                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------
Operating expense, advertising expense,
  and cost of sales....................    880,429      779,302      730,880      697,117      661,229       230,506      220,074
Benefits, losses and amortization of
  deferred acquisition costs...........    168,363      144,303      130,168      115,969       99,091        27,280       30,169
Depreciation(2)........................     81,847      151,409      133,485      110,105      109,641        18,779       37,693
Interest expense.......................     67,558       67,762       68,859       67,958       76,189        18,856       18,832
                                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------
                                         1,198,197    1,142,776    1,063,392      991,149      946,150       295,421      306,768
                                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------
Pretax earnings from operations........     96,226       93,456       66,502       49,179       25,734        64,287       23,741
Income tax expense.....................    (35,832)     (33,424)     (19,853)     (17,270)      (4,940)      (24,282)      (8,564)
                                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------
Earnings from operations before
  extraordinary loss on early
  extinguishment of debt and cumulative
  effect of change in accounting
  principle............................     60,394       60,032       46,649       31,909       20,794        40,005       15,177
Extraordinary loss on early
  extinguishment of debt(3)............         --           --       (3,370)          --           --            --           --
Cumulative effect of change in
  accounting principle(4)..............         --           --       (3,095)          --           --            --           --
                                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------
Net earnings........................... $   60,394   $   60,032   $   40,184   $   31,909   $   20,794    $   40,005   $   15,177
                                        ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========    ==========   ==========
Ratios:
  Ratio of earnings to fixed
    charges(5).........................       2.01         1.99         1.67         1.45         1.21          3.48         1.95
  Ratio of EBITDA to Interest(6).......       3.94         4.80         4.13         3.61         2.97          5.74         4.41
 
                                                                  MARCH 31,                                      JUNE 30,
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------    -----------------------
                                           1996         1995         1994         1993         1992          1996         1995
                                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
Balance Sheet Data:
Total property, plant and equipment,
  net.................................  $1,316,715   $1,274,246   $1,174,236   $  989,603   $  987,095    $1,249,816   $1,268,623
Total assets..........................  $2,827,978    2,605,989    2,344,442    2,024,023    1,979,324     2,714,443    2,678,930
Notes and loans payable...............     998,220      881,222      723,764      697,121      733,322       756,098      866,132
Stockholders' equity..................     649,548      686,784      651,787      479,958      451,888       677,957      700,949
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Reflects the adoption of Statement of Position 93-7, "Reporting on
    Advertising Costs."
(2) Reflects the change in estimated salvage value during the year ended March
    31, 1996.
(3) During fiscal 1994, the Company extinguished $25.2 million of its
    medium-term notes originally due in fiscal 1995 through 2000. This resulted
    in an extraordinary charge of $1.9 million, net of $1.0 million of tax
    benefit. The Company also terminated swaps with a national value of $77.0
    million originally due in fiscal 1995. The terminations resulted in an
    extraordinary charge of $1.5 million net of a $0.8 million tax benefit.
(4) Reflects the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106
    "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions."
(5) For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, "earnings"
    consists of pretax earnings from operations plus total fixed charges
    excluding interest capitalized during the period and "fixed charges"
    consists of interest expense, capitalized interest, amortization of debt
    expense and discounts and one-third of the Company's annual rental expense
    (which the Company believes is a reasonable approximation of the interest
    factor of such rentals).
(6) For purposes of computing the ratio of EBITDA to Interest, "EBITDA" consists
    of net earnings (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation, and
    amortization. EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flow or any other
    measure of performance in accordance with generally accepted accounting
    principles. EBITDA is included herein because certain investors find it to
    be a useful tool in understanding cash flow generated from operations that
    is available for debt service, taxes and capital expenditures.
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
HISTORY
 
     The Company was founded in 1945 under the name "U-Haul Trailer Rental
Company". From 1945 to 1975, the Company rented trailers and trucks on a one-way
and in-town (round-trip) basis through independent dealers (at that time
principally independent gasoline service stations). Since 1974, the Company has
developed a network of Company-owned rental centers ("U-Haul Centers") through
which U-Haul rents its trucks and trailers and provides a number of other
related products and services and has expanded the number and geographic
diversity of its independent dealers. At June 30, 1996, the Company's
distribution network included approximately 1,100 U-Haul Centers and
approximately 13,700 independent dealers.
 
     In March 1974, in conjunction with the acquisition and construction of
U-Haul Centers, the Company entered the self-storage business. As of March 31,
1996, approximately 72% of the Company's U-Haul Centers were located at or near
U-Haul self storage locations. Beginning in 1974, the Company introduced the
sale and installation of hitches and towing systems, as well as the sale of
support items such as packing and moving aids. During 1983, the Company expanded
its range of do-it-yourself rental products to include tools and equipment for
the homeowner and small contractor and other general rental items.
 
     In 1969, the Company acquired Oxford to provide employee health and life
insurance for the Company in a cost-effective manner. In 1973, the Company
formed RWIC to provide automobile liability insurance for the U-Haul truck and
trailer rental customers.
 
     Commencing in 1987, the Company began the implementation of a strategic
plan designed to emphasize reinvestment in its core do-it-yourself rental,
moving, and storage business. The plan included a fleet renewal program (see
"Business -- U-Haul Operations -- Rental Equipment Fleet"), and provided for the
discontinuation of certain unprofitable and unrelated operations. As part of its
plan, the Company discontinued the operation of its full-service moving van
lines, initiated the phase out of its recreational vehicle rental operations,
and began the disposition of its recreational vehicle rental fleet. The
disposition of the moving van lines' assets and the recreational vehicle rental
fleet was completed in 1988 and 1992, respectively. The Company also eliminated
various types of rental equipment and closed certain warehouses and repair
facilities. The Company believes that its refocused business strategy enabled
U-Haul to generate higher revenues and to achieve significant cost savings.
 
     Since 1987, the Company has sold surplus real estate assets with a book
value of approximately $43.6 million for total proceeds of approximately $87.9
million.
 
     In 1990, the Company reorganized its operations into separate legal
entities, each with its own operating, financial, and investment strategies. The
reorganization separated the Company into three parts: U-Haul rental operations,
insurance, and real estate. The purpose of the reorganization was to increase
management accountability and to allow the allocation of capital based on
defined performance measurements.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
     U-HAUL OPERATIONS
 
     The Company's present business strategy remains focused on the
do-it-yourself moving customer. The objective of this strategy is to offer, in
an integrated manner over a diverse geographical area, a wide range of products
and services to the do-it-yourself moving customer.
 
     Integrated Approach to Moving.  Through its "Moving Made Easier(R)"
program, the Company strives to offer its customers a high quality, reliable,
and convenient fleet of trucks and trailers at reasonable prices while
simultaneously offering other related products and services, including moving
accessories, self-storage facilities, and other items often desired by the
do-it-yourself mover. The rental trucks purchased in the fleet renewal program
have been designed with the do-it-yourself customer in mind to include features
such as low decks, air conditioning, power steering, automatic transmissions,
soft suspensions, AM/FM cassette stereo systems, and over-the-cab storage. The
Company has introduced certain insurance products, including
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
"Safemove(R)" and "Safestor(R)", to provide the do-it-yourself mover with
certain moving-related insurance coverage. In addition, the Company provides
rental customers the option of storing their possessions at either their points
of departure or destination.
 
     Wide Geographic Distribution.  The Company believes that the customer
access, in terms of truck or trailer availability and proximity of rental
locations, is critical to its success. Since 1987, the Company has more than
doubled the number of U-Haul rental locations, with a net addition of over 8,300
independent dealers.
 
     High Quality Fleet.  To effectively service the U-Haul customer at these
additional rental locations with equipment commensurate with the Company's
commitment to product excellence, the Company, as part of the fleet renewal
program, purchased approximately 80,000 new trucks between March 1987 and March
1996 and reduced the overall average age of its truck fleet from approximately
11 years at March 1987 to approximately five years at March 1996. During this
period, approximately 64,000 trucks were retired or sold.
 
     Since 1990, U-Haul has replaced approximately 61% of its trailer fleet with
new, more aerodynamically designed trailers better suited to the low height
profile of many newly manufactured automobiles. Given the mechanical simplicity
of a trailer relative to a truck as well as a trailer's longer useful life, the
Company expects to replace trailers only as necessary.
 
     Network Management System.  Beginning in 1983, the Company implemented a
point-of-sale computer system for all of its Company-owned locations. The system
was designed primarily to handle the Company's reservations, traffic, and
reporting of rental transactions. The Company believes that the implementation
of the system has been a significant factor in allowing the Company to increase
its fleet utilization. On an ongoing basis, the Company is enhancing and
revising the system to include managerial tools, such as budgeting and profit
and loss reporting. The Company is also expanding the system to include
transaction reporting from independent dealers and managed storage facilities.
 
     INSURANCE OPERATIONS
 
     Oxford's business strategy emphasizes long-term capital growth funded
through earnings from reinsurance and investment activities. In the past, Oxford
has selectively reinsured life, health, and annuity-type insurance products.
Oxford anticipates pursuing its growth strategy by providing reinsurance
facilities to well-managed insurance or reinsurance companies which offer
similar products and are in need of additional capital, either as a result of
rapid growth or regulatory demands, or are interested in divesting non-core
business lines.
 
     RWIC's principal business strategy is to capitalize on its knowledge of
insurance products aimed at the moving and rental markets. RWIC believes that
providing U-Haul and U-Haul customers with property and casualty insurance
coverage has enabled it to develop expertise in the areas of rental vehicle
lessee insurance coverage, self-storage property coverage, motor home insurance
coverage, and general rental equipment coverage. RWIC has used, and plans to
continue to use, this knowledge to expand its customer base by offering similar
products to insureds other than U-Haul and its customers. In addition, RWIC
plans to expand its involvement in specialized areas by offering commercial
multi-peril and excess workers' compensation.
 
U-HAUL OPERATIONS
 
     GENERAL
 
     The Company's do-it-yourself moving business operates under the U-Haul name
through an extensive and geographically diverse distribution network of
Company-owned U-Haul Centers and independent dealers throughout the United
States and Canada.
 
     Substantially all of the Company's rental revenue is derived from
do-it-yourself moving customers. Other occasional use customers provide the
remaining rental revenue. Moving rentals include: (i) in-town (round-trip)
rentals, where the equipment is returned to the originating U-Haul Center or
independent dealer and (ii) one-way rentals, where the equipment is returned to
a U-Haul Center or independent dealer in another
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
city. Typically, the number of in-town(R) rental transactions is substantially
greater than the number of one-way rental transactions. However, total revenues
generated by one-way transactions typically exceed total revenues from in-town
rental transactions.
 
     As part of the Company's integrated approach to the do-it-yourself moving
market, U-Haul has a variety of product offerings. U-Haul's "Moving Made
Easier(R)" program is designed to offer clean, well-maintained rental trucks and
trailers at a price the customer can afford and to provide support items such as
furniture pads, hand trucks, appliance and utility dollies, mirrors, tow bars,
tow dollies, and bumper hitches. The Company also sells boxes, tape, and
packaging materials and rents additional items such as floor polishers and
carpet cleaning equipment at its U-Haul Center locations. U-Haul Centers also
sell and install hitches, sell propane, and some of them sell gasoline. U-Haul
sells insurance packages such as (i) "Safemove(R)", which provides moving
customers with a damage waiver, cargo protection, and medical and life coverage,
and (ii) "Safestor(R)", which provides self-storage rental customers with
various insurance coverages.
 
     The U-Haul truck and trailer rental business tends to be seasonal with
proportionally more transactions and revenues generated in the spring and summer
months than during the balance of the year. The Company attributes this
seasonality to the preference of do-it-yourself movers to move during this time.
Also, consistent with do-it-yourself mover preferences, the number of rental
transactions tends to be higher on weekends than on weekdays.
 
     RENTAL EQUIPMENT FLEET
 
     As of June 30, 1996, U-Haul's rental equipment fleet consisted of
approximately 87,000 trucks and approximately 99,000 trailers. Rental trucks are
offered in five sizes and range in size from the ten-foot "Mini-Mover(R)" to the
twenty-six-foot "Super-Mover(R)". In addition, U-Haul offers pick-up trucks and
cargo vans at many of its locations. Trailers range between six feet and twelve
feet in length and are offered in both open and closed box configurations.
 
     DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
 
     The Company's U-Haul products and services are marketed across the United
States and Canada through approximately 1,100 Company-owned U-Haul Centers and
approximately 13,700 independent dealers as of June 30, 1996. The independent
dealers, which include gasoline station operators, general equipment rental
operators, and others, rent U-Haul trucks and trailers in addition to carrying
on their principal lines of business. U-Haul Centers, however, are dedicated to
the U-Haul line of products and services. Independent dealers are commonly
located in suburban and rural markets, while U-Haul Centers are concentrated in
urban and suburban markets.
 
     Independent dealers receive U-Haul equipment on a consignment basis and are
paid a commission on gross revenues generated from their rentals. Independent
dealers also may earn referral commissions on U-Haul products and services
provided at other U-Haul locations. The Company maintains contracts with its
independent dealers that can be canceled upon thirty days' written notice by
either party.
 
     In addition, the Company has sought to improve the productivity of its
rental locations by installing computerized reservations and network management
systems in each U-Haul Center and with a limited number of independent dealers.
The Company believes that these systems have been a major factor in enabling the
Company to deploy equipment more effectively throughout its network of locations
and anticipates expanding these systems to cover additional independent dealers.
 
     The Company's U-Haul Center and independent dealer network in the United
States and Canada is divided into ten districts, each supervised by an area
district vice president. Within the districts, the Company has established local
marketing companies, each of which, guided by a marketing company president, is
responsible for retail marketing at all U-Haul Centers and independent dealers
within its respective geographic area.
 
     Although rental dealers are independent, U-Haul area field managers work
with the dealer network by reviewing each independent dealer's facilities,
auditing their activities, and providing training on securing more
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
customers on a regular basis. In addition, the area field managers recruit new
independent dealers for expansion or replacement purposes. U-Haul has instituted
performance compensation programs that focus on accomplishment and reward strong
performers.
 
     SELF-STORAGE BUSINESS
 
     U-Haul entered the self-storage business in 1974 and since that time has
increased the rentable square footage of its storage locations through the
acquisition of existing facilities and new construction. In addition, the
Company has entered into management agreements to manage self-storage properties
owned by others and is expanding its ownership of self-storage facilities. The
Company also provides financing and management services for independent
self-storage businesses.
 
     Through approximately 800 Company-owned or managed storage locations in the
United States and Canada, the Company offers for rent more than 18.7 million
square feet of self-storage space as of June 30, 1996. The Company's
self-storage facility locations range in size from 1,000 to 149,000 square feet
of storage space, with individual storage spaces ranging in size from 16 square
feet to 200 square feet.
 
     The primary market for storage rooms is the storage of household goods. The
majority of customers renting storage rooms are in the process of a move. Even
with an increase of over 25,000 new and acquired storage rooms during fiscal
1996, average occupancy remained high, rates in the mid 80% range, with very
little seasonal variation. During fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1995, delinquent
rentals as a percentage of total storage rentals were approximately 6% in each
year. The Company considers this rate to be satisfactory.
 
     EQUIPMENT DESIGN, MANUFACTURE AND MAINTENANCE
 
     The Company designs and manufactures its truck van boxes, trailers, and
various other support rental equipment items. With the needs of the
do-it-yourself moving customer in mind, the Company's equipment is designed to
achieve high safety standards, simplicity of operation, reliability,
convenience, durability, and fuel economy. Truck chassis are manufactured to
Company specifications by both foreign and domestic truck manufacturers. These
chassis receive certain post-delivery modifications and are joined with van
boxes at seven Company-owned manufacturing and assembly facilities in the United
States.
 
     The Company services and maintains its trucks and trailers through an
extensive preventive maintenance program. Regular vehicle maintenance is
generally performed at Company-owned facilities located throughout the United
States and Canada. Major repairs are performed either by the chassis
manufacturers' dealers or by Company-owned repair shops. To the extent
available, the Company takes advantage of manufacturers' warranties.
 
     COMPETITION
 
     The do-it-yourself moving truck and trailer rental market is highly
competitive and dominated by national operators in both the in-town and one-way
markets. These competitors include the truck rental divisions of Ryder System,
Penske Truck Leasing, and Budget Rent-A-Car. Management believes that there are
two distinct users of rental trucks: commercial users and do-it-yourself users.
As noted above, the Company focuses on the do-it-yourself mover. The Company
believes that the principal competitive factors are price, convenience of rental
locations, and availability of quality rental equipment.
 
     The self-storage industry is also highly competitive. The top three
national firms, including the Company, Public Storage and Shurgard, only account
for ten percent of total industry square footage. Efficient management of
occupancy and delinquency rates, as well as price and convenience, are key
competitive factors.
 
     EMPLOYEES
 
     For the period ended March 31, 1996, the Company's non-seasonal workforce
consisted of approximately 13,000 employees comprised of approximately 39%
part-time and 61% full-time employees. During the summer months, the Company
increases its workforce by approximately 450 employees and the percentage of
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
part-time employees increases to approximately 43% of the total workforce. The
Company's employees are non-unionized, and management believes that its
relations with its employees are satisfactory.
 
INSURANCE OPERATIONS
 
     OXFORD -- LIFE INSURANCE
 
     Oxford underwrites life, health and annuity insurance, both as a direct
writer and as an assuming reinsurer. Oxford's direct writings are primarily
related to the underwriting of credit life and accident and health business
which accounted for 20.8% of Oxford's premium revenues for the year ended
December 31, 1995. Oxford's other direct lines are related to group life and
disability coverage issued to employees of the Company. For the year ended
December 31, 1995, approximately 7.2% of Oxford's premium revenues resulted from
business with the Company. In addition, direct premium revenue includes
individual life insurance acquired from other insurers. Oxford administers the
Company's self-insured group health and dental plans.
 
     Oxford's reinsurance assumed lines, which accounted for approximately 71.8%
of Oxford's premium revenues for the year ended December 31, 1995, include
individual life insurance coverage, annuity coverages, excess loss health
insurance coverage, credit life, credit accident and health, and short-term
travel accident coverage. These reinsurance arrangements are entered into with
unaffiliated insurers, except for travel accident products reinsured from RWIC.
 
     RWIC -- PROPERTY AND CASUALTY
 
     RWIC's underwriting activities consist of three basic areas: U-Haul and
U-Haul-affiliated underwriting, direct underwriting, and assumed reinsurance
underwriting. U-Haul underwritings include coverage for U-Haul and U-Haul
employees, and U-Haul-affiliated underwritings consist primarily of coverage for
U-Haul customers. For the year ended December 31, 1995, approximately 39% of
RWIC's written premiums resulted from U-Haul and U-Haul-affiliated underwriting
activities. RWIC's direct underwriting is done through home office underwriters
and selected general agents. The products provided include liability coverage
for rental vehicle lessees and storage rental properties, and coverage for
commercial multiple peril and excess workers' compensation. RWIC's assumed
reinsurance underwriting is done via broker markets and includes, among other
things, reinsurance of municipal bond insurance written through MBIA, Inc.
 
     RWIC's liability for unpaid losses is based on estimates of the ultimate
cost of settling claims reported prior to the end of the accounting period,
estimates of reinsurers and estimates of incurred but unreported losses which
are based on RWIC's experience and insurance industry historical experience.
Unpaid loss adjustment expenses are based on historical ratios of loss
adjustment expense paid to losses paid.
 
     The liabilities are estimates of the amount necessary to settle all claims
as of the date of the stated reserves and all incurred but not reported claims.
RWIC updates the reserves as additional facts regarding claims become available.
In addition, court decisions, economic conditions and public attitudes impact
the estimation of reserves and also the ultimate cost of claims. In estimating
reserves, no attempt is made to isolate inflation from the combined effect of
numerous factors including inflation. Unpaid losses and unpaid loss expenses are
not discounted.
 
     RWIC's unpaid loss and loss expenses are certified annually by an
independent actuarial consulting firm as required by state regulation.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
     Activity in the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses
is summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1995         1994         1993
                                                         --------     --------     --------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
    <S>                                                  <C>          <C>          <C>
    Balance at January 1...............................  $329,741     $314,482     $320,509
      Less reinsurance recoverable.....................    74,663       76,111       81,747
                                                         --------     --------     --------
    Net balance at January 1...........................   255,078      238,371      238,762
    Incurred related to:
      Current year.....................................   114,110      102,782       91,044
      Prior years......................................     8,292        6,576       12,688
                                                         --------     --------     --------
    Total incurred.....................................   122,402      109,358      103,732
    Paid related to:
      Current year.....................................    22,576       22,269       20,200
      Prior years......................................    86,796       70,382       83,923
                                                         --------     --------     --------
    Total paid.........................................   109,372       92,651      104,123
    Net balance at December 31.........................   268,108      255,078      238,371
      Plus reinsurance recoverable.....................    73,873       74,663       76,111
                                                         --------     --------     --------
    Balance at December 31.............................  $341,981     $329,741     $314,482
                                                         ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
     As a result of changes in estimates of insured events in prior years, the
provision for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses (net of reinsurance
recoveries of $26.7 million and $26.5 million in 1995 and 1994, respectively)
increased by $8.3 million and $6.6 million in 1995 and 1994, respectively,
because of higher than anticipated losses and related expenses for claims
associated with assumed reinsurance and certain retrospectively rated policies.
 
     The table on the next page illustrates the change in unpaid loss and loss
adjustment expenses. The first line shows the reserves as originally reported at
the end of the stated year. The second section, reading down, shows the
cumulative amounts paid as of the end of successive years with respect to that
reserve. The third section, reading down, shows revised estimates of the
original recorded reserve as of the end of successive years. The last section
compares the latest revised estimated reserve amount to the reserve amount as
originally established. This last section is cumulative and should not be
summed.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
                    UNPAID LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        DECEMBER 31
                                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  1985            1986            1987            1988            1989            1990     
                                --------        --------        --------        --------        --------        --------   
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Adjustment Expenses:.........   $123,342        $146,391        $168,688        $199,380        $207,939        $226,324   
Paid (Cumulative) as of:
   One year later............     41,170          54,627          49,681          59,111          50,992          55,128     
   Two years later...........     77,697          92,748          91,597          89,850          87,850          97,014   
   Three years later.........    105,160         124,278         110,834         114,979         116,043         120,994
   Four years later..........    126,734         137,744         129,261         133,466         132,703         133,338
   Five years later..........    133,421         151,354         142,618         145,864         142,159         144,764
   Six years later...........    142,909         161,447         152,579         153,705         151,227
   Seven years later.........    151,379         169,601         158,531         161,498
   Eight years later.........    158,728         173,666         165,021
   Nine years later..........    162,082         178,101
   Ten years later...........    165,923
Reserve Reestimated as of:
   One year later............    138,287         167,211         187,663         200,888         206,701         229,447
   Two years later...........    147,968         192,272         190,715         202,687         206,219         221,450
   Three years later.........    168,096         192,670         194,280         203,343         199,925         211,998
   Four years later..........    168,040         199,576         195,917         199,304         198,986         207,642
   Five years later..........    175,283         201,303         195,203         200,050         197,890         200,629
   Six years later...........    178,232         202,020         196,176         198,001         194,601
   Seven years later.........    182,257         202,984         196,770         197,112
   Eight years later.........    184,266         202,654         196,072
   Nine years later..........    187,247         203,285
   Ten years later...........    188,301
  Initial Reserve in Excess 
     of (Less than)
     Reestimated Reserve:
 Amount (Cumulative).........   $(64,959)       $(56,894)       $(27,384)       $  2,268        $ 13,338        $ 25,695
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  1991            1992            1993            1994            1995
                                --------        --------        --------        --------        --------
<S>                             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Adjustment Expenses:.........   $236,019        $238,762        $314,482        $329,741        $341,981
Paid (Cumulative) as of:
   One year later............     65,532          83,923          70,382          86,796
   Two years later...........    105,432         123,310         115,467
   Three years later.........    126,390         153,030
   Four years later..........    143,433
   Five years later.......... 
   Six years later...........  
   Seven years later.........
   Eight years later.........   
   Nine years later..........  
   Ten years later...........
Reserve Reestimated as of:
   One year later............    231,779         251,450         321,058        338,033
   Two years later...........    224,783         254,532         323,368
   Three years later.........    223,403         253,844
   Four years later..........    214,854
   Five years later.......... 
   Six years later...........   
   Seven years later.........   
   Eight years later.........  
   Nine years later..........
   Ten years later...........   
  Initial Reserve in Excess 
     of (Less than)
     Reestimated Reserve:
 Amount (Cumulative).........   $ 21,165        $(15,082)       $ (8,886)       $ (8,292)
</TABLE>

     The operating results of the property and casualty insurance industry,
including RWIC, are subject to significant fluctuations due to numerous factors,
including premium rate competition, catastrophic and unpredictable events
(including man-made and natural disasters), general economic and social
conditions, interest rates, investment returns, changes in tax laws, regulatory
developments, and the ability to accurately estimate liabilities for unpaid
losses and loss adjustment expenses.
 
     INVESTMENTS
 
     Oxford's and RWIC's investments must comply with the insurance laws of the
State of Arizona where the companies are domiciled. These laws prescribe the
type, quality, and concentration of investments that may be made. In general,
these laws permit investments in federal, state, and municipal obligations,
corporate bonds, preferred and common stocks, real estate mortgages, and real
estate, within specified limits and subject to certain qualifications. Moreover,
in order to be considered an acceptable reinsurer by cedents and intermediaries,
a reinsurer must offer financial security. The quality and liquidity of invested
assets are important considerations in determining such security.
 
     The investment philosophies of Oxford and RWIC emphasize protection of
principal through the purchase of investment grade fixed income securities.
Approximately 97% of Oxford's portfolio and 98% of RWIC's portfolio consist of
investment grade (NAIC-2 or greater) fixed income securities. The maturity
distributions are designed to provide sufficient liquidity to meet future cash
needs.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
     REINSURANCE
 
     The Company's insurance operations assume and cede insurance from and to
other insurers and members of various reinsurance pools and associations.
Reinsurance arrangements are utilized to provide greater diversification of risk
and to minimize exposure on large risks. However, the original insurer remains
liable should the assuming insurer not be able to meet its obligations under the
reinsurance agreements.
 
     REGULATION
 
     The Company's insurance subsidiaries are subject to considerable regulation
and supervision in the states in which they transact business. The purpose of
such regulation and supervision is primarily to provide safeguards for
policyholders. As a result of federal legislation, the primary regulation of the
insurance industry is performed by the states. State regulation extends to such
matters as licensing companies; restricting the types or quality of investments;
regulating capital and surplus and actuarial reserve maintenance; setting
solvency standards; requiring triennial financial examinations, market conduct
surveys, and the filing of reports on financial condition; licensing agents;
regulating aspects of the insurance companies' relationship with their agents;
restricting expenses, commissions, and new business issued; imposing
requirements relating to policy contents; restricting use of some underwriting
criteria; regulating rates, forms, and advertising; limiting the grounds for
cancellations or non-renewal of policies; regulating solicitation and
replacement practices; and specifying what constitutes unfair practices. State
laws also regulate transactions and dividends between an insurance company and
its parent or affiliates, and generally require prior approval or notification
for any change in control of the insurance subsidiary.
 
     In the past few years, the insurance and reinsurance regulatory framework
has been subjected to increased scrutiny by the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners (the NAIC), state legislatures, insurance regulators,
and the United States Congress. State legislatures have considered or enacted
legislative proposals that alter, and in many cases increase, state authority to
regulate insurance companies and holding company systems. The NAIC and state
insurance regulators have been examining existing laws and regulations with an
emphasis on insurance company investment and solvency issues. Legislation has
been introduced in Congress that could result in the federal government assuming
some role in the regulation of the insurance industry. It is not possible to
predict the future impact of changing state and federal regulation on the
operations of Oxford and RWIC.
 
     Oxford and RWIC have adopted the NAIC minimum risk-based capitalization
requirements for insurance companies. As of December 31, 1995, Oxford and RWIC
are in compliance with these requirements.
 
     COMPETITION
 
     The insurance industry is competitive. Competitors include a large number
of life insurance companies and property and casualty insurance companies, some
of which are owned by stockholders and others of which are owned by
policyholders (mutual). Many companies in competition with Oxford and RWIC have
been in business for a longer period of time or possess substantially greater
financial resources. Competition in the insurance business is based upon price,
product design, and services rendered to producers and policyholders.
 
AMERCO REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS
 
     AREC owns and manages most of the Company's real estate assets, including
the Company's U-Haul Center locations. AREC has responsibility for acquiring and
developing properties suitable for new U-Haul Centers and self-storage
locations. AREC is also responsible for managing any environmental risks
associated with the Company's real estate. In addition to the U-Haul operations,
AREC actively seeks to lease or dispose of surplus properties.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
     UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS
 
     The Company owns properties that, as of June 30, 1996, contained
approximately 680 underground storage tanks (USTs). The USTs are used to store
various petroleum products, including gasoline, fuel oil, and waste oil. The
USTs are subject to various federal, state, and local laws and regulations that
require testing and removal of leaking USTs, and remediation of polluted soils
and groundwater under certain circumstances. In addition, if leakage from USTs
has migrated, the Company may be subject to civil liability to third parties.
From April 1, 1989 through June 30, 1996, the Company incurred expenditures
totaling approximately $26.2 million for removal and remediation of 2,296 USTs,
a portion of which may be recovered from insurance and certain states' funds for
the removal of USTs. Expenditures incurred through the end of fiscal 1996 may
not be representative of future experience. However, the Company believes that
compliance with laws and regulations, and cleanup and liability costs related to
USTs will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition or operating results.
 
     In fiscal 1989, the Company began its current program emphasizing removal
of all but approximately 100 USTs by the year 2000. The USTs expected to remain
at the year 2000 are currently anticipated to consist primarily of waste oil
tanks not required to be removed under current laws and regulations and gasoline
tanks located at its remote rental locations where their use is deemed necessary
to service the Company's moving customers. The Company has budgeted $7.0 million
for fiscal 1997 for UST testing, removal, and remediation. Removal and
remediation costs are capitalized to the extent these costs improve the safety
or efficiency of the properties or are incurred in preparing the properties for
sale.
 
     FEDERAL SUPERFUND SITES
 
     The Company has been named as a "potentially responsible party" (PRP) with
respect to the disposal of hazardous wastes at fourteen federal superfund
hazardous waste sites located in eleven states. Under applicable laws and
regulations the Company could be held jointly and severally liable for the costs
to clean up these sites. Currently, the Company has entered into settlements for
nine of the sites for de minimis amounts. One of the sites has been disputed by
the Company with no response for eight years. Based upon the information
currently available to the Company regarding these fourteen sites, the current
anticipated magnitude of the cleanup, the number of PRPs, and the volumes of
hazardous waste currently anticipated to be attributed to the Company and other
PRPs, the Company believes its share of the cost of investigation and cleanup at
the fourteen superfund sites will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition or operating results.
 
     WASHINGTON STATE HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES
 
     A subsidiary of U-Haul owns one property located within two different state
hazardous waste sites in the State of Washington. The property is located in
Yakima, Washington and is believed to contain elevated levels of pesticide and
other contaminant residue as a result of onsite operations conducted by one or
more former owners. The State of Washington has designated the property as a
state hazardous waste site known as the "Yakima Valley Spray Site". The
subsidiary, U-Haul Co. of Inland Northwest (Inland Northwest), has been named by
the State of Washington as a "potentially liable party" (PLP) under state law
with respect to this site, along with approximately 100 other companies and
individuals. Inland Northwest, together with eight other companies and persons,
has formed a committee that has retained an environmental consultant. The
process of site assessment on the Yakima Valley Spray Site is ongoing and, based
upon the information currently available to Inland Northwest regarding the
volume and nature of wastes present, Inland Northwest is unable to reasonably
assess the potential investigation and cleanup costs, but the costs could be
substantial. Although Inland Northwest has entered into an agreement with such
other companies and persons under which Inland Northwest has assumed
responsibility for 20% of the costs to investigate the site, no agreement among
the parties with respect to cleanup costs has been entered into at the date
hereof.
 
     In addition, Inland Northwest has been named by the State of Washington as
a PLP along with 300 other PLPs with respect to another state-listed hazardous
waste site known as the "Yakima Railroad Site". The
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
Yakima Valley Spray Site is located within the Yakima Railroad Site. Inland
Northwest has been notified that the Yakima Railroad Site involves potential
groundwater contamination in an area of approximately two square miles. Inland
Northwest has contested its designation as a PLP at this site, but, at the date
hereof, no formal ruling has been issued in this matter.
 
     In February 1992, the State of Washington issued an enforcement order to
Inland Northwest and eight other parties requiring an interim remedial action
and the provision of bottled water to households that obtain drinking water from
wells within the Yakima Railroad Site. Without conceding any liability, Inland
Northwest and several of the other PLPs have implemented the bottled water
program. Over the past four years, Inland Northwest has incurred an average
annual expense of $720 for the bottled water program. The State of Washington
has stated its intention to expand the existing municipal water system to supply
municipal water to those households currently receiving bottled water, and it is
estimated that the cost thereof will be approximately $6 million, with such cost
being allocated among the 300 PLPs.
 
     In addition, there will be costs associated with remedial measures to
address the regional groundwater contamination issue. The process of site
assessment on the Yakima Railroad Site is ongoing and, based upon the
information currently available to Inland Northwest regarding the volume and
nature of wastes present, Inland Northwest is unable to reasonably assess the
potential investigation and clean-up costs, but the costs could be substantial.
Moreover, the investigative and remedial costs incurred by the State can be
imposed upon Inland Northwest and any other PLP as a joint and several
liability. At the date of this report, other than the indication of the
expansion of the municipal water system, there has been no formal indication
from the State of Washington of its intentions regarding future cost recoveries
at the Yakima Railroad Site.
 
     OTHER
 
     Subsidiaries of the Company own twelve facilities that manufacture and
assemble various components of the Company's equipment. In addition, the
subsidiaries own various facilities engaged in the maintenance and servicing of
its equipment. Various individual properties owned and operated by the Company
are subject to various state and local laws and regulations relating to the
methods of disposal of solvents, tires, batteries, antifreeze, waste oils and
other materials. Compliance with these requirements is monitored and enforced at
the local level. Based upon information currently available to the Company,
compliance with these local laws and regulations has not had, and is not
expected to have, a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition
or operating results.
 
     AREC currently leases approximately 200 properties to various businesses.
AREC has a policy of leasing properties subject to an environmental
indemnification from the lessee for operations conducted by the lessee. It
should be recognized, however, that such indemnifications do not cover
pre-existing conditions and may be limited by the lessee's financial
capabilities. In any event, to the extent that any lessee does not perform any
of its obligations under applicable environmental laws and regulations, the
Company may remain potentially liable to governmental authorities and other
third parties for environmental conditions at the leased properties.
Furthermore, as between the Company and its lessees, disputes may arise as to
allocation of liability with respect to environmental conditions at the leased
properties.
 
                                SHOEN LITIGATION
 
     A judgment was entered on February 21, 1995, in an action in the Superior
Court of the State of Arizona, Maricopa County, entitled Samuel W. Shoen, M.D.,
et al. v. Edward J. Shoen, et al., No. CV88-20139, instituted August 2, 1988
(the "Shoen Litigation") against Edward J. Shoen, James P. Shoen, Aubrey K.
Johnson, John M. Dodds, and William E. Carty, who are current members of the
Board of Directors of the Company and against Paul F. Shoen, who is a former
director. The Company was also a defendant in the action as originally filed,
but was dismissed from the action on August 15, 1994. The plaintiffs alleged,
among other things, that certain of the individual plaintiffs were wrongfully
excluded from sitting on the Company's Board of Directors in 1988 through the
sale of Company Common Stock to certain key employees. That sale allegedly
prevented the plaintiffs from gaining a majority position in the Company's
Common Stock and control of the Company's Board of Directors. The plaintiffs
alleged various breaches of fiduciary duty and
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
other unlawful conduct by the individual defendants and sought equitable relief,
compensatory damages, punitive damages, and statutory post-judgment interest.
 
     Based on the plaintiffs' theory of damages, the court ruled that the
plaintiffs elected as their remedy in this lawsuit to transfer their shares of
stock in the Company to the defendants upon the satisfaction of the judgment.
The judgment was entered against the defendants in the amount of approximately
$461.8 million plus interest and taxable costs. In addition, on February 21,
1995, judgment was entered against Edward J. Shoen in the amount of $7 million
as punitive damages. On March 23, 1995, Edward J. Shoen filed a notice of appeal
with respect to the award of punitive damages.
 
     Pursuant to separate indemnification agreements, the Company has agreed to
indemnify the defendants to the fullest extent permitted by law or the Company's
Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws, for all expenses and damages incurred by
the defendants in this proceeding, subject to certain exceptions. In addition,
the transfer of Common Stock from the plaintiffs to the defendants would
implicate rights held by the Company. For example, pursuant to the Company's
By-Laws, the Company has certain rights of first refusal with respect to the
transfer of the plaintiffs' stock. Furthermore, the defendants' rights to
acquire the plaintiffs' stock may present a corporate opportunity which the
Company is entitled to exercise.
 
     On February 21, 1995, Edward J. Shoen, James P. Shoen, Aubrey K. Johnson,
John M. Dodds, and William E. Carty (the "Director-Defendants") filed for
protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy laws, resulting in the
issuance of an order automatically staying the execution of the judgment against
those defendants. In late April 1995, the Director-Defendants, in cooperation
with the Company, filed plans of reorganization in the United States Bankruptcy
Court for the District of Arizona, all of which propose the same funding and
treatment of the plaintiffs' claims resulting from the judgment in the Shoen
Litigation. The plans of reorganization, as amended and restated on February 29,
1996, were confirmed by the bankruptcy court on March 15, 1996. The plans, as
confirmed, shall collectively be referred to as the "Plan".
 
     On April 25, 1995, the Director-Defendants filed an action in the
bankruptcy court seeking injunctive relief to prevent the Company from
conducting its annual meetings of stockholders until the Plan is confirmed
and/or to prevent the plaintiffs from voting the common stock that they are
required to transfer pursuant to the Shoen Litigation. On June 8, 1995, the
bankruptcy court issued a memorandum decision and an order enjoining the Company
from holding its 1994 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (which was originally
delayed as a result of litigation initiated by Paul F. Shoen) or any subsequent
annual meeting of stockholders until the court enters an order confirming or
denying confirmation of the Plan or until further order of the court. On June
21, 1996, the bankruptcy court issued an order enjoining the annual meetings
until consummation of the Plan. The Company has not scheduled the 1994, 1995, or
1996 Annual Meetings of Stockholders. However, the Company anticipates that such
meetings will occur as soon as practicable after the consummation of the Plan.
 
     In early October 1995, the Director-Defendants made written demand upon the
Company to make them whole for losses resulting from the judgment in the Shoen
Litigation. The Director-Defendants also asserted substantial claims against the
Company related to or arising from the Shoen Litigation, including, but not
limited to, claims for financial losses, emotional distress, loss of business
and/or professional reputation, loss of credit standing and breach of contract.
The Director-Defendants claim that their actions that form the basis for the
judgment in the Shoen Litigation were actions within the scope of the
Director-Defendants' duties and that such actions were undertaken in good faith
and for the benefit of the Company.
 
     In addition, the Director-Defendants had retained unexpired appeal rights
with respect to the Shoen Litigation. If the Director-Defendants exercised such
appeal rights, the damage award may have increased and the Company may have been
exposed to increased liability to the Director-Defendants under existing
indemnity agreements.
 
     In recognition of the foregoing and of the substantial risks associated
with an appeal of the Shoen Litigation, on October 17, 1995, the Company entered
into an agreement ("the Agreement") with the Director-Defendants resolving the
foregoing issues. Under the Agreement, the Company agreed, among other things,
to fund the Plan and to release the Director-Defendants from all claims the
Company may have against
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
them arising from the Shoen Litigation. In addition, the Director-Defendants
agreed, (i) to release, subject to certain exceptions, the Company from any
claim they may have against it pursuant to any indemnification agreements, (ii)
to assign all rights they have under the Shoen Litigation to the Company, (iii)
to waive all appeal rights related to the Shoen Litigation (not including Edward
J. Shoen's appeal of the punitive damage award), and (iv) not to oppose the
Company should it elect to exercise its right of first refusal on any Common
Stock to be transferred by the plaintiffs upon satisfaction of the judgment in
the Shoen Litigation.
 
     On September 19, 1995, the Director-Defendants entered into a Stock
Purchase Agreement with one of the plaintiffs in the Shoen Litigation, Maran,
Inc., a Nevada corporation ("Maran"). All of Maran's voting stock was held by
Mary Anna Shoen Eaton ("Shoen Eaton"), who was also a plaintiff in the Shoen
Litigation. Under the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Director-Defendants agreed
to purchase 3,343,076 shares of Common Stock held by Maran in exchange for
approximately $22.7 million. The Stock Purchase Agreement was approved by the
bankruptcy court on October 10, 1995. On October 18, 1995, the Company exercised
its right of first refusal and repurchased the Common Stock that was the subject
of the Stock Purchase Agreement for the price set forth therein. In addition, on
September 19, 1995, the Director-Defendants, Shoen Eaton, Maran, and the Company
entered into a Settlement Agreement, providing for the payment to Shoen Eaton of
approximately $41.4 million in exchange for a full release of all claims against
the Company and the Director-Defendants, including all claims asserted by her in
the Shoen Litigation. The Settlement Agreement was approved by the bankruptcy
court on October 10, 1995, and the payment was made on October 18, 1995. As a
result of the foregoing, and after giving effect to the discount achieved
through settlement, approximately $84.6 million of the judgment in the Shoen
Litigation was satisfied.
 
     Pursuant to the judgment in the Shoen Litigation, on January 30, 1996, the
Company acquired 833,420 shares of Common Stock held by L.S.S., Inc. ("L.S.S.")
in exchange for approximately $5.7 million and paid damages to L.S. Shoen of
approximately $15.4 million. The Company also funded a total of approximately
$2.1 million of statutory post-judgment interest on the above amounts. In
addition, on February 7, 1996, the Company acquired 1,651,644 shares of Common
Stock held by Thermar, Inc. ("Thermar") by paying Thermar approximately $41.8
million, including damages of approximately $30.6 million. The Company also paid
to Thermar approximately $4.1 million of statutory post-judgment interest on
such amount. Finally, on July 19, 1996, the Company paid CEMAR, Inc. ("Cemar")
approximately $15.9 million to repurchase 2,331,984 shares of Common Stock held
by Cemar. On the same date, the Company paid damages to Cecilia M. Hanlon of
approximately $43.1 million and statutory post-judgment, pre-petition date
interest of $129,000. On August 6, 1996, the Company funded approximately $8.3
million of post-petition date interest by depositing such amount into an escrow
account pending the outcome of a dispute involving the entitlement of the
plaintiffs in the Shoen Litigation to post-petition date interest. Upon the
funding of the above-mentioned escrow account, the Common Stock held by Cemar
was transferred into the Company treasury. As a result of the foregoing
transactions, the balance of the judgment has been reduced to approximately
$256.0 million, plus post-petition date interest claimed by the plaintiffs.
 
     With respect to the remaining plaintiffs in the Shoen Litigation, the Plan
provides for the payment by the Company of approximately $68.6 million in
exchange for 10,094,852 shares of Common Stock held by five of the plaintiffs
and for the payment by the Company of approximately $187.4 million to three of
the plaintiffs as damages.
 
     As of the date hereof, an issue remains regarding whether or not the
remaining plaintiffs and Cecilia M. Hanlon are entitled to statutory
post-judgment interest at the rate of 10% per year for the period following the
Director-Defendants' bankruptcy filings. As of August 8, 1996, total accrued
post-petition date interest on the outstanding balance of the judgment is
approximately $37.4 million and is accruing at the rate of approximately $70,000
per day. On July 19, 1996 the bankruptcy court ruled that the plaintiffs are
entitled to such post-petition date interest. The Director-Defendants and the
Company intend to appeal the bankruptcy court's decision following the entry of
a final order on this issue by the bankruptcy court. Pending the final
resolution of the post-petition date interest dispute (including all appeals by
either side), the Company intends, if necessary, to deposit either cash or, in
appropriate circumstances, an irrevocable letter of credit into an escrow
account to secure payment of the post-petition date interest. The amount of the
escrow deposit
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
would be in such case equal to the accrued interest to the date funds are
deposited into escrow. As provided in the Plan, the escrow deposit, plus
interest thereon, will remain until all aspects of the post-petition date
interest dispute have been finally decided, including dischargeability
litigation which the plaintiffs filed against the Director-Defendants in the
bankruptcy court as an alternative means of trying to collect post-petition date
interest. The dischargeability litigation has not been set for trial and is
likely to await the outcome of the other aspects of the post-petition date
interest dispute.
 
     On March 15, 1996, the bankruptcy court issued a Confirmation Order in each
Director-Defendant's Chapter 11 case. This order provided that the effective
date for the Plan (i.e., the date on which the Company will pay the plaintiffs
an aggregate of approximately $256.0 million and the remaining plaintiffs will
surrender their Common Stock) will be no later than October 1, 1996 (absent
compelling circumstances justifying an extension of that date).
 
     As of the date hereof, the Company has not yet determined all of the
sources of cash which will be used to fund the Plan. The Company has sold
mortgage notes for proceeds of approximately $83.5 million and completed a $97.4
million sale and subsequent lease-back of rental trailers to partially fund the
Plan. In order to comply with certain covenants in the Company's current credit
agreements following the repurchase of the remaining plaintiffs' stock, it may
be necessary to increase stockholders' equity by issuing capital stock. Such
capital stock may consist of dividend paying preferred stock, Series B Common
Stock, Common Stock, or a combination of the foregoing.
 
     Because the Company has not determined all of the sources of cash to fund
the Plan, the Company is unable to determine with certainty the impact the Plan
will have on the Company's prospective financial condition, results of
operations, cash flows, or capital expenditure plans. However, as a result of
funding the Plan, the Company may incur additional costs in the future in the
form of dividends on any dividend paying stock issued to fund the Plan and/or
interest on borrowed funds. Furthermore, following consummation of the Plan, and
without giving effect to any capital stock which may be issued as part of the
Plan funding, the Company's outstanding Common Stock would be reduced by
10,094,852 shares, in addition to the 3,343,076 shares repurchased from Maran on
October 18, 1995, the 833,420 shares repurchased from L.S.S. on January 30,
1996, the 1,651,644 shares repurchased from Thermar on February 7, 1996, and the
2,331,984 shares repurchased from Cemar on August 6, 1996.
 
     Other uncertainties remain about the Plan, including the tax treatment of
the payments made and to be made by the Company pursuant to the Plan.
Specifically, the Company plans to deduct for income tax purposes approximately
$324.3 million of the payments already made and remaining to be made by the
Company to the plaintiffs, which will reduce the Company's income tax liability.
While the Company believes that such income tax deductions are appropriate,
there can be no assurance that any such deductions ultimately will be allowed in
full. Accordingly, for tax and other reasons, the Plan could result in material
changes in the Company's financial condition, results of operations, and
earnings per common share.
 
     Furthermore, in the event the fair value of the consideration paid by the
Company to the plaintiffs is in excess of the fair value of the stock
repurchased by the Company, the Company will be required to record an expense
equal to that difference. Based upon the uncertainties surrounding the funding
of the Plan, the amount of such expense, if any, is not estimable as of the date
hereof. No such expense was recorded for book purposes related to the Maran,
L.S.S., Thermar, and Cemar transactions and no provision has been made in the
Company's financial statements for any payments to be made to the plaintiffs in
the future. For the reasons set forth above, the Plan could have the effect of
reducing the Company's net income.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
                           DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
 
     The following is a description of certain general terms of the Securities
to which any Prospectus Supplement may relate. The particular terms of the
Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement (the "Offered Securities") and
the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the Securities
so offered will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such
Offered Securities.
 
     The Offered Securities are to be issued under an indenture (the
"Indenture"), between the Company and                     , as trustee (the
"Trustee"), a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement. The following summaries of certain provisions of the Indenture do not
purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety
by reference to, all provisions of the Indenture, including the definitions
therein of certain terms. Wherever particular provisions or defined terms of the
Indenture are referred to, such provisions or defined terms are incorporated
herein by reference. Certain defined terms in the Indenture are capitalized
herein.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company.
 
     The Indenture does not limit the amount of Securities that may be issued
thereunder and provides that Securities may be issued thereunder from time to
time in one or more series.
 
     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Offered
Securities for the following terms, where applicable, of the Offered Securities:
(1) the title of the Offered Securities; (2) any limit on the aggregate
principal amount of the Offered Securities; (3) the Person to whom any interest
on any Offered Security will be payable, if other than the Person in whose name
such Offered Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at
the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest; (4) the date
or dates on which the Offered Securities will mature; (5) the rate or rates
(which may be fixed or variable) at which the Offered Securities will bear
interest, if any, and the date or dates from which such interest will accrue;
(6) the dates on which such interest, if any, will be payable and the Regular
Record Dates for such Interest Payment Dates; (7) the place or places where the
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Offered Securities shall
be payable, where any Offered Securities may be surrendered for registration of
transfer or exchange and where notices to or demand upon the Company may be
delivered; (8) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which,
and the terms and conditions upon which, the Offered Securities may be redeemed
in whole or in part, at the option of the Company; (9) the obligation, if any,
of the Company to redeem or purchase such Offered Securities pursuant to any
sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a Holder thereof and the
period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and
conditions upon which, such Offered Securities shall be redeemed or purchased,
in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; (10) the denominations in
which such Offered Securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of
$1,000 and any integral multiples thereof; (11) the portion of the principal
amount of the Offered Securities, if other than the entire principal amount
thereof, payable upon acceleration of maturity thereof; (12) the right of the
Company to defease the Offered Securities or certain restrictive covenants and
certain Events of Default under the Indenture; (13) the currency or currencies
in which payment of principal and premium, if any, and interest on the Offered
Securities will be payable, if other than United States dollars; (14) if the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such Offered
Securities is to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof,
in a currency or currencies other than that in which such Offered Securities are
stated to be payable, the currency or currencies in which payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such Offered
Securities as to which such election is made will be payable and the period or
periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may
be made; (15) any index used to determine the amount of payments of principal of
and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Offered Securities; (16) if
the Offered Securities will be issuable only in the form of a Global Security as
described under "Book-Entry Securities," the Depository or its nominee with
respect to the Offered Securities, and the circumstances under which the Global
Security may be registered for transfer or exchange in the name of a
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
Person other than the Depository or its nominee; (17) any additional Events of
Default; and (18) any other terms of the Offered Securities.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating to Offered
Securities, principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the
Securities will be payable, and the Securities will be exchangeable and
transfers thereof will be registrable, at the office of the Trustee at
provided that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by:
(1) wire transfer on the date of payment in immediately available federal funds
or next day funds to an account specified by written notice to the Trustee from
any Holder of Securities; (2) any similar manner that such Holder may designate
in writing to the Trustee; or (3) by check mailed to the address of the Person
entitled thereto as it appears in the Security Register. Any payment of
principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, required to be made on an
Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, or at Maturity that is not a Business
Day need not be made on such day, but may be made on the next succeeding
Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment
Date, Redemption Date, or at Maturity, as the case may be, and no interest shall
accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption
Date, or Maturity.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating to Offered
Securities, the Securities will be issued only in fully registered form, without
coupons, in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof. No service
charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company
may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other government
charge payable in connection therewith.
 
     Securities may be issued under the Indenture as Original Issue Discount
Securities to be offered and sold at a substantial discount from their stated
principal amount. In addition, under proposed Treasury Regulations, it is
possible that Securities that are offered and sold at their stated principal
amount would, under certain circumstances, be treated as issued at an original
issue discount for federal income tax purposes. Federal income tax consequences
and other special considerations applicable to any such Original Issue Discount
Securities (or other Securities treated as issued at an original issue discount)
and to "investment units" will be described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto. "Original Issue Discount Security" means any security that
provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and
payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default and the continuation thereof.
 
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
 
     The Securities will be represented by one or more permanent global notes
(each, a "Global Security") deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository
Trust Company, as Depository under the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture
(the "Depository"), and registered in the name of the Depository's nominee.
Except as set forth below, (1) owners of beneficial interests in a Global
Security will not be entitled to have Securities represented by such Global
Security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive
physical delivery of Securities in definitive form and will not be considered
the owners or holders thereof under the Securities Indenture and the
Supplemental Indenture and (2) each Global Security may be transferred, in whole
and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depository or to a successor of
the Depository or its nominee. Accordingly, beneficial interests in the
Securities will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only
through, records maintained by the Depository and its participants. The laws of
some states require certain purchasers of securities to take physical delivery
thereof in definitive form. The depository arrangements described above and such
laws may impair the ability to own or transfer beneficial interests in a Global
Security. Owners of beneficial interests in any Global Security will not be
entitled to receive Securities in definitive form and will not be considered
holders of Securities unless (1) the Depository notifies the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at
any time the Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the
Exchange Act, (2) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company
Order that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (3) there shall have
occurred and be continuing an Event of Default or an event which, with the
giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default
with respect to the Securities (a "Default"). In such
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
circumstances, upon surrender by the Depository or a successor depository of any
Global Security, Securities in definitive form will be issued to each person
that the Depository or a successor depository identifies as the beneficial owner
of the related Securities. Upon such issuance, the Trustee is required to
register such Securities in the name of, and cause such Securities to be
delivered to, such person or persons (or nominees thereof). Such Securities
would be issued in fully registered form without coupons, in denominations of
$1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
 
     The Depository has advised the Company and the Underwriters as follows: The
Depository is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the
State of New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency" registered
pursuant to the provisions of section 17A of the Exchange Act. The Depository
was created to hold securities for its participants (the "Participants") and to
facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its
participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in
accounts of the Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement
of securities certificates. The Depository's direct Participants include
securities brokers and dealers (including the Underwriters), banks, trust
companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations, some of whom
(and/or their representatives) own the Depository. Access to the Depository's
book-entry system is also available to others (the "Indirect Participants"),
such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or
indirectly. The Depository agrees with and represents to its Participants that
it will administer its book-entry system in accordance with its rules and
by-laws and requirements of law.
 
     Principal and interest payments on Securities registered in the name of or
held by the Depository or its nominee will be made to the Depository or its
nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security
representing such Securities. Under the terms of the Securities Indenture and
the Supplemental Indenture, the Company and the Trustee will treat the persons
in whose names the Securities are registered as the holders of such Securities
for the purpose of receiving payment of principal and interest on such
Securities and for all other purposes whatsoever. Therefore, none of the
Company, the Trustee or any paying agent has any direct responsibility or
liability for the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities to
owners of beneficial interests in any Global Security. The Depository has
advised the Company and the Trustee that its current practice is to credit the
accounts of Participants with payments of principal or interest on the date
payable in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings in principal
amount of beneficial interests in a Global Security as shown in the records of
the Depository, unless the Depository has reason to believe that it will not
receive payment on such date. The Depository's current practice is to credit
such accounts, as to interest, in next-day funds and, as to principal, in
same-day funds. Payments by Participants and Indirect Participants to owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Security will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held
for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name" and
will be the responsibility of the Participants and Indirect Participants.
 
     The Depository has advised the Company that it will take any action
permitted to be taken by an owner or Holder of Securities only at the direction
of one or more Participants to whose account with the Depository such Holder's
Securities are credited. Additionally, the Depository has advised the Company
that it will take such actions with respect to any percentage of the beneficial
interest of holders who hold Securities through Participants only at the
direction of and on behalf of Participants whose account holders include
undivided interests that satisfy any such percentage. The Depository may take
conflicting actions with respect to other undivided interests to the extent that
such actions are taken on behalf of Participants whose account Holders include
such undivided interests.
 
SAME-DAY FUNDS SETTLEMENT SYSTEM AND PAYMENT
 
     Settlement for the Securities will be made by the Underwriters in
immediately available funds. All payments of principal and interest will be made
by the Company in immediately available funds or, at the option of the Company
in the case of Securities issued in definitive form, by check in the case of
interest payments.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
     Secondary trading in long-term notes of corporate issuers is generally
settled in clearinghouse or next-day funds. In contrast, the Securities will
trade in the Depository's Same-Day Funds Settlement System until maturity, and
secondary market trading activity in the Securities will therefore be required
by the Depository to settle in immediately available funds. No assurance can be
given as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on
trading activity in the Securities.
 
PURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
     Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, each Holder
shall have the right to require the Company to purchase all or any part (equal
to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder's Securities pursuant
to the offer described below (the "Change of Control Offer") at a purchase price
equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, if any, to the purchase date (the "Change of Control Purchase Price").
Without the appropriate consent of the Holders of the Securities, neither the
Board of Directors of the Company nor the Trustee may waive the provisions of
the Indenture requiring the Company to make a Change of Control Offer upon a
Change of Control Triggering Event. Events that constitute a Change of Control
may not require approval by the Company's Board of Directors.
 
     Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the
Company shall (i) cause a notice of the Change of Control Offer to be sent at
least once to the Dow Jones News Service or similar business news service in the
United States and (ii) mail a notice to the Trustee and each Holder stating: (1)
that a Change of Control Triggering Event has occurred and a Change of Control
Offer is being made pursuant to the covenant in the Indenture entitled "Purchase
of Securities at the Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control" and that all
Securities timely tendered will be accepted for payment; (2) the purchase price
and the purchase date, which date shall be, subject to any contrary requirements
of applicable law, a business day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days
from the date such notice is mailed (the "Change of Control Payment Date"); (3)
that any Securities (or portion thereof) accepted for payment (and duly paid on
the Change of Control Payment Date) pursuant to the Change of Control Offer
shall cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date; (4)
that any Securities (or portions thereof) not tendered will continue to accrue
interest; (5) a description of the transaction or transactions constituting the
Change of Control Triggering Event; and (6) the procedures that holders of
Securities must follow in order to tender their Securities (or portions thereof)
for payment and the procedures that Holders of Securities must follow in order
to withdraw an election to tender Securities (or portions thereof) for payment.
 
     The Company will comply, to the extent then applicable and required by law,
with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other
securities laws and regulations thereunder in connection with the purchase of
Notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions
of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions relating to
the Change of Control Offer, the Company will comply with the applicable
securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its
obligations described above by virtue thereof.
 
     Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control Triggering
Event, the Indenture does not contain any other provisions that permit the
Holders of the Securities to require that the Company purchase or redeem the
Securities in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar
restructuring.
 
     Management has no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a
Change of Control, although it is possible that the Company would decide to do
so in the future. Subject to the limitations discussed below, the Company could,
in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions,
refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a Change of
Control under the Indenture, but that could increase the amount of indebtedness
for money borrowed outstanding at such time or otherwise affect the Company's
capital structure or credit ratings. The Indenture does not contain any
covenants or provisions that may afford holders of the Securities protection in
the event of a highly leveraged transaction.
 
     The Company may not currently have adequate financial resources to effect a
repurchase of the Securities upon a Change of Control Triggering Event and there
can be no assurance that the Company will have such resources in the future. The
inability of the Company to repurchase the Securities upon a Change of Control
Triggering Event would constitute an Event of Default.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
     The occurrence of certain of the events that would constitute a Change of
Control could trigger a prepayment obligation under certain of the Company's
credit agreements and debt obligations, and failure to effect such prepayment
could constitute an event of default under such credit agreements and debt
obligations. If the Company is not able to obtain requisite consents or waivers
from the lenders under such credit agreements and the holders of such debt
obligations, the Company may be unable to fulfill its repurchase obligations
following a Change of Control Triggering Event, thereby resulting in a default
under the Indenture and permitting the pursuit of remedies under the Indenture
in the manner described under "Events of Default." Future indebtedness of the
Company may also contain prohibitions of certain events that would constitute a
Change of Control or require such indebtedness to be repurchased upon a Change
of Control. Moreover, the exercise by the holders of Securities of their right
to require the Company to repurchase the Securities could cause a default under
such indebtedness, even if the Change of Control Triggering Event itself does
not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase on the Company. Finally, the
Company's ability to pay cash to the holders upon a repurchase may be limited by
the Company's then existing financial resources. In the event that a Change of
Control Offer occurs at a time when the Company does not have sufficient
available funds to pay the Change of Control Purchase Price for all Securities
tendered pursuant to such offer or a time when the Company is prohibited from
purchasing the Securities (and the Company is unable either to obtain the
consent of the holders of the relevant indebtedness or to repay such
indebtedness), an Event of Default would occur under the Indenture.
 
COVENANTS
 
     The Indenture contains certain restrictive covenants that are set forth
below. Any additional restrictive covenants relating to any series of Securities
will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. If any
such covenants are described, the Prospectus Supplement will also state whether
the "covenant defeasance" provisions described below will apply.
 
     Limitation on Liens Securing Indebtedness.  The Company will not, and will
not permit any Consolidated Subsidiary to, create or incur, or suffer to be
incurred or to exist, at any time, any Lien on its or their property, whether
now owned or hereafter acquired, or upon any income or profits therefrom, to
secure the payment of any indebtedness for money borrowed of the Company or of
any Consolidated Subsidiary or of any other Person, unless all obligations of
the Company on or in respect of the Securities are equally and ratably and
validly secured by such Lien by proceedings and documents reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee, except that the provisions of this paragraph shall
not prohibit the following:
 
          (a) Liens existing as of the Issue Date securing indebtedness for
     money borrowed of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries outstanding
     on such date;
 
          (b) Liens (i) incurred after the Issue Date given (on or within 120
     days of the date of acquisition, construction or improvement) to secure the
     payment of the purchase price or construction costs incurred by the Company
     or a Consolidated Subsidiary in connection with the acquisition,
     construction or improvement of real and personal property useful and
     intended to be used in carrying on the business of the Company or such
     Consolidated Subsidiary, or (ii) on fixed assets useful and intended to be
     used in carrying on the business of the Company or a Consolidated
     Subsidiary existing at the time of acquisition or construction thereof by
     the Company or such Consolidated Subsidiary or at the time of acquisition
     by the Company or a Consolidated Subsidiary of any business entity then
     owning such fixed assets, whether or not such existing Liens were given to
     secure the payment of the purchase price or construction costs of the fixed
     assets to which they attach, so long as Liens permitted by this clause (ii)
     were not incurred, extended or renewed in contemplation of such acquisition
     or construction, provided that any such Liens permitted by this clause (b)
     shall attach solely to the property acquired, constructed, improved or
     purchased;
 
          (c) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental levies or
     charges not yet due or which are subject to a good faith contest;
 
          (d) Liens incidental to the conduct of the Company's and its
     Subsidiaries' businesses or their ownership of property and other assets
     not securing any indebtedness for money borrowed and not
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
     otherwise incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or obtaining
     of credit, and which do not in the aggregate materially diminish the value
     of the Company's or Subsidiaries' property or assets when taken as a whole,
     or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of their businesses;
 
          (e) Liens in respect of any interest or title of a lessor in any
     property subject to a Capitalized Lease permitted under "-- Limitation on
     Sale and Leaseback";
 
          (f) Liens arising in respect of judgments against the Company, except
     for any judgment in an amount in excess of $1,000,000 which is not
     discharged or execution thereof stayed pending appeal within 45 days after
     entry thereof;
 
          (g) Liens in favor of the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary of
     the Company;
 
          (h) Liens consisting of minor survey exceptions or minor encumbrances,
     easements or reservations, or rights of others for rights-of-way, utilities
     and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to use of
     real property, that are necessary for the conduct of the operations of the
     Company and its Subsidiaries or that customarily exist on properties of
     corporations engaged in similar businesses and are similarly situated and
     that do not in any event materially impair their use in the operations of
     the Company and its Subsidiaries; and
 
          (i) Liens renewing, extending or refunding any Lien permitted by the
     preceding clauses of this paragraph; provided, however, that the principal
     amount of indebtedness for money borrowed secured by such Lien immediately
     prior thereto is not increased and such Lien is not extended to any other
     assets or property.
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary
may create or assume Liens, in addition to those otherwise permitted by the
preceding clauses of this paragraph, securing indebtedness for money borrowed of
the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary issued or incurred after the Issue
Date, provided that at the time of such issuance or incurrence, the aggregate
amount of all Secured Indebtedness and Attributable Debt would not exceed 15% of
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.
 
     In the event that any property of the Company or any Consolidated
Subsidiary is subjected to a Lien not otherwise permitted by this paragraph, the
Company will make or cause to be made a provision whereby the Securities will be
secured (together with other indebtedness for money borrowed then entitled
thereto and equal in rank to the Securities), to the full extent permitted under
applicable law, equally and ratably with all other obligations secured thereby,
and in any case the Securities shall (but only in such event) have the benefit,
to the full extent that the holders of the Securities may be entitled thereto
under applicable law, of an equitable Lien on such property equally and ratably
securing the Securities and such other obligations.
 
     Limitation on Sale and Leaseback.  The Company will not, and will not
permit any Consolidated Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement, directly or
indirectly, whereby the Company or such Consolidated Subsidiary shall, in one
transaction or a series of related transactions, (i) sell, transfer or otherwise
dispose of any property owned by the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary and
(ii) more than 120 days after the later of the date of initial acquisition of
such property or completion or occupancy thereof, as the case may be, by the
Company or such Consolidated Subsidiary, rent or lease, as lessee, such property
or substantially identical property or any material part thereof (a "Sale and
Leaseback Transaction"), provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply
to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction if (a) immediately after the consummation
of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and after giving effect thereto, no
Default or Event of Default shall exist and (b) any one of the following
conditions is satisfied:
 
          (i) the lease concerned constitutes a Capitalized Lease and at the
     time of entering into such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and after giving
     effect thereto and to any Liens incurred pursuant to "-- Limitation on
     Liens Securing Indebtedness", the aggregate amount of all Secured
     Indebtedness and Attributable Debt would not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net
     Tangible Assets; or
 
          (ii) the lease has a term which in the aggregate would not exceed 36
     months (including any extensions or renewals thereof at the option of the
     lessee); or
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
          (iii) the sale of such property is for cash consideration which equals
     or exceeds the fair market value thereof (as determined in good faith by
     the Company) and the net proceeds from such sale are applied, within 30
     days of the date of the sale thereof, to the payment (other than payments
     due at maturity or in satisfaction of, or applied to, any mandatory or
     scheduled payment or prepayment obligation) of indebtedness for money
     borrowed of the Company which ranks, in right of payment, on a parity with
     or senior to the Securities.
 
     Restrictive Agreements.  The Company will not and will not permit any of
its Consolidated Subsidiaries to enter into any indenture, agreement, instrument
or other arrangement which, directly or indirectly, prohibits or restrains, or
has the effect of prohibiting or restraining, or imposes materially adverse
conditions upon, the ability of any Consolidated Subsidiary to make loans or
advances to the Company or to declare and pay dividends or make distribution on
shares of such Consolidated Subsidiary's capital stock (whether now or hereafter
outstanding); provided, however, that any agreement to subordinate indebtedness
for money borrowed owing from any Consolidated Subsidiary to the Company or
owing between Consolidated Subsidiaries pursuant to any Priority Debt or to any
guarantee of such indebtedness for money borrowed shall not be deemed to violate
this paragraph so long as any such agreement to subordinate does not directly or
indirectly prohibit or restrain the ability of any such Consolidated Subsidiary
to make loans or advances to the Company or to declare and pay dividends or make
distributions on shares of such Consolidated Subsidiary's capital stock (whether
now or hereafter outstanding).
 
     Corporate Existence.  The Company will do or cause to be done all things
necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence
and material rights (charter and statutory) and material franchises of the
Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve
any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the
preservation of such rights and franchises is no longer desirable in the conduct
of the business of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries considered as a
whole, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect
to the holders of the Securities.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     The following are Events of Default under the Indenture with respect to
Securities of any series: (a) failure to pay principal of or premium, if any, on
any Security of that series when due; (b) failure to pay any interest on any
Security of that series when due, continued for 30 days; (c) (i) the failure by
the Company or any Subsidiary to pay indebtedness for money borrowed (including
Securities of other series) in an aggregate principal amount exceeding
$10,000,000 at the later of final maturity or upon the expiration of any
applicable period of grace with respect to such principal amount or (ii)
acceleration of the maturity of any indebtedness for money borrowed of the
Company or any Subsidiary in excess of $10,000,000, if such failure to pay or
acceleration is not discharged or such acceleration is not annulled within 15
days after due notice; (d) the failure to perform any covenant or warranty of
the Company in the Indenture described herein under "Purchase at the Option of
Holders Upon a Change of Control" (including the failure to purchase the
Securities required to be purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer in
accordance with the terms of such Change of Control Offer); (e) failure to
deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any Security of that
series; (f) failure to perform any other covenant or warranty of the Company in
the Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty included in the Indenture
solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than that series),
continued for 60 days after written notice as provided in the Indenture; (g)
certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and (h) any other
Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.
 
     If an Event of Default specified in clause (g) above occurs and is
continuing with respect to Securities, then the principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities shall become immediately due and payable without any
declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. If an Event
of Default (other than one specified in clause (g) in the immediately preceding
paragraph) with respect to Outstanding Securities of any series shall occur and
be continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal
amount (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount
Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the
terms
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   29
 
of that series) of all the Securities of that series to be due and payable
immediately by written notice to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the
Holders). At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree based on
acceleration has been obtained, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of that series may, under certain circumstances,
rescind and annul such acceleration. For information as to waiver of defaults,
see "Modification and Waiver" below.
 
     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to each series of
Offered Securities that are Original Issue Discount Securities for the
particular provisions relating to acceleration of the Maturity of a portion of
the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default and the continuation thereof.
 
     The Indenture provides that the Trustee will be under no obligation,
subject to the duty of the Trustee during default to act with the required
standard of care, to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at
the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have
offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to such provisions for
indemnification of the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of any series will have the right to direct the time,
method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect
to the Securities of that series.
 
     The Company will furnish to the Trustee annually a certificate as to
compliance by the Company with all terms, provisions, and conditions of the
Indenture.
 
DEFEASANCE
 
     The Prospectus Supplement will state if any defeasance provision will apply
to the Offered Securities.
 
     DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE
 
     The Indenture provides that, if applicable, the Company will be discharged
from any and all obligations in respect of the Securities of any series (except
for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of Securities of
such series, to replace stolen, lost, or mutilated Securities of such series, to
maintain paying agencies and to hold monies for payment in trust) upon the
irrevocable deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. Government
Obligations (as defined), which through the payment of interest and principal in
respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount
sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and each installment of
interest on the Securities of such series on the Stated Maturity of such
payments in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Securities of
such series. Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, the
Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (who may be an
employee of or counsel for the Company) to the effect that Holders of the
Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain, or loss for federal
income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance, and discharge and
will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner
and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance,
and discharge had not occurred.
 
     DEFEASANCE OF CERTAIN COVENANTS AND CERTAIN EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     The Indenture provides that the Company may omit to comply with the
covenants described under "Purchase at the Option of Holders Upon a Change of
Control", "Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Liens Securing Indebtedness",
"Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Sale and Leaseback", and "Certain
Covenants -- Restrictive Agreements" and that violations of such covenants will
not be deemed to be an Event of Default under the Indenture to the extent that
the conditions described herein are met. The Indenture also provides with
respect to the Securities of any series, to the extent provided for in the
Prospectus Supplement, that the Company may omit to comply with certain
restrictive covenants provided for in this Prospectus or the Prospectus
Supplement and, to the extent provided in the Prospectus Supplement, that
violations of certain restrictive covenants provided for in the Prospectus
Supplement shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default under the Indenture and
the Securities of such series, upon the deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of
money
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   30
 
and/or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined) which through the payment of
interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will
provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if
any, and each installment of interest on the Securities of such series on the
Stated Maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the Indenture
and the Securities of such series. The obligations of the Company under the
Indenture and the Securities of such series other than with respect to the
covenants referred to above and the Events of Default other than the Event of
Default referred to above shall remain in full force and effect. Such a trust
may only be established if, among other things, the Company has delivered to the
Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (who may be an employee of or counsel for the
Company) to the effect that the Holders of the Securities of such series will
not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result
of such deposit and defeasance of certain covenants and Events of Default and
will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner
and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance
had not occurred.
 
     DEFEASANCE AND CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     In the event the Company exercises its option to omit compliance with
certain covenants of the Indenture with respect to the Securities of any series
as described above and the Securities of such series are declared due and
payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default other than the Event
of Default described in clause (f) under "Events of Default," the amount of
money and U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with the Trustee will be
sufficient to pay amounts due on the Securities of such series at the time of
their Stated Maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the
Securities of such series at the time of the acceleration resulting from such
Event of Default. However, the Company shall remain liable for such payments.
 
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
     Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company
and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such
modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or
amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security
affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, (b) reduce the
principal amount of, or the premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any
Security, (c) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount
Security payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof, (d) change the place
or currency of payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any,
on, any Security, (e) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of
any payment on or with respect to any Security, or (f) reduce the percentage in
principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of the
Holders of which is required for modification or amendment of the Indenture or
for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver
of certain defaults.
 
     The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of that series
waive, insofar as that series is concerned, compliance by the Company with
certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture. The Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of
the Holders of all Securities of that series waive any past default under the
Indenture with respect to that series, except a default in the payment of the
principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Securities Security of that
series or in respect of a provision that under the Indenture cannot be modified
or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Securities
Security of that series affected. In addition, a modification or amendment to
the Indenture may not waive the Company's obligation to make a Change of Control
Offer without the written consent of the holders of at least two-thirds in
aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities.
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, AND SALE OF ASSETS
 
     The Company, without the consent of any Holders of Outstanding Securities,
may consolidate or merge with or into, or transfer or lease its assets as an
entirety to, any Person, provided that (i) the Person (if other than the
Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or
that acquires or
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   31
 
leases the assets of the Company substantially as an entirety is organized and
existing under the laws of any United States jurisdiction and expressly assumes
the Company's obligations on the Securities and under the Indenture, (ii) after
giving effect to such transaction no Event of Default, and no event that, after
notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have
occurred and be continuing (provided that a transaction will only be deemed to
be in violation of this condition (ii) as to any series of Securities as to
which such Event of Default or such event shall have occurred and be
continuing), and (iii) certain other conditions are met.
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
     Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the
covenants contained in the Indenture. Reference is made to the Indenture for the
full definition of all such terms as well as any other capitalized terms used
herein for which no definition is provided.
 
     "Attributable Debt" means indebtedness for money borrowed deemed to be
incurred in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction and shall be, at the
date of determination, the present value (discounted at the actual rate of
interest implicit in such transaction, compounded annually), of the total
obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the
lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction.
 
     "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any person, any and all shares or
other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock, partnership
interests, or any other participation, right, warrant, option, or other interest
in the nature of an equity interest in such person, but excluding debt
securities convertible or exchangeable into such equity interest.
 
     "Capitalized Lease" means any lease the obligation for Rentals with respect
to which is required to be capitalized on a consolidated balance sheet of the
lessee and its subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.
 
     "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) any "person" or "group" (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Exchange Act or any successor provision to either of the foregoing,
including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of
securities within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act;
provided, however, that a group formed solely for the purpose of voting
securities shall not be deemed to be a group for purpose of this definition),
other than the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any
Subsidiary, or Permitted Persons, is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 35% or
more of the total voting power of the fully diluted Voting Stock of the Company,
(ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors of the Company
(together with any new directors whose election by the Board of Directors of the
Company or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company was
approved by a vote of 66-2/3% of the directors of the Company then still in
office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose
election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any
reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company then in
office, (iii) the Company consolidates or merges with or into any other person
or any other person consolidates or merges with or into the Company, in either
case, other than a consolidation or merger (a) with a Wholly-Owned Consolidated
Subsidiary in which all of the Voting Stock of the Company outstanding
immediately prior to the effectiveness thereof is changed into or exchanged for
substantially the same consideration or (b) (1) pursuant to a transaction in
which the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is changed into or exchanged
for cash, securities or other property with the effect that the "beneficial
owners" of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company, immediately prior to
such transaction, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the
total voting power of the fully diluted Voting Stock of the surviving
corporation immediately following such transaction and (2) no "person" or
"group", other than the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any
Subsidiary, or Permitted Persons, beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 35%
or more of the total voting power of the fully diluted Voting Stock of the
surviving corporation immediately following such transaction, or (iv) the
Company sells, conveys, transfers or leases, directly or indirectly, all or
substantially all of its assets to any Person other than a Wholly-Owned
Consolidated Subsidiary.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   32
 
     "Change of Control Triggering Event" means the occurrence of both a Change
of Control and a Rating Decline with respect to the Securities.
 
     "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means, as of the date of any
determination thereof, the total amount of all assets of the Company and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries (less depreciation, depletion and other properly
deductible valuation reserves) after deducting Intangibles.
 
     "Consolidated Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company or of any
Consolidated Subsidiary which is consolidated with the Company for financial
reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.
 
     "GAAP" means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in
effect as of the date of determination, unless otherwise stated.
 
     "indebtedness for money borrowed", when used with respect to the Company or
any Subsidiary, means any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, the
Company or any Subsidiary for the repayment of borrowed money, whether or not
evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written instruments, and any
deferred obligation of, or any such obligation guaranteed by, the Company for
the payment of the purchase price of property or assets.
 
     "Intellectual Properties" means all material patents, patent applications,
copyrights, copyright applications, trade secrets, trade names and trademarks,
technologies, methods, processes or other proprietary properties or information
which are used by the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in the conduct
of their business and are either owned by them or are used, employed or
practiced by them under valid and existing licenses, grants, "shop rights", or
other rights.
 
     "Intangibles" means all Intellectual Properties and all goodwill, patents,
trade names, trademarks, copyrights, franchises, experimental expense,
organization expense, unamortized debt discount and expense, deferred assets
(other than prepaid insurance, prepaid taxes, prepaid advertising, prepaid
licensing and other similar expenses prepaid in the ordinary course of
business), amounts invested in or advanced to or equity in the Company's
Subsidiaries other than Consolidated Subsidiaries less any writedowns thereof,
the excess of cost of shares acquired over book value of related assets, any
increase in the value of a fixed asset arising from a reappraisal, revaluation
or write-up thereof, and such other assets as are properly classified as
"intangible assets" in accordance with GAAP.
 
     "Investment Grade Rating" means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or
the equivalent) by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (or any successor to the
rating agency business thereof), BBB- (or the equivalent) by Standard & Poor's
Rating Group (or any successor to the rating agency business thereof), and BBB-
(or the equivalent) by Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. (or any successor to the
rating agency business thereof).
 
     "Issue Date" means the date of issuance of the Securities.
 
     "Lien" means any interest in property securing an obligation owed to, or a
claim by, a person other than the owner of the property, whether such interest
is based on the common law, statute or contract, and including but not limited
to the security interest or lien arising from a mortgage, encumbrance, pledge,
conditional sale or trust receipt or a lease, consignment or bailment for
security purposes. The term "Lien" shall include reservations, exceptions,
encroachments, easements, rights-of-way, covenants, conditions, restrictions,
bankers' liens, setoffs and similar arrangements, leases and other title
exceptions and encumbrances (including, with respect to stock, stockholder
agreements, voting trust agreements, buy-back agreements and all similar
arrangements) affecting property. For the purposes hereunder, the Company or a
Consolidated Subsidiary shall be deemed to be the owner of any property which it
has acquired or holds subject to a conditional sale agreement, Capitalized Lease
or other arrangement pursuant to which title to the property has been retained
by or vested in some other person for security purposes and such retention or
vesting shall constitute a Lien.
 
     "Permitted Persons" means (i) Edward J. Shoen, Mark V. Shoen, James P.
Shoen, Paul F. Shoen, Sophia M. Shoen (and during the Plan Consummation Period
only, Samuel W. Shoen, Michael L. Shoen, and Katrina Shoen Carlson) and the
spouse and lineal descendants of each such individual, the spouses of each such
lineal descendants and the lineal descendants of such spouses, (ii) any trusts
for the primary benefit
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   33
 
of, the executor or administrator of the estate of, or other legal
representative of, any of the individuals referred to in the foregoing clause
(i), and (iii) any corporation with respect to which all the Voting Stock
thereof is, directly or indirectly, owned by any of the individuals referred to
in the preceding clause (i).
 
     "Plan Consummation Period" means the period beginning on the Issue Date and
ending on the date of purchase by the Company (directly or indirectly) of Common
Stock of the Company held by Samuel W. Shoen, Michael L. Shoen, and Katrina
Shoen Carlson or any corporation with respect to which all the Voting Stock
thereof is, directly or indirectly, owned by any of the foregoing individuals.
 
     "Priority Debt" means (i) indebtedness for money borrowed of any
Consolidated Subsidiary, except indebtedness for money borrowed issued to and
held by the Company or a Wholly-Owned Consolidated Subsidiary, and (but without
duplication) (ii) Secured Indebtedness.
 
     "Rating Agencies" means Standard & Poor's Rating Group, Duff & Phelps
Credit Rating Co., and Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the
respective rating agency businesses thereof.
 
     "Rating Date" means the date which is 90 days prior to the earlier of (i) a
Change of Control and (ii) public notice of the occurrence of a Change of
Control or of the intention of the Company to effect a Change of Control.
 
     "Rating Decline" means, with the respect to the Securities, the occurrence
of the following on, or within 90 days after, the date of public notice of the
occurrence of a Change of Control or of the intention by the Company to effect a
Change of Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of such
Securities is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by
any of the Rating Agencies): (a) in the event the Securities were assigned an
Investment Grade Rating by at least two of the three Rating Agencies on the
Rating Date, the rating of the Securities by both Standard & Poor's Rating Group
and Moody's Investors Service, Inc. shall decrease below an Investment Grade
Rating; or (b) in the event the Securities were rated below an Investment Grade
Rating by at least two of the three Rating Agencies on the Rating Date, the
rating of the Securities by both Standard & Poor's Rating Group and Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. shall decrease by one or more gradations (including
gradations within rating categories as well as between rating categories).
 
     "Rentals" means and includes, as of the date of any determination thereof,
all fixed payments (including as such all payments which the lessee is obligated
to make to the lessor on termination of the lease or surrender of the property)
payable by the Company or a Consolidated Subsidiary, as lessee or sublessee
under a lease of real or personal property, but shall be exclusive of any
amounts required to be paid by the Company or a Consolidated Subsidiary (whether
or not designated as rents or additional rents) on account of maintenance,
repairs, insurance, taxes and similar charges. Fixed rents under any so-called
"percentage leases" shall be computed solely on the basis of the minimum rents,
if any, required to be paid by the lessee regardless of sales volume or gross
revenues.
 
     "Secured Indebtedness" means any indebtedness for money borrowed, whether
of the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary, secured by any Lien on any
property of the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary.
 
     "Subsidiary" means a person more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock
of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more
other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries.
 
     "Voting Stock" of a person means all classes of Capital Stock of such
person then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of
directors (or persons performing similar functions) or to direct the business
and affairs of the issuer of such Capital Stock in the absence of contingencies.
 
     "Wholly-Owned Consolidated Subsidiary" means any Consolidated Subsidiary
all of the outstanding Capital Stock of which (except for directors' qualifying
shares to the extent required by applicable law) is owned by the Company and/or
its Wholly-Owned Consolidated Subsidiaries.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   34
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell the Securities in and/or outside the United States:
(i) through underwriters or dealers; (ii) directly to a limited number of
purchasers or to a single purchase; or (iii) through agents. The Prospectus
Supplement with respect to the Securities being offered will set forth the terms
of the offering of the Offered Securities, including the name or names of any
underwriters or agents, the purchase price of the Offered Securities and the
proceeds to the Company from such sale, any delayed delivery arrangements, any
underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters' compensation,
any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid to dealers. Any initial public offering price and any
discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed
from time to time.
 
     If underwriters are used in the sale, the Offered Securities will be
acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time
to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a
fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale.
The Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting
syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one
or more underwriters. The underwriter or underwriters with respect to a
particular underwritten offering of Securities, or, if an underwriting syndicate
is used, the managing underwriter or underwriters, will be set forth on the
cover of the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, the obligations of the underwriters to
purchase the Offered Securities will be subject to conditions precedent and the
underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the Offered Securities if any
are purchased.
 
     If dealers are utilized in the sale of Offered Securities in respect of
which this Prospectus is delivered, and if so specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, the Company will sell such Offered Securities to the
dealers as principals. The dealers may then sell such Offered Securities to the
public at varying prices to be determined by such dealers at the time of resale.
The names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Securities may be sold directly by the Company or through agents
designated by the Company from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or
sale of the Offered Securities in respect to which this Prospectus is delivered
will be named, and any commissions payable by the Company to such agent will be
set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled under agreements entered
into with the Company to indemnification by the Company against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution
with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be
required to make in respect thereof. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be
customers of, may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, the
Company in the ordinary course of business.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
     The validity of the Securities offered hereunder will be passed upon for
the Company by Lionel, Sawyer & Collins, 300 S. 4th Street, Suite 1700, Las
Vegas, Nevada 89101. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will
be passed upon for the Underwriters by the counsel named in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of March 31, 1996
and 1995 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 1996
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1996 have been so incorporated in
reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given
upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   35
========================================================= 

     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON, OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND,
IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS
HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, ANY UNDERWRITER OR AGENT, OR ANY OTHER
PERSON. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF ANY SECURITIES OTHER
THAN THOSE TO WHICH THEY RELATE OR AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN
OFFER TO BUY, TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH AN OFFER OR
SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY
SALE MADE HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY
IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME
SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          PAGE
                                          ----
<S>                                       <C>
Available Information...................     2
Information Incorporated by Reference...     2
Company Summary.........................     3
Risk Factors............................     5
Use of Proceeds.........................     6
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges......     6
Selected Consolidated Financial Data....     7
Business................................     8
Shoen Litigation........................    17
Description of Securities...............    21
Plan of Distribution....................    33
Legal Opinions..........................    33
Experts.................................    33
</TABLE>
 
=========================================================


=========================================================
 
                                  $600,000,000
 
                                  A M E R C O
 
                                      LOGO
 
                                DEBT SECURITIES
 
                          ---------------------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                          ---------------------------
                             Dated August   , 1996
 
=========================================================
<PAGE>   36
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee..............  $206,897
Printing and Engraving Expenses..................................    20,000*
Legal Fees and Expenses..........................................    90,000*
Accounting Fees and Expenses.....................................    50,000*
Other Expenses...................................................     3,103*
                                                                   --------
          Total Expenses.........................................  $370,000*
                                                                   ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Estimated.
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     The Nevada General Corporation Law requires the Company to indemnify
officers and directors for any expenses incurred by any officer or director in
connection with any actions or proceedings, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, or investigative, brought against such officer or director
because of his or her status as an officer or director, to the extent that the
director or officer has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of
the action or proceeding. The Nevada General Corporation Law permits a
corporation to indemnify an officer or director, even in the absence of an
agreement to do so, for expenses incurred in connection with any action or
proceeding if such officer or director acted in good faith and in a manner in
which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation and such indemnification is authorized by the
stockholders, by a quorum of disinterested directors, by independent legal
counsel in a written opinion authorized by a majority vote of a quorum of
directors consisting of disinterested directors, or by independent legal counsel
in a written opinion if a quorum of disinterested directors cannot be obtained.
The Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation eliminate personal liability of
directors and officers, to the Company or its stockholders, for damages for
breach of their fiduciary duties as directors or officers, except for liability
(i) for acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct, fraud, or a
knowing violation of law, or (ii) for the unlawful payment of dividends. In
addition, the Company's By-Laws provide that the Company shall indemnify, to the
fullest extent authorized or permitted by law, any person made, or threatened to
be made, a defendant in any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or
proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she was a director or officer of the
Company. The Company has also executed Indemnification Agreements that provide
that certain of the Company's directors and officers shall be indemnified and
held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law
or the Restated Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company. The Company
has established a trust fund with Harris Trust and Savings Bank as trustee in
order to fund its obligations under the Indemnification Agreements. The Company
has agreed to maintain a minimum balance in the trust fund of $1,000,000. The
Nevada General Corporation Law prohibits indemnification of a director or
officer if a final adjudication establishes that the officer's or director's
acts or omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud, or a knowing violation
of the law and were material to the cause of action. Despite the foregoing
limitations on indemnification, the Nevada General Corporation Law may permit an
officer or director to apply to the court for approval of indemnification even
if the officer or director is adjudged to have committed intentional misconduct,
fraud, or a knowing violation of the law. The Nevada General Corporation Law
also provides that indemnification of directors is not permitted for the
unlawful payment of distributions, except for those directors registering their
dissent to the payment of the distribution.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   37
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                          EXHIBIT
- ------     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>
  1        Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities+
  2.1      Order Confirming Plan(1)
  2.2      Second Amended and Restated Debtor's Plan of Reorganization Proposed by Edward J.
           Shoen(1)
  4.1      Form of Indenture+
  4.2      Form of Debt Securities+
  4.3      Form(s) of Supplemental Indenture relating to Debt Securities*
  4.4      Restated Articles of Incorporation(2)
  4.5      Restated By-Laws of AMERCO dated August 15, 1995(3)
  5        Opinion re Legality
 12        Statement re Computation of Ratios
 23.1      Consent of Independent Accountants
 23.2      Consent of Lionel, Sawyer & Collins (included in Exhibit 5)
 24        Power of Attorney (included on signature page of Registration Statement)
 25        Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
           amended, of The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee under the Indenture
 28        Information from Reports Furnished to State Insurance Regulatory Authorities(4)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
  * To be filed by means of Form 8-K.
 
  + To be filed by amendment.
 
(1) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
    S-3, Registration No. 333-1195
 
(2) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
    the quarter ended December 31, 1992, File No. 0-7862.
 
(3) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
    the quarter ended September 30, 1995, File No. 0-7862.
 
(4) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
    the year ended March 31, 1996, File No. 0-7862.
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include
     any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
     previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change
     to such information in the registration statement.
 
          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.
 
          (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such filing of the registrant's annual report
     pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
     of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement
     shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
     securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
     time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   38
 
          (5) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus
     filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and
     contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule
     424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be
     part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared
     effective.
 
          (6) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form
     of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
     to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at
     that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (7) To file an application for the purpose of determining the
     eligibility of the Trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of
     the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 in accordance with the rules and
     regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the
     Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 above, or otherwise,
the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   39
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Phoenix, State of Arizona, on the 13th day of August,
1996.
 
                                          AMERCO
 
                                          By:       /s/ EDWARD J. SHOEN
 
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                      Edward J. Shoen
                                            Chairman of the Board and President
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated. Each person whose signature appears below
hereby authorizes Edward J. Shoen, as attorney-in-fact, to sign in his name and
behalf, individually and in each capacity designated below, and to file any
amendments, including post-effective amendments to this registration statement.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            NAME AND SIGNATURE                           TITLE                      DATE
- ------------------------------------------    ---------------------------    ------------------
<C>                                           <S>                            <C>
           /s/ EDWARD J. SHOEN                Chairman of the Board and       August 13, 1996
- ------------------------------------------    President (Principal
             Edward J. Shoen                  executive officer)
            /s/ GARY B. HORTON                Treasurer (Principal            August 13, 1996
- ------------------------------------------    financial and accounting
              Gary B. Horton                  officer)
                                              Director                        August   , 1996
- ------------------------------------------
              Mark V. Shoen
            /s/ JAMES P. SHOEN                Director                        August 13, 1996
- ------------------------------------------
              James P. Shoen
           /s/ WILLIAM E. CARTY               Director                        August 13, 1996
- ------------------------------------------
             William E. Carty
            /s/ JOHN M. DODDS                 Director                        August 13, 1996
- ------------------------------------------
              John M. Dodds
           /s/ CHARLES J. BAYER               Director                        August 13, 1996
- ------------------------------------------
             Charles J. Bayer
          /s/ RICHARD J. HERRERA              Director                        August 13, 1996
- ------------------------------------------
            Richard J. Herrera
                                              Director                        August   , 1996
- ------------------------------------------
            Aubrey K. Johnson
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   40
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        SEQUENTIAL
    EXHIBIT                                                                              NUMBERED
    NUMBER                                       TITLE                                     PAGE
    ------        --------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------
    <C>      <C>  <S>                                                                   <C>
      1           Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities+.................
      2.1         Order Confirming Plan(1)............................................
      2.2         Second Amended and Restated Debtor's Plan of Reorganization Proposed
                  by Edward J. Shoen(1)...............................................
      4.1         Form of Indenture+..................................................
      4.2         Form of Debt Securities+............................................
      4.3         Form(s) of Supplemental Indenture relating to Debt Securities*......
      4.4         Restated Articles of Incorporation(2)...............................
      4.5         Restated By-Laws of AMERCO dated August 15, 1995(3)
      5           Opinion re Legality.................................................
     12           Statement re Computation of Ratios..................................
     23.1         Consent of Independent Accountants..................................
     23.2         Consent of Lionel, Sawyer & Collins (included in Exhibit 5).........
     24           Power of Attorney (included on signature page of Registration
                  Statement)..........................................................
     25           Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of
                  1939,
                  as amended, of The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee under
                  the
                  Indenture...........................................................
     28           Information from Reports Furnished to State Insurance Regulatory
                  Authorities(4)......................................................
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
  * To be filed by means of Form 8-K.
 
  + To be filed by amendment.
 
(1) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
    S-3, Registration No. 333-1195
 
(2) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
    the quarter ended December 31, 1992, File No. 0-7862.
 
(3) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
    the quarter ended September 30, 1995, File No. 0-7862.
 
(4) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
    the year ended March 31, 1996, File No. 0-7862.
<PAGE>   41
 
                                   APPENDIX A
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHIC MATERIAL
 
<TABLE>
<S>   <C>              <C>
1.    Location:        Outside Front and Back Covers of Prospectus
      Item:
                       Company Logo
      Description:
                       Registered Logo U-Haul International, Inc.
2.    Location:
                       Page 4 of the Prospectus
      Item:
                       Corporate Structure
      Description:
                       A chart showing the corporate structure of the Company and its major
                       subsidiaries. The chart shows the Company on top, above its three
                       principal subsidiaries; Ponderosa Holdings, Inc., U-Haul International,
                       Inc., and Amerco Real Estate Company situated horizontally beside one
                       another. Directly below Ponderosa Holdings, Inc. are its subsidiaries,
                       Oxford Life Insurance Company and Republic Western Insurance Company,
                       situated horizontally beside one another.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 5

                               August 13, 1996
     
     
AMERCO
1325 Airmotive Way, Suite 100
Reno, NV 89502-3239
     
        Re:     Registration Statement on Form S-3
     
Gentlemen:
     
        At your request, we have examined the Registration Statement on Form
S-3  ("Registration Statement") relating to the registration and sale from
time to time by you of up to an aggregate of $600,000,000 of debt securities
("Debt Securities") consisting of debentures, notes and/or other evidences of 
indebtedness representing unsecured obligations of the Company in amounts, at
prices, and on terms to be determined at the time of offering.  Capitalized
terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed
to them in the Registration Statement.

        In connection with this opinion, we have examined: 

        a.      the Registration Statement;
     
        b.      the Articles of Incorporation of AMERCO, as amended, certified
by the  Nevada Secretary of State; and
     
        c.      the Bylaws of AMERCO certified by the Secretary of AMERCO.
     
        We have assumed that the proceeds from the sale of the Debt Securities
will be used for valid corporate purposes.
     
        We have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural
persons and the conformity to originals of all copies of all documents
submitted to us.  We have relied upon the certificates of all public officials
and corporate officers with respect to the accuracy of all matters contained
therein.
     
        We further assume the following: 

        a.      The Registration Statement being declared effective under the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
     
        b.      The due authorization of any resolutions of the Board of
Directors of AMERCO by which the Debt Securities are to be issued;
     
        c.      The due authorization by the appropriate members of the Board
of Directors of AMERCO and the subsequent execution and delivery of the
agreements or indentures pursuant to which the Debt Securities are to be
issued, and the authentication of any such agreements or indentures under the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, if required;
     
        d.      The due execution, registration and delivery of the certificate
or instrument or instruments evidencing the Debt Securities; and
     
        e.      The securities being established, issued and sold in the manner
specified in the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto, in
accordance with corporate and governmental authorities and not in violation
of any applicable law, agreement or instrument.
     
<PAGE>   2
        Based upon the foregoing and subject to the following it is our opinion
that:
     
        The Debt Securities to be issued by AMERCO will be legally issued and
will be  the binding obligations of AMERCO subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium and similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and to
general  principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is
considered in a  proceeding in equity or at law) and except that certain
provisions of the Debt Securities may not be enforceable in whole or in part
under the laws of the State of Nevada.
     
     
        You have informed us that you intend to issue the Debt Securities from
time to  time on a delayed or continuous basis.  Accordingly, this opinion is
subject to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the
date hereof. We understand that prior to issuing any Debt Securities you will
advise us in writing of the terms thereof, will afford us an opportunity to
review the operative documents pursuant to which such Debt Securities are to
be issued (including the applicable Prospectus Supplement) and will file such
supplement or amendment to this opinion (if any) as we reasonably consider
necessary or appropriate by reason of the terms of the Debt Securities.
     
        Nothing herein shall be deemed an opinion as to the laws of any
jurisdiction  other than the State of Nevada.
     
        This opinion is intended solely for the use of AMERCO in connection
with the  Registration Statement.  It may not be relied upon by any other
person or for any other purpose, or reproduced or filed publicly by any
person, without the written consent of this firm.  
     
        We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration  Statement, and we further consent to the use of our name under
the caption  "Legal Opinions" in the Registration Statement and Prospectus and
in "Legal Matters" in any Prospectus Supplement.  We disclaim liability as an
expert under law.
     
                                           Very truly yours,
     
                                           LIONEL SAWYER & COLLINS

<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 12

                      AMERCO AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Exhibit 12. Statement Re: Computation of Ratios

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Three months
                                                                                      ended
                                                    Year end March 31,               June 30,
                                          -------------------------------------    ------------
                                          1996     1995    1994    1993    1992    1996    1995
                                          -------------------------------------    ------------
<S>                                       <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>

Pretax earnings from operations            96.2    93.5    66.5    49.2    25.7    64.3    23.7
Plus: Interest expense                     67.6    67.8    68.9    68.0    76.2    18.9    18.8
Amortization of debt expense
  and discounts                              .7      .8     1.1     1.6     1.5      .2      .2
  A portion of rental expense
    (1/3)                                  23.0    22.2    28.1    39.7    41.3     5.8     5.8
                                          -------------------------------------    ------------
  Subtotal (A)                            187.5   184.3   164.6   158.5   144.7    89.2    48.5
                                          -------------------------------------    ------------
Divided by:

Fixed charges:
  Interest expense                         67.6    67.8    68.9    68.0    76.2    18.9    18.8
  A portion of rental expense (1/3)        23.0    22.2    28.1    39.7    41.3     5.8     5.8
  Interest capitalized during the 
    period                                  1.8     1.7      .6      .2      .2      .7      .1
  Amortization of debt expense
    and discounts                            .7      .8     1.1     1.6     1.5      .2      .2
                                          -------------------------------------    ------------
    Subtotal (B)                           93.1    92.5    98.7   109.5   119.2    25.6    24.9
                                          -------------------------------------    ------------
    Ratio of earnings to fixed
      charges (A)/(B)                      2.01    1.99    1.67    1.45    1.21    3.48    1.95
                                          =====================================    ============
</TABLE>

        The Company believes that one-third of the Company's annual rental
expense is a reasonable approximation of the interest factor of such rentals.

<PAGE>   1
                                                EXHIBIT 23.1

                CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

        We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated
June 25, 1996 appearing on page 53 of the AMERCO Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended March 31, 1996. We also consent to the reference to us under the
heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.

PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

August 13, 1996
Phoenix, Arizona


<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 25
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM T-1

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                      UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                  OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
                   OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(B)(2)

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

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
               (EXACT NAME OF TRUSTEE AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

    A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION                              36-0899825
                                                            (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                                                          IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                      60670-0126
  (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                       (ZIP CODE)

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                      ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, SUITE 0286
                          CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60670-0286
             ATTN: LYNN A. GOLDSTEIN, LAW DEPARTMENT (312) 732-6919
            (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

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

                                     AMERCO
               (EXACT NAME OF OBLIGOR AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)



            NEVADA                                              88-0106815
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                              (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                            IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)


         1325 AIRMOTIVE WAY, SUITE 100
                     RENO, NV                                   89502-3239
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                        (ZIP CODE)


                                 DEBT SECURITIES
                         (TITLE OF INDENTURE SECURITIES)
<PAGE>   2
ITEM 1.     GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING
            INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

            (A)         NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR
            SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

            Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C., Federal
            Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C., The
            Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
            Washington D.C.

            (B)         WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE
            CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

            The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust
            powers.

ITEM 2.     AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.  IF THE OBLIGOR
            IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH
            SUCH AFFILIATION.

            No such affiliation exists with the trustee.


ITEM 16.    LIST OF EXHIBITS.   LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS A
            PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY.

            1.    A copy of the articles of association of the
                  trustee now in effect.*

            2.    A copy of the certificates of authority of the
                  trustee to commence business.*

            3.    A copy of the authorization of the trustee to
                  exercise corporate trust powers.*

            4.    A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee.*

            5.    Not Applicable.

            6.    The consent of the trustee required by
                  Section 321(b) of the Act.

                                        2
<PAGE>   3
            7.    A copy of the latest report of condition of the
                  trustee published pursuant to law or the
                  requirements of its supervising or examining
                  authority.

            8.    Not Applicable.

            9.    Not Applicable.


            Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
            amended, the trustee, The First National Bank of Chicago, a national
            banking association organized and existing under the laws of the
            United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of
            Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
            duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois,
            on the 12th day of August, 1996.


                   THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                   TRUSTEE

                   BY  /S/ RICHARD D. MANELLA

                       RICHARD D. MANELLA
                       VICE PRESIDENT




* EXHIBIT 1,2 AND 3 ARE HEREIN INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO EXHIBITS BEARING
IDENTICAL NUMBERS IN ITEM 12 OF THE FORM T-1 OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
CHICAGO, FILED AS EXHIBIT 26 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 OF THE
CIT GROUP HOLDINGS, INC., FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON
FEBRUARY 16, 1993 (REGISTRATION NO. 33-58418).


                                        3
<PAGE>   4
                                    EXHIBIT 4





                                     BY-LAWS

                                       OF

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO




                      AS AMENDED AND RESTATED JULY 12, 1996


                                        4
<PAGE>   5
                                     BY-LAWS

                                       OF

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO


                                    ARTICLE I

                              CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

        To the extent not inconsistent with applicable Federal banking statutes
or regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the Bank shall follow the
corporate governance procedures of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as
amended.


                                   ARTICLE II

                                  SHAREHOLDERS

        SECTION 1. Annual Meeting. The regular annual meeting of shareholders of
the Bank to elect directors and to transact whatever other business may properly
come before the meeting shall be held in its main office on the second Friday in
May if not a legal holiday under the Laws of Illinois, and if a legal holiday,
then on the next business day following, at 11:30 A.M., or on such other date
and time as shall be designated by the Board of Directors. If, for any cause,
the annual election of directors should not be held on that date, the Board
shall order the election to be held on some subsequent day, of which special
notice shall be given.

        SECTION 2. Judges of Election. To the extent required by law, the Board
of Directors shall, prior to the time of the election of directors, appoint
three persons to be Judges of Election, who shall hold and conduct the same, and
who shall, after the election has been held, certify under their hands to the
Cashier of the Bank the result thereof and the names of the directors-elect.

        SECTION 3. Notice to Directors-Elect. The Cashier upon receiving the
Certificate of the Judges of Election as aforesaid, shall cause the same to be
recorded upon the minute book of the Bank, and shall notify the directors-elect
of their election and of the time at which they are required to meet at the main
office of the Bank for the purpose of organizing the new Board. If at the time
fixed for the meeting of the directors-elect there should not be a quorum
present, the members present may adjourn from time to time until a quorum is
obtained.

        SECTION 4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders may be
called in accordance with Article EIGHTH of the Bank's Articles of Association.

        SECTION 5. Record Date. The Board of Directors may fix in advance a day
not more than sixty (60) or less than ten (10) days prior to the date of holding
any regular or special meeting of shareholders as the day as of which
shareholders entitled to notice of and to 

                                        5
<PAGE>   6
vote at such meeting shall be determined.

        SECTION 6. Notice. The Bank shall mail notice of any meeting of
shareholders at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first class mail, unless
the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency determines that an emergency
circumstance exists. If the Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a company, the
sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholder's meeting.

        SECTION 7. Consent of Shareholders in Lieu of Annual or Special Meeting.
Unless otherwise restricted by law or the Articles of Association, any action
which may be taken at any annual or special shareholder meeting may be taken
without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if written consent
setting forth the action so taken shall be signed by the holders of outstanding
stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary
to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to
vote thereon were present and voted. Prompt notice of the taking of the
corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall
be given to those shareholders who did not give written consent.

        SECTION 8. Minutes. The proceedings of shareholders at all regular and
special meetings or by written consent in lieu of a meeting shall be recorded in
the minute book, together with the Articles of Association of the Bank and the
returns of the Judges of Election. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed
by the Presiding Officer, and attested by the Cashier, or other officer of the
Bank acting in place of the Cashier.


                                   ARTICLE III

                                    DIRECTORS

        SECTION 1. Authority. The Board of Directors shall have the power to
manage and administer the business and affairs of the Bank. Except as expressly
limited by law, all corporate powers of the Bank shall be vested in and may be
exercised by the Board of Directors.

        SECTION 2. Number. The Board of Directors shall at all times consist of
not less than five nor more than twenty-five individuals. The exact number
within such minimum and maximum limits shall be fixed and determined from time
to time by resolution of a majority of the full Board of Directors or by
resolution of the shareholders at any meeting thereof; provided, however, that
the Board of Directors may not increase the number of directors to a number
which: (1) exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by
shareholders where such number was fifteen or less; or (ii) exceeds by more than
four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where such number was
sixteen or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed
twenty-five.

        SECTION 3. Term of Office. Each director shall hold office from the date
of his election or appointment until the next annual shareholder meeting. Any
director ceasing to be the owner of the amount of stock required by law or in
any other manner becoming disqualified shall thereupon vacate his office as
director.

                                        6
<PAGE>   7
        SECTION 4. Compensation. The Board of Directors may provide that a
reasonable fee be paid to any of its members or to the members of any duly
authorized committee for services rendered. No such payment shall preclude any
director from serving the Bank in any other capacity and receiving compensation
therefor.

        SECTION 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors
shall be held on such dates, times and locations as determined by the Chairman
of the Board and communicated in writing to the directors.

        SECTION 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors
may be called by the Chairman of the Board or the President. Such meetings shall
be held at such times and at such places as shall be determined by the officer
calling the meeting. Notice of any special meeting of directors shall be given
to each director at the director's business or residence in writing by hand
delivery, first-class or overnight mail or courier service, telegram or
facsimile transmission, or orally by telephone. If mailed by first-class mail,
such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when deposited in the United
States mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, at least two (2) days
before such meeting. If by telegram, overnight mail or courier service, such
notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the telegram is delivered to
the telegraph company or the notice is delivered to the overnight mail or
courier service company at least twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting. If
by facsimile transmission, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when
the notice is transmitted at least twelve (12) hours before such meeting. Such
notice need not state the purposes of the meeting. Any or all directors may
waive notice of any meeting, either before or after the meeting. Attendance of a
director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting,
except when the director attends for the express purpose of objecting, at the
beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened.

        SECTION 7. Quorum; Majority Vote. A quorum of directors shall be
required to transact business at any regular or special meeting of the Board of
Directors. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum. Each director
shall be entitled to one vote. A vote by a majority of the directors present at
any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is
present shall be required to approve any matter or proposal at any such meeting.

        SECTION 8. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs in the Board of Directors,
a majority of the remaining members of the Board, according to the laws of the
United States, may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular
meeting of the Board of Directors, or at a special meeting called for that
purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office
constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board of Directors, by the affirmative
vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders
at a special meeting called for that purpose. At any such shareholder meeting,
each shareholder entitled to vote shall have the right to multiply the number of
votes he or she is entitled to cast by the number of vacancies being filled and
cast the product for a single candidate or distribute the product among two or
more candidates. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason
of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy
occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.

                                        7
<PAGE>   8
        SECTION 9. Presiding Officer. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at
all meetings of the Board of Directors at which he is present. In the absence of
the Chairman of the Board, the President shall perform the duties of the
Chairman of the Board and shall preside at the meetings of the Board of
Directors. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the President, the
Vice Chairman of the Board (or in the event there be more than one Vice Chairman
of the Board, the Vice Chairmen of the Board in the order designated, or in the
absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform
their duties and shall preside at the meetings of the Board of Directors.

        SECTION 10. Minutes of Meeting. The Cashier shall act as secretary to
the Board of Directors to take minutes at any regular or special meeting of the
Board of Directors. If the Cashier is not present at any such meeting, the
Chairman of the Board may designate a secretary pro tem to take minutes at the
meeting. The Cashier or secretary pro tem shall record the actions and
proceedings at each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors as
minutes of the meeting and shall maintain such minutes in a minute book of
proceedings of such meetings of the Board of Directors. Minutes of each such
meeting shall be signed by the presiding officer and secretary of each meeting.

        SECTION 11. Participation in Meetings by Telephone Unless otherwise
restricted by law or the Articles of Association, members of the Board of
Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of the
Board of Directors or committee by means of conference telephone or similar
communications equipment which allows each person participating in the meeting
to hear each other. Participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in
person at such meeting.

        SECTION 12. Consent of Directors in Lieu of Meeting. Unless otherwise
restricted by law or the Articles of Association, any action required or
permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any
committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or
committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or
writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.

        SECTION 13. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed
by a majority of the entire Board, designate one or more committees, each
committee to consist of two or more of the Directors of the Bank. The Board of
Directors may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any
committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of
the committee. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution,
shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors in the
management of the business and affairs of the Bank, and may authorize the seal
of the Bank to be affixed to all papers which may require it; provided, however,
that in the absence or disqualification of any member of such committee or
committees, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not
disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may
unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the
meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Such committee
or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to
time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. As used in these By-Laws,
"entire Board" means the total number of Directors the Bank would have if there
were no vacancies.


                                        8
<PAGE>   9

         There shall be an Executive Committee composed and created as the Board
of Directors may designate by resolution passed by a majority of the entire
Board. During intervals between the regular meetings of the Board of Directors,
the Executive Committee, to the extent permitted by law, the Articles of
Association of the Bank and the By-Laws, shall have and may exercise the powers
of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the
Bank.

         Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, a majority of the
members of any committee appointed by the Board of Directors pursuant to this
Section shall constitute a quorum at any meeting thereof and the act of a
majority of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall
be the act of such committee. Any such committee shall, subject to any rules
prescribed by the Board of Directors, prescribe its own rules for calling,
giving notice of and holding meetings and its method of procedure at such
meetings and shall keep a written record of all action taken by it. Each
committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the
Board of Directors when required.

         SECTION 14. Honorary Directors. Any person who has at any time been
Chairman of the Board, President or Vice Chairman of the Board of the Bank may,
after retirement from the Board of Directors, be appointed by the Board of
Directors as an Honorary Director on a year-to-year basis. In no case shall an
Honorary Director serve as such for more than five years. Honorary Directors
shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors, shall have no
vote and shall not be considered directors for the purpose of determining a
quorum. Honorary Directors shall be reimbursed for their expenses in attending
meetings of the Board of Directors and shall receive such fees, if any, for
attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors as may be fixed from time
to time by the Board of Directors but shall not receive any other directors'
fees or any other compensation for their services.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    OFFICERS

         SECTION 1. Officer Titles. The officers of the Bank shall include a
Chairman of the Board and a President and may include one or more Vice Chairmen
of the Board, Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, First Vice
Presidents, Vice Presidents and Assistant Vice Presidents, a General Auditor, a
General Counsel, a Cashier, and such other officers as may be appropriate for
the prompt and orderly transaction of the business of the Bank. Individuals
appointed as Chairman of the Board, President and Vice Chairman of the Board
must be members of the Board. The same person may hold any two or more offices.
The Chairman of the Board shall have such authority to establish officer titles
as from time to time delegated by the Board of Directors and to delegate such
authority further to other officers of the Bank.

         SECTION 2. Chief Executive Officer. The Chairman of the Board shall be
the chief executive officer of the Bank. In case of the death or disability of
the Chairman of the Board, his powers shall be exercised and his duties
discharged by the President. In the event of the death or disability of the
Chairman of the Board and the President, the Vice Chairman of the 


                                        9
<PAGE>   10
Board (or in the event there be more than one Vice Chairman of the Board, the
Vice Chairmen of the Board in the order designated, or in the absence of any
designation, then in the order of their election) shall exercise the powers and
discharge the duties of the Chairman of the Board.

         SECTION 3. Election of Officers. The Board of Directors of the Bank
shall have authority to appoint the officers of the Bank. The Chairman of the
Board shall have such authority to appoint officers as from time to time
delegated by the Board of Directors, and to delegate such authority further to
other officers of the Bank.

         SECTION 4. Authority and Responsibility. The authorities and
responsibilities of all officers, in addition to those specifically prescribed
herein, shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, or as may
be designated by the Board of Directors or by the Chairman of the Board or by
the President, or by any officer of the Bank designated by one of the foregoing.

         SECTION 5. Term of Office. Officers shall be appointed for an
indefinite term, and their employment may be terminated or they may be removed
from office at any time. The Board of Directors shall have authority to
terminate or remove officers of the Bank. The Chairman of the Board shall have
such authority to terminate or remove officers as from time to time delegated by
the Board of Directors, and to delegate such authority further to other officers
of the Bank.

         SECTION 6. Surety. All officers and employees of the Bank who shall be
responsible for any moneys, funds or valuables of the Bank shall give bond, or
be covered by a blanket bond, in such penal sum and with such security as shall
be approved by the Board, conditioned for the faithful and honest discharge of
their duties as such officers or employees and that they will faithfully apply
and account for all such moneys, funds and valuables and deliver the same on
proper demand to the order of the Board of the Bank, or to the person or persons
authorized to receive the same.


                                    ARTICLE V

                                      SEAL

         SECTION 1. Description. The following is a description of the Seal
adopted by the Board of the Bank:

         Female with left arm resting on shield, bale of goods and sheaf of
grain at her side, ship and sea in the distance; the whole surrounded with the
words, "The First National Bank of Chicago".

         SECTION 2. Attestation. Any instrument which is executed for and on
behalf of the Bank by its duly authorized officers may, when necessary, be
attested and sealed with the corporate seal by any officer of the Bank other
than the officer who executes such instrument on behalf of the Bank.


                                       10
<PAGE>   11
                                   ARTICLE VI

                            TRANSFERS OF REAL ESTATE

         Any Vice President or higher ranking officer shall have authority on
behalf of and in the name of the Bank, to execute any document or instrument and
to take action which may be necessary or appropriate to purchase, convey, lease,
or otherwise affect any real estate or interest in real estate owned or to be
owned by the Bank; provided, however, any document or instrument purchasing,
conveying or leasing real estate used or to be used by the Bank as banking
facilities must be executed by a Senior Vice President or higher ranking
officer, or any other officer designated by any of the foregoing. Any Assistant
Vice President or higher ranking officer shall have authority to execute and
deliver on behalf of and in the name of the Bank, releases of mortgages or trust
deeds.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                          STOCK AND STOCK CERTIFICATES

         SECTION 1. Increase of Stock. In the event of any increase in the
capital stock of the Bank the preemptive rights of the shareholders in respect
of any such increased stock shall be as set forth in Article FIFTH of the
Articles of Association.

         Any warrants or certificates issuable to shareholders in connection
with any increase of the capital stock of the Bank, shall be delivered to the
respective shareholders entitled thereto, either by hand or by mail, first-class
postage prepaid, addressed to their respective addresses as shown on the books
of the Bank.

         If, in the event of a sale of additional shares, any subscription
rights shall not have been exercised at the expiration of the specified
subscription period, such unsubscribed new shares may be issued and sold at such
price, not less than the par value thereof, to such persons and on such terms as
the Board of Directors may determine.

         SECTION 2. Transfers of Stock. The stock of the Bank shall be
assignable only upon the books of the Bank, subject to the restrictions of the
Act, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all assignments and transfers of
stock shall be made. Transfers of stock may be suspended preparatory to any
election or payment of any dividends.

         SECTION 3. Certificates of Stock. Certificates of stock signed by any
Vice President or higher ranking officer and the Cashier or any Assistant
Cashier may be issued to shareholders, and the Certificates shall state upon the
face thereof that the stock is transferable only upon the books of the Bank. If
such Certificates are manually countersigned by two other officers of the Bank,
the signatures of the officers designated in the preceding sentence may be
facsimiles, engraved or printed. In case any officer who has signed or whose
facsimile signature has been placed upon such Certificates shall have ceased to
be such officer before such Certificates are issued, they may be issued by the
Bank with the same effect as if such 


                                       11
<PAGE>   12
officer had not ceased to be such at the date of issue.


         In case of transfer of stock, new Certificates of stock shall not be
issued until other Certificate or Certificates of stock of an equal amount shall
first have been surrendered and cancelled.

         Any one of the following officers of the Bank: the Chairman of the
Board, the President, or any Vice Chairman of the Board is each hereby
authorized to cause new Certificates of stock of the Bank to be issued to
replace Certificates reported to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon
receipt of: (a) appropriate affidavit or affidavits setting forth whether the
Certificates were lost, stolen or destroyed and the circumstances thereof, and
(b) a bond or bonds (blanket or otherwise) or an agreement or agreements of
indemnity, sufficient in the opinion of any of such officers to protect the
interests of the Bank issuing such new Certificates.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                  BANKING HOURS

         The Bank shall be open for business during such days of the year and
for such hours as the Board of Directors or any officer of the Bank designated
by the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                  CONTRACTS, CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT AND NOTES

         SECTION 1. Execution of Contracts. Any officer of the bank and such
other persons as may be authorized by the Board of Directors are severally and
respectively authorized to execute documents and to take action in the Bank's
name in connection with any and all transactions conducted in the ordinary
course of business of the Bank.

         SECTION 2. Certificates of Deposit and Notes. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, all certificates of deposits and notes evidencing obligations of the
Bank shall be signed either manually or by facsimile signature by any officer of
the Bank, and, if such signature is not a manual signature, shall be validated
by the manual signature of another officer of the Bank whose signature does not
already appear on said certificate of deposit or note or by the authorized
officers of corporate fiduciaries or agents with whom the Board of Directors may
from time to time by resolution authorize the officers of the Bank to contract
for services in connection with the validation and delivery of certificates of
deposit or notes issued by the Bank.


                                    ARTICLE X

                                  VOTING RIGHTS


                                       12
<PAGE>   13
         The vote of the Bank as stockholder in any corporation in which it may
hold stock or upon any securities carrying voting rights which it shall have the
right to vote in its individual capacity as a Bank, shall be cast at any
stockholders' or shareholders' meeting by any Vice President or higher ranking
officer, or the Cashier, in person, or by some person or persons authorized by
written proxy signed by one of said officers.

         In all cases where shares of stock or other securities carrying voting
rights and owned by the Bank shall be held in the name of a nominee of the Bank,
any Vice President or higher ranking officer, or the Cashier, may authorize such
nominee to vote such stock or other securities in person, either unconditionally
or upon such terms, limitations, or conditions as such officer may direct, or
any such officer may authorize such nominee to execute a proxy to vote such
shares of stock or other securities carrying voting rights, either
unconditionally or upon such terms, conditions and/or limitations as such
officer shall approve.


                                   ARTICLE XI

                                  EXAMINATIONS

         It shall be the duty of the General Auditor to examine, from time to
time, the various operations of the Bank, verify its assets and liabilities, and
perform such other procedures as are required to determine that the accounting
records are accurate and to ascertain whether the Bank is in a sound and solvent
condition. Major discrepancies and defalcations shall be reported to the Board
promptly and other reports shall be made directly to the Board when deemed
appropriate either by the General Auditor or the Board. In the event of the
death, resignation, absence or inability of the General Auditor, the Board of
Directors shall appoint a competent person who shall make such examinations and
reports, pending the election of a successor to the General Auditor or the
return of the General Auditor to his duties.


                                   ARTICLE XII

                               BONDS OF INDEMNITY

         Bonds of indemnity given to secure the issuance of duplicate or
substitute notes, bonds, stock certificates, checks, debentures or other
securities which may have been lost, destroyed or stolen or to secure the
payment of any such lost, destroyed or stolen securities or to secure the
payment by the Bank of funds deposited by any public authorities, shall be
executed by any Assistant Vice President or higher ranking officer, and, if
required, sealed with the corporate seal and attested by some other officer of
the Bank.


                                  ARTICLE XIII

                      AUTHORITY TO SELL STOCKS, BONDS, ETC.

         SECTION 1. U.S. Obligations. Any Assistant Vice President or higher
ranking


                                       13
<PAGE>   14
officer may at any time, in his discretion, sell, assign and transfer any and
all United States bonds now standing, or which may hereafter stand, in the name
of the Bank, and to appoint one or more attorneys for that purpose.

         SECTION 2. Other Obligations. Any Assistant Vice President or higher
ranking officer may at any time, in his discretion, sell, assign and transfer
any and all notes, bonds, certificates of indebtedness or obligations of any
corporation, firm or individual, which said notes, bonds, certificates of
indebtedness or obligations are now registered, or may hereafter be registered,
in the name of, or for the benefit of, the Bank, or are payable or indorsed to
the Bank.

         SECTION 3. Stock. Any Assistant Vice President or higher ranking
officer may at any time in his discretion, sell, assign and transfer to any
assignee or transferee, for and on behalf of the Bank and in its name, any and
all shares of capital stock of any corporation or corporations held by the Bank.


                                   ARTICLE XIV

                              FIDUCIARY ACTIVITIES

         1. Authority to Sign as Registrar, Transfer Agent, etc. Any officer of
the Bank shall have the right to sign, countersign, certify, register,
authenticate and identify all bonds, notes, interim certificates, and depositary
receipts, warrants, participation certificates, certificates of stock and
similar instruments for or in respect of which the Bank may be acting as
Trustee, Registrar, Transfer Agent or otherwise.

         2. Authority to Vote Stock. The vote of the Bank as stockholder in any
corporation or mutual fund in which it may hold capital stock in any fiduciary
capacity, unless the governing instrument directs otherwise, may be voted by any
officer of the Bank in person, electronically or by written proxy signed by one
of said officers.

         3. Authority to Sell, Assign and Transfer Stocks, etc. Any officer of
the Bank may sell, assign and transfer to any assignee or transferee for the
Bank and in its name, any and all shares of the capital stock or other
securities and obligations of any individual or entity held by the Bank in any
fiduciary capacity, and sign and deliver any instruments with respect to any
such items.

         4. Authority to Sign Checks and Other Instruments. Any officer of the
Bank is authorized to sign for and on behalf of the Bank: checks against any
account or accounts of any organizational unit of the Bank exercising fiduciary
powers; petitions; schedules; accounts; reports; receipts for funds or
securities deposited with the Bank as fiduciary and all instruments or documents
that may be necessary or desirable in connection with the execution of any
fiduciary powers of the Bank.

         5. Delegation of Authority. Anything in this Article XIV to the
contrary notwithstanding, the Chairman of the Board is authorized to designate
in writing such persons as


                                       14
<PAGE>   15
shall be authorized in the name of the Bank to sign or countersign any or all of
the documents and instruments enumerated in this Article XIV relating to
transactions conducted in connection with the execution of any fiduciary powers
of the Bank.


                                   ARTICLE XV

                              AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

         These By-Laws may be changed or amended by the vote of a majority of
the directors present at any regularly constituted meeting of the Board of
Directors.


                                   ARTICLE XVI

                           EMERGENCY OPERATION OF BANK

         In the event of an emergency declared by the President of the United
States or the person performing his functions, due to threatened or actual enemy
attack or disaster, the officers and employees of the Bank will continue to
conduct the affairs of the Bank under such guidance from the directors as may be
available, except as to matters which by statute require specific approval of
the Board of Directors, and subject to conformance with any governmental
directives during the emergency.


                                  ARTICLE XVII

                             DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY

         Each of the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice Chairman of
the Board and the Cashier of the Bank are severally and respectively authorized
to designate in writing such persons who shall be authorized in the name and on
behalf of the Bank to sign any document or instrument, including certificates of
deposit and notes, and to take action which may be necessary or appropriate to
the conduct of the Bank's business, in its individual capacity or any other
capacity. Any such authorization to sign such document or instrument and to take
any action may be general or limited as is determined in the discretion of the
Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice Chairman of the Board or the
Cashier.


                                       15
<PAGE>   16
                                    EXHIBIT 6



                       THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED
                          BY SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT



                                                           August 12, 1996
 

Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C.  20549

Gentlemen:

In connection with the qualification of an indenture between Amerco and The
First National Bank of Chicago, the undersigned, in accordance with Section 
321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, hereby consents that the
reports of examinations of the undersigned, made by Federal or State authorities
authorized to make such examinations, may be furnished by such authorities to
the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.


                                   Very truly yours,

                                   THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO


                                   BY:   /S/ RICHARD D. MANELLA

                                         RICHARD D. MANELLA
                                         VICE PRESIDENT


                                       16
<PAGE>   17
                                    EXHIBIT 7

<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>                                                             <C>
Legal Title of Bank:            The First National Bank of Chicago Call Date: 03/31/96  ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                        One First National Plaza, Suite 0460                                    Page RC-1
City, State  Zip:                             Chicago, IL  60670-0460
FDIC Certificate No.:0/3/6/1/8
</TABLE>

CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR MARCH 31, 1996

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars. Unless otherwise
indicated, report the amount outstanding of the last business day of the
quarter.

SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET


<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                           C400
                                                                         DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN              ------------   
                                                                              THOUSANDS        RCFD     BIL MIL THOU   less than -
                                                                         -----------------     ----    -------------   -----------
<S>                                                                      <C>                   <C>     <C>               <C> 
ASSETS                                                                   
1.  Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule    
    RC-A):                                                               
    a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin(1)...........                         0081      3,047,140         1.a.
    b. Interest-bearing balances(2)....................................                         0071      8,488,390         1.b.
2.  Securities                                                           
    a. Held-to-maturity securities(from Schedule RC-B, column A)                                1754              0         2.a.
    b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D)....                         1773        997,155         2.b.
3.  Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to      
    resell in domestic offices of the bank and its Edge and Agreement    
    subsidiaries, and in IBFs:                                           
    a. Federal Funds sold..............................................                         0276      3,384,301         3.a.
    b. Securities purchased under agreements to resell.................                         0277        685,531         3.b.
4.  Loans and lease financing receivables:                               
    a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule           
    RC-C)..............................................................  RCFD 2122 16,884,488                               4.a.
    b. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses.......................  RCFD 3123    358,448                               4.b.
    c. LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve...........................  RCFD 3128          0                               4.c.
    d. Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and                                
       reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c)............................                         2125     16,526,040         4.d.
5.  Assets held in trading accounts....................................                         3545     10,974,841         5.
6.  Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)...........                         2145        592,581         6.
7.  Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M).......................                         2150          9,952         7.
8.  Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated            
    companies (from Schedule RC-M).....................................                         2130         42,098         8.
9.  Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding.......                         2155        564,435         9.
10. Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M).............................                         2143         96,463        10.
11. Other assets (from Schedule RC-F)..................................                         2160      1,703,124        11.
12. Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11)...........................                         2170     47,112,051        12.
</TABLE>                                                               



(1)  Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2)  Includes time certificates of deposit not held in trading accounts.


                                       17
<PAGE>   18
<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>                                                              <C>
Legal Title of Bank:       The First National Bank of Chicago Call Date:   03/31/96 ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                   One First National Plaza, Suite 0460                             Page RC-2
City, State  Zip:          Chicago, IL  60670-0460
FDIC Certificate No.:      0/3/6/1/8
</TABLE>

SCHEDULE RC-CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN
                                                                          THOUSANDS                      BIL MIL THOU
                                                                          ---------                      ------------
<S>                                                                  <C>                    <C>          <C>               <C> 
LIABILITIES
13. Deposits:
    a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C
       from Schedule RC-E, part 1).................................                         RCON 2200     14,251,874       13.a.
       (1) Noninterest-bearing(1)..................................  RCON 6631  5,707,786                                  13.a.(1)
       (2) Interest-bearing........................................  RCON 6636  8,544,088                                  13.a.(2)
    b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and
       IBFs (from Schedule RC-E, part II)..........................                         RCFN 2200      12,839,836      13.b.
       (1) Noninterest bearing.....................................  RCFN 6631    196,311                                  13.b.(1)
       (2) Interest-bearing........................................  RCFN 6636 12,643,525                                  13.b.(2)
14. Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements 
    to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and of its Edge 
    and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs:
    a. Federal funds purchased.....................................                         RCFD 0278        2,692,008     14.a.
    b. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase                                       RCFD 0279        1,165,032     14.b.
15. a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury                                             RCON 2840           77,000     15.a.
    b. Trading Liabilities.........................................                         RCFD 3548        7,103,300     15.b.

16. Other borrowed money:
    a. With original maturity of one year or less..................                         RCFD 2332        2,223,560      16.a.
    b. With original  maturity of more than one year...............                         RCFD 2333          144,665      16.b.
17. Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized
    leases.........................................................                         RCFD 2910          283,041      17.
18. Bank's liability on acceptance executed and outstanding                                 RCFD 2920          564,435      18.
19. Subordinated notes and debentures..............................                         RCFD 3200        1,275,000      19.
20. Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G).........................                         RCFD 2930        1,411,087      20.
21. Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20).................                         RCFD 2948       44,030,838      21.
22. Limited-Life preferred stock and related surplus...............                         RCFD 3282                0      22.
EQUITY CAPITAL
23. Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus..................                         RCFD 3838                0      23.
24. Common stock...................................................                         RCFD 3230          200,858      24.
25. Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)                                RCFD 3839        2,320,326      25.
26. a. Undivided profits and capital reserves......................                         RCFD 3632          559,707      26.a.
    b. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale
       securities..................................................                         RCFD 8434              730      26.b.
27. Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments                                     RCFD 3284             (408)     27.
28. Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27)                                       RCFD 3210        3,081,213      28.
29. Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity
    capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28)..........................                         RCFD 3300       47,112,051      29.
</TABLE>

Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.

1.    Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that
      best describes the most comprehensive level of auditing work performed for
      the bank by independent external                           Number

      auditors as of any date during 1995 ...............  RCFD 6724  2     M.1.

1 =   Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance with generally
      accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting firm which
      submits a report on the bank

2 =   Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company conducted in
      accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified
      public accounting firm which submits a report on the consolidated holding
      company (but not on the bank separately)

3 =   Directors' examination of the bank conducted in work accordance with
      generally accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting
      firm (may be required by state chartering authority)


4. =  Directors' examination of the bank performed by other external auditors
      (may be required by state chartering authority)

5 =   Review of the bank's financial statements by external auditors

6 =   Compilation of the bank's financial statements by external auditors

7 =   Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work)

8 =   No external audit                                                 

- ------------------
(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings 
deposits.


                                       18


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