HOUSEHOLD FINANCE CORP
424B5, 1999-07-29
PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS
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<PAGE>

                                                Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
                                                      Registration No. 333-72453

Prospectus Supplement (To Prospectus Dated March 3, 1999)

$500,000,000

Household Finance Corporation

7% Notes Due August 1, 2003

Maturity                                 Redemption
                                         . We cannot redeem the Notes prior
 . The Notes will mature on August 1,       to their maturity.
  2003.


                                         . There is no sinking fund.
Interest

                                         Ranking
 . Interest on the Notes is payable
  on February 1 and August 1 of each     . The Notes are unsecured. They will
  year, beginning February 1, 2000.        have the same rank as our other
                                           unsecured and unsubordinated
                                           obligations.

 . Interest will accrue from August
  2, 1999.


Listing
 . We do not intend to list the Notes
  on any securities exchange.


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

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of the Notes or determined that this
prospectus supplement or the attached prospectus is accurate or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

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

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Per Note    Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                                              <C>      <C>
  Initial Price to Public                          99.904%  $499,520,000
  Underwriting Discount                             0.400%  $  2,000,000
  Proceeds to Us (Before Expenses)                 99.504%  $497,520,000
</TABLE>


Your purchase price will also include any interest that has accrued on the
Notes from August 2, 1999.

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

 . The Notes will be delivered to you     . The underwriters listed below will
  in global form through the book-         purchase the Notes from us on a
  entry delivery system of The             firm commitment basis and offer
  Depository Trust Company on or           them to you, subject to certain
  about August 2, 1999.                    conditions.

Chase Securities Inc.

          Banc of America Securities LLC

                 Banc One Capital Markets, Inc.

                          Barclays Capital

                                 Salomon Smith Barney

                                        SG Cowen Securities Corporation

                                               The Williams Capital Group, L.P.

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

           The date of this Prospectus Supplement is July 28, 1999.
<PAGE>

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

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Page
                                      ----
        Prospectus Supplement
<S>                                   <C>
Use of Proceeds......................  S-3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges...  S-3
Capitalization of HFC................  S-3
Selected Financial Information of
 HFC.................................  S-4
Description of Notes.................  S-6
Underwriting.........................  S-9
Notice to Canadian Residents......... S-11
Legal Opinions....................... S-12
Experts.............................. S-12
General Information.................. S-12
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Page
                                      ----
<S>                                   <C>
               Prospectus

About This Prospectus...............    2
Where You Can Find More
 Information........................    2
Special Note Regarding Forward-
 Looking Statements.................    2
Household Finance Corporation.......    3
Use of Proceeds.....................    3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges..    3
Description of Debt Securities......    4
Description of Warrants.............   13
Certain United States Tax
 Documentation Requirements.........   14
United States Taxation of Non-United
 States Persons.....................   16
Plan of Distribution................   18
ERISA Matters.......................   18
Legal Opinions......................   19
Experts.............................   19
</TABLE>

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

   You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus. The
Company has not authorized anyone to provide you with information different
from that contained in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying
Prospectus. This Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus may
only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. The information
contained in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus is
accurate only as of the date of this Prospectus Supplement and the date of the
accompanying Prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this Prospectus
Supplement or any sales of the Notes.

   In this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus, the
"Company," "HFC" and "we" refer to Household Finance Corporation.

   The Notes are offered globally for sale in those jurisdictions in the
United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and elsewhere where it is lawful to make
such offers. See "Underwriting."

   This Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus include
particulars given in compliance with the rules governing the listing of
securities on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange for the purpose of giving
information with regard to the Company. The Company accepts responsibility for
the information contained in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying
Prospectus and confirms, having made all reasonable inquiries, that to the
best of its knowledge and belief there are no other facts the omission of
which would make any statement herein or in the Prospectus misleading in any
material respect.

   The distribution of this Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus and the
offering of the Notes in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law.
Persons into whose possession this Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus
come should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. This
Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus do not constitute, and may not be
used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any
jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which
the person making such offer

                                      S-2
<PAGE>

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

   HFC will apply the net proceeds (estimated to be approximately $497,220,000)
from the sale of the Notes to its general funds to be used in its financial
services business, including the funding of investments in, or extensions of
credit to, affiliates of HFC. Pending such applications, the net proceeds will
be used initially to reduce outstanding commercial paper of HFC. The proceeds
of such commercial paper are used in connection with HFC's financial services
business.

                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

   The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three months ended March 31,
1999 and March 31, 1998 was 1.66 and 2.01, respectively. See "Ratio of Earnings
to Fixed Charges" in the accompanying Prospectus for additional information.

                              DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

General

   The following description of the terms of the 7% Notes due August 1, 2003
(the "Notes") offered hereby (referred to in the Prospectus as the "Offered
Debt Securities") supplements, insofar as such description relates to the
Notes, the description of the Debt Securities set forth in the Prospectus, to
which description reference is hereby made. The Notes are part of the Debt
Securities registered by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission to be issued on terms to be determined at the time of sale. The
Notes constitute senior unsecured debt of the Company and will rank on a parity
with all other senior unsecured debt of the Company and prior to all
subordinated debt. The Notes are to be issued as a series of Senior Debt
Securities under an Indenture dated as of September 15, 1998 (the "Indenture"),
between the Company and Allfirst Bank, formerly known as FMB Bank, as Trustee,
which is more fully described in the accompanying Prospectus under "Description
of Debt Securities--Senior Debt Securities."

   The Notes are not subject to redemption by the Company prior to maturity.
The Notes will not be entitled to any sinking fund.

   The Notes will be issued in fully registered form only in minimum
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The Notes will mature
on August 1, 2003.

   Interest on the Notes will accrue from and including August 2, 1999 at the
rate of 7% per annum and will be payable semiannually on February 1 and August
1, beginning February 1, 2000, to the persons in whose names the Notes are
registered at the close of business on the preceding January 15 or July 15,
respectively, except that interest payable at maturity shall be paid to the
same persons to whom principal of the Notes is payable. In the event any
principal of or interest on the Notes is due on a day other than a Business Day
(as defined below), the related payment of principal or interest will be made
on the next succeeding Business Day as if made on the date such payment was
due, and no interest will accrue on the amount so payable for the period from
and after the date such principal or interest is due, as the case may be.
"Business Day" with respect to any place of payment means each Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions
in such place of payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order
to close. The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Depositary

   Upon issuance, all Notes will be represented by one or more fully registered
global notes ("Global Notes"). Each such Global Note will be deposited with, or
on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company or any successor thereto ("DTC" or
the "Depositary"), as Depositary, and registered in the name of Cede & Co.
(DTC's partnership nominee).

                                      S-3
<PAGE>

                                  UNDERWRITING

   We and the Underwriters have entered into an Underwriting Agreement relating
to the offering and sale of the Notes (the "Underwriting Agreement"). In the
Underwriting Agreement, we have agreed to sell to each Underwriter, and each
Underwriter has agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of Notes that
appears opposite its name in the table below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Underwriter                                               Principal Amount
      -----------                                               ----------------
      <S>                                                       <C>
      Chase Securities Inc.....................................   $312,500,000
      Banc of America Securities LLC...........................     62,500,000
      Banc One Capital Markets, Inc............................     25,000,000
      Barclays Bank PLC........................................     25,000,000
      Salomon Smith Barney Inc.................................     25,000,000
      SG Cowen Securities Corporation..........................     25,000,000
      The Williams Capital Group, L.P..........................     25,000,000
                                                                  ------------
          Total................................................   $500,000,000
                                                                  ============
</TABLE>

   The obligations of the Underwriters under the Underwriting Agreement,
including their agreement to purchase Notes from us, are several and not joint.
Those obligations are also subject to certain conditions in the Underwriting
Agreement being satisfied. The Underwriters have agreed to purchase all of the
Notes if any of them are purchased.

   The Underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the Notes to the
public at the public offering price that appears on the cover page of this
Prospectus. The Underwriters may offer the Notes to selected dealers at the
public offering price minus a selling concession of up to .250% of the
principal amount. In addition, the Underwriters may allow, and those selected
dealers may reallow, a selling concession of up to .125% of the principal
amount to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering, the
Underwriters may change the public offering price and any other selling terms.

   In the Underwriting Agreement, we have agreed that:

  . we will pay our expenses related to the Offering, which we estimate will
    be $300,000;

  . we will indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including
    liabilities under the Securities Act.

   The Notes are a new issue of securities, and there is currently no
established trading market for the Notes. In addition, we do not intend to
apply for the Notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for
the Notes to be quoted on any quotation system. The Underwriters have advised
us that they intend to make a market in the Notes, but they are not obligated
to do so. The Underwriters may discontinue any market making in the Notes at
any time in their sole discretion. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a
liquid trading market will develop for the Notes, that you will be able to sell
your Notes at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you
sell will be favorable.

   In connection with the offering of the Notes, the Underwriters may engage in
overallotment, stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions in
accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which
creates a short position for the Underwriters. Stabilizing transactions involve
bids to purchase the Notes in the open market for the purpose of pegging,
fixing or maintaining the price of the Notes. Syndicate covering transactions
involve purchases of the Notes in the open market after the distribution has
been completed in order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions and
syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the Notes to be higher
than it would otherwise be in the absence of those transactions. If the
Underwriters engage in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions, they may
discontinue them at any time.

   Some of the underwriters and their associates and affiliates may be
customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions
with, and/or perform services, including commercial and investment banking
services, for, the Company and its affiliates in the ordinary course of
business.

                                      S-4
<PAGE>

                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

   The legality of the Notes will be passed upon for HFC by John W. Blenke,
Vice President--Corporate Law and Assistant Secretary for Household
International, Inc., the parent of HFC. Certain legal matters will be passed
upon for the Underwriters by McDermott, Will & Emery, Chicago, Illinois. Mr.
Blenke is a full-time employee and an officer of Household International, Inc.
and owns, and holds options to purchase, shares of Common Stock of Household
International, Inc.

                                    EXPERTS

   The consolidated financial statements and schedules of HFC and its
subsidiaries incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement, to the
extent and for the periods indicated in its reports, have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, and are incorporated by
reference herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in
giving said reports.

                                      S-5
<PAGE>

                         Household Finance Corporation

                                 $6,050,000,000

                                Debt Securities
                                      and
                      Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities

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

   Household Finance Corporation may sell at one or more times up to
$6,050,000,000 of its debt securities and warrants to purchase debt securities.
We will provide specific terms of the securities which we may offer at any time
in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any
supplement carefully before you invest.

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

    Neither   the  Securities  and   Exchange  Commission  nor  any   state
         securities commission  has approved  or disapproved  of these
              securities  or  determined  if this  prospectus  is
                  accurate  or  complete. Any  representation
                       to  the  contrary is  a  criminal
                            offense.

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

                 The date of this Prospectus is March 3, 1999.
<PAGE>

                             ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

   This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") utilizing a "shelf" registration
process. Under this process, we may sell any combination of the securities
described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar
amount of $6,050,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general
description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer to sell
securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that will contain
specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus
supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this
prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement
together with the additional information described under the heading WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION. In this prospectus, the "Company" and "HFC" refer to
Household Finance Corporation.

                      WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   Household Finance Corporation files annual, quarterly and special reports
and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document filed by
HFC at the SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York
and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the public reference rooms. SEC filings are also available to
the public on the SEC's Internet web site at http:\\www.sec.gov.

   The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with
it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring
you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered
to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file with the SEC later
will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by
reference the HFC documents listed below and any future filings made by HFC
with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, until we sell all of the securities.

  . Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997;

  . Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30
    and September 30, 1998;

  . Current Reports on Forms 8-K dated February 12, April 7, June 2, June 30,
    September 1 and November 16, 1998 and January 29 and February 5, 1999.

   You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at: Household Finance Corporation, Office of the Secretary,
Prospect Heights, Illinois 60070, Telephone (847) 564-5000.

   You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or
provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not
authorized anyone else to provide you with different or additional information.
You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any supplement
is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.

               SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   Certain of the matters discussed under the caption "Household Finance
Corporation" and elsewhere in this prospectus or in the information
incorporated by reference herein may constitute forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such information may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of HFC
to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

                                       2
<PAGE>

                         HOUSEHOLD FINANCE CORPORATION

   HFC was incorporated in Delaware in 1925, as successor to an enterprise
which traces its origin through the same ownership to an office established in
1878. The address of its principal executive office is 2700 Sanders Road,
Prospect Heights, Illinois 60070 (telephone (847) 564-5000). HFC is a
subsidiary of Household International, Inc. ("Household International").

   HFC and its subsidiaries offer a diversified range of financial services.
The principal product of our consumer financial services business is the making
of cash loans, including home equity loans secured by first and second
mortgages, sales finance loans and other unsecured loans directly to consumers
in the United States. Loans are made through branch lending offices under the
brands "HFC" and "Beneficial," and through direct mail and telemarketing. We
also acquire portfolios of open-end and closed-end, secured and unsecured
loans.

   We offer both MasterCard* and VISA* credit cards to residents throughout the
United States. We also purchase and service revolving charge card accounts
originated by merchants. These accounts result from consumer purchases of goods
and services from the originating merchant. We also directly originate closed-
end sales contracts.

   A subsidiary of HFC also makes loans to non-prime borrowers for the purchase
of new and used vehicles. The loans are secured by the vehicles, which are
generally sold through franchised dealers.

   Where applicable laws permit, we offer credit life and credit accident,
health and disability insurance to our customers. Such insurance is generally
written directly by, or reinsured with, one of our insurance affiliates.

   On June 30, 1998, Household International completed the merger of Beneficial
Corporation ("Beneficial") with a subsidiary of Household International. Upon
completion of the Merger, substantially all of Beneficial's net assets were
contributed by Household International to HFC. The merger was accounted for as
a "pooling of interests" under generally accepted accounting principles and
accordingly, financial information of HFC incorporated by reference herein
includes the combined results of HFC and Beneficial.

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

   Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, HFC will apply the
net proceeds from the sale of the securities to its general funds to be used in
its financial services business, including the funding of investments in, or
extensions of credit to, affiliates of HFC. Pending such applications, the net
proceeds will be used initially to reduce outstanding commercial paper of HFC.
The proceeds of such commercial paper are used in connection with HFC's
financial services business.

                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

   The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for HFC and subsidiaries for the
periods indicated below was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Year Ended December 31,
                                                        ------------------------
                                                        1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
                                                        ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S>                                                     <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>
HFC and subsidiaries--calculated on income
 from continuing operations............................ 1.32 1.61 1.57 1.41 1.51
</TABLE>

   For purposes of calculating the ratio, earnings consist of income from
continuing operations to which has been added income taxes and fixed charges.
Fixed charges consist of interest on all indebtedness and one-third of rental
expense (approximate portion representing interest). The December 31, 1998
ratio has been negatively impacted by one-time merger and integration related
costs associated with the merger of Household International and Beneficial.
Excluding the merger and integration related costs, the December 31, 1998 ratio
would have been 1.81.
- --------
*  MasterCard and VISA are registered trademarks of MasterCard International
   Incorporated and VISA USA, Inc., respectively.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

   HFC may offer, from time to time, one or more series of unsecured senior
notes ("Debt Securities") and warrants ("Warrants") to purchase Debt Securities
(the Debt Securities and Warrants being hereafter collectively called the
"Securities"). The Securities offered pursuant to this prospectus may have an
aggregate offering price up to U.S. $6,050,000,000, or the equivalent thereof
if any of the Securities are denominated in a foreign currency or a foreign
currency unit.

   The following description of the Debt Securities sets forth certain general
terms and provisions of the Debt Securities to which any supplement to this
prospectus ("Prospectus Supplement") may relate. The particular terms of the
Debt Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement (the "Offered Debt
Securities") and the extent to which such general terms and provisions may
apply to the Offered Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to such Offered Debt Securities.

General

   Offered Debt Securities will constitute either senior or senior subordinated
unsecured debt of HFC and will be issued under one of the indentures specified
elsewhere herein (the "Indentures"). The Indentures, or forms thereof, and the
Standard Provisions (as defined herein) have been filed as exhibits to HFC's
Registration Statement which registers the Securities with the Commission. The
following summaries do not purport to be complete and, where particular
provisions of an Indenture or the Standard Provisions are referred to, such
provisions, including definitions of certain terms, are incorporated by
reference as part of such summaries, which are qualified in their entirety by
such reference.

   The Indentures provide that Debt Securities may be issued thereunder from
time to time in one or more series and do not limit the aggregate principal
amount of the Debt Securities except as may be otherwise provided with respect
to any particular series of Offered Debt Securities.

   Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement with respect to any
particular series of Offered Debt Securities, the Debt Securities will be
issued in registered form without coupons, will be exchangeable for authorized
denominations, and will be transferable at any time or from time to time. No
charge will be made to the holder for any such exchange or registration of
transfer except for any tax or governmental charge incident thereto. Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt
Securities of each series will be issued in the form of one or more global
securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary. See
"Book-Entry System" below.

   Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular
series of Debt Securities offered thereby for the following terms and other
information to the extent applicable with respect to the Offered Debt
Securities: (1) the title of the Offered Debt Securities and whether such
Offered Debt Securities will be senior or senior subordinated debt of HFC; (2)
any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Offered Debt Securities; (3)
the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof)
HFC will be paid for the Offered Debt Securities and the initial offering
price, if any, at which the Offered Debt Securities will be offered to the
public; (4) the currency, currencies or currency units for which the Offered
Debt Securities may be purchased and the currency, currencies or currency units
in which the principal of and any interest on such Offered Debt Securities may
be payable; (5) the date or dates on which the Offered Debt Securities will
mature; (6) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum at
which the Offered Debt Securities will bear interest, if any; (7) the date from
which such interest, if any, on the Offered Debt Securities will accrue, the
dates on which such interest, if any, will be payable, the date on which
payment of such interest, if any, will commence, and the record dates for such
interest payment dates, if any; (8) the dates, if any, on which and the price
or prices at which the Offered Debt Securities will, pursuant to any mandatory
sinking fund provisions, or may, pursuant to any optional sinking fund or to
any purchase fund provisions, be redeemed by HFC, and the other detailed terms
and provisions of such sinking and/or purchase funds; (9) the date, if any,
after which and the price or prices at which the Offered Debt Securities may,
pursuant to any optional redemption provisions, be redeemed at the option of
HFC or of the holder thereof and the other detailed terms

                                       4
<PAGE>

and provisions of such optional redemption; (10) the denominations in which the
Offered Debt Securities are authorized to be issued; (11) the securities
exchange, if any, on which the Debt Securities will be listed; and (12)
additional provisions, if any, with respect to the Offered Debt Securities.

   If any of the Debt Securities are sold for foreign currencies or foreign
currency units or if the principal of or any interest on any series of Debt
Securities is payable in foreign currencies or foreign currency units, the
restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information
with respect to such issue of Debt Securities and such currencies or currency
units will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.

   Debt Securities may be issued as Original Issue Discount Securities to be
offered and sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. "Original
Issue Discount Securities" means any Debt Securities that provide 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. As used in the following summary of
certain terms of the Debt Securities, the term "principal amount" means, in the
case of any Original Issue Discount Security, the amount that would then be due
and payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof, as specified in such
Debt Security.

Book-Entry System

   Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement with respect to any
series of Offered Debt Securities, upon issuance, all Offered Debt Securities
will be represented by one or more global securities (the "Global Security").
The Global Security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository
Trust Company ("DTC" or the "Depositary") and registered in the name of Cede &
Co. (the Depositary's partnership nominee). Unless and until exchanged in whole
or in part for Offered Debt Securities in definitive form, no Global Security
may be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of such
Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another
nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a
successor of such Depositary or a nominee of such successor.

   If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement with respect to any series of
Offered Debt Securities, investors may elect to hold interests in Global
Securities through either the Depositary (in the United States) or Cedel Bank,
societe anonyme ("Cedel Bank"), or Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York,
Brussels Office, as operator of the Euroclear System ("Euroclear"), if they are
participants in such systems, or indirectly through organizations which are
participants in such systems. Cedel Bank and Euroclear will hold interests on
behalf of their participants through customers' securities accounts in Cedel
Bank's and Euroclear's names on the books of their respective depositaries,
which in turn will hold such interests in customers' securities accounts in the
depositaries' names on the books of the Depositary. Unless otherwise indicated
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Citibank, N.A. will act as depositary
for Cedel Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank will act as depositary for
Euroclear (in such capacities, the "U.S. Depositaries").

   So long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is a registered owner of a Global
Security, the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered
the sole owner or holder of Offered Debt Securities represented by such Global
Security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as provided below, the
actual owners of Offered Debt Securities represented by a Global Security (the
"Beneficial Owner") will not be entitled to have the Offered Debt Securities
represented by such Global Security registered in their names, will not receive
or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the Offered Debt Securities in
definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under
the applicable Indenture, including for purposes of receiving any reports
delivered by the Company or the applicable Trustee pursuant to such Indenture.
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a Global Security must
rely on the procedures of the Depositary and, if such person is not a
participant of the Depositary (a "Participant"), on the procedures of the
Participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights
of a holder under the applicable Indenture. The Company understands that under
existing industry practices, in the event that the Company requests any action
of holders or that an owner of a beneficial interest which a holder is entitled
to give or take under an Indenture, the Depositary would authorize the
Participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take such
action, and such Participants would authorize Beneficial Owners owning through
such

                                       5
<PAGE>

Participants to give or take such action or would otherwise act upon the
instructions of Beneficial Owners. Conveyance of notices and other
communications by the Depositary to Participants, by Participants to Indirect
Participants, as defined below, and by Participants and Indirect Participants
to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to
any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

   If (x) the Depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as
Depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90
days, (y) the Company executes and delivers to a Trustee a Company Order to the
effect that Global Securities shall be exchangeable or (z) an Event of Default
(as defined herein) has occurred and is continuing with respect to Offered Debt
Securities, the Global Securities will be exchangeable for Offered Debt
Securities in definitive form of like tenor and of an equal aggregate principal
amount, in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. Such
definitive Offered Debt Securities shall be registered in such name or names as
the Depositary shall instruct the applicable Trustee. It is expected that such
instructions may be based upon directions received by the Depositary from
Participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in such Global
Securities.

   The following is based on information furnished by DTC:

   DTC will act as securities depositary for Offered Debt Securities. Offered
Debt Securities will be issued as fully registered notes registered in the name
of Cede & Co. (DTC's partnership nominee). One or more fully registered Global
Securities will be issued for the Offered Debt Securities in the aggregate
principal amount of such issue, and will be deposited with DTC.

   DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking
Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a
member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. DTC holds securities that its Participants deposit
with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among Participants of securities
transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through
electronic computerized book-entry changes in Participants' accounts, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct
Participants of DTC ("Direct Participants") include securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by The
New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc., and the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to DTC's system is also
available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust
companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct
Participant, either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). The rules
applicable to DTC and its Participants are on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

   Purchases of Offered Debt Securities under DTC's system must be made by or
through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for Offered Debt
Securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each Beneficial Owner is
in turn to be recorded on the records of Direct Participants and Indirect
Participants. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC
of their purchase, but Beneficial Owners are expected to receive written
confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic
statements of their holdings, from the Direct Participants or Indirect
Participants through which such Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction.
Transfers of ownership interests in Offered Debt Securities are to be
accomplished by entries made on the books of Participants acting on behalf of
Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing
their ownership interests in Offered Debt Securities, except as provided above.

   To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Offered Debt Securities deposited
with DTC are registered in the name of DTC's partnership nominee, Cede & Co.
The deposit of Offered Debt Securities with DTC and their registration in the
name of Cede & Co. effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no
knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of Offered Debt Securities. DTC's
records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts
such Notes are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The
Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on
behalf of their customers.

                                       6
<PAGE>

   Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct
Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct
Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by
arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as
may be in effect from time to time.

   Neither DTC, nor Cede & Co. will consent or vote with respect to Offered
Debt Securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an Omnibus Proxy to the
Company as soon as possible after the applicable record date. The Omnibus Proxy
assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants
to whose accounts Offered Debt Securities are credited on the applicable record
date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).

   Principal and/or interest payments on Offered Debt Securities will be made
in immediately available funds to DTC. DTC's practice is to credit Direct
Participants' accounts on the applicable payment date in accordance with their
respective holdings shown on the Depositary's records unless DTC has reason to
believe that it will not receive payment on such date. Payments by Participants
to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary
practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in
bearer form or registered in "street name," and will be the responsibility of
such Participant and not of DTC, any Trustee or the Company, subject to any
statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
Payment of principal and/or interest to DTC is the responsibility of the
Company or the applicable Trustee, disbursement of such payments to Direct
Participants shall be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such
payments to the Beneficial Owners shall be the responsibility of Direct
Participants and Indirect Participants.

   DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with
respect to Offered Debt Securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to
the Company or the applicable Trustee. Under such circumstances, in the event
that a successor securities depositary is not obtained, Offered Debt Security
certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

   The Company may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry
transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depositary). In that event,
Offered Debt Security certificates will be printed and delivered.

   Cedel Bank advises that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a
professional depositary. Cedel Bank holds securities for its participating
organizations ("Cedel Participants") and facilitates the clearance and
settlement of securities transactions between Cedel Participants through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Cedel Participants, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Cedel Bank provides
to Cedel Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping,
administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities
and securities lending and borrowing. Cedel Bank interfaces with domestic
markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Cedel Bank is
subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Monetary Institute. Cedel Participants
are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters,
securities brokers and dealers, trust companies, clearing corporations and
certain other organizations and may include the Underwriters. Indirect access
to Cedel Bank is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and
trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a
Cedel Participant either directly or indirectly.

   Distributions with respect to Offered Debt Securities held beneficially
through Cedel Bank will be credited to cash accounts of Cedel Participants in
accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S.
Depositary for Cedel Bank.

   Euroclear advises that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for
participants of Euroclear ("Euroclear Participants") and to clear and settle
transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic
book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical
movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of
securities and cash. Euroclear includes various other services, including
securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in
several

                                       7
<PAGE>

countries. Euroclear is operated by the Brussels, Belgium office of Morgan
Guaranty Trust Company of New York (the "Euroclear Operator"), under contract
with Euro-clear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the
"Cooperative"). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all
Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are
accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative
establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear
Participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and
dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the
Underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms
that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear
Participant, either directly or indirectly.

   The Euroclear Operator is the Belgian branch of a New York banking
corporation which is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. As such, it
is regulated and examined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System and the New York State Banking Department, as well as the Belgian
Banking Commission.

   Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator
are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the
related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian
law (collectively, the "Terms and Conditions"). The Terms and Conditions govern
transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities
and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in
Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without
attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts.
The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of
Euroclear Participants, and has no record of or relationship with persons
holding through Euroclear Participants.

   Distributions with respect to Offered Debt Securities held beneficially
through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear
Participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent
received by the U.S. Depositary for Euroclear.

Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures

   Initial settlement for Offered Debt Securities will be made in immediately
available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC Participants will occur
in the ordinary way in accordance with the Depositary's rules and will be
settled in immediately available funds using the Depositary's Same-Day Funds
Settlement System. If and to the extent the Prospectus Supplement with respect
to any series of Debt Securities indicates that investors may elect to hold
interests in Offered Debt Securities through Cedel Bank or Euroclear, secondary
market trading between Cedel Participants and/or Euroclear Participants will
occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating
procedures of Cedel Bank and Euroclear and will be settled using the procedures
applicable to conventional eurobonds in immediately available funds.

   Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly
through the Depositary on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through
Cedel or Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected in the
Depositary in accordance with the Depositary rules on behalf of the relevant
European international clearing system by its U.S. Depositary; however, such
cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant
European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in
accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines
(European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if
the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its
U.S. Depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by
delivering or receiving Offered Debt Securities in the Depositary, and making
or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds
settlement applicable to the Depositary. Cedel Participants and Euroclear
Participants may not deliver instructions directly to the Depositary.

   Because of time-zone differences, credits of Offered Debt Securities
received in Cedel Bank or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC
Participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement

                                       8
<PAGE>

processing and will be credited the business day following the Depositary
settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in Offered Debt Securities
settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or
Cedel Participants on such business day. Cash received in Cedel Bank or
Euroclear as a result of sales of Offered Debt Securities by or through a Cedel
Participant or a Euroclear Participant to a DTC Participant will be received
with value on the Depositary settlement date but will be available in the
relevant Cedel Bank or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day
following settlement in the Depositary.

   Although the Depositary, Cedel Bank and Euroclear have agreed to the
foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of Offered Debt
Securities among participants of the Depositary, Cedel Bank and Euroclear, they
are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and
such procedures may be discontinued at any time.

Senior Debt Securities

   The trustees for the indentures under which Offered Debt Securities
constituting senior debt of HFC (the "Senior Debt Securities") will be issued
shall be either U.S. Bank Trust National Association, The Bank of New York, The
First National Bank of Chicago, Harris Trust and Savings Bank, FMB Bank, or
such other entity which may be specified in the Prospectus Supplement
(collectively, the "Senior Trustees"). Each particular series of Senior Debt
Securities will be issued under the Indenture specified in the Prospectus
Supplement between HFC and a Senior Trustee, which will incorporate the terms
and provisions of the Standard Multiple-Series Indenture Provisions for Senior
Debt Securities dated as of June 1, 1992 (the "Standard Provisions"). The above
noted indentures are collectively called the "Indentures for Senior Debt
Securities" herein. Senior Debt Securities will rank on a parity with all
unsecured debt of HFC, and prior to all subordinated debt.

   Principal of and interest, if any, on Senior Debt Securities will be payable
at the office or agency of HFC specified in the Prospectus Supplement,
depending on the Senior Trustee; provided, however, that payment of interest
may be made at the option of HFC by check or draft mailed to the person
entitled thereto.

 Covenant Against Creation of Pledges or Liens

   All Senior Debt Securities issued under the Indentures for Senior Debt
Securities will be unsecured. HFC covenants that, with the exceptions listed
below, it will not issue, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed
money secured by a mortgage, security interest, pledge or lien ("security
interest") of or upon any of its property, now owned or hereafter acquired,
unless the Senior Debt Securities then outstanding are, by supplemental
indenture, effectively secured by such security interest equally and ratably
with all other indebtedness secured thereby for so long as such other
indebtedness shall be so secured. The term "indebtedness for borrowed money"
does not include any guarantee, cash deposit or other recourse obligation in
connection with the sale, securitization or discount by HFC of finance or
accounts receivables, trade acceptances, or other paper arising in the ordinary
course of its business.

   The foregoing covenant does not apply to (a) security interests to secure
the payment of the purchase price of property, shares of capital stock, or
indebtedness acquired by HFC or the cost of construction or improvement of such
property or the refinancing of all or any part of such secured indebtedness,
provided that such security interests do not apply to any other property,
shares of capital stock, or indebtedness of HFC; (b) security interests on
property, shares of capital stock, or indebtedness existing at the time of
acquisition by HFC; (c) security interests on property of a corporation which
security interests exist at the time such corporation merges or consolidates
with or into HFC or which security interests exist at the time of the sale or
transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of such corporation to HFC;
(d) security interests to secure any indebtedness of HFC to a subsidiary; (e)
security interests in property of HFC in favor of the United States of America
or any state or agency or instrumentality thereof, or in favor of any other
country or political subdivision, to secure partial, progress, advance, or
other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any
indebtedness incurred or guaranteed for the purpose of financing all or any
part of the purchase

                                       9
<PAGE>

price or the cost of construction of the property subject to such security
interests; (f) security interests on properties financed through tax-exempt
municipal obligations; provided that such security interests are limited to the
property so financed; (g) security interests existing on the date of execution
of the applicable Indenture; and (h) any extension, renewal, refunding, or
replacement (or successive extensions, renewals, refundings, or replacements),
in whole or in part, of any security interest referred to in the foregoing
clauses (a) through (g) inclusive; provided, however, that the principal amount
of indebtedness secured in such extension, renewal, refunding, or replacement
does not exceed the principal amount of indebtedness secured at the time by
such security interest; provided, further, that such extension, renewal,
refunding, or replacement of such security interest is limited to all or part
of the property subject to such security interest so extended, renewed,
refunded, or replaced.

   Notwithstanding the foregoing, HFC may, without equally and ratably securing
the Senior Debt Securities, issue, assume, or guarantee indebtedness secured by
a security interest not excepted pursuant to clauses (a) through (h) above if
the aggregate amount of such indebtedness, together with all other indebtedness
of, or guaranteed by, HFC existing at such time and secured by security
interests not so excepted, does not at the time exceed 10% of HFC's
Consolidated Net Worth (as defined). In addition, an arrangement with any
person providing for the leasing by HFC of any property, which property has
been or is to be sold or transferred by HFC to such person with the intention
that such property be leased back to HFC, shall not be deemed to create any
indebtedness secured by a security interest if the obligation in respect to
such lease would not be included as a liability on a consolidated balance sheet
of HFC. The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Debt
Securities at the time outstanding under an Indenture, on behalf of the holders
of all of the Debt Securities issued under such Indenture, may waive compliance
with the foregoing covenant. (Standard Provisions--Section 3.08)

 Concerning the Trustees

   HFC maintains a banking relationship with each of the Senior Trustees or
affiliates thereof and certain of the Senior Trustees are also trustees under
other indentures of HFC under which outstanding senior or subordinated
unsecured debt securities of HFC have been issued. The Senior Trustees or
affiliates thereof may also have other financial relations with HFC and other
corporations affiliated with HFC.

Senior Subordinated Debt Securities

   Offered Debt Securities which will constitute senior subordinated unsecured
debt of HFC (the "Senior Subordinated Debt Securities") will be issued under an
Indenture dated as of March 15, 1990, between HFC and Harris Trust and Savings
Bank, as Trustee (the "Indenture for Senior Subordinated Debt Securities").

   Unless a different place is specified in the Prospectus Supplement,
principal and interest, if any, on Senior Subordinated Debt Securities will be
payable at the office or agency of HFC in Chicago, Illinois; provided, however,
that payment of interest may be made at the option of HFC by check or draft
mailed to the person entitled thereto.

 Subordination

   Senior Subordinated Debt Securities are subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all indebtedness for borrowed money of HFC, whenever outstanding,
which is not by its terms subordinate and junior to other indebtedness of HFC,
such indebtedness of HFC to which the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities are
subordinate and junior being hereinafter called "senior indebtedness." At
December 31, 1998, the aggregate amount of the outstanding senior indebtedness
of HFC was approximately $27.2 billion, including the impact of the Beneficial
merger. HFC is not directly limited in its ability to issue additional senior
indebtedness.

   In the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, and any
receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceedings in
connection therewith, relative to HFC or to its creditors, as such, or to its

                                       10
<PAGE>

property, and in the event of any proceedings for voluntary liquidation,
dissolution or other winding up of HFC, whether or not involving insolvency or
bankruptcy, then the holders of senior indebtedness shall be entitled to
receive payment in full of all principal and interest on all senior
indebtedness before the holders of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities are
entitled to receive any payment on account of principal or interest upon the
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, and to that end (but subject to the power
of a court of competent jurisdiction to make other equitable provision
reflecting the rights conferred in the Indentures for Senior Subordinated Debt
Securities upon the senior indebtedness and the holders thereof with respect to
the subordinated indebtedness represented by the Senior Subordinated Debt
Securities and the holders thereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under
applicable bankruptcy law) the holders of senior indebtedness shall be entitled
to receive for application in payment thereof any payment or distribution of
any kind or character, whether in cash or property or securities, which may be
payable or deliverable in any such proceedings in respect of the Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities, except securities which are subordinate and
junior in right of payment to the payment of all senior indebtedness then
outstanding.

   In the event that any Senior Subordinated Debt Security is declared or
becomes due and payable before its expressed maturity because of the occurrence
of a default under the Indenture for Senior Subordinated Debt Securities (under
circumstances when the provisions of the foregoing paragraph shall not be
applicable), the holders of the senior indebtedness outstanding at the time
such Senior Subordinated Debt Security so becomes due and payable because of
such occurrence of such default shall be entitled to receive payment in full of
all principal and interest on all senior indebtedness before the holders of the
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities are entitled to receive any payment on
account of the principal or interest upon the Senior Subordinated Debt
Securities.

   Without limiting the foregoing, no payment of principal, premium or interest
shall be made upon the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities during the
continuance of any default in the making of any required payment under any
sinking fund or analogous fund created for the benefit of any senior
indebtedness or any other default in the payment of principal of, or interest
on, any senior indebtedness then outstanding, whether by lapse of time, by
declaration, by call or notice of prepayment or otherwise. (Indenture for
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities--Section 12.01)

 Liens

   HFC will not create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any mortgage, pledge
or other lien on any of the property or assets of HFC whether now owned or
hereafter acquired for the purpose of securing any senior subordinated
indebtedness or junior subordinated indebtedness, as defined. (Indenture for
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities--Section 3.08)

 Concerning the Trustee

   Harris Trust and Savings Bank is trustee under other indentures of HFC under
which certain of HFC's outstanding senior subordinated debt securities have
been issued and under which HFC senior debt securities may be issued. HFC
maintains banking relationships with Harris Trust and Savings Bank. Harris
Trust and Savings Bank, or affiliates thereof, also have other financial
relations with HFC and other corporations affiliated with HFC.

Satisfaction, Discharge, and Defeasance of the Indentures and Debt Securities

   If there is deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds for the
benefit of the holders of Debt Securities of a particular series an amount, in
money or the equivalent in securities of the United States or securities the
principal of and interest on which is fully guaranteed by the United States,
sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such
series of Debt Securities on the dates such payments are due in accordance with
the terms of such series of Debt Securities through their maturity, and if HFC
has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by it under the applicable
Indenture with respect to such

                                       11
<PAGE>

series, then HFC will be deemed to have satisfied and discharged the entire
indebtedness represented by such series of Debt Securities and all of the
obligations of HFC under such Indenture with respect to such series, except as
otherwise provided in such Indenture. In the event of any such defeasance,
holders of such Debt Securities would be able to look only to such trust funds
for payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on their Debt
Securities. (Standard Provisions--Section 6.03, Indenture for Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities--Section 6.03)

   For federal income tax purposes, any such defeasance may be treated as a
taxable exchange of the related Debt Securities for an issue of obligations of
the trust or a direct interest in the cash and securities held in the trust. In
that case, holders of such Debt Securities would recognize gain or loss as if
the trust obligations or the cash or securities deposited, as the case may be,
had actually been received by them in exchange for their Debt Securities. Such
holders thereafter would be required to include in income a share of the
income, gain or loss of the trust. The amount so required to be included in
income could be a different amount than would be includable in the absence of
defeasance. Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors
as to the specific consequences to them of defeasance.

Modification of Indentures

   Each Indenture provides that the holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of each series of Debt Securities at the time outstanding
under such Indenture may enter into supplemental indentures for the purpose of
amending, in any manner, provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental
indenture or modifying the rights of holders of such series of Debt Securities.
However, no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holder of
each outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, shall, among other things, (i)
change the maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on any
Debt Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the interest thereon
or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or (ii) reduce the
aforesaid percentage of the Debt Securities, the consent of the holders of
which is required for the execution of any such supplemental indenture or for
any waiver of compliance with any covenant or condition in such Indenture.
(Standard Provisions--Section 11.02, Indenture for Senior Subordinated Debt
Securities-- Section 11.02)

   Each Indenture may be amended or supplemented without the consent of any
holder of Debt Securities under certain circumstances, including (i) to cure
any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the Indenture, any supplemental
indenture, or in the Debt Securities of any series; (ii) to evidence the
succession of another corporation to the Company and to provide for the
assumption of all the obligations of the Company under the Debt Securities and
the Indenture by such corporation; (iii) to provide for uncertificated Debt
Securities in addition to certificated Debt Securities; (iv) to make any change
that does not adversely affect the rights of holders of Debt Securities issued
thereunder; (v) to provide for a new series of Debt Securities; or (vi) to add
to rights of holders of Debt Securities or add additional Events of Default.
(Standard Provisions--Section 11.01, Indenture for Senior Subordinated Debt
Securities--Section 11.01)

Successor Entity

   The Company may not consolidate with or merge into, or transfer, sell or
lease its properties and assets as, or substantially as, an entirety to another
entity unless the successor entity is a corporation incorporated within the
United States and, after giving effect thereto, no default under the Indenture
shall have occurred and be continuing. Thereafter, except in the case of a
lease, all obligations of the Company under the Indenture terminate. (Standard
Provision--Section 10.02, Indenture for Senior Subordinated Debt Securities--
Sections 10.01 and 10.02)

Events of Default

   Each Indenture defines the following as Events of Default with respect to
any series of Debt Securities: default for 30 days in the payment of any
interest upon any Debt Security of such series issued under such

                                       12
<PAGE>

Indenture; default in the payment of any principal of or premium on any such
Debt Security; default for 30 days in the deposit of any sinking fund or
similar payment for such series of Debt Securities; default for 60 days after
notice in the performance of any other covenant in the Indenture; certain
defaults for 30 days after notice in the payment of principal or interest, or
in the performance of other covenants, with respect to borrowed money under
another indenture in which the Trustee for such Debt Securities is trustee
which results in the principal amount of such indebtedness becoming due and
payable prior to maturity, which acceleration has not been rescinded or
annulled; and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. HFC
is required to file with each Trustee annually a certificate as to the absence
of certain defaults under the Indenture. (Standard Provisions--Sections 3.05
and 7.01, Indenture for Senior Subordinated Debt Securities--Sections 3.05 and
7.01)

   If an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any series at the
time outstanding occurs and is continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of
not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of
such series by notice as provided in the Indenture may declare the principal
amount of all the Debt Securities of such series to be due and payable
immediately. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Debt Securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree
for payment of money has been obtained by the Trustee, the holders of not less
than a majority in principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities of such
series may, under certain circumstances, rescind or annul such declaration of
acceleration. (Standard Provisions--Section 7.02, Indenture for Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities--Section 7.02)

   The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Debt Securities of each series may, on behalf of all holders of
Debt Securities of such series, waive any past default under the Indenture and
its consequences with respect to Debt Securities of such series, except a
default (a) in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if
any, on any Debt Securities of such series, or (b) in respect of a covenant or
provision of the Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the
consent of the holder of each outstanding Debt Security of such series
affected. (Standard Provisions--Section 7.13, Indenture for Senior Subordinated
Debt Securities--Section 7.13)

   Each Indenture provides that the Trustee thereunder may withhold notice to
holders of Debt Securities of any default, except in payment of the principal
of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Debt Security issued under
such Indenture or in the payment of any sinking fund or similar payment, if it
considers it in the interest of holders of Debt Securities to do so. (Standard
Provisions--Section 8.02, Indenture for Senior Subordinated Debt Securities--
Section 8.02)

   Holders of Debt Securities may not enforce an Indenture except as provided
therein. (Standard Provisions--Section 7.07, Indenture for Senior Subordinated
Debt Securities--Section 7.07) Each Indenture provides that the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities issued under
such Indenture 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. (Standard Provisions--Section
7.12, Indenture for Senior Subordinated Debt Securities--Section 7.12) The
Trustee will not be required to comply with any request or direction of holders
of Debt Securities pursuant to the Indenture unless offered indemnity against
costs and liabilities which might be incurred by the Trustee as a result of
such compliance. (Standard Provisions--Section 8.03(e), Indenture for Senior
Subordinated Debt Securities--Section 8.03(e))

                            DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

   HFC may issue, together with any Debt Securities offered by any Prospectus
Supplement or separately, Warrants for the purchase of other Debt Securities.
The Warrants are to be issued under warrant agreements (each a "Warrant
Agreement") to be entered into between HFC and a bank or trust company, as
warrant agent ("Warrant Agent"), all as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to the particular issue of Warrants ("Offered Warrants"). A copy of
the forms of Warrant Agreement, including the form of warrant certificates

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representing the Warrants ("Warrant Certificates"), reflecting the alternative
provisions to be included in the Warrant Agreements that will be entered into
with respect to particular offerings of Warrants, is filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. The following summaries of certain provisions of the
Warrant Agreement and the Warrant Certificates do not purport to be complete
and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all
the provisions of the Warrant Agreement and the Warrant certificates,
respectively, including the definitions therein of certain terms.

General

   The Prospectus Supplement describes the terms of the Offered Warrants, the
Warrant Agreement relating to the Offered Warrants and the Warrant Certificates
representing the Offered Warrants, including the following: (1) the
designation, aggregate principal amount, and terms of the Debt Securities
purchasable upon exercise of the Offered Warrants; (2) the designation and
terms of any related Debt Securities with which the Offered Warrants are issued
and the number of Offered Warrants issued with each such Debt Security; (3) the
date, if any, on and after which the Offered Warrants and the related Offered
Debt Securities will be separately transferable; (4) the principal amount of
Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of one Offered Warrant and the price
at which such principal amount of Debt Securities may be purchased upon such
exercise; (5) the date on which the right to exercise the Offered Warrants
shall commence and the date ("Expiration Date") on which such right shall
expire; (6) whether the Warrants represented by the Warrant Certificates will
be issued in registered or bearer form, and if registered, where they may be
transferred and registered; and (7) any other terms of the Offered Warrants.

   Warrant Certificates will be exchangeable on the terms specified in the
Prospectus Supplement for new Warrant Certificates of different denominations,
and Warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the Warrant
Agent or any other office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement. Prior to the
exercise of their Warrants, holders of Warrants will not have any of the rights
of Holders of the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not
be entitled to payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any,
on the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise.

Exercise of Warrants

   Each Offered Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase such principal
amount of Debt Securities at such exercise price as shall in each case be set
forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the Prospectus Supplement
relating to the Offered Warrants by payment of such exercise price in full in
the manner specified in the Prospectus Supplement. Offered Warrants may be
exercised at any time up to the close of business on the Expiration Date set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Offered Warrants. After the
close of business on the Expiration Date, unexercised Warrants will become
void.

   Upon receipt of payment of the exercise price and the Warrant Certificate
properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the
Warrant Agent or any other office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, HFC
will, as soon as practicable, forward the Debt Securities purchasable upon such
exercise. If less than all of the Warrants represented by such Warrant
Certificate are exercised, a new Warrant Certificate will be issued for the
remaining amount of Warrants.

              CERTAIN UNITED STATES TAX DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

   A beneficial owner of an Offered Debt Security will generally be subject to
the withholding of United States federal income tax at rates up to 31% unless
one of the following steps is taken to obtain an exemption from or reduction of
the tax:

   Exemption for Non-United States persons (current IRS Form W-8 or new IRS
Form W-8BEN). A beneficial owner of an Offered Debt Security that is a non-
United States person (other than certain persons that

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<PAGE>

are related to the Company through stock ownership as described in clauses (x)
(a) and (b) of Paragraph (i) under "United States Taxation of Non-United States
Persons--Income and Estate Tax") can obtain an exemption from the withholding
of tax by providing a properly completed IRS Form W-8 (Certificate of Foreign
Status) or IRS Form W-8BEN (Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner
for United States Tax Withholding). Special rules may apply in the case of
foreign partnerships.

   Exemption for Non-United States persons with effectively connected income
(current IRS Form 4224 or new IRS Form W-8ECI). A beneficial owner of an
Offered Debt Security that is a non-United States person, including a non-
United States corporation or bank with a United States branch, that conducts a
trade or business in the United States with which interest income on an Offered
Debt Security is effectively connected, can obtain an exemption from the
withholding of tax by providing a properly completed IRS Form 4224 (Exemption
from Withholding of Tax on Income Effectively Connected with the Conduct of a
Trade or Business in the United States or IRS Form W-8ECI (Certificate of
Foreign Person's Claim for Exemption From Withholding on Income Effectively
Connected With the Conduct of a Trade or Business in the United States).

   Exemption or reduced rate for Non-United States persons entitled to the
benefits of a treaty (current IRS Form 1001 or new IRS Form W-8BEN). A
beneficial owner of an Offered Debt Security that is a non-United States person
entitled to the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is
a party can obtain an exemption from or reduction of the withholding of tax
(depending on the terms of the treaty) by providing a properly completed IRS
Form 1001 (Ownership, Exemption or Reduced Rate Certificate) or IRS Form W-8BEN
(Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax
Withholding).

   Exemption for United States persons (IRS Form W-9). A beneficial owner of an
Offered Debt Security that is a United States person can obtain a complete
exemption from the withholding of tax by providing a properly completed IRS
Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification).

   United States federal income tax reporting procedure. A beneficial owner of
an Offered Debt Security, or, in situations currently addressed by IRS Forms
1001 and 4224, the beneficial owner or its agent, is required to submit the
appropriate IRS Form under applicable procedures to the person through which
the owner directly holds the Offered Debt Security. For example, if the
beneficial owner is listed directly on the books of Euroclear or Cedel Bank as
the holder of the Offered Debt Security, the IRS Form must be provided to
Euroclear or Cedel Bank, as the case may be. Each other person through which an
Offered Debt Security is held must submit, on behalf of the beneficial owner,
the IRS Form (or in certain cases a copy thereof) under applicable procedures
to the person through which it holds the Offered Debt Security, until the IRS
Form is received by the United States person who would otherwise be required to
withhold United States federal income tax from interest on the Offered Debt
Security. For example, in the case of an Offered Debt Security held through
Euroclear or Cedel Bank, the IRS Form (or a copy thereof) must be received by
the U.S. Depositary of such clearing agency. Applicable procedures include
additional certification requirements, described in clause (x) (d) (B) of
paragraph (i) under "United States Taxation of Non-United States Persons--
Income and Estate Tax," if a beneficial owner of the Offered Debt Security
provides an IRS Form W-8 to a securities clearing organization, bank or other
financial institution that holds the Offered Debt Security on its behalf.

   Regulations recently issued by the IRS, which are generally proposed to
become effective for payments made after December 31, 1999, make certain
modifications to the certification procedures applicable to non-United States
persons, including replacing the current forms listed above with the new IRS
Form W-8 series listed above and providing special rules for foreign
partnerships. Withholding agents are authorized to use the new forms prior to
December 31, 1999. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors
regarding the certification requirements for non-United States persons.

   Each holder of an Offered Debt Security should be aware that if it does not
properly provide the required IRS Form, or if the IRS Form (or, if permissible,
a copy of such form) is not properly transmitted to and received by the United
States person otherwise required to withhold United States federal income tax,
interest

                                       15
<PAGE>

on the Offered Debt Security may be subject to withholding and the holder
(including the beneficial owner) will not be entitled to any additional amounts
from the Company as provided for in connection with any series of Offered Debt
Securities and as described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement with
respect to such withholding. Such withholding, however, may in certain
circumstances be allowed as a refund or as a credit against such holder's
United States federal income tax. The foregoing does not deal with all aspects
of federal income tax withholding that may be relevant to non-United States
holders of the notes. Investors are advised to consult their own tax advisors
for specific advice concerning the ownership and disposition of Offered Debt
Securities.

              UNITED STATES TAXATION OF NON-UNITED STATES PERSONS

   The following summary describes the principal United States federal income
and estate tax consequences applicable to beneficial owners of the Offered Debt
Securities who are non-United States persons. The following discussion may not
be applicable to a particular series of Offered Debt Securities depending on
the terms and conditions established for such Offered Debt Securities in the
Prospectus Supplement. Any special United States federal income and estate tax
consequences to non-United States persons (and, if necessary, to United States
persons) not described herein will be described in the Prospectus Supplement.

Income and Estate Tax

   In the opinion of Sidley & Austin, special tax counsel to the Company, under
United States federal tax law as of the date of this Prospectus, and subject to
the discussion of backup withholding below:

     (i) payments of principal and interest on an Offered Debt Security that
  is beneficially owned by a non-United States person will not be subject to
  the withholding of United States federal income tax; provided, that in the
  case of interest, (x) (a) the beneficial owner does not actually or
  constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all
  classes of stock of the Company entitled to vote, (b) the beneficial owner
  is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to the Company
  through stock ownership, (c) the beneficial owner of the Offered Debt
  Security is not a bank receiving interest on an Offered Debt Security as
  described in Section 881 (c) (3) (A) of the Code and (d) either (A) the
  beneficial owner of the Offered Debt Security certifies to the person
  otherwise required to withhold United States federal income tax from such
  interest, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United States person
  and provides its name and address or (B) a securities clearing
  organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers'
  securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business (a "financial
  institution") and holds the Offered Debt Security certifies to the person
  otherwise required to withhold United States federal income tax from such
  interest, under penalties of perjury, that such statement has been received
  from the beneficial owner by it or by a financial institution between it
  and the beneficial owner and furnishes the payor with a copy thereof; (y)
  the beneficial owner is entitled to the benefits of an income tax treaty
  under which the interest is exempt from the withholding of United States
  federal income tax and the beneficial owner of the Offered Debt Security or
  such owner's agent provides an IRS Form 1001 or IRS Form W-8BEN claiming
  the exemption; or (z) the beneficial owner conducts a trade or business in
  the United States to which the interest is effectively connected and the
  beneficial owner of the Offered Debt Security or such owner's agent
  provides an IRS Form 4224 or IRS Form W-8ECI; provided that in each such
  case, the relevant certification or IRS Form is delivered pursuant to
  applicable procedures and is properly transmitted to the person otherwise
  required to withhold United States federal income tax, and none of the
  persons receiving the relevant certification or IRS Form has actual
  knowledge that the certification or any statement on the IRS Form is false;

     (ii) a non-United States person will not be subject to United States
  federal income tax on any gain realized on the sale, exchange or redemption
  of an Offered Debt Security unless the gain is effectively connected with
  the beneficial owner's trade or business in the United States or, in the
  case of an individual, the holder is present in the United States for 183
  days or more in the taxable year in which the sale, exchange or redemption
  occurs and certain other conditions are met; and

                                       16
<PAGE>

     (iii) an Offered Debt Security owned by an individual who at the time of
  death is not a citizen or resident of the United States will not be subject
  to United States federal estate tax as a result of such individual's death
  if the individual does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of
  the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company
  entitled to vote and the income on the Offered Debt Security would not have
  been effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the individual.

   Interest on an Offered Debt Security that is effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business in the United States by a holder of an Offered
Debt Security who is a non-United States person, although exempt from the
withholding of United States income tax, may be subject to United States income
tax as if such interest was earned by a United States person.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

   In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments of
principal and interest made on an Offered Debt Security and the proceeds of the
sale of an Offered Debt Security within the United States to non-corporate
holders of the Offered Debt Securities, and "backup withholding" at a rate of
31% will apply to such payments if the holder fails to provide an accurate
taxpayer identification number in the manner required or to report all interest
and dividends required to be shown on its federal income tax returns.

   Information reporting on IRS Form 1099 and backup withholding will not apply
to payments made by the Company or a paying agent to a non-United States person
on an Offered Debt Security if, in the case of interest, the IRS Form described
in clause (y) or (z) in paragraph (i) under "Income and Estate Tax" has been
provided under applicable procedures, or, in the case of interest or principal,
the certification described in clause (x) (d) in paragraph (i) under "Income
and Estate Tax" and a certification that the beneficial owner satisfies certain
other conditions have been supplied under applicable procedures, provided that
the payor does not have actual knowledge that the certifications are incorrect.

   Payments of the proceeds from the sale of an Offered Debt Security made to
or through a foreign office of a broker will not be subject to information
reporting or backup withholding, except that if the broker is a United States
person, a controlled foreign corporation for United States tax purposes or a
foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively connected with
a United States trade or business for a specified three-year period (or,
effective for payments made after December 31, 1999, a United States branch of
a foreign bank or foreign insurance company or a foreign partnership controlled
by United States persons or engaged in a United States trade or business),
information reporting may apply to such payments. Payments of the proceeds from
the sale of an Offered Debt Security to or through the United States office of
a broker are subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the
holder or beneficial owner certifies that it is a non-United States person and
that it satisfies certain other conditions or otherwise establishes an
exemption from information reporting and backup withholding.

   Regulations recently issued by the IRS, which are currently proposed to
become effective for payments made after December 31, 1999, make certain
modifications to the certification procedures applicable to non-United States
persons. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the
certification requirements for non-United States persons.

   Backup withholding is not a separate tax, but is allowed as a refund or
credit against the holder's United States federal income tax, provided the
necessary information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

   Interest on an Offered Debt Security that is beneficially owned by a non-
United States person will be reported annually on IRS Form 1042-S, which must
be filed with the Internal Revenue Service and furnished to such beneficial
owner.

                                       17
<PAGE>

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   HFC may sell the Securities in any of three ways: (i) through underwriters
or dealers; (ii) directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single
purchaser; or (iii) through agents. The Prospectus Supplement will set forth
the terms of the offering of the Offered Debt Securities and any Offered
Warrants (collectively, the "Offered Securities"), including the name or names
of any underwriters, dealers or agents, the purchase price of the Offered
Securities and the proceeds to HFC from such sale, any underwriting discounts
and other items constituting underwriters' compensation and any discounts and
commissions allowed 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 the Offered Securities are sold through underwriters, the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto will describe the nature of the obligation of the
underwriters to take and pay for the Offered Securities. The Offered Securities
may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented
by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more underwriting
firms acting alone. The underwriter or underwriters with respect to a
particular underwritten offering of Offered Securities will be named in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to such offering, and, if an underwriting
syndicate is used, the managing underwriter or underwriters will be set forth
on the cover of such Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the
Offered Securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the
underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the Offered Securities if any
are purchased.

   The Offered Securities may be sold directly by HFC or through agents
designated by HFC from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of
the Offered Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered is
named, and any commissions payable by HFC to such agent are set forth, in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.

   Underwriters and agents who participate in the distribution of the Offered
Securities may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with HFC
to indemnification by HFC against certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribution with respect to payments
which the underwriters or agents may be required to make in respect thereof.

   If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, HFC will authorize
underwriters, dealers or other persons acting as HFC's agents to solicit offers
by certain institutions to purchase Offered Securities from HFC pursuant to
contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions
with which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks,
insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and
charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be
approved by HFC. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will
not be subject to any conditions except that (i) the purchase of the Offered
Securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of
the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject, and (ii) if the Offered
Securities are also being sold to underwriters, HFC shall have sold to such
underwriters the Offered Securities not sold for delayed delivery. The
underwriters, dealers and such other persons will not have any responsibility
in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts.

   There can be no assurance that a secondary market will be created for the
Offered Securities or, if it is created, that it will continue.

                                 ERISA MATTERS

   The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),
imposes certain restrictions on employee benefit plans ("Plans") that are
subject to ERISA and on persons who are fiduciaries with respect to such Plans.
In accordance with the ERISA's general fiduciary requirements, a fiduciary with

                                       18
<PAGE>

respect to any such Plan who is considering the purchase of Offered Securities
on behalf of such Plan should determine whether such purchase is permitted
under the governing Plan documents and is prudent and appropriate for the Plan
in view of its overall investment policy and the composition and
diversification of its portfolio. Other provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") prohibit certain
transactions between a Plan and persons who have certain specified
relationships to the Plan ("parties in interest" within the meaning of ERISA or
"disqualified persons" within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code). Thus, a
Plan fiduciary considering the purchase of Offered Securities should consider
whether such a purchase might constitute or result in a prohibited transaction
under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

   HFC may be considered a "party in interest" or a "disqualified person" with
respect to many Plans that are subject to ERISA. The purchase of Offered
Securities by a Plan that is subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions
of ERISA or the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 4975 of the Code
(including individual retirement accounts and other plans described in Section
4975(c)(1) of the Code) and with respect to which HFC is a party in interest or
a disqualified person may constitute or result in a prohibited transaction
under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, unless such Offered Securities are
acquired pursuant to and in accordance with an applicable exemption, such as
Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption ("PTCE") 84-14 (an exemption for certain
transactions determined by an independent qualified professional asset
manager), PTCE 91-38 (an exemption for certain transactions involving bank
collective investment finds), PTCE 95-60 (an exemption for certain transactions
involving life insurance general accounts), PTCE 96-23 (an exemption for
certain transactions determined by in-house investment managers), or PTCE 90-1
(an exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled
separate accounts). Any pension or other employee benefit plan proposing to
acquire any Offered Securities should consult with its counsel.

                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

   The legality of the Offered Securities will be passed upon for HFC by John
W. Blenke, Vice President--Corporate Law for Household International, Inc., the
parent of HFC. Sidley & Austin, Chicago, Illinois has acted as special tax
counsel to HFC in connection with tax matters related to the issuance of Debt
Securities. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for underwriters and
agents by McDermott, Will & Emery, Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Blenke is a full-time
employee and an officer of Household International and owns, and holds options
to purchase, shares of Common Stock of Household International.

                                    EXPERTS

   The financial statements and schedules of HFC and its subsidiaries
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, to the extent and for the periods
indicated in its reports, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
public accountants, and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon
the authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.

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