PROVIDENT COMPANIES INC /DE/
S-3, 1997-04-11
ACCIDENT & HEALTH INSURANCE
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<PAGE>
 
     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 1997

                                                Registration No. 333-
      ===================================================================
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549
                            -----------------------
                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     Under
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                       --------------------------------

PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.              Delaware                 62-1598430
PROVIDENT FINANCING TRUST I            Delaware                 Applied For
- ---------------------------     -----------------------         -----------
(Exact Name of Registrants          (States or Other          (I.R.S. Employer
    as Specified in                 Jurisdictions of           Identification
    their Charters)                 Incorporation or              Numbers)
                                      Organization)   

                               1 Fountain Square
                             Chattanooga, TN 37402
                                (423) 755-1011
              (Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
       Including Area Code, of Registrants' Principal Executive Offices)

                                 Susan N. Roth
                           Provident Companies, Inc.
                               1 Fountain Square
                             Chattanooga, TN 37402
                                (423) 755-1011
           (Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
         Including Area Code, of Agent for Service for Each Registrant)

                                   Copies To:

     F. Dean Copeland                         Michael Groll            
     Alston & Bird LLP           LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P.
  1201 W. Peachtree Street                125 West 55th Street         
     Atlanta, GA 30309                  New York, NY  10019-5389       
       (404) 881-7000                        (212) 424-8000 

APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: FROM TIME TO
TIME AFTER THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE AS DETERMINED BY MARKET
CONDITIONS AND OTHER FACTORS.

     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest re-investment plans, please check the following
box. [_]

     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
re-investment plans, check the following box. [X]

     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act Registration Statement number of the earlier
effective Registration Statement for the same offering. [_]

     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
Registration Statement number of the earlier effective Registration Statement
for the same offering. [_]

     If delivery of the Prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [X]

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                  Proposed maximum        Proposed maximum
   TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES          Amount to be         offering price            aggregate               Amount of
          TO BE REGISTERED (1)              registered (2)(6)      per unit (3)(4)     offering price (4)(6)(7)    Registration Fee
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>                   <C>                  <C>                         <C>
Senior Debt Securities of Provident 
 Companies, Inc. (5)....................       $900,000,000             100%                 $900,000,000              $272,728
Subordinated Debt Securities of
 Provident Companies, Inc. (5)..........
Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value, of
 Provident Companies, Inc. (5)..........
Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of
 Provident Companies, Inc. (5)..........
Warrants (8)............................
Stock Purchase Contracts of Provident
 Companies, Inc. (9)....................
Stock Purchase Units of Provident
 Companies, Inc. (9)....................
Preferred or Capital Securities of 
 Provident Financing Trust I............
Guarantees of Preferred Securities of
 Provident Financing Trust I (10).......
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

_____________________                                        
(1)  Such indeterminate number or principle amount of Senior Debt Securities,
     Subortinated Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Warrants,
     Stock Purchase Contracts, and Stock Purchase Units of Provident Companies,
     Inc. and such indeterminate number of Preferred or Capital Securities of
     Provident Financing Trust I as may from time to time be issued at
     indeterminate prices. Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued and sold
     to Provident Financing Trust I, in which event such Subordinated Debt
     Securities may later be distributed to the holders of Preferred or Capital
     Securities upon a dissolution of Provident Financing Trust I and the
     distribution of the assets thereof. This Registration Statement also covers
     delayed delivery contracts that may be issued by the Registrant under which
     the party purchasing such contracts may be required to purchase Senior Debt
     Securities, Subordinated Debt Securities, Preferred Shares or Common Stock.
     Such contracts may be issued together with the specific Securities to which
     they relate. In addition, Securities registered hereunder may be sold
     either separately or as units comprised of more than one type of Security
     registered hereunder.

(2)  In United States dollars or the equivalent  thereof in any other  currency,
     currency unit or units, or composite currency or currencies.

(3)  Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee.

(4)  Exclusive of accrued interest and distributions, if any.

(5)  Also includes such indeterminate number of Senior Debt Securities,
     Subordinated Debt Securities and shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock
     as may be issued upon conversion or exchange of any Senior Debt Securities,
     Subordinated Debt Securities or Preferred Stock that provide for conversion
     or exchange into other Securities or upon exercise of Warrants for such
     Securities.

(6)  Such amount represents the principal amount of any Senior Debt Securities
     or Subordinated Debt Securities issued at their principal amount, the issue
     price rather than the principal amount of any Senior Debt Securities or
     Subordinated Debt Securities issued at an original issue discount, the
     liquidation preference of any Preferred Stock, the amount computed pursuant
     to Rule 457(c) for any Common Stock, the issue price of any Warrants and
     the exercise price of any Securities issuable upon exercise of Warrants.

(7)  No separate consideration will be received for the Senior Debt Securities,
     Subordinated Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Common Stock issuable upon
     conversion of or in exchange for Senior Debt Securities, Subordinated Debt
     Securities or Preferred Stock.

(8)  Warrants may be sold separately or with Senior Debt Securities,
     Subordinated Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Common Stock

(9)  Includes an indeterminable number of shares of Common Stock to be issuable
     by Provident Companies, Inc. upon settlement of the Stock Purchase
     Contracts or Stock Purchase Units.

(10) Includes the rights of holders of the Preferred or Capital Securities under
     the Guarantees of Preferred or Capital Securities and back-up undertakings,
     consisting of obligations by Provident Companies, Inc., as set forth in the
     Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, the Subordinated Debt Securities
     Indenture and Supplemental Indentures thereto, in each case as further
     described in the Registration Statement. No separate consideration will be
     received for any Guarantees or any back-up undertakings.
 
                          ___________________________
     THE REGISTRANTS HEREBY AMEND THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.

<PAGE>
 
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.

                  Subject to Completion, dated April 11, 1997

PROSPECTUS

                                 $900,000,000
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.
            SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES, SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES, 
                   PREFERRED STOCK, COMMON STOCK, WARRANTS, 
               STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

                          PROVIDENT FINANCING TRUST I
                PREFERRED SECURITIES FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
         GUARANTEED, AS DESCRIBED HEREIN, BY PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.

          Provident Companies, Inc. (the "Company") may offer and sell from time
to time (i) its unsecured senior debt securities ("Senior Debt Securities"), and
unsecured subordinated debt securities ("Subordinated Debt Securities"),
consisting of debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, (ii) shares
of its preferred stock, $1.00 par value (the "Preferred Stock"), (iii) shares of
its common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Common Stock"), (iv) warrants
to purchase any of the foregoing Senior Debt Securities, Subordinated Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock or Common Stock (the "Warrants"), (v) stock purchase
contracts ("Stock Purchase Contracts") to purchase Common Stock or (vi) stock
purchase units ("Stock Purchase Units"), each representing ownership of a Stock
Purchase Contract and (x) Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt
Securities, (y) Preferred Securities (as defined below), or (z) debt obligations
of third parties, including U.S. Treasury Securities, securing the holder's
obligation to purchase the Common Stock under the Stock Purchase Contract, in
each case in one or more series and in amounts, at prices and on terms to be
determined at or prior to the time of sale. Such securities may be offered in
one or more separate classes or series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be
determined by market conditions at the time of sale and to be set forth in a
supplement or supplements to this Prospectus (a "Prospectus Supplement"). Such
securities may be sold for U.S. dollars, foreign denominated currency or
currency units and amounts payable with respect to any such securities may
likewise be payable in U.S. dollars, foreign denominated currency or currency
units, in each case as the Company specifically designates.

          Provident Financing Trust I (the "Provident Trust"), a statutory
business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, may offer, from
time to time, preferred securities, which may be designated as preferred
securities or capital securities, representing undivided beneficial interests in
the assets of the Provident Trust ("Preferred Securities"). The payment of
periodic cash distributions ("Distributions") with respect to Preferred
Securities out of monies held by the Provident Trust, and payments on
liquidation, redemption or otherwise with respect to such Preferred Securities,
will be guaranteed by the Company to the extent described herein (a "Trust
Guarantee"). See "Description of Preferred Securities" and "Description of Trust
Guarantees." The Company's obligations under the Trust Guarantees will rank
junior and subordinate in right of payment to all other liabilities of the
Company, except those made subordinate or pari passu by their terms, and pari
passu with its obligations under the most senior preferred or preference stock
of the Company. See "Description of Trust Guarantees -- Status of the Trust
Guarantees." Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued and sold from time to
time by the Company in one or more series to the Provident Trust or a Trustee of
the Provident Trust in connection with the investment of the proceeds from the
offering of Preferred Securities and Common Securities (as defined herein) of
the Provident Trust. Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by the Provident
Trust may be subsequently distributed pro rata to holders of Preferred
Securities and Common Securities in connection with the dissolution of the
Provident Trust upon the occurrence of certain events as may be described in an
accompanying Prospectus Supplement.

          Specific terms of the particular Senior Debt Securities, Subordinated
Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Warrants, Stock Purchase
Contracts, the Stock Purchase Units and Preferred Securities and the related
Trust Guarantees, in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered (the
"Offered Securities") will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement
or Supplements, together with the terms of the offering of the Offered
Securities, the initial price thereof and the net proceeds from the sale
thereof. The Prospectus Supplement will set forth with regard to the particular
Offered Securities, certain terms thereof, including, where applicable, (i) in
the case of Senior Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities, the ranking
as senior or subordinated Debt Securities, the specific designation, aggregate
principal amount, purchase price, maturity, interest rate (which may be fixed or
variable), if any, the time and method of calculating interest payments, if any,
time of payment of interest, if any, listing, if any, on a securities exchange,
authorized denomination, any exchangeability, conversion, redemption, prepayment
or sinking fund provisions, the currency or currencies or currency unit or units
in which principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, is payable, public
offering price and any other specific terms of the Debt Securities; (ii) in the
case of Preferred Stock, the specific designation, number of shares, purchase
price and the rights, preferences and privileges thereof and any qualifications
or restrictions thereon (including dividends, liquidation value, voting rights,
terms for the redemption, conversion or exchange thereof and any other specific
terms of the Preferred Stock), listing, if any, on a securities exchange; (iii)
in the case of Common Stock, the number of shares offered, the initial offering
price, market price and dividend information; (iv) in the case of Warrants, the
specific designation, the number, purchase price and terms thereof, any listing
of the Warrants or the underlying securities on a securities exchange or any
other terms in connection with the offering, sale and exercise of the Warrants,
as well as the terms on which and the securities for which such Warrants may be
exercised; (v) in the case of Stock Purchase Contracts, the designation and
number of shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder, the purchase price of the
Common Stock, the date or dates on which the Common Stock is required to be
purchased by the holders of the Stock Purchase Contracts, any periodic payments
required to be made by the Company to the holders of the Stock Purchase
Contracts or vice versa, and the terms of the offering and sale thereof; (vi) in
the case of Stock Purchase Units, the specific terms of the Stock Purchase
Contracts and any Debt Securities or Preferred Securities or debt obligations of
third parties securing the holder's obligation to purchase the Common Stock
under the Stock Purchase Contracts, and the terms of the offering and sale
thereof; and (vii) in the case of Preferred Securities, the specific
designation, number of securities, liquidation amount per security, the purchase
price, any listing on a securities exchange, distribution rate (or method of
calculation thereof), dates on which distribution shall be payable and dates
from which distribution shall accrue, any voting rights, terms for any
conversion or exchange into other securities, any redemption, exchange or
sinking fund provisions, any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations
or restrictions relating to the Preferred Securities and the terms upon which
the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred Securities shall be used to purchase a
specific series of Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company.

          The Offered Securities may be offered in amounts, at prices and on
terms to be determined at the time of offering; provided, however, that the
aggregate offering price to the public of the Offered Securities will be limited
to $900,000,000. Any Prospectus Supplement relating to any Offered Securities
will contain information concerning certain United States federal income tax
considerations, if applicable, to such Offered Securities.

          The Offered Securities may be offered directly by the Company, through
agents designated from time to time by the Company, or to or through
underwriters or dealers. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale
of any of the Offered Securities, their names, and any applicable purchase
price, fee, commission or discount arrangements between or among them, will be
set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. See "Plan of Distribution." No Offered
Securities may be sold without delivery of the applicable Prospectus Supplement
or a term sheet describing the method and terms of the offering of such series
of Offered Securities.

     This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of the Offered
Securities unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.

                 ____________________________________________
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
       EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
           SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
               COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF
                  THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
                        CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                The date of this Prospectus is April 11, 1997.

<PAGE>
 
     NOTICE TO NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS: THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED
OR DISAPPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE FOR THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,
NOR HAS THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE FOR THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA RULED UPON
THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS DOCUMENT.

     State insurance holding company laws and regulations applicable to the
Company generally provide that no person may acquire control of the Company, and
thus indirect control of its insurance subsidiaries, unless such person has
provided certain required information to, and such acquisition is approved (or
not disapproved) by, the appropriate insurance regulatory authorities.
Generally, any person acquiring beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the
Common Stock would be presumed to have acquired such control, unless the
appropriate insurance regulatory authorities upon advance application determine
otherwise.

     No dealer, salesman or other individual has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations not contained in this Prospectus, any
accompanying Prospectus Supplement or the documents incorporated or deemed
incorporated herein in connection with the offering covered by this Prospectus
or any accompanying Prospectus Supplement. If given or made, such information or
representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the
Company, or any underwriter, dealer or agent. This Prospectus and any
accompanying Prospectus Supplement do not constitute an offer to sell, or a
solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities other than the registered
securities to which it relates in any jurisdiction where, or to any person to
whom, it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of
this Prospectus or any accompanying Prospectus Supplement nor any sale made
hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has
not been any change in the facts set forth in this Prospectus or any
accompanying Prospectus Supplement or in the affairs of the Company since the
date hereof or thereof.

                              ___________________
                    
     Unless otherwise indicated, currency amounts in this Prospectus and any
Prospectus Supplement are stated in United States dollars ("$," "dollars" or
"U.S.$").

                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy and information statements and other information
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").  Such reports,
proxy and information statements and other information filed by the Company with
the Commission can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington,
D.C. 20549; and at the Commission's Northeast Regional Office, 7 World Trade
Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048, and Midwest Regional Office,
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-
2511.  Copies of such material can also be obtained at prescribed rates from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington
D.C. 20549.  The Commission maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy
and information statements and other information regarding registrants such as
the Company that file electronically with the Commission.  The address of such
site is http://www.sec.gov.  In addition, such reports, proxy and information
statements and other information concerning the Company may be inspected at the
offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "NYSE"), 20 Broad Street, New
York, New York 10005.

     The Company and the Provident Trust have filed a Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (together with all amendments and exhibits filed or to be filed in
connection therewith, the "Registration Statement") with the Commission pursuant
to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the Offered
Securities, of which this Prospectus forms a part. This Prospectus does not
contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the
exhibits thereto, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the
rules and regulations of the Commission. In addition, certain documents filed by
the Company with the Commission have been incorporated in this Prospectus by
reference. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference." Such
additional information may be obtained from the Commission's principal office in
Washington, D.C. Any 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any documents do not
purport to be complete and are necessarily summaries of such documents and, in
each instance, are qualified in all respects by reference to the copy of such
document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed
with the Commission. Each such statement is subject to and qualified in its
entirety by such reference. For further information with respect to the Company,
the Provident Trust and the Offered Securities, reference is made to the
Registration Statement, including the exhibits thereto, and the documents
incorporated herein by reference.

     No separate financial statements of the Provident Trust have been included
or incorporated by reference herein. The Company does not consider that such
financial statements would be material to holders of Preferred Securities
because (i) all of the voting securities of the Preferred Trust will be owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Company, a reporting company under the Exchange
Act, (ii) the Provident Trust has and will have no independent operations but
exists for the sole purpose of issuing securities representing undivided
beneficial interests in its assets and investing the proceeds thereof in
Subordinated Debt Securities issued by the Company, and (iii) the Company's
obligations described herein and in any accompanying Prospectus Supplement,
under the Declaration of Trust for the Provident Trust (including the obligation
to pay expenses of the Provident Trust), the Subordinated Indenture and any
supplemental indentures thereto, the Subordinated Debt Securities issued to the
Provident Trust and the Trust Guarantees taken together, constitute a full and
unconditional guarantee by the Company of payments due on the Preferred
Securities. See "Description of Preferred Securities" and "Description of Trust
Guarantees."

                          FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

     This Prospectus contains and incorporates by reference certain forward
looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the results of operations and businesses of
the Company. These forward looking statements involve certain risks and
uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from
those contemplated or projected, forecast, estimated or budgeted in such forward
looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities: (i)
heightened competition, including specifically the intensification of price
competition, the entry of new competitors and the formation of new products by
new and existing competitors; (ii) adverse state and federal legislation and
regulation, including limitations on premium levels, increases in minimum
capital and reserves, and other financial viability requirements; (iii) failure
to develop multiple distribution channels in order to obtain new customers or
failure to retain existing customers; (iv) inability to carry out marketing and
sales plans; (v) loss of key executives; (vi) changes in interest rates causing
a reduction of investment income; (vii) general economic and business conditions
which are less favorable than expected; (viii) unanticipated changes in industry
trends; (ix) inaccuracies in assumptions regarding future morbidity,
persistency, mortality and interest rates used in calculating reserve amounts;
(x) failure to continue improvment of the claims management process; and (xi)
with respect to cost savings that will be realized from, and costs associated
with, the acquisition of the following possibilities: (a) the expected cost
savings to be realized beginning primarily in 1997 through combining certain
functions of both the Company and Paul Revere, restructuring the field
organizations of both companies to eliminate redundant facilities and better
serve the combined company's customers, and reductions in staff cannot be fully
realized because the changes are not made or unanticipated offsetting costs are
incurred; and (b) costs or difficulties related to the integration of the
businesses of the Company and Paul Revere are greater than expected. See "Risk
Factors."

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The following documents have been filed by the Company (File No. 1-11834)
with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, and are incorporated herein by
reference:

     1.   The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996;

     2.   The Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated March 26, 1997 and 
March 27, 1997; and

     3.   The description of the Company's capital stock set forth in the
Company's registration statement filed with the Commission pursuant to Section
12 of the Exchange Act, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating any such description.

     In addition, all documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and prior to the
termination of the offering hereunder shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement and to be part hereof
from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated by reference herein or in any Prospectus Supplement shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which is deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein or in any Prospectus Supplement modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement.

     The Company will provide, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a
copy of any and all of the documents incorporated by reference (not including
the exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference in such documents).  Requests for such copies should
be directed to Susan N. Roth, Provident Companies, Inc., 1 Fountain Square,
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402, or by telephone at (423) 755-1011 or facsimile at
(423) 755-3194.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE COMPANY

     The Company is a Delaware corporation organized in 1995 as the parent
holding company of a group of insurance subsidiaries. The Company is a provider
of life and health insurance, particularly individual disability, life
insurance, annuities, and group employee benefits. The Company, through its
subsidiaries, does business in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto
Rico, and ten provinces and two territories of Canada. The Company focuses on
two types of insurance customers -- the individual and the employee benefits
customer. The individual life and disability segment includes individual life
products, individual disability income products, and individual annuities. These
products are marketed primarily through personal producing general agents,
brokerage offices, and corporate partnership arrangements. Individual annuities
are also marketed through financial institutions. The employee benefits segment
contains products that are sold to or through corporate customers and certain
affinity groups, including permanent and term life insurance, disability,
medical stop-loss, cancer, and accidental death and dismemberment protection.

     The acquisition of Paul Revere by the Company was consummated on March 27, 
1997 pursuant to a merger of a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company with and into Paul Revere, with Paul Revere becoming a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company. The Paul Revere Merger is to be accounted for under
the "purchase" method of accounting, pursuant to which the assets and
liabilities of Paul Revere were recorded at their respective fair values and
added to those of the Company as of the effective time of the Paul Revere
Merger. Paul Revere is a Massachusetts corporation organized in 1992 as an
insurance holding company. Paul Revere's principal operations in the United
States and Canada are conducted through its wholly owned subsidiary, The Paul
Revere Life Insurance Company ("Paul Revere Life"), a Massachusetts-domiciled
life insurance company licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and
Canada. Paul Revere Life has two wholly owned subsidiaries, The Paul Revere
Variable Annuity Insurance Company ("Paul Revere Variable"), a Massachusetts-
domiciled life insurance company licensed in 48 states and the District of
Columbia, and The Paul Revere Protective Life Insurance Company ("Paul Revere
Protective"), a Delaware-domiciled life insurance company licensed in 40 states
and the District of Columbia. Disability insurance has been Paul Revere's
primary product line since Paul Revere Life's founding in 1895. In addition to
its disability insurance products, Paul Revere also markets individual life
insurance, group life, and dental insurance and annuity products.

     The Company's Common Stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol "PVT." The
Company's principal executive offices are located at 1 Fountain Square,
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402, and its telephone number is (423) 755-1011.

                              THE PROVIDENT TRUST

     The Provident Trust is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law
pursuant to (i) a declaration of trust (as amended and restated, the
"Declaration") executed by the Company as sponsor for such trust (the
"Sponsor"), and the Provident Trustees (as defined herein) of such trust and
(ii) the filing of a certificate of trust with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware on April 10, 1997. The Provident Trust exists for the
exclusive purposes of (i) issuing the Preferred Securities and common securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Provident Trust
(the "Common Securities" and, together with the Preferred Securities, the "Trust
Securities"), (ii) investing the gross proceeds from the sale of the Trust
Securities in Subordinated Debt Securities, and (iii) engaging in only those
other activities necessary or incidental thereto. All of the Common Securities
will be directly or indirectly owned by the Company. The Common Securities will
rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Preferred
Securities, except that, if any event of default under the Declaration has
occurred and is continuing, the rights of the holders of the Common Securities
to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption
and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Preferred
Securities. The Company will directly or indirectly acquire Common Securities in
an aggregate liquidation amount equal to at least 3% of the total capital of the
Provident Trust.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     The Provident Trust has a term of approximately 45 years but may terminate
earlier, as provided in the Declaration. The Provident Trust's business and
affairs will be conducted by the trustees (the "Provident Trustees") appointed
by the Company as the direct or indirect holder of all the Common Securities.
The holder of the Common Securities will be entitled to appoint, remove or
replace any of, or increase or reduce the number of, the Provident Trustees.
The duties and obligations of the Provident Trustees shall be governed by the
Declaration. A majority of the Provident Trustees (the "Regular Trustees") will
be persons who are employees or officers of or who are affiliated with the
Company. One Provident Trustee will be a financial institution that is
unaffiliated with the Company and has a minimum amount of combined capital and
surplus of not less than $50,000,000, which shall act as property trustee and as
indenture trustee for the purpose of compliance with the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), pursuant to the
terms set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the "Property
Trustee"). In addition, unless the Property Trustee maintains a principal place
of business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of
applicable law, one Provident Trustee will be an entity having a principal place
of business in the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee"). The Company will
pay all fees and expenses related to the Provident Trust and the offering of the
Trust Securities.

     The Property Trustee is The Chase Manhattan Bank, 450 West 33rd Street,
15th Floor, New York, New York 10001. The Delaware Trustee is first Union Trust 
Company, National Association and its address in the State of Delaware is 
One Rodney Square, 920 King Street, 1st floor, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. 
The principal place of business of the Provident Trust shall
be c/o Provident Companies, Inc., 1 Fountain Square, Chattanooga, Tennessee
37402; telephone (423) 755-1011.

                                 RISK FACTORS

     In addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus,
prospective investors should consider carefully the following information
relating to the Company and the Offered Securities before making an investment
in the Offered Securities offered hereby.

RESERVES

     The Company maintains reserves for future policy benefits and unpaid claims
expenses which include policy reserves and claims reserves established for its
individual disability insurance, group insurance, and individual life insurance
products. Policy reserves represent the portion of premiums received which are
reserved to provide for future claims. Claims reserves are established for
future payments not yet due on claims already incurred, primarily relating to
individual disability and group disability insurance products. Neither generally
accepted accounting principles nor statutory reserves represent an exact
calculation of future benefit liabilities but are instead estimates made by the
Company using actuarial and statistical procedures. However, there can be no
assurance that any such reserves would be sufficient to fund their future
respective liabilities in all circumstances. Future loss development could
require reserves for prior periods to be increased, which would adversely affect
earnings in future periods. Adjustments to reserve amounts may be required in
the event of changes to the assumptions regarding future morbidity (the
incidence of claims and the rate of recovery, including the effects thereon of
inflation, and other societal and economic factors), persistency, mortality, and
interest rates used in calculating the reserve amounts.

CAPITAL ADEQUACY

     The capacity for an insurance company's growth in premiums is in part a
function of its statutory surplus. Maintaining appropriate levels of statutory
surplus, as measured by state insurance regulators, is considered important by
state insurance regulatory authorities and the private agencies that rate
insurers' claims-paying abilities and financial strength. Failure to maintain
certain levels of statutory surplus could result in increased regulatory
scrutiny, action by state regulatory authorities or a downgrade by the private
rating agencies.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
     Effective in 1993, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
adopted a risk-based capital ("RBC") formula, which prescribes a system for
assessing the adequacy of statutory capital and surplus for all life and health
insurers. The basis of the system is a risk-based formula that applies
prescribed factors to the various risk elements in a life and health insurer's
business to report a minimum capital requirement proportional to the amount of
risk assumed by the insurer. The life and health RBC formula is designed to
annually measure (i) the risk of loss from asset defaults and asset value
fluctuation, (ii) the risk of loss from adverse mortality and morbidity
experience, (iii) the risk of loss from mismatching of asset and liability cash
flow due to changing interest rates and (iv) business risks. The formula is to
be used as an early warning tool to identify companies that are potentially 
inadequately capitalized for purposes of initiating regulatory action. The
formula is intended to be used as a regulatory tool only and is not intended as
a means to rank insurers generally.

     Based on computations made by the Company and Paul Revere in accordance
with the prescribed life and health RBC formula, each of the Company's and Paul
Revere's life insurance subsidiaries exceeded the minimum capital requirements
at December 31, 1996.

     During 1995 and 1996, the Commissioner of Insurance of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts (the "Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner") conducted a
quadrennial examination of Paul Revere Life and Paul Revere Variable for the
period ended December 31, 1994. In connection with this examination, as well as
in consideration of Paul Revere's 1995 comprehensive study of its statutory
reserves, Paul Revere Life and Paul Revere Protective strengthened their
individual disability statutory reserves by a combined total of $35 million and
reflected this strengthening in the annual statutory financial statements for
the year ended December 31, 1995.

     During the third quarter of 1996, Paul Revere initiated a comprehensive
study of the adequacy of its individual disability statutory reserves to
consider experience through September 30, 1996. The Massachusetts Insurance
Commissioner subsequently updated its examination of Paul Revere's statutory
reserves to review the results of Paul Revere's statutory reserve study, with
the result that Paul Revere's statutory reserves were required to be
strengthened by $121 million after federal income taxes. In connection with the
Paul Revere Merger, Textron Inc. ("Textron"), the principal shareholder of Paul
Revere, agreed to provide such amount of additional capital to Paul Revere prior
to the effective time of the Paul Revere Merger.

HOLDING COMPANY

     Insurance statutes in many states impose limitations on the ability of
regulated insurance companies to transfer assets to their affiliates. Such
statutes may require prior approval for the payment of dividends by the
Company's regulated insurance company subsidiaries to the Company or its
affiliates. Since a significant source of the Company's internally generated
cash flow is dividends paid to it by its subsidiaries, the Company's ability to
meet its obligations and pay dividends on its outstanding shares may be affected
by any such approval requirement.

DISABILITY INSURANCE

     Disability insurance may be affected by a number of social, economic,
governmental, competitive, and other factors. Changes in societal attitudes,
work ethics, motivation, stability, and mores can significantly affect the
nature of any demand for disability products. Economic conditions affect not
only the market for disability products, but also significantly affect the
claims rates and length of claims. The climate and the nature of competition in
disability insurance have also been markedly affected by the growth of Social
Security, workers' compensation, and other governmental programs in the
workplace. The nature of that portion of the Company's outstanding insurance
business that consists of non-cancelable disability policies, whereby the policy
is guaranteed renewable through the life of the policy at a fixed premium, does
not permit the Company to adjust its premiums on business in-force on account of
changes effected by any of such factors. Disability insurance products are
important products for the Company. To the extent that disability products are
adversely affected in the future as to sales or claims, the business or results
of operations of the Company could be materially adversely affected.

COMPETITION

     All of the Company's businesses are highly regulated and competitive. The
Company's profitability is affected by a number of factors, including rate
competition, frequency and severity of claims, lapse rates, government
                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
regulation, interest rates, and general business considerations. There are many
insurance companies which actively compete with the Company in its lines of
business, some of which are larger and have greater financial resources than the
Company, and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to compete
effectively against such companies in the future.

EFFECT OF THE PAUL REVERE MERGER; INTEGRATION OF OPERATIONS

     The success of the Paul Revere Merger will be determined by various
factors, including the financial performance of the Company's combined
operations after the Paul Revere Merger and management's ability to integrate
effectively the operations of the Company and Paul Revere and to realize the
expected cost savings beginning primarily in 1997 through combining certain
functions of both the Company and Paul Revere and restructuring the field
organizations of both companies. The integration of the operations of Paul
Revere and the Company may be negatively affected if, among other things, the
proposed changes in the organization and operation of the two companies are not
made, customers do not react positively to some of the planned changes intended
to increase service or integrate the businesses of the two companies,
unanticipated offsetting costs are incurred, or costs or difficulties related to
the integration of the businesses of the Company and Paul Revere are greater
than expected. There can be no assurance that the anticipated benefits of the
Paul Revere Merger will be realized or that the Paul Revere Merger will not
adversely affect the future operating results of the Company.

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISKS

     An investment in the Offered Securities denominated in other than U.S.
dollars entails significant risks that are not associated with a similar
investment in a security denominated in U.S. dollars. Such risks include,
without limitation, the possibility of significant changes in rates of exchange
between the U.S. dollar and the various foreign currencies or composite
currencies, and the possibility of the imposition or modification of foreign
exchange controls by either the U.S. or foreign governments. Such risks
generally depend on economic and political events over which the Company has no
control. In recent years, rates of exchange between the U.S. dollar and certain
foreign currencies have been highly volatile, and such volatility may be
expected to continue in the future. Fluctuations in any particular exchange rate
that have occurred in the past are not necessarily indicative, however, of
fluctuations in the rate that may occur during the term of any Offered Security.
Depreciation of the specified currency other than U.S. dollars against the U.S.
dollar would result in a decrease in the effective yield of such Offered
Security below its coupon rate, and in certain circumstances could result in a
loss to the investor on a U.S. dollar basis.

     Governments have imposed from time to time and may in the future impose
exchange controls that could affect exchange rates as well as the availability
of a specified foreign currency at a Offered Security's maturity. Even if there
are no actual exchange controls, it is possible that the specified currency for
any particular Offered Security would not be available at such Offered
Security's maturity. In that event, the Company will repay such Offered Security
at maturity in U.S. dollars on the basis of the most recently available Exchange
Rate.

     This Prospectus does not describe all the risks of an investment in Offered
Securities denominated in other than U.S. dollars. Prospective investors should
consult their own financial and legal advisors as to the risks entailed by an
investment in Offered Securities denominated in other than U.S. dollars. Offered
Securities denominated in other than U.S. dollars are not an appropriate
investment for investors who are unsophisticated about foreign currency
transactions.

     Currently, there are limited facilities in the United States for conversion
of U.S. dollars into certain foreign currencies, and vice versa.


                                USE OF PROCEEDS

     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement for any
offering of the Offered Securities, the net proceeds received by the Company
from the sale of the Offered Securities will be used for 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
general corporate purposes, which may include without limitation funding
investments in, or extensions of credit to, the Company's subsidiaries,
repayment of maturing obligations, redemption of outstanding indebtedness or
other securities, financing possible future acquisitions and for working
capital. Pending such use, the Company may temporarily invest the net proceeds
or may use them to reduce short-term indebtedness. The proceeds from the sale of
Preferred Securities by the Provident Trust will be invested in Subordinated
Debt Securities of the Company. The Company does not have any present plans, and
is not engaged in any negotiations, for the use of any such proceeds, or the
issuance of Common Stock, in any future acquisition. Any proposal to use
proceeds from any offering of the Offered Securities in connection with an
acquisition will be disclosed in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such
offering.


             CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND
       EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

     The consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the Company
including its consolidated subsidiaries is computed by dividing earnings by
fixed charges. The ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred
stock dividends is computed by dividing earnings by the sum of fixed charges and
preferred stock dividend requirements. For these purposes earnings consist
primarily of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
adjusted for fixed charges. Fixed charges consist primarily of interest (whether
expensed or capitalized), amortization of debt expense and discount of premium
relating to any indebtedness, whether expensed or capitalized, and the portion
of rental expense representative of the interest factor in these rentals.

     The following table sets forth the Company's consolidated ratios of
earnings to fixed charges and ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred
dividends for the periods shown:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Year Ended December 31,        
                                              ---------------------------     
                                              1996  1995   1994  1993  1992  
                                              ----  ----   ----  ----  ----  
<S>                                           <C>   <C>    <C>   <C>   <C> 
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(a)(b)....  12.9   9.5    8.9  (5.1)  8.3

Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed
Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends(b)....   6.5   5.3    5.3  (3.3)  8.3
</TABLE> 

_____________
(a)  Excludes preferred stock dividends.
(b)  This financial information does not reflect the anticipated effects of the
     Paul Revere Merger.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

GENERAL

     The following description of the terms of the Senior Debt Securities and
Subordinated Debt Securities (collectively, the "Debt Securities") sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities to which any
Prospectus Supplement may relate. The particular terms of the Debt Securities
offered by any Prospectus Supplement and the extent, if any, to which such
general provisions may not apply to the Debt Securities so offered will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Debt Securities.

     The Senior Debt Securities are to be issued under an indenture (the "Senior
Indenture"), to be entered into between the Company and The Chase Manhattan
Bank, as Trustee. The Subordinated Debt Securities are to be issued under an
indenture (the "Subordinated Indenture"), also to be entered into between the
Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee. The term "Trustee" as used
herein shall refer to The Chase Manhattan Bank, or such other bank or trust
company as the Company may appoint as trustee pursuant to the terms of the
applicable Indenture, in its or their capacity as Trustee for the Senior Debt
Securities or the Subordinated Debt Securities, as appropriate. The forms of the
Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture (being sometimes referred to
herein collectively as the "Indentures" and individually as an "Indenture") are
filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement. The Indentures are subject to
and governed by the Trust Indenture Act, and may be supplemented from time to
time following execution. The statements made under this heading relating to the
Debt Securities and the Indentures are summaries of the provisions thereof and
do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference
to the Indentures and such Debt Securities. All section and article references
below are to sections of the Indentures and capitalized terms used but not
defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Indentures.
Wherever particular sections or defined terms of the Indentures are referred to,
it is intended that such sections or defined terms shall be incorporated herein
by reference.

TERMS

     The Debt Securities will be direct, unsecured obligations of the Company.
The indebtedness represented by the Senior Debt Securities will rank pari passu
with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of the Company. The
indebtedness represented by the Subordinated Debt Securities will rank junior
and subordinate in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth
in the Subordinated Indenture, to the prior payment in full of the Senior Debt
of the Company as described under "Subordination."

     The amount of Debt Securities offered by this Prospectus will be limited to
the amount described on the cover of this Prospectus. Each Indenture provides
that the Debt Securities may be issued without limit as to aggregate principal
amount, in one or more series, in each case as established from time to time in,
or pursuant to authority granted by, a resolution of the Board of Directors of
the Company or as established in one or more indentures supplemental to such
Indenture. Debt Securities may be issued with terms different from those of Debt
Securities previously issued; all Debt Securities of one series need not be
issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be
reopened, without the consent of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such
series, for issuances of additional Debt Securities of such series. (Section 301
of each Indenture) The Debt Securities may be denominated and payable in foreign
currencies or units based on or related to foreign currencies, including
European Currency Units. Special United States federal income tax considerations
applicable to any Debt Securities so denominated are described in the relevant
Prospectus Supplement.

     Each Indenture provides that there may be more than one Trustee thereunder,
each with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities. Any Trustee under an
Indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of Debt
Securities, and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such
series. (Section 608 of each Indenture) In the event that two or more persons
are acting as Trustee with respect to different series of Debt Securities, each
such Trustee shall be a Trustee of a trust under the applicable Indenture
separate and apart from the trust administered by any other Trustee (Section 101
and Section 609 of each Indenture), and, except as otherwise indicated herein,
any action described herein to be taken by each Trustee may 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
be taken by each such Trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one
or more series of Debt Securities for which it is Trustee under the applicable
Indenture.

     Reference is made to the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to a
particular series of Debt Securities being offered thereby for the specific
terms thereof, including, but not limited to:

     (1)  the title of such Debt Securities and whether such Debt Securities are
Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities;

     (2)  the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities and any limit
on such aggregate principal amount;

     (3)  the price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof)
at which such Debt Securities will be issued;

     (4)  the terms, if any, by which such securities may be convertible into or
exchangeable for Common Stock or other securities or property of the Company;

     (5)  if convertible or exchangeable, any applicable limitations on the
ownership or transferability of the securities or property into which such Debt
Securities are convertible or exchangeable;

     (6)  the date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates,
on which the principal of such Debt Securities will be payable and the amount of
principal payable thereon;

     (7)  the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable at which such Debt
Securities will bear interest, if any), or the method by which such rate or
rates shall be determined;

     (8)  the date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates,
from which any such interest will accrue, the dates on which any such interest
will be payable, the Regular Record Dates (as defined in the Indenture) if any,
for such interest payable, or the method by which such dates shall be
determined, the Persons to whom such interest shall be payable, and the basis
upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year
consisting of twelve 30-day months;

     (9)  the place or places where the principal of and premium or Make-Whole
Amount (as defined in the Indenture, if any), interest, if any, on and
Additional Amounts (as defined in the Indenture), if any, payable in respect of
such Debt Securities will be payable, where such Debt Securities may be
surrendered for conversion or registration of transfer or exchange and where
notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Debt Securities and
the Indenture may be served;

     (10) if other than the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar
and/or Paying Agent;

     (11) the period or periods within which, the price or prices (including
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) at which, the currency or currencies,
currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which, and the
other terms and conditions upon which such Debt Securities may be redeemed, as a
whole or in part, at the option of the Company if the Company is to have such an
option;

     (12) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase
Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the
option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which or the date
or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies,
currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which, and other
terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities shall be redeemed, repaid or
purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

                                     -10-
<PAGE>
 
     (13) the currency or currencies in which such Debt Securities are being
sold and are denominated and payable, which may be a foreign currency or units
of two or more foreign currencies or a composite currency or currencies, and the
terms and conditions relating thereto;

     (13) whether the amount of payment of principal of (and premium or 
Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest, if any, on such Debt Securities may be
determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index,
formula or method may, but need not be, based on a currency, currencies,
currency unit or units, composite currency or currencies, commodities, equity
indices or other indices) and the manner in which such amounts shall be
determined;

     (14) whether the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or
interest or Additional Amounts, if any, on such Debt Securities are to be
payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a currency or
currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies other
than that in which such Debt Securities are denominated or stated to be payable,
the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which,
such election may be made, and the time and manner of, and identity of the
exchange rate agent with responsibility for, determining the exchange rate
between the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency
or currencies in which such Debt Securities are denominated or stated to be
payable and the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies in which such Debt Securities are to be payable;

     (15) provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of such
Debt Securities upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;

     (16) any addition to, modifications of or deletions from the terms of such
Debt Securities with respect to the Events of Default or covenants set forth in
the applicable Indenture;

     (17) whether such Debt Securities will be issued in certificated or 
book-entry form and terms and conditions relating thereto;

     (18) whether such Debt Securities will be in registered ("Registered Debt
Securities") or bearer ("Bearer Debt Securities") form and terms and conditions
relating thereto, and if in registered form, the denominations thereof if other
than $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof and, if in bearer form, the
denominations thereof if other than $5,000;

     (19) the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant defeasance
provisions of the Indenture;

     (20) any applicable United States federal income tax consequences,
including whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay Additional
Amounts, if any, as contemplated in the applicable Indenture on such Debt
Securities to any Holder who is not a United States person in respect of any
tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether
the Company will have the option to redeem such Debt Securities in lieu of
paying such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);

     (21) any other covenant or warranty included for the benefit of the Debt
Securities in addition to (and not inconsistent with) those included in the
Indenture for the benefit of Debt Securities of all series, or any other
covenant or warranty included for the benefit of the Debt Securities in lieu of
any covenant or warranty included in the Indenture for the benefit of Debt
Securities of all series or any provision that any covenant or warranty included
in the Indenture for the benefit of Debt Securities of all series shall not be
for the benefit of the Debt Securities, or any combination of such covenants,
warranties or provisions;

     (22) the proposed listing, if any, of the Debt Securities on any securities
exchange; and

     (23) any other terms of such Debt Securities not inconsistent with the
provisions of the applicable Indenture.  (Section 301 of each Indenture)

                                     -11-
<PAGE>
 
     The Debt Securities may provide for less than the entire principal amount
thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof
as a result of the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default ("Original
Issue Discount Securities").  (Section 502 of each Indenture)  Any special U.S.
federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to Original
Issue Discount Securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.

     Debt Securities may be issued, from time to time, with the principal amount
payable on any principal payment date, or the amount of interest payable on any
interest payment date, to be determined by reference to one or more currency
exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other factors. Holders of
such Debt Securities may receive a principal amount on any principal payment
date, or a payment of interest on any interest payment date, that is greater
than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such
dates, depending upon the value on such dates of the applicable currency,
commodity, equity index or other factors. Information as to the methods for
determining the amount of principal or interest payable on any date, the
currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors to which the amount
payable on such date is linked and certain additional tax considerations will be
set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

     The Indentures do not contain any provisions that afford Holders of the
Debt Securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged or similar
transaction involving the Company.

DENOMINATIONS, INTEREST, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER

     Unless otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Debt Securities of any series issued in registered form will be issuable in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. Unless otherwise
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities of any
series issued in bearer form will be issuable in denominations of $5,000.
(Section 302 of each Indenture)

     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
principal of (and applicable premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest,
if any, on any series of Debt Securities will be payable in the currency
designated in the Prospectus Supplement at the corporate trust office of the
Trustee, initially located at The Chase Manhattan Bank, 450 West 33rd, Global 
Trust Services, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10001 in the case of each
of the Senior Debt Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities, provided
that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check
mailed to the address of the Person (as defined in the Indentures) entitled
thereto as it appears in the Security Register for such series or by wire
transfer of funds to such Person at an account maintained within the United
States. (Sections 301, 305, 307 and 1002 of each Indenture) The Company may at
any time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any
Paying Agents or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent
acts, except that the Company will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in
each Place of Payment for such series. All monies paid by the Company to a
Paying Agent for the payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest,
if any, on any Debt Security which remains unclaimed at the end of two years
after such principal, premium or interest shall have become due and payable will
be repaid to the Company, and the Holder of such Offered Debt Security will
thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof. (Section 1003 of each
Indenture)

     Any interest not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest
Payment Date with respect to a Debt Security ("Defaulted Interest") will
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the applicable Regular Record
Date and may either be paid to the person in whose name such Debt Security is
registered at the close of business on a special record date (the "Special
Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the
applicable Trustee, notice whereof shall be mailed to each Holder of such Debt
Security not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid
at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more completely described in the
applicable Indenture. (Section 307 of each Indenture)

     Subject to certain limitations imposed upon Debt Securities issued in book-
entry form, the Debt Securities of any series will be exchangeable for other
Debt Securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and
tenor of different authorized denominations upon surrender of such Debt
Securities at the corporate trust office of the applicable Trustee referred to
above. In addition, subject to certain limitations imposed upon 

                                     -12-
<PAGE>
 
Debt Securities issued in book-entry form, the Debt Securities of any series may
be surrendered for conversion or registration of transfer or exchange at the
corporate trust office of the applicable Trustee referred to above. Every Debt
Security surrendered for conversion, registration of transfer or exchange shall
be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer. No service
charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of any Debt
Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. (Section 305
of each Indenture) If the applicable Prospectus Supplement refers to any
transfer agent (in addition to the applicable Trustee) initially designated by
the Company with respect to any series of Debt Securities, the Company may at
any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change
in the location through which any such transfer agent acts, except that the
Company will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment
for such series. The Company may at any time designate additional transfer
agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities. (Section 1002 of each
Indenture)

     Neither the Company nor any Trustee shall be required to: (i) issue,
register the transfer of or exchange Debt Securities of any series during a
period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Debt
Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on
the day of mailing or publication of the relevant notice of redemption; (ii)
register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security, or portion thereof,
called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any Debt Security being
redeemed in part; (iii) exchange any Bearer Debt Security selected for
redemption, except that such a Bearer Debt Security may be exchanged for a
Registered Debt Security of that series and like tenor, provided that such
Registered Debt Security shall be simultaneously surrendered for redemption or
exchange; or (iv) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security
that has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the
portion, if any, of such Debt Security not to be so repaid. (Section 305 of each
Indenture)

GLOBAL DEBT SECURITIES

     The registered Debt Securities of a series may be issued in the form of one
or more fully registered global Securities (a "Registered Global Security") that
will be deposited with a depositary (a "Depositary") or with a nominee for a
Depositary identified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series and
registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee thereof. In such case, one
or more Registered Global Securities will be issued in a denomination or
aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount
of outstanding registered Debt Securities of the series to be represented by
such Registered Global Security or Securities. Unless and until it is exchanged
in whole for Debt Securities in definitive registered form, a Registered Global
Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such
Registered Debt Security 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.

     The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any
portion of a series of Debt Securities to be represented by a Registered Global
Security will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series.
The Company anticipates that the following provisions will apply to all
depositary arrangements.

     Ownership of beneficial interests in a Registered Global Security will be
limited to persons that have accounts with the Depositary for such Registered
Global Security ("participants") or persons that may hold interests through
participants. Upon the issuance of a Registered Global Security, the Depositary
for such Registered Global Security will credit, on its book-entry registration
and transfer system, the participants' accounts with the respective principal
amounts of the Debt Securities represented by such Registered Global Security
beneficially owned by such participants. The accounts to be credited shall be
designated by any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the
distribution of such Debt Securities. Ownership of beneficial interests in such
Registered Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership
interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary
for such Registered Global Security (with respect to interests of participants)
and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons holding
through participants). The laws of some states may require that certain
purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive
form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability to own, transfer or
pledge beneficial interests in Registered Global Securities.

                                     -13-
<PAGE>
 
     So long as the Depositary for a Registered Global Security, or its nominee,
is the registered owner of such Registered Global Security, such Depositary or
such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of
the Debt Securities represented by such Registered Global Security for all
purposes under the applicable Indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of
beneficial interests in a Registered Global Security will not be entitled to
have the Debt Securities represented by such Registered Global Security
registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical
delivery of such Debt Securities in definitive form and will not be considered
the owners or holders thereof under the applicable Indenture. Accordingly, each
person owning a beneficial interest in a Registered Global Security must rely on
the procedures of the Depositary for such Registered Global Security and, if
such person is not 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, if the Company requests any action of holders or if an owner of a
beneficial interest in a Registered Global Security desires to give or take any
action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable
Indenture, the Depositary for such Registered Global Security 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 participants to give or take such action or would otherwise act upon the
instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

     Payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, of Debt
Securities represented by a Registered Global Security registered in the name of
a Depositary or its nominee will be made to such Depositary or its nominee, as
the case may be, as the registered owners of such Registered Global Security.
None of the Company, the Trustee or any other agent of the Company or agent of
the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests in such Registered Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

     The Company expects that the Depositary for any Debt Securities represented
by a Registered Global Security, upon receipt of any payment of principal,
premium or interest in respect of such Registered Global Security, will
immediately credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate
to their respective beneficial interests in such Registered Global Security as
shown on the records of such Depositary. The Company also expects that payments
by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Registered Global
Security held through such participants will be governed by standing customer
instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities
held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street
name," and will be the responsibility of such participants.

     If the Depositary for any Debt Securities represented by a Registered
Global Security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or
ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a
successor Depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is
not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company will issue such Debt
Securities in definitive form in exchange for such Registered Global Security.
In addition, the Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine
not to have any of the Debt Securities of a series represented by one or more
Registered Global Securities and, in such event, will issue Debt Securities of
such series in a definitive form in exchange for all of the Registered Global
Security or Securities representing such Debt Securities. Any Debt Securities
issued in definitive form in exchange for a Registered Global Security will be
registered in such name or names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee.
It is expected that such instructions will be based upon directions received by
the Depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial
interests in such Registered Global Security.

     Bearer Debt Securities of a series may also be issued in the form of one or
more global Securities (a "Bearer Global Security") that will be deposited with
a common depositary for Euroclear and CEDEL, or with a nominee for such
depositary identified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. The
specific terms and procedures, including the specific terms of the depositary
arrangement and any specific procedures for the issuance of Debt Securities in
definitive form in exchange for a Bearer Global Security, with respect to any
portion of a series of Debt Securities to be represented by a Bearer Global
Security will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series.

                                     -14-
<PAGE>
 
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE

     The Company may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or
substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into, any other corporation
or trust or entity provided that: (i) either the Company shall be the continuing
entity, or the successor entity (if other than the Company) formed by or
resulting from any such consolidation or merger or which shall have received the
transfer of such assets shall be an entity organized under the laws of any
United States or a state thereof and expressly assume by supplemental indenture
the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole
Amount, if any) and interest (including any Additional Amounts), if any, on all
of the Offered Debt Securities and the due and punctual performance and
observance of all of the covenants and conditions contained in each Indenture;
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any
indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a
result thereof as having been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the
time of such transaction, no Event of Default under the Indenture, and no event
which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become such an Event of
Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and (iii) certain other
conditions are met. (Sections 801 and 803 of each Indenture)

     This covenant would not apply to any recapitalization transaction, a change
of control of the Company or a highly leveraged transaction unless such
transactions or change of control were structured to include a merger or
consolidation or transfer or lease of the Company's assets substantially as an
entirety. Except as may be described in a Prospectus Supplement applicable to a
particular series of Debt Securities, there are no covenants or other provisions
in the Indentures providing for a put or increased interest or that would
otherwise afford holders of Debt Securities additional protection in the event
of a recapitalization transaction, a change of control of the Company or a
highly leveraged transaction.

CERTAIN COVENANTS

     Existence.  Except as permitted under "Merger, Consolidation or Sale," the
Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in
full force and effect its legal existence, rights (charter and statutory) and
franchises; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to
preserve any right or franchise if it determines that the preservation thereof
is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business and the loss thereof is
not disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders of any Debt
Securities. (Section 1005 of each Indenture)

     Maintenance of Properties.  The Company will cause all of its material
properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any
Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order
and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all
necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof,
all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business
carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted
at all times; provided, however, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not
be prevented from selling or otherwise disposing of their properties in the
ordinary course of business. (Section 1006 of each Indenture)

     Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.  The Company will pay or discharge, or
cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (i) all
taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any
Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any
Subsidiary and (ii) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which,
if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any
Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or
discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or
claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings. (Section 1008 of each Indenture)

     Provision of Financial Information.  Whether or not the Company is subject
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will, within 15 days of
each of the respective dates by which the Company would have been required to
file annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents with the Commission
pursuant to such Section 13 and 15(d) if the Company were so subject, (i)
transmit by mail to all Holders of Debt Securities, as their names and addresses
appear in the Security Register (as defined in this Indenture), without cost to
such Holders, 

                                     -15-
<PAGE>
 
copies of the annual reports and quarterly reports that the Company would have
been required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act if the Company were subject to such Sections, (ii) file with the
applicable Trustee copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports and other
documents that the Company would have been required to file with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Company were subject
to such Sections and (iii) promptly upon written request and payment of the
reasonable cost of duplication and delivery, supply copies of such documents to
any prospective Holder. (Section 1009 of each Indenture)

     Waiver of Certain Covenants.  The Company may omit to comply with any term,
provision or condition of the foregoing covenants, and with any other term,
provision or condition with respect to the Debt Securities of any series
specified in Section 301 of the Indentures (except any such term, provision or
condition which could not be amended without the consent of all Holders of Debt
Securities of such series), if before or after the time for such compliance the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Debt
Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance
in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition
except to the extent so expressly waived, and until such waiver shall become
effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in
respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and
effect. (Section 1012 of each Indenture)

     Additional Covenants.  Any additional covenants with respect to any series
of Debt Securities will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating
thereto.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER

     Except as otherwise provided in a Prospectus Supplement with respect to a
particular series of Debt Securities, each Indenture provides that the following
events are "Events of Default" with respect to any series of Debt Securities
issued thereunder: (i) default for 30 days in the payment of any installment of
interest or Additional Amounts, if any, payable on any Debt Security of such
series; (ii) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-
Whole Amount, if any, on) any Debt Security of such series when due, either at
maturity, redemption or otherwise; (iii) default in making any sinking fund
payment as required for any Debt Security of such series; (iv) default in the
performance or breach of any other covenant or agreement of the Company
contained in the Indenture other than a covenant added to the Indenture solely
for the benefit of a series of Debt Securities issued thereunder other than such
series, continued for 60 days after written notice as provided in the applicable
Indenture; (v) default under a bond, debenture, note or other evidence of
indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company (or by any Subsidiary, the
repayment of which the Company has guaranteed or for which the Company is
directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor) having a principal
amount outstanding in excess of $10,000,000 (other than indebtedness which is
non-recourse to the Company or the Subsidiaries), whether such indebtedness now
exists or shall hereafter be created, which default shall have resulted in such
indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on
which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such acceleration
having been rescinded or annulled within 30 days after written notice to the
Company as provided in the Indenture; (vi) certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization; and (vii) any other Event of Default provided with
respect to a particular series of Debt Securities. (Section 501 of each
Indenture)

     If an Event of Default under an Indenture with respect to Debt Securities
of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every
such case the applicable Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities (as defined in the
Indentures) of each such affected series (voting as a single class) may declare
the principal amount (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original
Issue Discount Securities (as defined in the Indentures) or Indexed Securities
(as defined in the Indentures), such portion of the principal amount as may be
specified in the terms thereof) of and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on
all of the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately by
written notice thereof to the Company (and to the applicable Trustee if given by
the Holders). However, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration with
respect to Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt Securities then
Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be) has been made,
but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained
by the applicable Trustee, the Holders of not less than a

                                     -16-
<PAGE>
 
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series
(or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as
the case may be) may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if
(i) the Company shall have deposited with the applicable Trustee all required
payments of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and
interest, and any Additional Amounts, on the Debt Securities of such series (or
of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the
case may be), plus certain fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
applicable Trustee and (ii) all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of
accelerated principal (or a specified portion thereof and the premium or Make-
Whole Amount, if any) or interest, with respect to Debt Securities of such
series (or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under the applicable
Indenture, as the case may be) have been cured or waived as provided in the
Indenture. (Section 502 of each Indenture) Each Indenture also provides that the
Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of any series (or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under the
applicable Indenture, as the case may be) may waive any past default with
respect to such series and its consequences, except a default (x) in the payment
of principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest or
Additional Amounts, if any, on any Debt Security of such series or (y) in
respect of a covenant or provision contained in the applicable Indenture that
cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holders of each
Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby. (Section 513 of each Indenture)

     The Trustee is required to give notice to the Holders of Debt Securities
within 90 days of a default under the applicable Indenture unless such default
shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that such Trustee may
withhold notice to the Holders of any series of Debt Securities of any default
with respect to such series (except a default in the payment of the principal of
(or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest or Additional Amounts, if
any, on any Debt Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund
installment in respect of any Debt Security of such series) if the Responsible
Officers (as defined in the Indentures) of such Trustee consider such
withholding to be in the interest of such Holders. (Section 601 of each
Indenture) Each Indenture provides that no Holder of Debt Securities of any
series may institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to
such Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, except in the case of failure of
the applicable Trustee, for 60 days, to act after it has received a written
request to institute proceedings in respect of an Event of Default from the
Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of such series, as well as an offer of indemnity reasonably
satisfactory to it. (Section 507 of each Indenture) This provision will not
prevent, however, any Holder of Debt Securities from instituting suit for the
enforcement of payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any) and interest if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, payable with respect
to such Debt Securities at the respective due dates thereof. (Section 508 of
each Indenture)

     Subject to provisions in each Indenture relating to its duties in case of
default, the Trustee is not under an obligation to exercise any of its rights or
powers under such Indenture at the request or direction of any Holders of any
series of Debt Securities then Outstanding under such Indenture, unless such
Holders shall have offered to the Trustee thereunder reasonable security or
indemnity. (Section 602 of each Indenture) Subject to such provisions for the
indemnification of the Trustee, the Holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series (or of all
Debt Securities then Outstanding under each Indenture, as the case may be) shall
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the applicable Trustee, or of exercising any trust
or power conferred upon such Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow
any direction which is in conflict with any law or the applicable Indenture,
which may involve such Trustee in personal liability or which may be unduly
prejudicial to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series not joining
therein. (Section 512 of each Indenture)

     Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, the Company must
deliver to each Trustee a certificate, signed by one of several specified
officers, stating such officer's knowledge of the Company's compliance with all
the conditions and covenants under the applicable Indenture and, in the event of
any noncompliance, specifying such noncompliance and the nature and status
thereof. (Section 1010 of each Indenture)

                                     -17-
<PAGE>
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES

     Modification and amendment of an Indenture may be made only with the
consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all
Outstanding Debt Securities issued under such Indenture which are affected by
such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or
amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each such Debt Security
affected thereby, (i) change the Stated Maturity (as defined in the Indentures)
of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or any
installment of principal of or interest or Additional Amounts, if any, payable
on, any such Debt Security, (ii) reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or
amount of interest on, or any premium or Make-Whole Amount, payable on
redemption of or any Additional Amount, if any, payable with respect to any such
Debt Security, or reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount
Security or Make-Whole Amount, if any, that would be due and payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or would be provable in
bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the Holder of any such
Debt Security, (iii) change the Place of Payment (as defined in the Indentures)
where, or the currency or currencies, currency units or composite currency or
currencies in which payment of the principal of (and Premium or Make-Whole
Amount, if any), or interest on, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect
to, any such Debt Security, is payable, (iv) impair the right to institute suit
for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any such Debt Security,
(v) reduce the percentage of the Holders of outstanding Debt Securities of any
series necessary to modify or amend the applicable Indenture, to waive
compliance with certain provisions thereof or certain defaults and consequences
thereunder or to reduce the quorum or voting requirements set forth in the
applicable Indenture, or (vi) modify any of the foregoing provisions or any of
the provisions relating to the waiver of certain past defaults or certain
covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect such action or
to provide that certain other provisions may not be modified or waived without
the consent of the Holder of such Debt Security. (Section 902 of each Indenture)

     The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of Outstanding
Debt Securities issued under either Indenture have the right to waive compliance
by the Company with certain covenants in such Indenture. (Section 1012 of each
Indenture)

     Modifications and amendments of an Indenture may be made by the Company and
the respective Trustee thereunder without the consent of any Holder of Debt
Securities for any of the following purposes: (i) to evidence the succession of
another Person to the Company as obligor under such Indenture; (ii) to add to
the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series
of Debt Securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company
in such Indenture; (iii) to add Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders
of all or any series of Debt Securities; (iv) to add or change any provisions of
an Indenture to facilitate the issuance of, or to liberalize certain terms of,
Debt Securities in bearer form, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt
Securities in uncertificated form, provided that such action shall not adversely
affect the interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities of any series in any
material respect; (v) to add, change or eliminate any provisions of an
Indenture, provided that any such addition, change or elimination shall become
effective only when there are no Outstanding Debt Securities of any series
created prior thereto which are entitled to the benefit of such provision; (vi)
to secure the Debt Securities; (vii) to establish the form or terms of Debt
Securities of any series, including the provisions and procedures, if
applicable, for the conversion of such Debt Securities into Common Stock of the
Company or other securities or property of the Company; (viii) to provide for
the acceptance or appointment of a successor Trustee or facilitate the
administration of the trusts under an Indenture by more than one Trustee; (ix)
to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in an Indenture, provided that
such action shall not adversely affect the interests of Holders of Debt
Securities of any series issued under such Indenture; (x) to close an Indenture
with respect to the authentication and delivery of additional series of Debt
Securities or to qualify, or maintain qualification of, an Indenture under the
TIA; or (xi) to supplement any of the provisions of an Indenture to the extent
necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series of such
Debt Securities, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the
interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities of any series in any material
respect. (Section 901 of each Indenture)

                                     -18-
<PAGE>
 
SUBORDINATION

     Unless otherwise indicated in a Prospectus Supplement for a particular
series of Subordinated Debt Securities, the following subordinated provisions
will apply to the Subordinated Debt Securities.

     Upon any distribution to creditors of the Company in a liquidation,
dissolution, bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the payment of the
principal of and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities will be
subordinated to the extent provided in the Subordinated Indenture in right of
payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt (Sections 1701 and 1702
of the Subordinated Indenture), but the obligation of the Company to make
payment of the principal of and interest on the Subordinated Securities will not
otherwise be affected.  (Section 1608 of the Subordinated Indenture)  No payment
of principal or interest may be made on the Subordinated Securities at any time
in the event there shall have occurred and be continuing a default in any
payment with respect to Senior Debt, or an event of default with respect to any
Senior Debt resulting in the acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if any
judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to any such default and the
Company receives notice of the default.  (Section 1703 of the Subordinated
Indenture)  The Company may resume payments on the Subordinated Securities when
the default is cured or waived if the subordination provisions of the
Subordinated Indenture otherwise permit payment at that time.  (Section 1703 of
the Subordinated Indenture)  After all Senior Debt is paid in full and until the
Subordinated Debt Securities are paid in full, Holders will be subrogated to the
rights of holders of Senior Debt to the extent that distributions otherwise
payable to Holders have been applied to the payment of Senior Debt.  (Section
1707 of the Subordinated Indenture)  By reason of such subordination, in the
event of a distribution of assets upon insolvency, certain general creditors of
the Company may recover more, ratably, than Holders of the Subordinated
Securities.

     Senior Debt is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as the principal,
premium, if any, unpaid interest (including interest accruing on or after the
filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the
Company whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such
proceeding), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement and indemnification
obligations, and all other amounts payable under or in respect of the following
indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed, whether any such indebtedness
exists as of the date of the Subordinated Indenture or is created, incurred,
assumed or guaranteed after such date:

     (1)  any debt (i) for money borrowed by the Company, or (ii) evidenced by a
bond, note, debenture, or similar instrument (including purchase money
obligations) given in connection with the acquisition of any business, property
or assets, whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, but shall
not include any account payable or other obligation created or assumed in the
ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or
services, or (iii) which is a direct or indirect obligation which arises as a
result of banker's acceptances or bank letters of credit issued to secure
obligations of the Company, or to secure the payment of revenue bonds issued for
the benefit of the Company, whether contingent or otherwise;

     (2)  any debt of others described in the preceding clause (1) which the
Company has guaranteed or for which it is otherwise liable;

     (3)  the obligation of the Company as lessee under any lease of property
which is reflected on the Company's balance sheet as a capitalized lease; and

     (4)  any deferral, amendment, renewal, extension, supplement or refunding
of any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding clauses (1), (2),
and (3); provided, however, that, in computing the indebtedness of the Company,
there shall be excluded any particular indebtedness if, upon or prior to the
maturity thereof, there shall have been deposited with a depository in trust
money (or evidence of indebtedness if permitted by the instrument creating such
indebtedness) in the necessary amount to pay, redeem or satisfy such
indebtedness as it becomes due, and the amount so deposited shall not be
included in any computation of the assets of the Company provided, further, that
in computing the indebtedness of the Company hereunder, there shall be excluded
(i) any such indebtedness, obligation or liability referred to in clauses (1)
through (4) above as to which, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same
or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such
indebtedness, obligation or liability is not superior in right of payment to the
Subordinated Debt Securities, or

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
ranks pari passu with the Subordinated Securities, (ii) any such indebtedness,
obligation or liability which is subordinated to indebtedness of the Company to
substantially the same extent as or to a greater extent than the Subordinated
Securities are subordinated, (iii) any indebtedness to a Subsidiary of the
Company, and (iv) the Subordinated Debt Securities. (Section 101 of the
Subordinated Indenture).

     There is no limit on the amount of Senior Debt that the Company may incur.
At March 31, 1997, Senior Debt of the Company aggregated approximately
$725 million.  There are no restrictions in the Subordinated Indenture upon
the creation of additional Senior Debt or other indebtedness.

DISCHARGE, DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

     Under each Indenture, the Company may discharge certain obligations to
Holders of any series of Debt Securities issued thereunder that have not already
been delivered to the applicable Trustee for cancellation and that either have
become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or
scheduled for redemption within one year) by irrevocably depositing with the
applicable Trustee, in trust, funds in such currency or currencies, currency
unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Debt Securities
are payable in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on such Debt
Securities in respect of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any)
and interest and any Additional Amounts payable to the date of such deposit (if
such Debt Securities have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or
Redemption Date, as the case may be (Section 401 of each Indenture).   Each
Indenture provides that, if the provisions of Article Fourteen thereof are made
applicable to the Debt Securities of or within any series pursuant to Section
301 of such Indenture, the Company may elect either (i) to defease and be
discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such Debt Securities
(except for the obligation to pay Additional Amounts, if any, upon the
occurrence of certain events of tax, assessment or governmental charge with
respect to payments on such Debt Securities and the obligations to register the
transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities, to replace temporary or mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, to maintain an office or agency in
respect of such Debt Securities and to hold moneys for payment in trust)
("defeasance") (Section 1402 of each Indenture) or (ii) to be released from its
obligations with respect to such Debt Securities under Sections of each
Indenture described under "Certain Covenants" or, if provided pursuant to
Section 301 of each Indenture, its obligations with respect to any other
covenant, and any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute
a default or an Event of Default with respect to such Debt Securities ("covenant
defeasance") (Section 1403 of each Indenture), in either case upon the
irrevocable deposit by the Company with the applicable Trustee, in trust, of an
amount, in such currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies in which such Debt Securities are payable at Stated
Maturity, or Government Obligations (as defined below), or both, applicable to
such Debt Securities which through the scheduled payment of principal and
interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount
sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any)
and interest and any Additional Amounts on such Debt Securities, and any
mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates
therefor.

     Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, the Company
has delivered to the applicable Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (as specified in
each Indenture) to the effect that the Holders of such Debt Securities will not
recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as
a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to United
States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance
had not occurred, and such Opinion of Counsel, in the case of defeasance, must
refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change
in applicable United States federal income tax laws occurring after the date of
such Indenture. (Section 1404 of each Indenture)

     "Government Obligations" means securities which are (i) direct obligations
of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign
Currency (as defined in the Indentures) in which the Debt Securities of a
particular series are payable, for the payment of which its full faith and
credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by
and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or
the government which issued the Foreign Currency in which the Debt Securities of
such series are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a
full faith and credit obligation by the United States of

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
America or such other government, which, in either case, are not callable or
redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a
depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect
to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or
principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the
account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required
by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount
payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the
custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of
interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such
depository receipt. (Section 101 of each Indenture)

     Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if after
the Company has deposited funds and/or Government Obligations to effect
defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to Debt Securities of any series,
(i) the Holder of a Debt Security of such series is entitled to, and does, elect
pursuant to Section 301 of either Indenture or the terms of such Debt Security
to receive payment in a currency, currency unit or composite currency other than
that in which such deposit has been made in respect of such Debt Security, or
(ii) a Conversion Event (as defined below) occurs in respect of the currency,
currency unit or composite currency in which such deposit has been made, the
indebtedness represented by such Debt Security shall be deemed to have been, and
will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of
(and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest and any Additional
Amounts on such Debt Security as they become due out of the proceeds yielded by
converting the amount so deposited in respect of such Debt Security into the
currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such Debt Security
becomes payable as a result of such election or such cessation of usage based on
the applicable market exchange rate (Section 1405 of each Indenture).

     Unless otherwise provided in a Prospectus Supplement, "Conversion Event"
means the cessation of use of (i) a currency, currency unit or composite
currency issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United
States both by the government of the country that issued such currency and for
the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of
or within the international banking community, (ii) any currency unit or
composite currency for the purposes for which it was established.  (Section 101
of each Indenture)  Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, all payments of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any) and interest and any Additional Amounts on any Debt Security that is
payable in a Foreign Currency that ceases to be used by its government of
issuance shall be made in United States dollars.

     In the event the Company effects covenant defeasance with respect to any
Debt Securities and such Debt Securities are declared due and payable because of
the occurrence of any Event of Default other than the Event of Default described
in clause (iv) under "Events of Default, Notice and Waiver" with respect to
Sections 1004 to 1009, inclusive, of either Indenture (which Sections would no
longer be applicable to such Debt Securities) or described in clause (vii) under
"Events of Default, Notice and Waiver" with respect to a covenant as to which
there has been covenant defeasance, the amount in such currency, currency unit
or composite currency in which such Debt Securities are payable, and Government
Obligations on deposit with the Trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due
on such Debt Securities at the time of their Stated Maturity but may not be
sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at the time of the
acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. However, the Company would
remain liable to make payment of such amounts due at the time of acceleration.

     The applicable Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions,
if any, permitting such defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any
modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the Debt
Securities of or within a particular series.

CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE RIGHTS

     The terms on which Debt Securities of any series are convertible into or
exchangeable for Common Stock or other securities or property of the Company
will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.  Such terms
shall include the conversion or exchange price (or manner of calculation
thereof), the exchange or conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion
or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the Holder or at the option of the
Company, and may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of
Common Stock 

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
or other securities or property of the Company to be received by the Holders of
Debt Securities would be calculated according to the market price of Common
Stock or other securities or property of the Company as of a time stated in the
Prospectus Supplement. The conversion exchange price of any Debt Securities of
any series that is convertible into Common Stock of the Company may be adjusted
for any stock dividends, stock splits, reclassification, combinations or similar
transactions, as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Article
Sixteen of each Indenture)

GOVERNING LAW

     The Indentures are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York.

REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     The Indentures provide that the Debt Securities may be redeemed at any time
at the option of the Company, in whole or in part.  Debt Securities may also be
subject to optional or mandatory redemption on terms and conditions described in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

     From and after notice has been given as provided in the Indenture, if funds
for the redemption of any Debt Securities called for redemption shall have been
made available on such redemption date, such Debt Securities will cease to bear
interest on the date fixed for such redemption specified in such notice, and the
only right of the Holders of the Debt Securities will be to receive payment of
the Redemption Price (as defined in the Indentures).

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

     The Chase Manhattan Bank, is one of a number of banks with which the
Company and its subsidiaries maintain banking relationships in the ordinary
course of business. The Company's banking relationship with The Chase Manhattan
Bank includes serving as administrative agent for the Company's $800 million
Credit Agreement dated as of July 1, 1996, providing $44 million of funding as a
participating bank in the $800 million Credit Agreement dated as of July 1,
1996, providing custodial services for the Provident's bond and stock
portfolios, and providing general banking services. Upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default or an event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would
become an Event of Default under a series of Senior Debt Securities or
Subordinated Debt Securities, or upon the occurrence of a default under such
other indenture, the Trustee may be deemed to have a conflicting interest with
respect to the Senior Debt Securities or the Subordinated Debt Securities for
purposes of the Trust Indenture Act and, accordingly, may be required to resign
as Trustee under the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture. In that
event, the Company would be required to appoint a successor Trustee.

                        DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

     The following description of the terms of the Preferred Stock sets forth
certain general rules and provisions of the Preferred Stock to which any
Prospectus Supplement may relate.  Particular terms of the Preferred Stock
offered by any Prospectus Supplement and the extent, if any, to which such
general provisions may apply to the Preferred Stock so offered will be described
in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Preferred Stock.  The description
of certain provisions of the Preferred Stock set forth below and in the
Prospectus Supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Certificate of Designations
relating to the particular series of Preferred Stock, which will be filed with
the Commission at or prior to the time of the sale of such Preferred Stock.

GENERAL

     Under the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the
"Certificate"), the Board of Directors of the Company is authorized without
further stockholder action to adopt resolutions providing for the issuance of up
to 25,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, in one or more series, with such voting
powers, full or limited, and with such designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations
or restrictions, as may be determined by the Board of Directors.  As of the date
of this 

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
Prospectus, the Company had one series of Preferred Stock outstanding, which is
described below under "Outstanding Preferred Stock."

     Each series of shares of Preferred Stock shall have the dividend,
liquidation, redemption, voting rights and, if applicable, conversion rights set
forth below unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a
particular series of Preferred Stock.  Reference is made to the Prospectus
Supplement relating to the particular series of Preferred Stock offered thereby
for specific terms, including, where applicable:  (i) the title, designation,
number of shares and stated value of such Preferred Stock; (ii) the price at
which such Preferred Stock will be issued; (iii) the dividend rates (or method
of calculation) and dates on which dividends shall be payable, whether such
dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from
which dividends shall commence to cumulate; (iv) the dates on which the
Preferred Stock will be subject to redemption and the redemption price; (v) any
redemption or sinking fund provisions; (vi) whether the Preferred Stock are
convertible or exchangeable and, if so, the securities or rights into which such
Preferred Stock are convertible or exchangeable (which may include other
Preferred Stock, Senior Debt Securities, Subordinated Debt Securities, Common
Stock or other securities or rights of the Company (including rights to receive
payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more
specified commodities, currencies or indices) or securities of other issuers or
a combination of the foregoing), and the terms and conditions upon which such
conversions or exchanges will be effected including the initial conversion or
exchange prices or rates, the conversion or exchange period and any other
related provisions; (vii) if other than the currency of the United States of
America, the currency or currencies including composite currencies in which such
Preferred Stock are denominated and/or in which payments will or may be payable;
(viii) the method by which amounts in respect of such Preferred Stock may be
calculated and any commodities, currencies or indices, or value, rate or price,
relevant to such calculation; (ix) the place or places where dividends and other
payments on the Preferred Stock are payable and the identity of the transfer
agent, registrar and dividend disbursement agent for the Preferred Stock; (x)
any additional dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund, voting and other
rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions.

     Upon their issuance and receipt of payment therefor, the shares of
Preferred Stock will be fully paid and nonassessable, and for each share issued,
a sum equal to the stated value will be credited to the Company's preferred
stock account. Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating
to a particular series of Preferred Stock, each series of Preferred Stock will
rank on a parity in all respects with each other series of Preferred Stock. See
"Outstanding Preferred Stock," below.

DIVIDENDS

     Holders of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive cash dividends, when
and as declared by the Board of Directors of the Company out of assets of the
Company legally available for payment, at such rates and on such dates as will
be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.  Each dividend will be
payable to holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the Company on
the record dates fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company.  Different
series of the Preferred Stock may be entitled to dividends at different rates or
based upon different methods of determination.  Such rate may be fixed or
variable or both.  Dividends on any series of the Preferred Stock may be
cumulative or noncumulative, as provided in the Prospectus Supplement relating
thereto.

LIQUIDATION RIGHTS

     In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, the holders of each series of Preferred Stock will be
entitled to receive out of assets of the Company available for distribution to
stockholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Common
Stock or any other class of stock ranking junior to such series of Preferred
Stock, liquidating distributions in the amount of the stated value per share (as
set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement) plus all accrued and unpaid
dividends up to the date fixed for distribution for the current dividend period
and, if such series of the Preferred Stock is cumulative, for all dividend
periods prior thereto, all as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement with
respect to such shares.  If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company, the amounts payable with respect to a
series of Preferred Stock and any other shares of stock of the Company ranking
as to any distribution on a parity with such series of Preferred Stock are not
paid in full, the holders of such series of 

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
Preferred Stock and of such other shares will share ratably in any such
distribution of assets of the Company in proportion to the full respective
preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment of the full
amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders
of Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any
distribution of assets by the Company.

     Neither the sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer of all or substantially
all the property and assets of the Company, the consolidation or merger of the
Company with or into any other corporation, nor the merger or consolidation of
any other corporation into or with the Company shall be deemed to be a
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

REDEMPTION

     The terms, if any, on which shares of a series of Preferred Stock may be
subject to optional or mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, will be set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series.

VOTING RIGHTS

     Except as indicated below or in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, or
except as expressly required by applicable law, the holders of the Preferred
Stock will not be entitled to vote.

CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE RIGHTS

     The terms, if any, on which shares of any series of Preferred Stock are
convertible or exchangeable will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto.  The Prospectus Supplement will describe the securities or
rights into which such shares of Preferred Stock are convertible or exchangeable
(which may include other Preferred Stock, Senior Debt Securities, Subordinated
Debt Securities, Common Stock or other securities or rights of the Company
(including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value,
rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies or indices) or
securities of other issuers or a combination of the foregoing).  Such terms may
include provisions for conversion, either mandatory, at the option of the
holder, or at the option of the Company, in which case the consideration to be
received by the holders of Preferred Stock would be calculated as of a time and
in the manner stated in the Prospectus Supplement.

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

     The transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursement agent for the
Preferred Stock will be designated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.  The
registrar for shares of Preferred Stock will send notices to shareholders of any
meetings at which holders of the Preferred Stock have the right to elect
directors of the Company or to vote on any other matter.

OUTSTANDING PREFERRED STOCK

     As of March 31, 1997, the Company's only outstanding series of shares of
Preferred Stock is designated the 8.10% Cumulative Preferred Stock (the
"Cumulative Preferred Stock"), of which 1,041,534 shares were outstanding.

     The following summary of the Cumulative Preferred Stock is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the Certificate and to the applicable provisions of the
Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL").

     DIVIDENDS. Holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock are entitled to
receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Company, out
of assets of the Company legally available for payment, cumulative cash
dividends at the annual rate of 8.10% calculated as a percentage of the
liquidation preference of $150 per share. Dividends on the Cumulative Preferred
Stock are payable quarterly on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 of
each year at such annual rate. Dividends are cumulative from the date of
original issue.

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
     Dividends payable on the Cumulative Preferred Stock for each full dividend
period are computed by dividing the annual dividend rate by four. Dividends
payable on the Cumulative Preferred Stock for any period greater or less than a
full dividend period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting
of twelve 30-day months.

     REDEMPTION. The Cumulative Preferred Stock may not be redeemed prior to
February 24, 1998. At any time or from time to time on and after February 24,
1998, the Company, at its option, may redeem the Cumulative Preferred Stock in
whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, at a
redemption price of $150 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to
the date fixed for redemption. In the event that fewer than all of the
outstanding shares of the Cumulative Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the
shares to be redeemed shall be determined by lot or pro rata or by any other
method as may be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company to be
equitable. The Company will provide notice of any redemption of the Cumulative
Preferred Stock to holders of record of the Cumulative Preferred Stock to be
redeemed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for
redemption. Such notice shall specify, among other things, the redemption price
and the amount of accrued and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption,
whether the Company is calling all or less than all of the Cumulative Preferred
Stock for redemption, and if less than all, which shares of the Cumulative
Preferred Stock are being called, the place or places where certificates for
such shares are to be surrendered for redemption and whether the Company is
depositing with a bank or trust company on or before the redemption date the
cash payable by the Company with respect thereto and the date for such deposit.
Such notice shall be provided by mailing notice of such redemption to the
holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock to be called. Each holder of the
Cumulative Preferred Stock to be called shall surrender the certificates
representing such Cumulative Preferred Stock to the Company at the place
designated in such notice and shall be entitled to receive payment following
such surrender and following the date of such redemption. If such notice of
redemption shall have been duly given, and if on the redemption date funds
necessary for the redemption shall be set aside therefor, then, notwithstanding
that the certificates evidencing any shares of the Cumulative Preferred Stock so
called for redemption shall not have been surrendered, the dividends with
respect to the shares so called for redemption shall cease to accrue after the
redemption date therefor and all rights with respect to the shares so called for
redemption shall forthwith after such redemption date cease and terminate,
except for the right of the holders to receive the redemption price plus an
amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends to the redemption date therefor,
without interest, upon surrender of their certificates therefore. The Company's
Certificate does not restrict the Company's ability to redeem or repurchase
shares of the Cumulative Preferred Stock when dividends on the Cumulative
Preferred Stock are in arrears.

     LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, after
payment or provision for payment of debts and other liabilities of the Company
and before any distribution to the holders of shares of Common Stock or any
stock junior to the Cumulative Preferred Stock as to the distribution of assets
upon liquidation, the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock will receive
$150 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends to the date
of payment. The rights of the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock to
participate in the assets of the Company upon its liquidation will be subject to
the prior claims of the creditors of the Company and its subsidiaries.

     VOTING RIGHTS. Holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock have only those
voting rights described below and those rights applicable to all series of
Preferred Stock as described in "Description of Preferred Stock - Voting
Rights." The Certificate provides that if an amount equal to at least four
quarterly dividend payments on the Cumulative Preferred Stock are accrued and
remain unpaid at the time of any meeting of the stockholders of the Company for
the election of directors, the Board of Directors shall increase the number of
directors of the Company by two directors and provide for the election of such
two directors and the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock, voting
separately as a single class with the holders of shares of any other series of
Preferred Stock so entitled, will be entitled to elect two additional directors
to fill such vacancies. The right of the holders of the Cumulative Preferred
Stock and any other series of Preferred Stock to elect such directors will
continue only until all arrearages in dividends on the outstanding shares of the
Cumulative Preferred Stock and such other series have been eliminated.

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
     MISCELLANEOUS. The Cumulative Preferred Stock does not have any conversion
or preemptive rights and are not subject to any sinking fund or other
obligations of the Company to repurchase or retire the Cumulative Preferred
Stock.


                          DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

     This summary of certain terms and provisions of the Common Stock does not
purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the terms and provisions of the Company's Certificate and Bylaws,
as amended, which are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus is a part.

     The Company is authorized to issue an aggregate of 150,000,000 shares of
Common Stock. As of March 31, 1997, there were 61,132,226 shares of Common Stock
outstanding held by approximately 1,304 shareholders of record. All outstanding
shares of Common Stock are fully paid and nonassessable. The Common Stock is
listed on the NYSE.

DIVIDENDS

     Subject to the preferences of holders of Preferred Stock, including the
Cumulative Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock are entitled to dividends
when, as, and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally
available therefor.

VOTING RIGHTS

     Except as otherwise provided by law or by the designation of the
preferences, limitations and relative rights of any series of Preferred Stock,
the voting power of the Company is held by the holders of Common Stock. Each
holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held. Holders of
Common Stock are not entitled to cumulative voting rights and, therefore,
holders of a plurality of shares voting in the election of directors may elect
the entire class of the Board of Directors standing for election at a
stockholders' meeting at which a quorum is present. In that event, holders of
the remaining shares of Common Stock would not be able to elect any director to
the Board of Directors. As a general rule, the vote required to take action at a
stockholders' meeting is a majority vote of the shares present and voting
assuming the presence of a quorum, which consists of a majority of the
outstanding shares present in person or by proxy at a meeting. Some matters
under Delaware law, such as an amendment of the certificate of incorporation or
approval of a merger, require the approval of a majority of the shares
outstanding, unless the certificate of incorporation provides for a different
vote. The Company's Certificate provides that mergers, certain sales of assets,
and amendments to the Certificate require the approval of two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock. For a description of certain voting rights
of Cumulative Preferred Stock, see "Description of Preferred Stock -- Cumulative
Preferred Stock - Voting Rights."

LIQUIDATION AND DISSOLUTION

     Except as otherwise provided by the designation of the preferences,
limitations and relative rights of any series of Preferred Stock, in the event
of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary
or involuntary, after payment has been made to the holders of each series of
Preferred Stock of the full amount to which they are entitled pursuant to the
Certificate of Designations of such series, the holders of shares of Common
Stock will be entitled to share, ratably according to the number of shares of
Common Stock held by them, in all remaining assets of available for distribution
to its stockholders. Shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock have a Stated
Liquidation Value of $150 per share.

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS

     Holders of Common Stock are not entitled to any preemptive or preferential
right to purchase or subscribe for shares of capital stock of any class.

REDEMPTION

     Common Stock is not subject to mandatory redemption.

TRANSFER AGENT

     The transfer agent and registrar for shares of the Common Stock is First
Chicago Trust Company of New York.

CERTAIN PROVISIONS THAT MAY BE DEEMED TO HAVE AN ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT

     The Company's Certificate contains several provisions that may be deemed
under some circumstances to have an "anti-takeover" effect in that they could
impede or prevent an acquisition of control of the Company unless the potential
acquiror has obtained the prior approval of the Company's Board of Directors or
a higher stockholder vote than is otherwise required by the DGCL. The provisions
of the Company's Certificate and relevant provisions of Delaware law described
below are collectively referred to herein as the "Protective Provisions." The
purpose of the Protective Provisions in general is, among other things, to
facilitate stability of leadership and enhance the Board of Directors' role in
connection with attempts to acquire control of the Company so that the Board can
further and protect the interests of the Company, its stockholders, and its
other constituencies as appropriate under the circumstances.

     AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK. The Company's Certificate authorizes the issuance
of up to 150,000,000 shares of Common Stock and up to 25,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock. Such shares may be issued by the Company's Board of Directors
without further action or authorization by the Company's stockholders, unless
such action is required in a particular case by applicable laws or regulations
or by any stock exchange upon which the Company's capital stock may be listed
and the directors may fix the voting rights, conversion rights, and other terms
thereof without stockholder approval. Preferred Stock will be issuable in one or
more classes or series, with each class or series having such rights and
preferences as the Company's Board of Directors may fix and determine by
resolution.  

     This authority of the Board of Directors to issue additional shares of
Common Stock and Preferred Stock will provide the Company with the flexibility
necessary to meet its future needs without the time delay resulting from seeking
stockholder approval unless otherwise required. The unissued shares of Common
Stock and Preferred Stock will be issuable from time to time for any corporate
purpose, including, without limitation, stock splits, stock dividends, employee
benefit and compensation plans, acquisitions, and public or private sales for
cash as a means of raising capital. Such shares could be used to dilute the
stock ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of the Company. In
addition, the sale of a substantial number of shares of Common Stock to persons
who have an understanding with the Company concerning the voting of such shares,
or the discriminatory distribution or dividend of shares of Common Stock (or the
right to receive Common Stock) to the stockholders of the Company, may have the
effect of discouraging or increasing the cost of unsolicited attempts to acquire
control of the Company. The issuance of Preferred Stock may also, under certain
circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect, particularly if such stock has
broad class voting rights or a substantial number of votes per share.

     The actual effect of any issuance of Preferred Stock upon the rights of
holders of Common Stock cannot be specified because the Company's Board of
Directors has not determined the issuance prices or terms or the rights of the
holders of any Preferred Stock, other than the Cumulative Preferred Stock. Such
effects might include:

                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
(i) restrictions on Common Stock dividends if Preferred Stock dividends have not
been paid; (ii) dilution of the voting power and equity interest of current
holders of Common Stock to the extent that any Preferred Stock has voting rights
or is convertible into Common Stock; and (iii) current holders of all the shares
of Common Stock not being entitled to share in the Company's assets upon
liquidation until satisfaction of any liquidation preferences granted to holders
of Preferred Stock.

     AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE. The DGCL generally provides that the approval of
a corporation's board of directors and the affirmative vote of both a majority
of the shares entitled to vote thereon and a majority of the shares of each
class of stock entitled to vote thereon as a class, is required to amend the
corporation's certificate of incorporation, unless the certificate specifies a
greater voting requirement. The Company's Certificate provides that the
provisions of the Company's Certificate may be amended, altered, changed,
repealed, or any inconsistent provision adopted, only by the affirmative vote of
the holders of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock.

     MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, SALES OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE ASSETS AND
DISSOLUTION. The DGCL generally provides that the approval of a corporation's
board of directors and the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled
to vote thereon is required to approve a merger or consolidation to which the
corporation is party, a sale of substantially all of the assets of the
corporation or a dissolution of the corporation.  The Company's Certificate
provides that a merger, consolidation, share exchange, sale of substantially all
of the assets, liquidation or dissolution of the Company requires the approval
of the holders of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the
outstanding Common Stock. The higher vote requirement does not apply to certain
mergers or consolidations which relate to internal reorganizations or to a
disposition of assets to a subsidiary or to facilitate a financing arrangement.

     In addition, the insurance laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in
which the Company's insurance subsidiaries do business may impede or delay a
business combination involving the Company.

     DIRECTOR EXCULPATION AND LIMITED LIABILITY. Article VI of the Company's
Certificate provides that a director of the Company, to the maximum extent now
or hereafter permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL or any successor
provision or provisions, will have no personal liability to the Company or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except for liability for (i) any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
Company or its stockholders, (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or that
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) the payment
of certain unlawful dividends and the making of certain unlawful stock purchases
or redemptions or (iv) any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit. This provision absolves directors of personal
liability for negligence in the performance of their duties, including gross
negligence.

     Although this provision does not affect the availability of injunctive or
other equitable relief as a remedy for a breach of duty by a director, it does
limit the remedies available to a stockholder who has a valid claim that a
director acted in violation of his duties, if the action is among those as to
which liability is limited. Because of this provision, stockholders will not
have a claim for monetary damages based on breach of the directors' duty, even
if the directors' conduct involved gross negligence (including a grossly
negligent business decision involving a takeover proposal for the Company),
unless the conduct is of a type for which the DGCL does not permit limitation of
liability. If the stockholders do not have a claim for monetary damages, their
only remedy may be a suit to enjoin completion of the Board's action or to
rescind completed action. The stockholders may not be aware of a proposed
transaction that might otherwise give rise to a claim until the transaction is
completed or until it is too late to prevent its completion by injunction. In
such a case, the Company and its stockholders may have no effective remedy for
an injury resulting from the Board's action. This provision may reduce the
likelihood of stockholder derivative litigation against directors and may
discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against
directors for breach of their duties, even though such action, if successful,
might have benefited the Company and its stockholders. Such a provision could
have an entrenchment effect by making it more difficult for a stockholder to
obtain personal damages against a director.

                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
     The Commission has taken the position that similar provisions added to
other corporations' certificates of incorporation would not protect those
corporations' directors from liability for violations of the federal securities
laws. The Company included this exculpation provision in its Certificate to
provide its directors with the maximum protection from personal liability made
available by the DGCL. It is believed that this provision will help the Company
to attract and retain as directors the persons most qualified for those
positions.

     FUTURE PLANS. The Board of Directors may consider and adopt, or propose to
the stockholders for adoption, certain additional Protective Provisions in the
future if the Board believes such provisions are in the best interest of
Company.


                            DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

GENERAL

     The Company may issue Warrants to purchase Senior Debt Securities,
Subordinated Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock or any combination
thereof (collectively, the "Underlying Warrant Securities"), and such Warrants
may be issued independently or together with any such Underlying Warranty
Securities and may be attached or separate from such Underlying Warrant
Securities.  Each series of Warrants will be issued under a separate warrant
agreement (each a "Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company
and a warrant agent ("Warrant Agent").  The Warrant Agent will act solely as an
agent of the Company in connection with the Warrants of such series and will not
assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or
beneficial owners of Warrants.  The following sets forth certain general terms
and provisions of the Warrants offered hereby.  Further terms of the Warrants
and the applicable Warrant Agreement are set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.

     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of any
Warrants in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, including the
following: (i) the title of such Warrants; (ii) the aggregate number of such
Warrants; (iii) the price or prices at which such Warrants will be issued; (iv)
the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price
of such Warrants may be payable; (v) the designation and terms of the Underlying
Warrant Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Warrants; (vi) the price at
which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which
the Underlying Warrant Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Warrants may
be purchased; (vii) the date on which the right to exercise such Warrants shall
commence and the date on which such right shall expire; (viii) whether such
Warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form; (ix) if applicable,
the minimum or maximum amount of such Warrants which may be exercised at any one
time; (x) if applicable, the designation and terms of the Underlying Warrant
Securities with which such Warrants are issued and the number of such Warrants
issued with each such Underlying Warrant Security; (xi) if applicable, the date
on and after which such Warrants and the related Underlying Warrant Securities
will be separately transferable; (xii) information with respect to book-entry
procedures, if any; (xiii) if applicable, a discussion of certain United States
federal income tax considerations; (xiv) the procedures and conditions relating
to the exercise of such Warrants; and (xv) any other terms of such Warrants,
including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and
exercise of such Warrants.

     Warrant certificates may be exchanged 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
exercisable for Debt Securities 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 (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Debt
Securities purchasable upon such exercise.  Prior to the exercise of their
Warrants for shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, holders of such Warrants
will not have any rights of holders of the Preferred Stock or Common Stock
purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if
any, or voting rights of the Preferred Stock or Common Stock purchasable upon
such exercise.

                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
                    DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS
                           AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

     The Company may issue Stock Purchase Contracts, representing contracts
obligating holders to purchase from the Company, and the Company to sell to the
holders, a specified number of shares of Common Stock at a future date or dates.
The price per share of Common Stock may be fixed at the time the Stock Purchase
Contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set
forth in the Stock Purchase Contracts.  The Stock Purchase Contracts may be
issued separately or as a part of units ("Stock Purchase Units") consisting of a
Stock Purchase Contract and (x) Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt
Securities (y) Preferred Securities, or (z) debt obligations of third parties,
including U.S. Treasury securities, securing the holders obligations to purchase
the Common Stock under the Stock Purchase Contracts. The Stock Purchase
Contracts may require the Company to make periodic payments to the holders of
the Stock Purchase Units or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or
prefunded on some basis. The Stock Purchase Contracts may require holders to
secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner.

     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of any Stock
Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units.  The description in the Prospectus
Supplement will not purport to be complete and will be qualified in its entirety
by reference to the Stock Purchase Contracts, and, if applicable, collateral
arrangements and depositary arrangements, relating to such Stock Purchase
Contracts or Stock Purchase Units.

                      DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SECURITIES

     The Provident Trust may issue, from time to time, only one series of
Preferred Securities having terms described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto.  The Declaration authorizes the Regular Trustees of the
Provident Trust to issue on behalf of the Provident Trust one series of
Preferred Securities.  The Declaration will be qualified as an indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act.  The Property Trustee, The Chase Manhatten Bank, an
independent trustee, will act as indenture trustee for the Preferred Securities,
to be issued by the Provident Trust, for the purposes of compliance with the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act.  The Preferred Securities will have such
terms, including distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation rights and such
other preferred, deferred or other special rights or such restrictions as shall
be set forth in the Declaration or made part of the Declaration by the Trust
Indenture Act, and which will mirror the terms of the Subordinated Debt
Securities held by the Provident Trust and as described in the Prospectus
Supplement related thereto.  Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement
relating to the Preferred Securities of the Provident Trust for specific terms,
including (i) the distinctive designation of such Preferred Securities; (ii) the
number of Preferred Securities issued; (iii) the annual distribution rate (or
method of determining such rate) for Preferred Securities issued by the
Provident Trust and the date or dates upon which such distributions shall be
payable; provided, however, that distributions on such Preferred Securities
shall be payable on a periodic basis to holders of such Preferred Securities as
of a record date in each period during which such Preferred Securities are
outstanding; (iv) whether distributions on Preferred Securities shall be
cumulative, and, in the case of Preferred Securities having such cumulative
distribution rights, the date or dates or method of determining the date or
dates from which distributions on Preferred Securities shall be cumulative; (v)
the amount or amounts which shall be paid out of the assets to the holders of
Preferred Securities upon voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or
termination of the Provident Trust; (vi) the obligation, if any, of the
Provident Trust to purchase or redeem Preferred Securities and the price or
prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and
conditions upon which, Preferred Securities shall be purchased or redeemed, in
whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation (with such redemption price to be
determined through negotiations among the Company and the Underwriters based on,
among other factors, redemption prices of securities similar to the Preferred
Securities and market conditions generally); (vii) the voting rights, if any, of
Preferred Securities in addition to those required by law, including the number
of votes per Preferred Security and any requirement for the approval by the
holders of Preferred Securities as a condition to specified action or amendments
to the Declaration of the Provident Trust; (viii) the terms and conditions, if
any, upon which the Subordinated Debt Securities may be distributed to holders
of Preferred Securities; (ix) if applicable, any securities exchange upon which
the Preferred Securities shall be listed; and

                                     -30-
<PAGE>
 
(x) any other relevant rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or 
restrictions of Preferred Securities not inconsistent with the Declaration of 
the Provident Trust or with applicable law.  All Preferred Securities offered 
hereby will be guaranteed by the Company to the extent set forth below under 
"Description of Trust Guarantee."  The Trust Guarantee of Provident, when taken 
together with Provident's obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities and
the relevant Supplemental Indenture, and its obligations under each Declaration,
including obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of the 
Provident Trust (other than with respect to the Trust Securities), would provide
a full and unconditional guarantee of amounts due on Preferred Securities issued
by the Provident Trust.  Certain United States federal income tax considerations
applicable to any offering of Preferred Securities will be described in the 
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.

     In connection with the issuance of Preferred Securities, the Provident
Trust will issue one series of Common Securities. The Declaration authorizes the
Regular Trustees to issue on behalf of the Provident Trust one series of Common
Securities having such terms including distributions, redemption, voting,
liquidation rights or such restrictions as shall be set forth therein. The terms
of the Common Securities issued by the Provident Trust will be substantially 
identical to the terms of the Preferred Securities issued by the Provident Trust
and the Common Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be made 
thereon pro rata, with the Preferred Securities except that, upon an event of 
default under the Declaration, the rights of the holders of the Common 
Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of 
the Preferred Securities.  Except in certain limited circumstances, the Common 
Securities will also carry the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace any 
of the Provident Trustees.  All of the Common Securities of the Provident Trust 
will be directly or indirectly owned by the Company.

ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

     If an Event of Default under the Declaration occurs and is continuing, then
the holders of Preferred Securities would rely on the enforcement by the 
Property Trustee of its rights as a holder of the applicable series of 
Subordinated Debt Securities against the Company.  In addition, the holders of a
majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities will have the right 
to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Property Trustee or to direct the exercise of any trust or 
power conferred upon the Property Trustee under the Declaration, including the 
right to direct the Property Trustee to exercise the remedies available to it as
a holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities.   If the Property Trustee fails to
enforce its rights under the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities, 
a holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly 
against the Company to enforce the Property Trustee's rights under the 
applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities without first instituting any
legal proceeding against the Property Trustee or any other person or entity.  
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default under the applicable 
Declaration has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the
failure of the Company to pay interest or principal on the applicable series of 
Subordinated Debt Securities on the date such interest or principal is otherwise
payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a holder of
Preferred Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of 
payment to such holder of the principal of or interest on the applicable series 
of Subordinated Debt Securities having a principal amount equal to the aggregate
liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of such holder (a "Direct
Action") on or after the respective due date specified in the applicable
series of Subordinated Debt Securities. In connection with such Direct Action,
the Company will be subrogated to the right of such holder of Preferred
Securities under the Declaration to the extent of any payment made by the
Company to such holder of Preferred Securities in such Direct Action.

PROPOSED TAX LEGISLATION

     On February 6, 1997, the revenue portion of President Clinton's Budget 
proposal (the "Proposal") was released.  The Proposal would, among other things,
deny deductions for interest on a debt instrument issued by a corporation with a
maximum weighted average maturity of more than 40 years or which has a maximum
term of more than 15 years and is not shown as indebtedness on the separate
balance sheet of the issuer. An instrument would not be shown as indebtedness on
a balance sheet merely because it was described as indebtedness in footnotes or 
other narrative disclosures. The Proposal would apply only to corporations which
file annual financial statements with the Commission, and the relevant balance 
sheet would be the balance sheet filed with the Commission. The Proposal would 
be effective generally for instruments issued on or after the date of first 
committee action. As currently drafted, the Proposal would affect the 
Subordinated Debt Securities unless the Subordinated Debt Securities were issued
prior to the first date of any committee action. In addition, the Proposal could
be enacted with retroactive effect. If the Proposal is enacted so as to apply to
the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Company would not be entitled to an 
interest deduction with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities. There can 
be no assurance that current or future legislative proposals or final 
legislation will not give rise to a Tax Event (as defined in the Declaration),
which would permit the Company to cause a redemption of the Subordinated Debt
Securities or a distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities in a
liquidation.

                                      -31-

<PAGE>
 
See "Description of the Preferred Securities -- Special Event Redemption or
Distribution" in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.


                        DESCRIPTION OF TRUST GUARANTEE

     Set forth below is a summary of information concerning the Trust Guarantee
which will be executed and delivered by the Company for the benefit of the
holders from time to time of Preferred Securities. The Trust Guarantee will be
qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The Chase Manhattan
Bank, an independent trustee, will act as indenture trustee under the Trust
Guarantee (the "Preferred Guarantee Trustee") for the purposes of compliance
with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. The terms of the Trust Guarantee
will be those set forth in the Trust Guarantee and those made part of the Trust
Guarantee by the Trust Indenture Act. The following summary does not purport to
be complete and is subject in all respects to the provisions of, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to, the form of Trust Guarantee, which is
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms
a part, and the Trust Indenture Act. The Trust Guarantee will be held by the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Preferred
Securities of the Provident Trust.

GENERAL

     Pursuant to the Trust Guarantee, the Company will irrevocably and
unconditionally agree, to the extent set forth therein, to pay in full, to the
holders of the Preferred Securities, the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein)
(except to the extent paid by the Provident Trust), as and when due, regardless
of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which the Provident Trust may
have or assert. The following payments or distributions with respect to
Preferred Securities issued by the Provident Trust to the extent not paid by the
Provident Trust (the "Guarantee Payments"), will be subject to the Trust
Guarantee (without duplication): (i) any accrued and unpaid distributions which
are required to be paid on such Preferred Securities, to the extent the
Provident Trust shall have funds available therefore; (ii) the redemption price
(the "Redemption Price") and all accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of
redemption to the extent the Provident Trust has funds available therefore with
respect to any Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Provident
Trust; and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or
termination of the Provident Trust (other than in connection with the
distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of Preferred
Securities or the redemption of all of the Preferred Securities), the lesser of
(a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid
distributions on such Preferred Securities to the date of payment, to the extent
the Provident Trust has funds available therefore and (b) the amount of assets
of the Provident Trust remaining available for distribution to holders of such
Preferred Securities in liquidation of the Provident Trust. The Company's
obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the
required amounts by the Company to the holders of Preferred Securities or by
causing the Provident Trust to pay such amounts to such holders.

     The Trust Guarantee will be a guarantee with respect to the Preferred
Securities issued by the Provident Trust, but will not apply to any payment of
distributions except to the extent the Provident Trust shall have funds
available therefor.  If the Company does not make interest payments on the
Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by the Provident Trust, the Provident
Trust will not pay distributions on the Preferred Securities issued by the
Provident Trust and will not have funds available therefor.  See "Description
of the Provident Debt Securities -- Particular Terms of the Subordinated Debt
Securities."  The Trust Guarantee, when taken together with the Company's
obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Subordinated 
Indenture, and the Declaration will provide a full and unconditional
guarantee on a subordinated basis by the Company of payments due on the
Preferred Securities.

     The Company has also agreed separately to irrevocably and unconditionally
guarantee the obligations of the Provident Trust with respect to the Common
Securities (the "Common Securities Guarantee") to the same extent as the Trust
Guarantee, except that upon an event of default under the Subordinated 
Indenture, 

                                      -32-
<PAGE>
 
holders of Preferred Securities shall have priority over holders of Common
Securities with respect to distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption
or otherwise.

CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

     In the Trust Guarantee, the Company will covenant that, so long as any
Preferred Securities remain outstanding, if there shall have occurred any event
that would constitute an event of default under the Trust Guarantee or the
Declaration, then (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make
any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (i)
purchases or acquisitions of shares of Common Stock in connection with the
satisfaction by the Company of its obligations under any employee benefit plans
or the satisfaction by the Company of its obligations pursuant to any contract
or security outstanding on the date of such event requiring the Company to
purchase shares of the Company Common Stock, (ii) as a result of a
reclassification of Provident's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of
one class or series of Provident's capital stock for another class or series of
Provident's capital stock or, (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in
shares of Provident's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange
provisions of such Provident capital stock or the security being converted or
exchanged), (b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or
premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities
(including guarantees) issued by the Company which rank pari passu with or
junior to such Subordinated Debt Securities and (c) the Company shall not make
any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing (other than pursuant to the
Trust Guarantee).

MODIFICATION OF THE TRUST GUARANTEE; ASSIGNMENT

     Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the rights
of holders of Preferred Securities (in which case no vote will be required), the
Trust Guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the holders of
not less than a majority in liquidation amount of the outstanding Preferred
Securities. The manner of obtaining any such approval of holders of such
Preferred Securities will be as set forth in an accompanying Prospectus
Supplement. All guarantees and agreements contained in the Trust Guarantee shall
bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the
Company and shall inure to the benefit of the holders of the Preferred
Securities then outstanding.

TERMINATION

     The Trust Guarantee will terminate as to the Preferred Securities issued by
the Provident Trust (a) upon full payment of the Redemption Price of all
Preferred Securities of the Provident Trust, (b) upon distribution of the
Subordinated Debt Securities held by the Provident Trust to the holders of the
Preferred Securities or (c) upon full payment of the amounts payable in
accordance with the Declaration upon liquidation of the Provident Trust. The
Trust Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case
may be, if at any time any holder of Preferred Securities must restore payment
of any sums paid under such Preferred Securities or the Trust Guarantee.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     An event of default under the Trust Guarantee will occur upon the failure
of the Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations thereunder.

     The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities
to which the Trust Guarantee relates have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee in respect of the Trust Guarantee or to direct the exercise of
any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under the
Trust Guarantee.  If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce the Trust
Guarantee, any holder of Preferred Securities to which the Trust Guarantee
relates may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce
such holder's rights under the Trust Guarantee, without first instituting a
legal proceeding against the Provident Trust, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or
any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company has
failed to make a Guarantee

                                      -33-
<PAGE>
 
Payment, a holder of Preferred Securities may directly institute a proceeding
against the Company for enforcement of the Trust Guarantee for such payment. The
Company waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought first
against the Provident Trust or an other person or entity before proceeding
directly against the Company.

STATUS OF THE TRUST GUARANTEE

     The Trust Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Company
and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other
liabilities of the Company, except those made subordinate or pari passu by their
terms; (ii) pari passu with the most senior preferred or preference stock now or
hereafter issued by the Company and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered
into by the Company in respect of any preferred or preference stock of any
affiliate of the Company; and (iii) senior to the Company's common stock. The
terms of the Preferred Securities provide that each holder of Preferred
Securities by acceptance thereof agrees to the subordination provisions and
other terms of the Trust Guarantee relating thereto.

     The Trust Guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of
collection (that is, the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the guarantor to enforce its rights under the guarantee without
instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity).

INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

     The Preferred Guarantee Trustee, prior to the occurrence of a default with
respect to the Trust Guarantee, undertakes to perform only such duties as are
specifically set forth in the Trust Guarantee and, after default, shall exercise
the same degree of care as a prudent individual would exercise in the conduct of
his or her own affairs.  Subject to such provisions, the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the
Trust Guarantee at the request of any holder of Preferred Securities, unless
offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which
might be incurred thereby; but the foregoing shall not relieve the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Trust
Guarantee, from exercising the rights and powers vested in it by the Trust
Guarantee.

GOVERNING LAW

     The Trust Guarantee will be governed by and construed in accordance with
the internal laws of the State of New York.


         EFFECT OF OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
                            AND THE TRUST GUARANTEE

     As set forth in the Declaration, the sole purpose of the Provident Trust is
to issue the Trust Securities evidencing undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Provident Trust, and to invest the proceeds from such issuance and
sale in the Subordinated Debt Securities.

     As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on the
Subordinated Debt Securities, such payments will be sufficient to cover
distributions and payments due on the Trust Securities because of the following
factors: (i) the aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Debt Securities will
be equal to the sum of the aggregate stated liquidation amount of the Trust
Securities; (ii) the interest rate and the interest and other payment dates on
the Subordinated Debt Securities will match the distribution rate and
the Company and other payment dates for the Preferred Securities; (iii) the
Company shall pay all, and the Provident Trust shall not be obligated to pay,
directly or indirectly, all costs, expenses, debt, and obligations of the
Provident Trust (other than with respect to the Trust Securities); and (iv) the
Declaration further provides that the Provident Trustees shall not take or cause
or permit the Provident Trust to, among other things, engage in any activity
that is not consistent with the purposes of the Provident Trust.

                                      -34-
<PAGE>
 
     Payments of distributions (to the extent funds therefore are available) and
other payments due on the Preferred Securities (to the extent funds therefore
are available) are guaranteed by the Company as and to the extent set forth
under "Description of the Trust Guarantee." If the Company does not make
interest payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by the Provident
Trust, it is expected that the Provident Trust will not have sufficient funds to
pay distributions on the Preferred Securities. The Trust Guarantee does not
apply to any payment of distributions unless and until the Provident Trust has
sufficient funds for the payment of such distributions. The Trust Guarantee
covers the payment of distributions and other payments on the Preferred
Securities only if and to the extent that the Company has made a payment of
interest or principal on the Subordinated Debt Securities held by the Provident
Trust as its sole asset. The Trust Guarantee, when taken together with the
Company's obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities and the
Subordinated Indenture and its obligations under the Declaration, including its
obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of the Provident Trust
(other than with respect to the Trust Securities), provide a full and
unconditional guarantee of amounts on the Preferred Securities.

     If the Company fails to make interest or other payments on the Subordinated
Debt Securities when due (taking account of any Extension Period as defined in 
the Declaration), the Declaration provides a mechanism whereby the holders of
the Preferred Securities, using the procedures described in "Description of
Preferred Securities -- Book-Entry Only Issuance - The Depository Trust Company"
and "-Voting Rights" in any accompanying Prospectus Supplement, may direct the
Property Trustee to enforce its rights under the Subordinated Debt Securities.
If the Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Subordinated Debt
Securities, a holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding
against the Company to enforce the Property Trustee's rights under the
Subordinated Debt Securities without first instituting any legal proceeding
against the Property Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if a Declaration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and
such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest or
principal on the Subordinated Debt Securities on the date such interest or
principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption on the redemption
date), then a holder of Preferred Securities may institute a Direct Action for
payment on or after the respective due date specified in the Subordinated Debt
Securities. In connection with such Direct Action, the Company will be
subrogated to the rights of such holder of Preferred Securities under the
Declaration to the extent of any payment made by the Company to such holder of
Preferred Securities in such Direct Action. The Company, under the Trust
Guarantee, acknowledges that the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall enforce the
Trust Guarantee on behalf of the holders of the Preferred Securities. If the
Company fails to make payments under the Trust Guarantee, the Trust Guarantee
provides a mechanism whereby the holders of the Preferred Securities may direct
the Preferred Guarantee Trustee to enforce its rights thereunder. Any holder of
Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the
Company to enforce the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's rights under the Trust
Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Provident
Trust, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or any other person or entity.

     The Company and the Provident Trust believe that the above mechanisms and
obligations, taken together, provide a full and unconditional guarantee by
the Company of payments due on the Preferred Securities.  See "Description of
Trust Guarantee -- General."

                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     The Company and/or the Provident Trust may offer and sell the Offered
Securities to or through underwriters or dealers, and also may offer and sell
the Offered Securities directly to other purchasers or through designated
agents. Any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the
Offered Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

     The distribution of the Offered Securities may be effected from time to
time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be
changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related
to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The Company and/or the
Provident Trust also may, from time to time, authorize underwriters acting as
the Company's agents to offer and sell the Offered Securities upon the terms and
conditions set forth in any Prospectus Supplement.

                                      -35-
<PAGE>
 
     In connection with the sale of Offered Securities, underwriters may receive
compensation from the Company and/or the Provident Trust or from purchasers of
the Offered Securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the Offered
Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in
the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or
commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters,
dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the Offered
Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions
they receive from the Company and/or the Provident Trust, and any profit on the
resale of the Offered Securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or
agent will be identified, and any such compensation received from the Company
and/or the Provident Trust will be described, in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.

     Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, each
series of the Offered Securities will be a new issue with no established trading
market, other than the Common Stock and any series of Preferred Stock which are
listed on the NYSE. Any Common Stock sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement
will be listed on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance. The Company
may elect to list any of the other Offered Securities on an exchange, but is not
obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a
market in a series of the Offered Securities, but will not be obligated to do so
and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Therefore, no
assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the Offered
Securities.

     If dealers are utilized in the sale of the Offered Securities, the Company 
and/or the Provident Trust will sell such Offered Securities to the dealers as 
principals. The dealers may then resell such Offered Securities to the public at
varying prices to be determined by such dealers at the time of resale. The names
of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the 
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.

     Under agreements the Company may enter into, underwriters, dealers and
agents who participate in the distribution of the Offered Securities may be
entitled to indemnification by the Company and/or the Provident Trust against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to
contribution with respect to payments which such agents, dealers or underwriters
may be required to make in respect thereof.

     Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or
perform services for, or be customers of, the Company and/or the Provident 
Trust in the ordinary course of business.

     If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company and/or
the Provident Trust will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as the
Company's or the Provident Trust agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers
to purchase the Offered Securities from the Company and/or the Provident Trust
at the public offering price set forth in the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to
delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date.
Such contracts will be subject to only those conditions set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement, and the Prospectus Supplement will set forth the
commission payable to the solicitor of such offers.

                                LEGAL OPINIONS

     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
legality and validity of the Offered Securities will be passed upon for the
Company by Alston & Bird LLP, Atlanta, Georgia and for the underwriters by
Le Boent, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P., New York, New York.  Certain United
States federal income taxation matters will be passed upon for the Company and
the Provident Trust by Alston & Bird LLP, Atlanta, Georgia. Certain matters of
Delaware law relating to the validity of the Preferred Securities will be passed
upon for the Provident Trust by Richards, Layton & Finger, Wilmington,
Delaware.

                                    EXPERTS

     The consolidated financial statements of Provident Companies, Inc. 
incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1996 and the consolidated financial statements of The
Paul Revere Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1996 incorporated by
reference in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 27, 1997,
have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in
their reports thereon incorporated by reference therein and incorporated herein
by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by
reference in reliance upon such reports given upon the authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.

                                      -36-

<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II

                  INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

   The expenses in connection with the distribution of the Offered Securities
are set forth in the following table.  All amounts except the Securities and
Exchange Commission registration fee are estimated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  
          <S>                             <C>
          SEC Registration Fee            $272,728
          NYSE Listing Fee                    *   
          Blue Sky Fees and Expenses          *
          Printing and Engraving Costs        *   
          Rating Agencies' Fees               *   
          Accounting Fees and Expenses        *
          Legal Fees and Expenses             *   
          Trustee and Registrar Fees          *
          Miscellaneous                   --------
                                          --------
               Total                      $   *
                                          ========

* To be filed by amendment.
</TABLE>

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide for
indemnification of directors and officers of the Registrant to the full extent
permitted by Delaware law.

     Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
provides generally that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a
part or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at its
request in such capacity in another corporation or business association, against
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he
or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

     In addition, pursuant to the authority of Delaware law, the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Registrant also eliminates the monetary liability of
directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.

     The Declaration of the Provident Trust provides that no Property Trustee or
any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, shareholder, member, partner, 
employee, representative or agent of the Property Trustee or the Delaware 
Trustee (each a "Fiduciary Indemnified Person"), and no Regular Trustee, 
Affiliate of any Regular Trustee, or any officer, director, shareholder, member,
partner, employee, representative or agent of the Provident Trust or any of its 
Affiliates (each a "Company Indemnified Person") shall be liable, responsible or
accountable in damages or otherwise to the Provident Trust or any officer, 
director, shareholder, member, partner, employee, representative or agent of the
Provident Trust or its Affiliates or to any holder of Preferred Securities for 
any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or
omitted by such Fiduciary Indemnified Person or Company Indemnified Person in 
good faith on behalf of the Provident Trust and in a manner such Fiduciary 
Indemnified Person or Company Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be 
within the scope of the authority conferred on such Fiduciary Indemnified Person
or Company Indemnified Person by such Declaration or by law, except that a 
Fiduciary Indemnified Person or Company Indemnified Person shall be liable for 
any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Fiduciary Indemnified 
Person's or Company Indemnified Person's gross negligence or willful misconduct 
with respect to such acts or omissions.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Act") may be permitted to directors, officers or
persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the
Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.

ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS

1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement for Senior Debt Securities (to be filed under
subsequent Form 8-K).

1.2  Form of Underwriting Agreement for Subordinated Debt Securities (to be 
filed under subsequent Form 8-K).

1.3  Form of Underwriting Agreement for Preferred Stock (to be filed under 
subsequent Form 8-K).

1.4  Form of Underwriting Agreement for Common Stock (to be filed under 
subsequent Form 8-K).

1.5  Form of Underwriting Agreement for Stock Purchase Contracts (to be filed
under subsequent Form 8-K).

                                     II-1

<PAGE>
 
1.6  Form of Underwriting Agreement for Stock Purchase Units (to be filed under 
     subsequent Form 8-K).

1.7  Form of Underwriting Agreement for Preferred Securities (to be filed under 
     subsequent Form 8-K).

3.1  Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by
     reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File
     No. 1-11834) for the year ended December 31, 1995), as amended by
     Certificate of Amendment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
     Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-11834) for the year ended
     December 31, 1996).

3.2  By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Annual
     Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-11834) for the year ended December 31,
     1995).

4.1  Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities (Form of Senior Debt Security
     included therein).

4.2  Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities (Form of Subordinated
     Debt Security included therein).

4.3  Form of Preferred Stock.*

4.4  Form of Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.11).

4.5  Form of Subordinated Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.12).

4.6  Form of Warrant Agreement.*

4.7  Form of Purchase Contract Agreement (including as Exhibit A the form of the
     Security Certificate).*

4.8  Form of Pledge Agreement.*

4.9  Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement.*

4.10 Certificate of Trust of Provident Financing Trust I.

4.11 Declaration of Trust of Provident Financing Trust I.

4.12 Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Provident Financing 
     Trust I.*

4.13 Form of Supplemental Indenture to Indenture for Subordinated Debt 
     Securities to be used in connection with the issuance of Subordinated Debt 
     Securities related to Preferred Securities.*

5.1  Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding legality of the Offered Securities.*

5.2  Opinion of special Delaware counsel regarding legality of the Preferred 
     Securities.*

8.1  Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP as to certain federal income taxation
     matters.*

12.1 Statement regarding computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.*

12.2 Statement regarding computation of ratio of earnings to combined fixed
     charges and preferred stock dividends. *

23.1 Consents of Ernst & Young, LLP.

23.2 Consent of Alston & Bird LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).*

23.3 Consent of Alston & Bird LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1).*

23.4 Consent of special Delaware counsel (included in Exhibit 5.2).*

24.1 Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this Registration 
     Statement).

25.1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee on Form T-1 under 
     Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of The Chase Manhattan Bank under
     the Senior Debt Securities.

25.2 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee on Form T-1 under
     Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of The Chase Manhattan Bank under
     the Subordinated Debt Securities.

25.3 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee on Form T-1 under
     Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee under the Amended
     and Restated Declaration of Trust of Provident Financing Trust I.*

25.4 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee on Form T-1 under
     Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee of the Preferred
     Securities Guarantee of Provident Companies, Inc. for the benefit of the
     holders of the Preferred Securities of Provident Financing Trust I.*


*    To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated
     by reference herein in connection with an offering of the offered
     securities.

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS

     A.   RULE 415 OFFERING.

     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

          (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
                  (i)    to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3)
          of the Securities Act of 1933;

                 (ii)    to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
          arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the
          most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
          in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information
          set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the
          foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities
          offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not
          exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or
          high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in
          the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
          424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent
          no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering
          price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the
          effective Registration Statement;

                (iii)    to include any material information with respect to the
          plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration
          Statement or any material change to such information in the
          Registration Statement;

Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

     (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

  B. SUBSEQUENT DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the
securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

  C. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND CONTROLLING PERSONS.

  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.

  D. RULE 430A.

  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
     (1)  For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form
of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4), or
497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration
Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

     (2)  For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.

  E.  QUALIFICATION OF TRUST INDENTURES

  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the 
purpose of determining the eligibility of the Trustee to act under subsection 
(a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and 
regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Chattanooga, State of Tennessee, as of
April 11, 1997.

                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.

                                /s/ J. Harold Chandler
                           By:_______________________________________
                                J. Harold Chandler
                                Chairman of the Board, President and
                                   Chief Executive Officer

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Thomas R. Watjen and Susan N. Roth, and each of
them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, including any
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done
in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents or any of the, or their or his substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated as of April 11, 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Signatures                   Title
- ----------                   -----  
<S>                          <C>
/s/ J. Harold Chandler       Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
- --------------------------- 
    J. Harold Chandler        Executive Officer (principal executive officer)

/s/ Thomas R. Watjen         Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer and Director
- ---------------------------  
    Thomas R. Watjen         (principal financial officer)

/s/ Ralph A. Rogers, Jr.      Vice President and Controller
- ---------------------------  (principal accounting officer) 
    Ralph A. Rogers, Jr.                                     

/s/ William L. Armstrong      Director
- ---------------------------
    William L. Armstrong

___________________________
William H. Bolinder           Director  

___________________________
Steven M. Gluckstern          Director

/s/ Charlotte M. Heffner      Director
- ---------------------------
    Charlotte M. Heffner
 
/s/ Hugh B. Jacks             Director
- ---------------------------
    Hugh B. Jacks
 
/s/ William B. Johnson        Director
- ---------------------------
    William B. Johnson
</TABLE> 

                                     II-5
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                          <C> 
/s/ Hugh O. Maclellan, Jr.    Director
- ---------------------------
    Hugh O. Maclellan, Jr.
 
/s/ A. S. MacMillan           Director
- ---------------------------
    A. S. MacMillan
 
/s/ C. William Pollard        Director
- ---------------------------
    C. William Pollard
 
/s/ Scott L. Probasco, Jr.    Director
- ---------------------------
    Scott L. Probasco, Jr.
 
/s/ Steven S Reinemund        Director
- ---------------------------
    Steven S Reinemund
 
/s/ Burton E. Sorensen        Director
- ---------------------------
    Burton E. Sorensen

</TABLE>

                                     II-6
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Provident 
Financing Trust I certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Chattanooga, State of Tennessee, as of
April 11, 1997.

                                   PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.
                                   as Depositor

                                   By: /s/ Susan N. Roth
                                      -------------------------------
                                       Susan N. Roth, Secretary
 
 
 


<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1
 
================================================================================


                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.

                                      TO

                           THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                        as Trustee



                             _____________________

                                   INDENTURE

                        Dated as of _____________, 1997

                            SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       PAGE 
                                                                                       ----
<S>                                                                                    <C>
ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION                      1

     SECTION 101.  Definitions.........................................................  1
     SECTION 102.  Compliance Certificates and Opinions................................  8
     SECTION 103.  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee..............................  8
     SECTION 104.  Acts of Holders.....................................................  9
     SECTION 105.  Notices, etc........................................................ 10
     SECTION 106.  Notice to Holders; Waiver........................................... 10
     SECTION 107.  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents............................ 11
     SECTION 108.  Successors and Assigns.............................................. 11
     SECTION 109.  Separability Clause................................................. 11
     SECTION 110.  Benefits of Indenture............................................... 11
     SECTION 111.  No Personal Liability............................................... 11
     SECTION 112.  Governing Law....................................................... 12
     SECTION 113.  Legal Holidays...................................................... 12
                                                                                        
ARTICLE TWO SECURITIES FORMS .......................................................... 12

     SECTION 201.  Forms of Securities................................................. 12
     SECTION 202.  Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication..................... 12
     SECTION 203.  Securities Issuable in Global Form.................................. 13
                                                                                        
ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES........................................................... 13

     SECTION 301.  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series................................ 13
     SECTION 302.  Denominations....................................................... 16
     SECTION 303.  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating...................... 16
     SECTION 304.  Temporary Securities................................................ 18
     SECTION 305.  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange................. 20
     SECTION 306.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.................... 22
     SECTION 307.  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved...................... 23
     SECTION 308.  Persons Deemed Owners............................................... 25
     SECTION 309.  Cancellation........................................................ 25
     SECTION 310.  Computation of Interest............................................. 25
                                                                                        
ARTICLE FOUR  SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE............................................... 26
                                                                                        
     SECTION 401.  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture............................. 26
     SECTION 402.  Application of Trust Funds.......................................... 27
                                                                                        
ARTICLE FIVE  REMEDIES................................................................. 27
                                                                                        
     SECTION 501.  Events of Default................................................... 27
     SECTION 502.  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.................. 28
     SECTION 503.  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee..... 29
     SECTION 504.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.................................... 30
     SECTION 505.  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or 
                   Coupons............................................................. 30
     SECTION 506.  Application of Money Collected...................................... 30
     SECTION 507.  Limitation on Suits................................................. 31
</TABLE> 

                                      -i-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>                                       
<S>                                                                                     <C>
     SECTION 508.  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium or   
                   Make-Whole Amount, if any, Interest and Additional Amounts.......... 31
     SECTION 509.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.................................. 31
     SECTION 510.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative...................................... 32
     SECTION 511.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver........................................ 32
     SECTION 512.  Control by Holders of Securities.................................... 32
     SECTION 513.  Waiver of Past Defaults............................................. 32
     SECTION 514.  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.................................... 32
     SECTION 515.  Undertaking for Costs............................................... 33
                                                                                        
ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE................................................................ 33

     SECTION 601.  Notice of Defaults.................................................. 33
     SECTION 602.  Certain Rights of Trustee........................................... 33
     SECTION 603.  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.............. 34
     SECTION 604.  May Hold Securities................................................. 34
     SECTION 605.  Money Held in Trust................................................. 35
     SECTION 606.  Compensation and Reimbursement...................................... 35
     SECTION 607.  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility............................. 35
     SECTION 608.  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor................... 36
     SECTION 609.  Acceptance of Appointment By Successor.............................. 37
     SECTION 610.  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business......... 37
     SECTION 611.  Appointment of Authenticating Agent................................. 38
     SECTION 612.  Certain Duties and Responsibilities................................. 39
     SECTION 613.  Conflicting Interests............................................... 39

ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY........................ 39

     SECTION 701.  Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders........................ 39
     SECTION 702.  Reports by Trustee.................................................. 39
     SECTION 703.  Reports by Company.................................................. 40
     SECTION 704.  Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders........... 40

ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE......................... 40

     SECTION 801.  Consolidations and Mergers of Company and Sales, Leases and  
                   Conveyances Permitted Subject to Certain Conditions................. 40      
     SECTION 802.  Rights and Duties of Successor Corporation.......................... 41
     SECTION 803.  Officers' Certificate and Opinion of Counsel........................ 41

ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES................................................... 41
                                                                                        
     SECTION 901.  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.................. 41
     SECTION 902.  Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders..................... 43
     SECTION 903.  Execution of Supplemental Indentures................................ 43
     SECTION 904.  Effect of Supplemental Indentures................................... 44
     SECTION 905.  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act................................. 44
     SECTION 906.  Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.................. 44
     SECTION 907.  Notice of Supplemental Indentures................................... 44

ARTICLE TEN  COVENANTS................................................................. 44

     SECTION 1001.  Payment of Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, 
                    Interest and Additional Amounts.................................... 44
</TABLE> 

                                     -ii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>         
<S>                                                                                     <C>   
     SECTION 1002.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.................................... 45
     SECTION 1003.  Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.................. 46
     SECTION 1004.  [Reserved]......................................................... 47
     SECTION 1005.  Existence.......................................................... 47
     SECTION 1006.  Maintenance of Properties.......................................... 47
     SECTION 1007.  [Reserved]......................................................... 47
     SECTION 1008.  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.................................. 47
     SECTION 1009.  Provision of Financial Information................................. 47
     SECTION 1010.  Statement as to Compliance......................................... 48
     SECTION 1011.  Additional Amounts................................................. 48
     SECTION 1012.  Waiver of Certain Covenants........................................ 49
                                                                                        
ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES................................................ 49

     SECTION 1101.  Applicability of Article........................................... 49
     SECTION 1102.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.............................. 49
     SECTION 1103.  Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.................. 49
     SECTION 1104.  Notice of Redemption............................................... 50
     SECTION 1105.  Deposit of Redemption Price........................................ 51
     SECTION 1106.  Securities Payable on Redemption Date.............................. 51
     SECTION 1107.  Securities Redeemed in Part........................................ 52
                                                                                        
ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS........................................................... 52
                                                                                        
     SECTION 1201.  Applicability of Article........................................... 52
     SECTION 1202.  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.............. 52
     SECTION 1203.  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.......................... 52

ARTICLE THIRTEEN REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS.................................... 53

     SECTION 1301.  Applicability of Article........................................... 53
     SECTION 1302.  Repayment of Securities............................................ 53
     SECTION 1303.  Exercise of Option................................................. 53
     SECTION 1304.  When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable..... 54
     SECTION 1305.  Securities Repaid in Part.......................................... 54
                                                                                        
ARTICLE FOURTEEN DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE.................................... 55
                                                                                        
     SECTION 1401.  Applicability of Article; Company's Option to Effect Defeasance     
                    or Covenant Defeasance............................................. 55
     SECTION 1402.  Defeasance and Discharge........................................... 55
     SECTION 1403.  Covenant Defeasance................................................ 55
     SECTION 1404.  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.................... 56
     SECTION 1405.  Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust;  
                    Other Miscellaneous Provisions..................................... 57

ARTICLE FIFTEEN MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES...................................... 58

     SECTION 1501.  Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.......................... 58
     SECTION 1502.  Call, Notice and Place of Meetings................................. 58
     SECTION 1503.  Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings............................... 58
     SECTION 1504.  Quorum; Action..................................................... 58
     SECTION 1505.  Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of  
                    Meetings........................................................... 59        
</TABLE> 

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                                     <C> 
     SECTION 1506.  Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.....................60
     SECTION 1507.  Evidence of Action Taken by Holders.................................60
     SECTION 1508.  Proof of Execution of Instruments...................................60

ARTICLE SIXTEEN CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES....................................61

     SECTION 1601.  Applicability of Article............................................61
     SECTION 1602.  Election to Exchange; Notice to Trustee and Holders.................61
     SECTION 1603.  No Fractional Shares................................................61
     SECTION 1604.  Adjustment of Exchange Rate.........................................61
     SECTION 1605.  Payment of Certain Taxes Upon Exchange..............................62
     SECTION 1606.  Shares Free and Clear...............................................62
     SECTION 1607.  Cancellation of Security............................................62
     SECTION 1608.  Duties of Trustee Regarding Exchange................................62
     SECTION 1609.  Repayment of Certain Funds Upon Exchange............................63
     SECTION 1610.  Exercise of Conversion Privilege....................................63
     SECTION 1611.  Effect of Consolidation or Merger on Conversion Privilege...........64
</TABLE>

                                     -iv-
<PAGE>
 
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.

                                [TO BE UPDATED]

     Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the
"1939 Act"), and Indenture, dated as of __________________, 1997


<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
Trust Indenture Act Section                             Indenture Section  
<S>                                                     <C>  
Section 310(a)(1)                                       607   
     (a)(2)                                             607   
     (b)                                                608   
Section 312(c)                                          701   
Section 314(a)                                          703   
     (a)(4)                                             1010   
     (c)(1)                                             102   
     (c)(2)                                             102   
     (e)                                                102   
Section 315(b)                                          601   
Section 316(a)(last sentence)                           101 ("Outstanding")
     (a)(1)(A)                                          502, 512   
     (a)(1)(B)                                          513   
     (b)                                                508   
Section 317(a)(1)                                       503   
     (a)(2)                                             504   
Section 318(a)                                          112   
     (c)                                                112    
</TABLE>

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
part of the Indenture.

Attention should also be directed to Section 318(c) of the 1939 Act, which
provides that the provisions of Sections 310 to and including 317 of the 1939
Act are a part of and govern every qualified indenture, whether or not
physically contained therein.

                                      -v-
<PAGE>
 
                                   INDENTURE


     INDENTURE, dated as of ____________, 1997, between PROVIDENT COMPANIES,
INC., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the "Company"), having its
principal office at 1 Fountain Square, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402 and THE
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a New York banking corporation, as Trustee hereunder
(hereinafter called the "Trustee"), having its Corporate Trust Office at 450
West 33rd Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York  10001.


                            RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

     The Company deems it necessary to issue from time to time for its lawful
purposes senior debt securities (hereinafter called the "Securities") evidencing
its unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, and has duly authorized the
execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time
to time of the Securities, unlimited as to aggregate principal amount, to bear
interest at the rates or formulas, to mature at such times and to have such
other provisions as shall be fixed therefor as hereinafter provided.

     All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the
Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

     For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities
by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and
proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities, as follows:

                                  ARTICLE ONE
            DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

     SECTION 101.  Definitions.

     For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided
or the context otherwise requires:

     (1)  the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them
in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

     (2)  all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture
Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them
therein, and the terms "cash transaction" and "self-liquidating paper," as used
in Trust Indenture Act Section 311, shall have the meanings assigned to them in
the rules of the Commission adopted under the Trust Indenture Act;

     (3)  all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings
assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
and

     (4)  the words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular
Article, Section or other subdivision.

     Certain terms, used principally in Article Three, Article Five, Article Six
and Article Ten, are defined in those Articles.  In addition, the following
terms shall have the indicated respective meanings:

     "Act" has the meaning specified in Section 104.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
     "Additional Amounts" means any additional amounts which are required by a
Security, under circumstances specified therein, to be paid by the Company in
respect of certain taxes imposed on certain Holders and which are owing to such
Holders.

     "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person.  For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.

     "Authenticating Agent" means any authenticating agent appointed by the
Trustee pursuant to Section 611.

     "Authorized Newspaper" means a newspaper, printed in the English language
or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published
on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or
holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the
term is used or in the financial community of each such place.  Whenever
successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the
successive publications may be made in the same or in different Authorized
Newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case
on any Business Day.

     "Bankruptcy Law" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

     "Bearer Security" means a Security which is payable to bearer.

     "Board of Directors" means either (i) the Board of Directors of the
Company, the executive committee or any other committee or director of that
board duly authorized to act for it in respect hereof, or (ii) one or more duly
authorized officers of the Company to whom the Board of Directors of the Company
or a committee thereof has delegated the authority to act with respect to the
matters contemplated by this Indenture.

     "Board Resolution" means (i) a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by
the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, and to be in full force and
effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) a
certificate signed by the authorized officer or officers of the Company to whom
the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof has delegated its
authority (as described in the definition of Board of Directors), and in each
case, delivered to the Trustee.

     "Business Day," when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other
particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means,
unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section
301, any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday
nor a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or particular
location are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to
close.

     "CEDEL" means Central de Livraison de Valeurs Mobilieres, S.A., or its
successor.

     "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to
time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after
execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the
duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties on such date.

     "Common Depository" has the meaning specified in Section 304(b).

     "Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of
this Indenture until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to
the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean
such successor corporation.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     "Company Request" and "Company Order" mean, respectively, a written request
or order signed in the name of the Company by the President or a Vice President
of the Company, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Conversion Event" means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency
(other than as otherwise provided with respect to a Security pursuant to Section
301) as provided  by the government of the country which issued such currency
and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public
institutions of or within the international banking community or (ii) any
currency unit (or composite currency) for the purposes for which it was
established.

     "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which, at any
particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered,
which office at the date hereof is located at 450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor,
New York, New York  10001.

     "corporation" includes corporations, associations, companies and business
trusts.

     "coupon" means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

     "Custodian" has the meaning set forth in Section 501.

     "Debt" means the principal, premium, if any, unpaid interest (including
interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for
reorganization relating to the Company whether or not a claim for post-filing
interest is allowed in such proceeding), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement
and indemnification obligations, and all other amounts payable under or in
respect of the following indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed, whether
any such indebtedness exists as of the date of the Indenture or is created,
incurred, assumed or guaranteed after such date:

     (i)  any debt (a) for money borrowed, or (b) evidenced by a bond, note,
debenture, or similar instrument (including purchase money obligations) given in
connection with the acquisition of any business, property or assets, whether by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, but shall not include any account
payable or other obligation created or assumed in the ordinary course of
business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services, or (c) which
is a direct or indirect obligation which arises as a result of banker's
acceptances or bank letters of credit issued to secure obligations of the
Company, or to secure the payment of revenue bonds issued for the benefit of the
Company, whether contingent or otherwise;

     (ii)  any debt of others described in the preceding clause (i) which the
Company has guaranteed or for which it is otherwise liable;

     (iii)  the obligation of the Company, as lessee under any lease of property
which is reflected on the Company's balance sheet as a capitalized lease; and

     (iv)  any deferral, amendment, renewal, extension, supplement or refunding
of any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding clauses (i),
(ii), and (iii); provided, however, that, in computing indebtedness of the
Company, there shall be excluded any particular indebtedness if, upon or prior
to the maturity thereof, there shall have been deposited with a depository in
trust money (or evidence of indebtedness if permitted by the instrument creating
such indebtedness) in the necessary amount to pay, redeem or satisfy such
indebtedness as it becomes due, and the amount so deposited shall not be
included in any computation of the assets of the Company.

     "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.

     "Dollar" or "$" means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender
for payment of public and private debts.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company.

     "Euroclear" means Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels
Office, or its successor as operator of the Euroclear System.

     "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Commission.

     "Foreign Currency" means any currency, currency unit or composite currency
issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States
of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such
governments.

     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as used in the United
States applied on a consistent basis as in effect from time to time; provided
that solely for purposes of any calculation required by the financial covenants
contained herein, "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles as
used in the United States on the date hereof, applied on a consistent basis.

     "Government Obligations" means securities which are (i) direct obligations
of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign
Currency in which the Securities of a particular series are payable, for the
payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a
Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of
the United States of America or such government which issued the Foreign
Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, the payment of
which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the
United States of America or such other government, which, in either case, are
not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also
include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with
respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on
or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the
account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required
by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount
payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the
custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of
interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such
depository receipt.

     "Holder" means, in the case of a Registered Security, the Person in whose
name a Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of a
Bearer Security, the bearer thereof and, when used with respect to any coupon,
shall mean the bearer thereof.

     "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from
time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental
hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall
include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated
by Section 301; provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is
acting as Trustee under this instrument, "Indenture" shall mean, with respect to
any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this
instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented
or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant
to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the or those
particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as
contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms
which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not
Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive
of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures
supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such
Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

     "Indexed Security" means a Security the terms of which provide that the
principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the
principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     "Interest" when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security
which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, shall mean interest
payable after Maturity, and, when used with respect to a Security which provides
for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1011, includes such
Additional Amounts.

     "Interest Payment Date" means, when used with respect to any Security, the
Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

     "Make-Whole Amount" means the amount, if any, in addition to principal
which is required by a Security, under the terms and conditions specified
therein or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, to be paid by
the Company to the Holder thereof in connection with any optional redemption or
accelerated payment of such Security.

     "Maturity" means, when used with respect to any Security, the date on which
the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and
payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by
declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect
repayment, repurchase or otherwise.

     "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the President or a
Vice President and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an
employee of or counsel for the Company or other counsel satisfactory to the
Trustee.

     "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides for an
amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

     "Outstanding," when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date
of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under
this Indenture, except:

     (i)  Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation;

     (ii)  Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption or
repayment at the option of the Holder money in the necessary amount has been
thereto fore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the
Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the
Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities
and any coupons appertaining thereto; provided that, if such Securities are to
be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this
Indenture or other provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

     (iii)  Securities, except solely to the extent provided in Sections 1402 or
1403, as applicable, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance
and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen;

     (iv)  Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in
exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and
delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect
of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it
that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such
Securities are valid obligations of the Company; and

     (v)  Securities converted or exchanged into other securities or property
(including securities of other issuers, provided that such securities are
registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible
to use Form S-3 (or any successor form) for a primary offering of its
securities) of the Company pursuant to or in accordance with this Indenture if
the terms of such Securities provide for convertibility or exchange pursuant to
Section 301; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are
present at a meeting of Holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of
making the

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
calculations required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313, (i) the principal
amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such
determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such
purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or
shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such
determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof
pursuant to Section 502, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated
in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or
calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal
to the Dollar equivalent, determined pursuant to Section 301 as of the date such
Security is originally issued by the Company, of the principal amount (or, in
the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent as of
such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause
(i) above) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security
that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall
be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face
amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided
with respect to such Indexed Security pursuant to Section 301, and (iv)
Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any
Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and
deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee
shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only
Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so
owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in
good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the
satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such
Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the
Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

     "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any
Securities, or coupons on behalf of the Company, or if no such Person is
authorized, the Company.

     "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

     "Place of Payment" means, when used with respect to the Securities of or
within any series, the place or places where the principal of (and premium or
Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on such Securities are payable as
specified as contemplated by Sections 301 and 1002.

     "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous
Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security
authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or a Security to which a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains shall be deemed to
evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or
the Security to which the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon
appertains.

     "Redemption Date" means, when used with respect to any security to be
redeemed in whole or in part, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant
to this Indenture.

     "Redemption Price" means, when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Registered Security" means any Security which is registered in the
Security Register.

     "Regular Record Date" for the installment of interest payable on any
Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of or within any series means
the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301, whether or
not a Business Day.

     "Repayment Date" means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid
or repurchased at the option of the Holder, the date fixed for such repayment or
repurchase by or pursuant to this Indenture.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     "Repayment Price" means, when used with respect to any Security to be
repaid or purchased at the option of the Holder, the price at which it is to be
repaid or repurchased pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Responsible Officer" means any vice president, assistant vice president,
assistant treasurer, assistant secretary or any other officer of the Trustee
customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above
designated officers and having direct responsibility for the administration of
this Indenture, and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer
to whom such matter is referred because of such officer's knowledge of and
familiarity with the particular subject.

     "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Commission.

     "Security" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture
and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that if at any time there is
more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, "Securities" with
respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the
meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more
particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture,
exclusive, however, of Securities of or within any series as to which such
Person is not Trustee.

     "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective meanings
specified in Section 305.

     "Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary which is a "significant
subsidiary" (within the meaning of Regulation S-X, promulgated under the
Securities Act) of the Company.

     "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the
Registered Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Trustee
pursuant to Section 307.

     "Stated Maturity" means, when used with respect to any Security or any
installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, the date specified in such
Security or a coupon representing such installment of interest as the fixed date
on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or
interest is due and payable.

     "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other
entity of which a majority of (i) the voting power of the voting equity
securities or (ii) the outstanding equity interests of which are owned, directly
or indirectly, by such Person.  For the purposes of this definition, "voting
equity securities" means equity securities having voting power for the election
of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of
security has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

     "Trust Indenture Act" or "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended and as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed,
except as provided in Section 905.

     "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of
this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or
include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if
at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect
to the Securities of or within any series shall mean only the Trustee with
respect to the Securities of that series.

     "United States" means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any
Securities pursuant to Section 301, the United States of America (including the
states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other
areas subject to its jurisdiction.

     "United States person" means, unless otherwise specified with respect to
any Securities pursuant to Section 301, an individual who is a citizen or
resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any
state or the District of Columbia or an estate or trust the income of which is
subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source.

     "Yield to Maturity" means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of
issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent predetermination
of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance
with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

     SECTION 102.  Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

     Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any,
provided for in this Indenture (including covenants, compliance with which
constitute conditions precedent) relating to the proposed action have been
complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such
counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except
that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing
of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture
relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or
opinion need be furnished.

     Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture (excluding certificates delivered
pursuant to Section 1010) shall include:

     (1)  a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion
has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

     (2)  a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;

     (3)  a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made
such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been
complied with; and

     (4)  a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.

     SECTION 103.  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

     In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or
covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion as to some matters and one or more
other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give
an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

     Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, or a
certificate or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the
exercise of reasonable care should know, that the opinion, certificate or
representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or
opinion is based are erroneous.  Any such Opinion of Counsel or certificate or
representations may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a
certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the
Company stating that the information as to such factual matters is in the
possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows that the certificate or
opinion or representations as to such matters are erroneous.

     Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 104.  Acts of Holders.

     (a)  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of
the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may
be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially
similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in
writing.  If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities
of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of
Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, whether in person
or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities
of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article
Fifteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record.  Except as
herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when
such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee
and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company.  Such instrument or
instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced
thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing
such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting.  Proof of
execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or
of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose
of this Indenture and (subject to Section 612) conclusive in favor of the
Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in
the manner provided in this Section.  The record of any meeting of Holders of
Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1506.

     (b)  The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such
execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by
law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing
such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof.  Where
such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual
capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof
of his authority.  The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or
writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved
in any other reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

     (c)  The ownership of Registered Securities shall be proved by the Security
Register or by a certificate of the Security Registrar.

     (d)  The ownership of Bearer Securities may be proved by the production of
such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depository, by any trust
company, bank, banker or other depository, wherever situated, if such
certificate shall be deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at
the date therein mentioned such person had on deposit with such depository, or
exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be
proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer
Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be
satisfactory.  The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any
Bearer Security continues until (1) another certificate or affidavit bearing a
later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (2)
such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (3)
such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or
(4) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding.  The ownership of Bearer
Securities may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems
sufficient.

     (e)  If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Registered Securities
any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
Act, the Company may, at its option, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix
in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act,
but the Company shall have no obligation to do so.  Notwithstanding TIA Section
316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to
such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days
prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and
not later than the date such solicitation is completed.  If such a record date
is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the
Holders of record at the close of business on such record date

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of
the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or
consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be
computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement
or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless
it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later
than eleven months after the record date.

     (f)  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the
same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of
transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of
anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security
Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent or the Company in reliance
thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

     SECTION 105.  Notices, etc., the Trustee and Company.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be
made upon, given or furnished to or filed with,

     (1)  the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for
every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with
the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Global Trust Services, or

     (2)  the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for
every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in
writing and mailed, first class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it
at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this
Indenture or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee
by the Company.

     SECTION 106.  Notice to Holders; Waiver.

     Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of
Registered Securities by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be
sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing
and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each such Holder affected by such
event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the
latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving
of such notice.  In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is
given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any
notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such
notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency
of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein.  Any
notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively
deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually
receives such notice.

     If by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service
or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by
mail, then such notification to Holders of Registered Securities as shall be
made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification
to such Holders for every purpose hereunder.

     Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or otherwise specified with
respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, where this Indenture provides
for notice to Holders of Bearer Securities of any event, such notice shall be
sufficiently given if published in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New
York and in such other city or cities as may be specified in such Securities,
and if the Securities of such series are listed on any stock exchange outside
the United States, in any place at which such Securities are listed on a
securities exchange to the extent that such securities exchange so requires, on
a Business Day, such publication to be not later than the latest date, and not
earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice.  Any
such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such publication
or, if published more than once, on the date of the first such publication.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
     If by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper
or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be
impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided
above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given
with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such
Holders for every purpose hereunder.  Neither the failure to give notice by
publication to any particular Holder of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor
any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of such
notice with respect to other Holders of Bearer Securities or the sufficiency of
any notice to Holders of Registered Securities given as provided herein.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver
required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language,
except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country
of publication.

     Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be
waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before
or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice.
Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing
shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in
reliance upon such waiver.

     SECTION 107.  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

     The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

     SECTION 108.  Successors and Assigns.

     All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind
its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

     SECTION 109.  Separability Clause.

     In case any provision in this Indenture or in any Security or coupon shall
be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability
of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired
thereby.

     SECTION 110.  Benefits of Indenture.

     Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or coupons appertaining
thereto, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties
hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and
their successors hereunder and the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

     SECTION 111.  No Personal Liability.

     No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained
in this Indenture, in any Security or coupon appertaining thereto, or because of
any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any promoter, as such,
or against any past, present or future shareholder, officer or director, as
such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company
or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or
by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or
otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the
acceptance of the Securities by the Holders thereof and as part of the
consideration for the issue of the Securities.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 112.  Governing Law.

     This Indenture and the Securities and coupons shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.  This Indenture
is subject to the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of this
Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

     SECTION 113.  Legal Holidays.

     In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment
Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security or
the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert or exchange a Security
at a particular conversion or exchange price shall not be a Business Day at any
Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or
any Security or coupon other than a provision in the Securities of any series
which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu hereof),
payment of interest or any Additional Amounts or principal (and premium or Make-
Whole Amount, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date,
conversion or exchange need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date,
but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment
with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date,
Redemption Date, Repayment Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated
Maturity or Maturity or on such last day for conversion or exchange, provided
that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and
after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund
payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity or on such last day for conversion or
exchange, as the case may be.


                                  ARTICLE TWO
                               SECURITIES FORMS

     SECTION 201.  Forms of Securities.

     The Registered Securities, if any, of each series and the Bearer
Securities, if any, and related coupons of each series, shall be in
substantially the forms as shall be established in or pursuant to one or more
indentures supplemental hereto or Board Resolutions, shall have such appropriate
insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or
permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, and may have
such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such
legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and
as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be
required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant
thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the
Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.

     Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer
Securities shall have interest coupons attached.

     The definitive Securities and coupons shall be printed, lithographed or
engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved
border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as
determined by the officers of the Company executing such Securities or coupons,
as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or coupons.

     SECTION 202.  Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.

     Subject to Section 611, the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall
be in substantially the following form:

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
     This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                              The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee


By:_______________________
   Authorized Officer


     SECTION 203.  Securities Issuable in Global Form.

     If Securities of or within a series are issuable in global form, as
specified as contemplated by Section 301, then, notwithstanding clause (8) of
Section 301 and the provisions of Section 302, any such Security shall represent
such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein
and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding
Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the
aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby
may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges.  Any
endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase
or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall
be made by the Trustee in such manner and upon written instruction given by such
Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be
delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 or 304.  Subject to the
provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall
deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and
upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in
the applicable Company Order.  If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 or 304
has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with
respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form
shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 and need not be
accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

     The provisions of the last sentence of Section 303 shall apply to any
Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never
issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the
Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not
comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel)
with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented
thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence
of Section 303.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, unless otherwise specified
as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of and any premium or Make-
Whole Amount and interest on any Security in permanent global form shall be made
to the Person or Persons specified therein.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 308 and except as provided in the
preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and
the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding
Securities represented by a permanent global Security (i) in the case of a
permanent global Security in registered form, the Holder of such permanent
global Security in registered form, or (ii) in the case of a permanent global
Security in bearer form, Euroclear or CEDEL.


                                 ARTICLE THREE
                                THE SECURITIES

     SECTION 301.  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

     The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

     The Securities may be issued in one or more series.  There shall be
established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, or indentures
supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, any or

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
all of the following, as applicable (each of which (except for the matters set
forth in clauses (1), (2) and (15) below), if so provided, may be determined
from time to time by the Company with respect to unissued Securities of or
within the series when issued from time to time):

     (1)  the title of the Securities of or within the series (which shall
distinguish the Securities of such series from all other series of Securities);

     (2)  any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of or
within the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture
(except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer
of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of or within the series
pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107, or 1305);

     (3)  the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be
determined, on which the principal of the Securities of or within the series
shall be payable and the amount of principal payable thereon;

     (4)  the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the
Securities of or within the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by
which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such
interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be
determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest will be payable
and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Registered
Security on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date shall be
determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than
that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months;

     (5)  the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the City of
Chattanooga, Tennessee or the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, where
the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), interest, if any,
on, and Additional Amounts, if any, payable in respect of, Securities of or
within the series shall be payable, any Registered Securities of or within the
series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion
and notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of or
within the series and this Indenture may be served;

     (6)  the period or periods within which, the price or prices (including the
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) at which, the currency or currencies,
currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which and other
terms and conditions upon which Securities of or within the series may be
redeemed in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to
have the option;

     (7)  the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase
Securities of or within the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within
which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the currency
or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in
which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of or within the
series shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to
such obligation;

     (8)  if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof, the denominations in which any Registered Securities of or within the
series shall be issuable and, if other than the denomination of $5,000, the
denomination or denominations in which any Bearer Securities of or within the
series shall be issuable;

     (9)  if other than the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar
and/or Paying Agent;

     (10)  if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the
principal amount of Securities of or within the series that shall be payable
upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502
or, if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of or
within the series that is convertible in accordance with the provisions of this
Indenture, or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
     (11)  if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency or Currencies in which
payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or
interest or Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities of or within the
series shall be payable or in which the Securities of or within the series shall
be denominated;

     (12)  whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium or Make-
Whole Amount, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of or within the
series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method
(which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more
currencies, currency units, composite currencies, commodities, equity indices or
other indices), and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

     (13)  whether the principal of (and premium or Make Whole Amount, if any)
or interest or Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities of or within the
series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in
a currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or
currencies other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to
be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions
upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of, and identity
of the exchange rate agent with responsibility for, determining the exchange
rate between the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be
payable and the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies in which such Securities are to be so payable;

     (14)  provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of
Securities of or within the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be
specified;

     (15)  any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of
Default or covenants of the Company with respect to Securities of or within the
series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with
the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

     (16)  whether Securities of or within the series are to be issuable as
Registered Securities, Bearer Securities (with or without coupons) or both, any
restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Bearer Securities and
the terms upon which Bearer Securities of or within the series may be exchanged
for Registered Securities of or within the series and vice versa (if permitted
by applicable laws and regulations), whether any Securities of or within the
series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any
Securities of or within the series are to be issuable in permanent global form
(with or without coupons) and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in
any such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of
such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the
circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the
manner provided in Section 305, and, if Registered Securities of or within the
series are to be issuable as a global Security, the identity of the depository
for such series;

     (17)  the date as of which any Bearer Securities of or within the series
and any temporary global Security representing Outstanding Securities of or
within the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of
the first Security of the series to be issued;

     (18)  the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the
series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security
(or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest, the manner in which, or the Person
to whom, any interest on any Bearer Security of the series shall be payable, if
otherwise than upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining
thereto as they severally mature, and the extent to which, or the manner in
which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest
Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 304;

     (19)  the applicability, if any, of Sections 1402 and/or 1403 to the
Securities of or within the series and any provisions in modification of, in
addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Article Fourteen;

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
     (20)  if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive
form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of
such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or
satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such
certificates, documents or conditions;

     (21)  if the Securities of or within the series are to be issued upon the
exercise of debt warrants, the time, manner and place for such Securities to be
authenticated and delivered;

     (22)  whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay Additional
Amounts as contemplated by Section 1011 on the Securities of or within the
series to any Holder who is not a United States person (including any
modification to the definition of such term) in respect of any tax, assessment
or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to
redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of
any such option);

     (23)  the obligation, if any, of the Company to permit the Securities of
such series to be converted into or exchanged for Common Stock of the Company or
other securities or property of the Company and the terms and conditions upon
which such conversion or exchange shall be effected (including, without
limitation, the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion or exchange
period, any adjustment of the applicable conversion or exchange price or rate
and any requirements relative to the reservation of such shares for purposes of
conversion or exchange);

     (24)  if convertible or exchangeable, any applicable limitations on the
ownership or transferability of the securities or property into which such
Securities are convertible or exchangeable; and

     (25)  any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent
with the provisions of this Indenture except as permitted by Section 905).

     All Securities of any one series and the coupons appertaining to any Bearer
Securities of such series, if any, shall be substantially identical except, in
the case of Registered or Bearer Securities issued in global form, as to
denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such
Board Resolution or in any indenture supplemental hereto.  All Securities of any
one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a
series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of
additional Securities of such series.

     If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by
action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, a copy of an appropriate
record of such action(s) shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the
delivery of the Company Order for authentication and delivery of such
Securities.

     SECTION 302.  Denominations.

     The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as
shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301.  With respect to Securities
of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions with
respect to the Securities of any series, the Registered Securities of such
series, other than Registered Securities issued in global form (which may be of
any denomination), shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral
multiple thereof and the Bearer Securities of such series other than Bearer
Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination), shall be
issuable in denominations of $5,000.

     SECTION 303.  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

     The Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be executed on
behalf of the Company by its President or a Vice President, under its corporate
seal reproduced thereon, and attested by its Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary.  The signature of any of these officers on the Securities and coupons
may be manual or

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officer and
may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.

     Securities or coupons appertaining thereto bearing the manual or facsimile
signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the
Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of
them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery
of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities
or coupons.

     At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this
Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, together with any
coupon appertaining thereto, executed by the Company to the Trustee for
authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and
delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company
Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, however, that,
in connection with its original issuance, no Bearer Security shall be mailed or
otherwise delivered to any location in the United States; and provided further
that, unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities
pursuant to Section 301 a Bearer Security may be delivered in connection with
its original issuance only if the Person entitled to receive such Bearer
Security shall have furnished a certificate to Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case
may be, in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture or such other
certificate as may be specified with respect to any series of Securities
pursuant to Section 301, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the earlier of
the date on which such Bearer Security is delivered and the date on which any
temporary Security first becomes exchangeable for such Bearer Security in
accordance with the terms of such temporary Security and this Indenture.  Except
as permitted by Section 306, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any
Bearer Security unless all appurtenant coupons for interest then matured have
been detached and canceled.

     If all of the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and
if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall
so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee
for the issuance of such Securities and determining the terms of particular
Securities of such series, such as interest rate or formula, maturity date, date
of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue.  In authenticating such
Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture
in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and
(subject to Section 612 and TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d)) shall be fully
protected in conclusively relying upon:

     (i)  an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 102 and stating that:

     (a)  the form or forms of such Securities and any coupons have been, or
will have been upon compliance with such procedures as may be specified therein,
established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

     (b)  the terms of such Securities and any coupons have been, or will have
been upon compliance with such procedures as may be specified therein,
established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

     (c)  such Securities, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, when
completed pursuant to such procedures as may be specified therein, and executed
and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance
with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance
with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any
conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid
and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their
terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement
of creditors' rights generally and to general equitable principles and to such
other matters as may be specified therein; and

     (ii)  an Officers' Certificate complying with Section 102 and stating that
all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the issuance
of such Securities have been, or will have been upon compliance with such
procedures as may be specified therein, complied with and that, to the best of
the knowledge of the signers of such certificate, no Event of Default with
respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding
paragraph, if all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time,
it shall not be necessary to deliver a Company Order, an Opinion of Counsel or
an Officers' Certificate otherwise required pursuant to the preceding paragraph
at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but such order, opinion
and certificate, with appropriate modifications to cover such future issuances,
shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of
such series.

     The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the
issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's
own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under the Securities and this
Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the
Trustee.

     Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication and
each Bearer Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated by
Section 301.

     No Security or coupon appertaining thereto shall be entitled to any benefit
under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there
appears on such Security or the Security to which such coupon appertains a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly
executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such
certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only
evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder
and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder
but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such
Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309 together
with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be
accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been
issued or sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security
shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and
shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

     SECTION 304.  Temporary Securities.

     (a)  Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the
Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten,
mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination,
substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they
are issued, in registered form, or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or
more coupons or without coupons, and with such appropriate insertions,
omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Company
executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their
execution of such Securities.  In the case of Securities of any series, such
temporary Securities may be in global form.

     Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be
exchanged in accordance with Section 304(b) or as otherwise provided in or
pursuant to a Board Resolution), if temporary Securities of any series are
issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be
prepared without unreasonable delay.  After the preparation of definitive
Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be
exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the
temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a
Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder.  Upon surrender
for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series
(accompanied by any non-matured coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a
like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized
denominations; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security shall be
delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided further
that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary
Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 303.
Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects
be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities
of such series.

     (b)  Unless otherwise provided as contemplated in Section 301, this Section
304(b) shall govern the exchange of temporary Securities issued in global form
other than through the facilities of DTC.  If any such temporary Security is
issued in global form, then such temporary global Security shall, unless
otherwise provided

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
therein, be delivered to the London office of a depository or common depository
(the "Common Depository"), for the benefit of Euroclear and CEDEL.

     Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date
specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary global
Security (the "Exchange Date"), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee
definitive Securities, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal
amount of such temporary global Security, executed by the Company.  On or after
the Exchange Date, such temporary global Security shall be surrendered by the
Common Depository to the Trustee, as the Company's agent for such purpose, to be
exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities
without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for
each portion of such temporary global Security, an equal aggregate principal
amount of definitive Securities of or within the same series of authorized
denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such temporary global Security
to be exchanged.  The definitive Securities to be delivered in exchange for any
such temporary global Security shall be in bearer form, registered form,
permanent global bearer form or permanent global registered form, or any
combination thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, and, if any
combination thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial owner
thereof; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified in such temporary
global Security, upon such presentation by the Common Depository, such temporary
global Security is accompanied by a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a
subsequent date and signed by Euroclear as to the portion of such temporary
global Security, if any, held for its account then to be exchanged and a
certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by CEDEL as
to the portion of such temporary global Security, if any, held for its account
then to be exchanged, each in the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 to this
Indenture or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 301;
and provided further that definitive Bearer Securities shall be delivered in
exchange for a portion of a temporary global Security only in compliance with
the requirements of Section 303.

     Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, the interest
of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary global Security
shall be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like
tenor following the Exchange Date when the account holder instructs Euroclear or
CEDEL, as the case may be, to request such exchange on his behalf and delivers
to Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, a certificate in the form set forth
in Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture (or in such other form as may be established
pursuant to Section 301), dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Exchange
Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of
Euroclear or CEDEL, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent appointed for such
series of Securities and each Paying Agent.  Unless otherwise specified in such
temporary global Security, any such exchange shall be made free of charge to the
beneficial owners of such temporary global Security, except that a Person
receiving definitive Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage,
transportation and the like unless such Person takes delivery of such definitive
Securities in person at the offices of Euroclear or CEDEL.  Definitive
Securities in bearer form to be delivered in exchange for any portion of a
temporary global Security shall be delivered only outside the United States.

     Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities
of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this
Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor
authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise specified
as contemplated by Section 301, interest payable on a temporary global Security
on an Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series occurring prior to the
applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to Euroclear or CEDEL on such Interest
Payment Date upon delivery by Euroclear or CEDEL to the Trustee of a certificate
or certificates in the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 to this Indenture (or in
such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301), for credit
without further interest on or after such Interest Payment Date to the
respective accounts of Persons who are the beneficial owners of such temporary
global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to
Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, a certificate dated no earlier than 15
days prior to the Interest Payment Date occurring prior to such Exchange Date in
the form set forth as Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as
may be established pursuant to Section 301).  Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein contained, the certifications made pursuant to this paragraph
shall satisfy the certification requirements of the preceding two paragraphs of
this Section 304(b) and of the third paragraph of Section 303 of this Indenture
and the interests of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of the temporary
global Security with respect to which such certification was made will be
exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor on the
Exchange Date or

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
the date of certification if such date occurs after the Exchange Date, without
further act or deed by such beneficial owners. Except as otherwise provided in
this paragraph, no payments of principal or interest owing with respect to a
beneficial interest in a temporary global Security will be made unless and until
such interest in such temporary global Security shall have been exchanged for an
interest in a definitive Security. Any interest so received by Euroclear or
CEDEL and not paid as herein provided shall be returned to the Trustee prior to
the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be
repaid to the Company.

     SECTION 305.  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

     The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee or in any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment a
register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in such office
or in any such office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being
herein sometimes referred to collectively as the "Security Register") in which,
subject to such reasonable regulations as it or the Security Registrar may
prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered
Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities.  The Security Register
shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into
written form within a reasonable time.  The Trustee, at its Corporate Trust
Office, is hereby initially appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of
registering Registered Securities and transfers of Registered Securities on such
Security Register as herein provided.  In the event that the Trustee shall cease
to be Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine the Security
Register at all reasonable times and to require that a copy of the Security
Register in written form be delivered to it from time to time as reasonably
requested.   Subject to the provisions of this Section 305, upon surrender for
registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office
or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company
shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of
the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities
of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate
principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, and
containing identical terms and provisions.

     Subject to the provisions of this Section 305, at the option of the Holder,
Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered
Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination or denominations
and of a like aggregate principal amount, containing identical terms and
provisions, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at any
such office or agency.  Whenever any such Registered Securities are so
surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the
exchange is entitled to receive.  Unless otherwise specified with respect to any
series of Securities as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities may not
be issued in exchange for Registered Securities.

     If (but only if) permitted as contemplated by Section 301, at the option of
the Holder, Bearer Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered
Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like
aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to
be exchanged at any such office or agency, with all unmatured coupons and all
matured coupons in default thereto appertaining.  If the Holder of a Bearer
Security is unable to produce any such unmatured coupon or coupons or matured
coupon or coupons in default, any such permitted exchange may be effected if the
Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company
in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing coupon or coupons, or the
surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the
Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may
require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless.  If thereafter the
Holder of such Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing
coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder
shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, however,
that, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, interest represented by
coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons
at an office or agency located outside the United States.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such
office or agency in a permitted exchange for a Registered Security of the same
series and like tenor after the close of business at such office or agency on
(i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or
agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date
and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related
proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be
surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
proposed date for payment, as the case may be, and interest or Defaulted
Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date
or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered
Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only
to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this
Indenture.  Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company
shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities
which the holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301, any permanent global Security shall be exchangeable
only as provided in this paragraph. If the depository for any permanent global
Security is DTC, then, unless the terms of such global Security expressly permit
such global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for definitive
Securities, a global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only
to a nominee of DTC, or by a nominee of DTC to DTC, or to a successor to DTC for
such global Security selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such
successor to DTC. If at any time DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling
or unable to continue as depository for the applicable global Security or
Securities or if at any time DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under
the Exchange Act if so required by applicable law or regulation, the Company
shall appoint a successor depository with respect to such global Security or
Securities. If (x) a successor depository for such global Security or Securities
is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such
notice or becomes aware of such unwillingness, inability or ineligibility, (y)
an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the beneficial owners
representing a majority in principal amount of the applicable series of
Securities represented by such global Security or Securities advise DTC to cease
acting as depository for such global Security or Securities or (z) the Company,
in its sole discretion, determines at any time that all Outstanding Securities
(but not less than all) of any series issued or issuable in the form of one or
more global Securities shall no longer be represented by such global Security or
Securities (provided, however, the Company may not make such determination
during the 40-day restricted period provided by Regulation S under the
Securities Act or during any other similar period during which the Securities
must be held in global form as may be required by the Securities Act), then the
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver definitive
Securities of like series, rank, tenor and terms in definitive form in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security
or Securities. If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global
Security is otherwise entitled to exchange such an interest for Securities of
such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form
and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 301 and provided that
any applicable notice provided in the permanent global Security shall have been
given, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the
earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver definitive Securities in
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such beneficial
owner's interest in such permanent global Security. On or after the earliest
date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security
shall be surrendered for exchange by DTC or such other depository as shall be
specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the
Company's agent for such purpose; provided, however, that no such exchanges may
occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any
selection of Securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption
Date if the Security for which exchange is requested may be among those selected
for redemption; and provided further that no Bearer Security delivered in
exchange for a portion of a permanent global Security shall be mailed or
otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. If a Registered
Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent global Security
after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs
on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office
or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date
and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related
proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest,
as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or
proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered
Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for
payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of
such portion of such permanent global Security is payable in accordance with the
provisions of this Indenture.

     All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
     Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of
transfer or for exchange or redemption shall (if so required by the Company or
the Security Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Security Registrar, duly
executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

     No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than
exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1107 or 1305 not involving any transfer.

     The Company or the Trustee, as applicable, shall not be required (i) to
issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security if such Security may be
among those selected for redemption during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before selection of the Securities to be redeemed under Section
1103 and ending at the close of business on (A) if such Securities are issuable
only as Registered Securities, the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of
redemption and (B) if such Securities are issuable as Bearer Securities, the day
of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if such
Securities are also issuable as Registered Securities and there is no
publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (ii) to
register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for
redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Registered Security
to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to
exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except that such a
Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of that series and
like tenor, provided that such Registered Security shall be simultaneously
surrendered for redemption, or (iv) to issue or to register the transfer or
exchange of any Security which has been surrendered for repayment at the option
of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

     SECTION 306.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

     If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon
appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, together with
such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to
save each of them or any agent of either of them harmless, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a
new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms
and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with
coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered
Security.

     If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence
to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or
coupon, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save
each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of
actual notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or coupon has
been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its
request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such
destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a
destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains (with all appurtenant coupons not
destroyed, lost or stolen), a new Security of the same series and principal
amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not
contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if
any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security
to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous two paragraphs, in case any
such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or coupon has become or is
about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of
issuing a new Security, with coupons corresponding to coupons, if any,
appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to
which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, pay such Security or
coupon; provided, however, that payment of principal of (and premium or Make-
Whole Amount, if any), any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect
to Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, be
payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States and,
unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any interest on
Bearer Securities shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the
coupons appertaining thereto.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
     Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may
require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including
the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

     Every new Security of any series with its coupons, if any, issued pursuant
to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security, or in
exchange for a Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains,
shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company,
whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security and its coupons, if any,
or the destroyed, lost or stolen coupon shall be at any time enforceable by
anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and
proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series and their
coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

     The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons.

     SECTION 307.  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

     Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in
accordance with the provisions of Section 301, interest on any Registered
Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any
Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security
(or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the
Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002; provided, however,
that each installment of interest on any Registered Security may at the
Company's option be paid by (i) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or
upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 308,
to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (ii)
transfer to an account maintained by the payee located inside the United States.

     Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to
the Securities of any series, payment of interest may be made, in the case of a
Bearer Security, by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank
located outside the United States.

     Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, every permanent
global Security will provide that interest, if any, payable on any Interest
Payment Date will be paid to DTC, Euroclear and/or CEDEL, as the case may be,
with respect to that portion of such permanent global Security held for its
account by DTC, Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, for the purpose of
permitting such party to credit the interest received by it in respect of such
permanent global Security to the accounts of the beneficial owners thereof.

     In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered in exchange for a
Registered Security of such series after the close of business (at an office or
agency in a Place of Payment for such series) on any Regular Record Date and
before the opening of business (at such office or agency) on the next succeeding
Interest Payment Date, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the
coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date and interest will not be payable
on such Interest Payment Date in respect of the Registered Security issued in
exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of
such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

     Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in
accordance with the provisions of section 301, any interest on any Registered
Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted Interest")
shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder thereof on the
relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such
Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as
provided in clause (1) or (2) below:

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
     (1)  The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the
Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their
respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a
Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be
fixed in the following manner.  The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing
of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Registered
Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment (which shall not be
less than 20 days after such notice is received by the Trustee), and at the same
time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money in the
currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or
currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as
otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series)
equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted
Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit
on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be
held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest
as in this clause provided.  Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record
Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15
days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not
less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed
payment.  The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record
Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of
the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date
therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Registered
Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register
not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date.  Notice of the proposed
payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having
been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons
in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective
Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special
Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).
In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at the office or agency
in a Place of Payment for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of
such series after the close of business at such office or agency on any Special
Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the
related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security
shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such proposed date of
payment and Defaulted Interest will not be payable on such proposed date of
payment in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer
Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in
accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

     (2)  The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the
Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent
with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be
listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after
written notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment
pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by
the Trustee.

     Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each
Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in
exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest
accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

     Subject to the provisions of Section 1402 and except as otherwise specified
with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of
section 301, in the case of any Security which is converted or exchanged after
any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next succeeding Interest Payment
Date (other than any Security, the principal of (or premium, if any, on) which
shall become due and payable, whether at a Stated Maturity or by declaration of
acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise, prior to such Interest Payment
Date), interest whose Stated Maturity is on such Interest Payment Date shall be
payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion or
exchange, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or duly provided
for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular
Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding
sentence, in the case of any Security which is converted or exchanged, interest
whose Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion or exchange of such
Security shall not be payable.

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 308.  Persons Deemed Owners.

     Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the
owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and (subject to Sections 305 and 307)
interest on, such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever,
whether or not such Registered Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice
to the contrary.

     Title to any Bearer Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall
pass by delivery.  The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the
Trustee may treat the Holder of any Bearer Security and the Holder of any coupon
as the absolute owner of such Security or coupon for the purpose of receiving
payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever,
whether or not such Security or coupon be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice
to the contrary.

     None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security
Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests of a Security in global form or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any global Security, nothing
herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company or
the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other
authorization furnished by any depository, as a Holder, with respect to such
global Security or impair, as between such depository and owners of beneficial
interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices
governing the exercise of the rights of such depository (or its nominee) as
Holder of such global Security.

     SECTION 309.  Cancellation.

     All Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment
at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit
against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than
the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and coupons
and Securities and coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such
purpose shall be promptly canceled by it.  The Company may at any time deliver
to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and
delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner
whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery
to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated
hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so
delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee.  If the Company shall so
acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a
redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities
unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.  No
Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities
canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this
Indenture.  Cancelled Securities and coupons held by the Trustee shall be
destroyed by the Trustee and, if required in writing by the Company, the Trustee
shall deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company, unless by a
Company Order the Company directs their return to it.

     SECTION 310.  Computation of Interest.

     Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect
to Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
                                 ARTICLE FOUR
                          SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     SECTION 401.  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

     This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect
with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request
(except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities of such series herein expressly provided for and any right to receive
Additional Amounts, as provided in Section 1011), and the Trustee, upon receipt
of a Company Order, and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper
instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to
such series when

     (1)  either

     (A)  all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered
and all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto (other than (i) coupons
appertaining to Bearer Securities surrendered for exchange for Registered
Securities and maturing after such exchange, whose surrender is not required or
has been waived as provided in Section 305, (ii) Securities and coupons of such
series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or
paid as provided in Section 306, (iii) coupons appertaining to Securities called
for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date, whose surrender
has been waived as provided in Section 1106, and (iv) Securities and coupons of
such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or
segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company
or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered
to the Trustee for cancellation; or

     (B)  all Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below,
any coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation

     (i)   have become due and payable, or

     (ii)  will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year,
or

     (iii)  if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for
redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for
the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the
expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably
deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for
the purpose an amount in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or
composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are
payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such
Securities and such coupons not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation, for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and
interest, and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, to the date of such
deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or the
Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

     (2)  The Company has paid or caused to be paid all or other sums payable
hereunder by the Company; and

     (3)  The Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and
an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein
provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to
such series have been complied with.

     Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under
Section 606, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under
Section 611 and, if money shall have been deposited with and held by the Trustee
pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the
Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003, shall survive.

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
     In the event that there are Securities of two or more series outstanding
hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with
respect to Securities of a particular series as to which it is Trustee and if
the other conditions thereto are met.

     SECTION 402.  Application of Trust Funds.

     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and
applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities, the coupons
and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent
(including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium or
Make-Whole Amount, if any), and any interest and Additional Amounts for whose
payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee, but such
money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by
law.


                                 ARTICLE FIVE
                                   REMEDIES

     SECTION 501.  Events of Default.

     Subject to any modifications, additions or deletions relating to any series
of Securities as contemplated pursuant to Section 301, "Event of Default,"
wherever used herein with respect to any particular series of Securities, means
any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default
and whether or not it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by
operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or
any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

     (1)  default in the payment of any interest upon or any Additional Amounts
payable in respect of any Security of or within that series or of any coupon
appertaining thereto, when such interest, Additional Amounts or coupon becomes
due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

     (2)  default in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole
Amount, if any, on) any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable
at its Maturity; or

     (3)  default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by
the terms of any Security of that series; or

     (4)  default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of
the Company in this Indenture with respect to any Security of that series (other
than (i) a covenant or agreement included in this Indenture solely for the
benefit of a series of Securities other than such series or (ii) a covenant or
warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this
Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for
a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail,
to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders
of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series
a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be
remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or

     (5)  default under a bond, debenture, note, mortgage, indenture or
instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or
evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company (or by any
Subsidiary, the repayment of which the Company has guaranteed or for which the
Company is directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor), having a
principal amount outstanding in excess of $10,000,000 (other than indebtedness
which is non-recourse to the Company or the Subsidiaries), whether such
indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default shall have
resulted in such indebtedness being declared due and payable prior to the date
on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such
indebtedness having been discharged, or such acceleration having been rescinded
or annulled, within a period of 30 days after 

                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
there shall have been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by
the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice
specifying such default and requiring the Company to cause such indebtedness to
be discharged or cause such acceleration to be rescinded or annulled and stating
that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or

     (6)  the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the
meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

          (A)  commences a voluntary case,

          (B)  consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an
involuntary case,

          (C)  consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or
substantially all of its property, or

          (D)  makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

     (7)  a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any
Bankruptcy Law that:

          (A)  is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
in an involuntary case,

          (B)  appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
or for all or substantially all of either of its property, or

          (C)  orders the liquidation of the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days;
or

     (8)  any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that
series.

     As used in this Section 501, the term "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S.
Code or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors and the term
"Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or other similar
official under any Bankruptcy Law.

     SECTION 502.  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time
Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or
the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of each such affected series (voting as a single class)
may declare the principal (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount
Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be
specified in the terms thereof) of, and the Make-Whole Amount, if any, on, all
the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in
writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon
any such declaration such principal or specified portion thereof shall become
immediately due and payable.

     At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for
payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this
Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the
Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

     (1)  the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to
pay in the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the Securities
of such series is payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301
for the Securities of such series):

                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
          (A)  all overdue installments of interest on and any Additional
Amounts payable in respect of all Outstanding Securities of that series and any
related coupons;

          (B)  the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on)
any Outstanding Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than
by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates
borne by or provided for in such Securities;

          (C)  to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest
upon overdue installments of interest and any Additional Amounts at the rate or
rates borne by or provided for in such Securities; and

          (D)  all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and counsel; and

     (2)  all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other
than the nonpayment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any) or interest on Securities of that series which have become due solely by
such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in
Section 513.

     No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon.

     SECTION 503.  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by
Trustee.

     The Company covenants that if:

     (1)  default is made in the payment of any installment of interest or
Additional Amounts, if any, on any Security of any series and any related coupon
when such interest or Additional Amount becomes due and payable and such default
continues for a period of 30 days, or

     (2)  default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium or
Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Security of any series at its Maturity, then
the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the
benefit of the Holders of such Securities of such series and coupons, the whole
amount then due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, with
interest upon any overdue principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any)
and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable,
upon any overdue installments of interest or Additional Amounts, if any, at the
rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition
thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and
expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

     If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the
Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a
judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may
prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same
against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series and
collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by
law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities
of such series, wherever situated.

     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and
is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce
its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any
related coupons by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall
deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the
specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of
the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 504.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

     In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation,
bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other
judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the
Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their
creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities
of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by
declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made
any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal, premium or Make-
Whole Amount, if any, or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by
intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

     (i)  to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount
as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, of principal (and
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if
any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers
or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the
Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

     (ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or
other similar official) in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by
each Holder of Securities of such series and coupons to make such payments to
the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of
such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to
it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee and any predecessor Trustee, their agents and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee under Section 606.

     Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security
or coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition
affecting the Securities or coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to
authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a
Security or coupon in any such proceeding.

     SECTION 505.  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities
or Coupons.

     All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the
Securities or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the
possession of any of the Securities or coupons or the production thereof in any
proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee
shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any
recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents
and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities and
coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

     SECTION 506.  Application of Money Collected.

     Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be
applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and,
in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium or
Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest and any Additional Amounts, upon
presentation of the Securities or coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the
notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender
thereof if fully paid:

     FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor
Trustee under Section 606,

     SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the
Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any)
and interest and any Additional Amounts payable, in respect of which or for the
benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or
priority 

                                      -30-
<PAGE>
 
of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such
Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any),
interest and Additional Amounts, respectively, and

     THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.

     SECTION 507.  Limitation on Suits.

     No Holder of any Security of any series or any related coupon shall have
any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to
this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any
other remedy hereunder, unless:

     (1)  such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

     (2)  the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the
Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own
name as Trustee hereunder;

     (3)  such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity
satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in
compliance with such request;

     (4)  the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and
offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

     (5)  no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to
the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have
any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision
of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of
such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any
other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in
the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such
Holders.

     SECTION 508.  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium
or Make-Whole Amount, if any, Interest and Additional Amounts.

     Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any
Security or coupon shall have the right which is absolute and unconditional to
receive payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any)
and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on, and any Additional Amounts in
respect of, such Security or payment of such coupon on the respective due dates
expressed in such Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the
Redemption Date), to convert or exchange such Securities in accordance with
Article Sixteen and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment,
and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

     SECTION 509.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

     If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or coupon has instituted any
proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such
proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been
determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such
case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Securities and coupons shall,
subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and
respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and
remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such
proceeding has been instituted.

                                      -31-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 510.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

     Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons in the last paragraph
of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the
Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or coupons is intended to be exclusive
of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent
permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy
given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.
The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise,
shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other
appropriate right or remedy.

     SECTION 511.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

     No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or
coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall
impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of
Default or any acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given by this
Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to
time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders
of Securities or coupons, as the case may be.

     SECTION 512.  Control by Holders of Securities.

     The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect
to the Securities of such series, provided that

     (1)  such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with
this Indenture,

     (2)  the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee
which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

     (3)  the Trustee need not take any action which might involve it in
personal liability or be unduly prejudicial to the Holders of Securities of such
series not joining therein (but the Trustee shall have no obligation as to the
determination of such undue prejudice).

     SECTION 513.  Waiver of Past Defaults.

     The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the
Securities of such series and any related coupons consent to the waiver of any
past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except
a default

     (1)  in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount,
if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts payable in respect of any Security
of such series or any related coupons, or

     (2)  in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine
cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Security of such series affected.

     Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of
Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose
of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

     SECTION 514.  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

     The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it
will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or
take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law 

                                      -32-
<PAGE>
 
wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the
covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent
that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of
any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the
execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit
the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

     SECTION 515.  Undertaking for Costs.

     All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his
acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its
discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under
this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or
omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an
undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its
discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
against any party litigant in such suit having due regard to the merits and good
faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions
of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any
suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate
more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, or to any suit
instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of
(or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts
payable with respect to any Security on or after the respective Stated
Maturities expressed in such Security (or in the case of redemption, on or after
the Redemption Date) or to enforce the right to convert or exchange any Security
in accordance with Article Sixteen.


                                  ARTICLE SIX
                                  THE TRUSTEE

     SECTION 601.  Notice of Defaults.

     Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect
to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit in the manner and to
the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), notice of such default hereunder
actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless such default
shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of
a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount,
if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of
such series, or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to
the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding
such notice if and so long as Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith
determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders
of the Securities and coupons of such series; and provided further that in the
case of any default or breach of the character specified in Section 501(4) with
respect to the Securities and coupons of such series, no such notice to Holders
shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the
purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect
to the Securities of such series.

     SECTION 602.  Certain Rights of Trustee.

     Subject to the provisions of TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d):

     (1)  the Trustee shall perform only such duties as are expressly undertaken
by it to perform under this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations
shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

     (2)  the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in
acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

     (3)  any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be
sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (other than
delivery of any Security, together with any coupons appertaining 

                                      -33-
<PAGE>
 
thereto, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303
which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of
the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

     (4)  whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall
deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking,
suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence
be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part,
rely upon an Officers' Certificate;

     (5)  the Trustee may consult with counsel and as a condition to the taking,
suffering or omission of any action hereunder may demand an Opinion of Counsel,
and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and
complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered
or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

     (6)  the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights
or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of
the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons pursuant to this
Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or
indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which
might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

     (7)  the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture,
note, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may
make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may
see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or
investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises
of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

     (8)  the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, attorneys,
custodians or nominees and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any
misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, attorney, custodian or
nominee appointed with due care by it hereunder; and

     (9)  the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or
within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise
incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder,
or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable
grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to
it against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

     SECTION 603.  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

     The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's
certificate of authentication, and in any coupons shall be taken as the
statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent
assumes any responsibility for their correctness.  The Trustee makes no
representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the
Securities or coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly
authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities
and perform its obligations hereunder.  Neither the Trustee nor any
Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the
Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

     SECTION 604.  May Hold Securities.

     The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or
any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may
become the owner or pledgee of Securities and coupons and, subject to Section
613 and TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company with
the same 

                                      -34-
<PAGE>
 
rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar,
Authenticating Agent or such other agent.

     SECTION 605.  Money Held in Trust.

     Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law.  The Trustee shall be under no
liability for interest on, or investment of, any money received by it hereunder.

     SECTION 606.  Compensation and Reimbursement.

     The Company agrees:

     (1)  to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for
all services rendered by it hereunder, including extraordinary services rendered
in connection with or during the continuation of a default hereunder (which
compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the
compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

     (2)  to reimburse each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon its
request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made
by it in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the
reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and
counsel), except to the extent any such expense, disbursement or advance may be
attributable to its gross negligence or bad faith; and

     (3)  to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee and each
of their respective directors, officers, agents and employees for, and to hold
each of them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense, arising out of or
in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts or
the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of
defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise
or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder except to the extent any
such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its own gross negligence
or bad faith.

     As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under
this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all
property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held
in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any) or interest on particular Securities or any coupons.

     When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an
Event of Default described in Section 501(6) and (7), such expenses (including
the fees and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for such services are
intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

     The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this
Indenture or the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

     SECTION 607.  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

     There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to
act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have a combined capital and
surplus of at least $50,000,000 or is a subsidiary of a corporation which shall
be a Person that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and
which unconditionally guarantees the obligations of the Trustee hereunder.  If
such Trustee or Person publishes reports of condition at least annually,
pursuant to law or the requirements of Federal, State, Territorial or District
of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this
Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Trustee or Person shall be
deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent
report of condition so published.  If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign
immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this
Article.

                                      -35-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 608.  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

     (a)  No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a
successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the
applicable requirements of Section 609.

     (b)  The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of
one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company.  If an
instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to
the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the
resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor Trustee.

     (c)  The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities
of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the
Company.

     (d)  If at any time:

          (1)  the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section
613 or TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by
any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at
least six months, or

          (2)  the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and
shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any
Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least
six months, or

          (3)  the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged
a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be
appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or
of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or
liquidation,

then, in any such case, (i) the Company by or pursuant to a Board Resolution may
remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all
Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder of a Security who
has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf
of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and
the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

     (e)  If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting,
or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect
to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board
Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect
to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such
successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more
or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with
respect to the Securities of any particular series).  If, within one year after
such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a
successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be
appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring
Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance
of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities
of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by
the Company.  If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any
series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities
and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder of a
Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at
least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated,
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor
Trustee with respect to Securities of such series.

     (f)  The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of
the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of
a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in

                                      -36-
<PAGE>
 
the manner provided for notices to the Holders of Securities in Section 106.
Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the
Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

     SECTION 609.  Acceptance of Appointment By Successor.

     (a)  In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with
respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument
accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the
retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any
further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the
Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of
its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor
Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall
duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and
money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its
claim, if any, provided for in Section 606.

     (b)  In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the
retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of
one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto,
pursuant to Article Nine hereof, wherein each successor Trustee shall accept
such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be
necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each
successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring
Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the
appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is
not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as
shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that
or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue
to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the
provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate
the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being
understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall
constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such
Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from
any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon
the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or
removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided
therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or
conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties
of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series
to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of
the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign,
transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by
such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those
series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

     (c)  Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute
any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming
to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in
paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

     (d)  No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time
of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.

     (e)  All monies due and owing to the Trustee shall be paid before any such 
succession hereunder shall be effective.

     SECTION 610.  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

     Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with
which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust
business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder,
provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this
Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the
part of any of the parties hereto.  In case any Securities or coupons shall have
been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in 

                                      -37-
<PAGE>
 
office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such
authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities
or coupons so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee
had itself authenticated such Securities or coupons. In case any Securities or
coupons shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such
successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities or coupons, in
either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and
effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of
the Trustee.

     SECTION 611.  Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

     At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may
appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of
Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to
authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, registration of
transfer or partial redemption or repayment thereof or pursuant to Section 306,
and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this
Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated
by the Trustee hereunder.  Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an
instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, a copy of
which instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company.  Wherever reference
is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by
the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall
be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an
Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of
the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.  Each Authenticating Agent shall be
reasonably acceptable to the Company and, except as may otherwise be provided
pursuant to Section 301, shall at all times be a bank or trust company or
corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of
the United States of America or of any State or the District of Columbia,
authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined
capital and surplus of not less than $25,000,000 and subject to supervision or
examination by Federal or State authorities.  If such Authenticating Agent
publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the
requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the
purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such
Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.  In case at any
time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately
in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

     Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or
corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an
Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible
under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or further act
on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

     An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may at any time resign
by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee for such series and to
the Company.  The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate
the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to
such Authenticating Agent and to the Company.  Upon receiving such a notice of
resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor
Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give
notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of or within the series
with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve in the manner set
forth in Section 106.  Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its
appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties
of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an
Authenticating Agent herein.  No successor Authenticating Agent shall be
appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

     The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time
reasonable compensation including reimbursement of its reasonable expenses for
its services under this Section.

                                      -38-
<PAGE>
 
     If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to
this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in
addition to or in lieu of the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an
alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:

     This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                              _____________________, as Trustee

                              By:________________________
                              as Authenticating Agent

                              By:________________________
                              Authorized Officer

     SECTION 612.  Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

     No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk
its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of
any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers,
if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds
or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not reasonably
assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of
this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or
affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this
Section.

     SECTION 613.  Conflicting Interests.

     If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the
meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such
interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to
the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.  To the extent
permitted by such Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting
interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to
Securities of more than one series.  In case an Event of Default shall occur and
be continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of its rights and powers under
the applicable Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their
exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in
the conduct of his own affairs.


                                 ARTICLE SEVEN
               HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

     SECTION 701.  Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.

     Every Holder of Securities or coupons, by receiving and holding the same,
agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee
nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar nor
any director, officer, agent or employee of any of them shall be held
accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and
addresses of the Holders of Securities or coupons in accordance with TIA Section
312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that
the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material
pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).

     SECTION 702.  Reports by Trustee.

     Within 60 days after March 15 of each year commencing with the first March
15 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the
Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities as provided in TIA
Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such March 15 if and to the extent
required by TIA Section 313(a).

                                      -39-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 703.  Reports by Company.

     The Company will:

     (1)  file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to
file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the
information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of
the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations
prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company
is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of
such Sections, then it will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in
accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the
Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and
reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in
respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as
may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

     (2)  file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and
regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional
information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company
with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time
to time by such rules and regulations; and

     (3)  transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities, within 30 days after
the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in
TIA Section 313(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports
required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (1) or (2) of this
Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time
by the Commission.

     SECTION 704.  Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

     The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

     (a)  semi-annually, not later than 15 days after the Regular Record Date
for interest for each series of Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee
may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Registered
Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date, or if there is no
Regular Record Date for interest for such series of Securities, semi-annually,
upon such dates as are set forth in the Board Resolution or indenture
supplemental hereto authorizing such series, and

     (b)  at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30
days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar
form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list
is furnished, provided, however, that, so long as the Trustee is the Security
Registrar, no such lists shall be required to be furnished.


                                 ARTICLE EIGHT
                CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE

     SECTION 801.  Consolidations and Mergers of Company and Sales, Leases and
Conveyances Permitted Subject to Certain Conditions.

     The Company may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or
substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into any other Person,
provided that in any such case, (i) either the Company shall be the continuing
entity, or the successor (if other than the Company) entity shall be a Person
organized and existing under the laws of the United States or a State thereof
and such successor entity shall expressly assume the due and punctual payment of
the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and any interest
(including all Additional Amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 1011) on
all of the Securities, according to their tenor, the conversion or exchange
rights shall be provided for in accordance with Article Sixteen, if applicable,
or as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, and the due and punctual
performance and observance of all of the 

                                      -40-
<PAGE>
 
covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company by
supplemental indenture, complying with Article Nine hereof, satisfactory to the
Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such Person and (ii)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any
indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a
result thereof as having been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the
time of such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice
or the lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have
occurred and be continuing.

     SECTION 802.  Rights and Duties of Successor Corporation.

     In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance and
upon any such assumption by the successor entity, such successor entity shall
succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had
been named herein as the party of the first part, and the predecessor entity,
except in the event of a lease, shall be relieved of any further obligation
under this Indenture and the Securities.  Such successor entity thereupon may
cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the
Company, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall
not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the
order of such successor entity, instead of the Company, and subject to all the
terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee
shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have
been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for
authentication, and any Securities which such successor entity thereafter shall
cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose.  All the
Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit
under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in
accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had
been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

     In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, such
changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the
Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

     SECTION 803.  Officers' Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

     Any consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance permitted under
Section 801 is also subject to the condition that the Trustee receive an
Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that any such
consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, and the assumption by any
successor entity, complies with the provisions of this Article and that all
conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been
complied with.


                                 ARTICLE NINE
                            SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

     SECTION 901.  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

     Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or coupons, the Company,
when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any
time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental
hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

     (1)  to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the
assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in
the Securities contained; or

     (2)  to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders
of all or any series of Securities (and, if such covenants are to be for the
benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are
expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender
any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

     (3)  to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders
of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of Default are to be for
the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events 

                                      -41-
<PAGE>
 
of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series);
provided, however, that in respect of any such additional Events of Default such
supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after
default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of
other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or
may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default or may limit
the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of that or
those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to
waive such default; or

     (4)  to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide
that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or
eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium, Make-
Whole Amount or Interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be
issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be
issued in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to
permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, provided
that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of
Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

     (5)  to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture
in respect of any series of Securities, provided that any such addition, change
or elimination shall (i) neither (A) apply to any Security of any series created
prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the
benefit of such provision, nor (B) modify the rights of the Holder of any such
Security with respect to such provision; or (ii) become effective only when
there is no Security Outstanding; or

     (6)  to secure the Securities; or

     (7)  to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series and any
related coupons as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, including the provisions
and procedures relating to Securities convertible into or exchangeable for other
securities or property of the Company; or

     (8)  to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by
a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to
add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary
to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more
than one Trustee; or

     (9)  to make provision with respect to the conversion or exchange rights of
Holders pursuant to the requirements of Article Sixteen, including providing for
the conversion or exchange of the securities into any security or property of
the Company; or

     (10) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein
which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to
make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under
this Indenture which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this
Indenture or to make any other changes, provided that in each case, such
provisions shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities
of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

     (11) to close this Indenture with respect to the authentication and
delivery of additional series of Securities or to qualify, or maintain
qualification of, this Indenture under the TIA; or

     (12) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent
as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of
any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 401, 1402 and 1403; provided in
each case that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the
Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons or any other series
of Securities in any material respect.

                                      -42-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 902.  Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

     With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal
amount of all Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, by
Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when
authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into
an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of
Securities and any related coupons under this Indenture; provided, however, that
no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Security affected thereby:

     (1)  change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium or Make-
Whole Amount, if any, on) or any installment of principal of or interest on, any
Security; or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate or amount of
interest thereon or any Additional Amounts payable in respect thereof, or any
premium or Make-Whole Amount payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any
obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1011
(except as contemplated by Section 801(i) and permitted by Section 901(1)), or
reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or
Make-Whole Amount, if any, that would be due and payable upon a declaration of
acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount
thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect any
right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any Security, or change any
Place of Payment where, or the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or
composite currency or currencies in which, the principal of any Security or any
premium or Make-Whole Amount or any Additional Amounts payable in respect
thereof or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute
suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity
thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder,
on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be); or

     (2)  reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such
supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any
waiver with respect to such series (or compliance with certain provisions of
this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided
for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 1504 for quorum or
voting; or

     (3)  modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section
1012, except to increase the required percentage to effect such action or to
provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or
waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected
thereby; or

     (4)  make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or
exchange any Security as provided in Article Sixteen or pursuant to Section 301
(except as permitted by Section 901(9)) or decrease the conversion or exchange
rate or increase the conversion or exchange price of any such Security.

     It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

     A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other
provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included for the benefit of
one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the
Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other
provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the
Holders of Securities of any other series.

     SECTION 903.  Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

     In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of
the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive,
and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel and an
Officers' Certificate stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture
is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all conditions precedent
to the execution of such supplemental indenture have been complied with.  The
Trustee may, but shall 

                                      -43-
<PAGE>
 
not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects
the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or
otherwise.

     SECTION 904.  Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

     Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this
Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
and of any coupon appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

     SECTION 905.  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

     Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

     SECTION 906.  Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

     Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of
any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required
by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture.  If the Company shall so determine,
new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the
Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and
executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in
exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

     SECTION 907.  Notice of Supplemental Indentures.

     Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of Section 902, the Company
shall give notice thereof to the Holders of each Outstanding Security affected,
in the manner provided for in Section 106, setting forth in general terms the
substance of such supplemental indenture.


                                  ARTICLE TEN
                                   COVENANTS

     SECTION 1001.  Payment of Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any,
Interest and Additional Amounts.

     The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each
series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts
payable in respect of the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms
of such series of Securities, any coupons appertaining thereto and this
Indenture.  Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with
respect to any series of Securities, any interest due on and any Additional
Amounts payable in respect of Bearer Securities on or before Maturity, other
than Additional Amounts, if any, payable as provided in Section 1011 in respect
of principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) such a Security,
shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several coupons for
such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature.
Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series pursuant to
Section 301, at the option of the Company, all payments of principal may be paid
by check to the registered Holder of the Registered Security or other person
entitled thereto against surrender of such Security.

                                      -44-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 1002.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.

     If Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the
Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an
office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered
for payment or conversion, where Securities of that series may be surrendered
for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series may be
converted or exchanged in accordance with Article Sixteen, and where notices and
demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and
this Indenture may be served.  If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer
Securities, the Company will maintain: (A) in the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee
or in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where
any Registered Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for
payment or conversion, where any Registered Securities of that series may be
surrendered for exchange, where notices and demands to or upon the Company in
respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served and
where Bearer Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented or
surrendered for payment or conversion in the circumstances described in the
following paragraph (and not otherwise); (B) subject to any laws or regulations
applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series which is located
outside the United States, an office or agency where Securities of that series
and related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment (including
payment of any Additional Amounts payable on Securities of that series pursuant
to Section 1011) or conversion; provided, however, that if the Securities of
that series are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, The International Stock
Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such
stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent for
the Securities of that series in Luxembourg, London or any other required city
located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities
of that series are listed on such exchange; and (C) subject to any laws or
regulations applicable thereto, in each Place of Payment for that series located
outside the United States an office or agency where any Securities of that
series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that
series may be surrendered for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon
the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may
be served.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the
location, and any change in the location, of each such office or agency.  If at
any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency
or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such
presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of that
series and the related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment
(including payment of any Additional Amounts payable on Bearer Securities of
that series pursuant to Section 1011) at the offices specified in the Security,
in London, England, and the Company hereby appoints the same as its agent to
receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands, and the
Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations,
surrenders, notices and demands.

     Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to
Section 301, no payment of principal, premium, Make-Whole Amount or interest on
or Additional Amounts in respect of Bearer Securities shall be made at any
office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check mailed to any
address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank
located in the United States; provided, however, that, if the Securities of a
series are payable in Dollars, payment of principal of and any premium and
interest on any Bearer Security (including any Additional Amounts or Make-Whole
Amount payable on Securities of such series pursuant to Section 1011) shall be
made at the office of the Company's Paying Agent in the City of Chattanooga,
Tennessee or the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if)
payment in Dollars of the full amount of such principal, premium, interest,
Additional Amounts or Make-Whole Amount, as the case may be, at all offices or
agencies outside the United States maintained for the purpose by the Company in
accordance with this Indenture, is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange
controls or other similar restrictions.

     The Company may from time to time designate one or more other offices or
agencies where the Securities of one or more series and related coupons, if any,
may be presented or surrendered for any or all of such purposes, and may from
time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such
designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its
obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements
set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes.  The Company
will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or
rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

                                      -45-
<PAGE>
 
     Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to
Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated
in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long
as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture, then the Company
will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required,
at least one exchange rate agent.

     SECTION 1003.  Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

     If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect
to any series of any Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before
each due date of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or
interest on or Additional Amounts in respect of, any of the Securities of that
series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled
thereto a sum in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable
(except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of
such series) sufficient to pay the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount,
if any) or interest or Additional Amounts so becoming due until such sums shall
be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will
promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

     Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of
Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the
principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or interest on or
Additional Amounts in respect of, any Securities of that series, deposit with a
Paying Agent a sum (in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or
composite currency or currencies described in the preceding paragraph)
sufficient to pay the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or
interest or Additional Amounts, so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust
for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium, Make-Whole
Amount or interest or Additional Amounts and (unless such Paying Agent is the
Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure
so to act.

     The Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute
and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree
with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying
Agent will:

     (1)  hold all sums held by it for the payment of principal of (and premium
or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on Securities or Additional Amounts in
trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be
paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

     (2)  give the Trustee written notice of any default by the Company (or any
other obligor upon the Securities) in the making of any such payment of
principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest or Additional
Amounts; and

     (3)  at any time during the continuance of any such default upon the
written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in
trust by such Paying Agent.

     The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company
Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by
the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the
same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such
Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such
Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such
sums.

     Except as otherwise provided in the Securities of any series, any money
deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in
trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts in respect of, any Security of
any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), interest or Additional Amounts has become
due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request or (if then

                                      -46-
<PAGE>
 
held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such
Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the
Company for payment of such principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts in respect of, any Security,
without interest thereon, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent
with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee
thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such
Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the
expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper,
notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified
therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication,
any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the
Company.

     SECTION 1004.  [Reserved].

     SECTION 1005.  Existence.

     Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect the existence,
rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Company and its
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to
preserve any right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that
the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business
of the Company and its Subsidiaries as a whole and that the loss thereof is not
disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders of Securities of any
series.

     SECTION 1006.  Maintenance of Properties.

     The Company will cause all of its material properties used or useful in the
conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and
kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary
equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals,
replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of
the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection
therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company or any
Subsidiary from selling or otherwise disposing of its properties in the ordinary
course of its business.

     SECTION 1007.  [Reserved].

     SECTION 1008.  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.

     The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before
the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges levied or imposed upon it or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits
or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2) all lawful claims for
labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon
the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or
discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability
or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

     SECTION 1009.  Provision of Financial Information.

     Whether or not the Company is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, the Company will, to the extent permitted under the Exchange Act,
file with the Commission the annual reports, quarterly reports and other
documents which the Company would have been required to file with the Commission
pursuant to such Section 13 or 15(d) (the "Financial Statements") if the Company
were so subject, such documents to be filed with the Commission on or prior to
the respective dates (the "Required Filing Dates") by which the Company would
have been required so to file such documents if the Company were so subject.

     The Company will also in any event (x) within 15 days of each Required
Filing Date file with the Trustee copies of annual reports, quarterly reports
and other documents which the Company would have been required to 

                                      -47-
<PAGE>
 
file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if
the Company were subject to such Sections, and (y) if filing such documents by
the Company with the Commission is not permitted under the Exchange Act,
promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost of duplication
and delivery, supply copies of such documents to any prospective Holder.

     SECTION 1010.  Statement as to Compliance.

     The Company will deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of
each fiscal year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer,
principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her
knowledge of the Company's compliance with all conditions and covenants under
this Indenture and, in the event of any noncompliance, specifying such
noncompliance and the nature and status thereof.  For purposes of this Section
1010, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace
or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

     SECTION 1011.  Additional Amounts.

     If any Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional
Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series or
any coupon appertaining thereto Additional Amounts as may be specified as
contemplated by Section 301.  Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in
any context except in the case of Section 502(1), the payment of the principal
of or any premium, Make-Whole Amount or interest on, or in respect of, any
Security of any series or payment of any related coupon or the net proceeds
received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention
shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided
by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301 to the extent
that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in
respect thereof pursuant to such terms and express mention of the payment of
Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be
construed as excluding Additional Amounts in  those provisions hereof where such
express mention is not made.

     Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, if the
Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least
10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of
Securities (or if the Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to
Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal and any premium is
made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal and any
premium or Make-Whole Amount or interest if there has been any change with
respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers' Certificate,
the Company will furnish the Trustee and the Company's principal Paying Agent or
Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers' Certificate
instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such
payment of principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities of that
series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series or any related
coupons who are not United States persons without withholding for or on account
of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities
of or within the series.  If any such withholding shall be required, then such
Officers' Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to
be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities of that series or
related coupons and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the
Additional Amounts, if any, required by the terms of such Securities.  In the
event that the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall not so
receive the above mentioned certificate, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent
shall be entitled (i) to assume that no such withholding or deduction is
required with respect to any payment of principal or interest with respect to
any Securities of a series or related coupons until it shall have received a
certificate advising otherwise and (ii) to make all payments of principal and
interest with respect to the Securities of a series or related coupons without
withholding or deductions until otherwise advised.  The Company covenants to
indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent and their respective officers,
directors, employees and agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any
loss, liability or expense (including legal fees and expenses) reasonably
incurred without gross negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or
in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any
Officers' Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section or in reliance on the
Company's not furnishing such an Officers' Certificate.

                                      -48-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 1012.  Waiver of Certain Covenants.

     The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term,
provision or condition set forth in Sections 1004 to 1009, inclusive, and with
any other term, provision or condition with respect to the Securities of any
series specified in accordance with Section 301 (except any such term, provision
or condition which could not be amended without the consent of all Holders of
Securities of such series pursuant to Section 902), if before or after the time
for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of
all outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either waive
such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such
covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such
covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such
waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of
the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in
full force and effect.


                                ARTICLE ELEVEN
                           REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

     SECTION 1101.  Applicability of Article.

     Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity
shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise
specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in
accordance with this Article.

     SECTION 1102.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

     The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by
or pursuant to a Board Resolution.  In case of any redemption at the election of
the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall,
at least 45 days prior to the giving of the notice of redemption in Section 1104
(unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the
Trustee, in writing, of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of
Securities of such series to be redeemed.  In the case of any redemption of
Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption
provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the
Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate and Opinion of
Counsel evidencing compliance with such restriction.

     SECTION 1103.  Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

     If less than all the Securities of any series issued with the same terms
are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected
not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the
Outstanding Securities of such series issued on such date with the same terms
not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem
fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of
portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that
series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities
of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination
for Securities of that series.

     If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before
termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of
the Security so selected, the converted or exchanged portion of such Security
shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption.
Securities which have been converted or exchanged during a selection of
Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the
purpose of such selection. In any case where more than one Security is
registered in the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the
aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one
Security.

                                      -49-
<PAGE>
 
     The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar
(if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and,
in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal
amount thereof to be redeemed.

     For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires,
all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the
case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of
the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

     SECTION 1104.  Notice of Redemption.

     Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106,
not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless
a shorter period is specified by the terms of such series established pursuant
to Section 301, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, but failure to give
such notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Security
designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to
any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the
redemption of any other such Security or portion thereof.

     Any notice that is mailed to the Holders of Registered Securities in the
manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given,
whether or not the Holder receives the notice.

     All notices of redemption shall state:

     (1)  the Redemption Date;

     (2)  the Redemption Price, accrued interest to the Redemption Date payable
as provided in Section 1106, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any;

     (3)  if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be
redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the
principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed;

     (4)  in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, that on and after
the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the holder will receive,
without a charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for
the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed;

     (5)  that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price and accrued interest
to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106, if any, will become
due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed
and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after
said date;

     (6)  the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities, together in the
case of Bearer Securities with all coupons appertaining thereto, if any,
maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the
Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, or for conversion or exchange;

     (7)  that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case;

     (8)  that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of
any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all
coupons maturing subsequent to the date fixed for redemption or the amount of
any such missing coupon or coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price,
unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee for such
series and any Paying Agent is furnished;

     (9)  if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and any
Registered Securities of such series are not to be redeemed, and if such Bearer
Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to the
redemption on this Redemption Date pursuant to Section 305 or otherwise, the
last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made;

                                      -50-
<PAGE>
 
     (10) the CUSIP number of such Security, if any, provided that neither the
Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any such CUSIP number;
and

     (11) if applicable, that a Holder of Securities who desires to convert or
exchange Securities to be redeemed must satisfy the requirements for conversion
or exchange contained in such Securities, the then existing conversion or
exchange price or rate and the date and time when the option to convert or
exchange shall expire and the place or places where such Securities may be
surrendered for conversion.

     Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed shall be given by the
Company or, at the Company's written request, by the Trustee in the name and at
the expense of the Company.

     SECTION 1105.  Deposit of Redemption Price.

     On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying
Agent, which it may not do in the case of a sinking fund payment under Article
Twelve, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of
money in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable
(except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of
such series) sufficient to pay on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price of,
and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued
interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on
that date.

     SECTION 1106.  Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

     Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to
be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the
Redemption Price therein specified in the currency or currencies, currency unit
or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such
series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for
the Securities of such series) (together with accrued interest, if any, to the
Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default
in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities
shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest and the coupons
for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed,
except to the extent provided below, shall be void.  Upon surrender of any such
Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all
coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such
Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with
accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that
installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or
prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only at an office or agency
located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002)
and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon
presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest; and provided further
that except as otherwise provided with respect to Securities convertible or
exchangeable into other securities or property (including securities of other
issuers, provided that such securities are registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor
form) for a primary offering of its securities) of the Company, installments of
interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the
Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or
more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the
relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section
307.

     If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied
by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may
be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face
amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or
coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to
them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any
Paying Agent harmless.  If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall
surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect
of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder
shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that
interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency
located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002)
and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon
presentation and surrender of those coupons.  If any Security called for
redemption shall 

                                      -51-
<PAGE>
 
not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal, (and
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the
Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Security.

     SECTION 1107.  Securities Redeemed in Part.

     Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the
provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place
of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due
endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney
duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge a
new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as
requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange
for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.


                                ARTICLE TWELVE
                                 SINKING FUNDS

     SECTION 1201.  Applicability of Article.

     The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for
the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.

     The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of
Securities of any series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund
payment," and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the
terms of such Securities of any series is herein referred to as an "optional
sinking fund payment." If provided for by the terms of any Securities of any
series, the cash amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment may be subject to
reduction as provided in Section 1202.  Each sinking fund payment shall be
applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the
terms of Securities of such series.

     SECTION 1202.  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

     The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory
sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of a series, (1) deliver
Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any previously called for
redemption) together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with
all unmatured coupons appertaining thereto and (2) apply as a credit Securities
of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company
pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted
optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, as
provided for by the terms of such Securities, or which have otherwise been
acquired by the Company; provided that such Securities so delivered or applied
as a credit have not been previously so credited.  Such Securities shall be
received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the applicable
Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation
of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall
be reduced accordingly.

     SECTION 1203.  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

     Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for
Securities of any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund
payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion
thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the currency or
currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which
the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified
pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) and the portion
thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities
of that series pursuant to Section 1202, and the optional amount, if any, to be
added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also
deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered and credited.  If such
Officers' Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to
the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be
obligated to pay the amount therein specified.  

                                      -52-
<PAGE>
 
Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee
shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date
in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption
thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the
manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the
redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner
stated in Section 1106 and 1107.


                               ARTICLE THIRTEEN
                      REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

     SECTION 1301.  Applicability of Article.

     Repayment of Securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the
option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such
Securities, if any, and (except as otherwise specified by the terms of such
series established pursuant to Section 301) in accordance with this Article.

     SECTION 1302.  Repayment of Securities.

     Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the
option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of
such Securities, be repaid at a price equal to the principal amount thereon,
together with interest, if any, thereof accrued to the Repayment Date specified
in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities.  The Company covenants that on
or before the Repayment Date it will deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying
Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold
in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the currency or
currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which
the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified
pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the
principal (or, if so provided by the terms of the Securities of any series, a
percentage of the principal) of, and (except if the Repayment Date shall be an
Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portion
thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date.

     SECTION 1303.  Exercise of Option.

     Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders
thereof will contain an "Option to Elect Repayment" form on the reverse of such
Securities.  In order for any Security  to be repaid at the option of the
Holder, the Trustee must receive at the Place of Payment therefor specified in
the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the
Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not
earlier than 60 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date (1) the
Security so providing for such repayment together with the "Option to Elect
Repayment" form on the reverse thereof duly completed by the Holder (or by the
Holder' attorney duly authorized in writing) or (2) a telegram, telex, facsimile
transmission or a letter from a member of a national securities exchange, or the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.  ("NASD"), or a commercial bank
or trust company in the United States setting forth the name of the Holder of
the Security, the principal amount of the Security, the principal amount of the
Security to be repaid, the CUSIP number, if any, or a description of the tenor
and terms of the Security, a statement that the option to elect repayment is
being exercised thereby and a guarantee that the Security to be repaid, together
with the duly completed form entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" on the reverse
of the Security, will be received by the Trustee not later than the fifth
Business Day after the date of such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or
letter; provided, however, that such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or
letter shall only be effective if such Security and form duly completed are
received by the Trustee by such fifth Business Day. If less than the entire
principal amount of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms
of such Security, the principal amount of such Security to be repaid, in
increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, and the
denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the
Holder for the portion of the principal amount of such Security surrendered that
is not to be repaid, must be specified.  The principal amount of any Security
providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in
part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security
would be less than the minimum authorized 

                                      -53-
<PAGE>
 
denomination of Securities of or within the series of which such Security to be
repaid is a part. Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any
Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise
of the repayment option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the
Company.

     SECTION 1304.  When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and
Payable.

     If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the
Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article and as
provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the
portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable
and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on
and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment
of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same
were interest bearing, cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest
appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be repaid, except to the extent
provided below, shall be void.  Upon surrender of any such Security for
repayment in accordance with such provisions, together with all coupons, if any,
appertaining thereto maturing after the Repayment Date, the principal amount of
such security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with
accrued interest, if any, to the Repayment Date; provided, however, that coupons
whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable only
at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise
provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section
301, only upon presentation and surrender of such coupons; and provided further
that, in the case of Registered Securities, installments of interest, if any,
whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable (but
without interest thereon, unless the Company shall default in the payment
thereof) to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor
Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record
Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

     If any Bearer Security surrendered for repayment shall not be accompanied
by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Repayment Date, such Security may
be paid after deducting from the amount payment therefor as provided in Section
1302 an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the
surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the
Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may
require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless.  If thereafter the
Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any
such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made as
provided in the preceding sentence, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the
amount so deducted; provided, however, that interest represented by coupons
shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States
(except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified
as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of those
coupons.  If the principal amount of any Security surrendered for repayment
shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof, such principal amount (together
with interest, if any, thereon accrued to such Repayment Date) shall, until
paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest or Yield to
Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) set forth in such
Security.

     SECTION 1305.  Securities Repaid in Part.

     Upon surrender of any Registered Security which is to be repaid in part
only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver
to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the
Company, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, of any
authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal
amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such
Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid.

                                      -54-
<PAGE>
 
                               ARTICLE FOURTEEN
                      DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

     SECTION 1401.  Applicability of Article; Company's Option to Effect
Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

     If, pursuant to Section 301, provision is made for either or both of (a)
defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1402 or (b)
covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1403
to be applicable to the Securities of any series, then the provisions of such
Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of
this Article (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to
Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such
Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, and the Company may at its
option by Board Resolution at any time, with respect to such Securities and any
coupons appertaining thereto, elect to defease such Outstanding Securities and
any coupons appertaining thereto pursuant to Section 1402 (if applicable) or
Section 1403 (if applicable) upon compliance with the conditions set forth below
in this Article.

     SECTION 1402.  Defeasance and Discharge.

     Upon the Company's exercise of the above option applicable to this Section
with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be
deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such
Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the date the
conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, "defeasance").
For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have
paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding
Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, which shall thereafter be
deemed to be "Outstanding" only for the purposes of Section 1405 and the other
Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (A) and (B) below, and to have
satisfied all of its other obligations under such Securities and any coupons
appertaining thereto and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any
coupons appertaining thereto are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of
the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except
for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged
hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any
coupons appertaining thereto to receive, solely from the trust fund described in
Section 1404 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of
the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, if
any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto when such payments
are due, (B) the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities under
Sections 305, 306, 1002 and 1003 and with respect to the payment of Additional
Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 1011, (C) the
rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (D)
this Article.  Subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may
exercise its option under this Section notwithstanding the prior exercise of its
option under Section 1403 with respect to such Securities and any coupons
appertaining thereto.

     SECTION 1403.  Covenant Defeasance.

     Upon the Company's exercise of the above option applicable to this Section
with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be
released from its obligations under Sections 1005 to 1009, inclusive, and, if
specified pursuant to Section 301, its obligations under any other covenant,
with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto
on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied
(hereinafter, "covenant defeasance"), and such Securities and any coupons
appertaining thereto shall thereafter be deemed to be not "Outstanding" for the
purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and
the consequences of any thereof) in connection with Sections 1005 to 1009,
inclusive, or such other covenant, but shall continue to be deemed "Outstanding"
for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance
means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons
appertaining thereto, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no
liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such
Section or such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any
reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by
reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other
provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not
constitute a default or an Event of Default under Section 501(4) or 501(8) or
otherwise, as the 

                                      -55-
<PAGE>
 
case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and
such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be unaffected
thereby.

     SECTION 1404.  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

     The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 1402 or
Section 1403 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any coupons
appertaining thereto:

     (a)  The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited
with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 607
who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen
applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the
following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely
to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining
thereto, (1) an amount in such currency, currencies or currency unit in which
such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as
payable at Stated Maturity, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such
Securities and coupons appertaining thereto (determined on the basis of the
currency, currencies or currency unit in which such Securities and coupons
appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which
through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in
accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due
date of any payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any)
and interest, if any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto,
money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof in an amount, sufficient,
without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the
opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants
expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay
and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying
trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole
Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities and any
coupons appertaining thereto on the Stated Maturity of such principal or
installment of principal or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund
payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any
coupons appertaining thereto on the day on which such payments are due and
payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities
and any coupons appertaining thereto; provided, that the Trustee shall have been
irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such Government
Obligations to said payments with respect to such Securities.  Before such a
deposit, the Company may give to the Trustee, in accordance with Section 1102
hereof, a notice of its election to redeem all or any portion of such
Outstanding Securities at a future date in accordance with the terms of the
Securities of such series and Article Eleven hereof, which notice shall be
irrevocable.  Such irrevocable redemption notice, if given, shall be given
effect in applying the foregoing.

     (b)  Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other
material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it
is bound (and shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest
pursuant to Section 310(b) of the TIA with respect to any Security of the
Company).

     (c)  No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or
both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities and any
coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing on the date
of such deposit or, insofar as Sections 501(6) and 501(7) are concerned, at any
time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it
being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the
expiration of such period).

     (d)  In the case of an election under Section 1402, the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has
received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a
ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a
change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect
that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such
Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize
income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such
defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the
same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance
had not occurred.

                                      -56-
<PAGE>
 
     (e)  In the case of an election under Section 1403, the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of
such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will not
recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of
such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same
amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if
such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

     (f)  The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent to the defeasance under Section 1402 or the covenant defeasance under
Section 1403 (as the case may be) have been complied with and an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that either (i) as a result of a deposit pursuant to
subsection (a) above and the related exercise of the Company's option under
Section 1402 or Section 1403 (as the case may be) registration is not required
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by the Company, with
respect to the trust funds representing such deposit or by the Trustee for such
trust funds or (ii) all necessary registrations under said Act have been
effected.

     (g)  After the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be
subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally.

     (h)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, such defeasance
or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or
substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company
in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

     SECTION 1405.  Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in
Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money
and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to
Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or
other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 1405, the
"Trustee") pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of
any series and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust and
applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and
any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture, to the payment, either
directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own
Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities
and any coupons appertaining thereto of all sums due and to become due thereon
in respect of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest
and Additional Amounts, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other
funds except to the extent required by law.

     Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section
301, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 1404(a) has been made, (a) the
Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to,
and does, elect pursuant to Section 301 or the terms of such Security to receive
payment in a currency or currency unit other than that in which the deposit
pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a
Conversion Event occurs in respect of the currency or currency unit in which the
deposit pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented
by such Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be deemed to have
been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the
principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and interest, if any,
on such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by
converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such
election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security
into the currency or currency unit in which such Security becomes payable as a
result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable market
exchange rate for such currency or currency unit in effect on the second
Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion
Event, for such currency or currency unit in effect (as nearly as feasible) at
the time of the Conversion Event.

     The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited
pursuant to Section 1404 or the principal and interest received in respect
thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the
account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons
appertaining thereto.

                                      -57-
<PAGE>
 
     Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall
deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money
or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by
it as provided in Section 1404 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized
firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification
thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which
would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant
defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.


                                ARTICLE FIFTEEN
                       MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

     SECTION 1501.  Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

     A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time
and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of
Securities of such series.

     SECTION 1502.  Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

     (a)  The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of
any series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, to be held at such time
and at such place in the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee or the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, or in London as the Trustee shall determine.
Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth
the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed
to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section
106, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the
meeting.

     (b)  In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or
the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of
any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of
Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, by written
request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at
the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication of the
notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not
thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the
Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above
specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the City
of Chattanooga, Tennessee or the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or
in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving
notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

     SECTION 1503.  Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

     To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any
series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of
such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for
a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such
Holder or Holders.  The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to
speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons
entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the
Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

     SECTION 1504.  Quorum; Action.

     The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of
Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that if any action is
to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which this
Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of not less than a
specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a
series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum.
In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any

                                      -58-
<PAGE>
 
such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of
Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be
adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of
the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum
at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned
for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the
meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the
reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section
1502(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five (5)
days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened.
Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall state expressly the
percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum. Except as limited by
the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned
meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted
by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as
limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by
the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a
meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present
as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage
in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.

     Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of
Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be
binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the related coupons,
whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1504, if any
action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with
respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given
or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all
Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and
one or more additional series:

     (i)  there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

     (ii) the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series
that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining
whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.

     SECTION 1505.  Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of
Meetings.

     (a)  Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make
such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders
of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of
such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment
and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies,
certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters
concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate.  Except as
otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of
Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the
appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104
or by having the signature of the Person executing the proxy witnessed or
guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 104 to
certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that
written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed
valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof.

     (b)  The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary
chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the
Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 1502(b), in which
case the Company or the Holders of Securities of or within the series calling
the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary
chairman.  A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the 

                                      -59-
<PAGE>
 
meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the
meeting.

     (c)  At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall
be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no
vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security
challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not
Outstanding.  The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as
a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

     (d)  Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called
pursuant to Section 1502 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time
to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting, and the
meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

     SECTION 1506.  Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

     The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of
Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be
subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of
their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of
the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The
permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who
shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who
shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written
reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in
duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any
series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be
attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any
vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having
knowledge of the fact, setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and
showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1502 and, if
applicable, Section 1504. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the
affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such
copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be
preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted
at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence
of the matters therein stated.

     SECTION 1507.  Evidence of Action Taken by Holders.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by a specified
percentage in principal amount of the Holders of any or all series may be
embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar
tenor signed by such specified percentage of Holders in person or by agent duly
appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such
action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered
to the Trustee.  Proof of execution of any instrument or of a writing appointing
any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and
(subject to Article Six) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if
made in the manner provided in this Article.

     SECTION 1508.  Proof of Execution of Instruments.

     Subject to Article Six, the execution of any instrument by a Holder or his
agent or proxy may be proved in accordance with such reasonable rules and
regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be
satisfactory to the Trustee.

                                      -60-
<PAGE>
 
                                ARTICLE SIXTEEN
                     CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

     SECTION 1601.  Applicability of Article.

     The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any
series which are convertible or exchangeable for other securities or property
(including securities of other issuers, provided that such securities are
registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible
to use Form S-3 (or any successor form) for a primary offering of its
securities) of the Company, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by
Section 301 for the Securities of such series.

     SECTION 1602.  Election to Exchange; Notice to Trustee and Holders.

     The election of the Company to exchange any Securities shall be evidenced
by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section
301 for such Securities.  On or prior to the seventh Business Day prior to
Maturity of the Securities, the Company shall provide written notice to the
Holders of record of the Securities and to the Trustee and will publish a notice
in a daily newspaper of national circulation stating whether the Company has
made such election.

     SECTION 1603.  No Fractional Shares.

     No fractional shares of securities shall be delivered upon exchanges of
Securities of any series. If more than one Security shall be surrendered for
exchange at one time by the same Holder, the number of full shares which shall
be delivered upon exchange shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate
principal amount of the Securities (or specified portions thereof to the extent
permitted hereby) so surrendered. If, except for the provisions of this Section
1603, any Holder of a Security or Securities would be entitled to a fractional
share of a security upon the exchange of such Security or Securities, or
specified portions thereof, the Company shall pay to such Holder an amount in
cash equal to the current market value of such fractional share computed on the
basis of an average Closing Price of such security. The "Closing Price" of any
security on any date of determination means, (i) if such security is listed or
admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a national securities exchange, the
last reported sale price regular way on such exchange, or (ii) if such security
is not at the time so listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a
national securities exchange, the average of the bid and asked prices of such
security in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Quotation
Bureau, Incorporated or similar organization if the National Quotation Bureau,
Incorporated is no longer reporting such information, or if not so available,
the market price as determined by a nationally recognized independent investment
banking firm retained for this purpose by the Company.

     SECTION 1604.  Adjustment of Exchange Rate.

     The exchange rate of Securities of any series that is exchangeable for
other securities or property (including securities of other issuers, provided
that such securities are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and
such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor form) for a
primary offering of its securities) of the Company shall be adjusted for any
stock dividends, stock splits, reclassification, combinations or similar
transactions or any consolidation, merger or other reorganization event in
accordance with the terms of the supplemental indenture or Board Resolution
setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

     Whenever the exchange rate is adjusted, the Company shall compute the
adjusted exchange rate in accordance with terms of the applicable Board
Resolution or supplemental indenture and shall prepare an Officers' Certificate
setting forth the adjusted exchange rate and showing in reasonable detail the
facts upon which such adjustment is based, and such certificate shall forthwith
be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of exchange of
Securities pursuant to Section 1002 and, if different, with the Trustee. The
Company shall forthwith cause a notice setting forth the adjusted exchange rate
to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such
series at its address appearing on the Security Register and to any exchange
agent other than the Trustee.

                                      -61-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 1605.  Payment of Certain Taxes Upon Exchange.

     The Company will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in respect of
the transfer and delivery of shares of other securities or property (including
securities of other issuers, provided that such securities are registered under
Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3
(or any successor form) for a primary offering of its securities) of the Company
on exchange of Securities pursuant hereto.  The Company shall not, however, be
required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved
in the delivery of shares of securities in a name other than that of the Holder
of the Security or Securities to be exchanged, and no such transfer or delivery
shall be made unless and until the person requesting such transfer has paid to
the Company the amount of any such tax, or has established, to the satisfaction
of the Company, that such tax has been paid.

     SECTION 1606.  Shares Free and Clear.

     The Company hereby warrants that upon exchange of Securities of any series,
the Holder of a Security shall receive all rights held by the Company in such
security for which such Security is at such time exchangeable under this Article
Sixteen, free and clear of any and all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances
other than any liens, claims, charges and encumbrances which may have been
placed on any such security by the prior owner thereof, prior to the time such
security was acquired by the Company. Except as provided in Section 1604, the
Company will pay all taxes and charges with respect to the delivery of such
security delivered in exchange for Securities hereunder.

     SECTION 1607.  Cancellation of Security.

     Upon receipt by the Trustee of Securities of any series delivered to it for
exchange under this Article Sixteen, the Trustee shall cancel and dispose of the
same as provided in Section 309.

     SECTION 1608.  Duties of Trustee Regarding Exchange.

     Neither the Trustee nor any exchange agent shall at any time be under any
duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities of any series that is
exchangeable into other securities or property (including securities of other
issuers, provided that such securities are registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor
form) for a primary offering of its securities) of the Company to determine
whether any facts exist which may require any adjustment of the exchange rate,
or with respect to the nature or extent of any such adjustment when made, or
with respect to the method employed, whether herein or in any supplemental
indenture, any resolutions of the Board of Directors or written instrument
executed by one or more officers of the Company provided to be employed in
making the same.  Neither the Trustee nor any exchange agent shall be
accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any
securities or property (including securities of other issuers, provided that
such securities are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such
issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor form) for a primary
offering of its securities) of the Company, or of any Securities and neither the
Trustee nor any exchange agent makes any representation with respect thereto.
Subject to the provisions of Section 612, neither the Trustee nor any exchange
agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or
deliver any stock certificates or other securities or property (including
securities of other issuers, provided that such securities are registered under
Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3
(or any successor form) for a primary offering of its securities) upon the
surrender of any Security for the purpose of exchange or to comply with any of
the covenants of the Company contained in this Article Sixteen or in the
applicable supplemental indenture, resolutions of the Board of Directors or
written instrument executed by one or more duly authorized officers of the
Company.

                                      -62-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 1609.  Repayment of Certain Funds Upon Exchange.

     Any funds which at any time shall have been deposited by the Company or on
its behalf with the Trustee or any other paying agent for the purpose of paying
the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any of the
Securities (including funds deposited for the sinking fund referred to in
Article Twelve hereof) and which shall not be required for such purposes because
of the exchange of such Securities as provided in this Article Sixteen shall
after such exchange be repaid to the Company by the Trustee upon the Company's
written request.

     SECTION 1610.  Exercise of Conversion Privilege.

     In order to exercise a conversion or exchange privilege, the Holder of a
Security of a series with such a privilege shall surrender such Security to the
Company at the office or agency maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section
1002, accompanied by written notice to the Company that the Holder elects to
convert or exchange such Security or a specified portion thereof.  Such notice
shall also state, if different from the name or names (with address) in which
the Securities are registered, the name or names in which the securities or
property (including securities of other issuers, provided that such securities
are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such issuer is then
eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor form) for a primary offering of its
securities) of the Company which shall be issuable on such conversion or
exchange shall be issued.  Securities surrendered for conversion or exchange
shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by or
accompanied by instruments of transfer in forms satisfactory to the Company and
the Trustee duly executed by the registered Holder or its attorney duly
authorized in writing; and Securities so surrendered for conversion or exchange
during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date to the 
opening of business on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (excluding 
Securities or portions thereof called for redemption during such period) shall 
also be accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company of an amount 
equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal
amount of such Security then being converted, and such interest shall be payable
to such registered Holder notwithstanding the conversion or exchange of such 
Security, subject to the provisions of Section 307 relating to the payment of 
Defaulted Interest by the Company. As promptly as practicable after the receipt
of such notice and of any payment required pursuant to a Board Resolution and,
subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an
Officers' Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental
hereto setting forth the terms of such series of Security, and the surrender of
such Security in accordance with such reasonable regulations as the Company may
prescribe, the Company shall issue and shall deliver, at the office or agency at
which such Security is surrendered, to such Holder or on its written order,
securities or property (including securities of other issuers, provided that
such securities are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such
issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor form) for a primary
offering of its securities) of the Company issuable or deliverable upon the
conversion or exchange of such Security (or specified portion thereof), in
accordance with the provisions of such Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate
or supplemental indenture, and cash as provided therein in respect of any
fractional share of such Common Stock otherwise issuable upon such conversion or
exchange. Such conversion or exchange shall be deemed to have been effected
immediately prior to the close of business on the date on which such notice and
such payment, if required, shall have been received in proper order for
conversion or exchange by the Company and such Security shall have been
surrendered as aforesaid (unless such Holder shall have so surrendered such
Security and shall have instructed the Company to effect the conversion or
exchange on a particular date following such surrender and such Holder shall be
entitled to convert or exchange such Security on such date, in which case such
conversion or exchange shall be deemed to be effected immediately prior to the
close of business on such date) and at such time the rights of the Holder of
such Security as such Security Holder shall cease and the person or persons in
whose name or names any securities or property (including securities of other
issuers, provided that such securities are registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor
form) for a primary offering of its securities) of the Company shall be issuable
or deliverable upon such conversion or exchange shall be deemed to have become
the Holder or Holders of record of the shares represented thereby. Except as set
forth above and subject to the final paragraph of Section 307, no payment or
adjustment shall be made upon any conversion or exchange on account of any
interest accrued on the Securities surrendered for conversion or exchange or on
account of any interest or dividends on the securities or property (including
securities of other issuers, provided that such securities are registered under
Section 12 of the Exchange 

                                      -63-
<PAGE>
 
Act and such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor form) for
a primary offering of its securities) of the Company issued or delivered upon
such conversion or exchange.

     In the case of any Security which is converted or exchanged in part only,
upon such conversion or exchange the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the
expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of
authorized denominations, in aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted
or unexchanged portion of such Security.

     SECTION 1611.  Effect of Consolidation or Merger on Conversion Privilege.

     In case of any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company
into or with any other Person, or in case of any sale of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company, the Company or the Person formed by such
consolidation or the Person into which the Company shall have been merged or the
Person which shall have acquired such assets, as the case may be, shall execute
and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture providing that the Holder of
each Security then outstanding of any series that is convertible into Common
Stock of the Company shall have the right, which right shall be the exclusive
conversion right thereafter available to said Holder (until the expiration of
the conversion right of such Security), to convert such Security into the kind
and amount of shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash)
receivable upon such consolidation, merger or sale by a holder of the number of
shares of Common Stock of the Company into which such Security might have been
converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or sale, subject to
compliance with the other provisions of this Indenture, such Security and such
supplemental indenture. Such supplemental indenture shall provide for
adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the
adjustments provided for in such Security. The above provisions of this Section
shall similarly apply to successive consolidations, mergers or sales. It is
expressly agreed and understood that anything in this Indenture to the contrary
notwithstanding, if, pursuant to such merger, consolidation or sale, holders of
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company do not receive shares of
common stock of the surviving corporation but receive other securities, cash or
other property or any combination thereof, Holders of Securities shall not have
the right to thereafter convert their Securities into common stock of the
surviving corporation or the corporation which shall have acquired such assets,
but rather, shall have the right upon such conversion to receive the other
securities, cash or other property receivable by a holder of the number of
shares of Common Stock of the Company into which the Securities held by such
holder might have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger
or sale, all as more fully provided in the first sentence of this Section 1611.
Anything in this Section 1611 to the contrary notwithstanding, the provisions of
this Section 1611 shall not apply to a merger or consolidation of another
corporation with or into the Company pursuant to which both of the following
conditions are applicable: (i) the Company is the surviving corporation and (ii)
the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company are not changed or
converted into any other securities or property (including cash) or changed in
number or character or reclassified pursuant to the terms of such merger or
consolidation.

     As evidence of the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities
or property (including cash) into which Securities may properly be convertible
after any such consolidation, merger or sale, or as to the appropriate
adjustments of the conversion prices applicable with respect thereto, the
Trustee shall be furnished with and may accept the certificate or opinion of an
independent certified public accountant with respect thereto; and, in the
absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively
rely thereon, and shall not be responsible or accountable to any Holder of
Securities for any provision in conformity therewith or approved by such
independent certified accountant which may be contained in said supplemental
indenture.

     This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall
together constitute but one and the same Indenture.

                                      -64-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized, all as of
the day and year first above written.


                         PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.



                         By:____________________________
                             Name:
                              Title:



                         THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Trustee


                         By:____________________________
                             Name:
                              Title:

                                      -65-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2
 
================================================================================


                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.

                                      TO

                           THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                         as Trustee


                             _____________________
 

                                   INDENTURE

                        Dated as of _____________, 1997

                         SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        Page
                                                                                                                        ----
<S>                                                                                                                     <C>
ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION...................................................      1

     SECTION 101.   Definitions.......................................................................................      1
     SECTION 102.   Compliance Certificates and Opinions..............................................................      8
     SECTION 103.   Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee............................................................      9
     SECTION 104.   Acts of Holders...................................................................................      9
     SECTION 105.   Notices, etc., the Trustee and Company............................................................     10
     SECTION 106.   Notice to Holders; Waiver.........................................................................     11
     SECTION 107.   Effect of Headings and Table of Contents..........................................................     12
     SECTION 108.   Successors and Assigns............................................................................     12
     SECTION 109.   Separability Clause...............................................................................     12
     SECTION 110.   Benefits of Indenture.............................................................................     12
     SECTION 111.   No Personal Liability.............................................................................     12
     SECTION 112.   Governing Law.....................................................................................     12
     SECTION 113.   Legal Holidays....................................................................................     12

ARTICLE TWO SECURITIES FORMS..........................................................................................     13

     SECTION 201.   Forms of Securities...............................................................................     13
     SECTION 202.   Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication...................................................     13
     SECTION 203.   Securities Issuable in Global Form................................................................     14

ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES..........................................................................................     14

     SECTION 301.   Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series..............................................................     14
     SECTION 302.   Denominations.....................................................................................     17
     SECTION 303.   Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating....................................................     17
     SECTION 304.   Temporary Securities..............................................................................     19
     SECTION 305.   Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange...............................................     21
     SECTION 306.   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities..................................................     23
     SECTION 307.   Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved....................................................     24
     SECTION 308.   Persons Deemed Owners.............................................................................     25
     SECTION 309.   Cancellation......................................................................................     26
     SECTION 310.   Computation of Interest...........................................................................     26

ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE...............................................................................     26

     SECTION 401.   Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture...........................................................     26
     SECTION 402.   Application of Trust Funds........................................................................     27

ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES.................................................................................................     28

     SECTION 501.   Events of Default.................................................................................     28
     SECTION 502.   Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment................................................     29
     SECTION 503.   Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee...................................     30
     SECTION 504.   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim..................................................................     30
     SECTION 505.   Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons............................     31
</TABLE> 

                                      -i-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                                                                        <C> 
     SECTION 506.   Application of Money Collected....................................................................     31
     SECTION 507.   Limitation on Suits...............................................................................     31
     SECTION 508    Unconditional Right of Holders....................................................................     32
     SECTION 509.   Restoration of Rights and Remedies................................................................     32
     SECTION 510.   Rights and Remedies Cumulative....................................................................     32
     SECTION 511.   Delay or Omission Not Waiver......................................................................     32
     SECTION 512.   Control by Holders of Securities..................................................................     33
     SECTION 513.   Waiver of Past Defaults...........................................................................     33
     SECTION 514.   Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws..................................................................     33
     SECTION 515.   Undertaking for Costs.............................................................................     33

ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE...............................................................................................     34

     SECTION 601.   Notice of Defaults................................................................................     34
     SECTION 602.   Certain Rights of Trustee.........................................................................     34
     SECTION 603.   Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities............................................     35
     SECTION 604.   May Hold Securities...............................................................................     35
     SECTION 605.   Money Held in Trust...............................................................................     35
     SECTION 606.   Compensation and Reimbursement....................................................................     35
     SECTION 607.   Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility...........................................................     36
     SECTION 608.   Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.................................................     36
     SECTION 609.   Acceptance of Appointment By Successor............................................................     37
     SECTION 610.   Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.......................................     38
     SECTION 611.   Appointment of Authenticating Agent...............................................................     38
     SECTION 612.   Certain Duties and Responsibilities...............................................................     40
     SECTION 613.   Conflicting Interests.............................................................................     40

ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY.......................................................     40

     SECTION 701.   Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders......................................................     40
     SECTION 702.   Reports by Trustee................................................................................     40
     SECTION 703.   Reports by Company................................................................................     40
     SECTION 704.   Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.........................................     41

ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE........................................................     41

     SECTION 801.   Consolidations and Mergers of Company and Sales, Leases and Conveyances
                    Permitted Subject to Certain Conditions...........................................................     41
     SECTION 802.   Rights and Duties of Successor Corporation........................................................     41
     SECTION 803.   Officers' Certificate and Opinion of Counsel......................................................     42

ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES..................................................................................     42

     SECTION 901.   Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders................................................     42
     SECTION 902.   Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders...................................................     43
     SECTION 903.   Execution of Supplemental Indentures..............................................................     44
     SECTION 904.   Effect of Supplemental Indentures.................................................................     44
     SECTION 905.   Conformity with Trust Indenture Act...............................................................     44
     SECTION 906.   Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures................................................     44
     SECTION 907.   Notice of Supplemental Indentures.................................................................     45
     SECTION 908.   Subordination Unimpaired..........................................................................     45
</TABLE> 

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                                                                        <C> 
ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS.................................................................................................     45

     SECTION 1001.  Payment of Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any,
                    Interest and Additional Amounts...................................................................     45
     SECTION 1002.  Maintenance of Office or Agency...................................................................     45
     SECTION 1003.  Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.................................................     47
     SECTION 1004.  [Reserved]........................................................................................     48
     SECTION 1005.  Existence.........................................................................................     48
     SECTION 1006.  Maintenance of Properties.........................................................................     48
     SECTION 1007.  [Reserved]........................................................................................     48
     SECTION 1008.  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.................................................................     48
     SECTION 1009.  Provision of Financial Information................................................................     48
     SECTION 1010.  Statement as to Compliance........................................................................     49
     SECTION 1011.  Additional Amounts................................................................................     49
     SECTION 1012.  Waiver of Certain Covenants.......................................................................     49

ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES...............................................................................     50

     SECTION 1101.  Applicability of Article..........................................................................     50
     SECTION 1102.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.............................................................     50
     SECTION 1103.  Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.................................................     50
     SECTION 1104.  Notice of Redemption..............................................................................     51
     SECTION 1105.  Deposit of Redemption Price.......................................................................     52
     SECTION 1106.  Securities Payable on Redemption Date.............................................................     52
     SECTION 1107.  Securities Redeemed in Part.......................................................................     52

ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS..........................................................................................     53

     SECTION 1201.  Applicability of Article..........................................................................     53
     SECTION 1202.  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.............................................     53
     SECTION 1203.  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.........................................................     53

ARTICLE THIRTEEN REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS...................................................................     54

     SECTION 1301.  Applicability of Article..........................................................................     54
     SECTION 1302.  Repayment of Securities...........................................................................     54
     SECTION 1303.  Exercise of Option................................................................................     54
     SECTION 1304.  When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable....................................     55
     SECTION 1305.  Securities Repaid in Part.........................................................................     55

ARTICLE FOURTEEN DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE...................................................................     55

     SECTION 1401.  Applicability of Article; Company's Option to Effect
                    Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.................................................................     55
     SECTION 1402.  Defeasance and Discharge..........................................................................     56
     SECTION 1403.  Covenant Defeasance...............................................................................     56
     SECTION 1404.  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance...................................................     56
     SECTION 1405.  Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust;
                    Other Miscellaneous Provisions....................................................................     58

ARTICLE FIFTEEN MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.....................................................................     59

     SECTION 1501.  Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.........................................................     59
</TABLE> 

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                                                                        <C> 
     SECTION 1502.  Call, Notice and Place of Meetings................................................................     59
     SECTION 1503.  Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings..............................................................     59
     SECTION 1504.  Quorum; Action....................................................................................     59
     SECTION 1505.  Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings...............................     60
     SECTION 1506.  Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings...................................................     61
     SECTION 1507.  Evidence of Action Taken by Holders...............................................................     61
     SECTION 1508.  Proof of Execution of Instruments.................................................................     61

ARTICLE SIXTEEN CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES..................................................................     61

     SECTION 1601.  Applicability of Article..........................................................................     61
     SECTION 1602.  Election to Exchange; Notice to Trustee and Holders...............................................     62
     SECTION 1603.  No Fractional Shares..............................................................................     62
     SECTION 1604.  Adjustment of Exchange Rate.......................................................................     62
     SECTION 1605.  Payment of Certain Taxes Upon Exchange............................................................     62
     SECTION 1606.  Shares Free and Clear.............................................................................     63
     SECTION 1607.  Cancellation of Security..........................................................................     63
     SECTION 1608.  Duties of Trustee Regarding Exchange..............................................................     63
     SECTION 1609.  Repayment of Certain Funds Upon Exchange..........................................................     63
     SECTION 1610.  Exercise of Conversion Privilege..................................................................     63
     SECTION 1611.  Effect of Consolidation or Merger on Conversion Privilege.........................................     64

ARTICLE SEVENTEEN SUBORDINATION.......................................................................................     65

     SECTION 1701.  Agreement to Subordinate..........................................................................     65
     SECTION 1702.  Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy..............................................................     65
     SECTION 1703.  Default on Senior Debt............................................................................     66
     SECTION 1704.  Acceleration of Securities........................................................................     66
     SECTION 1705.  When Distribution Must Be Paid Over...............................................................     66
     SECTION 1706.  Notice by Company.................................................................................     66
     SECTION 1707.  Subrogation.......................................................................................     66
     SECTION 1708.  Relative Rights...................................................................................     67
     SECTION 1709.  Subordination May Not Be Impaired By Company......................................................     67
     SECTION 1710.  Distribution or Notice to Representative..........................................................     67
     SECTION 1711.  Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent................................................................     67
</TABLE>

                                      -iv-
<PAGE>
 
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.


                                [TO BE UPDATED]

     Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the
"1939 Act"), and Indenture, dated as of __________________, 1997


Trust Indenture Act Section                         Indenture Section
                                                
Section 310(a)(1)                                   607
     (a)(2)                                         607
     (b)                                            608
Section 312(c)                                      701
Section 314(a)                                      703
     (a)(4)                                         1010
     (c)(1)                                         102
     (c)(2)                                         102
     (e)                                            102
Section 315(b)                                      601
Section 316(a)(last sentence)                       101 ("Outstanding")
     (a)(1)(A)                                      502, 512
     (a)(1)(B)                                      513
     (b)                                            508
Section 317(a)(1)                                   503
     (a)(2)                                         504
Section 318(a)                                      112
     (c)                                            112
 

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
part of the Indenture.

Attention should also be directed to Section 318(c) of the 1939 Act, which
provides that the provisions of Sections 310 to and including 317 of the 1939
Act are a part of and govern every qualified indenture, whether or not
physically contained therein.

                                      -v-
<PAGE>
 
                                   INDENTURE


     INDENTURE, dated as of ____________, 1997, between PROVIDENT COMPANIES,
INC., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the "Company"), having its
principal office at 1 Fountain Square, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402 and THE
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a New York banking corporation, as Trustee hereunder
(hereinafter called the "Trustee"), having its Corporate Trust Office at 450
West 33rd Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10001.


                            RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

     The Company deems it necessary to issue from time to time for its lawful
purposes senior debt securities (hereinafter called the "Securities") evidencing
its unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, and has duly authorized the
execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time
to time of the Securities, unlimited as to aggregate principal amount, to bear
interest at the rates or formulas, to mature at such times and to have such
other provisions as shall be fixed therefor as hereinafter provided.

     All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the
Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

     For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities
by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and
proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities, as follows:

                                  ARTICLE ONE
            DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

     SECTION 101.  Definitions.

     For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided
or the context otherwise requires:

     (1)  the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them
in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

     (2)  all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture
Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them
therein, and the terms "cash transaction" and "self-liquidating paper," as used
in Trust Indenture Act Section 311, shall have the meanings assigned to them in
the rules of the Commission adopted under the Trust Indenture Act;

     (3)  all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings
assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
and

     (4)  the words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular
Article, Section or other subdivision.

     Certain terms, used principally in Article Three, Article Five, Article Six
and Article Ten, are defined in those Articles.  In addition, the following
terms shall have the indicated respective meanings:

     "Act" has the meaning specified in Section 104.
<PAGE>
 
     "Additional Amounts" means any additional amounts which are required by a
Security, under circumstances specified therein, to be paid by the Company in
respect of certain taxes imposed on certain Holders and which are owing to such
Holders.

     "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person.  For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.

     "Authenticating Agent" means any authenticating agent appointed by the
Trustee pursuant to Section 611.

     "Authorized Newspaper" means a newspaper, printed in the English language
or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published
on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or
holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the
term is used or in the financial community of each such place.  Whenever
successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the
successive publications may be made in the same or in different Authorized
Newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case
on any Business Day.

     "Bankruptcy Law" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

     "Bearer Security" means a Security which is payable to bearer.

     "Board of Directors" means either (i) the Board of Directors of the
Company, the executive committee or any other committee or director of that
board duly authorized to act for it in respect hereof, or (ii) one or more duly
authorized officers of the Company to whom the Board of Directors of the Company
or a committee thereof has delegated the authority to act with respect to the
matters contemplated by this Indenture.

     "Board Resolution" means (i) a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by
the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, and to be in full force and
effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) a
certificate signed by the authorized officer or officers of the Company to whom
the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof has delegated its
authority (as described in the definition of Board of Directors), and in each
case, delivered to the Trustee.

     "Business Day," when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other
particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means,
unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section
301, any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday
nor a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or particular
location are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to
close.

     "CEDEL" means Central de Livraison de Valeurs Mobilieres, S.A., or its
successor.

     "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to
time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after
execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the
duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties on such date.

     "Common Depository" has the meaning specified in Section 304(b).

     "Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of
this Indenture until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to
the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean
such successor corporation.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     "Company Request" and "Company Order" mean, respectively, a written request
or order signed in the name of the Company by the President or a Vice President
of the Company, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Conversion Event" means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency
(other than as otherwise provided with respect to a Security pursuant to Section
301) as provided  by the government of the country which issued such currency
and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public
institutions of or within the international banking community or (ii) any
currency unit (or composite currency) for the purposes for which it was
established.

     "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which, at any
particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered,
which office at the date hereof is located at 450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor,
New York, New York 10001.

     "corporation" includes corporations, associations, companies and business
trusts.

     "coupon" means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

     "Custodian" has the meaning set forth in Section 501.

     "Debt" means the principal, premium, if any, unpaid interest (including
interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for
reorganization relating to the Company whether or not a claim for post-filing
interest is allowed in such proceeding), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement
and indemnification obligations, and all other amounts payable under or in
respect of the following indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed, whether
any such indebtedness exists as of the date of the Indenture or is created,
incurred, assumed or guaranteed after such date:

     (i)   any debt (a) for money borrowed, or (b) evidenced by a bond, note,
debenture, or similar instrument (including purchase money obligations) given in
connection with the acquisition of any business, property or assets, whether by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, but shall not include any account
payable or other obligation created or assumed in the ordinary course of
business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services, or (c) which
is a direct or indirect obligation which arises as a result of banker's
acceptances or bank letters of credit issued to secure obligations of the
Company, or to secure the payment of revenue bonds issued for the benefit of the
Company, whether contingent or otherwise;

     (ii)  any debt of others described in the preceding clause (i) which the
Company has guaranteed or for which it is otherwise liable;

     (iii) the obligation of the Company, as lessee under any lease of property
which is reflected on the Company's balance sheet as a capitalized lease; and

     (iv)  any deferral, amendment, renewal, extension, supplement or refunding
of any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding clauses (i),
(ii), and (iii); provided, however, that, in computing indebtedness of the
Company, there shall be excluded any particular indebtedness if, upon or prior
to the maturity thereof, there shall have been deposited with a depository in
trust money (or evidence of indebtedness if permitted by the instrument creating
such indebtedness) in the necessary amount to pay, redeem or satisfy such
indebtedness as it becomes due, and the amount so deposited shall not be
included in any computation of the assets of the Company.

     "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.

     "Dollar" or "$" means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender
for payment of public and private debts.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company.

     "Euroclear" means Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels
Office, or its successor as operator of the Euroclear System.

     "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Commission.

     "Foreign Currency" means any currency, currency unit or composite currency
issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States
of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such
governments.

     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as used in the United
States applied on a consistent basis as in effect from time to time; provided
that solely for purposes of any calculation required by the financial covenants
contained herein, "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles as
used in the United States on the date hereof, applied on a consistent basis.

     "Government Obligations" means securities which are (i) direct obligations
of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign
Currency in which the Securities of a particular series are payable, for the
payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a
Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of
the United States of America or such government which issued the Foreign
Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, the payment of
which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the
United States of America or such other government, which, in either case, are
not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also
include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with
respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on
or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the
account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required
by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount
payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the
custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of
interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such
depository receipt.

     "Holder" means, in the case of a Registered Security, the Person in whose
name a Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of a
Bearer Security, the bearer thereof and, when used with respect to any coupon,
shall mean the bearer thereof.

     "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from
time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental
hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall
include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated
by Section 301; provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is
acting as Trustee under this instrument, "Indenture" shall mean, with respect to
any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this
instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented
or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant
to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the or those
particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as
contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms
which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not
Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive
of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures
supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such
Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

     "Indexed Security" means a Security the terms of which provide that the
principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the
principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     "Interest" when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security
which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, shall mean interest
payable after Maturity, and, when used with respect to a Security which provides
for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1011, includes such
Additional Amounts.

     "Interest Payment Date" means, when used with respect to any Security, the
Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

     "Make-Whole Amount" means the amount, if any, in addition to principal
which is required by a Security, under the terms and conditions specified
therein or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, to be paid by
the Company to the Holder thereof in connection with any optional redemption or
accelerated payment of such Security.

     "Maturity" means, when used with respect to any Security, the date on which
the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and
payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by
declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect
repayment, repurchase or otherwise.

     "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the President or a
Vice President and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an
employee of or counsel for the Company or other counsel satisfactory to the
Trustee.

     "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides for an
amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

     "Outstanding," when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date
of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under
this Indenture, except:

     (i)    Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation;

     (ii)   Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption or
repayment at the option of the Holder money in the necessary amount has been
thereto fore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the
Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the
Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities
and any coupons appertaining thereto; provided that, if such Securities are to
be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this
Indenture or other provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

     (iii)  Securities, except solely to the extent provided in Sections 1402 or
1403, as applicable, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance
and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen;

     (iv)   Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in
exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and
delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect
of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it
that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such
Securities are valid obligations of the Company; and

     (v)    Securities converted or exchanged into other securities or property
(including securities of other issuers, provided that such securities are
registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible
to use Form S-3 (or any successor form) for a primary offering of its
securities) of the Company pursuant to or in accordance with this Indenture if
the terms of such Securities provide for convertibility or exchange pursuant to
Section 301; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are
present at a meeting of Holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of
making the

                                      -5-

<PAGE>
 
calculations required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313, (i) the principal
amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such
determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such
purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or
shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such
determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof
pursuant to Section 502, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated
in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or
calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal
to the Dollar equivalent, determined pursuant to Section 301 as of the date such
Security is originally issued by the Company, of the principal amount (or, in
the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent as of
such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause
(i) above) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security
that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall
be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face
amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided
with respect to such Indexed Security pursuant to Section 301, and (iv)
Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any
Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and
deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee
shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only
Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so
owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in
good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the
satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such
Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the
Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

     "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any
Securities, or coupons on behalf of the Company, or if no such Person is
authorized, the Company.

     "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

     "Place of Payment" means, when used with respect to the Securities of or
within any series, the place or places where the principal of (and premium or
Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on such Securities are payable as
specified as contemplated by Sections 301 and 1002.

     "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous
Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security
authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or a Security to which a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains shall be deemed to
evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or
the Security to which the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon
appertains.

     "Redemption Date" means, when used with respect to any security to be
redeemed in whole or in part, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant
to this Indenture.

     "Redemption Price" means, when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Registered Security" means any Security which is registered in the
Security Register.

     "Regular Record Date" for the installment of interest payable on any
Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of or within any series means
the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301, whether or
not a Business Day.

     "Repayment Date" means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid
or repurchased at the option of the Holder, the date fixed for such repayment or
repurchase by or pursuant to this Indenture.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     "Repayment Price" means, when used with respect to any Security to be
repaid or purchased at the option of the Holder, the price at which it is to be
repaid or repurchased pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Representative" means the indenture trustee or other trustee, agent or
representative for an issue of Senior Debt.

     "Responsible Officer" means any vice president, assistant vice president,
assistant treasurer, assistant secretary or any other officer of the Trustee
customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above
designated officers and having direct responsibility for the administration of
this Indenture, and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer
to whom such matter is referred because of such officer's knowledge of and
familiarity with the particular subject.

     "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Commission.

     "Security" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture
and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that if at any time there is
more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, "Securities" with
respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the
meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more
particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture,
exclusive, however, of Securities of or within any series as to which such
Person is not Trustee.

     "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective meanings
specified in Section 305.

     "Senior Debt" means the principal, premium, if any, unpaid interest
(including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in
bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or not a claim
for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding), fees, charges,
expenses, reimbursement and indemnification obligations, and all other amounts
payable under or in respect of the following indebtedness of the Company for
money borrowed, whether any such indebtedness exists as of the date of the
Indenture or is created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed after such date:

          (i)  any debt (a) for money borrowed by the Company, or (b) evidenced
     by a bond, note, debenture, or similar instrument (including purchase money
     obligations) given in connection with the acquisition of any business,
     property or assets, whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or
     otherwise, but shall not include any account payable or other obligation
     created or assumed in the ordinary course of business in connection with
     the obtaining of materials or services, or (c) which is a direct or
     indirect obligation which arises as a result of banker's acceptances or
     bank letters of credit issued to secure obligations of the Company, or to
     secure the payment of revenue bonds issued for the benefit of the Company
     whether contingent or otherwise;

          (ii)   any debt of others described in the preceding clause (i) which
     the Company has guaranteed or for which it is otherwise liable;

          (iii)  the obligation of the Company as lessee under any lease of
     property which is reflected on the Company's balance sheet as a capitalized
     lease; and

          (iv)   any deferral, amendment, renewal, extension, supplement or
     refunding of any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding
     clauses (i), (ii) and (iii);

provided, however, that, in computing the indebtedness of the Company, there
shall be excluded any particular indebtedness if, upon or prior to the maturity
thereof, there shall have been deposited with a depository in trust money (or
evidence of indebtedness if permitted by the instrument creating such
indebtedness) in the necessary amount to pay, redeem or satisfy such
indebtedness as it becomes due, and the amount so deposited shall not be

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
included in any computation of the assets of the Company provided, further, that
in computing the indebtedness of the Company hereunder, there shall be excluded
(1) any such indebtedness, obligation or liability referred to in clauses (i)
through (iv) above as to which, in the instrument creating or evidencing the
same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such
indebtedness, obligation or liability is not superior in right of payment to the
Securities, or ranks pari passu with the Securities, (2) any such indebtedness,
obligation or liability which is subordinated to indebtedness of the Company to
substantially the same extent as or to a greater extent than the Securities are
subordinated, (3) any indebtedness to a subsidiary of the Company and (4) the
Securities.  There is no limit on the amount of Senior Debt that the Company may
incur.

     "Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary which is a "significant
subsidiary" (within the meaning of Regulation S-X, promulgated under the
Securities Act) of the Company.

     "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the
Registered Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Trustee
pursuant to Section 307.

     "Stated Maturity" means, when used with respect to any Security or any
installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, the date specified in such
Security or a coupon representing such installment of interest as the fixed date
on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or
interest is due and payable.

     "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other
entity of which a majority of (i) the voting power of the voting equity
securities or (ii) the outstanding equity interests of which are owned, directly
or indirectly, by such Person.  For the purposes of this definition, "voting
equity securities" means equity securities having voting power for the election
of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of
security has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

     "Trust Indenture Act" or "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended and as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed,
except as provided in Section 905.

     "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of
this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or
include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if
at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect
to the Securities of or within any series shall mean only the Trustee with
respect to the Securities of that series.

     "United States" means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any
Securities pursuant to Section 301, the United States of America (including the
states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other
areas subject to its jurisdiction.

     "United States person" means, unless otherwise specified with respect to
any Securities pursuant to Section 301, an individual who is a citizen or
resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity
created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state or
the District of Columbia or an estate or trust the income of which is subject to
United States federal income taxation regardless of its source.

     "Yield to Maturity" means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of
issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent predetermination
of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance
with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

     SECTION 102.  Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

     Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any,
provided for in this Indenture (including covenants, compliance with which
constitute conditions precedent) relating to the proposed action have been
complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such
counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except
that in the case of

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is
specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such
particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be
furnished.

     Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture (excluding certificates delivered
pursuant to Section 1010) shall include:

     (1)  a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion
has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

     (2)  a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;

     (3)  a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made
such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been
complied with; and

     (4)  a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.

     SECTION 103.  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

     In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or
covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion as to some matters and one or more
other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give
an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

     Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, or a
certificate or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the
exercise of reasonable care should know, that the opinion, certificate or
representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or
opinion is based are erroneous.  Any such Opinion of Counsel or certificate or
representations may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a
certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the
Company stating that the information as to such factual matters is in the
possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows that the certificate or
opinion or representations as to such matters are erroneous.

     Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.

     SECTION 104.  Acts of Holders.

     (a)  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of
the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may
be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially
similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in
writing.  If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities
of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of
Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, whether in person
or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities
of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article
Fifteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record.  Except as
herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when
such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee
and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action
embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the
"Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any
such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing
appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall
be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 612)
conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee
or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of
any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in
Section 1506.

     (b)  The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such
execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by
law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing
such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof.  Where
such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual
capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof
of his authority.  The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or
writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved
in any other reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

     (c)  The ownership of Registered Securities shall be proved by the Security
Register or by a certificate of the Security Registrar.

     (d)  The ownership of Bearer Securities may be proved by the production of
such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depository, by any trust
company, bank, banker or other depository, wherever situated, if such
certificate shall be deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at
the date therein mentioned such person had on deposit with such depository, or
exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be
proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer
Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be
satisfactory.  The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any
Bearer Security continues until (1) another certificate or affidavit bearing a
later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (2)
such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (3)
such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or
(4) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding.  The ownership of Bearer
Securities may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems
sufficient.

     (e)  If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Registered Securities
any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
Act, the Company may, at its option, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix
in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act,
but the Company shall have no obligation to do so.  Notwithstanding TIA Section
316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to
such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days
prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and
not later than the date such solicitation is completed.  If such a record date
is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the
Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed
to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite
proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to
such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of
such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by
the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become
effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven
months after the record date.

     (f)  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the
same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of
transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of
anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security
Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent or the Company in reliance
thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 105.  Notices, etc., the Trustee and Company.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be
made upon, given or furnished to or filed with,

     (1)  the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for
every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with
the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Global Trust Services, or

     (2)  the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for
every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in
writing and mailed, first class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it
at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this
Indenture or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee
by the Company.

     SECTION 106.  Notice to Holders; Waiver.

     Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of
Registered Securities by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be
sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing
and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each such Holder affected by such
event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the
latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving
of such notice.  In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is
given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any
notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such
notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency
of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein.  Any
notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively
deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually
receives such notice.

     If by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service
or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by
mail, then such notification to Holders of Registered Securities as shall be
made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification
to such Holders for every purpose hereunder.

     Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or otherwise specified with
respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, where this Indenture provides
for notice to Holders of Bearer Securities of any event, such notice shall be
sufficiently given if published in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New
York and in such other city or cities as may be specified in such Securities,
and if the Securities of such series are listed on any stock exchange outside
the United States, in any place at which such Securities are listed on a
securities exchange to the extent that such securities exchange so requires, on
a Business Day, such publication to be not later than the latest date, and not
earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice.  Any
such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such publication
or, if published more than once, on the date of the first such publication.

     If by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper
or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be
impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided
above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given
with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such
Holders for every purpose hereunder.  Neither the failure to give notice by
publication to any particular Holder of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor
any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of such
notice with respect to other Holders of Bearer Securities or the sufficiency of
any notice to Holders of Registered Securities given as provided herein.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver
required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language,
except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country
of publication.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
     Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be
waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before
or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice.
Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing
shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in
reliance upon such waiver.

     SECTION 107.  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

     The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

     SECTION 108.  Successors and Assigns.

     All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind
its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

     SECTION 109.  Separability Clause.

     In case any provision in this Indenture or in any Security or coupon shall
be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability
of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired
thereby.

     SECTION 110.  Benefits of Indenture.

     Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or coupons appertaining
thereto, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties
hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and
their successors hereunder and the holders of Senior Debt or the Holders any
benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

     SECTION 111.  No Personal Liability.

     No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained
in this Indenture, in any Security or coupon appertaining thereto, or because of
any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any promoter, as such,
or against any past, present or future shareholder, officer or director, as
such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company
or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or
by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or
otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the
acceptance of the Securities by the Holders thereof and as part of the
consideration for the issue of the Securities.

     SECTION 112.  Governing Law.

     This Indenture and the Securities and coupons shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.  This Indenture
is subject to the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of this
Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

     SECTION 113.  Legal Holidays.

     In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment
Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security or
the last date on which a Holder has the right to convert or exchange a Security
at a particular conversion or exchange price shall not be a Business Day at any
Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or
any Security or coupon other than a provision in the Securities of any series
which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu hereof),
payment of interest or any Additional Amounts or principal (and premium or Make-
Whole Amount, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date,
conversion or exchange need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date,
but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment
with the

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date,
Repayment Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or
Maturity or on such last day for conversion or exchange, provided that no
interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after
such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund
payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity or on such last day for conversion or
exchange, as the case may be.


                                  ARTICLE TWO
                               SECURITIES FORMS

     SECTION 201.  Forms of Securities.

     The Registered Securities, if any, of each series and the Bearer
Securities, if any, and related coupons of each series, shall be in
substantially the forms as shall be established in or pursuant to one or more
indentures supplemental hereto or Board Resolutions, shall have such appropriate
insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or
permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, and may have
such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such
legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and
as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be
required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant
thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the
Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.

     Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer
Securities shall have interest coupons attached.

     The definitive Securities and coupons shall be printed, lithographed or
engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved
border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as
determined by the officers of the Company executing such Securities or coupons,
as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or coupons.

     SECTION 202.  Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.

     Subject to Section 611, the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall
be in substantially the following form:

     This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                         The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee


By:_______________________
  Authorized Officer

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 203.  Securities Issuable in Global Form.

     If Securities of or within a series are issuable in global form, as
specified as contemplated by Section 301, then, notwithstanding clause (8) of
Section 301 and the provisions of Section 302, any such Security shall represent
such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein
and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding
Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the
aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby
may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges.  Any
endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase
or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall
be made by the Trustee in such manner and upon written instruction given by such
Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be
delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 or 304.  Subject to the
provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall
deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and
upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in
the applicable Company Order.  If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 or 304
has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with
respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form
shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 and need not be
accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

     The provisions of the last sentence of Section 303 shall apply to any
Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never
issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the
Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not
comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel)
with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented
thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence
of Section 303.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, unless otherwise specified
as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of and any premium or Make-
Whole Amount and interest on any Security in permanent global form shall be made
to the Person or Persons specified therein.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 308 and except as provided in the
preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and
the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding
Securities represented by a permanent global Security (i) in the case of a
permanent global Security in registered form, the Holder of such permanent
global Security in registered form, or (ii) in the case of a permanent global
Security in bearer form, Euroclear or CEDEL.


                                 ARTICLE THREE
                                THE SECURITIES

     SECTION 301.  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

     The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

     The Securities may be issued in one or more series.  There shall be
established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, or indentures
supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, any or
all of the following, as applicable (each of which (except for the matters set
forth in clauses (1), (2) and (15) below), if so provided, may be determined
from time to time by the Company with respect to unissued Securities of or
within the series when issued from time to time):

     (1)  the title of the Securities of or within the series (which shall
distinguish the Securities of such series from all other series of Securities);

     (2)  any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of or
within the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture
(except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities
of or within the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107, or 1305);

     (3)   the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be
determined, on which the principal of the Securities of or within the series
shall be payable and the amount of principal payable thereon;

     (4)   the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the
Securities of or within the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by
which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such
interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be
determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest will be payable
and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Registered
Security on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date shall be
determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than
that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months;

     (5)   the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the City of
Chattanooga, Tennessee or the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, where
the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), interest, if any,
on, and Additional Amounts, if any, payable in respect of, Securities of or
within the series shall be payable, any Registered Securities of or within the
series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion
and notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of or
within the series and this Indenture may be served;

     (6)   the period or periods within which, the price or prices (including
the premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) at which, the currency or currencies,
currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which and other
terms and conditions upon which Securities of or within the series may be
redeemed in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to
have the option;

     (7)   the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase
Securities of or within the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within
which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the currency
or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in
which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of or within the
series shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to
such obligation;

     (8)   if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof, the denominations in which any Registered Securities of or within the
series shall be issuable and, if other than the denomination of $5,000, the
denomination or denominations in which any Bearer Securities of or within the
series shall be issuable;

     (9)   if other than the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar
and/or Paying Agent;

     (10)  if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the
principal amount of Securities of or within the series that shall be payable
upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502
or, if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of or
within the series that is convertible in accordance with the provisions of this
Indenture, or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

     (11)  if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency or Currencies in which
payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or
interest or Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities of or within the
series shall be payable or in which the Securities of or within the series shall
be denominated;

     (12)  whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium or Make-
Whole Amount, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of or within the
series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method
(which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more
currencies, currency units, composite currencies, commodities, equity indices or
other indices), and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
     (13)  whether the principal of (and premium or Make Whole Amount, if any)
or interest or Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities of or within the
series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in
a currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or
currencies other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to
be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions
upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of, and identity
of the exchange rate agent with responsibility for, determining the exchange
rate between the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be
payable and the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies in which such Securities are to be so payable;

     (14)  provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of
Securities of or within the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be
specified;

     (15)  any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of
Default or covenants of the Company with respect to Securities of or within the
series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with
the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

     (16)  whether Securities of or within the series are to be issuable as
Registered Securities, Bearer Securities (with or without coupons) or both, any
restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Bearer Securities and
the terms upon which Bearer Securities of or within the series may be exchanged
for Registered Securities of or within the series and vice versa (if permitted
by applicable laws and regulations), whether any Securities of or within the
series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any
Securities of or within the series are to be issuable in permanent global form
(with or without coupons) and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in
any such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of
such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the
circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the
manner provided in Section 305, and, if Registered Securities of or within the
series are to be issuable as a global Security, the identity of the depository
for such series;

     (17)  the date as of which any Bearer Securities of or within the series
and any temporary global Security representing Outstanding Securities of or
within the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of
the first Security of the series to be issued;

     (18)  the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the
series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security
(or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest, the manner in which, or the Person
to whom, any interest on any Bearer Security of the series shall be payable, if
otherwise than upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining
thereto as they severally mature, and the extent to which, or the manner in
which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest
Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 304;

     (19)  the applicability, if any, of Sections 1402 and/or 1403 to the
Securities of or within the series and any provisions in modification of, in
addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Article Fourteen;

     (20)  if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive
form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of
such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or
satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such
certificates, documents or conditions;

     (21)  if the Securities of or within the series are to be issued upon the
exercise of debt warrants, the time, manner and place for such Securities to be
authenticated and delivered;

     (22)  whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay Additional
Amounts as contemplated by Section 1011 on the Securities of or within the
series to any Holder who is not a United States person (including any
modification to the definition of such term) in respect of any tax, assessment
or governmental charge and, if

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather
than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);

     (23)  the obligation, if any, of the Company to permit the Securities of
such series to be converted into or exchanged for Common Stock of the Company or
other securities or property of the Company and the terms and conditions upon
which such conversion or exchange shall be effected (including, without
limitation, the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion or exchange
period, any adjustment of the applicable conversion or exchange price or rate
and any requirements relative to the reservation of such shares for purposes of
conversion or exchange);

     (24)  if convertible or exchangeable, any applicable limitations on the
ownership or transferability of the securities or property into which such
Securities are convertible or exchangeable; and

     (25)  any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent
with the provisions of this Indenture except as permitted by Section 905).

     All Securities of any one series and the coupons appertaining to any Bearer
Securities of such series, if any, shall be substantially identical except, in
the case of Registered or Bearer Securities issued in global form, as to
denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such
Board Resolution or in any indenture supplemental hereto.  All Securities of any
one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a
series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of
additional Securities of such series.

     If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by
action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, a copy of an appropriate
record of such action(s) shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the
delivery of the Company Order for authentication and delivery of such
Securities.

     SECTION 302.  Denominations.

     The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as
shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301.  With respect to Securities
of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions with
respect to the Securities of any series, the Registered Securities of such
series, other than Registered Securities issued in global form (which may be of
any denomination), shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral
multiple thereof and the Bearer Securities of such series other than Bearer
Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination), shall be
issuable in denominations of $5,000.

     SECTION 303.  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

     The Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be executed on
behalf of the Company by its President or a Vice President, under its corporate
seal reproduced thereon, and attested by its Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary.  The signature of any of these officers on the Securities and coupons
may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such
authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the
Securities.

     Securities or coupons appertaining thereto bearing the manual or facsimile
signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the
Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of
them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery
of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities
or coupons.

     At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this
Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, together with any
coupon appertaining thereto, executed by the Company to the Trustee for
authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and
delivery of such Securities,

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and
deliver such Securities; provided, however, that, in connection with its
original issuance, no Bearer Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to
any location in the United States; and provided further that, unless otherwise
specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 a
Bearer Security may be delivered in connection with its original issuance only
if the Person entitled to receive such Bearer Security shall have furnished a
certificate to Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, in the form set forth in
Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture or such other certificate as may be specified with
respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, dated no earlier
than 15 days prior to the earlier of the date on which such Bearer Security is
delivered and the date on which any temporary Security first becomes
exchangeable for such Bearer Security in accordance with the terms of such
temporary Security and this Indenture. Except as permitted by Section 306, the
Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all
appurtenant coupons for interest then matured have been detached and canceled.

     If all of the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and
if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall
so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee
for the issuance of such Securities and determining the terms of particular
Securities of such series, such as interest rate or formula, maturity date, date
of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue.  In authenticating such
Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture
in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and
(subject to Section 612 and TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d)) shall be fully
protected in conclusively relying upon:

     (i)  an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 102 and stating that:

     (a)  the form or forms of such Securities and any coupons have been, or
will have been upon compliance with such procedures as may be specified therein,
established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

     (b)  the terms of such Securities and any coupons have been, or will have
been upon compliance with such procedures as may be specified therein,
established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

     (c)  such Securities, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, when
completed pursuant to such procedures as may be specified therein, and executed
and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance
with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance
with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any
conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid
and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their
terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement
of creditors' rights generally and to general equitable principles and to such
other matters as may be specified therein; and

     (ii)  an Officers' Certificate complying with Section 102 and stating that
all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the issuance
of such Securities have been, or will have been upon compliance with such
procedures as may be specified therein, complied with and that, to the best of
the knowledge of the signers of such certificate, no Event of Default with
respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding
paragraph, if all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time,
it shall not be necessary to deliver a Company Order, an Opinion of Counsel or
an Officers' Certificate otherwise required pursuant to the preceding paragraph
at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but such order, opinion
and certificate, with appropriate modifications to cover such future issuances,
shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of
such series.

     The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the
issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's
own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under the Securities and this
Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the
Trustee.

     Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication and
each Bearer Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated by
Section 301.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
     No Security or coupon appertaining thereto shall be entitled to any benefit
under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there
appears on such Security or the Security to which such coupon appertains a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly
executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such
certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only
evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder
and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder
but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such
Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309 together
with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be
accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been
issued or sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security
shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and
shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

     SECTION 304.  Temporary Securities.

     (a)  Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the
Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten,
mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination,
substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they
are issued, in registered form, or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or
more coupons or without coupons, and with such appropriate insertions,
omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Company
executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their
execution of such Securities.  In the case of Securities of any series, such
temporary Securities may be in global form.

     Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be
exchanged in accordance with Section 304(b) or as otherwise provided in or
pursuant to a Board Resolution), if temporary Securities of any series are
issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be
prepared without unreasonable delay.  After the preparation of definitive
Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be
exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the
temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a
Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder.  Upon surrender
for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series
(accompanied by any non-matured coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a
like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized
denominations; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security shall be
delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided further
that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary
Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 303.
Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects
be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities
of such series.

     (b)  Unless otherwise provided as contemplated in Section 301, this Section
304(b) shall govern the exchange of temporary Securities issued in global form
other than through the facilities of DTC.  If any such temporary Security is
issued in global form, then such temporary global Security shall, unless
otherwise provided therein, be delivered to the London office of a depository or
common depository (the "Common Depository"), for the benefit of Euroclear and
CEDEL.

     Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date
specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary global
Security (the "Exchange Date"), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee
definitive Securities, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal
amount of such temporary global Security, executed by the Company.  On or after
the Exchange Date, such temporary global Security shall be surrendered by the
Common Depository to the Trustee, as the Company's agent for such purpose, to be
exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities
without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for
each portion of such temporary global Security, an equal aggregate principal
amount of definitive Securities of or within the same series of authorized
denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such temporary global Security
to be exchanged.  The definitive Securities to be delivered in exchange for any
such

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
temporary global Security shall be in bearer form, registered form, permanent
global bearer form or permanent global registered form, or any combination
thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, and, if any combination
thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial owner thereof; provided,
however, that, unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security,
upon such presentation by the Common Depository, such temporary global Security
is accompanied by a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and
signed by Euroclear as to the portion of such temporary global Security, if any,
held for its account then to be exchanged and a certificate dated the Exchange
Date or a subsequent date and signed by CEDEL as to the portion of such
temporary global Security, if any, held for its account then to be exchanged,
each in the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 to this Indenture or in such other
form as may be established pursuant to Section 301; and provided further that
definitive Bearer Securities shall be delivered in exchange for a portion of a
temporary global Security only in compliance with the requirements of Section
303.

     Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, the interest
of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary global Security
shall be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like
tenor following the Exchange Date when the account holder instructs Euroclear or
CEDEL, as the case may be, to request such exchange on his behalf and delivers
to Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, a certificate in the form set forth
in Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture (or in such other form as may be established
pursuant to Section 301), dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Exchange
Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of
Euroclear or CEDEL, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent appointed for such
series of Securities and each Paying Agent.  Unless otherwise specified in such
temporary global Security, any such exchange shall be made free of charge to the
beneficial owners of such temporary global Security, except that a Person
receiving definitive Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage,
transportation and the like unless such Person takes delivery of such definitive
Securities in person at the offices of Euroclear or CEDEL.  Definitive
Securities in bearer form to be delivered in exchange for any portion of a
temporary global Security shall be delivered only outside the United States.

     Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities
of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this
Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor
authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise specified
as contemplated by Section 301, interest payable on a temporary global Security
on an Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series occurring prior to the
applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to Euroclear or CEDEL on such Interest
Payment Date upon delivery by Euroclear or CEDEL to the Trustee of a certificate
or certificates in the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 to this Indenture (or in
such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301), for credit
without further interest on or after such Interest Payment Date to the
respective accounts of Persons who are the beneficial owners of such temporary
global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to
Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, a certificate dated no earlier than 15
days prior to the Interest Payment Date occurring prior to such Exchange Date in
the form set forth as Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as
may be established pursuant to Section 301).  Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein contained, the certifications made pursuant to this paragraph
shall satisfy the certification requirements of the preceding two paragraphs of
this Section 304(b) and of the third paragraph of Section 303 of this Indenture
and the interests of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of the temporary
global Security with respect to which such certification was made will be
exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor on the
Exchange Date or the date of certification if such date occurs after the
Exchange Date, without further act or deed by such beneficial owners.  Except as
otherwise provided in this paragraph, no payments of principal or interest owing
with respect to a beneficial interest in a temporary global Security will be
made unless and until such interest in such temporary global Security shall have
been exchanged for an interest in a definitive Security.  Any interest so
received by Euroclear or CEDEL and not paid as herein provided shall be returned
to the Trustee prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment
Date in order to be repaid to the Company.

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 305.  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

     The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee or in any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment a
register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in such office
or in any such office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being
herein sometimes referred to collectively as the "Security Register") in which,
subject to such reasonable regulations as it or the Security Registrar may
prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered
Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. The Security Register
shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into
written form within a reasonable time. The Trustee, at its Corporate Trust
Office, is hereby initially appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of
registering Registered Securities and transfers of Registered Securities on such
Security Register as herein provided. In the event that the Trustee shall cease
to be Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine the Security
Register at all reasonable times and to require that a copy of the Security
Register in written form be delivered to it from time to time as reasonably
requested. Subject to the provisions of this Section 305, upon surrender for
registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office
or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company
shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of
the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities
of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate
principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, and
containing identical terms and provisions.

     Subject to the provisions of this Section 305, at the option of the Holder,
Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered
Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination or denominations
and of a like aggregate principal amount, containing identical terms and
provisions, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at any
such office or agency. Whenever any such Registered Securities are so
surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the
exchange is entitled to receive. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any
series of Securities as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities may not
be issued in exchange for Registered Securities.

     If (but only if) permitted as contemplated by Section 301, at the option of
the Holder, Bearer Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered
Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like
aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to
be exchanged at any such office or agency, with all unmatured coupons and all
matured coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer
Security is unable to produce any such unmatured coupon or coupons or matured
coupon or coupons in default, any such permitted exchange may be effected if the
Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company
in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing coupon or coupons, or the
surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the
Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may
require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the
Holder of such Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing
coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder
shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, however,
that, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, interest represented by
coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons
at an office or agency located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such
office or agency in a permitted exchange for a Registered Security of the same
series and like tenor after the close of business at such office or agency on
(i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or
agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date
and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related
proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be
surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or
proposed date for payment, as the case may be, and interest or Defaulted
Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date
or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered
Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only
to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this
Indenture. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company
shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities
which the holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301, any permanent global Security shall be exchangeable
only as provided in this paragraph. If the depository for any permanent global
Security is DTC, then, unless the terms of such global Security expressly permit
such global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for definitive
Securities, a global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only
to a nominee of DTC, or by a nominee of DTC to DTC, or to a successor to DTC for
such global Security selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such
successor to DTC. If at any time DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling
or unable to continue as depository for the applicable global Security or
Securities or if at any time DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under
the Exchange Act if so required by applicable law or regulation, the Company
shall appoint a successor depository with respect to such global Security or
Securities. If (x) a successor depository for such global Security or Securities
is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such
notice or becomes aware of such unwillingness, inability or ineligibility, (y)
an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the beneficial owners
representing a majority in principal amount of the applicable series of
Securities represented by such global Security or Securities advise DTC to cease
acting as depository for such global Security or Securities or (z) the Company,
in its sole discretion, determines at any time that all Outstanding Securities
(but not less than all) of any series issued or issuable in the form of one or
more global Securities shall no longer be represented by such global Security or
Securities (provided, however, the Company may not make such determination
during the 40-day restricted period provided by Regulation S under the
Securities Act or during any other similar period during which the Securities
must be held in global form as may be required by the Securities Act), then the
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver definitive
Securities of like series, rank, tenor and terms in definitive form in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security
or Securities. If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global
Security is otherwise entitled to exchange such an interest for Securities of
such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form
and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 301 and provided that
any applicable notice provided in the permanent global Security shall have been
given, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the
earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver definitive Securities in
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such beneficial
owner's interest in such permanent global Security. On or after the earliest
date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security
shall be surrendered for exchange by DTC or such other depository as shall be
specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the
Company's agent for such purpose; provided, however, that no such exchanges may
occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any
selection of Securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption
Date if the Security for which exchange is requested may be among those selected
for redemption; and provided further that no Bearer Security delivered in
exchange for a portion of a permanent global Security shall be mailed or
otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. If a Registered
Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent global Security
after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs
on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office
or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date
and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related
proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest,
as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or
proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered
Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for
payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of
such portion of such permanent global Security is payable in accordance with the
provisions of this Indenture.

     All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

     Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of
transfer or for exchange or redemption shall (if so required by the Company or
the Security Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Security Registrar, duly
executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
     No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than
exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1107 or 1305 not involving any transfer.

     The Company or the Trustee, as applicable, shall not be required (i) to
issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security if such Security may be
among those selected for redemption during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before selection of the Securities to be redeemed under Section
1103 and ending at the close of business on (A) if such Securities are issuable
only as Registered Securities, the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of
redemption and (B) if such Securities are issuable as Bearer Securities, the day
of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if such
Securities are also issuable as Registered Securities and there is no
publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (ii) to
register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for
redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Registered Security
to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to
exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except that such a
Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of that series and
like tenor, provided that such Registered Security shall be simultaneously
surrendered for redemption, or (iv) to issue or to register the transfer or
exchange of any Security which has been surrendered for repayment at the option
of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

     SECTION 306.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

     If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon
appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, together with
such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to
save each of them or any agent of either of them harmless, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a
new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms
and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with
coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered
Security.

     If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence
to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or
coupon, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save
each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of
actual notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or coupon has
been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its
request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such
destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a
destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains (with all appurtenant coupons not
destroyed, lost or stolen), a new Security of the same series and principal
amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not
contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if
any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security
to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous two paragraphs, in case any
such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or coupon has become or is
about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of
issuing a new Security, with coupons corresponding to coupons, if any,
appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to
which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, pay such Security or
coupon; provided, however, that payment of principal of (and premium or Make-
Whole Amount, if any), any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect
to Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, be
payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States and,
unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any interest on
Bearer Securities shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the
coupons appertaining thereto.

     Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may
require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including
the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
     Every new Security of any series with its coupons, if any, issued pursuant
to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security, or in
exchange for a Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains,
shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company,
whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security and its coupons, if any,
or the destroyed, lost or stolen coupon shall be at any time enforceable by
anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and
proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series and their
coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

     The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons.

     SECTION 307.  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

     Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in
accordance with the provisions of Section 301, interest on any Registered
Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any
Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security
(or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the
Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002; provided, however,
that each installment of interest on any Registered Security may at the
Company's option be paid by (i) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or
upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 308,
to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (ii)
transfer to an account maintained by the payee located inside the United States.

     Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to
the Securities of any series, payment of interest may be made, in the case of a
Bearer Security, by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank
located outside the United States.

     Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, every permanent
global Security will provide that interest, if any, payable on any Interest
Payment Date will be paid to DTC, Euroclear and/or CEDEL, as the case may be,
with respect to that portion of such permanent global Security held for its
account by DTC, Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, for the purpose of
permitting such party to credit the interest received by it in respect of such
permanent global Security to the accounts of the beneficial owners thereof.

     In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered in exchange for a
Registered Security of such series after the close of business (at an office or
agency in a Place of Payment for such series) on any Regular Record Date and
before the opening of business (at such office or agency) on the next succeeding
Interest Payment Date, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the
coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date and interest will not be payable
on such Interest Payment Date in respect of the Registered Security issued in
exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of
such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

     Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in
accordance with the provisions of section 301, any interest on any Registered
Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted Interest")
shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder thereof on the
relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such
Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as
provided in clause (1) or (2) below:

     (1)  The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the
Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their
respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a
Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be
fixed in the following manner.  The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing
of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Registered
Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment (which shall not be
less than 20 days after such notice is received by the Trustee), and at the same
time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money in the
currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or
currencies in 

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified
pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) equal to the
aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or
shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior
to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in
trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in
this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for
the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and
not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less
than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed
payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record
Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of
the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date
therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Registered
Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register
not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed
payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having
been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons
in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective
Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special
Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).
In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at the office or agency
in a Place of Payment for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of
such series after the close of business at such office or agency on any Special
Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the
related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security
shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such proposed date of
payment and Defaulted Interest will not be payable on such proposed date of
payment in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer
Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in
accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

     (2)  The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the
Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent
with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be
listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after
written notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment
pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by
the Trustee.

     Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each
Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in
exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest
accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

     Subject to the provisions of Section 1402 and except as otherwise specified
with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of
section 301, in the case of any Security which is converted or exchanged after
any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next succeeding Interest Payment
Date (other than any Security, the principal of (or premium, if any, on) which
shall become due and payable, whether at a Stated Maturity or by declaration of
acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise, prior to such Interest Payment
Date), interest whose Stated Maturity is on such Interest Payment Date shall be
payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion or
exchange, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or duly provided
for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular
Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding
sentence, in the case of any Security which is converted or exchanged, interest
whose Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion or exchange of such
Security shall not be payable.

     SECTION 308.  Persons Deemed Owners.

     Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the
owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and (subject to Sections 305 and 307)
interest on, such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever,
whether or not such Registered Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice
to the contrary.

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
     Title to any Bearer Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall
pass by delivery. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the
Trustee may treat the Holder of any Bearer Security and the Holder of any coupon
as the absolute owner of such Security or coupon for the purpose of receiving
payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever,
whether or not such Security or coupon be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice
to the contrary.

     None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security
Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests of a Security in global form or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any global Security, nothing
herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company or
the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other
authorization furnished by any depository, as a Holder, with respect to such
global Security or impair, as between such depository and owners of beneficial
interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices
governing the exercise of the rights of such depository (or its nominee) as
Holder of such global Security.

     SECTION 309.  Cancellation.

     All Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment
at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit
against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than
the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and coupons
and Securities and coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such
purpose shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to
the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and
delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner
whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery
to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated
hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so
delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so
acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a
redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities
unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. No
Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities
canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this
Indenture. Cancelled Securities and coupons held by the Trustee shall be
destroyed by the Trustee and, if required in writing by the Company, the Trustee
shall deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company, unless by a
Company Order the Company directs their return to it.

     SECTION 310.  Computation of Interest.

     Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect
to Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.


                                 ARTICLE FOUR
                          SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

            SECTION 401.  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

     This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect
with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request
(except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities of such series herein expressly provided for and any right to receive
Additional Amounts, as provided in Section 1011), and the Trustee, upon receipt
of a Company Order, and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper
instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to
such series when

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
     (1)  either

     (A)  all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered
and all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto (other than (i) coupons
appertaining to Bearer Securities surrendered for exchange for Registered
Securities and maturing after such exchange, whose surrender is not required or
has been waived as provided in Section 305, (ii) Securities and coupons of such
series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or
paid as provided in Section 306, (iii) coupons appertaining to Securities called
for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date, whose surrender
has been waived as provided in Section 1106, and (iv) Securities and coupons of
such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or
segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company
or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered
to the Trustee for cancellation; or

     (B)  all Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below,
any coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation

     (i)   have become due and payable, or

     (ii)  will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year,
or

     (iii)   if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for
redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for
the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the
expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably
deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for
the purpose an amount in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or
composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are
payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such
Securities and such coupons not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation, for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and
interest, and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, to the date of such
deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or the
Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

     (2)  The Company has paid or caused to be paid all or other sums payable
hereunder by the Company; and

     (3)  The Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and
an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein
provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to
such series have been complied with.

     Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under
Section 606, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under
Section 611 and, if money shall have been deposited with and held by the Trustee
pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the
Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003, shall survive.

     In the event that there are Securities of two or more series outstanding
hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with
respect to Securities of a particular series as to which it is Trustee and if
the other conditions thereto are met.

     SECTION 402.  Application of Trust Funds.

     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and
applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities, the coupons
and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent
(including the 

                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the
Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any), and any interest and Additional Amounts for whose payment such money has
been deposited with or received by the Trustee, but such money need not be
segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Money
deposited pursuant to this section not in violation of this Indenture shall not
be subject to claims of holders of Senior Debt under Article Seventeen.


                                 ARTICLE FIVE
                                   REMEDIES

     SECTION 501.  Events of Default.

     Subject to any modifications, additions or deletions relating to any series
of Securities as contemplated pursuant to Section 301, "Event of Default,"
wherever used herein with respect to any particular series of Securities, means
any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default
and whether or not it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by
operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or
any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

     (1)  default in the payment of any interest upon or any Additional Amounts
payable in respect of any Security of or within that series or of any coupon
appertaining thereto, when such interest, Additional Amounts or coupon becomes
due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

     (2)  default in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole
Amount, if any, on) any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable
at its Maturity; or

     (3)  default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by
the terms of any Security of that series; or

     (4)  default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of
the Company in this Indenture with respect to any Security of that series (other
than (i) a covenant or agreement included in this Indenture solely for the
benefit of a series of Securities other than such series or (ii) a covenant or
warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this
Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for
a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail,
to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders
of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series
a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be
remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or

     (5)  default under a bond, debenture, note, mortgage, indenture or
instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or
evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company (or by any
Subsidiary, the repayment of which the Company has guaranteed or for which the
Company is directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor), having a
principal amount outstanding in excess of $10,000,000 (other than indebtedness
which is non-recourse to the Company or the Subsidiaries), whether such
indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default shall have
resulted in such indebtedness being declared due and payable prior to the date
on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such
indebtedness having been discharged, or such acceleration having been rescinded
or annulled, within a period of 30 days after there shall have been given, by
registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company
and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default
and requiring the Company to cause such indebtedness to be discharged or cause
such acceleration to be rescinded or annulled and stating that such notice is a
"Notice of Default" hereunder; or

     (6)  the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the
meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

          (A)  commences a voluntary case,

                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
          (B)  consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an
involuntary case,

          (C)  consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or
substantially all of its property, or

          (D)  makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

     (7)  a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any
Bankruptcy Law that:

          (A)  is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
in an involuntary case,

          (B)  appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
or for all or substantially all of either of its property, or

          (C)  orders the liquidation of the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days;
or

     (8)  any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that
series.

     As used in this Section 501, the term "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S.
Code or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors and the term
"Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or other similar
official under any Bankruptcy Law.

     SECTION 502.  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time
Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or
the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of each such affected series (voting as a single class)
may declare the principal (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount
Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be
specified in the terms thereof) of, and the Make-Whole Amount, if any, on, all
the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in
writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon
any such declaration such principal or specified portion thereof shall become
immediately due and payable.

     At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for
payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this
Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the
Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

     (1)  the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to
pay in the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the Securities
of such series is payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301
for the Securities of such series):

          (A)  all overdue installments of interest on and any Additional
Amounts payable in respect of all Outstanding Securities of that series and any
related coupons;

          (B)  the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on)
any Outstanding Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than
by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates
borne by or provided for in such Securities;

          (C)  to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest
upon overdue installments of interest and any Additional Amounts at the rate or
rates borne by or provided for in such Securities; and

                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
          (D)  all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and counsel; and

     (2)  all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other
than the nonpayment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any) or interest on Securities of that series which have become due solely by
such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in
Section 513.

     No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon.

     SECTION 503.  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by
Trustee.

     The Company covenants that if:

     (1)  default is made in the payment of any installment of interest or
Additional Amounts, if any, on any Security of any series and any related coupon
when such interest or Additional Amount becomes due and payable and such default
continues for a period of 30 days, or

     (2)  default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium or 
Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Security of any series at its Maturity, then
the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the
benefit of the Holders of such Securities of such series and coupons, the whole
amount then due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, with
interest upon any overdue principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any)
and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable,
upon any overdue installments of interest or Additional Amounts, if any, at the
rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition
thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and
expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

     If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the
Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a
judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may
prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same
against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series and
collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by
law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities
of such series, wherever situated.

     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and
is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce
its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any
related coupons by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall
deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the
specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of
the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

     SECTION 504.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

     In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation,
bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other
judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the
Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their
creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities
of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by
declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made
any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal, premium or Make-
Whole Amount, if any, or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by
intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

     (i)   to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount
as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, of principal (and
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if
any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers
or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable 

                                      -30-
<PAGE>
 
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents
and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

     (ii)  to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or
other similar official) in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by
each Holder of Securities of such series and coupons to make such payments to
the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of
such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to
it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee and any predecessor Trustee, their agents and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee under Section 606.

     Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security
or coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition
affecting the Securities or coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to
authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a
Security or coupon in any such proceeding.

     SECTION 505.  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities
or Coupons.

     All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the
Securities or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the
possession of any of the Securities or coupons or the production thereof in any
proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee
shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any
recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents
and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities and
coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

     SECTION 506.  Application of Money Collected.

     Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be
applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and,
in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium or
Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest and any Additional Amounts, upon
presentation of the Securities or coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the
notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender
thereof if fully paid:

     FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor
Trustee under Section 606,

     SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the
Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any)
and interest and any Additional Amounts payable, in respect of which or for the
benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or
priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such
Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any),
interest and Additional Amounts, respectively, and

     THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.

     SECTION 507.  Limitation on Suits.

     No Holder of any Security of any series or any related coupon shall have
any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to
this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any
other remedy hereunder, unless:

     (1)   such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

                                      -31-
<PAGE>
 
     (2)   the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the
Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own
name as Trustee hereunder;

     (3)  such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity
satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in
compliance with such request;

     (4)  the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and
offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

     (5)  no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to
the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have
any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision
of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of
such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any
other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in
the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such
Holders.

     SECTION 508.  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium
or Make-Whole Amount, if any, Interest and Additional Amounts.

     Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any
Security or coupon shall have the right which is absolute and unconditional to
receive payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any)
and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on, and any Additional Amounts in
respect of, such Security or payment of such coupon on the respective due dates
expressed in such Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the
Redemption Date), to convert or exchange such Securities in accordance with
Article Sixteen and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment,
and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

     SECTION 509.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

     If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or coupon has instituted any
proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such
proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been
determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such
case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Securities and coupons shall,
subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and
respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and
remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such
proceeding has been instituted.

     SECTION 510.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

     Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons in the last paragraph
of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the
Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or coupons is intended to be exclusive
of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent
permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy
given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.
The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise,
shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other
appropriate right or remedy.

     SECTION 511.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

     No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or
coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall
impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of
Default or any acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given by this
Article or by law to the 

                                      -32-
<PAGE>
 
Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as
may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities or
coupons, as the case may be.

     SECTION 512.  Control by Holders of Securities.

     The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect
to the Securities of such series, provided that

     (1)  such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with
this Indenture,

     (2)  the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee
which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

     (3)  the Trustee need not take any action which might involve it in
personal liability or be unduly prejudicial to the Holders of Securities of such
series not joining therein (but the Trustee shall have no obligation as to the
determination of such undue prejudice).

     SECTION 513.  Waiver of Past Defaults.

     The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the
Securities of such series and any related coupons consent to the waiver of any
past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except
a default

     (1)  in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount,
if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts payable in respect of any Security
of such series or any related coupons, or

     (2)  in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine
cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Security of such series affected.

     Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of
Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose
of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

     SECTION 514.  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

     The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it
will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or
take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted,
now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the
performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such
law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any
power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of
every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

     SECTION 515.  Undertaking for Costs.

     All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his
acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its
discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under
this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or
omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an
undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its
discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
against any party litigant in such suit having due regard to the merits and good
faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions
of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any
suit instituted by any Holder, 

                                      -33-
<PAGE>
 
or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount
of the Outstanding Securities, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the
enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount,
if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts payable with respect to any
Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security
(or in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date) or to enforce
the right to convert or exchange any Security in accordance with Article
Sixteen.

                                  ARTICLE SIX
                                  THE TRUSTEE

     SECTION 601.  Notice of Defaults.

     Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect
to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit in the manner and to
the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), notice of such default hereunder
actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless such default
shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of
a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount,
if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of
such series, or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to
the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding
such notice if and so long as Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith
determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders
of the Securities and coupons of such series; and provided further that in the
case of any default or breach of the character specified in Section 501(4) with
respect to the Securities and coupons of such series, no such notice to Holders
shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the
purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect
to the Securities of such series.

     SECTION 602.  Certain Rights of Trustee.

     Subject to the provisions of TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d):

     (1)  the Trustee shall perform only such duties as are expressly undertaken
by it to perform under this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations
shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

     (2)  the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in
acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

     (3)  any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be
sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (other than
delivery of any Security, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, to the
Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be
sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of
Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

     (4)  whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall
deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking,
suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence
be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part,
rely upon an Officers' Certificate;

     (5)  the Trustee may consult with counsel and as a condition to the taking,
suffering or omission of any action hereunder may demand an Opinion of Counsel,
and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and
complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered
or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

     (6)  the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights
or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of
the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons 

                                      -34-
<PAGE>
 
pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the
Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or
direction;

     (7)  the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture,
note, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may
make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may
see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or
investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises
of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

     (8)  the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, attorneys,
custodians or nominees and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any
misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, attorney, custodian or
nominee appointed with due care by it hereunder; and

     (9)  the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or
within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise
incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder,
or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable
grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to
it against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

     SECTION 603.  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

     The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's
certificate of authentication, and in any coupons shall be taken as the
statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent
assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no
representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the
Securities or coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly
authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities
and perform its obligations hereunder. Neither the Trustee nor any
Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the
Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

     SECTION 604.  May Hold Securities.

     The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or
any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may
become the owner or pledgee of Securities and coupons and, subject to Section
613 and TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company with
the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security
Registrar, Authenticating Agent or such other agent.

     SECTION 605.  Money Held in Trust.

     Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no
liability for interest on, or investment of, any money received by it hereunder.

     SECTION 606.  Compensation and Reimbursement.

     The Company agrees:

     (1)  to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for
all services rendered by it hereunder, including extraordinary services rendered
in connection with or during the continuation of a default 

                                      -35-
<PAGE>
 
hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in
regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

     (2)  to reimburse each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon its
request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made
by it in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the
reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and
counsel), except to the extent any such expense, disbursement or advance may be
attributable to its gross negligence or bad faith; and

     (3)  to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee and each
of their respective directors, officers, agents and employees for, and to hold
each of them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense, arising out of or
in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts or
the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of
defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise
or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder except to the extent any
such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its own gross negligence
or bad faith.

     As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under
this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all
property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held
in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any) or interest on particular Securities or any coupons.

     When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an
Event of Default described in Section 501(6) and (7), such expenses (including
the fees and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for such services are
intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

     The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this
Indenture or the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

     SECTION 607.  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

     There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to
act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have a combined capital and
surplus of at least $50,000,000 or is a subsidiary of a corporation which shall
be a Person that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and
which unconditionally guarantees the obligations of the Trustee hereunder. If
such Trustee or Person publishes reports of condition at least annually,
pursuant to law or the requirements of Federal, State, Territorial or District
of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this
Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Trustee or Person shall be
deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent
report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign
immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this
Article.

     SECTION 608.  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

     (a)  No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a
successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the
applicable requirements of Section 609.

     (b)  The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of
one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company.  If an
instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to
the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the
resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor Trustee.

     (c)  The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities
of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the
Company.

                                      -36-
<PAGE>
 
     (d)  If at any time:

          (1)  the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section
613 or TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by
any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at
least six months, or

          (2)  the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and
shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any
Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least
six months, or

          (3)  the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged
a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be
appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or
of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or
liquidation,

then, in any such case, (i) the Company by or pursuant to a Board Resolution may
remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all
Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder of a Security who
has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf
of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and
the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

     (e)  If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting,
or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect
to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board
Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect
to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such
successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more
or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with
respect to the Securities of any particular series). If, within one year after
such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a
successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be
appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring
Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance
of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities
of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by
the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any
series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities
and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder of a
Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at
least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated,
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor
Trustee with respect to Securities of such series.

     (f)  The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of
the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of
a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner
provided for notices to the Holders of Securities in Section 106. Each notice
shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities
of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

     SECTION 609.  Acceptance of Appointment By Successor.

     (a)  In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with
respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument
accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the
retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any
further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the
Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of
its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor
Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall
duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and
money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its
claim, if any, provided for in Section 606.

                                      -37-
<PAGE>
 
     (b)  In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the
retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of
one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto,
pursuant to Article Nine hereof, wherein each successor Trustee shall accept
such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be
necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each
successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring
Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the
appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is
not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as
shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that
or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue
to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the
provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate
the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being
understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall
constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such
Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from
any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon
the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or
removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided
therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or
conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties
of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series
to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of
the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign,
transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by
such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those
series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

     (c)  Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute
any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming
to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in
paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

     (d)  No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time
of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.

     (e)  All monies due and owing to the Trustee shall be paid before any such 
succession hereunder shall be effective.

     SECTION 610.  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

     Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with
which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust
business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder,
provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this
Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the
part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities or coupons shall have
been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any
successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee
may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities or coupons so
authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself
authenticated such Securities or coupons. In case any Securities or coupons
shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such
successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities or coupons, in
either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and
effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of
the Trustee.

     SECTION 611.  Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

     At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may
appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of
Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to
authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, registration of
transfer or partial redemption or repayment thereof or pursuant to Section 306,
and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this
Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated
by the Trustee hereunder.  Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an
instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, a 

                                      -38-
<PAGE>
 
copy of which instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. Wherever
reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of
Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such
reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of
the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication
executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each
Authenticating Agent shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company and, except
as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 301, shall at all times be a
bank or trust company or corporation organized and doing business and in good
standing under the laws of the United States of America or of any State or the
District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent,
having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $25,000,000 and subject
to supervision or examination by Federal or State authorities. If such
Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant
to law or the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority,
then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such
Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any
time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately
in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

     Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or
corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an
Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible
under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or further act
on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

     An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may at any time resign
by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee for such series and to
the Company. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate
the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to
such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of
resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor
Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give
notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of or within the series
with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve in the manner set
forth in Section 106. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its
appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties
of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an
Authenticating Agent herein. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be
appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

     The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time
reasonable compensation including reimbursement of its reasonable expenses for
its services under this Section.

     If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to
this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in
addition to or in lieu of the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an
alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:

     This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                              _____________________, as Trustee

                              By:________________________
                              as Authenticating Agent

                              By:________________________
                              Authorized Officer

                                      -39-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 612.  Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

     No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk
its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of
any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers,
if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds
or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not reasonably
assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of
this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or
affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this
Section.

     SECTION 613.  Conflicting Interests.

     If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the
meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such
interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to
the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent
permitted by such Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting
interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to
Securities of more than one series. In case an Event of Default shall occur and
be continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of its rights and powers under
the applicable Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their
exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in
the conduct of his own affairs.


                                 ARTICLE SEVEN
               HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

     SECTION 701.  Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.

     Every Holder of Securities or coupons, by receiving and holding the same,
agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee
nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar nor
any director, officer, agent or employee of any of them shall be held
accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and
addresses of the Holders of Securities or coupons in accordance with TIA Section
312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that
the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material
pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).

     SECTION 702.  Reports by Trustee.

     Within 60 days after March 15 of each year commencing with the first March
15 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the
Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities as provided in TIA
Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such March 15 if and to the extent
required by TIA Section 313(a).

     SECTION 703.  Reports by Company.

     The Company will:

     (1)  file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to
file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the
information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of
the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations
prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company
is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of
such Sections, then it will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in
accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the
Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and
reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in
respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as
may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;



     

                                      -40-
<PAGE>
 
     (2)  file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and
regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional
information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company
with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time
to time by such rules and regulations; and

     (3)  transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities, within 30 days after
the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in
TIA Section 313(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports
required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (1) or (2) of this
Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time
by the Commission.

     SECTION 704.  Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

     The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

     (a)  semi-annually, not later than 15 days after the Regular Record Date
for interest for each series of Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee
may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Registered
Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date, or if there is no
Regular Record Date for interest for such series of Securities, semi-annually,
upon such dates as are set forth in the Board Resolution or indenture
supplemental hereto authorizing such series, and

     (b)  at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30
days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar
form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list
is furnished, provided, however, that, so long as the Trustee is the Security
Registrar, no such lists shall be required to be furnished.


                                 ARTICLE EIGHT
                CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE

     SECTION 801.  Consolidations and Mergers of Company and Sales, Leases and
Conveyances Permitted Subject to Certain Conditions.

     The Company may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or
substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into any other Person,
provided that in any such case, (i) either the Company shall be the continuing
entity, or the successor (if other than the Company) entity shall be a Person
organized and existing under the laws of the United States or a State thereof
and such successor entity shall expressly assume the due and punctual payment of
the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and any interest
(including all Additional Amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 1011) on
all of the Securities, according to their tenor, the conversion or exchange
rights shall be provided for in accordance with Article Sixteen, if applicable,
or as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, and the due and punctual
performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this
Indenture to be performed by the Company by supplemental indenture, complying
with Article Nine hereof, satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to
the Trustee by such Person and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such
transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the
Company or any Subsidiary as a result thereof as having been incurred by the
Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default,
and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become an
Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

     SECTION 802.  Rights and Duties of Successor Corporation.

     In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance and
upon any such assumption by the successor entity, such successor entity shall
succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had
been named herein as the party of the first part, and the predecessor entity,
except in the event of a lease, shall be relieved of any further obligation
under this Indenture and the Securities.  Such successor entity thereupon may
cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the
Company, any or all of the 

                                      -41-
<PAGE>
 
Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by
the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor
entity, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and
limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and
shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and
delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and
any Securities which such successor entity thereafter shall cause to be signed
and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Securities so issued
shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture
as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms
of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date
of the execution hereof.

     In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, such
changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the
Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

     SECTION 803.  Officers' Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

     Any consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance permitted under
Section 801 is also subject to the condition that the Trustee receive an
Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that any such
consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, and the assumption by any
successor entity, complies with the provisions of this Article and that all
conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been
complied with.


                                  ARTICLE NINE
                            SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

     SECTION 901.  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

     Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or coupons, the Company,
when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any
time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental
hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

     (1)  to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the
assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in
the Securities contained; or

     (2)  to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders
of all or any series of Securities (and, if such covenants are to be for the
benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are
expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender
any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

     (3)  to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders
of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of Default are to be for
the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of
Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series);
provided, however, that in respect of any such additional Events of Default such
supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after
default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of
other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or
may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default or may limit
the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of that or
those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to
waive such default; or

     (4)  to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide
that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or
eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium, Make-
Whole Amount or Interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be
issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be
issued in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to
permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, provided
that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of
Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

                                      -42-
<PAGE>
 
     (5)  to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture
in respect of any series of Securities, provided that any such addition, change
or elimination shall (i) neither (A) apply to any Security of any series created
prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the
benefit of such provision, nor (B) modify the rights of the Holder of any such
Security with respect to such provision; or (ii) become effective only when
there is no Security Outstanding; or

     (6)  to secure the Securities; or

     (7)  to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series and any
related coupons as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, including the provisions
and procedures relating to Securities convertible into or exchangeable for other
securities or property of the Company; or

     (8)  to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by
a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to
add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary
to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more
than one Trustee; or

     (9)  to make provision with respect to the conversion or exchange rights of
Holders pursuant to the requirements of Article Sixteen, including providing for
the conversion or exchange of the securities into any security or property of
the Company; or

     (10) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein
which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to
make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under
this Indenture which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this
Indenture or to make any other changes, provided that in each case, such
provisions shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities
of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

     (11) to close this Indenture with respect to the authentication and
delivery of additional series of Securities or to qualify, or maintain
qualification of, this Indenture under the TIA; or

     (12) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent
as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of
any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 401, 1402 and 1403; provided in
each case that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the
Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons or any other series
of Securities in any material respect.

     SECTION 902.  Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

     With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal
amount of all Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, by
Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when
authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into
an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of
Securities and any related coupons under this Indenture; provided, however, that
no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Security affected thereby:

     (1)  change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium or Make-
Whole Amount, if any, on) or any installment of principal of or interest on, any
Security; or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate or amount of
interest thereon or any Additional Amounts payable in respect thereof, or any
premium or Make-Whole Amount payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any
obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1011
(except as contemplated by Section 801(i) and permitted by Section 901(1)), or
reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or
Make-Whole Amount, if any, that would be due and payable upon a declaration of
acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount
thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect any
right of repayment at the 

                                      -43-
<PAGE>
 
option of the Holder of any Security, or change any Place of Payment where, or
the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or
currencies in which, the principal of any Security or any premium or Make-Whole
Amount or any Additional Amounts payable in respect thereof or the interest
thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of
any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of
redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption
Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be); or

     (2)  reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such
supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any
waiver with respect to such series (or compliance with certain provisions of
this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided
for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 1504 for quorum or
voting; or

     (3)  modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section
1012, except to increase the required percentage to effect such action or to
provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or
waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected
thereby; or

     (4)  make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or
exchange any Security as provided in Article Sixteen or pursuant to Section 301
(except as permitted by Section 901(9)) or decrease the conversion or exchange
rate or increase the conversion or exchange price of any such Security.

     It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

     A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other
provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included for the benefit of
one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the
Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other
provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the
Holders of Securities of any other series.

     SECTION 903.  Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

     In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of
the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive,
and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel and an
Officers' Certificate stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture
is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all conditions precedent
to the execution of such supplemental indenture have been complied with.  The
Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental
indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under
this Indenture or otherwise.

     SECTION 904.  Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

     Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this
Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
and of any coupon appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

     SECTION 905.  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

     Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

                                      -44-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 906.  Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

     Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of
any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required
by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture.  If the Company shall so determine,
new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the
Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and
executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in
exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

     SECTION 907.  Notice of Supplemental Indentures.

     Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of Section 902, the Company
shall give notice thereof to the Holders of each Outstanding Security affected,
in the manner provided for in Section 106, setting forth in general terms the
substance of such supplemental indenture.

     SECTION 908.  SUBORDINATION UNIMPAIRED.

     No provision in any supplemental indenture that affects the superior
position of the holders of Senior Debt shall be effective against holders of
Senior Debt.


                                  ARTICLE TEN
                                   COVENANTS

     SECTION 1001.  Payment of Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any,
Interest and Additional Amounts.

     The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each
series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts
payable in respect of the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms
of such series of Securities, any coupons appertaining thereto and this
Indenture.  Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with
respect to any series of Securities, any interest due on and any Additional
Amounts payable in respect of Bearer Securities on or before Maturity, other
than Additional Amounts, if any, payable as provided in Section 1011 in respect
of principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) such a Security,
shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several coupons for
such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature.
Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series pursuant to
Section 301, at the option of the Company, all payments of principal may be paid
by check to the registered Holder of the Registered Security or other person
entitled thereto against surrender of such Security.

     SECTION 1002.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.

     If Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the
Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an
office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered
for payment or conversion, where Securities of that series may be surrendered
for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series may be
converted or exchanged in accordance with Article Sixteen, and where notices and
demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and
this Indenture may be served.  If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer
Securities, the Company will maintain: (A) in the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee
or in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where
any Registered Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for
payment or conversion, where any Registered Securities of that series may be
surrendered for exchange, where notices and demands to or upon the Company in
respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served and
where Bearer Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented or
surrendered for payment or conversion in the circumstances described in the
following paragraph (and not otherwise); (B) subject to any laws or regulations

                                      -45-
<PAGE>
 
applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series which is located
outside the United States, an office or agency where Securities of that series
and related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment (including
payment of any Additional Amounts payable on Securities of that series pursuant
to Section 1011) or conversion; provided, however, that if the Securities of
that series are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, The International Stock
Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such
stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent for
the Securities of that series in Luxembourg, London or any other required city
located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities
of that series are listed on such exchange; and (C) subject to any laws or
regulations applicable thereto, in each Place of Payment for that series located
outside the United States an office or agency where any Securities of that
series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that
series may be surrendered for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon
the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may
be served.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the
location, and any change in the location, of each such office or agency.  If at
any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency
or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such
presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of that
series and the related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment
(including payment of any Additional Amounts payable on Bearer Securities of
that series pursuant to Section 1011) at the offices specified in the Security,
in London, England, and the Company hereby appoints the same as its agent to
receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands, and the
Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations,
surrenders, notices and demands.

     Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to
Section 301, no payment of principal, premium, Make-Whole Amount or interest on
or Additional Amounts in respect of Bearer Securities shall be made at any
office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check mailed to any
address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank
located in the United States; provided, however, that, if the Securities of a
series are payable in Dollars, payment of principal of and any premium and
interest on any Bearer Security (including any Additional Amounts or Make-Whole
Amount payable on Securities of such series pursuant to Section 1011) shall be
made at the office of the Company's Paying Agent in the City of Chattanooga,
Tennessee or the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if)
payment in Dollars of the full amount of such principal, premium, interest,
Additional Amounts or Make-Whole Amount, as the case may be, at all offices or
agencies outside the United States maintained for the purpose by the Company in
accordance with this Indenture, is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange
controls or other similar restrictions.

     The Company may from time to time designate one or more other offices or
agencies where the Securities of one or more series and related coupons, if any,
may be presented or surrendered for any or all of such purposes, and may from
time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such
designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its
obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements
set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes.  The Company
will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or
rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

     Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to
Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated
in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long
as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture, then the Company
will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required,
at least one exchange rate agent.

                                      -46-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 1003.  Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

     If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect
to any series of any Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before
each due date of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or
interest on or Additional Amounts in respect of, any of the Securities of that
series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled
thereto a sum in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable
(except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of
such series) sufficient to pay the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount,
if any) or interest or Additional Amounts so becoming due until such sums shall
be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will
promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

     Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of
Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the
principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or interest on or
Additional Amounts in respect of, any Securities of that series, deposit with a
Paying Agent a sum (in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or
composite currency or currencies described in the preceding paragraph)
sufficient to pay the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or
interest or Additional Amounts, so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust
for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium, Make-Whole
Amount or interest or Additional Amounts and (unless such Paying Agent is the
Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure
so to act.

     The Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute
and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree
with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying
Agent will:

     (1)  hold all sums held by it for the payment of principal of (and premium
or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on Securities or Additional Amounts in
trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be
paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

     (2)  give the Trustee written notice of any default by the Company (or any
other obligor upon the Securities) in the making of any such payment of
principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest or Additional
Amounts; and

     (3)  at any time during the continuance of any such default upon the
written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in
trust by such Paying Agent.

     The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company
Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by
the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the
same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such
Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such
Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such
sums.

     Except as otherwise provided in the Securities of any series, any money
deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in
trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts in respect of, any Security of
any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), interest or Additional Amounts has become
due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request or (if then
held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such
Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the
Company for payment of such principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any) or interest on, or any Additional Amounts in respect of, any Security,
without interest thereon, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent
with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee
thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such
Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the
expense of the Company cause to be published once, 

                                      -47-
<PAGE>
 
in an Authorized Newspaper, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that,
after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the
date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining
will be repaid to the Company.

     SECTION 1004.  [Reserved].

     SECTION 1005.  Existence.

     Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect the existence,
rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Company and its
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to
preserve any right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that
the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business
of the Company and its Subsidiaries as a whole and that the loss thereof is not
disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders of Securities of any
series.

     SECTION 1006.  Maintenance of Properties.

     The Company will cause all of its material properties used or useful in the
conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and
kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary
equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals,
replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of
the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection
therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company or any
Subsidiary from selling or otherwise disposing of its properties in the ordinary
course of its business.

     SECTION 1007.  [Reserved].

     SECTION 1008.  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.

     The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before
the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges levied or imposed upon it or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits
or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2) all lawful claims for
labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon
the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or
discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability
or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

     SECTION 1009.  Provision of Financial Information.

     Whether or not the Company is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, the Company will, to the extent permitted under the Exchange Act,
file with the Commission the annual reports, quarterly reports and other
documents which the Company would have been required to file with the Commission
pursuant to such Section 13 or 15(d) (the "Financial Statements") if the Company
were so subject, such documents to be filed with the Commission on or prior to
the respective dates (the "Required Filing Dates") by which the Company would
have been required so to file such documents if the Company were so subject.

     The Company will also in any event (x) within 15 days of each Required
Filing Date file with the Trustee copies of annual reports, quarterly reports
and other documents which the Company would have been required to file with the
Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Company
were subject to such Sections, and (y) if filing such documents by the Company
with the Commission is not permitted under the Exchange Act, promptly upon
written request and payment of the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery,
supply copies of such documents to any prospective Holder.

                                      -48-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 1010.  Statement as to Compliance.

     The Company will deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of
each fiscal year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer,
principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her
knowledge of the Company's compliance with all conditions and covenants under
this Indenture and, in the event of any noncompliance, specifying such
noncompliance and the nature and status thereof.  For purposes of this Section
1010, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace
or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

     SECTION 1011.  Additional Amounts.

     If any Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional
Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series or
any coupon appertaining thereto Additional Amounts as may be specified as
contemplated by Section 301.  Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in
any context except in the case of Section 502(1), the payment of the principal
of or any premium, Make-Whole Amount or interest on, or in respect of, any
Security of any series or payment of any related coupon or the net proceeds
received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention
shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided
by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301 to the extent
that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in
respect thereof pursuant to such terms and express mention of the payment of
Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be
construed as excluding Additional Amounts in  those provisions hereof where such
express mention is not made.

     Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, if the
Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least
10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of
Securities (or if the Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to
Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal and any premium is
made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal and any
premium or Make-Whole Amount or interest if there has been any change with
respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers' Certificate,
the Company will furnish the Trustee and the Company's principal Paying Agent or
Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers' Certificate
instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such
payment of principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities of that
series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series or any related
coupons who are not United States persons without withholding for or on account
of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities
of or within the series.  If any such withholding shall be required, then such
Officers' Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to
be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities of that series or
related coupons and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the
Additional Amounts, if any, required by the terms of such Securities.  In the
event that the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall not so
receive the above mentioned certificate, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent
shall be entitled (i) to assume that no such withholding or deduction is
required with respect to any payment of principal or interest with respect to
any Securities of a series or related coupons until it shall have received a
certificate advising otherwise and (ii) to make all payments of principal and
interest with respect to the Securities of a series or related coupons without
withholding or deductions until otherwise advised.  The Company covenants to
indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent and their respective officers,
directors, employees and agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any
loss, liability or expense (including legal fees and expenses) reasonably
incurred without gross negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or
in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any
Officers' Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section or in reliance on the
Company's not furnishing such an Officers' Certificate.

     SECTION 1012.  Waiver of Certain Covenants.

     The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term,
provision or condition set forth in Sections 1004 to 1009, inclusive, and with
any other term, provision or condition with respect to the Securities of any
series specified in accordance with Section 301 (except any such term, provision
or condition which could not be amended without the consent of all Holders of
Securities of such series pursuant to Section 902), if before or after the time
for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of
all 

                                      -49-
<PAGE>
 
outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either waive such
compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or
condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or
condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall
become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee
in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force
and effect.


                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN
                            REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

     SECTION 1101.  Applicability of Article.

     Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity
shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise
specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in
accordance with this Article.

     SECTION 1102.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

     The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by
or pursuant to a Board Resolution.  In case of any redemption at the election of
the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall,
at least 45 days prior to the giving of the notice of redemption in Section 1104
(unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the
Trustee, in writing, of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of
Securities of such series to be redeemed.  In the case of any redemption of
Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption
provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the
Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate and Opinion of
Counsel evidencing compliance with such restriction.

     SECTION 1103.  Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

     If less than all the Securities of any series issued with the same terms
are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected
not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the
Outstanding Securities of such series issued on such date with the same terms
not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem
fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of
portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that
series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities
of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination
for Securities of that series.

     If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before
termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of
the Security so selected, the converted or exchanged portion of such Security
shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption.
Securities which have been converted or exchanged during a selection of
Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the
purpose of such selection. In any case where more than one Security is
registered in the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the
aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one
Security.

     The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar
(if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and,
in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal
amount thereof to be redeemed.

     For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires,
all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the
case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of
the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

                                      -50-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 1104.  Notice of Redemption.

     Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106,
not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless
a shorter period is specified by the terms of such series established pursuant
to Section 301, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, but failure to give
such notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Security
designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to
any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the
redemption of any other such Security or portion thereof.

     Any notice that is mailed to the Holders of Registered Securities in the
manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given,
whether or not the Holder receives the notice.

     All notices of redemption shall state:

     (1)  the Redemption Date;

     (2)  the Redemption Price, accrued interest to the Redemption Date payable
as provided in Section 1106, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any;

     (3)  if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be
redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the
principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed;

     (4)  in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, that on and after
the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the holder will receive,
without a charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for
the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed;

     (5)  that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price and accrued interest
to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106, if any, will become
due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed
and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after
said date;

     (6)  the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities, together in the
case of Bearer Securities with all coupons appertaining thereto, if any,
maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the
Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, or for conversion or exchange;

     (7)  that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case;

     (8)  that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of
any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all
coupons maturing subsequent to the date fixed for redemption or the amount of
any such missing coupon or coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price,
unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee for such
series and any Paying Agent is furnished;

     (9)  if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and any
Registered Securities of such series are not to be redeemed, and if such Bearer
Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to the
redemption on this Redemption Date pursuant to Section 305 or otherwise, the
last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made;

     (10) the CUSIP number of such Security, if any, provided that neither the
Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any such CUSIP number;
and

     (11) if applicable, that a Holder of Securities who desires to convert or
exchange Securities to be redeemed must satisfy the requirements for conversion
or exchange contained in such Securities, the then existing conversion or
exchange price or rate and the date and time when the option to convert or
exchange shall expire and the place or places where such Securities may be
surrendered for conversion.

                                      -51-
<PAGE>
 
     Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed shall be given by the
Company or, at the Company's written request, by the Trustee in the name and at
the expense of the Company.

     SECTION 1105.  Deposit of Redemption Price.

     On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying
Agent, which it may not do in the case of a sinking fund payment under Article
Twelve, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of
money in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable
(except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of
such series) sufficient to pay on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price of,
and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued
interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on
that date.

     SECTION 1106.  Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

     Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to
be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the
Redemption Price therein specified in the currency or currencies, currency unit
or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such
series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for
the Securities of such series) (together with accrued interest, if any, to the
Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default
in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities
shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest and the coupons
for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed,
except to the extent provided below, shall be void.  Upon surrender of any such
Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all
coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such
Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with
accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that
installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or
prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only at an office or agency
located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002)
and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon
presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest; and provided further
that except as otherwise provided with respect to Securities convertible or
exchangeable into other securities or property (including securities of other
issuers, provided that such securities are registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor
form) for a primary offering of its securities) of the Company, installments of
interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the
Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or
more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the
relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section
307.

     If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied
by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may
be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face
amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or
coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to
them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any
Paying Agent harmless.  If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall
surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect
of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder
shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that
interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency
located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002)
and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon
presentation and surrender of those coupons.  If any Security called for
redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the
principal, (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) shall, until paid, bear
interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Security.

     SECTION 1107.  Securities Redeemed in Part.

     Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the
provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place
of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due
endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Trustee duly 

                                      -52-
<PAGE>
 
executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and
the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the
Holder of such Security without service charge a new Security or Securities of
the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in
aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion
of the principal of the Security so surrendered.


                                 ARTICLE TWELVE
                                 SINKING FUNDS

     SECTION 1201.  Applicability of Article.

     The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for
the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.

     The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of
Securities of any series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund
payment," and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the
terms of such Securities of any series is herein referred to as an "optional
sinking fund payment." If provided for by the terms of any Securities of any
series, the cash amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment may be subject to
reduction as provided in Section 1202.  Each sinking fund payment shall be
applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the
terms of Securities of such series.

     SECTION 1202.  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

     The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory
sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of a series, (1) deliver
Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any previously called for
redemption) together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with
all unmatured coupons appertaining thereto and (2) apply as a credit Securities
of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company
pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted
optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, as
provided for by the terms of such Securities, or which have otherwise been
acquired by the Company; provided that such Securities so delivered or applied
as a credit have not been previously so credited.  Such Securities shall be
received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the applicable
Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation
of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall
be reduced accordingly.

     SECTION 1203.  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

     Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for
Securities of any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund
payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion
thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the currency or
currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which
the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified
pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) and the portion
thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities
of that series pursuant to Section 1202, and the optional amount, if any, to be
added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also
deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered and credited.  If such
Officers' Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to
the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be
obligated to pay the amount therein specified.  Not less than 30 days before
each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to
be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in
Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name
of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104.
Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be
made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 1106 and 1107.

                                      -53-
<PAGE>
 
                                ARTICLE THIRTEEN
                       REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

     SECTION 1301.  Applicability of Article.

     Repayment of Securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the
option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such
Securities, if any, and (except as otherwise specified by the terms of such
series established pursuant to Section 301) in accordance with this Article.

     SECTION 1302.  Repayment of Securities.

     Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the
option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of
such Securities, be repaid at a price equal to the principal amount thereon,
together with interest, if any, thereof accrued to the Repayment Date specified
in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities.  The Company covenants that on
or before the Repayment Date it will deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying
Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold
in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the currency or
currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which
the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified
pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the
principal (or, if so provided by the terms of the Securities of any series, a
percentage of the principal) of, and (except if the Repayment Date shall be an
Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portion
thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date.

     SECTION 1303.  Exercise of Option.

     Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders
thereof will contain an "Option to Elect Repayment" form on the reverse of such
Securities.  In order for any Security  to be repaid at the option of the
Holder, the Trustee must receive at the Place of Payment therefor specified in
the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the
Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not
earlier than 60 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date (1) the
Security so providing for such repayment together with the "Option to Elect
Repayment" form on the reverse thereof duly completed by the Holder (or by the
Holder' attorney duly authorized in writing) or (2) a telegram, telex, facsimile
transmission or a letter from a member of a national securities exchange, or the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.  ("NASD"), or a commercial bank
or trust company in the United States setting forth the name of the Holder of
the Security, the principal amount of the Security, the principal amount of the
Security to be repaid, the CUSIP number, if any, or a description of the tenor
and terms of the Security, a statement that the option to elect repayment is
being exercised thereby and a guarantee that the Security to be repaid, together
with the duly completed form entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" on the reverse
of the Security, will be received by the Trustee not later than the fifth
Business Day after the date of such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or
letter; provided, however, that such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or
letter shall only be effective if such Security and form duly completed are
received by the Trustee by such fifth Business Day. If less than the entire
principal amount of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms
of such Security, the principal amount of such Security to be repaid, in
increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, and the
denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the
Holder for the portion of the principal amount of such Security surrendered that
is not to be repaid, must be specified.  The principal amount of any Security
providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in
part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security
would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of or
within the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part.  Except as
otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for repayment
at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise of the repayment option by the
Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

                                      -54-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 1304.  When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and
Payable.

     If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the
Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article and as
provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the
portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable
and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on
and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment
of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same
were interest bearing, cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest
appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be repaid, except to the extent
provided below, shall be void.  Upon surrender of any such Security for
repayment in accordance with such provisions, together with all coupons, if any,
appertaining thereto maturing after the Repayment Date, the principal amount of
such security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with
accrued interest, if any, to the Repayment Date; provided, however, that coupons
whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable only
at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise
provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section
301, only upon presentation and surrender of such coupons; and provided further
that, in the case of Registered Securities, installments of interest, if any,
whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable (but
without interest thereon, unless the Company shall default in the payment
thereof) to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor
Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record
Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

     If any Bearer Security surrendered for repayment shall not be accompanied
by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Repayment Date, such Security may
be paid after deducting from the amount payment therefor as provided in Section
1302 an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the
surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the
Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may
require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless.  If thereafter the
Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any
such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made as
provided in the preceding sentence, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the
amount so deducted; provided, however, that interest represented by coupons
shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States
(except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified
as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of those
coupons.  If the principal amount of any Security surrendered for repayment
shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof, such principal amount (together
with interest, if any, thereon accrued to such Repayment Date) shall, until
paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest or Yield to
Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) set forth in such
Security.

     SECTION 1305.  Securities Repaid in Part.

     Upon surrender of any Registered Security which is to be repaid in part
only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver
to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the
Company, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, of any
authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal
amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such
Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid.


                                ARTICLE FOURTEEN
                       DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

     SECTION 1401.  Applicability of Article; Company's Option to Effect
Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

     If, pursuant to Section 301, provision is made for either or both of (a)
defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1402 or (b)
covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1403
to be applicable to the Securities of any series, then the provisions of such
Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of
this Article (with such modifications thereto as may be specified 

                                      -55-
<PAGE>
 
pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to
such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, and the Company may at its
option by Board Resolution at any time, with respect to such Securities and any
coupons appertaining thereto, elect to defease such Outstanding Securities and
any coupons appertaining thereto pursuant to Section 1402 (if applicable) or
Section 1403 (if applicable) upon compliance with the conditions set forth below
in this Article.

     SECTION 1402.  Defeasance and Discharge.

     Upon the Company's exercise of the above option applicable to this Section
with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be
deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such
Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the date the
conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, "defeasance").
For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have
paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding
Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, which shall thereafter be
deemed to be "Outstanding" only for the purposes of Section 1405 and the other
Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (A) and (B) below, and to have
satisfied all of its other obligations under such Securities and any coupons
appertaining thereto and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any
coupons appertaining thereto are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of
the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except
for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged
hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any
coupons appertaining thereto to receive, solely from the trust fund described in
Section 1404 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of
the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, if
any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto when such payments
are due, (B) the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities under
Sections 305, 306, 1002 and 1003 and with respect to the payment of Additional
Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 1011, (C) the
rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (D)
this Article.  Subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may
exercise its option under this Section notwithstanding the prior exercise of its
option under Section 1403 with respect to such Securities and any coupons
appertaining thereto.

     SECTION 1403.  Covenant Defeasance.

     Upon the Company's exercise of the above option applicable to this Section
with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be
released from its obligations under Sections 1005 to 1009, inclusive, and, if
specified pursuant to Section 301, its obligations under any other covenant,
with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto
on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied
(hereinafter, "covenant defeasance"), and such Securities and any coupons
appertaining thereto shall thereafter be deemed to be not "Outstanding" for the
purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and
the consequences of any thereof) in connection with Sections 1005 to 1009,
inclusive, or such other covenant, but shall continue to be deemed "Outstanding"
for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance
means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons
appertaining thereto, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no
liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such
Section or such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any
reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by
reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other
provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not
constitute a default or an Event of Default under Section 501(4) or 501(8) or
otherwise, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of
this Indenture and such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be
unaffected thereby.

     SECTION 1404.  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

     The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 1402 or
Section 1403 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any coupons
appertaining thereto:

     (a)  The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited
with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 607
who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article 

                                      -56-
<PAGE>
 
Fourteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the
following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely
to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining
thereto, (1) an amount in such currency, currencies or currency unit in which
such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as
payable at Stated Maturity, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such
Securities and coupons appertaining thereto (determined on the basis of the
currency, currencies or currency unit in which such Securities and coupons
appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which
through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in
accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due
date of any payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any)
and interest, if any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto,
money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof in an amount, sufficient,
without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the
opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants
expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay
and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying
trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole
Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities and any
coupons appertaining thereto on the Stated Maturity of such principal or
installment of principal or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund
payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any
coupons appertaining thereto on the day on which such payments are due and
payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities
and any coupons appertaining thereto; provided, that the Trustee shall have been
irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such Government
Obligations to said payments with respect to such Securities. Before such a
deposit, the Company may give to the Trustee, in accordance with Section 1102
hereof, a notice of its election to redeem all or any portion of such
Outstanding Securities at a future date in accordance with the terms of the
Securities of such series and Article Eleven hereof, which notice shall be
irrevocable. Such irrevocable redemption notice, if given, shall be given effect
in applying the foregoing.

     (b)  Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other
material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it
is bound (and shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest
pursuant to Section 310(b) of the TIA with respect to any Security of the
Company).

     (c)  No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or
both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities and any
coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing on the date
of such deposit or, insofar as Sections 501(6) and 501(7) are concerned, at any
time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it
being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the
expiration of such period).

     (d)  In the case of an election under Section 1402, the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has
received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a
ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a
change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect
that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such
Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize
income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such
defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the
same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance
had not occurred.

     (e)  In the case of an election under Section 1403, the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of
such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will not
recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of
such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same
amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if
such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

     (f)  The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent to the defeasance under Section 1402 or the covenant defeasance under
Section 1403 (as the case may be) have been complied with and an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that either (i) as a result of a deposit pursuant to
subsection (a) above and the related exercise of the Company's option under

                                      -57-
<PAGE>
 
Section 1402 or Section 1403 (as the case may be) registration is not required
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by the Company, with
respect to the trust funds representing such deposit or by the Trustee for such
trust funds or (ii) all necessary registrations under said Act have been
effected.

     (g)  After the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be
subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally.

     (h)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, such defeasance
or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or
substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company
in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

     SECTION 1405.  Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in
Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money
and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to
Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or
other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 1405, the
"Trustee") pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of
any series and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust and
applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and
any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture, to the payment, either
directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own
Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities
and any coupons appertaining thereto of all sums due and to become due thereon
in respect of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest
and Additional Amounts, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other
funds except to the extent required by law.

     Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section
301, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 1404(a) has been made, (a) the
Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to,
and does, elect pursuant to Section 301 or the terms of such Security to receive
payment in a currency or currency unit other than that in which the deposit
pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a
Conversion Event occurs in respect of the currency or currency unit in which the
deposit pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented
by such Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be deemed to have
been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the
principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and interest, if any,
on such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by
converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such
election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security
into the currency or currency unit in which such Security becomes payable as a
result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable market
exchange rate for such currency or currency unit in effect on the second
Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion
Event, for such currency or currency unit in effect (as nearly as feasible) at
the time of the Conversion Event.

     The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited
pursuant to Section 1404 or the principal and interest received in respect
thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the
account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons
appertaining thereto.

     Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall
deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money
or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by
it as provided in Section 1404 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized
firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification
thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which
would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant
defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.

                                      -58-
<PAGE>
 
                                ARTICLE FIFTEEN
                       MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

     SECTION 1501.  Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

     A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time
and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of
Securities of such series.

     SECTION 1502.  Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

     (a)  The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of
any series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, to be held at such time
and at such place in the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee or the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, or in London as the Trustee shall determine.
Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth
the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed
to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section
106, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the
meeting.

     (b)  In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or
the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of
any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of
Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, by written
request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at
the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication of the
notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not
thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the
Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above
specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the City
of Chattanooga, Tennessee or the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or
in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving
notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

     SECTION 1503.  Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

     To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any
series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of
such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for
a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such
Holder or Holders.  The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to
speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons
entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the
Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

     SECTION 1504.  Quorum; Action.

     The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of
Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that if any action is
to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which this
Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of not less than a
specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a
series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum.
In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any
such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of
Securities of such series, be dissolved.  In any other case the meeting may be
adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of
the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting.  In the absence of a
quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further
adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of
the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting.  Notice of the
reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section
1502(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five (5)
days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened.
Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall state expressly the
percentage, as provided above, of the principal 

                                      -59-
<PAGE>
 
amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a
quorum. Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution
presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is
present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;
provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any
resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides
may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is
less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a
series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and
at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders
of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of that series.

     Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of
Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be
binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the related coupons,
whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1504, if any
action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with
respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given
or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all
Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and
one or more additional series:

     (i)  there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

     (ii) the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series
that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining
whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.

     SECTION 1505.  Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of
Meetings.

     (a)  Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make
such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders
of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of
such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment
and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies,
certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters
concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate.  Except as
otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of
Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the
appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104
or by having the signature of the Person executing the proxy witnessed or
guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 104 to
certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that
written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed
valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof.

     (b)  The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary
chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the
Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 1502(b), in which
case the Company or the Holders of Securities of or within the series calling
the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary
chairman.  A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall
be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

     (c)  At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall
be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no
vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security
challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not
Outstanding.  The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as
a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

                                      -60-
<PAGE>
 
     (d)  Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called
pursuant to Section 1502 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time
to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting, and the
meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

     SECTION 1506.  Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

     The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of
Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be
subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of
their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of
the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them.  The
permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who
shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who
shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written
reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting.  A record, at least in
duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any
series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be
attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any
vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having
knowledge of the fact, setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and
showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1502 and, if
applicable, Section 1504.  Each copy shall be signed and verified by the
affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such
copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be
preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted
at the meeting.  Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence
of the matters therein stated.

     SECTION 1507.  Evidence of Action Taken by Holders.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by a specified
percentage in principal amount of the Holders of any or all series may be
embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar
tenor signed by such specified percentage of Holders in person or by agent duly
appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such
action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered
to the Trustee.  Proof of execution of any instrument or of a writing appointing
any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and
(subject to Article Six) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if
made in the manner provided in this Article.

     SECTION 1508.  Proof of Execution of Instruments.

     Subject to Article Six, the execution of any instrument by a Holder or his
agent or proxy may be proved in accordance with such reasonable rules and
regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be
satisfactory to the Trustee.


                                ARTICLE SIXTEEN
                      CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

     SECTION 1601.  Applicability of Article.

     The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any
series which are convertible or exchangeable for other securities or property
(including securities of other issuers, provided that such securities are
registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible
to use Form S-3 (or any successor form) for a primary offering of its
securities) of the Company, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by
Section 301 for the Securities of such series.

                                      -61-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 1602.  Election to Exchange; Notice to Trustee and Holders.

     The election of the Company to exchange any Securities shall be evidenced
by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section
301 for such Securities.  On or prior to the seventh Business Day prior to
Maturity of the Securities, the Company shall provide written notice to the
Holders of record of the Securities and to the Trustee and will publish a notice
in a daily newspaper of national circulation stating whether the Company has
made such election.

     SECTION 1603.  No Fractional Shares.

     No fractional shares of securities shall be delivered upon exchanges of
Securities of any series. If more than one Security shall be surrendered for
exchange at one time by the same Holder, the number of full shares which shall
be delivered upon exchange shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate
principal amount of the Securities (or specified portions thereof to the extent
permitted hereby) so surrendered. If, except for the provisions of this Section
1603, any Holder of a Security or Securities would be entitled to a fractional
share of a security upon the exchange of such Security or Securities, or
specified portions thereof, the Company shall pay to such Holder an amount in
cash equal to the current market value of such fractional share computed on the
basis of an average Closing Price of such security.  The "Closing Price" of any
security on any date of determination means, (i) if such security is listed or
admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a national securities exchange, the
last reported sale price regular way on such exchange, or (ii) if such security
is not at the time so listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a
national securities exchange, the average of the bid and asked prices of such
security in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Quotation
Bureau, Incorporated or similar organization if the National Quotation Bureau,
Incorporated is no longer reporting such information, or if not so available,
the market price as determined by a nationally recognized independent investment
banking firm retained for this purpose by the Company.

     SECTION 1604.  Adjustment of Exchange Rate.

     The exchange rate of Securities of any series that is exchangeable for
other securities or property (including securities of other issuers, provided
that such securities are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and
such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor form) for a
primary offering of its securities) of the Company shall be adjusted for any
stock dividends, stock splits, reclassification, combinations or similar
transactions or any consolidation, merger or other reorganization event in
accordance with the terms of the supplemental indenture or Board Resolution
setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

     Whenever the exchange rate is adjusted, the Company shall compute the
adjusted exchange rate in accordance with terms of the applicable Board
Resolution or supplemental indenture and shall prepare an Officers' Certificate
setting forth the adjusted exchange rate and showing in reasonable detail the
facts upon which such adjustment is based, and such certificate shall forthwith
be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of exchange of
Securities pursuant to Section 1002 and, if different, with the Trustee. The
Company shall forthwith cause a notice setting forth the adjusted exchange rate
to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such
series at its address appearing on the Security Register and to any exchange
agent other than the Trustee.

     SECTION 1605. Payment of Certain Taxes Upon Exchange.

     The Company will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in respect of
the transfer and delivery of shares of other securities or property (including
securities of other issuers, provided that such securities are registered under
Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3
(or any successor form) for a primary offering of its securities) of the Company
on exchange of Securities pursuant hereto.  The Company shall not, however, be
required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved
in the delivery of shares of securities in a name other than that of the Holder
of the Security or Securities to be exchanged, and no such transfer or delivery
shall be made unless and until the person requesting such transfer has 

                                      -62-
<PAGE>
 
paid to the Company the amount of any such tax, or has established, to the
satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid.

     SECTION 1606.  Shares Free and Clear.

     The Company hereby warrants that upon exchange of Securities of any series,
the Holder of a Security shall receive all rights held by the Company in such
security for which such Security is at such time exchangeable under this Article
Sixteen, free and clear of any and all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances
other than any liens, claims, charges and encumbrances which may have been
placed on any such security by the prior owner thereof, prior to the time such
security was acquired by the Company. Except as provided in Section 1604, the
Company will pay all taxes and charges with respect to the delivery of such
security delivered in exchange for Securities hereunder.

     SECTION 1607. Cancellation of Security.

     Upon receipt by the Trustee of Securities of any series delivered to it for
exchange under this Article Sixteen, the Trustee shall cancel and dispose of the
same as provided in Section 309.

     SECTION 1608.  Duties of Trustee Regarding Exchange.

     Neither the Trustee nor any exchange agent shall at any time be under any
duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities of any series that is
exchangeable into other securities or property (including securities of other
issuers, provided that such securities are registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor
form) for a primary offering of its securities) of the Company to determine
whether any facts exist which may require any adjustment of the exchange rate,
or with respect to the nature or extent of any such adjustment when made, or
with respect to the method employed, whether herein or in any supplemental
indenture, any resolutions of the Board of Directors or written instrument
executed by one or more officers of the Company provided to be employed in
making the same.  Neither the Trustee nor any exchange agent shall be
accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any
securities or property (including securities of other issuers, provided that
such securities are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such
issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor form) for a primary
offering of its securities) of the Company, or of any Securities and neither the
Trustee nor any exchange agent makes any representation with respect thereto.
Subject to the provisions of Section 612, neither the Trustee nor any exchange
agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or
deliver any stock certificates or other securities or property (including
securities of other issuers, provided that such securities are registered under
Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3
(or any successor form) for a primary offering of its securities) upon the
surrender of any Security for the purpose of exchange or to comply with any of
the covenants of the Company contained in this Article Sixteen or in the
applicable supplemental indenture, resolutions of the Board of Directors or
written instrument executed by one or more duly authorized officers of the
Company.

     SECTION 1609.  Repayment of Certain Funds Upon Exchange.

     Any funds which at any time shall have been deposited by the Company or on
its behalf with the Trustee or any other paying agent for the purpose of paying
the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any of the
Securities (including funds deposited for the sinking fund referred to in
Article Twelve hereof) and which shall not be required for such purposes because
of the exchange of such Securities as provided in this Article Sixteen shall
after such exchange be repaid to the Company by the Trustee upon the Company's
written request.

     SECTION 1610.  Exercise of Conversion Privilege.

     In order to exercise a conversion or exchange privilege, the Holder of a
Security of a series with such a privilege shall surrender such Security to the
Company at the office or agency maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section
1002, accompanied by written notice to the Company that the Holder elects to
convert or exchange such Security or a specified portion thereof.  Such notice
shall also state, if different from the name or names (with 

                                      -63-
<PAGE>
 
address) in which the Securities are registered, the name or names in which the
securities or property (including securities of other issuers, provided that
such securities are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such
issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor form) for a primary
offering of its securities) of the Company which shall be issuable on such
conversion or exchange shall be issued. Securities surrendered for conversion or
exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed
by or accompanied by instruments of transfer in forms satisfactory to the
Company and the Trustee duly executed by the registered Holder or its attorney
duly authorized in writing; and Securities so surrendered for conversion or
exchange during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date
to the opening of business on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date
(excluding Securities or portions thereof called for redemption during such
period) shall also be accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company
of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the
principal amount of such Security then being converted, and such interest shall
be payable to such registered Holder notwithstanding the conversion or exchange
of such Security, subject to the provisions of Section 307 relating to the
payment of Defaulted Interest by the Company. As promptly as practicable after
the receipt of such notice and of any payment required pursuant to a Board
Resolution and, subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the manner
provided, in an Officers' Certificate, or established in one or more indentures
supplemental hereto setting forth the terms of such series of Security, and the
surrender of such Security in accordance with such reasonable regulations as the
Company may prescribe, the Company shall issue and shall deliver, at the office
or agency at which such Security is surrendered, to such Holder or on its
written order, securities or property (including securities of other issuers,
provided that such securities are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange
Act and such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor form) for
a primary offering of its securities) of the Company issuable or deliverable
upon the conversion or exchange of such Security (or specified portion thereof),
in accordance with the provisions of such Board Resolution, Officers'
Certificate or supplemental indenture, and cash as provided therein in respect
of any fractional share of such Common Stock otherwise issuable upon such
conversion or exchange. Such conversion or exchange shall be deemed to have been
effected immediately prior to the close of business on the date on which such
notice and such payment, if required, shall have been received in proper order
for conversion or exchange by the Company and such Security shall have been
surrendered as aforesaid (unless such Holder shall have so surrendered such
Security and shall have instructed the Company to effect the conversion or
exchange on a particular date following such surrender and such Holder shall be
entitled to convert or exchange such Security on such date, in which case such
conversion or exchange shall be deemed to be effected immediately prior to the
close of business on such date) and at such time the rights of the Holder of
such Security as such Security Holder shall cease and the person or persons in
whose name or names any securities or property (including securities of other
issuers, provided that such securities are registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any successor
form) for a primary offering of its securities) of the Company shall be issuable
or deliverable upon such conversion or exchange shall be deemed to have become
the Holder or Holders of record of the shares represented thereby. Except as set
forth above and subject to the final paragraph of Section 307, no payment or
adjustment shall be made upon any conversion or exchange on account of any
interest accrued on the Securities surrendered for conversion or exchange or on
account of any interest or dividends on the securities or property (including
securities of other issuers, provided that such securities are registered under
Section 12 of the Exchange Act and such issuer is then eligible to use Form S-3
(or any successor form) for a primary offering of its securities) of the Company
issued or delivered upon such conversion or exchange.

     In the case of any Security which is converted or exchanged in part only,
upon such conversion or exchange the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the
expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of
authorized denominations, in aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted
or unexchanged portion of such Security.

     SECTION 1611.  Effect of Consolidation or Merger on Conversion Privilege.

     In case of any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company
into or with any other Person, or in case of any sale of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company, the Company or the Person formed by such
consolidation or the Person into which the Company shall have been merged or the
Person which shall have acquired such assets, as the case may be, shall execute
and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture providing that the Holder of
each Security then outstanding of any series that is convertible into 

                                      -64-
<PAGE>
 
Common Stock of the Company shall have the right, which right shall be the
exclusive conversion right thereafter available to said Holder (until the
expiration of the conversion right of such Security), to convert such Security
into the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities or property
(including cash) receivable upon such consolidation, merger or sale by a holder
of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company into which such Security
might have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or
sale, subject to compliance with the other provisions of this Indenture, such
Security and such supplemental indenture. Such supplemental indenture shall
provide for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be
practicable to the adjustments provided for in such Security. The above
provisions of this Section shall similarly apply to successive consolidations,
mergers or sales. It is expressly agreed and understood that anything in this
Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, if, pursuant to such merger,
consolidation or sale, holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
Company do not receive shares of common stock of the surviving corporation but
receive other securities, cash or other property or any combination thereof,
Holders of Securities shall not have the right to thereafter convert their
Securities into common stock of the surviving corporation or the corporation
which shall have acquired such assets, but rather, shall have the right upon
such conversion to receive the other securities, cash or other property
receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company
into which the Securities held by such holder might have been converted
immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or sale, all as more fully
provided in the first sentence of this Section 1611. Anything in this Section
1611 to the contrary notwithstanding, the provisions of this Section 1611 shall
not apply to a merger or consolidation of another corporation with or into the
Company pursuant to which both of the following conditions are applicable: (i)
the Company is the surviving corporation and (ii) the outstanding shares of
Common Stock of the Company are not changed or converted into any other
securities or property (including cash) or changed in number or character or
reclassified pursuant to the terms of such merger or consolidation.

     As evidence of the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities
or property (including cash) into which Securities may properly be convertible
after any such consolidation, merger or sale, or as to the appropriate
adjustments of the conversion prices applicable with respect thereto, the
Trustee shall be furnished with and may accept the certificate or opinion of an
independent certified public accountant with respect thereto; and, in the
absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively
rely thereon, and shall not be responsible or accountable to any Holder of
Securities for any provision in conformity therewith or approved by such
independent certified accountant which may be contained in said supplemental
indenture.

                               ARTICLE SEVENTEEN
                                 SUBORDINATION

     SECTION 1701.  Agreement to Subordinate.

     Except as otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture or pursuant to
Section 301, the Company agrees, and each Holder by accepting a Security agrees,
that the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities is subordinated in right of
payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article, to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Debt and that the subordination is for the benefit
of the holders of Senior Debt.

     SECTION 1702.  Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.

     Upon any distribution to creditors of the Company in a liquidation or
dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency,
receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property:

     (1)  holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled to receive payment in full in
cash of the principal of and interest (including interest accruing after the
commencement of any such proceeding) to the date of payment on the Senior Debt
before Holders shall be entitled to receive any payment of principal of or
interest on Securities;

     (2)  until the Senior Debt is paid in full in cash, any distribution to
which Holders would be entitled but for this Article shall be made to holders of
Senior Debt as their interests may appear, except that Holders may receive
securities that are subordinated to Senior Debt to at least the same extent as
the Securities; and

                                      -65-
<PAGE>
 
     (3)  the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely upon an order or decree
of a court of competent jurisdiction or a certificate of a bankruptcy trustee or
other similar official for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to
participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Debt and other Company
debt, the amount thereof or payable thereon and all other pertinent facts
relating to the Trustee's obligations under this Article Seventeen.

     SECTION 1703.  Default on Senior Debt.

     The Company may not pay principal of or interest on the Securities and may
not acquire any Securities for cash or property other than capital stock of the
Company if:

     (1)  a default on Senior Debt occurs and is continuing that permits holders
of such Senior Debt to accelerate its maturity, and

     (2)  the default is the subject of judicial proceedings or the Company
receives a notice of the default from a person who may give it pursuant to
Section 1711.  If the Company receives any such notice, a similar notice
received within nine months thereafter relating to the same default on the same
issue of Senior Debt shall not be effective for purposes of this Section.

     The Company may resume payments on the Securities and may acquire them
when:

          (a)  the default is cured or waived, or

          (b)  120 days pass after the notice is given if the default is not the
               subject of judicial proceedings.

if this Article otherwise permits the payment or acquisition at that time.

     SECTION 1704.  Acceleration of Securities.

     If payment of the Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default,
the Company shall promptly notify holders of Senior Debt of the acceleration.
The Company may pay the Securities when 120 days pass after the acceleration
occurs if this Article permits the payment at that time.

     SECTION 1705.  When Distribution Must Be Paid Over.

     If a distribution is made to Holders that because of this Article should
not have been made to them, the Holders who receive the distribution shall hold
it in trust for holders of Senior Debt and pay it over to them as their
interests may appear.

     SECTION 1706.  Notice by Company.

     The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee, in writing, and any Paying
Agent of any facts known to the Company that would cause a payment of principal
of or interest on Securities to violate this Article.

     SECTION 1707.  Subrogation.

     After all Senior Debt is paid in full and until the Securities are paid in
full, Holders shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior Debt to
receive distributions applicable to Senior Debt to the extent that distributions
otherwise payable to the Holders have been applied to the payment of Senior
Debt.  A distribution made under this Article to holders of Senior Debt which
otherwise would have been made to Holders is not, as between the Company and
Holders, a payment by the Company on Senior Debt.

                                      -66-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 1708.  Relative Rights.

     This Article defines the relative rights of Holders and holders of Senior
Debt. Nothing in this Indenture shall:

     (1)  impair, as between the Company and Holders, the obligation of the
Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal of and interest
on the Securities in accordance with their terms;

     (2)  affect the relative rights of Holders and creditors of the Company
other than holders of Senior Debt; or

     (3)  prevent the Trustee or any Holder from exercising its available
remedies upon an Event of Default, subject to the rights of holders of Senior
Debt to receive distributions otherwise payable to Holders.

     If the Company fails because of this Article to pay principal of or
interest on a Security on the due date, the failure is still a default.

     SECTION 1709.  Subordination May Not Be Impaired By Company.

     No right of any holder of Senior Debt to enforce the subordination of the
indebtedness evidenced by the Securities shall be impaired by any act or failure
to act by the Company or by its failure to comply with this Indenture.

     SECTION 1710.  Distribution or Notice to Representative.

     Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of
Senior Debt, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their
Representative.

     SECTION 1711.  Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent.

     The Trustee or any Paying Agent may continue to make payments on the
Securities until it receives written notice of facts that would cause a payment
of principal of or interest on the Securities to violate this Article.  Only the
Company, a Representative or a holder of an issue of Senior Debt that has no
Representative may give the written notice.

     The Trustee has no fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt other than
as created under this Indenture.  The Trustee in its individual or any other
capacity may hold Senior Debt with the same rights it would have if it were not
Trustee.

     The Company's obligation to pay, and the Company's payment of, the amounts
required by Section 606 are excluded from the operation of this Article
Seventeen.

                                      -67-
<PAGE>
 
     This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall
together constitute but one and the same Indenture.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized, all as of
the day and year first above written.


                              PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.



                              By:______________________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:



                              THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Trustee


                              By:______________________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:

                                      -68-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.10
 
                             CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
                                      OF
                          PROVIDENT FINANCING TRUST I


     This Certificate of Trust of Provident Financing Trust I (the "Trust") is
being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as trustees, to form a
business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act (12 Del. C. (S) 3801 
et seq.).

     1.   NAME.  The name of the business trust being formed hereby is Provident
Financing Trust I.

     2.   DELAWARE TRUSTEE.  The name and business address of the trustee of the
Trust, with a principal place of business in the State of Delaware, are First
Union Trust Company, National Association, One Rodney Square, 920 King Street,
First Floor, Wilmington, Delaware, 19801, Attention: Corporate Trust
Administration.

     3.   EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Certificate of Trust shall be effective upon 
filing.

<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the trustees of the Trust, have
duly executed this Certificate of Trust.

                                        FIRST UNION TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL
                                        ASSOCIATION
                                        not in its individual capacity,
                                        but solely as Trustee


                                        By:  /s/ Edward L. Truitt, Jr.
                                           -------------------------------
                                        Name: Edward L. Truitt, Jr.
                                        Title: Assistant Vice President


                                        SUSAN N. ROTH,
                                        not in her individual capacity,
                                        but solely as Trustee


                                        /s/ Susan N. Roth
                                        ----------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.11
 
                             DECLARATION OF TRUST


     DECLARATION OF TRUST, dated as of April 10, 1997, by and between Provident
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as "Depositor," First Union Trust
Company, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the
"Delaware Trustee") and Susan N. Roth, as trustee (the "Regular Trustee")
(together with the Delaware Trustee, the "Trustees").

     The Depositor and the Trustees hereby agree as follows:

     Section 1.  THE TRUST.  The trust created hereby shall be known as
Provident Financing Trust I (the "Trust"), in which name the Trustees or the
Depositor, to the extent provided herein, may conduct the business of the Trust,
make and execute contracts, and sue and be sued.

     Section 2.  THE TRUST ESTATE.  The Depositor hereby assigns, transfers,
conveys and sets over to the Trustees the sum of $10. The Trustees hereby
acknowledge receipt of such amount in trust from the Depositor, which amount
shall constitute the initial trust estate. The Trustees hereby declare that they
will hold the trust estate in trust for the Depositor. It is the intention of
the parties hereto that the Trust created hereby constitute a business trust
under Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. C. (S) 3801 et seq.
(the "Business Trust Act"), and that this document constitute the governing
instrument of the Trust. The Trustees are hereby authorized and directed to
execute and file a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State in
accordance with the provisions of the Business Trust Act.

     Section 3. AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT. The Depositor and the
Trustees will enter into an amended and restated Declaration of Trust,
satisfactory to each such party and substantially in the form to be included as
an exhibit to the 1933 Act Registration Statement (as defined below), to provide
for the contemplated operation of the Trust created hereby and the issuance of
the Preferred Securities (as defined below) and common securities of the Trust
to be referred to therein. Prior to the execution and delivery of such amended
and restated Declaration of Trust, the Delaware Trustee shall not have any duty
or obligation hereunder or with respect to the trust estate, except as otherwise
required by applicable law, and the Regular Trustee or the Depositor shall take
any action as may be necessary to obtain prior to such execution and delivery
any licenses, consents or approvals required by applicable law or otherwise. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustees may take all actions deemed proper 
as are necessary to effect the transactions contemplated herein.

     Section 4.  INDEMNIFICATION.  The Depositor hereby agrees to (i) reimburse 
the Trustees for all reasonable expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses
of counsel and other skilled professionals) and (ii) indemnify, defend and hold 
harmless the Trustees and their officers, directors, employees and agents 
(collectively, the "Indemnified Persons") from and against any and all losses, 
damages, liabilities, claims, actions, suits, costs, expenses, disbursements 
(including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel), taxes and penalties of 
any kind and nature whatsoever (collectively, "Expenses"), to the extent that 
such Expenses arise out of or are imposed upon or asserted at any time against 
such Indemnified Persons with respect to the performance of this Trust 
Agreement, the creation, operation or termination of the Trust or the 
transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that the Depositor shall 
not be required to indemnify an Indemnified Person for Expenses incurred by such
Indemnified Person to the extent such Expenses are incurred as a result of the 
willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence of such Indemnified Person.

     Section 5.  CERTAIN AUTHORIZATIONS.  The Depositor, as the sponsor of the
Trust, and the Regular Trustee are hereby authorized, in the discretion of the
Depositor (i)to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") and execute, in each case on behalf of the Trust (a)the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "1933 Act Registration Statement"),
including any pre-effective or post-effective amendments to such 1933 Act
Registration Statement (including the prospectus and the exhibits contained
therein), relating to the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, of the preferred securities of the Trust (the "Preferred Securities")
and certain other securities of the Depositor and (b)a Registration Statement on
Form 8-A (the "1934 Act Registration Statement") (including all pre-effective
and post-effective amendments thereto) relating to the registration of the
Preferred Securities of the Trust under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as

<PAGE>
 
amended; (ii)to file with one or more national securities exchanges (each, an
"Exchange") or the National Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") and
execute on behalf of the Trust a listing application or applications and all
other applications, statements, certificates, agreements and other instruments
as shall be necessary or desirable to cause the Preferred Securities to be
listed on any such Exchange or the NASD's Nasdaq National Market ("NASDAQ");
(iii)to file and execute on behalf of the Trust such applications, reports,
surety bonds, irrevocable consents, appointments of attorney for service of
process and other papers and documents as the Depositor, on behalf of the Trust,
may deem necessary or desirable to register the Preferred Securities under the
securities or "Blue Sky" laws; and (iv)to execute on behalf of the Trust such
Underwriting Agreements with one or more underwriters relating to the offering
of the Preferred Securities as the Depositor, on behalf of the Trust, may deem
necessary or desirable. In the event that any filing referred to in clauses (i),
(ii) and (iii) above is required by the rules and regulations of the Commission,
any Exchange, the NASD or state securities or "Blue Sky" laws, to be executed on
behalf of the Trust by a Trustee, the Depositor and the Trustees and any trustee
appointed pursuant to Section 7 hereof are hereby authorized to join in any such
filing and to execute on behalf of the Trust any and all of the foregoing, it
being understood that the Delaware Trustee, in its capacity as a trustee of the
Trust, shall not be required to join in any such filing or execute on behalf of
the Trust any such document unless required by the rules and regulations of the
Commission, the Exchange or state securities or blue sky laws.

     Section 6.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Declaration of Trust may be executed in one
or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

     Section 7.  TRUSTEES.  The number of Trustees initially shall be two (2)
and thereafter the number of trustees shall be such number as shall be fixed
from time to time by a written instrument signed by the Depositor, which may
increase or decrease the number of trustees; provided, however, that to the
extent required by the Business Trust Act, one trustee shall either be a natural
person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or, if not a natural person,
an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and
otherwise meets the requirements of applicable Delaware law. Subject to the
foregoing, the Depositor is entitled to appoint or remove without cause any
trustee at any time. Any trustee may resign upon thirty days' prior notice to
the Depositor.

     Section 8.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Declaration of Trust shall be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware (without
regard to conflicts of law principles).

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Declaration of
Trust to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                   PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.,
                                   as Depositor


                                   By: /s/ Susan N. Roth
                                      --------------------------------
                                   Name: Susan N. Roth
                                   Title: Vice President, Secretary
                                   and Counsel


                                   FIRST UNION TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL
                                   ASSOCIATION,
                                   not in its individual capacity,
                                   but solely as Trustee


                                   By: /s/ Edward L. Truitt, Jr.
                                      ---------------------------------
                                   Name: Edward L. Truitt, Jr.
                                   Title: Assistant Vice President


                                   SUSAN N. ROTH, 
                                   not in her individual capacity,
                                   but solely as Trustee


                                    /s/ Susan N. Roth
                                    -----------------------------------


                                      -3-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the 
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Provident Companies,
Inc. and Provident Financing Trust I for the registration of $900,000,000 of 
debt and equity securities and to the incorporation by reference therein of our 
reports dated February 10, 1997 with respect to the consolidated financial 
statements of Provident Companies, Inc. incorporated by reference in its Annual 
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the related 
financial statement schedules included therein, filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission.


                                                ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chattanooga, Tennessee
April 11, 1997
<PAGE>
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the 
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Provident Companies,
Inc. and Provident Financing Trust I for the registration of $900,000,000 of 
debt and equity securities and to the incorporation by reference therein of our 
reports dated January 23, 1997 with respect to the consolidated financial 
statements of The Paul Revere Corporation incorporated by reference in Provident
Companies' Report on Form 8-K dated March 27, 1997, filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.


                                                ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
April 11, 1997


<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.1
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                             ____________________

                                   FORM T-1

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

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

                 _____________________________________________

                           THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


NEW YORK                                                            13-4994650
(State of incorporation                                       (I.R.S. employer
if not a national bank)                                    identification No.)

270 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK                                                       10017
(Address of principal executive offices)                            (Zip Code)

                              William H. McDavid
                                General Counsel
                                270 Park Avenue
                           New York, New York 10017
                              Tel: (212) 270-2611
           (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

              __________________________________________________
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE                                                            62-1598430
(State or other jurisdiction of                               (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                             identification No.)


1 FOUNTAIN SQUARE
CHATTANOOGA, TN                                                          37402
(Address of principal executive offices)                            (Zip Code)

              __________________________________________________
                            SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
                      (Title of the indenture securities)

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

<PAGE>
 
                                    GENERAL

Item 1. General Information.

        Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

        (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which
            it is subject.

            New York State Banking Department, State House, Albany, New York 
            12110.

            Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C., 
            20551

            Federal Reserve Bank of New York, District No. 2, 33 Liberty Street,
            New York, N.Y.

            Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C., 20429.

        (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

            Yes.

Item 2. Affiliations with the Obligor.

        If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
affiliation.

        None.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>
 
Item 16.  List of Exhibits
     
          List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of 
Eligibility.

          1.   A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee as now in 
effect, including the Organization Certificate and the Certificates of Amendment
dated February 17, 1969, August 31, 1977, December 31, 1980, September 9, 1982, 
February 28, 1985, December 2, 1991 and July 10, 1996 (see Exhibit 1 to Form T-1
filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-06249, which is 
incorporated by reference).

          2.   A copy of the Certificate of Authority of the Trustee to Commence
Business (see Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration
Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in
connection with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank
(National Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed
The Chase Manhattan Bank).

          3.   None, authorization to exercise corporate trust powers being 
contained in the documents identified above as Exhibits 1 and 2.

          4.   A copy of the existing By-Laws of the Trustee (see Exhibit 4 to 
Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-06249, which is
incorporated by reference).

          5.   Not applicable.

          6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act 
(see Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 
33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in connection 
with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National 
Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed The Chase 
Manhattan Bank).

          7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee, 
published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining 
authority.

          8.   Not applicable.

          9.   Not applicable.


                                   SIGNATURE

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the 
Trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank, a corporation organized and existing under 
the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in
the City of New York and State of New York, on the 18TH day of MARCH, 1997.

                                        THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK


                                        By /s/Charles J. Heinzelmann
                                           --------------------------------
                                              Charles J. Heinzelmann
                                              Vice President

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                             Exhibit 7 to Form T-1

                               Bank Call Notice

                            RESERVE DISTRICT NO. 2
                      CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION OF

                           The Chase Manhattan Bank
                 of 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017
                    and Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,
                    a member of the Federal Reserve System,

                at the close of business December 31, 1996, in
        accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this
        District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                            DOLLAR AMOUNTS
                       ASSETS                                 IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                         <C> 
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
    Noninterest-bearing balances and
    currency and coin..................................           $ 11,509
    Interest-bearing balances..........................              8,457
Securities: ...........................................              
Held to maturity securities............................              3,128
Available for sale securities..........................             40,534
Federal Funds sold and securities purchased under
    agreements to resell in domestic offices of the 
    bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,
    and in IBFs:
    Federal funds sold.................................              9,222
    Securities purchased under agreements to resell....                422
Loans and lease financing receivables:
    Loans and leases, net of unearned income     $133,935
    Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses       2,789
    Less: Allocated transfer risk reserve.....         16
                                                 --------
    Loans and leases, net of unearned income,
    allowance, and reserve.............................            131,130
Trading Assets.........................................             49,876
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized
    leases)............................................              2,877
Other real estate owned................................                290
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and 
    associated companies...............................                124
Customer's liability to this bank on acceptances
    outstanding........................................              2,313
Intangible assets......................................              1,316
Other assets...........................................             11,231
                                                                    ------

TOTAL ASSETS                                                      $272,429
                                                                 =========
</TABLE> 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                             <C> 
                                  LIABILITIES
Deposits
     In domestic offices..................................       $87,006
     Noninterest-bearing...........................$35,783
     Interest-bearing.............................. 51,223
                                                    ------
     In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,          
     and IBF's............................................        73,206
     Noninterest-bearing...........................$ 4,347 
     Interest-bearing.............................. 68,859

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agree-
ments to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and 
     of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBF's
     Federal funds purchased..............................        14,980
     Securities sold under agreements to repurchase.......        10,125
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury..................         1,867
Trading liabilities.......................................        34,783
Other Borrowed money:
     With a remaining maturity of one year or less........        14,639
     With a remaining maturity of more than one year......           425
Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized
     leases...............................................            40
Bank's liability on acceptance executed and outstanding...         2,267
Subordinated notes and debentures.........................         5,471
Other liabilities.........................................        11,343 

TOTAL LIABILITIES.........................................       265,152
                                                                 -------

Limited-Life Preferred stock and related surplus                     550

                                EQUITY CAPITAL 

Common stock..............................................         1,251
Surplus...................................................        10,243
Undivided profits and capital reverses....................         4,526
Net unrealized holding gains (Losses)
on available-for-sale securities..........................          (309)
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments.......            16

TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL......................................        15,727
                                                                --------
TOTAL LIABILITIES, LIMITED-LIFE PREFERRED
     STOCK AND EQUITY CAPITAL.............................      $272,429
                                                                ========
</TABLE> 

I, Joseph L. Sclafani, S.V.P. & Controller of the above-named
bank, do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been
prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the
appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the 
best of my knowledge and belief.

                                           JOSEPH L. SCLAFANI

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this
Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us,
and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate
Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

                                           WALTER V. SHIPLEY     )
                                           EDWARD D. MILLER      )DIRECTORS
                                           THOMAS G. LABRECQUE   )

                                      -5-



<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.2
 
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                             ____________________

                                   FORM T-1

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

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

                 _____________________________________________

                           THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


NEW YORK                                                            13-4994650
(State of incorporation                                       (I.R.S. employer
if not a national bank)                                    identification No.)

270 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK                                                       10017
(Address of principal executive offices)                            (Zip Code)

                              William H. McDavid
                                General Counsel
                                270 Park Avenue
                           New York, New York 10017
                              Tel: (212) 270-2611
           (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

              __________________________________________________
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE                                                            62-1598430
(State or other jurisdiction of                               (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                             identification No.)


1 FOUNTAIN SQUARE
CHATTANOOGA, TN                                                          37402
(Address of principal executive offices)                            (Zip Code)

              __________________________________________________
                         SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
                      (Title of the indenture securities)

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


<PAGE>
 
 
                                    GENERAL

Item 1. General Information.

        Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

        (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which
            it is subject.

            New York State Banking Department, State House, Albany, New York 
            12110.

            Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C., 
            20551

            Federal Reserve Bank of New York, District No. 2, 33 Liberty Street,
            New York, N.Y.

            Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C., 20429.

        (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

            Yes.

Item 2. Affiliations with the Obligor.

        If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
affiliation.

        None.

                                      -2-


<PAGE>
 
 
Item 16.  List of Exhibits
     
          List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of 
Eligibility.

          1.   A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee as now in 
effect, including the Organization Certificate and the Certificates of Amendment
dated February 17, 1969, August 31, 1977, December 31, 1980, September 9, 1982, 
February 28, 1985, December 2, 1991 and July 10, 1996 (see Exhibit 1 to Form T-1
filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-06249, which is 
incorporated by reference).

          2.   A copy of the Certificate of Authority of the Trustee to Commence
Business (see Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration
Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in
connection with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank
(National Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed
The Chase Manhattan Bank).

          3.   None, authorization to exercise corporate trust powers being 
contained in the documents identified above as Exhibits 1 and 2.

          4.   A copy of the existing By-Laws of the Trustee (see Exhibit 4 to 
Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-06249, which is
incorporated by reference).

          5.   Not applicable.

          6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act 
(see Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 
33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in connection 
with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National 
Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed The Chase 
Manhattan Bank).

          7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee, 
published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining 
authority.

          8.   Not applicable.

          9.   Not applicable.


                                   SIGNATURE

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the 
Trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank, a corporation organized and existing under 
the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in
the City of New York and State of New York, on the 18TH day of MARCH, 1997.

                                        THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK


                                        By /s/Charles J. Heinzelmann
                                           --------------------------------
                                              Charles J. Heinzelmann
                                              Vice President

                                      -3-

<PAGE>
 
 
                             Exhibit 7 to Form T-1

                               Bank Call Notice

                            RESERVE DISTRICT NO. 2
                      CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION OF

                           The Chase Manhattan Bank
                 of 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017
                    and Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,
                    a member of the Federal Reserve System,

                at the close of business December 31, 1996, in
        accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this
        District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                            DOLLAR AMOUNTS
                       ASSETS                                 IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                         <C> 
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
    Noninterest-bearing balances and
    currency and coin..................................           $ 11,509
    Interest-bearing balances..........................              8,457
Securities: ...........................................              
Held to maturity securities............................              3,128
Available for sale securities..........................             40,534
Federal Funds sold and securities purchased under
    agreements to resell in domestic offices of the 
    bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,
    and in IBFs:
    Federal funds sold.................................              9,222
    Securities purchased under agreements to resell....                422
Loans and lease financing receivables:
    Loans and leases, net of unearned income     $133,935
    Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses       2,789
    Less: Allocated transfer risk reserve.....         16
                                                 --------
    Loans and leases, net of unearned income,
    allowance, and reserve.............................            131,130
Trading Assets.........................................             49,876
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized
    leases)............................................              2,877
Other real estate owned................................                290
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and 
    associated companies...............................                124
Customer's liability to this bank on acceptances
    outstanding........................................              2,313
Intangible assets......................................              1,316
Other assets...........................................             11,231
                                                                    ------

TOTAL ASSETS                                                      $272,429
                                                                 =========
</TABLE> 

                                      -4-

<PAGE>
 
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                             <C> 
                                  LIABILITIES
Deposits
     In domestic offices..................................       $87,006
     Noninterest-bearing...........................$35,783
     Interest-bearing.............................. 51,223
                                                    ------
     In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,          
     and IBF's............................................        73,206
     Noninterest-bearing...........................$ 4,347 
     Interest-bearing.............................. 68,859

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agree-
ments to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and 
     of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBF's
     Federal funds purchased..............................        14,980
     Securities sold under agreements to repurchase.......        10,125
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury..................         1,867
Trading liabilities.......................................        34,783
Other Borrowed money:
     With a remaining maturity of one year or less........        14,639
     With a remaining maturity of more than one year......           425
Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized
     leases...............................................            40
Bank's liability on acceptance executed and outstanding...         2,267
Subordinated notes and debentures.........................         5,471
Other liabilities.........................................        11,343 

TOTAL LIABILITIES.........................................       265,152
                                                                 -------

Limited-Life Preferred stock and related surplus                     550

                                EQUITY CAPITAL 

Common stock..............................................         1,251
Surplus...................................................        10,243
Undivided profits and capital reverses....................         4,526
Net unrealized holding gains (Losses)
on available-for-sale securities..........................          (309)
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments.......            16

TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL......................................        15,727
                                                                --------
TOTAL LIABILITIES, LIMITED-LIFE PREFERRED
     STOCK AND EQUITY CAPITAL.............................      $272,429
                                                                ========
</TABLE> 

I, Joseph L. Sclafani, S.V.P. & Controller of the above-named
bank, do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been
prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the
appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the 
best of my knowledge and belief.

                                           JOSEPH L. SCLAFANI

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this
Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us,
and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate
Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

                                           WALTER V. SHIPLEY     )
                                           EDWARD D. MILLER      )DIRECTORS
                                           THOMAS G. LABRECQUE   )

                                      -5-





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