UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP
10-K/A, 1998-04-29
LIFE INSURANCE
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    FORM 10K/A
                   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                     For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
                            Commission File #0-11321

                       Universal American Financial Corp.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      New York                                        11-2580136
  -------------------------                     -------------------------------
   (State of Incorporation)                     (I.R.S. Employer I.D. Number)

Six International Drive, Suite 190, Rye Brook, NY           10573
- -------------------------------------------------          --------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                  (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (914) 934-5200

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                                      Name of Each Exchange
         Title of Class                               on which Registered
- -----------------------------------------------       ------------------------
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share                      NASDAQ
Common Stock Warrants, expire December 31, 1999             NASDAQ

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

      Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best  of  the  registrant's   knowledge,  in  definitive  proxy  or  information
statements  incorporated  by  reference  in  Part  III of the  Form  10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]

      The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by  non-affiliates  of
the registrant as of February 27, 1998 was approximately $10,978,212.

      The number of shares  outstanding  of the  Registrant's  Common  Stock and
Common  Stock  Warrants as of  February  27, 1998 were  7,411,680  and  668,481,
respectively.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

      List hereunder the following  documents if  incorporated  by reference and
the Part of the Form 10-K (e.g.,  Part I, Part II, etc.) into which the document
is incorporated:

      (1)Proxy  Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting  incorporated by reference
         into Part III.
      (2)Exhibits  listed in Item 14(b),  Part IV,  incorporated by reference to
         Form S-1 filed March 30, 1990,  Forms 10-K for 1996,  1994, 1993, 1991,
         1989 and 1988  and  Forms  8-K for  July  24,  1992,  May 31,  1991 and
         December 9, 1987.

<PAGE>





                                     PART I

ITEM 1 - BUSINESS

General

      Universal  American  Financial  Corp.  ("the Company" or "Universal") is a
life  and  accident  &  health  insurance   holding  company,   whose  principal
subsidiaries are American Pioneer Life Insurance Company  ("American  Pioneer"),
American  Progressive Life and Health  Insurance  Company of New York ("American
Progressive"),   and  American  Exchange  Life  Insurance   Company   ("American
Exchange"),  (collectively the "Insurance Subsidiaries"),  and WorldNet Services
Corp.   ("WorldNet"),   a  third  party  administrator   ("TPA")  that  provides
communication,  managed care and claims  adjudication  services to the Insurance
Subsidiaries and  non-affiliated  insurance  companies and affinity groups.  The
references below to the insurance operations of the Company are to be understood
as references to activities of the Insurance  Subsidiaries.  Financial items are
reported on a Generally Accepted  Accounting  Principles basis ("GAAP"),  except
where otherwise noted.

Strategic Focus

      The Company has  implemented,  and will continue to pursue,  the following
strategies:

      Internal Growth

      The Company has  focused  its  efforts to reach  targeted  segments of the
insurance market as defined by product or by geography. These include:

          Senior market life insurance,  annuity and accident & health insurance
         products designed for sale primarily in New York, Florida and Texas;

          Life  insurance,  annuity and accident and health  insurance  programs
         sold through large independent marketing organizations.

      External Growth

      Since 1991, the Company has  successfully  acquired and  integrated  three
insurance  companies  and six blocks of  business,  most  recently in the fourth
quarter  of 1997  with  the  acquisition  of 100% of the  outstanding  stock  of
American Exchange and in the first quarter of 1998 with the acquisition of $12.6
million  of  premium  from  Dallas  General  Life  Insurance   Company  ("Dallas
General"). The Company continues to seek out further acquisitions (See Insurance
Acquisitions Activity).

Insurance Marketing Activity

      The Company has placed its emphasis on the sale of a line of products that
particularly   appeal  to  the  senior   market,   largely   through   marketing
organizations  with  concentrations  in this market.  The Company  began to sell
senior market life and  supplemental  health  insurance  products in 1993 in New
York and  expanded  its sales  effort to Florida in 1996 and Texas in 1997.  The
momentum into Florida was  accelerated by the acquisition of business from First
National  Life  Insurance  Company  ("First  National")  and  into  Texas by the
American Exchange and Dallas General  acquisitions (See "Insurance  Acquisitions
Activity").




                                       2
<PAGE>




      Business In Force

      The  Company's  growth,  in direct and assumed  business,  is shown in the
following tables as of December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997.

Annualized Premium In Force                       As of December 31,
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                         1995 (1)      1996 (1)      1997 (1)
                                        ------------  ------------ -------------
Senior Market Life Insurance:
Multiple Pay
- -------------------------------------

             Asset Enhancer (2)          $2,200,835    $3,191,359    $6,107,739
             SL 2000                        928,995     1,130,690     1,465,727
                                        ------------  ------------ -------------

Total Senior Market Life Multiple
  Pay                                     3,129,830     4,322,049     7,573,466
                                        ------------  ------------ -------------

Special Markets: Life Insurance
- -------------------------------------

             Flex-A-Vest                  1,104,544     2,594,493     2,107,169
             Group Life                   3,477,876     4,150,000     3,888,912
             Brokerage (2)                9,883,198     9,031,970     9,346,261
                                        ------------  ------------ -------------

Total Special Markets: Life
Insurance                                14,465,618    15,776,463    15,342,342
                                        ------------  ------------ -------------

Senior Market: Accident & Health
- -------------------------------------

             Medicare Supplement
              and Select                  2,739,649    58,851,455    68,404,225
             Long Term Care                       -     2,277,686     4,546,346
             Hospital Indemnity           2,587,584     2,239,207     1,888,069
                                        ------------  ------------ -------------

Total Senior Market: Accident &
Health                                    5,327,233    63,368,348    74,838,640
                                        ------------  ------------ -------------

Special Markets: Accident & Health
- -------------------------------------

             Individual Medical          12,607,264    10,851,433    17,681,996
             Other Accident &
             Health (3)                   2,151,332     2,144,717     3,475,324
             Single Pay Life                      -             -        87,583
                                        ------------  ------------ -------------

Total Special Markets: Accident &                                    
  Health                                 14,758,596    12,996,150    21,244,903
                                        ------------  ------------ -------------

Grand Total                             $37,681,277   $96,463,010  $118,999,351
                                        ============  ============ =============

- ------------------------------
(1)   Does  not  include  lines  of  business  the  Company  has  exited  in its
      restructuring  activity  (NYS DBL,  NAIU  Accident  Pool and Group Dental)
      which amounted to $18,496,266,  $19,439,760 and $7,504,420 at December 31,
      1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively (See "Restructuring Activity ", below).
(2)   Included  in  the  amounts  shown  are  premiums  for   interest-sensitive
      products.  These amounts  represent the portion of premium  applied to the
      cost of insurance (i.e. deposit premiums have been excluded).
(3) Business acquired by the Company that is not actively marketed.

      The   following   table   shows  all   outstanding   account   values  for
interest-sensitive  products for 1995,  1996 and 1997. For these  products,  the
Company earns an income on the spread between investment income on the Company's
invested assets and interest credited to these account balances.

Account Values                        As of December 31,
                              ----------------------------------------
                                 1995          1996          1997
                              ------------  ------------  ------------

               Annuities      $82,208,343   $88,445,217   $88,032,040

              Universal
              Life             33,123,308    34,686,676    35,640,097

              Asset
              Enhancer          3,277,185    11,407,061    21,413,550
                              ------------  ------------  ------------

              Grand Total
                              $118,608,836  $134,538,954  $145,085,687
                              ============  ============  ============




                                       3
<PAGE>


Senior Market

The following are the core products sold to the senior age market.

      Medicare Supplement

      The Company began to sell Medicare Supplement  policies in January,  1994.
American Progressive has entered into Managing General Agency relationships with
three of the largest accident and health sales organizations in upstate New York
that specialize in the Senior Market to focus its marketing effort in geographic
areas in New York State where management believes competition is less formidable
than elsewhere in the State.

      Recently,  the Insurance  Subsidiaries filed Medicare Select products with
the Texas and Florida Insurance Departments,  to be sold primarily by Ameri-Life
and Health  Services  ("Ameri-Life"),  a Managing  General Agent of the Company.
American  Pioneer's  new  Medicare  Select  policies  have been  approved by the
Florida Insurance  Department and sales of this product are expected to begin in
April, 1998.

      The Medicare Supplement policies offered by the Insurance Subsidiaries are
primarily  on plans A, B, C and F and are  underwritten  on a  simplified  issue
basis,  except  that the  policies  sold in New York are on a  guaranteed  issue
basis,  subject to the  community  rating laws of that state (See  "Regulation -
Health Care  Reform").  Sales  amounted to $2.0  million,  $3.1 million and $4.8
million in 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.

      Home Health Care and Nursing Home

      American Progressive introduced Home Health Care and Nursing Home products
in New York in early 1996. In late 1996,  American Pioneer  introduced a managed
care  home  health  care  product  in  Florida  that  uses  preferred   provider
organization  ("PPO")  discounts and capitation with a home health care network.
Issued  premium  for these  long-term  care  products in 1996 (the first year of
sales) and in 1997 amounted to $1.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

      Hospital Indemnity

      American Progressive introduced a Senior Age Hospital Indemnity product in
mid-1993  and has  premium in force in excess of $1.8  million  as of  December,
1997.  Benefits under this product are fixed cash payments based upon the length
of hospital  stays and are designed to provide money to meet needs  ancillary to
hospitalization.

      One,  Five,  Six and Seven Pay  Interest  Sensitive  Whole Life  ("Asset
Enhancer")

      This  program,   marketed   primarily  by  National   Financial  Group  of
Scottsdale,  Arizona,  a national  marketing  organization  under  contract with
American  Pioneer,  and a number of other  contracted  large national  marketing
groups, began in 1994 and is now sold actively in several states. The product is
a simplified issue  interest-sensitive whole life product with one, five, six or
seven year payment options. It is designed as an  interest-sensitive  whole life
vehicle for seniors to facilitate  estate  planning and transfer assets to heirs
in an income  tax-advantaged  manner.  In many  states,  the  product  offers an
optional nursing care and home care rider.

      In addition  to American  Pioneer's  own sales of this  product,  in 1996,
American  Pioneer  entered into an  arrangement  with West Coast Life  Insurance
Company ("West Coast Life"),  an  unaffiliated  "A+" rated carrier,  under which
West Coast issues this product and, through an unaffiliated reinsurer, reinsures
one-third of the risk to American  Pioneer.  Under its contract with West Coast,
American  Pioneer  administers  the  product  and  the  relationships  with  the
producers on a fee basis.

      Statutory  premium  production of five,  six and seven pay life  insurance
amounted to $1.0 million,  $1.6 million and $3.8 million in 1995, 1996 and 1997,
respectively.  Single pay life  insurance  was  introduced in 1995 and statutory
premium production  amounted to $2.1 million,  $6.2 million and $17.6 million in
1995,  1996 and 1997,  respectively.  These figures  include the entire  premium
generated by American  Pioneer sales and the portion assumed by American Pioneer
on West Coast Life's sales.




                                       4
<PAGE>




      Senior Life (SL2000)

      This  series of low-face  value,  simplified  issue  whole life  products,
introduced in late 1995, is sold by the Insurance  Subsidiaries as part of their
senior  market  effort.  The Company  issued  $462,000  of premium in 1996,  and
$652,000 in 1997.

Special Markets

      Modified Premium Term Life Insurance (Flex-A-Vest 88)

      This  program,  sold by  American  Pioneer  and  marketed  exclusively  by
Interstate Specialty Marketing, Inc. of Tustin,  California,  began in late 1994
and is now being sold  actively  in several  states.  In states  where  American
Pioneer is not licensed,  an arrangement  has been made with  Pennsylvania  Life
Insurance  Company  ("Pennsylvania  Life"), a subsidiary of PennCorp  Financial,
which  issues the product and  reinsures a portion of each case to the  Company.
American Pioneer also administers the product on a fee-basis,  and maintains the
relationship with the national marketing organization.

      The product is a ten-year term product with an endowment payable after the
10th year.  It is designed for the middle  income  market as a method to provide
insurance coverage and a vehicle for retirement or college tuition funding.

      Including the premium reinsured from Pennsylvania  Life,  American Pioneer
issued $1.1  million,  $2.2 million and $1.3 of premium in 1995,  1996 and 1997,
respectively.

      Group Life Insurance

      Through an  arrangement  with Alabama Blue Cross that has persisted  since
1989, an American Pioneer group life insurance information package,  including a
premium  quotation,  goes out with most  Alabama  Blue Cross  small  group major
medical  insurance premium  quotation.  This program had premium revenue of $3.2
million in both 1996 and 1997.

      Annuities

      The  Company  markets  Single  and  Flexible  Premium  Deferred  Annuities
primarily through sales  organizations  which concentrate in the  Tax-Advantaged
Annuity Internal Revenue Code 403(b) market. Annuity products generally focus on
the senior and  retirement  market.  The Company's Tax Shelter  Annuities,  sold
largely to school  teachers,  involve  people of various ages,  some of whom are
senior,  but most of whom are purchasing  with  retirement in mind. The American
Progressive  single premium annuity sold in New York,  which represents the bulk
of the  Company's  annuity  production,  has a seven-year  surrender  charge,  a
one-year rate guarantee and a maximum  commission of 6%. Further  penetration of
the senior annuity market is also being considered.

      All of the  Company's  annuity  products  provide  minimum  interest  rate
guarantees.  The minimum  guaranteed  rates on the  Company's  annuity  products
currently  range from 4.0% to 5.5%  annually and the  contracts  are designed to
permit the Company to change the credited rates annually  subject to the minimum
guaranteed   rate.   The  Company  takes  into  account  the  current   interest
environment,  the  profitability  of  its  annuity  business  and  its  relative
competitive  position in determining  the frequency and extent of changes to the
interest crediting rates.

      Statutory premium  production of new annuities  amounted to $13.7 million,
$13.6 million and $12.0 million in 1995, 1996, and 1997, respectively.

      Individual Medical

      The Company has approximately  $17.7 million of annual premium in force of
individual  medical  business as of December  31,  1997.  Of this  amount,  $6.4
million was acquired in connection  with the  acquisition of American  Exchange,
which accounts for the majority of the $6.8 million increase in this line in the
prior table of annual premiums in force.  The Company intends to market American


                                       5
<PAGE>

Exchange's individual medical product, which product is a limited benefit policy
and is 75% reinsured to an unaffiliated reinsurer.

Recent Insurance Acquisition Activity

       First National

      In the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company acquired, through an assumption
reinsurance  agreement,  approximately  $56 million of annualized  senior market
premium from First National.  American Pioneer  initially  contracted with First
National to assume $4 million of premium on group Medicare  Supplement  coverage
issued to the members of the Florida  Retired  Educators  Association  ("FREA").
Then, after First National was placed into Receivership by the Alabama Insurance
Department in October,  1996,  American Pioneer assumed, in addition to the FREA
block, approximately $50 million of Individual Medicare Supplement premium, $1.2
million of Home Health Care premium and $0.8 million of  miscellaneous  life and
accident  and  health  insurance  premiums,  under  terms  negotiated  with  the
Receiver. All of these assumptions were effective as of October 1, 1996.

      Simultaneously  with the second assumption by American  Pioneer,  American
Pioneer entered into a reinsurance  agreement with Transamerica  Occidental Life
Insurance  Company  ("Transamerica"),  ceding 90% of the $50 million  individual
Medicare  Supplement  premium in force to Transamerica  under  reinsurance terms
believed to be favorable.  American Pioneer performs all the  administration  on
the reinsured business. In addition to the premium acquired,  First National had
active  relationships  with about 1,000 senior  market  producers in Florida and
2,000  agents in other  states.  American  Pioneer  recruited  certain  of these
producers,  especially in Florida,  to sell senior market  products for American
Pioneer.

      Finally,  in order to insure a smooth  transition and to take advantage of
the relatively low cost operating environment in Pensacola, the Company acquired
or  leased  most  of the  physical  operating  assets  used by  First  National,
including  computer  hardware and software,  and hired many of First  National's
Pensacola administrative employees.

      American Exchange Life Insurance Company

      On  December 4, 1997,  the Company  acquired  American  Exchange  for $6.6
million in cash,  which  acquisition  was approved by both the Texas and Florida
Insurance  Departments.  American  Exchange,  which is licensed in Texas and two
other  states,  has premium  revenues in excess of $16.5  million,  primarily in
Medicare Supplement and other limited benefit accident & health products and has
19,800 policies in force and 1,000 insurance agents, all based in Texas.

      Dallas General Medicare Supplement Block

      On March 19, 1998, the Company  acquired a $12.6 million block of Medicare
Supplement business from Dallas General, effective January 1, 1998. The business
was assumed by American Pioneer,  which assumption was approved by the Texas and
Florida  Departments of Insurance.  The Dallas  General block has  approximately
10,000 policies in force produced by approximately 400 agents,  all in Texas. In
addition,  the  principals  of Dallas  General  have  entered into a contract to
continue  to  produce   business   for  American   Pioneer   through  an  agency
relationship.

Previous Acquisition Activity

      In 1994, American Progressive acquired, by means of reinsurance, blocks of
supplemental   health  insurance  with  annualized   premiums  of  approximately
$1,275,000.  In these transactions,  American  Progressive assumed all liability
under the reinsured policies incurred after January 1, 1994, in exchange for its
receipt from the ceding company of cash equal to the unearned premium and active
lives reserves on the reinsured  business,  net of a $60,000 ceding  commission,
and future premium payments from the insureds.

      In May 1993, American  Progressive  acquired 100% of the outstanding stock
of American Pioneer, based in Orlando, Florida, which sold life and accident and
health insurance in 33 states,  primarily in the southeast.  American  Pioneer's
parent,  American  Pioneer  Savings  and Loan  Association,  had been  under the


                                       6
<PAGE>

control of the Resolution Trust Company ("RTC") since May 1990. American Pioneer
had an adjusted  statutory book value (book value plus asset valuation  reserve)
of approximately  $7,472,000,  and a GAAP stockholder's  equity of approximately
$14,367,000  when it was  purchased by American  Progressive  for  $6,827,000 in
cash. By December 31, 1997, American Pioneer's adjusted statutory book value had
increased to  approximately  $10,807,000 and its GAAP  stockholder's  equity was
$18,671,000.

      In May 1991, the Company, through John Adams Life Insurance Company ("John
Adams"),  then its  only  insurance  company  subsidiary,  acquired  100% of the
outstanding  common  stock of American  Progressive,  into which John Adams then
merged on June 27, 1991,  with American  Progressive  as the surviving  company.
American  Progressive was acquired from Midland National Life Insurance  Company
("Midland")  for (a) a cash payment of  $4,197,231,  and (b) 510,000 shares ($10
par  value)  of the  Company's  Series  A  cumulative,  redeemable,  convertible
preferred  stock  ("Series A Preferred  Stock"),  for a total  purchase price of
$9,297,231.  (The  Series A  Preferred  Stock was  redeemed  by the  Company  on
December 30, 1994.)  American  Progressive's  statutory  book value  immediately
prior to acquisition was approximately  $9,200,000,  its adjusted statutory book
value  was  approximately  $9,290,000,  and its GAAP  stockholder's  equity  was
approximately  $9,700,000.  As of December 31, 1997, the adjusted statutory book
value  was  approximately  $9,783,000  and the  GAAP  stockholder's  equity  was
approximately  $25,010,000.  American  Progressive,  domiciled  in New  York and
licensed in 24 other states, historically concentrated on the sale of individual
accident  and  health  insurance   products   primarily  in  New  York  and  the
northeastern United States.

Restructuring Activity

      Beginning  in late  1996  and  continuing  throughout  1997,  the  Company
implemented a plan to consolidate the  administration of its accident and health
business for all of the Insurance Subsidiaries in Pensacola. Simultaneously, the
Company  consolidated  the  administration  if its life and annuity  business in
Orlando.

      As part of its decision to concentrate its marketing  effort on the Senior
Market, the Company decided to discontinue  certain lines of business and reduce
its emphasis on others to take advantage of the lower-cost operating environment
of its new location in Pensacola.

      Consolidation of Administrative Operations

      As part  of the  First  National  transaction,  the  Company  acquired  in
Pensacola  a  relatively  low  cost  administrative  operation  with  particular
experience in the senior  market.  This has given the Company an  opportunity to
consolidate  many of its  administrative  functions  in  Pensacola  and reduce a
significant amount of fixed overhead costs.

      In  December,  1996,  the  Company  formulated  a plan to move most of the
policy  administrative  functions,  particularly in its senior market  business,
from the American Progressive office in Brewster to Pensacola.  This, along with
other cost saving  efforts,  resulted  in a  reduction  in the work force at the
American  Progressive  office from 62 as of June 30, 1996 to approximately 25 as
of  December  31,  1997,  with a  modest  resultant  increase  in  personnel  in
Pensacola,  including some  personnel  employed by American  Progressive.  These
plans were announced to the employees of the Company on March 14, 1997.

      Consequently, American Progressive exercised its right to cancel its lease
for 15,000 square feet in Brewster as of October,  1997 and is currently leasing
a smaller office.  The cost of this  consolidation,  including  severance costs,
relocation  costs  and the  cancellation  penalty  on the  Brewster  lease,  was
approximately  $250,000  and was  expensed  in the fourth  quarter of 1996.  The
Company  estimates  that it will  save  $750,000  annually  as a result  of this
reorganization.

      Sale of DBL Block

Although American Progressive continued to achieve modest success in selling New
York State Statutory  Disability  Insurance ("DBL"), the Company determined that
the book of  business  was too small and  growing  too  slowly to become a major
contributor to the profits of the Company. Therefore,  American Progressive sold
the block,  which had approximately $5 million of annual premium in force, to an


                                       7
<PAGE>

unaffiliated  New York  domiciled  carrier as of December 31, 1996. The purchase
price is a minimum of $550,000 and may reach as high as $950,000  depending upon
the persistency of the business over a twelve-month period. Determination of the
final  purchase  price is  expected  to be made in the  second  quarter of 1998.
American Progressive continued to maintain the risk for claims incurred prior to
December  31,  1996,  which  claims  have been  fully  paid.  The  purchaser  is
responsible for all risks and reserves for 1997 and beyond.

      Withdrawal from NAIU Pool

      Effective  January 1, 1994,  American  Progressive  entered into a pooling
agreement  through  National  Accident  Insurance   Underwriters   ("NAIU"),  an
unaffiliated  agency,  and three  unaffiliated  insurers  to  underwrite  travel
accident and student accident insurance  policies.  The results of the pool were
erratic, therefore, in August, 1996, the Company decided to allocate its capital
and efforts in its core  business  segments.  The Company  notified the accident
pool of its  intention to withdraw  effective  December 31, 1996. As of December
31, 1996, American Progressive had approximately $8 million of annual premium in
force under this arrangement,  all of which had been assumed from the other pool
participants.  American Progressive continues to be exposed on business prior to
December  31,  1996 and,  as of  December  31,  1997,  has  $250,000 in reserves
remaining for this risk.

      Sale of Dental Block

      The Company executed an agreement,  with an unaffiliated  insurer, to 100%
reinsure  its group  dental block of business  effective  September 1, 1997.  In
1997,  the  Company  received  an  initial  ceding  allowance  of  $200,000  and
anticipates  receiving additional  allowances totaling $525,000 over a five-year
period.  The Company will continue to perform the administration on the business
for a fee. At September 1, 1997,  the annual in force  premium  amounted to $7.8
million.

      Major Medical Reinsurance

      When  American  Pioneer  was  acquired  by the  Company in 1993,  American
Pioneer actively  marketed  individual major medical and major hospital policies
under strict underwriting  guidelines.  These policies have deductibles on a per
confinement basis ranging from $300 to $5,000, as to major hospital, and $150 to
$10,000 as to major  medical.  Over the past years,  the Company has reduced its
marketing  emphasis  on  this  segment  and has  reduced  its  exposure  through
reinsurance.  In 1994,  the Company had $8.7 million of annual  premium in force
and carried 100% of the risk up to $60,000 per policy per year. By the beginning
of 1997, the Company had $7.0 million of premium in force and carried 50% of the
risk up to $60,000  per policy per year,  or a maximum  risk of $30,000 per year
per insured person.

Premium Revenue

      Life Insurance and Annuities

      The  following  table sets forth a summary of life  premium  revenues  and
annuity considerations on first year and renewal basis for the three years ended
December 31,  1997,  as  determined  in  accordance  with  statutory  accounting
principles  ("SAP").  These  amounts  differ from the  premiums  reported in the
accompanying consolidated statement of operations, since under GAAP, the annuity
and  universal  life  insurance  policies are reported  under the  retrospective
deposit method prescribed by the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board ("FASB")
Statement No. 97 "Accounting and Reporting by Insurance  Enterprises for Certain
Long-Duration  Contracts  and for  Realized  Gains and Losses  from the Sales of
Investments"  ("Statement  No. 97").  (i.e.  under GAAP amounts  attributable to
asset accumulation,  components of interest-sensitive products are excluded from
premiums.  See Note 2e of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further
information).



                                       8
<PAGE>


                                              Year Ended December 31,
                                        ------------------------------------
                                           1995         1996     1997(1),(2)
                                        -----------  ----------- -----------
                                              (Amounts in accordance with
                                             statutory accounting principles)
       Life Insurance
       ---------------------------
       Premium received,
         policies written in                                     
       current year                     $6,141,040  $10,437,377  $11,037,680
       Premium received,
         policies written in             9,668,592   12,206,343  14,279,692
       prior year
                                        -----------  ----------- -----------

       Total Life Premium               15,809,632   22,643,720  25,317,372
                                        -----------  ----------- -----------

       Annuities
       ---------------------------
       Consideration received,
         policies written in
       current year                     13,377,924   13,004,354  10,816,588
       Consideration received,
         policies written in               364,145      618,739     988,552
       prior years
                                        -----------  ----------- -----------

       Total Annuity                    13,742,069   13,623,093  11,805,140
       Consideration
                                        -----------  ----------- -----------

       Total Consideration and                       
       Premium                         $29,551,701  $36,266,813  $37,122,512
                                        ===========  =========== ===========

- ---------------------------------
      (1)The 1997  figures  include  the premium  revenues of American  Exchange
         from December 4, 1997, the date of its  acquisition,  which amounted to
         $22,559.
      (2)The life insurance amount includes  premiums received on asset enhancer
         business assumed from West Coast Life, which mounts to $6,370,162.

      The following  table  presents  information  with respect to the Company's
number of  policies  in force and  experience  in terms of numbers  of  policies
issued,  and  reduced  for  surrenders,  lapses or deaths for  annuity  and life
insurance:

                                       1995      1996      1997
                                      --------  --------  --------
       Life Insurance Policies
       ----------------------------
       In force, beginning of year
                                       24,820    26,642    27,930
       Acquired from First
       National                             -       286         -
       Acquired from American
       Exchange                             -         -     3,993
       Issued during year
                                        4,934     4,407     5,116
       Lapsed or surrendered
       during year                     (2,874)   (3,193)   (4,216)
       Deaths during year
                                         (238)     (212)     (217)
                                      --------  --------  --------

       In force, end of year
                                       26,642    27,930    32,606
                                      ========  ========  ========

       Annuity Policies
       ----------------------------
       In force, beginning of year
                                        4,090     5,437     6,833
       Acquired from First
       National                             -        40         -
       Issued during year
                                        1,956     2,119     2,856
       Deaths and surrenders
       during year                       (609)     (763)   (2,357)
                                      --------  --------  --------

       In force, end of year
                                        5,437     6,833     7,332
                                      ========  ========  ========





                                       9
<PAGE>


      Accident & Health Insurance

      The  following  table sets forth a summary of accident and health  premium
revenues for the three years ended December 31, 1997:

                                                  Year Ended
                                                  December 31,
                                      --------------------------------------
                                         1995          1996       1997 (2)
                                      ------------  -----------  -----------
       Premium received on
       policies
         written in current year                    
                                       $5,982,178   $9,805,305   $12,284,517

       Premium received on
       policies
         written in prior years        22,313,927   35,047,929    62,802,770
       (1)
                                      ------------  -----------  -----------


       Total Accident & Health
       Premium                        $28,296,105   $44,853,234  $75,087,287
                                      ============  ===========  ===========

- ----------------------------------
      (1)The 1996 figures  include the premium  revenues of First  National from
         October  1,  1996,  the date of its  acquisition,  which  amounted,  to
         $13,498,122.  The 1997 figure includes the full year of premium revenue
         of First National's policies which amounted to $51,187,027.
      (2)The 1997  figures  include  the premium  revenues of American  Exchange
         from December 4, 1997, the date of its  acquisition,  which amounted to
         $473,892 and $941,235 current year and renewal year, respectively.

Private Placement Financing

      Series C Preferred Stock

      During the second and third quarters of 1997,  the Company,  pursuant to a
stock purchase  agreement  between the Company and A.A.M.  Capital Partners L.P.
("AAM"),  issued 43,750 shares (par value $100) of Series C Preferred  Stock for
$4,375,000,  of which $2.4  million was  purchased by UAFC L.P.,  an  investment
partnership  affiliated with AAM,  $600,000 by Chase Equity Partners,  L.P., and
$1,375,000  by Richard A. Barasch (the Chairman and Chief  Executive  Officer of
the Company), members of his family, and members and associates of the Company's
management.  This  transaction  received the  approval of the Florida  Insurance
Department.

      During the third quarter of 1997, the Company  issued an additional  7,930
shares of Series C Preferred Stock for $793,000,  which shares were purchased by
owners and employees of Ameri-Life & Health Services,  an independent  marketing
organization that sells the Company's senior market products.

      The following  summary of the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock and of
a Shareholders'  Agreement affecting such stock, is qualified in its entirety by
reference  to  the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of  the  Company  and in the
Shareholders' Agreement.

    The Series C Preferred  Stock is convertible by the holders at any time at a
   conversion  price of  $2.375  per  common  share  (subject  to  anti-dilution
   adjustment).

    The  Company  can require  conversion  if it  executes a public  offering of
   common  stock at over $3.45 per common  share (or  equivalent  equity),  with
   gross  proceeds in excess of $10 million,  or if the average bid price of its
   common  stock,  for any 60 day  period,  exceeds  $3.45,  $4.25 and $5.15 per
   common share in 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively.

    In the event that the Company  takes certain  action  without the consent of
   the holders of a majority of the Series C Preferred Stock,  those holders who
   voted  against  such action have the right to require its  redemption  at the
   Redemption  Price  or the  Call  Price,  (which  Prices  are  defined  below)
   depending on the nature of the action taken.

                                       10
<PAGE>

    The Company has the right to call all of the Series C Preferred Stock at any
   time between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2002, at a per share call price
   (the  "Call  Price")  of $150 in the year 2000 or $175 in the years  2001 and
   2002, in each case increased by the  redemption  accrual at the rate of 8% of
   the par value.

    Unless  converted or called  earlier,  the Series C Preferred  Stock will be
   redeemed  on  December  31,  2002,  at a  per  share  redemption  price  (the
   "Redemption  Price") equal to par,  increased by a redemption  accrual at the
   rate of 8% per  annum.  The  redemption  price  will be  payable in two equal
   installments  on December  31, 2002 and December  31,  2003.  The  redemption
   accrual is not payable upon any conversion.

    No dividends will be paid on the Series C Preferred Stock,  unless dividends
   are paid on the common stock, in which case the Series C Preferred Stock will
   participate as if converted.  As of December 31, 1997, $249,790 of redemption
   accruals  were  accumulated  on the Series C  Preferred  Stock for the period
   April 25, 1997 to December 31, 1997.

    The holders of the Series C  Preferred  Stock  (excluding  a portion of such
   series  which may be issued  without  voting  rights)  will have the right to
   elect one director of the Company.

    $3 million of the proceeds of this sale were used to begin  implementation
   of the  conversion  of American  Pioneer from being a direct  subsidiary of
   American  Progressive  to  being a  direct  subsidiary  of  Universal.  See
   "Unstacking," below.

    The  Company,  AAM,  the  holders of the Series C Preferred  Stock,  Barasch
Associates  Limited  Partnership  ("BALP") and Richard A. Barasch entered into a
stockholders'  agreement at the closing of the  transaction  which contained the
following conditions:

    The holders of the Series C Preferred Stock were given  registration  rights
   and informational rights.

    The Series C  Preferred  Stockholders  agreed to vote  their  shares for the
   election  of a  person  designated  by AAM as the  director  elected  by that
   Series.

    BALP and Mr.  Barasch  granted the Series C holders a co-sale  right  should
   they sell any shares of the  Company's  common stock held by them,  except to
   certain "permitted transferees".

Unstacking

      When American Pioneer was acquired in 1993, it became a direct  subsidiary
of American Progressive. This ownership structure (the "stacking") significantly
reduced the Risk-Based Capital ratio of American  Progressive as computed by the
regulators  and the rating  agencies and adversely  affected the ratings of both
companies and their ability to write new business.

      Universal  and American  Progressive,  entered into an agreement  with the
consent of the New York Insurance  Department on June 27, 1996 (the  "Unstacking
Agreement"),  in which Universal is obligated to purchase all of the outstanding
stock of American Pioneer from American  Progressive over a five-year period for
a total  purchase  price of  $15,800,000.  Under  the  terms  of the  Unstacking
Agreement, the purchase is to be implemented in segments with the purchase price
of the shares  included in each segment being paid one half in cash and one half
in five-year debentures,  paying interest at 8.5%. The debentures are payable by
Universal to American Progressive.

                                       11
<PAGE>

      The  Unstacking  Agreement is intended to make  American  Pioneer a direct
subsidiary  of  Universal,  rather than an indirect  subsidiary,  owned  through
American Progressive. This unstacking is expected to have a beneficial effect on
the ratings of both insurers. In addition,  the unstacking increases the surplus
of  American  Progressive,  improves  its Risk Based  Capital  Ratio and, to the
extent that American  Pioneer is able to pay  dividends,  permits the payment of
such dividends directly to Universal.

      The first  segments of the  unstacking  were  consummated in September and
December of 1997. In the aggregate,  Universal  acquired 75% of American Pioneer
from American  Progressive for $11,850,000  consisting of $5,925,000 in cash and
$5,925,000 in debentures  payable to American  Progressive.  It is expected that
Universal will acquire the balance of American Pioneer in 1998.

      The cash portion of the  unstacking  was  performed by Universal  from the
proceeds of the Series C Preferred Stock  transaction  with AAM, a dividend from
American Pioneer, and from the proceeds of a loan from Chase Manhattan Bank. See
"Liquidity and Capital Resources - The Company".

Marketing and Distribution

      Historically,  the Insurance  Subsidiaries  sold their products  through a
traditional general agency system. The Company now, however,  seeks to structure
arrangements  with  independent  marketing  organizations,  licensed  as general
agents,  that sell particular  products and programs meeting  particular  market
niches or needs.  One such  arrangement,  with an  organization  that focuses on
individual  sales of  deposit-term  life insurance  policies to moderate  income
buyers,  produced 14% of the Company's  individual life insurance sales in 1996.
Another such  arrangement  with an organization  that makes  individual sales of
interest  sensitive whole life insurance  policies  through single or multi-year
premium  payments  to middle  age and  senior  age  buyers  produced  73% of the
Company's  individual  life insurance sales in 1996. In 1996,  American  Pioneer
entered into an agreement with West Coast Life, an A+ life insurance  subsidiary
of  Nationwide  Insurance  Company,  to be the lead  company for the sale of the
Asset Enhancer  products.  The agreement calls for American Pioneer,  West Coast
Life  and  Reinsurance  Company  of  Hannover  ("RCH")  to each  participate  in
one-third of the risk and for American  Pioneer to be the  administrator  of the
product on a fee basis. A similar arrangement was entered into with Pennsylvania
Life  with  respect  to the  Flex-A-Vest  88 Term  Life  Insurance  product.  An
arrangement  with a marketing  organization in one state,  which primarily sells
Blue  Cross/Blue  Shield  health  insurance,  accounted  for  almost  all of the
Company's group life sales.

      In 1997, no general agent produced as much as 5% of the Company's accident
and health  insurance  premiums or life insurance  premiums and only one general
agent produced more than 5% of the Company's annuity premiums (24%). The agents,
general  agents and producers are paid purely on a commission  basis and are not
Company employees. In this marketing area, the Company believes that the Company
offers competitive commission rates and seeks to provide innovative products and
quality service to its independent  general agents.  In particular,  the Company
believes that it provides a higher level of agent support and is more responsive
to its  agents  in the  field  than  many  larger  organizations  with  which it
competes.  The various State Departments of Insurance regulate compensation that
the Company pays its agents on certain products.

      The Company, through the Insurance Subsidiaries, is licensed to market its
products in 45 states and in the  District of Columbia.  However,  approximately
78% of its 1997  premium  and  annuity  considerations  came from the  states of
Florida (34%), New York (17%), Texas (16%), North Carolina
(5%), Alabama (3%), and Georgia (3%).

Competition

      The  Company   competes  with  other  insurance  and  financial   services
companies, including large multi-line organizations, both in connection with the
sale of insurance  and asset  accumulation  products and in acquiring  blocks of
business.  Many of these  organizations have  substantially  greater capital and
surplus,  larger and more  diversified  portfolios of life and health  insurance
policies, larger agency sales operations and higher ratings. In addition, it has



                                       12
<PAGE>

become  increasingly  difficult for small companies to compete  effectively with
their larger  competitors  for  traditional  life and annuity sales in part as a
result of  heightened  consumer  and agent  awareness of the  financial  size of
companies.

      The Company has met,  and seeks to  continue  to meet,  these  competitive
pressures  by  offering a high level of service and  accessibility  to its field
force and by developing specialized products and marketing approaches.

Ratings

      American  Pioneer,  American  Progressive and American  Exchange have been
designated "B+ (Very Good)",  "B (Adequate)" and "B- (Adequate)",  respectively,
by A.M.  Best.  In evaluating a company's  financial and operating  performance,
A.M. Best reviews  profitability,  leverage and liquidity as well as the quality
of the book of business, the adequacy and soundness of reinsurance programs, the
quality  and  estimated  market  value  of  assets,  reserve  adequacy  and  the
experience  and  competence of  management.  A.M.  Best's ratings are based upon
factors relevant to policyholders,  agents, insurance brokers and intermediaries
and are not directed to the  protection of investors.  According to A.M.  Best's
published  material,  a "B+", "B" or "B-" rating is assigned to companies which,
in its opinion,  have  demonstrated very good (B+) or adequate (B), (B-) overall
performance when compared to the standards it has  established.  Companies rated
(B+) have a good ability to meet their  obligations  to  policyholders.  "B" and
"B-"  rated  companies  have an  adequate  ability  to meet  their  policyholder
obligations,  but their  financial  strength is vulnerable to adverse changes in
underwriting or economic conditions.  Standard and Poors rates American Pioneer,
American   Progressive  and  American   Exchange  as  "BBq",  "Bq"  and  "BBBq",
respectively,  which means that, based on their publicly available  information,
they are currently able to meet policyholder obligations,  although, as to "Bq",
that ability is  especially  vulnerable  to adverse  economic  and  underwriting
conditions.  The Insurance  Subsidiaries  are not currently known to be rated by
the Duff and Phelps or Moody's rating organizations. Although a higher rating by
A.M. Best or another insurance rating organization could have a favorable effect
on the Company's  business,  management believes that its marketing has enabled,
and will continue to enable, the Insurance Subsidiaries to compete effectively.

Underwriting Procedures

      Premiums charged on insurance  products are based, in part, on assumptions
about the expected  mortality  and  morbidity  experience.  In that regard,  the
Company  has  adopted  and  follows  detailed  uniform  underwriting  procedures
designed  to  assess  and  quantify  certain   insurance  risks  before  issuing
individual life insurance, certain health insurance policies and certain annuity
policies  to  individuals.  These  procedures  are  generally  based on industry
practices,  reinsurer  underwriting manuals and the Company's prior underwriting
experience. To implement these procedures,  each Insurance Subsidiary employs an
experienced professional underwriting staff.

      Applications for insurance to be underwritten are reviewed to determine if
any additional information is required to make an underwriting  decision,  which
depends on the  amount of  insurance  applied  for and the  applicant's  age and
medical history.  Such additional  information may include medical examinations,
statements  from doctors who have treated the  applicant in the past and,  where
indicated,  special  medical  tests.  If  deemed  necessary,  the  Company  uses
investigative services to supplement and substantiate  information.  For certain
coverages,  the Company may verify  information with the applicant by telephone.
After reviewing the information collected,  the Company either issues the policy
as  applied  for,  issues  the  policy  with  an  extra  premium  charge  due to
unfavorable factors, issues the policy excluding benefits for certain conditions
for a period of time or rejects the  application.  For certain of its coverages,



                                       13
<PAGE>

the  Company  has  adopted  simplified  policy  issue  procedures  in which  the
applicant submits a single application for coverage typically  containing only a
few health-related  questions instead of a complete medical history. In New York
and  other  states,  certain  of  the  Company's  products,  including  Medicare
supplement,  are subject to  "Community  Rating"  laws which  severely  limit or
prevent underwriting of individual  applications.  See "Regulation - Health Care
Reform".

      Acquired  Immune  Deficiency  Syndrome  ("AIDS"),  which has received wide
publicity  because of its serious public health  implications,  presents special
concerns to the life and health insurance  industry.  The Company considers AIDS
information in underwriting and pricing  decisions in accordance with applicable
laws.  Applicants for life insurance coverage equal to or exceeding $100,000 and
for major medical and major  hospital  coverages must submit to a blood or urine
test,  which includes AIDS antibody  screening.  The Company's own mortality and
morbidity  experience to date reflects no unduly  adverse  impact as a result of
any  acceleration  of  AIDS-related  life  insurance  claims.   The  Company  is
continuing to monitor  developments  in this area but is  necessarily  unable to
predict the long-term impact of this problem on the life insurance industry,  in
general, or on the Company, in particular.

Investments

       The  Company's  investment  policy is to balance  the  portfolio  between
long-term and  short-term  investments  so as to continue to achieve  investment
returns consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity
adequate to meet payment of policy  benefits and claims.  The Company invests in
assets  permitted  under the  insurance  laws of the various  states in which it
operates,  such laws generally prescribe the nature,  quality of and limitations
on various types of investments which may be made. The Company currently engages
the services of an unrelated investment advisor, Asset Allocation and Management
Company, to manage the Company's fixed maturity  portfolio,  under the direction
of  the  management  of  the  Insurance  Subsidiaries  and  in  accordance  with
guidelines adopted by their respective Boards of Directors. The Company's policy
is not to invest in derivative  programs or other hybrid securities,  except for
GNMA's,   FNMA's  and  investment   grade  corporate   collateralized   mortgage
obligations.  It invests  primarily  in fixed  maturity  securities  of the U.S.
Government  and its agencies and in corporate  fixed  maturity  securities  with
investment  grade  ratings of "Baa3"  (Moody's),  "BBB-"  (Standard & Poor's) or
better.  However,  the Company does own some  investments that are rated "BB" or
below (together 3.2% and 2.1% of total fixed  maturities as of both December 31,
1996 and 1997,  respectively).  As of  December  31,  1997 all  securities  were
current in the payment of principal and interest.





                                       14
<PAGE>


      The following table  summarizes the Company's  investment  portfolio as of
December 31, 1996 and 1997:

<TABLE>

                                             Investment Portfolio

                                 December 31,1996             December 31,1997
                            ----------------------------   ------------------------
                                                             
                            Carrying Value   Percent of   Carrying     Percent of  
                                             Total        Value        Total
                             (Fair Value)    Carrying     (Fair        Carrying
                                             Value        Value)       Value
                            --------------- ------------ -----------  -----------
<S>                           <C>               <C>      <C>                <C>    
Fixed Maturity
Securities:
  U.S. Government and
  government agencies          $12,177,564        8.42%   $11,026,445        6.92%
                                                           

  Mortgage and asset            35,371,543       24.45%    58,725,145       36.83%
backed

  Investment grade              70,092,550       48.44%    51,217,648       32.13%
corporates

  Non-investment grade           3,850,510        2.66%     2,616,470        1.64%
corporates
                            --------------- ------------   -----------  -----------

  Total fixed maturity         121,492,167       83.97%    123,585,708      77.52%
securities

  Cash and cash                 15,403,450       10.65%    25,014,019       15.69%
equivalents

Other Investments:

  Policy loans                   6,421,251        4.44%     7,185,014        4.51%

  Mortgage loans                 1,199,110        0.83%     2,562,008        1.60%

  Real property tax liens          131,729        0.09%       136,713        0.09%

  Equity securities                 33,562        0.02%       945,116        0.59%
                            --------------- ------------   -----------  -----------

Total invested assets         $144,681,269      100.00%  $159,428,578       100.00%
                            =============== ============ ============   ===========

</TABLE>

      The following table shows the  distribution of the contractual  maturities
of the Company's  portfolio of fixed maturity securities by carrying value as of
December 31, 1997. Expected  maturities will differ from contractual  maturities
because  borrowers  may have the  right to call or  prepay  obligations  with or
without call or prepayment penalties:

              Contractual Maturities of Fixed Maturity Securities

                                                       Percent of
                                          Carrying     Total Fixed
        Available for Sale                  Value      Maturities
                                         ------------  ------------

       Due in 1 year or less                                 
                                          $4,305,300         3.48%

       Due After 1 year through 5         21,326,267        17.26%
       years

       Due after 5 years through          19,401,221        15.70%
       10 years

       Due after 10 years                 16,604,110        13.44%

       Mortgage and asset backed          61,948,810        50.12%
       securities
                                         ------------  ------------

                                         $123,585,708      100.00%
                                         ============  ============

                                       15
<PAGE>

      The  following  table  shows the  distribution  by  carrying  value of the
Company's fixed maturity securities  portfolio according to the ratings assigned
by Standard & Poor's  Corporation,  along with related estimated fair values, as
of December 31 1996, and 1997:

                     Distribution of Fixed Maturity Securities by
                                     Rating

                     December 31, 1996           December 31, 1997
                   -----------------------   -----------------------

                    Carrying      % of        Carrying       % of
       Standard       Value       Total         Value       Total
           &
        Poor's     (Estimated     Fixed      (Estimated     Fixed
        Rating     Fair Value)  Investment   Fair Value)   Investment
       ----------  ------------ ----------   ------------  ---------
       AAA         $46,981,664     38.67%    $55,914,846     45.23%
       AA            7,598,298      6.25%      7,713,721      6.24%
       A            21,383,442     17.60%     31,225,481     25.27%
       BBB          41,678,253     34.31%     26,115,190     21.13%
       BB            3,519,260      2.90%      2,218,232      1.79%
       B                                         398,238      0.32%
                             -          -
       D               331,250      0.27%
                                                       -          -
                   ------------ ----------   ------------  ---------
                                              
       Total      $121,492,167    100.00%   $123,585,708    100.00%
                   ============ ==========   ============  =========

      At  December  31,  1996 and 1997,  96.8% and 97.9%,  respectively,  of the
Company's  fixed maturity  investments  were  investment  grade  corporate fixed
maturity  securities  (i.e.,  those rated  "BBB-" or higher by Standard & Poor's
Corporation  or "Baa3" or higher by Moody's  Investors  Service).  This included
approximately  $39,144,400,  at December 31, 1996, and $42,837,114,  at December
31,  1997,  of  collateralized   mortgage  obligations  secured  by  residential
mortgages.  These amounts represented approximately 32% and 35% of the Company's
fixed maturity  portfolio at December 31, 1996 and 1997,  respectively.  Certain
classes of  mortgage-backed  securities  are subject to  significant  prepayment
risk.  This is due to the fact that in  periods  of  declining  interest  rates,
mortgages may be repaid more rapidly than  scheduled,  as individuals  refinance
higher rate mortgages to take advantage of the lower rates then available.  As a
result, holders of mortgage-backed  securities may receive higher prepayments on
their  investments,  which they may not be able to reinvest at an interest  rate
comparable to the rate paid on such mortgage-backed  securities. At December 31,
1996 and  1997,  less  than  investment  grade  fixed  maturity  securities  had
aggregate  carrying  values (held at fair value) of $3,850,510  and  $2,616,470,
respectively, amounting to 2.7% and 1.6%, respectively, of total investments and
1.6% and 1.0%, respectively, of total invested assets. The Company's holdings of
less than investment  grade corporate fixed maturity  securities are diversified
and the  investment  in any one such security at both December 31, 1996 and 1997
was less than  $1,000,000,  which was  approximately  0.4% as of each date.  The
Company  wrote down the value of  certain  securities,  considered  to have been
subject to an-other-than  temporary decline in value, by $195,000 in 1995, which
was included in net realized gains on investments in the consolidated statements
of operations. The Company did not write down the value of any securities during
1996 or 1997.




                                       16
<PAGE>

Investment Income

      Investment income is an important part of the Company's total revenues and
profitability.  Management  cannot  predict  the impact  that  changes in future
interest rates will have on the Company's  financial  statements.  The following
table  shows the  investment  results  of the  Company's  total  invested  asset
portfolio,  for the three years ended December 31, 1997  (excluding the realized
gain on the sale of a non-operating subsidiary in 1997):

                              Investment Results

                                             Years Ended December 31,
                                 -------------------------------------------

                                     1995           1996           1997
                                 -------------- -------------- -------------

Total invested assets, end of                
period                            $135,602,668   $144,681,269  $159,428,478

Net investment income               $8,945,280     $9,850,083   $10,022,658

Yield on average cash and                
     investments                         6.97%          7.08%         6.81%


Net realized investment gains
     on the sale of securities        $673,868       $240,075      $563,047

Reserves

      In  accordance  with  applicable  insurance  regulations,  the Company has
established,  and carries as liabilities in its statutory financial  statements,
actuarially  determined  reserves that are  calculated to satisfy its policy and
contract  obligations.  Reserves,  together  with  premiums  to be  received  on
outstanding  policies  and  contracts  and interest  thereon at certain  assumed
rates,   are  calculated  to  be  sufficient  to  satisfy  policy  and  contract
obligations.  The actuarial  factors used in determining such reserves are based
on  statutorily   prescribed  mortality  tables  and  interest  rates.  Reserves
maintained also include unearned premiums, premium deposits, reserves for claims
that have been reported but are not yet paid, reserves for management's estimate
for claims that have been  incurred but have not yet been reported and claims in
the process of settlement.

      The reserves reflected in the Company's  consolidated financial statements
are  calculated  in  accordance  with GAAP.  These  reserves  are based upon the
Company's best estimates of mortality and morbidity,  persistency,  expenses and
investment  income,  with  appropriate  provisions  for adverse  deviation.  The
Company  uses  the net  level  premium  method  for  all  non-interest-sensitive
products and the retrospective deposit method for  interest-sensitive  products.
GAAP  reserves  differ  from  statutory  reserves  due to the  use of  different
assumptions  regarding  mortality  and  morbidity,  and  interest  rates and the
introduction of lapse assumptions into the GAAP reserve calculation.

Reinsurance

      Assumption of Asset Enhancer from West Coast Life

      Beginning in 1997,  the Company  began to assume asset  enhancer  business
written by West Coast Life.  The  agreement  calls for West Coast Life to retain
33.3%  of the  business  written  and cede the  remaining  66.7% to  Reassurance
Company of Hannover ("RCH").  RCH, in turn, cedes 50% of this amount to American
Pioneer,  so all companies share in one-third of the risk.  Under the agreement,
American  Pioneer  performs  all  the  underwriting  and  administration  of the
business for a fee.  The  underlying  assets,  which are  maintained  in a trust
account,  are managed by West Coast Life  pursuant to the  recommendation  of an
investment committee, which committee is comprised of a representative from each

                                       17
<PAGE>

company.  Total premiums issued on this business in 1997, on a statutory  basis,
amounted  to $15.6  million for  single-pay  and $3.4  million for  multiple-pay
business.

      Assumption from First National Life

      In the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company acquired, through an assumption
reinsurance  agreement,  approximately  $56 million of annualized  senior market
premium from First National.  American Pioneer  initially  contracted with First
National to assume $4 million of premium on group Medicare  Supplement  coverage
issued to the  members of FREA.  Then,  after  First  National  was placed  into
Receivership  by the Alabama  Insurance  Department in October,  1996,  American
Pioneer assumed  approximately an additional $50 million of Individual  Medicare
Supplement premium, $1.2 million in Home Health Care premium and $0.8 million in
miscellaneous  life and  accident  and health  insurance  premiums,  under terms
negotiated  with the Receiver.  All of these  assumptions  were  effective as of
October 1, 1996.  The  Company  received  approval  from the  Florida  Insurance
Department to report the premiums  assumed from First National as direct premium
written.

      Simultaneously  with the second assumption by American  Pioneer,  American
Pioneer entered into a reinsurance  agreement with Transamerica  Occidental Life
Insurance  Company  ("Transamerica"),  ceding 90% of the $50 million  Individual
Medicare  Supplement to  Transamerica  under  reinsurance  terms  believed to be
favorable. American Pioneer will perform all the administration on the reinsured
business.

      Other Assumed

      As part of its strategy of acquiring  blocks of business,  the Company has
acquired several blocks of business through reinsurance.

      American Progressive participates in a modified coinsurance agreement with
an  unaffiliated  insurer under an agreement  entered into in 1986. The business
assumed consists of  non-participating  premium-paying Whole Life and increasing
premium Whole Life  policies.  At December 31, 1997,  premiums in force ceded to
American  Progressive under this arrangement were  approximately  $350,000,  the
amount of insurance in force was  approximately  $24.2  million and the reserves
assumed were approximately $4.7 million.

      In 1994,  the  Company  assumed  100% of the risk and  premium  on certain
accident and health insurance  policies written by three insurers not affiliated
with the Company:  North American Company for Life and Health  Insurance,  North
American  Company for Life and Health  Insurance  of New York and  Baptist  Life
Insurance  Company of New York.  At December 31,  1997,  the premium in force on
these  policies was  approximately  $720,000 and the  associated  reserves  were
approximately $503,000.

      Ceded

      Consistent with the general practice of the life insurance  industry,  the
Company  reinsures  portions  of the  coverage  provided  by its life  insurance
products  to  unaffiliated   insurance   companies  under  various   reinsurance
agreements.  Such  agreements  allow the  Company to write  policies  in amounts
larger  than the risk it is willing to retain on any one life,  and to  continue
writing a larger volume of new business.  The mortality risk retention  limit on
each policy  varies  generally  between  $25,000 and $75,000.  The Company cedes
insurance  primarily on an "automatic"  basis and receives  allowances  from its
reinsurers  ranging  from 100% to 142% of the  reinsurers'  premium in the first
policy year and at varying rates of up to 40% in renewal  years.  Reinsurance is
not maintained on any of the annuity policies in force.

      The Company has "excess of loss" reinsurance  agreements with unaffiliated
insurance  companies on its accident and health insurance policies to reduce the
liability  on  individual  risks to $60,000 at  American  Pioneer,  $200,000  at
American Progressive and $50,000 at American Exchange.  On December 31, 1996 the
Company effected a "quota share" reinsurance agreement with another unaffiliated
reinsurer  (rated  A+ by A.M.  Best) to cede  50% of the  remaining  $60,000  of



                                       18
<PAGE>

individual  accident and health insurance risk at American Pioneer.  The limited
benefit medical risks at American  Exchange are 75% reinsured to an unaffiliated
reinsurer.

      The Company reinsures, on a quota share basis to unaffiliated  reinsurers,
certain of its senior accident and health business as follows:  American Pioneer
Medicare  supplement  - 75%;  American  Progressive  Medicare  supplement - 50%;
American  Progressive  hospital  indemnity - 25%; and American Exchange Medicare
supplement - 75%. The Company's  long term care products  (nursing home and home
health  care) are 75%  reinsured  to an  unaffiliated  reinsurer  with stop loss
coverage  after the third benefit year.  The Company's  managed care home health
care  product is 30%  reinsured  with an  unaffiliated  reinsurer.  Under  these
various treaties,  the Company performs all the underwriting and  administration
and receives various  allowances for commission and expenses.  In addition,  the
Company has a quota share  agreement on its Accidental  Death and  Dismemberment
policies under which the reinsurer  receives 90% of all premiums and pays 90% of
all losses and the Company receives allowances ranging from 20%-30% of the ceded
premium.  American Pioneer also reinsures all of the risk in excess of two years
of benefits on certain disability income policies.

      As  part of its  restructuring,  the  Company  sold  all of its  New  York
Statutory  DBL  insurance  in force  and a major  part of the risk on its  major
medical policies to unaffiliated insurers.  (See "Restructuring Activity Sale of
DBL Block" and "Major Medical Reinsurance").

      The Company is  contingently  liable to pay claims in the  unlikely  event
that a reinsurer fails to meet its obligations under the reinsurance  agreement.
The  Company's  primary  reinsurers  are  currently  rated A+  (Superior)  and A
(Excellent) by A.M. Best. To the Company's  knowledge,  no reinsurer of business
ceded by the Company has been unable to pay any policy  claims on any  reinsured
business.  The  reinsurance  agreements are subject to  cancellation  on 90 days
notice as to future business,  but policies reinsured prior to such cancellation
remain  reinsured as long as they remain in force.  Management  believes that if
its  reinsurance  agreements  were  canceled  it would be able to  obtain  other
reinsurance  arrangements on satisfactory terms to enable it to continue writing
new business.

WorldNet

      Restructuring

      WorldNet was formed in 1992 when Universal  acquired the assets and client
base of a firm that provided claims administration,  managed care and traveler's
medical  assistance to insurance  companies  (foreign and domestic) and affinity
groups including credit card companies.  The revenues of WorldNet grew from 1992
through 1995, in part due to  acquisition,  but WorldNet  sustained  significant
operating losses. In 1996, Universal imposed a restructuring effort in WorldNet,
which  reduced  revenues  from  unprofitable  contracts,  but also  reduced  its
operating losses.

      As part of the First National transaction, the Company acquired a low-cost
administrative  facility in Pensacola,  Florida.  By incorporating this facility
and much of its employee base into the WorldNet  corporate  structure,  WorldNet
has  expanded  its  capacity to service the  Insurance  Subsidiaries  as well as
unaffiliated third parties. As a result of the addition of the revenues from the
Insurance  Subsidiaries,  amounting to approximately 74% of WorldNet's revenues,
WorldNet showed a profit of $911,000 in 1997 after incurring  losses of $271,000
in 1996 and $665,000 in 1995.

      General

      WorldNet is a fee-based  company  whose  primary  services  are to provide
medical  managed care and  assistance to people  traveling away from their homes
and to act as a third party  administrator and service provider to the Insurance
Subsidiaries.  These,  and  other  related  services,  are sold by  WorldNet  to
insurance companies (for their insureds),  credit card companies (for their card
members) and associations (for their members).

                                       19
<PAGE>

      Additionally,   WorldNet   provides  valuable  support  to  the  Company's
underwriters,  making  telephone  contact with potential  insureds and verifying
potential  insureds'  information  on life and  accident & health  applications.
Management   plans  to   further   incorporate   WorldNet's   telecommunications
capabilities  to  gather  and  verify  underwriting  data  and  to  assist  with
policyholder servicing of its insurance products.

      International Managed Care

      WorldNet has achieved a  significant  portion of its revenue from the sale
of managed care, cost  containment and claims  adjudication  services to foreign
(to date,  primarily Canadian) insurers for their insureds while they are in the
United States. WorldNet arranges access to appropriate medical care, manages the
care and cost while the case is in process and often arranges  evacuation to the
country of origin.  WorldNet also provides complete claims adjudication services
including coordination of benefits,  subrogation and audits. The clients who use
WorldNet's  managed care services  include a number of large  insurers in Canada
and Europe.

      Travel Assistance and Related Claims Adjudication

      WorldNet's  travel  assistance  product is sold as an enhancement  for its
clients'  cardholders,  policyholders and members.  The service provides 24-hour
telephone access to assistance for medical,  legal and other problems that arise
especially  while  away from  home.  Related  to this  function,  WorldNet  also
provides  claims  adjudication  for  travel-related  insurance  products such as
baggage, collision damage waiver and trip-cancellations.

      Operations

      WorldNet operates a 24-hour multi-lingual  communications center in Miami,
Florida and a third party  administrative  office in Pensacola,  Florida.  As of
December  31,  1997,  the  Miami  location  had 38 full time  employees  and the
Pensacola  location had 76 full time  employees.  The company has  developed and
acquired  proprietary  software  applications  that have been customized for its
market.

      Revenues

      WorldNet's  revenues for years ended  December  31, 1995,  1996 and 1997
were as follows:

                                             Year Ended December 31,
                                      ---------------------------------------
                                         1995          1996          1997
                                      -----------  -------------   ----------
       Pensacola administrative                                    
       revenue (1)                    $        -     $        -   $5,318,242
       Managed care and claims
       adjudication                    2,099,438      1,513,962    1,583,933
       Travel and other                  
       assistance                        971,103        658,379      355,640
                                      -----------  -------------  -----------
                                      $3,070,541     $2,172,341   $7,257,815
                                      ===========  =============  ===========

- ----------------------------
      (1)Included in the Pensacola  revenue  amount is $5,230,574 of fees earned
         from the  Insurance  Subsidiaries,  which fees were  eliminated  in the
         consolidated financial statements.





                                       20
<PAGE>




Regulation

      General

      The Insurance Subsidiaries, like other insurance companies, are subject to
the laws,  regulations and supervision of the states in which they are domiciled
(New York in the case of American  Progressive,  Florida in the case of American
Pioneer and Texas in the case of American  Exchange) and in various other states
in which they are authorized to transact business.  The purpose of such laws and
regulations is primarily to provide safeguards for policyholders  rather than to
protect the interest of stockholders.

      The  insurance   laws  regulate,   among  other  things,   capitalization,
permissible  investments,  premium rates on statutory  disability  insurance and
other health  insurance policy forms, the form and content of policies which may
be offered,  specified methods of accounting  (statutory  accounting or SAP) for
detailed financial statements submitted to the various Insurance Departments and
minimum capital and surplus required to continue in operation.

      Most states have enacted legislation or adopted administrative regulations
covering such matters as the  acquisition of control of insurance  companies and
transactions  between  insurance  companies  and the persons  controlling  them.
Additional  requirements  are often  imposed as a  condition  of approval of the
acquisition  of an insurance  company,  as occurred in the case of the Company's
acquisition of American Pioneer, American Progressive and American Exchange. The
nature and  extent of the  legislation  and  administrative  regulations  now in
effect vary from state to state and most states require administrative  approval
of the acquisition of control of an insurance company incorporated in the state,
whether by tender  offer,  exchange  of  securities,  merger or  otherwise,  and
require the filing of detailed  information  regarding the acquiring parties and
the plan of acquisition. The approval of the domiciliary insurance department is
also required before a controlling interest (10% as to New York and Texas, 5% as
to Florida) of an insurance company,  or of a holding company which owns such an
insurance company, can be acquired or transferred. Every insurance company which
is  authorized  to do  business  in the state  and is a member of an  "insurance
holding  company  system" is  generally  required  to  register as such with the
insurance  regulatory  authorities  and file  periodic  reports  concerning  its
relationships with the insurance holding company.  Material transactions between
registered  insurance  companies and members of the holding  company  system are
required  to be  "fair  and  reasonable"  and  in  some  cases  are  subject  to
administrative  approval,  and the books, accounts and records of each party are
required to be so maintained as to clearly and  accurately  disclose the precise
nature and details of the transactions.

      Each  Insurance  Subsidiary is required to file detailed  reports with the
insurance  department of each state in which it is licensed to conduct business,
and its books and  records  are subject to  examination  by each such  insurance
department.  In accordance with the insurance codes of their domiciliary  states
and  the  rules  and  practices  of  the  National   Association   of  Insurance
Commissioners  ("NAIC"), the Insurance Subsidiaries are examined periodically by
examiners  of  New  York,   Florida,   Texas  and  by  representatives   (on  an
"association" or "zone" basis) of the other states in which they are licensed to
do business. American Progressive was examined in 1995 for the three years ended
December 31, 1994 by the New York State Insurance  Department.  American Pioneer
was  examined  in 1997 for the  year  ended  December  31,  1995 by the  Florida
Insurance Department.  American Exchange was examined in 1995 for the year ended
December 31, 1994 by the Texas  Insurance  Department.  The Company has complied
with all recommendations  made on such reports,  and no issues were raised which
the Company deems to be material.

      Many states require deposits of assets for the protection of policyholders
either in those states or for all policyholders.  At December 31, 1996 and 1997,
securities totaling $7,779,000 and $7,122,000,  respectively (approximately 5.4%



                                       21
<PAGE>

and 4.5%, respectively, of the carrying value of the Company's invested assets),
were on deposit with various state treasurers or custodians.  Such deposits must
consist  of  securities  that  comply  with  the  standards  established  by the
particular state.

      Codification of Statutory Accounting Practices

      The NAIC is in the process of  codifying  statutory  accounting  practices
("Codification").  Codification will likely change,  to some extent,  prescribed
statutory  accounting  practices  and may result in  changes  to the  accounting
practices  that the Insurance  Subsidiaries  use to prepare its  statutory-basis
financial statements. Codification, which is expected to be approved by the NAIC
in 1998,  will  require  adoption  by the various  states  before it becomes the
prescribed  statutory basis of accounting for insurance  companies  domesticated
within those states. Accordingly,  before Codification becomes effective for the
Insurance  Subsidiaries,  the Florida, New York and Texas Insurance  Departments
must adopt  Codification as the prescribed basis of accounting on which domestic
insurers must report their statutory-basis  results to the Insurance Department.
At this time it is unclear  whether the  Florida,  New York and Texas  Insurance
Departments will adopt Codification.  However,  based on current draft guidance,
management  believes that the impact of Codification will not be material to the
Insurance Subsidiaries' statutory-basis financial statements.

      Insurance Regulatory Changes

      The NAIC and state insurance regulators have recently become involved in a
process of re-examining  existing laws and regulations and their  application to
insurance  companies.  This  re-examination  has  focused on  insurance  company
investment  and  solvency  issues,  risk-based  capital  guidelines,  assumption
reinsurance,  interpretations of existing laws, the development of new laws, the
interpretation of nonstatutory  guidelines,  and the  circumstances  under which
dividends may be paid. The NAIC has  encouraged  states to adopt model NAIC laws
on specific  topics such as holding  company  regulations  and the definition of
extraordinary  dividends.  It is not  possible to predict  the future  impact of
changing state regulation on the operations of the Company.

      The  statutory  filings of  American  Progressive,  American  Pioneer  and
American Exchange require classifications of investments,  the maintenance of an
asset valuation  reserve ("AVR") and that investment  gains and losses resulting
from  changes in interest  rate levels be deferred  and taken into income over a
period of years  through  the  interest  maintenance  reserve  ("IMR").  Similar
requirements are not required under GAAP.

      The AVR and IMR of the Insurance  Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and
1997 were:

                            1996       1997
                          ---------  ---------

       American
       Progressive
       AVR
                          $456,362   $438,371
       IMR
                          $547,436   $752,285

       American Pioneer
       AVR
                          $646,040   $316,674
       IMR(1)             $(94,025)   $62,361

       American Exchange
       AVR                
                           $25,220    $10,877
       IMR
                        
                          $      -   $      -

- ------------------------
      (1) For  statutory  accounting  purposes,  a negative  IMR is treated as a
non-admitted asset.

                                       22
<PAGE>

      New York  State  enacted  legislation  in 1992 that  requires  all  health
insurance  sold to  individuals  and groups with less than 50  employees,  to be
offered on an open enrollment and community rated basis effective April 1, 1993.
Such  insurance may continue to be sold to groups with more than 50 employees on
an underwriting  basis, with premiums set to reflect expected or actual results.
The 1992 law prohibits the use of individual  underwriting techniques and health
insurers  must  accept  all who  apply  regardless  of  medical  condition.  The
community  rating aspect of the law  prohibits  the use of age,  sex,  health or
occupational  factors in rating and requires  that the same average rate be used
for all persons with the same policy residing in the same location. The Medicare
supplement actively marketed by American  Progressive in New York State and some
of its in force business is subject to the community rating rules. The extension
of  such  legislation  to  Florida  and  Texas,   where  significant   medically
underwritten  health insurance is offered,  might cause a reconsideration of the
Company's existing health care coverage offerings.

      Dividend and Distribution Restrictions

      Under the New York State  Insurance  Law, the  declaration or payment of a
dividend  by  American  Progressive  requires  the  approval  of  the  New  York
Superintendent  of  Insurance,  who,  as a matter of present  policy,  would not
approve  such  payment  until  American  Progressive  had  generated  sufficient
statutory profits to offset its entire negative  unassigned  surplus,  which was
approximately $8,412,000 at December 31, 1997.

      Under  current  Florida  State  insurance  law, a life  insurer  may pay a
dividend  or make a  distribution  without  the prior  written  approval  of the
department when:

            a) the  dividend is paid from that  portion of the  accumulated  and
               available  surplus  of the  Company  as is  derived  from the net
               operating  profits of its business  and its net realized  capital
               gains;

            b) the  dividend  is no  more  than  the  greater  of (i) 10% of the
               insurer's surplus as to policyholders  derived from net operating
               profits on its business and net realized  capital gains;  or (ii)
               the  insurer's  entire net  operating  profits and  realized  net
               capital gains derived during the immediately  preceding  calendar
               year;

            c) the insurer  will have  surplus as to  policyholders  equal to or
               exceeding 115% of the minimum  required  statutory  surplus as to
               policyholders after the dividend or distribution is made; and

            d) the insurer  has filed  notice  with the  department  at least 10
               business days prior to the dividend payment or distribution.

      American  Pioneer  has the  capacity  to pay  dividends  of  approximately
$430,000  during the year ending  December  31,  1998.  Dividends  of  $500,000,
$500,000 and $185,455 were paid by American  Pioneer to American  Progressive in
1995,  1996 and  1997,  respectively  and a  dividend  of  $425,000  was paid to
Universal in 1997.

Under  current  Texas  insurance  law, a life insurer may pay  dividends or make
distributions  without the prior approval of the Insurance Department as long as
the dividend distributions do not exceed the greater of (i) 10% of the insurer's
surplus as to  policyholders  as of the  preceding  December  31st;  or (ii) the
insurer's net gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year.





                                       23
<PAGE>




      Risk-Based Capital Requirements

      Effective  December 31,  1993,  the NAIC  adopted new  risk-based  capital
("RBC")  requirements,  which have also been  adopted in New York,  Florida  and
Texas.  These are intended to provide for a measurement of statutory capital and
surplus needs based on the risks in a company's  mix of products and  investment
portfolio.  As of December 31, 1996 and 1997, American  Progressive's  ratios of
total  adjusted  capital  to  RBC,  based  on  the  NAIC  approved  model,  were
approximately 261% and 484% of the Authorized Control Level, respectively. As of
December 31, 1996 and 1997,  American Pioneer's ratios of total adjusted capital
to RBC, based on the NAIC approved model,  were  approximately  795% and 495% of
the Authorized  Control Level,  respectively.  As of December 31, 1996 and 1997,
American  Exchange's  ratios of total adjusted capital to RBC, based on the NAIC
approved  model,  were  approximately  226% and 227% of the  Authorized  Control
Level, respectively

      Guaranty Association Assessments

      All  states  require  insurance   companies  to  participate  in  guaranty
associations  designed to cover certain claims against insolvent  insurers.  The
incurrence and amount of such assessments have increased in recent years and are
generally expected to increase further in future years. American Progressive and
American  Pioneer  were  assessed  and paid  approximately  $9,000 and  $77,000,
respectively, in 1996 and $(1,000) (refund) and $31,000,  respectively, in 1997.
The  likelihood and amount of any other future  assessments  are now unknown and
are beyond the control of the Company.

      Health Care Reform

      From time to time, numerous proposals have been introduced in Congress and
the state legislatures to reform the current health care system.  Proposals have
included,  among other  things,  employer-based  insurance  systems,  subsidized
premiums for lower income  people,  "managed  competition"  among health  plans,
programs to regulate policy  availability,  affordability  of public and private
programs and expansion of Medicare to persons  under-age  65.  Changes in health
care policy could significantly affect the Company's health insurance business.

      In 1996, Congress enacted the  Kennedy-Kassenbaum  Act, which, among other
changes,  restricts the ability of insurers to utilize medical  underwriting and
pre-existing condition provisions in certain health insurance policies issued to
persons who were previously  insured under qualifying  policies.  These changes,
which  will  become  effective  in  stages,  may have an  effect  on some of the
Company's policies.

      Whether or not Congress  passes any further health reform  measures in the
foreseeable future, it is likely that health reform will continue to reappear on
the  legislative  agenda  in  the  future.  Such  additional  healthcare  reform
proposals also could require  standardization of major medical or long-term care
coverages, impose mandated or target loss ratios or rate regulation, require the
use of  community  rating or other  means  that  further  limit the  ability  of
insurers to differentiate  among risks, or mandate  utilization  review or other
managed care  concepts to  determine  what  benefits  would be paid by insurers.
These or other  proposals  could  increase or decrease the level of  competition
among health insurers. In addition, changes could be made in Medicare that could
necessitate  revisions in the  Company's  Medicare  Supplement  products.  Other
potential initiatives,  designed to tax insurance premiums or shift medical care
costs from government to private  insurers,  could have effects on the Company's
business, some of them adverse. The Company is unable to predict what changes to
the  country's  health care system will be enacted,  if any, or their effects on
the Company's business. See "Regulation".





                                       24
<PAGE>




      Other Possible Changes in Legislation

      Since insurance is a regulated business, with a high public profile, it is
always  possible  that  legislation  may be enacted  which would have an adverse
effect on the Company's business.

      An important  portion of the Company's  insurance  business is the sale of
deferred annuities and certain life insurance products,  which are attractive to
purchasers  in part because  policyholders  generally are not subject to federal
income tax on  increases in the value of an annuity or life  insurance  contract
until some form of  distribution  is made from the contract.  From time to time,
Congress has  considered  proposals to reduce or eliminate the tax advantages of
annuities and life insurance which, if enacted,  might have an adverse effect on
the ability of the  Company to sell the  affected  products  in the future.  The
Company is not aware that Congress is actively  considering any legislation that
would reduce or eliminate  the tax  advantages  of annuities or life  insurance;
however,  it is possible that the tax  treatment of annuities or life  insurance
could change by  legislation  or other means (for example,  by Internal  Revenue
Service regulations or judicial decisions).

      Certain  changes in insurance  and tax laws and  regulations  could have a
material  adverse  effect on the  operations  of insurance  companies.  Specific
regulatory  developments  which  could  have a  material  adverse  effect on the
operation  of the  insurance  industry  include,  but are not  limited  to,  the
potential repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act (which exempts insurance companies
from a variety of federal regulatory  requirements),  and adoption of laws, such
as  those  already  in force in New  York,  limiting  an  insurer's  ability  to
medically   underwrite  and  rate  health  insurance   policies  or  to  exclude
pre-existing  conditions from coverage. In addition,  the administration of such
regulations  is  vested  in state  agencies  which  have  broad  powers  and are
concerned primarily with the protection of policyholders.

Federal Income Taxation of the Company

      The Company files a  consolidated  return for federal income tax purposes,
in which American Pioneer and American  Exchange are not currently  permitted to
be included. At December 31, 1997 the Company (exclusive of American Pioneer and
American  Exchange) had a net operating tax loss carry forwards of approximately
$11,300,000 which expire in the years 1999 to 2011.

      American  Pioneer  and  American  Exchange  file a  separate  consolidated
federal  income  tax  return.  At  December  31,  1997 these  companies  had net
operating  tax  loss  carry  forwards,  most  of  them  incurred  prior  to  its
acquisition  by the Company,  of  approximately  $1,100,000  which expire in the
years 2000 to 2011.  As a result of changes in ownership of American  Pioneer in
May 1993, use of most of the loss carry forwards of American Pioneer are subject
to annual limitations.

      The  Insurance  Subsidiaries  are  taxed as life  insurance  companies  as
provided in the Tax Code. The Omnibus Budget  Reconciliation Act of 1990 amended
the Tax Code to require a portion of the expenses  incurred in selling insurance
products to be capitalized  and amortized over a period of years,  as opposed to
an immediate deduction in the year incurred. Instead of measuring actual selling
expenses,  the amount  capitalized  for tax purposes is based on a percentage of
premiums. In general, the capitalized amounts are subject to amortization over a
ten-year period. Since this change only affects the timing of the deductions, it
does not, assuming stability of rates, affect the provisions for taxes reflected
in the Company's financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. However,
by  deferring  deductions,  the change  does have the effect of  increasing  the
current  tax  expense,  thereby  reducing  statutory  surplus.  Because  of  the
Insurance Subsidiaries' net operating loss carry forwards, there was no increase
in the Company's current income tax provision for the three years ended December
31, 1997 due to this change.





                                       25
<PAGE>




Employees

      At December 31, 1997, the Company  employed  approximately  231 employees,
none of whom  are  represented  by a labor  union.  The  Company  considers  its
relations with its employees to be satisfactory.

                                  MANAGEMENT

Directors  and  Executive   Officers  of  the  Company  and  Officers  of  the
Subsidiaries

      The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  information   concerning  the
Directors and Officers of the Company and the Officers of the subsidiaries:

                                    Position with the Company, Present
                                    Principal Occupation   or Employment
  Name                  Age         and  Past   Five-Year   Employment History
                                  
- -----------              ---      --------------------------------------------
Richard A. Barasch         44     Director,   Chairman  of  the  Board  (since
                                  December,   1997),   President   and   Chief
                                  Executive  Officer of the Company;  Director
                                  and President of American  Progressive;  and
                                  Chairman  of the Board of  American  Pioneer
                                  and  WorldNet.   Mr.   Barasch  has  been  a
                                  director  and   executive   officer  of  the
                                  Company since July,  1988,  President  since
                                  April,  1991  and  Chief  Executive  Officer
                                  since  June  15,  1995.   He  has  held  his
                                  positions  with the  Company's  subsidiaries
                                  since their  acquisition or  organization by
                                  the Company.  Term as a Director  expires in
                                  2000.

Robert A. Waegelein, C.P.A.37     Senior Vice President and Chief  Financial
                                  Officer  of  the  Company  (since   October,
                                  1990)  and  of  the  Company's  subsidiaries
                                  since  they  were   acquired  or  organized.
                                  Prior to that,  Mr.  Waegelein,  a certified
                                  public  accountant,  was  employed  by  KPMG
                                  Peat  Marwick  LLP,   the   Company's   then
                                  independent    public    accountants,     in
                                  positions  of   increasing   responsibility,
                                  finally serving as Senior Manager.

Gary W. Bryant, C.P.A.     48     President,  CEO  and  Director  of  American
                                  Pioneer  since  April,  1983 and Senior Vice
                                  President  of the  Company  since  June  15,
                                  1995.

William E. Wehner, C.L.U.  54     Executive    Vice    President   and   Chief
                                  Operating  Officer of  American  Progressive
                                  since May,  1991.  Mr.  Wehner was  employed
                                  for  over   twenty   years  by  Mutual  Life
                                  Insurance   Company  of  New  York  and  its
                                  affiliates   in  positions   of   increasing
                                  responsibility,   finally  serving  as  Vice
                                  President for Group Insurance.

Jerald R. Hoeft, C.P.A., C.L.U.55 Senior   Vice   President   for   American
                                  Pioneer since  October,  1997.  Between 1987
                                  and 1997,  Mr.  Hoeft  served as Senior Vice
                                  President  and Chief  Financial  Officer for
                                  Financial Benefit Group, Inc.

Guy H. Hartman, FALU, C.L.U.   62  Vice   President  and  Chief   Underwriter
                                  (since January,  1986) and Secretary  (since
                                  January, 1994) of American Pioneer.




                                       26
<PAGE>




Brad D. Leonard, F.S.A., M.A.A.A. 53Vice  President  of the Company and Senior
                                  Vice   President   and  Chief   Actuary   of
                                  American  Progressive  and American  Pioneer
                                  since January,  1997.  From  December,  1992
                                  to  January  1997,   Mr.  Leonard  was  Vice
                                  President  &  Actuary  of The  Federal  Home
                                  Life Insurance Companies.  Prior to December
                                  1992,  he  was  Senior  Vice  President  and
                                  Chief  Actuary  of  American  Heritage  Life
                                  Insurance Company.

Sam Walden                 58     Vice  President  -  Information  Systems  of
                                  American Pioneer since November, 1986.

Joan M. Ferrarone          58     Secretary   of  the  Company  and   American
                                  Progressive    since   June,    1995.   Mrs.
                                  Ferrarone  has been  employed by the Company
                                  since  1991  and  by  American   Progressive
                                  since  1984  in  positions   of   increasing
                                 responsibility.

Marvin Barasch             75     Chairman  Emeritus  of  the  Company  (since
                                  December,   1997)   and   Vice-Chairman   of
                                  American   Progressive  (John  Adams)  since
                                  July,    1988,    Chairman    of    American
                                  Progressive  since June, 1996 and a director
                                  of American  Pioneer  since May,  1993.  Mr.
                                  Barasch was Chief  Executive  Officer of the
                                  Company  from  July  1988 to June 15,  1995.
                                  He has been in the insurance  business as an
                                  agent and  broker  for over 40  years.  Term
                                  as a Director expires in 1998.

Michael A. Barasch         42     Director  of the Company  since  July,  1988
                                  and    American    Progressive    (and   its
                                  predecessor,  John Adams) from July, 1988 to
                                  June,   1995.   Since   February  1995,  Mr.
                                  Barasch  has been a  member  of the law firm
                                  of Barasch and  McGarry.  He was a member of
                                  the law  firm of  Altier  and  Barasch  from
                                  February,  1989 to February,  1995.  Term as
                                  a Director expires in 1999.

Stuart Becker, C.P.A.      54     Director  of the Company  since July,  1990.
                                  A partner in the  accounting  firm of Becker
                                  &  Company,  LLC  and  predecessors,   since
                                  1990.  Mr.  Becker  has  more  than 30 years
                                  experience    as    a    certified    public
                                  accountant.  Term as a  Director  expires in
                                  2000.

David F. Bolger            65     Director  of  the  Company  since  December,
                                  1992.  Since 1966, Mr. Bolger has been Chief
                                  Executive  Officer of Bolger & Co., Inc., an
                                  investment  banking firm. Term as a Director
                                  expires in 1999.

Mark M. Harmeling          45     Director  of the Company  since  July,  1990
                                  and Director of American  Progressive  since
                                  December,   1992.  Mr.  Harmeling  has  been
                                  President  of  Bay  State  Realty   Advisors
                                  since    January,    1994   and   previously
                                  President  of  Intercontinental  Real Estate
                                  Corporation,  a real estate  management  and
                                  development  company  for more than the past
                                  five  years.   Mr.   Harmeling   is  also  a

                                       27
<PAGE>

                                  Director   of   the   following   companies:
                                  Rochester Shoetree  Corporation (since 1988)
                                  and Applied  Extrusion  Technologies  (since
                                  1987).  Term as a Director expires in 1998.

Bertram Harnett            74     Elected   director   of  the   Company   and
                                  American  Pioneer  in June 1996 and had been
                                  a director of the Company  previously  (July
                                  29, 1988 to February 9, 1989).  Mr.  Harnett
                                  is  President  of the law  firm  of  Harnett
                                  Lesnick & Ripps P.A.,  Boca Raton,  Florida,
                                  and  its  predecessors  since  1988,  and  a
                                  practicing  lawyer  since  1948.  He is  the
                                  author of treatises on insurance  law and is
                                  a former  Justice of New York State  Supreme
                                  Court.  Term as a director expires in 1998.

Walter L. Harris           46     Director  of the Company  since  July,  1993
                                  and  of   American   Progressive   (and  its
                                  predecessor,  John Adams) since July,  1988.
                                  Since 1979,  Mr.  Harris has been  President
                                  of   Tanenbaum-Harber   Company,   Inc.,   a
                                  general  insurance  brokerage  firm. Term as
                                  a Director expires in 1999.

Harry B. Henshel           77     Director  of the Company  since June,  1992.
                                  Mr.  Henshel has been  Chairman of the Board
                                  of the Bulova  Corporation,  a  manufacturer
                                  of timepieces  located in New York City, for
                                  more than the past five years.  Mr.  Henshel
                                  is   also  a   Director   of   Ponce   Hotel
                                  Corporation    (since    1973)   and   Ampal
                                  Industries,  Inc.  (since  1983).  Term as a
                                  Director expires in 2000.

Patrick J. McLaughlin      39     Director  of  the  Company  since   January,
                                  1995.  Mr.   McLaughlin  has  been  Managing
                                  Director of Emerald Capital Group,  Ltd., an
                                  asset   management   and   consulting   firm
                                  specializing  in  the  insurance   industry,
                                  since  April  1993.  Prior to that he was an
                                  Executive    Vice    President   and   Chief
                                  Investment  Officer of Life Partners  Group,
                                  Inc. (April, 1990 to April, 1993),  Managing
                                  Director of Conning & Company (August,  1989
                                  to April  1990) and  Senior  Vice  President
                                  and   Chief   Investment   Officer   of  ICH
                                  Corporation (March,  1987 to August,  1989).
                                  Term as a Director expires in 2000.

Richard Veed               46     Director  of the  Company  since  April  25,
                                  1997.  Mr. Veed has been a Managing  Partner
                                  of AAM Investment  Banking Group, Ltd. Since
                                  October,   1993.   Prior  to  that,  he  was
                                  President  of  Guaranty   Reassurance  Corp.
                                  from  September,  1992  to May,  1993  and a
                                  Partner at Arthur  Anderson & Co.  from 1987
                                  to August,  1992.  He is also a Director  of
                                  HomeVest   Financial  Group,  Inc.  Term  as
                                  Director expires in 1999.

      Michael  Barasch  is Marvin  Barasch's  son.  Richard  Barasch is Marvin
Barasch's nephew.

      All of the executive officers listed above devote their full business time
to the Company.


                                       28
<PAGE>

            All of the  Company's  and its  subsidiaries'  officers  are elected
annually.  The Company's directors are elected for three-year terms,  classified
into three  classes with the  Directors  in each class  serving for three years,
with the terms  staggered  by class so that one class is elected at each  annual
meeting of shareholders  for a full three-year  term. All officers and directors
hold office until their  successors are duly elected and  qualified,  subject to
early removal by the Board.

      The By-laws of the Company  provide that the Board of Directors  shall set
the number of directors  and that the number of directors in each class shall be
equal, or as nearly as practical.  The Company's Board of Directors  consists of
eleven directors.

      The  Board of  Directors  has an Audit  Committee,  which  also  acts as a
Transactions  Committee,  consisting of Messrs.  Becker,  Bolger,  Henshel,  and
McLaughlin, a Compensation Committee consisting of Messrs. Becker, Harmeling and
Harris and an Executive  Committee  consisting  of Messrs.  Marvin,  Richard and
Michael Barasch, Mr. Bolger and Mr. Harnett. The Audit Committee is empowered to
consult  with the  Company's  independent  auditors  with respect to their audit
plans and to review their audit report and the accompanying  management  letters
and, as the Transactions  Committee,  reviews and makes  recommendations  to the
Board  on  certain  capital   transactions   entertained  by  the  Company.  The
Compensation Committee reviews and recommends compensation,  including incentive
stock option grants, of officers of the Company. The Executive Committee has the
authority to act between Board  meetings on behalf of the Board,  on all matters
allowed by law.

                CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

      The  Company  and Wand  Partners  L.P.,  an  affiliate  of  Wand/Universal
Investments  L.P.,  I and II,  the  holders of all of the  outstanding  Series B
Preferred Stock, entered into a financial advisory agreement, dated December 30,
1994, under which such Wand affiliate  renders advisory  services to the Company
and is  paid a fee of  $100,000  per  year  for  such  services  reduced  by any
director's fees paid to the director  designated by Wand. Such services and fees
are to continue as long as Wand owns  500,000  shares of Common  Stock or common
stock equivalent.

      Bertram Harnett,  a director of the Company,  is a shareholder in Harnett,
Lesnick & Ripps P.A. of Boca Raton, Florida,  which was paid $269,870 in 1997 on
account of its legal  services to, as well as  reimbursement  for  disbursements
made on behalf of the Company.

ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES

      The Company currently leases from unaffiliated  parties: (i) approximately
9,000 square feet of office space in Rye Brook, New York, under a lease expiring
in October,  2004,  (ii) 18,000 square feet in Orlando,  Florida,  under a lease
expiring in January, 2002; (iii) 32,000 square feet in Pensacola, Florida, under
a lease expiring in November,  2002,  with two renewals at the Company's  option
for a period of five years each; (iv) 3,000 square feet in Dallas,  Texas, under
a lease  expiring in March,  2002 and (v) 4,000  square feet in Miami,  Florida,
under a lease  expiring in August,  1999.  These leases  represent the operating
offices  of  American  Progressive,  American  Pioneer,  American  Exchange  and
WorldNet,  respectively,  and carry an aggregate  annual rental of approximately
$700,000. The Company also leases a smaller office in Andalusia, Alabama, for an
aggregate annual rental of approximately $17,000.





                                       29
<PAGE>




ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

      No reportable  litigation was pending at December 31, 1997. The Company is
party to various  lawsuits  arising out of the ordinary conduct of its business,
none of which, the Company  believes,  would have a material adverse effect upon
the business of the Company if it were to be adversely determined.

ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

      There were no matters  submitted by the Company to a vote of stockholders,
through the  solicitation of proxies or otherwise,  during the fourth quarter of
the fiscal year for which this report is filed.





                                       30
<PAGE>




                                     PART II

ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Price Range of Publicly Traded Securities

      The Company's Common Stock has been traded in the over-the-counter  market
and quoted on the Nasdaq  National  Market  under the symbol  UHCO since May 12,
1983.  The 1999  Warrants  have been so traded and so  quoted,  under the symbol
UHCOW,  since  September  1990. The following  table sets forth the high and low
sales  prices per share of Common  Stock and 1999  Warrants  as  reported on the
Nasdaq National Market for the periods indicated.

                                   Common Stock         1999 Warrants
                                 ------------------    -----------------
                                  High       Low         High     Low
                                 --------  --------    -----------------
1995
- ----------------------------
First Quarter                      3 3/8     2 1/8        1 3/4   1 3/4
Second Quarter                     3 3/4     2 5/8        1 3/4   1 3/4
Third Quarter                      3 5/8     2 5/8        1 3/4   1 1/4
Fourth Quarter                     3 1/8     2 1/8        1 1/4   1 1/4


1996
- ----------------------------
First Quarter                      3 1/8     2 1/4        1 1/2   1 1/2
Second Quarter                     3 1/8         2        1 1/4   1 1/4
Third Quarter                      3 1/8   2 31/32        1 3/4   1 1/4
Fourth Quarter                   2 11/16     1 1/2        1 3/8   1 1/4

1997
- ----------------------------
First Quarter                    2 31/64     1 3/4       1 9/32   1 1/8
Second Quarter                     2 5/8     1 3/4        1 1/8   1 1/8
Third Quarter                      2 5/8     1 7/8        1 3/8   1 1/8
Fourth Quarter                     3 1/4         2        1 3/8   1 3/8

1998
- ----------------------------
First Quarter (through February        3     2 3/8        1 3/8   1 3/8
28)

      As of February 28, 1998,  there were  approximately  1,700  holders of the
Common Stock and 100 holders of the 1999 Warrants. On February 28, 1998, the bid
and ask sales prices for the Common Stock were $1-7/8 and $2-1/4. On October 10,
1997, the last date on which the 1999 Warrants were traded,  the sales price was
$1-3/8.

Dividends

      The Company has neither  declared  nor paid  dividends on its Common Stock
and no such dividends are likely in the foreseeable  future. Any future decision
to pay  dividends  will be made by the Board of Directors in light of conditions
then  existing,  including  the  Company's  results  of  operations,   financial
condition and requirements,  loan covenants,  insurance regulatory restrictions,
business conditions and other factors.  In addition,  the ability of the Company
to pay cash  dividends,  if and when it should  wish to do so, may depend on the
ability of its  subsidiaries  to pay dividends to the Company.  See  "Regulation
Dividend and Distribution Restrictions."




                                       31
<PAGE>





      ITEM 6 - SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

      The selected consolidated financial data presented below should be read in
conjunction  with the  consolidated  financial  statements  of the Company,  the
related  notes  thereto  and the  auditors'  report  thereon  and  "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition and Results of Operations".  The
selected consolidated  financial data presented below as of, and for each of the
years ended  December 31, 1993  through  1995 are derived from the  consolidated
financial  statements of the Company,  which have been audited and reported upon
by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants. The selected
consolidated  financial  data  presented  below as of and for each of the  years
ended December 31, 1996 and 1997, have been audited and reported upon by Ernst &
Young  LLP,   independent   certified  public  accountants.   See  "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations".



                                          Year ended December 31,
                             ---------------------------------------------------

                                1993      1994       1995      1996       1997
                             --------- ---------  --------- ---------  ---------
                                    (In thousands, except for per share data)

Income Statement Data:

Direct premium and               
policyholder fees             $24,885   $40,652    $46,145   $55,287    $99,339
Reinsurance premium assumed       616    13,564      8,866    10,522        998
Reinsurance premium ceded      (3,975)  (13,892)   (18,200)  (25,664)   (62,623)
                             --------- ---------  --------- ---------  ---------
Net premium and other          
 policyholderfees              21,526    40,324     36,811    40,145     37,714

Net Investment income           7,974     9,239      8,945     9,850     10,023
Realized gains                    676        42        674       240      1,133
Fee income                      2,466     4,126      3,137     2,872      2,368
Other income                      801       219        244       280         93
Total revenues                 33,443    53,950     49,811    53,387     51,331
Total benefits, claims and 
 other deductions              31,818    51,712     47,161    53,014     48,119
Net income after taxes          1,553     2,228      2,642       104      2,119
Net income applicable to        
 common shareholders            1,024     3,173      2,642       104      1,870
(1)
Diluted income per share         0.14      0.37       0.25      0.01       0.18




                                                  December 31,
                         -------------------------------------------------------
Balance Sheet Data:         1993       1994      1995(2)      1996       1997
                         ---------  ---------   ---------  ---------  ----------
                                   (In thousands, except for per share data)

Total investments                                                          
                         $123,038   $125,487    $135,603   $144,681    $159,429
Total assets              153,687    164,862     182,994    242,237     272,575
Policyholder account      105,091    108,777     118,609    134,539     145,085
balances
Series C Preferred Stock        -          -           -          -       5,168
Series A Preferred Stock    6,564          -           -          -           -
                                  
Series B Preferred Stock        -      4,000       4,000      4,000       4,000
Stockholders' equity       16,377     15,321      24,114     22,079      25,706
Stockholders' equity per         
share of Common Stock (3)    1.87       1.83        2.89       2.53        2.96

- -------------------------
(1)After  provision  for Series A Preferred  Stock  dividends  of  $529,000  and
   $576,000 for the years ended  December 31, 1993 and 1994,  respectively,  and
   Series C Preferred  Stock  dividends of $250,000 for the year ended  December
   31, 1997.
(2)See "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
   of Operations:  Effects of Accounting Pronouncements" for a discussion of the
   impact of changes in accounting principles.
(3)Stockholders'  equity  per share of  common  stock  represents  stockholders'
   equity  less the  statement  value of Series A and Series B  Preferred  Stock
   divided by outstanding shares of common stock.




                                       32
<PAGE>




ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

      The Company is an insurance  holding  company  representing  the strategic
combination of three life insurance companies,  American  Progressive,  American
Pioneer and American  Exchange and  WorldNet.  Management  is focused on growth,
both internal,  through aggressive  marketing and product  development  programs
directed at specialty life and accident and health  insurance  products,  and by
seeking further  acquisitions of insurance  companies or blocks of business.  It
also has embarked on a program to streamline operations through consolidation of
administrative and processing facilities.

      The Insurance  Subsidiaries  had  consolidated  revenues of  approximately
$46.6 million,  $51.1 million and $49.3 million for the years ended December 31,
1995,  1996,  and 1997,  respectively,  representing  93%,  95% and 96%,  of the
Company's  total  revenues  for each  period,  respectively.  Although  American
Progressive, domiciled in New York, primarily sells its products in New York and
the  northeastern  United  States,  American  Pioneer,   domiciled  in  Florida,
primarily sells its products in Florida and the  southeastern  United States and
American Exchange,  domiciled in Texas, exclusively sells its products in Texas,
one or more of the  Insurance  Subsidiaries  is licensed in 45 states and in the
District of Columbia.

      The Company cautions readers regarding certain forward-looking  statements
contained in the  following  discussion  and elsewhere in this report and in any
other oral or written  statements,  either made by, or on behalf of the Company,
whether or not in future  filings with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission
("SEC").  Forward-looking  statements  are  statements  not based on  historical
information. They relate to future operations,  strategies, financial results or
other  developments.  In  particular,  statements  using verbs such as "expect,"
"anticipate,"  "believe"  or similar  words  generally  involve  forward-looking
statements.  Forward-looking  statements  include  statements that represent the
Company's   products,   investment   spreads  or  yields,  or  the  earnings  or
profitability of the Company's activities.

      Forward-looking  statements are based upon estimates and assumptions  that
are subject to significant  business,  economic and  competitive  uncertainties,
many of which are beyond the Company's control and are subject to change.  These
uncertainties can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on
behalf of the Company.  Whether or not actual  results  differ  materially  from
forward-looking  statements may depend on numerous foreseeable and unforeseeable
events or developments,  some of which may be national in scope, such as general
economic  conditions and interest rates.  Some of these events may be related to
the  insurance  industry  generally,  such as  pricing  competition,  regulatory
developments  and  industry  consolidation.   Others  may  relate  to  Universal
specifically,  such as credit,  volatility and other risks  associated  with the
Company's  investment  portfolio,  and other  factors.  Universal  disclaims any
obligation to update forward-looking information.

Results of Operations

      Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1997

      The results of operations  for the years ended  December 31, 1996 and 1997
include the operations of American  Progressive,  American  Pioneer and WorldNet
for the year ended December 31, 1997 and the operations of American Exchange for
the period December 4, 1997, the date of its acquisition,  to December 31, 1997.
All references to per share amounts are on a diluted basis.

      For the year ended  December 31, 1997, the Company earned net income after
Federal income taxes of $2,119,000 ($0.18 per share) compared to $104,000 ($0.01
per share) in the prior year.  Operating  income  before  Federal  income  taxes
amounted to $3,211,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997 compared to $373,000
in the prior year.  In  September,  1997,  the  Company  sold  AmeriFirst

                                       33
<PAGE>

Insurance  Company,  an inactive  insurance  company,  to an unaffiliated  third
party, for $3,379,000 and realized a pretax gain of $569,000 ($376,000 after tax
or $0.03 per share).

      Revenues.   Total   revenues   decreased   approximately   $2,057,000   to
approximately  $51,330,000  for the year ended  December 31,  1997,  compared to
total  revenues  of  approximately  $53,387,000  in the prior year,  which
decrease is primarily  attributable to the Company's decision to restructure its
operations  and exit  certain  product  lines  (See  "Business  -  Restructuring
Activity").

      Gross premium and policyholder fees earned and reinsurance assumed

      In the year ended  December  31, 1997,  the  Company's  gross  premium and
policyholder   fees  earned   (including   reinsurance   assumed)   amounted  to
$100,337,000,  a $34,528,000  increase over the $65,809,000 amount in 1996. This
gross  premium  increase  is  significantly  attributable  to  the  increase  of
$37,084,000 of premiums  received on the policies  assumed in the fourth quarter
of 1996 from First National Life Insurance  Company  ("First  National"),  which
premiums  amounted to  $51,266,000  in 1997 compared to  $14,182,000 in 1996. In
addition,  the gross  premiums  on the  Company's  currently  marketed  programs
increased as follows:

       Product                         Premium             Premium
                                       Increase            Earned
       ----------------------------    ---------------     -------------
       Senior market supplemental                   
        health                             $4,391,000       $11,366,000
       Senior market life
        insurance                             773,000         2,380,000
       Group life insurance
                                              116,000         3,407,000
                                       ---------------     -------------
       Totals                              $5,280,000       $17,153,000
                                       ===============     =============

      In  addition,   other  life  insurance  premium  increased  $2,134,000  to
$8,352,000 in 1997.

      These increases totaled $44,498,000 and were offset by the net decrease in
premiums on the products  terminated and not currently  marketed by the Company.
Effective  December 31, 1996, the Company withdrew its participation in the NAIU
specialty  accident and health  insurance  pool and also sold its New York State
DBL  business in force.  The  decrease in premium from the exit from these lines
amounted  to  $11,239,000  for the  year  ended  December  31,  1997.  Effective
September 1, 1997,  the Company  decided to exit the group  dental  business and
executed  an  agreement  with an  unaffiliated  reinsurer  to  cede  100% of all
business  earned  after  September  1, 1997.  The  premium  will  continue to be
received by American  Pioneer and will be ceded to the reinsurer on a 100% quota
share basis. Gross premiums for the group dental business  increased  $1,145,000
in 1997.

      Other accident and health insurance  premiums  increased  $124,000 for the
year ended December 31, 1997.  Premiums on the  international  medical insurance
product (which was 90% and 95% reinsured to unaffiliated  reinsurers in 1997 and
1996,  respectively)  increased  $1,264,000  in 1997,  while the premiums on the
non-marketed accident and health products decreased $1,140,000 in 1997.

      Reinsurance premiums ceded

      While the Company was able to increase its gross premium  revenue from its
core products, it continues to reinsure a portion of these risks to unaffiliated
reinsurers.  Reinsurance  premiums  ceded for the year ended  December  31, 1997
amounted  to  $62,623,000,  a  $36,960,000  increase  from  the 1996  amount  of
$25,663,000. Of this increase, $30,991,000 relates to the business acquired from
First National,  while  $1,912,000  relates to senior market accident and health
and  $174,000  relates to senior  market  life  insurance.  In addition to these
increases,  the reinsurance on the  international  medical  insurance  discussed
above  increased  $1,058,000 in 1997,  while  premiums  ceded on life  insurance
increased $2,231,000.


                                       34
<PAGE>

      Effective  January 1, 1997,  the Company  entered  into a new  reinsurance
agreement on American Pioneer's major medical/major hospital business. Under the
new treaty, the Company retains 50% of the first $60,000 in claims risk compared
to 25% under the prior  agreement.  As a result,  premiums ceded on this product
decreased $1,719,000 in 1997. Accident and health premiums ceded on the policies
not currently marketed also decreased $1,004,000.

      In  connection  with  the  restructuring  activity  previously  discussed,
reinsurance on the NAIU pool business  amounted to $1,119,000 and reinsurance on
the group dental business amounted to $2,198,000.

      Net investment income of the Company increased $173,000 to $10,023,000 for
the year ended December 31, 1997, compared to $9,850,000 in the prior year.
Realized gains on investments amounted to $1,133,000 for the year ended December
31, 1997  compared  to  $240,000  in the prior year.  Included in the 1997
amount is the $569,000 gain realized on the sale of AmeriFirst Insurance Company
to an unaffiliated third party.

      Other revenue

      Fee income  amounted to $2,368,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997, a
decrease of $503,000 from the  $2,871,000  amount for the prior year.  This
decrease is the result of the  cancellation  of  WorldNet's  Ontario  Blue Cross
contract in 1996. The  amortization of deferred  revenue amounted to $93,000 for
the year ended  December 31, 1997,  compared to $280,000 in the prior year.
This $187,000  decrease is the result of the full  amortization  of the deferred
revenue  generated by the reinsurance of the major medical  business on June 30,
1995,  which agreement was terminated by the reinsurer on December 31, 1996 (See
"Business - Reinsurance Ceded").

      Benefits,  Claims and Other Deductions.  Total benefits,  claims and other
deductions decreased approximately  $4,895,000 to $48,119,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1997, compared to $53,014,000 in the prior year.

      Claims and other benefits  decreased  $324,000 to $23,719,000 for the year
ended  December 31, 1997  compared to  $24,043,000  in the prior year.  The
increase in net claims on the business  assumed from First National  amounted to
$6,454,000,  while net claims on the senior market accident and health increased
$775,000.  As discussed above, the Company is retaining a higher amount of major
medical/major  hospital  business  under a new  reinsurance  agreement and, as a
result, the Company's claims on this product increased $1,067,000 to $2,169,000.
(This increase  corresponds to the $1,137,000 increase in retained premiums.) In
addition,  claims on the  non-marketed  accident and health  products  increased
$367,000 in 1997.

      These  increases  of  $8,663,000  were offset by  decreases  in the claims
incurred on the terminated  businesses (NAIU - $4,219,000;  New York State DBL -
$3,712,000;  group  dental -  $903,000).  The  remaining  decrease  of  $154,000
represents a decrease in life insurance claims.

      The change in reserves for the year ended December 31, 1997 amounted to an
increase of $441,000  compared  to an  increase  of  $1,855,000  in the prior 
year period generating a decrease of $1,414,000.  Included in the 1996 change in
reserves is $256,000  generated  by the NAIU  accident  pool  business  that the
Company has exited.  Interest  credited to  policyholders  increased  $32,000 to
$6,646,000.

      The change in deferred  acquisition costs increased  $688,000 for the year
ended  December  31, 1997  compared  to 1996.  The amount of  acquisition  costs
capitalized  increased $1,670,000 from $5,042,000 in 1996 to $6,712,000 in 1997.
This  increase is the result of the  increase in new premium  production  in the
year ended December 31, 1997 compared to the prior year.  The  amortization
of deferred  acquisition  costs  increased  $982,000 from  $2,784,000 in 1996 to
$3,766,000  in 1997.  This  increase is the result of the  increase in the asset

                                       35
<PAGE>

balance.  In the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company amortized $112,000 of
the goodwill generated in the First National acquisition.

      Commissions  increased  $5,009,000 in the year ended  December 31, 1997 to
$21,089,000,  compared to $16,080,000  in the prior year.  This increase is
the direct result of the $34,528,000  increase in gross premium earned discussed
above.  Commissions  and  expense  allowances  on  reinsurance  ceded  increased
$9,296,000  for the year ended  December  31, 1997 to  $20,300,000,  compared to
$11,004,000  in the prior year.  This  increase is the direct result of the
$36,960,000  increase in reinsurance  premium ceded  discussed above and reduces
the amounts of commissions  and expenses  capitalized  for deferred  acquisition
costs.
      Other operating costs and expenses increased  $1,674,000 in the year ended
December  31,  1997 to  $19,358,000,  compared  to  $17,684,000  in the prior 
year.  The non-insurance  companies  expenses decreased $280,000 to $2,594,000
for the year ended  December  31,  1997 as a result of the  decrease in expenses
incurred at WorldNet - Miami.

      The insurance  companies'  expenses  amounted to $16,764,000  for the year
ended  December  31, 1997  compared to  $14,810,000  in the prior year,  an
increase of $1,954,000.  Expenses incurred  administrating the recently acquired
business  from First  National  amounted  to  $4,258,000,  while  premium  taxes
increased  $768,000.  These increases totaled  $5,026,000 and were offset by the
decrease in new business expenses of $318,000, general overhead of the insurance
companies of $1,145,000 and expenses incurred by the NAIU pool of $1,609,000.

      Years Ended December 31, 1995 and 1996

      The results of  operations  for the year ended  December 31, 1995 and 1996
include the operations of American  Progressive,  American Pioneer and WorldNet.
All references to per share amounts are on a diluted basis.

      Net Income.  For the year ended  December 31, 1996, the Company earned net
income of approximately  $104,000  resulting in an earnings per share applicable
to common  shareholders  of $0.01.  For the year ended  December 31,  1995,  the
Company earned net income of approximately $2,642,000,  resulting in an earnings
per share of $0.25.

      Operating income before income taxes decreased  $2,278,000 from $2,651,000
in 1995 to  $373,000 in 1996.  Certain  individually  large items  account for a
significant  amount of this decrease,  including (i) a decrease in the operating
results of the NAIU accident pool participated in by American Progressive, which
decrease was  $1,100,000;  (ii) a decrease in realized  gains on  investment  of
$434,000  and (iii) the $250,000  expense  accrual made at December 31, 1996 for
the  restructuring   activity  of  the  Company.  These  three  items  represent
$1,784,000 of the $2,278,000 decrease.

      Revenues.  Total revenues  increased  approximately  $3,576,000 from total
revenues of  approximately  $49,811,000  for the year ended December 31, 1995 to
approximately $53,387,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996. Net premiums and
policyholder fees earned increased approximately $3,334,000. Supplemental health
insurance premiums at American Progressive  increased  approximately  $1,258,000
(primarily Medicare supplement, hospital indemnity and home health care) and its
life premiums grew approximately $30,000, while American Pioneer's life premiums
grew  approximately  $374,000 and its group dental  premiums grew  approximately
$919,000.  The  increase  in these  life and  supplemental  health  premiums  of
$2,581,000  was offset by the  decrease  of  approximately  $547,000 in American
Pioneer's major hospital and major medical premiums and the decrease in American
Progressive's  premiums from its other accident and health  products that are no
longer being  actively  marketed by the Company  (approximately  $754,000).  The
Company had an increase in premiums from the NAIU pool of $1,798,000 and the NYS
DBL business of $256,000.  Realized gains on investments decreased approximately
$434,000 to approximately $240,000, compared to a gain of approximately $674,000



                                       36
<PAGE>

for the prior year. Net investment income increased  approximately $905,000 from
$8,945,000 in 1995 to $9,850,000 in 1996.  This increase is attributed to higher
invested assets in 1996 compared to 1995.

      Fee income for the year ended  December 31, 1996  reflects the fees earned
by WorldNet for managed  care,  travel  assistance,  claims  administration  and
communication services and the $450,000 deposit received by American Progressive
in connection with the sale of the New York DBL business.  WorldNet's fee income
decreased by $716,000  which  reduction  primarily  results  from the  Company's
termination of its service agreement with Liberty Mutual in February,  1996. For
the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company amortized  approximately  $280,000
of deferred revenue compared to $244,000 amortized in the same period in 1995.

      Benefits,  Claims and Other Deductions.  Total benefits,  claims and other
deductions increased approximately  $5,754,000 to $53,014,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1996. The change in future policy benefits  amounted to an increase
of  approximately  $3,192,000.  The  increase  in  reserves  for the year  ended
December 31, 1996 was $1,855,000  and primarily  relates to the increase in life
reserves at American  Pioneer of $971,000,  the increase in the unearned premium
reserve at NAIU of $256,000 and the increase in the senior  market  supplemental
health insurance  unearned premium reserves of $628,000.  This increase compares
to a  decrease  in 1995 of  approximately  $1,337,000,  which  decrease  in 1995
primarily relates to the reduction in the 1995 NAIU premium ($491,000),  the not
actively  marketed   accident  and  health  business  of  American   Progressive
($827,000)  and the  major  hospital  and  major  medical  of  American  Pioneer
($430,000)  offset by an  increase  in the  senior  market  supplemental  health
insurance reserves ($559,000). Claims and other benefits increased approximately
$1,676,000.  This increase is a result of increased  mortality of  approximately
$516,000,  increased American  Progressive's  senior market  supplemental health
benefits of approximately $1,062,000,  the claims incurred on the First National
business acquired of $1,077,000 and increased morbidity of $388,000 on the group
dental  business.  The runoff health business at both insurance  companies had a
reduction in benefits totaling $3,145,000 due to the decision to reinsure 75% of
the major hospital and major medical benefits at American Pioneer.  The benefits
incurred  on the  NAIU  business  increased  $1,083,000  and  NYS  DBL  benefits
increased  $695,000.  The  increase  in  deferred  acquisition  costs  decreased
approximately  $1,106,000 and was due to the decrease in capitalized expenses of
$228,000 and the increase in amortization of $878,000.

      Commissions  decreased  $265,000 to $5,076,000 for the year ended December
31,  1996.  The  increase  in gross  commissions  of  $4,967,000  was due to the
increase in gross premiums noted above,  offset by a  corresponding  increase in
reinsurance  allowances  of  $5,231,000.  Other  operating  costs  and  expenses
decreased   approximately   $175,000.   Expenses   incurred  by  the   insurance
subsidiaries  during 1996 exceeded the 1995 amount by approximately  $1,405,000.
New business expenses and premium taxes increased  approximately  $166,000,  the
expenses incurred on the  administration of the acquired First National business
amounted to  $550,000,  while the expense  incurred  by the NAIU  accident  pool
decreased  $397,000.  The general overhead  expenses of the insurance  companies
increased  approximately  $1,086,000,  which  increase  directly  relates to the
increase in business being  administered  by the Company.  These  administrative
general  expense  increases are partially  recovered  from the increase in these
reinsurance allowances noted above. The remaining decrease of $1,580,000 results
from  a  decrease  of  continuing   operation   expenses  incurred  by  WorldNet
(approximately  $1,292,000)  and a  decrease  in  the  Parent  Company  expenses
($288,000).   Amortization   of  the  present   value  of  future   profits  was
approximately $205,000 for 1995, which amount fully amortized the asset.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

      The  Company's  need for  capital  has  historically  been to  maintain or
increase the surplus of its Insurance Subsidiaries and to support the Company as
an insurance  holding  company,  including  the  maintenance  of its status as a



                                       37
<PAGE>

public  company.  In  addition,   the  Company  requires  capital  to  fund  its
anticipated  growth  through  acquisitions  of other  companies  and  blocks  of
insurance business.

      The Company

      The Company  requires  cash to pay the  operating  expenses  necessary  to
support its status as an  insurance  holding  company  (which  under  applicable
Insurance  Department  regulations must bear its own expenses),  and to meet the
cost involved in being a publicly-owned  company.  In addition,  it will require
cash to meet  Universal's  obligations  under the  Unstacking  Agreement and the
debentures  outstanding thereunder and to meet the quarterly amortization of the
bank loan entered into on December 10, 1997.

      On December 10,  1997,  the Company  entered into an agreement  with Chase
Manhattan Bank for a $3,500,000 five-year,  secured term loan. The loan proceeds
were used to finance a segment of the intercompany sale of American Pioneer from
American  Progressive to Universal and to retire the $800,000 amount outstanding
on the term loan agreement with a commercial  bank. The loan agreement calls for
interest at the London  Interbank  Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 200 basis points.
In connection  with this loan  agreement,  the Company entered into a three-year
interest  rate swap  agreement,  (the "Swap  Agreement")  with Chase  Securities
Corp., effective January 1, 1998, to lock in a fixed rate of 8.19% for the three
year period. Upon expiration of the Swap Agreement,  the Company's interest rate
reverts to the LIBOR plus 200 basis points.  The loan will be secured by a first
priority interest in all the assets of WorldNet Services Corp. and Quincy Corp.,
a pledge of 9.9% of the  outstanding  common shares of American  Progressive and
100% of the shares of Quincy Coverage Corp.

      In connection with the Unstacking Agreement (see "Business - Unstacking"),
the Company has $5,925,000 in debentures outstanding to its American Progressive
subsidiary.  The  debentures  pay  interest  quarterly at the prime rate and are
payable on  September  30,  2002.  Management  believes  that the  current  cash
position  and  expected  cash  flows  of the  non-insurance  companies  and  the
availability  of dividends from American  Pioneer can support the obligations of
Universal  noted above for the  foreseeable  future.  Although,  there can be no
assurance  as to the  expected  future  cash  flows  or to the  availability  of
dividends from American Pioneer.

            Insurance Subsidiaries

      American Progressive,  American Pioneer and American Exchange are required
to maintain  minimum  amounts of capital and surplus as  determined by statutory
accounting.  The minimum statutory capital and surplus  requirements of American
Progressive,  American Pioneer and American Exchange as of December 31, 1997 for
the  maintenance  of authority to do business were  $2,500,000,  $2,424,000  and
$770,000  respectively,  but  substantially  more than such minimum  amounts are
needed to support the current level of the Company's operations. At December 31,
1997 the adjusted  statutory  capital and  surplus,  including  asset  valuation
reserve,  of American,  American  Pioneer and American  Exchange was $9,783,000,
$10,807,000 and $4,230,000 respectively.

      The NAIC has  adopted  risk based  capital  ("RBC")  rules,  which  became
effective  December  31,  1993 and have been  adopted by New York,  Florida  and
Texas. See "Regulation  Risk-Based Capital  Requirements." The RBC rules provide
for various actions when the ratio of a company's total adjusted  surplus to its
RBC falls below 200%.  At December  31,  1997,  American  Progressive,  American
Pioneer and American  Exchange had RBC ratios of  approximately  484%,  495% and
227% of the Authorized Control Level, respectively.

      Liquidity for the life insurance subsidiaries is measured by their ability
to  pay  scheduled  contractual  benefits,  pay  operating  expenses,  and  fund
investment  commitments.  Sources of liquidity include scheduled and unscheduled



                                       38
<PAGE>

principal and interest  payments on investments,  premium  payments and deposits
and the sale of liquid investments. These sources of liquidity for the insurance
subsidiaries significantly exceed scheduled uses.

      Liquidity is also affected by unscheduled benefit payments including death
benefits,  benefits  under accident and health  policies and  interest-sensitive
policy  surrenders and withdrawals.  The amount of surrenders and withdrawals is
affected  by a variety of factors  such as credited  interest  rates for similar
products,  general  economic  conditions  and events in the industry that affect
policyholders'  confidence.  Although the contractual terms of substantially all
of the Company's in force life insurance policies and annuities give the holders
the right to surrender the policies and annuities, the Company imposes penalties
for early  surrenders.  At  December  31, 1997 the Company  held  reserves  that
exceeded the underlying cash surrender values of its in force life insurance and
annuities  by  more  than  $12.9  million.  The  insurance  companies  have  not
experienced any material changes in surrender and withdrawal  activity in recent
years.

      Changes in interest  rates may affect the  incidence of policy  surrenders
and withdrawals. In addition to the potential impact on liquidity, unanticipated
surrenders  and  withdrawals  in  a  changed  interest  rate  environment  could
adversely  affect  earnings if the Company were required to sell  investments at
reduced values in order to meet liquidity demands. The Company manages the asset
and  liability  portfolios in order to minimize the adverse  earnings  impact of
changing market rates. The Company seeks to invest in assets which have duration
and  interest  spread  characteristics  similar  to the  liabilities  that  they
support.

      As a result of the decrease in economic  interest rates,  the net yield on
the Company's cash and invested assets  decreased from 7.08% in 1996 to 6.81% in
1997.  A  significant  portion  of  these  securities  are held to  support  the
liabilities for policyholder account balances,  which liabilities are subject to
periodic  adjustments to their credited  interest rates.  The credited  interest
rates of the interest-sensitive  policyholder account balances are determined by
management  based upon factors such as portfolio  rates of return and prevailing
market rates and typically follow the pattern of yields on the assets supporting
these liabilities.

      At December 31, 1997,  the  investment  portfolios  of the life  insurance
subsidiaries included cash and cash equivalents totaling $22,411,000, as well as
fixed  maturity and equity  securities  that could  readily be converted to cash
with carrying values (and fair values) of $124,531,000. The fair values of these
liquid investments totaled more than $146,942,000 and constituted  approximately
92% of the Company's investments at December 31, 1997. At December 31, 1997, all
of the Company  investments  were income  producing  and current in interest and
principal payments. In addition, the Company has no investment in any derivative
instruments or other hybrid  securities  that contain any off balance sheet risk
or investments in other  securities  whose fair values and principal  repayments
would be highly volatile to changes in interest rates, except for GNMA's, FNMA's
and investment grade corporate collateralized mortgage obligations.

Impact of Year 2000

      The Company's main operating  system  utilizes  programs that were written
using four digit codes to define the  applicable  year.  Some of the  Company's
older sytem's  computer  programs  were written  using two digits  rather than 
four to define  the  applicable  year.  As  a  result,   those  computer  
programs  have time-sensitive software that recognize a date using "00" as the 
year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This could cause a system failure or

                                       39
<PAGE>

miscalculations  causing  disruptions  of  operations,  including,  among  other
things, a temporary inability to process transactions,  send invoices, or engage
in similar normal business activities.

      The Company has completed an initial assessment and will have to modify or
replace  portions of its  software so that its computer  systems  will  function
properly with respect to dates in the year 2000 and thereafter.  Currently,  the
Company  expects the Year 2000 project costs to be limited to the  allocation of
its data processing  department  resources and significant external expenses are
not expected. Accordingly, no specific budget for such costs has been allocated.

      The project is estimated to be completed  not later than December 31, 1999
which is prior to any anticipated impact on its operating  systems.  The Company
believes that with modifications to existing software and/or conversions of data
to existing software, the Year 2000 Issue will not pose significant  operational
problems  for  its  computer  systems.   However,   if  such  modifications  and
conversions are not made, or are not completed timely, the Year 2000 Issue could
have a  material  impact on the  operations  of the  Company.  The  Company  has
initiated formal  communications with its significant suppliers to determine the
extent to which the Company's  interface  systems are  vulnerable to those third
parties' failure to remediate their own Year 2000 Issues.  There is no guarantee
that the systems of other companies on which the Company's  systems rely will be
timely converted and would not have an adverse effect on the Company's systems.

      The costs of the  project  and the date on which the  Company  believes it
will  complete  the Year  2000  modifications  are  based on  management's  best
estimates,  which were derived utilizing numerous  assumptions of future events,
including the continued  availability  of certain  resources and other  factors.
However, there can be no guarantee that these estimates will be will be achieved
and actual  results could differ  materially  from those  anticipated.  Specific
factors that might cause such material  differences include, but are not limited
to, the availability and cost of personnel  trained in this area, the ability to
locate and correct all relevant computer codes, and similar uncertainties.

Effects of Accounting Pronouncements

      In May 1993, the FASB issued Statement No. 115,  "Accounting for Certain
Debt and Equity  Securities"  ("Statement  No.  115"),  which is effective for
fiscal  years  beginning  after  December  15,  1993,  with  earlier  adoption
permitted.  Statement  No. 115  requires  that debt and equity  securities  be
classified into three categories and accounted for as follows:

    Debt  securities that the Company has the positive intent and the ability to
    hold to maturity  would be  classified  as "held to maturity" and reported 
    at amortized cost.

    Debt  and  equity  securities  that are held  for  current  resale  would be
    classified  as  "trading   securities"  and  reported  at  fair  value, 
    with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings.

    Debt and equity  securities not classified as held to maturity or as trading
    securities  would be classified as "available  for sale" and reported at 
    fair value.  Unrealized  gains and losses  would not be  reflected in 
    earnings but would be reported as a separate component of stockholders'
    equity.

      The Company  adopted  Statement No. 115 on January 1, 1994,  the effect of
which increased its unrealized  gains by $494,541.  In November,  1995, the FASB
issued a Special Report titled "A Guide to  Implementation  of Statement No. 115
on Accounting  for Certain  Investments  in Debt and Equity  Securities",  which
report allows enterprises to reassess the appropriateness of the classifications
of all securities held and account for any resulting  reclassifications  between
the  investment  accounts.  This one-time  reassessment  had to be made prior to
December 31, 1996 and be appropriately disclosed in the financial statements. In
December,   1995,   the  Company  did  reassess  the   appropriateness   of  the
classifications  of its  securities  and  reclassified  all  of  the  securities
contained in the held to maturity  account to the  available for sale account as
they may be considered for sale prior to maturity as part of the asset/liability
management strategy. The carrying value of the securities reclassed to available
for sale amounted to  $35,942,303  and the fair value  amounted to  $36,098,026.
This  transfer  resulted  in the  Company  increasing  its  unrealized  gains by
$155,723.  As  changes  in  interest  rates  occur,  the  carrying  value of the



                                       40
<PAGE>

securities classified as available for sale, as well as any securities which may
in the future be classified as held for maturity,  will be impacted.  Typically,
as interest  rates rise,  the carrying  value of these  securities  may decline.
Conversely,  if interest rates decline,  the carrying value of these  securities
may  increase.  Management  cannot  predict  the impact  that  changes in future
interest rates will have on the Company's financial statements.

      In October,  1995,  the FASB issued  Statement  No. 123,  "Accounting  for
Stock-Based  Compensation"  ("Statement  No. 123") which  requires  companies to
recognize  compensation  expense for stock  options based on their fair value on
the date of grant and is effective  for  financial  statements  for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1995, with earlier  adoption  permitted.  Statement
No. 123 allows  companies to remain under the existing  method of accounting for
stock options, Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees"  ("APB No. 25"). If companies elect to remain under APB No.
25 then the  companies  are  required  to  disclose  the pro  forma  effects  of
Statement  No.123 on their net income and earnings per share  resulting from the
grant of these options and other stock  awards.  Under APB No. 25, to the extent
the exercise price of the Company's stock options equals the market price of the
underlying  stock on the date of grant, no  compensation  expense is recognized.
The  Company has  elected to follow APB No. 25 and  related  interpretations  in
accounting  for its stock  options and will  disclose  the pro forma  effects of
Statement  No.123 on the  Company's  net  income and  earnings  per share in the
footnotes to the financial  statements.  Pro forma  effects of Statement  No.123
result in additional  compensation  expense for December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997
of $11,000,  $133,000  and  $183,000  respectively.  The results of which reduce
earnings per share for  December  31, 1995,  1996 and 1997 on a pro forma basis,
$0.00, $0.01 and $0.02, respectively.

      The  Company  adopted  FASB  Statement  No.  128,  "Earnings  per  Share",
("Statement  No. 128") as of December 31, 1997 and restated  prior year earnings
per share ("EPS")  amounts.  Statement  No. 128 replaces  primary EPS with basic
EPS. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to
common  shareholders,  (after  deducting the redemption  accrual on the Series C
Preferred Stock),  by the weighted average number of shares  outstanding for the
period. Diluted EPS gives the dilutive effect of the stock options, warrants and
Series B and C preferred stock  outstanding  during the year. See Note 2j in the
accompanying  financial  statements for the computation of basic and diluted EPS
and the impact on the reported results.

      In June,  1997, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Statement  No. 130,  "Reporting
Comprehensive Income" ("Statement No. 130"), effective for years beginning after
December 15, 1997.  Statement  No. 130  establishes  standards for reporting and
display of comprehensive income and its components  (revenues,  expenses,  gains
and losses) in a full set of general purpose financial statements. Statement No.
130 requires that all items that are required to be recognized  under accounting
standards  as  components  of  comprehensive  income be  reported in a financial
statement  that is  displayed  with  the  same  prominence  as  other  financial
statements  and requires  that the  accumulated  balance of other  comprehensive
income be displayed  separately  from retained  earnings and additional  paid-in
capital in the equity  section of the balance  sheet.  The adoption of Statement
No. 130 will only affect the  presentation  of the  statement  of income and the
balance sheet and will not affect results of operations or financial position.

      Also in June, 1997, the FASB issued Statement No. 131,  "Disclosures about
Segments  of an  Enterprise  and Related  Information"  ("Statement  No.  131"),
effective  for years  beginning  after  December  15,  1997.  Statement  No. 131
requires that a public  company  report  financial and  descriptive  information
about its reportable  operating  segments  pursuant to criteria that differ from
current accounting practice.  Operating segments,  as defined, are components of
an enterprise  about which separate  financial  information is available that is
evaluated  regularly by the chief  operating  decision-maker  in deciding how to
allocate resources and in assessing performance. The financial information to be
reported includes segment profit and loss, certain revenue and expense items and
segment  assets and  reconciliations  to  corresponding  amounts in the  general
purpose financial statements.  Statement No. 131 also requires information about
revenues from products or services,  countries  where the company has operations
or assets and major customers. The adoption of Statement No. 131 will not affect



                                       41
<PAGE>

results of operations or financial position. The Company is still evaluating its
options as to segment disclosures under Statement No. 131.

ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

      The financial  statements  and  supplementary  schedules are listed in the
accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Financial
Statement Schedules on Page F - 1.

ITEM 9 - CHANGES IN AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS  ON  ACCOUNTING  AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

      None






                                       42
<PAGE>




                                   PART III

ITEM 10 - DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

      Information  regarding  directors and executive officers of the Registrant
is set  forth in Part I, Item 1,  under  the  caption  "Executive  Officers  and
Directors".

ITEM 11 - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

      Information regarding executive  compensation is incorporated by reference
to Universal  American  Financial Corp.'s definitive proxy statement to be filed
pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 within 120
days after the end of the Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.

ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

      Information regarding beneficial ownership of Universal American Financial
Corp.'s  voting  securities by directors,  officers and persons who, to the best
knowledge of the Company,  are known to be the beneficial owners of more than 5%
of the Company's  voting  securities as of December 31, 1997, is incorporated by
reference to Universal  American Financial Corp.'s definitive proxy statement to
be filed pursuant to Regulation  14A under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934
within 120 days after the end of the  Company's  fiscal year ended  December 31,
1997.

ITEM 13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

      Information  regarding certain  relationships and related  transactions is
incorporated by reference to Universal  American  Financial  Corp.'s  definitive
proxy  statement to be filed  pursuant to  Regulation  14A under the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 within 120 days after the end of the Company's  fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997.

                                   PART IV

ITEM 14 - EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)   1 and 2 Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules

      See  separate  index  to  Financial  Statements  and  Financial  Statement
Schedules on Page F - 1.

      3  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

      (a)   Exhibits

      3(a)  Restated Certificate of Incorporation, consisting of:

                  (i)   Restated  Certificate of Incorporation  filed October 4,
                        1993,  is hereby  incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit
                        3(a)(3) to Form 10-Q dated November 11, 1994.

                  (ii)  Certificate  of  Correction of Restated  Certificate  of
                        Incorporation,   dated  December  13,  1993,  is  hereby
                        incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  3(a)(2) to Form
                        10-K dated March 28, 1994.

                                       43
<PAGE>

                  (iii) Certificate  of  Amendment  to Restated  Certificate  of
                        Incorporation  relating to Series B Preferred  Stock, is
                        hereby  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2(III) to
                        Form 8-K dated January 18, 1995.

                  (iv)  Certificate   of  Correction  of  the   Certificate   of
                        Amendment of the Certificate of  Incorporation  relating
                        to Series C-1 and C-2 Preferred Stock, filed
                        April 23, 1997

      3(b)  By-Laws, as amended, are hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit
            3(b) to Form 10-K for 1989.

      4(a)  Form of Warrant Certificate:

                  (i)   for Warrants  registered under the Exchange Act of 1934,
                        as  amended,  is hereby  incorporated  by  reference  to
                        Exhibit 4 to  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated July 24,
                        1992; and

                  (ii)  for Warrants not so registered under the Exchange Act of
                        1934, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2
                        to Form S-1 filed  March 30,  1990,  as  amended  by the
                        Warrant Exchange Agreement dated July 15, 1992, filed as
                        Exhibit  28(I) to Current  Report on Form 8-K dated July
                        24, 1992.

      10(a) Agreement  dated March 7, 1994 among  Registrant  and  Midland  with
            Exhibit A is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(d)(1) to
            Form 10-K for 1993.

      10(b) Stock  Subscription   Agreement  as  of  August  12,  1994,  between
            Registrant and  Wand/Universal  L.P., as amended by Agreement  dated
            November 23, 1994 is  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10(e) to
            Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 12, 1994 and Exhibit 10.4(1)
            to Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 18, 1995.

      10(c) Financial  Advisory  Agreement  as  of  September  1,  1994  between
            Registrant  and Wand Partners L.P. is  incorporated  by reference to
            Exhibit 10(f) to Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 12, 1994.

      10(d) Shareholder   Agreement   among   the   Registrant,   Wand/Universal
            Investments L.P.,  Barasch  Associates  Limited Partners and Others,
            dated  December  30, 1994 is  incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit
            10(d) to Form 10-K for 1994.

      10(e) Special  Commitments to the Superintendent of Insurance of the State
            of New York, dated January 6, 1995, signed by:

                  (i)   the Registrant,  American  Progressive,  BALP and NMRB
                        Corp. and

                  (ii)  WAND, Wand (Universal)  Inc., David S. Callard and Bruce
                        W.  Schnitzer are  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
                        10(e) to Form 10-K for 1994.

      10(g) Stock  purchase   agreement  between   Registrant  and  AAM  Capital
            Partners, L.P. dated July 7, 1997, including:

                  (i)   Exhibit  10,   proposed   Certificate  of  Amendment  of
                        Incorporation relating to Series C Preferred Stock; and

                                       44
<PAGE>

                  (ii) Exhibit 11, proposed shareholder agreement.

            Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to Form 10K for 1996.

      10 (h) Credit agreement between Registrant and Chase Manhattan Bank, dated
             December 10, 1997 is filed herwith as exhibit 10 (h). 

      11    Computation of basic and diluted earnings per share, incorporated by
            reference to Note 2k of Notes to Consolidated  Financial  Statements
            for 1997, included in this Form 10K.

      22    List of Subsidiaries:

                                Name
Place of Incorporation
            American Progressive Life & Health
                  Insurance Company of New York          New York
            American Pioneer Life Insurance Company      Florida
            American Exchange Life Insurance Company     Texas
            Quincy Coverage Corporation                  New York
            WorldNet Services Corp.                      Florida
            WorldNet Services Corp.                      Ontario, Canada

      23(a) Consent of Ernst & Young LLP

      23(b) Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

(b)   Reports on Form 8-K

      None




                                       45
<PAGE>




                                  SIGNATURES

      Pursuant  to the  requirements  of Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934,  the  Company has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly  authorized  on the 27th day of
March 1998.

                      UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP.
                                 (Registrant)
                         By:  /s/ Richard A. Barasch
                              -----------------------
                              Richard A. Barasch
                Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below on March 27, 1998 by the  following  persons in the
capacities indicated:

                               Signatures Title

/s/ Richard A. Barasch                          Chairman    of   the    Board,
- -----------------------------                   Chief  Executive  Officer  and
President, Richard A. Barasch                   (Principal Executive Officer)
Director
                                                

/s/ Robert A. Waegelein                         Senior  Vice   President   and
- ----------------------------                    Chief Financial Officer
Robert A. Waegelein                             (Principal Accounting Officer)
                            
                                                

/s/ Marvin Barasch                              Chairman Emeritus and Director
- ---------------------------
Marvin Barasch

/s/ Michael A. Barasch                          Director
- --------------------------
Michael A. Barasch

/s/ Stuart Becker                               Director
- --------------------------
Stuart Becker

/s/ David F. Bolger                             Director
- --------------------------
David F. Bolger

/s/ Mark M. Harmeling                           Director
- --------------------------
Mark M. Harmeling

/s/ Bertram Harnett                             Director
- --------------------------
Bertram Harnett

/s/ Walter L. Harris                            Director
- --------------------------
Walter L. Harris

/s/ Harry B. Henshel                            Director
- --------------------------
Harry B. Henshel

/s/ Patrick J. McLaughlin                       Director
- --------------------------
Patrick J. McLaughlin

/s/ Richard Veed                                Director
- --------------------------
Richard Veed






                                       46
<PAGE>

                     UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL
STATEMENT SCHEDULES OF THE REGISTRANT:

Independent Auditors' Reports                                         F-2 & F-3

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1997                F-4

Consolidated Statements of Operations
 for the Three Years Ended December 31, 1997                                F-5

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
 for the Three Years Ended December 31, 1997                                F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 for the Three Years Ended December 31, 1997                                F-7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                  F-9

Schedule I -- Summary of Investments - other than investments in related parties
 (incorporated in Note 4 to Consolidated Financial Statements)

Schedule II -- Condensed Financial Information of Registrant               F-36

Schedule III -- Supplementary Insurance Information                        F-39

Schedule IV -- Reinsurance (incorporated in Note 8 of Notes to 
 Consolidated Financial Statements)

Other schedules were omitted because they were not applicable

Exhibit 23 -- Consent of Independent Auditors                       F-40 & F-41

<PAGE>




                              Independent Auditors' Report
                              ----------------------------



The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Universal American Financial Corp.:

We have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets of  Universal
American  Financial Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and
the related  consolidated  statements of operations,  stockholders'  equity, and
cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended  December 31, 1997. Our
audits also included the financial statement schedules as listed in the Index at
Item 14(a).  These  consolidated  financial  statements  and  schedules  are the
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and schedules based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly,  in all  material  respects,  the  consolidated  financial  position  of
Universal  American  Financial  Corp. and  subsidiaries at December 31, 1997 and
1996, and the consolidated  results of its operations and its cash flows for the
two years in the period ended  December 31, 1997, in conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles.  Also, in our opinion,  the related  financial
statement  schedules,  when  considered  in  relation  to  the  basic  financial
statements  taken  as a whole,  present  fairly  in all  material  respects  the
information set forth therein.
                                                             Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
March 25, 1998




                                      F-2
<PAGE>





                              Independent Auditors' Report
                              ----------------------------



The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Universal American Financial Corp.:

We  have  audited  the  accompanying   consolidated  statements  of  operations,
stockholders'  equity  and cash flows for the year ended  December  31,  1995 of
Universal  American  Financial  Corp.  (formerly  Universal  Holding  Corp.) and
subsidiaries.  In  connection  with  our  audit  of the  consolidated  financial
statements,  we also have audited the consolidated financial statement schedules
for the  period  indicated  above as listed  in the  accompanying  index.  These
consolidated  financial  statements and financial  statements  schedules are the
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these  consolidated  financial  statements  and  financial  statement
schedules based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Those standards  require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance   about  whether  the  financial   statements  are  free  of  material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the  consolidated  financial  statements of Universal  American
Financial Corp. referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,  the
results of their operations and their cash flows for the year ended December 31,
1995 in conformity with generally accepted  accounting  principles.  Also in our
opinion, the related financial statement schedules,  when considered in relation
to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly,
in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
New York, New York
March 26, 1996






                                      F-3
<PAGE>




                      UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                  CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   December 31, 1996 and 1997
<TABLE>

                                                                                      1996                  1997
                                                                               -------------------   -------------------
<S>                                                                               <C>                      <C>         
ASSETS

Investments (Notes 2c and 4)
Cash and cash equivalents                                                        $     15,403,450         $  25,014,019
Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value
  (amortized cost $122,511,012 and $121,119,346, respectively)                        121,492,167           123,585,708
Equity securities, at fair value (cost $46,133 and $987,081, respectively)                 33,562               945,116
Policy loans                                                                            6,421,251             7,185,014
Property tax liens                                                                        131,729               136,713
Mortgage loans                                                                          1,199,110             2,562,008
                                                                               -------------------   -------------------
    Total investments                                                                 144,681,269           159,428,578

Accrued investment income                                                               2,875,497             3,357,624
Deferred policy acquisition costs (Note 2d)                                            19,091,514            20,832,060
Amounts due from reinsurers                                                            60,838,289            76,576,040
Due and unpaid premiums                                                                 2,712,021               548,271
Deferred income tax asset (Note 5)                                                      2,069,876               105,413
Goodwill                                                                                3,529,529             4,508,596
Present value of future profits                                                                               1,281,807
                                                                                                -
Other assets                                                                            6,438,743             5,936,947
                                                                               -------------------   -------------------
    Total assets                                                                      242,236,738           272,575,336
                                                                               ===================   ===================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Policyholder account balances (Note 2e)                                               134,538,954           145,085,687
Reserves for future policy benefits                                                    40,156,185            38,327,612
Policy and contract claims - life                                                                             1,167,213
                                                                                        1,186,702
Policy and contract claims - health                                                    24,628,019            22,592,441
Short-term debt (Note 10)
                                                                                          800,000                     -
Loan payable (Note 10)                                                                                        3,500,000
                                                                                                -
Amounts due to reinsurers                                                              11,129,232            17,769,695
Deferred revenues                                                                                               264,745
                                                                                          357,957
Other liabilities                                                                                            12,743,775
                                                                                        7,361,163
                                                                               -------------------   -------------------
                                                                               -------------------   -------------------
    Totals liabilities                                                                220,158,212           241,451,168
                                                                               -------------------   -------------------

Series C Preferred Stock (Issued and outstanding 51,680) (Note 6)                               -             5,168,000
                                                                                                
                                                                               -------------------   -------------------
Redemption accrual on Series C Preferred Stock                                                  -               249,790
                                                                               -------------------   -------------------

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Note 7)
Series B Preferred Stock (Issued and outstanding 400 and 400, respectively)
                                                                                        4,000,000             4,000,000
Common stock (Authorized, 20,000,000 issued
  and outstanding 7,149,221 and 7,325,860, respectively)                                   71,492                73,259
Common stock warrants (Authorized, issued and outstanding 668,481)                              -                     -
Additional paid-in capital                                                             16,049,888            15,992,497
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) (Note 4)                                        (972,237)              841,620
Retained earnings                                                                       2,929,383             4,799,002
                                                                               -------------------   -------------------
    Total stockholders' equity                                                         22,078,526            25,706,378
                                                                               -------------------   -------------------
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                    $   242,236,738          $272,575,336
                                                                               ===================   ===================
</TABLE>

            See    notes   to    consolidated    financial statements.




                                      F-4
<PAGE>





               UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                   For the Three Years Ended December 31, 1997

<TABLE>

                                                                          1995                1996              1997
                                                                       -----------------    ---------------   ----------------
<S>                                                                      <C>                 <C>                <C>         
    REVENUE: (Notes 2e and f)
    Gross premiums and policyholder fees earned                           $46,145,360          $55,286,610       $99,339,251
    Reinsurance premiums assumed                                            8,866,010           10,521,987           997,836
    Reinsurance premiums ceded                                            (18,200,433)         (25,663,224)      (62,622,721)
                                                                       -----------------    ---------------   ----------------
    Net premiums and policyholder fees earned (Note 9)                     36,810,937           40,145,373        37,714,366
    Net investment income (Note 4)                                          8,945,280            9,850,083        10,022,658
    Realized gains on investments (Note 4)                                    673,868              240,075         1,132,521
    Fee income                                                              3,137,294            2,871,319         2,367,763
    Amortization of deferred revenue (Note 2g)                                244,202              280,335            93,212
                                                                       -----------------    ---------------   ----------------
                  Total revenues                                           49,811,581           53,387,185        51,330,520
                                                                       =================    ===============   ================

    BENEFITS, CLAIMS AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS:
    Increase (decrease) in future policy benefits                          (1,337,161)           1,854,539           440,936
    Claims and other benefits                                              22,367,066           24,042,876        23,719,208
    Interest credited to policyholders                                      6,089,860            6,614,176         6,645,716
    Increase in deferred acquisition costs                                 (3,317,523)          (2,257,617)       (2,945,672)
    Amortization of present value of future profits                           204,564
                                                                                                         -                 -
    Amortization of goodwill                                                                                         111,819
                                                                                    -                    -
    Commissions                                                            11,113,566           16,080,245        21,089,466
    Commission and expense allowances
      on reinsurance ceded                                                 (5,773,288)         (11,004,623)      (20,300,483)
    Other operating costs and expenses                                     17,813,643           17,684,697        19,358,303
                                                                       -----------------    ---------------   ----------------
                   Total benefits, claims and other deductions             47,160,727           53,014,293        48,119,293
                                                                       -----------------    ---------------   ----------------

    Operating income before taxes                                           2,650,854              372,892         3,211,227
    Federal income tax expense (Note 5)                                         9,032              269,017         1,091,818
                                                                       -----------------    ---------------   ----------------

    Net income                                                              2,641,822              103,875         2,119,409


    Redemption accrual on Series C Preferred Stock (Note 6)                                                          249,790
                                                                                    -                    -
                                                                       -----------------    ---------------   ----------------
    Net Income applicable to common shareholders                         $  2,641,822        $    103,875       $  1,869,619
                                                                                                   
                                                                       =================    ===============   ================

    Earnings per common share (Note 2 j):
    Basic                                                                      $0.42                $0.01             $0.26
                                                                       =================    ===============   ================

    Diluted                                                                    $0.25                $0.01             $0.18
                                                                       =================    ===============   ================
</TABLE>


                  See  notes to  consolidated  financial statements.



                                      F-5
<PAGE>




               UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                   For the Three Years Ended December 31, 1997

<TABLE>
                                                                                      Net
                                     Series B                    Additional       Unrealized        Retained
                                     Preferred      Common         Paid-In        Investment        Earnings
                                       Stock         Stock         Capital        Gain (Loss)       (Deficit)        Total
                                   -------------- ------------ ---------------- ----------------  -------------- ---------------
    <S>                             <C>               <C>        <C>             <C>               <C>           <C>        
    Balance, January 1, 1995         $4,000,000        $61,763    $14,501,889      $(3,426,746)    $   183,686    $15,320,592
                                                                                                        

    Issuance of common stock                  -          7,812      1,347,653                -                -     1,355,465

    Transfer of investments from
      held to maturity to
      available
      for sale                                -             -              -           155,723                -       155,723

    Change in net unrealized
      investment gain (loss)                                                         4,640,674
                                              -              -              -                                 -     4,640,674

    Net income
                                              -              -              -                -        2,641,822     2,641,822
                                   -------------- ------------ ----------------  ---------------- -------------- ---------------

    Balance, December 31, 1995        4,000,000         69,575     15,849,542        1,369,651        2,825,508    24,114,276
                                                                                                      

    Issuance of common stock                             
                                              -          1,917        200,346                -                -       202,263

    Change in net unrealized
      investment gain (loss)                                                        
                                              -              -              -       (2,341,888)               -    (2,341,888)

    Net income
                                              -              -              -                -          103,875       103,875
                                   -------------- ------------ ----------------  ---------------- -------------- ---------------

    Balance, December 31,1996         4,000,000         71,492     16,049,888          (972,237)      2,929,383    22,078,526
                                                                                                      

    Issuance of common stock                  -          1,767         272,253               -                -        274,020


    Issuance of Series C
      Preferred Stock                                                                                       
                                              -              -       (329,644)               -                -      (329,644)

    Change in net unrealized
      investment gain (loss)                                                         
                                              -              -              -        1,813,857                -     1,813,857

    Redemption accrual on
      Series C Preferred Stock
                                              -              -              -                -         (249,790)     (249,790)

    Net income                                                                                        
                                              -              -              -                -        2,119,409     2,119,409
                                   -------------- ------------ ----------------  ---------------- -------------- ---------------

    Balance, December 31,1997        $4,000,000        $73,259    $15,992,497     $    841,620      $ 4,799,002   $25,706,378
                                   ============== ============ ================  ================ ============== ===============

</TABLE>


                       See   notes   to   consolidated financial statements.




                                      F-6
<PAGE>

               UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                   For the Three Years Ended December 31, 1997

<TABLE>
                                                                      1995                1996               1997
                                                                -----------------   -----------------  -----------------

<S>                                                                <C>                 <C>                <C>         
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                                        $   2,641,822       $     103,875      $   2,119,408
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
used by operating activities:
Deferred income taxes                                                                       269,017          1,091,818
                                                                              -
Change in reserves for future policy benefits                          (575,449)          3,526,269         (3,997,414)
Change in policy and contract claims                                   (158,474)                            (2,713,062)
                                                                                            677,167
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs                          (3,317,523)         (2,257,617)        (2,945,673)
Change in deferred revenue                                             (244,202)           (280,336)
                                                                                                               (93,212)
Amortization of present value of future profits
                                                                        204,564                   -                  -
Amortization of goodwill
                                                                              -                   -            111,819
Change in policy loans                                                 (111,995)           (746,103)          (589,250)
Change in accrued investment income                                    (260,817)           (427,870)          (368,951)
Change in reinsurance balances                                       (4,596,165)        (11,773,467)        (4,963,108)
Change in due and unpaid premium                                     (1,194,152)            114,812          2,269,874
Realized gains on investments                                          (673,868)           (240,075)        (1,132,520)
Other, net                                                            2,205,013           1,125,463          4,336,972
                                                                -----------------   -----------------  -----------------
Net cash used by operating activities                                (6,081,246)         (9,908,865)        (6,873,299)
                                                                -----------------   -----------------  -----------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities available for sale            50,442,336          18,329,599         35,962,815
Proceeds from redemption of fixed maturities held to maturity           928,180
                                                                                                  -                  -
Proceeds from redemption of fixed maturities available for            8,049,240          25,436,976          9,029,804
sale
Proceeds from redemption of fixed maturities held to maturity         2,210,089
                                                                                                  -                  -
Cost of fixed maturities purchased available for sale               (68,529,621)        (48,466,456)       (37,932,859)
Cost of fixed maturities purchased held to maturity                    (795,741)
                                                                                                  -                  -
Change in amounts held in trust for reinsurer                                                               (5,154,802)
                                                                              -                   -
Proceeds from sale of equity securities                                                     506,250            337,022
                                                                              -
Cost of equity securities purchased                                                        (501,250)          (689,802)
                                                                              -
Change in other invested assets                                                                             (1,367,882)
                                                                         76,571             269,702
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary, net of cash held                                                           2,020,496
                                                                              -                   -
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired                                                1,685,010         (4,080,033)
                                                                              -

                                                                -----------------   -----------------  -----------------
Net cash used by investing activities                                (7,618,946)         (2,740,169)        (1,875,241)
                                                                -----------------   -----------------  -----------------
                                                                                                                                

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock                            1,355,465             202,263            274,020
Proceeds from the issuance of Series C Preferred Stock                                                       4,838,356
                                                                              -                   -
Increase in policyholder account balances                             9,831,827          15,930,118         10,546,733
Change in short-term debt                                                                                     (800,000)
                                                                              -                   -
Increase in loan payable                                                                                     3,500,000
                                                                              -                   -
Change in notes payable                                              (1,618,062)           (369,698)
                                                                                                                     -
                                                                -----------------   -----------------  -----------------
Net cash provided from financing activities                           9,569,230          15,762,683         18,359,109
                                                                -----------------   -----------------  -----------------

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents                 (4,130,962)          3,113,649          9,610,569
                                                                -----------------   -----------------  -----------------

Cash and cash equivalent at beginning of year                        16,420,763          12,289,801         15,403,450
                                                                -----------------   -----------------  -----------------
Cash and cash equivalent at end of year                            $ 12,289,801        $ 15,403,450       $ 25,014,019
                                                                =================   =================  =================
</TABLE>

                      See   notes   to   consolidated financial statements.




                                      F-7
<PAGE>

               UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, Continued
                   For the Three Years Ended December 31, 1997



<TABLE>
                                                                        1995              1996            1997
                                                                  -----------------   --------------  -------------

<S>                                                                   <C>               <C>            <C>        
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 Cash paid during the year for:
  Interest                                                            $    96,289       $   83,852     $    77,389
                                                                  =================   ==============  =============
  Income taxes                                                        $         -       $        -     $        -
                                                                  =================   ==============  =============

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing
and financing activities:
Implementation of Statement 115 (Note 2c):
Transfer of securities held to maturity

 to available for sale                                                $ 36,098,026      $        -     $         -
                                                                  =================   ==============  =============


</TABLE>




                                      F-8
<PAGE>




               UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.       ORGANIZATION AND COMPANY BACKGROUND:

         Universal  American  Financial  Corp.  (the  "Company"  or  "Universal"
formerly,  Universal Holding Corp.) was incorporated under the laws of the State
of New York in August 1981, for the purpose of conducting  insurance and related
business  primarily  through its then wholly-owned  subsidiary,  John Adams Life
Insurance  Company of New York  ("John  Adams").  On May 17,  1991,  the Company
acquired 100% of the  outstanding  common stock of American  Progressive  Life &
Health Insurance  Company of New York ("American  Progressive")  and on June 27,
1991 merged John Adams into American Progressive. In 1988, the Company organized
Quincy  Coverage  Corp.  ("Quincy") an insurance  agent and broker.  In January,
1992, the Company began operations in WorldNet  Services Corp.  ("WorldNet"),  a
provider of managed care and  assistance  to  travelers.  On May 26,  1993,  the
Company  acquired 100% of the outstanding  common stock of American Pioneer Life
Insurance  Company  ("American  Pioneer").  On  December  4, 1997,  the  Company
acquired  100%  of the  outstanding  common  stock  of  American  Exchange  Life
Insurance Company ("American Exchange") (See Note 3).

         The  Company's  marketing  emphasis  is to sell  products  particularly
appealing  to  the  senior  market   place,   and  largely   through   marketing
organizations  with  concentrations  in this market.  The Company  began to sell
senior  market life and  accident and health  insurance  products in 1993 in New
York and expanded its sales effort to Florida in 1996 and to Texas in 1997.  The
momentum into Florida was  accelerated by the acquisition of business from First
National Life Insurance Company,  while the expansion into Texas was accelerated
by the acquisition of American  Exchange (See Note 3). The core products sold to
the senior age market include  Medicare  supplement,  home health care,  nursing
home,  hospital  indemnity and senior life insurance.  In addition,  the Company
sells certain program life insurance and annuity  products  through  independent
marketing organizations.

2.       SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

         a.       Basis of Presentation:  The significant  accounting  policies 
                  followed by Universal  American  Financial Corp. and 
                  subsidiaries  that materially  affect financial  reporting are
                  summarized  below.  The  accompanying  consolidatedfinancial 
                  statements have been prepared in accordance with generally 
                  accepted accounting  principles (GAAP) which,as to American  
                  Progressive,  American Pioneer and American Exchange,  differ 
                  from statutory  accounting practices prescribed or permitted 
                  by regulatory  authorities.  The  preparation of financial  
                  statements in conformity  with GAAP  requires  management  to 
                  make  estimates  and  assumptions  that affect the  reported  
                  amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of 
                  contingent  assets and liabilities at the date of the 
                  financial  statements and the reported revenues and expenses 
                  during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from
                  those estimates.

         b.       Principles of  Consolidation:  The  accompanying  consolidated
                  financial   statements   include  the  accounts  of  Universal
                  American  Financial Corp. and its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries,
                  including the  operations of American  Exchange since December
                  4,  1997,   the  date  of  its   acquisition.   All   material
                  intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.




                                      F-9
<PAGE>




         c.       Investments:  Investments are shown on the following bases:
                  The  Company  follows  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board
                  ("FASB")  Statement No. 115,  "Accounting for Certain Debt and
                  Equity  Securities"  ("Statement No. 115").  Statement No. 115
                  requires that debt and equity  securities  be classified  into
                  three categories and accounted for as follows: Debt securities
                  that the  Company has the  positive  intent and the ability to
                  hold to maturity  are  classified  as "held to  maturity"  and
                  reported at amortized  cost.  Debt and equity  securities that
                  are  held  for  current  resale  are  classified  as  "trading
                  securities" and reported at fair value,  with unrealized gains
                  and losses  included in earnings.  Debt and equity  securities
                  not  classified  as held to maturity or as trading  securities
                  are  classified as  "available  for sale" and reported at fair
                  value.  Unrealized  gains  and  losses on  available  for sale
                  securities  are  excluded  from  earnings  and  reported  as a
                  separate  component of  stockholders'  equity,  net of tax and
                  deferred policy acquisition cost adjustment.

                  In November,  1995, the FASB issued a Special Report titled "A
                  Guide to  Implementation  of Statement 115 on  Accounting  for
                  Certain  Investments  in Debt and  Equity  Securities",  which
                  report allowed  enterprises to reassess the appropriateness of
                  the  classifications of all securities held at the time of the
                  Special  Report  issuance.  In  December,  1995,  the  Company
                  reassessed the  appropriateness of the  classifications of its
                  securities and reclassified all of the securities contained in
                  the held to maturity account to the available for sale account
                  as they may be  considered  for sale prior to maturity as part
                  of the asset/liability management strategy. The carrying value
                  of the securities  reclassed to available for sale amounted to
                  $35,942,303 and the fair value amounted to  $36,098,026.  This
                  transfer  resulted in the Company  increasing  its  unrealized
                  gains by $155,723,  net of tax and deferred policy acquisition
                  cost adjustment.

                  As  of  December  31,  1996  and  1997,   all  fixed  maturity
                  securities  were  classified  as  available  for sale and were
                  carried at fair value,  with the unrealized  gain or loss, net
                  of tax and  other  adjustments  (deferred  policy  acquisition
                  costs),  included in stockholders'  equity.  Equity securities
                  are carried at current  fair value.  Policy loans and mortgage
                  loans are stated at the unpaid principal  balance.  Short-term
                  investments are carried at cost which approximates fair value.
                  Property tax liens are carried at cost.  Investment  income is
                  recorded when earned.  Realized investment gains and losses on
                  the   sale  of   securities   are   based   on  the   specific
                  identification  method.   Unrealized  gains  and  losses  from
                  revaluation   of  equity   investments   and  fixed   maturity
                  securities   to  current   market   value  are   reflected  in
                  stockholders' equity.

         d.       Deferred  Policy  Acquisition  Costs:  The cost of acquiring 
                  new  business,  principally  commissions  and certain
                  expenses of the agency,  policy issuance and underwriting  
                  departments,  all of which vary with, and are primarily
                  related to the  production of new and renewal  business,  have
                  been deferred.  These costs are being  amortized in
                  relation to the present  value of expected  gross profits on 
                  the policies  arising  principally  from  investment,
                  mortality and expense margins for FASB Statement No. 97,  
                  "Accounting  and Reporting by Insurance  Enterprises for
                  Certain Long-Duration  Contracts and for Realized Gains and 
                  Losses from the Sale of Investments",  ("Statement No.
                  97") products and in proportion to premium revenue using the 
                  same  assumptions  used in estimating the liabilities
                  for future  policy  benefits for FASB  Statement  No. 60,  
                  "Accounting  and  Reporting by Insurance  Enterprises",
                  ("Statement  No. 60") products.  Deferred policy  acquisition
                  costs would be written off to the extent that it is
                  determined  that future  policy  premiums and  investment  
                  income or gross  profits would not be adequate to cover
                  related losses and expenses.




                                      F-10
<PAGE>




                  There were no  write-offs  for the years  ended  December  31,
                  1995,  1996 and 1997.  Details with respect to deferred policy
                  acquisition  costs for the three years ended December 31, 1997
                  are as follows:


                   Balance at January 1, 1995                      $14,485,850
                                                                   
                       Capitalized costs                             5,270,498
                                                                     
                       Adjustment relating to unrealized
                           gain on available for sale securities      (613,715)
                                                                     
                       Amortization
                                                                   (2,578,183)
                                                           --------------------
                   Balance at December 31, 1995                    16,564,450
                                                                   
                       Capitalized costs
                                                                    5,042,137
                       Adjustment relating to unrealized
                           loss on available for sale securities
                                                                     269,447
                       Amortization
                                                                  (2,784,520)
                                                           --------------------
                   Balance at December 31, 1996
                                                                  19,091,514
                       Capitalized costs
                                                                   6,712,207
                       Adjustment relating to unrealized
                           gain on available for sale securities
                                                                  (1,205,127)
                       Amortization
                                                                  (3,766,534)
                                                           --------------------
                   Balance at December 31, 1997                           
                                                                 $20,832,060
                                                           ====================



         e.       Recognition of Revenues,  Contract Benefits and Expenses for 
                  Investment and Universal Life Type Policies: Revenues
                  for universal  life-type  policies and investment  products 
                  consist of mortality charges for the cost of insurance
                  and surrender charges assessed against  policyholder  account 
                  balances during the period.  Benefit claims incurred
                  in excess of policyholder  account  balances are expensed.  
                  The liability for  policyholder  account  balances for
                  universal  life-type  policies  and  investment  products  
                  under  Statement  No.  97 are  determined  following  a
                  "retrospective  deposit" method and consist  principally of 
                  policy account values before any applicable  surrender
                  charges.  Credited  interest  rates for these  products  range
                  from  4.50% to 7.25%.  For the three  years  ended
                  December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, one general agency of 
                  American Progressive  produced $4,477,034,  $5,813,765 and
                  $2,884,720 of annuity receipts,  respectively,  which 
                  represented approximately 41%, 43% and 24% respectively,  of
                  total annuity receipts of American Progressive.




                                      F-11
<PAGE>





         f.       Recognition  of Premium  Revenues and Policy  Benefits for 
                  Accident and Health  Insurance  Products:  Premiums are
                  recorded when due and  recognized as revenue over the period 
                  to which the premiums  relate.  Benefits and expenses
                  are  associated  with earned  premiums so as to result in  
                  recognition  of profits over the life of the  policies.
                  This  association is  accomplished by recording a provision 
                  for future policy  benefits,  establishing an unearned
                  premium  reserve and amortizing  deferred  policy  acquisition
                  costs.  Claim reserves are  established for future
                  payments not yet due on claims already incurred,  primarily 
                  relating to individual  disability insurance and group
                  long-term  disability  insurance  products.  These  reserves  
                  are  established  based on past  experience  and are
                  continuously  reviewed and updated with any related 
                  adjustments recorded to current operations.  Claim liabilities
                  represent  policy  benefits  due but  unpaid at year end and
                  primarily  relate  to  individual  health  insurance
                  products.   Activity in the accident and health policy and 
                  contract claim liability is as follows:

<TABLE>

                                                                 1995                 1996               1997
                                                           ------------------   -----------------  -----------------
         <S>                                                <C>                  <C>                <C>        
         Balance at beginning of year                       $    8,698,434       $    8,681,136     $24,628,019
            Less reinsurance recoverables                        (1,947,218)         (2,650,646)    (15,269,309)
                                                           ------------------   -----------------  -----------------

         Net balance at beginning of year                         6,751,216           6,030,490        9,358,710
                                                           ------------------   -----------------  -----------------

         Balance acquired with First National                            -            3,374,535               -
         Balance acquired with American Exchange                         -                    -         551,126
                                                           

         Incurred related to:
            Current year                                        20,368,320           23,029,175       19,363,347
            Prior years                                          (1,578,948)         (2,511,056)      (2,424,332)
                                                                                
                                                           ------------------   -----------------  -----------------
         Total incurred                                         18,789,372           20,518,119       16,939,015
                                                           ------------------   -----------------  -----------------

         Paid related to:
            Current year                                        14,830,355           15,671,699       14,405,575
            Prior years                                           4,679,743           4,892,735        6,884,639
                                                           ------------------   -----------------  -----------------
         Total paid                                             19,510,098           20,564,434       21,290,214
                                                           ------------------   -----------------  -----------------

         Net balance at end of year                               6,030,490           9,358,710        5,558,637
                                                                                
         Plus reinsurance recoverables                            2,650,646          15,269,309       17,033,804
                                                           ------------------   -----------------  -----------------

         Balance at end of year                              $    8,681,136       $  24,628,019      $22,592,441
                                                           ==================   =================  =================
</TABLE>

         g.       Deferred  Revenue:  The Company entered into a 90% quota share
                  reinsurance  agreement  with  an  unaffiliated   reinsurer  on
                  certain life insurance  policies in force as of June 30, 1993.
                  The Company ceded  $3,696,101 of life  insurance  reserves and
                  received $1,665,000 as a ceding commission, which was recorded
                  as deferred revenue. The Company amortized $165,104,  $122,433
                  and $93,212 of deferred  revenue  during 1995,  1996 and 1997,
                  respectively.

                  The  Company  entered  into  a  75%  quota  share  reinsurance
                  agreement  with  an  unaffiliated  reinsurer  on  the  $60,000
                  retention of certain  individual  accident & health  insurance
                  policies in force as of June 30,  1995.  The Company  received
                  $862,000 as a ceding commission,  $625,000 of which was offset
                  by the  amortization  of the deferred  acquisition  cost asset
                  related to this business.  The remaining $237,000 was recorded
                  


                                      F-12
<PAGE>

                  as deferred revenue and $79,098 and $157,902 was recognized as
                  income during 1995 and 1996, respectively, since the agreement
                  was canceled effective December 31, 1996.

         h.       Income Taxes:  The Company's  method of accounting  for income
                  taxes is the asset and liability  method.  Under the asset and
                  liability  method,  deferred  tax assets and  liabilities  are
                  recognized  for the future tax  consequences  attributable  to
                  differences  between the financial  statement carrying amounts
                  of existing assets and  liabilities  and their  respective tax
                  bases.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using
                  enacted tax rates  expected to apply to taxable  income in the
                  years in which those temporary  differences are expected to be
                  recovered  or settled.  The effect on deferred  tax assets and
                  liabilities  of a change in tax rates is  recognized in income
                  in the period that includes the enactment date.

         i.       Reinsurance  Accounting:  Amounts paid for recoverables  under
                  reinsurance   contracts   are  included  in  total  assets  as
                  reinsurance  recoverable  amounts.  The  cost  of  reinsurance
                  related to  long-duration  contracts is accounted for over the
                  life of the underlying  reinsured  policies using  assumptions
                  consistent  with  those  used to  account  for the  underlying
                  policies.

         j.       Earnings Per Common Share:  The Company adopted FASB Statement
                  No. 128,  "Earnings  per Share",  ("Statement  No. 128") as of
                  December 31, 1997 and restated  prior year  earnings per share
                  ("EPS")  amounts.  Statement No. 128 replaces primary EPS with
                  basic EPS.  Basic EPS  excludes  dilution  and is  computed by
                  dividing  income  available  to  common  shareholders,  (after
                  deducting  the  redemption  accrual on the Series C  Preferred
                  Stock),  by the weighted average number of shares  outstanding
                  for the period.  Diluted EPS gives the dilutive  effect of the
                  stock  options,  warrants  and Series B and C preferred  stock
                  outstanding   during  the  year.  A   reconciliation   of  the
                  numerators and the  denominators  of the basic and diluted EPS
                  for the years ended  December  31,  1995,  1996 and 1997 is as
                  follows:

<TABLE>

                                                                      For the Year Ended December 31, 1995
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Income              Shares            Per Share
                                                               (Numerator)         (Denominator)          Amount
                                                              ---------------     ----------------     -------------
         <S>                                                      <C>                 <C>               <C>       
         Net income                                               $2,641,822


         Basic EPS
         Net income applicable to common shareholders              2,641,822            6,219,579        $     0.42
                                                                                                       =============

         Effect of Dilutive Securities
         Series B preferred stock                                                       1,777,777
         Convertible debenture
                                                                                          671,807
         Non-registered warrants                                                        2,015,760
         Registered warrants
                                                                                          689,871
         Incentive stock options
                                                                                          401,000
         Director stock option
                                                                                            9,000

         Treasury stock purchased from proceeds of                                     (1,118,755)
         exercise
                                                              ---------------     ----------------
           of options and warrants

         Diluted EPS
         Net income applicable to common
           shareholders plus assumed conversions                   2,641,822           10,666,039        $     0.25
                                                              ===============     ================     =============

</TABLE>

                                      F-13
<PAGE>



<TABLE>

                                                                      For the Year Ended December 31, 1996
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Income              Shares            Per Share
                                                               (Numerator)         (Denominator)          Amount
                                                              ---------------     ----------------     -------------
         <S>                                                  <C>                   <C>               <C>       
         Net income                                              $   103,875


         Basic EPS
         Net income applicable to common shareholders                103,875            6,999,293        $     0.01
                                                                                                       =============

         Effect of Dilutive Securities
         Series B preferred stock                                                       1,777,777
         Non-registered warrants                                                        2,015,760
         Registered warrants
                                                                                          668,481
         Incentive stock options
                                                                                          266,000
         Director stock option
                                                                                            9,000
         Treasury stock purchased from proceeds of
         exercise
           of options and warrants                                                     (1,198,376)
                                                              ---------------     ----------------


         Diluted EPS
         Net income applicable to common
           shareholders plus assumed conversions                 $   103,875           10,537,935        $     0.01
                                                              ===============     ================     =============
</TABLE>

<TABLE>

                                                                      For the Year Ended December 31, 1997
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Income              Shares            Per Share
                                                               (Numerator)         (Denominator)          Amount
                                                              ---------------     ----------------     -------------
         <S>                                                    <C>                   <C>               <C>       
         Net income                                              $2,119,409

         Less: Redemption accrual on Series C preferred            (249,790)
         stock
                                                              ---------------

         Basic EPS
         Net income applicable to common shareholders             1,869,619             7,241,931        $     0.26
                                                                                                       =============

         Effect of Dilutive Securities
         Series B preferred stock                                                       1,777,777
         Series C preferred stock                                   249,790             1,356,421
         Non-registered warrants                                                        2,015,760
         Registered warrants
                                                                                          668,481
         Incentive stock options
                                                                                          296,000
         Director stock option
                                                                                           16,000

         Treasury stock purchased from proceeds of                                     (1,331,515)
         exercise
                                                              ---------------     ----------------
           of options and warrants

         Diluted EPS
         Net income applicable to common
           Shareholders plus assumed conversions                 $2,119,409            12,040,855        $     0.18
                                                              ===============     ================     =============

</TABLE>

         k.       Cash Flow  Information:  Included in cash and cash equivalents
                  are cash on  deposit,  money  market  funds,  and  short  term
                  investments  which had an original maturity of three months or
                  less from the time of purchase.

         l.       Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to
                  prior  years'  financial  statements  to conform  with current
                  period classifications.


                                      F-14
<PAGE>

3.       RECENT ACQUISITIONS:

         American Exchange Life Insurance Company

         On December 4, 1997, the Company,  through its wholly-owned subsidiary,
American  Pioneer,  acquired  100% of the  outstanding  common stock of American
Exchange for $6.6 million in cash,  which  acquisition  was approved by both the
Texas and Florida  Departments of Insurance.  This acquisition was accounted for
using the purchase method. American Exchange, which is licensed in Texas and two
other states, has annual premium in force in excess of $16.6 million,  primarily
in Medicare  Supplement and other limited  benefit  accident and health products
and has 19,000 policies in force and 1,000 insurance agents, all based in Texas.
The following schedule  summarizes the assets acquired and liabilities  assumed,
at fair value, on the date of acquisition:

           Assets acquired:

           Fixed maturities                                   $6,826,474
           Equity securities                                     317,413
           Cash and cash equivalents                           2,679,665
           Policy loans                                          174,513
           Accrued investment income                             159,528
           Other assets                                          298,397
                                                         ----------------

           Total assets acquired                              10,455,990
                                                         ================

           Liabilities assumed

           Reserves for future policy benefits                   737,290
           Policy and contract claims                            266,048
           Amounts due to reinsurers                           4,036,450
           Deferred Federal income taxes                         435,814
           Other liabilities                                     768,367
                                                         ----------------

           Total liabilities assumed                           6,243,969
                                                         ================

           Net assets acquired                                 4,212,021

           Present value of future profits                     1,281,807
           Goodwill                                            1,265,868
                                                         ----------------

           Total purchase price                              $ 6,759,696
                                                         ================

         The present value of future profits is being  amortized  based upon the
expected lives of the underlying products.  The goodwill is being amortized over
30 years.




                                      F-15
<PAGE>




         First National Life

         In the  fourth  quarter  of 1996,  the  Company  acquired,  through  an
assumption reinsurance agreement, approximately $56 million of annualized senior
market premium from First National.  American Pioneer initially  contracted with
First  National  to assume $4 million of  premium on group  Medicare  Supplement
coverage  issued to the members of the  Florida  Retired  Educators  Association
("FREA"). Then, after First National was placed into Receivership by the Alabama
Insurance Department in October,  1996, American Pioneer assumed, in addition to
the FREA block,  approximately  $50 million of  Individual  Medicare  Supplement
premium,  $1.2  million  of  Home  Health  Care  premium  and  $0.8  million  of
miscellaneous  life and  accident  and health  insurance  premiums,  under terms
negotiated  with the Receiver.  All of these  assumptions  were  effective as of
October 1, 1996.  Simultaneously with the second assumption by American Pioneer,
American  Pioneer  entered  into  a  reinsurance   agreement  with  Transamerica
Occidental  Life  Insurance  Company  ("Transamerica"),  ceding  90% of the  $50
million Individual Medicare Supplement to Transamerica.

         As part of the  transaction  negotiated  with  the  Receiver,  American
Pioneer was to receive assets equal to the liabilities assumed, primarily policy
reserves.  However,  as a result of the financial  condition of First  National,
sufficient  assets  were not  available  to fully cover  these  liabilities.  In
addition,  the  Receiver  was unable to cover  certain  amounts  due to American
Pioneer. The sum of the closing shortfall and the costs of the transaction,  net
of deferred tax benefits,  amounted to $3,529,529, and represents goodwill which
is being amortized over 30 years.

         As part of the First  National  transaction,  the  Company  acquired in
Pensacola  a  relatively  low  cost  administrative  operation  with  particular
experience in the senior  market.  This has given the Company an  opportunity to
consolidate  many  of its  administrative  functions  in  Pensacola  and  save a
significant amount of fixed overhead.

         In December,  1996,  the Company  formulated a plan to move most of the
policy  administrative  functions,  particularly in its senior market  business,
from the American Progressive office in Brewster to Pensacola.  This, along with
other cost saving  efforts,  resulted  in a  reduction  in the work force at the
American  Progressive  office from 62 as of June 30, 1996 to approximately 25 as
of December 31, 1997 with a modest resultant increase in personnel in Pensacola,
including  some  personnel  employed by American  Progressive.  These plans were
announced to the employees of the Company on March 14, 1997.

         Consequently,  American  Progressive  exercised its right to cancel its
lease for 15,000  square feet in Brewster as of December 31, 1997 and  relocated
to a  smaller  office  on  January  1,  1998.  The  cost of this  consolidation,
including severance costs,  relocation costs and the cancellation penalty on the
Brewster  lease,  amounted to $250,000 and was expensed in the fourth quarter of
1996.





                                      F-16
<PAGE>





4.       INVESTMENTS:

         As of  December  31,  1996  and  1997,  investments  consisted  of  the
following:
<TABLE>

                                                                       December 31,1996
                                      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                             Face               Amortized                Fair              Carrying
Classification                              Value                 Cost                  Value                Value
- -----------------------------------   -------------------  --------------------   -------------------  ------------------
<S>                                      <C>                         <C>                   <C>                 <C>      
Cash and cash equivalents                                        $  15,403,450       $    15,403,450       $  15,403,450
US Treasury bonds and notes              $     8,383,814             8,516,908             8,505,972           8,505,972
Corporate bonds                              113,722,375           113,994,104           112,986,195         112,986,195
Common stocks                                                           46,133                33,562              33,562
                                                           --------------------   -------------------  ------------------

  Sub-total
                                                                   137,960,596        $  136,929,179        $136,929,179
                                                                                  ===================

Property tax liens
Policy loans                                                           131,729                                   131,729
Mortgage loans                                                       6,421,251                                 6,421,251
                                                                     1,199,110                                 1,199,110
                                                           --------------------                        ------------------

  Total investments                                              $ 145,712,686                              $144,681,269
                                                           ====================                        ==================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>


                                                                       December 31,1997
                                      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                             Face               Amortized                Fair              Carrying
Classification                              Value                 Cost                  Value                Value
- -----------------------------------   -------------------  --------------------   -------------------  ------------------
<S>                                      <C>                         <C>                   <C>                 <C>      
Cash and cash equivalents                                       $   25,014,019       $    25,014,019       $  25,014,019
US Treasury bonds and notes              $     7,610,000             7,697,324             7,802,780           7,802,780
Corporate bonds                              113,902,686           113,422,023           115,782,928         115,782,928
Equity Securities                                                      987,095               945,116             945,116
                                                           --------------------   -------------------  ------------------

  Sub-total                                                      $ 147,120,461        $  149,544,843        $149,544,843
                                                                                  ===================

Property tax liens                                                     136,713                                   136,713
Policy loans                                                         7,185,014                                 7,185,014
Mortgage loans                                                       2,562,008                                 2,562,008
                                                           --------------------                        ------------------

  Total investments                                              $ 157,004,196                              $159,428,578
                                                           ====================                        ==================
</TABLE>





                                      F-17
<PAGE>




         The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities  classified as 
available for sale  investments as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 are as follows:
<TABLE>

                                                                     December 31, 1996
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Gross              Gross
                                            Amortized             Unrealized          Unrealized           Fair
Classification                                  Cost                 Gains              Losses             Value
- ----------------------------------     ---------------------- -------------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S>                                        <C>                  <C>                 <C>                 <C>          
US Treasury securities
  and obligations of
  US government                            $      12,141,823    $         121,631   $      (85,890)     $  12,177,564
Corporate debt securities                         74,020,305            1,167,066       (1,244,311)        73,943,060
Mortgage-backed securities                        36,348,884                            (1,391,551)        35,371,543
                                                                          414,210
                                       ---------------------- -------------------- ----------------- -----------------
                                            $    122,511,012     $      1,702,907     $ (2,721,752)      $121,492,167
                                       ====================== ==================== ================= =================

</TABLE>

<TABLE>

                                                                     December 31, 1997
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Gross              Gross
                                            Amortized             Unrealized          Unrealized           Fair
Classification                                  Cost                 Gains              Losses             Value
- ----------------------------------     ---------------------- -------------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S>                                        <C>                  <C>                 <C>                 <C>          
US Treasury securities
  and obligations of
  US government                            $      10,821,981    $         224,552                 $      $ 11,026,445
                                                                                           (20,088)
Corporate debt securities                         52,427,251            1,668,511                          53,834,118
                                                                                          (261,644)
Mortgage-backed securities                        57,870,114            1,506,116                          58,725,145
                                                                                          (651,085)
                                       ---------------------- -------------------- ----------------- -----------------
                                           $     121,119,346     $      3,399,179                 $      $123,585,708
                                                                                          (932,817)
                                       ====================== ==================== ================= =================
</TABLE>

      The  amortized  cost and fair  value  of fixed  maturities  at December  
31, 1997 by  contractual  maturity are shown below. Expected  maturities will 
differ from contractual  maturities because  borrowers  may  have  the  right  
to call or  prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

                                              Amortized                  Fair
                                                 Cost                   Value
                                   ---------------------    -------------------
        Due in 1 year or less            $     4,305,104       $      4,305,300
        Due after 1 year through 5 years      20,863,285             21,326,267
        Due after 5 years through 10 years     8,648,243             19,401,221
        Due after 10 years                    16,307,942             16,604,110
        Mortgage-backed securities            60,994,772             61,948,810
                                   ---------------------    -------------------

                                         $   121,119,346       $    123,585,708
                                   =====================    ===================

         Included  in fixed  maturities  at  December  31,  1996  and 1997  were
securities with carrying values of $7,779,124 and $7,122,281, respectively, held
by various states as security for the  policyholders  of the Company within such
states.  At December  31,  1997,  the  Company  maintained  $5,154,802  of fixed
maturities in a trust account on behalf of its reinsurers,  which is included in
the amounts due from reinsurers on the balance sheet.




                                      F-18
<PAGE>


         Gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses of equity securities
as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 are as follows:

                                                    1996           1997
                                                -------------  -------------
          Gross unrealized gains                 $        -      $  29,392
          Gross unrealized losses                   (12,572)       (71,357)
                                                -------------  -------------
          Net unrealized losses                    $(12,572)     $ (41,965)
                                                =============  =============

         The components of the change in unrealized gains and losses included in
the consolidated  statements of  stockholders'  equity for the three years ended
December 31, 1997 are as follows:
<TABLE>

                                                                1995              1996               1997
                                                           ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
          <S>                                               <C>               <C>                <C>         
           Change in net unrealized gains (losses):
            Fixed maturities                                 $ 5,963,167      $ (3,335,207)      $  3,485,207
            Equity securities
                                                                  (3,205)           18,264            (29,393)
            Statement No. 115 reclassification                   155,723                 -                  -
            Adjustment relating to
              deferred policy acquisition costs                 (613,710)          269,477         (1,205,127)
                                                                                   
                                                           ----------------  ----------------   ----------------

          Change in net unrealized gains
            (losses) before income tax                         5,501,975         (3,047,466)        2,250,687
          Income tax expense (benefit)                           705,578           (705,578)          436,830
                                                                                  
                                                           ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
          Change in net unrealized losses                    $ 4,796,397       $ (2,341,888)     $  1,813,857
                                                           ================  ================   ================

</TABLE>

                  The details of net investment income for the three years ended
December 31, 1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>

                                                             1995              1996               1997
                                                        ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
          <S>                                            <C>               <C>                <C>        
           Investment Income:
            Fixed maturities                               $ 8,389,695       $ 9,048,143       $  8,961,283
            Cash and cash equivalents                          531,572           731,924
                                                                                                    801,987
            Equity securities
                                                                     -                 -             29,044
            Property tax liens                                  58,920
                                                                                  (1,297)            22,639
            Policy loans                                       363,390           487,740
                                                                                                    495,623
            Mortgage loans                                     102,293
                                                                                  86,858            102,737
                                                        ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
          Gross investment income                            9,445,870        10,353,368         10,413,313
          Investment expenses                                  500,590           503,285
                                                                                                    390,655
                                                        ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
          Net investment income                            $ 8,945,280       $ 9,850,083        $10,022,658
                                                        ================  ================   ================
</TABLE>





                                      F-19
<PAGE>





         Gross  realized  gains  and  gross  realized  losses  included  in  the
consolidated  statements  of operations  for the three years ended  December 31,
1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>

                                                             1995              1996               1997
                                                        ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
<S>                                                        <C>             <C>                 <C>         
          Realized gains:
            Fixed maturities, available for sale           $ 1,070,230     $     363,927      $     760,381
            Fixed maturities, held to maturity
                                                                 6,921                 -                  -
            Equity securities                                        -             5,000            629,847
                                                        ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
          Total realized gains                               1,077,151           368,927          1,390,228
                                                        ----------------  ----------------   ----------------

          Realized losses:
            Fixed maturities, available for sale              (385,223)         (128,852)          (257,707)
            Fixed maturities, held to maturity
                                                                (3,060)                -                  -
            Equity securities
                                                               (15,000)                -                  -
                                                        ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
          Total realized losses                               (403,283)         (128,852)          (257,707)
                                                        ----------------  ----------------   ----------------
          Net realized gains                               $   673,868     $     240,075       $  1,132,521
                                                        ================  ================   ================
</TABLE>

         In  1997,  the  Company  realized  a gain of  $569,474  on the  sale of
AmeriFirst Insurance Company, a non-operating subsidiary.  During the year ended
December 31, 1995,  the Company wrote down the value of certain  fixed  maturity
securities by $194,955 which was included in net realized gains on investments.

5.       INCOME TAXES:

         The  Company  files  a  consolidated  return  for  federal  income  tax
purposes,  in which  American  Pioneer and American  Exchange are not  currently
permitted to be included. American Pioneer and American Exchange file a separate
consolidated federal income tax return.

         The Company's federal income tax expense consisted of:

                                   1995            1996              1997
                             -------------  ---------------  -----------------
 Current                         $   9,032       $       -          $        -
 Deferred                                -          269,017          1,091,818
                             -------------  ---------------  -----------------
 Total tax expense               $   9,032       $  269,017         $1,091,818
                             =============  ===============  =================

         In 1997,  a  deferred  tax  liability  related  to the  acquisition  of
American Exchange was established and amounted to $435,814.  In 1996, a deferred
tax asset related to the acquisition of certain business from First National was
established  and  amounted  to  $305,000.  A deferred  tax  benefit for 1995 was
$1,642,819,  which  amount was charged  directly to the present  value of future
profits since the benefit was derived from the  recognition of acquired tax loss
carryforwards of American Pioneer that previously were included in the valuation
allowance.




                                      F-20
<PAGE>





         Deferred  income  taxes  reflect  the  net  tax  effects  of  temporary
differences  between the carrying value of assets and  liabilities for financial
reporting purposes and the amount used for income tax purposes.  The tax effects
of temporary  differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred
tax assets and  deferred  tax  liabilities  at December 31, 1996 and 1997 are as
follows:

<TABLE>

                                                                        1996             1997
                                                                   ---------------  ----------------
          <S>                                                         <C>             <C>        
          Deferred tax assets:
          Reserves for future policy benefits                         $4,689,676       $4,503,445
          Deferred revenues                                              121,705           90,013
          Net operating loss carryforwards                             4,507,233        4,239,539
          AMT credit carryforward                                        106,947          107,262
          Investment valuation differences                               185,849          120,488
          Unrealized losses on investments                               319,569                -
          Other                                                          147,061          176,797
                                                                   ---------------  ----------------
            Total gross deferred tax assets                           10,078,040        9,237,544
            Less valuation allowance                                  (1,641,538)      (1,342,838)
                                                                   ---------------  ----------------
            Net deferred tax assets                                    8,436,502        7,894,706
                                                                   ---------------  ----------------


          Deferred policy acquisition costs                           (5,226,080)      (5,796,879)
          Unrealized gains on investments                                      -         (436,830)
          Goodwill                                                    (1,140,546)      (1,102,528)
          Present value of future profits                                      -         (435,814)
          Other                                                                -          (17,242)
                                                                   ---------------  ----------------
            Total gross deferred tax liabilities                      (6,366,626)      (7,789,293)
                                                                   ---------------  ----------------
            Net deferred tax asset                                    $2,069,876      $   105,413
                                                                   ===============  ================
</TABLE>

         At December 31, 1996 and 1997,  the Company has  established  valuation
allowances  of  $1,342,838  and  $1,134,555,  respectively,  with respect to its
deferred  tax assets.  Based on the  Company's  future  expectation  of adjusted
taxable income and through its ability to change its investment strategy and use
of prudent and feasible tax planning strategies,  management believes it is more
likely than not that the Company  will  realize the  recorded  net  deferred tax
assets.

         A  reconciliation  of  the  "expected"  tax  expense  at 34%  with  the
Company's  actual tax  expense  applicable  to  operating  income  before  taxes
reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows:

<TABLE>

                                                             1995                  1996                 1997
                                                      --------------------  --------------------  -----------------
<S>                                                    <C>                   <C>                    <C>         
Expected tax expense                                   $         901,294     $         126,783      $  1,091,818
Change in the beginning of the
  year balance of the valuation
  allowance for deferred tax assets
  allocated to income tax expense                               (903,878)              187,414                 -
Tax exempt interest income                                        (1,415)                    -                 -
Other                                                             13,031               (45,180)                -
                                                      --------------------  --------------------  -----------------
Actual tax expense                                     $           9,032     $         269,017      $  1,091,818
                                                      ====================  ====================  =================
</TABLE>


                                      F-21
<PAGE>

         At December  31, 1997 the Company  (exclusive  of American  Pioneer and
American  Exchange) had a net operating tax loss carry forwards of approximately
$11,300,000  which  expire in the  years  1999 to 2011.  At  December  31,  1997
American  Pioneer  and  American  Exchange  had net  operating  tax  loss  carry
forwards,  most of them incurred  prior to its  acquisition  by the Company,  of
approximately  $1,100,000 which expire in the years 2000 to 2011. As a result of
changes in  ownership of American  Pioneer in May 1993,  use of most of the loss
carry forwards of American Pioneer are subject to annual limitations.

6.       SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK

         During the second and third quarters of 1997, the Company issued 43,750
shares  (par value $100) of Series C Preferred  Stock for  $4,375,000,  of which
$2.4 million was purchased by UAFC L.P. ("AAM") an unaffiliated investment firm,
$600,000 by Chase Equity  Partners,  L.P.,  and $1,375,000 by Richard A. Barasch
(the  Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer  of the  Company),  members of his
family, and members and associates of the Company's management. This transaction
received the approval of the Florida Insurance Department.

         During the third  quarter of 1997,  the  Company  issued an  additional
7,930  shares of  Series C  Preferred  Stock for  $793,000,  which  shares  were
purchased by owners and  employees of  Ameri-Life & Health  Services,  a general
agency that sells the Company's senior market products.

         The total Series C Preferred  Stock  issued by the Company  amounted to
$5,168,000  and the Company  incurred  $329,644 of issue expenses, which were 
charged to paid in capital.

                  The  Series  C  Preferred   Stock   contains   the   following
provisions:

      The Series C Preferred  Stock is convertible by the holders at any time at
     a  conversion  price of $2.375 per common share  (subject to  anti-dilution
     adjustment).

      The  Company can require  conversion  if it executes a public  offering of
     common stock at over $3.45 per common share (or  equivalent  equity),  with
     gross proceeds in excess of $10 million, or if the average bid price of its
     common stock,  for any 60 day period,  exceeds  $3.45,  $4.25 and $5.15 per
     common share in 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively.

      In the event that the Company takes certain  action without the consent of
     the holders of a majority of the Series C Preferred  Stock,  those  holders
     who voted  against such action have the right to require its  redemption at
     the  Redemption  Price or the Call Price,  (which Prices are defined below)
     depending on the nature of the action taken.

      The Company  has the right to call all of the Series C Preferred  Stock at
     any time between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2002, at a per share call
     price (the "Call Price") of $150 in the year 2000 or $175 in the years 2001
     and 2002, in each case increased by the  redemption  accrual at the rate of
     8% of the par value.

      Unless  converted or called earlier,  the Series C Preferred Stock will be
     redeemed  on  December  31,  2002,  at a per share  redemption  price  (the
     "Redemption  Price") equal to par, increased by a redemption accrual at the
     rate of 8% per  annum.  The  redemption  price will be payable in two equal
     installments  on December 31, 2002 and December  31, 2003.  The  redemption
     accrual is not payable upon any conversion.

      No  dividends  will  be paid  on the  Series  C  Preferred  Stock,  unless
     dividends  are  paid on the  common  stock,  in  which  case  the  Series C


                                      F-22
<PAGE>

     Preferred Stock will participate as if converted.  As of December 31, 1997,
     $249,790 of redemption  accruals were accumulated on the Series C preferred
     stock for the period April 25, 1997 to December 31, 1997.

      The holders of the Series C Preferred  Stock  (excluding a portion of such
     series which may be issued  without  voting  rights) will have the right to
     elect one director of the Company.

         The Company,  AAM, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock, Barasch
Associates  Limited  Partnership  ("BALP") and Richard A. Barasch entered into a
stockholders'  agreement at the closing of the  transaction  which contained the
following conditions:

      The holders of the Series C Preferred Stock were given registration rights
and informational rights.

      The Series C Preferred  Stockholders  agreed to vote their  shares for the
     election  of a person  designated  by AAM as the  director  elected by that
     Series.

      BALP and Mr.  Barasch  granted the Series C holders a co-sale right should
     they sell any shares of the Company's common stock held by them,  except to
     certain "permitted transferees".

7.       STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

         Preferred Stock

         The Company has 2,000,000  authorized  shares of preferred  stock to be
issued in series with 52,080 shares issued and  outstanding at December 31, 1996
and 1997,  respectively  (see  Note 6 for a  discussion  of  Series C  Preferred
Stock).

                  Series B Preferred Stock

The Company has 400 shares of Series B Preferred  Stock issued and  outstanding,
with a par  value  of  $10,000  per  share,  which  are  held by  Wand/Universal
Investments  L.P.  ("Wand").  The Series B Preferred  Stock is convertible  into
Common  Stock at $2.25 per share  (subject  to  adjustment)  and is  entitled to
dividends as if already  converted,  only when and if dividends  are declared on
the Common Stock. The holder of the Series B Preferred Stock may not require the
Company to redeem it unless the Company engages in certain defined transactions.
The Company has the right to require a conversion if it raises additional equity
from the public on pricing terms that meet certain criteria.

         The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock have the right to elect one
Director  of the  Company,  and have  the  right  to vote on all  other  matters
submitted to the vote of the holders of the Common  Stock,  as if their Series B
Preferred Stock had been converted to Common Stock.  In addition,  under the New
York Business Corporation Law, any amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation
which would make certain changes  affecting the Series B Preferred Stock must be
approved  by the  holders of a majority  of the  outstanding  Series B Preferred
Stock, voting separately as a class.

         Pursuant to the stock  subscription  agreement,  Wand,  the Company and
certain  shareholders  of the  Company,  including  Barasch  Associates  Limited
Partnership ("BALP"),  entered into a shareholders' agreement  contemporaneously
with  the  issuance  of  the  Series  B  Preferred  Stock  to  Wand.  Under  the
shareholders'  agreement,  the holder of the Series B Preferred  Stock agreed to
vote such shares,  and the Common Stock  issued upon their  conversion,  for the
nominees  of BALP for  election  as  directors  of the  Company  and,  after the
conversion of the Series B Preferred  Stock to Common Stock,  all parties agreed
to vote their shares for the election of one director  designated  by Wand.  The
shareholders'   agreement  also   contained   "stand  still,"  "tag  along"  and
registration  rights  provisions.  The stand still  provision will prohibit Wand
from  acquiring more than an additional 5% of the Company's  outstanding  Common
Stock without the  Company's  consent,  as long as BALP and certain  partners in
BALP  continue to hold at least  certain  percentages  of the  Company's  Common


                                      F-23
<PAGE>

Stock, on an outstanding  and fully diluted basis.  The tag along provision will
prohibit  BALP and certain of its partners  from making  private  sales of their
shares  of  Common  Stock  unless  Wand  is  given  the  opportunity  to  sell a
proportionate part of its holding on the same terms.

         The Company and Wand  Partners  L.P.,  an affiliate of Wand,  have also
entered into a financial advisory  agreement,  under which the Wand affiliate is
to render  advisory  services to the Company and is to be paid a fee of $100,000
per year for such services as long as Wand owns 500,000  shares of Common Stock,
or its  common  stock  equivalent,  reduced  by any  directors'  fee paid to the
director designated by Wand.

         In connection with the determination by the New York  Superintendent of
Insurance (the "Superintendent")  that Wand is not a controlling  shareholder of
Company,  within the meaning of the New York Insurance Law, certain  commitments
were made to the  Superintendent.  These  commitments  included a commitment  by
Wand, Wand's general partner and Wand's general partner's  shareholders that, as
long as Wand owns 10% or more of the  voting  power of  Universal's  outstanding
stock,  Wand will not  acquire any  additional  shares of  Universal,  except by
exercise of its  conversion  rights,  and will not attempt to obtain or exercise
control of  Universal,  without  the consent of the  Superintendent.  Universal,
American Progressive, BALP, BALP's general partner and certain limited partners,
and the  shareholders of BALP's general  partner also entered into  commitments,
including commitments that, as long as Wand owns 10% or more of the voting power
of Universal's  outstanding  shares,  the size of Universal's Board would not be
reduced  below  ten  directors  and that no  transaction  between  Universal  or
American  Progressive,  on the one hand, and Wand or its partners of controlling
parties,  on the other  hand,  would be  entered  without  the  approval  of the
Superintendent, except for the shareholders agreement and the financial advisory
agreement referred to herein.

         Common Stock

         The par value of common stock is $.01 per share with 20,000,000  shares
authorized for issuance.  The shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 1996
and 1997 were  7,149,221,  and 7,325,860,  respectively.  During the years ended
December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, the Company issued 781,242, 191,689 and 
176,639 shares, respectively, of its common stock.

         Common Stock Warrants

         The Company had 668,481 common stock warrants issued and outstanding at
December 31, 1996 and 1997, which are registered  under the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934.  During the year ended  December 31,  1996,  11,140  warrants  were
exercised to purchase common shares at $1.00 per share. At December 31, 1996 and
1997, the Company had 2,015,760  warrants  outstanding  which are not registered
under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934. The warrants have no par value, have
an exercise  price to purchase  common  stock on a one to one basis at $1.00 and
expire on December 31, 1999.




                                      F-24
<PAGE>





         Incentive Stock Option Plan

         In 1983, the Company adopted an incentive stock option plan,  which, as
amended, reserves 1,000,000 shares of common stock. Since its adoption,  351,500
shares have been  exercised,  leaving 648,500 shares reserved as of December 31,
1997.  Stock  options  totaling  168,000 and  452,500  expire five years and ten
years,  respectively,  after the date granted or upon the earlier termination of
employment.  Options are exercisable  one year after grant,  and at December 31,
1997,  464,000 options are exercisable.  Additional  information with respect to
the Company's stock option plan is as follows:



                                        Shares Under
                                             Options               Exercise
                                         Outstanding               Price
                                   ------------------   ----------------------

 Balance, January 1, 1995                    607,500
  Granted                                     65,000             $2.25 - $2.48
  Exercised                                  (34,500)            $0.50 - $0.80
  Terminated                                 (27,000)            $0.80 - $3.12
                                      ------------------
Balance, December 31, 1995                   611,000
  Granted                                    141,000             $2.00 - $2.20
  Exercised                                 (135,000)            $0.50 - $1.35
  Terminated                                 (47,000)            $2.87 - $3.25
                                      ------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996                   570,000
  Granted                                    166,500             $2.00 - $3.03
  Exercised                                  (95,000)            $1.25 - $1.44
  Terminated                                 (21,000)            $1.25 - $3.33
                                     ------------------
Balance, December 31, 1997                   620,500             $1.44 - $3.33
                                     ==================

         Stock Option Plan for Directors

         At the  1992  Annual  Shareholders'  Meeting,  the  Universal  American
Financial Corp.  non-employee Directors Plan ("Stock Option Plan for Directors")
was  approved.  The Stock Option Plan for  Directors  reserves  75,000 shares of
common stock and provides  that options shall be granted on June 30 of each year
to each eligible Director, then in office, at the rate of 1,000 options for each
additional  year  of  service  completed  since  the  last  grant.  Options  are
exercisable one year after grant.

                                            Options                 Exercise
                                           Outstanding                 Price
                                    ------------------   ----------------------

          Balance, January 1, 1995            15,000
            Granted                            6,000                    $3.12
                                    ------------------

          Balance, December 31, 1995          21,000
             Granted                           7,000                    $2.50
                                    ------------------

          Balance, December 31, 1996          28,000
            Granted                            8,000                    $1.88
                                    ------------------

          Balance, December 31, 1997           36,000            $0.56 - $3.50
                                    ==================


                                      F-25
<PAGE>


         Other Stock Options

         On December  15,  1995,  the Board of  Directors  approved a plan under
which  up to  200,000  options  may  be  granted  to  agents  of  the  Company's
subsidiaries  (subject to insurance law restrictions) and to other persons as to
whom the Board of  Directors  believes  the grant of such options will serve the
best interests of the Corporation, provided that no options may be granted under
this  plan  to  officers,  directors  or  employees  of  the  Company  or of any
subsidiary,  while they are serving as such. On December 15, 1995,  the Board of
Directors granted options to three  individuals,  two of whom are members of the
Company's  law firm and the other of whom is a  consultant  to the  Company,  to
purchase a total of 40,000 shares of the Company's  common stock,  at a price of
$2.50 per share,  which was the quoted  market price for such shares at the time
of the grant. Such options will expire 10 years from the date of the grant.

         Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

         The Company has elected to follow  Accounting  Principles Board Opinion
 No. 25,  "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB No. 25") and related
interpretations  in  accounting  for its  employee  stock  options  because,  as
discussed  below,  the alternative  fair  value  accounting  provided  for under
FASB  Statement  No.  123,  "Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation",
("Statement  No. 123") requires use of option  valuation  models that were not 
developed for use in valuing  employee stock options. Under APB No. 25,  because
the exercise  price of the Company's  employee  stock options  equals the market
price of the  underlyingstock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is 
recognized.

         The Company's  Incentive  Stock Option Plan has authorized the grant of
options for up to 1,000,000  shares of the  Company's  common  stock.  Under the
Company's Stock Option Plan for Directors  75,000 shares of the Company's common
stock have been  reserved.  The Company has also reserved  200,000 shares of the
Company's  stock under the Stock Option Plan for Agents and Others.  All options
expire five years or ten years from the date of grant and have a vesting  period
of one year from the date of grant.

Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by
Statement  No. 123, and has been  determined as if the Company had accounted for
its employee  stock option  under the fair value method of that  Statement.  The
fair  value  for  these  options  was  estimated  at the date of  grant  using a
Black-Scholes   option   pricing  model  with  the  following   weighted-average
assumptions for 1995, 1996 and 1997,  respectively:  risk-free interest rates of
6.21% - 6.27%,  6.32% - 6.38% and 6.13% - 6.63%;  dividend  yields of 0%, 0% and
0%;  volatility  factors of the expected  market price of the  Company's  common
stock  of  51.58%  -  51.75%,  52.20%  -  52.74%  and  49.97  -  53.11%;  and  a
weighted-average expected life of the option of 4.5 years.

         The  Black-Scholes  option  valuation  model was  developed  for use in
estimating the fair value of traded  options which have no vesting  restrictions
and are fully  transferable.  In addition,  option  valuation models require the
input of highly  subjective  assumptions  including  the  expected  stock  price
volatility.  Because the Company's  employee stock options have  characteristics
significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the
subjective input assumptions can materially  affect the fair value estimate,  in
management's  opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable
single measure of the fair value of its employee stock option.





                                      F-26
<PAGE>




         For purposes of pro forma disclosures,  the estimated fair value of the
options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period.  The Company's
pro forma information is as follows:

<TABLE>

                                                      1995                1996                 1997
                                                 ----------------   -----------------   -------------------
<S>                                              <C>                <C>                   <C>    
Net Income                                         $   2,641,822      $      103,875            $2,119,409  
Less:  Pro forma estimated fair value
   options granted                                        10,756             133,208               183,057
                                                 ----------------   -----------------   -------------------
Pro forma net income (loss)                        $   2,631,066     $       (29,333)          $ 1,936,352
                                                 ================   =================   ===================

Pro forma diluted earnings per share               $         0.25    $           0.00         $       0.16
                                                 ================   =================   ===================

</TABLE>

         A summary of the status of the Company's three stock option plans as of
December 31, 1996 and 1997,  and changes  during the years ending on those dates
is presented below:

<TABLE>

                                                         1996                                    1997
                                         -------------------------------------   --------------------------------------
                                                           Weighted-Average                         Weighted-Average
Fixed Options                              Options          Exercise Price         Options           Exercise Price
- --------------------------------------   -------------   ---------------------   ------------     ---------------------

<S>                                           <C>                       <C>         <C>                          <C>  
Outstanding-beginning of year                 672,000                   $1.83       638,000                      $2.03
Granted                                       148,000                    2.08       174,500                       2.48
Exercised                                    (135,000)                   0.66       (95,000)                      1.33
Terminated                                    (47,000)                   3.03       (21,000)                      2.83
                                         -------------   ---------------------   ------------     ---------------------

Outstanding-end of year                       638,000                   $2.03       696,500                      $2.22
                                         =============   =====================   ============     =====================

Options exercisable at end
  of year                                     490,000                               522,000
                                         =============                           ============

Weighted-average fair value of
  options granted during the year         $      1.01                             $    1.19
                                         =============                           ============
</TABLE>

         The  following  table  summarizes   information   about  stock  options
outstanding at December 31, 1997:

<TABLE>

                        Number          Weighted-Average           Weighted-              Number              Weighted-
Range of             Outstanding            Remaining               Average            Exercisable             Average
Exercise Prices      at 12/31/97        Contractual Life         Exercise Price        at 12/31/97         Exercise Price
- ------------------  ---------------   ----------------------   -------------------  -------------------   ------------------

<S>                   <C>             <C>                       <C>                  <C>                  <C>  
 $0.56 to 0.72               4,000          1.0 years                       $0.64                4,000                $0.64
  1.25 to 1.88             181,000          4.0 years                        1.51              173,000                 1.49
  2.00 to 2.75             386,500          9.0 years                        2.26              245,000                 2.17
  3.03 to 3.50             125,000          7.2 years                        3.16              100,000                 3.20
                    ---------------                                                 -------------------

$0.56 to 3.50              696,500          6.6 years                        2.22              522,000                 2.13
                    ===============                                                 ===================

</TABLE>




                                      F-27
<PAGE>


8.       STATUTORY CAPITAL AND SURPLUS REQUIREMENTS AND DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS:

         American  Pioneer,  American  Progressive  and  American  Exchange  are
required to meet minimum statutory capital requirements imposed by the Insurance
Departments  of the states in which they are  licensed in order to operate as an
insurance  company  without  restrictions.  The  minimum  statutory  capital and
surplus  requirements  of American  Pioneer,  American  Progressive and American
Exchange  for the  maintenance  of authority to do business at December 31, 1997
was $2,423,698, $2,500,000 and $770,000, respectively.

         As of December  31, 1996 and 1997,  the  statutory  capital and surplus
amounts of American Pioneer,  American  Progressive and American Exchange (which
was acquired by the Company on December 4, 1997, see Note 3) were as follows:

                                         1996                  1997
                                    ----------------     -----------------

          American Pioneer              $12,733,151           $10,490,353

          American Progressive         $  7,464,004          $  9,345,050

          American Exchange                                  $  4,218,871

         The  insurance  companies  statutory  gain  (loss) for the years  ended
December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 were as follows:

                                    1995              1996              1997
                                    -----------   -------------   -------------

          American Pioneer        $ 1,694,711       $ 955,714      $   439,330

          American Progressive   $   (262,049)      $(672,127)      $1,810,710

          American Exchange                                        $  (538,120)

         The  insurance  companies  have  calculated  their  risk-based  capital
("RBC")  levels  and,  as of  December  31,  1997,  American  Pioneer,  American
Progressive and American  Exchange's ratios of total adjusted capital to RBC are
in excess of the authorized control levels.

         Dividend  payments  from  American  Progressive  to the  Company  would
require  regulatory  approval which,  in all  likelihood,  would not be obtained
until American  Progressive  generated  enough  statutory  profits to offset its
entire  negative  unassigned  surplus,  which was  approximately  $8,412,233  at
December  31, 1997.  American  Progressive  made no  dividends or  distributions
during 1995, 1996 or 1997.

         American Pioneer may pay a dividend or make a distribution  without the
prior written approval of the Florida Insurance Department when (a) the dividend
is equal to or less than the greater of (1) 10% of the  insurer's  surplus as to
policyholders  derived  from  net  operating  profits  on its  business  and net
realized  capital gains  ("policyholder  surplus from  operations");  or (2) the
insurer's  entire net  operating  profits and realized net capital gains derived
during  the  immediately   preceding   calendar  year  but  not  more  than  its
policyholder  surplus from  operations;  (b) the insurer will have surplus as to
policyholders  equal to or  exceeding  115% of the  minimum  required  statutory
surplus as to policyholders  after the dividend or distribution is made; and (c)
the insurer has filed notice with the department at least 10 business days prior
to  the  dividend  payment  or  distribution.  American  Pioneer  paid  American
Progressive  $500,000,  $500,000 and $185,455 in dividends during 1995, 1996 and
1997, respectively and paid Universal $425,000 in dividends in 1997.


                                      F-28
<PAGE>

         Under current Texas  insurance law, a life insurer may pay dividends or
make  distributions  without the prior  approval of the Insurance  Department as
long as the dividend  distributions  do not exceed the greater of (i) 10% of the
insurer's surplus as to policyholders as of the preceding December 31st; or (ii)
the insurer's net gain from  operations for the immediately  preceding  calendar
year. American Exchange made no dividends or distributions in 1997.

9.       REINSURANCE:

         The Company is party to several reinsurance  agreements on its life and
accident and health  insurance  risks.  The Company's senior market accident and
health  insurance  products  are  reinsured  under  coinsurance   treaties  with
unaffiliated insurers, while the life insurance risks are reinsured under either
coinsurance or yearly-renewable term treaties with unaffiliated insurers.  Under
coinsurance  treaties,  the reinsurer  receives an agreed upon percentage of all
premiums and  reimburses  the Company  that same  percentage  of any losses.  In
addition,  the Company receives certain  allowances from the reinsurers to cover
commissions,  expenses and premium taxes. Under  yearly-renewable term treaties,
the reinsuring  company  receives  premiums at an agreed upon rate and holds the
required reserves for its share of the risk on a yearly-renewable  term basis. A
contingent  liability  exists  with  respect to  reinsurance  which may become a
liability  of the Company in the event that the  reinsurers  should be unable to
meet the  obligations  which they assumed.  The Company  evaluates the financial
condition  of its  reinsurers  and  monitors  concentrations  of credit  risk to
minimize its exposure to  significant  losses from  reinsurer  insolvencies.  At
December 31, 1997,  amounts due from  reinsurers  with a total carrying value of
$44,030,178 were associated with three  reinsurers,  which reinsurers were rated
A, or better, by A.M. Best.

         A summary of  reinsurance  activity for the three years ended  December
31, 1997 is presented below:

<TABLE>

                                                                       As of December 31,
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                           1995                1996                1997
                                                    ------------------  -----------------   -----------------
          <S>                                                   <C>                 <C>                   <C>         
          Life insurance in force
          (amounts in thousands)
          Gross amount                                $    1,955,809      $    2,118,265        $  2,118,492
          Ceded to other companies                          (944,697)           (889,132)           (842,624)                   
          Assumed from other companies                        27,294              25,484              42,237
                                                    ------------------  -----------------   -----------------

          Net Amount                                  $    1,038,406      $    1,254,617        $  1,318,105
                                                    ==================  =================   =================
          Percentage of assumed to net                            3%                  2%                  3%
                                                    ==================  =================   =================
</TABLE>


<TABLE>

                                                                     Year Ended December 31,
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------
          Premiums                                        1995                1996                1997
                                                    ------------------  -----------------   -----------------
            <S>                                       <C>                <C>                    <C>        
            Life insurance                             $  17,231,562      $    9,923,021         $12,660,147
            Accident and health                           28,290,413          44,853,225          86,177,075
                                                    ------------------  -----------------   -----------------
              Total gross premiums                        45,521,975          54,776,246          98,837,222
                                                    ------------------  -----------------   -----------------

          Ceded to other companies
            Life insurance                               (10,703,350)
                                                                              (2,870,540)         (5,585,289)
            Accident and health                           (7,497,083)        (22,792,684)        (57,037,432)
                                                    ------------------  -----------------   -----------------
              Total ceded premiums                       (18,200,433)        (25,663,224)        (62,622,721)
                                                    ------------------  -----------------   -----------------

          Assumed from other companies
            Life insurance                                                                           997,836
                                                             386,254             391,456
            Accident and health                            8,479,756          10,130,531
                                                                                                           -
                                                    ------------------  -----------------   -----------------
             Total assumed premium                         8,866,010          10,521,987             997,836
                                                    ------------------  -----------------   -----------------

          Net amount
            Life insurance                                 6,914,466                               8,072,694
                                                                               7,443,937
            Accident and health                           29,273,086          32,191,072          29,139,643
                                                    ------------------  -----------------   -----------------
              Total net premium                        $  36,187,552       $  39,635,009         $37,212,337
                                                    ==================  =================   =================

          Percentage of assumed to net
            Life insurance                                        6%                  5%                 12%
                                                    ==================  =================   =================
            Accident and health                                  29%                 31%                  0%
                                                    ==================  =================   =================
            Total assumed to total net                           25%                 27%                  3%
                                                    ==================  =================   =================
</TABLE>




                                      F-29
<PAGE>




10.      LOAN PAYABLE AND SHORT-TERM DEBT:

         On December 10, 1997, the Company  entered into an agreement with Chase
Manhattan Bank for a $3,500,000  five-year  secured term loan. The loan proceeds
were used to finance a segment of the intercompany sale of American Pioneer from
American  Progressive to Universal and to retire the $800,000 amount outstanding
on the term loan agreement with a commercial  bank. The loan agreement calls for
interest at the London Interbank  Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 200 basis points. In
connection  with this loan  agreement,  the Company  entered  into a  three-year
interest  rate swap  agreement,  (the "Swap  Agreement")  with Chase  Securities
Corp., effective January 1, 1998, to lock in a fixed rate of 8.19% for the three
year period. Upon expiration of the Swap Agreement,  the Company's interest rate
reverts to the LIBOR plus 200 basis points.  The loan will be secured by a first
priority interest in all the assets of WorldNet Services Corp. and Quincy Corp.,
a pledge of 9.9% of the  outstanding  common shares of American  Progressive and
100% of the shares of Quincy Coverage Corp.

         The  following  table sets forth  summary  information  with respect to
total borrowings of the Company for the three years ended December 31, 1997:

<TABLE>

                                    As of December 31,                       Year Ended December 31,
                              -------------------------------   ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Weighted
                                                                    Maximum         Average(a)         Average
                                   Amount        Interest            Amount            Amount          Interest
                               Outstanding          Rate          Outstanding       Outstanding        Rate (b)
                              ---------------  --------------   ----------------   --------------   ---------------
          <S>                  <C>                  <C>           <C>                 <C>                 <C>   
          1995                   $   800,000          10.50%        $   800,000         $800,000            10.94%
                              ===============  ==============   ================   ==============   ===============
          1996                   $   800,000           9.50%        $   800,000         $800,000            10.48%
                              ===============  ==============   ================   ==============   ===============
          1997                    $3,500,000           8.19%         $3,500,000         $952,419             9.76%
                              ===============  ==============   ================   ==============   ===============

- --------------------------------------------------------------
         (a) The average  amounts of  borrowings  outstanding  were  computed by
             determining   the  arithmetic   average  of  the  months'   average
             outstanding in borrowings.
         (b) The  weighted-average  interest  rates were  determined by dividing
             interest expense related to total borrowings by the average amounts
             outstanding of such borrowings.
</TABLE>


11.      COMMITMENTS:

The Company is obligated under certain lease  arrangements for its executive and
administrative offices in New York, Orlando, Florida and Texas. Rent expense for
the three years ended  December 31, 1995,  1996 and 1997 was $721,848,  $640,524
and  $843,961,   respectively.  The  minimum  rental  commitments,   subject  to
escalation clauses, at December 31, 1997 under  non-cancelable  operating leases
are as follows:


                                       Total
                                  ---------------
            1998                      $  715,000
            1999                         702,000
            2000                         675,000
            2001                         687,000
            2002                         433,000
            2003                         237,000
            2004                         160,000
                                  ---------------

           Totals                     $3,609,000
                                  ===============


                                      F-30
<PAGE>

12.      UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP. 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN:

Effective  April 1, 1992, the Company adopted the Universal  American  Financial
Corp.  401(k)  Savings Plan  ("Savings  Plan").  The Savings Plan is a voluntary
contributory  plan under which  employees  may elect to defer  compensation  for
federal income tax purposes under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.   The  employee  is  entitled  to  participate  in  the  Savings  Plan  by
contributing   through   payroll   deductions  up  to  20%  of  the   employee's
compensation.  In the three year period ended  December  31,  1997,  the Company
matched the employee's  contribution  up to 1% of the  employee's  compensation,
which  contribution  will be made with Company common stock.  Beginning in 1998,
the Company will match the  employee's  contribution  up to 2% of the employee's
compensation,  which  contribution will be made with Company common stock. As of
December 31, 1997, 215,654 shares of the Company's common stock were held by the
Savings Plan.

         The participating  employee is not taxed on these  contributions  until
they are distributed. Moreover, the employer's contributions vest at the rate of
25% per plan year.  Amounts  credited to employee's  accounts  under the Savings
Plan are invested by the employer-appointed  investment committee.  Generally, a
participating  employee is entitled to distributions  from the Savings Plan upon
termination  of  employment,  retirement,  death  or  disability.  Savings  Plan
participants who qualify for  distributions  may receive a single lump sum, have
the  assets  transferred  to another  qualified  plan or  individual  retirement
account, or receive a series of specified installment  payments.  Total matching
contributions  by the Company under the Savings Plan were  $42,325,  $38,478 and
$40,546 in 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.

13.      FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK:

         For the years  ended  December  31,  1996 and 1997,  the  Company  held
unrated or  less-than-investment  grade  corporate debt securities with carrying
and estimated fair values as follows:

                                                 1996                 1997
                                          ---------------      ---------------

  Carrying value                              $3,850,510           $2,616,470
                                          ===============      ===============
  Estimated fair value                        $3,850,510           $2,616,470
                                          ===============      ===============
  Percentage of total assets                        1.6%                 1.0%
                                          ===============      ===============

         The  holdings  of  less-than-investment  grade  securities  are  widely
diversified  and the  investment in any one such security is currently less than
$1,000,000, which is approximately 0.4% of total assets.




                                      F-31
<PAGE>


14.      DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

         The following  methods and  assumptions  were used to estimate the fair
value of each class of  financial  instruments  for which it is  practicable  to
estimate that value:

         a.       Fixed  maturities  available  for sale:  For those  securities
                  available for sale,  fair value equals quoted market price, if
                  available.  If a quoted  market price is not  available,  fair
                  value is  estimated  using  quoted  market  prices for similar
                  securities.

         b.       Equity securities: For equity securities carried at fair 
                  value, fair value equals quoted market price.

         c.       Cash and cash equivalents:  For cash and cash equivalents, the
                  carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

         d.       Investment  contract  liabilities:  For annuity and  universal
                  life type contracts,  the carrying amount is the  policyholder
                  account value (see Note 2e);  estimated  fair value equals the
                  policyholder account value less surrender charges.

         e.       Short term debt and loan payable: For short-term borrowings 
                  and loan payable,  the carrying value is a reasonable estimate
                  of fair value due to their short-term nature.

         f.       Accounts   receivable  and  uncollected   premiums:   Accounts
                  receivable and  uncollected  premiums are primarily  insurance
                  contract related receivables,  which are determined based upon
                  the underlying  insurance  liabilities  and added  reinsurance
                  amounts.




                                      F-32
<PAGE>





                  The  estimated   fair  values  of  the   Company's   financial
instruments as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 are as follows:

                                                          1996
                                   ------------------------------------------
                                             Carrying
                                              Amount              Fair Value
                                    ---------------------   ------------------
Financial assets:
  Fixed maturities available for sale    $    121,492,167        $ 121,492,167
  Equity securities                                33,562               33,562
  Policy loans (a)                              6,421,251
  Property tax liens (b)                          131,729
  Mortgage loans (c)                            1,199,110
  Cash and cash equivalents                    15,403,450           15,403,450


Financial liabilities:    
  Investment contract liabilities             134,538,954          121,649,219
  Short-term debt                                 800,000              800,000


                                                         1997
                                    ------------------------------------------
                                             Carrying
                                             Amount              Fair Value
                                     ---------------------   ------------------
Financial assets:
  Fixed maturities available for sale    $    123,585,708        $ 123,585,708
  Equity securities                               945,116              945,116
  Policy loans (a)                              7,185,014
  Property tax liens (b)                          136,713
  Mortgage loans (c)                            2,562,008
  Cash and cash equivalents                    25,014,019           25,014,019


Financial liabilities:
  Investment contract liabilities             145,085,687          132,208,242
  Loan payable                                  3,500,000            3,500,000

- --------------------------------------------------------------
(a) It is not  practicable  to estimate  the fair value of policy  loans as they
have no stated  maturity  and their  rates are set at a fixed  spread to related
policy  liability  rates.  Policy  loans are  carried  at the  aggregate  unpaid
principal  balances in the  consolidated  balance  sheets,  and earn interest at
rates between 6% to 8%. Individual policy  liabilities,  in all cases,  equal or
exceed outstanding  policy loan balances.  
(b) Property tax liens are carried at cost. The  determination of fair value for
these invested assets is not practical because there is no active trading market
for such invested assets. Individual liens in all cases are first priority liens
with collateral in excess of 300% of the carrying value of the lien.
(c) Mortgage  loans are carried at the  aggregate  unpaid  balances and the fair
market value was not  determined  as the amount  involved was  considered  to be
immaterial.



                                      F-33
<PAGE>
15.      CONDENSED QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED):

         The quarterly  results of operations for the three years ended December
31, 1997 are presented below:

<TABLE>

                    1995                                                   Three Months Ended
- --------------------------------------------    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       March 31,      June 30,       September 30,      December 31,
                                                ------------------ ---------------  ----------------  -------------------

 <S>                                                <C>              <C>               <C>                  <C>        
 Total revenue                                      $12,264,057      $12,518,785       $12,891,128          $12,137,611
 Total benefits, claims & other expenses             11,671,626       11,461,004        12,405,619           11,622,478
                                                ----------------  ---------------  ----------------  -------------------

 Operating income before income taxes                   592,431        1,057,781           485,509              515,133
 Federal income tax expense (benefit)                   201,426          359,646           165,073             (717,113)
                                                ----------------  ---------------  ----------------  -------------------

 Net income applicable to common
     shareholders                                  $    391,005      $   698,135      $    320,436       $    1,232,246
                                                ================  ===============  ================  ===================
 Diluted earnings per share                        $       0.03        $    0.07         $    0.03       $         0.12
                                                ================  ===============  ================  ===================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>

                    1996                                                   Three Months Ended
- --------------------------------------------    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                   March 31,         June 30,       September 30,       December 31,
                                                ----------------  ---------------  ----------------  -------------------
<S>                                                <C>              <C>               <C>                  <C>        
 Total revenue                                      $12,257,842      $11,737,328       $14,199,901          $15,192,114
 Total benefits, claims & other expenses             11,930,299       11,550,317        14,049,636           15,484,041
                                                ----------------  ---------------  ----------------  -------------------

 Operating income (loss) before income taxes            327,543          187,011           150,265            (291,927)
 Federal income tax expense                              45,948           63,584            49,011              110,474
                                                ----------------  ---------------  ----------------  -------------------

 Net income (loss) applicable to common
     shareholders                                   $   281,595      $   123,427      $    101,254        $   (402,401)
                                                ================  ===============  ================  ===================
 Diluted earnings (loss) per share                 $       0.03      $      0.01       $      0.01           $   (0.04)
                                                ================  ===============  ================  ===================

</TABLE>

<TABLE>

                    1997                                                   Three Months Ended
- --------------------------------------------    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                   March 31,         June 30,       September 30,       December 31,
                                                ----------------  ---------------  ----------------  -------------------
 <S>                                                <C>              <C>               <C>                  <C>        
 Total revenue                                      $12,884,699      $13,274,793       $14,029,877          $11,141,151
 Total benefits, claims & other expenses             12,325,071       12,565,533        12,792,167           10,436,522
                                                ----------------  ---------------  ----------------  -------------------

 Operating income before income taxes                   559,628          709,260         1,237,710              704,629
 Federal income tax expense                             190,013          241,410           420,820              239,575
                                                ----------------  ---------------  ----------------  -------------------

 Net Income                                             369,615          467,850           816,890              465,054

 Redemption accrual on Series C
   Preferred Stock
                                                              -           55,200            91,230              103,360
                                                ----------------  ---------------  ----------------  -------------------
 Net income applicable to common
     shareholders                                  $    369,615     $    412,650     $     725,660        $     361,694
                                                ================  ===============  ================  ===================
 Diluted earnings per share                        $       0.03       $     0.04       $      0.07        $        0.04
                                                ================  ===============  ================  ===================
</TABLE>


         During the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company accrued $250,000 for its
restructuring   (see  Note  3)  and  $500,000  for  its   withdrawal   from  its
participation in the National Accident Insurance  Underwriters  accident pool as
of December 31, 1996.  Offsetting  these amounts was the amount  received by the


                                      F-34
<PAGE>

Company  on the sale of its New York  State  DBL  business,  which  amounted  to
$200,000, net of additional reserves established.

16.      INTERCOMPANY SALE OF AMERICAN PIONEER:

         When American  Pioneer was acquired in 1993,  it became a  wholly-owned
subsidiary of American  Progressive.  This ownership  structure (the "stacking")
significantly  reduced the Risk-Based  Capital ratio of American  Progressive as
computed by the  regulators and the rating  agencies and adversely  affected the
ratings of both companies and their ability to write new business.

         Pursuant to an agreement  between  Universal and American  Progressive,
entered into with the consent of the New York  Insurance  Department on June 27,
1996 (the "Unstacking Agreement"), Universal is obligated to purchase all of the
outstanding stock of American Pioneer from American Progressive over a five-year
period  for a total  purchase  price  of  $15,800,000.  Under  the  terms of the
Unstacking  Agreement,  the purchase is to be  implemented  in segments with the
purchase  price of the shares  included in each  segment  being paid one half in
cash  and one  half in  five-year  debentures,  paying  interest  at  8.5%.  The
debentures are payable by Universal to American Progressive.

         The Unstacking  Agreement is intended to make American Pioneer a direct
subsidiary  of  Universal,  rather than an indirect  subsidiary,  owned  through
American Progressive. This unstacking is expected to have a beneficial effect on
the ratings of both insurers. In addition,  the unstacking increases the surplus
of American Progressive,  improves its Risk Based Capital Ratio and, when and to
the extent that American  Pioneer is able to pay dividends,  permits the payment
of such dividends directly to Universal.

         The first segments of the unstacking were  consummated in September and
December of 1997. In the aggregate,  Universal  acquired 75% of American Pioneer
from American  Progressive for $11,850,000  consisting of $5,925,000 in cash and
$5,925,000 in debentures  payable to American  Progressive.  The cash portion of
the  unstacking  was  obtained by  Universal  from the  proceeds of the Series C
Preferred Stock transaction with AAM, a dividend from American Pioneer, and from
the proceeds of a loan from Chase  Manhattan Bank. It is expected that Universal
will acquire the balance of American Pioneer in 1998.

17.      SUBSEQUENT EVENT:

         On March 19, 1998, the Company acquired a $12.6 million block of annual
premiums in force of Medicare  Supplement  business  from  Dallas  General.  The
business was assumed by American  Pioneer,  which assumption was approved by the
Texas and  Florida  Departments  of  Insurance.  The  Dallas  General  block has
approximately 10,000 policies in force produced by approximately 400 agents, all
in Texas.  In addition,  the  principals  of Dallas  General have entered into a
contract to continue to produce  business for American Pioneer through an agency
relationship.




                                      F-35
<PAGE>




                Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

                            UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP.
                                   (Parent Company)
                               CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                               December 31, 1996 and 1997

<TABLE>

                                                                        1996               1997
                                                                     --------------     --------------
       <S>                                                              <C>                <C>          
      ASSETS

      Cash and cash equivalents                                      $      76,844      $     969,878
      Investments in subsidiaries at equity                             22,382,683         38,069,090
      Note receivable from American Pioneer                                                 1,000,000
                                                                                 -
      Due from subsidiary                                                  290,974            259,848
      Deferred tax asset                                                   883,077            983,540
      Other assets                                                         77,597             304,965
                                                                   ----------------   ----------------

      Total assets                                                      23,711,175         41,587,321
                                                                   ================   ================

      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

      LIABILITIES

      Short-term debt                                                      800,000                  -
      Loan Payable                                                               -          3,500,000
      Note Payable to American Progressive                                       -          5,925,000
      Due to subsidiary                                                    794,690            949,099
      Amounts payable and other liabilities                                 37,959             89,054
                                                                   ----------------   ----------------

      Total liabilities                                                  1,632,649         10,463,153
                                                                   ----------------   ----------------

      Series C Preferred Stock                                                   -          5,168,000
                                                                   ----------------   ----------------
      Redemption accrual on Series C Preferred Stock                             -            249,790
                                                                   ----------------   ----------------

      Total stockholders' equity                                        22,078,526         25,706,378
                                                                   ----------------   ----------------

      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                       $23,711,175        $41,587,321
                                                                   ================   ================

</TABLE>


               See   notes   to    consolidated    financial statements.







                                                       Schedule II, Continued




                                      F-36
<PAGE>




Schedule II - continued

                      UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP.
                                 (Parent Company)
                      CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                    For the Three Years Ended December 31, 1997

<TABLE>

                                                                    1995             1996             1997
                                                               ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                              <C>                <C>            <C>       
REVENUES:

Net investment income                                           $       165      $       75       $     73,397
Dividends received from American Pioneer                                  -               -            425,000
                                                               ---------------  ---------------  ---------------

Total revenues                                                          165               75           498,397
                                                               ---------------  ---------------  ---------------

EXPENSES:

Selling, general and administrative expenses                         640,632         301,235           501,998
                                                               ---------------  ---------------  ---------------

Total expenses                                                       640,632         301,235           501,998
                                                               ---------------  ---------------  ---------------


Operating loss before provision for federal
  income taxes and equity income                                    (640,467)       (301,160)           (3,601)
                                                                                                       
Federal income taxes                                                      -                -          (119,099)
                                                               ---------------  ---------------  ---------------

Net loss before equity income                                       (640,467)       (301,160)          115,498

Equity in undistributed income                                     3,282,289         405,035         2,633,003
                                                               ---------------  ---------------  ---------------

Net income                                                         2,641,822         103,875         2,748,501

Redemption accrual on Series C Preferred Stock                            -                -           249,790
                                                               ---------------  ---------------  ---------------

Net income applicable to common shareholders                      $2,641,822        $103,875        $2,498,711
                                                               ===============  ===============  ===============
</TABLE>


                 See   notes   to    consolidated    financial statements.









                                                      Schedule II, Continued




                                      F-37
<PAGE>




Schedule II - continued

                            UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP.
                                      (Parent Company)
                           CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                     For the Three Years Ended December 31, 1997

<TABLE>

                                                                         1995              1996               1997
                                                                    ----------------  ----------------  -----------------
<S>                                                                     <C>             <C>                <C>         
Cash flows from operating activities:                                   $ 2,641,822     $    103,875       $  2,748,501
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
  net cash used by operating activities:
  Amortization and depreciation, net                                          4,147                -                  -
  Increase in investment in subsidiaries                                 (5,476,975)        (392,557)        (2,358,983)
  Change in amounts due to/from subsidiaries                              2,904,984          176,160            185,535
  Change in other assets and liabilities                                    200,050          (32,860)          (295,375)
                                                                    ----------------  ----------------  -----------------

Net cash (used by) provided from operating activities                       274,028         (145,382)           279,678
                                                                    ----------------  ----------------  -----------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
Cost of note receivable from American Pioneer                                     -                -         (1,000,000)
Purchase of 75% of American Pioneer                                               -                -        (11,850,000)
                                                                    ----------------  ----------------  -----------------

Net cash used by investing activities                                             -                -        (12,850,000)
                                                                    ----------------  ----------------  -----------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock                                1,355,465          202,263            274,020
Redemption of the Series A preferred stock                               (1,618,062)               -                  -
Proceeds from the issuance of Series C preferred stock                            -                -          4,838,356
Increase in note payable to American Progressive                                  -                -          5,925,000
Increase in payable                                                               -                -          3,500,000
  Change in short-term debt                                                       -                -           (800,000)
                                                                    ----------------  ----------------  -----------------

 Net cash provided from (used by) financing activities                     (262,597)         202,263         13,463,356
                                                                    ----------------  ----------------  -----------------

 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                                   11,431           56,881            893,034
 Cash and cash equivalents:
 At beginning of year                                                         8,532           19,963             76,844
                                                                    ----------------  ----------------  -----------------
 At end of year                                                        $     19,963     $     76,844      $     969,878
                                                                    ================  ================  =================

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: 
   Cash paid during the year for:
   Interest                                                            $     96,289     $     83,852      $      77,389
                                                                    ================  ================  =================
   Income taxes
                                                                    $             -   $            -    $             -
                                                                    ================  ================  =================

</TABLE>

                     See notes to consolidated financial statements




                                    


                                      F-38
<PAGE>






                    Schedule III - Supplementary Insurance Information

                   UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION

<TABLE>

                                                                 1995                 1996                 1997
                                                           ------------------  -------------------  -------------------

<S>                                                            <C>                 <C>                  <C>           
Deferred policy acquisition costs                              $  16,564,450       $   19,091,514       $   20,832,060
                                                           ==================  ===================  ===================

Policyholder account balances                                   $118,608,836        $ 134,538,954        $ 145,085,687
                                                           ==================  ===================  ===================

Policy and contract claims                                     $   9,374,815       $   25,814,721       $   23,759,654
                                                           ==================  ===================  ===================

Premiums and policyholders fees earned                         $  36,810,937       $   40,145,373       $   37,714,366
                                                           ==================  ===================  ===================

Net investment income                                          $   8,945,280      $     9,850,083       $   10,022,658
                                                           ==================  ===================  ===================

Interest credited to policyholders                             $   6,089,860      $     6,614,176      $     6,645,716
                                                           ==================  ===================  ===================

Claims and other benefits and
change in future policy benefits                               $  21,029,905       $   25,897,415       $   24,160,144
                                                           ==================  ===================  ===================

Increase in deferred acquisition costs                         $   3,317,523      $     2,257,617      $     2,945,672
                                                           ==================  ===================  ===================

Commissions and other operating costs and expenses             $  23,153,921       $   22,760,319       $   20,147,286
                                                           ==================  ===================  ===================

</TABLE>




                                      F-39





                        Certificate of Correction of The
                         Certificate of Amendment of The
                         Certificate of Incorporation of
                       Universal American Financial Corp.

                 Under Section 105 of the Business Corporate Law


                                            *****
         We, the  undersigned,  Richard A.  Barasch  and Joan  Ferrarone,  being
respectively the President and Secretary of Universal  American Financial Corp.,
hereby certify:
I.    The name of the corporation is Universal American Financial Corp.
II.  The Certificate of  Incorporation  of the Corporation was filed on the 31st
     day of August 1981, under the name "Universal Holding Corp."

III. The  Certificate of Amendment of the  Certificate of  Incorporation  of the
     Corporation  which was filed on April 7, 1997,  inadvertently  omitted  six
     pages  from the text of the new  Article  XX  added to the  Certificate  of
     Incorporation by such Certificate of Amendment, namely, the pages which are
     numbered 12, 16, 18, 24, 27 and 33 in the corrected version of such Article
     XX filed herewith, relating to provisions.

As  corrected  Article  XX added to the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  by such
Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, reads as follows.

XX.    DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND SPECIAL RIGHTS OF SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK

Designation,  Amount  and  Rank.  One  Hundred  Thousand  (100,000)  shares of a
preferred  stock,  $1.00 par value per share,  shall constitute a series of such
preferred  stock  designated  as "Series C  Convertible  Preferred  Stock"  (the
"Series C Preferred Stock").  The Series C Preferred Stock will be issued as one
of two sub-series of preferred  stock:  Series C-1 Voting  Preferred  Stock (the
"Series C-1 Preferred  Stock") and Series C-2  Non-Voting  Preferred  Stock (the
"Series C-2  Preferred  Stock"),  the number of shares of each such series to be
determined  by  resolution  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Company.  The
respective  rights and preferences of the Series C Preferred Stock, with respect
to dividend rights, redemption rights and rights on liquidation,  winding up and
dissolution, shall be as set forth herein. The Series C Preferred Stock shall be
issued pursuant to the following additional terms and conditions:

1. Series C  Convertible  Preferred  Stock.
1.1.  Definitions.  As used herein,
unless the context  otherwise  requires,  the following terms have the following
meanings:
1.1.1. "Additional Shares of Common Stock" means all shares (including
treasury shares) of Common Stock issued or sold (or,  pursuant to Sections 1.7.2
or 1.7.3,  deemed to be issued) by the Company after January 8, 1997, whether or
not  subsequently  reacquired  or  retired  by the  Company  other  than (i) the
issuance of shares upon conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock;  (ii) shares
issued upon the exercise of the Common Stock  Purchase  Warrants  outstanding on
January 8, 1997; (iii) shares to be issued to directors,  employees,  agents and
others,  pursuant to the Company's  Incentive  Stock Option Plan for  Employees,
Stock Option Plan for Directors and Stock Option Plan for Agents and Others,  as
in effect on January 8, 1997; and (iv) such additional number of shares, if any,
as may become  issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any of the securities
referred to in the foregoing  clauses (i) through (iii) pursuant to the terms of
the  instruments  governing  such  securities as in effect on the date of filing
this Certificate of Amendment.

1.1.2.  "Adjusted  Stated Value" shall mean the Stated  Value,  increased at the
rate of 8% per annum from the date of original  issuance of each share of Series
C Preferred Stock,  accruing daily,  compounded annually.  The date on which the
Company initially issues any share of Series C Preferred Stock will be deemed to
be its "date of  issuance"  regardless  of the number of times  transfer of such
share of Series C Preferred Stock is made on the stock records  maintained by or
for the Company and regardless of the number of certificates which may be issued
to evidence such share of Series C Preferred Stock.

1.1.3.  "Affiliate" as applied to any Person means any other Person  directly or
indirectly  controlling,  controlled  by, or under  common  control  with,  that
Person.  The term "control"  (including,  with correlative  meanings,  the terms
"controlling,"  "controlled by" and "under common control with"),  as applied to
any Person, means the possession,  directly or indirectly,  of the power to vote
10% or more of the  voting  stock  (or in the  case of a  Person  which is not a
corporation, 10% or more of the ownership interest,  beneficial or otherwise) of
such Person or otherwise to direct or cause the direction of the  management and
policies of that Person,  whether through the ownership of voting stock or other
ownership  interest,  by contract or otherwise.  All of the Company's  executive
officers, 10% stockholders, directors, Subsidiaries, joint ventures and partners
shall be deemed to be Affiliates of the Company for purposes of this Agreement.

1.1.4.  "Business  Day" means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day
on which commercial banking  institutions in the City of New York are authorized
by law or other  governmental  action  to be  closed.  Any  reference  to "days"
(unless  Business Days are  specified)  shall mean calendar days.  1.1.5.  "Call
Price" means the  following  price per share plus eight  percent (8%) accrued on
the Stated Value  thereof  from the  original  date of issuance of such Series C
Preferred Stock through the applicable Redemption Date, compounded annually.

         Redemption                    Price
           Date
Prior to or on December 31, 2000        $150

After December 31, 2000                 $175

1.1.6.  "Common Stock" means the Company's  Common Stock,  $.01 par value,  such
term to include any stock into which such Common  Stock shall have been  changed
or any stock resulting from any  reclassification  of such Common Stock, and all
other  stock of any class or classes  (however  designated)  of the  Company the
holders of which have the right, without limitation as to amount,  either to all
or to a share of the balance of current dividends and liquidating  dividends and
distributions  after the payment of dividends  and  distributions  on any shares
entitled to preference.

1.1.7.  "Conversion Event" shall mean (a) any public offering, or public sale of
securities  of the Company  (including a public  offering  registered  under the
Securities  Act of 1933 and a public sale pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission  or any similar  rule then in force),  (b) any sale of
securities of the Company to a person or group of persons (within the meaning of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act")) if, after such
sale,  such  person or group of  persons in the  aggregate  would own or control
securities  which possess in the aggregate the ordinary  voting power to elect a
majority of the Company's  directors  (provided that such sale has been approved
by the  Company's  Board of  Directors  or  committee  thereof,  (c) any sale of
securities of the Company to a person or group of persons (within the meaning of
the 1934 Act) if,  after  such  sale,  such  person or group of  persons  in the
aggregate would own or control  securities of the Company  (excluding any Series
C-2 Preferred  Stock being  converted  and disposed of in  connection  with such
Conversion  Event) which possess in the  aggregate the ordinary  voting power to
elect a majority of the Company's  directors,  (d) any sale of securities of the
Company to a person or group of persons (within the meaning of the 1934 Act) if,
after such sale,  such person or group of persons  would not, in the  aggregate,
own,  control or have the right to  acquire  more than two  percent  (2%) of the
outstanding  securities of any class of voting securities of the Company and (e)
a merger,  consolidation or similar transaction  involving the Company if, after
such  transaction,  a person or group of persons (within the meaning of the 1934
Act) in the  aggregate  would own or  control  securities  which  possess in the
aggregate  the  ordinary  voting  power to  elect a  majority  of the  surviving
corporation's  directors (provided that the transaction has been approved by the
Company's Board of Directors or a committee thereof).  1.1.8. "Conversion Price"
means $2.375, subject to adjustment from time to time
pursuant to Section 1.7.

1.1.9.  "Convertible Securities" means any evidences of indebtedness,  shares of
stock  (other  than Common  Stock) or other  securities  directly or  indirectly
convertible into or exchangeable for Additional Shares of Common Stock.

 1.1.10.
"Indebtedness" shall mean at a particular time, without duplication, (i)
indebtedness  for borrowed money or for the deferred  purchase price of property
or services in respect of which any Person is liable, contingently or otherwise,
as obligor or otherwise (other than trade payables and other current liabilities
incurred in the  ordinary  course of business)  or any  commitment  by which any
Person  assures a creditor  against  loss,  including  contingent  reimbursement
obligations with respect to letters of credit,  (ii) indebtedness  guaranteed in
any manner by any Person,  including  guarantees  in the form of an agreement to
repurchase or reimburse,  (iii) obligations under capitalized  leases in respect
of which  obligations  any  Person is  liable,  contingently  or  otherwise,  as
obligor,  guarantor or otherwise,  or in respect of which obligations any Person
assures a  creditor  against  loss and (iv) any  unsatisfied  obligation  of any
Person for "withdrawal  liability" to a  "multiemployer  plan" as such terms are
defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

1.1.11.  "Junior  Securities" means any of the Company's equity securities other
than the Series C Preferred  Stock  (including the Series B Preferred  Stock and
the Common Stock) whether now outstanding or hereafter issued.

1.1.12.  "Liquidation" means liquidation,  dissolution or winding-up (including,
without  limitation,  a liquidation or  reorganization  under Chapter 7 or 11 of
Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended).

1.1.13.  "Options" means rights,  options or warrants to subscribe for, purchase
or otherwise  acquire  either  Additional  Shares of Common Stock or Convertible
Securities.

1.1.14.  "Organic  Change" means any capital  reorganization,  reclassification,
consolidation,  merger,  lease,  or  sale  of  all or  substantially  all of the
Company's  assets to another Person which is effected in such a way that holders
of Common  Stock are  entitled to receive  (either  directly or upon  subsequent
liquidation)  stock,  securities  or assets with  respect to or in exchange  for
shares of Common Stock.

1.1.15.  "Other  Securities" means any stock (other than Common Stock) and other
securities of the Company or any other Person (corporate or otherwise) which the
holders of Series B Preferred Stock at any time shall be entitled to receive, or
shall have received, upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock, in lieu of
or in addition to Common Stock,  or which at any time shall be issuable or shall
have been  issued in exchange  for or in  replacement  of Common  Stock or Other
Securities.

1.1.16. "Person" means an individual,  a partnership,  a corporation,  a limited
liability  company,  an  association,  a joint stock  company,  a trust, a joint
venture,  an  unincorporated  organization  or  a  governmental  entity  or  any
department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

1.1.17. "Regulated Stockholder" means any Series C Preferred Stockholder that is
subject to the  provisions  of  Regulation  Y of the Board of  Governors  of the
Federal  Reserve  System,   12  C.F.R.  Part  225  (or  any  successor  to  such
Regulation).

1.1.18.  "Regulatory Problem" means any set of facts or circumstances wherein it
has  been  asserted  by  any  governmental  regulatory  agency  (or a  Regulated
Stockholder  reasonably  believes that there is a risk of such  assertion)  that
such Regulated  Stockholder is not entitled to acquire, own, hold or control, or
exercise any significant right (including the right to vote) with respect to any
securities of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.

1.1.19. "Restricted Stock" means, with respect to any Regulated Stockholder, any
outstanding shares of stock ever held of record by such Regulated Stockholder or
its Affiliates,  excluding  treasury shares;  provided,  however,  that any such
shares  shall  cease to be  Restricted  Stock  with  respect  to such  Regulated
Stockholder  when  such  shares  are  transferred  in a  transaction  which is a
Conversion  Event  or when  such  shares  are  acquired  by the  Company  or any
subsidiary of the Company; and provided, further, that the Company shall have no
responsibility   for  determining   whether  any  outstanding  shares  of  stock
constitute Restricted Stock with respect to a particular Regulated  Stockholder,
but shall instead be entitled to receive,  and rely exclusively  upon, a written
notice  provided  by such  Regulated  Stockholder  designating  such  shares  as
Restricted Stock.

1.1.20.  "Series B Preferred  Stock"  means the Series B  Convertible  Preferred
Stock,  $1.00 par value,  of the Company  created  pursuant to a Certificate  of
Amendment  filed  December 21, 1994 with the  Secretary of State of the State of
New York.

1.1.21.  "Stated Value" per share means,  with respect to the Series C Preferred
Stock,  One Hundred  Dollars ($100) per share, as adjusted for any stock splits,
stock combinations,  stock dividends or reclassifications affecting the Series C
Preferred Stock after the date of filing of this Certificate of Amendment.

1.1.22. "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which the shares of stock having a
majority of the general  voting power in electing the board of directors are, at
the time as of which  any  determination  is being  made,  owned by the  Company
either directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries.

1.1.23.  "Triggering  Amount"  means the  following  amount in any 60-day period
ending in the applicable calendar year:

                                        Triggering        Calendar
                                          Amount              Year

                                            $3.45             1999
                                            $4.25             2000
                                            $5.15             2001

in each case as adjusted for stock splits,  stock combinations,  stock dividends
or reclassifications affecting the Common Stock after the date of filing of this
Certificate of Amendment.  If the sixty (60) day period includes portions in two
calendar years,  the Triggering  Amount  applicable  shall be the average of the
figures shown above for the two years, weighted to reflect in number the days in
each year included such sixty (60) day period.

1.1.24.  "Triggering  Bid Price"  means that the average of the high and low bid
price reported on (i) the principal  national  securities  exchange on which the
Common Stock is then listed or admitted to trading,  or (ii) if not so listed or
admitted,  the NASD  automated  quotation  system,  on those days on which a bid
price was so reported during each period of sixty (60) consecutive calendar days
between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2001.

1.1.25.  "Triggering Event" means the consummation of a public offering pursuant
to an effective  registration  statement  under the  Securities  Act of 1933, as
amended,  covering  the  offering  and  sale of  shares  of  Common  Stock or of
securities  convertible into Common Stock (i) in which the aggregate proceeds to
the Company  exceed  $10,000,000  and (ii) in which the price per share at which
the Common Stock is initially  offered to the public equals or exceeds $3.45 per
share or the  other  securities  are  initially  offered  to the  public  with a
conversion  price of $3.45 or more per share (in each case as adjusted for stock
splits, stock combinations,  stock dividends or reclassifications  affecting the
Common Stock after the date of filing of this Certificate of Amendment).

                  1.2.  Dividends.  The  Company  shall not,  without  the prior
written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares of Series C Preferred
Stock then  outstanding,  pay or declare  any  dividend or  distribution  on any
Junior  Securities  (other than on Common Stock, and on Series B Preferred Stock
to the extent of  participation in dividends  declared on the Common Stock).  In
the event that the  Company  declares a dividend or  distribution  on the Common
Stock, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock and the holders of the Series
B Preferred Stock and the Common Stock shall share pro rata (based,  in the case
of holders of Series C and Series B Preferred  Stock, on the number of shares of
Common Stock which each holder of Series C and Series B Preferred Stock would be
entitled to receive upon conversion of its Series C and Series B Preferred Stock
into Common Stock,  respectively)  in such dividend or  distribution;  provided,
that if the dividend  consists of voting  securities  or options,  warrants,  or
rights to acquire such voting  securities,  or  securities  convertible  into or
exchangeable  for  such  voting  securities  (the  "Voting  Securities")  of the
Company, the Company shall make available to each holder of Series C-2 Preferred
Stock, at such holder's request,  dividends consisting of non-voting  securities
or  options,  warrants  or rights to  acquire  such  non-voting  securities,  or
securities  convertible into or exchangeable  for such non-voting  securities of
the Company which are otherwise identical to the Voting Securities and which are
convertible into or exchangeable for such Voting Securities.

1.3.  Rights on  Liquidation.  In the event of any  Liquidation,  the holders of
shares of the Series C  Preferred  Stock then  issued and  outstanding  shall be
entitled to be paid the amount  specified below out of the assets of the Company
available for distribution to its  stockholders,  pari-passu with the holders of
the Series B Preferred Stock and before any payment shall be made to the holders
of any other Junior  Securities.  If, upon any  Liquidation of the Company,  the
assets of the  Company  available  for  distribution  to its  stockholders  (the
"Available Assets") shall be insufficient (a "Liquidation Insufficiency") to pay
the  holders of shares of the Series B  Preferred  Stock and Series C  Preferred
Stock the full amounts to which they shall respectively be entitled, the holders
of the Series B Preferred  Stock and Series C Preferred  Stock shall be entitled
to  receive  the  Available  Assets  as  follows:  (i) the  holders  of Series C
Preferred  Stock shall be  entitled to receive  (pro rata based on the number of
shares  of  Series  C  Preferred  Stock  held by them)  an  amount  equal to the
Available  Assets times the  quotient  derived by dividing (x) the amount of the
Available  Assets the holders of Series C  Preferred  Stock would be entitled to
upon Liquidation if there had been no Liquidation Insufficiency by (y) the total
amount of the  Available  Assets  the  holders of Series B  Preferred  Stock and
Series C Preferred Stock would be entitled to upon Liquidation if there had been
no Liquidation  Insufficiency;  and (ii) the holders of Series B Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to receive (pro rata based on the number of shares of Series B
Preferred Stock held by them) an amount equal to the Available  Assets times the
quotient  derived by dividing (x) the amount of the Available Assets the holders
of Series B Preferred  Stock would be entitled to upon  Liquidation if there had
been no  Liquidation  Insufficiency  by (y) the total  amount  of the  Available
Assets the  holders of Series B  Preferred  Stock and Series C  Preferred  Stock
would  be  entitled  to upon  Liquidation  if  there  had  been  no  Liquidation
Insufficiency; and if there is no Liquidation Insufficiency, then the holders of
shares of the Series C Preferred  Stock shall be entitled to receive the greater
of (a) an amount equal to the Adjusted Stated Value per share, calculated to and
including  the date of  Distribution  with  respect  to such  shares of Series C
Preferred  Stock,  or  (b)  the  amount  which  would  be  distributed  in  such
liquidation  on the shares of Common  Stock  into  which the Series C  Preferred
Stock is  convertible at the date of the  Liquidation  of the Company,  had such
Series C Preferred Stock been converted.

   1.4.  Voting Power.
         1.4.1. Series C-1 Preferred Stock.
     (a) In  General.  Except  as  otherwise  expressly  provided  herein  or as
required by law,
     (i) the holders of shares of Series C-1  Preferred  Stock and Common  Stock
shall vote  together as a single  class with  respect to all matters as to which
stockholders of the Company are entitled to vote; provided, however, the holders
of the Series C-1 Preferred  Stock shall not be entitled to vote with respect to
the election of  directors to the Board of Directors of the Company  except with
respect  to the  election  of the  Series C  Director  as set  forth in  Section
1.4.1(b);
     (ii) each holder of Series C-1 Preferred  Stock shall be entitled to cast a
number of votes equal to the  greatest  number of whole  shares of Common  Stock
into  which  such  holder's  shares  of  Series  C-1  Preferred  Stock  could be
converted,  pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.6 hereof, at the record date
for the determination of stockholders  entitled to vote on such matter or, if no
such record date is  established,  at the date such vote is taken or any written
consent of stockholders is first solicited.
     As  long  as at  least  20% of the  shares  of  Series  C  Preferred  Stock
originally  issued are  outstanding,  the holders of Series C-1 Preferred  Stock
shall have the right,  voting separately as a class, unless waived in writing by
the holders of a majority of the outstanding  Series C-1 Preferred Stock, and to
the exclusion of all other classes of the Company's stock, to elect,  remove and
replace  (including  the filling of a vacancy)  one (1) director to the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Series C Director"), which, so long as the Series
C-1 Preferred  Stock has the right to elect a director,  shall be composed of no
more  than  twelve  (12)  directors.  Any and all  committees  of the  Board  of
Directors of the Company shall have as a member the Series C Director, unless no
such  director is willing or able to so serve.  The special right of the holders
of  Series  C-1  Preferred  Stock to elect  and  remove  the  Series C  Director
contained in this Section  1.4.1(b) may be exercised either at a special meeting
of the holders of Series C-1 Preferred  Stock called as provided  below,  at any
annual or special  meeting of the  stockholders  of the  Company,  or by written
consent of the holders of Series C-1  Preferred  Stock in lieu of a meeting.  At
any time when the holders of Series C-1 Preferred  Stock have the special rights
set forth in this Section 1.4.1(b), the secretary of the Company shall, upon the
written request of the holders of record of shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock
having at least 10% of the votes  possessed by the then  outstanding  Series C-1
Preferred  Stock,  call a special meeting of the holders of Series C-1 Preferred
Stock for the  purpose of  electing  or  removing  the Series C  Director.  Such
meeting  shall  be  held  at the  earliest  practicable  date  at the  Company's
principal  office or at such other place designated by the holders of Series C-1
Preferred  Stock  having  at  least  10%  of the  votes  possessed  by the  then
outstanding Series C-1 Preferred Stock. If such meeting shall not be called by a
proper  officer of the Company  within ten (10) days after  personal  service of
said  written  request upon the  secretary of the Company or within  twenty (20)
days after  mailing the same to the  secretary  of the Company at the  Company's
principal  office,  then the  holders  of record of Series C-1  Preferred  Stock
having at least 10% of the votes  possessed by the then  outstanding  Series C-1
Preferred  Stock  may  designate  in  writing  one of their  number to call such
meeting at the expense of the  Company,  and such  meeting may be called by such
persons so designated upon the shortest legally  permissible notice. Any holders
of Series C-1 Preferred Stock so designated shall have reasonable  access to the
stock books of the Company  during  regular  business  hours,  at the  principal
office of the  Company  or its  transfer  agent,  for the  purpose  of calling a
meeting of the stockholders  pursuant to these  provisions.  At any stockholders
meeting  at which the  holders  of Series  C-1  Preferred  Stock  shall have the
special  right to elect or remove  the  Series C Director  as  provided  in this
Section 1.4.1(b),  the presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of record
of shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock having a majority of the votes possessed
by the  then  outstanding  Series  C-1  Preferred  Stock  shall be  required  to
constitute  a quorum of the  Series C-1  Preferred  Stock for such  election  or
removal. At any such meeting or adjournment  thereof,  the absence of a separate
quorum of the Series C Preferred  Stock shall not prevent the  election of those
directors to be elected at such  meeting,  other than the Series C Director.  In
the absence of a separate quorum of the Series C-1 Preferred  Stock, the holders
of record of shares  representing  a  majority  of the voting  power  present in
person or by proxy of the Series C-1 Preferred Stock shall have power to adjourn
the meeting for the election of the Series C Director  without notice other than
announcement at the meeting. The Company shall not authorize, effect or validate
any of the following without (i) the consent in writing or by votes at a meeting
of the holders of at least 50% of all of the shares of the Series C-1  Preferred
Stock at the time  outstanding,  if any, voting together as a separate class and
to the exclusion of all other classes of the Company's  stock or (ii)  complying
with the terms of Section 1.5.3 below: (i) Ten Percent  Redemptions.  Subject to
Section 1.8 below, directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire,
or permit any Subsidiary to directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise
acquire, ten percent (10%) or more of any of the Company's,  or any Subsidiary's
(except  wholly-owned  Subsidiary's),  outstanding  equity  securities except as
required by the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock and other than pursuant to
the terms of the agreements with employees,  officers, directors and consultants
of the Company,  pursuant to which the Company may  repurchase  such shares upon
the  occurrence  of  certain  events,  in all  cases as in effect on the date of
filing of this Certificate of Amendment.

     (ii)  Security  Issuances.  Authorize,  issue,  or enter into any agreement
providing for the issuance (contingent or otherwise) by the
Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  of,  (x)  any  notes  or  debt  securities
convertible  into or exchangeable  for equity  securities,  issued in connection
with the  issuance  of equity  securities  or  containing  profit  participation
features or (y) any equity  securities  (or any securities  convertible  into or
exchangeable for any equity securities),  provided,  however,  that this Section
1.4.1(c)(ii) shall not prevent the issuance of Junior Securities,  or securities
convertible or exchangeable for Junior Securities.

     (iii)  Mergers.  Merge  or  consolidate  with  any  Person  or  permit  any
Subsidiary to merge or  consolidate  with any Person except for (i) mergers of a
wholly-owned  Subsidiary  with or into the  Company  or any  other  wholly-owned
Subsidiary or (ii) mergers or  consolidations in which the Company or Subsidiary
is the surviving  corporation and at the conclusion of which the shareholders of
the Company immediately  preceding such consolidation or merger own greater than
fifty percent (50%) of the equity securities of the surviving corporation.
     (iv)  Liquidations.  Liquidate,  dissolve or effect a  recapitalization  or
 reorganization in any form of transaction or make an assignment for
the benefit of creditors or admit in writing the  Company's or any  Subsidiary's
inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; or petition or apply to
any tribunal for the appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver or liquidator
of the Company or a Subsidiary,  or of any substantial part of the assets of the
Company or a Subsidiary, or commence any proceeding (other than a proceeding for
the voluntary  liquidation  and  dissolution  of a  Subsidiary)  relating to the
Company  or a  Subsidiary  under any  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  arrangement,
insolvency,  readjustment  of  debt,  dissolution  or  liquidation  law  of  any
jurisdiction.

     (v) Charter  Amendments.  Make or authorize  any amendment to the Company's
articles  of  incorporation  or  by-laws,  or  any  Subsidiary's  organizational
documents,  or file any  resolution  of the Board of Directors of the Company or
any Subsidiary, with the Secretary of State or any other incorporation agency in
the state in which it is organized,  in each case which would have the effect of
amending, altering or changing the designations,  powers,  preferences,  rights,
privileges or  restrictions of the Series C Preferred Stock or otherwise have an
adverse effect on the Series C Preferred Stock.

     (vi) Affiliate Transactions.  Enter into, or permit any Subsidiary to enter
into, any transaction with any of its or any Subsidiary's Affiliates, except for
(i) normal  employment  arrangements and benefit  programs on reasonable  terms,
(ii)  transactions  among  Universal  and/or  one or  more  of its  wholly-owned
Subsidiaries,  and (iii)  transactions  not less  favorable to Universal and its
Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  than would be one entered into at arm's length
with unaffiliated parties.
     (vii)  Sale  of  Assets.  Sell,  lease  or  otherwise  dispose  of,  all or
substantially all assets of the Company, directly or through a Subsidiary of the
Company,  in any  transaction or series of related  transactions,  including the
sale by the Company of any one of American  Pioneer  Life  Insurance  Company or
American  Progressive Life and Health  Insurance  Company of New York (together,
the "Insurance Company  Subsidiaries").  This Section  1.4.1(c)(vii)  shall not,
however,  prevent transactions in which ownership of assets is transferred among
Universal and/or one or more of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries.

     (viii)  Indebtedness.  Create,  incur, assume or suffer to exist, or permit
the Company  ------------  and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  to create,
incur,  assume or suffer to exist,  Indebtedness  in an  aggregate  amount which
result in the sum of (i) the  aggregate  principal  amount  of all  Indebtedness
outstanding,  plus (ii) the par value of all  Preferred  Stock  outstanding,  to
exceed 80% of the statutory book value (including "Asset Valuation  Reserve" and
"Interest Maintenance  Reserve") of both Insurance Company Subsidiaries,  except
(x) trade debt incurred in the normal  course of business and (y)  Indebtedness,
if any,  provided for in the Company's  annual  budget  approved by the Board of
Directors.  The taking by the Company of an action described in (i) through (vi)
above without  obtaining the consent  required by this Section 1.4.1(c) shall be
referred to as a "Call Price  Action" and the taking by the Company of an action
described in (vii) and (viii) above without first obtaining the consent required
by this  Section  1.4.1(c)  shall be referred to as an  "Adjusted  Stated  Value
Action."

     1.4.2.  Voting  Rights of Series C-2 Preferred  Stock.  Except as set forth
herein or as  otherwise  required  by law,  no  outstanding  share of Series C-2
Preferred  Stock  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  on  any  matter  on  which  the
stockholders  of the Company shall be entitled to vote,  and no shares of Series
C-2 Preferred Stock shall be included in determining the number of shares voting
or entitled to vote on any such matters; provided that the holders of Series C-2
Preferred  Stock shall have the right to vote as a separate  class on any merger
or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another entity or entities,  or
any recapitalization or reorganization,  in which shares of Series C-2 Preferred
Stock would receive or be exchanged for  consideration  different on a per share
basis from consideration  received with respect to or in exchange for the shares
of Series C-1 Preferred  Stock or would  otherwise be treated  differently  from
shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock in connection with such transaction, except
that if the  consideration  received with respect to, or in exchange for, Series
C-1  includes  voting  securities,  shares of Series  C-2  Preferred  Stock may,
without  such a separate  class vote,  receive or be  exchanged  for  non-voting
securities which are otherwise identical on a per share basis in amount and form
to the voting  securities  received  with respect to or exchanged for the Series
C-1 Preferred  Stock so long as (i) such  non-voting  securities are convertible
into such voting  securities on the same terms as the Series C-2 Preferred Stock
is convertible into voting stock and (ii) all other  consideration is equal on a
per share basis.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, holders of shares of Series C-2
Preferred  Stock shall be entitled to vote as a separate  class on any amendment
to  this  paragraph  (2) of  this  Section  A and on any  amendment,  repeal  or
modification  of  any  provision  of  this  Certificate  of  Incorporation  that
adversely  affects the powers,  preferences  or special rights of holders of the
Series C-2 Preferred Stock.

 1.5.  Redemption.

     1.5.1. Fixed Redemption. On December 31, 2002 (the "Fixed Redemption Date")
all of the then  issued  and  outstanding  Series  C  Preferred  Stock  shall be
redeemed at a  redemption  price (the  "Fixed  Redemption  Price")  equal to the
Adjusted  Stated Value on December 31,  2002.  One-half of the Fixed  Redemption
Price shall be paid in cash to the person  whose name  appears in the records of
the  Company  as the  owner of the  shares  redeemed,  by check  mailed  to such
person's  address on such records on the Fixed  Redemption  Date,  and the other
half shall be payable in the same manner,  on the first anniversary of the Fixed
Redemption Date.

     1.5.2. Call by the Company. The Series C Preferred Stock may be redeemed by
the Company,  at its option,  upon ninety (90) days prior written  notice to the
Holders, at the Call Price then in effect. Such redemption may be effected under
this  Section  1.5.2 at any time after  January 1, 2000 and before  December 31,
2002. The  conversion  right set forth in Section 1.6.1 shall not be affected by
the giving of a  redemption  notice  hereunder  until the close of business  the
Business  Day  prior  to the  date  specified  in such  notice  as the  proposed
effective date of the redemption.

     1.5.3.  Non-Compliance  Provisions.  If the  Company  proposes  to take any
action which constitutes  either a Call Price Action or an Adjusted Stated Value
Action without  securing the approval by vote or in writing  required by Section
1.4.1(c) (each such action or breach, an "Event of Non-Compliance") then each of
the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock may require redemption of all or any
part of such  holder's  Series C Preferred  Stock at a redemption  price in cash
equal to (i) in the event of a Call  Price  Action,  the Call Price in effect on
the  Non-Compliance  Redemption Date and (ii) in the event of an Adjusted Stated
Value  Action,  the  Adjusted  Stated  Value  in  effect  on the  Non-Compliance
Redemption Date. In implementation of this Section 1.5.3:

     (a)  At  least  15  days   before   the   consummation   of  any  Event  of
Non-Compliance,  each holder of Series C Preferred  Stock will  receive a notice
from the Company (i) stating that an Event of  Non-Compliance  is  contemplated,
(ii) setting forth a redemption  date (the  "Non-Compliance  Redemption  Date"),
which shall be the date of the Event of Non-Compliance,  (iii) setting forth the
Conversion  Price in effect  with  respect to such  shares of Series C Preferred
Stock,   up  to  and  including  the  date  of  consummation  of  the  Event  of
Non-Compliance,   and  (iv)  stating  that  during  such  15-day  period,   each
shareholder  wishing  to  require  the  Company to redeem all or any part of its
Series C  Preferred  Stock,  pursuant  to  subsection  (b) below,  must give the
Company written notice of its intention to require such redemption  prior to the
consummation of the Event of Non-Compliance.

     (b) Any holder of Series C-1  Preferred  Stock that withheld its consent to
the Event of  Non-Compliance  and any holder of Series C-2 Preferred  Stock that
has  advised  the  Company  in  writing  prior  to  consummation  of an Event of
Non-Compliance of its intention to require the Company to redeem its shares, may
require that the Company redeem any shares  hereunder by surrendering its shares
to the Company on the Non-Compliance  Redemption Date or within thirty (30) days
thereafter and will be entitled to payment therefor within ten (10) days of such
surrender in full satisfaction of such shares.

     (c) Any holder of shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock that does not tender
such shares pursuant to Section 1.5.3(b) above shall be deemed to have consented
to the subject Event of Non-Compliance.

     (d) It is an express  condition of this Series C Preferred  Stock that this
Section  1.5.3  shall  constitute  the sole  remedy  of the  Series C  Preferred
Stockholders  with  respect  to the  Company's  failure  to obtain  the  consent
otherwise required by Section 1.4.1(c) above. Without limitation, there shall be
no right to  injunctive or any other kind of equitable  relief,  or to any other
remedy at law  whatsoever,  by virtue of the  Company's  failure  to obtain  the
consent otherwise  required by Section 1.4.1(c) above with respect to such Event
of Non-Compliance.

     1.5.4.  Failure to Pay Redemption  Price or Installment.  If payment of the
Fixed Redemption Price is not made as provided in Section 1.5.1 and said default
is not cured  within  fifteen  (15)  days,  the holder of each share of Series C
Preferred  Stock which was redeemed  shall be entitled to require the Company to
issue a promissory  note for the unpaid portion of the Fixed  Redemption  Price,
including any amount which would otherwise not have been payable until the first
anniversary of the Fixed Redemption Date, which note shall be due one year after
the  Fixed  Redemption  Date (or the first  anniversary  thereof,  whichever  is
applicable),  together  with  interest at twenty  (20%)  percent per annum until
paid,  subject  to  pre-payment  at any time,  with  interest  accrued,  without
penalty. Any such promissory note shall contain substantially the same terms and
conditions of the Series C Preferred Stock,  including  negative and affirmative
covenants  equal to the rights of the holders of the Series C-1 Preferred  Stock
set forth in Section  1.4.1(c) and board  observation  rights  comparable to the
rights  of the  holders  of Series  C-1  Preferred  Stock  set forth in  Section
1.4.1(b).

     1.5.5.  Legal  Availability.  If the funds of the Company legally available
for  redemption  of  Series  C  Preferred  Stock  on  any  Redemption  Date  are
insufficient  to redeem  the total  number  of  Series C  Preferred  Stock to be
redeemed on such date, those funds which are legally  available shall be used to
redeem the maximum possible number of Series C Preferred Stock ratably among the
holders of the Series C Preferred  Stock to be redeemed.  At any time thereafter
when additional funds of the Company are legally available for the redemption of
Series C Preferred  Stock,  such funds shall  immediately  be used to redeem the
balance of the Series C Preferred  Stock which the Company has become  obligated
to redeem on any  Redemption  Date but which it has not redeemed.  In case fewer
than  the  total  number  of  Series  C  Preferred  Shares  represented  by  any
certificate  are  redeemed,  a  new  certificate   representing  the  number  of
unredeemed  Series C  Preferred  Stock  shall be  issued to the  holder  thereof
without cost to such holder within three  Business  Days after  surrender of the
certificate  representing  the redeemed  Series C Preferred  Stock. In the event
that any Series C Preferred  Stock is redeemed  under  Section  1.5.1,  1.5.2 or
1.5.3 and the  certificates for the Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed have
not been delivered to the Company,  from and after the date on which the Company
makes the  entire  Fixed  Redemption  Price or Call  Price,  as the case may be,
available or irrevocably deposits an amount equal to such Fixed Redemption Price
or Call Price, as the case may be, for the shares of Series C Preferred Stock to
be redeemed  in trust for the holders of such shares with a bank having  capital
and  surplus  in  excess  of $100  million,  which  bank  shall  be named in the
redemption  notice,  all rights of the holders of such Series C Preferred Stock,
except the right to receive the Fixed  Redemption  Price or Call  Price,  as the
case may be (whether in cash or in the form of the promissory  note provided for
in Section 1.5.4, above, without interest except as provided with respect to the
promissory  note),  upon surrender of their  certificate or certificates,  shall
cease with  respect to such  shares,  and such shares  shall not  thereafter  be
transferred on the books of the Company or be deemed to be  outstanding  for any
purpose whatsoever.

     1.5.6.  Other  Redemptions  or  Acquisitions.  Neither  the Company nor any
Subsidiary  shall  redeem or  otherwise  acquire any share of Series C Preferred
Stock,  except as expressly  authorized  herein or pursuant to a purchase  offer
made pro rata to all  holders  of Series C  Preferred  Stock on the basis of the
number of shares owned by each such holder.

    1.6.  Conversion Rights.

     1.6.1. At the Option of the Holder.  Each holder of the outstanding  shares
of Series C  Preferred  Stock shall have the right to convert all or any portion
of such  shares of Series C  Preferred  Stock  into the number of fully paid and
non-assessable  shares of Common  Stock  computed by  multiplying  the number of
shares of Series C Preferred  Stock to be  converted  times the Stated Value and
dividing  the  result  by the  Conversion  Price.  Within  15 days  of any  such
conversion  of Series C-2  Preferred  Stock into Common  Stock,  such  converted
shares  may be  converted  back into the same  number of  Series  C-2  Preferred
Shares,  provided  that  such  shares  were  not  voted  following  the  initial
conversion of Series C-2 Preferred  Stock into Common Stock.  Series C Preferred
Stock may be converted by the holder thereof during normal business hours on any
Business Day by surrender of the required number of shares of Series C Preferred
Stock,  accompanied by written evidence (in form reasonably  satisfactory to the
Company) of the holder's  election to convert such  holder's  Series C Preferred
Stock or portion thereof, to the Company at its principal executive offices.

     1.6.2. At the Option of a Transferee of Series C-2 Preferred Stock. Subject
to Section 1.6.4,  below,  each outstanding  share of Series C-2 Preferred Stock
may be  converted  into one fully  paid and  nonassessable  share of Series  C-1
Preferred Stock by any transferee of such shares of Series C-2 Preferred  Stock,
provided that each holder of Series C-2 Preferred  Stock may convert such shares
into Series C-1  Preferred  Stock if such holder  reasonably  believes that such
converted  shares will be  transferred  within  fifteen (15) days  pursuant to a
Conversion  Event and such  holder  agrees not to vote any such shares of Series
C-1 Preferred  Stock prior to such  Conversion  Event and undertakes to promptly
convert such shares back into Series C-2 Preferred  Stock if such shares are not
transferred  pursuant to a Conversion  Event.  Series C-2 Preferred Stock may be
converted by the transferee  during normal business hours on any Business Day by
surrender  of the  certificate  or  certificates  representing  the  Series  C-2
Preferred  Stock (or, if no stock  certificate has yet been issued to the holder
of the Series C-2 Preferred  Stock, a written  statement that the holder has not
yet  received a stock  certificate  and  instructing  the  Company to treat such
certificate,  when and if issued, as if such certificate had been surrendered by
the holder) to the Company at its principal  executive offices.  The surrendered
certificate or  certificates  shall be accompanied by written  evidence (in form
reasonably  satisfactory to the Company) of the transferee's election to convert
its Series C-2 Preferred Stock or portion thereof.

     1.6.3.  At the Option of the Company.  Upon the  occurrence of a Triggering
Event,  or if the Triggering Bid Price for any period of sixty (60)  consecutive
calendar days has exceeded the Triggering  Amount,  the Company may require that
each of the  outstanding  shares of Series C Preferred  Stock be converted  into
Common Stock computed by multiplying  the number of shares of Series C Preferred
Stock to be  converted  times the Stated  Value and  dividing  the result by the
Conversion  Price in effect at the time of such  conversion.  Such  right may be
exercised by written  notice to the holders  thereof given (i) not less than ten
(10) days  prior to the date of  closing of a  Triggering  Event or (ii)  within
thirty  (30)  days  after  the end of any  sixty  (60) day  period  in which the
Triggering  Bid Price has exceeded  the  Triggering  Amount,  which notice shall
specify the record date set for conversion.  Such conversion  shall be effected,
automatically  and without any further  action by the holders of such shares and
whether or not the certificates  representing such shares are surrendered to the
Company or its transfer agent.

     1.6.4. Restricted Stock. Series C-2 Preferred Stock constituting Restricted
Stock with respect to a particular  Regulated  Stockholder  may not be converted
into Common Stock or Series C-1 Preferred  Stock to the extent that  immediately
prior thereto, or as a result of such conversion, the number of shares of Common
Stock or Series C-1 Preferred Stock which  constitute such Restricted Stock held
by all  holders  thereof  would  exceed the number of shares of Common  Stock or
Series  C-1  Preferred  Stock  which  such  Regulated   Stockholder   reasonably
determines  it and its  Affiliates  may own,  control  or have the power to vote
under  any  law,  regulation,  rule or  other  requirement  of any  governmental
authority  at  the  time  applicable  to  such  Regulated   Stockholder  or  its
Affiliates. Each Regulated Stockholder may provide for further restrictions upon
the  conversion of any shares of Restricted  Stock by providing the Company with
signed,  written  instructions   specifying  such  additional  restrictions  and
legending such shares as to the existence of such restrictions.

     1.6.5.  Conversion  Procedure.  Upon the  conversion  of Series C Preferred
Stock,  the  holders  of such  Series C  Preferred  Stock  shall  surrender  the
certificates  representing such shares at the office of the Company. The Company
shall not be  obligated  to issue  certificates  evidencing  the shares of stock
issuable upon such  conversion  unless  certificates  evidencing  such shares of
Series C Preferred Stock being converted are either  delivered to the Company or
the holder notifies the Company that such certificates  have been lost,  stolen,
or  destroyed  and  delivers to the  Company an  agreement  satisfactory  to the
Company,  with a surety  satisfactory  to the Company,  to indemnify the Company
from any loss incurred by it in connection therewith.

     1.6.6.  Time of  Conversion.  Each  conversion of Series C Preferred  Stock
pursuant  to  Sections  1.6.1  and 1.6.2  shall be deemed to have been  effected
immediately  prior to the close of  business on the  Business  Day on which such
Series C Preferred Stock shall have been  surrendered to the Company as provided
herein (except that, in the case of a conversion subject to Section 1.6.7 below,
the  conversion  shall be  deemed to be  effective  upon the  expiration  of the
Deferral Period referred to therein).  Each conversion pursuant to Section 1.6.3
shall be deemed to have been  effected  as of the record date  specified  in the
notice therefor,  and such conversion shall be at the Conversion Price in effect
at such time (except that, in the case of a conversion  subject to Section 1.6.7
below, the conversion shall be deemed to be effective upon the expiration of the
Deferral  Period  referred to therein).  On each such day that the conversion of
shares of Series C Preferred Stock is deemed effected,  the Person or Persons in
whose  name or names any  certificate  or  certificates  for shares of stock are
issuable  upon such  conversion  shall be deemed to have  become  the  holder or
holders of record thereof.

     1.6.7.  Notice of Conversion to Regulated  Stockholders.  The Company shall
not convert or directly or indirectly redeem,  purchase or otherwise acquire any
shares of any class of capital  stock of the  Company  or take any other  action
affecting  the voting  rights of such shares,  if such action will  increase the
percentage of any class of outstanding  voting securities owned or controlled by
any Regulated  Stockholder (other than any such stockholder which requested that
the Company take such action,  or which  otherwise  waives in writing its rights
under this  Section  1.6.7),  unless  the  Company  gives  written  notice  (the
"Deferral  Notice") of such action to each  Regulated  Stockholder.  The Company
will  defer  making  any  such   conversion,   redemption,   purchase  or  other
acquisition,  or taking any such other  action for a period of twenty  (20) days
(the "Deferral  Period") after giving the Deferral Notice in order to allow each
Regulated  Stockholder to determine whether it wishes to convert or take another
action with respect to the stock it owns, controls or has the power to vote, and
if any such  Regulated  Stockholder  then  elects to  convert  any shares of its
stock,  it shall  notify  the  Company  in  writing  within ten (10) days of the
issuance of the Deferral  Notice,  in which case the Company  shall (i) promptly
notify  from time to time  prior to the end of such  20-day  period  each  other
Regulated  Stockholder  holding  shares of each  proposed  conversion,  and (ii)
effect the  conversions  requested by all Regulated  Stockholders in response to
the notices  issued  pursuant to this  Section  1.6.7 at the end of the Deferral
Period. Upon complying with the procedures hereinabove set forth in this Section
1.6.7, the Company may so convert or directly or indirectly redeem,  purchase or
otherwise  acquire any shares of any other class of capital stock of the Company
or take any other action affecting the voting rights of such shares.

     1.6.8.  Issuance of Certificate  for Common Stock. As promptly as practical
after the conversion of shares of Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part,
and in any event within five (5) Business  Days  thereafter,  the Company at its
expense  (including  the payment by it of any applicable  issue,  stamp or other
taxes, other than any income taxes and other than any taxes arising by reason of
issuance of shares of stock to any Person  other than such holder) will cause to
be issued in the name of and  delivered to the holder  thereof or as such holder
may direct,  a certificate or certificates  for the number of shares of stock to
which such holder shall be entitled  upon such  conversion;  provided,  however,
that if such conversion is subject to Section 1.6.7 above, the Company shall not
issue such  certificate  or  certificates  until the  expiration of the Deferral
Period  referred  to  therein.  In case  fewer  than all the  shares of Series C
Preferred Stock represented by any surrendered  certificate are converted, a new
certificate  representing  the shares of Series C Preferred  Stock not converted
shall be issued without cost to the holder thereof.

     1.6.9.  Books of Corporation.  The Company will not close its books against
the  transfer of Series C Preferred  Stock or of stock  issued or issuable  upon
conversion of Series C Preferred  Stock in any manner which  interferes with the
timely  conversion of Series C Preferred  Stock.  The Company shall at all times
reserve and keep available out of its  authorized but unissued  shares of Common
Stock and Series C-1  Preferred  stock,  solely for the purpose of issuance upon
the conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock,  such number of shares of Common
Stock issuable upon the conversion of all  outstanding  Series C Preferred Stock
and such  number of  shares of Series  C-1  Preferred  Stock  issuable  upon the
conversion of all outstanding  Series C-2 Preferred  Stock. All shares of Common
Stock which are so issuable  shall,  when  issued,  be duly and validly  issued,
fully paid and  nonassessable  and free from all taxes,  liens and charges.  The
Company  shall take all such actions as may be necessary to assure that all such
shares of Common Stock and Series C-1 Preferred  Stock may be so issued  without
violation of any applicable law or governmental  regulation or any  requirements
of any domestic securities exchange upon which shares of Common Stock and Series
C-1 Preferred  Stock may be listed (except for official notice of issuance which
shall be immediately delivered by the Corporation upon each such issuance).

     1.7.  Anti-Dilution  Adjustments.  The  number of  shares  of Common  Stock
issuable  upon any  conversion  provided  for in Section 1.6 shall be subject to
adjustment, from time to time, in accordance with the following provisions:

     1.7.1.  Issuance of Additional  Shares of Common Stock. In case the Company
at any time or from  time to time  after  the date  hereof  shall  issue or sell
Additional  Shares of Common Stock (including  Additional Shares of Common Stock
deemed to be issued pursuant to Section 1.7.2 or 1.7.3) without consideration or
for a  consideration  per  share  less  than  the  Conversion  Price  in  effect
immediately  prior to such issue or sale,  then,  in each such case,  subject to
Section 1.7.7,  such Conversion Price shall be reduced,  concurrently  with such
issue or sale, to a price  (calculated to the nearest .001 of a cent) determined
by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction

     (a) the  numerator  of which  shall be (i) the  number  of shares of Common
Stock  into  which  the  outstanding  Series C  Preferred  Stock is  convertible
immediately prior to such issue or sale plus (ii) the number of shares of Common
Stock which the  aggregate  consideration  received by the Company for the total
number  of such  Additional  Shares of  Common  Stock so  issued  or sold  would
purchase at such Conversion Price, and

     (b) the  denominator  of which  shall be (i) the number of shares of Common
Stock  into  which  the  outstanding  Series C  Preferred  Stock is  convertible
immediately  prior to such  issue or sale  plus (ii) the  number  of  Additional
Shares so issued or sold  immediately  after such issue or sale,  provided that,
for the purposes of this Section  1.7.1,  (x)  immediately  after any Additional
Shares of Common Stock are deemed to have been issued  pursuant to Section 1.7.2
or 1.7.3,  such  Additional  Shares  shall be deemed to be  outstanding  and (y)
treasury shares shall not be deemed to be outstanding.

     1.7.2. Treatment of Options and Convertible Securities. In case the Company
at any time or from time to time after the date hereof shall issue,  sell, grant
or assume,  or shall fix a record date for the  determination  of holders of any
class of securities entitled to receive, any Options or Convertible  Securities,
then and in each such case,  the maximum  number of Additional  Shares of Common
Stock (as set forth in the instrument  relating  thereto,  without regard to any
provisions  contained  therein  for a  subsequent  adjustment  of  such  number)
issuable  upon the  exercise  of such  Options  or,  in the case of  Convertible
Securities and Options therefor,  the conversion or exchange of such Convertible
Securities, shall be deemed to be Additional Shares of Common Stock issued as of
the time of such issue, sale, grant or assumption or, in case such a record date
shall have been  fixed,  as of the close of business on such record date (or, if
the  Common  Stock  trades on an  ex-dividend  basis,  on the date  prior to the
commencement of ex-dividend  trading),  provided that such Additional  Shares of
Common  Stock shall not be deemed to have been issued  unless the  consideration
per share  (determined  pursuant to Section  1.7.4) of such shares would be less
than the Conversion Price in effect on the date of and immediately prior to such
issue,  sale, grant or assumption or immediately  prior to the close of business
on such record date (or, if the Common Stock trades on an ex-dividend  basis, on
the date prior to the commencement of ex-dividend  trading), as the case may be,
and  provided,  further,  that in any such  case in which  Additional  Shares of
Common Stock are deemed to be issued

     (a) no further  adjustment of the  Conversion  Price shall be made upon the
subsequent  issue or sale of  Convertible  Securities  or shares of Common Stock
upon  the  exercise  of such  Options  or the  conversion  or  exchange  of such
Convertible Securities;

     (b) if such Options or Convertible  Securities by their terms provide, with
the passage of time or otherwise,  for any increase in the consideration payable
to the Company,  or decrease in the number of Additional  Shares of Common Stock
issuable,  upon the exercise,  conversion or exchange thereof (by change of rate
or otherwise),  the Conversion  Price  computed upon the original  issue,  sale,
grant or assumption  thereof (or upon the occurrence of the record date, or date
prior to the  commencement  of  ex-dividend  trading,  as the case may be,  with
respect thereto), and any subsequent adjustments based thereon,  shall, upon any
such  increase or decrease  becoming  effective,  be  recomputed to reflect such
increase  or  decrease  insofar as it  affects  such  Options,  or the rights of
conversion or exchange under such Convertible Securities,  which are outstanding
at such time;

     (c) upon the  expiration  (or purchase by the Company and  cancellation  or
retirement)  of any such  Options  which  shall not have been  exercised  or the
expiration of any rights of conversion  or exchange  under any such  Convertible
Securities  which shall not have been  exercised (or purchase by the Company and
cancellation  or retirement  of any such  Convertible  Securities  the rights of
conversion  or  exchange  under  which  shall  not  have  been  exercised),  the
Conversion Price computed upon the original issue, sale, grant or assumption (or
upon the  occurrence  of the record date, or date prior to the  commencement  of
ex-dividend  trading,  as the  case  may  be,  with  respect  thereto),  and any
subsequent  adjustments  based  thereon,  shall,  upon such  expiration (or such
cancellation or retirement, as the case may be), be recomputed as if:

     (i) in the case of Options for Common Stock or Convertible Securities,  the
only Additional Shares of Common Stock issued or sold were the Additional Shares
of Common  Stock,  if any,  actually  issued or sold upon the  exercise  of such
Options or the  conversion or exchange of such  Convertible  Securities  and the
consideration  received therefor was the consideration  actually received by the
Company for the issue, sale, grant or assumption of all such options, whether or
not exercised, plus the consideration actually received by the Company upon such
exercise, or for the issue or sale of all such Convertible Securities which were
actually  converted or exchanged,  plus the  additional  consideration,  if any,
actually received by the Company upon such conversion or exchange, and

     (ii)  in  the  case  of  Options  for  Convertible  Securities,   only  the
Convertible  Securities,  if any,  actually  issued or sold upon the exercise of
such Options were issued at the time of the issue,  sale, grant or assumption of
such Options,  and the consideration  received by the Company for the Additional
Shares of Common  Stock  deemed to have then been  issued was the  consideration
actually received by the Company for the issue, sale, grant or assumption of all
such Options,  whether or not exercised,  plus the consideration  deemed to have
been received by the Company  (pursuant to Section 1.7.4) upon the issue or sale
of such Convertible  Securities with respect to which such Options were actually
exercised;

          (d) no  readjustment  pursuant to  subdivision  (b) or (c) above shall
     have the effect of increasing the  Conversion  Price by an amount in excess
     of the amount of the adjustment  thereof  originally made in respect of the
     issue, sale, grant or assumption of such Options or Convertible Securities;
     and

          (e) in the case of any such  Options  which  expire by their terms not
     more  than  thirty  (30)  days  after  the date of  issue,  sale,  grant or
     assumption  thereof,  no adjustment of the  Conversion  Price shall be made
     until the  expiration  or  exercise  of all such  Options,  whereupon  such
     adjustment shall be made in the manner provided in subdivision (c) above.

          1.7.3.  Treatment of Stock Dividends,  Stock Splits,  etc. In case the
     Company  at any  time or from  time to time  after  the date  hereof  shall
     declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in Common Stock, or
     shall effect a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a
     greater number of shares of Common Stock (by  reclassification or otherwise
     than by payment  of a dividend  in Common  Stock),  then,  and in each such
     case, Additional Shares of Common Stock shall be deemed to have been issued
     (a) in the  case of any  such  dividend,  immediately  after  the  close of
     business on the record date for the  determination  of holders of any class
     of securities entitled to receive such dividend,  or (b) in the case of any
     such subdivision, at the close of business on the date immediately prior to
     the day upon which such corporate action becomes effective.

          1.7.4. Computation of Consideration.  For the purposes of this Section
     1.7, (a) the  consideration  for the issue or sale of any Additional Shares
     of Common Stock shall,  irrespective  of the  accounting  treatment of such
     consideration,

          (i) insofar as it  consists of cash,  be computed at the net amount of
     cash  received by the  Company,  without  deducting  any  expenses  paid or
     incurred  by the  Company  or  any  commissions  or  compensation  paid  or
     concessions  or  discounts  allowed  to  underwriters,  dealers  or  others
     performing similar services in connection with such issue or sale,

          (ii) insofar as it consists of property  (including  securities) other
     than cash,  be computed at the fair value thereof at the time of such issue
     or sale,  as  determined  in good  faith by the Board of  Directors  of the
     Company (subject to confirmation by a firm of independent  certified public
     accountants of recognized  national standing approved by either the holders
     of a majority  of the Series C Preferred  Stock or the Series C  Director),
     and

          (iii) in case  Additional  Shares of Common  Stock are  issued or sold
     together  with other stock or securities or other assets of the Company for
     a consideration  which covers both, be the portion of such consideration so
     received,  computed as provided in clauses (i) and (ii) above, allocable to
     such Additional  Shares of Common Stock, all as determined in good faith by
     the Board of Directors of the Company (subject to confirmation by a firm of
     independent  certified public  accountants of recognized  national standing
     approved  by either the  holders of a  majority  of the Series C  Preferred
     Stock or the Series C Director);

               (b) Additional  Shares of Common Stock deemed to have been issued
          pursuant  to  Section  1.7.2,  relating  to  Options  and  Convertible
          Securities,  shall be deemed to have been  issued for a  consideration
          per share determined by dividing

               (i) the total  amount,  if any,  received and  receivable  by the
          Company as consideration  for the issue,  sale, grant or assumption of
          the Options or  Convertible  Securities in question,  plus the minimum
          aggregate  amount  of  additional  consideration  (as set forth in the
          instruments   relating  thereto,   without  regard  to  any  provision
          contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such consideration to
          protect against  dilution) payable to the Company upon the exercise in
          full of such Options or the conversion or exchange of such Convertible
          Securities or, in the case of Options for Convertible Securities,  the
          exercise of such Options for Convertible Securities and the conversion
          or exchange of such  Convertible  Securities,  in each case  computing
          such consideration as provided in the foregoing subdivision (a), by

               (ii) the maximum  number of shares of Common  Stock (as set forth
          in the instruments  relating thereto,  without regard to any provision
          contained  therein  for a  subsequent  adjustment  of such  number  to
          protect against  dilution)  issuable upon the exercise of such Options
          or the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities; and

               (c) Additional  Shares of Common Stock deemed to have been issued
          pursuant to Section 1.7.3, relating to stock dividends,  stock splits,
          etc., shall be deemed to have been issued for no consideration.

               1.7.5. Adjustments for Combinations, etc. In case the outstanding
          shares  of  Common  Stock  shall  be  combined  or  consolidated,   by
          reclassification  or  otherwise,  into a lesser  number  of  shares of
          Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such
          combination   or   consolidation   shall,    concurrently   with   the
          effectiveness of such combination or consolidation, be proportionately
          increased.

               1.7.6.  Dilution in Case of Other  Securities.  In case any Other
          Securities shall be issued or sold or shall become subject to issue or
          sale  upon  the   conversion  or  exchange  of  any  stock  (or  Other
          Securities)  of the Company (or any issuer of Other  Securities or any
          other Person referred to in Section 1.9) or to subscription,  purchase
          or other acquisition  pursuant to any Options issued or granted by the
          Company (or any such other issuer or Person) for a consideration  such
          as to dilute, on a basis consistent with the standards  established in
          the other  provisions  of this  Section  1.7,  the  conversion  rights
          granted to holders of Series C Preferred Stock, then, and in each such
          case, the computations,  adjustments and readjustments provided for in
          this Section 1.7 with respect to the Conversion Price shall be made as
          nearly as possible in the manner so provided  and applied to determine
          the  amount of Common  Stock  from  time to time  receivable  upon the
          conversion of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock, so as to protect
          the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock against the effect of such
          dilution.

               1.7.7.  Minimum  Adjustment of Conversion Price. If the amount of
          any  adjustment  of the  Conversion  Price  required  pursuant to this
          Section  1.7 would be less than five  percent  (5%) of the  Conversion
          Price in effect at the time such  adjustment  is otherwise so required
          to be made,  such  adjustment  shall not then be made and such  amount
          shall be carried  forward and adjustment  with respect thereto made at
          the  time  of and  together  with  any  subsequent  adjustment  which,
          together  with such amount and any other  amount or amounts so carried
          forward, shall aggregate at least five percent (5%) of such Conversion
          Price.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Conversion Price shall be
          adjusted  at the  time of,  and be  effective  with  respect  to,  any
          conversion or redemption of any shares of Series C Preferred Stock.

                    1.7.8.  Reorganization,   Reclassification,   Consolidation,
               Merger or Sale.

                    (a) Company  Survives.  Upon the  consummation of an Organic
               Change (other than a transaction  in which the Company is not the
               surviving entity) the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock shall
               be  deemed   modified,   without   payment   of  any   additional
               consideration therefor, so as to provide that upon the conversion
               of shares of Series C Preferred Stock following the  consummation
               of such  Organic  Change,  the holder of such  shares of Series C
               Preferred  Stock  shall have the right to acquire and receive (in
               lieu of or in addition to the shares of Common  Stock  acquirable
               and receivable prior to the Organic Change) such shares of stock,
               securities  or assets as such holder would have  received if such
               holder had converted its shares of Series C Preferred  Stock into
               Common Stock  immediately  prior to such Organic Change,  in each
               case giving effect to any adjustment of the Conversion Price made
               after the date of consummation  of the Organic Change.  All other
               terms of the Series C Preferred  Stock shall remain in full force
               and effect  following such an Organic  Change.  The provisions of
               this Section 1.7.8(a) shall similarly apply to successive Organic
               Changes.

                    (b) Company  Does Not Survive.  No Organic  Change that is a
               transaction  in which the  Company  is not the  surviving  entity
               shall become  effective  unless the  surviving  entity shall have
               issued  new  securities  to the  holders  of  shares  of Series C
               Preferred Stock, without payment of any additional  consideration
               therefor,  with terms that  provide that upon the  conversion  of
               such  securities  following  the  consummation  of  such  Organic
               Change,  the  holder of such  securities  shall have the right to
               acquire  and  receive (in lieu of or in addition to the shares of
               Common  Stock  acquirable  and  receivable  prior to the  Organic
               Change) such shares of stock, securities or assets as such holder
               would have  received if such holder had  converted  its shares of
               Series C Preferred Stock into Common Stock  immediately  prior to
               such Organic Change, in each case giving effect to any adjustment
               of the  Conversion  Price of such new  securities  made after the
               date of consummation of the Organic Change on an equivalent basis
               to the adjustments  provided for the Conversion Price herein. All
               other  terms of the new  securities  shall be  equivalent  to the
               terms of the Series C Preferred  Stock  provided for herein.  The
               provisions  of this Section  1.7.8(b)  shall  similarly  apply to
               successive Organic Changes.

                    1.8.    Restrictions   on    Redemptions,    Purchases   and
               Acquisitions.  The Company shall not redeem, purchase, acquire or
               take any other action affecting  outstanding  shares of stock if,
               after giving effect to such redemption,  purchase, acquisition or
               other action, a Regulated  Stockholder  would own more than 4.99%
               of any class of voting  securities of the Company (other than any
               class of voting securities which is (or is made prior to any such
               redemption,  purchase,  acquisition or other action)  convertible
               into  a  class  of  nonvoting   securities  which  are  otherwise
               identical  to the voting  securities  and  convertible  into such
               voting   securities  on  terms  reasonably   acceptable  to  such
               Regulated Stockholder) or more than 24.99% of the total equity of
               the Company or more than 24.99% of the total value of all capital
               stock  and  subordinated  debt  of  the  Company  (in  each  case
               determined by assuming such Regulated  Stockholder  (but no other
               holder) has exercised, converted or exchanged all of its options,
               warrants and other convertible or exchangeable  securities).  The
               Company  shall  not  be  a  party  to  a  merger,  consolidation,
               recapitalization, reorganization or other transaction pursuant to
               which a  Regulated  Stockholder  would  be  required  to take any
               securities  or  subordinated   debt  which  might  reasonably  be
               expected to cause such person to have a Regulatory Problem.

                    1.9. Notices.

                           (a)      Immediately   upon  any  adjustment  of  the
                                    Conversion  Price,  the  Company  will  give
                                    written  notice  thereof  to all  holders of
                                    Series C Preferred Stock.

                           (b)      The Company will give written  notice to all
                                    holders of Series C Preferred Stock at least
                                    twenty  (20) days prior to the date on which
                                    the  Company  closes  its  books  or takes a
                                    record (1) with  respect to any  dividend or
                                    distribution  upon  Common  Stock,  (2) with
                                    respect to any pro rata  subscription  offer
                                    to  holders  of  Common  Stock  or  (3)  for
                                    determining  rights to vote with  respect to
                                    any   Organic    Change,    dissolution   or
                                    liquidation.

                           (c)      The Company will also give written notice to
                                    the holders of Series C  Preferred  Stock at
                                    least  twenty (20) days prior to the date on
                                    which any Organic Change will take place.

                           (d)      All  notices  which are  required  or may be
                                    given  pursuant to the terms of this Article
                                    shall be in writing  and shall be  delivered
                                    personally   (and   receipted   for)  or  by
                                    facsimile  (provided receipt is acknowledged
                                    in writing),  certified mail, return receipt
                                    requested,  postage  prepaid,  or by Federal
                                    Express   or  other   recognized   overnight
                                    courier, and any such notice shall be deemed
                                    effective when delivered.

                    1.10. Other Rights.

                    1.10.1.   Purchase  Rights.  If  at  any  time  the  Company
               distributes,  grants or sells any Options, Convertible Securities
               or  rights  to  purchase  stock,  warrants,  securities  or other
               property to all record  holders of any class of Common Stock (the
               "Purchase Rights"),  then each holder of Series C Preferred Stock
               will be entitled to acquire,  upon the terms  applicable  to such
               Purchase Rights,  the aggregate Purchase Rights which such holder
               could have  acquired if such holder had held the number of shares
               of Common  Stock  acquirable  upon  conversion  of such  holder's
               Series C Preferred Stock  immediately  before the date on which a
               record is taken for the grant,  issuance or sale of such Purchase
               Rights,  or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the
               record  holders  of  Common  Stock are to be  determined  for the
               distribution, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights.

                    1.10.2.  Pre-Emptive  Rights. If the Company  authorizes the
               issuance and sale of any Additional Shares of Common Stock, other
               than a sale to the public,  the Company will offer to sell to the
               holders of Series C Preferred  Stock, and each holder of Series C
               Preferred  Stock  may  elect to  purchase,  up to that  number of
               Additional  shares  of Common  Stock  such  that  following  such
               purchase,  the  holder is able to  maintain  the same  percentage
               ownership (on a fully-diluted basis) of the outstanding shares of
               Common Stock of the Company which such holder possessed by virtue
               of its ownership of shares of Series C Preferred Stock (or Common
               Stock issued upon the conversion  thereof)  immediately  prior to
               the issuance and sale of the  Additional  Shares of Common Stock.
               Holders of Series C Preferred  Stock will be entitled to purchase
               the Additional  Shares of Common Stock at the same price and upon
               the same terms as such shares of Common  Stock are being  offered
               to any other  Persons;  provided that, if such Persons are to pay
               for  such  Additional   Securities  in  whole  or  in  part  with
               consideration  other than cash, then the Board of Directors shall
               make a good faith  determination of the fair market value of such
               non-cash  consideration and the holders of the Series C Preferred
               Stock will be entitled to pay cash equal to the fair market value
               of the non-cash  consideration  such holders would  otherwise pay
               hereunder  in the  purchase of such  Additional  Shares of Common
               Stock.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  a  holder  of  Series C
               Preferred  Stock will not be  permitted  to  exercise  its rights
               under this Section  1.10.2  unless such holder agrees to purchase
               all  securities  offered as a package or unit in the  issuance of
               the  Additional  Shares of Common  Stock.  The Company  must give
               written  notice of the  issuance of  Additional  Shares of Common
               Stock,  which notice shall set forth the price and other terms of
               such  issuance,  to the  holders of Series C  Preferred  Stock no
               later than thirty (30) days  following  the issuance  date of the
               Additional  Shares of Common Stock (the  "Issuance  Date").  Upon
               receipt  of such  notice,  the  holders  may  exercise  the right
               granted by this Section  1.10.2 by giving  written  notice to the
               Company  within  thirty  (30)  days  following   receipt  of  the
               aforesaid  notice,  which  written  notice  from a  holder  shall
               specify  the number of  Additional  Shares of Common  Stock being
               purchased by such holder,  and be  accompanied  by a cashier's or
               certified  check  in  the  full  amount  of  the  price  for  the
               Additional  Shares of Common Stock being  purchased.  The Company
               shall promptly make delivery to such holders of certificates  for
               the Additional  Shares of Common Stock or other  securities  upon
               execution of such  documents and  instruments as shall govern the
               issuance  of such  Additional  Shares  of  Common  Stock or other
               securities.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a holder of Series
               C Preferred  Stock shall  exercise  its rights under this Section
               1.10.2  such  holder  shall  not  be  required  to  pay  for  the
               Additional  Shares of Common  Stock  purchased  by it unless  and
               until all other parties have paid for their Additional  Shares of
               Common  Stock.  In  addition,  if a holder of Series C  Preferred
               Stock  shall  exercise  its  rights  under  this  Section  1.10.2
               following the Issuance Date,  then such holder shall be deemed to
               have owned the Additional  Shares of Common Stock purchased by it
               as of the  Issuance  Date  for the  purpose  of any  benefits  of
               ownership  relating to such  Additional  Shares of Common  Stock,
               including the right to receive cash or stock  dividends  declared
               or  other   distributions,   to   participate   in  a  merger  or
               reorganization or to reflect any  reclassification  of Additional
               Shares of Common  Stock  between the  Issuance  Date and the date
               upon which such holder purchases the Additional  Shares of Common
               Stock.

                    1.11. Registration of Transfer. The Company will keep at its
               principal office or at the principal office of its transfer agent
               a register for the  registration of the Series C Preferred Stock.
               Upon  the  surrender  of any  certificate  representing  Series C
               Preferred  Stock at such place,  the Company will, at the request
               of the record holder of such certificate, execute and deliver (at
               the  Company's  expense) a new  certificate  or  certificates  in
               exchange  therefor  representing  in the  aggregate the number of
               shares of Series C Preferred Stock represented by the surrendered
               certificate. Each such new certificate will be registered in such
               name and  will  represent  such  number  of  shares  of  Series C
               Preferred  Stock as is requested by the holder of the surrendered
               certificate  and will be  substantially  identical in form to the
               surrendered  certificate;  provided,  however,  that any transfer
               shall be subject to any applicable  restrictions  on the transfer
               of such shares and the payment of any applicable  transfer taxes,
               if any, by the holder thereof.

                  1.12.   Replacement.   Upon  receipt  of  evidence  reasonably
                    satisfactory to the Company  (provided that if the holder is
               an   institutional   investor   its   own   agreement   will   be
               satisfactory),  or in case of any such mutilation, upon surrender
               of such  certificate,  the Company will (at its expense)  execute
               and deliver in lieu of such certificate a new certificate of like
               kind  representing  the  number of  shares of Series C  Preferred
               Stock  represented by such lost,  stolen,  destroyed or mutilated
               certificate  and dated the date of such lost , stolen,  destroyed
               or mutilated certificate.

                    1.13 Retirement of Converted or Redeemed  Shares.  No shares
               of Series C Preferred  Stock acquired by the Company by reason of
               redemption,  purchase, conversion or otherwise shall be re-issued
               and all such shares  shall be  canceled,  retired and  eliminated
               from the shares which the Company  shall be  authorized to issue.
               The Company may from time to time take such appropriate corporate
               actions as may be  necessary to reduce the  authorized  number of
               shares of Series C Preferred Stock accordingly.

                    End of Article XX of the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  IN
               WITNESS WHEREOF, we have signed this Certificate of Correction on
               the 21st day of April,  1997,  and we affirm  that the  statement
               made herein are true under penalties of perjury.

                                             /s/__________________
                                                Richard A. Barasch,
                                                President

                                             /s/___________________
                                                Joan Ferrarone,
                                                Secretary

                       UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP.
               PROPOSED PROVISIONS OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                      RELATING TO SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


1.  Series C Convertible Preferred Stock...................................-2-
    ------------------------------------
         1.1.  Definitions.................................................-2-
               -----------
         1.2.  Dividends...................................................-9-
               ---------
         1.3.  Rights on Liquidation.......................................-10-
               ---------------------
         1.4.  Voting Power................................................-11-
               ------------
                  1.4.1. Series C-1 Preferred Stock.
                           (a)      In General.............................-12-
                           (b)      Election of Directors..................-12-
                  (c)      Special Matters.................................-15-
         1.5.  Redemption..................................................-20-
                  1.5.1.  Fixed Redemption.................................-20-
                          ----------------
                  1.5.2.  Call by the Company..............................-20-
                          -------------------
                  1.5.3.  Non-Compliance Provisions........................-20-
                          -------------------------
                  1.5.4.  Failure to Pay Redemption Price or Installment...-22-
                          ----------------------------------------------
                  1.5.5.  Legal Availability...............................-23-
                          ------------------
                  1.5.6.  Other Redemptions or Acquisitions................-24-
                          ---------------------------------
         1.6.  Conversion Rights...........................................-24-
               -----------------
                  1.6.1.  At the Option of the Holder......................-24-
                          ---------------------------
                  1.6.3.  At the Option of the Company.....................-25-
                          ----------------------------
                  1.6.5.  Conversion Procedure.............................-26-
                          --------------------
                  1.6.6.  Time of Conversion...............................-27-
                          ------------------
                  1.6.8.  Issuance of Certificate for Common Stock.........-28-
                          ----------------------------------------
                  1.6.9.  Books of Corporation.............................-29-
                          --------------------
         1.7.  Anti-Dilution Adjustments...................................-29-
               -------------------------
                  1.7.1.  Issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock....-29-
                          ---------------------------------------------
                  1.7.2.  Treatment of Options and Convertible Securities..-30-
                          -----------------------------------------------
                  1.7.3.  Treatment of Stock Dividends, Stock Splits, etc..-34-
                          ------------------------------------------------
                  1.7.4.  Computation of Consideration.....................-35-
                          ----------------------------
                  1.7.5.  Adjustments for Combinations, etc................-37-
                          ----------------------------------
                  1.7.6.  Dilution in Case of Other Securities.............-37-
                          ------------------------------------
                  1.7.7.  Minimum Adjustment of Conversion Price...........-38-
                          --------------------------------------
                  1.7.8.  Reorganization, Reclassification,
                             Consolidation, Merger or Sale.................-38-
                          ---------------------------------
         1.8.  Restrictions on Redemptions, Purchases and Acquisitions.....-40-
         1.9.  Notices.....................................................-41-
         1.10. Other Rights................................................-42-
                  1.10.1. Purchase Rights..................................-42-
                  1.10.2. Pre-Emptive Rights...............................-42-
         1.11. Registration of Transfer....................................-44-
         1.12. Replacement.................................................-44-
         1.13. Retirement of Converted or Redeemed Shares..................-45-






                                CREDIT AGREEMENT
                          dated as of December 10, 1997
                                     between
                       UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP.,
                                   as Borrower
                                       and
                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                    as Lender


<PAGE>


                                                         

                  CREDIT  AGREEMENT  dated  as  of  December  10,  1997  between
UNIVERSAL  AMERICAN  FINANCIAL CORP., a corporation  organized under the laws of
the State of New York (the "Borrower"),  and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a banking
corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York (the "Lender").

                  The Borrower desires that the Lender extend credit as provided
herein  and the Lender is  prepared  to extend  such  credit.  Accordingly,  the
Borrower and the Lender agree as follows:

                  ARTICLE I.        DEFINITIONS; ACCOUNTING TERMS

                    Section 1.1.  Definitions.  As used in this  Agreement,  the
               following terms have the following meanings (terms defined in the
               singular to have a  correlative  meaning  when used in the plural
               and vice versa):

                  "Acceptable Acquisition" means any Acquisition:  (i) which has
been either (A) approved by the Board of Directors of the  corporation  which is
the  subject  of  such  Acquisition  or (B)  recommended  by such  Board  to the
shareholders of such  corporation;  and (ii) with respect to which the following
conditions are satisfied:

                    (a) no Default or Event of  Default  exists or would  result
               from such Acquisition;

                  (b) the company or assets acquired involve  substantially  the
same or similar  line of business as the  Borrower  or the  Subsidiaries  of the
Borrower (e.g., insurance, senior marketing and health care business);

                  (c) the Borrower  demonstrates  that, on a combined basis with
the acquired  assets and/or  company,  in accordance  with GAAP, they would have
been in compliance with the financial  covenants contained in Section 8.1 herein
on a pro forma basis as of the end of the immediately  preceding fiscal quarter;
and

                  (d)      the Borrower remains as the surviving entity.

                  "Acquisition"   means  any   transaction,   other  than  those
transactions  and/or investments allowed pursuant to subsections (a) through (e)
of Section 7.5 herein, pursuant to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
(a) acquires equity securities (or warrants,  options or other rights to acquire
such  securities) of any corporation  other than the Borrower or any corporation
which is not then a Subsidiary of the Borrower,  pursuant to a  solicitation  of
tenders  therefor,  or  in  one  or  more  negotiated  block,  market  or  other
transactions  not  involving  a tender  offer,  or a  combination  of any of the
foregoing,  or (b) makes any corporation a Subsidiary of the Borrower, or causes
any such corporation to be merged into the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,
in any case  pursuant  to a merger,  purchase  of  assets or any  reorganization
providing for the delivery or issuance to the holders of such corporation's then
outstanding securities,  in exchange for such securities,  of cash or securities
of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or a combination  thereof,  or (c)
purchases all or substantially all of the business or assets of any corporation.

                  "Adjusted   Tangible  Net  Worth"   means,   at  any  date  of
determination  thereof,  the  excess  of total  assets  of a Person  over  total
liabilities of such Person,  excluding,  however from the determination of total
assets: goodwill,  organizational expenses and unamortized debt discount, all as
determined  in  accordance  with GAAP. In addition,  net  unrealized  investment
gains/losses  will be excluded from the  determination of net worth to arrive at
Adjusted Tangible Net Worth.

                    "Advisory  Fee" means the fee  payable by Borrower to Lender
               as set forth in Section 2.11.

                  "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any Person: (a)
which directly or indirectly  controls,  or is controlled by, or is under common
control  with,  such Person or any of its  Subsidiaries;  (b) which  directly or
indirectly  beneficially  owns or holds  five  percent  or more of any  class of
voting stock of such Person or any such Subsidiary;  (c) five percent or more of
the voting stock of which is directly or indirectly  beneficially  owned or held
by such Person or such  Subsidiary;  or (d) which is a partnership in which such
Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner. The term "control" means
the  possession,  directly  or  indirectly,  of the power to direct or cause the
direction  of the  management  and  policies  of a Person,  whether  through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

                  "Agreement"  means  this  Credit  Agreement,   as  amended  or
supplemented  from time to time.  References  to Articles,  Sections,  Exhibits,
Schedules and the like refer to the Articles,  Sections, Exhibits, Schedules and
the like of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.

                    "American  Pioneer"  means  American  Pioneer Life Insurance
               Company, a Florida corporation.

                    "American  Progressive"  means American  Progressive  Life &
               Health Insurance Company of New York, a New York corporation.

                  "Applicable Lending Office" shall mean the "Lending Office" of
the Lender (or of an affiliate of the Lender)  designated  below its name on the
signature pages hereof or such other office of the Lender (or of an affiliate of
the Lender) as the Lender may from time to time  specify to the  Borrower as the
office by which its Loans are to be made and maintained.

                    "Appraisal" means an appraisal conducted on the valuation of
               American Pioneer by MacKeen & Hull.

                  "Banking Day" means any day on which  commercial banks are not
authorized  or required to close in New York,  New York,  and whenever  such day
relates to a LIBOR Loan or notice with respect to any principal  amounts bearing
interest at the LIBO Rate, a day on which  dealings in Dollar  deposits are also
carried out in the London interbank market.

                  "Capital  Lease"  means any lease  which has been or should be
capitalized on the books of the lessee in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Chase" means The Chase Manhattan Bank, a New York banking 
corporation.

                  "Chase's  Prime  Rate"  means the rate of  interest  announced
publicly  by Chase in New York,  New York from time to time,  as  Chase's  Prime
Rate.

                  "Closing Date" means the date of the making of the Loan by the
Lender pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.

                  "Code"  means the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended
from time to time.

                  "Consolidated Net Profit" means Net Profit of the Borrower and
its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  as  determined  on  a  consolidated  basis  in
accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Subsidiary"  means, with respect to any Person,
any Subsidiary  whose accounts are or are required to be  consolidated  with the
accounts of such Person in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Adjusted  Tangible  Net Worth"  means  Adjusted
Tangible  Net  Worth  of the  Borrower  and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  as
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Debt" means, with respect to any Person:  (a) indebtedness of
such Person for borrowed money; (b) indebtedness for the deferred purchase price
of  property or  services  (except  trade  payables  in the  ordinary  course of
business);  (c) Unfunded  Benefit  Liabilities of such Person (if such Person is
not the  Borrower,  determined  in a  manner  analogous  to that of  determining
Unfunded  Benefit  Liabilities  of the  Borrower);  (d) the face  amount  of any
outstanding  letters  of credit  issued  for the  account  of such  person;  (e)
obligations arising under acceptance  facilities;  (f) guaranties,  endorsements
(other  than for  collection  in the  ordinary  course  of  business)  and other
contingent  obligations  to purchase,  to provide  funds for payment,  to supply
funds to invest in any Person,  or otherwise to assure a creditor  against loss;
(g)  obligations  secured  by any  Lien  on  property  of such  person;  and (h)
obligations of such Person as lessee under Capital Leases.

                  "Default"  means any event  which with the giving of notice or
lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default.

                  "Default  Rate" means,  with  respect to the  principal of any
Loan and,  to the  extent  permitted  by law,  any other  amount  payable by the
Borrower under this Agreement or any Facility Document that is not paid when due
(whether at stated  maturity,  by acceleration  or otherwise),  a rate per annum
during the period from and including the due date, to, but excluding the date on
which  such  amount is paid in full  equal to two  percentage  points  above the
Variable Rate as in effect from time to time.

                  "Dollars" and the sign "$" mean lawful money of the United 
States of America.

                  "Environmental  Laws" means any and all federal,  state, local
and foreign statutes, laws, regulations,  ordinances,  rules, judgments, orders,
decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other
governmental   restrictions   relating  to  the  environment  or  to  emissions,
discharges,  releases  or  threatened  releases  of  pollutants,   contaminants,
chemicals,  or  industrial,  toxic or  hazardous  substances  or wastes into the
environment  including,  without limitation,  ambient air, surface water, ground
water,  or  land,  or  otherwise   relating  to  the  manufacture,   processing,
distribution,  use,  treatment,  storage,  disposal,  transport,  or handling of
pollutants,   contaminants,   chemicals,  or  industrial,   toxic  or  hazardous
substances or wastes.

                  "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of
1974,  as  amended  from  time to time,  including  any  rules  and  regulations
promulgated thereunder.

                  "ERISA  Affiliate"  means any corporation or trade or business
which is a member of any group of organizations  (i) described in section 414(b)
or (c) of the Code of  which  the  Borrower  is a  member,  or (ii)  solely  for
purposes of potential  liability  under section  302(c)(11) of ERISA and section
412(c)(11) of the Code and the lien created  under  section  302(f) of ERISA and
section  412(n) of the Code,  described in section  414(m) or (o) of the Code of
which the Borrower is a member.

                  "Event of Default" has the meaning given such term in Section
 8.1.

                  "Facility  Documents"  means  this  Agreement,  the Note,  the
Security  Agreement,  the  Guaranty,  the Pledge  Agreement,  Interest Rate Swap
Agreement and each of the documents,  certificates or other instruments referred
to in Article 4 hereof as well as any other document,  instrument or certificate
to be  delivered  by the  Borrower  in  connection  with  this  Agreement  or in
connection  with the  documents,  certificates  or  instruments  referred  to in
Article 4, including in connection  with any  conversion,  renewal,  prepayment,
etc.

                  "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means the ratio of the following
computed for any fiscal  period in respect of the Borrower and its  Consolidated
Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis:  (1) the sum of: (a) net profit  before
taxes,  minus (b) all taxes paid in cash, minus (c) capital  expenditures  which
are not financed with Funded Debt,  plus (d)  depreciation  and  amortization of
intangible  assets,  to (2) the amount of all principal and interest payments of
Funded Debt made during such fiscal period.

                  "Fixed Rate" means any LIBO Rate.

                  "Fixed Rate Loan" means any LIBOR Loan.

                  "Forfeiture Proceeding" means, with respect to any Person, any
action,  proceeding  or  investigation  affecting  such  Person  or  any  of its
Subsidiaries   or  Affiliates   before  any  court,   governmental   department,
commission,  board, bureau,  agency or instrumentality,  domestic or foreign, or
the  receipt  of notice by any such  party that any of them is a suspect in or a
target of any  governmental  inquiry  or  investigation,  which may result in an
indictment of any of them or the seizure or forfeiture of any of their property.


                  "Funded Debt" means, with respect to any Person,  (i) all Debt
of such Person for money borrowed or which has been incurred in connection  with
the acquisition of assets which by its terms matures more than one year from the
date as of which such Debt is  incurred,  and any Debt of such  Person for money
borrowed or which has been incurred in connection with the acquisition of assets
maturing  within one year from such date which is renewable or extendible at the
option of the obligor to a date  beyond one year from such date  (whether or not
theretofore renewed or extended),  including any such indebtedness  renewable or
extendible at the option of the obligor  under,  or payable from the proceeds of
other  indebtedness  which may be incurred  pursuant to, the  provisions  of any
revolving credit  agreement or other similar  agreement and (ii) all Capitalized
Leases.

                  "GAAP" means generally accepted  accounting  principles in the
United  States of America,  as such  principles  are in effect from time to time
applied on a consistent basis.

                  "Guarantors" means, collectively, Quincy Coverage and 
WorldNet, each a "Guarantor."

                  "Guaranty"  means the Guaranty in the form of Exhibit B hereto
guaranteeing the Loan made by the Lender hereunder.

                  "Interest  Period" means, with respect to any Fixed Rate Loan,
the period commencing on the date such Loan is made, converted from another type
of Loan or renewed,  as the case may be, and ending,  as the Borrower may select
pursuant to Section  2.6,  on the  numerically  corresponding  day in the first,
second, third or sixth calendar month thereafter,  provided,  however, that each
such Interest Period which commences on the last Banking Day of a calendar month
(or on any  date for  which  there is no  numerically  corresponding  day in the
appropriate  subsequent calendar month) shall end on the last Banking Day of the
appropriate calendar month.

                  "Interest Rate Swap Agreement" has the meaning set forth in 
Section 2.14 herein.

                  "LIBO  Rate"  means with  respect to any  Interest  Period for
LIBOR Loans, a rate per annum  (rounded  upwards,  if necessary,  to the nearest
1/100 of one  percent)  determined  by the Lender to be equal to the quotient of
(i) the rate per annum (rounded  upwards,  if necessary,  to the nearest 1/16 of
one  percent  and as  adjusted  by the Lender to reflect  costs and  expenses in
acquiring  such funds)  quoted at  approximately  11:00 a.m.  London time by the
principal  London  branch of Chase three  Banking Days prior to the first day of
such Interest  Period for the offering to leading banks in the London  interbank
market of Dollar deposits in immediately  available funds, for a period,  and in
an amount,  comparable to the Interest Period and principal  amount of the LIBOR
Loan  outstanding  during such  Interest  Period,  divided by (ii) one minus the
Reserve Requirement for such LIBOR Loan for such Interest Period.

                  "LIBOR  Loan" means any  designated  portion of the  principal
outstanding  under  this  Agreement  when and to the extent  the  interest  rate
therefor is determined on the basis of the definition "LIBO Rate."

                  "Lien"  means  any lien  (statutory  or  otherwise),  security
interest,  mortgage,  deed of trust, priority,  pledge, negative pledge, charge,
conditional   sale,  title  retention   agreement,   financing  lease  or  other
encumbrance  or similar  right of others,  or any  agreement  to give any of the
foregoing.

                  "Loan" or "Loans" means, as the context requires, (i) the loan
made by the  Lender  pursuant  to  Section  2.1 or (ii)  one or more  designated
portion(s) of the principal outstanding under this Agreement bearing interest at
a LIBO Rate or a Variable Rate.

                  "Margin"  means,  (a) for a Variable  Rate Loan,  0 percentage
points; (b) for a LIBOR Loan, 2.00 percentage points.

                  "Maturity Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b) 
herein.

                  "Multiemployer  Plan" means a Plan  defined as such in section
3(37) of ERISA to which  contributions  have  been made by the  Borrower  or any
ERISA Affiliate and which is covered by Title IV of ERISA.

                  "Net Profit" shall have the meaning construed in accordance
 with GAAP.

                  "Note" means the  promissory  note of the Borrower in the form
of Exhibit A hereto, payable to the order of the Lender.

                  "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty  Corporation and any
entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

                  "Person"  means  an  individual,   partnership,   corporation,
business trust, joint stock company, trust,  unincorporated  association,  joint
venture, governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.

                  "Plan" means any employee benefit or other plan established or
maintained,  or to which  contributions  have been made,  by the Borrower or any
ERISA  Affiliate  and  which  is  covered  by Title IV of  ERISA,  other  than a
Multiemployer Plan.

                  "Pledge and Security  Agreement" means the pledge and security
agreement,  in the form of  Exhibit  D,  made by the  Borrower  pledging  to the
Lender,  among other things, all of the Borrower's right, title and interest in,
to and under 9.9% of the shares of American  Progressive  and 100% of the shares
of Quincy Coverage.

                  "Quincy Coverage" means Quincy Coverage Corporation, a New 
York corporation.

                  "Regulation D" means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System as the same may be amended or supplemented  from time
to time.

                  "Regulatory  Change"  means any change  after the date of this
Agreement  in  United  States  federal,  state,  municipal  or  foreign  laws or
regulations  (including  without  limitation  Regulation  D) or the  adoption or
making after such date of any  interpretations,  directives or requests applying
to a class of banks  including  Chase of or under any  United  States,  federal,
state, municipal or foreign laws or regulations (whether or not having the force
of law) by any court or  governmental  or monetary  authority  charged  with the
interpretation or administration thereof.

                  "Regulation U" means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System as the same may be amended or supplemented  from time
to time.

                  "Regulation X" means Regulation X of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System as the same may be amended or supplemented  from time
to time.

                  "Reserve  Requirement"  means, for any Interest Period for any
LIBOR Loan, the average maximum rate at which reserves  (including any marginal,
supplemental  or emergency  reserves) are required to be maintained  during such
Interest Period under Regulation D by member banks of the Federal Reserve System
in  New  York  with  deposits  exceeding  $1,000,000,000  against  "Eurocurrency
liabilities" (as such term is used in Regulation D). Without limiting the effect
of the  foregoing,  the Reserve  Requirement  shall  reflect any other  reserves
required  to be  maintained  by such  member  banks by reason of any  Regulatory
Change  against  (i) any  category of  liabilities  which  includes  deposits by
reference to which the LIBO Rate for LIBOR Loans is to be determined as provided
in the  definition  of "LIBO Rate" in this  Section 1.1 or (ii) any  category of
extensions of credit or other assets which include LIBOR Loans.

                  "Security  Agreement" means the security agreement made by the
Guarantors,  granting  to the Lender  all of the  Guarantors'  right,  title and
interest  in, to and under  their  respective  assets,  in the form of Exhibit C
hereto securing the Loan made by the Lender hereunder.

                  "Stock Purchase  Agreement"  means that certain Stock Purchase
Agreement dated July 26, 1996 between American Progressive and Universal Holding
Corp., a New York corporation.

                  "Subsidiary"   means,   with   respect  to  any  Person,   any
corporation  or other entity of which at least a majority of the  securities  or
other  ownership   interests   having  ordinary  voting  power   (absolutely  or
contingently) for the election of directors or other persons  performing similar
functions are at the time owned directly or indirectly by such Person.

                  "Termination Date" means (i) the Maturity Date;  provided that
if such  date is not a  Banking  Day,  the  Termination  Date  shall be the next
succeeding  Banking  Day (or, if such next  succeeding  Banking Day falls in the
next calendar month, the immediately  preceding Banking Day) or (ii) the earlier
date of maturity of the Loan pursuant to Section 9.2.

                  "Unfunded Benefit Liabilities" means, with respect to any Plan
of any  Person,  the amount (if any) by which the  present  value of all benefit
liabilities  (within the meaning of section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA) under the Plan
exceeds  the fair  market  value of all Plan assets  allocable  to such  benefit
liabilities,  as determined on the most recent valuation date of the Plan and in
accordance with the provisions of ERISA for calculating the potential  liability
of such Person or any ERISA Affiliate under Title IV of ERISA.

                  "Variable Rate" means a fluctuating rate per annum as shall be
in effect  from time to time which rate per annum shall at all times be equal to
the higher of:

                  (a)   Chase's Prime Rate, or

                  (b) The sum (adjusted to the nearest 1/4 of one percent or, if
there is no nearest 1/4 of one  percent,  to the next higher 1/4 of one percent)
of (i) 1/2 of one percent per annum, plus (ii) the rate obtained by dividing (A)
the latest  three-week moving average of secondary market morning offering rates
in the United  States for  three-month  certificates  of deposit of major United
States money market banks,  such  three-week  moving  average  being  determined
weekly on each  Monday  (or,  if any such day is not a Banking  Day, on the next
succeeding  Banking Day) for the three-week period ending on the previous Friday
by Chase on the basis of such rates reported by  certificate of deposit  dealers
to and published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, if such publication
shall be  suspended or  terminated,  on the basis of  quotations  for such rates
received  by Chase  from  three  New York  certificate  of  deposit  dealers  of
recognized standing,  by (B) a percentage equal to 100% minus the average of the
daily  percentages  specified  during  such  three-week  period  by the Board of
Governors of the Federal  Reserve System (or any successor) for  determining the
maximum  reserve  requirement  (including,  but not limited  to, any  emergency,
supplemental or other marginal  reserve  requirement)  for Chase with respect of
liabilities  consisting of or including  (among other  liabilities)  three-month
U.S.  dollar  nonpersonal  time  deposits in the United  States,  plus (iii) the
average during such three-week  period of the annual  assessment rates estimated
by Chase for determining the then current annual assessment  payable by Chase to
the Federal Deposit  Insurance  Corporation (or any successor) for insuring U.S.
dollar deposits of Chase in the United States.

                  "Variable  Rate  Loan"  means any  designated  portion  of the
principal  outstanding  under this Agreement when and to the extent the interest
rate therefor is determined in relation to the Variable Rate.

                  "WorldNet" means WorldNet Services Corp., a Florida 
corporation.

                  Section  1.2.  Accounting  Terms.  All  accounting  terms  not
specifically  defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, and all
financial  data  required  to  be  delivered  hereunder  shall  be  prepared  in
accordance with GAAP.


                  ARTICLE II. THE CREDIT

                  Section 2.1.      The Loan.

                  (a) Subject to the terms set forth  herein,  the Lender hereby
agrees, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth in this Agreement,  to
make the Loan to the  Borrower in a single  disbursement  on the Closing Date in
the principal  amount equal to  $3,500,000.  Within the limits set forth herein,
the Borrower may prepay and convert the Loan pursuant to Section 2.4,  provided,
however,  the  Borrower  shall  not have the  ability  to  reborrow  under  this
Agreement.  The Loan may be  outstanding as a Variable Rate Loan or a LIBOR Loan
(each a "type" of Loan);  provided,  however,  that only one type of Loan may be
outstanding at any one time with respect to the Note. Each type of Loan shall be
made and maintained at the Lender's  Applicable  Lending Office for such type of
Loan.

                  (b) The Borrower shall pay to the Lender the principal  amount
of the Loan not later  than the  earlier to occur of (i) such date which is five
years from the date of  disbursement  of the Loan (the "Maturity  Date") or (ii)
the  Termination  Date as set forth in the Note executed in connection  with the
Loan.

                  Section 2.2.       The Note; Borrowing Procedures.

                  (a) The Loan shall be evidenced by the Note, dated the Closing
Date, duly completed and executed by the Borrower.

                  (b) The Borrower shall give the Lender notice of any borrowing
to be made  hereunder  as provided in Section  2.7. Not later than 1:00 p.m. New
York, New York,  time on the date of such borrowing,  the Lender shall,  through
its Applicable  Lending Office and subject to the conditions of this  Agreement,
make the Loan available to the Borrower,  in immediately available funds, at the
Applicable Lending Office.

                  Section 2.3.  Purpose.  The Borrower shall use the proceeds of
the Loan (a) to finance the  "unstacking"  of  American  Pioneer  from  American
Progressive as contemplated under the Stock Purchase Agreement, (b) to refinance
existing bank  indebtedness of the Borrower and (c) for other general  corporate
purposes.  Such proceeds shall not be used for the purpose,  whether  immediate,
incidental or ultimate,  of buying or carrying "margin stock" within the meaning
of Regulation U or Regulation X.

                  Section 2.4.  Prepayments and Conversions.  The Borrower shall
have the right to make prepayments of principal,  or to convert one type of Loan
into another type of Loan, at any time or from time to time;  provided that: (a)
the Borrower shall give the Lender notice of each such  prepayment or conversion
as provided  in Section  2.7;  (b) Fixed Rate Loans may be prepaid or  converted
without  compensation  to the Lender only on the last day of an Interest  Period
for such Loans;  and (c) Fixed Rate Loans may be prepaid  (whether  voluntary or
involuntary)  or converted  prior to the last day of an Interest Period for such
Loans  provided  that the Borrower  compensates  the Lender in  accordance  with
Section 3.4.

                  Section 2.5. Cross-Default. The Loan made under this Agreement
shall be  cross-defaulted  with (i) all other loans or advances of any kind made
by the  Lender  to the  Borrower,  the  Guarantors  or any of  their  respective
Subsidiaries  and Affiliates,  (ii) all other agreements of any kind between the
Lender and the Borrower, the Guarantors or any of their respective  Subsidiaries
and Affiliates, including the Interest Rate Swap Agreement.

                  Section 2.6.      Interest Periods; Renewals.

                  (a) In the case of each Fixed Rate Loan,  the  Borrower  shall
select an Interest  Period of any duration in accordance  with the definition of
Interest  Period in Section 1.1,  subject to the  following  limitation:  (i) no
Interest   Period  may  extend  beyond  the  applicable   Maturity  Date;   (ii)
notwithstanding  clause (i) above, no Interest Period shall have a duration less
than 30 days, and if any such proposed  Interest Period would otherwise be for a
shorter  period,  such  Interest  Period  shall  not be  available;  (iii) if an
Interest  Period  would end on a day which is not a Banking Day,  such  Interest
Period shall be extended to the next Banking Day, unless, in the case of a LIBOR
Loan, such Banking Day would fall in the next calendar month in which event such
Interest  Period shall end on the  immediately  preceding  Banking Day; and (iv)
only one Interest  Period may be outstanding at any one time with respect to the
Loan.

(b) Upon notice to the Lender as provided in Section 2.7, the Borrower may renew
any Fixed Rate Loan on the last day of the Interest  Period therefor as the same
type of Loan  with an  Interest  Period  of the same or  different  duration  in
accordance  with the  limitations  provided above. If the Borrower shall fail to
give  notice  to the  Lender  of such a  renewal,  any  such  LIBOR  Loan  shall
automatically  renew  as a  LIBOR  Loan  with an  Interest  Period  of the  same
duration,  unless such Interest  Period would end after the Maturity Date of the
Note  evidencing  such Loan,  in which case such LIBOR Loan shall  automatically
convert to a Variable Rate Loan;  provided that the foregoing  shall not prevent
the  conversion  of any type of Fixed  Rate  Loan into  another  type of Loan in
accordance with Section 2.4.
                  Section 2.7. Certain  Notices.  Notices by the Borrower to the
Lender of each Loan  pursuant to Section  2.2,  Section 2.4 and Section 2.6, and
each prepayment or conversion  pursuant to Section 2.4 and each renewal pursuant
to Section 2.6(b),  shall be irrevocable and shall be effective only if received
by the Lender not later than 12:00 noon New York, New York time, and in the case
of  prepayments  of,  conversions  into and (in the case of  Fixed  Rate  Loans)
renewals of (i) Variable Rate Loans, given on the Banking Day therefor; and (ii)
LIBOR  Loans,  given two Banking  Days prior  thereto.  Each such  notice  shall
specify the type of Loan,  the principal  amount  therefor,  the duration of the
Interest  Period(s) therefor (for Fixed Rate Loans), and the date of the Loan or
prepayment, or conversion or renewal (which shall be a Banking Day).

                  Section  2.8.   Minimum  and  Maximum   Amounts.   Except  for
prepayments or  conversions  which result in the prepayment or conversion of all
Loans  of a  particular  type,  each  Loan,  conversion,  renewal  and  optional
prepayment  of principal of Loans of a particular  type shall be in an amount at
least  equal to $50,000  for  Variable  Rate Loans and  $500,000  for Fixed Rate
Loans,  except that if LIBOR Loans are  outstanding  in the principal  amount of
$500,000 or less,  the Borrower may prepay such Loans in  increments of $100,000
and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof  (prepayments,  conversions
or  renewals of or into Loans of  different  types or, in the case of Fixed Rate
Loans, having different Interest Periods at the same time hereunder to be deemed
separate  prepayments,   conversions  and  renewals  for  the  purposes  of  the
foregoing, one for each type of Interest Period).

                  Section 2.9.      Interest.

                  (a)  Interest  shall  accrue  on the  outstanding  and  unpaid
principal  amount of the Loan for the period from and  including the date of the
Loan to but excluding the applicable  Maturity Date of the Note at the following
rates per annum: (i) for Variable Rate Loans, at a variable rate per annum equal
to the Variable Rate plus the Margin; and (ii) for a LIBOR Loan, at a fixed rate
equal to the LIBO Rate plus the  Margin for the period  from and  including  the
first day of the Interest  Period therefor to but excluding the last day of such
Interest  Period.  If the  principal  amount  of the Loan and any  other  amount
payable by the  Borrower  hereunder or under the Note shall not be paid when due
(at stated  maturity,  by acceleration  or otherwise),  interest shall accrue on
such amount to the fullest  extent  permitted by law from and including such due
date to but excluding the date such amount is paid in full at the Default Rate.

                  (b) The interest rate on Variable Rate Loans shall change when
the Variable  Rate changes and interest on each such Loan shall be calculated on
the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days elapsed.  Interest
on each Fixed Rate Loan shall be  calculated  on the basis of a year of 360 days
for the actual number of days elapsed.

                  (c)  Accrued  interest  on all types of Loans shall be due and
payable in arrears upon any payment of principal or  conversion,  commencing the
first such date occurring after the date of the making of the Loan, and for each
LIBOR Loan,  accrued  interest  shall also be due and payable on the last day of
the Interest Period with respect thereto; provided that interest accruing at the
Default Rate shall be due and payable from time to time on demand of the Lender.

                  Section 2.10. Repayment.  The Borrower shall pay to the Lender
consecutive quarterly installments of principal on the Loan, commencing on March
31,  1998,  and on the last day of each  June,  September,  December  and  March
thereafter during the term of the Loan, each such principal installment to be in
an amount equal to $175,000 and accompanied by a payment of any accrued interest
thereon as required to be paid in accordance with Section 2.9 herein;  provided,
however that the remaining  outstanding  principal amount of the Loan,  together
with interest accrued thereon, shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date.

                  Section 2.11.  Facility Fee. The Borrower agrees to pay to the
Lender an advisory  fee in the total amount of $75,000 on the date of the making
of the Loan (the  "Advisory  Fee").  The Lender  acknowledges  that the Borrower
previously paid an amount equal to $25,000 to the Lender, which $25,000 shall be
applied toward the payment of the Advisory Fee.

                  Section  2.12.  Payments  Generally.  All payments  under this
Agreement or the Note shall be made in Dollars in  immediately  available  funds
not later than 1:00 p.m. New York, New York time on the relevant dates specified
above (each such  payment  made after such time on such due date to be deemed to
have been made on the next  succeeding  Banking Day) at the  Applicable  Lending
Office.  The Lender may (but shall not be obligated to) request that Chase debit
the amount of any such payment  which is not made by such time to any  operating
account or ordinary  deposit account of the Borrower with Chase. All prepayments
shall  be  applied  to  principal  due and  owing  under  the  Note in the  sole
discretion of the Lender. If the due date of any payment under this Agreement or
the Note would  otherwise  fall on a day which is not a Banking  Day,  such date
shall be  extended to the next  succeeding  Banking  Day and  interest  shall be
payable for any principal so extended for the period of such extension.

                  Section 2.13.      Late Charges.  Payments not received 
within 10 days of the due date therefor will be subject to a one-time charge 
equal to 5% of the amount overdue.

                  Section 2.14.  Interest Rate Swap Agreement.  The Borrower has
purchased,  as a condition of the  disbursement  of the proceeds of the Loan, an
interest rate swap  agreement  with respect to the Note (the "Interest Rate Swap
Agreement"). All of the obligations of the Borrower under the Interest Rate Swap
Agreement  are secured by the  Guaranty,  the Security  Agreement and the Pledge
Agreement,  and the  occurrence  of any  violation  under,  default  or event of
default  under the Interest  Rate Swap  Agreement  shall  constitute an Event of
Default hereunder as set forth in Section 9.1(o) herein.


                  ARTICLE III.       YIELD PROTECTION; ILLEGALITY; ETC.

                  Section 3.1.      Additional Costs.

                  (a) The Borrower  shall pay to the Lender from time to time on
demand such amounts as the Lender may determine to be necessary to compensate it
for any costs  which the Lender  determines  are  attributable  to its making or
maintaining  any  Fixed  Rate  Loans  under  this  Agreement  or the Note or its
obligation to make the Loan hereunder, or any reduction in any amount receivable
by the Lender  hereunder in respect of any such Loans or such  obligation  (such
increases in costs and  reductions  in amounts  receivable  being herein  called
"Additional Costs"), resulting from any Regulatory Change which: (i) changes the
basis of taxation of any amounts  payable to the Lender under this  Agreement or
the Note in  respect  of any of such  Loans  (other  than  taxes  imposed on the
overall net income of the Lender or of its Applicable  Lending Office for any of
such  Loans by the  jurisdiction  in which  such  Applicable  Lending  Office is
located);  or (ii)  imposes or modifies any reserve,  special  deposit,  deposit
insurance or assessment,  minimum capital, capital ratio or similar requirements
relating to any extensions of credit or other assets of, or any deposits with or
other  liabilities  of, the Lender or Chase  (including any of such Loans or any
deposits  referred to in the definition of "LIBO Rate" in Section 1.1); or (iii)
imposes any other condition affecting this Agreement or the Note (or any of such
extensions of credit or liabilities). The Lender will notify the Borrower of any
event  occurring  after the date of this Agreement which will entitle the Lender
to compensation pursuant to this Section 3.1(a) within thirty (30) days after it
obtains  knowledge  thereof and  determines  to request such  compensation.  The
Borrower  upon such  notice may elect to prepay all Fixed Rate Loans  subject to
the provisions set forth in Section 2.4.

                  (b) Without limiting the effect of the foregoing provisions of
this Section 3.1, in the event that,  by reason of any  Regulatory  Change,  the
Lender or Chase either (i) incurs  Additional  Costs based on or measured by the
excess above a specified  level of the amount of a category of deposits or other
liabilities of the Lender or Chase which includes deposits by reference to which
the interest rate on LIBOR Loans is determined as provided in this  Agreement or
a category of  extensions of credit or other assets of the Lender or Chase which
includes LIBOR Loans or (ii) becomes  subject to  restrictions  on the amount of
such a category of liabilities or assets which it may hold,  then, if the Lender
so elects by notice to the  Borrower,  the  obligation  of the Lender to make or
renew, and to convert Loans of any other type into, Loans of such type hereunder
shall be suspended until the date such Regulatory Change ceases to be in effect,
and the Borrower shall on the last day(s) of the then current Interest Period(s)
for the outstanding Loans of such type, either prepay such Loans or convert such
Loans into another type of Loan in accordance with Section 2.4.

                  (c) Without limiting the effect of the foregoing provisions of
this Section 3.1 (but without duplication), the Borrower shall pay to the Lender
from time to time on request  such  amounts as the  Lender may  determine  to be
necessary  to  compensate  the  Lender  for any costs  which it  determines  are
attributable to the  maintenance by it or any of its affiliates  pursuant to any
law or  regulation  of any  jurisdiction  or any  interpretation,  directive  or
request  (whether  or not having  the force of law and  whether in effect on the
date of this Agreement or thereafter) of any court or  governmental  or monetary
authority of capital in respect of its Loans hereunder or its obligation to make
Loans hereunder (such  compensation to include,  without  limitation,  an amount
equal to any  reduction  in return on assets or equity of the  Lender to a level
below  that  which  it  could  have  achieved  but  for  such  law,  regulation,
interpretation, directive or request). The Lender will notify the Borrower if it
is entitled to  compensation  pursuant to this Section 3.1(c) within thirty (30)
days  after  it  obtains  knowledge  thereof  and  determines  to  request  such
compensation.  The Borrower  upon such notice may elect to prepay all Fixed Rate
Loans subject to the provisions set forth in Section 2.4.

                  (d)  Determinations and allocations by the Lender for purposes
of  this  Section  3.1 of  the  effect  of any  Regulatory  Change  pursuant  to
subsections  (a) or (b),  or of the effect of  capital  maintained  pursuant  to
subsection (c), on its costs of making or maintaining Loans or its obligation to
make Loans, or on amounts receivable by, or the rate of return to, it in respect
of  Loans  or  such  obligation,  and  of the  additional  amounts  required  to
compensate the Lender under this Section 3.1, shall be conclusive, provided that
such determinations and allocations are made on a reasonable basis.

                  Section 3.2.       Limitation on Types of Loans. Anything 
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Lender determines (which 
determination shall be conclusive) that:

                  (a)  quotations  of interest  rates for the relevant  deposits
referred  to in the  definition  of "LIBO  Rate" in  Section  1.1 are not  being
provided in the relevant amounts or for the relevant  maturities for purposes of
determining the rate of interest for any type of Fixed Rate Loans as provided in
this Agreement; or

                  (b)  the  relevant  rates  of  interest  referred  to  in  the
definition  of "LIBO  Rate" in  Section  1.1 upon the basis of which the rate of
interest for any type of Fixed Rate Loans is to be determined do not  adequately
cover  the cost to the  Lender of making or  maintaining  such  Loans;  then the
Lender  shall  give the  Borrower  prompt  notice  thereof,  and so long as such
condition remains in effect,  the Lender shall be under no obligation to make or
renew  Loans of such type or to  convert  Loans of any other  type into Loans of
such  type and the  Borrower  shall,  on the  last  day(s)  of the then  current
Interest Period(s) for the outstanding Loans of the affected type, either prepay
such Loans or convert such Loans into another  type of Loan in  accordance  with
Section 2.4.

                  Section 3.3.  Illegality.  Notwithstanding any other provision
in this Agreement,  in the event that it becomes  unlawful for the Lender or its
Applicable  Lending Office or Chase to (a) honor its obligation to make or renew
LIBOR Loans  hereunder or convert  Loans of any type into Loans of such type, or
(b) maintain LIBOR Loans  hereunder,  then the Lender shall promptly  notify the
Borrower thereof and the Lender's obligation to make or renew LIBOR Loans and to
convert  other  types  of  Loans  into  Loans of such  type  hereunder  shall be
suspended  until  such time as the  Lender or Chase  may  again  make,  renew or
convert and maintain such  affected  Loans and the Borrower  shall,  on the last
day(s) of the then current  Interest Period for the outstanding  LIBOR Loans, as
the  case may be (or on such  earlier  date as the  Lender  may  specify  to the
Borrower),  either  prepay such Loans or convert such Loans into another type of
Loan in accordance with Section 2.4.

                  Section 3.4.       Certain Compensation.  The Borrower shall 
pay to the Lender,  upon the  request of the  Lender,  such amount or amounts as
shall be sufficient  to  compensate  it for any loss,  cost or expense which the
Lender determines is attributable to:

                  (a) any payment, prepayment,  conversion or renewal of a Fixed
Rate Loan on a date other than the last day of an Interest  Period for such Loan
(whether by reason of acceleration or otherwise); or

                  (b) any  failure by the  Borrower to borrow,  convert  into or
renew a Fixed Rate Loan to be made,  converted  into or renewed by the Lender on
the date  specified  therefor in the relevant  notice under  Section 2.2, 2.4 or
2.6, as the case may be.

                  Without  limiting  the  foregoing,   such  compensation  shall
include an amount  equal to the excess,  if any,  of: (i) the amount of interest
which  otherwise  would have accrued on the principal  amount so paid,  prepaid,
converted or renewed or not  borrowed,  converted or renewed for the period from
and including  the date of such payment,  prepayment or conversion or failure to
borrow,  convert  or renew  to but  excluding  the last day of the then  current
Interest  Period for such Loan (or, in the case of a failure to borrow,  convert
or renew,  to but  excluding  the last day of the Interest  Period for such Loan
which  would have  commenced  on the date  specified  therefor  in the  relevant
notice) at the  applicable  rate of interest for such Loan  provided for herein;
over (ii) the amount of interest (as  reasonably  determined  by the Lender) the
Lender  would have bid in the London  interbank  market (if such Loan is a LIBOR
Loan) or for Dollar deposits for amounts comparable to such principal amount and
maturities  comparable to such period.  A determination  of the Lender as to the
amounts payable pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.

                  ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

                  Section  4.1.  Conditions  Precedent.  The  obligation  of the
Lender to make the Loan hereunder is subject to the condition precedent that the
Lender shall have  received on or before the date of the making of the Loan each
of the  following,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to the  Lender and its
counsel:

                  (a)      the Note duly executed by the Borrower;

                  (b)      the Guaranty duly executed by the Guarantors;

                  (c) the Security  Agreement,  duly executed by the Guarantors,
together  with (i) the  filing of the  financing  statements  (UCC-1)  under the
Uniform Commercial Code of all jurisdictions necessary or, in the opinion of the
Lender,  desirable  to perfect the  security  interests  created by the Security
Agreement;  (ii)  certified  copies of requests for  information  (Form  UCC-11)
identifying  all of  the  financing  statements  on  file  with  respect  to the
Guarantors in all jurisdictions  referred to under (i),  including the financing
statements filed by the Lender against the Guarantors,  indicating that no party
claims  an  interest  in any of  the  Collateral  (as  defined  in the  Security
Agreement);  (iii)  evidence of the  completion of all recordings and filings of
the Security  Agreement  as may be  necessary  or, in the opinion of the Lender,
desirable to perfect the security  interests  and liens  created by the Security
Agreement; and (iv) evidence that all other actions necessary or, in the opinion
of the Lender,  desirable to perfect and protect the security  interests created
by such Security Agreement have been taken;

                  (d) the  Pledge  Agreement,  duly  executed  by the  Borrower,
together  with (i) the  filing of the  financing  statements  (UCC-1)  under the
Uniform Commercial Code of all jurisdictions necessary or, in the opinion of the
Lender,  desirable  to  perfect  the  security  interests  created by the Pledge
Agreement;  (ii)  certified  copies of requests for  information  (Form  UCC-11)
identifying all of the financing statements on file with respect to the Borrower
in all jurisdictions  referred to under (i), including the financing  statements
filed by the Lender  against the  Borrower,  indicating  that no party claims an
interest in any of the  Collateral (as defined in the Pledge  Agreement);  (iii)
evidence of the completion of all recordings and filings of the Pledge Agreement
as may be necessary  or, in the opinion of the Lender,  desirable to perfect the
security  interests and liens created by the Pledge Agreement;  (iv) delivery of
stock  powers,  undated and executed in blank;  and (v) evidence  that all other
actions  necessary  or, in the opinion of the Lender,  desirable  to perfect and
protect the security interests created by such Pledge Agreement have been taken;

                  (e)      the Appraisal;

                  (f) evidence of the  consummation  of the Initial  Closing (as
such term is defined in the Stock  Purchase  Agreement)  contemplated  under the
Stock Purchase Agreement;

                  (g)  copies  of  hazard  and  liability   insurance   policies
regarding  the  Collateral  (as defined in the  Security  Agreement)  naming the
Lender, and its successors and assigns, as loss payee and additional insured, in
form and substance satisfactory to the Lender;

                  (h) a certificate  of the Secretary or Assistant  Secretary of
each of the Borrower and the  Guarantors,  dated the Closing Date,  attesting to
all corporate action taken by each of the Borrower and the Guarantors, including
resolutions of its Board of Directors  authorizing  the execution,  delivery and
performance  of the  Facility  Documents  to which it is a party and each  other
document to be delivered  pursuant to this Agreement and certifying  true copies
of the articles of incorporation,  by-laws and other organizational documents of
each of the Borrower and the Guarantors;

                  (i) a certificate  of the Secretary or Assistant  Secretary of
each of the Borrower and the Guarantors,  dated the Closing Date, certifying the
names  and true  signatures  of the  officers  of each of the  Borrower  and the
Guarantors  authorized to sign the Facility Documents to which it is a party and
the other  documents to be delivered by each of the Borrower and the  Guarantors
under this Agreement;

                  (j) a  certificate  of good  standing for each of the Borrower
and the  Guarantors  from the Secretary of State of each  jurisdiction  in which
each of the Borrower and the Guarantor are qualified to do business;

                  (k) a certificate of a duly authorized  officer of each of the
Borrower  and  the  Guarantors,   dated  the  Closing  Date,  stating  that  the
representations  and warranties of the Borrower and the Guarantors,  as the case
may be, contained in any Facility  Document are true and correct on such date as
though  made on and as of such  date  and  that no  event  has  occurred  and is
continuing which constitutes a Default or Event of Default;

                  (l) a favorable  opinion of counsel for the  Borrower  and the
Guarantors,  dated the Closing Date, in substantially  the form of Exhibit E and
as to such other matters as the Lender may reasonably request;

                  (m) consolidated  financial  statements and tax returns of the
Borrower  and the  Guarantors  for the fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1996,
together with interim  statements,  projections  and other  pro-forma  financial
statements as may be required by the Lender;

                  (n)  disbursement   instructions  authorizing  the  Lender  to
disburse the Loan in the manner requested by the Borrower;

                  (o) a certificate  of the Secretary or Assistant  Secretary of
each of the Borrower and the Guarantors  stating that there has been no material
adverse change in the business, operations,  properties,  prospects or condition
(financial  or  otherwise)  of the  Borrower,  any  Guarantor  or  any of  their
respective Subsidiaries, since the date of the financial statements delivered to
the Lender pursuant to Section 6(e) of the Guaranty or the most recent financial
statements delivered to the Lender pursuant to Section 6.8(a);

                  (p) payment by the  Borrower of the Advisory Fee and all other
fees, costs and expenses incurred by the Lender; and

                  (q) the Lender shall have received such approvals, opinions or
documents as the Lender may reasonably request.


                  ARTICLE V.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                  The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that:

                  Section   5.1.   Incorporation,    Good   Standing   and   Due
Qualification.  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is duly  incorporated,
validly  existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation,  has the  corporate  power and authority to own its assets and to
transact the business in which it is now engaged or proposed to be engaged,  and
is duly qualified as a foreign  corporation  and in good standing under the laws
of each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required.

                  Section 5.2. Corporate Power and Authority; No Conflicts.  The
execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of the Facility Documents to
which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary  corporate action
and  do  not  and  will  not:  (a)  require  any  consent  or  approval  of  its
stockholders;  (b) contravene its charter or by-laws;  (c) violate any provision
of, or require  any filing  (other than the filing of the  financing  statements
contemplated by the Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreement),  registration,
consent  or  approval  under,  any law,  rule,  regulation  (including,  without
limitation,   Regulation  U),  order,  writ,   judgment,   injunction,   decree,
determination or award presently in effect having  applicability to the Borrower
or  any of  its  Subsidiaries  or  Affiliates;  (d)  result  in a  breach  of or
constitute a default or require any consent under any material indenture or loan
or credit  agreement or any other  material  agreement,  lease or  instrument to
which the Borrower is a party or by which it or its  properties  may be bound or
affected;  (e) result in, or require,  the  creation or  imposition  of any Lien
(other than as created under the Security  Agreement and the Pledge  Agreement),
upon or with respect to any of the properties now owned or hereafter acquired by
the Borrower; or (f) cause the Borrower (or any Subsidiary or Affiliate,  as the
case may be) to be in default under any such law, rule, regulation, order, writ,
judgment,  injunction,  decree,  determination  or award  or any  such  material
indenture, agreement, lease or instrument.

                  Section 5.3.  Legally  Enforceable  Agreements.  Each Facility
Document  to which the  Borrower  is a party is, or when  delivered  under  this
Agreement  will  be, a legal,  valid  and  binding  obligation  of the  Borrower
enforceable  against the Borrower in  accordance  with its terms,  except to the
extent that such enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency
and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally.

                  Section 5.4. Litigation.  Except for certain litigation in the
State of Alabama,  Williamson  vs.  American  Pioneer  (Civil  Action  Number CV
89-9560) pending in the Circuit Court for Jefferson County,  Alabama,  there are
no actions,  suits or proceedings  pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower,
threatened,  against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before
any court,  governmental agency or arbitrator,  which may, in any one case or in
the aggregate, materially adversely affect the financial condition,  operations,
properties or business of the Borrower or any such  Subsidiary or the ability of
the Borrower to perform its obligations under the Facility Documents to which it
is a party.

                  Section  5.5.  Financial  Statements.   The  consolidated  and
consolidating  balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated  Subsidiaries,
including the Guarantors,  as at December 31, 1996, and the related consolidated
and  consolidating  income statement and statements of cash flows and changes in
stockholders'  equity  of  the  Borrower  and  its  Consolidated   Subsidiaries,
including the Guarantors,  for the fiscal year then ended,  and the accompanying
footnotes,  together with the opinion thereon, of Ernst & Young LLP, independent
certified public  accountants,  and the interim  consolidated and  consolidating
balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  including the
Guarantors,  as  at  September  30,  1997,  and  the  related  consolidated  and
consolidating  income  statement  and  statements  of cash flows and  changes in
stockholders'  equity for the nine-month period then ended, copies of which have
been  furnished to the Bank,  are  complete  and correct and fairly  present the
financial condition of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, including
the  Guarantors,  as at such  dates and the  results  of the  operations  of the
Borrower and its Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  including the Guarantors,  for the
periods covered by such  statements,  all in accordance  with GAAP  consistently
applied  (subject to year-end  adjustments in the case of the interim  financial
statements). There are no liabilities of the Borrower or any of its Consolidated
Subsidiaries,  including the Guarantors, fixed or contingent, which are material
but are not reflected in the financial statements or in the notes thereto, other
than liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business,  since December 31,
1996.  Since December 31, 1996, there has been no material adverse change in the
condition  (financial or  otherwise),  business,  operations or prospects of the
Borrower, the Guarantors or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

                  Section 5.6.  Information  Provided to Lender. No information,
exhibit or report  prepared by Borrower  and  furnished  by the  Borrower to the
Lender in  connection  with the  negotiation  of this  Agreement  contained  any
material  misstatement  of fact or omitted to state a material  fact or any fact
necessary to make the statement contained therein not materially misleading.

                  Section 5.7. Ownership and Liens. Each of the Borrower and its
Consolidated  Subsidiaries has title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all of
its  properties  and assets,  real and personal,  including the  properties  and
assets, and leasehold interests  reflected in the financial  statements referred
to in Section  5.5  (other  than any  properties  or assets  disposed  of in the
ordinary course of business), and none of the properties and assets owned by the
Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  and none of its  leasehold  interests  is
subject to any Lien, except as disclosed in such financial  statements or as may
be  permitted  hereunder  and  except  for the  Liens  created  by the  Security
Agreement and the Pledge Agreement.

                  Section 5.8. Taxes.  Except for certain  occupational  license
tax returns  required to be filed with local  government units in certain states
(the  related tax payments and  assessments  for which do not exceed  $100,000),
each of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  has filed all tax returns  (federal,
state and local)  required to be filed and has paid all taxes,  assessments  and
governmental charges and levies shown thereon to be due, including interests and
penalties.

                  Section 5.9.  ERISA.  Each Plan, and, to the best knowledge of
the Borrower, each Multiemployer Plan, is in compliance in all material respects
with, and has been administered in all material respects in compliance with, the
applicable  provisions of ERISA,  the Code and any other  applicable  federal or
state law. As of the most  recent  valuation  date for each Plan,  each Plan was
"fully  funded," which for purposes of this Section 5.9 shall mean that the fair
market value of the assets of the Plan is not less than the present value of the
accrued benefits of all participants in the Plan, computed on a Plan termination
basis.  To the best  knowledge of the  Borrower,  no Plan has ceased being fully
funded as of the date these  representations  are made with  respect to any Loan
under this Agreement.

                  Section 5.10.  Subsidiaries  and Ownership of Stock.  Schedule
5.10 is a  complete  and  accurate  list of the  Subsidiaries  of the  Borrower,
showing the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of each Subsidiary and
showing the percentage of the Borrower's  ownership of the outstanding  stock or
other interest of each such Subsidiary.  All of the outstanding capital stock or
other interest of each such  Subsidiary has been validly  issued,  is fully paid
and nonassessable and is owned by the Borrower free and clear of all Liens.

                  Section  5.11.  Credit  Arrangements.  All credit  agreements,
indentures,   purchase   agreements,   guaranties,   Capital  Leases  and  other
investments,  agreements and  arrangements  presently in effect providing for or
relating to extensions of credit (including  agreements and arrangements for the
issuance of letters of credit or for  acceptance  financing) in respect of which
the  Borrower  or  any  of  its  Subsidiaries  is  in  any  manner  directly  or
contingently  obligated  have been  disclosed  to the Lender,  and the  Borrower
represents  that it shall,  upon the request of the Lender,  complete a schedule
outlining all such agreements;  and the maximum principal or face amounts of the
credit in question,  outstanding  and which can be  outstanding,  are  correctly
stated,  and all Liens of any  nature  given or  agreed to be given as  security
therefor have been accurately disclosed to the Lender.

                  Section 5.12. Operation of Business.  Each of the Borrower and
its  Subsidiaries  possesses  all  licenses,   permits,   franchises,   patents,
copyrights,  trademarks  and trade  names,  or rights  thereto,  to conduct  its
business  substantially  as  now  conducted  and  as  presently  proposed  to be
conducted,  and neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation
of any valid rights of others with respect to any of the foregoing.

                  Section 5.13.  Hazardous  Materials.  The Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries  have obtained all permits,  licenses and other  authorizations
which are required under all Environmental Laws, except to the extent failure to
have any such permit, license or authorization would not have a material adverse
effect  on  the  consolidated  financial  condition,   operations,  business  or
prospects of the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries.  The Borrower and
each of its  Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all
such permits,  licenses and authorizations,  and are also in compliance with all
other   limitations,    restrictions,   conditions,   standards,   prohibitions,
requirements,  obligations, schedules and timetables contained in any applicable
Environmental  Law or in any regulation,  code, plan, order,  decree,  judgment,
injunction,  notice or demand letter  issued,  entered,  promulgated or approved
thereunder,  except to the extent  failure  to comply  would not have a material
adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition,  operations, business or
prospects of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.

                  In addition, except as set forth in Schedule 5.13 hereto:

                  (a) No notice, notification,  demand, request for information,
citation,  summons or order has been  issued,  no complaint  has been filed,  no
penalty  has  been  assessed  and no  investigation  or  review  is  pending  or
threatened  by any  governmental  or other  entity  with  respect to any alleged
failure by the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries to have any permit,  license
or authorization  required in connection with the conduct of the business of the
Borrower  or  any  of its  Subsidiaries  or  with  respect  to  any  generation,
treatment,  storage,  recycling,  transportation,  release or  disposal,  or any
release as defined  in 42 U.S.C.  s/s  9601(22)  ("Release"),  of any  substance
regulated under  Environmental  Laws  ("Hazardous  Materials")  generated by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

                  (b)  Neither  the  Borrower  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has
handled any Hazardous Material,  other than as a generator,  on any property now
or previously  owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries to an
extent that it has, or may  reasonably  be expected to have, a material  adverse
effect  on  the  consolidated  financial  condition,   operations,  business  or
prospects  taken as a whole of the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries;
and

                           (i)      to the best knowledge of the Borrower, no 
PCB is or has been present, at the time of ownership or leasing, at any property
now or  previously  owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,
which has not been remediated;

                           (ii)     to the best knowledge of the Borrower, no 
asbestos is or has been  present,  at the time of ownership  or leasing,  at any
property  now or  previously  owned  or  leased  by the  Borrower  or any of its
Subsidiaries, which has not been remediated;

                           (iii) to the best  knowledge of the  Borrower,  there
are no underground storage
tanks for Hazardous Materials,  active or abandoned, at the time of ownership or
leasing,  at any property now or  previously  owned or leased by the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries;

                           (iv)     to the best knowledge of the Borrower, no 
Hazardous Materials have been Released,  in a reportable quantity,  where such a
quantity has been established by statute,  ordinance, rule, regulation or order,
at, on or under any property now or  previously  owned by the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries, at the time of such ownership of such property; and

                  (c)  To  the  best  knowledge  of the  Borrower,  neither  the
Borrower  nor  any of its  Subsidiaries  has  transported  or  arranged  for the
transportation of any Hazardous  Material to any location which is listed on the
National  Priorities  List  under  the  Comprehensive   Environmental  Response,
Compensation  and  Liability  Act of 1980,  as  amended  ("CERCLA"),  listed for
possible  inclusion  on  the  National  Priorities  List  by  the  Environmental
Protection Agency in the Comprehensive Environmental Response,  Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980  ("CERCLIS")  or on any similar state list or which is the
subject of federal,  state or local enforcement actions or other  investigations
which may lead to claims  against the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  for
clean-up  costs,  remedial  work,  damages to natural  resources or for personal
injury claims, including, but not limited to, claims under CERCLA.

                  (d) No Hazardous  Material generated by the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries has been recycled,  treated, stored, disposed of or Released by
the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries at any location other than those listed
in Schedule 5.13 hereto.

                  (e)  No  oral  or  written  notification  of  a  Release  of a
Hazardous  Material has been filed by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries  and, to the best  knowledge  of the  Borrower,  no property now or
previously  owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is listed
or proposed for listing on the National  Priority List  promulgated  pursuant to
CERCLA, on CERCLIS or on any similar state list of sites requiring investigation
or clean-up.

                  (f)  There  are no  Liens  arising  under or  pursuant  to any
Environmental  Laws on any of the real property or properties owned or leased by
the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,  and no  government  actions have been
taken or are in process which could subject any of such properties to such Liens
and neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries  would be required to place
any notice or restriction relating to the presence of Hazardous Materials at any
property owned by it in any deed to such property.

                  Section 5.14. No Default on  Outstanding  Judgments or Orders.
Except for certain  litigation in the State of Alabama,  Williamson vs. American
Pioneer  (Civil  Action  Number  CV  89-9560),  each  of the  Borrower  and  its
Subsidiaries has satisfied or bonded all judgments, and neither the Borrower nor
any of its  Subsidiaries  is in  default  with  respect to any  judgment,  writ,
injunction,  decree,  rule or  regulation  of any court,  arbitrator or federal,
state,  municipal or other governmental  authority,  commission,  board, bureau,
agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign.

                  Section  5.15.  No Defaults on Other  Agreements.  Neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any indenture, loan or credit
agreement  or any lease or other  agreement  or  instrument  or  subject  to any
charter or corporate  restriction  which could have a material adverse effect on
the  business,  properties,  assets,  operations  or  conditions,  financial  or
otherwise,  of the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or the ability of the
Borrower to carry out its obligations  under the Facility  Documents to which it
is a party.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is in default in
any  respect  in  the  performance,  observance  or  fulfillment  of  any of the
obligations,  covenants or  conditions  contained in any agreement or instrument
material to its business to which it is a party.

                  Section  5.16.  Labor  Disputes  and Acts of God.  Neither the
business nor the  properties of the Borrower or of any of its  Subsidiaries  are
affected  by any fire,  explosion,  accident,  strike,  lockout  or other  labor
dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake,  embargo, act of God or of the public
enemy or other casualty  (whether or not covered by  insurance),  materially and
adversely affecting such business or properties or the operation of the Borrower
or such Subsidiary.

                  Section 5.17.  Governmental  Regulation.  Neither the Borrower
nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is subject to regulation  under the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, the Investment  Company Act of 1940, the Interstate
Commerce Act, the Federal  Power Act or any statute or  regulation  limiting its
ability to incur indebtedness for money borrowed as contemplated hereby.

                  Section 5.18. No  Forfeiture.  Neither the Borrower nor any of
its  Subsidiaries  or  Affiliates is engaged in or proposes to be engaged in the
conduct  of  any  business  or  activity  which  could  result  in a  Forfeiture
Proceeding  and no  Forfeiture  Proceeding  against  any of them is  pending  or
threatened.

                  Section 5.19.      Solvency.

                  (a) The  present  fair  salable  value  of the  assets  of the
Borrower  after  giving  effect  to all  the  transactions  contemplated  by the
Facility Documents and the funding of the Loan hereunder exceeds the amount that
will be  required  to be paid on or in respect of the  existing  debts and other
liabilities   (including  contingent   liabilities)  of  the  Borrower  and  its
Subsidiaries as they mature.

                  (b)  The  property  of  the  Borrower   does  not   constitute
unreasonably  small  capital for the  Borrower to carry out its  business as now
conducted  and as proposed to be  conducted,  including the capital needs of the
Borrower.

                  (c) The Borrower  does not intend to, nor does it believe that
it will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature (taking
into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by the Borrower,  and
of amounts to be  payable  on or in respect of debt of the  Borrower).  The cash
available to the Borrower,  after taking into account all other anticipated uses
of the cash of the  Borrower,  is  anticipated  to be sufficient to pay all such
amounts on or in respect of debt of the Borrower  when such amounts are required
to be paid.

                  (d) The Borrower does not believe that final judgments against
it in actions for money damages will be rendered at a time when, or in an amount
such that, the Borrower will be unable to satisfy any such judgments promptly in
accordance with their terms (taking into account the maximum  reasonable  amount
of such judgments in any such actions and the earliest  reasonable time at which
such  judgments  might be rendered).  The cash  available to the Borrower  after
taking  into  account  all other  anticipated  uses of the cash of the  Borrower
(including the payments on or in respect of debt referred to in paragraph (c) of
this Section  5.19),  is  anticipated to be sufficient to pay all such judgments
promptly in accordance with their terms.

                  ARTICLE VI. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

                  So long as the Note shall  remain  unpaid or the Lender  shall
have any obligations under this Agreement, the Borrower shall:

                  Section 6.1. Maintenance of Existence.  Preserve and maintain,
and cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to preserve  and  maintain,  its  corporate
existence  and good  standing  in the  jurisdiction  of its  incorporation,  and
qualify and remain qualified,  and cause each of its Subsidiaries to qualify and
remain  qualified,  as a foreign  corporation in each jurisdiction in which such
qualification is required.

                  Section 6.2.       Conduct of Business.  Continue, and cause 
each of its  Subsidiaries to continue,  to engage in an efficient and economical
manner in a business of the same  general type as conducted by it on the date of
this Agreement.

                  Section 6.3.  Maintenance  of Properties.  Maintain,  keep and
preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, keep and preserve, all
of its properties  (tangible and intangible),  necessary or useful in the proper
conduct of its business in good working order and  condition,  ordinary wear and
tear excepted.

                  Section 6.4.  Maintenance of Records.  Keep, and cause each of
its  Subsidiaries  to keep,  adequate  records  and books of  account,  in which
complete entries will be made in accordance with GAAP,  reflecting all financial
transactions of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

                  Section 6.5.  Maintenance  of Insurance.  Maintain,  and cause
each of its  Subsidiaries  to maintain,  insurance  with  financially  sound and
reputable  insurance companies or associations in such amounts and covering such
risks as are  usually  carried  by  companies  engaged  in the  same or  similar
business and similarly  situated,  which  insurance  may provide for  reasonable
deductibility from coverage thereof.

                  Section 6.6.  Compliance with Laws.  Comply, and cause each of
its  Subsidiaries to comply,  in all respects with all applicable  laws,  rules,
regulations and orders, such compliance to include,  without limitation,  paying
before the same  become  delinquent  all  taxes,  assessments  and  governmental
charges imposed upon it or upon its property.

                  Section 6.7. Right of Inspection,  Audit and Appraisal. At any
reasonable  time and from  time to  time,  permit  the  Lender  or any  agent or
representative  thereof,  to  examine  and make  copies and  abstracts  from the
records and books of account of, and visit the  properties  of, the Borrower and
any of its  Subsidiaries,  and to discuss the affairs,  finances and accounts of
the Borrower and any such Subsidiary with any of their  respective  officers and
directors and the Borrower's  independent  accountants or to conduct an audit or
annual  appraisal of the  Borrower's  and any of its  Subsidiaries'  assets,  at
Lender's discretion and at Borrower's expense.

                  Section 6.8.       Reporting Requirements.  Furnish to the 
Lender:

                  (a) as soon as  available  and in any  event  within  120 days
after  the  end  of  each  fiscal  year  of the  Borrower,  a  consolidated  and
consolidating  balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated  Subsidiaries,
including the  Guarantors,  as of the end of such fiscal year and a consolidated
and  consolidating  income statement and statements of cash flows and changes in
stockholders'  equity  of  the  Borrower  and  its  Consolidated   Subsidiaries,
including  the  Guarantors,  for such fiscal year,  all audited,  in  reasonable
detail and  stating  in  comparative  form the  consolidated  and  consolidating
figures for the  corresponding  date and period in the prior fiscal year and all
prepared in accordance with GAAP, and as to the consolidated  and  consolidating
statements accompanied by an opinion thereon acceptable to the Lender by Ernst &
Young LLP or other independent  accountants of national standing selected by the
Borrower;

                  (b) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after
the end of each  fiscal  quarter  of the  Borrower  of each  fiscal  year of the
Borrower, a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  including  the  Guarantors,  as of the  end of such
quarter and a consolidated and consolidating  income statement and statements of
cash  flows  and  changes  in  stockholders'  equity  of the  Borrower  and  its
Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  including the Guarantors, for the period commencing
at the end of the previous  fiscal year and ending with the end of such quarter,
all in reasonable  detail and all prepared in accordance with GAAP and certified
by the president or chief financial officer of the Borrower;

                  (c)  promptly  upon  receipt  thereof,  copies of any reports,
inclusive  of any  management  letters,  submitted to the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries  by independent  certified  public  accountants in connection  with
examination of the financial  statements of the Borrower or any such  Subsidiary
made by such accountants;

                  (d) simultaneously  with the delivery of the items referred to
in Section 6.8(a) and 6.8(b),  a certificate of the chairman or chief  financial
officer of the  Borrower  certifying  that to the best of his  knowledge  (A) no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is  continuing  or, if a Default or
Event of Default has  occurred and is  continuing,  a statement as to the nature
thereof and the action  which is proposed to be taken with  respect  thereto and
(B) there has been no  material  adverse  change  in the  business,  operations,
properties, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower;

                  (e) promptly  after the  commencement  thereof,  notice of all
actions,  suits and  proceedings  before any court or  governmental  department,
commission,  board,  bureau,  agency or  instrumentality,  domestic  or foreign,
affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which, if determined adversely
to the Borrower or such Subsidiary,  could have a material adverse effect on the
financial   condition,   properties  or  operations  of  the  Borrower  or  such
Subsidiary;

                  (f) as soon as  possible  and in any  event  within  five days
after the  occurrence  of each  Default or Event of Default or material  adverse
change  in  the  business,  operations,   properties,   prospects  or  condition
(financial or otherwise) of the  Borrower,  a written  notice  setting forth the
details of such  Default,  Event of Default or material  adverse  change and the
action which is proposed to be taken by the Borrower with respect thereto;

                  (g) promptly after the filing or receiving thereof,  copies of
all reports and notices which the Borrower or any  Subsidiary  files under ERISA
with the Internal Revenue Service or the PBGC or the U.S. Department of Labor or
which the Borrower or any Subsidiary receives from such Person;

                  (h) promptly after the commencement  thereof or promptly after
the  Borrower  knows  of the  commencement  or  threat  thereof,  notice  of any
Forfeiture Proceeding;

                  (i)  such  other  information   respecting  the  condition  or
operations,  financial or otherwise,  of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
as the Lender may from time to time reasonably request.


                  ARTICLE VII.  NEGATIVE COVENANTS

                  So long as the Note shall  remain  unpaid or the Lender  shall
have any obligations under this Agreement, the Borrower shall not:

                  Section 7.1.      Debt.  Create, incur, assume or suffer to 
exist, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create,  incur,  assume or suffer to
exist any Debt, except:

                  (a)      Debt of the Borrower under this Agreement or the 
Note;

                  (b)  Debt  described  in  Schedule  7.1,  including  renewals,
extensions or refinancings  thereof,  provided that the principal amount thereof
does not increase;

                  (c) Debt of the Borrower subordinated on terms satisfactory to
the Bank to the Borrower's obligations under this Agreement and the Note;

                  (d)  Debt of the  Borrower  to any such  Subsidiary  or of any
Subsidiary to the Borrower or another such Subsidiary;

                  (e)  Debt  of the  Borrower  or any  of  its  Subsidiaries  in
connection with the issuance of letters of credit required to be obtained in the
ordinary course of business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

                  (f)      Debt incurred in connection with lease arrangements 
permitted under Section 7.3 herein;

                  (g) Debt of any  Person  which  becomes  a  Subsidiary  of the
Borrower in connection with any Acceptable Acquisition permitted by Section 7.12
herein or Debt  which is  acquired  and  assumed by the  Borrower  or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with an Acceptable  Acquisition  permitted by Section
7.12;  provided that such Debt was in existence and outstanding  prior to and on
the date that such Person became a Subsidiary or such Acceptable Acquisition was
consummated,  and such Debt was not  created  in  contemplation  of such  Person
becoming a Subsidiary or such Acceptable Acquisition being consummated,  and any
renewals, extensions or refinancings thereof, provided that the principal amount
thereof  does  not  increase;  and  provided,  further,  however,  that the Debt
permitted by this subsection (e) shall not exceed $1,000,000; and

                  (h) Debt of the  Borrower  or any such  Subsidiary  secured by
purchase money Liens permitted by Section 7.2.

                  Section 7.2.  Liens.  Create, incur, assume or suffer to 
exist,  or permit  the  Guarantors  or any  Subsidiary  of the  Borrower  or the
Guarantors to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any Lien, except:

                  (a)      Liens securing the Loans hereunder;

                  (b) Liens for taxes or assessments or other government charges
or levies if not yet due and  payable  or if due and  payable  if they are being
contested in good faith by  appropriate  proceedings  and for which  appropriate
reserves are maintained;

                  (c) Liens imposed by law, such as  mechanic's,  materialmen's,
landlord's,  warehousemen's  and  carrier's  Liens,  and  other  similar  Liens,
securing  obligations  incurred in the ordinary course of business which are not
past due for more than 30 days,  or which are being  contested  in good faith by
appropriate   proceedings   and  for  which   appropriate   reserves  have  been
established;

                  (d) Liens under workers' compensation, unemployment insurance,
social security or similar legislation (other than ERISA);

                  (e) Liens,  deposits (including statutory deposits) or pledges
to secure the performance of bids, tenders,  contracts (other than contracts for
the payment of money),  leases  (permitted  under the terms of this  Agreement),
public or statutory obligations, surety, stay, appeal, indemnity, performance or
other similar bonds, or other similar obligations arising in the ordinary course
of business;

                  (f) judgment and other  similar  Liens  arising in  connection
with court proceedings; provided that the execution or other enforcement of such
Liens is effectively  stayed and the claims  secured  thereby are being actively
contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

                  (g) easements,  rights-of-way,  restrictions and other similar
encumbrances  which,  in the  aggregate,  do not  materially  interfere with the
occupation,  use and enjoyment by the Borrower,  the  Guarantors or any of their
Subsidiaries of the property or assets  encumbered  thereby in the normal course
of its business or materially impair the value of the property subject thereto;

                  (h) purchase money Liens on any property hereafter acquired or
the assumption of any Lien on property existing at the time of such acquisition,
or a Lien  incurred  in  connection  with any  conditional  sale or other  title
retention agreement or a Capital Lease;

                  (i) Liens  securing  obligations of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection  with trust accounts  protecting  reinsurers  under a
reinsurance treaty with a Subsidiary;

                  (a)  Liens  securing  Debt  permitted  under  Section  7.1(e),
provided that such Liens only affect  property  acquired in connection  with the
Acceptable Acquisition pursuant to which such Debt was incurred.

                  Section 7.3. Leases. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist,
or permit the Guarantors or any  Subsidiaries  of the Borrower or the Guarantors
to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any lease arrangements,  other than
lease arrangements  pertaining to the leasing of office space, pursuant to which
obligations  thereunder  exceed in the  aggregate  $750,000 in any one  calendar
year,  provided,  however,  (i) that all lease  arrangements  pertaining  to the
leasing  of office  space,  other  than those  existing  as of the date  hereof,
including renewals,  extensions or replacements with respect thereto,  shall not
be entered into by the  Borrower,  the  Guarantors  or any  Subsidiaries  of the
Borrower or the  Guarantors  without the  consent of the Lender,  which  consent
shall not be unreasonably  withheld or delayed, and (ii) that, if any Authorized
Acquisition  results in a person  which has one or more office  space  leases in
effect  as of the date of such  Authorized  Acquisition,  such  leases  shall be
treated as leases existing on the date hereof for purposes of this Section 7.3.

                  Section 7.4.  Guaranties,  Etc. Assume,  guaranty,  endorse or
otherwise be or become directly or contingently responsible or liable, or permit
any of its Subsidiaries to assume, guarantee,  endorse or otherwise be or become
directly or indirectly responsible or liable (including,  but not limited to, an
agreement to purchase any  obligation,  stock,  assets,  goods or services or to
supply or advance any funds,  assets,  goods or  services,  or an  agreement  to
maintain or cause such Person to maintain a minimum working capital or net worth
or  otherwise  to assure  the  creditors  of any  Person  against  loss) for the
obligations  of any Person,  except  guaranties  by  endorsement  of  negotiable
instruments  for deposit or collection or similar  transactions  in the ordinary
course of business,  except  guarantees of leases  otherwise  allowed in Section
7.3.

                  Section  7.5.   Investments.   Make,  or  permit  any  of  its
Subsidiaries to make, any loan or advance to any Person or purchase or otherwise
acquire,  or permit any such  Subsidiary to purchase or otherwise  acquire,  any
capital  stock,  assets,  obligations  or other  securities of, make any capital
contribution to, or otherwise invest in, or acquire any interest in, any Person,
except (a)  direct  obligations  of the  United  States of America or any agency
thereof with  maturities of one year or less from the date of  acquisition;  (b)
commercial  paper of a domestic issuer rated at least "A-1" by Standard & Poor's
Corporation or "P-1" by Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc.; (c)  certificates of
deposit with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition  issued
by any  commercial  bank  operating  within the United States of America  having
capital and surplus in excess of $1,000,000,000; (d) investments permitted to be
made under all applicable  insurance laws relating to the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries;  (e) loans made by the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries to any
of their respective  insurance agents,  provided that all such loans are made in
the ordinary  course of business of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries;  (e) any
Acceptable Acquisition permitted by Section 7.12.

                  Section  7.6.   Dividends.   Declare  or  pay  any  dividends,
purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any of its capital stock
now or  hereafter  outstanding,  or  make  any  distribution  of  assets  to its
stockholders as such whether in cash,  assets or in obligations of the Borrower,
or allocate or  otherwise  set apart any sum for the payment of any  dividend or
distribution on, or for the purchase,  redemption or retirement of any shares of
its capital  stock,  or make any other  distribution  by reduction of capital or
otherwise  in respect of any  shares of its  capital  stock or permit any of its
Subsidiaries  to  purchase  or  otherwise  acquire  for  value  any stock of the
Borrower or another such  Subsidiary,  except that: (a) the Borrower may declare
and deliver dividends and make  distributions  payable solely in common stock of
the Borrower;  and (b) the Borrower may purchase or otherwise  acquire shares of
its  capital  stock  by  exchange  for or out of the  proceeds  received  from a
substantially  concurrent  issue of new shares of its capital stock and Borrower
may purchase up to $100,000 of its own capital  stock per calendar  quarter each
year,  provided  that  such  purchase(s)  would  not  cause an Event of  Default
hereunder.

                  Section 7.7. Sale of Assets. Sell, lease, assign,  transfer or
otherwise dispose of, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to sell, lease,  assign,
transfer or  otherwise  dispose of, any of its now owned or  hereafter  acquired
assets (including,  without limitation, shares of stock and indebtedness of such
Subsidiaries,  receivables and leasehold  interests)  except:  (a) for inventory
disposed  of in  the  ordinary  course  of  business;  (b)  the  sale  or  other
disposition  of assets no longer used or useful in the conduct of its  business;
(c) that any such Subsidiary may sell, lease,  assign or otherwise  transfer its
assets to the Borrower; and (d) investments permitted under Section 7.5 herein.

                  Section 7.8.  Stock of  Subsidiaries,  Etc.  Sell or otherwise
dispose  of, or permit  the  Guarantors  to sell or  dispose  of,  any shares of
capital stock of any of their respective Subsidiaries, except in connection with
a transaction  permitted  under Section 7.9 herein or for fair value,  or permit
any such Subsidiary to issue any additional shares of its capital stock,  except
directors' qualifying shares or for fair value.

                  Section  7.9.  Transactions  with  Affiliates.  Enter into any
transaction,  including,  without limitation,  the purchase, sale or exchange of
property or the  rendering  of any  service,  with any  Affiliate  or permit the
Guarantors  or  any  of  their  Subsidiaries  to  enter  into  any  transaction,
including, without limitation, the purchase, sale or exchange of property or the
rendering of any service,  with any Affiliate,  except in the ordinary course of
and pursuant to the reasonable  requirements of the Borrower's,  the Guarantors'
or such  Subsidiary's  business  and  upon  fair  and  reasonable  terms no less
favorable to the  Borrower,  the  Guarantors  or such  Subsidiary  than it would
obtain in a comparable  arm's length  transaction with a Person not an Affiliate
and except as otherwise allowed pursuant to Sections 7.7 or 7.10 herein.

                  Section 7.10.  Mergers,  Etc.  Merge or  consolidate  with, or
sell, assign,  lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a
series of  transactions)  all or  substantially  all of its assets  (whether now
owned or hereafter  acquired)  to, any Person (or enter into any agreement to do
any of the foregoing),  or permit any of its  Subsidiaries to do so, except that
any  insurance  Subsidiary  of the Borrower may sell,  lease,  assign,  merge or
otherwise transfer its assets to the Borrower or to another insurance Subsidiary
of the Borrower.

                  Section 7.11. No Activities  Leading to Forfeiture.  Engage in
or propose to be engaged in, or permit the Guarantors or any Subsidiaries of the
Borrower or the  Guarantor to engage in or propose to be engaged in, the conduct
of any business or activity which could result in a Forfeiture Proceeding.

                  Section 7.1.      Acceptable Acquisitions.  Make any
Acquisition other than an Acceptable Acquisition.

                  ARTICLE VIII.  FINANCIAL COVENANTS

                  So long as the Note shall  remain  unpaid or the Lender  shall
have any obligations under this Agreement, the Borrower shall:

                  Section 8.1. Minimum Adjusted  Tangible Net Worth.  Maintain a
Consolidated  Adjusted  Tangible  Net  Worth of not  less  than  $21,320,000  as
measured at December  31,  1997 and on the last date of each  subsequent  fiscal
quarter  of the  Borrower,  provided,  however,  that  on  each  December  31st,
commencing on December 31, 1998, during the term of the Loan (the "Change Date")
and on the last day of each fiscal quarter  during the ensuing year  thereafter,
the Borrower shall be required to maintain a Consolidated  Adjusted Tangible Net
Worth of not less than (i) the Consolidated Adjusted Tangible Net Worth required
to be  maintained  on the  preceding  December 31st plus (ii) an amount equal to
fifty percent (50%) of the Consolidated Net Profits of the Borrower, as measured
on each such  Change  Date and as  determined  from the  consolidated  financial
statements  of the  Borrower  submitted  pursuant to Sections  6.8(a) and 6.8(b)
herein.

                  Section 8.2.      Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage 
Ratio.  Maintain at all times a Consolidated  Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not
less than 1.25 to 1.0.


                  ARTICLE IX. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

                  Section 9.1.       Events of Default.  Any of the following 
events shall be an "Event of Default":

                  (a)      the Borrower shall:  (i) fail to pay the principal 
of the Note as and when due and  payable;  or (ii) fail to pay  interest  on the
Note or any fee or other amount due hereunder as and when due and payable;

                  (b) any  representation or warranty made or deemed made by the
Borrower in this Agreement or in any other Facility Document or by any Guarantor
in any  Facility  Document to which it is a party or which is  contained  in any
certificate,  document,  opinion,  financial or other statement furnished at any
time under or in connection with any Facility  Document shall prove to have been
incorrect in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made;

                  (c) the Borrower or any Guarantor  shall:  (i) fail to perform
or observe any term,  covenant  or  agreement  contained  in Section 2.3 of this
Agreement  or  Sections  7 or 8 of the  Guaranty  or  Section 4 of any  Security
Agreement;  or (ii) fail to perform  or  observe  any other  term,  covenant  or
agreement on its part to be performed  or observed  (other than the  obligations
specifically referred to elsewhere in this Section 8.1) in any Facility Document
and such failure under this clause (ii) shall continue for 30 consecutive days;

                  (d) the  Borrower,  any  Guarantor or any of their  respective
Subsidiaries  shall:  (i) fail to pay any indebtedness for borrowed money (other
than the payment  obligations  described in (a) above),  of the  Borrower,  such
Guarantor  or such  Subsidiary,  as the case may be, or any  interest or premium
thereon,   when  due  (whether  by  scheduled  maturity,   required  prepayment,
acceleration,  demand or otherwise), provided, however, that this subsection (d)
shall not be construed to refer to indebtedness for borrowed money that is being
disputed by the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective  Subsidiaries
in good  faith;  or (ii)  fail to  perform  or  observe  any term,  covenant  or
condition  on its part to be  performed  or  observed  under  any  agreement  or
instrument  relating to any indebtedness  referred to in clause (i) above,  when
required to be performed  or observed,  if the effect of such failure to perform
or observe is to accelerate,  or to permit the acceleration of, after the giving
of notice or  passage  of time,  or both,  the  maturity  of such  indebtedness,
whether or not such failure to perform or observe  shall be waived by the holder
of such  indebtedness;  or any such indebtedness shall be declared to be due and
payable, or required to be prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled required
prepayment), prior to the stated maturity thereof;

                  (e) the  Borrower,  any  Guarantor or any of their  respective
Subsidiaries:  (i)  shall  generally  not,  or be unable  to, or shall  admit in
writing its  inability to, pay its debts as such debts become due; or (ii) shall
make an  assignment  for the  benefit  of  creditors,  petition  or apply to any
tribunal for the  appointment  of a  custodian,  receiver or trustee for it or a
substantial part of its assets; or (iii) shall commence any proceeding under any
bankruptcy,  reorganization,  arrangement,  readjustment of debt, dissolution or
liquidation  law or statute of any  jurisdiction,  whether now or  hereafter  in
effect;  or (iv) shall have had any such  petition or  application  filed or any
such proceeding  shall have been commenced  against it, in which an adjudication
or  appointment  is made or order for  relief  is  entered,  or which  petition,
application or proceeding  remains  undismissed for a period of 30 days or more;
or shall be the subject of any proceeding  under which its assets may be subject
to seizure,  forfeiture  or  divestiture;  or (v) by any act or  omission  shall
indicate  its consent  to,  approval of or  acquiescence  in any such  petition,
application or proceeding or order for relief or the appointment of a custodian,
receiver or trustee for all or any  substantial  part of its  property;  or (vi)
shall suffer any such  custodianship,  receivership  or  trusteeship to continue
undischarged for a period of 30 days or more;

                  (f) one or more  judgments,  decrees or orders for the payment
of money in excess of $100,000 in the  aggregate  shall be rendered  against the
Borrower,  any  Guarantor  or any of  their  respective  Subsidiaries  and  such
judgments,  decrees or orders  shall  continue  unsatisfied  and in effect for a
period of 30 consecutive  days without being vacated,  discharged,  satisfied or
stayed or bonded pending appeal;

                  (g) any event or  condition  shall occur or exist with respect
to any Plan or  Multiemployer  Plan and as a result of such event or  condition,
together with all other such events or conditions,  the Borrower,  the Guarantor
or any  ERISA  Affiliate  has  incurred  or in the  opinion  of  the  Lender  is
reasonably likely to incur a liability to a Plan, a Multiemployer Plan, the PBGC
or a  section  4042  Trustee  (or any  combination  of the  foregoing)  which is
material in relation to the financial  position of the  Borrower,  the Guarantor
and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis;

                  (h) the Unfunded Benefit Liabilities of one or more Plans have
increased  after the date of this  Agreement  in an amount which is material (as
specified in Section 8.1(g) hereof);

                  (i) (A) any Forfeiture Proceeding shall have been commenced or
the Borrower or any Guarantor  shall have given the Lender written notice of the
commencement of any Forfeiture  Proceeding as provided in Section 6.8(h) of this
Agreement  or Section  8(i) of the  Guaranty  or (B) the Lender has a good faith
basis to believe that a Forfeiture Proceeding has been threatened or commenced;

                  (j) any  change in  current  ownership  or  management  of the
Borrower that would effect a change in "control" of the Borrower;

                  (k) there shall be, in the reasonable  judgment of the Lender,
a material adverse change in the condition  (financial or otherwise),  business,
operations,  or  prospects  of the  Borrower,  any  Guarantor  or  any of  their
respective Subsidiaries;

                  (l) the Guaranty or any other Facility  Document executed by a
Guarantor  shall at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason
cease to be in full force and effect or shall be declared  null and void, or the
validity or  enforceability  thereof  shall be contested by any Guarantor or any
Guarantor  shall deny it has any further  liability or obligation  thereunder or
shall fail to perform its obligations thereunder;

                  (m) the Stock Purchase  Agreement  shall at any time after its
execution  and  delivery be modified  without the prior  written  consent of the
Lender  (except  that no  such  consent  shall  be  necessary  with  respect  to
modifications  of the  Purchase  Agreement  which  either (A) do not  concern or
affect,  directly or  indirectly,  any of the  collateral  granted to the Lender
under the Facility  Documents or (B) are  immaterial and have no effect upon the
nature or the value of the Lender's interest in the Stock Purchase  Agreement or
the transactions  contemplated  thereby), or shall for any reason cease to be in
full force and effect or shall be  declared  null and void,  or the  validity or
enforceability  thereof  shall be  contested  by any party  thereto or any party
thereto  shall deny it has any further  liability or  obligation  thereunder  or
shall fail to perform its obligations thereunder;

                  (n) any Security  Agreement or the Pledge  Agreement  shall at
any time after its  execution  and  delivery  and for any reason  cease:  (A) to
create a valid first priority Lien,  assignment and security  interest in and to
the  Collateral  (as defined  therein) or any part  thereof or (B) to be in full
force  and  effect  or shall be  declared  null and  void,  or the  validity  or
enforceability  thereof shall be contested by the Borrower or the  Guarantors or
either the Borrower or the Guarantors shall deny it has any further liability or
obligation under any Security  Agreement or the Pledge Agreement or the Borrower
or the  Guarantors  shall fail to perform  any of their  respective  obligations
thereunder;

                  (o) an "Event of Default" or default shall have occurred under
the Note,  the  Guaranty,  the Security  Agreement,  the Pledge  Agreement,  the
Interest Rate Swap Agreement or under any other Facility Document;

                  (p) an "Event of Default" or default  shall have occurred with
respect to any facility  issued by the Lender to the Borrower,  the Guarantor or
any of their  respective  Subsidiaries  or  Affiliates  or with  respect  to any
obligations  of  any  kind,  whether  now or  hereafter  existing,  owed  by the
Borrower, the Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates to
the Lender;

                  (q) the  Collateral  (such term being  defined in the Security
Agreement and the Pledge  Agreement) shall become  encumbered by any Lien, other
than a Lien in favor of the Lender, a Permitted Lien (such term being defined in
Security Agreement) or a Lien permitted under Section 7.2 herein; or

                  (r) the failure of the Borrower and  American  Progressive  to
consummate  any  of the  transactions  contemplated  under  the  Stock  Purchase
Agreement;  the occurrence of any breach by the Borrower or American Progressive
of any of the provisions,  covenants or other  agreements set forth in the Stock
Purchase  Agreement or the occurrence of any default by the Borrower or American
Pioneer under the Stock Purchase Agreement..

                  Section 9.2. Remedies. If any Event of Default shall occur and
be  continuing,  in  addition  to any other  rights  and  remedies  which may be
available to the Lender, the Lender may, by notice to the Borrower,  declare the
outstanding  principal  amount of the Loan,  all interest  thereon and all other
amounts payable under this Agreement and the Facility  Documents to be forthwith
due and payable,  whereupon  all such amounts  shall become and be forthwith due
and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;  provided that, in the
case of an Event of Default  referred to in Section 9.1(e) or Section  9.1(i)(A)
above,  the Loan, all interest  thereon and all other amounts payable under this
Agreement  and the  Facility  Documents  shall be  immediately  due and  payable
without notice,  presentment,  demand, protest or other formalities of any kind,
all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.  Each right and remedy
of the Lender under this Credit  Agreement or any other Facility  Document shall
be in addition  to every  other right and remedy of the Lender,  and such rights
and remedies may be enforced separately or in any combination.

                  ARTICLE X.    MISCELLANEOUS

                  Section  10.1.  Amendments  and  Waivers.  Except as otherwise
expressly  provided in this  Agreement,  any provision of this  Agreement may be
amended or modified only by an instrument in writing  signed by the Borrower and
the Lender,  and any  provision of this  Agreement may be waived by the Borrower
and the Lender.  No failure on the part of the Lender to exercise,  and no delay
in exercising,  any right hereunder or under any Facility Document shall operate
as a waiver  thereof or preclude  any other or further  exercise  thereof or the
exercise of any other right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not
exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

                  Section  10.2.   Usury.   Anything   herein  to  the  contrary
notwithstanding,  the  obligations  of the Borrower under this Agreement and the
Facility  Documents shall be subject to the limitation that payments of interest
shall not be required to the extent that  receipt  thereof  would be contrary to
provisions of law applicable to the Lender  limiting rates of interest which may
be charged or collected by the Lender.

                  Section  10.3.  Expenses.  The Borrower  shall  reimburse  the
Lender on  demand  for all  costs,  expenses  and  charges  (including,  without
limitation, reasonable fees and charges of external legal counsel for the Lender
which shall not exceed  $12,000)  incurred by the Lender in connection  with the
preparation,   negotiation,   performance   or  enforcement   (whether   through
negotiation,  legal  proceedings  or otherwise)  of this  Agreement or any other
Facility  Document.  The  Borrower  agrees  to  indemnify  the  Lender  and each
affiliate thereof and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents
from, and hold each of them harmless against,  any and all losses,  liabilities,
claims,  damages or expenses incurred by any of them arising out of or by reason
of  any  investigation  or  litigation  or  other  proceedings   (including  any
threatened  investigation  or litigation or other  proceedings)  relating to any
actual  or  proposed  use by  the  Borrower,  the  Guarantors  or  any of  their
Subsidiaries of the proceeds of the Loan,  including,  without  limitation,  the
reasonable  fees and  disbursements  of counsel  incurred in connection with any
such  investigation  or litigation or other  proceedings (but excluding any such
losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses incurred by reason of the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of the Person to be indemnified).

                  Section 10.4.      Survival.  The obligations of the Borrower 
under Sections 3.1, 3.4 and 10.3 shall survive the repayment of the Loan.

                  Section 10.5. Assignment; Participations. This Agreement shall
be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their
respective  successors  and assigns,  except that the Borrower may not assign or
transfer its rights or  obligations  hereunder.  The Lender may assign,  or sell
participations  in,  all or any  part of any  Loan to  another  lender  or other
entity, in which event (a) in the case of an assignment,  upon notice thereof by
the Lender to the  Borrower,  the  assignee  shall  have,  to the extent of such
assignment (unless otherwise provided  therein),  the same rights,  benefits and
obligations  as it would  have if it were the Lender  hereunder;  and (b) in the
case of a participation, the participant shall have no rights under the Facility
Documents  and all amounts  payable by the Borrower  under  Article III shall be
determined  as if the  Lender  had not sold such  participation.  The  agreement
executed  by the  Lender  in  favor  of  the  participant  shall  not  give  the
participant  the right to require  the Lender to take or omit to take any action
hereunder except action directly relating to (i) the extension of a payment date
with  respect  to any  portion of the  principal  of or  interest  on any amount
outstanding  hereunder allocated to such participant,  (ii) the reduction of the
principal  amount  outstanding  hereunder or (iii) the  reduction of the rate of
interest  payable on such amount or any amount of fees  payable  hereunder  to a
rate or amount, as the case may be, below that which the participant is entitled
to receive  under its  agreement  with the  Lender.  The Lender may  furnish any
information concerning the Borrower in the possession of the Lender from time to
time  to  assignees  and  participants   (including  prospective  assignees  and
participants)  which have  agreed in writing  to be bound by the  provisions  of
Section 10.13 hereof.

                  Section  10.6.  Notices.  Unless  the  party  to  be  notified
otherwise  notifies the other party in writing as provided in this Section,  and
except as otherwise  provided in this  Agreement,  notices shall be delivered in
person or sent by overnight  courier,  facsimile,  ordinary mail, cable or telex
addressed to such party at its "Address  for Notices" on the  signature  page of
this Agreement. Notices shall be effective: (a) on the day on which delivered to
such party in person,  (b) on the first  Banking Day after the day on which sent
to such party by overnight  courier,  (c) if given by mail,  three business days
after  deposit in the mails  with  first-class  postage  prepaid,  addressed  as
aforesaid;  and (d) if given by facsimile,  cable or telex,  when the facsimile,
cable  or telex is  transmitted  to the  facsimile,  cable  or telex  number  as
aforesaid; provided that notices to the Lender shall be effective upon receipt.

                  Section 10.7.     JURISDICTION; IMMUNITIES.

                  (a)  THE   BORROWER   HEREBY   IRREVOCABLY   SUBMITS   TO  THE
JURISDICTION OF ANY NEW YORK STATE OR UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN NEW
YORK  COUNTY  OVER ANY ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR THE  TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED  HEREBY,  AND THE  BORROWER  HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY  AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING  MAY
BE HEARD AND  DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE OR FEDERAL  COURT.  THE BORROWER
IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR
PROCEEDING  BY THE  MAILING  OF COPIES OF SUCH  PROCESS TO THE  BORROWER  AT ITS
ADDRESS  SPECIFIED IN SECTION 10.6. THE BORROWER AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN
ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING  SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE  AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER
JURISDICTIONS  BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER  MANNER  PROVIDED BY LAW.
THE  BORROWER  FURTHER  WAIVES  ANY  OBJECTION  TO VENUE IN SUCH  STATE  AND ANY
OBJECTION  TO AN ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  IN SUCH  STATE ON THE BASIS OF FORUM NON
CONVENIENS.  THE BORROWER  FURTHER AGREES THAT ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING  BROUGHT
AGAINST  THE  LENDER  SHALL BE BROUGHT  ONLY IN NEW YORK STATE OR UNITED  STATES
FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY.  THE BORROWER  WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY
HAVE TO JURY TRIAL.

                  (b) Nothing in this Section 10.7 shall affect the right of the
Lender to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law or affect the
right of the Lender to bring any action or  proceeding  against the  Borrower or
its property in the courts of any other jurisdictions.

                  (c) To the  extent  that the  Borrower  has or  hereafter  may
acquire any immunity  from  jurisdiction  of any court or from any legal process
(whether from service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid
of execution,  execution or  otherwise)  with respect to itself or its property,
the  Borrower  hereby  irrevocably  waives  such  immunity  in  respect  of  its
obligations under this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  Section 10.8.      Table of Contents; Headings.  Any table of 
contents and the headings and captions  hereunder are for  convenience  only and
shall not affect the interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

                  Section 10.9.  Severability.  The provisions of this Agreement
are intended to be severable.  If for any reason any provision of this Agreement
shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any  jurisdiction,
such provision shall, as to such  jurisdiction,  be ineffective to the extent of
such invalidity or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity
or enforceability  thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions
hereof in any jurisdiction.

                  Section 10.10.     Counterparts.  This Agreement may be 
executed  in any  number of  counterparts,  all of which  taken  together  shall
constitute  one and the same  instrument,  and any party hereto may execute this
Agreement by signing any such counterpart.

                  Section 10.11.  Integration.  The Facility Documents set forth
the entire  agreement  between the parties hereto  relating to the  transactions
contemplated  thereby  and  supersede  any prior oral or written  statements  or
agreements with respect to such transactions.

                  SECTION 10.12.      GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE 
NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND INTERPRETED AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                  Section 10.13.  Confidentiality.  The Lender agrees (on behalf
of  itself  and  each of its  affiliates,  directors,  officers,  employees  and
representatives)  to  use  reasonable  precautions  to  keep  confidential,   in
accordance  with safe and sound banking  practices,  any  nonpublic  information
supplied to it by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement which is identified by
the  Borrower as being  confidential  at the time the same is  delivered  to the
Lender,  provided  that nothing  herein shall limit the  disclosure  of any such
information (i) to the extent required by statute,  rule, regulation or judicial
process,  (ii) to  counsel  for the  Lender,  (iii) to  examiners,  auditors  or
accountants  examining  the  Borrower  or  any  of  its  Subsidiaries,  (iv)  in
connection  with any  litigation  to which the Lender is a party,  (v) which has
been publicly  disclosed or (vi) to any assignee or participant  (or prospective
assignee or participant) so long as such assignee or participant (or prospective
assignee or participant)  has agreed in writing to be bound by the provisions of
this Section 10.13.

                  Section 10.14. Treatment of Certain Information.  The Borrower
(a)  acknowledges  that services may be offered or provided to it (in connection
with  this  Agreement  or  otherwise)  by the  Lender  or by one or  more of its
subsidiaries or affiliates and (b) acknowledges  that  information  delivered to
the  Lender  by the  Borrower  may be  provided  to  each  such  subsidiary  and
affiliate.

                  Section  10.15.   Independence  of  Covenants.  All  covenants
hereunder shall be given  independent  effect so that if a particular  action or
condition is not permitted by any of such  covenants,  the fact that is would be
permitted by an exception to, or be otherwise within the limitations of, another
covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default if such
action is taken or condition exists.

                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

                       UNIVERSAL AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP.


              By: ________________________________________________
                            Name: Robert A. Waegelein
                     Title: Senior Vice President and Chief
                                Financial Officer

                              Address for Notices:

                            Mount Ebo Corporate Park
                                Box Twenty Three
                            Brewster, New York 10509
                            Attn: Robert A. Waegelein
                           Facsimile No.: 914-279-1225

                                 with a copy to:

                            Harnett, Lesnick & Ripps
                          Nationsbank Tower, Suite 500
                           150 East Palmetto Park Road
                         Boca Raton, Florida 33432-4832
                             Attn: Irving I. Lesnick
                           Facsimile No.: 561-368-4315


                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK


              By: ________________________________________________
                             Name: Michael C. Errico
                         Title: Assistant Vice President

                                 Lending Office:

                            The Chase Manhattan Bank
                            106 Corporate Park Drive
                          White Plains, New York 10604
                             Attn: Michael C. Errico
                           Facsimile No.: 914-993-2222

                              Address for Notices:

                          c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank
                            106 Corporate Park Drive
                          White Plains, New York 10604
                             Attn: Michael C. Errico
                          Facsimile No.: (914) 993-2222

                                 with a copy to:

                               Cummings & Lockwood
                               Four Stamford Plaza
                                  P.O. Box 120
                           Stamford, Connecticut 06904
                            Attn: Catherine A. Birch
                          Facsimile No.: (203) 351-4534



<PAGE>


                             EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

Exhibit A         Form of Promissory Note
Exhibit B         Form of Guaranty
Exhibit C         Form of Security Agreement
Exhibit D         Form of Pledge Agreement
Exhibit E         Form of Outside Counsel Opinion

Schedule 5.10       Subsidiaries
Schedule 5.13       Hazardous Materials
Schedule 7.1  Existing Debt


S3620411.DOC 04/19/98








                                    Exhibit 23(a)

                         Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 11-258016)  pertaining to the Universal  American Financial Corp. 401(k)
Plan of our report  dated  March 25,  1998,  with  respect  to the  consolidated
financial  statements and financial  statement  schedules of Universal  American
Financial Corp. and  subsidiaries  included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for
the year ended December 31, 1997.



New York, New York                                           Ernst & Young LLP
March 25, 1998





                                      F-40
<PAGE>





                                  Exhibit 23(b)

                       Consent of Independent Auditors


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Universal American Financial Corp.:

We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statement No.
11-258016 on Form S-8 of our report  dated March 26,  1996,  with respect to the
consolidated  financial statements and financial statement schedules included in
the Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Universal  American  Financial Corp.  (formerly
Universal Holding Corp.) for the year ended December 31, 1995.



New York, New York                                       KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
March 30, 1998




                                      F-41
<PAGE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                    7
                                                    
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                         DEC-31-1997 
<PERIOD-END>                                                              DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                                                0
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                                       123585708
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                                         123585708
<EQUITIES>                                                                     945116
<MORTGAGE>                                                                    2562008
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                                       0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                                              159428578
<CASH>                                                                       25014019
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                                           76576040
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                                       20832060
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                              272575336
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                                              38327612
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                                                 0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                              145085687
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                                        23759654
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                               3500000
                                                               0
                                                                   9168000
<COMMON>                                                                        73259
<OTHER-SE>                                                                          0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                272575336
                                                                   37714336
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                          10022658
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                                            1132521
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                                2460975
<BENEFITS>                                                                   23719208
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                                  (2945672)
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                                                0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                               3211227
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                  1091818
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                           2119409
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                     0
<CHANGES>                                                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                  2119409
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                       0.26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                       0.18
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                                      0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                                                 0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                                                   0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                                                  0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                                                    0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                                     0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                                             0
                                                    

</TABLE>


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