GREATER BAY BANCORP
8-K, 1998-08-28
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>
 
================================================================================

                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                  FORM 8-K


                           CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
                        TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                       SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

      DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): AUGUST 12, 1998


                             GREATER BAY BANCORP
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



          CALIFORNIA                                     77-0387041
  (State or other jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. employer
   incorporation or organization)                   identification number)


                      COMMISSION FILE NUMBER:  0-25034


                           2860 WEST BAYSHORE ROAD
                         PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94303
            (Address of principal executive offices and zip code)


     REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (650) 813-8200

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 5.  OTHER ITEMS.

     Greater Bay Bancorp (the "Registrant"), issued a press release on August
13, 1998 with respect to the completion of an offering of Cumulative Trust
Preferred Securities in an aggregate amount of $30 million through GBB Capital
II, a trust affiliate of the Registrant formed for the purpose of the offering.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

Financial Statements.
- -------------------- 

Not Required.

Exhibits.
- -------- 

4.1     Indenture between Greater Bay Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company, as
        Debenture Trustee, dated as of August 12, 1998.

4.2     Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture Due
        September 15, 2028 Series A /Series B, of Greater Bay Bancorp.

4.3     Registration Rights Agreement among Greater Bay Bancorp, GBB Capital II,
        and Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P., dated as of August 7, 1998.

4.4     Certificate of Trust of GBB Capital II, dated as of May 18, 1998.

4.5     Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of GBB Capital II, among Greater
        Bay Bancorp, Wilmington Trust Company and the Administrative Trustees
        named therein dated as of August 12, 1998.

4.6     Certificate Evidencing Common Securities of GBB Capital II.

4.7     Certificate Evidencing Capital Securities of GBB Capital II.

4.8     Common Securities Guarantee Agreement of Greater Bay Bancorp, dated as
        of August 12, 1998.

4.9     Series A Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement of Greater Bay Bancorp
        and Wilmington Trust Company, dated as of August 12, 1998.

4.10    Liquidated Damages Agreement among Greater Bay Bancorp, GBB Capital II,
        and Sandler O'Neill and Partners, L.P., dated as of August 7,
        1998.

99.1    Press Release dated August 13, 1998.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                 SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                    GREATER BAY BANCORP
                                    (Registrant)


 
                                       /s/ Steven C. Smith
Dated:  August 28, 1998             By___________________________________
                                         Steven C. Smith
                                         Executive Vice President, Chief
                                         Operating Officer and Chief Financial
                                         Officer

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                                EXHIBIT INDEX
                                -------------
Exhibits.
- -------- 

4.1     Indenture between Greater Bay Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company, as
        Debenture Trustee, dated as of August 12, 1998.

4.2     Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture Due
        September 15, 2028 Series A /Series B, of Greater Bay Bancorp.

4.3     Registration Rights Agreement among Greater Bay Bancorp, GBB Capital II,
        and Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P., dated as of August 7, 1998.

4.4     Certificate of Trust of GBB Capital II, dated as of May 18, 1998.

4.5     Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of GBB Capital II, among Greater 
        Bay Bancorp, Wilmington Trust Company and the Administrative Trustees 
        named therein dated as of August 12, 1998.

4.6     Certificate Evidencing Common Securities of GBB Capital II.

4.7     Certificate Evidencing Capital Securities of GBB Capital II.

4.8     Common Securities Guarantee Agreement of Greater Bay Bancorp, dated as 
        of August 12, 1998.

4.9     Series A Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement of Greater Bay Bancorp
        and Wilmington Trust Company, dated as of August 12, 1998.

4.10    Liquidated Damages Agreement among Greater Bay Bancorp, GBB Capital II,
        and Sandler O'Neill and Partners, L.P., dated as of August 7,
        1998.

99.1    Press Release dated August 13, 1998.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1
                                                                     -----------




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


                              GREATER BAY BANCORP

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


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

                                   INDENTURE

                          Dated as of August 12, 1998

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


                           WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,

                              as Debenture Trustee

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

               JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES



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

                                                                            Page

                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01  Definitions....................................................  1
SECTION 1.02  Business Day Certificate....................................... 10


                                  ARTICLE II
                                  SECURITIES


SECTION 2.01  Forms Generally................................................ 10
SECTION 2.02  Execution and Authentication................................... 11
SECTION 2.03  Form and Payment............................................... 11
SECTION 2.04  Legends........................................................ 11
SECTION 2.05  Global Security................................................ 12
SECTION 2.06  Interest....................................................... 13
SECTION 2.07  Transfer and Exchange.......................................... 15
SECTION 2.08  Replacement Securities......................................... 17
SECTION 2.09  Temporary Securities........................................... 17
SECTION 2.10  Cancellation................................................... 18
SECTION 2.11  Defaulted Interest............................................. 18
SECTION 2.12  CUSIP Numbers.................................................. 19


                                  ARTICLE III
                    PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE CORPORATION


SECTION 3.01  Payment of Principal and Interest.............................. 19
SECTION 3.02  Offices for Notices and Payments, etc.......................... 20
SECTION 3.03  Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Debenture Trustee's Office... 20
SECTION 3.04  Provision as to Paying Agent................................... 20
SECTION 3.05  Certificate to Debenture Trustee............................... 21
SECTION 3.06  Compliance with Consolidation Provisions....................... 21
SECTION 3.07  Limitation on Dividends........................................ 21
SECTION 3.08  Covenants as to GBB CAPITAL II................................. 22
SECTION 3.09  Payment of Expenses............................................ 22
SECTION 3.10  Payment Upon Resignation or Removal............................ 23

                                      -i-
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE IV
                   LIST OF SECURITYHOLDERS AND REPORTS BY THE
                     CORPORATION AND THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE


SECTION 4.01  List of Securityholders........................................ 24
SECTION 4.02  Preservation and Disclosure of Lists........................... 24
SECTION 4.03  Reports by the Corporation..................................... 25
SECTION 4.04  Reports by the Debenture Trustee............................... 26


                                   ARTICLE V
                       REMEDIES OF THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE
                    ANDSECURITYHOLDERS UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT

SECTION 5.01  Events of Default.............................................. 26
SECTION 5.02  Payment of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor................ 28
SECTION 5.03  Application of Moneys Collected by Debenture Trustee........... 30
SECTION 5.04  Proceedings by Securityholders................................. 30
SECTION 5.05  Proceedings by Debenture Trustee............................... 31
SECTION 5.06  Remedies Cumulative and Continuing............................. 32
SECTION 5.07  Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by
              Majority of Securityholders.................................... 32
SECTION 5.08  Notice of Defaults............................................. 33
SECTION 5.09  Undertaking to Pay Costs....................................... 33

                                  ARTICLE VI
                       CONCERNING THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE

SECTION 6.01  Duties and Responsibilities of Debenture Trustee............... 34
SECTION 6.02  Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc........................... 35
SECTION 6.03  No Responsibility for Recitals, etc............................ 36
SECTION 6.04  Debenture Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents,
              Transfer Agents and Registrar May Own Securities............... 37
SECTION 6.05  Moneys to be Held in Trust..................................... 37
SECTION 6.06  Compensation and Expenses of Debenture Trustee................. 37
SECTION 6.07  Officers' Certificate as Evidence.............................. 38
SECTION 6.08  Conflicting Interest of Debenture Trustee...................... 38
SECTION 6.09  Eligibility of Debenture Trustee............................... 38
SECTION 6.10  Resignation or Removal of Debenture Trustee.................... 39
SECTION 6.11  Acceptance by Successor Debenture Trustee...................... 40
SECTION 6.12  Succession by Merger, etc...................................... 41
SECTION 6.13  Limitation on Rights of Debenture Trustee as a Creditor........ 41
SECTION 6.14  Authenticating Agents.......................................... 41


                                     -ii-
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VII
                         CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS


SECTION 7.01  Action by Securityholders...................................... 42
SECTION 7.02  Proof of Execution by Securityholders.......................... 43
SECTION 7.03  Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners................................. 43
SECTION 7.04  Securities Owned by Corporation Deemed Not Outstanding......... 44
SECTION 7.05  Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound................... 44


                                 ARTICLE VIII
                          MEETINGS OF SECURITYHOLDERS


SECTION 8.01  Purposes of Meetings........................................... 44
SECTION 8.02  Call of Meetings by Debenture Trustee.......................... 45
SECTION 8.03  Call of Meetings by Corporation or Securityholders............. 45
SECTION 8.04  Qualifications for Voting...................................... 45
SECTION 8.05  Regulations.................................................... 45
SECTION 8.06  Voting......................................................... 46

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                   AMENDMENTS


SECTION 9.01  Without Consent of Securityholders............................. 47
SECTION 9.02  With Consent of Securityholders................................ 48
SECTION 9.03  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act; Effect of
              Supplemental Indentures........................................ 49
SECTION 9.04  Notation on Securities......................................... 49
SECTION 9.05  Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture
              to be Furnished to Debenture Trustee........................... 49

                                   ARTICLE X
                         CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE,
                        CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER AND LEASE


SECTION 10.01  Corporation May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms........... 50
SECTION 10.02  Successor Person to be Substituted for Corporation............ 50
SECTION 10.03  Opinion of Counsel to be Given Debenture Trustee.............. 51

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE XI
                    SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE


SECTION 11.01  Discharge of Indenture........................................ 51
SECTION 11.02  Deposited Moneys and U.S. Government Obligations
               to be Held in Trust by Debenture Trustee...................... 52
SECTION 11.03  Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held............................. 52
SECTION 11.04  Return of Unclaimed Moneys.................................... 52
SECTION 11.05  Defeasance Upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S.
               Government Obligations........................................ 52


                                  ARTICLE XII
                    IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
                             OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

SECTION 12.01  Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations......... 54


                                 ARTICLE XIII
                           MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS


SECTION 13.01  Successors.................................................... 54
SECTION 13.02  Official Acts by Successor Corporation........................ 54
SECTION 13.03  Surrender of Corporation Powers............................... 54
SECTION 13.04  Addresses for Notices, etc.................................... 55
SECTION 13.05  Governing Law................................................. 55
SECTION 13.06  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.............. 55
SECTION 13.07  Business Days................................................. 55
SECTION 13.08  Trust Indenture Act to Control................................ 56
SECTION 13.09  Table of Contents, Headings, etc.............................. 56
SECTION 13.10  Execution in Counterparts..................................... 56
SECTION 13.11  Separability.................................................. 56
SECTION 13.12  Assignment.................................................... 56
SECTION 13.13  Acknowledgment of Rights...................................... 56


                                  ARTICLE XIV
                            PREPAYMENT OF SECURITIES


SECTION 14.01  Special Event Prepayment...................................... 57
SECTION 14.02  Optional Prepayment by Corporation............................ 57
SECTION 14.03  No Sinking Fund............................................... 58
SECTION 14.04  Notice of Prepayment; Selection of Securities................. 58
SECTION 14.05  Payment of Securities Called for Prepayment................... 59

                                     -iv-
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE XV
                          SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES


SECTION 15.01  Agreement to Subordinate...................................... 59
SECTION 15.02  Default on Senior Indebtedness................................ 60
SECTION 15.03  Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.......................... 60
SECTION 15.04  Subrogation................................................... 62
SECTION 15.05  Debenture Trustee to Effectuate Subordination................. 62
SECTION 15.06  Notice by the Corporation..................................... 62
SECTION 15.07  Rights of the Debenture Trustee; Holders of
               Senior Indebtedness........................................... 64
SECTION 15.08  Subordination May Not Be Impaired............................. 64
SECTION 15.09 Certain Conversions or Exchanges Deemed Payment................ 64


                                  ARTICLE XVI
                      EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD

SECTION 16.01  Extension of Interest Payment Period.......................... 65
SECTION 16.02  Notice of Extension........................................... 66

TESTIMONIUM

SIGNATURES

EXHIBIT A




                                      -v-
<PAGE>
 
     Tie Sheet of provisions of Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with Indenture dated
as of August 12, 1998 between Greater Bay Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company,
as Debenture Trustee:

ACT SECTION                                                  INDENTURE SECTION
 
310(a)(1).................................................               6.09
      (a)(2)..............................................               6.09
310(a)(3).................................................                N/A
      (a)(4)..............................................                N/A
310(a)(5).................................................   6.09, 6.10, 6.11
310(b)....................................................                N/A
310(c)....................................................               6.13
311(a) and (b)............................................                N/A
311(c)....................................................                N/A
312(a)....................................................   4.01(a), 4.02(a)
312(b) and (c)............................................   4.02(b), 4.04(c)
313(a)....................................................            4.04(a)
313(b)....................................................            4.04(a)
313(b)(2).................................................            4.04(a)
313(c)....................................................            4.04(a)
313(d)....................................................            4.04(b)
314(a)....................................................               4.03
314(b)....................................................                N/A
314(c)(1) and (2)......................................... 6.07, 13.06, 13.06
314(c)(3).................................................                N/A
314(d)....................................................                N/A
314(e)....................................................        6.07, 13.06
314(f)....................................................                N/A
315(a)(c) and (d).........................................               6.01
315(b)....................................................               5.08
315(e)....................................................               5.09
316(a)(1).................................................               5.07
316(a)(2).................................................                N/A
316(a) last sentence......................................               9.02
316(b)....................................................               9.02
317(a)....................................................               5.05
317(b)....................................................               6.05
318.......................................................              13.08
- ----------------
THIS TIE-SHEET IS NOT PART OF THE INDENTURE AS EXECUTED.


                                     -vi-
<PAGE>
 
     THIS INDENTURE, dated as of August 12, 1998, between Greater Bay Bancorp, a
California corporation (hereinafter called the "Corporation"), and Wilmington
Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation, as debenture trustee (hereinafter
sometimes called the "Debenture Trustee").

                             W I T N E S S E T H :

     In consideration of the premises, and the purchase of the Securities (as
defined below) by the holders thereof, the Corporation covenants and agrees with
the Debenture Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective
holders from time to time of the Securities, as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS

     SECTION 1.01  Definitions.
                   ----------- 

     The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise
expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of
this Indenture shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section
1.01.  All other terms used in this Indenture which are defined in the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), or which are by
reference therein defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), shall (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or
unless the context otherwise requires) have the meanings assigned to such terms
in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date
of this Indenture as originally executed.  The following terms have the meanings
given to them in the Trust Agreement: (i) Clearing Agency; (ii) Delaware
Trustee; (iii) Property Trustee; (iv) Administrative Trustees; (v) Series A
Capital Securities; (vi) Series B Capital Securities; (vii) Direct Action;
(viii) Series A Capital Securities Guarantee; (ix) Series B Capital Securities
Guarantee; (x) Distributions; and (xi) Initial Purchaser.  All accounting terms
used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such
terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the term
"generally accepted accounting principles" means such accounting principles as
are generally accepted at the time of any computation.  The words "herein,"
"hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this
Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other
subdivision.  Headings are used for convenience of reference only and do not
affect interpretation.  The singular includes the plural and vice versa.

     "Additional Sums" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(g).

     "Affiliate" shall have the meaning given to that term in Rule 405 under the
Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.

     "Allocable Amounts," when used with respect to any Senior Indebtedness,
means all amounts due or to become due on such Senior Indebtedness less, if
applicable, any amount which would have been paid to, and retained by, the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness (whether as a result of the receipt of
payments by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness from the Corporation or any
other obligor thereon or from any holders of, or trustee in respect of, other
indebtedness that is subordinate and junior in right of payment to such Senior
Indebtedness pursuant to any provision of such 
<PAGE>
 
Indebtedness for the payment over of amounts received on account of such
indebtedness to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or otherwise) but for
the fact that such Senior Indebtedness is subordinate or junior in right of
payment to (or subject to a requirement that amounts received on such Senior
Indebtedness be paid over to obligees on) trade accounts payable or accrued
liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business.

     "Authenticating Agent" shall mean any agent or agents of the Debenture
Trustee which at the time shall be appointed and acting pursuant to Section
6.14.

     "Bankruptcy Law" shall mean Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or
state law for the relief of debtors.

     "Board of Directors" shall mean either the Board of Directors of the
Corporation or any duly authorized committee of that board.

     "Board Resolution" shall mean a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation to have been duly adopted
by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Debenture Trustee.

     "Book-Entity Capital Securities" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.05(a)(i).

     "Business Day" shall mean, with respect to any series of Securities, any
day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in
San Francisco, California Wilmington, Delaware or New York, New York are
authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed.

     "Capital Securities" shall mean undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust which are designated as "Capital Securities" and rank pari
passu with the Common Securities issued by the Trust; provided, however, that if
                                                      --------  -------         
an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no payments in respect of
Distributions on, or payments upon liquidation, redemption or otherwise with
respect to, the Common Securities shall be made until the holders of the Capital
Securities shall be paid in full the Distributions and the liquidation,
redemption and other payments to which they are entitled.  References to
"Capital Securities'' shall include collectively any Series A Capital Securities
and Series B Capital Securities.

     "Capital Securities Guarantee" shall mean any guarantee agreement that the
Corporation may enter into with Wilmington Trust Company or other Persons that
operates directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders of Capital Securities
and shall include the Series A Capital Securities Guarantee and the Series B
Capital Securities Guarantee with respect to the Series A Capital Securities and
the Series B Capital Securities, respectively.

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

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     "Common Securities" shall mean undivided beneficial interests in the assets
of the Trust which are designated as "Common Securities" and rank pari passu
with Capital Securities issued by the Trust; provided, however, that if an Event
                                             --------  -------                  
of Default has occurred and is continuing, no payments in respect of
Distributions on, or payments upon liquidation, redemption or otherwise with
respect to, the Common Securities shall be made until the holders of the Capital
Securities shall be paid in full the Distributions and the liquidation,
redemption and other payments to which they are then entitled.

     "Common Securities Guarantee" shall mean any guarantee that the Corporation
may enter into that operates directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders
of Common Securities.

     "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, no par value per share, of the
Corporation or any other class of stock resulting from changes or
reclassifications of such Common Stock consisting solely of changes in par
value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value.

     "Compounded Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.01.

     "Corporation" shall mean the person identified as "Corporation" in the
preamble to this Indenture and, subject to the provisions of Article X, shall
also include its successors and assigns.

     "Corporation Request" or "Corporation Order" shall mean a written request
or order signed in the name of the Corporation by an Officer and delivered to
the Debenture Trustee.

     "Custodian" shall mean any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, or
similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

     "Debenture Trustee" shall mean the Person identified as "Debenture Trustee"
in the preamble to this Indenture and, subject to the provisions of Article VI
hereof, shall also include its successors and assigns.
 
     "Default" shall mean any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse
of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

     "Defaulted Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.

     "Deferred Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.01.

     "Definitive Securities" shall mean those securities issued in fully
registered certificated form not otherwise in global form.

     "Depositary" shall mean, with respect to the Securities for which the
Corporation shall determine that such Securities will be issued as a Global
Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or another clearing
agency, or any successor registered as a clearing agency 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or
regulation, which, in each case, shall be designated by the Corporation pursuant
to Section 2.05(d).

     "Dissolution Event" shall mean any event resulting in the dissolution of
the Trust pursuant to the Trust Agreement, and the distribution of the
Securities held by the Property Trustee to the holders of the Trust Securities
issued by the Trust pro rata in accordance with the Trust Agreement.

     "Event of Default" shall mean any event specified in Section 5.01,
continued for the period of time, if any, and after the giving of the notice, if
any, therein designated.

     "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     "Exchange Offer" shall mean the offer that may be made pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement (i) by the Corporation to exchange the Exchange
Securities for the Initial Securities and to execute the Series B Capital
Securities Guarantee in respect of the Series B Capital Securities and (ii) by
the Trust to exchange the Series B Capital Securities for the Series A Capital
Securities.

     "Exchange Securities" shall mean the Corporation's Floating Rate Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due September 15, 2028, Series B, as
authenticated and issued under this Indenture.

     "Extended Interest Payment Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 16.01.

     "Federal Reserve" shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.

     "Global Security" shall mean, with respect to the Securities, a Security
executed by the Corporation and delivered by the Debenture Trustee to the
Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary's instruction, or if no instructions
are received then held by the Property Trustee, all in accordance with this
Indenture, which Security shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or
its nominee.

     "Indebtedness" shall mean, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the
assets of the Corporation and whether or not contingent, (i) every obligation of
the Corporation for money borrowed; (ii) every obligation of the Corporation
evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including
obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or
businesses; (iii) every reimbursement obligation of the Corporation with respect
to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued for the
account of the Corporation; (iv) every obligation of the Corporation issued or
assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (but excluding
trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business); (v) every capital lease obligation of the Corporation; (vi) all
indebtedness of the Corporation, whether incurred on or prior to the date of
this Indenture or hereafter incurred, for claims in respect of derivative
products, including interest rate, foreign exchange rate and commodity forward
contracts, options and swaps and similar arrangements; and (vii) every
obligation of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) of another Person
and all dividends of another Person the payment of which, in either case, the
Corporation has guaranteed or is responsible or liable for directly or
indirectly, as obligor or otherwise.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     "Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Securities" shall mean (i)
Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of this Indenture or
hereafter created, assumed or incurred, to the extent such Indebtedness by its
terms ranks pari passu with and not prior to the Securities in the right of
payment upon the happening of the dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or
reorganization of the Corporation, including, without limitation, the
Corporation's 9.75% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures, maturing
on March 31, 2027 ("1997 Junior Subordinated Debentures"), and (ii) all other
debt securities, and guarantees in respect of those debt securities, issued to
any trust other than the Trust, or a trustee of such trust, partnership or other
entity affiliated with the Corporation, that is a financing vehicle of the
Corporation (a "financing entity") in connection with the issuance by such
financing entity of equity securities or other securities guaranteed by the
Corporation pursuant to an instrument that ranks pari passu with or junior in
right of payment to the Capital Securities Guarantee, including, without
limitation, the Corporation's guarantee issued pursuant to the 1997 Junior
Subordinated Debentures.  The securing of any Indebtedness otherwise
constituting Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Securities shall not be
deemed to prevent such Indebtedness from constituting Indebtedness Ranking on a
Parity with the Securities.

     "Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the Securities" shall mean any
Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of this Indenture or
hereafter created, assumed or incurred, to the extent such Indebtedness by its
terms ranks junior to and not pari passu with or prior to the Securities (and
any other Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Securities) in right of
payment upon the happening of the dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or
reorganization of the Corporation.  The securing of any Indebtedness otherwise
constituting Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the Securities shall not be deemed
to prevent such Indebtedness from constituting Indebtedness Ranking Junior to
the Securities.

     "Indenture" shall mean this instrument as originally executed or, if
amended as herein provided, as so amended.

     "Initial Optional Redemption Date" shall mean September 15, 2008.

     "Initial Securities" shall mean the Corporation's Floating Rate Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due September 15, 2028, Series A, as
authenticated and issued under this Indenture.

     "Interest Payment Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.06(a).

     "Investment Company" shall mean an investment company as defined in the
Investment Company Act.

     "Investment Company Act" shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

     "Investment Company Event" shall mean the receipt by the Debenture Issuer
and the Trust of an opinion of independent securities counsel experienced in
such matters to the effect that as a 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
result of (a) any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective
change) in, the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any
rules, guidelines or policies of any applicable regulatory authority for the
Debenture Issuer or (b) any official administrative pronouncement or judicial
decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or
change is effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after
the date of original issuance of the Initial Securities, the Trust is, or within
90 days of the date of such opinion will be, considered an investment company
that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.

     "Like Amount" shall mean (i) with respect to a redemption of the Trust
Securities, Trust Securities having a liquidation amount equal to the principal
amount of Securities to be paid in accordance with their terms and (ii) with
respect to a distribution of Securities upon the liquidation of the Trust,
Securities having a principal amount equal to the liquidation amount of the
Trust Securities of the holder to whom Securities are distributed.

     "Liquidated Damages" shall have the meaning set forth in the Registration
Rights Agreement and the Liquidated Damages Agreement.

     "Liquidated Damages Agreement" shall mean the Liquidated Damages Agreement,
dated as of August 7, 1998, by and among the Corporation, the Trust and the
Initial Purchaser named therein, as such agreement may be amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time.

     "Maturity Date" shall mean September 15, 2028.

     "Non Book-Entry Capital Securities" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.05(a)(ii).

     "Officers" shall mean any of the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the
President, an Executive or Senior Vice President, a Vice President, the Chief
Financial Officer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.

     "Officers' Certificate" shall mean a certificate signed by two Officers and
delivered to the Debenture Trustee.

     "Opinion of Counsel" shall mean a written opinion of counsel, who may be an
employee of the Corporation, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Debenture Trustee.

     "Other Debentures" shall mean all junior subordinated debentures other than
the Securities issued by the Corporation from time to time and sold to trusts
other than the Trust to be established by the Corporation (if any), in each case
similar to the Trust.

     "Other Guarantees" shall mean all guarantees other than the Capital
Securities Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee issued by the
Corporation with respect to preferred beneficial interests (if any) issued to
trusts other than the Trust to be established by the Corporation (if any), in
each case similar to the Trust.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     The term "outstanding" when used with reference to the Securities, shall
mean, subject to the provisions of Section 7.04, as of any particular time, all
Securities authenticated and delivered by the Debenture Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent under this Indenture, except

          (a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Debenture Trustee or the
              Authenticating Agent or delivered to the Debenture Trustee for
              cancellation;

          (b) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or prepayment of
              which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in
              trust with the Debenture Trustee or with any paying agent (other
              than the Corporation) or shall have been set aside and segregated
              in trust by the Corporation (if the Corporation shall act as its
              own paying agent); provided that, if such Securities, or portions
              thereof, are to be prepaid prior to maturity thereof, notice of
              such prepayment shall have been given as set forth in Article XIV
              or provision satisfactory to the Debenture Trustee shall have been
              made for giving such notice; and

          (c) Securities in lieu of or in substitution for which other
              Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to
              the terms of Section 2.08 unless proof satisfactory to the
              Corporation and the Debenture Trustee is presented that any such
              Securities are held by bona fide holders in due course.

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

     "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security shall mean every previous
Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security
authenticated and delivered under Section 2.08 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or
stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed
or stolen Security.

     "Prepayment Price" shall mean the prepayment price of the Debentures equal
to 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures to be prepaid plus any accrued
and unpaid interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any,
thereon to the date of prepayment).

     "Principal Office of the Debenture Trustee," or other similar term, shall
mean the office of the Debenture Trustee, at which at any particular time its
corporate trust business shall be administered.

     "Purchase Agreement" shall mean the Purchase Agreement, dated August 7,
1998, by and among the Corporation, the Trust and the Initial Purchaser named
therein.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     "Registration Rights Agreement" shall mean the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of August 7, 1998, by and among the Corporation, the Trust
and the Initial Purchaser named therein, as such agreement may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time.

     "Regulatory Capital Event" shall mean the receipt by the Corporation and
the Trust of an opinion of independent bank regulatory counsel experienced in
such matters to the effect that as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change
(including any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations
thereunder) of the United States or any rules, guidelines or policies of an
applicable regulatory authority for the Debenture Issuer or (b) any official
administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such
laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which
pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of original issuance
of the Initial Securities, the Capital Securities do not constitute, or within
90 days of the date of such opinion will not constitute, Tier 1 Capital (or its
then equivalent if the Corporation were subject to such capital requirement);
                                                                             
provided, however, that the distribution of the Securities in connection with
- --------  -------                                                            
the liquidation of the Trust by the Corporation shall not in and of itself
constitute a Regulatory Capital Event.

     "Responsible Officer" shall mean any officer of the Debenture Trustee's
Corporate Trust Administration department with direct responsibility for the
administration of the Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular
corporate trust matter, any other officer of the Debenture Trustee to whom such
matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the
particular subject.

     "Restricted Security" shall mean Securities that bear or are required to
bear the legends relating to transfer restrictions under the Securities Act set
forth in Exhibit A hereto.

     "Rule 144A" shall mean Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may
be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the Commission.

     "Securities" shall mean, collectively, the Initial Securities and the
Exchange Securities.

     "Securityholder," "holder of Securities," or other similar terms, shall
mean any Person in whose name at the time a particular Security is registered in
the Security Register kept by the Corporation or the Debenture Trustee for that
purpose in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

     "Security Register" shall mean (i) prior to a Dissolution Event, the list
of holders provided to the Debenture Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01, and (ii)
following a Dissolution Event, any security register maintained by a security
registrar for the Securities appointed by the Corporation following the
execution of a supplemental indenture providing for transfer procedures as
provided for in Section 2.07(a).

     "Senior Indebtedness" shall mean the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any
petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Corporation whether
or not such claim for post petition interest is allowed in such proceedings), on
all Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of this
Indenture, 

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
or hereafter created, assumed or incurred, except Indebtedness Ranking on a
Parity with the Securities or Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the Securities, and
any deferrals, renewals or extensions of such Senior Indebtedness. Senior
Indebtedness shall include, without limiting the foregoing, the 11.5%
Subordinated Debenture due 2005 of the Corporation and shall not include (a) any
Indebtedness of the Corporation which, when incurred and without respect to any
election under Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended,
was without recourse to the Corporation, (b) any Indebtedness of the Corporation
to any of its Subsidiaries, (c) any Indebtedness to any employee of the
Corporation and (d) any Securities.

     "Special Event" shall mean an Investment Company Event, a Regulatory
Capital Event or a Tax Event, as the context requires.

     "Subsidiary" shall mean with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at
least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or
indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such
Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint
venture, limited liability company or similar entity, at least a majority of
whose outstanding partnership, membership or similar interests shall at the time
be owned by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person
and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which
such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner.  For the purposes
of this definition, "voting stock" means shares, interests, participations or
other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person
having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or
the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or
other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a
contingency.

     "Tax Event" shall mean the receipt by the Trust and the Corporation of an
opinion of independent tax counsel experienced in such matters to the effect
that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced
prospective change) in, the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United
States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or
as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date
of original issuance of the Initial Securities, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date
of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to
income received or accrued on the Securities, (ii) the interest payable by the
Corporation on the Securities is not, or within 90 days of the date of such
opinion will not be, deductible by the Corporation, in whole or in part, for
United States federal income tax purposes or (iii) the Trust is, or will be
within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis
amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

     "Trust" shall mean GBB Capital II, a Delaware business trust created for
the purpose of issuing its undivided beneficial interests in connection with the
issuance of Securities under this Indenture.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
     "Trust Agreement" shall mean the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of
the Trust, dated as of August 12, 1998, by and among the Trustees (as defined
therein), the Corporation, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of
undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust, as amended from time
to time.

     "Trust Securities" shall mean, collectively, the Capital Securities and the
Common Securities.

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

     SECTION 1.02  Business Day Certificate.
                   ------------------------ 

     On the date of execution and delivery of this Indenture (with respect to
the remainder of calendar year 1998) and within 15 days prior to the end of each
calendar year while this Indenture remains in effect (with respect to succeeding
calendar years), the Corporation shall deliver to the Debenture Trustee an
Officers' Certificate specifying the days on which banking institutions or trust
companies in San Francisco, California, Wilmington, Delaware and New York, New
York are then authorized or obligated by law or executive order to remain
closed.


                                  ARTICLE II
                                  SECURITIES

     SECTION 2.01  Forms Generally.
                   --------------- 

     The Securities and the Debenture Trustee's certificate of authentication
shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, the terms of which are
incorporated in and made a part of this Indenture.  The Securities may have
notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule,
agreements to which the Corporation is subject or usage.  Each Security shall be
dated the date of its authentication.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 2.02  Execution and Authentication.
                   ---------------------------- 

     An Officer shall sign the Securities for the Corporation by manual or
facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer
holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall
nevertheless be valid.

     A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature
of the Debenture Trustee.  The signature of the Debenture Trustee shall be
conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this
Indenture.

     The Debenture Trustee shall, upon a Corporation Order, authenticate for
original issue up to, and the aggregate principal amount of Securities
outstanding at any time may not exceed, $30,928,000 aggregate principal amount
of the Securities, except as provided in Sections 2.07, 2.08, 2.09 and 14.05.
The series of Securities to be initially issued hereunder shall be the Initial
Securities.

     SECTION 2.03  Form and Payment.
                   ---------------- 

     Except as provided in Section 2.05, the Securities shall be issued in fully
registered certificated form without interest coupons.  Principal of and
interest on the Securities issued in certificated form will be payable, the
transfer of such Securities will be registrable and such Securities will be
exchangeable for Securities bearing identical terms and provisions, at the
office or agency of the Corporation maintained for such purpose under Section
3.02; provided, however, that payments of interest may be made at the option of
      --------  -------                                                        
the Corporation (i) by check mailed to the holder at such address as shall
appear in the Security Register, or (ii) by transfer to an account maintained by
the Person entitled thereto, provided that proper transfer instructions have
been received in writing by the relevant record date.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, so long as the holder of any Securities is the Property Trustee, the
payment of the principal of and interest (including Compounded Interest and
Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, on such Securities held
by the Property Trustee will be made at such place and to such account as may be
designated by the Property Trustee.

     SECTION 2.04  Legends
                   -------

     (a) Except as permitted by subsection (b) of this Section 2.04 or as
otherwise determined by the Corporation in accordance with applicable law, each
Security shall bear the applicable legends relating to restrictions on transfer
pursuant to the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws in
substantially the form set forth on Exhibit A hereto.

     (b) In the event of an Exchange Offer, the Corporation shall issue and the
Debenture Trustee, upon Corporation Order, shall authenticate Exchange
Securities in exchange for Initial Securities accepted for exchange in the
Exchange Offer, which Exchange Securities shall not bear the legends required by
subsection (a) above, in each case unless the holder of such Initial Securities
is either (A) a broker-dealer who purchased such Initial Securities directly
from the Corporation for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available
exemption under the Securities Act, (B) a Person 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
participating in the distribution of the Initial Securities or (C) a Person who
is an Affiliate of the Corporation or the Trust.

     SECTION 2.05  Global Security.
                   --------------- 

     (a)  In connection with a Dissolution Event,

          (i) if any Capital Securities are held in book-entry form ("Book-Entry
Capital Securities"), a Like Amount of Definitive Securities shall be presented
to the Debenture Trustee (if an arrangement with the Depositary has been
maintained) by the Property Trustee in exchange for one or more Global
Securities (as may be required pursuant to Section 2.07), to be registered in
the name of the Depositary, or its nominee, and delivered by the Debenture
Trustee to the Depositary for crediting to the accounts of its participants
pursuant to the instructions of the Administrative Trustees; the Corporation
upon any such presentation shall execute one or more Global Securities in such
aggregate principal amount and deliver the same to the Debenture Trustee for
authentication and delivery in accordance with this Indenture; and payments on
the Securities issued as a Global Security will be made to the Depositary; and

          (ii) if any Capital Securities are held in certificated form, the
related Definitive Securities may be presented to the Debenture Trustee, by the
Property Trustee and any Capital Security certificates which represent Capital
Securities other than Book-Entry Capital Securities ("Non Book-Entry Capital
Securities") will be deemed to represent beneficial interests in Securities
presented to the Debenture Trustee by the Property Trustee having an aggregate
principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Non Book-Entry
Capital Securities until such Capital Security certificates are presented to the
security registrar for the Securities for transfer or reissuance, at which time
such Capital Security certificates will be canceled, and a Security in a Like
Amount, registered in the name of the holder of the Capital Security certificate
or the transferee of the holder of such Capital Security certificate, as the
case may be, will be executed by the Corporation and delivered to the Debenture
Trustee for authentication and delivery in accordance with this Indenture; and
upon the issuance of such Securities, Securities with an equivalent aggregate
principal amount that were presented by the Property Trustee to the Debenture
Trustee will be canceled.

     (b) The Global Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of
outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon; provided, however,
                                                           --------  ------- 
that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities represented
thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to
reflect exchanges and prepayments.  Any endorsement of a Global Security to
reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount
of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Debenture
Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Corporation as required by
this Section 2.05.

     (c) The Global Securities may be transferred, in whole but not in part,
only to the Depositary, to another nominee of  the Depositary, or to a successor
Depositary selected or approved by the Corporation or to a nominee of such
successor Depositary.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
     (d) If at any time the Depositary notifies the Corporation that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or the Depositary has ceased to be
a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in each case, a
successor Depositary is not appointed by the Corporation within 90 days after
the Corporation receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the
case may be, the Corporation will execute, and the Debenture Trustee, upon
receipt of a Corporation Order, will authenticate and make available for
delivery the Definitive Securities, in authorized denominations, and in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security,
in exchange for such Global Security.  If there is a Default or an Event of
Default, the Depositary shall have the right to exchange the Global Securities
for Definitive Securities.  In addition, the Corporation may at any time
determine that the Securities shall no longer be represented by a Global
Security.  In the event of such an Event of Default or such a determination, the
Corporation shall execute, and subject to Section 2.07, the Debenture Trustee,
upon receipt of an Officers' Certificate evidencing such determination by the
Corporation and a Corporation Order, will authenticate and make available for
delivery the Definitive Securities, in authorized denominations, and in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security,
in exchange for such Global Security.  Upon the exchange of the Global Security
for such Definitive Securities, in authorized denominations, the Global Security
shall be canceled by the Debenture Trustee.  Such Definitive Securities issued
in exchange for the Global Security shall be registered in such names and in
such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from
its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Debenture
Trustee. The Debenture Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Securities to the
Depositary for delivery to the Persons in whose names such Definitive Securities
are so registered.

     SECTION 2.06  Interest.
                   -------- 

     (a) Each Security will bear interest, at the rate per annum, reset
quarterly, equal to 3-month LIBOR (as defined below), plus 150 basis points (the
"Coupon Rate"), from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or
duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from
August 12, 1998, until the principal thereof becomes due and payable, and at the
Coupon Rate on any overdue principal and (to the extent that payment of such
interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of
interest, compounded quarterly, payable (subject to the provisions of Article
XVI) quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of
each year, commencing December 15, 1998 (each, an "Interest Payment Date"), to
the Person in whose name such Security or any predecessor Security is registered
at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest
installment, which shall be the first day of the month in which the relevant
Interest Payment Date falls.

     (b) The Coupon Rate on the Securities for each quarter (or other period for
which interest is payable) will be determined on the Determination Date (as
defined below) for such quarter (or other period for which interest is payable)
and will be a per annum rate reset quarterly equal to 3-month LIBOR (determined
as set forth below) plus 150 basis points, and will be effective as of the first
day of such quarter (or other period for which interest is payable).

     (c) On each Determination Date, the Calculation Agent will calculate the
interest rate, based on 3-month LIBOR, for each interest period  commencing on
the second London Banking Day 

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
immediately following such Determination Date. "3-month LIBOR" means, with
respect to an interest period relating to a Distribution Date, the London
interbank offered rate for three-month, Eurodollar deposits determined in the
following order of priority:

          (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for Eurodollar 
deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of
11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date);

          (ii) if such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 
a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date, 3-month LIBOR will be the
arithmetic mean of the rates (expressed as percentages per annum) for Eurodollar
deposits having a three-month maturity that appear on Reuters Monitor Money
Rates Page LIBO ("Reuters Page LIBO") as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such
Determination Date;

          (iii) if such rate does not appear on Reuters Page LIBO as of 11:00
a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date, the Calculation Agent will
request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London
interbank market to provide such banks' offered quotations (expressed as
percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for
Eurodollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time)
on such Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-month
LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations;

          (iv) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in 
clause (iii) above, the Calculation Agent will request four major New York City
banks to provide such banks' offered quotations (expressed as percentages per
annum) to leading European banks for loans in Eurodollars as of 11:00 a.m.
(London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are
provided, 3-month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and

          (v) if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in 
clause (iv) above, 3-month LIBOR will be 3-month LIBOR determined with respect
to the interest period immediately preceding such current interest period.

     If the rate for Eurodollar deposits having a three-month maturity that
initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 or Reuters Page LIBO, as the case may
be, as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is
superceded on Telerate Page 3750 or Reuters Page LIBO, as the case may be, by a
corrected rate before 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, the
corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable
3-month LIBOR for such Determination Date.

     As used herein:

     "Calculation Agent" means Wilmington Trust Company, Wilmington, Delaware.

     "Determination Date" means the date that is two London Banking Days
preceding the first day of any quarter or other period for which a Distribution
will be payable.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
     "London Banking Day" means a day on which dealings in deposits in U.S.
dollars are transacted in the London interbank market.

     "Telerate Page 3750" means the display designated as "Page 3750" on the Dow
Jones Telerate Service (or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that
service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British
Bankers' Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying
London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits).

     (d) All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Securities will
be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage
point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g.,
9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655)), and all
dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the
nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward).

     (e) On the Determination Date, the Calculation Agent shall notify the
Corporation and the Paying Agent of the applicable Coupon Rate in effect for the
related Distribution period.  The Calculation Agent shall, upon the request of
the holder of any Securities, provide the Coupon Rate then in effect.  All
calculations made by the Calculation Agent in the absence of manifest error
shall be conclusive for all purposes and binding on the Corporation and the
holders of the Securities.

     (f) The amount of interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be
computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a 360-day year.

     (g) During such time as the Property Trustee is the holder of any
Securities, the Corporation shall pay any additional amounts on the Securities
as may be necessary in order that the amount of Distributions then due and
payable by the Trust on the outstanding Trust Securities shall not be reduced as
a result of any additional taxes, duties and other governmental charges to which
the Trust has become subject as a result of a Tax Event ("Additional Sums").

     SECTION 2.07  Transfer and Exchange.
                   --------------------- 

     (a)  Transfer Restrictions.
          --------------------- 

          (i) The Initial Securities, and those Exchange Securities with respect
to which any Person described in Section 2.04(b)(A), (B) or (C) is the
beneficial owner, may not be transferred except in compliance with the legend
contained in Exhibit A unless otherwise determined by the Corporation in
accordance with applicable law.  Upon any distribution of the Securities
following a Dissolution Event, the Corporation and the Debenture Trustee shall
enter into a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 9.01 to provide for the
transfer restrictions and procedures with respect to the Securities
substantially similar to those contained in the Trust Agreement to the extent
applicable in the circumstances existing at such time.

          (ii) The Securities will be issued and may be transferred only in
blocks having an aggregate principal amount of not less than $100,000 and in 
multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  Any attempted transfer of the Securities
in a block having an aggregate rincipal amount of less than

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
$100,000 shall be deemed to be voided and of no legal effect whatsoever. Any
such purported transferee shall be deemed not to be a holder of such Securities
for any purpose, including, but not limited to the receipt of payments on such
Securities, and such purported transferee shall be deemed to have no interest
whatsoever in such Securities.

     (b) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.  To permit
         ------------------------------------------------------            
registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Corporation shall execute and the
Debenture Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Securities and Global Securities
at the request of the security registrar for the Securities. All Definitive
Securities and Global Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or
exchange of Definitive Securities or Global Securities shall be the valid
obligations of the Corporation, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the
same benefits under this Indenture, as the Definitive Securities or Global
Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

     No service charge shall be made to a holder for any registration of
transfer or exchange, but the Corporation may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in
connection therewith.

     The Corporation shall not be required to: (i) issue, register the transfer
of or exchange Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business
15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of prepayment or any notice of
selection of Securities for prepayment under Article XIV hereof and ending at
the close of business on the day of such mailing; or (ii) register the transfer
of or exchange any Security so selected for prepayment in whole or in part,
except the nonprepaid portion of any Security being prepaid in part.

     Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any
Security, the Debenture Trustee, the Corporation and any agent of the Debenture
Trustee or the Corporation may deem and treat the Person in whose name any
Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of
receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Securities, and none of
the Debenture Trustee, the Corporation or any agents of the Debenture Trustee or
the Corporation shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

     (c) Exchange of Initial Securities for Exchange Securities.   The Initial
         ------------------------------------------------------               
Securities may be exchanged for Exchange Securities pursuant to the terms of the
Exchange Offer.  The Debenture Trustee shall make the exchange as follows:

     The Corporation shall present the Debenture Trustee with an Officers'
Certificate certifying the following:

     (A) upon issuance of the Exchange Securities, the transactions contemplated
         by the Exchange Offer have been consummated; and

     (B) the principal amount of Initial Securities properly tendered in the
         Exchange Offer that are represented by a Global Security, the principal
         amount of Initial Securities properly tendered in the Exchange Offer
         that are represented by Definitive Securities, the name of each holder
         of such Definitive Securities, the principal amount properly

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
         tendered in the Exchange Offer by each such holder and the name and
         address to which Definitive Securities for Exchange Securities shall be
         registered and sent for each such holder.

     The Debenture Trustee, upon receipt of (i) such Officers' Certificate, (ii)
an Opinion of Counsel (x) to the effect that the Exchange Securities have been
registered under Section 5 of the Securities Act and the Indenture has been
qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and (y) with respect to the matters set
forth in Section 3(q) of the Registration Rights Agreement and (iii) a
Corporation Order, shall authenticate (A) a Global Security representing
Exchange Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate
principal amount of Initial Securities represented by a Global Security
indicated in such Officers' Certificate as having been properly tendered and (B)
Definitive Securities representing Exchange Securities registered in the names
of, and in the principal amounts indicated in, such Officers' Certificate.

     If the principal amount of the Global Security for the Exchange Securities
is less than the principal amount of the Global Security for the Initial
Securities, the Debenture Trustee shall make an endorsement on such Global
Security for Initial Securities indicating a reduction in the principal amount
represented thereby.

     The Debenture Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Securities representing
Exchange Securities to the holders thereof as indicated in such Officers'
Certificate.

     SECTION 2.08  Replacement Securities.
                   ---------------------- 

     If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Debenture Trustee, or the
Corporation and the Debenture Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of
the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, the Corporation shall issue and
the Debenture Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the Debenture
Trustee's requirements for replacements of Securities are met.  An indemnity
bond must be supplied by the holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the
Debenture Trustee and the Corporation to protect the Corporation, the Debenture
Trustee, any agent thereof or any authenticating agent from any loss that any of
them may suffer if a Security is replaced.  The Corporation or the Debenture
Trustee may charge for its expenses in replacing a Security.

     Every replacement Security is an obligation of the Corporation and shall be
entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately
with all other Securities duly issued hereunder.

     SECTION 2.09  Temporary Securities.
                   -------------------- 

     Pending the preparation of Definitive Securities, the Corporation may
execute, and upon Corporation Order the Debenture Trustee shall authenticate and
make available for delivery, temporary Securities that are printed,
lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise reproduced, in any
authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the Definitive Securities
in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions,
omissions, substitutions and 

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
other variations as the Officers executing such Securities may determine, as
conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

     If temporary Securities are issued, the Corporation shall cause Definitive
Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay.  The Definitive Securities
shall be printed, lithographed or engraved, or provided by any combination
thereof, or in any other manner permitted by the rules and regulations of any
applicable securities exchange, all as determined by the Officers executing such
Definitive Securities.  After the preparation of Definitive Securities, the
temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for Definitive Securities upon
surrender of the temporary Securities at the office or agency maintained by the
Corporation for such purpose pursuant to Section 3.02 hereof, without charge to
the holder thereof.  Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more
temporary Securities, the Corporation shall execute, and the Debenture Trustee
shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange therefor the
same aggregate principal amount of Definitive Securities of authorized
denominations.  Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all
respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive
Securities.

     SECTION 2.10  Cancellation.
                   ------------ 

     The Corporation at any time may deliver Securities to the Debenture Trustee
for cancellation. The Debenture Trustee and no one else shall cancel all
Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment,
replacement or cancellation and shall return such canceled Securities to the
Corporation.  The Corporation may not issue new Securities to replace Securities
that have been prepaid or paid or that have been delivered to the Debenture
Trustee for cancellation.

     SECTION 2.11  Defaulted Interest.
                   ------------------ 

     Any interest on any Security that is payable, but is not punctually paid or
duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted
Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the holder on the relevant
regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted
Interest shall be paid by the Corporation, at its election, as provided in
clause (a) or clause (b) below:

          (a) The Corporation may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on
     Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their
     respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business
     on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which
     shall be fixed in the following manner: the Corporation shall notify the
     Debenture Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed
     to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and
     at the same time the Corporation shall deposit with the Debenture Trustee
     an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in
     respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory
     to the Debenture Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed
     payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of
     the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided.
     Thereupon, the Debenture Trustee shall fix a special record date for the
     payment of such Defaulted Interst which shall not be more than 15 nor less
     than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
     payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Debenture
     Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Debenture Trustee shall
     promptly notify the Corporation of such special record date and, in the
     name and at the expense of the Corporation, shall cause notice of the
     proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date
     therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder
     at his or her address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than
     10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment
     of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been
     mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons
     in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities)
     are registered on such special record date and shall be no longer payable
     pursuant to the following clause (b). 


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


     SECTION 2.12  CUSIP Numbers.
                   ------------- 

     The Corporation in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then
generally in use), and, if so, the Debenture Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers
in notices of prepayment as a convenience to Securityholders; provided, however,
                                                              --------  ------- 
that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the
correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained
in any notice of a prepayment and that reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such prepayment shall
not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.  The Corporation
will promptly notify the Debenture Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.


                                  ARTICLE III
                    PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE CORPORATION

     SECTION 3.01  Payment of Principal and Interest.
                   --------------------------------- 

     The Corporation covenants and agrees for the benefit of the holders of the
Securities that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the
principal of and interest on the Securities at the place, at the respective
times and in the manner provided herein.  The Corporation further covenants to
pay any and all amounts due in respect of the Securities, including, without
limitation, Additional Sums, as may be required pursuant to Section 2.06(g),
Liquidated Damages, if any, on the dates and in the manner required under the
Registration Rights Agreement or the Liquidated Damages Agreement and Compounded
Interest, as may be required pursuant to Section 16.01.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 3.02  Offices for Notices and Payments, etc.
                   ------------------------------------- 

     So long as any of the Securities remain outstanding, the Corporation will
maintain in Wilmington, Delaware an office or agency where the Securities may be
presented for payment, an office or agency where the Securities may be presented
for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided and
an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Corporation in
respect of the Securities or this Indenture may be served.  The Corporation will
give to the Debenture Trustee written notice of the location of any such office
or agency and of any change of location thereof.  Until otherwise designated
from time to time by the Corporation in a notice to the Debenture Trustee, any
such office or agency for all of the above purposes shall be the Principal
Office of the Debenture Trustee.  In case the Corporation shall fail to maintain
any such office or agency in Wilmington, Delaware or shall fail to give such
notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations
and demands may be made and notices may be served at the Principal Office of the
Debenture Trustee.

     In addition to any such office or agency, the Corporation may from time to
time designate one or more offices or agencies outside Wilmington, Delaware
where the Securities may be presented for payment, for registration of transfer
and for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Corporation in
respect of the Securities or this Indenture may be served in the manner provided
in this Indenture, and the Corporation may from time to time rescind such
designation, as the Corporation may deem desirable or expedient; provided,
                                                                 -------- 
however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the
- -------                                                                        
Corporation of its obligation to maintain any such office or agency in
Wilmington, Delaware for the purposes above mentioned.  The Corporation will
give to the Debenture Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation or
rescission thereof.

     SECTION 3.03  Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Debenture Trustee's Office.
                   ------------------------------------------------------------ 

     The Corporation, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the
office of Debenture Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section
6.10, a Debenture Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Debenture
Trustee hereunder.


     SECTION 3.04  Provision as to Paying Agent.
                   ---------------------------- 

     (a) If the Corporation shall appoint a paying agent other than the
Debenture Trustee with respect to the Securities, it will cause such paying
agent to execute and deliver to the Debenture Trustee an instrument in which
such agent shall agree with the Debenture Trustee, subject to the provisions of
this Section 3.04,

          (1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the
              payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities (whether
              such sums have been paid to it by the Corporation or by any other
              obligor on the Securities) in trust for the benefit of the holders
              of the Securities; and

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
          (2) that it will give the Debenture Trustee notice of any failure by
              the Corporation (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to
              make any payment of the principal of or interest (including
              Additional Sums and Compounded Interest, if any) and Liquidated
              Damages, if any, on the Securities when the same shall be due and
              payable.

     (b) If the Corporation shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or
before each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities, set
aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the
Securities a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due
and will notify the Debenture Trustee of any failure to take such action and of
any failure by the Corporation (or by any other obligor under the Securities) to
make any payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities when the same
shall become due and payable.

     (c) Anything in this Section 3.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Corporation may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and
discharge with respect to the Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay
or cause to be paid to the Debenture Trustee all sums payable with respect to
the Securities, such sums to be held by the Debenture Trustee upon the trusts
herein contained.

     (d) Anything in this Section 3.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 3.04 is subject to
Sections 11.03 and 11.04.

     SECTION 3.05  Certificate to Debenture Trustee.
                   -------------------------------- 

     The Corporation will deliver to the Debenture Trustee on or before 120 days
after the end of each fiscal year of the Corporation, commencing with the first
fiscal year ending after the date hereof, so long as Securities are outstanding
hereunder, an Officers' Certificate, one of the signers of which shall be the
principal executive, principal financial or principal accounting officer of the
Corporation, stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of
their duties as officers of the Corporation they would normally have knowledge
of any Default by the Corporation in the performance of any covenants contained
herein, stating whether or not they have knowledge of any such Default and, if
so, specifying each such Default of which the signers have knowledge, the nature
thereof and the action, if any, the Corporation intends to undertake as a result
of such Default.

     SECTION 3.06  Compliance with Consolidation Provisions.
                   ---------------------------------------- 

     The Corporation will not, while any of the Securities remain outstanding,
consolidate with, or merge into, or merge into itself, or sell or convey all or
substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the provisions of
Article X hereof are complied with.

     SECTION 3.07  Limitation on Dividends.
                   ----------------------- 

     The Corporation will not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions
on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to,
any of the Corporation's capital stock, (ii) make any payment of principal of or
premium, if any, or interest on or repay, repurchase 

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
or redeem any debt securities of the Corporation (including Other Debentures)
that rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Securities or
(iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee (other than the
Capital Securities Guarantee) by the Corporation of the debt securities of any
Subsidiary of the Corporation (including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee
ranks pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Securities (other
than (a) dividends or distributions of the Corporation's capital stock (which
includes Common Stock and preferred stock), (b) any declaration of a dividend in
connection with the implementation of a stockholders' rights plan, or the
issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or
repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) as a result of a
reclassification of the Corporation's capital stock or the exchange or
conversion of one class or series of the Corporation's capital stock for another
class or series of the Corporation's capital stock, (d) the purchase of
fractional interests in shares of the Corporation's capital stock pursuant to
the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security
being converted or exchanged and (e) purchases of Common Stock related to the
issuance of Common Stock or rights under any of the Corporation's benefit or
compensation plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of the
Corporation's dividend reinvestment plans), if at such time (1) there shall have
occurred any event of which the Corporation has actual knowledge that (a) is a
Default or an Event of Default and (b) in respect of which the Corporation shall
not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (2) if such Securities are held by the
Property Trustee, the Corporation shall be in default with respect to its
payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee or (3) the
Corporation shall have given notice of its election to exercise its right to
commence an Extended Interest Payment Period and shall not have rescinded such
notice, and such Extended Interest Payment Period or any extension thereof shall
have commenced and be continuing.

     SECTION 3.08  Covenants as to GBB CAPITAL II
                   ------------------------------

     In the event Securities are issued to the Trust or a trustee of such Trust
in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by the Trust, for so long as
such Trust Securities remain outstanding, the Corporation (i) will maintain 100%
direct or indirect ownership of the Common Securities of the Trust; provided,
                                                                    -------- 
however, that any successor of the Corporation, permitted pursuant to Article X,
- -------                                                                         
may succeed to the Corporation's ownership of such Common Securities, (ii) will
use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trust (a) to remain a business
trust, except in connection with a distribution of Securities to the holders of
Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust, the redemption of all of the Trust
Securities of the Trust, or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations,
each as permitted by the Trust Agreement, and (b) to otherwise continue to be
classified as a grantor trust and not an association taxable as a corporation
for United States federal income tax purposes, (iii) will use commercially
reasonable efforts to cause each holder of the Trust Securities to be treated as
owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Securities and (iv) will not
cause, as sponsor of the Trust, or permit, as holder of the Common Securities,
the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Trust, except as provided in
the Trust Agreement.


     SECTION 3.09  Payment of Expenses.
                   ------------------- 

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
     In connection with the offering, sale and issuance of the Securities to the
Trust and in connection with the sale of the Trust Securities by the Trust, the
Corporation, in its capacity as borrower with respect to the Securities, shall:

     (a) pay all costs and expenses relating to the offering, sale and issuance
         of the Securities, including fees and expenses in connection with any
         Exchange Offer, filing of a shelf registration statement or other
         action to be taken pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and
         Liquidated Damages Agreement and compensation of the Debenture Trustee
         in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.06;

     (b) pay all costs and expenses of the Trust (including, but not limited to,
         costs and expenses relating to the organization of the Trust, the
         offering, sale and issuance of the Trust Securities (including
         commissions to the Initial Purchaser in connection therewith), the fees
         and expenses of the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, the
         costs and expenses relating to the operation of the Trust, including
         without limitation, costs and expenses of accountants, attorneys,
         statistical or bookkeeping services, expenses for printing and
         engraving and computing or accounting equipment, paying agent(s),
         registrar(s), transfer agent(s), duplicating, travel and telephone and
         other telecommunications expenses and costs and expenses incurred in
         connection with the acquisition, financing, and disposition of assets
         of the Trust;

     (c) be primarily and fully liable for any indemnification obligations
         arising with respect to the Trust Agreement;

     (d) pay any and all taxes (other than United States withholding taxes
         attributable to the Trust or its assets) and all liabilities, costs and
         expenses with respect to such taxes of the Trust; and

     (e) pay all other fees, expenses, debts and obligations (other than in
         respect of the Trust Securities) related to the Trust.

     SECTION 3.10  Payment Upon Resignation or Removal.
                   ----------------------------------- 

     Upon termination of this Indenture or the removal or resignation of the
Debenture Trustee, unless otherwise stated, the Corporation shall pay to the
Debenture Trustee all amounts accrued and owing to the Debenture Trustee to the
date of such termination, removal or resignation.  Upon termination of the Trust
Agreement or the removal or resignation of the Delaware Trustee or the Property
Trustee, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 5.7 of the Trust Agreement, the
Corporation shall pay to the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee, as the
case may be, all amounts accrued and owing to such trustee(s) to the date of
such termination, removal or resignation.


                                  ARTICLE IV
                  LIST OF SECURITYHOLDERS AND REPORTS BY THE
                     CORPORATION AND THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 4.01  List of Securityholders.
                   ----------------------- 

     The Corporation covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be
furnished to the Debenture Trustee:

     (a) on a quarterly basis on each regular record date for the Securities, a
         list, in such form as the Debenture Trustee may reasonably require, of
         the names and addresses of the Securityholders as of such record date;
         and

     (b) at such other times as the Debenture Trustee may request in writing,
         within 30 days after the receipt by the Corporation, of any such
         request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than
         15 days prior to the time such list is furnished,

except that, no such lists need be furnished so long as the Debenture Trustee is
in possession thereof by reason of its acting as security registrar for the
Securities.

     SECTION 4.02  Preservation and Disclosure of Lists.
                   ------------------------------------ 

     (a) The Debenture Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the
holders of the Securities (1) contained in the most recent list furnished to it
as provided in Section 4.01 or (2) received by it in the capacity of security
registrar (if so acting) hereunder.  The Debenture Trustee may destroy any list
furnished to it as provided in Section 4.01 upon receipt of a new list so
furnished.

     (b) In case three or more holders of Securities (hereinafter referred to as
"applicants") apply in writing to the Debenture Trustee and furnish to the
Debenture Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security
for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and
such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other
holders of Securities or with holders of all Securities with respect to their
rights under this Indenture and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or
other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the
Debenture Trustee shall within five Business Days after the receipt of such
application, at its election, either:

          (1) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the
              time by the Debenture Trustee in accordance with the provisions of
              subsection (a) of this Section 4.02, or

          (2) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of holders of
              all Securities whose names and addresses appear in the information
              preserved at the time by the Debenture Trustee in accordance with
              the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.02, and as to
              the approximate cost of mailing to such Securityholders the form
              of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such
              application.

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
     If the Debenture Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access
to such information, the Debenture Trustee shall, upon the written request of
such applicants, mail to each Securityholder whose name and address appear in
the information preserved at the time by the Debenture Trustee in accordance
with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.02 a copy of the form of
proxy or other communication which is specified in such request with reasonable
promptness after a tender to the Debenture Trustee of the material to be mailed
and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of
mailing, unless within five Business Days after such tender, the Debenture
Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together
with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect
that, in the opinion of the Debenture Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to
the best interests of the holders of Securities or would be in violation of
applicable law.  Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion.
If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified
in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any
of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of
such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for
hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an
order so declaring, the Debenture Trustee shall mail copies of such material to
all such Securityholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such
order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Debenture Trustee shall be
relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their
application.

     (c) Each and every holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same,
agrees with the Corporation and the Debenture Trustee that neither the
Corporation nor the Debenture Trustee nor any paying agent shall be held
accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names
and addresses of the holders of Securities in accordance with the provisions of
subsection (b) of this Section 4.02, regardless of the source from which such
information was derived, and that the Debenture Trustee shall not be held
accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under
said subsection (b).

     SECTION 4.03  Reports by the Corporation.
                   -------------------------- 

     (a) The Corporation covenants and agrees to file with the Debenture
Trustee, within 15 days after the date on which the Corporation is required to
file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the
information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of
the foregoing as said Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations
prescribe) which the Corporation may be required to file with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the
Corporation is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant
to either of such sections, then to provide to the Debenture Trustee, such of
the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which would
have been required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a
security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be
prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations.

     (b) The Corporation covenants and agrees to file with the Debenture Trustee
and the Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from
time to time by said Commission, such additional information, documents and
reports with respect to compliance by the 

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
Corporation with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture as
may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations.

     (c) The Corporation covenants and agrees to transmit by mail to all holders
of Securities, as the names and addresses of such holders appear upon the
Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Debenture
Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be
filed by the Corporation pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section
4.03 as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by
the Commission.

     (d) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Debenture
Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Debenture Trustee's receipt
of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained
therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the
Corporation's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the
Debenture Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).

     (e) So long as is required for an offer or sale of the Securities to
qualify for an exemption under Rule 144A under the Securities Act, the
Corporation shall, upon request, provide the information required by clause
(d)(4) thereunder to each Securityholder and to each beneficial owner and
prospective purchaser of Securities identified by each Securityholder of
Restricted Securities, unless such information is furnished to the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or l5(d) of the Exchange Act.

     SECTION 4.04  Reports by the Debenture Trustee.
                   -------------------------------- 

     (a) The Debenture Trustee shall transmit to Securityholders such reports
concerning the Debenture Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be
required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner
provided pursuant thereto.  If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture
Act, the Debenture Trustee shall, within 60 days after the date hereof, and no
later than the anniversary date hereof in each succeeding year, deliver to
Securityholders a brief report, dated as of each such date which complies with
the provisions of such Section 313(a).

     (b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to
Securityholders, be filed by the Debenture Trustee with each stock exchange, if
any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the
Corporation.  The Corporation will promptly notify the Debenture Trustee when
the Securities are listed on any stock exchange.


                                   ARTICLE V
                     REMEDIES OF THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE AND
                     SECURITYHOLDERS UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT


     SECTION 5.01  Events of Default.
                   ----------------- 

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
     One or more of the following events of default shall constitute an Event of
Default hereunder (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it
shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant
to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation
of any administrative or governmental body):

     (a) default in the payment of any interest (including Compounded Interest
         and Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the
         Securities or any Other Debentures (about which a Responsible Officer
         of the Debenture Trustee has actual knowledge) when due, and
         continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; provided, however,
                                                              --------  -------
         that a valid extension of an interest payment period by the Corporation
         in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof shall not constitute a
         default in the payment of interest for this purpose; or

     (b) default in the payment of any principal of the Securities or any Other
         Debentures (about which a Responsible Officer of the Debenture Trustee
         has actual knowledge) when due, whether at maturity, upon prepayment,
         by declaration of acceleration of maturity or otherwise; or

     (c) default in the performance, or breach in any material respect, of any
         covenant or warranty of the Corporation in this Indenture (other than a
         covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is
         elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of
         such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been
         given, by registered or certified mail, to the Corporation by the
         Debenture Trustee or to the Corporation and the Debenture Trustee by
         the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
         outstanding Securities a written notice specifying such default or
         breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is
         a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or

     (d) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or
         order for relief in respect of the Corporation in an involuntary case
         under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or
         hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
         custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the
         Corporation or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering
         the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order
         shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive
         days; or

     (e) the Corporation shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable
         bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect,
         shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary
         case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or
         taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee,
         custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Corporation
         or of any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general
         assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay
         its debts as they become due.

                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities at the time outstanding
occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Debenture Trustee or the
holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities
then outstanding may declare the principal amount of all Securities to be due
and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Corporation (and to the
Debenture Trustee if given by the holders of the outstanding Securities), and
upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.

     The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if, at
any time after the principal of the Securities shall have been so declared due
and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due
shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, (i) the Corporation
shall pay or shall deposit with the Debenture Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(A) all matured installments of interest (including Compounded Interest and
Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, on all the Securities
and the principal of any and all Securities which shall have become due
otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and, to the
extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, on
overdue installments of interest, at the same rate as the rate of interest
specified in the Securities to the date of such payment or deposit) and (B) such
amount as shall be sufficient to cover compensation and expenses due to the
Debenture Trustee and each predecessor Debenture Trustee, their respective
agents, attorneys and counsel, pursuant to Section 6.06, and (ii) any and all
Events of Default under the Indenture, other than the non-payment of the
principal of the Securities which shall have become due solely by such
declaration of acceleration, shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied
as provided herein, then, in every such case, the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding, by written notice
to the Corporation and to the Debenture Trustee, may rescind and annul such
declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment
shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right
consequent thereon.

     In case the Debenture Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right
under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or
abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or
shall have been determined adversely to the Debenture Trustee, then and in every
such case the Corporation, the Debenture Trustee and the holders of the
Securities shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights
hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Corporation, the Debenture
Trustee and the holders of the Securities shall continue as though no such
proceeding had been taken.

     SECTION 5.02  Payment of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor.
                   ----------------------------------------------- 

     The Corporation covenants that (a) in case default shall be made in the
payment of any installment of interest (including Compounded Interest and
Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, on any of the
Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default
shall have continued for a period of 30 days, or (b) in case default shall be
made in the payment of the principal of any of the Securities as and when the
same shall have become due and payable, whether at maturity of the Securities or
upon prepayment or by declaration or otherwise, then, upon demand of the
Debenture Trustee, the Corporation will pay to the Debenture Trustee, for the
benefit of the holders of the Securities, the whole amount that then shall have
become due and 

                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
payable on all such Securities for principal or interest (including Compounded
Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, or both,
as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and (to the extent
that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law and, if the
Securities are held by the Trust or a trustee of such Trust, without duplication
of any other amounts paid by the Trust or a trustee in respect thereof) upon the
overdue installments of interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional
Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, at the rate borne by the
Securities; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient
to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable compensation
to the Debenture Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and any other
amount due to the Debenture Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06.

     In case the Corporation shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such
demand, the Debenture Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express
trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings
at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may
prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may
enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Corporation or any other
obligor on the Securities and collect in the manner provided by law out of the
property of the Corporation or any other obligor on the Securities, wherever
situated, the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.

     In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the
reorganization of the Corporation or any other obligor on the Securities under
Title 11, United States Code, or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver
or trustee shall have been appointed for the property of the Corporation or such
other obligor, or in the case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative
to the Corporation or other obligor upon the Securities, or to the creditors or
property of the Corporation or such other obligor, the Debenture Trustee,
irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and
payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of
whether the Debenture Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the
provisions of this Section 5.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by
intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or
claims for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in
respect of the Securities and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such
proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable
in order to have the claims of the Debenture Trustee (including any claim for
amounts due to the Debenture Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06) and of the
Securityholders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Corporation
or any other obligor on the Securities, or to the creditors or property of the
Corporation or such other obligor, unless prohibited by applicable law and
regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders of the Securities in any election
of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or
other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or person performing similar
functions in comparable proceedings, and to collect and receive any moneys or
other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the
same after the deduction of its charges and expenses; and any receiver, assignee
or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the
Securityholders to make such payments to the Debenture Trustee, and, in the
event that the Debenture Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments
directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Debenture Trustee such amounts as
shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to, and expenses of, the
Debenture Trustee, each predecessor Debenture 

                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other
amounts due to the Debenture Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06.

     Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the Debenture
Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any
Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any holder thereof or to
authorize the Debenture Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any
Securityholder in any such proceeding.

     All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under
any of the Securities, may be enforced by the Debenture Trustee without the
possession of any of the Securities, or the production thereof on any trial or
other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by
the Debenture Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express
trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be for the ratable benefit of the
holders of the Securities.

     In any proceedings brought by the Debenture Trustee (and also any
proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to
which the Debenture Trustee shall be a party), the Debenture Trustee shall be
held to represent all the holders of the Securities, and it shall not be
necessary to make any holders of the Securities parties to any such proceedings.

     SECTION 5.03  Application of Moneys Collected by Debenture Trustee.
                   ---------------------------------------------------- 

     Any moneys collected by the Debenture Trustee shall be applied in the
following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Debenture Trustee for the
distribution of such moneys, upon presentation of the Securities in respect of
which moneys have been collected, and stamping thereon the payment, if only
partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

     First: To the payment of costs and expenses of collection applicable to the
Securities and all other amounts due to the Debenture Trustee under Section
6.06;

     Second: To the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation if and
to the extent required by Article XV;

     Third: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Securities
for principal of and interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional
Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities, in respect of
which or for the benefit of which money has been collected, ratably, without
preference of priority of any kind, according to the amounts due on such
Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and

     Fourth: To the Corporation.

     SECTION 5.04  Proceedings by Securityholders.
                   ------------------------------ 

                                      -30-
<PAGE>
 
     No holder of any Security shall have any right by virtue of or by availing
of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding
in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the
appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
such holder previously shall have given to the Debenture Trustee written notice
of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the
Securities specifying such Event of Default, as hereinbefore provided, and
unless also the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of
the Securities then outstanding shall have made written request upon the
Debenture Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name
as Debenture Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Debenture Trustee
such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and
liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Debenture Trustee for 60
days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have
failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding, it being understood and
intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and holder of every
Security with every other taker and holder and the Debenture Trustee, that no
one or more holders of Securities shall have any right in any manner whatever by
virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb
or prejudice the rights of any other holder of Securities, or to obtain or seek
to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce
any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the
equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Securities.

     Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, however, the right
of any holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of and
interest on (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on such Security, on or after the same shall have
become due and payable, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
payment, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder,
and by accepting a Security hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and
covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security with every other such taker
and holder and the Debenture Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities
shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing of any
provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the
holders of any other Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or
preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this
Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and
common benefit of all holders of Securities.  For the protection and enforcement
of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the
Debenture Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law
or in equity.

     The Corporation and the Debenture Trustee acknowledge that pursuant to the
Trust Agreement, the holders of Capital Securities are entitled, in the
circumstances and subject to the limitations set forth therein, to commence a
Direct Action with respect to any Event of Default referred to in clause (a) or
(b) of Section 5.01.

     SECTION 5.05  Proceedings by Debenture Trustee.
                   -------------------------------- 

     In case an Event of Default occurs with respect to Securities and is
continuing, the Debenture Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and
enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial
proceedings as the Debenture Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and
enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by
proceeding 

                                      -31-
<PAGE>
 
in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant
or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power
granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right
vested in the Debenture Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

     SECTION 5.06  Remedies Cumulative and Continuing.
                   ---------------------------------- 

     All powers and remedies given by this Article V to the Debenture Trustee or
to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed
cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the
Debenture Trustee or the holders of the Securities, by judicial proceedings or
otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and
agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to
the Securities, and no delay or omission of the Debenture Trustee or of any
holder of any of the Securities to exercise any right or power accruing upon any
Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such
right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an
acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 5.04, every
power and remedy given by this Article V or by law to the Debenture Trustee or
to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall
be deemed expedient, by the Debenture Trustee or by the Securityholders.

     SECTION 5.07  Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
of Securityholders.
- ------------------ 

     The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities
at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method, and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Debenture Trustee;
                                                                             
provided, however, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.01) the
- --------  -------                                                      
Debenture Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction
if the Debenture Trustee shall determine that the action so directed would be
unjustly prejudicial to the holders not taking part in such direction or if the
Debenture Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action or
proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Debenture Trustee in
good faith by one of its Responsible Officers shall determine that the action or
proceedings so directed would involve the Debenture Trustee in personal
liability.  Prior to any declaration accelerating the maturity of the
Securities, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the
Securities waive any past Default or Event of Default and its consequences
except a Default (a) in the payment of principal of or interest on (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated Damages, if any,
on any of the Securities (unless such default has been cured and a sum
sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest (including Compounded
Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and principal due otherwise than by
acceleration has been deposited with the Debenture Trustee) or (b) in respect of
covenants or provisions hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the
consent of the holder of each Security affected; provided, however, that if the
                                                 --------  -------             
Securities are held by the Property Trustee, such waiver or modification to such
waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in aggregate
liquidation amount of Trust Securities shall have consented to such waiver or
modification to such waiver; provided, further, that if the consent of the
                             --------  -------
holder of each outstanding Security is required, such waiver shall not be
effective until each holder of the Trust Securities shall

                                      -32-
<PAGE>
 
have consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the Default covered thereby
shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the
Corporation, the Debenture Trustee and the holders of the Securities shall be
restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no
such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right
consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall
have been waived as permitted by this Section 5.07, said Default or Event of
Default shall for all purposes of the Securities and this Indenture be deemed to
have been cured and to be not continuing.

     SECTION 5.08  Notice of Defaults
                   ------------------

     (a) The Debenture Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a
Default with respect to the Securities actually known to a Responsible Officer
of the Debenture Trustee, mail to all Securityholders, as the names and
addresses of such holders appear upon the Security Register, notice of all such
Defaults, unless such Default shall have been cured before the giving of such
notice (the term "Default" for the purpose of this Section 5.08 being hereby
defined to be any of the events specified in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e)
of Section 5.01, not including periods of grace, if any, provided for therein,
and irrespective of the giving of written notice specified in clause (c) of
Section 5.01); provided, however, that, except in the case of Default in the
               --------  -------                                            
payment of the principal of or interest (including Compounded Interest or
Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated Damages, if any, on any of the
Securities, the Debenture Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice
if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust
committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Debenture Trustee in
good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of
the Securityholders; provided, further, that in the case of any Default of the
                     --------  -------                                        
character specified in Section 5.01(c), no such notice to Securityholders shall
be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof, but shall be given
within 90 days after such occurrence.

     (b) Within ten Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of Default
actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Debenture Trustee, the Debenture
Trustee shall transmit notice of such Event of Default to all Securityholders as
their names and addresses appear on the Security Register, unless such Event of
Default shall have been cured or waived.

     SECTION 5.09  Undertaking to Pay Costs.
                   ------------------------ 

     All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Security by its
acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its
discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under
this Indenture, or in any suit against the Debenture Trustee for any action
taken or omitted by it as Debenture Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in
such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court
may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys'
fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to
the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant;
but the provisions of this Section 5.09 shall not apply to any suit instituted
by the Debenture Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group
of Securityholders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any
Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or
interest 

                                      -33-
<PAGE>
 
(including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated
Damages, if any, on any Security against the Corporation on or after the same
shall have become due and payable.


                                  ARTICLE VI
                       CONCERNING THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE


     SECTION 6.01  Duties and Responsibilities of Debenture Trustee.
                   ------------------------------------------------ 

     With respect to the holders of the Securities issued hereunder, the
Debenture Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default (which, other
than in the case of Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) hereof, is known to the
Debenture Trustee) and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default
which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties
as are specifically set forth in this Indenture.  In case an Event of Default
(which, other than in the case of Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) hereof, is known
to the Debenture Trustee) has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the
Debenture Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by
this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a
prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of
his or her own affairs.

     No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Debenture
Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure
to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

     (a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default (which, other than in
         the case of Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) hereof, is known to the
         Debenture Trustee) and after the curing or waiving of all such Events
         of Default which may have occurred,

         (1) the duties and obligations of the Debenture Trustee shall be
             determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and
             the Debenture Trustee shall not be liable except for the
             performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set
             forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations
             shall be read into this Indenture against the Debenture Trustee;
             and

         (2) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Debenture Trustee,
             the Debenture Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the
             statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein,
             upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Debenture
             Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but,
             in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any
             provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the
             Debenture Trustee, the Debenture Trustee shall be under a duty to
             examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the
             requirements of this Indenture;

                                      -34-
<PAGE>
 
          (b) the Debenture Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
              judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or
              Responsible Officers, unless it shall be proved that the Debenture
              Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

          (c) the Debenture Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
              action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
              accordance with the direction of the Securityholders pursuant to
              Section 5.07, relating to the time, method and place of conducting
              any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee,
              or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Debenture
              Trustee, under this Indenture.

     None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the
Debenture Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal
financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise
of any of its rights or powers, if it reasonably believes that the repayment of
such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this
Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to
it.

     SECTION 6.02  Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc.
                   ------------------------------------ 

     Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.01:

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

     (b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Corporation mentioned
         herein may be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate
         (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically
         prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Debenture
         Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
         Secretary of the Corporation;

     (c) the Debenture Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any
         advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization
         and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered omitted by it
         hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion
         of Counsel;

     (d) the Debenture Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of
         the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request,
         order or direction of any of the Securityholders, pursuant to the
         provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have
         offered to the Debenture Trustee reasonable and sufficient security or
         indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be
         incurred therein or thereby;

                                      -35-
<PAGE>
 
     (e) the Debenture Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or
         omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or
         within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this
         Indenture; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the
         Debenture Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of
         Default (which, other than in the case of Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b)
         hereof, is known to the Debenture Trustee) (that has not been cured or
         waived), to exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this
         Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their
         exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the
         circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs;

     (f) the Debenture Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into
         the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
         instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval,
         bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or document, unless requested in
         writing to do so by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
         amount of the outstanding Securities; provided, however, that if the
                                               --------  -------
         payment within a reasonable time to the Debenture Trustee of the costs,
         expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of
         such investigation is, in the opinion of the Debenture Trustee, not
         reasonably assured to the Debenture Trustee by the security afforded to
         it by the terms of this Indenture, the Debenture Trustee may require
         reasonable indemnity against such expense or liability as a condition
         to so proceeding;

     (g) the Debenture Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder
         or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents
         (including any Authenticating Agent) or attorneys, and the Debenture
         Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on
         the part of any such agent or attorney appointed by it with due care;

     (h) the Debenture Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any
         Default or Event of Default unless (1) such Default or Event of Default
         falls within Section 5.01(a) (other than a default with respect to the
         payment of Compounded Interest, Liquidated Damages or Additional Sums)
         or Section 5.01(b) of the Indenture, (2) a Responsible Officer shall
         have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (3)
         written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been
         given to the Debenture Trustee by the Corporation or any other obligor
         on the Securities or by any holder of the Securities; and

     (i) the Debenture Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken,
         suffered or omitted by it in good faith, without negligence or willful
         misconduct and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion
         or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

     SECTION 6.03  No Responsibility for Recitals, etc.
                   ----------------------------------- 

                                      -36-
<PAGE>
 
     The recitals contained herein and in the Securities (except in the
certificate of authentication of the Debenture Trustee or the Authenticating
Agent) shall be taken as the statements of the Corporation, and the Debenture
Trustee and the Authenticating Agent assume no responsibility for the
correctness of the same.  The Debenture Trustee and the Authenticating Agent
make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or
of the Securities.  The Debenture Trustee and the Authenticating Agent shall not
be accountable for the use or application by the Corporation of any Securities
or the proceeds of any Securities authenticated and delivered by the Debenture
Trustee or the Authenticating Agent in conformity with the provisions of this
Indenture.

     SECTION 6.04  Debenture Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents,
                   -------------------------------------------------------
Transfer Agents and Registrar May Own Securities.
- ------------------------------------------------ 

     The Debenture Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or any paying agent or
any transfer agent or any security registrar for the Securities, in its
individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities
with the same rights it would have if it were not Debenture Trustee,
Authenticating Agent, paying agent, transfer agent or security registrar for the
Securities.

     SECTION 6.05  Moneys to be Held in Trust.
                   -------------------------- 

     Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04, all moneys received by the
Debenture Trustee or any paying agent shall, until used or applied as herein
provided, be held in trust for the purpose for which they were received, but
need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Debenture Trustee and any paying agent shall be under no liability for
interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in
writing with the Corporation.  So long as no Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be
paid from time to time upon the written order of the Corporation, signed by an
Officer thereof.

     SECTION 6.06  Compensation and Expenses of Debenture Trustee.
                   ---------------------------------------------- 

     The Corporation, as issuer of Securities under this Indenture, covenants
and agrees to pay to the Debenture Trustee from time to time, and the Debenture
Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as shall be agreed to in writing
between the Corporation and the Debenture Trustee (which shall not be limited by
any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express
trust), and the Corporation will pay or reimburse the Debenture Trustee upon its
request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made
by the Debenture Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this
Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of its counsel and of all persons not regularly in its employ),
except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its
negligence or bad faith.  The Corporation also covenants to indemnify each of
the Debenture Trustee (including in its individual capacity) and any predecessor
Debenture Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and
to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, action, suit,
liability or expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of
the Debenture Trustee) incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of
the Debenture Trustee and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or
administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending
itself 

                                      -37-
<PAGE>
 
against any claim of liability.  The obligations of the Corporation under
this Section 6.06 to compensate and indemnify the Debenture Trustee and to pay
or reimburse the Debenture Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances
shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder.  Such additional
indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Securities upon all
property and funds held or collected by the Debenture Trustee as such, except
funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Securities.

     When the Debenture Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in
connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(d) or Section
5.01(e), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its
counsel) and the compensation for its services are intended to constitute
expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar law.

     The provisions of this Section shall survive the resignation or removal of
the Debenture Trustee and the defeasance or other termination of this Indenture.

     SECTION 6.07  Officers' Certificate as Evidence.
                   --------------------------------- 

     Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.01 and 6.02, whenever in the
administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Debenture Trustee shall
deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to
taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in
respect thereof is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
negligence or bad faith on the part of the Debenture Trustee, be deemed to be
conclusively proved and established by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the
Debenture Trustee, and such Officers' Certificate, in the absence of negligence
or bad faith on the part of the Debenture Trustee, shall be full warrant to the
Debenture Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it under the provisions of
this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

     SECTION 6.08  Conflicting Interest of Debenture Trustee.
                   ----------------------------------------- 

     If the Debenture Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest"
within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Debenture
Trustee and the Corporation shall in all respects comply with the provisions of
Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

     SECTION 6.09  Eligibility of Debenture Trustee.
                   -------------------------------- 

     The Debenture Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a corporation
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or
any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation
or other Person permitted to act as trustee by the Commission authorized under
such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and
surplus of at least 10 million U.S. dollars ($10,000,000) and subject to
supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of
Columbia authority.  If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least
annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or
examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.09 the combined
capital and surplus of 

                                      -38-
<PAGE>
 
such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set
forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

     The Corporation may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Corporation, serve
as Debenture Trustee.

     In case at any time the Debenture Trustee shall cease to be eligible in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.09, the Debenture Trustee shall
resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.10.

     SECTION 6.10  Resignation or Removal of Debenture Trustee.
                   ------------------------------------------- 

     (a) The Debenture Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed,
may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the
Corporation and by mailing notice thereof to the holders of the Securities at
their addresses as they shall appear on the Security Register.  Upon receiving
such notice of resignation, the Corporation shall promptly appoint a successor
trustee or trustees by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of which
instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Debenture Trustee and one copy to
the successor trustee.  If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and
have accepted appointment within 60 days after the mailing of such notice of
resignation to the affected Securityholders, the resigning Debenture Trustee may
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor
trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security for
at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 5.09, on behalf of
himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the
appointment of a successor trustee.  Such court may thereupon, after such
notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor
trustee.

     (b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

          (1) the Debenture Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of
              Section 6.08 after written request therefor by the Corporation or
              by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a
              Security or Securities for at least six months, or

          (2) the Debenture Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance
              with the provisions of Section 6.09 and shall fail to resign after
              written request therefor by the Corporation or by any such
              Securityholder, or 

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

then, in any such case, the Corporation may remove the Debenture Trustee and
appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of
which instrument shall be delivered to the 

                                      -39-
<PAGE>
 
Debenture Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject
to the provisions of Section 5.09, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide
holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all
others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
removal of the Debenture Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee.
Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and
prescribe, remove the Debenture Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

     (c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Debenture Trustee
and nominate a successor trustee, which shall be deemed appointed as successor
trustee unless within 10 days after written notification of such nomination the
Corporation objects thereto, or if no successor trustee shall have been so
appointed and shall have accepted appointment within 30 days after such removal,
in which case the Debenture Trustee so removed or any Securityholder, upon the
terms and conditions and otherwise as in subsection (a) of this Section 6.10
provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of
a successor trustee.

     (d) Any resignation or removal of the Debenture Trustee and appointment of
a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 6.10 shall
become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as
provided in Section 6.11.

     SECTION 6.11  Acceptance by Successor Debenture Trustee.
                   ----------------------------------------- 

     Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.10 shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Corporation and to its predecessor trustee an
instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation
or removal of the retiring trustee shall become effective and such successor
trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with
all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder,
with like effect as if originally named as trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on
the written request of the Corporation or of the successor trustee, the trustee
ceasing to act shall, upon payment of all amounts then due it pursuant to the
provisions of Section 6.06, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to
such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to
act and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee all
property and money held by such retiring trustee thereunder.  Upon request of
any such successor trustee, the Corporation shall execute any and all
instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to
such successor trustee all such rights and powers.  Any trustee ceasing to act
shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property or funds held or collected
by such trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of
Section 6.06.

     No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section
6.11 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be
qualified under the provisions of Section 6.08 and eligible under the provisions
of Section 6.09.

     Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this
Section 6.11, the Corporation shall mail notice of the succession of such
trustee hereunder to the holders of Securities at their addresses as they shall
appear on the Security Register.  If the Corporation fails to mail such 

                                      -40-
<PAGE>
 
notice within 10 days after the acceptance of appointment by the successor
trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the
expense of the Corporation.

     SECTION 6.12  Succession by Merger, etc.
                   ------------------------- 

     Any corporation into which the Debenture Trustee may be merged or with
which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or
consolidation to which the Debenture Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust
business of the Debenture Trustee, shall be the successor of the Debenture
Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of any of the parties hereto.

     In case any Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered at
the time such successor to the Debenture Trustee shall succeed to the trusts
created by this Indenture, any such successor to the Debenture Trustee may adopt
the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such
Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities
shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Debenture Trustee may
authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or
in the name of the successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates
shall have the full force which the Securities or this Indenture elsewhere
provides that the certificate of the Debenture Trustee shall have; provided,
                                                                   -------- 
however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any
- -------                                                                  
predecessor Debenture Trustee or authenticate Securities in the name of any
predecessor Debenture Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by
merger or consolidation.

     SECTION 6.13  Limitation on Rights of Debenture Trustee as a Creditor.
                   ------------------------------------------------------- 

     The Debenture Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust
Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b)
of the Trust Indenture Act.  A Debenture Trustee who has resigned or been
removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the
extent included therein.

     SECTION 6.14  Authenticating Agents.
                   --------------------- 

     There may be one or more Authenticating Agents appointed by the Debenture
Trustee upon the request of the Corporation with power to act on its behalf and
subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Securities issued
upon exchange or transfer thereof as fully to all intents and purposes as though
any such Authenticating Agent had been expressly authorized to authenticate and
deliver Securities; provided, however, that the Debenture Trustee shall have no
                    --------  -------                                          
liability to the Corporation for any acts or omissions of the Authenticating
Agent with respect to the authentication and delivery of Securities.  Any such
Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing
business under the laws of the United States or of any state or territory
thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws to act as
Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of at least
$5,000,000 and being subject to supervision or examination by federal, state,
territorial or District of Columbia authority.  If such corporation publishes
reports of condition at least annually pursuant to law or the requirements of
such authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.14 the combined capital
and surplus of such corporation shall 

                                      -41-
<PAGE>
 
be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent
report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall
cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall
resign immediately in the manner and with the effect herein specified in this
Section.

     Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or with
which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or
consolidation to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of any Authenticating
Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, if such
successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 6.14 without the
execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties
hereto or such Authenticating Agent.

     Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of
resignation to the Debenture Trustee and to the Corporation.  The Debenture
Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by
giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the
Corporation.  Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a
termination, or in case at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be
eligible under this Section 6.14, the Debenture Trustee may, and upon the
request of the Corporation shall, promptly appoint a successor Authenticating
Agent eligible under this Section 6.14, shall give written notice of such
appointment to the Corporation and shall mail notice of such appointment to all
Securityholders as the names and addresses of such holders appear on the
Security Register.  Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its
appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and
responsibilities of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally
named as Authenticating Agent herein.

     The Corporation, as issuer of the Securities, agrees to pay to any
Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services.
Any Authenticating Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any
action taken by it as such in accordance with the directions of the Debenture
Trustee.


                                  ARTICLE VII
                        CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

     SECTION 7.01  Action by Securityholders.
                   ------------------------- 

     Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a specified
percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities may take any action
(including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice,
consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time
of taking any such action the holders of such specified percentage have joined
therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument (including by way of electronic
transmission) or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such
Securityholders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by
the record of such holders of Securities voting in favor thereof at any meeting
of such Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions
of 

                                      -42-
<PAGE>
 
Article VIII, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and
any such record of such a meeting of such Securityholders.

     If the Corporation shall solicit from the Securityholders any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the
Corporation may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers' Certificate, fix in
advance a record date for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give
such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action, but the Corporation shall have no obligation to do so.  If such a record
date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only
the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall
be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether
Securityholders of the requisite proportion of outstanding Securities have
authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the
outstanding Securities shall be computed as of the record date; provided,
                                                                -------- 
however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such
- -------                                                          
Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall
become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six
months after the record date.

     SECTION 7.02  Proof of Execution by Securityholders.
                   ------------------------------------- 

     Subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01, 6.02 and 8.05, proof of the
execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy shall be
sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as
may be prescribed by the Debenture Trustee or in such manner as shall be
satisfactory to the Debenture Trustee.  The ownership of Securities shall be
proved by the Security Register or by a certificate of the security registrar
for the Securities.  The Debenture Trustee may require such additional proof of
any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.

     The record of any Securityholders' meeting shall be proved in the manner
provided in Section 8.06.

     SECTION 7.03  Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners.
                   ------------------------------ 

     Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security, the
Corporation, the Debenture Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent,
any transfer agent and any security registrar for the Securities may deem the
person in whose name such Security shall be registered upon the Security
Register to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Security
(whether or not such Security shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving
payment of or on account of the principal of and (subject to Section 2.06)
interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the
Corporation nor the Debenture Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any
paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any security registrar for the
Securities shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.  All such payments
so made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be valid and,
to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the
liability for moneys payable upon any such Security.

                                      -43-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 7.04  Securities Owned by Corporation Deemed Not Outstanding.
                   ------------------------------------------------------ 

     In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal
amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under
this Indenture, Securities that are owned by the Corporation or any other
obligor on the Securities or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or
controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Corporation or
any other obligor on the Securities shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided, however, that
                                                       --------  -------      
for the purposes of determining whether the Debenture Trustee shall be protected
in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Securities which a
Responsible Officer of the Debenture Trustee actually knows are so owned shall
be so disregarded.  Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith
may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 7.04 if the
pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Debenture Trustee the
pledgee's right to vote such Securities and that the pledgee is not the
Corporation or any such other obligor or Person directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the
Corporation or any such other obligor.  In the case of a dispute as to such
right, any decision by the Debenture Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel
shall be full protection to the Debenture Trustee.

     SECTION 7.05  Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound.
                   -------------------------------------------- 

     At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Debenture
Trustee, as provided in Section 7.01, of the taking of any action by the holders
of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities specified in
this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Security (or any
Security issued in whole or in part in exchange or substitution therefor),
subject to Section 7.01, the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to
be included in the group of Securities the holders of which have consented to
such action, may, by filing written notice with the Debenture Trustee at its
principal office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 7.02, revoke
such action so far as concerns such Security (or so far as concerns the
principal amount represented by any exchanged or substituted Security).  Except
as aforesaid, any such action taken by the holder of any Security shall be
conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners
of such Security, and of any Security issued in exchange or substitution
therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made
upon such Security or any Security issued in exchange or substitution therefor.


                                  ARTICLE VII
                          MEETINGS OF SECURITYHOLDERS

     SECTION 8.01  Purposes of Meetings.
                   -------------------- 

     A meeting of Securityholders may be called at any time and from time to
time pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII for any of the following
purposes:

     (a) to give any notice to the Corporation or to the Debenture Trustee, or
         to give any directions to the Debenture Trustee, or to consent to the
         waiving of any Default 

                                      -44-
<PAGE>
 
         hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized
         to be taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of
         Article V;

     (b) to remove the Debenture Trustee and nominate a successor trustee
         pursuant to the provisions of Article VI;

     (c) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental
         hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02; or

     (d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the
         holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of such Securities
         under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.

     SECTION 8.02  Call of Meetings by Debenture Trustee.
                   ------------------------------------- 

     The Debenture Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Securityholders to
take any action specified in Section 8.01, to be held at such time and at such
place in Palo Alto, Menlo Park or San Francisco, California as the Debenture
Trustee shall determine.  Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders,
setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the
action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed to holders of
Securities at their addresses as they shall appear on the Security Register.
Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the
date fixed for the meeting.

     SECTION 8.03  Call of Meetings by Corporation or Securityholders.
                   -------------------------------------------------- 

     In case at any time the Corporation, pursuant to a resolution of the Board
of Directors, or the holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of
the Securities then outstanding, shall have requested the Debenture Trustee to
call a meeting of Securityholders, by written request setting forth in
reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the
Debenture Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20
days after receipt of such request, then the Corporation or such Securityholders
may determine the time and the place in Palo Alto, Menlo Park or San Francisco,
California for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action
authorized in Section 8.01, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section
8.02.

     SECTION 8.04  Qualifications for Voting.
                   ------------------------- 

     To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders, a Person shall be
(a) a holder of one or more Securities or (b) a Person appointed by an
instrument in writing as proxy by a holder of one or more Securities.  The only
Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of
Securityholders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their
counsel and any representatives of the Debenture Trustee and its counsel and any
representatives of the Corporation and its counsel.

     SECTION 8.05  Regulations.
                   ----------- 

                                      -45-
<PAGE>
 
     Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Debenture
Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any
meeting of Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Securities and
of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of
inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and
other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the
conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.

     The Debenture Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a
temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by
the Corporation or by Securityholders as provided in Section 8.03, in which case
the Corporation or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be,
shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman.  A permanent chairman and a
permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the
meeting.

     Subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, at any meeting each holder of
Securities or proxy therefor shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000
principal amount of Securities held or represented by him; provided, however,
                                                           --------  ------- 
that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security
challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not
outstanding.  The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than
by virtue of Securities held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly
designating him as the person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders.  Any
meeting of Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section
8.02 or 8.03 may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present,
and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

     SECTION 8.06  Voting.
                   ------ 

     The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of holders of
Securities shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the
signatures of such holders or of their representatives by proxy and the serial
number or numbers of the Securities held or represented by them.  The permanent
chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count
all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make
and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in
triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting.  A record in duplicate of the
proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the
secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original
reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and
affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a
copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as
provided in Section 8.02.  The record shall show the serial numbers of the
Securities voting in favor of or against any resolution.  The record shall be
signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of
the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Corporation and
the other to the Debenture Trustee to be preserved by the Debenture Trustee, the
latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.  Any record so
signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
The holders of the Initial Securities and the Exchange Securities shall vote for
all purposes as a single class.

                                      -46-
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE IX
                                  AMENDMENTS

     SECTION 9.01  Without Consent of Securityholders.
                   ---------------------------------- 

     The Corporation and the Debenture Trustee may from time to time and at any
time amend this Indenture, without the consent of the Securityholders, for one
or more of the following purposes:

     (a) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Corporation, or
         successive successions, and the assumption by the successor Person of
         the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Corporation pursuant
         to Article X hereof;

     (b) to add to the covenants of the Corporation such further covenants,
         restrictions or conditions for the protection of the Securityholders as
         the Board of Directors and the Debenture Trustee shall consider to be
         for the protection of the Securityholders, and to make the occurrence,
         or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such
         additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a Default or an Event
         of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the remedies
         provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, however, that
                                                         --------  -------
         in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction or condition
         such amendment may provide for a particular period of grace after
         default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the
         case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement
         upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Debenture
         Trustee upon such default;

     (c) to provide for the issuance under this Indenture of Securities in
         coupon form (including Securities registrable as to principal only) and
         to provide for exchangeability of such Securities with the Securities
         issued hereunder in fully registered form and to make all appropriate
         changes for such purpose;

     (d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision
         contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be
         defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or
         in any supplemental indenture; or to make such other provisions in
         regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided
         that any such action shall not materially adversely affect the
         interests of the holders of the Securities;

     (e) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by
         a successor trustee with respect to the Securities;

     (f) to make provision for transfer procedures, certification, book-entry
         provisions, the form of restricted securities legends, if any, to be
         placed on Securities, and all other matters required pursuant to
         Section 2.07 or otherwise necessary, desirable or appropriate in
         connection with the issuance of Securities to holders of Capital
         Securities in the event of a distribution of Securities by the Trust
         following a 

                                      -47-
<PAGE>
 
         Dissolution Event, provided that any such action shall not materially
         adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Securities;

     (g) to qualify or maintain qualification of this Indenture under the Trust
         Indenture Act; or

     (h) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any
         Securityholder in any material respect.

     The Debenture Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Corporation in
the execution of any supplemental indenture to effect such amendment, to make
any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein
contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property
thereunder, but the Debenture Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its
discretion, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the
Debenture Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or
otherwise.

     Any amendment to this Indenture authorized by the provisions of this
Section 9.01 may be executed by the Corporation and the Debenture Trustee
without the consent of the holders of any of the Securities at the time
outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.02.

     SECTION 9.02  With Consent of Securityholders.
                   ------------------------------- 

     With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 7.01) of the holders of
a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time
outstanding, the Corporation, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the
Debenture Trustee may from time to time and at any time amend this Indenture for
the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating
any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights
of the holders of the Securities; provided, however, that no such amendment
                                  --------  -------                        
shall, without the consent of the holders of each Security then outstanding and
affected thereby (i) change the Maturity Date of any Security, or reduce the
rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon (except as contemplated
by Article XVI), or reduce the principal amount thereof, or change any
prepayment provisions, or make the principal thereof or any interest thereon
payable in any coin or currency other than U.S. dollars, or impair or affect the
right of any Securityholder to institute suit for payment thereof, or (ii)
reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities, the holders of which are required
to consent to any such amendment to the Indenture; provided, however, that if
                                                   --------  -------         
the Securities are held by the Trust, such amendment shall not be effective
until the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of Trust Securities shall
have consented to such amendment; provided, further, that if the consent of the
                                  --------  -------                            
holder of each outstanding Security is required, such amendment shall not be
effective until each holder of the Trust Securities shall have consented to such
amendment.

     Upon the request of the Corporation accompanied by a copy of a resolution
of the Board of Directors certified by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary
authorizing the execution of any supplemental indenture effecting such
amendment, and upon the filing with the Debenture Trustee of evidence of the
consent of Securityholders as aforesaid, the Debenture Trustee shall join with
the Corporation in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such
supplemental indenture 

                                      -48-
<PAGE>
 
affects the Debenture Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this
Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Debenture Trustee may in its
discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental
indenture.

     Promptly after the execution by the Corporation and the Debenture Trustee
of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the
Debenture Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice,
prepared by the Corporation, setting forth in general terms the substance of
such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders as their names and addresses
appear upon the Security Register.  Any failure of the Debenture Trustee to mail
such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or
affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

     It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this
Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental
indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the
substance thereof.

     SECTION 9.03  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act; Effect of Supplemental
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
Indentures.
- ---------- 

     Any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this
Article IX shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act.  Upon the execution of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this
Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance
therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights,  obligations, duties
and immunities under this Indenture of the Debenture Trustee, the Corporation
and the holders of Securities shall thereafter be determined, exercised and
enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments,
and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and
be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and
all purposes.

     SECTION 9.04  Notation on Securities.
                   ---------------------- 

     Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may bear a
notation in form approved by the Debenture Trustee as to any matter provided for
in such supplemental indenture.  If the Corporation or the Debenture Trustee
shall so determine, new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of
the Debenture Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this
Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and
executed by the Corporation, authenticated by the Debenture Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent and delivered in exchange for the Securities then
outstanding.

     SECTION 9.05  Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be
                   ------------------------------------------------------
Furnished to Debenture Trustee.
- ------------------------------ 

     The Debenture Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.02,
may receive an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive
evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with
the requirements of this Article IX.

                                      -49-
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE X
          CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER AND LEASE


     SECTION 10.01  Corporation May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.
                    --------------------------------------------------- 

     Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall
prevent any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other
Person (whether or not affiliated with the Corporation, as the case may be), or
successive consolidations or mergers in which the Corporation or its successor
or successors, as the case may be, shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent
any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of the property of the Corporation, or
its successor or successors as the case may be, as an entirety, or substantially
as an entirety, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the
Corporation, or its successor or successors, as the case may be) authorized to
acquire and operate the same, provided that (a) the Corporation is the surviving
                              --------                                          
Person, or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger
(if other than the Corporation) or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or
lease of property is made is a Person organized and existing under the laws of
the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and (b) if
the Corporation is not the surviving Person, upon any such consolidation,
merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, the due and punctual payment of the
principal of and interest on the Securities according to their tenor and the due
and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of
this Indenture to be kept or performed by the Corporation shall be expressly
assumed by the surviving Person, by supplemental indenture (which shall conform
to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect) satisfactory in
form to the Debenture Trustee executed and delivered to the Debenture Trustee by
the Person formed by such consolidation, or into which the Corporation shall
have been merged, or by the Person which shall have acquired such property, as
the case may be, and (c) after giving effect to such consolidation, merger,
sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing.

     SECTION 10.02  Successor Person to be Substituted for Corporation.
                    -------------------------------------------------- 

     In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or
lease, and upon the assumption by the successor corporation, by supplemental
indenture, executed and delivered to the Debenture Trustee and satisfactory in
form to the Debenture Trustee, of the obligation of due and punctual payment of
the principal of and interest on all of the Securities and the due and punctual
performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this
Indenture to be performed or observed by the Corporation, such successor Person
shall succeed to and be substituted for the Corporation, with the same effect as
if it had been named herein as a party hereto, and the Corporation thereupon
shall be relieved of any further liability or obligation hereunder or upon the
Securities.  Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed, and may
issue either in its own name or in the name of the Corporation, any or all of
the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed
by the Corporation and delivered to the Debenture Trustee or the Authenticating
Agent; and, upon the order of such successor Person instead of the Corporation
and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture
prescribed, the Debenture Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate
and deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered
by any Officer of the Corporation to the Debenture Trustee or 

                                      -50-
<PAGE>
 
the Authenticating Agent for authentication, and any Securities which such
successor Person thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the
Debenture Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for that purpose. All the
Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit
under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in
accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had
been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

     SECTION 10.03  Opinion of Counsel to be Given Debenture Trustee.
                    ------------------------------------------------ 

     The Debenture Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.02,
may receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any consolidation,
merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, and any assumption, permitted or
required by the terms of this Article X complies with the provisions of this
Article X.


                                  ARTICLE XI
                    SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

     SECTION 11.01  Discharge of Indenture.
                    ---------------------- 

     When (a) the Corporation shall deliver to the Debenture Trustee for
cancellation all Securities theretofore authenticated (other than any Securities
which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been
replaced as provided in Section 2.08) and not theretofore canceled, or (b) all
the Securities not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Debenture Trustee
for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to
become due and payable within one year or are to be called for prepayment within
one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Debenture Trustee for the giving
of notice of prepayment, and the Corporation shall deposit with the Debenture
Trustee, in trust, funds sufficient to pay on the Maturity Date or upon
prepayment all of the Securities (other than any Securities which shall have
been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced as provided in
Section 2.08) not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Debenture Trustee for
cancellation, including principal and interest (including Compounded Interest
and Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, due or to become
due to the Maturity Date or prepayment date, as the case may be, but excluding,
however, the amount of any moneys for the payment of principal of or interest
(including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the Securities (1) theretofore repaid to the Corporation in
accordance with the provisions of Section 11.04, or (2) paid to any State or to
the District of Columbia pursuant to its unclaimed property or similar laws, and
if, in either case the Corporation shall also pay or cause to be paid all other
sums payable hereunder by the Corporation, then this Indenture shall cease to be
of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.02, 2.07, 2.08, 3.01,
3.02, 3.04, 6.06, 6.10 and 11.04 hereof, which shall survive until such
Securities shall mature and be paid.  Thereafter, Sections 6.06, 6.10 and 11.04
shall survive, and the Debenture Trustee, on demand of the Corporation
accompanied by any Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the
cost and expense of the Corporation, shall execute proper instruments
acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture; the Corporation,
however, hereby agrees to reimburse 

                                      -51-
<PAGE>
 
the Debenture Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and
properly incurred by the Debenture Trustee in connection with this Indenture or
the Securities.

     SECTION 11.02  Deposited Moneys and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held
                    -----------------------------------------------------------
in Trust by Debenture Trustee.
- ----------------------------- 

     Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04, all moneys and U.S. Government
Obligations deposited with the Debenture Trustee pursuant to Sections 11.01 or
11.05 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly
or through any paying agent (including the Corporation if acting as its own
paying agent), to the holders of the particular Securities for the payment of
which such moneys or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited with the
Debenture Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal and
interest.

     The Corporation shall pay and indemnify the Debenture Trustee against any
tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Governmental
Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 11.05 or the principal and interest
received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which
by law is for the account of the holders of outstanding Securities.

     SECTION 11.03  Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held.
                    --------------------------------- 

     Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys then held
by any paying agent of the Securities (other than the Debenture Trustee) shall,
upon written demand of the Corporation, be repaid to it or paid to the Debenture
Trustee, and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further
liability with respect to such moneys.

     SECTION 11.04  Return of Unclaimed Moneys.
                    -------------------------- 

     Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Debenture Trustee or any paying
agent for payment of the principal of or interest (including Compounded Interest
and Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated Damages, if any, on Securities and
not applied but remaining unclaimed by the holders of Securities for two years
after the date upon which the principal of or interest (including Compounded
Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated Damages, if any, on such
Securities, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable, shall be
repaid to the Corporation by the Debenture Trustee or such paying agent; and the
holder of any of the Securities shall thereafter look only to the Corporation
for any payment which such holder may be entitled to collect and all liability
of the Debenture Trustee or such paying agent with respect to such moneys shall
thereupon cease.

     SECTION 11.05  Defeasance Upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government
                    ----------------------------------------------------
Obligations.
- ----------- 

     The Corporation shall be deemed to have been Discharged (as defined below)
from its obligations with respect to the Securities on the 91st day after the
applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied:

                                      -52-
<PAGE>
 
     (a) the Corporation shall have deposited or caused to be deposited
         irrevocably with the Debenture Trustee or the Defeasance Agent (as
         defined below) as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as
         security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the holders of
         the Securities (i) money in an amount, or (ii) U.S. Government
         Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in
         respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later
         than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or
         (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii), sufficient, in the opinion (with
         respect to (ii) and (iii)) of a nationally recognized firm of
         independent public accountants expressed in a written certification
         thereof delivered to the Debenture Trustee and the Defeasance Agent, if
         any, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest
         on the outstanding Securities on the dates such installments of
         principal and interest are due;

     (b) if the Securities are then listed on any national securities exchange,
         the Corporation shall have delivered to the Debenture Trustee and the
         Defeasance Agent, if any, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the
         exercise of the option under this Section 11.05 would not cause such
         Securities to be delisted from such exchange;

     (c) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities shall
         have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit; and

     (d) the Corporation shall have delivered to the Debenture Trustee and the
         Defeasance Agent, if any, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that
         holders of the Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for
         United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the exercise
         of the option under this Section 11.05 and will be subject to United
         States federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and
         at the same times as would have been the case if such option had not
         been exercised.

     "Discharged" means that the Corporation shall be deemed to have paid and
discharged the entire indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, the
Securities and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture
relating to the Securities (and the Debenture Trustee, at the expense of the
Corporation, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except
(1) the rights of holders of Securities to receive, from the trust fund
described in clause (a) above, payment of the principal of and the interest on
the Securities when such payments are due; (2) the Corporation's obligations
with respect to the Securities under Sections 2.07, 2.08, 5.02 and 11.04; and
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Debenture Trustee
hereunder.

     "Defeasance Agent" means another financial institution which is eligible to
act as Debenture Trustee hereunder and which assumes all of the obligations of
the Debenture Trustee necessary to enable the Debenture Trustee to act
hereunder.  In the event such a Defeasance Agent is appointed pursuant to this
Section, the following conditions shall apply:

     (1) the Debenture Trustee shall have approval rights over the document
         appointing such Defeasance Agent and the document setting forth such
         Defeasance Agent's rights and responsibilities; and

                                      -53-
<PAGE>
 
     (2) the Defeasance Agent shall provide verification to the Debenture
         Trustee acknowledging receipt of sufficient money and/or U.S.
         Government Obligations to meet the applicable conditions set forth in
         this Section 11.05.


                                  ARTICLE XII
                   IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
                            OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

     SECTION 12.01  Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations.
                    ----------------------------------------------------- 

     No recourse for the payment of the principal of or interest (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated Damages, if any,
on any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof,
and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the
Corporation in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of the creation of
any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator,
stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of
the Corporation or of any successor Person to the Corporation, either directly
or through the Corporation or any successor Person to the Corporation, whether
by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of
any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all
such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as
a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of the
Securities.


                                  ARTICLE XII
                           MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     SECTION 13.01  Successors.
                    ---------- 

     All of the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements of the
Corporation contained in this Indenture shall also bind the Corporation's
successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

     SECTION 13.02  Official Acts by Successor Corporation.
                    -------------------------------------- 

     Any act or proceeding that, by any provision of this Indenture, is
authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or
officer of the Corporation shall and may be done and  performed with like force
and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any corporation that shall
at the time be the lawful sole successor of the Corporation.

     SECTION 13.03  Surrender of Corporation Powers.
                    ------------------------------- 

     The Corporation by instrument in writing executed by authority of 2/3 (two-
thirds) of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Debenture Trustee may
surrender any of the powers reserved to the Corporation hereunder, and thereupon
such power so surrendered shall terminate both as to the Corporation, as the
case may be, and as to any successor Person.

                                      -54-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 13.04  Addresses for Notices, etc.
                    -------------------------- 

     Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required
or permitted to be given or served by the Debenture Trustee or by the holders of
Securities on the Corporation may be given or served by being deposited postage
prepaid by first class mail, registered or certified mail, overnight courier
service or conformed telecopy addressed (until another address is filed by the
Corporation with the Debenture Trustee for the purpose) to Greater Bay Bancorp
at 2860 West Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303, Attention: Steven C. Smith.
Any notice, direction, request or demand by any Securityholder to or upon the
Debenture Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for
all purposes, if given or made in writing at the office of Wilmington Trust
Company at Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware
19890-0001, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration (unless another address is
provided by the Debenture Trustee to the Corporation for such purpose).  Any
notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by first class mail
to his or her address shown on the Security Register kept by the security
registrar for the Securities.

     SECTION 13.05  Governing Law.
                    ------------- 

     This Indenture and each Security shall be deemed to be a contract made
under the laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of said State without regard to
conflict of law principles thereof.

     SECTION 13.06  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
                    ------------------------------------------------ 

     Upon any application or demand by the Corporation to the Debenture Trustee
to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the
Corporation shall furnish to the Debenture Trustee an Officers' Certificate
stating that in the opinion of the signers all conditions precedent, if any,
provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been
complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such
counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

     Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to
the Debenture Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for in this Indenture (except certificates delivered pursuant to
Section 3.05) shall include (1) a statement that the Person making such
certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief
statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon
which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are
based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such
examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been
complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

     SECTION 13.07  Business Days.
                    ------------- 

                                      -55-
<PAGE>
 
     In any case where the date of payment of principal of or interest on the
Securities is not a Business Day, the payment of such principal of or interest
on the Securities will not be made on such date but will be made on the next
succeeding Business Day, except if such Business Day is in the next succeeding
calendar month, such payment will be made on the immediately preceding Business
Day, with the same force and effect as if made on the original date of payment,
and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such date.

     SECTION 13.08  Trust Indenture Act to Control.
                    ------------------------------ 

     If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies
or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the
Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.

     SECTION 13.09  Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
                    -------------------------------- 

     The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and
sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only,
are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict
any of the terms or provisions hereof.

     SECTION 13.10  Execution in Counterparts.
                    ------------------------- 

     This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one
and the same instrument.

     SECTION 13.11  Separability.
                    ------------ 

     In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in
the Securities shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of the Securities,
but this Indenture and the Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.

     SECTION 13.12  Assignment.
                    ---------- 

     The Corporation will have the right at all times to assign any of its
respective rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect
wholly owned Subsidiary of the Corporation, provided that, in the event of any
such assignment, the Corporation will remain liable for all such obligations.
Subject to the foregoing, this Indenture is binding upon and inures to the
benefit of the parties thereto and their respective successors and assigns.
This Indenture may not otherwise be assigned by the parties thereto.

     SECTION 13.13  Acknowledgment of Rights.
                    ------------------------ 

     The Corporation acknowledges that, with respect to any Securities held by
the Trust or a trustee of such Trust, if the Property Trustee of such Trust
fails to enforce its rights under this 

                                      -56-
<PAGE>
 
Indenture as the holder of the Securities held as the assets of the Trust, any
holder of Capital Securities may institute legal proceedings directly against
the Corporation to enforce such Property Trustee's rights under this Indenture
without first instituting any legal proceedings against such Property Trustee or
any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the
failure of the Corporation to pay principal of or interest on the Securities
when due, the Corporation acknowledges that a holder of Capital Securities may
directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such holder of the
principal of or interest on the Securities having an aggregate principal amount
equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such
holder on or after the respective due date specified in the Securities.


                                  ARTICLE XIV
                           PREPAYMENT OF SECURITIES

     SECTION 14.01  Special Event Prepayment.
                    ------------------------ 

     If, prior to the Initial Optional Redemption Date, a Special Event has
occurred and is continuing, then notwithstanding Section 14.02(a) but subject to
Section 14.02(c), the Corporation shall have the right, at any time within 90
days following the occurrence of such Special Event, upon (i) not less than 45
days written notice to the Debenture Trustee and (ii) not less than 30 days nor
more than 60 days' written notice to the Securityholders, to prepay the
Securities, in whole (but not in part), at the Prepayment Price.  The Prepayment
Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on the date of such
prepayment or such earlier time as the Corporation determines, provided that the
Corporation shall deposit with the Debenture Trustee an amount sufficient to pay
the Prepayment Price by 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the date such Prepayment
Price is to be paid.

     SECTION 14.02  Optional Prepayment by Corporation.
                    ---------------------------------- 

     (a) Subject to Sections 14.02(b) and (c), the Corporation shall have the
right to prepay the Securities, in whole or in part, at any time on or after the
Initial Optional Redemption Date, upon not less than 30 days and not more than
60 days' written notice, at the Prepayment Price.

     If the Securities are only partially prepaid pursuant to this Section
14.02, the Securities to be prepaid shall be selected on a pro rata basis not
more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for prepayment from the outstanding
Securities not previously called for prepayment; provided, however, that with
                                                 --------  -------           
respect to Securityholders that would be required to hold Securities with an
aggregate principal amount of less than $100,000 but more than an aggregate
principal amount of zero as a result of such pro rata prepayment, the
Corporation shall prepay Securities of each such Securityholder so that after
such prepayment such Securityholder shall hold Securities either with an
aggregate principal amount of at least $100,000 or such Securityholder no longer
holds any Securities, and shall use such method (including, without limitation,
by lot) as the Corporation shall deem fair and appropriate; provided, further,
                                                            --------  ------- 
that any such proration may be made on the basis of the aggregate principal
amount of Securities held by each Securityholder and may be made by making such
adjustments as the Corporation deems fair and appropriate in order that only
Securities 

                                      -57-
<PAGE>
 
in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof shall be prepaid. The
Prepayment Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon Eastern time, on the date of
such prepayment or at such earlier time as the Corporation determines, provided
                                                                       --------
that the Corporation shall deposit with the Debenture Trustee an amount
sufficient to pay the Prepayment Price by 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the date
such Prepayment Price is to be paid.
 
     (b) Notwithstanding the first sentence of Section 14.02(a), upon the entry
of an order for dissolution of the Trust by a court of competent jurisdiction,
the Securities thereafter will be subject to optional prepayment, in whole only,
but not in part, on or after the Initial Optional Redemption Date, at the
applicable Prepayment Price and otherwise in accordance with this Article XIV.

     (c) Any prepayment of Securities pursuant to Section 14.01 or Section 14.02
shall be subject to the Corporation obtaining any and all required regulatory
approvals.

     SECTION 14.03  No Sinking Fund.
                    --------------- 

     The Securities are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

     SECTION 14.04  Notice of Prepayment; Selection of Securities.
                    --------------------------------------------- 

     In case the Corporation shall desire to exercise the right to prepay all,
or, as the case may be, any part of the Securities in accordance with their
terms, it shall fix a date for prepayment and shall mail a notice of such
prepayment at least 30 and not more than 60 days' prior to the date fixed for
prepayment to the holders of Securities to be so prepaid as a whole or in part
at their last addresses as the same appear on the Security Register.  Such
mailing shall be by first class mail.  The notice if mailed in the manner herein
provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not
the holder receives such notice.  In any case, failure to give such notice by
mail or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Security designated for
prepayment as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the
proceedings for the prepayment of any other Security.

     Each such notice of prepayment shall specify the CUSIP number of the
Securities to be prepaid, the date fixed for prepayment, the Prepayment Price at
which the Securities are to be prepaid (or the method by which such Prepayment
Price is to be calculated), the place or places of payment where payment will be
made upon presentation and surrender of the Securities, that interest accrued to
the date fixed for prepayment will be paid as specified in said notice, and that
on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be prepaid
will cease to accrue.  If less than all the Securities are to be prepaid, the
notice of prepayment shall specify the numbers of the Securities to be prepaid.
In case any Security is to be prepaid in part only, the notice of prepayment
shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be prepaid and shall
state that on and after the date fixed for prepayment, upon surrender of such
Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the portion
thereof that has not been prepaid will be issued.

     By 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the prepayment date specified in the notice
of prepayment given as provided in this Section, the Corporation will deposit
with the Debenture Trustee or with 

                                      -58-
<PAGE>
 
one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to prepay on the
prepayment date all the Securities so called for prepayment at the Prepayment
Price.

     SECTION 14.05  Payment of Securities Called for Prepayment.
                    ------------------------------------------- 

     If notice of prepayment has been given as provided in Section 14.04, the
Securities or portions of Securities with respect to which such notice has been
given shall become due and payable on the date and at the place or places stated
in such notice at the Prepayment Price (subject to the rights of holders of
Securities at the close of business on a regular record date in respect of an
Interest Payment Date occurring on or prior to the prepayment date) and on and
after said date (unless the Corporation shall default in the payment of such
Securities at the Prepayment Price interest (including Compounded Interest and
Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities or
portions of Securities so called for prepayment shall cease to accrue.  On
presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment specified in
said notice, the said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid
and prepaid by the Corporation at the applicable Prepayment Price, (subject to
the rights of holders of Securities on the close of business on a regular record
date in respect of an Interest Payment Date occurring on or prior to the
prepayment date).

     Upon presentation of any Security prepaid in part only, the Corporation
shall execute and the Debenture Trustee shall authenticate and make available
for delivery to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Corporation, a new
Security or Securities of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to
the portion of the Security so presented that has not been prepaid.


                                  ARTICLE XV
                          SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

     SECTION 15.01  Agreement to Subordinate
                    ------------------------

     The Corporation covenants and agrees, and each holder of Securities issued
hereunder likewise covenants and agrees, that the Securities shall be issued
subject to the provisions of this Article XV; and each holder of a Security,
whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and
agrees to be bound by such provisions.

     The payment by the Corporation of the principal of and interest (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any,
on all Securities issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner
hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and subject in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of all Allocable Amounts then due and payable in respect
of Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or
thereafter incurred.

     No provision of this Article XV shall prevent the occurrence of any Default
or Event of Default hereunder.

                                      -59-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 15.02  Default on Senior Indebtedness.
                    ------------------------------ 

     In the event and during the continuation of any default by the Corporation
in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any
Senior Indebtedness, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior
Indebtedness has been accelerated because of a default and such acceleration has
not been resined or canceled, then, in either case, no payment shall be made by
the Corporation with respect to the principal (including prepayment payments) of
or interest on the Securities (including Compounded Interest and Additional
Sums, if any, and Liquidated Damages, if any, or any other amounts which may be
due on the Securities pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof).

     In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of the Securities, then no
payment shall be made by the Corporation with respect to the principal
(including prepayment payments) of or interest on the Securities (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any, and Liquidated Damages, if any,
or any other amounts which may be due on the Securities pursuant to the terms
hereof or thereof) until the holders of all Senior Indebtedness outstanding at
the time of such acceleration shall receive payment, in full, of all Allocable
Amounts due on or in respect of such Senior Indebtedness (including any amounts
due upon acceleration).

     In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be
received by the Debenture Trustee, or any Securityholder, when such payment is
prohibited by the preceding paragraphs of this Section 15.02, such payment shall
be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered by the
Debenture Trustee (if the Notice requested by Section 15.06 has been received by
the Debenture Trustee) or by any Securityholder, to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees
under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have
been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but only to the extent of
the Allocable Amounts in respect of such Senior Indebtedness and to the extent
that the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or
representatives or a trustee) notify the Debenture Trustee in writing within 90
days of such payment of the Allocable Amounts then due and owing on such Senior
Indebtedness, and only the Allocable Amounts specified in such notice to the
Debenture Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

     SECTION 15.03  Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.
                    ------------------------------------ 

     Upon any payment by the Corporation or distribution of assets of the
Corporation of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities,
to creditors upon any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of
the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other proceedings, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Corporation will first be entitled to receive payment in full of Allocable
Amounts of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment is made by the
Corporation on account of the principal of or interest on the Securities
(including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums (if any) and Liquidated
Damages, if any, or any other amounts which may be due on the Securities
pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof); and upon any such dissolution,
winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the Corporation, or
distribution of assets of the Corporation of any kind or character, whether in
cash, property or securities, which the Securityholders or the Debenture 

                                      -60-
<PAGE>
 
Trustee would be entitled to receive from the Corporation, except for the
provisions of this Article XV, shall be paid by the Corporation or by any
receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person
making such payment or distribution, or by the Securityholders or by the
Debenture Trustee under the Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation (pro rata to such holders on
the basis of the respective Allocable Amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by
such holders, as calculated by the Corporation) or their representative or
representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to
which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued,
as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay all
such Allocable Amounts of Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or moneys worth,
after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made
to the Securityholders or to the Debenture Trustee.

     In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or
distribution of assets of the Corporation of any kind or character prohibited by
the foregoing, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the
Debenture Trustee, or any Securityholder, before the Allocable Amounts of all
Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in
money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held
in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered by the Debenture
Trustee (if the Notice requested by Section 15.06 has been received by  the
Debenture Trustee) or by any Securityholder, to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or
trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such
Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may
appear, as calculated by the Corporation, for application to the payment of all
Allocable Amounts of Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent
necessary to pay all Allocable Amounts of such Senior Indebtedness in full in
money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent
payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness.

     For purposes of this Article XV, the words "cash, property or securities"
shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Corporation as reorganized
or readjusted, or securities of the Corporation or any other corporation
provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which
is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XV with respect
to the Securities to the payment of Senior Indebtedness that may at the time be
outstanding, provided that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new
             ---------                                                       
corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and
(ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the
consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment.  The
consolidation of the Corporation with, or the merger of the Corporation into,
another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation following
the sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of its property as an entirety, or
substantially as an entirety, to another Person upon the terms and conditions
provided for in Article X of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution,
winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 15.03
if such other Person shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, sale,
conveyance, transfer or lease, comply with the conditions stated in Article X of
this Indenture.  Nothing in Section 15.02 or in this Section 15.03 shall apply
to claims of, or payments to, the Debenture Trustee under or pursuant to Section
6.06 of this Indenture.

                                      -61-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 15.04  Subrogation.
                    ----------- 

     Subject to the payment in full of all Allocable Amounts of Senior
Indebtedness, the rights of the Securityholders shall be subrogated to the
rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or
distributions of cash, property or securities of the Corporation, as the case
may be, applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of and
interest on the Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such
subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Securityholders or
the Debenture Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this
Article XV, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV to
or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by Securityholders
or the Debenture Trustee, shall, as between the Corporation, its creditors other
than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, and the holders of the
Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the Corporation to or on account of
such Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article
XV are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights
of the holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness on the other hand.

     Nothing contained in this Article XV or elsewhere in this Indenture or in
the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Corporation, its
creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, and
the holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Corporation, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay to the holders of the Securities the
principal of and interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if
any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities as and when the same
shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to
or shall affect the relative rights of the holders of the Securities and
creditors of the Corporation, as the case may be, other than the holders of
Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, as the case may be, nor shall anything
herein or therein prevent the Debenture Trustee or the holder of any Security
from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default
under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XV of
the holders of such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or
securities of the Corporation, as the case may be, received upon the exercise of
any such remedy.

     SECTION 15.05  Debenture Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.
                    --------------------------------------------- 

     Each Securityholder, by such Securityholder's acceptance thereof,
authorizes and directs the Debenture Trustee on such Securityholder's behalf to
take such action (as the Debenture Trustee, in its discretion, deems necessary
or appropriate, upon instruction or otherwise) to effectuate the subordination
provided in this Article XV and appoints the Debenture Trustee such
Securityholder's attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

     SECTION 15.06  Notice by the Corporation.
                    ------------------------- 

     The Corporation shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer
of the Debenture Trustee of any fact known to the Corporation that would
prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Debenture Trustee in
respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XV or any other provision of this

                                      -62-
<PAGE>
 
Indenture, the Debenture Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the
existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies
to or by the Debenture Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the
provisions of this Article XV, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the
Debenture Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the
Corporation or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee
therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Debenture
Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, shall be
entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however,
                                                             --------  ------- 
that if the Debenture Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in
this Section 15.06 at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which, by
the terms hereof, any money may become payable for any purpose (including,
without limitation, the payment of the principal of or interest (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any,
on any Security), then, anything herein contained to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Debenture Trustee shall have full power and authority to
receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which they were
received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be
received by it within two Business Days prior to such date.

     The Debenture Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this
Indenture, shall be entitled to conclusively rely on a written notice delivered
to it by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness of
the Corporation (or a trustee on behalf of such holder), as the case may be, to
establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior
Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders.  In the event
that the Debenture Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is
required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of such Senior
Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this
Article XV, the Debenture Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to
the reasonable satisfaction of the Debenture Trustee as to the amount of such
Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is
entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts
pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XV, and, if such
evidence is not furnished, the Debenture Trustee may defer any payment to such
Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive
such payment.

     Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Corporation referred to
in this Article XV, the Debenture Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article
VI of this Indenture, and the Securityholders shall be entitled to conclusively
rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in
which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization,
dissolution, winding-up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a
certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian,
receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other person making
such payment or distribution, delivered to the Debenture Trustee or to the
Securityholders, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to
participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness
and other indebtedness of the Corporation, the amount thereof or payable
thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts
pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.

                                      -63-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 15.07  Rights of the Debenture Trustee; Holders of Senior
                    --------------------------------------------------
Indebtedness.
- ------------ 

     The Debenture Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all
the rights set forth in this Article XV in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at
any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior
Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Debenture Trustee
of any of its rights as such holder.

     With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation, the
Debenture Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants
and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XV, and no implied
covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness
shall be read into this Indenture against the Debenture Trustee.  The Debenture
Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this
Indenture, the Debenture Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of such
Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Securityholders, the
Corporation or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of such
Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XV or otherwise.

     Nothing in this Article XV shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the
Debenture Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.06.

     SECTION 15.08  Subordination May Not Be Impaired.
                    --------------------------------- 

     No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness of the
Corporation to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any
way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the
Corporation, as the case may be, or by any act or failure to act, in good faith,
by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Corporation, as the case may
be, with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of
any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged
with.

     Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the
holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation may, at any time and from time
to time, without the consent of or notice to the Debenture Trustee or the
Securityholders, without incurring responsibility to the Securityholders and
without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article XV or
the obligations hereunder of the holders of the Securities to the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the
manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or
alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner
such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement
under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange,
release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise
securing such Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner
for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain
from exercising any rights against the Corporation, as the case may be, and any
other Person.

     SECTION 15.09  Certain Conversions or Exchanges Deemed Payment.
                    ----------------------------------------------- 

                                      -64-
<PAGE>
 
     For the purposes of this Article XV only, (a) the issuance and delivery of
junior securities upon conversion or exchange of Securities shall not be deemed
to constitute a payment or distribution on account of the principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest (including any Defaulted Interest) on Securities or
on account of the purchase or other acquisition of Securities, and (b) the
payment, issuance or delivery of cash, property or securities (other than junior
securities) upon conversion or exchange of a Security shall be deemed to
constitute payment on account of the principal of such security.  For the
purposes of this Section 15.09, the term "junior securities" means (i) shares of
any stock of any class of the Corporation and (ii) securities of the Corporation
which are subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness which may
be outstanding at the time of issuance or delivery of such securities to
substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Securities so
subordinated as provided in this Article XV.


                                  ARTICLE XVI
                     EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD


     SECTION 16.01  Extension of Interest Payment Period.
                    ------------------------------------ 

     So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Corporation shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during the
term of the Securities, to defer payments of interest, including Additional Sums
and Compounded Interest (collectively, "Deferred Interest"), by extending the
interest payment period of such Securities for a period not exceeding 20
consecutive quarterly periods, including the first such quarterly period during
such extension period (the "Extended Interest Payment Period"), during which
Extended Interest Payment Period no interest shall be due and payable, provided
                                                                       --------
that no Extended Interest Payment Period shall end on a date other than an
Interest Payment Date or extend beyond the Maturity Date.  To the extent
permitted by applicable law, interest, the payment of which has been deferred
because of the extension of the interest payment period pursuant to this Section
16.01, will bear interest thereon at the applicable periodic Coupon Rate
compounded quarterly for each quarterly period during the Extended Interest
Payment Period ("Compounded Interest").  At the end of the Extended Interest
Payment Period, the Corporation shall pay all Deferred Interest that shall be
payable to the holders of the Securities in whose names the Securities are
registered in the Security Register on the record date immediately preceding the
end of the Extended Interest Payment Period.  Before the termination of any
Extended Interest Payment Period, the Corporation may further defer payments of
interest by further extending such Extended Interest Payment Period, provided
                                                                     --------
that such Extended Interest Payment Period, together with all such previous and
further extensions within such Extended Interest Payment Period, shall not (i)
exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, including the first such quarterly
period during such Extended Interest Payment Period, (ii) end on a date other
than an Interest Payment Date or (iii) extend beyond the Maturity Date of the
Securities.  Upon the termination of any Extended Interest Payment Period and
the payment of all amounts then due, the Corporation may commence a new Extended
Interest Payment Period, subject to the foregoing requirements.  No interest
shall be due and payable during an Extended Interest Payment Period, except at
the end thereof, but the Corporation may prepay at any time all or any portion
of the interest accrued during an Extended Interest Payment Period.

                                      -65-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 16.02  Notice of Extension.
                    ------------------- 

     (a) If the Property Trustee is the only holder of the Securities at the
time the Corporation elects to commence an Extended Interest Payment Period, the
Corporation shall give written notice to the Administrative Trustees, the
Property Trustee and the Debenture Trustee of its election to commence such
Extended Interest Payment Period at least five Business Days before the earlier
of (i) the next succeeding date on which Distributions on the Trust Securities
would have been payable, and (ii) the date the Property Trustee is required to
give notice of the record date, or the date such Distributions are payable, to
any national securities exchange or to holders of the Capital Securities, but in
any event at least five Business Days before such record date.

     (b) If the Property Trustee is not the only holder of the Securities at the
time the Corporation elects to commence an Extended Interest Payment Period, the
Corporation shall give the holders of the Securities and the Debenture Trustee
written notice of its election of such Extended Interest Payment Period at least
10 Business Days before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding Interest Payment
Date, and (ii) the date the Debenture Trustee is required to give notice of the
record or payment date of such interest payment to any national securities
exchange.

     (c) The quarterly period in which any notice is given pursuant to
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 16.02 shall be counted as one of the 20
quarterly periods permitted in the maximum Extended Interest Payment Period
permitted under Section 16.01.

     Wilmington Trust Company hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture
declared and provided, upon the terms and conditions hereinabove set forth.

                                      -66-
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to
be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of
the day and year first above written.

                              GREATER BAY BANCORP



                              By: /s/ Steven C. Smith
                                  ----------------------------------------
                                  Steven C. Smith
                                  Executive Vice President,
                                  Chief Operating Officer
                                  and Chief Financial Officer

                              WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
                              as Debenture Trustee


                              By: /s/ Patricia A. Evans
                                  ----------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Patricia A. Evans
                                  Title: Financial Services Officer

                                      -67-
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------

                          (FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY)

     [IF THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY INSERT: THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL
SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ("DTC") OR A NOMINEE OF
DTC.  THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A
PERSON OTHER THAN DTC OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED
IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF
THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY A NOMINEE OF DTC TO
DTC OR  ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES.

     UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC TO
THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND
ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER
NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL IN AS MUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER
HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

     THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER
APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW.  NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR
PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED,
ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR
UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

     THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL
OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION
TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE
DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH GREATER BAY BANCORP (THE "CORPORATION")
OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE CORPORATION WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY
PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE CORPORATION, (B) PURSUANT TO A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE 144A"), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A
"QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS
OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE
IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING 

                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR"
WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE
ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES
AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY
DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER
AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,
SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR
TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION
OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO THE
CORPORATION, AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF
TRANSFER SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF ANNEX A TO THE OFFERING MEMORANDUM DATED
AUGUST 7, 1998 IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEREE TO THE CORPORATION.
SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS
SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.

     THE SECURITIES WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING
AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER
OF SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS THAN
$100,000 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID
AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER. ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED
NOT TO BE THE HOLDER OF SUCH SECURITIES FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, THE RECEIPT OF PRINCIPAL OF OR INTEREST ON SUCH SECURITIES, AND SUCH
PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN SUCH
SECURITIES.

     THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES,
REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE") (EACH
A "PLAN"), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN ASSETS" BY REASON
OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF
ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH
PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38,
90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF
THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE
CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING.  ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE
SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS
PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT 

                                      A-2
<PAGE>
 
EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3)
OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE
OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY
OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO
FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED
TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH
THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

     THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO BE BOUND BY
THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF AUGUST 7, 1998, BY AND AMONG THE
TRUST, THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE AND THE INITIAL PURCHASER NAMED THEREIN, AS AMENDED
FROM TIME TO TIME.




                                      A-3
<PAGE>
 
                              GREATER BAY BANCORP

CUSIP No.: [_____________]
     $[_________________]

        FLOATING RATE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURE

                    DUE September 15, 2028 Series A/Series B

     Greater Bay Bancorp, a California corporation (the "Corporation," which
term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to),
for value received, hereby promises to pay to [        ] or its registered
assigns, the principal sum of $[_____________] Dollars on September 15, 2028]
(the "Maturity Date"), unless previously prepaid, and to pay interest on the
outstanding principal amount hereof from August 12, 1998, or from the most
recent interest payment date (each such date, an "Interest Payment Date") to
which interest has been paid or duly provided for, quarterly (subject to
deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and
December 15 of each year, commencing December 15, 1998 at the rate per annum,
reset quarterly, equal to 3-month LIBOR (as defined in the Indenture) plus 150
basis points until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and
on any overdue principal and (without duplication and to the extent that payment
of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment
of interest at the same rate per annum compounded quarterly ("Compounded
Interest").  The amount of interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall
be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a 360-day
year.  In the event that any date on which the principal of or interest on this
Security is payable is not a Business Day (as defined in the Indenture), then
the payment payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is
a Business Day, except that if such next succeeding Business Day falls in the
next succeeding calendar month such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of
any such delay), with the same force and effect as if made on such date.
Pursuant to the Indenture, in certain circumstances the Corporation will be
required to pay Additional Sums (as defined in the Indenture) with respect to
this Security.  Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and the Liquidated
Damages Agreement, in certain limited circumstances the Corporation will be
required to pay Liquidated Damages (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement and the Liquidated Damages Agreement) with respect to this Security.

     The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided
for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to
the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities,
as defined in said Indenture) is registered at the close of business on the
regular record date for such interest installment, which shall be at the close
of business on the first day of the month in which the relevant Interest Payment
Date falls.  Any such interest installment not punctually paid or duly provided
for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the holders on such regular record
date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a special
record date to be fixed by the Debenture Trustee for the payment of such
defaulted interest, notice whereof shall be given to the holders of Securities
not less than 10 days prior to such special record date, or may 

                                      A-4
<PAGE>
 
be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the
requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed,
and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully
provided in the Indenture.

     The principal of and interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional
Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, on this Security shall be payable
at the office or agency of the Debenture Trustee maintained for that purpose in
any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment
is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that
                                                         --------  -------      
payment of interest may be made at the option of the Corporation by (i) check
mailed to the holder at such address as shall appear in the Security Register or
(ii) transfer to an account maintained by the Person entitled thereto, provided
that proper written transfer instructions have been received by the relevant
record date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this
Security is the Property Trustee of GBB Capital II, the payment of the principal
of and interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on this Security will be made at such place and to
such account as may be designated by such Property Trustee.

     The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent provided in
the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment
in full, of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Security is issued subject to the
provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto.  Each holder of this Security,
by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b)
authorizes and directs the Debenture Trustee on his or her behalf to take such
action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the
subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Debenture Trustee his or her
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.  Each holder hereof, by his or
her acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the acceptance of the
subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture by each holder of
Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred, and waives
reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.

     This Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or
be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the Certificate of
Authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Debenture
Trustee.

     The provisions of this Security are continued on the reverse side hereof
and such provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully
set forth at this place.


                                      A-5
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this instrument to be duly
executed and sealed this [___] day of [__________________, 1998].


                                        GREATER BAY BANCORP                   
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                        By:                                   
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            Steven C. Smith                   
                                            Executive Vice President,         
                                            Chief Operating Officer           
                                            and Chief Financial Officer        
Attest:

By:
   ------------------------
   Name:
   Title:



                         CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

  This is one of the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures Series A/ Series B, of GREATER BAY BANCORP referred to in the within-
mentioned Indenture.


                                        WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
                                        not in its individual capacity 
                                        but solely as Debenture Trustee


Dated:                                  By:
      ------------------------             ----------------------------------
                                           Authorized Signatory



                                      A-6
<PAGE>
 
                         (FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY)

     This Security is one of the Securities of the Corporation (herein sometimes
referred to as the "Securities"), specified in the Indenture, all issued or to
be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of August 12, 1998 (the
"Indenture"), duly executed and delivered between the Corporation and Wilmington
Trust Company, as Debenture Trustee (the "Debenture Trustee"), to which
Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations
of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Debenture
Trustee, the Corporation and the holders of the Securities.

     Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event (as defined in the
Indenture) prior to September 15, 2008 (the "Initial Optional Redemption Date"),
the Corporation shall have the right, at any time within 90 days following the
occurrence of such Special Event, to prepay this Security in whole (but not in
part) at the Prepayment Price.  "Prepayment Price" shall mean, with respect to
any prepayment of this Security, an amount in cash equal to 100% of the
principal amount to be prepaid plus any accrued and unpaid interest (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any,
thereon to the date of such prepayment.

     In addition, the Corporation shall have the right to prepay this Security,
in whole or in part, at any time on or after the Initial Optional Redemption
Date (an "Optional Prepayment"), at the Prepayment Price.

     The Prepayment Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on
the date of such prepayment or at such earlier time as the Corporation
determines, provided that the Corporation shall deposit with the Debenture
            --------                                                      
Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the Prepayment Price by 10:00 a.m., Eastern
time, on the date such Prepayment Price is to be paid.  Any prepayment pursuant
to this paragraph will be made upon not less than 30 days' nor more than 60
days' prior written notice.

     If the Securities are only partially prepaid by the Corporation pursuant to
an Optional Prepayment, the particular Securities to be prepaid shall be
selected on a pro rata basis from the outstanding Securities not previously
called for prepayment; provided, however, that with respect to Securityholders
                       --------  -------                                      
that would be required to hold Securities with an aggregate principal amount of
less than $100,000 but more than an aggregate principal amount of zero as a
result of such pro rata prepayment, the Corporation shall prepay Securities of
each such Securityholder so that after such prepayment such Securityholder shall
hold Securities either with an aggregate principal amount of at least $100,000
or such Securityholder no longer holds any Securities and shall use such method
(including, without limitation, by lot) as the Corporation shall deem fair and
appropriate; provided, further, that any such proration may be made on the basis
             --------  -------                                                  
of the aggregate principal amount of Securities held by each Securityholder
thereof and may be made by making such adjustments as the Corporation deems fair
and appropriate in order that only Securities in denominations of $1,000 or
integral multiples thereof shall be prepaid.  In the event of prepayment of this
Security in part only, a new Security or Securities for the portion hereof that
has not been prepaid will be issued in the name of the holder hereof upon the
cancellation hereof.


                                      A-7
<PAGE>
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, any prepayment of Securities by the
Corporation shall be subject to the receipt of any and all required regulatory
approvals.

     In case an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Securities may be
declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the
manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

     The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Corporation and the
Debenture Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding (as defined in the
Indenture), to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
the Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the
Securities; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall,
            --------  -------                                            
without the consent of each holder of Securities then outstanding and affected
thereby, (i) change the Maturity Date of any Security, or reduce the rate or
extend the time of payment of interest thereon (subject to Article XVI of the
Indenture), or reduce the principal amount thereof, or change any of the
prepayment provisions or make the principal thereof or any interest thereon
payable in any coin or currency other than U.S. dollars, or impair or affect the
right of any holder of Securities to institute suit for payment thereof, or (ii)
reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities the holders of which are required
to consent to any such supplemental indenture.  The Indenture also contains
provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Securities at the time outstanding affected thereby, on behalf of all of the
holders of the Securities, to waive any past default in the performance of any
of the covenants contained in the Indenture, or established pursuant to the
Indenture, and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the
principal of or interest on any of the Securities or a default in respect of any
covenant or provision under which the Indenture cannot be modified or amended
without the consent of each holder of Securities then outstanding.  Any such
consent or waiver by the holder of this Security (unless revoked as provided in
the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all
future holders and owners of this Security and of any Security issued in
exchange herefor or in place hereof (whether by registration of transfer or
otherwise), irrespective of whether or not any notation of such consent or
waiver is made upon this Security.

     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Corporation, which
is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any,
on this Security at the time and place and at the rate and in the money herein
prescribed.

     So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the
Corporation shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during the
term of the Securities, to defer payments of interest by extending the interest
payment period (an "Extended Interest Payment Period") of such Securities for a
period not (i) exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly periods, including the first
such quarterly period during such extension period, (ii) extending beyond the
Maturity Date of the Securities or (iii) ending on a date other than an Interest
Payment Date, at the end of which period the Corporation shall pay all interest
then accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the 


                                      A-8
<PAGE>
 
rate specified for the Securities to the extent that payment of such interest is
enforceable under applicable law). Before the termination of any such Extended
Interest Payment Period, the Corporation may further defer payments of interest
by further extending such Extended Interest Payment Period, provided that such
Extended Interest Payment Period, together with all such previous and further
extensions within such Extended Interest Payment Period, (i) shall not exceed 20
consecutive quarterly periods including the first quarterly period during such
Extended Interest Payment Period, (ii) shall not end on any date other than an
Interest Payment Date, and (iii) shall not extend beyond the Maturity Date of
the Securities. Upon the termination of any such Extended Interest Payment
Period and the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and any additional
amounts then due, the Corporation may commence a new Extended Interest Payment
Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest shall be due and
payable during an Extended Interest Payment Period, except at the end thereof,
but the Corporation may prepay at any time all or any portion of the interest
accrued during an Extended Interest Payment Period.

     The Corporation has agreed that it will not (i) declare or pay any
dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Corporation's capital stock,
(ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or
repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including other Debentures) of
the Corporation that rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the
Securities or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by
the Corporation of the debt securities of any Subsidiary of the Corporation
(including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior
in right of payment to the Securities (other than (a) dividends or distributions
of Corporation's capital stock (which includes Common Stock and preferred
stock), (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation
of a stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in
the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto,
(c) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee, as defined in the
Indenture, (d) as a result of a reclassification of the Corporation's capital
stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Corporation's
capital stock for another class or series of the Corporation's capital stock,
(e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Corporation's capital
stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or
the security being converted or exchanged, and (f) purchases of Common Stock
related to the issuance of Common Stock or rights under any of the Corporation's
benefit or compensation plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of
the Corporation's dividend reinvestment plans), if at such time (1) there shall
have occurred any event of which the Corporation has actual knowledge that (a)
is a Default or  an Event of Default and (b) in respect of which the Corporation
shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (2) if such Securities are held
by the Property Trustee of GBB Capital II, the Corporation shall be in default
with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities
Guarantee or (3) the Corporation shall have given notice of its election to
exercise its right to commence an Extended Interest Payment Period, and shall
not have rescinded such Notice, and such Extended Interest Payment Period or any
extension thereof shall have commenced and be continuing.

     Subject to (i) the Corporation having received any required regulatory
approvals and (ii) the Administrative Trustees of GBB Capital II having received
an opinion of counsel to the effect that such distribution will not cause the
holders of Capital Securities to recognize gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes, the Corporation will have the right at any time to liquidate the Trust
and, after 

                                      A-9
<PAGE>
 
satisfaction of liabilities of creditors of the Trust as required by applicable
law, to cause the Securities to be distributed to the holders of the Trust
Securities in liquidation of the Trust.

     The Securities are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
minimum denominations of $100,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  As
provided in the Indenture and subject to the transfer restrictions limitations
as may be contained herein and therein from time to time, this Security is
transferable by the holder hereof on the Security Register of the Corporation,
upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or
agency of the Corporation in Wilmington, Delaware accompanied by a written
instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Corporation or
the Debenture Trustee duly executed by the holder hereof or his or her attorney
duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of
authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount will be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees.  No service charge will be
made for any such registration of transfer, but the Corporation may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge
payable in relation thereto.

     Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Security, the
Corporation, the Debenture Trustee, any authenticating agent, any paying agent,
any transfer agent and the security registrar may deem and treat the holder
hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this Security shall be
overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing hereon made by
anyone other than the security registrar for the Securities) for the purpose of
receiving payment of or on account of the principal hereof and (subject to the
Indenture) interest due hereon and for all other purposes, and neither the
Corporation nor the Debenture Trustee nor any authenticating agent nor any
paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any security registrar shall be affected
by any notice to the contrary.

     No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or interest
(including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated
Damages, if any, on this Security, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise
in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture, against any
incorporator, stockholder, employee, officer or director, past, present or
future, as such, of the Corporation or of any predecessor or successor Person,
whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the
enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being,
by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance
hereof, expressly waived and released.

     All terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

     THE INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF
LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

                                     A-10

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2
                                                                     -----------


                  JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE CERTIFICATE


     THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER
APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW.  NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR
PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED,
ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR
UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

     THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL
OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION
TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE
DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH GREATER BAY BANCORP (THE "CORPORATION")
OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE CORPORATION WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY
PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE CORPORATION, (B) PURSUANT TO A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE 144A"), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A
"QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS
OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE
IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN
INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH  (A)(1),
(2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS
SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL
ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR
OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE
SECURITIES ACT, OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF THE
CORPORATION PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D)
OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR
OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION, AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE
(D) TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF ANNEX
A TO THE OFFERING MEMORANDUM DATED AUGUST 7, 1998 IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY
THE TRANSFEREE TO THE CORPORATION.  SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES 
<PAGE>
 
THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A 
NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.

     THE SECURITIES WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING
AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER
OF SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LESS THAN
$100,000 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID
AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER. ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED
NOT TO BE THE HOLDER OF SUCH SECURITIES FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, THE RECEIPT OF PRINCIPAL OF OR INTEREST ON SUCH SECURITIES, AND SUCH
PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN SUCH
SECURITIES.

     THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES,
REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE") (EACH
A "PLAN"), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN ASSETS" BY REASON
OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF
ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH
PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38,
90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF
THIS SECURITY IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE
CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING.  ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE
SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS
PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER  (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF
THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF
ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH
PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA
OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR
ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

     THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO BE BOUND BY
THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF AUGUST 7, 1998, BY AND AMONG THE
TRUST, THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE AND THE INITIAL PURCHASER NAMED THEREIN, AS AMENDED
FROM TIME TO TIME.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                             GREATER BAY BANCORP

CUSIP No.:  391648 AB8
     $30,928,000

       FLOATING RATE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURE

                  DUE September 15, 2028 Series A/Series B

     Greater Bay Bancorp, a California corporation (the "Corporation," which
term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to),
for value received, hereby promises to pay to GBB Capital II or its registered
assigns, the principal sum of Thirty Million Nine Hundred Twenty-Eight Thousand
Dollars ($30,928,000) on September 15, 2028 (the "Maturity Date"), unless
previously prepaid, and to pay interest on the outstanding principal amount
hereof from August 12, 1998, or from the most recent interest payment date (each
such date, an "Interest Payment Date") to which interest has been paid or duly
provided for, quarterly (subject to deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on
March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing
December 15, 1998 at the rate per annum, reset quarterly, equal to 3-month LIBOR
(as defined in the Indenture) plus 150 basis points until the principal hereof
shall have become due and payable, and on any overdue principal and (without
duplication and to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under
applicable law) on any overdue installment of interest at the same rate per
annum compounded quarterly ("Compounded Interest").  The amount of interest
payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of the
actual number of days elapsed and a 360-day year.  In the event that any date on
which the principal of or interest on this Security is payable is not a Business
Day (as defined in the Indenture), then the payment payable on such date will be
made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, except that if such next
succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month such payment
shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day (and without any
interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), with the same force and
effect as if made on such date.  Pursuant to the Indenture, in certain
circumstances the Corporation will be required to pay Additional Sums (as
defined in the Indenture) with respect to this Security.  Pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement and the Liquidated Damages Agreement, in certain
limited circumstances the Corporation will be required to pay Liquidated Damages
(as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement and the Liquidated Damages
Agreement) with respect to this Security.

     The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided
for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to
the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities,
as defined in said Indenture) is registered at the close of business on the
regular record date for such interest installment, which shall be at the close
of business on the first day of the month in which the relevant Interest Payment
Date falls.  Any such interest installment not punctually paid or duly provided
for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the holders on such regular record
date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a special
record date 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
to be fixed by the Debenture Trustee for the payment of such defaulted
interest, notice whereof shall be given to the holders of Securities not less
than 10 days prior to such special record date, or may be paid at any time in
any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any
securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed, and upon such
notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the
Indenture.

     The principal of and interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional
Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any, on this Security shall be payable
at the office or agency of the Debenture Trustee maintained for that purpose in
any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment
is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that
                                                         --------  -------      
payment of interest may be made at the option of the Corporation by (i) check
mailed to the holder at such address as shall appear in the Security Register or
(ii) transfer to an account maintained by the Person entitled thereto, provided
that proper written transfer instructions have been received by the relevant
record date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this
Security is the Property Trustee of GBB Capital II, the payment of the principal
of and interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on this Security will be made at such place and to
such account as may be designated by such Property Trustee.

     The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent provided in
the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment
in full, of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Security is issued subject to the
provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto.  Each holder of this Security,
by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b)
authorizes and directs the Debenture Trustee on his or her behalf to take such
action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the
subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Debenture Trustee his or her
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.  Each holder hereof, by his or
her acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the acceptance of the
subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture by each holder of
Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred, and waives
reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.

     This Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or
be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the Certificate of
Authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Debenture
Trustee.

     The provisions of this Security are continued on the reverse side hereof
and such provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully
set forth at this place.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this instrument to be duly
executed and sealed this 12th day of August, 1998.


                                 GREATER BAY BANCORP


                                 By:  /s/ Steven C. Smith
                                      -------------------------------------
                                      Steven C. Smith
                                      Executive Vice President,
                                      Chief Operating Officer
                                      and Chief Financial Officer
Attest:


By:  /s/ Shawn E. Saunders
     -----------------------------------
     Name:  Shawn E. Saunders
     Title: Senior Vice President and Controller



                        CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

     This is one of the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures Series A/ Series B, of GREATER BAY BANCORP referred to in the within-
mentioned Indenture.


                                      WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
                                      not in its individual capacity but solely 
                                      as Debenture Trustee


Dated:    August 12, 1998             By:  /s/ Patricia A. Evans
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Authorized Signatory

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     This Security is one of the Securities of the Corporation (herein sometimes
referred to as the "Securities"), specified in the Indenture, all issued or to
be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of August 12, 1998 (the
"Indenture"), duly executed and delivered between the Corporation and Wilmington
Trust Company, as Debenture Trustee (the "Debenture Trustee"), to which
Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations
of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Debenture
Trustee, the Corporation and the holders of the Securities.

     Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event (as defined in the
Indenture) prior to September 15, 2008 (the "Initial Optional Redemption Date"),
the Corporation shall have the right, at any time within 90 days following the
occurrence of such Special Event, to prepay this Security in whole (but not in
part) at the Prepayment Price.  "Prepayment Price" shall mean, with respect to
any prepayment of this Security, an amount in cash equal to 100% of the
principal amount to be prepaid plus any accrued and unpaid interest (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any,
thereon to the date of such prepayment.

     In addition, the Corporation shall have the right to prepay this Security,
in whole or in part, at any time on or after the Initial Optional Redemption
Date (an "Optional Prepayment"), at the Prepayment Price.

     The Prepayment Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on
the date of such prepayment or at such earlier time as the Corporation
determines, provided that the Corporation shall deposit with the Debenture
            --------                                                      
Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the Prepayment Price by 10:00 a.m., Eastern
time, on the date such Prepayment Price is to be paid.  Any prepayment pursuant
to this paragraph will be made upon not less than 30 days' nor more than 60
days' prior written notice.

     If the Securities are only partially prepaid by the Corporation pursuant to
an Optional Prepayment, the particular Securities to be prepaid shall be
selected on a pro rata basis from the outstanding Securities not previously
called for prepayment; provided, however, that with respect to Securityholders
                       --------  -------                                      
that would be required to hold Securities with an aggregate principal amount of
less than $100,000 but more than an aggregate principal amount of zero as a
result of such pro rata prepayment, the Corporation shall prepay Securities of
each such Securityholder so that after such prepayment such Securityholder shall
hold Securities either with an aggregate principal amount of at least $100,000
or such Securityholder no longer holds any Securities and shall use such method
(including, without limitation, by lot) as the Corporation shall deem fair and
appropriate; provided, further, that any such proration may be made on the basis
             --------  -------                                                  
of the aggregate principal amount of Securities held by each Securityholder
thereof and may be made by making such adjustments as the Corporation deems fair
and appropriate in order that only Securities in denominations of $1,000 or
integral multiples thereof shall be prepaid.  In the event of prepayment of this
Security in part only, a new Security or Securities for the portion hereof that
has not been prepaid will be issued in the name of the holder hereof upon the
cancellation hereof.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, any prepayment of Securities by the
Corporation shall be subject to the receipt of any and all required regulatory
approvals.

     In case an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Securities may be
declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the
manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

     The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Corporation and the
Debenture Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding (as defined in the
Indenture), to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
the Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the
Securities; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall,
            --------  -------                                            
without the consent of each holder of Securities then outstanding and affected
thereby, (i) change the Maturity Date of any Security, or reduce the rate or
extend the time of payment of interest thereon (subject to Article XVI of the
Indenture), or reduce the principal amount thereof, or change any of the
prepayment provisions or make the principal thereof or any interest thereon
payable in any coin or currency other than U.S. dollars, or impair or affect the
right of any holder of Securities to institute suit for payment thereof, or (ii)
reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities the holders of which are required
to consent to any such supplemental indenture.  The Indenture also contains
provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Securities at the time outstanding affected thereby, on behalf of all of the
holders of the Securities, to waive any past default in the performance of any
of the covenants contained in the Indenture, or established pursuant to the
Indenture, and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the
principal of or interest on any of the Securities or a default in respect of any
covenant or provision under which the Indenture cannot be modified or amended
without the consent of each holder of Securities then outstanding.  Any such
consent or waiver by the holder of this Security (unless revoked as provided in
the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all
future holders and owners of this Security and of any Security issued in
exchange herefor or in place hereof (whether by registration of transfer or
otherwise), irrespective of whether or not any notation of such consent or
waiver is made upon this Security.

     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Corporation, which
is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) and Liquidated Damages, if any,
on this Security at the time and place and at the rate and in the money herein
prescribed.

     So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the
Corporation shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during the
term of the Securities, to defer payments of interest by extending the interest
payment period (an "Extended Interest Payment Period") of such Securities for a
period not (i) exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly periods, including the first
such quarterly period during such extension period, (ii) extending beyond the
Maturity Date of the 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Securities or (iii) ending on a date other than an Interest Payment Date, at
the end of which period the Corporation shall pay all interest then accrued
and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the rate specified for the
Securities to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under
applicable law). Before the termination of any such Extended Interest Payment
Period, the Corporation may further defer payments of interest by further
extending such Extended Interest Payment Period, provided that such Extended 
                                                 --------          
Interest Payment Period, together with all such previous and further
extensions within such Extended Interest Payment Period, (i) shall not exceed
20 consecutive quarterly periods including the first quarterly period during
such Extended Interest Payment Period, (ii) shall not end on any date other
than an Interest Payment Date, and (iii) shall not extend beyond the Maturity
Date of the Securities. Upon the termination of any such Extended Interest
Payment Period and the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and any
additional amounts then due, the Corporation may commence a new Extended
Interest Payment Period, subject to the foregoing requirements. No interest
shall be due and payable during an Extended Interest Payment Period, except at
the end thereof, but the Corporation may prepay at any time all or any portion
of the interest accrued during an Extended Interest Payment Period.

     The Corporation has agreed that it will not (i) declare or pay any
dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Corporation's capital stock,
(ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or
repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including other Debentures) of
the Corporation that rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the
Securities or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by
the Corporation of the debt securities of any Subsidiary of the Corporation
(including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior
in right of payment to the Securities (other than (a) dividends or distributions
of Corporation's capital stock (which includes Common Stock and preferred
stock), (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation
of a stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in
the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto,
(c) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee, as defined in the
Indenture, (d) as a result of a reclassification of the Corporation's capital
stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Corporation's
capital stock for another class or series of the Corporation's capital stock,
(e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Corporation's capital
stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or
the security being converted or exchanged, and (f) purchases of Common Stock
related to the issuance of Common Stock or rights under any of the Corporation's
benefit or compensation plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of
the Corporation's dividend reinvestment plans), if at such time (1) there shall
have occurred any event of which the Corporation has actual knowledge that (a)
is a Default or  an Event of Default and (b) in respect of which the Corporation
shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (2) if such Securities are held
by the Property Trustee of GBB Capital II, the Corporation shall be in default
with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Capital Securities
Guarantee or (3) the Corporation shall have given notice of its election to
exercise its right to commence an Extended Interest Payment Period, and shall
not have rescinded such Notice, and such Extended Interest Payment Period or any
extension thereof shall have commenced and be continuing.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     Subject to (i) the Corporation having received any required regulatory
approvals and (ii) the Administrative Trustees of GBB Capital II having received
an opinion of counsel to the effect that such distribution will not cause the
holders of Capital Securities to recognize gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes, the Corporation will have the right at any time to liquidate the Trust
and, after satisfaction of liabilities of creditors of the Trust as required by
applicable law, to cause the Securities to be distributed to the holders of the
Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust.

     The Securities are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
minimum denominations of $100,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  As
provided in the Indenture and subject to the transfer restrictions limitations
as may be contained herein and therein from time to time, this Security is
transferable by the holder hereof on the Security Register of the Corporation,
upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or
agency of the Corporation in Wilmington, Delaware accompanied by a written
instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Corporation or
the Debenture Trustee duly executed by the holder hereof or his or her attorney
duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of
authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount will be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees.  No service charge will be
made for any such registration of transfer, but the Corporation may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge
payable in relation thereto.

     Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Security, the
Corporation, the Debenture Trustee, any authenticating agent, any paying agent,
any transfer agent and the security registrar may deem and treat the holder
hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this Security shall be
overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing hereon made by
anyone other than the security registrar for the Securities) for the purpose of
receiving payment of or on account of the principal hereof and (subject to the
Indenture) interest due hereon and for all other purposes, and neither the
Corporation nor the Debenture Trustee nor any authenticating agent nor any
paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any security registrar shall be affected
by any notice to the contrary.

     No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or interest
(including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or Liquidated
Damages, if any, on this Security, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise
in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture, against any
incorporator, stockholder, employee, officer or director, past, present or
future, as such, of the Corporation or of any predecessor or successor Person,
whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the
enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being,
by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance
hereof, expressly waived and released.

     All terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     THE INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF
LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

                                       10

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.3
                                                                     -----------

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

                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


                           Dated as of August 7, 1998


                                  by and among


                              GREATER BAY BANCORP,

                                 GBB CAPITAL II

                                      and

                        SANDLER O'NEILL & PARTNERS, L.P.

                              as Initial Purchaser


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

          THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and
                                                   ---------              
entered into as of August 7, 1998 by and among GREATER BAY BANCORP, a California
corporation (the "Company"), GBB CAPITAL  II, a business trust formed under the
                  -------                                                      
laws of the state of Delaware (the "Trust"), and SANDLER O'NEILL & PARTNERS,
                                    -----                                   
L.P. (the "Initial Purchaser").
           -----------------   

          This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement dated August
7, 1998 (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and among the Company, as issuer of the
              ------------------                                              
Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due September
15, 2028, Series A (the "Subordinated Debentures"), the Trust and the Initial
                         -----------------------                             
Purchaser, which provides for, among other things, the sale by the Trust to the
Initial Purchaser of 30,000 of the Trust's Floating Rate Capital Securities,
Series A, liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security (the "Capital
                                                               -------
Securities"), the proceeds of which will be used by the Trust, together with the
- ----------                                                                      
proceeds from the sale of the Trust's Common Securities to the Company, to
purchase the Subordinated Debentures. The Capital Securities, together with the
Subordinated Debentures and the Company's guarantee agreement in respect of the
Capital Securities (the "Capital Securities Guarantee"), are collectively
                         ----------------------------                    
referred to as the "Securities." In order to induce the Initial Purchaser to
                    ----------                                              
enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the Trust have agreed to
provide to the Initial Purchaser and its direct and indirect transferees the
registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.

          In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

          1.   Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized
               -----------                                                      
defined terms shall have the following meanings:

          "Additional Distributions" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
           ------------------------                                             
2(e) hereof.

          "Advice" shall have the meaning set forth in the last paragraph of
           ------                                                           
Section 3 hereof.

          "Affiliate" shall have the same meaning as given to that term in Rule
           ---------                                                           
405 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.

          "Applicable Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(u)
           -----------------                                                  
hereof.

          "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or
           ------------                                                        
a day on which banking institutions in San Francisco, California, Wilmington,
Delaware or New York, New York are authorized or required by law or executive
order to remain closed.

          "Closing Time" shall mean the Closing Time as defined in the Purchase
           ------------                                                        
Agreement.

          "Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this
           -------                                                          
Agreement and also includes the Company's successors and permitted assigns.
<PAGE>
 
          "Debentures" shall collectively mean the Subordinated Debentures and
           ----------                                                         
the Exchange Debentures.

          "Depositary" shall mean The Depository Trust Company, or any other
           ----------                                                       
depositary appointed by the Trust; provided, however, that such depositary must
                                   --------  -------                           
have an address in the Borough of Manhattan, in The City of New York.

          "Effectiveness Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
           --------------------                                             
2(b) hereof.

          "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
           ------------                                                    
amended from time to time.

          "Exchange Offer" shall mean the offer by the Company and the Trust to
           --------------                                                      
the Holders to exchange all of the Registrable Securities (other than Private
Exchange Securities) for a like amount of Exchange Securities pursuant to
Section 2(a) hereof.

          "Exchange Offer Registration" shall mean a registration under the
           ---------------------------                                     
Securities Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

          "Exchange Offer Registration Statement" shall mean an exchange offer
           -------------------------------------                              
registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate
form), and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in
each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and
all documents incorporated by reference therein.

          "Exchange Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)
           ---------------                                                  
hereof.

          "Exchange Securities" shall mean (i) with respect to the Subordinated
           -------------------                                                 
Debentures, the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
due September 15, 2028, Series B (the "Exchange Debentures") containing terms
                                       -------------------                   
substantially identical to the Subordinated Debentures (except that they will
not contain terms with respect to the transfer restrictions under the Securities
Act (other than requiring minimum transfers thereof to be in blocks of $100,000
aggregate principal amount and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) and will
not provide for any Liquidated Damages thereon), (ii) with respect to the
Capital Securities, the Trust's Floating Rate Capital Securities, Series B,
liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security (the "Exchange Capital
                                                     ----------------
Securities") containing terms substantially identical to the Capital Securities
(except they will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions under
the Securities Act (other than requiring minimum transfers thereof to be in
blocks of $100,000 aggregate liquidation amount and multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof) and will not provide for any increase in Additional
Distributions thereon) and (iii) with respect to the Capital Securities
Guarantee, the Company's guarantee agreement in respect of the Exchange Capital
Securities (the "Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee") containing terms
                 -------------------------------------                   
substantially identical to the Capital Securities Guarantee.

          "Holder" shall mean the Initial Purchaser, for so long as it owns any
           ------                                                              
Registrable Securities, and each of its successors, assigns and direct and
indirect transferees who become registered owners of Registrable Securities
under the Indenture or Trust Agreement of Trust.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          "Indenture" shall mean the Indenture relating to the Subordinated
           ---------                                                       
Debentures and the Exchange Debentures, dated as of the Closing Time, between
the Company, as issuer, and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, as the same
may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

          "Initial Purchaser" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
           -----------------                                                  
to this Agreement.

          "Inspectors" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(o) hereof.
           ----------                                                          

          "Issue Date" shall mean August 12, 1998, the date of original issuance
           ----------                                                           
of the Securities.

          "Liquidated Damages" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(e)
           ------------------                                                  
hereof.

          "Majority Holders" shall mean the Holders of a majority of the
           ----------------                                             
aggregate liquidation amount of outstanding Capital Securities.

          "Participating Broker-Dealer" shall have the meaning set forth in
           ---------------------------                                     
Section 3(u) hereof.

          "Person" shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, trust or
           ------                                                              
unincorporated organization, limited liability corporation, or a government or
agency or political subdivision thereof.

          "Private Exchange" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)
           ----------------                                                  
hereof.

          "Private Exchange Securities" shall have the meaning set forth in
           ---------------------------                                     
Section 2(a) hereof.

          "Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration
           ----------                                                      
Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus
supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the
Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all
other amendments and supplements to a prospectus, including post-effective
amendments, and in each case including all documents incorporated by reference
therein.

          "Purchase Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
           ------------------                                                  
to this Agreement.

          "Records" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(o) hereof.
           -------                                                          

          "Registrable Securities" shall mean the Securities and, if issued, the
           ----------------------                                               
Private Exchange Securities; provided, however, that Securities or Private
                             --------  -------                            
Exchange Securities, as the case may be, shall cease to be Registrable
Securities when (i) a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities or
Private Exchange Securities for the exchange or resale thereof, as the case may
be, shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act and such
Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, shall have been
disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
(ii) such Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, shall
have been sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144(k) (or any similar provision
then in force, but not Rule 144A) under the Securities Act or are eligible to be
sold without restriction as contemplated by Rule 144(k), (iii) such Securities
or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, shall have ceased to be
outstanding or (iv) with respect to the Securities, such Securities shall have
been exchanged for Exchange Securities upon consummation of the Exchange Offer
and are thereafter freely tradeable by the holder thereof (other than an
Affiliate of the Company).

          "Registration Expenses" shall mean any and all expenses incident to
           ---------------------                                             
performance of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement, including
without limitation: (i) all SEC or National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. (the "NASD") registration and filing fees, including, if applicable, the
           ----                                                              
fees and expenses of any "qualified independent underwriter" (and its counsel)
that is required to be retained by any Holder of Registrable Securities in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the NASD, (ii) all fees and
expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue
sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for all
underwriters or Holders as a group in connection with blue sky qualification of
any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities) and compliance with
the rules of the NASD, (iii) all expenses of any Persons in preparing or
assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing any
Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any amendments or supplements
thereto, and in preparing or assisting in preparing, printing and distributing
any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements and other documents
relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all
rating agency fees, (v) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company
and of the independent certified public accountants of the Company, including
the expenses of any "cold comfort" letters required by or incident to the
performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (vi) the reasonable fees and
expenses of the Trustees and their counsel and any exchange agent or custodian,
and (vii) the reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained by
the Company in connection with any Registration Statement.

          "Registration Statement" shall mean any registration statement of the
           ----------------------                                              
Company and the Trust which covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable
Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and all amendments and
supplements to any such Registration Statement, including post-effective
amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all
exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated by reference therein.

          "Rule 144(k) Period" shall mean the period of two years (or such
           ------------------                                             
shorter period as may hereafter be referred to in Rule 144(k) under the
Securities Act (or similar successor rule)) commencing on the Issue Date.

          "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
           ---                                                    

          "Securities" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this
           ----------                                                          
Agreement.

          "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
           --------------                                                   
from time to time.

          "Securities Registration" shall mean a registration effected pursuant 
           -----------------------
to Section 2(b) hereof.
           

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          "Shelf Registration Event" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
           ------------------------                                             
2(b) hereof.

          "Shelf Registration Event Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
           -----------------------------                                     
Section 2(b) hereof.

          "Shelf Registration Statement" shall mean a "shelf" registration
           ----------------------------                                   
statement of the Company and the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section
2(b) hereof which covers all of the Registrable Securities or all of the Private
Exchange Securities, as the case may be, on an appropriate form under Rule 415
under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC,
and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including
post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained
therein, all exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated by reference
therein.

          "TIA" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time
           ---                                                                  
to time.

          "Trust Agreement" shall mean the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement
           ---------------                                                     
of GBB Capital II, dated as of the Closing Time, by the trustees named therein
and the Company as sponsor.

          "Trustees" shall mean any and all trustees under the Trust Agreement,
           --------                                                            
the Indenture, the Capital Securities Guarantee or the Exchange Capital
Securities Guarantee.

          2.   Registration Under the Securities Act.
               ------------------------------------- 

          (a) Exchange Offer. Except as set forth in Section 2(b) below, the
              --------------                                                
Company and the Trust shall, for the benefit of the Holders, at the Company's
cost, use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause to be filed with the SEC
within 150 days after the Issue Date an Exchange Offer Registration Statement on
an appropriate form under the Securities Act relating to the Exchange Offer,
(ii) cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective
under the Securities Act by the SEC not later than the date which is 180 days
after the Issue Date, and (iii) keep such Exchange Offer Registration Statement
effective for not less than 30 calendar days (or longer if required by
applicable law) after the date notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the
Holders. Promptly after the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Company and the Trust shall commence the Exchange Offer, it being
the objective of such Exchange Offer to enable each Holder eligible and electing
to exchange Registrable Securities for a like principal amount of Exchange
Debentures or a like liquidation amount of Exchange Capital Securities, together
with the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, as applicable (provided that
such Holder (w) is not an Affiliate of the Trust or the Company, (x) is not a
broker-dealer tendering Registrable Securities acquired directly from the Trust
or the Company, (y) acquires the Exchange Securities in the ordinary course of
such Holder's business and (z) has no arrangements or understandings with any
Person to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the
Exchange Securities), to transfer such Exchange Securities from and after their
receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the Securities Act and
under state securities or blue sky laws (other than requiring minimum transfers
in blocks having an aggregate principal or liquidation amount, as the case may
be, of $100,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof).

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Trust shall:

     (i)   mail to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of
transmittal and related documents;

     (ii)  keep the Exchange Offer open for acceptance for a period of not less
than 30 days after the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders (or longer
if required by applicable law) (such period referred to herein as the "Exchange
                                                                       --------
Period");
- ------   

     (iii) utilize the services of the Depositary for the Exchange Offer with
respect to Capital Securities represented by a global certificate;

     (iv)  permit Holders to withdraw tendered Securities at any time prior to
the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day of the Exchange
Period, by sending to the institution specified in the notice to Holders, a
telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such
Holder, the amount of Securities delivered for exchange and a statement that
such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Securities exchanged;

     (v)   notify each Holder that any Security not tendered by such Holder in
the Exchange Offer will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest or
accumulate distributions, as the case may be, but will not retain any rights
under this Agreement (except in the case of the Initial Purchaser and
Participating Broker-Dealers as provided herein); and

     (vi)  otherwise comply in all respects with all applicable laws relating to
the Exchange Offer.

          If the Initial Purchaser determines upon advice of its outside counsel
that it is not eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer with respect to the
exchange of Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment in the
initial placement, as soon as practicable upon receipt by the Company and the
Trust of a written request from the Initial Purchaser, the Company and the
Trust, as applicable, shall issue and deliver to the Initial Purchaser in
exchange (the "Private Exchange") for the Securities held by the Initial
               ----------------                                         
Purchaser a like liquidation amount of Exchange Capital Securities of the Trust
or, in the event the Trust is liquidated and Subordinated Debentures are
distributed, a like principal amount of the Exchange Debentures of the Company,
together with the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee, in each case that are
identical (except that such securities may bear a customary legend with respect
to restrictions on transfer pursuant to the Securities Act) to the Exchange
Securities (the "Private Exchange Securities") and which are issued pursuant to
                 ---------------------------                                   
the Indenture or the Trust Agreement (which provides that the Exchange
Securities will not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the
Indenture or the Trust Agreement, as applicable (other than requiring minimum
transfers in blocks having an aggregate principal or liquidation amount, as the
case may be, of $100,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof), and that
the Exchange Securities, the Private Exchange Securities and the Securities will
vote and consent together on all matters as one class and that none of the
Exchange Securities, the Private Exchange Securities or the Securities will have
the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter). The Private
Exchange Securities shall be of the same series as the Exchange Securities, and
the Company and 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
the Trust will seek to cause the CUSIP Service Bureau to issue the same CUSIP
numbers for the Private Exchange Securities as for the Exchange Securities
issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Initial Purchaser shall, within a
reasonable time in advance of the Company's filing of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, advise the Company as to the number of restricted
securities held by it which constitute an unsold allotment of the initial
placement.

          As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer and, if
applicable, the Private Exchange, the Company and the Trust, as the case
requires, shall:

     (i)   accept for exchange all Securities or portions thereof tendered and
not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange;

     (ii)  deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the applicable Trustee for
cancellation all Securities or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the
Company and the Trust; and

     (iii) issue, and cause the applicable Trustee under the Indenture or
the Trust Agreement, as applicable, to promptly authenticate and deliver to each
Holder, new Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as applicable,
equal in principal amount to the principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures
or equal in liquidation amount to the liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities as are surrendered by such Holder, and will execute, and cause the
applicable Trustee to execute, the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee.

          Distributions on each Exchange Capital Security and interest or
distributions on each Exchange Debenture and Private Exchange Security issued
pursuant to the Exchange Offer and in the Private Exchange will accumulate or
accrue from the last date on which a distribution or interest was paid on the
Capital Security or the Subordinated Debenture surrendered in exchange therefor
or, if no distribution or interest has been paid on such Capital Security or
Subordinated Debenture, from the Issue Date. To the extent not prohibited by any
law or applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Company and the
Trust shall use commercially reasonable efforts to complete the Exchange Offer
as provided above, and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other applicable laws in connection with
the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions
other than the conditions referred to in Section 2(b)(i) and (ii) below and
those conditions that are customary in similar exchange offers. Each Holder of
Registrable Securities who wishes to exchange such Registrable Securities for
Exchange Securities in the Exchange Offer will be required to make certain
customary representations in connection therewith, including, in the case of any
Holder of Capital Securities, representations that (i) it is not an Affiliate of
the Trust or the Company, (ii) it is not a broker-dealer tendering Registrable
Securities acquired directly from the Trust or Company, (iii) the Exchange
Securities to be received by it were acquired in the ordinary course of its
business and (iv) at the time of the Exchange Offer, it has no arrangements or
understandings with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the
meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Capital Securities. The Company
and the Trust shall inform the Initial Purchaser, after consultation with the
applicable Trustees, of the names and addresses of the Holders to whom the
Exchange Offer is made, and the Initial Purchaser shall have the right to
contact such Holders in order to facilitate the tender of Registrable Securities
in the Exchange Offer.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
          Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this
Section 2(a), the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply, mutatis
                                                                        -------
mutandis, solely with respect to Registrable Securities that are Private
- --------                                                                
Exchange Securities and Exchange Securities held by Participating Broker-
Dealers, and the Company and the Trust shall have no further obligation to
register the Registrable Securities (other than Private Exchange Securities)
held by any Holder pursuant to Section 2(b) of this Agreement.

          (b) Shelf Registration. In the event that (i) the Company or the Trust
              ------------------                                                
reasonably determine, after conferring with counsel (which may be in-house
counsel), that the Exchange Offer Registration provided in Section 2(a) above is
not available under applicable law and regulations and currently prevailing
interpretations of the staff of the SEC, (ii) the Company shall determine in
good faith that there is a reasonable likelihood that, or a material uncertainty
exists as to whether, consummation of the Exchange Offer would result in (x) the
Trust becoming subject to federal income tax with respect to income received or
accrued on the Debentures, (y) the interest payable by the Company on the
Debentures not being deductible by the Company for United States federal income
tax purposes or (z) the Trust becoming subject to more than a de minimis amount
                                                              ----------       
of other taxes, duties or governmental charges, (iii) the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement is not declared effective within 180 days of the Issue
Date or (iv) upon the request of the Initial Purchaser with respect to any
Registrable Securities held by it, if the Initial Purchaser is not permitted, in
the reasonable opinion of Thacher Proffitt & Wood, pursuant to applicable law or
applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC, to participate in the
Exchange Offer and thereby receive securities that are freely tradeable without
restriction under the Securities Act and applicable blue sky or state securities
laws (any of the events specified in (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) being a "Shelf
                                                                       -----
Registration Event," and the date of occurrence thereof, the "Shelf Registration
- ------------------                                            ------------------
Event Date"), then in addition to or in lieu of conducting the Exchange Offer
- ----------                                                                   
contemplated by Section 2(a), as the case may be, the Company and the Trust
shall, at their cost, use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be filed
as promptly as practicable after such Shelf Registration Event Date, as the case
may be, and, in any event, within 45 days after such Shelf Registration Event
Date (provided that in no event shall such filing date be required to be earlier
than 75 days after the Issue Date), a Shelf Registration Statement providing for
the sale by the Holders of all of the Registrable Securities, and shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to have such Shelf Registration Statement
declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable. No Holder of Registrable
Securities shall be entitled to include any of its Registrable Securities in any
Shelf Registration pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder
agrees in writing to be bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement
applicable to such Holder and furnishes to the Company and the Trust in writing,
within 15 days after receipt of a request therefor, such information as the
Company and the Trust may, after conferring with counsel with regard to
information relating to Holders that would be required by the SEC to be included
in such Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus included therein, reasonably
request for inclusion in any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus included
therein. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration is being effected agrees
to furnish to the Company and the Trust all information with respect to such
Holder necessary to make the information previously furnished to the Company by
such Holder not materially misleading.

          The Company and the Trust agree to use commercially reasonable efforts
to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective and usable for
resales for (a) the Rule 144(k) 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Period in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section
2(b)(i), (ii) or (iii) or (b) 180 days in the case of a Shelf Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(b)(iv) (subject in each case to extension
pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 3 hereof), or for such shorter period
which will terminate when all of the Securities covered by the Shelf
Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement or cease to be Registrable Securities (the "Effectiveness Period").
                                                      --------------------
The Company and the Trust shall not permit any securities other than Registrable
Securities to be included in the Shelf Registration. The Company and the Trust
will, in the event a Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, provide
to each Holder a reasonable number of copies of the Prospectus which is a part
of the Shelf Registration Statement, notify each such Holder when the Shelf
Registration has become effective and take certain other actions as are required
to permit certain unrestricted resales of the Registrable Securities. The
Company and the Trust further agree, if necessary, to supplement or amend the
Shelf Registration Statement, if required by the rules, regulations or
instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such
Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities Act or by any other rules and
regulations thereunder for shelf registrations, and the Company and the Trust
agree to furnish to the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any such
supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.

          (c) Expenses. The Company, as issuer of the Subordinated Debentures,
              --------                                                        
shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) and/or 2(b) hereof and will reimburse
the Initial Purchaser for the reasonable fees and disbursements of Thacher
Proffitt & Wood, counsel for the Initial Purchaser, incurred in connection with
the Exchange Offer and, if applicable, the Private Exchange, and either Thacher
Proffitt & Wood or any other single counsel designated in writing by the
Majority Holders to act as counsel for the Holders of the Registrable Securities
in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement, which other counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company. Except as provided herein, each Holder
shall pay all expenses of its counsel, underwriting discounts and commissions
and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder's
Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.

          (d) Effective Registration Statement. An Exchange Offer Registration
              --------------------------------                                
Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement
pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective
unless it has been declared effective by the SEC; provided, however, that if,
                                                  --------  -------          
after it has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities
pursuant to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration
Statement is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or
requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency or court, such Exchange
Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement will be deemed not
to have been effective during the period of such interference, until the
offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement may
legally resume. The Company and the Trust will be deemed not to have used
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, to become, or
to remain, effective during the requisite period if either of them voluntarily
takes any action that would result in any such Registration Statement not being
declared effective or that would result in the Holders of Registrable Securities
covered thereby not being able to exchange or 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
offer and sell such Registrable Securities during that period, unless such
action is required by applicable law.

          (e) Liquidated Damages and Additional Distributions.  In the event
              -----------------------------------------------               
that:

     (i)   neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is filed with the
SEC on or prior to the 150th day after the Issue Date nor a Shelf Registration
Statement is filed with the SEC on or prior to the 45th day after the Shelf
Registration Event Date in respect of a Shelf Registration Event attributable to
any of the events set forth in Sections 2(b)(i), (ii) and (iii) (provided that
in no event shall such filing date be required to be earlier than 75 days after
the Issue Date), then commencing on the day after the applicable required filing
date, liquidated damages ("Liquidated Damages") shall accrue on the principal
                           ------------------                                
amount of the Subordinated Debentures, and additional distributions ("Additional
                                                                      ----------
Distributions") shall accumulate on the liquidation amount of the Trust
- -------------                                                          
Securities (as such term is defined in the Trust Agreement), each at a rate of
25 basis points per annum; or

     (ii)  neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared
effective by the SEC on or prior to the 180th day after the Issue Date nor a
Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the
later of (A) the 40th day after the date such Shelf Registration Statement was
required to be filed and (B) the 180th day after the Issue Date, in respect of a
Shelf Registration Event attributable to any of the events set forth in Sections
2(b)(i), (ii) and (iii), then, commencing on the day after the applicable
required effectiveness date, Liquidated Damages shall accrue on the principal
amount of the Subordinated Debentures, and Additional Distributions shall
accumulate on the liquidation amount of the Trust Securities, each at a rate of
25 basis points per annum; or

     (iii)  (A) the Trust has not exchanged Exchange Capital Securities for all
Capital Securities or the Company has not exchanged Exchange Debentures for all
Subordinated Debentures, in each case validly tendered, or executed the Exchange
Capital Securities Guarantee in respect of the Exchange Capital Securities, in
accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer on or prior to the 45th day
after the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement was declared
effective or (B) if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement in respect of a
Shelf Registration Event attributable to any of the events set forth in Sections
2(b)(i), (ii) and (iii) has been declared effective and such Shelf Registration
Statement ceases to be effective or usable for resales (whether as a result of
an event contemplated by Section 3(e) or otherwise) at any time prior to the
expiration of the Rule 144(k) Period (other than after such time as all
Securities have been disposed of thereunder or otherwise cease to be Registered
Securities), then Liquidated Damages shall accrue on the principal amount of
Subordinated Debentures, and Additional Distributions shall accumulate on the
liquidation amount of the Trust Securities, each at a rate of 25 basis points
per annum commencing on (x) the 46th day after such effective date, in the case
of (A) above, or (y) the day such Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be
effective or usable for resales, in the case of (B) above;

provided, however, that neither the Liquidated Damages rate on the Subordinated
- --------  -------                                                              
Debentures, nor the Additional Distribution rate on the liquidation amount of
the Trust Securities, may exceed in the aggregate 25 basis points per annum;
                                                                            
provided, further, however, that (1) upon the filing of the Exchange Offer
- --------  -------  -------                                                
Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of clause
(i) 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
above), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of clause (ii) above)
or (3) upon the exchange of Exchange Capital Securities and Exchange Debentures
for all Capital Securities and Subordinated Debentures validly tendered and
execution of the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee (in the case of clause
(iii)(A) above) or at such time as the Shelf Registration Statement that had
ceased to remain effective or usable for resales again becomes effective and
usable for resales (in the case of clause (iii)(B) above), Liquidated Damages on
the principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures and Additional Distributions
on the liquidation amount of the Trust Securities as a result of such clause (or
the relevant subclause thereof) shall cease to accrue and accumulate, as the
case may be.

          Any amounts of Liquidated Damages and Additional Distributions due
pursuant to Section 2(e)(i), (ii) or (iii) above will be payable in cash on the
next succeeding March 15, June 15, September 15 or December 15, as the case may
be, to Holders on the relevant record dates for the payment of interest and
distributions pursuant to the Indenture and the Trust Agreement, respectively.

          (f) Specific Enforcement. Without limiting the remedies available to
              --------------------                                            
the Holders, the Company and the Trust acknowledge that any failure by the
Company or the Trust to comply with its obligations under Section 2(a) and
Section 2(b) hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Holders for
which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it would not be possible to
measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such
failure, any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically
enforce the Company's and the Trust's obligations under Section 2(a) and Section
2(b) hereof.

          (g) Distribution of Subordinated Debentures. Notwithstanding any other
              ---------------------------------------                           
provisions of this Agreement, in the event that Subordinated Debentures are
distributed to holders of Capital Securities in liquidation of the Trust
pursuant to the Trust Agreement, (i) all references in this Section 2 and in
Section 3 to Securities, Registrable Securities and Exchange Securities shall
not  include the Capital Securities and Capital Securities Guarantee or the
Exchange Capital Securities and Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee issued or
to be issued in exchange therefor in the Exchange Offer and (ii) all
requirements for any action to be taken by the Trust in this Section 2 and in
Section 3 shall cease to apply and all requirements for any action to be taken
by the Company in this Section 2 and in Section 3 shall apply to the
Subordinated Debentures and Exchange Debentures issued or to be issued in
exchange therefor in the Exchange Offer.

          3.   Registration Procedures. In connection with the obligations of
               -----------------------                                       
the Company and the Trust with respect to the Registration Statements pursuant
to Sections 2(a) and 2(b) hereof, the Company and the Trust shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to:

          (a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement or
Registration Statements as prescribed by Sections 2(a) and 2(b) hereof within
the relevant time period specified in Section 2 hereof on the appropriate form
under the Securities Act, which form (i) shall be selected by the Company and
the Trust, (ii) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the
sale of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof and, in the
case of an Exchange Offer, be available for the exchange of Registrable
Securities and (iii) shall comply as to form in all 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include all
financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith; and use
commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become
effective and remain effective (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration
Statement, usable for resales) in accordance with Section 2 hereof; provided,
                                                                    --------
however, that if (1) such filing is pursuant to Section 2(b), or
- -------
(2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed
pursuant to Section 2(a) is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by
any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities, before
filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements
thereto, the Company and the Trust shall furnish to and afford the Holders of
the Registrable Securities and each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the
case may be, covered by such Registration Statement, their counsel and the
managing underwriters, if any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all
such documents (including copies of any documents to be incorporated by
reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed. The Company
and the Trust shall not file any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
amendments or supplements thereto in respect of which the Holders must be
afforded an opportunity to review prior to the filing of such document if the
Majority Holders or such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their
counsel or the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object in a
timely manner;

          (b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such
Registration Statement effective for the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable
Period, as the case may be; and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented, if so
determined by the Company or the Trust or re  quested by the SEC, by any
required prospectus supplement and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to
Rule 424 (or any similar provision then in force) under the Securities Act, and
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to it with respect to the
disposition of all securities covered by each Registration Statement during the
Effectiveness Period or the Applicable Period, as the case may be, in accordance
with the intended method or methods of distribution by the selling Holders
thereof described in this Agreement (including sales by any Participating
Broker-Dealer);

          (c) in the case of a Shelf Registration, (i) notify each Holder of
Registrable Securities included in the Shelf Registration Statement, at least
three Business Days prior to filing, that a Shelf Registration Statement with
respect to the Registrable Securities is being filed and advising such Holder
that the distribution of Registrable Securities will be made in accordance with
the method selected by the Majority Holders; and (ii) furnish to each Holder of
Registrable Securities included in the Shelf Registration Statement and to each
underwriter of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any,
without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, including each preliminary
Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, and such other documents as
such Holder or underwriter may reasonably request, in order to facilitate the
public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities; and (iii)
consent to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by
each of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities included in the Shelf
Registration Statement in connection with the offering and sale of the
Registrable Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto;

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
          (d) in the case of a Shelf Registration, register or qualify the
Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws
of such jurisdictions by the time the applicable Registration Statement is
declared effective by the SEC as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by
a Registration Statement and each underwriter of an underwritten offering of
Registrable Securities shall reasonably request in writing in advance of such
date of effectiveness, and do any and all other acts and things which may be
reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Holder and underwriter to
consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of such Registrable
Securities owned by such Holder; provided, however, that the Company and the
                                 --------  -------                          
Trust shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a
dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be
required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (ii) file any general consent to
service of process in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be subject
to such service of process or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such
jurisdiction if it is not then so subject;

          (e) (1) in the case of a Shelf Registration or (2) if Participating
Broker-Dealers from whom the Company or the Trust has received prior written
notice that they will be utilizing the Prospectus contained in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement as provided in Section 3(u) hereof, are seeking to
sell Exchange Securities and are required to deliver Prospectuses, promptly
notify each Holder of Registrable Securities, or such Participating Broker-
Dealers, as the case may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if
any, and promptly confirm such notice in writing (i) when a Registration
Statement has become effective and when any post-effective amendments thereto
become effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any state securities
authority for amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement or
Prospectus or for additional information after the Registration Statement has
become effective, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities
authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration
Statement or the qualification of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange
Securities to be offered or sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer in any
jurisdiction described in paragraph 3(d) hereof or the initiation of any
proceedings for that purpose, (iv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, if,
between the effective date of a Registration Statement and the closing of any
sale of Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and
warranties of the Company and the Trust contained in any purchase agreement,
securities sales agreement or other similar agreement cease to be true and
correct in all material respects, (v) of the happening of any event or the
failure of any event to occur or the discovery of any facts, during the
Effectiveness Period, which makes any statement made in such Registration
Statement or the related Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which
causes such Registration Statement or Prospectus to omit to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vi) of the
reasonable determination of the Company and the Trust that a post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement would be appropriate;

          (f) obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of
a Registration Statement at the earliest possible moment;

          (g) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of
Registrable Securities included within the coverage of such Shelf Registration
Statement, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration
Statement relating to such Shelf Registration and any 

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
post-effective amendment thereto (without documents incorporated therein by
reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested);

          (h) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling
Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and
delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not
bearing any restrictive legends (other than with respect to restrictions
requiring minimum transfers in blocks having an aggregate principal or
liquidation amount, as the case may be, of $100,000 and multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof) and in such denominations (consistent with the provisions of the
Indenture and the Trust Agreement) and registered in such names as the selling
Holders or the underwriters may reasonably request at least two Business Days
prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such
Shelf Registration Statement;

          (i) in the case of a Shelf Registration or an Exchange Offer
Registration, promptly after the occurrence of any event specified in Section
3(e)(ii), 3(e)(iii), 3(e)(v) or 3(e)(vi) hereof, prepare a supplement or post-
effective amendment to such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or
any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required
document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable
Securities, such Prospectus will not include any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
and to notify each Holder to suspend use of the Prospectus as promptly as
practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and each Holder hereby agrees
to suspend use of the Prospectus until the Company has amended or supplemented
the Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission;

          (j) in the case of a Shelf Registration, a reasonable time prior to
the filing of any document which is to be incorporated by reference into a
Registration Statement or a Prospectus after the initial filing of a
Registration Statement, provide a reasonable number of copies of such document
to the Holders; and make such of the representatives of the Company and the
Trust as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders of Registrable Securities
or the Initial Purchaser on behalf of such Holders available for discussion of
such document;

          (k) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Capital Securities and the
Capital Securities (and, if the Trust has made a distribution of the
Subordinated Debentures to the Holders of the Capital Securities, the
Subordinated Debentures or the Exchange Debentures), as the case may be, not
later than the effective date of a Registration Statement, and provide the
applicable Trustee with certificates for the Exchange Securities or the
Registrable Securities, as the case may be, in a form eligible for deposit with
the Depositary;

          (l) cause the Indenture, the Trust Agreement, the Capital Securities
Guarantee (in the case of a Shelf Registration) and the Exchange Capital
Securities Guarantee (in the case of an Exchange Offer Registration) to be
qualified under the TIA, in connection with the registration of the Exchange
Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, and effect such
changes to such documents as may be required for them to be so qualified in
accordance with the terms of the TIA and execute, and cause the applicable
Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to 

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with
the SEC to enable such documents to be so qualified in a timely manner;

          (m) in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such agreements
(including underwriting agreements) as are customary in underwritten offerings
and take all such other appropriate actions in connection therewith as are
reasonably requested by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal or
liquidation amount, as the case may be, of the Registrable Securities in order
to expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition or the Registrable
Securities; provided that the Company shall not be required to enter into more
than three such agreements, with respect to Registrable Securities, and shall
not be required to enter into any such agreement for 90 days following
consummation of any underwritten public offering which the Company shall have
undertaken;

          (n) in the case of a Shelf Registration, whether or not an
underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an
underwritten registration, if requested by (x) the Initial Purchaser, in the
case where the Initial Purchaser holds Securities acquired by it as part of its
initial placement and (y) Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal or
liquidation amount, as the case may be, of the Registrable Securities covered
thereby: (i) make such representations and warranties to Holders of such
Registrable Securities and the underwriters (if any), with respect to the
business of the Trust, the Company and the subsidiaries of the Company as then
conducted and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any,
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, as
are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings, and
confirm the same if and when requested; (ii) obtain opinions of counsel to the
Company and the Trust and updates thereof (which may be in the form of a
reliance letter) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing
underwriters (if any) and the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal or
liquidation amount, as the case may be, of the Registrable Securities being
sold, addressed to each selling Holder and the underwriters (if any) covering
the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings
and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such underwriters (it
being agreed that the matters to be covered by such opinion may be subject to
customary qualifications and exceptions); (iii) obtain "cold comfort" letters
and updates thereof in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
managing underwriters from the independent certified public accountants of the
Company and the Trust (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public
accountants of any business acquired by the Company and the Trust for which
financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in
the Registration Statement), addressed to each of the underwriters, such letters
to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in
"cold comfort" letters in connection with underwritten offerings and such other
matters as reasonably requested by such underwriters in accordance with
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72; and (iv) if an underwriting agreement is
entered into, the same shall contain indemnification provisions and procedures
no less favorable than those set forth in Section 4 hereof (or such other
provisions and procedures acceptable to Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal or liquidation amount, as the case may be, of Registrable Securities
covered by such Registration Statement and the managing underwriters) customary
for such agreements with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to
said Section (including, without limitation, such underwriters and selling
Holders); and in the case 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
of an underwritten registration, the above requirements shall be satisfied at
each closing under the related underwriting agreement or as and to the extent
required thereunder;

          (o) if (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 2(b) or
(2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed
pursuant to Section 2(a) is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by
any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the
Applicable Period, make reasonably available for inspection by any selling
Holder of Registrable Securities or Participating Broker-Dealer, as applicable,
who certifies to the Company and the Trust that it has a current intention to
sell Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration, any underwriter
participating in any such disposition of Registrable Securities, if any, and any
attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such selling Holder,
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, or underwriter (collectively,
the "Inspectors"), at the offices where normally kept, during the Company's
     ----------                                                            
normal business hours, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate
documents and properties of the Trust, the Company and its subsidiaries
(collectively, the "Records") as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to
                    -------                                                     
exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers,
directors and employees of the Trust, the Company and its subsidiaries to supply
all relevant information in each case reasonably requested by any such Inspector
in connection with such Registration Statement; records and information which
the Company and the Trust determine, in good faith, to be confidential and any
Records and information which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall
not be disclosed to any Inspector except where (i) the disclosure of such
Records or information is necessary to avoid or correct a material misstatement
or omission in such Registration Statement, (ii) the release of such Records or
information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of
competent jurisdiction or is necessary in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding or (iii) such Records or information previously has been made
generally available to the public; each selling Holder of such Registrable
Securities and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to agree
in writing that Records and information obtained by it as a result of such
inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the
basis for any market transactions in the securities of the Trust or the Company
unless and until such is made generally available to the public through no fault
of an Inspector or a selling Holder; and each selling Holder of such Registrable
Securities and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to further
agree in writing that it will, upon learning that disclosure of such Records or
information is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, or in connection
with any action, suit or proceeding, give notice to the Company and allow the
Company at its expense to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of
the Records and information deemed confidential;

          (p) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC so
long as any provision of this Agreement shall be applicable and make generally
available to its securityholders earning statements satisfying the provisions of
Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule
promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 45 days after the end of any
12-month period (or 90 days after the end of any 12-month period if such period
is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which
Registrable Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best
efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in such an
offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the Company
after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements shall
cover said 12-  

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
month periods, provided that the obligations under this paragraph (p) shall be
satisfied by the timely filing of quarterly and annual reports on Forms 10-Q and
10-K under the Exchange Act;

          (q) upon consummation of an Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange, if
requested by a Trustee, obtain an opinion of counsel to the Company addressed to
the Trustee for the benefit of all Holders of Registrable Securities
participating in the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, as the case may be,
substantially to the effect that (i) each of the Company and the Trust, as the
case requires, has duly authorized, executed and delivered the Exchange
Securities and Private Exchange Securities, and (ii) each of the Exchange
Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, constitutes a
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable undivided beneficial ownership
interest in the assets of the Trust (in the case of an Exchange Capital
Security) or a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
against the Company, in accordance with its respective terms (in the case of an
Exchange Debenture and the Exchange Capital Securities Guarantee), as the case
may be (in each case, with customary exceptions);

          (r) if an Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated,
upon delivery of the Registrable Securities by Holders to the Company or the
Trust, as applicable (or to such other Person as directed by the Company or the
Trust, respectively), in exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private
Exchange Securities, as the case may be, the Company or the Trust, as
applicable, shall mark, or cause to be marked, on such Registrable Securities
delivered by such Holders that such Registrable Securities are being cancelled
in exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as
the case may be; it being understood that in no event shall such Registrable
Securities be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied;

          (s) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities covered by
any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the
disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in
connection with any filings required to be made with the NASD;

          (t) take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of the
Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby;

          (u) in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (i)
include in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled "Plan of
Distribution," which section shall be reasonably acceptable to the Initial
Purchaser or another representative of the Participating Broker-Dealers, and
which shall contain a summary statement of the positions taken or policies made
by the staff of the SEC with respect to the potential "underwriter" status of
any broker-dealer that holds Registrable Securities acquired for its own account
as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (a
                                                                      
"Participating Broker-Dealer") and that will be the beneficial owner (as defined
- ----------------------------                                                    
in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Exchange Securities to be received by
such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer, whether such positions or policies
have been publicly disseminated by the staff of the SEC or such positions or
policies, in the reasonable judgment of the Initial Purchaser or such other
representative, represent the prevailing views of the staff of the SEC,
including a statement that any such broker-dealer who receives Exchange
Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be
deemed a statutory underwriter and must deliver 

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with
any resale of such Exchange Securities, (ii) furnish to each Participating
Broker-Dealer who has delivered to the Company the notice referred to in Section
3(e), without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus included in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement, including any preliminary Prospectus, and any
amendment or supplement thereto, as such Participating Broker-Dealer may
reasonably request (each of the Company and the Trust hereby consents to the use
of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or
any amendment or supplement thereto by any Person subject to the prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act, including all Participating Broker-
Dealers, in connection with the sale or transfer of the Exchange Securities
covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto), (iii) use
their best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective
and to amend and supplement the Prospectus contained therein in order to permit
such Prospectus to be lawfully delivered by all Persons subject to the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act for such period of time
as such Persons must comply with such requirements under the Securities Act and
applicable rules and regulations in order to resell the Exchange Securities;
provided, however, that such period shall not be required to exceed 90 days (or
- --------  -------
such longer period if extended pursuant to the last sentence of Section 3
hereof) (the "Applicable Period"), and (iv) include in the transmittal letter or
              ---------- ------
similar documentation to be executed by an exchange offeree in order to
participate in the Exchange Offer (x) the following provision:

          "If the exchange offeree is a broker-dealer holding Registrable
          Securities acquired for its own account as a result of market-making
          activities or other trading activities, it will deliver a prospectus
          meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
          resale of Exchange Securities received in respect of such Registrable
          Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer";

and (y) a statement to the effect that by a broker-dealer making the
acknowledgment described in clause (x) and by delivering a Prospectus in
connection with the exchange of Registrable Securities, the broker-dealer will
not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the
Securities Act; and (B) in the case of any Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Company and the Trust agree to deliver to the Initial Purchaser
or to another representative of the Participating Broker-Dealers, if requested
by the Initial Purchaser or such other representative of Participating Broker-
Dealers, on behalf of the Participating Broker-Dealers upon consummation of the
Exchange Offer (i) an opinion of counsel in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Initial Purchaser or such other representative of the
Participating Broker-Dealers, covering the matters customarily covered in
opinions requested in connection with Exchange Offer Registration Statements and
such other matters as may be reasonably requested (it being agreed that the
matters to be covered by such opinion may be subject to customary qualifications
and exceptions), (ii) an officers' certificate containing certifications
substantially similar to those set forth in Section 5(g) of the Purchase
Agreement and such additional certifications as are customarily delivered in a
public offering of debt securities and (iii) as well as upon the effectiveness
of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, a comfort letter, in each case, in
customary form if permitted by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
          The Company or the Trust may require each seller of Registrable
Securities as to which any registration is being effected to furnish to the
Company or the Trust, as applicable, such information regarding such seller as
may be required by the staff of the SEC to be included in a Registration
Statement. The Company or the Trust may exclude from such registration the
Registrable Securities of any seller who unreasonably fails to furnish such
information within a reasonable time after receiving such request. The Company
shall have no obligation to register under the Securities Act the Registrable
Securities of a seller who so fails to furnish such information.

          In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, or if Participating
Broker-Dealers who have notified the Company and the Trust that they will be
utilizing the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
as provided in this Section 3(u) hereof, are seeking to sell Exchange Securities
and are required to deliver Prospectuses, each Holder agrees that, upon receipt
of any notice from the Company or the Trust of the occurrence of any event
specified in Section 3(e)(ii), 3(e)(iii), 3(e)(v) or 3(e)(vi) hereof, such
Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant
to a Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(i) hereof or until
it is advised in writing (the "Advice") by the Company and the Trust that the
                               ------                                        
use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and, if so directed by the
Company and the Trust, such Holder will deliver to the Company or the Trust (at
the Company's or the Trust's expense, as the case requires) all copies in such
Holder's possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's
possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities or Exchange
Securities, as the case may be, current at the time of receipt of such notice.
If the Company or the Trust shall give any such notice to suspend the
disposition of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities, as the case may
be, pursuant to a Registration Statement, the Company and the Trust shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to file and have declared effective (if an
amendment) as soon as practicable after the resolution of the related matters an
amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and shall extend the
period during which such Registration Statement is required to be maintained
effective and usable for resales pursuant to this Agreement by the number of
days in the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to
and including the date when the Company and the Trust shall have made available
to the Holders (x) copies of the supplemented or amended Prospec  tus necessary
to resume such dispositions or (y) the Advice.

          4.   Indemnification and Contribution.  In connection with any
               --------------------------------                         
Registration Statement, the Company and the Trust shall, jointly and severally,
indemnify and hold harmless the Initial Purchaser, each Holder, each underwriter
who participates in an offering of the Registrable Securities, each
Participating Broker-Dealer, each Person, if any, who controls any of such
parties within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of
the Exchange Act and each of their respective partners, directors, officers,
employees and agents as follows:

     (i)   against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), covering Registrable Securities or Exchange
Securities, as applicable, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading;

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
     (ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in
settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any
governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever
based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue
statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 4(e) hereof) any such
settlement is effected with the prior written consent of the Company and the
Trust; and

     (iii) against any and all expenses whatsoever, as incurred (including the
fees and disbursements of counsel (except to the extent otherwise expressly
provided in Section 4(d) hereof)), reasonably incurred in investigating,
preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or
proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any
claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such
alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not
paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this Section 4(a);

provided, however, that this indemnity does not apply to any loss, liability,
- --------  -------                                                            
claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of an untrue statement or
omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished in writing to the Company or the
Trust by the Initial Purchaser or such Holder, underwriter or Participating
Broker-Dealer for use in a Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or
any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); and

further provided that this indemnity does not apply to any such Holder,
- ------- --------                                                       
Participating Broker-Dealer, any underwriter or controlling person, with respect
to any untrue statement or omission or alleged omission in any preliminary
Prospectus to the extent that any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
of any Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, any underwriter or controlling
person results from the fact that such Holder, any underwriter or Participating
Broker-Dealer sold Registrable Securities to a person to whom there was not sent
or given, at or prior to the written confirmation of such sale, a copy of the
final Prospectus as then amended or supplemented if the Company had previously
furnished copies thereof to such Holder, underwriter or Participating Broker-
Dealer and the loss, liability, claim, damage or expense of such Holder,
underwriter, Participating Broker-Dealer, or controlling person results from an
untrue statement or omission of a material fact contained in the preliminary
Prospectus which was corrected in the final Prospectus.  Any amounts advanced by
the Company or the Trust to an indemnified party pursuant to this Section 4 as a
result of such losses shall be returned to the Company or the Trust if it shall
be finally determined by such a court in a judgement not subject to appeal or
final review that such indemnified party was not entitled to indemnification by
the Company or the Trust.

          (a) The Company agrees to indemnify the Trust against all loss,
liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever that may become due from the
Trust under Section 4(a).

          (b) The Initial Purchaser and each Holder, underwriter or
Participating Broker-Dealer agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and
hold harmless the Company, its directors and officers (including each officer of
the Company and the Trust who signed the 

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
Registration Statement), the Trust, each of the Trustees and each Person, if
any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities
Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability,
claim, damage and expense whatsoever described in the indemnity contained in
Section 4(a) hereof, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or
omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in a Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus (or any amendment or
supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company or the Trust by such Holder expressly for use in such
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any such Prospectus (or
any amendment or supplement thereto); provided, however, that in the case of a
                                      --------  -------
Shelf Registration Statement, no such Holder shall be liable for any claims
hereunder in excess of the amount of net proceeds received by such Holder from
the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration
Statement.

          (c) Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably
practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in
respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an
indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability
which it may have under this Section 4 to the extent that it is not materially
prejudiced by such failure as a result thereof, and in any event shall not
relieve it from liability which it may have otherwise on account of this
indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section
4(a), (b) or (c) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by
such parties. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the
defense of such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying
                        --------  -------                                  
party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be
counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be
liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to local
counsel), separate from their own counsel, for all indemnified parties in
connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the
same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances.
No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the
indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any
judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by
any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim
whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought
under this Section 4 (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or
potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i)
includes an unconditional written release of each indemnified party from all
liability arising out of such litiga  tion, investigation, proceeding or claim
and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault,
culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

          (d) If at any time an indemnified party shall have validly requested
an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses
of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any
settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 4(a)(ii) effected without its
written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after
receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such
indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at
least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such
indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in
accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement, provided,
                                                                   -------- 
however, that an indemnifying party shall not be liable for any such settlement
- -------                                                                        
effected without its 

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
consent if such indemnifying party (1) reimburses such indemnified party in
accordance with such request to the extent it determines in good faith such fees
and expenses of counsel to be reasonable and (2) provides written notice within
ten (10) days after receipt of the request for reimbursement to the indemnified
party substantiating the unpaid balance as unreasonable, in each case prior to
the date of such settlement.

          (e) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in
circumstances under which any of the indemnity provisions set forth in this
Section 4 is for any reason held to be unenforceable by an indemnified party
although applicable in accordance with its terms, the Company, the Trust and the
Holders shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages
and expenses of the nature contemplated by such indemnity agreement incurred by
the Company, the Trust and the Holders, as incurred; provided, however, that no
                                                     --------  -------         
Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person that
was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. As between the Company, the
Trust, and the Holders, such parties shall contribute to such aggregate losses,
liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by such
indemnity agreement in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the
relative fault of the Company and Trust, on the one hand, and the Holders, on
the other hand, with respect to the statements or omissions which resulted in
such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense, or action in respect thereof, as
well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the
Company and the Trust, on the one hand, and of the Holders, on the other hand,
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission
to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the
Trust, on the one hand, or by or on behalf of the Holders, on the other, and the
parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company, the Trust and the
Holders of the Registrable Securities agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4 were to be determined by
pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into
account the relevant equitable considerations. For purposes of this Section 4,
each Affiliate of a Holder, and each partner, director, officer and Person, if
any, who controls a Holder or such Affiliate within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights
to contribution as such Holder, and each director of the Company, each Trustee
of the Trust and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act
shall have the same rights to contribution as each of the Company or the Trust.

          5.   Participation in an Underwritten Registration. No Holder may
               ---------------------------------------------               
participate in an underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a)
agrees to sell such Holder's Registrable Securities on the basis provided in the
underwriting arrangement approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve
such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires,
powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and
other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements.

          6.   Selection of Underwriters. The Holders of Registrable Securities
               -------------------------                                       
covered by the Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell the
Securities covered by such Shelf Registration in an underwritten offering,
subject to the provisions of Section 3(m) hereof. In any 

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
such underwritten offering, the underwriter or underwriters and manager or
managers that will administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal or liquidation amount, as applicable, of the
Registrable Securities included in such offering; provided, however, that such
                                                  --------  -------
underwriters managers must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the
Trust.

          7.   Miscellaneous.
               ------------- 

          (a) Rule 144 and Rule 144A. For so long as the Company is subject to
              ----------------------                                          
the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act and any
Registrable Securities remain outstanding, the Company will file the reports
required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and Section 13(a) or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder;
                                                                                
provided, however, that if the Company ceases to be so required to file such
- --------  -------                                                           
reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities (a)
make publicly available such information as is necessary to permit sales of its
securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, (b) deliver such
information to a prospective purchaser as is necessary to permit sales of its
securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and (c) take such
further action that is reasonable in the circumstances, in each case, to the
extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell its Registrable
Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation
of the exemptions provided by (i) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such
rule may be amended from time to time, (ii) Rule 144A under the Securities Act,
as such rule may be amended from time to time, or (iii) any similar rules or
regulations hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Holder of
Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written
statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

          (b) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor the Trust has
              --------------------------                                       
entered into, nor will the Company or the Trust on or after the date of this
Agreement enter into, any agreement which is inconsistent with the rights
granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise
conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders
hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the
rights granted to the holders of the Company's or the Trust's other issued and
outstanding securities under any such agreements.

          (c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement,
              ----------------------                                   
including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may not be given, unless the Company and the Trust have obtained the written
consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal or liquidation
amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment,
modification, supplement, waiver or departure; provided that no amendment,
                                               --------                   
modification or supplement or waiver or consent to the departure with respect to
the provisions of Section 4 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of
Registrable Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder of
Registrable Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, (i) this
Agreement may be amended, without the consent of any Holder of Registrable
Securities, by written agreement signed by the Company, the Trust and the
Initial Purchaser, to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision of
this Agreement that may be inconsistent with any other provision of this
Agreement or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under this Agreement 

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
which shall not be inconsistent with other provisions of this Agreement, (ii)
this Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers and
consents to departures from the provisions hereof may be given, by written
agreement signed by the Company, the Trust and the Initial Purchaser to the
extent that any such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent is,
in their reasonable judgment, necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable
law (including any interpretation of the Staff of the SEC) or any change therein
and (iii) to the extent any provision of this Agreement relates to the Initial
Purchaser, such provision may be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers
or consents to departures from such provisions may be given, by written
agreement signed by the Initial Purchaser, the Company and the Trust. Each
Holder of Registrable Securities shall be bound by any amendment or waiver
effected pursuant to this Section 7(c), whether or not any notice, writing or
marking indicating such amendment or waiver appears on such security or is
delivered to such Holder.

          (d) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
              -------                                                      
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-
class mail, telex, telecopier or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery (i)
if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Company
or the Trust by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of
this Section 7(d), which address initially is, with respect to the Initial
Purchaser, the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement; and (ii) if to the
Company or the Trust, initially at the Company's address set forth in the
Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is
given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7(d).

          All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business
Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when
answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on
the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing
overnight delivery.

          Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the
address specified in the Indenture.

          (e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
              ----------------------                                           
of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of the Initial
Purchaser, including, without limitation and without the need for an express
assignment, subsequent Holders; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be
                                --------  -------                              
deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable
Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Trust
Agreement or the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire
Registrable Securities, in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise,
such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this
Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities, such Person
shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of
the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such Person shall be entitled to
receive the benefits hereof.

          (f) Third Party Beneficiaries. Each Holder and any Participating
              -------------------------                                   
Broker-Dealer shall be third party beneficiaries of the agreements made
hereunder among the Initial Purchaser, the Company and the Trust, and the
Initial Purchaser shall have the right to enforce such agreements 

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
directly to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to
protect its rights or the rights of Holders hereunder.

          (g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
              ------------                                                 
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

          (h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
              --------                                                       
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

          (i) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE IN
              -------------                                                     
THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE VALIDITY AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS AGREEMENT, AND
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREIN, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY
PROVISIONS RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO
SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN
ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF
THE MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF LACK OF
PERSONAL JURISDICTION AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY
SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT. EACH
OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY
EFFECTIVELY DO SO UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR
HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT
IN ANY SUCH COURT AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT
IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

          (j) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
              ------------                                                     
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

          (k) Securities Held by the Company, the Trust or its Affiliates.
              ----------------------------------------------------------- 
Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of
Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the
Company, the Trust or any Affiliates shall not be counted in determining whether
such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

          (l) Effective Date.  This Agreement shall be of no force and effect
              --------------                                                 
and the parties shall have no obligations or rights hereunder until the Closing
Time whereupon this Agreement shall be effective.

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights
Agreement as of the date first written above.

                                    GREATER BAY BANCORP


                                    By:  /s/ Steven C. Smith
                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Name:  Steven C. Smith
                                         Title: Executive Vice President,
                                                Chief Operating Officer and 
                                                Chief Financial Officer

                                    GBB CAPITAL II
 
                                    By:  GREATER BAY BANCORP
                                         as Sponsor


                                    By:  /s/ Steven C. Smith
                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Name:  Steven C. Smith
                                         Title: Executive Vice President,
                                                Chief Operating Officer and 
                                                Chief Financial Officer


Confirmed and accepted as of
the date first above written:

SANDLER O'NEILL & PARTNERS, L.P.

By:  SANDLER O'NEILL & PARTNERS CORP.,
     the sole general partner



By:  /s/ Catherine A. Lawton
     ----------------------------------
     Catherine A. Lawton
     Vice President

                                       26

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4
                                                                     -----------

                              CERTIFICATE OF TRUST

                                       OF

                                 GBB CAPITAL II

     THIS CERTIFICATE OF TRUST OF GBB CAPITAL II (the "Trust"), dated May 18,
1998, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as trustees, to form
a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act (12 Del. C. ((S)) 3801 et
seq.).

     1. Name. The name of the business trust being formed hereby is GBB CAPITAL
II.

     2. Delaware Trustee. The name and business address of the trustee of the
Trust in the State of Delaware are Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney Square
North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890, Attention:
Corporate Trust Administration.

     3. Effective Date. This Certificate of Trust shall be effective upon its
filing.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the trustees of the Trust, have
executed this Certificate of Trust as of the date first above written.


                              WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
                                as Trustee



                              By:  /s/ Debra Eberly
                                   ------------------------------------------ 
                                   Name:  Debra Eberly
                                   Title:    Administrative Account Manager
                                                                       
                                                                       
                                                                       
                                            /s/ Steven C. Smith  
                              -----------------------------------------------  
                                               Steven C. Smith,   
                                            Administrative Trustee
                                                                       
                                                                       
                                                                       
                                            /s/ Shawn E. Saunders 
                              -----------------------------------------------  
                                              Shawn E. Saunders,  
                                            Administrative Trustee
                                                                       
                                                                       
                                                                       
                                               /s/ Mark Eschen    
                              -----------------------------------------------  
                                                  Mark Eschen,     
                                             Administrative Trustee 

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.5
                                                                     -----------



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



                      AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT

                                       OF

                                 GBB CAPITAL II



                          Dated as of August 12, 1998



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

                                   ARTICLE I
                        INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1    Definitions.................................................   2

                                  ARTICLE II
                              TRUST INDENTURE ACT

SECTION 2.1    Trust Indenture Act; Application............................  10
SECTION 2.2    Lists of Holders of Securities..............................  10
SECTION 2.3    Reports by the Property Trustee.............................  11
SECTION 2.4    Periodic Reports to Property Trustee........................  11
SECTION 2.5    Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent............  11
SECTION 2.6    Events of Default; Waiver...................................  11
SECTION 2.7    Default; Notice.............................................  13

                                  ARTICLE III
                                 ORGANIZATION

SECTION 3.1    Name........................................................  14
SECTION 3.2    Office......................................................  14
SECTION 3.3    Purpose.....................................................  14
SECTION 3.4    Authority...................................................  14
SECTION 3.5    Title to Property of the Trust..............................  14
SECTION 3.6    Powers and Duties of the Administrative Trustees............  15
SECTION 3.7    Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees........  18
SECTION 3.8    Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee...................  19
SECTION 3.9    Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Property Trustee.  21
SECTION 3.10   Certain Rights of Property Trustee..........................  23
SECTION 3.11   Delaware Trustee............................................  25
SECTION 3.12   Execution of Documents......................................  25
SECTION 3.13   Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities......  25
SECTION 3.14   Duration of Trust...........................................  26
SECTION 3.15   Mergers.....................................................  26

                                  ARTICLE IV
                                    SPONSOR

SECTION 4.1    Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities.....................  28
SECTION 4.2    Responsibilities of the Sponsor.............................  28
SECTION 4.3    Right to Proceed............................................  28

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 4.4    Right to Dissolve Trust.....................................  29

                                   ARTICLE V
                                   TRUSTEES

SECTION 5.1    Number of Trustees; Appointment of Co-Trustee...............  29
SECTION 5.2    Delaware Trustee............................................  30
SECTION 5.3    Property Trustee; Eligibility...............................  30
SECTION 5.4    Certain Qualifications of Administrative Trustees and
               Delaware Trustee Generally..................................  31
SECTION 5.5    Administrative Trustees.....................................  31
SECTION 5.6    Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees............  32
SECTION 5.7    Vacancies among Trustees....................................  34
SECTION 5.8    Effect of Vacancies.........................................  34
SECTION 5.9    Meetings....................................................  34
SECTION 5.10   Delegation of Power.........................................  35
SECTION 5.11   Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.  35

                                  ARTICLE VI
                                 DISTRIBUTIONS

SECTION 6.1    Distributions...............................................  35

                                  ARTICLE VII
                            ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

SECTION 7.1    General Provisions Regarding Securities.....................  36
SECTION 7.2    Execution and Authentication................................  36
SECTION 7.3    Form and Dating.............................................  37
SECTION 7.4    Registrar, Paying Agent and Exchange Agent..................  39
SECTION 7.5    Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.........................  39
SECTION 7.6    Replacement Securities......................................  39
SECTION 7.7    Outstanding Capital Securities..............................  40
SECTION 7.8    Capital Securities in Treasury..............................  40
SECTION 7.9    Temporary Securities........................................  40
SECTION 7.10   Cancellation................................................  41
SECTION 7.11   CUSIP Numbers...............................................  41

                                 ARTICLE VIII
                             DISSOLUTION OF TRUST

SECTION 8.1    Dissolution of Trust........................................  42

                                       ii
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE IX
                             TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

SECTION 9.1    Transfer of Securities......................................  43
SECTION 9.2    Transfer Procedures and Restrictions........................  44
SECTION 9.3    Deemed Security Holders.....................................  53
SECTION 9.4    Book-Entry Interests........................................  53
SECTION 9.5    Notices to Clearing Agency..................................  54
SECTION 9.6    Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency....................  54

                                   ARTICLE X
                          LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
                   HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS

SECTION 10.1   Liability...................................................  55
SECTION 10.2   Exculpation.................................................  55
SECTION 10.3   Fiduciary Duty..............................................  55
SECTION 10.4   Indemnification.............................................  56
SECTION 10.5   Outside Businesses..........................................  59

                                  ARTICLE XI
                                  ACCOUNTING

SECTION 11.1   Fiscal Year.................................................  60
SECTION 11.2   Certain Accounting Matters..................................  60
SECTION 11.3   Banking.....................................................  60
SECTION 11.4   Withholding.................................................  60

                                  ARTICLE XII
                            AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

SECTION 12.1   Amendments..................................................  61
SECTION 12.2   Meetings of the Holders; Action by Written Consent..........  63

                                 ARTICLE XIII
                      REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE
                             AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE

SECTION 13.1   Representations and Warranties of Property Trustee..........  64
SECTION 13.2   Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee..........  65

                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE XIV
                              REGISTRATION RIGHTS

SECTION 14.1   Registration Rights Agreement; Liquidated Damages...........  66

                                  ARTICLE XV
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 15.1   Notices.....................................................  68
SECTION 15.2   Governing Law...............................................  68
SECTION 15.3   Intention of the Parties....................................  68
SECTION 15.4   Headings....................................................  68
SECTION 15.5   Successors and Assigns......................................  68
SECTION 15.6   Partial Enforceability......................................  68
SECTION 15.7   Counterparts................................................  68
TERMS OF FLOATING RATE CAPITAL SECURITIES, SERIES A/SERIES B
        FLOATING RATE COMMON SECURITIES.................................... I-1
 
EXHIBIT A-1

        FORM OF CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE.............................. A1-1
 
EXHIBIT A-2

        FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE............................... A2-1
 

                                       iv
<PAGE>
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

Section of                                                        Section of
Trust Indenture                                                     Trust
Act of 1939, as                                                   Agreement
amended         
                
310(a) .......................................................  5.3
310(b) .......................................................  5.3(c), 5.3(d)
311(a) .......................................................  2.2(b)
311(b) .......................................................  2.2(b)
312(a) .......................................................  2.2(a)
312(b) .......................................................  2.2(b)
313    .......................................................  2.3
314(a) .......................................................  2.4; 3.6(j)
314(c) .......................................................  2.5
315(a) .......................................................  3.9
315(b) .......................................................  2.7(a)
315(c) .......................................................  3.9(a)
315(d) .......................................................  3.9(b)
316(a) .......................................................  2.6
316(c) .......................................................  3.6(e)
317(a) .......................................................  3.8(e); 3.8(h)
317(b) .......................................................  3.8(i); 7.5

- ----------

*    This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of this Trust Agreement
     and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.

                                       v
<PAGE>
 
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                TRUST AGREEMENT
                                       OF
                                 GBB CAPITAL II

                          Dated as of AUGUST 12, 1998

          AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT ("Trust Agreement") dated and
effective as of AUGUST 12, 1998, by and among the Trustees (as defined herein),
the Sponsor (as defined herein) and the Holders (as defined herein), from time
to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust to be
issued pursuant to this Trust Agreement;

          WHEREAS, the Trustees and the Sponsor established GBB Capital II (the
"Trust"), a trust created under the Delaware Business Trust Act pursuant to a
Trust Agreement dated as of May 18, 1998 and supplemented as of July 31, 1998
(the "Original Trust Agreement"), and a Certificate of Trust filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 18, 1998, for the sole
purpose of issuing and selling certain securities representing undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, investing the proceeds thereof
in certain Debentures of the Debenture Issuer (each as hereinafter defined), and
engaging in only those activities necessary, advisable or incidental thereto;
and

          WHEREAS, all of the Trustees and the Sponsor, by this Trust Agreement,
amend and restate each and every term and provision of the Original Trust
Agreement;

          WHEREAS, all of the Trustees and the Sponsor, by this Trust Agreement,
ratify the actions of each Trustee taken prior to the date hereof;

          NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto to
continue the Trust as a business trust under the Business Trust Act and that
this Trust Agreement constitute the governing instrument of such business trust,
the Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in
trust for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued
hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Trust Agreement and, in
consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the
parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE I
                        INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1   Definitions.
              ----------- 

              Unless the context otherwise requires:

              (a) capitalized terms used in this Trust Agreement but not
defined in the preamble above or elsewhere herein have the respective meanings
assigned to them in this Section 1.1;

              (b) a term defined anywhere in this Trust Agreement has the same
meaning throughout;

              (c) all references to "the Trust Agreement" or "this Trust
Agreement" are to this Trust Agreement and each Annex and Exhibit hereto, as
modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

              (d) all references in this Trust Agreement to Articles and
Sections and Annexes and Exhibits are to Articles and Sections of and Annexes
and Exhibits to this Trust Agreement unless otherwise specified;

              (e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same
meaning when used in this Trust Agreement unless otherwise defined in this Trust
Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires;

              (f) a term defined in the Indenture (as defined herein) has the
same meaning when used in this Trust Agreement unless otherwise defined in this
Trust Agreement or the context otherwise requires; and

              (g) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice
versa.

              "Administrative Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 
               ----------------------                                        
              5.1.

              "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule
               --------- 
              405 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.

              "Agent" means any Paying Agent, Registrar or Exchange Agent.
               -----                                                      

              "Authorized Officer" of a Person means any other Person that is
               ------------------                                            
              authorized to legally bind such former Person.

              "Book-Entry Interest" means a beneficial interest in the Global
               -------------------                                           
Capital Security registered in the name of a Clearing Agency or its nominee,
ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and made through book
entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 9.4.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
              "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday
               ------------  
or a day on which banking institutions in San Francisco, California, Wilmington,
Delaware, or New York, New York, are authorized or required by law or executive
order to remain closed.

              "Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the 
               ------------------                                   
Delaware Code, 12 Del. Code (S) 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to
                                     -------                                  
time, or any successor legislation.

              "Capital Securities" means, collectively, the Series A Capital
               ------------------                                           
Securities and the Series B Capital Securities.

              "Capital Securities Guarantee" means, collectively, the Series A
               ----------------------------                                   
Capital Securities Guarantee and the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee.

              "Capital Security Beneficial Owner" means, with respect to a 
               ---------------------------------                    
Book-Entry Interest, a Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book-Entry
Interest, as reflected on the books of the Clearing Agency, or on the books of a
Person maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency (directly as a Clearing
Agency Participant or as an indirect participant, in each case in accordance
with the rules of such Clearing Agency).

              "Capital Security Certificate" has the meaning set forth in 
               ----------------------------                        
Section 9.4.

              "Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "Clearing
               ---------------                                                 
Agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act that is acting as depositary
for the Capital Securities and in whose name or in the name of a nominee of that
organization shall be registered a global certificate and which shall undertake
to effect book entry transfers and pledges of the Capital Securities.

              "Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other
               ---------------------------                                     
financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Clearing
Agency effects book entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the
Clearing Agency.

              "Closing Time" means the "Closing Time" as defined in the Purchase
               ------------                                                     
Agreement.

              "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from 
               ----  
time to time, or any successor legislation.

              "Commission" means the United States Securities and Exchange
               ----------                                                 
Commission as from time to time constituted, or if at any time after the
execution of this Trust Agreement such Commission is not existing and performing
the duties now assigned to it under applicable federal securities laws, then the
body performing such duties at such time.

              "Common Securities" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1(a).
               -----------------                                              

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
              "Common Securities Guarantee" means the Common Securities 
               ---------------------------  
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of the Closing Time, entered into by Greater Bay
Bancorp, with respect to the Common Securities.

              "Common Securities Subscription Agreement" means the Common
               ----------------------------------------                  
Securities Subscription Agreement, dated as of the Closing Time, between the
Trust and Greater Bay Bancorp relating to the Common Securities.

              "Company Indemnified Person" means (a) any Administrative 
               --------------------------        
Trustee; (b) any Affiliate of any Administrative Trustee; (c) any officers,
directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents
of any Administrative Trustee; or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the
Trust or its Affiliates.

              "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Property 
               ----------------------                                   
Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Property Trustee shall, at
any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of
execution of this Trust Agreement is located at Rodney Square North, 1100 North
Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001, Attention: Corporate Trust
Department.

              "Covered Person" means: (a) any officer, director, shareholder,
               --------------                                                
partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) the
Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities.

              "Debenture Issuer" means Greater Bay Bancorp, a California
               ----------------                                         
corporation, or any successor entity resulting from any consolidation,
amalgamation, merger or other business combination, in its capacity as issuer of
the Debentures under the Indenture.

              "Debenture Subscription Agreement" means the Debenture 
               --------------------------------                      
Subscription Agreement, dated as of the Closing Time, between the Debenture
Issuer and the Trust in respect of the Debentures.

              "Debenture Trustee" means Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware 
               -----------------                                    
banking corporation, as trustee under the Indenture until a successor is
appointed thereunder, and thereafter means such successor trustee.

              "Debentures" means, collectively, the Series A Debentures and the
               ----------                                                      
Series B Debentures.

              "Default" means an event, act or condition that with notice or 
               -------  
lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

              "Definitive Capital Securities" has the meaning set forth in 
               -----------------------------          
Section 7.3(c).

              "Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
               ----------------                                           

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
              "Direct Action" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(e).
               -------------                                              

              "Distribution" means a distribution payable to Holders in 
               ------------        
accordance with Section 6.1.

              "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing
               ---                                                          
Agency.

              "Event of Default" with respect to the Securities means an Event
               ----------------  
of Default (as defined in the Indenture) that has occurred and is continuing
with respect to the Debentures.

              "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as 
               ------------  
amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

              "Exchange Agent" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.
               --------------                                           

              "Exchange Offer" means the offer that may be made pursuant to the
               --------------                                                  
Registration Rights Agreement (i) by the Trust to exchange Series B Capital
Securities for Series A Capital Securities and (ii) by the Debenture Issuer to
exchange Series B Debentures for Series A Debentures and to execute the Series B
Capital Securities Guarantee in respect of the Series B Capital Securities.

              "Federal Reserve Board" means the Board of Governors of the 
               ---------------------  
Federal Reserve System.

              "Fiduciary Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in 
               ----------------------------                               
Section 10.4(b).

              "Fiscal Year" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.
               -----------                                            

              "Global Capital Security'' has the meaning set forth in Section
               -----------------------                                       
7.3(a).

              "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security or Successor 
               ------  
Security is registered, such Person being a beneficial owner within the meaning
of the Business Trust Act.

              "Indemnified Person" means a Company Indemnified Person or a
               ------------------                                         
Fiduciary Indemnified Person.

              "Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of the Closing Time, 
               ---------        
between the Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, as amended from time to
time.

              "Initial Optional Redemption Date" has the meaning set forth in
               --------------------------------                              
Section 4(b) of Annex I hereto.

              "Investment Company" means an investment company as defined in the
               ------------------                                               
Investment Company Act.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
              "Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 
               ----------------------                                      
1940, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

              "Investment Company Event" has the meaning set forth in Section 
               ------------------------                                       
4(c) of Annex I hereto.

              "Legal Action" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(g).
               ------------                                              

              "Like Amount" has the meaning set forth in Section 3 of Annex I
               -----------                                                   
hereto.

              "Liquidated Damages Agreement" means the Liquidated Damages 
               ----------------------------            
Agreement, dated as of August 7, 1998, by and among the Debenture Issuer, the
Trust and the Initial Purchaser named therein, as amended from time to time.

              "List of Holders" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).
               ---------------                                              

              "Majority in Liquidation Amount " means, with respect to the Trust
               ------------------------------                                   
Securities, except as provided in the terms of the Capital Securities or by the
Trust Indenture Act, Holders of outstanding Trust Securities voting together as
a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Capital
Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a
class, who are the record owners of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation
amount (including the amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or
otherwise, plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the
voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant
class.

              "Offering Memorandum" has the meaning set forth in Section
               -------------------                                      
3.6(b)(i).

              "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a
               ---------------------                                      
certificate signed by the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President,
an Executive or Senior Vice President, a Vice President, the Chief Financial
Officer, and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Any Officers' Certificate
delivered by the Trust shall be signed by at least one Administrative Trustee.
Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition
or covenant provided for in this Trust Agreement shall include:

              (a) a statement that each officer signing the Certificate has read
     the covenants or conditions and the definitions relating thereto;

              (b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination
     or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Certificate;

              (c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination
     or investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such
     officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant
     or condition has been complied with; and

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
              (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such
     officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

              "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may
               ------------------        
be an employee of the Sponsor, and who shall be acceptable to the Property
Trustee.

              "Participants" has the meaning specified in Section 7.3(b).
               ------------                                              

              "Paying Agent"  has the meaning specified in Section 7.4.
               ------------                                            

              "Payment Amount" has the meaning specified in Section 6.1.
               --------------                                           

              "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, 
               ------        
corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock
company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity
of whatever nature.

              "PORTAL" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(b) (iii).
               ------                                                    

              "Property Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(a).
               ----------------                                              

              "Property Trustee Account" has the meaning set forth in Section
               ------------------------                                      
3.8(c)(i).

              "Purchase Agreement" means the Purchase Agreement relating to the
               ------------------                                              
Capital Securities, dated August 7, 1998, by and among the Trust, the Debenture
Issuer and the Initial Purchaser named therein.

              "QIBs" shall mean qualified institutional buyers as defined in 
               ----  
Rule 144A.

              "Quorum" means a majority of the Administrative Trustees or, if 
               ------        
there are only two Administrative Trustees, both of them.

              "Redemption Price" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) of
               ----------------                                              
Annex I hereto.

              "Registrar" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.
               ---------                                           

              "Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights
               -----------------------------                               
Agreement, dated as of August 7, 1998, by and among the Trust, the Debenture
Issuer and the Initial Purchaser named therein, as amended from time to time.

              "Registration Statement" has the meaning set forth in the
               ----------------------                                  
Registration Rights Agreement.

              "Regulatory Capital Event" has the meaning set forth in Section 
               ------------------------  
4(c) of Annex I hereto.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
              "Related Party" means, with respect to the Sponsor, any direct or
               -------------                                                   
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Sponsor or any other Person that owns,
directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of the
Sponsor.

              "Responsible Officer" means any officer within the Corporate Trust
               -------------------                                              
Office of the Property Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration
of this Trust Agreement and also means, with respect to a particular corporate
trust matter, any other officer of the Property Trustee to whom such matter is
referred because of that officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the
particular subject.

              "Restricted Capital Security" means a Capital Security required by
               ---------------------------                                      
Section 9.2 to contain a Restricted Securities Legend.

              "Restricted Definitive Capital Securities" has the meaning set 
               ----------------------------------------  
forth in Section 7.3(c).

              "Restricted Securities Legend" has the meaning set forth in 
               ----------------------------  
Section 9.2(i).

              "Rule 3a-5" means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act, or
               ---------                                                     
 any successor rule or regulation.

              "Rule 144" means Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such rule
               --------  
may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the Commission.

              "Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such 
               ---------  
rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission.

              "Securities" or "Trust Securities" means the Common Securities and
               ----------      ----------------                                 
the Capital Securities.

              "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
               --------------                                                   
time to time, or any successor legislation.

              "Securities Guarantees" means the Common Securities Guarantee and
               ---------------------                                           
the Capital Securities Guarantee.

              "Series A Capital Securities" has the meaning specified in Section
               ---------------------------                                      
7.1(a).

              "Series A Capital Securities Guarantee" means the Series A Capital
               -------------------------------------                            
Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of the Closing Time, by, Greater Bay
Bancorp in respect of the Series A Capital Securities.

              "Series A Debentures" means the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated
               -------------------                                             
Deferrable Interest Debentures due September 15, 2028, Series A, of the
Debenture Issuer issued pursuant to the Indenture.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
              "Series B Capital Securities" has the meaning specified in Section
               ---------------------------                                      
7.1(a).

              "Series B Capital Securities Guarantee" means the Series B Capital
               -------------------------------------                            
Securities Guarantee Agreement to be entered into in connection with the
Exchange Offer by Greater Bay Bancorp, in respect of the Series B Capital
Securities.

              "Series B Debentures" means the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated
               -------------------                                             
Deferrable Interest Debentures due September 15, 2028, Series B, of the
Debenture Issuer to be issued pursuant to the Indenture in connection with the
Exchange Offer.

              "Special Event" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c) of 
               -------------  
Annex I hereto.

              "Sponsor" means Greater Bay Bancorp, a California corporation, 
               -------        
or any successor entity resulting from any merger, consolidation, amalgamation
or other business combination, in its capacity as sponsor of the Trust.

              "Successor Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section
               --------------------------                                      
5.6(b)(ii).

              "Successor Entity" has the meaning set forth in Section 
               ----------------  
3.15(b)(i).

              "Successor Property Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section
               --------------------------                                      
3.8(f)(ii).

              "Successor Securities" has the meaning set forth in Section
               --------------------                                      
3.15(b)(i).

              "Super Majority" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a) (ii).
               --------------                                                   

              "Tax Event" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c) of Annex I
               ---------                                                      
hereto.

              "10% in Liquidation Amount" means, with respect to the Trust
               -------------------------                                  
Securities, except as provided in the terms of the Capital Securities or by the
Trust Indenture Act, Holders of outstanding Trust Securities voting together as
a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Capital
Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a
class, who are the record owners of 10% or more of the aggregate liquidation
amount (including the amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or
otherwise, plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the
voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant
class.

              "Treasury Regulations" means the income tax regulations, including
               --------------------                                             
temporary and proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code by the United
States Treasury Department, as such regulations may be amended from time to time
(including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

              "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
               -------------------                                           
amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
              "Trust Property" means (a) the Debentures, (b) any cash on deposit
               --------------
in or owing to the Property Trustee Account and (c) all proceeds and rights in
respect of the foregoing and any other property and assets for the time being
held or deemed to be held by the Property Trustee pursuant to this Trust
Agreement.

              "Trustee" or "Trustees" means each Person who has signed this 
               -------      --------  
Trust Agreement as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue as a trustee
of the Trust in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may
from time to time be duly appointed, qualified and serving as Trustees in
accordance with the provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee or the
Trustees shall refer to such Person or Persons solely in their capacity as
trustees hereunder.

              "Unrestricted Global Capital Security" has the meaning set forth
              ------------------------------------                              
in Section 9.2(b).

                                  ARTICLE II
                              TRUST INDENTURE ACT

SECTION 2.1   Trust Indenture Act; Application.
              -------------------------------- 

              (a) This Trust Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Trust Agreement in order for
this Trust Agreement to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and shall, to
the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

              (b) The Property Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a
trustee for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.
 
              (c) If and to the extent that any provision of this Trust
Agreement limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by (S)(S) 310
to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall
control.

              (d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Trust
Agreement shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.


SECTION 2.2   Lists of Holders of Securities.
              ------------------------------ 

              (a) Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf
of the Trust shall provide the Property Trustee, unless the Property Trustee is
Registrar for the Securities, (i) within 14 days after each record date for
payment of Distributions, a list, in such form as the Property Trustee may
reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders ("List of
Holders") as of such record date, provided that, neither the Sponsor nor the
                                  -------- ----                             
Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall be obligated to provide
such List of Holders at any time that the List of Holders does not differ from
the most recent List of Holders given to the Property Trustee by the Sponsor and
the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust, and (ii) at any other time,
within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written request for a List of
Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given
to the Property Trustee. The Property Trustee shall 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information
contained in Lists of Holders given to it or which it receives in the capacity
as Paying Agent (if acting in such capacity), provided that the Property Trustee
                                              -------- ----
may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List
of Holders.

              (b) The Property Trustee shall comply with its obligations under
(S)(S) 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.3   Reports by the Property Trustee.
              ------------------------------- 

              Within 60 days after the date hereof, and no later than the
anniversary date hereof in each succeeding year, the Property Trustee shall
provide to the Holders of the Capital Securities such reports as are required by
(S) 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner
provided by (S) 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Property Trustee shall also
comply with the requirements of (S) 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.4   Periodic Reports to Property Trustee.
              ------------------------------------ 

              Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of
the Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such documents, reports and
information as are required by (S) 314 (if any) of the Trust Indenture Act and
the compliance certificate required by (S) 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the
form, in the manner and at the times required by (S) 314 of the Trust Indenture
Act.

SECTION 2.5   Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
              ------------------------------------------------ 

              Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of
the Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with
any conditions precedent provided for in this Trust Agreement that relate to any
of the matters set forth in (S) 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any
certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to (S)
314(c)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act may be given in the form of an Officers'
Certificate.

SECTION 2.6   Events of Default; Waiver.
              ------------------------- 

              (a) The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of Capital
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Capital
Securities, waive any past Event of Default in respect of the Capital Securities
and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of Default under
                      -------- ----                                          
the Indenture:

                  (i)    is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of
          Default under the Trust Agreement shall also not be waivable; or

                  (ii)   requires the consent or vote of greater than a majority
          in aggregate principal amount of the holders of the Debentures (a
          "Super Majority") to be waived under the Indenture, the Event of
          Default under the Trust Agreement may 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
          only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion
          in aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities that the
          relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount
          of the Debentures outstanding.

The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a) shall be in lieu of (S)
316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such (S) 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust
Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Trust Agreement and the
Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Upon such waiver, any such
Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to the
Capital Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for
every purpose of this Trust Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other Default or an Event of Default with respect to the Capital
Securities or impair any right consequent thereon. Any waiver by the Holders of
the Capital Securities of an Event of Default with respect to the Capital
Securities shall also be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Holders of the
Common Securities of any such Event of Default with respect to the Common
Securities for all purposes of this Trust Agreement without any further act,
vote, or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities.

              (b) The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Common
Securities, waive any past Event of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of
                                 -------- ----                            
Default under the Indenture:

                  (i)    is not waivable under the Indenture, except where the
          Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event
          of Default under the Trust Agreement as provided below in this Section
          2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Trust Agreement shall also not
          be waivable; or

                  (ii)   requires the consent or vote of a Super Majority to be
          waived, except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed
          to have waived such Event of Default under the Trust Agreement as
          provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the
          Trust Agreement may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at
          least the proportion in aggregate liquidation amount of the Common
          Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the
          aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding;

provided further, each Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived
- -------- -------                                                                
any such Event of Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and their consequences if all Events of Default with respect to the
Capital Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, and until
such Events of Default have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the
Property Trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of the Holders of
the Capital Securities and only the Holders of the Capital Securities will have
the right to direct the Property Trustee in accordance with the terms of the
Securities. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b) shall be in lieu of
(S)(S) 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such (S)(S)
316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act are hereby expressly
excluded from this Trust Agreement and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust
Indenture Act. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b), upon
such waiver, any such Default shall cease to exist and any 

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities arising therefrom shall
be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Trust Agreement, but no
such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default
with respect to the Common Securities or impair any right consequent thereon.

              (c) A waiver of an Event of Default under the Indenture by the
Property Trustee, at the direction of the Holders of the Capital Securities,
constitutes a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default under this Trust
Agreement. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(c) shall be in lieu of
(S) 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such (S) 316(a)(1)(B) of the
Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Trust Agreement and
the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.7   Default; Notice.
              --------------- 

              (a) The Property Trustee shall, within 90 days after a Responsible
Officer obtains actual knowledge of the occurrence of a Default with respect to
the Securities, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders,
notices of all such Defaults, unless such Defaults have been cured before the
giving of such notice or previously waived; provided, however, that except in
                                            --------  -------                
the case of a Default arising from the nonpayment of principal of or interest
(including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums (as such terms are defined in
the Indenture), if any) or Liquidated Damages (as defined in the Registration
Rights Agreement) on any of the Debentures, the Property Trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer in
good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of
the Holders.

              (b) The Property Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of
any Default or Event of Default except:

                  (i)    a Default or Event of Default under Sections 5.01(a)
          (other than the payment of Compounded Interest, Additional Sums and
          Liquidated Damages) and 5.01(b) of the Indenture; or

                  (ii)   any Default or Event of Default as to which the
          Property Trustee shall have received written notice or of which a
          Responsible Officer charged with the administration of the Trust
          Agreement shall have actual knowledge.

              (c) Within ten Business Days after a Responsible Officer obtains
actual knowledge of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Property Trustee
shall transmit notice of such Event of Default to the Holders of the Capital
Securities, the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor, unless such Event of
Default shall have been cured or waived. The Sponsor and the Administrative
Trustees shall file annually with the Property Trustee a certification as to
whether or not they are in compliance with all the conditions and covenants
applicable to them under this Trust Agreement.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE III
                                 ORGANIZATION

SECTION 3.1   Name.
              ---- 

              The Trust is named GBB Capital II as such name may be modified
from time to time by the Administrative Trustees following written notice to the
Delaware Trustee, the Property Trustee and the Holders. The Trust's activities
may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable
by the Administrative Trustees.

SECTION 3.2   Office.
              ------ 

              The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o Greater
Bay Bancorp, 2860 West Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303. On ten Business Days'
prior written notice to the Delaware Trustee, the Property Trustee and the
Holders of Securities, the Administrative Trustees may designate another
principal office.

SECTION 3.3   Purpose.
              ------- 

              The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue
and sell Securities, (b) use the proceeds from the sale of the Securities to
acquire the Debentures, and (c) except as otherwise limited herein, to engage in
only those other activities necessary, advisable or incidental thereto,
including without limitation, those activities specified in Sections 3.6, 3.8,
3.9, 3.10, 3.11 and/or 3.12. The Trust shall not borrow money, issue debt or
reinvest proceeds derived from investments, mortgage or pledge any of its
assets, or otherwise undertake (or permit to be undertaken) any activity that
would cause the Trust not to be classified for United States federal income tax
purposes as a grantor trust.

SECTION 3.4   Authority.
              --------- 

              Subject to the limitations provided in this Trust Agreement and to
the specific duties of the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees shall
have exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An
action taken by one or more of the Administrative Trustees in accordance with
their powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust and an
action taken by the Property Trustee on behalf of the Trust in accordance with
its powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust. In dealing
with the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust, no Person shall be required to
inquire into the authority of the Trustees to bind the Trust. Persons dealing
with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of
the Trustees as set forth in this Trust Agreement.

SECTION 3.5   Title to Property of the Trust.
              ------------------------------ 

              Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the Debentures
and the Property Trustee Account or as otherwise provided in this Trust
Agreement, legal title to all assets of the Trust 

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
shall be vested in the Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any part
of the assets of the Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in
the assets of the Trust.

SECTION 3.6   Powers and Duties of the Administrative Trustees.
              ------------------------------------------------ 

              The Administrative Trustees shall have the exclusive power, duty
and authority, and are hereby authorized and directed, to cause the Trust to
engage in the following activities:

              (a) to execute, enter into and deliver the Common Securities
Subscription Agreement and to execute, deliver, issue and sell the Securities in
accordance with this Trust Agreement; provided, however, that except as
                                      --------  -------                
contemplated in Section 7.1(a), (i) the Trust may issue no more than one series
of Capital Securities and no more than one series of Common Securities, (ii)
there shall be no interests in the Trust other than the Securities, and (iii)
the issuance of Securities shall be limited to a simultaneous issuance of both
Capital Securities and Common Securities at the Closing Time;

              (b) in connection with the issue and sale of the Capital
Securities and the consummation of the Exchange Offer, at the direction of the
Sponsor, to:

                  (i)    prepare and execute, if necessary, an offering
          memorandum (the "Offering Memorandum") in preliminary and final form
          prepared by the Sponsor, in relation to the offering and sale of
          Series A Capital Securities to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and to
          institutional "accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1),
          (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act), and to execute and file
          with the Commission, at such time as is determined by the Sponsor, any
          Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto, as
          contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement;

                  (ii)   execute and file any documents prepared by the Sponsor,
          or take any acts as determined by the Sponsor to be necessary in order
          to qualify or register all or part of the Capital Securities in any
          State in which the Sponsor has determined to qualify or register such
          Capital Securities for sale;

                  (iii)  execute and file an application, prepared by the
          Sponsor, to permit the Capital Securities to trade or be quoted or
          listed in or on the Private Offerings, Resales and Trading through
          Automated Linkages ("PORTAL") Market or any other securities exchange,
          quotation system or the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market;

                  (iv)   execute and deliver the Common Securities Subscription
          Agreement, letters, documents, or instruments with DTC and other
          Clearing Agencies relating to the Capital Securities; and

                  (v)    if required, execute and file with the Commission a
          registration statement on Form 8-A, including any amendments thereto,
          prepared by 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
          the Sponsor, relating to the registration of the Capital Securities
          under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, as the case may be.

              (c) to execute, enter into and deliver the Debenture Subscription
Agreement, to acquire the Series A Debentures with the proceeds of the sale of
the Series A Capital Securities and the Common Securities and to exchange the
Series A Debentures for a like principal amount of Series B Debentures, pursuant
to the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that the Administrative Trustees shall
                       --------  -------                                        
cause legal title to the Debentures to be held of record in the name of the
Property Trustee for the benefit of the Holders;

              (d) to give the Sponsor and the Property Trustee prompt written
notice of the occurrence of a Special Event;

              (e) to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be
taken hereunder that require a record date to be established, including and with
respect to, for the purposes of (S) 316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act,
Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant
notices to the Holders with respect to such actions and applicable record dates;

              (f) to take all actions and perform such duties as may be required
of the Administrative Trustees pursuant to the terms of the Securities;

              (g) to the fullest extent permitted by law, to bring or defend,
pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to legal action, or otherwise adjust
claims or demands of or against the Trust ("Legal Action"), unless pursuant to
Section 3.8(e), the Property Trustee has the exclusive power to bring such Legal
Action;

              (h) to employ or otherwise engage employees, agents (who may be
designated as officers with titles), managers, contractors, advisors, and
consultants and pay reasonable compensation for such services;

              (i) to cause the Trust to comply with the Trust's obligations
under the Trust Indenture Act;

              (j) to give the certificate required by (S) 314(a)(4) of the Trust
Indenture Act to the Property Trustee, which certificate may be executed by any
Administrative Trustee;

              (k) to incur expenses that are necessary or incidental to carry
out any of the purposes of the Trust;

              (l) to act as, or appoint another Person to act as, Registrar and
Exchange Agent for the Securities or to appoint a Paying Agent for the
Securities as provided in Section 7.4 except for such time as such power to
appoint a Paying Agent is vested in the Property Trustee;

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
              (m) to give prompt written notice to the Property Trustee and to
the Holders of any notice received from the Debenture Issuer of its election to
defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment
period under the Indenture;

              (n) to take all action that may be necessary or appropriate for
the preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid existence, rights,
franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under the laws of the
State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is
necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders or to enable the Trust
to effect the purposes for which the Trust was created;

              (o) to take any action, not inconsistent with this Trust Agreement
or with applicable law, that the Administrative Trustees determine in their
discretion to be necessary or desirable in carrying out the activities of the
Trust as set out in this Section 3.6, including, but not limited to:

                  (i)    causing the Trust not to be deemed to be an Investment
          Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act;

                  (ii)   causing the Trust to continue to be classified for
          United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and

                  (iii)  cooperating with the Debenture Issuer to ensure that
          the Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer
          for United States federal income tax purposes;

              (p) to take all action necessary to consummate the Exchange Offer
or otherwise cause the Capital Securities to be registered pursuant to an
effective registration statement in accordance with the provisions of the
Registration Rights Agreement;

              (q) to take all action necessary to cause all applicable tax
returns and tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect
to the Trust to be duly prepared and filed by the Administrative Trustees, on
behalf of the Trust; and

              (r) to execute and deliver all documents or instruments, perform
all duties and powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all
matters necessary, advisable or incidental to the foregoing.

              The Administrative Trustees must exercise the powers set forth in
this Section 3.6 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions
of the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Administrative Trustees shall not
take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the
Trust set forth in Section 3.3.

              Subject to this Section 3.6, the Administrative Trustees shall
have none of the powers or the authority of the Property Trustee set forth in
Section 3.8.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
              Any expenses incurred by the Administrative Trustees pursuant to
this Section 3.6 shall be reimbursed by the Debenture Issuer.

SECTION 3.7   Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees.
              ---------------------------------------------------- 

              The Trust shall not, and the Trustees (including the Property
Trustee and the Delaware Trustee) shall not, and the Administrative Trustees
shall cause the Trust not to, engage in any activity other than as required or
authorized by this Trust Agreement. The Trust shall not:

                  (i)    invest any proceeds received by the Trust from holding
          the Debentures, but shall distribute all such proceeds to Holders
          pursuant to the terms of this Trust Agreement and of the Securities;

                  (ii)   acquire any assets other than as expressly provided
          herein;

                  (iii)  possess Trust Property for other than a Trust purpose
          or execute any mortgage in respect of, or pledge, any Trust Property;

                  (iv)   make any loans or incur any indebtedness other than
          loans represented by the Debentures;

                  (v)    possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to
          vary the Trust Property or the terms of the Securities in any way
          whatsoever;

                  (vi)   issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial
          ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the
          Securities;

                  (vii)  other than as provided in this Trust Agreement or Annex
          I hereto, (A) direct the time, method and place of conducting any
          proceeding with respect to any remedy available to the Debenture
          Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Debenture
          Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (B) waive any past default
          that is waivable under the Indenture, or (C) exercise any right to
          rescind or annul any declaration that the principal of all the
          Debentures shall be due and payable; or

                  (viii) consent to any amendment, modification or termination
          of the Indenture or the Debentures where such consent shall be
          required unless the Trust shall have received an opinion of
          independent tax counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that
          such amendment, modification or termination will not cause more than
          an insubstantial risk that the Trust will not be classified as a
          grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 3.8   Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee.
              ----------------------------------------- 

              (a) The legal title to the Debentures shall be owned by and held
of record in the name of the Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of the
Trust and the Holders. The right, title and interest of the Property Trustee to
the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter be
appointed as Property Trustee in accordance with Section 5.6. Such vesting and
cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents with
regard to the Debentures have been executed and delivered.

              (b) The Property Trustee shall not transfer its right, title and
interest in the Debentures to the Administrative Trustees or to the Delaware
Trustee (if the Property Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee).

              (c) The Property Trustee shall:

                  (i)    establish and maintain a segregated non-interest
          bearing trust account (the "Property Trustee Account") in the name of
          and under the exclusive control of the Property Trustee on behalf of
          the Holders and, upon the receipt of payments of funds made in respect
          of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee, deposit such funds
          into the Property Trustee Account and make payments or cause the
          Paying Agent to make payments to the Holders from the Property Trustee
          Account in accordance with Section 6.1; funds in the Property Trustee
          Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance with
          this Trust Agreement; and the Property Trustee Account shall be an
          account that is maintained with a banking institution the rating on
          whose long-term unsecured indebtedness by a "nationally recognized
          statistical rating organization," as that term is defined for purposes
          of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act, is at least equal to the
          rating assigned to the Capital Securities;

                  (ii)   engage in such ministerial activities as shall be
          necessary or appropriate to effect the redemption of the Securities to
          the extent the Debentures are redeemed or mature; and

                  (iii)  upon written notice of distribution issued by the
          Administrative Trustees in accordance with the terms of the
          Securities, engage in such ministerial activities as shall be
          necessary or appropriate to effect the distribution of the Debentures
          to Holders upon the occurrence of certain events.

              (d) The Property Trustee shall take all actions and perform such
duties as may be specifically required of the Property Trustee pursuant to the
terms of this Trust Agreement and the Securities.

              (e) Subject to Section 3.9(a), the Property Trustee shall take any
Legal Action which arises out of or in connection with an Event of Default of
which a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge or the Property Trustee's
duties and obligations under this Trust Agreement or the 

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
Trust Indenture Act may so require; and if the Property Trustee shall have
failed to take such Legal Action following a written request from the Holders,
the Holders of the Capital Securities may, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, take such Legal Action, to the same extent as if such Holders of Capital
Securities held an aggregate principal amount of Debentures equal to the
aggregate liquidation amount of such Capital Securities, without first
proceeding against the Property Trustee or the Trust; provided, however, that if
                                                      --------  -------
an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is
attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay the principal of or
interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or
Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Debentures on the date such principal, or
interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or
Liquidated Damages, if any, is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption,
on the redemption date), then a Holder of Capital Securities may directly
institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the
principal of or interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if
any) or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Debentures having a principal amount
equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such
Holder (a "Direct Action") on or after the respective due date specified in the
Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the Holders of the Common
Securities will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of Capital Securities
to the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to such Holder of
Capital Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the preceding
sentences, the Holders of Capital Securities will not be able to exercise
directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures.

              (f) The Property Trustee shall continue to serve as a Trustee
until either:

                  (i)    the Trust has been completely liquidated and the
          proceeds of the liquidation distributed to the Holders pursuant to the
          terms of the Securities and this Trust Agreement; or

                  (ii)   a successor Property Trustee has been appointed and has
          accepted that appointment in accordance with Section 5.6 (a "Successor
          Property Trustee").

              (g) The Property Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise
all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Debentures under the
Indenture and, if an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer
occurs and is continuing, the Property Trustee shall, for the benefit of
Holders, enforce its rights as holder of the Debentures subject to the rights of
the Holders pursuant to the terms of this Trust Agreement and the Securities.

              (h) The Property Trustee shall be authorized to undertake any
actions set forth in (S) 317(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

              (i) For such time as the Property Trustee is the Paying Agent, the
Property Trustee may authorize one or more Persons to act as additional Paying
Agents and to pay Distributions, redemption payments or liquidation payments on
behalf of the Trust with respect to all Securities and any such Paying Agent
shall comply with (S) 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any such additional
Paying Agent may be removed by the Property Trustee at any time the Property
Trustee remains as Paying Agent and a successor Paying Agent or additional
Paying Agents may 

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
be (but are not required to be) appointed at any time by the Property Trustee
while the Property Trustee is acting as Paying Agent.

              (j) Subject to this Section 3.8, the Property Trustee shall have
none of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Administrative
Trustees set forth in Section 3.6.

              Notwithstanding anything expressed or implied to the contrary in
this Trust Agreement or any Annex or Exhibit hereto, (i) the Property Trustee
must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 3.8 in a manner that is
consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3,
and (ii) the Property Trustee shall not take any action that is inconsistent
with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3.

SECTION 3.9   Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Property Trustee.
              ----------------------------------------------------------- 

              (a) The Property Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of
Default (of which, other than in the case of Events of Default under Sections
5.01(a) and 5.01(b) of the Indenture, a Responsible Officer of the Property
Trustee has actual knowledge) and after the curing or waiving of all such Events
of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties
as are specifically set forth in this Trust Agreement and in the Securities and
no implied covenants shall be read into this Trust Agreement against the
Property Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been
cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) of which a Responsible Officer has
actual knowledge, the Property Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and
powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement, and use the same degree of care and
skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the
circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

              (b) No provision of this Trust Agreement shall be construed to
relieve the Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its
own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

                  (i)    prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default (of
          which, other than in the case of Events of Default under Sections
          5.01(a) and 5.01(b) of the Indenture, a Responsible Officer of the
          Property Trustee has actual knowledge) and after the curing or waiving
          of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:

                  (A) the duties and obligations of the Property Trustee shall
                  be determined solely by the express provisions of this Trust
                  Agreement and in the Securities and the Property Trustee shall
                  not be liable except for the performance of such duties and
                  obligations as are specifically set forth in this Trust
                  Agreement and in the Securities, and no implied covenants or
                  obligations shall be read into this Trust Agreement against
                  the Property Trustee; and

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
                  (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Property
                  Trustee, the Property Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the
                  truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions
                  expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished
                  to the Property Trustee and conforming to the requirements of
                  this Trust Agreement; provided, however, that in the case of
                                        --------  -------      
                  any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof
                  are specifically required to be furnished to the Property
                  Trustee, the Property Trustee shall be under a duty to examine
                  the same to determine whether or not on their face they
                  conform to the requirements of this Trust Agreement;

                  (ii)   the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any error
          of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it
          shall be proved that the Property Trustee was negligent in
          ascertaining the pertinent facts;

                  (iii)  the Property Trustee shall not be liable with respect
          to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
          accordance with the direction of the Holders of a Majority in
          Liquidation Amount of the Securities relating to the time, method and
          place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
          Property Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the
          Property Trustee under this Trust Agreement;

                  (iv)   no provision of this Trust Agreement shall require the
          Property Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur
          personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties
          or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers;

                  (v)    the Property Trustee's sole duty with respect to the
          custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and
          the Property Trustee Account shall be to deal with such property in a
          similar manner as the Property Trustee deals with similar property for
          its own account, subject to the protections and limitations on
          liability afforded to the Property Trustee under this Trust Agreement
          and the Trust Indenture Act;

                  (vi)   the Property Trustee shall have no duty or liability
          for or with respect to the value, genuineness, existence or
          sufficiency of the Debentures or the payment of any taxes or
          assessments levied thereon or in connection therewith;

                  (vii)  the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any
          interest on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree
          in writing with the Sponsor. Money held by the Property Trustee need
          not be segregated from other funds held by it except in relation to
          the Property Trustee Account maintained by the Property Trustee
          pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except to the extent otherwise
          required by law; and

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
                  (viii) the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for
          monitoring the compliance by the Administrative Trustees or the
          Sponsor with their respective duties under this Trust Agreement, nor
          shall the Property Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct of
          the Administrative Trustees or the Sponsor.

SECTION 3.10  Certain Rights of Property Trustee.
              ---------------------------------- 

              (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9:

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

                  (ii)   any direction or act of the Sponsor or the
          Administrative Trustees contemplated by this Trust Agreement may be
          sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate;

                  (iii)  whenever in the administration of this Trust Agreement,
          the Property Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved
          or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action
          hereunder, the Property Trustee (unless other evidence is herein
          specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part,
          request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which,
          upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the
          Sponsor or the Administrative Trustees;

                  (iv)   the Property Trustee shall have no duty to see to any
          recording, filing or registration of any instrument (including any
          financing or continuation statement or any filing under tax or
          securities laws) or any rerecording, refiling or registration thereof;

                  (v)    the Property Trustee may consult with counsel or other
          experts of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel
          and experts with respect to legal matters or advice within the scope
          of such experts' area of expertise shall be full and complete
          authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered
          or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such
          advice or opinion; such counsel may be counsel to the Sponsor or any
          of its Affiliates, and may include any of its employees; and the
          Property Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions
          concerning the administration of this Trust Agreement from any court
          of competent jurisdiction;

                  (vi)   the Property Trustee shall be under no obligation to
          exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Trust
          Agreement at the request or 

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
          direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the
          Property Trustee security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to
          the Property Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including
          reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the
          Property Trustee's agents, nominees or custodians) and liabilities
          that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or
          direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by
          the Property Trustee; provided, however, that, nothing contained 
                                --------  -------
          in this Section 3.10(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Property
          Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (of which, other
          than in the case of Events of Default under Sections 5.01(a) and
          5.01(b) of the Indenture, a Responsible Officer of the Property
          Trustee has actual knowledge), of its obligation to exercise the
          rights and powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement;

                  (vii)  the Property Trustee shall not be bound to make any
          investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution,
          certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
          direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
          indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Property Trustee, in
          its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into
          such facts or matters as it may see fit;

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

                  (ix)   any action taken by the Property Trustee or its agents
          hereunder shall bind the Trust and the Holders, and the signature of
          the Property Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and
          effective to perform any such action and no third party shall be
          required to inquire as to the authority of the Property Trustee to so
          act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of
          this Trust Agreement, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by
          the Property Trustee's or its agent's taking such action;

                  (x)    whenever in the administration of this Trust Agreement
          the Property Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions
          with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other
          action hereunder, the Property Trustee (i) may request instructions
          from the Holders which instructions may only be given by the Holders
          of the same proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities as
          would be entitled to direct the Property Trustee under the terms of
          the Securities in respect of such remedy, right or action, (ii) may
          refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other
          action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be
          protected in conclusively relying on or acting in accordance with such
          instructions;

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
                  (xi)   except as otherwise expressly provided by this Trust
          Agreement, the Property Trustee shall not be under any obligation to
          take any action that is discretionary under the provisions of this
          Trust Agreement; and

                  (xii)  the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any action
          taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, without
          negligence or willful misconduct, and reasonably believed by it to be
          authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon
          it by this Trust Agreement.

              (b) No provision of this Trust Agreement shall be deemed to impose
any duty or obligation on the Property Trustee to perform any act or acts or
exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any
jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Property Trustee
shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to
perform any such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or
obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Property Trustee
shall be construed to be a duty.

SECTION 3.11  Delaware Trustee.
              ---------------- 

              Notwithstanding any other provision of this Trust Agreement other
than Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any
powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and
responsibilities of the Trustees described in this Trust Agreement (except as
required under the Business Trust Act). Except as set forth in Section 5.2, the
Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the sole and limited purpose of
fulfilling the requirements of (S) 3807 of the Business Trust Act. In the event
the Delaware Trustee shall at any time be required to take any action or perform
any duty hereunder, the Delaware Trustee shall be entitled to the benefits of
Section 3.9(b)(ii) to (viii), inclusive, and Section 3.10. No implied covenants
or obligations shall be read into this Trust Agreement against the Delaware
Trustee.

SECTION 3.12  Execution of Documents.
              ---------------------- 

              Unless otherwise required by applicable law, each Administrative
Trustee, individually, is authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the
Trust any documents, agreements, instruments or certificates that the
Administrative Trustees have the power and authority to execute pursuant to
Section 3.6.

SECTION 3.13  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
              ------------------------------------------------------ 

              The recitals contained in this Trust Agreement and the Securities
shall be taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do not assume
any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no representations
as to the value or condition of the Trust Property or any part thereof. The
Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Trust
Agreement or the Securities.

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 3.14  Duration of Trust.
              ----------------- 

              The Trust, unless dissolved pursuant to the provisions of Article
VIII hereof, shall have existence up to SEPTEMBER 15, 2033.

SECTION 3.15  Mergers.
              ------- 

              (a) The Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate,
or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an
entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person, except as described in
Section 3.15(b) and (c) and except with respect to the distribution of
Debentures to Holders pursuant to Section 8.1(a)(iii) of this Trust Agreement or
Section 3 of Annex I.

              (b) The Trust may, at the request of the Sponsor, with the consent
of the Administrative Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the
Administrative Trustees and without the consent of the Holders, the Delaware
Trustee or the Property Trustee, merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or
be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an
entirety or substantially as an entirety to, a trust organized as such under the
laws of any State; provided that:
                   -------- ---- 

                  (i)    such successor entity (the "Successor Entity") either:

                  (A) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust
                  under the Securities; or

                  (B) substitutes for the Securities other securities having
                  substantially the same terms as the Securities (the "Successor
                  Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the same
                  as the Securities rank in priority with respect to
                  Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and
                  otherwise;

                  (ii)   the Sponsor expressly appoints a trustee of the
          Successor Entity that possesses the same powers and duties as the
          Property Trustee with respect to the Debentures;

                  (iii)  the Successor Securities (excluding any securities
          substituted for the Common Securities) are listed, quoted or included
          for trading, or any Successor Securities will be listed, quoted or
          included for trading upon notification of issuance, on any national
          securities exchange or with any other organization on which the
          Capital Securities are then listed, quoted or included;

                  (iv)   such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
          conveyance, transfer or lease does not cause the Capital Securities
          (including any Successor Securities) or the Debentures to be
          downgraded by any nationally recognized 

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
          statistical rating organization that publishes a rating on the Capital
          Securities or the Debentures;

                  (v)    such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
          conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights,
          preferences and privileges of the Holders (including the holders of
          any Successor Securities) in any material respect (other than with
          respect to any dilution of the interests of such Holders or holders,
          as the case may be, in the Successor Entity);

                  (vi)   the Successor Entity has a purpose substantially
          identical to that of the Trust;

                  (vii)  prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
          replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, the Sponsor has received
          an opinion of independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such
          matters to the effect that:

                  (A) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
                  conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the
                  rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders (including
                  the holders of any Successor Securities) in any material
                  respect (other than with respect to any dilution of the
                  interests of such Holders or holders, as the case may be, in
                  the Successor Entity);

                  (B) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
                  replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, neither the Trust
                  nor the Successor Entity will be required to register as an
                  Investment Company; and

                  (C) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
                  replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, the Trust (or the
                  Successor Entity) will continue to be classified as a grantor
                  trust for United States federal income tax purposes;

                  (viii) the Sponsor or any permitted successor or assignee owns
          all of the common securities of the Successor Entity and guarantees
          the obligations of the Successor Entity under the Successor Securities
          at least to the extent provided by the Securities Guarantees; and

                  (ix)   there shall have been furnished to the Property Trustee
          an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each to the effect
          that all conditions precedent in this Trust Agreement to such
          transaction have been satisfied.

              (c) Notwithstanding Section 3.15(b), the Trust shall not, except
with the consent of Holders of 100% in aggregate liquidation amount of the
Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by, or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or
substantially as an entirety to, any other Person or permit any other Person to
consolidate

                                       27
<PAGE>
amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such consolidation,
amalgamation, merger, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease would cause the
Trust or the Successor Entity not to be classified as a grantor trust for United
States federal income tax purposes.

                                  ARTICLE IV
                                    SPONSOR

SECTION 4.1   Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities.
              --------------------------------------- 

              At the Closing Time, pursuant to the Common Securities
Subscription Agreement, the Sponsor will purchase all of the Common Securities
then issued by the Trust, in an amount equal to at least 3% of the total capital
of the Trust, at the same time as the Series A Capital Securities are issued and
sold.

SECTION 4.2   Responsibilities of the Sponsor.
              ------------------------------- 

              In connection with the issue and sale of the Capital Securities,
the Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to engage in the
following activities:

              (a) to prepare the Offering Memorandum, in preliminary and final
form, and to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission any
Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto, as contemplated by the
Registration Rights Agreement;

              (b) to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to
qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital Securities and to do any
and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the Trust, and
advise the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for execution and filing
any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust, as the Sponsor deems
necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such
States;

              (c) if deemed necessary or advisable by the Sponsor, to prepare
for filing by the Trust an application to permit the Capital Securities to trade
or be quoted or listed in or on the PORTAL market, or any other securities
exchange, quotation system or the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market;

              (d) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a
registration statement on Form 8-A, including any amendments thereto, relating
to the registration of the Capital Securities under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of
the Exchange Act, as the case may be, including any amendments thereto; and

              (e) to negotiate the terms of, execute, enter into and deliver the
Purchase Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Liquidated Damages
Agreement.

SECTION 4.3   Right to Proceed.
              ---------------- 

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
              The Sponsor acknowledges the rights of the Holders of Capital
Securities, in the event that a failure of the Trust to pay Distributions on the
Capital Securities is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay
the principal of or interest on the Debentures, to institute a proceeding
directly against the Debenture Issuer for enforcement of its payment obligations
in respect of the Debentures.

SECTION 4.4   Right to Dissolve Trust.
              ----------------------- 

              The Sponsor will have the right at any time to dissolve the Trust
and, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as required by
applicable law, to cause the Debentures to be distributed to the Holders in
liquidation of the Trust. Such right is subject to the Sponsor's having received
(i) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such distribution will not cause
the Holders of Capital Securities to recognize gain or loss for United States
federal income tax purposes and (ii) all required regulatory approvals.

                                   ARTICLE V
                                   TRUSTEES

SECTION 5.1   Number of Trustees; Appointment of Co-Trustee.
              --------------------------------------------- 

              The number of Trustees initially shall be five (5), and:

              (a) at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Sponsor
may, by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; and

              (b) after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees
may be increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of
the Holders of the Common Securities;

provided, however, that, the number of Trustees shall in no event be less than
- --------  -------                                                             
two (2); provided further that (1) one Trustee, in the case of a natural person,
         -------- -------                                                       
shall be a person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or that, if not a
natural person, is an entity which has its principal place of business in the
State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee"); (2) there shall be at least one
Trustee who is an employee or officer of, or is affiliated with, the Sponsor (an
"Administrative Trustee"); and (3) one Trustee shall be the Property Trustee for
so long as this Trust Agreement is required to qualify as an indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act, and such Trustee may also serve as Delaware Trustee if it
meets the applicable requirements. Notwithstanding the above, unless an Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any time or times, for the
purpose of meeting the legal requirements of the Trust Indenture Act or of any
jurisdiction in which any part of the Trust Property may at the time be located,
the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities acting
as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities, and the
Administrative Trustees shall have power to appoint one or more Persons either
to act as a co-trustee, jointly with the Property Trustee, of all or any part of
the Trust Property, or to act as separate trustee of any such property, in
either case with such powers as may be provided in the instrument of
appointment, and to vest in such Person or Persons in such capacity any
property, title, right or 

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
power deemed necessary or desirable, subject to the provisions of this Trust
Agreement. In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Property Trustee alone shall have power to make any such appointment of a co-
trustee.

SECTION 5.2   Delaware Trustee.
              ---------------- 

              For so long as required by the Business Trust Act, the Delaware
Trustee shall be:

              (a) a natural person who is a resident of the State of Delaware;
or

              (b) if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal
place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements
of applicable law,

provided, however, that, if the Property Trustee has its principal place of
- --------  -------                                                          
business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of
applicable law, then the Property Trustee shall also be the Delaware Trustee and
Section 3.11 shall have no application.

              The initial Delaware Trustee shall be:

              Wilmington Trust Company
              Rodney Square North
              1100 North Market Street
              Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001
              Attn.: Corporate Trust Administration
              Telephone: (302) 651-1000
              Telecopier: (302) 651-8882

SECTION 5.3   Property Trustee; Eligibility.
              ----------------------------- 

              (a) There shall at all times be one Trustee (the "Property
Trustee") which shall act as Property Trustee and which shall:

                  (i)    not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor; and

                  (ii)   be a corporation organized and doing business under the
          laws of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof
          or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted
          by the Commission to act as an indenture trustee under the Trust
          Indenture Act, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust
          powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 10 million
          U.S. dollars ($10,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination
          by federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia authority. If
          such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually,
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining
          authority referred to above, then for the purposes of this Section
          5.3(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
          such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
          surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so
          published.

              (b) If at any time the Property Trustee shall cease to be eligible
to so act under Section 5.3(a), the Property Trustee shall immediately resign in
the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 5.6(c).

              (c) If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of (S) 330(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the
Property Trustee and the Holder of the Common Securities (as if it were the
obligor referred to in (S) 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall in all
respects comply with the provisions of (S) 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

              (d) The Capital Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to be
specifically described in this Trust Agreement for purposes of clause (i) of the
first proviso contained in (S)310 (b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

              (e) The initial Property Trustee shall be:

              Wilmington Trust Company
              Rodney Square North
              1100 North Market Street
              Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001
              Attn.: Corporate Trust Administration
              Telephone: (302) 651-1000
              Telecopier: (302) 651-8882

SECTION 5.4   Certain Qualifications of Administrative Trustees and Delaware
              --------------------------------------------------------------
              Trustee Generally.
              ----------------- 

              Each Administrative Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (unless the
Property Trustee also acts as Delaware Trustee) shall be either a natural person
who is at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall act through one or
more Authorized Officers.

SECTION 5.5   Administrative Trustees.
              ----------------------- 
              The initial Administrative Trustees shall be:

              Steven C. Smith
              Shawn E. Saunders
              Mark Eschen
              c/o Greater Bay Bancorp
              2860 West Bayshore Road
              Palo Alto, California 94303
              Telephone: (650) 813-8200
              Telecopier: (650) 494-9193

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
              (a) Except as expressly set forth in this Trust Agreement and
except if a meeting of the Administrative Trustees is called with respect to any
matter over which the Administrative Trustees have power to act, any power of
the Administrative Trustees may be exercised by, or with the consent of, any one
such Administrative Trustee.

              (b) Unless otherwise required by the applicable law, any
Administrative Trustee acting alone is authorized to execute on behalf of the
Trust any documents which the Administrative Trustees have the power and
authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6.

              (c) An Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent
with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his
or her power for the purposes of signing any documents which the Administrative
Trustees have power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to
Section 3.6.

SECTION 5.6   Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees.
              ------------------------------------------------ 

              (a) Subject to Section 5.6(b) hereof and to Section 6(b) of Annex
I hereto, Trustees may be appointed or removed without cause at any time:

                  (i)    until the issuance of any Securities, by written
          instrument executed by the Sponsor;

                  (ii)   unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
          continuing after the issuance of any Securities, by vote of the
          Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities
          voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common
          Securities; and

                  (iii)  if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
          continuing after the issuance of the Securities, with respect to the
          Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, by vote of Holders of a
          Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities voting as a
          class at a meeting of Holders of the Capital Securities, and with
          respect to the Administrative Trustees, in the manner set forth in
          Section 5.6(a)(ii) hereof.

              (b)   (i)  The Trustee that acts as Property Trustee shall not be
removed in accordance with Section 5.6(a) until a Successor Property Trustee has
been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed
by such Successor Property Trustee and delivered to the removed Property
Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor; and

                    (ii) the Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee shall not be
removed in accordance with this Section 5.6(a) until a successor Trustee
possessing the qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Sections 5.2 and
5.4 (a "Successor Delaware Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such
appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee
and delivered to the removed Delaware Trustee, the Property Trustee (if the
removed Delaware Trustee is not also the Property Trustee), the Administrative
Trustees and the Sponsor.

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
              (c) A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until his
successor shall have been appointed or until his death, removal or resignation.
Any Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent
accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by the Trustee and delivered to
the other Trustees, the Sponsor and the Trust, which resignation shall take
effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein;
provided, however, that:
- --------  -------       

                  (i)    No such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the
          Property Trustee shall be effective:

                  (A) until a Successor Property Trustee has been appointed and
                  has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such
                  Successor Property Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the
                  Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee (if the resigning Property
                  Trustee is not also the Delaware Trustee) and the resigning
                  Property Trustee; or

                  (B) until the assets of the Trust have been completely
                  liquidated and the proceeds thereof distributed to the
                  Holders; and

                  (ii)   no such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the
          Delaware Trustee shall be effective until a Successor Delaware Trustee
          has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument
          executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the
          Trust, the Property Trustee (if the resigning Delaware Trustee is not
          also the Property Trustee), the Sponsor and the resigning Delaware
          Trustee.

              (d) The Holders of the Common Securities or, if an Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing after the issuance of the
Securities, the Holders of the Capital Securities shall use their best efforts
to promptly appoint a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee,
as the case may be, if the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee delivers an
instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 5.6.

              (e) If no Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee
shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section
5.6 within 60 days after delivery of an instrument of resignation or removal,
the Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee resigning or being removed, as
applicable, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of
a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee. Such court may
thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper to
prescribe, appoint a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee,
as the case may be.

              (f) No Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee shall be liable for
the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Property Trustee or Successor
Delaware Trustee, as the case may be.

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
              (g) At the time of resignation or removal of the Property Trustee
or the Delaware Trustee, the Sponsor shall pay to such Trustee any amounts that
may be owed to such Trustee pursuant to Section 10.4.

              (h) Any successor Delaware Trustee shall file an amendment to the
Certificate of Trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
identifying the name and principal place of business of such Successor Delaware
Trustee in the State of Delaware.


SECTION 5.7   Vacancies among Trustees.
              ------------------------ 

              If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number
of Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 5.l, or if the number of Trustees
is increased pursuant to Section 5.1, a vacancy shall occur. A resolution
certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Administrative Trustees or, if
there are more than two, a majority of the Administrative Trustees shall be
conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy shall be
filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 5.6.

SECTION 5.8   Effect of Vacancies.
              ------------------- 

              The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy,
dissolution, liquidation, incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of a
Trustee shall not operate to dissolve, liquidate or annul the Trust or to
terminate this Trust Agreement. Whenever a vacancy in the number of
Administrative Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the
appointment of an Administrative Trustee in accordance with Section 5.6, the
Administrative Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all
the powers granted to the Administrative Trustees and shall discharge all the
duties imposed upon the Administrative Trustees by this Trust Agreement.

SECTION 5.9   Meetings.
              -------- 

              If there is more than one Administrative Trustee, meetings of the
Administrative Trustees shall be held from time to time upon the call of any
Administrative Trustee. Regular meetings of the Administrative Trustees may be
held at a time and place fixed by resolution of the Administrative Trustees.
Notice of any in-person meetings of the Administrative Trustees shall be hand
delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard
copy by overnight courier) not less than 24 hours before such meeting. Notice of
any telephonic meetings of the Administrative Trustees or any committee thereof
shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by
facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 24 hours before
a meeting. Notices shall contain a brief statement of the time, place and
anticipated purposes of the meeting. The presence (whether in person or by
telephone) of an Administrative Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a waiver
of notice of such meeting except where an Administrative Trustee attends a
meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity
on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Unless
provided otherwise in this Trust Agreement, any action of the Administrative
Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Administrative
Trustees present (whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to 

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
vote with respect to such matter, provided that, a Quorum is present, or without
                                  -------- ----
a meeting by the unanimous written consent of the Administrative Trustees. In
the event there is only one Administrative Trustee, any and all action of such
Administrative Trustee shall be evidenced by a written consent of such
Administrative Trustee.

SECTION 5.10  Delegation of Power.
              ------------------- 

              (a) Any Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney
consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the
age of 21 his or her power for the purpose of executing any documents
contemplated in Section 3.6, including any registration statement or amendment
thereto filed with the Commission, or making any other governmental filing.

              (b) The Administrative Trustees shall have power to delegate from
time to time to such of their number or to officers of the Trust the doing of
such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the
Trust or the names of the Administrative Trustees or otherwise as the
Administrative Trustees may deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not
prohibited by applicable law or contrary to the provisions of this Trust
Agreement.

SECTION 5.11  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
              ----------------------------------------------------------- 

              Any Person into which the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee
or any Administrative Trustee that is not a natural person, as the case may be,
may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person
resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Property
Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, shall be a party, or any
Person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of
the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, shall be the
successor of the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be,
hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on
the part of any of the parties hereto, provided such Person shall be otherwise
qualified and eligible under this Article and provided further that such Person
shall file an amendment to the Certificate of Trust with the Delaware Secretary
of State as contemplated in Section 5.6(h).

                                  ARTICLE VI
                                 DISTRIBUTIONS

SECTION 6.1   Distributions.
              ------------- 

              Holders shall receive Distributions in accordance with the
applicable terms of the relevant Holder's Securities. If and to the extent that
the Debenture Issuer makes a payment of interest (including Compounded Interest
and Additional Sums) and/or principal on the Debentures held by the Property
Trustee or Liquidated Damages or any other payments pursuant to the Registration
Rights Agreement or Liquidated Damages Agreement with respect to the Debentures
held by the Property Trustee (the amount of any such payment being a "Payment
Amount"), the Property Trustee shall and is directed, to the extent funds are
available for that purpose, to make a 

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
distribution (a "Distribution") of the Payment Amount to Holders in accordance
with the terms of the Securities.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                             ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

SECTION 7.1   General Provisions Regarding Securities.
              --------------------------------------- 

              (a) The Administrative Trustees shall, on behalf of the Trust,
issue one class of capital securities representing undivided preferred
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set
forth in Annex I (the "Series A Capital Securities") and one class of common
securities representing common undivided beneficial interests in the assets of
the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the "Common
Securities"). The Administrative Trustees shall, on behalf of the Trust, issue
one class of capital securities representing undivided preferred beneficial
interests in the Trust having such terms as set forth in Annex I (the "Series B
Capital Securities") in exchange for the Series A Capital Securities accepted
for exchange in the Exchange Offer, which Series B Capital Securities shall not
bear the legends required by Section 9.2(i) unless the Holder of such Series A
Capital Securities is either (A) a broker-dealer who purchased such Series A
Capital Securities directly from the Trust for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or
any other available exemption under the Securities Act, (B) a Person
participating in the distribution of the Series A Capital Securities or (C) a
Person who is an Affiliate of the Sponsor or the Trust. The Trust shall issue no
securities or other interests in the assets of the Trust other than the Capital
Securities and the Common Securities.

              (b) The consideration received by the Trust for the issuance of
the Securities shall constitute a contribution to the capital of the Trust and
shall not constitute a loan to the Trust.

              (c) Upon issuance of the Securities as provided in this Trust
Agreement, the Securities so issued shall be deemed to be validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable.

              (d) Every Person, by virtue of having become a Holder or a Capital
Security Beneficial Owner in accordance with the terms of this Trust Agreement,
shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall
be bound by, this Trust Agreement.

SECTION 7.2   Execution and Authentication.
              ---------------------------- 

              (a) The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by an
Administrative Trustee. In case any Administrative Trustee of the Trust who
shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Administrative
Trustee before the Securities so signed shall be delivered by the Trust, such
Securities nevertheless may be delivered as though the Person who signed such
Securities had not ceased to be such Administrative Trustee; and any Securities
may be signed on behalf of the Trust by such persons who, at the actual date of
execution of such Security, shall be the Administrative Trustees of the Trust,
although at the date of the execution and delivery of this Trust Agreement any
such person was not an Administrative Trustee.

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
              (b) One Administrative Trustee shall sign the Capital Securities
for the Trust by manual or facsimile signature. Unless otherwise determined by
an Administrative Trustee on behalf of the Trust, such signature shall, in the
case of Common Securities, be a manual signature.

               A Capital Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the
manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Property Trustee. The
signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Capital Security has been
authenticated under this Trust Agreement. A Common Security shall be valid upon
execution by an Administrative Trustee without any act of the Property Trustee.

               Upon a written order of the Trust signed by one Administrative
Trustee, the Property Trustee shall authenticate the Capital Securities for
original issue. The aggregate number of Capital Securities outstanding at any
time shall not exceed the number set forth in Annex I hereto except as provided
in Section 7.6.

               The Property Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent
acceptable to the Trust to authenticate Capital Securities. An authenticating
agent may authenticate Capital Securities whenever the Property Trustee may do
so. Each reference in this Trust Agreement to authentication by the Property
Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the
same rights as the Property Trustee hereunder with respect to the Sponsor or an
Affiliate.

SECTION 7.3   Form and Dating.
              --------------- 

              The Capital Securities shall be evidenced by one or more
certificates substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1, and the Common Securities
shall be evidenced by one or more certificates substantially in the form of
Exhibit A-2. The Property Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1. Certificates representing
the Securities may be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in
any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to an Administrative Trustee, as
evidenced by the execution thereof. The Securities may have letters, "CUSIP" or
other numbers, notations or other marks of identification or designation and
such legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to
which the Trust is subject, if any, or usage, provided that, any such notation,
                                              -------- ---- 
legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Administrative Trustees, as
evidenced by their execution thereof. The Trust at the direction of the Sponsor,
shall furnish any such legend not contained in Exhibit A-1 to the Property
Trustee in writing. Each Capital Security shall be dated the date of its
authentication. The terms and provisions of the Securities set forth in Annex I
and the forms of Securities set forth in Exhibits A-1 and A-2 are part of the
terms of this Trust Agreement and, to the extent applicable, the Property
Trustee and the Sponsor, by their execution and delivery of this Trust
Agreement, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.

              (a) Global Capital Security. Capital Securities offered and sold
                  -----------------------  
to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A, as provided in the Purchase Agreement, shall
be issued in the form of a single permanent global Capital Security in
definitive, fully registered form without distribution coupons with the
appropriate global legends and Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit
A-1 hereto (the "Global Capital Security"), which shall be deposited on behalf
of the purchasers of the Capital Securities represented thereby with the
Property Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, 

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
as custodian for the Clearing Agency, and registered in the name of the Clearing
Agency or a nominee of the Clearing Agency, duly executed by the Trust and
authenticated by the Property Trustee as hereinafter provided. The number of
Capital Securities represented by the Global Capital Security may from time to
time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the
Property Trustee and the Clearing Agency or its nominee as hereinafter provided.

              (b) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 7.3(b) shall apply only 
                  ---------------------       
to the Global Capital Security and such other Capital Securities in global form
as may be authorized by the Trust to be deposited with or on behalf of the
Clearing Agency.

              An Administrative Trustee shall execute and the Property Trustee
shall, in accordance with this Section 7.3, authenticate and make available for
delivery initially a single Global Capital Security that (i) shall be registered
in the name of Cede & Co. or other nominee of such Clearing Agency, and (ii)
shall be delivered by the Property Trustee to such Clearing Agency or pursuant
to such Clearing Agency's written instructions or, if no such written
instructions are received by the Property Trustee, held by the Property Trustee
as custodian for the Clearing Agency.

              Members of, or participants in, the Clearing Agency
("Participants") shall have no rights under this Trust Agreement with respect to
the Global Capital Security held on their behalf by the Clearing Agency or by
the Property Trustee as the custodian of the Clearing Agency or under such
Global Capital Security, and the Clearing Agency may be treated by the Trust,
the Property Trustee and any agent of the Trust or the Property Trustee as the
absolute owner of such Global Capital Security for all purposes whatsoever.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Trust, the
Property Trustee or any agent of the Trust or the Property Trustee from giving
effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by
the Clearing Agency or impair, as between the Clearing Agency and its
Participants, the operation of customary practices of such Clearing Agency
governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in the
Global Capital Security.

              (c) Definitive Capital Securities. Except as provided in Section
                  -----------------------------  
7.9 or 9.2(f)(i), owners of beneficial interests in the Global Capital Security
will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Capital
Securities ("Definitive Capital Securities"). Purchasers of Securities who are
"accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the
Securities Act) and who are not QIBs will receive Capital Securities in the form
of individual certificates in definitive, fully registered form without
distribution coupons and with the Restricted Securities Legend set forth in
Exhibit A-1 hereto ("Restricted Definitive Capital Securities"); provided,
                                                                 -------- 
however, that upon registration of transfer of such Restricted Definitive
- -------                                                                  
Capital Securities to a QIB, such Restricted Definitive Capital Securities will,
unless the Global Capital Security has previously been exchanged, be exchanged
for an interest in the Global Capital Security pursuant to the provisions of
Section 9.2. Restricted Definitive Capital Securities will bear the Restricted
Securities Legend set forth on Exhibit A-1 unless removed in accordance with
this Section 7.3 or Section 9.2.

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 7.4  Registrar, Paying Agent and Exchange Agent.
             ------------------------------------------ 

             The Trust shall maintain in Wilmington, Delaware (i) an office or
agency where Capital Securities may be presented for registration of transfer
("Registrar"), (ii) an office or agency where Capital Securities may be
presented for payment ("Paying Agent") and (iii) an office or agency where
Securities may be presented for exchange ("Exchange Agent"). The Registrar shall
keep a register of the Capital Securities and of their transfer. The Trust may
appoint the Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Exchange Agent and may appoint
one or more co-registrars, one or more additional paying agents and one or more
additional Exchange Agents in such other locations as it shall determine. The
term "Registrar" includes any additional registrar, the term "Paying Agent"
includes any additional paying agent and the term "Exchange Agent" includes any
additional Exchange Agent. The Trust may change any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-
registrar or Exchange Agent without prior notice to any Holder. The Paying Agent
shall be permitted to resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice to the
Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor. The Trust shall
notify the Property Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to
this Trust Agreement. If the Trust fails to appoint or maintain another entity
as Registrar, Paying Agent or Exchange Agent, the Property Trustee shall act as
such. The Trust or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, or
Exchange Agent. The Trust shall act as Paying Agent, Registrar and Exchange
Agent for the Common Securities.

              The Trust initially appoints the Property Trustee as Registrar,
Paying Agent, Exchange Agent and Calculation Agent for the Capital Securities.

              The Calculation Agent shall determine the Coupon Rate (as defined
in Annex I hereto) in accordance with the terms of the Securities.

SECTION 7.5   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
              ----------------------------------- 

              The Trust shall require each Paying Agent other than the Property
Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the
benefit of Holders or the Property Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent
for the payment of liquidation amounts or Distributions, and will notify the
Property Trustee if there are insufficient funds for such purpose. While any
such insufficiency continues, the Property Trustee may require a Paying Agent to
pay all money held by it to the Property Trustee. The Trust at any time may
require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Property Trustee and
to account for any money disbursed by it. Upon payment over to the Property
Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Trust or an Affiliate of the Trust)
shall have no further liability for the money. If the Trust or the Sponsor or an
Affiliate of the Trust or the Sponsor acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate
and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held
by it as Paying Agent.

SECTION 7.6   Replacement Securities.
              ---------------------- 

              If a Holder claims that a Security owned by it has been lost,
destroyed or wrongfully taken or if such Security is mutilated and is
surrendered to the Trust or in the case of the Capital Securities to the
Property 

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
Trustee, an Administrative Trustee shall execute and the Property Trustee shall
authenticate and make available for delivery a replacement Security if the
Property Trustee's requirements are met. An indemnity bond must be provided by
the Holder which, in the judgment of the Property Trustee, is sufficient to
protect the Trustees, the Sponsor, the Trust or any authenticating agent from
any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Trust may
charge such Holder for its expenses in replacing a Security.

SECTION 7.7   Outstanding Capital Securities.
              ------------------------------ 

              The Capital Securities outstanding at any time are all the Capital
Securities authenticated by the Property Trustee except for those cancelled by
it, those delivered to it for cancellation, and those described in this Section
as not outstanding.

              If a Capital Security is replaced, paid or purchased pursuant to
Section 7.6 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Property Trustee
receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced, paid or purchased Capital
Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

              If Capital Securities are considered paid in accordance with the
terms of this Trust Agreement, they cease to be outstanding and Distributions on
them shall cease to accumulate.

              A Capital Security does not cease to be outstanding because one of
the Trust, the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Sponsor holds the Security.

SECTION 7.8   Capital Securities in Treasury.
              ------------------------------ 

              In determining whether the Holders of the required amount of
Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Capital
Securities owned by the Trust, the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Sponsor, as
the case may be, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except
that for the purposes of determining whether the Property Trustee shall be fully
protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities
which the Property Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

SECTION 7.9   Temporary Securities.
              -------------------- 

              (a) Until Definitive Capital Securities are ready for delivery,
the Trust may prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the Property
Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be
substantially in the form of Definitive Capital Securities but may have
variations that the Trust considers appropriate for temporary Securities.
Without unreasonable delay, the Trust shall prepare and, in the case of the
Capital Securities, the Property Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Capital
Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.

              (b) The Global Capital Security deposited with the Clearing Agency
or with the Property Trustee as custodian for the Clearing Agency pursuant to
Section 7.3 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of
Definitive Capital Securities only if such transfer complies with Section 9.2
and (i) the Clearing Agency notifies the Sponsor that it is unwilling or unable
to continue as Clearing Agency for such Global Capital Security or if at any
time such 

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
Clearing Agency ceases to be a "clearing agency" registered under the Exchange
Act, and, in each case, a clearing agency is not appointed by the Sponsor within
90 days of receipt of such notice or of becoming aware of such condition, (ii) a
Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or (iii) the
Trust at its sole discretion elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Capital
Securities.

              (c) Any Global Capital Security that is transferable to the
beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Capital Securities pursuant
to this Section 7.9 shall be surrendered by the Clearing Agency to the Property
Trustee to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without
charge, and the Property Trustee shall authenticate and make available for
delivery, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Capital Security, an
equal aggregate liquidation amount of Capital Securities of authorized
denominations in the form of Definitive Capital Securities. Any portion of the
Global Capital Security transferred pursuant to this Section shall be registered
in such names as the Clearing Agency shall direct. Any Definitive Capital
Security delivered in exchange for an interest in the Restricted Global Capital
Security shall, except as otherwise provided by Sections 7.3 and 9.1, bear the
Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit A-l hereto.

              (d) Subject to the provisions of Section 7.9(c), the Holder of the
Global Capital Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person,
including Participants and Persons that may hold interests through Participants,
to take any action which such Holder is entitled to take under this Trust
Agreement or the Securities.

              (e) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified
in Section 7.9(b), the Trust will promptly make available to the Property
Trustee a reasonable supply of certificated Capital Securities in fully
registered form without distribution coupons.

SECTION 7.10  Cancellation.
              ------------ 

              The Trust at any time may deliver Capital Securities to the
Property Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar, Paying Agent and Exchange
Agent shall forward to the Property Trustee any Capital Securities surrendered
to them for registration of transfer, redemption, exchange or payment. The
Property Trustee shall promptly cancel all Capital Securities surrendered for
registration of transfer, redemption, exchange, payment, replacement or
cancellation and shall dispose of cancelled Capital Securities in accordance
with its customary procedures unless the Trust otherwise directs. The Trust may
not issue new Capital Securities to replace Capital Securities that it has paid
or that have been delivered to the Property Trustee for cancellation or that any
Holder has exchanged.

SECTION 7.11  CUSIP Numbers.
              ------------- 

              The Trust in issuing the Capital Securities may use "CUSIP"
numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Property Trustee shall use
"CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of Capital
Securities; provided that, any such notice may state that no representation is
            -------- ----                                                     
made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the 

                                       41
<PAGE>
Capital Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that
reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the
Capital Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect
in or omission of such numbers. The Sponsor will promptly notify the Property
Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

                                 ARTICLE VIII
                             DISSOLUTION OF TRUST

SECTION 8.1   Dissolution of Trust.
              -------------------- 

              (a) The Trust shall dissolve:

                  (i)    upon the bankruptcy of the Sponsor;

                  (ii)   upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or
          liquidation or its equivalent with respect to the Sponsor; or the
          revocation of the Sponsor's charter and the expiration of 90 days
          after the date of revocation without a reinstatement thereof;

                  (iii)  following the distribution of a Like Amount of the
          Debentures to the Holders, provided that, the Property Trustee has
                                     -------------  
          received written notice from the Sponsor directing the Property
          Trustee to dissolve the Trust (which direction is optional, and except
          as otherwise expressly provided below, within the discretion of the
          Sponsor), and provided, further, that such direction and such
                        --------  -------                              
          distribution is conditioned on (a) the receipt by the Sponsor of any
          and all required regulatory approvals, and (b) the Sponsor's receipt
          and delivery to the Administrative Trustees of an opinion of
          independent tax counsel experienced in such matters, which opinion may
          rely on public or private rulings of the Internal Revenue Service, to
          the effect that the Holders of the Capital Securities will not
          recognize any gain or loss for United States federal income tax
          purposes as a result of the dissolution of the Trust and the
          distribution of Debentures;

                  (iv)   upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of
          the Trust by a court of competent jurisdiction;

                  (v)    when all of the Securities shall have been called for
          redemption and the amounts necessary for redemption thereof shall have
          been paid to the Holders in accordance with the terms of the
          Securities;

                  (vi)   upon the redemption or repayment of the Debentures or
          at such time as no Debentures are outstanding; or

                  (vii)  the expiration of the term of the Trust provided in
          Section 3.14.

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
              (b) As soon as is practicable upon completion of winding up of the
Trust following the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 8.1(a), the
Administrative Trustees shall terminate the Trust by filing a certificate of
cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance
with the Business Trust Act.

              (c) The provisions of Section 3.9 and Article X shall survive the
dissolution of the Trust.



                                  ARTICLE IX
                             TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

SECTION 9.1   Transfer of Securities.
              ---------------------- 

              (a) Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Trust Agreement and
in the terms of the Securities.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, any
transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with this
Trust Agreement shall be null and void.

              (b) Subject to this Article IX, Capital Securities may only be
transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions
set forth in this Trust Agreement. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any
transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with this
Trust Agreement shall be null and void.

              (c) For so long as the Securities remain outstanding, the Sponsor
agrees (i) not to transfer ownership of the Common Securities of the Trust,
provided that any permitted successor of the Sponsor under the Indenture may
succeed to the Sponsor's ownership of the Common Securities, (ii) not to cause,
as Sponsor of the Trust, or to permit, as Holder of the Common Securities, the
dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Trust, except as provided in this
Trust Agreement and (iii) to use its best efforts to cause the Trust (a) to
remain a business trust, except in connection with the distribution of
Debentures to the Holders in liquidation of the Trust, the redemption of all of
the Securities, or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as
permitted by this Trust Agreement, and (b) to otherwise continue to be
classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

              (d) The Registrar shall provide for the registration of Capital
Securities and of the transfer of Capital Securities, which will be effected
without charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Registrar may
require) in respect of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed
in relation to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Capital
Securities, an Administrative Trustee shall cause one or more new Capital
Securities to be issued in the name of the designated transferee or transferees.
Every Capital Security surrendered for registration of transfer shall be
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Registrar duly executed by the Holder or such Holder's attorney duly authorized
in writing. Each Capital Security surrendered for registration of transfer shall
be delivered to the Registrar and canceled in 

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
accordance with Section 7.10. A transferee of a Capital Security shall be
entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon
the receipt by such transferee of a Capital Security. By acceptance of a Capital
Security or any interest therein, each transferee shall be deemed to have agreed
to be bound by this Trust Agreement.

SECTION 9.2   Transfer Procedures and Restrictions.
              ------------------------------------ 

              (a) General. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.2(b), if
                  -------                                                    
Capital Securities are issued upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of
Capital Securities bearing the Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit
A-1 hereto, or if a request is made to remove such Restricted Securities Legend
on Capital Securities, the Capital Securities so issued shall bear the
Restricted Securities Legend, or the Restricted Securities Legend shall not be
removed, as the case may be, unless there is delivered to the Trust and the
Property Trustee such satisfactory evidence, which shall include an Opinion of
Counsel, as may be reasonably required by the Trust and the Property Trustee,
that neither the Restricted Securities Legend nor the restrictions on transfer
set forth therein are required to ensure that transfers thereof are made
pursuant to an exception from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act or, with respect to Restricted Capital Securities, that such Securities are
not "restricted" within the meaning of Rule 144. Upon provision of such
satisfactory evidence, the Property Trustee, at the written direction of an
Administrative Trustee on behalf of the Trust, shall authenticate and deliver
Capital Securities that do not bear the legend.

              (b) Transfers After Effectiveness of a Registration Statement. 
                  --------------------------------------------------------- 
After the effectiveness of a Registration Statement with respect to any Capital
Securities, all requirements pertaining to legends on such Capital Securities
will cease to apply (other than the legend requiring that transfers of Capital
Securities be made in blocks having an aggregate liquidation amount of not less
than $100,000 (100 Capital Securities) and multiples of $1,000 in excess
thereof), and beneficial interests in the Global Capital Security without
legends will be available to transferees of such Capital Securities, upon
exchange of the transferring Holder's Restricted Definitive Capital Security or
directions to transfer such Holder's beneficial interest in the Global Capital
Security, as the case may be. No such transfer or exchange of a Restricted
Definitive Capital Security or of an interest in the Global Capital Security
shall be effective unless the transferor delivers to the Property Trustee a
certificate in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as the form
of "Assignment" in Exhibit A-1. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.2(m),
after the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, an Administrative Trustee
on behalf of the Trust shall issue and the Property Trustee, upon a written
order of the Trust signed by one Administrative Trustee, shall authenticate a
Global Capital Security without the Restricted Securities Legend (the
"Unrestricted Global Capital Security") to deposit with the Clearing Agency to
evidence transfers of beneficial interests from the (i) Global Capital Security
and (ii) Restricted Definitive Capital Securities.

              (c) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Capital Securities. When
                  ------------------------------------------------------      
Definitive Capital Securities are presented to the Registrar or co-registrar:

              (x) to register the transfer of such Definitive Capital
Securities; or

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
              (y) to exchange such Definitive Capital Securities which became
     mutilated, destroyed, defaced, stolen or lost, for an equal number of
     Definitive Capital Securities, the Registrar or co-registrar shall register
     the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable
     requirements for such transaction are met;

     provided, however, that the Definitive Capital Securities surrendered for
     --------  -------                                                        
     registration of transfer or exchange:

                  (i)    shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written
          instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trust
          and the Registrar or co-registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof
          or his attorney duly authorized in writing; and

                  (ii)   in the case of Definitive Capital Securities that are
          Restricted Definitive Capital Securities:

                  (A) if such Restricted Capital Securities are being delivered
                  to the Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of
                  such Holder, without transfer, certification(s) from such
                  Holder to that effect; or

                  (B) if such Restricted Capital Securities are being
                  transferred: (i) certification(s) in a form substantially
                  similar to that attached hereto as the form of "Assignment" in
                  Exhibit A-1, and (ii) if the Trust or Registrar so requests,
                  evidence reasonably satisfactory to them as to the compliance
                  with the restrictions set forth in the Restricted Securities
                  Legend.

              (d) Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Capital Security 
                  ---------------------------------------------------------
for a Beneficial Interest in the Global Capital Security. A Definitive Capital
- --------------------------------------------------------                      
Security may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in the Global Capital
Security except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon
receipt by the Property Trustee of a Definitive Capital Security, duly endorsed
or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to
the Property Trustee, together with:

                  (i)    if such Definitive Capital Security is a Restricted
          Capital Security, certification(s) in a form substantially similar to
          that attached hereto as the form of "Assignment" in Exhibit A-1; and

                  (ii)   whether or not such Definitive Capital Security is a
          Restricted Capital Security, written instructions directing the
          Property Trustee to make, or to direct the Clearing Agency to make, an
          adjustment on its books and records with respect to the Global Capital
          Security to reflect an increase in the number of the Capital
          Securities represented by such Global Capital Security,

then the Property Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Capital Security and
cause, or direct the Clearing Agency to cause, the aggregate number of Capital
Securities represented by the Global 

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
Capital Security to be increased accordingly. If the Global Capital Security is
not then outstanding, an Administrative Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall
issue and the Property Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of any
Administrative Trustee, a new Global Capital Security representing an
appropriate number of Capital Securities.

              (e) Transfer and Exchange of the Global Capital Security. 
                  ----------------------------------------------------  
Subject to Section 9.2(f), the transfer and exchange of Global Capital Security
or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Clearing Agency in
accordance with this Trust Agreement (including applicable restrictions on
transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Clearing Agency
therefor.

              (f) Transfer of a Beneficial Interest in the Global Capital 
                  -------------------------------------------------------
Security for a Definitive Capital Security.
- ------------------------------------------ 

                  (i)    Any Person having a beneficial interest in the Global
          Capital Security may upon request, but only upon 20 days prior notice
          to the Property Trustee, and if accompanied by the information
          specified below, exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive
          Capital Security representing the same number of Capital Securities.
          Upon receipt by the Property Trustee from the Clearing Agency or its
          nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in the
          Global Capital Security of written instructions or such other form of
          instructions as is customary for the Clearing Agency or the Person
          designated by the Clearing Agency as having such a beneficial interest
          in a Restricted Capital Security and certification(s) from the
          transferor in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as
          the form of "Assignment" in Exhibit A-1, which may be submitted by
          facsimile, then the Property Trustee will cause the aggregate number
          of Capital Securities represented by the Global Capital Security to be
          reduced on its books and records and, following such reduction, the
          Trust will execute and the Property Trustee will authenticate and make
          available for delivery to the transferee a Definitive Capital
          Security.

                  (ii)   Definitive Capital Securities issued in exchange for a
          beneficial interest in the Global Capital Security pursuant to this
          Section 9.2(f) shall be registered in such names and in such
          authorized denominations as the Clearing Agency, pursuant to
          instructions from its Clearing Agency Participants or indirect
          participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Property Trustee in
          writing. The Property Trustee shall deliver such Capital Securities to
          the Persons in whose names such Capital Securities are so registered
          in accordance with such instructions of the Clearing Agency.

              (g) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of the Global Capital
                  -----------------------------------------------------------
Security. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Trust Agreement (other
- --------                                                                     
than the provisions set forth in subsection (h) of this Section 9.2), the Global
Capital Security may not be transferred as a whole except by the Clearing Agency
to a nominee of the Clearing Agency or another nominee of the Clearing Agency or
by the Clearing Agency or any such nominee to a successor Clearing Agency or a
nominee of such successor Clearing Agency.

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
              (h) Authentication of Definitive Capital Securities. If at any 
                  -----------------------------------------------  
time:

                  (i)    a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing,

                  (ii)   the Trust, in its sole discretion, notifies the
          Property Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of
          Definitive Capital Securities under this Trust Agreement, or

                  (iii)  the Clearing Agency notifies the Sponsor that it is
          unwilling or unable to continue as Clearing Agency for such Global
          Capital Security or if at any time such Clearing Agency ceases to be a
          "clearing agency" registered under the Exchange Act, and, in each
          case, a clearing agency is not appointed by the Sponsor within 90 days
          of receipt of such notice or of becoming aware of such condition,

then an Administrative Trustee on behalf of the Trust will execute, and the
Property Trustee, upon receipt of a written order of the Trust signed by one
Administrative Trustee requesting the authentication and delivery of Definitive
Capital Securities to the Persons designated by the Trust, will authenticate and
make available for delivery Definitive Capital Securities, equal in number to
the number of Capital Securities represented by the Global Capital Security, in
exchange for such Global Capital Security.

              (i) Legend.
                  ------ 

                  (i)    Except as permitted by the following paragraph (ii),
              each Capital Security Certificate evidencing the Global Capital
              Security and each Definitive Capital Security (and all Capital
              Securities issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof)
              shall bear a legend (the "Restricted Securities Legend") in
              substantially the following form:

              THIS CAPITAL SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
              ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE
              SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER
              THIS CAPITAL SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY
              BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR
              OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR
              UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO,
              REGISTRATION.

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
              THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF
              AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS CAPITAL SECURITY,
              PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE")
              WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE
              HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH GREATER BAY BANCORP (THE
              "CORPORATION") OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE CORPORATION WAS THE OWNER
              OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS CAPITAL
              SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE CORPORATION, (B) PURSUANT TO A
              REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE
              SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE
              FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE
              144A"), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED
              INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT PURCHASES FOR
              ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
              BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN
              RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
              INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A)(1), (2), (3) OR
              (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS
              CAPITAL SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH
              AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND
              NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY
              DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO
              ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
              UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF GBB CAPITAL II
              (THE "TRUST") AND THE CORPORATION PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR
              TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY
              OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION
              SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) TO
              REQUIRE THAT THE TRANSFEROR DELIVER TO THE TRUST A LETTER FROM THE
              TRANSFEREE 

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
              SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF ANNEX A TO THE OFFERING MEMORANDUM
              DATED AUGUST 7, 1998. SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL
              DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS
              TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.

              THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO
              AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE
              BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR
              ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME
              SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE
              INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, (THE "CODE") (EACH A
              "PLAN"), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN
              ASSETS" BY REASON OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY AND NO
              PERSON INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE
              CAPITAL SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER
              OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER
              U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 
              96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION
              OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF CAPITAL SECURITIES IS NOT
              PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE
              WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER
              OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED
              TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT
              EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING
              OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE
              CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF
              AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY
              USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE
              SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A
              PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
              ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE
              STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

In all circumstances, each Capital Security Certificate shall bear the following
legend:

              THE CAPITAL SECURITIES WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY
              IN BLOCKS HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000
              (100 CAPITAL SECURITIES) AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS
              THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF CAPITAL SECURITIES IN A BLOCK
              HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000 (100 CAPITAL
              SECURITIES) SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT
              WHATSOEVER. ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO
              BE THE HOLDER OF SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR ANY PURPOSE,
              INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE RECEIPT OF DISTRIBUTIONS ON
              SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES, AND SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE
              DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES.

                  (ii)   Upon any sale or transfer of a Restricted Capital
          Security (including any Restricted Capital Security represented by the
          Global Capital Security) pursuant to an effective registration
          statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 144:

                  (A) in the case of any Restricted Capital Security that is a
                  Definitive Capital Security, the Registrar shall permit the
                  Holder thereof to exchange such Restricted Capital Security
                  for a Definitive Capital Security that does not bear the
                  Restricted Securities Legend and rescind any restriction on
                  the transfer of such Restricted Capital Security; and

                  (B) in the case of any Restricted Capital Security that is
                  represented by the Global Capital Security, the Registrar
                  shall permit the Holder of such Global Capital Security to
                  exchange such Global Capital Security for another Global
                  Capital Security that does not bear the Restricted Securities
                  Legend.

              (j) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Capital Security. At such
                  -----------------------------------------------------         
time as all beneficial interests in the Global Capital Security have either been
exchanged for Definitive Capital Securities to the extent permitted by this
Trust Agreement or redeemed, repurchased or canceled in accordance with the
terms of this Trust Agreement, such Global Capital Security shall be returned 

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
to the Clearing Agency for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Property
Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in
the Global Capital Security is exchanged for Definitive Capital Securities,
Capital Securities represented by such Global Capital Security shall be reduced
and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Property Trustee
and the Clearing Agency or its nominee to reflect such reduction.

              (k) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Capital
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
Securities.
- ---------- 

                  (i)    To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the
          Trust shall execute and the Property Trustee shall authenticate
          Definitive Capital Securities and the Global Capital Security at the
          Registrar's or co-registrar's request in accordance with the terms of
          this Trust Agreement.

                  (ii)   Registrations of transfers or exchanges will be
          effected without charge, but only upon payment (with such indemnity as
          the Trust or the Sponsor may require) in respect of any tax or other
          governmental charge that may be imposed in relation to it.

                  (iii)  The Registrar or co-registrar shall not be required to
          register the transfer of or exchange of (a) Capital Securities during
          a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day
          of mailing of a notice of redemption or any notice of selection of
          Capital Securities for redemption and ending at the close of business
          on the day of such mailing or (b) any Capital Security so selected for
          redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any
          Capital Security being redeemed in part.

                  (iv)   Prior to the due presentation for registration of
          transfer of any Capital Security, the Trust, the Property Trustee, the
          Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar may deem and treat the
          Person in whose name a Capital Security is registered as the absolute
          owner of such Capital Security for the purpose of receiving
          Distributions on such Capital Security and for all other purposes
          whatsoever, and none of the Trust, the Property Trustee, the Paying
          Agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar shall be affected by notice
          to the contrary.

                  (v)    All Capital Securities issued upon any registration of
          transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Trust Agreement
          shall evidence the same security and shall be entitled to the same
          benefits under this Trust Agreement as the Capital Securities
          surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

              (l) No Obligation of the Property Trustee.
                  ------------------------------------- 

                  (i)    The Property Trustee shall have no responsibility or
          obligation to any Capital Security Beneficial Owner, a Participant in
          the Clearing Agency or other Person with respect to the accuracy of
          the records of the Clearing Agency or its nominee or of any
          Participant thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in 

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
          the Capital Securities or with respect to the delivery to any
          Participant, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Clearing
          Agency) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the
          payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Capital
          Securities. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders
          and all payments to be made to Holders under the Capital Securities
          shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered
          Holders (which shall be the Clearing Agency or its nominee in the case
          of the Global Capital Security). The rights of Capital Security
          Beneficial Owners shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency
          subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Clearing Agency.
          The Property Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully
          protected in relying upon information furnished by the Clearing Agency
          or any agent thereof with respect to its Participants and any Capital
          Security Beneficial Owners.

                  (ii)   The Property Trustee and the Registrar shall have no
          obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance
          with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Trust Agreement
          or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest
          in any Capital Security (including any transfers between or among
          Clearing Agency Participants or Capital Security Beneficial Owners)
          other than to require delivery of such certificates and other
          documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so
          if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Trust Agreement,
          and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form
          with the express requirements hereof.

              (m) Exchange of Series A Capital Securities for Series B Capital
                  ------------------------------------------------------------
Securities. The Series A Capital Securities shall be exchanged for Series B
- ----------                                                                 
Capital Securities pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer if the following
conditions are satisfied:

              The Sponsor shall present the Property Trustee with an Officers'
Certificate certifying the following:

              (A) upon issuance of the Series B Capital Securities, the
              transactions contemplated by the Exchange Offer have been
              consummated; and

              (B) the number of Series A Capital Securities properly tendered in
              the Exchange Offer that are represented by the Global Capital
              Security and the number of Series A Capital Securities properly
              tendered in the Exchange Offer that are represented by Definitive
              Capital Securities, the name of each Holder of such Definitive
              Capital Securities, the liquidation amount of Capital Securities
              properly tendered in the Exchange Offer by each such Holder and
              the name and address to which Definitive Capital Securities for
              Series B Capital Securities shall be registered and sent for each
              such Holder.

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
              The Property Trustee, upon receipt of (i) such Officers'
Certificate, (ii) an Opinion of Counsel (x) to the effect that the Series B
Capital Securities and the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee have been
registered under Section 5 of the Securities Act and that this Trust Agreement
and the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee have been qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act and (y) with respect to the matters set forth in Section
3(q) of the Registration Rights Agreement, shall authenticate (A) the Global
Capital Security, executed and delivered by the Trust to the Property Trustee,
for Series B Capital Securities in aggregate liquidation amount equal to the
aggregate liquidation amount of Series A Capital Securities represented by the
Global Capital Security indicated in such Officers' Certificate as having been
properly tendered and (B) Definitive Capital Securities, executed and delivered
by the Trust to the Property Trustee, representing Series B Capital Securities
registered in the names and in the liquidation amounts indicated in such
Officers' Certificate.

              If, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, less than all the
outstanding Series A Capital Securities shall have been properly tendered and
not withdrawn, the Property Trustee shall make an endorsement on the Global
Capital Security for Series A Capital Securities indicating the reduction in the
number and aggregate liquidation amount represented thereby as a result of the
Exchange Offer.

              The Trust shall deliver such authenticated Definitive Capital
Securities for Series B Capital Securities to the Holders thereof as indicated
in such Officers' Certificate.

              (n) Minimum Transfers. Series A Capital Securities and, if and 
                  -----------------  
when issued, Series B Capital Securities may only be transferred in minimum
blocks of $100,000 aggregate liquidation amount (100 Capital Securities) and
multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Any attempted transfer of Series A
Capital Securities or Series B Capital Securities in a block having an aggregate
liquidation amount of less than $100,000 shall be deemed to be voided and of no
legal effect whatsoever. Any such purported transferee shall be deemed not to be
a Holder of such Series A Capital Securities or Series B Capital Securities for
any purpose, including, but not limited to, the receipt of Distributions on such
Capital Securities, and such purported transferee shall be deemed to have no
interest whatsoever in such Capital Securities.

SECTION 9.3   Deemed Security Holders.
              ----------------------- 

              The Trustees may treat the Person in whose name any Security shall
be registered on the books and records of the Trust as the sole owner and Holder
of such Security for purposes of receiving Distributions and for all other
purposes whatsoever and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any
equitable or other claim to or interest in such Security on the part of any
Person, whether or not the Trust shall have actual or other notice thereof.

SECTION 9.4   Book-Entry Interests.
              -------------------- 

              The Global Capital Security shall initially be registered on the
books and records of the Trust in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of the
Clearing Agency and no Capital Security Beneficial Owner will receive physical
delivery of a definitive Capital Security certificate (a "Capital

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
Security Certificate") representing such Capital Security Beneficial Owner's
interests in such Global Capital Security, except as provided in Section 9.2 and
Section 7.9. Unless and until Definitive Capital Securities have been issued to
the Capital Security Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.2 or Section 7.9:

              (a) the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall be in full force and
effect;

              (b) the Trust and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal with the
Clearing Agency for all purposes of this Trust Agreement (including the payment
of Distributions on the Global Capital Security and receiving approvals, votes
or consents hereunder) as the sole Holder of the Global Capital Security and
shall have no obligation to the Capital Security Beneficial Owners;

              (c) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 9.4 conflict
with any other provisions of this Trust Agreement, the provisions of this
Section 9.4 shall control; and

              (d) the rights of the Capital Security Beneficial Owners shall be
exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those
established by law and agreements between such Capital Security Beneficial
Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants, and the
Clearing Agency shall receive and transmit payments of Distributions on the
Global Capital Security to such Clearing Agency Participants; provided, however,
                                                              --------  ------- 
that solely for the purposes of determining whether the Holders of the requisite
amount of Capital Securities have voted on any matter provided for in this Trust
Agreement, the Trustees, with respect to the Global Capital Security, may
conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, any written
instrument (including a proxy) delivered to the Trustees by the Clearing Agency
setting forth the Capital Security Beneficial Owners' votes or assigning the
right to vote on any matter to any other Persons either in whole or in part; and
the Clearing Agency will also make book-entry transfers among the Clearing
Agency Participants.

SECTION 9.5   Notices to Clearing Agency.
              -------------------------- 

              Whenever a notice or other communication to the Capital Security
Holders is required to be given by a Trustee under this Trust Agreement, such
Trustee shall give all such notices and communications specified herein to be
given to the Holder of the Global Capital Security to the Clearing Agency and
shall have no notice obligations to the Capital Security Beneficial Owners.

SECTION 9.6   Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency.
              ---------------------------------------- 

              If any Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as
securities depositary with respect to the Capital Securities, the Administrative
Trustees may, in their sole discretion, appoint a successor Clearing Agency with
respect to such Capital Securities.

                                   ARTICLE X
                           LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
                   HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 10.1  Liability.
              --------- 

              (a) Except as expressly set forth in this Trust Agreement, the
Securities Guarantees and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be:

                  (i)    personally liable for the return of any portion of the
          capital contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders which
          shall be made solely from assets of the Trust; and

                  (ii)   required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder any
          deficit upon dissolution of the Trust or otherwise.

              (b) The Sponsor shall be liable for all of the debts and
obligations of the Trust (other than in respect of the Securities) to the extent
not satisfied out of the Trust's assets.

              (c) Pursuant to (S) 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the Holders
shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to
stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

SECTION 10.2  Exculpation.
              ----------- 

              (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or
accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any
loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or
omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a
manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the
authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Trust Agreement or by
law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage
or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's gross negligence (or in
the case of the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, negligence) or willful
misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.

              (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in
good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions,
reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the
Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's
professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care
by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or
statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits,
losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from
which Distributions to Holders might properly be paid.

SECTION 10.3  Fiduciary Duty.
              -------------- 

              (a) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person
has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the
Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under this
Trust Agreement shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person
for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Trust Agreement. The
provisions of this Trust Agreement, to the extent that they restrict the duties
and liabilities of 

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity (other than the
duties imposed on the Property Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are
agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of
such Indemnified Person.

              (b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein:

                  (i)    whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises
          between any Covered Person and any Indemnified Person, or

                  (ii)   whenever this Trust Agreement or any other agreement
          contemplated herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person
          shall act in a manner that is, or provides terms that are, fair and
          reasonable to the Trust or any Holder of Securities,

the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action
or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each
party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or
situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary
or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting
practices or principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person,
the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified
Person shall not constitute a breach of this Trust Agreement or any other
agreement contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Indemnified
Person at law or in equity or otherwise.

              (c) Whenever in this Trust Agreement an Indemnified Person is
permitted or required to make a decision:

                  (i)    in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar
          authority, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such
          interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and
          shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any
          interest of or factors affecting the Trust or any other Person; or

                  (ii)   in its "good faith" or under another express standard,
          the Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall
          not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by this
          Trust Agreement or by applicable law.

SECTION 10.4  Indemnification.
              --------------- 

              (a)   (i) The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent
permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact
that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person, against expenses (including
attorneys' fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he 

                                       56
<PAGE>
 
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust,
and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause
to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or
proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo
contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that
the Company Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in a manner which
he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable
cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

                  (ii)   The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent
permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or
suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against
expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or
suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust and except that no such
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such Company Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to
the Trust unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware
or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the
circumstances of the case, such Person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses which such Court of Chancery or such other court
shall deem proper.

                  (iii)  To the extent that a Company Indemnified Person shall
be successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action
without prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of liability)
in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and
(ii) of this Section 10.4(a), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter
therein, he shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law, against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith.

                  (iv)   Any indemnification under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of
this Section 10.4(a) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Sponsor
only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the Company Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances
because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs
(i) and (ii). Such determination shall be made (1) by the Administrative
Trustees by a majority vote of a Quorum consisting of such Administrative
Trustees who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (2) if such a
Quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a Quorum of disinterested
Administrative Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written
opinion, or (3) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust.

                  (v)    Expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses)
incurred by a Company Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in
paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a) shall be paid by the Sponsor in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Company Indemnified Person to repay
such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be
indemnified by the Sponsor as authorized in this 

                                       57
<PAGE>
 
Section 10.4(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the
Sponsor if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by the
Administrative Trustees by a majority vote of a Quorum of disinterested
Administrative Trustees, (ii) if such a Quorum is not obtainable, or, even if
obtainable, if a Quorum of disinterested Administrative Trustees so directs, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iii) by the Common Security
Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts known to the Administrative
Trustees, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time such determination
is made, such Company Indemnified Person acted in bad faith or in a manner that
the Common Security Holder did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Trust, or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that such
Company Indemnified Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful. In no event shall any advance be made in instances where
the Administrative Trustees, independent legal counsel or Common Security Holder
reasonably determine that a Company Indemnified Person deliberately breached his
duty to the Trust or its Common or Capital Security Holders.

                  (vi)   The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section
10.4(a) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking
indemnification and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement,
vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Sponsor or Capital
Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in his official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All
rights to indemnification under this Section 10.4(a) shall be deemed to be
provided by a contract between the Sponsor and each Company Indemnified Person
who serves in such capacity at any time while this Section 10.4(a) is in effect.
Any repeal or modification of this Section 10.4(a) shall not affect any rights
or obligations then existing.

                  (vii)  The Sponsor or the Trust may purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Company Indemnified Person
against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such
capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Debenture
Issuer would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the
provisions of this Section 10.4(a).

                  (viii) For purposes of this Section 10.4(a), references to
"the Trust" shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any
constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a
consolidation or merger, so that any person who is or was a director, trustee,
officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the
request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or
agent of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the provisions
of this Section 10.4(a) with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he
would have with respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had
continued.

                  (ix)   The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 10.4(a) shall, unless
otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a Person who has
ceased to be a Company Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the
heirs, executors and administrators of such a Person.

                                       58
<PAGE>
 
              (b) The Sponsor agrees to indemnify the (i) Property Trustee, (ii)
the Delaware Trustee, (iii) any Affiliate of the Property Trustee or the
Delaware Trustee, and (iv) any officers, directors, shareholders, members,
partners, employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the
Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee (each of the Persons in (i) through
(iv), including the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee in their
respective individual capacities, being referred to as a "Fiduciary Indemnified
Person") for, and to hold each Fiduciary Indemnified Person harmless against,
any and all loss, liability, damage, action, suit, claim or expense including
taxes (other than taxes based on the income of such Fiduciary Indemnified
Person) of any kind and nature whatsoever incurred without negligence (or gross
negligence on the part of the Delaware Trustee) or bad faith on the part of such
Fiduciary Indemnified Person, arising out of or in connection with the
acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the
costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending
against or investigating any claim or liability in connection with the exercise
or performance of any of the powers or duties of such Fiduciary Indemnified
Person hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section
10.4(b) shall survive the resignation or removal of the Property Trustee or the
Delaware Trustee and the satisfaction and discharge of this Trust Agreement.

              (c) The Sponsor agrees to pay the Property Trustee and the
Delaware Trustee, from time to time, such compensation for all services rendered
by the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee hereunder as may be mutually
agreed upon in writing by the Sponsor and the Property Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
to reimburse the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee upon its or their
request for all reasonable expenses (including counsel fees and expenses),
disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Property Trustee or the
Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of this
Trust Agreement, except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be
attributable to its or their negligence or bad faith.

SECTION 10.5  Outside Businesses.
              ------------------ 

              Any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the
Property Trustee (subject to Section 5.3(c)) may engage in or possess an
interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently
or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Trust, and the
Trust and the Holders shall have no rights by virtue of this Trust Agreement in
and to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom, and
the pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the
Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper. No Covered Person, the Sponsor,
the Delaware Trustee, or the Property Trustee shall be obligated to present any
particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust even if such opportunity
is of a character that, if presented to the Trust, could be taken by the Trust,
and any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Property
Trustee shall have the right to take for its own account (individually or as a
partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular investment
or other opportunity. Any Covered Person, the Delaware Trustee and the Property
Trustee may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with
the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor, or may act as depositary for,
trustee or agent for, or act on any committee or body of holders of, securities
or other obligations of the Sponsor or its Affiliates.

                                       59
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE XI
                                  ACCOUNTING

SECTION 11.1  Fiscal Year.
              ----------- 

              The fiscal year ("Fiscal Year") of the Trust shall be the calendar
year, or such other year as is required by the Code.

SECTION 11.2  Certain Accounting Matters.
              -------------------------- 

              (a) At all times during the existence of the Trust, the
Administrative Trustees shall keep, or cause to be kept, full books of account,
records and supporting documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail each
transaction of the Trust. The books of account shall be maintained on the
accrual method of accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, consistently applied. The Trust shall use the accrual method of
accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. The books of account
and the records of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon as of the
end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified public
accountants selected by the Administrative Trustees.

              (b) The Administrative Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared
and delivered to each of the Holders any annual United States federal income tax
information statement required by the Code, containing such information with
regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by the Code and the
Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the Code to deliver any
such statement at a later date, the Administrative Trustees shall endeavor to
deliver all such information statements within 30 days after the end of each
Fiscal Year of the Trust.

              (c) The Administrative Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared
and filed with the appropriate taxing authority, an annual United States federal
income tax return, on a Form 1041 or such other form required by United States
federal income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns required to be
filed by the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust with any state or
local taxing authority.

SECTION 11.3  Banking.
              ------- 

              The Trust may maintain one or more bank accounts in the name and
for the sole benefit of the Trust; provided, however, that all payments of funds
                                   --------  -------   
in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee shall be made directly
to the Property Trustee Account and no other funds of the Trust shall be
deposited in the Property Trustee Account. The sole signatories for such
accounts shall be designated by Administrative Trustees; provided, however, that
                                                         --------  -------   
the Property Trustee shall designate the signatories for the Property Trustee
Account.

SECTION 11.4  Withholding.
              ----------- 

              The Trust and the Administrative Trustees shall comply with all
withholding requirements under United States federal, state and local law. The
Trust shall request, and the 

                                       60
<PAGE>
 
Holders shall provide to the Trust, such forms or certificates as are necessary
to establish an exemption from withholding with respect to each Holder, and any
representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by the Trust to
assist it in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding
obligations. The Administrative Trustees shall cause to be filed required forms
with applicable jurisdictions and, unless an exemption from withholding is
properly established by a Holder, shall remit amounts withheld with respect to
the Holder to applicable jurisdictions. To the extent that the Trust is required
to withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with respect to
Distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed
to be a Distribution in the amount of the withholding to the Holder. In the
event of any claim of excess withholding, Holders shall be limited to an action
against the applicable jurisdiction. If the amount required to be withheld was
not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Trust may reduce subsequent
Distributions by the amount of such withholding.

                                  ARTICLE XII
                            AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

SECTION 12.1  Amendments.
              ---------- 

              (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Trust Agreement
(including Section 7 of Annex I hereto) or by any applicable terms of the
Securities, this Trust Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument
approved and executed by:

                  (i)    the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees (or, if
          there are more than two Administrative Trustees, a majority of the
          Administrative Trustees);

                  (ii)   if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties,
          obligations or immunities of the Property Trustee, the Property
          Trustee; and

                  (iii)  if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties,
          obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee, the Delaware
          Trustee.

              (b) No amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment
shall be void and ineffective:

                  (i)    unless, in the case of any proposed amendment, the
          Property Trustee shall have first received an Officers' Certificate
          from each of the Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is
          permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Trust Agreement
          (including the terms of the Securities);

                  (ii)   unless, in the case of any proposed amendment which
          affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the
          Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall have first received:

                                       61
<PAGE>
 
                  (A) an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust and the
                  Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to,
                  the terms of this Trust Agreement (including the terms of the
                  Securities); and

                  (B) an Opinion of Counsel (who may be counsel to the Sponsor
                  or the Trust) that such amendment is permitted by, and
                  conforms to, the terms of this Trust Agreement (including the
                  terms of the Securities) and that all conditions precedent to
                  the execution and delivery of such amendment have been
                  satisfied;

provided, however, that the Property Trustee shall not be required to sign any
- --------  -------                                                             
such amendment; and

                  (iii)  to the extent the result of such amendment would be to:

                  (A) cause the Trust to fail to continue to be classified for
                  purposes of United States federal income taxation as a grantor
                  trust;

                  (B) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the
                  Property Trustee in contravention of the Trust Indenture Act;
                  or

                  (C) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company
                  required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.

              (c) At such time after the Trust has issued any Securities that
remain outstanding, any amendment that would adversely affect the rights,
privileges or preferences of any Holder (other than an amendment pursuant to
(g)(ii) below) may be effected only with such additional requirements as may be
set forth in the terms of such Securities;

              (d) Section 10.1(c) and this Section 12.1 shall not be amended
without the consent of all of the Holders;

              (e) Article Four shall not be amended without the consent of the
Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities;

              (f) The rights of the Holders of the Common Securities under
Article V to increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove Trustees
shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities; and

              (g) Notwithstanding Section 12.1(c), this Trust Agreement may be
amended without the consent of the Holders to:

                  (i)    cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision
          in this Trust Agreement that may be inconsistent with any other
          provision of this Trust Agreement or to make any other provisions with
          respect to matters or questions 

                                       62
<PAGE>
 
          arising under this Trust Agreement which shall not be inconsistent
          with the other provisions of the Trust Agreement;

                  (ii)   to modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of the
          Trust Agreement to such extent as shall be necessary to ensure that
          the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax
          purposes as a grantor trust at all times that any Securities are
          outstanding or to ensure that the Trust will not be required to
          register as an Investment Company under the Investment Company Act;
          and

                  (iii)  to modify, eliminate or add any provisions of the Trust
          Agreement to such extent as shall be necessary to enable the Trust or
          the Sponsor to conduct an Exchange Offer in the manner contemplated by
          the Registration Rights Agreement;

provided, however, that in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, such action
- --------  -------                                                              
shall not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the Holders,
and any such amendments of this Trust Agreement shall become effective when
notice thereof is given to the Holders.

SECTION 12.2  Meetings of the Holders; Action by Written Consent.
              -------------------------------------------------- 

              (a) Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may be
called at any time by the Administrative Trustees (or as provided in the terms
of the Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such
class of Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Trust Agreement,
the terms of the Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on which the
Capital Securities are listed or admitted for trading. The Administrative
Trustees shall call a meeting of the Holders of such class if directed to do so
by the Holders of at least 10% in Liquidation Amount of such class of
Securities. Such direction shall be given by delivering to the Administrative
Trustees one or more notices in writing stating that the signing Holders wish to
call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the
meeting is to be called. Any Holders calling a meeting shall specify in writing
the Capital Security Certificates held by the Holders exercising the right to
call a meeting and only those Securities specified shall be counted for purposes
of determining whether the required percentage set forth in the second sentence
of this paragraph has been met.

              (b) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the
Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders:

                  (i)    notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the
          Holders having a right to vote thereat at least seven days and not
          more than 60 days before the date of such meeting. Whenever a vote,
          consent or approval of the Holders is permitted or required under this
          Trust Agreement or the rules of any stock exchange on which the
          Capital Securities are listed or admitted for trading, such vote,
          consent or approval may be given at a meeting of the Holders; any
          action that may be taken at a meeting of the Holders may be taken
          without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so
          taken is signed by the Holders owning not less than the minimum amount
          of Securities in liquidation amount 

                                       63
<PAGE>
 
          that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting
          at which all Holders having a right to vote thereon were present and
          voting; prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall
          be given to the Holders entitled to vote who have not consented in
          writing; and the Administrative Trustees may specify that any written
          ballot submitted to the Security Holder for the purpose of taking any
          action without a meeting shall be returned to the Trust within the
          time specified by the Administrative Trustees;

                  (ii)   each Holder may authorize any Person to act for it by
          proxy on all matters in which a Holder is entitled to participate,
          including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at
          a meeting; no proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven
          months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy;
          every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Holder executing
          it; and, except as otherwise provided herein, all matters relating to
          the giving, voting or validity of proxies shall be governed by the
          General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to proxies,
          and judicial interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were a
          Delaware corporation and the Holders were stockholders of a Delaware
          corporation;

                  (iii)  each meeting of the Holders shall be conducted by the
          Administrative Trustees or by such other Person that the
          Administrative Trustees may designate; and

                  (iv)   unless the Business Trust Act, this Trust Agreement,
          the terms of the Securities, the Trust Indenture Act or the listing
          rules of any stock exchange on which the Capital Securities are then
          listed or trading, otherwise provides, the Administrative Trustees, in
          their sole discretion, shall establish all other provisions relating
          to meetings of Holders, including notice of the time, place or purpose
          of any meeting at which any matter is to be voted on by any Holders,
          waiver of any such notice, action by consent without a meeting, the
          establishment of a record date, quorum requirements, voting in person
          or by proxy or any other matter with respect to the exercise of any
          such right to vote.

                                 ARTICLE XIII
                      REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE
                              AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE

SECTION 13.1  Representations and Warranties of Property Trustee.
              -------------------------------------------------- 

              The Trustee that acts as initial Property Trustee represents and
warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Trust Agreement,
and each Successor Property Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the
Sponsor at the time of the Successor Property Trustee's acceptance of its
appointment as Property Trustee that:

                                       64
<PAGE>
 
              (a) the Property Trustee is a banking corporation, a national
banking association or a bank or trust company, duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the United States or the State of
Delaware as the case may be, with corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this
Trust Agreement;

              (b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Property
Trustee of this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of the Property Trustee; and this Trust Agreement
has been duly executed and delivered by the Property Trustee and under Delaware
law (excluding any securities laws) constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Property Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with
its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium,
insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to
general principles of equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of
whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity
or at law);

              (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Trust
Agreement by the Property Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach
of the charter or by-laws of the Property Trustee; and

              (d) no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with
or notice to, any federal or state banking authority governing the trust powers
of the Property Trustee is required for the execution, delivery or performance
by the Property Trustee of this Trust Agreement.

SECTION 13.2  Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee.
              -------------------------------------------------- 

              The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents and
warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Trust Agreement,
and each Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the
Sponsor at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of its
appointment as Delaware Trustee that:

              (a) the Delaware Trustee is a banking corporation, a national
banking association or a bank or trust company, duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the United States or the State of
Delaware, as the case may be, with corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this
Trust Agreement;

              (b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Delaware
Trustee of this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of the Delaware Trustee; and this Trust Agreement
has been duly executed and delivered by the Delaware Trustee and under Delaware
law (excluding any securities laws) constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Delaware Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with
its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium,
insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to
general principles of equity and the discretion of the court 

                                       65
<PAGE>
 
(regardless of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law);

              (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Trust
Agreement by the Delaware Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach
of the charter or by-laws of the Delaware Trustee; and

              (d) no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with
or notice to, any federal or Delaware banking authority governing the trust
powers of the Delaware Trustee is required for the execution, delivery or
performance by the Delaware Trustee of this Trust Agreement; and

              (e) the Delaware Trustee is a natural person who is a resident of
the State of Delaware or, if not a natural person, an entity which has its
principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and is a Person that
satisfies for the Trust Section 3807(a) of the Business Trust Act.

                                  ARTICLE XIV
                              REGISTRATION RIGHTS

SECTION 14.1  Registration Rights Agreement; Liquidated Damages.
              ------------------------------------------------- 

              The Holders of the Series A Capital Securities, the Series A
Debentures and the Series A Capital Securities Guarantee are entitled to the
benefits of the Registration Rights Agreement and the Liquidated Damages
Agreement. In certain limited circumstances set forth in the Registration Rights
Agreement and the Liquidated Damages Agreement, the Debenture Issuer shall be
required to pay liquidated damages with respect to the Debentures. Unless
otherwise stated, the term "Distribution," as used in this Trust Agreement,
includes any and all liquidated damages.

                                  ARTICLE XV
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 15.1  Notices.
              ------- 

              All notices provided for in this Trust Agreement shall be in
writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered,
telecopied or mailed by first class mail, overnight courier service or confirmed
telecopy, as follows:

              (a) if given to the Trust, in care of the Administrative Trustees
at the Trust's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the
Trust may give notice of to the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and the
Holders):

              GBB Capital II
              c/o Greater Bay Bancorp
              2860 West Bayshore Road
              Palo Alto, California 94303

                                       66
<PAGE>
 
              Attn.: Steven C. Smith
              Telephone: (650) 813-8200
              Telecopier: (650) 494-9193

              (b) if given to the Delaware Trustee, at the mailing address set
forth below (or such other address as Delaware Trustee may give notice of to the
Holders):

              Wilmington Trust Company
              Rodney Square North
              1100 North Market Street
              Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001
              Attn.: Corporate Trust Administration
              Telephone: (302) 651-1000
              Telecopier: (302) 651-8882

              (c) if given to the Property Trustee, at the Property Trustee's
mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Property Trustee
may give notice of to the Holders):

              Wilmington Trust Company
              Rodney Square North
              1100 North Market Street
              Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001
              Attn.: Corporate Trust Administration
              Telephone: (302) 651-1000
              Telecopier: (302) 651-8882

              (d) if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the
mailing address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the
Holder of the Common Securities may give notice to the Trust):

              Greater Bay Bancorp
              2860 West Bayshore Road
              Palo Alto, California 94303
              Attn.: Steven C. Smith
              Telephone: (650) 813-8200
              Telecopier: (650) 494-9193

              (e) if given to any other Holder, at the address set forth on the
books and records of the Trust.

              All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received
in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or
cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given,
such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date
of such refusal or inability to deliver.

                                       67
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 15.2  Governing Law.
              ------------- 

              This Trust Agreement and the rights of the parties hereunder shall
be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.

SECTION 15.3  Intention of the Parties.
              ------------------------ 

              It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust be
classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust. The
provisions of this Trust Agreement shall be interpreted to further this
intention of the parties.

SECTION 15.4  Headings.
              -------- 

              Headings contained in this Trust Agreement are inserted for
convenience of reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this Trust
Agreement or any provision hereof.

SECTION 15.5  Successors and Assigns.
              ---------------------- 

              Whenever in this Trust Agreement any of the parties hereto is
named or referred to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed
to be included, and all covenants and agreements in this Trust Agreement by the
Sponsor and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective
successors and assigns, whether or not so expressed.

SECTION 15.6  Partial Enforceability.
              ---------------------- 

              If any provision of this Trust Agreement, or the application of
such provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the
remainder of this Trust Agreement, or the application of such provision to
Persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not
be affected thereby.

SECTION 15.7  Counterparts.
              ------------ 

              This Trust Agreement may contain more than one counterpart of the
signature page and this Trust Agreement may be executed by the affixing of the
signature of each of the Trustees to one or more of such counterpart signature
pages. All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and
they shall have the same force and effect as though all of the signers had
signed a single signature page.

                                       68
<PAGE>
 
            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused these presents to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.


                              /s/ Steven C. Smith
                              --------------------------------------------------
                              Steven C. Smith,
                              as Administrative Trustee


                              /s/ Shawn E. Saunders
                              --------------------------------------------------
                              Shawn E. Saunders,
                              as Administrative Trustee


                              /s/ Mark Eschen
                              --------------------------------------------------
                              Mark Eschen,
                              as Administrative Trustee

                              WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
                              as Delaware Trustee


                              By:   /s/ Patricia A. Evans
                                    --------------------------------------------
                              Name:      Patricia A. Evans
                              Title:     Financial Services Officer


                              WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
                              as Property Trustee


                              By:   /s/ Patricia A. Evans
                                    --------------------------------------------
                              Name:      Patricia A. Evans
                              Title:     Financial Services Officer


                              GREATER BAY BANCORP,
                              as Sponsor and Debenture Issuer


                              By:   /s/ Steven C. Smith
                              --------------------------------------------------
                              Name:      Steven C. Smith
                              Title:     Executive Vice President, Chief
                                         Operating Officer and Chief Financial
                                         Officer

                                       69
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX I

                                    TERMS OF
              FLOATING RATE CAPITAL SECURITIES, SERIES A/SERIES B
                        FLOATING RATE COMMON SECURITIES


          Pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement,
dated as of August 12, 1998 (as amended from time to time, the "Trust
Agreement"), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and
other terms and provisions of the Securities are set out below (each capitalized
term used but not defined herein has the meaning set forth in the Trust
Agreement or, if not defined in such Trust Agreement, as defined in the Offering
Memorandum referred to below in Section 2(g) of this Annex I):

     1.   Designation and Number.
          ---------------------- 

          (a) Capital Securities. 30,000 Series A Capital Securities of the
              ------------------                                           
Trust and 30,000 Series B Capital Securities of the Trust, each series with an
aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust Thirty
Million Dollars ($30,000,000) and with a liquidation amount with respect to the
assets of the Trust of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) (the "Liquidation Amount")
per security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as
"Floating Rate Capital Securities, Series A" and "Floating Rate Capital
Securities, Series B," respectively (collectively, the "Capital Securities").
The certificates evidencing the Capital Securities shall be substantially in the
form of Exhibit A-1 to the Trust Agreement, with such changes and additions
thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or
practice or to conform to the rules of any exchange or quotation system on or in
which the Capital Securities are listed, traded or quoted.

          (b) Common Securities. 928 Common Securities of the Trust with an
              -----------------                                            
aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of Nine
Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand Dollars ($928,000) and a liquidation amount
with respect to the assets of the Trust of $1,000 per security, are hereby
designated for the purposes of identification only as "Floating Rate Common
Securities" (the "Common Securities"). The certificates evidencing the Common
Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Trust
Agreement, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may
be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice.

     2.   Distributions.
          ------------- 

          (a) Distributions on each Security will be payable at a rate per
annum, reset quarterly, equal to 3-month LIBOR (as defined below) plus 150 basis
points  (the "Coupon Rate"), such rate being the rate of interest payable on the
Debentures to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more
than one quarterly period will bear additional Distributions thereon compounded
quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law).
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, in certain limited circumstances
the Debenture Issuer will be required to pay Liquidated Damages (as defined in
the Registration Rights Agreement) with respect to the Debentures. The term
"Distributions," as used herein, includes distributions of any and all 

                                      I-1
<PAGE>
 
such interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, payable unless otherwise stated. A
Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made with respect
to the Debentures held by the Property Trustee and to the extent the Property
Trustee has funds legally available therefor.

          (b) The Coupon Rate on the Securities for each quarter (or other
period for which interest is payable) will be determined on the Determination
Date (as defined below) for such quarter (or other period for which interest is
payable) and will be a per annum rate reset quarterly equal to 3-month LIBOR
(determined as set forth below) plus 150 basis points, and will be effective as
of the first day of such quarter (or other period for which interest is
payable).

          (c) On each Determination Date, the Calculation Agent will calculate
the interest rate, based on 3-month LIBOR, for each interest period commencing
on the second London Banking Day immediately following such Determination Date.
"3-month LIBOR" means, with respect to an interest period relating to a
Distribution Date, the London interbank offered rate for three-month, Eurodollar
deposits determined in the following order of priority:

     (i)    the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for Eurodollar
deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of
11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date);

     (ii)   if such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m.
(London time) on the related Determination Date, 3-month LIBOR will be the
arithmetic mean of the rates (expressed as percentages per annum) for Eurodollar
deposits having a three-month maturity that appear on Reuters Monitor Money
Rates Page LIBO ("Reuters Page LIBO") as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such
Determination Date;

     (iii)  if such rate does not appear on Reuters Page LIBO as of 11:00
a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date, the Calculation Agent will
request the principal London offices of four leading banks in the London
interbank market to provide such banks' offered quotations (expressed as
percentages per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for
Eurodollar deposits having a three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time)
on such Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-month
LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations;

     (iv)   if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in
clause (iii) above, the Calculation Agent will request four major New York City
banks to provide such banks' offered quotations (expressed as percentages per
annum) to leading European banks for loans in Eurodollars as of 11:00 a.m.
(London time) on such Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are
provided, 3-month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations; and

     (v)    if fewer than two such quotations are provided as requested in
clause (iv) above, 3-month LIBOR will be 3-month LIBOR determined with respect
to the interest period immediately preceding such current interest period.

                                      I-2
<PAGE>
 
     If the rate for Eurodollar deposits having a three-month maturity that
initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 or Reuters Page LIBO, as the case may
be, as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is
superceded on Telerate Page 3750 or Reuters Page LIBO, as the case may be, by a
corrected rate before 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, the
corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable
3-month LIBOR for such Determination Date.

     As used herein:

     "Calculation Agent" means Wilmington Trust Company, Wilmington, Delaware.

     "Determination Date" means the date that is two London Banking Days
preceding the first day of any quarter or other period for which a Distribution
will be payable.

     "London Banking Day" means a day on which dealings in deposits in U.S.
dollars are transacted in the London interbank market.

     "Telerate Page 3750" means the display designated as "Page 3750" on the Dow
Jones Telerate Service (or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on that
service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British
Bankers' Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying
London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits).

          (d) All percentages resulting from any calculations on the Securities
will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a
percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward
(e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655)), and
all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to
the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward).

          (e) On the Determination Date, the Calculation Agent shall notify the
Debenture Issuer and the Paying Agent of the applicable Coupon Rate in effect
for the related Distribution period.  The Calculation Agent shall, upon the
request of the holder of any Securities, provide the Coupon Rate then in effect.
All calculations made by the Calculation Agent in the absence of manifest error
shall be conclusive for all purposes and binding on the Sponsor and the Holders
of the Securities.  The Paying Agent shall be entitled to rely on information
received from the Calculation Agent or the Debenture Issuer as to the Coupon
Rate.

          (f) Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will
accumulate from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid or,
if no Distributions have been paid, from August 12, 1998 and will be payable
quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each
year, commencing December 15, 1998 (each, a "Distribution Date"), except as
otherwise described below.  Distributions will be computed on the basis of the
actual number of days elapsed in such period and a 360-day year. As long as no
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, the
Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest
by extending the interest payment period at any time and from time to time on
the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly periods,
including the first such 

                                      I-3
<PAGE>
 
quarterly period during such period (each an "Extension Period"), during which
Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable on the Debentures,
provided that no Extension Period shall end on a date other than an Interest 
- -------- ----                                                   
Payment Date for the Debentures or extend beyond the Maturity Date of the
Debentures. As a consequence of such deferral, Distributions (other than
Liquidated Damages, if any) will also be deferred. Notwithstanding such
deferral, Distributions will continue to accumulate with additional
Distributions thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law but not at a
rate greater than the rate at which interest is then accruing on the Debentures)
at the applicable periodic Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such
Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the
Debenture Issuer may further defer payments of interest by further extending
such Extension Period, provided that such extension does not cause such
                       -------- ----                                   
Extension Period, together with all such previous and further extensions within
such Extension Period, to exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, including the
first quarterly period during such Extension Period, end on a date other than an
Interest Payment Date for the Debentures or extend beyond the Maturity Date of
the Debentures. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of
all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period,
subject to the above requirements.

          (g) Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders
thereof as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the close of
business on the first day of the month in which the relevant Distribution Date
occurs, which Distribution Dates correspond to the Interest Payment Dates for
the Debentures. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the
provisions of the Declaration, each such payment with respect to the Capital
Securities will be made as described under the heading "Description of Capital
Securities -- Form, Denomination, Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer" in the
Offering Memorandum dated August 7, 1998 of the Debenture Issuer and the Trust
relating to the Securities and the Debentures. The relevant record dates for the
Common Securities shall be the same as the record dates for the Capital
Securities. Distributions payable on any Securities that are not punctually paid
on any Distribution Date, as a result of the Debenture Issuer having failed to
make a payment under the Debentures, will cease to be payable to the Holder on
the relevant record date, and such defaulted Distribution will instead be
payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are registered on the
special record date or other specified date determined in accordance with the
Indenture. If any date on which Distributions are payable on the Securities is
not a Business Day, then payment of the Distributions payable on such date will
be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any
interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that if such
next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, such
payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day with the same
force and effect as if made on such date.

          (h) In the event that there is any money or other property held by or
for the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property shall be
distributed Pro Rata (as defined herein) among the Holders.

     3.   Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution.
          ----------------------------------------- 

          In the event of any dissolution of the Trust, the Trust shall be
liquidated by the Trustees as expeditiously as the Trustees determine to be
possible by distributing to the Holders, 

                                      I-4
<PAGE>
 
after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided by
applicable law, a Like Amount (as defined below) of the Debentures, unless such
distribution is determined by the Property Trustee not to be practicable, in
which event such Holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
Trust legally available for distribution to Holders, after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, an amount
equal to the aggregate of the liquidation amount of $1,000 per Security plus
accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount
being the "Liquidation Distribution").

          "Like Amount" means (i) with respect to a redemption of the
Securities, Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to the principal amount
of Debentures to be paid in accordance with their terms and (ii) with respect to
a distribution of Debentures upon the liquidation of the Trust, Debentures
having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Securities of
the Holder to whom such Debentures are distributed.

          If, upon any such liquidation, the Liquidation Distribution can be
paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets legally available to
pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable
directly by the Trust with respect to the Securities shall be paid on a Pro Rata
basis.

     4.   Redemption and Distribution.
          --------------------------- 

          (a) Upon the repayment of the Debentures in whole or in part, at
maturity or otherwise (either at the option of the Debenture Issuer or pursuant
to a Special Event, as described below), the proceeds from such repayment shall
be simultaneously applied by the Property Trustee (subject to the Property
Trustee having received written notice no later than 45 days prior to such
repayment) to redeem a Like Amount of the Securities at a redemption price equal
to 100% of the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the Debentures
being redeemed (the "Redemption Price"). Holders will be given not less than 30
nor more than 60 days' prior written notice of such redemption.

          (b) In the case of an optional redemption, if fewer than all the
outstanding Securities are to be so redeemed, the Common Securities and the
Capital Securities shall be redeemed Pro Rata and the Capital Securities to be
redeemed will be determined as described in Section 4(f)(ii) below. Upon the
entry of an order for the dissolution of the Trust by a court of competent
jurisdiction, the Debentures thereafter will be subject to optional redemption,
in whole, but not in part, on or after the Initial Optional Redemption Date.

          The Debenture Issuer shall have the right (subject to the conditions
in the Indenture) to elect to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, at any
time on or after September 15, 2008 (the "Initial Optional Redemption Date"),
and, simultaneous with such redemption, to cause a Like Amount of the Securities
to be redeemed by the Trust at the Redemption Price on a Pro Rata basis.

          (c) If at any time an Investment Company Event, a Regulatory Capital
Event or a Tax Event (each as defined below, and each a "Special Event") occurs,
the Debenture Issuer shall have the right (subject to the conditions set forth
in the Indenture) at any time prior to the Initial 


                                      I-5
<PAGE>
 
Optional Redemption Date, to redeem the Debentures in whole, but not in part,
within the 90 days following the occurrence of such Special Event (the ''90 Day
Period"), and, simultaneous with such redemption, to cause a Like Amount of the
Securities to be redeemed by the Trust at the Redemption Price on a Pro Rata
basis.

          "Investment Company Event" shall mean the receipt by the Debenture
Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of independent securities counsel experienced
in such matters to the effect that as a result of (a) any amendment to, or
change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws or any
regulations thereunder of the United States or any rules, guidelines or policies
of any applicable regulatory authority for the Debenture Issuer or (b) any
official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or
applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or
which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of original
issuance of the Securities, the Trust is, or within 90 days of the date of such
opinion will be, considered an Investment Company that is required to be
registered under the Investment Company Act.

          "Regulatory Capital Event" shall mean the receipt by the Debenture
Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of independent bank regulatory counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that as a result of (a) any amendment
to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws or any
regulations thereunder of the United States or any rules, guidelines or policies
of an applicable regulatory authority for the Debenture Issuer or (b) any
official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or
applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or
which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after  the date of original
issuance of the Securities, the Capital Securities do not constitute, or within
90 days of the date of such opinion will not constitute, Tier 1 Capital (or its
then equivalent if the Sponsor were subject to such capital requirement);
                                                                         
provided, however, that the distribution of the Debentures in connection with
- --------  -------                                                            
the liquidation of the Trust by the Debenture Issuer shall not in and of itself
constitute a Regulatory Capital Event.

          A "Tax Event" shall occur upon receipt by the Debenture Issuer and the
Trust of an opinion of independent tax counsel experienced in such matters to
the effect that, as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change (including any
announced prospective change) in, the laws or any regulations thereunder of the
United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or
therein, or (b) any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after  the date
of original issuance of the Securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk
that (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion,
subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or
accrued on the Debentures, (ii) the interest payable by the Debenture Issuer on
the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion will not
be, deductible by the Debenture Issuer, in whole or in part, for United States
federal income tax purposes, or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of
the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other
taxes, duties or other governmental charges.


                                      I-6
<PAGE>
 
          (d) On and from the date fixed by the Trustees for any distribution of
Debentures and liquidation of the Trust: (i) the Securities will no longer be
deemed to be outstanding, (ii) the Clearing Agency or its nominee (or any
successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), as the Holder of the Capital
Securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates
representing the Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution, and (iii)
any certificates representing Securities not held by the Clearing Agency or its
nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) will be deemed to
represent beneficial interests in a Like Amount of Debentures until such
certificates are presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for transfer or
reissue.

          (e) The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding Securities
unless all accumulated and unpaid Distributions have been paid on all Securities
for all quarterly Distribution periods terminating on or before the date of
redemption.

          (f) The procedure with respect to redemptions or distributions of
Securities shall be as follows:

          (i)    Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of
     Debentures in exchange for, the Securities (a "Redemption/Distribution
     Notice") will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder to be redeemed
     or exchanged not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days before the date fixed
     for redemption or exchange thereof which, in the case of a redemption, will
     be the date fixed for redemption of the Debentures. For purposes of the
     calculation of the date of redemption or exchange and the dates on which
     notices are given pursuant to this Section 4(f)(i), a
     Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such
     notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders.
     Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to the Holders at
     the address of each such Holder appearing in the books and records of the
     Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing of
     either thereof with respect to any Holder shall affect the validity of the
     redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to any other Holder.

          (ii)   In the event that fewer than all the outstanding Securities are
     to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected
     on a Pro Rata basis (based upon Liquidation Amounts) not more than 60 nor
     less than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption from the
     outstanding Securities not previously called for redemption; provided,
                                                                  -------- 
     however, that with respect to Holders that would be required to hold less
     -------                                                                  
     than 100 but more than zero Securities as a result of such redemption, the
     Trust shall redeem Securities of each such Holder so that after such
     redemption such Holder shall hold either 100 Securities or such Holder no
     longer holds any Securities, and shall use such method (including, without
     limitation, by lot) as the Trust shall deem fair and appropriate; provided,
                                                                       -------- 
     further, that any such redemption may be made on the basis of the aggregate
     -------                                                                    
     Liquidation Amount of Securities held by each Holder thereof and may be
     made by making such adjustments as the Trust deems fair and appropriate in
     order that fractional Securities shall not thereafter remain outstanding.
     With respect to Capital Securities registered in the name of and held of
     record by the Clearing Agency or its nominee (or any successor Clearing
     Agency or its nominee) or any nominee, the distribution of the proceeds of
     such redemption will be made to the 

                                      I-7
<PAGE>
 
     Clearing Agency and disbursed by such Clearing Agency in accordance with
     the procedures applied by such agency or nominee.

          (iii)  If Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a
     Redemption/Distribution Notice (which notice will be irrevocable), then (A)
     with respect to Capital Securities issued in book-entry form, by 12:00
     noon, Eastern time, on the redemption date, provided that the Debenture
                                                 -------- ----              
     Issuer has paid the Property Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in
     connection with the related redemption or maturity of the Debentures by
     10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the Maturity Date or the date of redemption,
     as the case requires, the Property Trustee will deposit irrevocably with
     the Clearing Agency or its nominee (or successor Clearing Agency or its
     nominee) immediately available funds sufficient to pay the applicable
     Redemption Price with respect to such Capital Securities and will give the
     Clearing Agency irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the
     Redemption Price to the relevant Clearing Agency Participants, and (B) with
     respect to Capital Securities issued in certificated form and Common
     Securities, provided that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Property
                 -------------                                           
     Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related
     redemption or maturity of the Debentures, the Property Trustee will
     irrevocably deposit with the paying agent for the Capital Securities (if
     other than the Property Trustee) funds sufficient to pay the applicable
     Redemption Price to the Holders by check mailed to the address of the
     relevant Holder appearing on the books and records of the Trust on the
     redemption date, and provided further, that any such payment shall become
                          ----------------                                    
     due only upon surrender by the Holder of the related certificated Capital
     Securities. If a Redemption/ Distribution Notice shall have been given and
     funds deposited as required, if applicable, then immediately prior to the
     close of business on the date of such deposit, or on the redemption date,
     as applicable, Distributions will cease to accumulate on the Securities so
     called for redemption and all rights of Holders so called for redemption
     will cease, except the right of the Holders of such Securities to receive
     the Redemption Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price, and
     such Securities shall cease to be outstanding.

          (iv)   Payment of accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the
     Redemption Date of the Securities will be subject to the rights of Holders
     at the close of business on a regular record date in respect of a
     Distribution Date occurring on or prior to such Redemption Date.

          Neither the Administrative Trustees nor the Trust shall be required to
register or cause to be registered the transfer of (i) any Securities beginning
at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of
redemption or any notice of selection of Securities for redemption or (ii) any
Securities selected for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any
Security being redeemed. If any date fixed for redemption of Securities is not a
Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be
made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest
or other payment in respect of any such delay). If payment of the Redemption
Price with respect to any Securities is improperly withheld or refused and not
paid either by the Property Trustee or by the Sponsor as guarantor pursuant to
the relevant Securities Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities will
continue to accumulate from the original redemption date to the actual date of
payment, in which case the actual payment date will be considered the date fixed
for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price.


                                      I-8
<PAGE>
 
          (v)    Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the Property
     Trustee on behalf of the Trust to (A) with respect to Capital Securities
     issued in book-entry form, the Clearing Agency or its nominee (or any
     successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), (B) with respect to Capital
     Securities issued in certificated form, to the Holders thereof, and (C)
     with respect to the Common Securities, to the Holders thereof.

          (vi)   Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without
     limitation, United States federal securities laws and banking laws), the
     Sponsor or any of its subsidiaries may at any time and from time to time
     purchase outstanding Capital Securities by tender, in the open market or by
     private agreement.

     5.   Voting Rights - Capital Securities.
          ---------------------------------- 

          (a) Except as provided under Sections 5(b), 6(b) and 7 and as
otherwise required by law and the Trust Agreement, the Holders of the Capital
Securities will have no voting rights.

          (b) So long as any Debentures are held by the Property Trustee, the
Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee or executing any
trust or power conferred on such Debenture Trustee with respect to the
Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is waivable under Section 5.07 of
the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration of
acceleration of the maturity of the principal of the Debentures or (iv) consent
to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the
Debentures, where such consent shall be required, without, in each case,
obtaining the prior approval of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount
of all outstanding Capital Securities; provided, however, that where a consent
                                       --------  -------                      
under the Indenture would require the consent of each holder of Debentures
affected thereby, no such consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without
the prior approval of each Holder of the Capital Securities. The Trustees shall
not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders
of the Capital Securities except by subsequent vote of such Holders. The
Property Trustee shall notify each Holder of Capital Securities of any notice of
default with respect to the Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing
approvals of such Holders of the Capital Securities, prior to taking any of the
foregoing actions, the Trustees shall obtain an opinion of counsel experienced
in such matters to the effect that the Trust will continue to be classified as a
grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes after taking any
such action into account.

          If an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement has occurred and is
continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer
to pay principal of or interest on the Debentures on the due date (or, in the
case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a Holder of Capital Securities
may institute a proceeding directly against the Debenture Issuer for enforcement
of payment to such Holder of the principal of or interest on a Like Amount of
Debentures (a "Direct Action") on or after the respective due date specified in
the Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the Common Securities
Holder will be subordinated to the rights of such Holder of Capital Securities
to the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to such Holder of
Capital Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the second
preceding sentence, or except as set forth in the first sentence of Section
3.8(e) of the Trust Agreement, the Holders of 

                                      I-9
<PAGE>
 
Capital Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy
available to the holders of the Debentures.

          Any approval or direction of Holders of Capital Securities may be
given at a separate meeting of Holders of Capital Securities convened for such
purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or
pursuant to written consent. The Property Trustee will cause a notice of any
meeting at which Holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote to be mailed
to each Holder of record of Capital Securities. Each such notice will include a
statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such
action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for
adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such
matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the
delivery of proxies or consent.

          No vote or consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Capital Securities or to distribute
the Debentures in accordance with the Trust Agreement and the terms of the
Securities.

          Notwithstanding that Holders of Capital Securities are entitled to
vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the
Capital Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor
shall not be entitled to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of such vote or
consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.

     6.   Voting Rights - Common Securities.
          --------------------------------- 

          (a) Except as provided under Sections 6(b), 6(c), and 7 or as
otherwise required by law and the Trust Agreement, the Holders of the Common
Securities will have no voting rights.

          (b) Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, any Trustee may be removed at any time by the Holder of the Common
Securities. If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee may be removed at such time by the
Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital
Securities. In no event will the Holders of the Capital Securities have the
right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrative Trustees, which
voting rights are vested exclusively in the Sponsor as the Holder of the Common
Securities. No resignation or removal of a Trustee and no appointment of a
successor trustee shall be effective until the acceptance of appointment by the
successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement.

          (c) So long as any Debentures are held by the Property Trustee, the
Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or executing any
trust or power conferred on such Debenture Trustee with respect to the
Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is waivable under Section 5.07 of
the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration of
acceleration of the maturity of the principal of the Debentures or (iv) consent
to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the
Debentures, where such consent shall be required, without, in each case,
obtaining the prior approval of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount
of all outstanding Common 

                                     I-10
<PAGE>
 
Securities; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would 
            --------  -------                      
require the consent of each holder of Debentures affected thereby, no such
consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without the prior approval of
each Holder of the Common Securities. The Trustees shall not revoke any action
previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Common
Securities except by subsequent vote of such Holders. The Property Trustee shall
notify each Holder of Common Securities of any notice of default with respect to
the Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals of such Holders
of the Common Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the
Trustees shall obtain an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the
effect that the Trust will continue to be classified as a grantor trust for
United States federal income tax purposes after taking any such action into
account.

          If an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement has occurred and is
continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer
to pay principal of or interest on the Debentures on the due date (or in the
case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a Holder of Common Securities
may institute a Direct Action directly against the Debenture Issuer for
enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of or interest on a Like
Amount of Debentures on or after the respective due date specified in the
Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the rights of the Common
Securities Holder will be subordinated to the rights of Holders of Capital
Securities in respect of any payment from the Debenture Issuer in such Direct
Action. Except as provided in the second preceding sentence, the Holders of
Common Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy
available to the holders of the Debentures.

          Any approval or direction of Holders of Common Securities may be given
at a separate meeting of Holders of Common Securities convened for such purpose,
at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to
written consent. The Administrative Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting
at which Holders of Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter
upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be
mailed to each Holder of record of Common Securities. Each such notice will
include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by
which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed
for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of
such matter upon which written consent is sought, and (iii) instructions for the
delivery of proxies or consents.

          No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to distribute
the Debentures in accordance with the Trust Agreement  and the terms of the
Securities.

     7.   Amendments to Trust Agreement.
          ----------------------------- 

          In addition to the requirements set out in Section 12.1 of the Trust
Agreement, the Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Sponsor,
the Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees without the consent of the
Holders to (i) cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions in the
Trust Agreement that may be inconsistent with any other provisions, or make any
other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Trust
Agreement which shall not be inconsistent with the other provisions of the Trust
Agreement, (ii) 

                                     I-11
<PAGE>
 
modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of the Trust Agreement to such extent
as shall be necessary to ensure that the Trust will be classified for United
States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust at all times that any
Securities are outstanding or to ensure that the Trust will not be required to
register as an Investment Company under the Investment Company Act or (iii)
modify, eliminate or add any provisions of the Trust Agreement to such extent as
shall be necessary to enable the Trust or the Sponsor to conduct an Exchange
Offer in the manner contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement; provided,
                                                                       --------
however, that in each case (other than an amendment pursuant to clause (ii)
- -------                               
above), such action shall not adversely affect in any material respect the
interests of any Holder, and any such amendments of the Trust Agreement shall
become effective when notice thereof is given to the Holders. The Trust
Agreement may also be amended by the Trustees and the Sponsor with (i) the
consent of Holders representing a Majority in Liquidation Amount of all
outstanding Securities, and (ii) receipt by the Trustees of an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that such amendment or the exercise of any power granted
to the Trustees in accordance with such amendment will not affect the Trust's
status as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes or the
Trust's exemption from status as an Investment Company under the Investment
Company Act; provided, however, that, without the consent of each Holder of
             --------  -------                   
Trust Securities, the Trust Agreement may not be amended to (i) change the
amount or timing of any Distribution on, or the payment required to be made in
respect of, the Trust Securities as of a specified date or (ii) restrict the
right of a Holder of Trust Securities to institute suit for the enforcement of
any such payment on or after such date.

     8.   Pro Rata.
          -------- 

          A reference in these terms of the Securities to any payment,
distribution or treatment as being "Pro Rata" shall mean pro rata to each Holder
                                                         --------               
according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities held by such
Holder in relation to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Securities
outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default under the
Trust Agreement has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds
available to make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Capital
Securities pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Capital
           --------                                                         
Securities held by such Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of
all Capital Securities outstanding and then, only after satisfaction of all
amounts owed to the Holders of the Capital Securities, to each Holder of Common
Securities pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Common
Securities held by such Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of
all Common Securities outstanding.

     9.   Ranking.
          ------- 

          The Capital Securities rank pari passu with the Common Securities and
                                      ---- -----                               
payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities, except that,
if an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement occurs and is continuing, no
payments in respect of Distributions on, or payments upon liquidation,
redemption or otherwise with respect to, the Common Securities shall be made
until the Holders of the Capital Securities shall be paid in full, all Allocable
Amounts due on or in respect of, the Distributions, Redemption Price,
Liquidation Distribution and any other payments to which they are entitled at
such time.


                                     I-12
<PAGE>
 
     10.  Acceptance of Capital Securities Guarantee, Common Securities
          -------------------------------------------------------------
          Guarantee. Indenture and Debentures.
          ----------------------------------- 

          Each Holder of Capital Securities and Common Securities, by the
acceptance thereof, agrees to the provisions of the Capital Securities
Guarantee, the Common Securities Guarantee, the Indenture and the Debentures, as
applicable, including the subordination provisions therein.


     11.  No Preemptive Rights.
          -------------------- 

          Neither the issuance of Capital Securities, nor the issuance of Common
Securities is subject to preemptive or other similar rights. The Holders shall
have no preemptive or similar rights to subscribe for any additional securities.

     12.  Miscellaneous.
          ------------- 

          These terms constitute a part of the Trust Agreement.

          The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Trust Agreement, the Capital
Securities Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee, as applicable, and the
Indenture (including any supplemental indenture) to a Holder without charge upon
written request to the Trust at its principal place of business.


                                     I-13
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT A-1

                      FORM OF CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE

                           [FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

          [IF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY, INSERT: THIS
CAPITAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE TRUST
AGREEMENT HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE "CLEARING AGENCY") OR A NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING
AGENCY. THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR CAPITAL SECURITIES REGISTERED
IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE CLEARING AGENCY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN
THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE TRUST AGREEMENT AND NO TRANSFER OF
THIS CAPITAL SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY AS A WHOLE
BY THE CLEARING AGENCY TO A NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY OR BY A NOMINEE OF
THE CLEARING AGENCY TO THE CLEARING AGENCY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING
AGENCY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

          UNLESS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY TO THE TRUST OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION
OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CAPITAL SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED
IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE &
CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO
ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN
INTEREST HEREIN.]

          THIS CAPITAL SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY
OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS CAPITAL SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST
OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED,
ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR
UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

          THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO
OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS CAPITAL SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE
"RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH GREATER BAY BANCORP
(THE "CORPORATION") OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE CORPORATION WAS THE OWNER OF THIS
CAPITAL SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE

                                     A1-1
<PAGE>
 
CORPORATION, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED
EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS
ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE
144A"), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER"
(AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT
OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS
BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR ITS OWN
ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR
INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION
WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY
OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF GBB CAPITAL II (THE "TRUST") AND THE
CORPORATION PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D)
OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR
OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D)
TO REQUIRE THAT THE TRANSFEROR DELIVER TO THE TRUST A LETTER FROM THE TRANSFEREE
SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF ANNEX A TO THE OFFERING MEMORANDUM DATED AUGUST 7,
1998. SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM
THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF
THIS LEGEND.

          THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO
AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE") (EACH
A "PLAN"), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN ASSETS" BY REASON
OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY AND NO PERSON INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF
ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE CAPITAL SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN,
UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE
UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-
60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND
HOLDING OF CAPITAL SECURITIES IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER
OR HOLDER OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO
HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS
NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A
PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON
ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR 

                                     A1-2
<PAGE>
 
ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN
TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED
TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH
THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

     THE CAPITAL SECURITIES WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS
HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000 (100 CAPITAL SECURITIES)
AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF CAPITAL
SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000 (100
CAPITAL SECURITIES) SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT
WHATSOEVER. ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO BE THE HOLDER
OF SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
RECEIPT OF DISTRIBUTIONS ON SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES, AND SUCH PURPORTED
TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN SUCH CAPITAL
SECURITIES.

     THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO BE
BOUND BY THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF AUGUST 7, 1998, BY AND
AMONG THE TRUST, THE SPONSOR AND THE INITIAL PURCHASER NAMED THEREIN, AS AMENDED
FROM TIME TO TIME.

                                     A1-3
<PAGE>
 
Certificate Number: [                    ]         Aggregate Liquidation
                     --------------------
                                                   Amount: $[               ]
                                                             ---------------

CUSIP Number:[           ]
              -----------

                   Certificate Evidencing Capital Securities

                                       of

                                 GBB CAPITAL II

                   Floating Rate Capital Securities, Series A
                (liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security)

          GBB Capital II, a statutory business trust created under the laws of
the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that [      ] (the
"Holder") is the registered owner of $[_________]  in aggregate liquidation
amount of Capital Securities of the Trust]/1/ [the aggregate liquidation amount
of Capital Securities of the Trust specified in Schedule A hereto]/2/
representing undivided preferred beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust
designated the Floating Rate Capital Securities, Series A (liquidation amount
$1,000 per Capital Security) (the "Capital Securities"). The Capital Securities
are transferable on the books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly
authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in
proper form for transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions,
preferences and other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities represented
hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust, dated as of August 12, 1998,
as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Trust Agreement"), including
the designation of the terms of the Capital Securities as set forth in Annex I
to the Trust Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have
the meaning given them in the Trust Agreement. The Sponsor will provide a copy
of the Trust Agreement, the Capital Securities Guarantee and the Indenture
(including any supplemental indenture) to a Holder without charge upon written
request to the Trust at its principal place of business.

          Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder and to the benefits of the
Capital Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein.

          By acceptance hereof, the Holder agrees, for United States federal
income tax purposes, to treat the Debentures as indebtedness and the Capital
Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures.

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

         1/  Insert in Definitive Capital Securities only.
         -

         2/  Insert in Global Capital Securities only.
         -

                                     A1-4
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this
[       ] day of [           ,1998].
 -------          -----------                  
                              GBB CAPITAL II


                             By:
                                ------------------------------------
                                 Steven C. Smith
                                 Administrative Trustee



                PROPERTY TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

     This is one of the Floating Rate Capital Securities, Series A of GBB
CAPITAL II referred to in the within-mentioned Trust Agreement.

Dated: [            ,    ]
        ------------  --- 

                              WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
                              not in its individual capacity but solely
                              as Property Trustee

                             By:
                                ------------------------------------
                                Authorized Signatory


                                     A1-5
<PAGE>
 
                         [FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]


          Distributions on each Capital Security will be payable at a rate per
annum, reset quarterly, equal to 3-month LIBOR (as defined in the Trust
Agreement) plus 150 basis points (the "Coupon Rate"), such rate being the rate
of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Property Trustee.
Distributions in arrears for more than one quarterly period will bear interest
thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by
applicable law). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, in certain
limited circumstances the Debenture Issuer will be required to pay Liquidated
Damages (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) with respect to the
Debentures. The term "Distributions," as used herein, includes such cash
distributions and any and all such interest and Liquidated Damages, if any,
payable unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent
that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee
and to the extent the Property Trustee has funds legally available therefor.

          Distributions on the Capital Securities will be cumulative, will
accumulate from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid or,
if no Distributions have been paid, from August 12, 1998 and will be payable
quarterly in arrears, on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each
year, commencing December 15, 1998, except as otherwise described below.
Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed
in such period and a 360-day year. As long as no Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing under the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer has the right under
the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment
period at any time and from time to time on the Debentures for a period not
exceeding 20 consecutive calendar quarterly periods, including the first such
quarterly period during such extension period (each an "Extension Period"),
provided that no Extension Period shall end on a date other than an Interest
- -------- ----                                                               
Payment Date for the Debentures or extend beyond the Maturity Date of the
Debentures. As a consequence of such deferral, Distributions (other than
Liquidated Damages, if any) will also be deferred. Notwithstanding such
deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accumulate with interest
thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law, but not at a rate exceeding
the rate of interest then accruing on the Debentures) at the applicable periodic
Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the
termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further defer
payments of interest by further extending such Extension Period; provided that
                                                                 -------- ----
such Extension Period, together with all such previous and further extensions
within such Extension Period, may not (i) exceed 20 consecutive quarterly
periods, including the first quarterly period during such Extension Period, (ii)
end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date for the Debentures or (iii)
extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. Payments of accumulated
Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records
of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding the end of the Extension
Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all
amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period,
subject to the above requirements.

          Subject to receipt by the Sponsor of any and all required regulatory
approvals and to certain other conditions set forth in the Trust Agreement and
the Indenture, the Property Trustee may, at the direction of the Sponsor, at any
time dissolve the Trust and after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of
the Trust as provided by applicable law, cause the Debentures to be distributed
to the 

                                     A1-6
<PAGE>
 
Holders of the Securities in liquidation of the Trust or, simultaneously with
any redemption of the Debentures, cause a Like Amount of the Securities to be
redeemed by the Trust.

          The Capital Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Trust
Agreement.


                                     A1-7
<PAGE>
 
                               -----------------
                                   ASSIGNMENT
                               -----------------


FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby assigns and transfers this Capital
Security Certificate to:


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

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           (Assignee's social security or tax identification number)


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

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       (Address and zip code of assignee)

and irrevocably appoints

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

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

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------agent
to transfer this Capital Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The
agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

Date:
      ----------------

Signature:
          --------------------------------------------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Capital Security
Certificate)

Signature Guarantee:
                    ----------------------------------------------------------


 
- ----------------
     Signature must be guaranteed by an ''eligible guarantor institution" that
     is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union
     meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include
     membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion
     Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be
     determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP,
     all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


                                     A1-8
<PAGE>
 
[INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IF THE CAPITAL SECURITY BEARS A RESTRICTED SECURITIES
 LEGEND]

In connection with any transfer of any of the Capital Securities evidenced by
this Certificate, the undersigned confirms that such Capital Securities are
being:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

     (1) [_]   exchanged for the undersigned's own account without transfer; or

     (2) [_]   transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under
               the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

     (3) [_]   transferred to an institutional "accredited investor" within the
               meaning of subparagraph (a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Rule 501 under
               the Securities Act of 1933 that is acquiring the Capital
               Securities for its own account, or for the account of such an
               institutional "accredited investor," for investment purposes and
               not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any
               distribution in violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as
               amended; or

     (4) [_]   transferred pursuant to another available exemption from the
               registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
               amended; or

     (5) [_]   transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement.

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Registrar will refuse to register any of
the Capital Securities evidenced by this Certificate in the name of any Person
other than the Holder hereof; provided, however, that if box (3) or (4) is
                              --------  -------                           
checked, the Registrar may require, prior to registering any such transfer of
the Capital Securities, such legal opinions, certifications and other
information as the Trust has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer
is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to,
the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, such as
the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act; provided, further, that (i)
                                                   --------  -------          
if box (2) is checked, by acceptance of this Certificate, the transferee shall
be deemed to have certified that it is a "qualified institutional buyer" (as
defined in Rule 144A) ("QIB") acquiring the Capital Securities for its own
account or for the account of another QIB over which it exercises sole
investment discretion and that it is aware that the Holder is relying upon the
exemption from registration afforded by Rule 144A in respect of the Holder's
transfer of Capital Securities to it or (ii) if box (3) is checked, the
transferee must also provide to the Registrar a Transferee Letter of
Representation in the form attached to the Offering Memorandum of the Trust
dated August 7, 1998; provided, further, that after the date that a registration
                      --------  -------                                         
statement has been filed and so long as such Registration Statement continues to
be effective, only then may the Registrar permit transfers for which box (5) has
been checked.


                                   ----------------------------------- 
                                         Signature

                                     A1-9
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT A-2

                      FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE

     THIS COMMON SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY
OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS COMMON SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST
OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED,
ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR
UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

          THE HOLDER OF THIS COMMON SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO
OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS COMMON SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE
"RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH GREATER BAY BANCORP
(THE "CORPORATION") OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE CORPORATION WAS THE OWNER OF THIS
COMMON SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS COMMON SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE
CORPORATION, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED
EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS  THIS COMMON SECURITY IS
ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE
144A"), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER"
(AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT
OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS
BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS COMMON SECURITY FOR ITS OWN
ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR
INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION
WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (E) PURSUANT TO
ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF GBB CAPITAL II (THE "TRUST") AND THE
CORPORATION PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D)
OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR
OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D)
TO REQUIRE THAT TRANSFEROR DELIVER TO THE TRUST A LETTER FROM THE TRANSFEREE
SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF ANNEX A TO THE OFFERING MEMORANDUM DATED AUGUST 7,
1998. SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM
THIS COMMON SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS
LEGEND.

                                     A2-1
<PAGE>
 
                    Certificate Evidencing Common Securities

                                       of

                                 GBB CAPITAL II

                        Floating Rate Common Securities
                (liquidation amount $1,000 per Common Security)

          GBB CAPITAL II, a statutory business trust created under the laws of
the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that Greater Bay Bancorp
(the "Holder") is the registered owner of [__________] common securities of the
Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust
designated the Floating Rate Common Securities (liquidation amount $1,000 per
Common Security) (the "Common Securities").  Subject to the terms of the Trust
Agreement (as defined below), the Common Securities are transferable on the
books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon
surrender of this Certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The
designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and
provisions of the Common Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in
all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Trust
Agreement of the Trust dated as of August 12, 1998, as the same may be amended
from time to time (the "Trust Agreement"), including the designation of the
terms of the Common Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Trust Agreement.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning given them
in the Trust Agreement. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Trust Agreement,
the Common Securities Guarantee and the Indenture (including any supplemental
indenture) to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its
principal place of business.

          Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder and to the benefits of the
Common Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein.

          By acceptance hereof, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States
federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Common
Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this
[__________] day of [    , 1998].

                              GBB CAPITAL II


                              By:
                                 -------------------------------------
                                 Steven C. Smith
                                 Administrative Trustee


                                     A2-2
<PAGE>
 
                         [FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]

          Distributions on each Common Security will be payable at a rate per
annum, reset quarterly, equal to 3-month LIBOR (as defined in the Trust
Agreement) plus 150 basis points (the "Coupon Rate"), such rate being the rate
of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Property Trustee.
Distributions in arrears for more than one quarterly period will bear interest
thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by
applicable law). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, in certain
limited circumstances the Debenture Issuer will be required to pay Liquidated
Damages (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) with respect to the
Debentures. The term "Distributions", as used herein, includes such cash
distributions and any and all such interest and Liquidated Damages, if any,
payable unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent
that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee
and to the extent the Property Trustee has funds legally available therefor.

          Distributions on the Common Securities will be cumulative, will accrue
from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid or, if no
Distributions have been paid, from August 12, 1998 and will be payable quarterly
in arrears, on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, of each year,
commencing December 15, 1998, except as otherwise described below. Distributions
will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in such
period and a 360-day year. As long as no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing under the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer has the right under the
Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period
at any time and from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding
20 consecutive calendar quarterly periods, including the first such quarterly
period during such extension period (each an "Extension Period"), provided that
                                                                  -------- ----
no Extension Period shall end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date for
the Debentures or extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. As a
consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred.
Notwithstanding such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to
accumulate with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law, but
not at a rate exceeding the rate of interest then accruing on the Debentures) at
the applicable periodic Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such
Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the
Debenture Issuer may further defer payments of interest by further extending
such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period, together with all
                       -------- ----                                         
such previous and further extensions within such Extension Period, may not (i)
exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, including the first quarterly period
during such Extension Period, (ii) end on a date other than an Interest Payment
Date for the Debentures or (iii) extend beyond the Maturity Date of the
Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they
appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately
preceding the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension
Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may
commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements.

          Subject to the receipt by the Sponsor of any and all required
regulatory approvals and to certain other conditions set forth in the Trust
Agreement and the Indenture, the Property Trustee may, at the direction of the
Sponsor, at any time dissolve the Trust and cause the Debentures to be
distributed to the Holders of the Securities in liquidation of the Trust or,
simultaneously with any redemption of the Debentures, cause a Like Amount of the
Securities to be redeemed by the Trust.


                                     A2-3
<PAGE>
 
          The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Trust
Agreement.

          Under certain circumstances, the rights of the holders of the Common
Securities shall be subordinate to the rights of the holders of the Capital
Securities, as provided in the Trust Agreement.

                                     A2-4



<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 4.6
                                                                   -----------

                         COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE

          THIS COMMON SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS
OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS COMMON SECURITY NOR ANY
INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED,
TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF
SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT
TO, REGISTRATION.

          THE HOLDER OF THIS COMMON SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO
OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS COMMON SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE
"RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH GREATER BAY BANCORP
(THE "CORPORATION") OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE CORPORATION WAS THE OWNER OF THIS
COMMON SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS COMMON SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE
CORPORATION, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED
EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS  THIS COMMON SECURITY IS
ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE
144A"), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER"
(AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT
OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS
BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS COMMON SECURITY FOR ITS OWN
ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR
INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION
WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (E) PURSUANT TO
ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF GBB CAPITAL II (THE "TRUST") AND THE
CORPORATION PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D)
OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR
OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D)
TO REQUIRE THAT TRANSFEROR DELIVER TO THE TRUST A LETTER FROM THE TRANSFEREE
SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF ANNEX A TO THE OFFERING MEMORANDUM DATED AUGUST 7,
1998. SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM
THIS COMMON SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS
LEGEND.
<PAGE>
 
                  Certificate Evidencing Common Securities

                                     of

                               GBB CAPITAL II

                       Floating Rate Common Securities
               (liquidation amount $1,000 per Common Security)

          GBB CAPITAL II, a statutory business trust created under the laws of
the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that Greater Bay Bancorp
(the "Holder") is the registered owner of 928 common securities of the Trust
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust
designated the Floating Rate Common Securities (liquidation amount $1,000 per
Common Security) (the "Common Securities").  Subject to the terms of the Trust
Agreement (as defined below), the Common Securities are transferable on the
books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon
surrender of this Certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The
designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and
provisions of the Common Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in
all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Trust
Agreement of the Trust dated as of August 12, 1998, as the same may be amended
from time to time (the "Trust Agreement"), including the designation of the
terms of the Common Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Trust Agreement.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning given them
in the Trust Agreement. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Trust Agreement,
the Common Securities Guarantee and the Indenture (including any supplemental
indenture) to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its
principal place of business.

          Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder and to the benefits of the
Common Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein.

          By acceptance hereof, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States
federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Common
Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this 12th
day of August, 1998.

                                    GBB CAPITAL II


                                    By:   /s/ Steven C. Smith
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Steven C. Smith
                                          Administrative Trustee

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          Distributions on each Common Security will be payable at a rate per
annum, reset quarterly, equal to 3-month LIBOR (as defined in the Trust
Agreement) plus 150 basis points (the "Coupon Rate"), such rate being the rate
of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Property Trustee.
Distributions in arrears for more than one quarterly period will bear interest
thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by
applicable law). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, in certain
limited circumstances the Debenture Issuer will be required to pay Liquidated
Damages (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) with respect to the
Debentures. The term "Distributions", as used herein, includes such cash
distributions and any and all such interest and Liquidated Damages, if any,
payable unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent
that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee
and to the extent the Property Trustee has funds legally available therefor.

          Distributions on the Common Securities will be cumulative, will accrue
from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid or, if no
Distributions have been paid, from August 12, 1998 and will be payable quarterly
in arrears, on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, of each year,
commencing December 15, 1998, except as otherwise described below. Distributions
will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in such
period and a 360-day year. As long as no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing under the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer has the right under the
Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period
at any time and from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding
20 consecutive calendar quarterly periods, including the first such quarterly
period during such extension period (each an "Extension Period"), provided that
                                                                  -------- ----
no Extension Period shall end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date for
the Debentures or extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. As a
consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred.
Notwithstanding such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to
accumulate with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law, but
not at a rate exceeding the rate of interest then accruing on the Debentures) at
the applicable periodic Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such
Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any Extension Period, the
Debenture Issuer may further defer payments of interest by further extending
such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period, together with all
                       -------- ----                                         
such previous and further extensions within such Extension Period, may not (i)
exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, including the first quarterly period
during such Extension Period, (ii) end on a date other than an Interest Payment
Date for the Debentures or (iii) extend beyond the Maturity Date of the
Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they
appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date immediately
preceding the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension
Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may
commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements.

          Subject to the receipt by the Sponsor of any and all required
regulatory approvals and to certain other conditions set forth in the Trust
Agreement and the Indenture, the Property Trustee may, at the direction of the
Sponsor, at any time dissolve the Trust and cause the Debentures to be
distributed to the Holders of the Securities in liquidation of the Trust or,
simultaneously with any redemption of the Debentures, cause a Like Amount of the
Securities to be redeemed by the Trust.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Trust
Agreement.

          Under certain circumstances, the rights of the holders of the Common
Securities shall be subordinate to the rights of the holders of the Capital
Securities, as provided in the Trust Agreement.

                                       4

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.7
                                                                     -----------

                        CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE


          THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING
OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF
THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE "CLEARING AGENCY") OR A NOMINEE OF THE
CLEARING AGENCY. THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR CAPITAL SECURITIES
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE CLEARING AGENCY OR ITS NOMINEE
ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE TRUST AGREEMENT AND NO
TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL
SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE CLEARING AGENCY TO A NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY
OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY TO THE CLEARING AGENCY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE
OF THE CLEARING AGENCY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

          UNLESS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY TO THE TRUST OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION
OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CAPITAL SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED
IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE &
CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO
ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN
INTEREST HEREIN.

          THIS CAPITAL SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY
OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS CAPITAL SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST
OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED,
ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR
UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

          THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO
OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS CAPITAL SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE
"RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH GREATER BAY BANCORP
(THE "CORPORATION") OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE CORPORATION WAS THE OWNER OF THIS
CAPITAL SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE
<PAGE>
 
CORPORATION, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED
EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS
ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE
144A"), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER"
(AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT
OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS
BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR ITS OWN
ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR
INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION
WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY
OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF GBB CAPITAL II (THE "TRUST") AND THE
CORPORATION PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D)
OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR
OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D)
TO REQUIRE THAT THE TRANSFEROR DELIVER TO THE TRUST A LETTER FROM THE TRANSFEREE
SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF ANNEX A TO THE OFFERING MEMORANDUM DATED AUGUST 7,
1998. SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM
THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF
THIS LEGEND.

          THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO
AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE") (EACH
A "PLAN"), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN ASSETS" BY REASON
OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY AND NO PERSON INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF
ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE CAPITAL SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN,
UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE
UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-
60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND
HOLDING OF CAPITAL SECURITIES IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER
OR HOLDER OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO
HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A
PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON
ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR
ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH
PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION
UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO
APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

     THE CAPITAL SECURITIES WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS
HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000 (100 CAPITAL SECURITIES)
AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF CAPITAL
SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000 (100
CAPITAL SECURITIES) SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT
WHATSOEVER. ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO BE THE HOLDER
OF SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
RECEIPT OF DISTRIBUTIONS ON SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES, AND SUCH PURPORTED
TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN SUCH CAPITAL
SECURITIES.

     THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO BE
BOUND BY THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF AUGUST 7, 1998, BY AND
AMONG THE TRUST, THE SPONSOR AND THE INITIAL PURCHASER NAMED THEREIN, AS AMENDED
FROM TIME TO TIME.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Certificate Number:  S-001                              Aggregate Liquidation
                                                        Amount:  $26,500,000

CUSIP Number:  361470 AA5

                  Certificate Evidencing Capital Securities

                                     of

                               GBB CAPITAL II

                 Floating Rate Capital Securities, Series A
              (liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security)

          GBB Capital II, a statutory business trust created under the laws of
the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that Cede & Co. (the
"Holder") is the registered owner of Twenty-Six Million Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($26,500,000) in aggregate liquidation amount of Capital Securities of
the Trust representing undivided preferred beneficial interests in the assets of
the Trust designated the Floating Rate Capital Securities, Series A (liquidation
amount $1,000 per Capital Security) (the "Capital Securities"). The Capital
Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust, in person or
by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed
and in proper form for transfer. The designation, rights, privileges,
restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Capital
Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to
the provisions of the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust, dated
as of August 12, 1998, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Trust
Agreement"), including the designation of the terms of the Capital Securities as
set forth in Annex I to the Trust Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not
defined herein shall have the meaning given them in the Trust Agreement. The
Sponsor will provide a copy of the Trust Agreement, the Capital Securities
Guarantee and the Indenture (including any supplemental indenture) to a Holder
without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of
business.

          Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder and to the benefits of the
Capital Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein.

          By acceptance hereof, the Holder agrees, for United States federal
income tax purposes, to treat the Debentures as indebtedness and the Capital
Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this 12th
day of August, 1998.

                              GBB CAPITAL II



                              By: /s/ Steven C. Smith
                                 ---------------------------------
                                 Steven C. Smith
                                 Administrative Trustee



              PROPERTY TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

     This is one of the Floating Rate Capital Securities, Series A of GBB
CAPITAL II referred to in the within-mentioned Trust Agreement.

Dated:    August 12, 1998


                              WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
                              not in its individual capacity but solely
                              as Property Trustee

                              By:/s/ Patricia A. Evans
                                 ---------------------------------
                                  Authorized Signatory

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
          Distributions on each Capital Security will be payable at a rate per
annum, reset quarterly, equal to 3-month LIBOR (as defined in the Trust
Agreement) plus 150 basis points (the "Coupon Rate"), such rate being the rate
of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Property Trustee.
Distributions in arrears for more than one quarterly period will bear interest
thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by
applicable law). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, in certain
limited circumstances the Debenture Issuer will be required to pay Liquidated
Damages (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) with respect to the
Debentures. The term "Distributions," as used herein, includes such cash
distributions and any and all such interest and Liquidated Damages, if any,
payable unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent
that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee
and to the extent the Property Trustee has funds legally available therefor.

          Distributions on the Capital Securities will be cumulative, will
accumulate from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid or,
if no Distributions have been paid, from August 12, 1998 and will be payable
quarterly in arrears, on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each
year, commencing December 15, 1998, except as otherwise described below.
Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed
in such period and a 360-day year. As long as no Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing under the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer has the right under
the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment
period at any time and from time to time on the Debentures for a period not
exceeding 20 consecutive calendar quarterly periods, including the first such
quarterly period during such extension period (each an "Extension Period"),
provided that no Extension Period shall end on a date other than an Interest
- -------- ----                                                               
Payment Date for the Debentures or extend beyond the Maturity Date of the
Debentures. As a consequence of such deferral, Distributions (other than
Liquidated Damages, if any) will also be deferred. Notwithstanding such
deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accumulate with interest
thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law, but not at a rate exceeding
the rate of interest then accruing on the Debentures) at the applicable periodic
Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the
termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further defer
payments of interest by further extending such Extension Period; provided that
                                                                 -------- ----
such Extension Period, together with all such previous and further extensions
within such Extension Period, may not (i) exceed 20 consecutive quarterly
periods, including the first quarterly period during such Extension Period, (ii)
end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date for the Debentures or (iii)
extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. Payments of accumulated
Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records
of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding the end of the Extension
Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all
amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period,
subject to the above requirements.

          Subject to receipt by the Sponsor of any and all required regulatory
approvals and to certain other conditions set forth in the Trust Agreement and
the Indenture, the Property Trustee may, at the direction of the Sponsor, at any
time dissolve the Trust and after satisfaction of liabilities 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, cause the Debentures
to be distributed to the Holders of the Securities in liquidation of the Trust
or, simultaneously with any redemption of the Debentures, cause a Like Amount
of the Securities to be redeemed by the Trust.

          The Capital Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Trust
Agreement.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                       ________________________________

                                 ASSIGNMENT

                       ________________________________


FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby assigns and transfers this Capital
Security Certificate to:

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
           (Assignee's social security or tax identification number)

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
                       (Address and zip code of assignee)

and irrevocably appoints
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________agent
to transfer this Capital Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The
agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

Date:_____________

Signature:_______________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Capital Security
Certificate)

Signature Guarantee:_____________________________________



_________________________ 

     Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that
     is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union
     meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include
     membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion
     Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be
     determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP,
     all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
In connection with any transfer of any of the Capital Securities evidenced by
this Certificate, the undersigned confirms that such Capital Securities are
being:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

     (1)  [_]    exchanged for the undersigned's own account without transfer; 
                 or

     (2)  [_]    transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under
                 the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

     (3)  [_]     transferred to an institutional "accredited investor" within
                  the meaning of subparagraph (a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Rule
                  501 under the Securities Act of 1933 that is acquiring the
                  Capital Securities for its own account, or for the account
                  of such an institutional "accredited investor," for
                  investment purposes and not with a view to, or for offer or
                  sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of
                  the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or      
 
     (4)  [_]     transferred pursuant to another available exemption from the
                  registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
                  amended; or

     (5)  [_]     transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement.

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Registrar will refuse to register any of
the Capital Securities evidenced by this Certificate in the name of any Person
other than the Holder hereof; provided, however, that if box (3) or (4) is
                              --------  -------                           
checked, the Registrar may require, prior to registering any such transfer of
the Capital Securities, such legal opinions, certifications and other
information as the Trust has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer
is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to,
the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, such as
the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act; provided, further, that (i)
                                                   --------  -------          
if box (2) is checked, by acceptance of this Certificate, the transferee shall
be deemed to have certified that it is a "qualified institutional buyer" (as
defined in Rule 144A) ("QIB") acquiring the Capital Securities for its own
account or for the account of another QIB over which it exercises sole
investment discretion and that it is aware that the Holder is relying upon the
exemption from registration afforded by Rule 144A in respect of the Holder's
transfer of Capital Securities to it or (ii) if box (3) is checked, the
transferee must also provide to the Registrar a Transferee Letter of
Representation in the form attached to the Offering Memorandum of the Trust
dated August 7, 1998; provided, further, that after the date that a registration
                      --------  -------                                         
statement has been filed and so long as such Registration Statement continues to
be effective, only then may the Registrar permit transfers for which box (5) has
been checked.



                                       _______________________________________
                                                  Signature

                                       9

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.8
                                                                     -----------



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



                     COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT


                              GREATER BAY BANCORP


                          Dated as of August 12, 1998



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

                                   ARTICLE I

                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     SECTION 1.1.  Definitions and Interpretation.............................3

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   GUARANTEE
 
      
     SECTION 2.1.  Guarantee..................................................4 
     SECTION 2.2.  Waiver of Notice and Demand................................4
     SECTION 2.3.  Obligations Not Affected...................................4
     SECTION 2.4.  Rights of Holders..........................................5
     SECTION 2.5.  Guarantee of Payment.......................................5
     SECTION 2.6.  Subrogation................................................6
     SECTION 2.7.  Independent Obligations....................................6

                                  ARTICLE III

                   LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

     SECTION 3.1.  Limitation of Transactions.................................6
     SECTION 3.2.  Ranking....................................................7

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                  TERMINATION

     SECTION 4.1.  Termination................................................8

                                   ARTICLE V

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 5.1.  Successors and Assigns.....................................7
     SECTION 5.2.  Amendments.................................................8
     SECTION 5.3.  Notices....................................................8
     SECTION 5.4.  Benefit....................................................9
     SECTION 5.5.  Governing Law..............................................9 
<PAGE>
 
                     COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

          This COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Common Securities
Guarantee"), dated as of August 12, 1998, is executed and delivered by GREATER
BAY BANCORP, a California corporation (the "Guarantor"), for the benefit of the
Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Common Securities (as
defined herein) of GBB CAPITAL II, a Delaware business trust (the "Issuer").

          WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement (the
"Trust Agreement"), dated as of August 12, 1998, by and among the Trustees of
the Issuer named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time
to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the
Issuer is issuing on the date hereof 928 common securities having an aggregate
liquidation amount of $928,000 to meet the capital requirements of the Trust;
such common securities being designated the Floating Rate Common Securities (the
"Common Securities").

          WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Common
Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to
the extent set forth in this Common Securities Guarantee, to pay the Guarantee
Payments (as defined herein) to the Holders of the Common Securities and to make
certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

          WHEREAS, the Guarantor is also executing and delivering the Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of August 12, 1998 (the "Series
A Capital Securities Guarantee"), for the benefit of the holders of the Series A
Capital Securities (as defined in the Trust Agreement) and upon consummation of
the Exchange Offer (as defined in the Trust Agreement) will execute and deliver
the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement (the "Series B Capital
Securities Guarantee") for the benefit of the holders of the Series B Capital
Securities (as defined in the Trust Agreement); the terms of which provide that
if an Event of Default (as defined in the Trust Agreement) has occurred and is
continuing, the rights of Holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee
Payments under this Common Securities Guarantee are subordinated, to the extent
and in the manner set forth herein, to the rights of holders of Capital
Securities (as defined in the Trust Agreement) to receive Guarantee Payments
under the Series A Capital Securities Guarantee and the Series B Capital
Securities Guarantee, as the case may be.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of
Common Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby acknowledges shall
benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Common
Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE I
                        DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 SECTION 1.1  Definitions and Interpretation
              ------------------------------

          In this Common Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise
     requires:

          (a) capitalized terms used in this Common Securities Guarantee but not
defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in
this Section 1.1;

          (b) terms defined in the Trust Agreement as at the date of execution
of this Common Securities Guarantee have the same meaning when used in this
Common Securities Guarantee unless otherwise defined in this Common Securities
Guarantee;

          (c) a term defined anywhere in this Common Securities Guarantee has
the same meaning throughout;

          (d) all references to "the Common Securities Guarantee" or "this
Common Securities Guarantee" are references to this Common Securities Guarantee
as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

          (e) all references in this Common Securities Guarantee to Articles and
Sections are references to Articles and Sections of this Common Securities
Guarantee unless otherwise specified; and

          (f) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning as
in the Trust Indenture Act unless otherwise defined in this Common Securities
Guarantee; and

          (g) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

          "Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions,
without duplication, with respect to the Common Securities, to the extent not
paid or made by or on behalf of the Issuer: (i) any accumulated and unpaid
Distributions (as defined in the Trust Agreement) that are required to be paid
on such Common Securities, to the extent the Issuer has funds legally available
therefor at such time, (ii) the redemption price, including all accumulated and
unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Price"), to the
extent the Issuer has funds legally available therefor at such time, with
respect to any Common Securities called for redemption, and (iii) upon a
voluntary or involuntary dissolution,  winding-up or liquidation of the Issuer
(other than in connection with the distribution of Debentures (as defined in the
Trust Agreement) to the Holders in exchange for Common Securities or in
connection with the redemption of the Common Securities, in each case as
provided in the Trust Agreement), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the
liquidation amount and all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the Common
Securities to the date of payment, to the extent the Issuer has funds legally
available therefor at such time, and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer
remaining available for distribution to the Holders after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the Issuer as required by applicable law (in either
case, the "Liquidation 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Distribution"). If an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement, the Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement or the Series B Capital Securities
Guarantee Agreement has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantee Payments with
respect to the Common Securities shall be made until holders of Capital
Securities shall be paid in full the Guarantee Payments to which they are
entitled under the Series A Capital Securities Guarantee and the Series B
Capital Securities Guarantee, as the case may be.

          "Holder" means any holder, as registered on the books and records of
the Issuer, of any Common Securities.

          "Other Guarantees" means all guarantees, other than this Common
Securities Guarantee, to be issued by the Guarantor with respect to common
securities (if any) similar to the Common Securities issued by trusts other than
the Issuer to be established by the Guarantor (if any), in each case similar to
the Issuer.


                                  ARTICLE II
                                   GUARANTEE
 SECTION 2.1  Guarantee
              ---------

    The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the
Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid
by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or
counterclaim which the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor fully, knowingly
and unconditionally waives any right the Guarantor may have to revoke this
Guarantee under Section 2815 of the California Civil Code or otherwise. The
Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct
payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing
the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders.

SECTION 2.2  Waiver of Notice and Demand
             ---------------------------

    The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Common Securities
Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment,
demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer
or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of
nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and
demands.

SECTION 2.3  Obligations Not Affected
             ------------------------

    The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under
this Common Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired by
reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
    (a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement,
covenant, term or condition relating to the Common Securities to be performed or
observed by the Issuer;

    (b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any
portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any
other sums payable under the terms of the Common Securities or the extension of
time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in
connection with, the Common Securities;

    (c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the
Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy
conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Common Securities, or any
action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;

    (d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of,
or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the
Issuer;

    (e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Common Securities;

    (f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or
hereby incurred; or

    (g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a
legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor;

it being the intent of this Section 2.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor
with respect to the Guarantee Payments shall be absolute and unconditional under
any and all circumstances.

     There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain
consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.

SECTION 2.4  Rights of Holders
             -----------------

     The Guarantor expressly acknowledges that any Holder of Common Securities
may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce
its rights under this Common Securities Guarantee, without first instituting
a legal proceeding against the Issuer or any other Person.

SECTION 2.5  Guarantee of Payment
             --------------------

    This Common Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not of
collection.

                                       5
<PAGE>

SECTION 2.6  Subrogation
             -----------

     The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders of
Common Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such
Holders by the Guarantor under this Common Securities Guarantee; provided,
                                                                 -------- 
however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by
- -------                                                                
mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights which
it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other
agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Common Securities
Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid
under this Common Securities Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the
Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold
such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.

SECTION 2.7  Independent Obligations
             -----------------------

    The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of
the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Common Securities and that the
Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee
Payments pursuant to the terms of this Common Securities Guarantee
notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a)
through (g), inclusive, of Section 2.3 hereof.

                                   ARTICLE III
                   LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

 SECTION 3.1  Limitation of Transactions
              --------------------------

          So long as any Common Securities remain outstanding, the Guarantor
will not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distribution on, or redeem,
purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to any of the
Guarantor's capital stock, (ii) make any payment of principal of interest or
premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the
Guarantor (including Other Debentures, as defined in the Indenture) that rank
pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Debentures or (iii) make
any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Guarantor of the
debt securities of any subsidiary of the Guarantor (including Other Guarantees)
if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the
Debentures (other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares of, or options,
warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, common stock of the
Guarantor, (b) any Trust Agreement of a dividend in connection with the
implementation of a shareholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock under
any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights
pursuant thereto, (c) payments under the Series A Capital Securities Guarantee
and the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee, (d) as a result of a
reclassification of the Guarantor's capital stock or the exchange or the
conversion of one class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock for another
class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional
interests in shares of the Guarantor's capital stock pursuant to the conversion
or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or
exchanged, and (f) purchases of common stock related to the issuance of common
stock or rights under any of the Guarantor's benefit or compensation plans for
its directors, officers or 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
employees or any of the Guarantor's dividend reinvestment plans) if at such time
(1) there shall have occurred any event of which the Guarantor has actual
knowledge that (A) is a Default or an Event of Default and (B) in respect of
which the Guarantor shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (2) if such
Debentures are held by the Property Trustee, the Guarantor shall be in default
with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee or the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee or (3) the
Guarantor shall have given notice of its election of the exercise of its right
to commence an Extended Interest Payment Period as provided in the Indenture and
shall not have rescinded such notice, and such Extended Interest Payment Period,
or an extension thereof, shall have commenced and be continuing.

 SECTION 3.2  Ranking
              -------

          This Common Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of
payment to the Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture), to the same
extent and in the same manner that the Debentures are subordinated to the Senior
Indebtedness pursuant to the Indenture, it being understood that the terms of
Article XV of the Indenture shall apply to the obligations of the Guarantor
under this Common Securities Guarantee as if such Article XV were set forth
herein in full, (ii) pari passu with the most senior preferred or preference
stock now or hereafter issued by the Guarantor and with any Other Guarantee and,
except as set forth herein or therein, the Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee, the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee and any guarantee now or
hereafter entered into by the Guarantor in respect of any preferred or
preference stock of any Affiliate of the Guarantor and (iii) senior to the
Guarantor's common stock.


                                  ARTICLE IV
                                  TERMINATION

 SECTION 4.1  Termination
              -----------

          This Common Securities Guarantee shall terminate and be of no further
force or effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Common
Securities; or (ii) the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Issuer,
immediately following the full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with
the Trust Agreement or the distribution of all of the Debentures to the Holders
of the Trust Securities (as defined in the Trust Agreement). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, this Common Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or
will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Common
Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Common Securities or
under this Common Securities Guarantee.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE V
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

 SECTION 5.1  Successors and Assigns
              ----------------------

          All guarantees and agreements contained in this Common Securities
Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders
of the Common Securities then outstanding.

 SECTION 5.2  Amendments
              ----------

          Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect in
any material respect the rights of the Holders (in which case no consent of the
Holders will be required), this Common Securities Guarantee may only be amended
with the prior approval of the Holders of a majority in liquidation amount of
all the outstanding Common Securities. The provisions of Section 12.2 of the
Trust Agreement with respect to meetings of Holders of the Trust Securities
apply to the giving of such approval.

 SECTION 5.3  Notices
              -------

          All notices provided for in this Common Securities Guarantee shall be
in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered,
telecopied or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows:

          (a) if given to the Issuer, in care of the Administrative Trustee at
the Issuer's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the
Issuer may give notice of to the Holders of the Common Securities):
 
              GBB CAPITAL II
              c/o Greater Bay Bancorp
              2860 West Bayshore Road
              Palo Alto, California  94303
              Attention:  Steven C. Smith
              Telecopier: (650) 494-9193
              Telephone:  (650) 813-8200

          (b) if given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing address set
forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the
Holders of the Common Securities):

              GREATER BAY BANCORP
              2860 West Bayshore Road
              Palo Alto, California  94303
              Attention:  Steven C. Smith
              Telecopier: (650) 494-9193
              Telephone:  (650) 813-8200


                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          (c) if given to any Holder of Common Securities, at the address set
forth on the books and records of the Issuer.

 



          All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or
cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given,
such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date
of such refusal or inability to deliver.

 SECTION 5.4  Benefit
              -------

          This Common Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the
Holders of the Common Securities and is not separately transferable from the
Common Securities.

 SECTION 5.5  Governing Law
              -------------

          THIS COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT
REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

          This Common Securities Guarantee is executed as of the day and year
first above written.

                              GREATER BAY BANCORP



                              By:   /s/ Steven C. Smith
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                    Steven C. Smith
                                    Executive Vice President, Chief Operating 
                                    Officer and Chief Financial Officer

                                       9


<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.9
                                                                     -----------


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



                SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

                              GREATER BAY BANCORP

                          Dated as of August 12, 1998


                  =========================================
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------
                                                                            Page

                                   ARTICLE I

                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     SECTION 1.1    Definitions and Interpretation...........................2


                                   ARTICLE II

                              TRUST INDENTURE ACT

     SECTION 2.1    Trust Indenture Act; Application.........................5
     SECTION 2.2    Lists of Holders of Securities...........................5
     SECTION 2.3    Reports by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee......6
     SECTION 2.4    Periodic Reports to Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.6
     SECTION 2.5    Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.........6
     SECTION 2.6    Waiver of Events of Default..............................6
     SECTION 2.7    Notice of Events of Default..............................6
     SECTION 2.8    Conflicting Interests....................................7

                                  ARTICLE III

                          POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
                      CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

     SECTION 3.1    Powers and Duties of the Capital Securities Guarantee 
                     Trustee.................................................7
     SECTION 3.2    Certain Rights of Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee...9
     SECTION 3.3    Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Series
                     A Capital Securities Guarantee.........................10

                                   ARTICLE IV

                      CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

     SECTION 4.1    Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility.......11
     SECTION 4.2    Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Capital 
                     Securities Guarantee Trustee...........................11

                                   ARTICLE V

                                   GUARANTEE

     SECTION 5.1    Guarantee...............................................12
     SECTION 5.2    Waiver of Notice and Demand.............................12
     SECTION 5.3    Obligations Not Affected................................13
     SECTION 5.4    Rights of Holders.......................................13

                                      (i)
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 5.5    Guarantee of Payment....................................14
     SECTION 5.6    Subrogation.............................................14
     SECTION 5.7    Independent Obligations.................................14

                                   ARTICLE VI

                   LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

     SECTION 6.1    Limitation of Transactions..............................14
     SECTION 6.2    Ranking.................................................15

                                  ARTICLE VII

                                  TERMINATION

     SECTION 7.1    Termination.............................................15

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                INDEMNIFICATION

     SECTION 8.1    Exculpation.............................................16
     SECTION 8.2    Compensation and Indemnification........................16

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 9.1    Successors and Assigns..................................17
     SECTION 9.2    Amendments..............................................17
     SECTION 9.3    Notices.................................................17
     SECTION 9.4    Exchange Offer..........................................18
     SECTION 9.5    Benefit.................................................18
     SECTION 9.6    Governing Law...........................................19
 

                                      (ii)
<PAGE>
 
                             CROSS REFERENCE TABLE
                                        
Section of Trust                                           
Indenture Act of                                           Section of Guarantee 
1939, as amended                                                  Agreement     
- ----------------                                           --------------------

   310(a)         .......................................         4.1(a)
   310(b)         .......................................         4.1(c), 2.8
   310(c)         .......................................         Inapplicable
   311(a)         .......................................         2.2(b)
   311(b)         .......................................         2.2(b)
   311(c)         .......................................         Inapplicable
   312(a)         .......................................         2.2(a)
   312(b)         .......................................         2.2(b)
   313            .......................................         2.3
   314(a)         .......................................         2.4
   314(b)         .......................................         Inapplicable
   314(c)         .......................................         2.5
   314(d)         .......................................         Inapplicable
   314(e)         .......................................         1.1, 2.5, 3.2
   314(f)         .......................................         2.1, 3.2
   315(a)         .......................................         3.1(d)
   315(b)         .......................................         2.7
   315(c)         .......................................         3.1(c)
   315(d)         .......................................         3.1(d)
   316(a)         .......................................         1.1, 2.6, 5.4
   316(b)         .......................................         5.3
   316(c)         .......................................         9.2
   317(a)         .......................................         Inapplicable
   317(b)         .......................................         Inapplicable
   318(a)         .......................................         2.1(a)
   318(c)         .......................................         2.1(b)

_________________________

* This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part  of this Guarantee
  Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or
  provisions.

                                     (iii)
<PAGE>
 
                SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

     This SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee"), dated as of August 12, 1998, is executed and delivered
by GREATER BAY BANCORP, a California corporation (the "Guarantor"), and
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, a Delaware banking corporation, as trustee (the
"Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee" or "Trustee"), for the benefit of the
Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Series A Capital Securities
(as defined herein) of GBB CAPITAL II, a Delaware statutory business trust (the
"Issuer").

     WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement (the "Trust
Agreement"), dated as of August 12, 1998, by and among the trustees of the
Issuer named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the Holders from time to
time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer
(i) is issuing on the date hereof 30,000 capital securities, having an aggregate
liquidation amount of $30,000,000, such capital securities being designated the
Floating Rate Capital Securities, Series A (collectively the "Series A Capital
Securities") and (ii) in connection with an Exchange Offer (as defined in the
Trust Agreement), will execute and deliver the Series B Capital Securities
Guarantee (as defined in the Trust Agreement) for the benefit of Holders of the
Series B Capital Securities (as defined in the Trust Agreement).

     WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Series A Capital
Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to
the extent set forth in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee, to pay the
Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) to the Holders of the Series A Capital
Securities, and the Guarantor agrees to make certain other payments on the terms
and conditions set forth herein.

     WHEREAS, the Guarantor is also executing and delivering the Common
Securities Guarantee Agreement dated as of August 12, 1998, (the "Common
Securities Guarantee"), for the benefit of the holders of the Common Securities
(as defined herein), the terms of which provide that if an Event of Default (as
defined in the Trust Agreement) has occurred and is continuing, the rights of
holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under the Common
Securities Guarantee are subordinated, to the extent and in the manner set forth
in the Common Securities Guarantee, to the rights of Holders of Series A Capital
Securities and the Series B Capital Securities to receive Guarantee Payments
under this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee and the Series B Capital
Securities Guarantee, as the case may be.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of Series A
Capital Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby acknowledges shall
benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee for the benefit of such Holders.
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE I

                        DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     SECTION 1.1    Definitions and Interpretation
                    ------------------------------

     In this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise
requires:

     (a) capitalized terms used in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee
but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to
them in this Section 1.1;

     (b) terms defined in the Trust Agreement as at the date of execution of
this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee have the same meaning when used in
this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee unless otherwise defined in this
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee,

     (c) a term defined anywhere in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee
has the same meaning throughout;

     (d) all references to "the Series A Capital Securities Guarantee" or "this
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee" are references to this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

     (e) all references in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee to
Articles and Sections references are to Articles and Sections of this Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise specified;

     (f) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when
used in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in
this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee or unless the context otherwise
requires; and

     (g) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

     "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 under
      ---------                                                              
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder.

     "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday, or a
      ------------                                                            
day on which banking institutions in Wilmington, Delaware, San Francisco,
California and New York, New York are authorized or required by law or executive
order to remain closed.

     "Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee" shall mean Wilmington Trust Company
      ------------------------------------                                     
as Trustee under the Series A Capital Securities Guarantee, until a Successor
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such
appointment pursuant to the terms of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee
and thereafter means each such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.

     "Common Securities" shall mean the securities representing common undivided
      -----------------                                                         
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     "Corporate Trust Office" shall mean the office of the Capital Securities
      ----------------------                                                 
Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally
administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located
at Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-
0001, Attention:  Corporate Trust Administration.

     "Covered Person" shall mean any Holder or beneficial owner of Series A
      --------------                                                       
Capital Securities.

     "Debentures" shall mean the series of subordinated debt securities of the
      ----------                                                              
Guarantor designated the Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures due September 15, 2028, Series A, held by the Property Trustee (as
defined in the Trust Agreement) of the Issuer.

     "Event of Default" shall mean a default by the Guarantor on any of its
      ----------------                                                     
payment or other obligations under this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee;
                                                                              
provided, however, that, except with respect to default in respect of any
- --------  -------                                                        
Guarantee Payment, no default by the Guarantor hereunder shall constitute an
Event of Default unless the Guarantor shall have received written notice of the
default and shall not have cured such default within 60 days after receipt
thereof.

     "Guarantee Payments" shall mean the following payments or distributions,
      ------------------                                                     
without duplication, with respect to the Series A Capital Securities, to the
extent not paid or made by or on behalf of the Issuer: (i) any accumulated and
unpaid Distributions (as defined in the Trust Agreement) that are required to be
paid on such Series A Capital Securities, to the extent the Issuer has funds
legally available therefor at such time, (ii) the redemption price, including
all accumulated and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the
"Redemption Price"), to the extent the Issuer has funds legally available
therefor at such time, with respect to any Series A Capital Securities called
for redemption, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding
up or liquidation of the Issuer (other than in connection with the distribution
of Debentures to the Holders in exchange for Series A Capital Securities or in
connection with the redemption of the Series A Capital Securities, in each case
as provided in the Trust Agreement), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the
liquidation amount and all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the Series A
Capital Securities to the date of payment, to the extent the Issuer has funds
legally available therefor at such time, and (b) the amount of assets of the
Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the Issuer as required by applicable law (in either
case, the "Liquidation Distribution"). If an Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing, no Guarantee Payments under the Common Securities Guarantee with
respect to the Common Securities or any guarantee payment under the Common
Securities Guarantee or any Other Common Securities Guarantee shall be made
until the Holders of Series A Capital Securities shall be paid in full the
Guarantee Payments to which they are entitled under this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee.

     "Holder" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records of
      ------                                                                  
the Issuer, of any Series A Capital Securities; provided, however, that, in
                                                --------  -------          
determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Series A Capital
Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder"
shall not include the Guarantor or any Person actually known to a Responsible
Officer of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee to be an Affiliate of the
Guarantor.

     "Indemnified Person" shall mean the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
      ------------------                                                     
(including in its individual capacity), any Affiliate of the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives,
nominees, custodians or agents of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.

     "Indenture" shall mean the Indenture, dated as of August 12, 1998, between
      ---------                                                                
Greater Bay Bancorp, as issuer of Debentures (the "Debenture Issuer"), and
Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, pursuant to which the Debentures are to be
issued to the Property Trustee of the Issuer.

     "Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Series A Capital Securities" shall
      -----------------------------------------------------------------       
mean, except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by Holder(s) of
Series A Capital Securities, voting separately as a class, of more than 50% of
the aggregate liquidation amount (including the amount that would be paid on
redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions
to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding
Series A Capital Securities.

     "Officers' Certificate" shall mean, with respect to any Person, a
      ---------------------                                           
certificate signed by the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President,
an Executive or Senior Vice President, a Vice President, the Chief Financial
Officer and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Any Officers' Certificate
delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for
in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall include:

     (a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has
read the covenants or conditions and the definitions relating thereto;

     (b) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
has been complied with; and

     (c) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such officer,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.

     "Other Common Securities Guarantees" shall have the same meaning as "Other
      ----------------------------------                                       
Guarantees" in the Common Securities Guarantee.

     "Other Debentures" shall mean all junior subordinated debentures, other
      ----------------                                                      
than the Debentures and the Series B Debentures (as defined in the Indenture),
issued by the Guarantor from time to time and sold to trusts other than the
Issuer to be established by the Guarantor (if any), in each case similar to the
Issuer.

     "Other Guarantees" shall mean all guarantees, other than this Series A
      ----------------                                                     
Capital Securities Guarantee and the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee, to
be issued by the Guarantor with respect to capital securities (if any) similar
to the Series A Capital Securities, issued by trusts other than the Issuer to be
established by the Guarantor (if any), in each case similar to the Issuer.

     "Person" shall mean a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
      ------                                                                   
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     "Registration Rights Agreement" shall mean the Registration Rights
      -----------------------------                                    
Agreement, dated as of August 7, 1998, by and among the Guarantor, the Issuer
and the Initial Purchasers named therein, as such agreement may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time.

     "Responsible Officer" shall mean, with respect to a Person, any officer
      -------------------                                                   
with direct responsibility for the administration of any matters relating to
this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee.

     "Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee" shall mean a successor
      ----------------------------------------------                        
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.

     "Trust Indenture Act" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
      -------------------                                                
amended.

     "Trust Securities" shall mean the Common Securities and the Series A
      ----------------                                                   
Capital Securities and Series B Capital Securities, collectively.


                                  ARTICLE II

                              TRUST INDENTURE ACT

     SECTION 2.1    Trust Indenture Act; Application
                    --------------------------------

     (a) This Series A Capital Securities Guarantee is subject to the provisions
of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such
provisions.

     (b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by
Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties
shall control.  If any provision of this Capital Securities Guarantee modifies
or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or
excluded, the modified or excluded provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall be
deemed to apply to this Capital Securities Guarantee as so modified or excluded,
as the case may be.

     SECTION 2.2    Lists of Holders of Securities
                    ------------------------------

     (a) The Guarantor shall provide the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
(unless the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is otherwise the registrar of
the Capital Securities) with a list, in such form as the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the
Holders of the Series A Capital Securities ("List of Holders") as of such date,
(i) within fourteen (14) days after each record date for payment of
Distributions (as defined in the Trust Agreement), and (ii) at any other time
within 30 days of receipt by the Guarantor of a written request for a List of
Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given
to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee; provided, however, that the
                                             --------  -------          
Guarantor shall not be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the
List of Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to
the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee by the Guarantor. The Capital

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
Securities Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to
it on receipt of a new List of Holders.

     (b) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its
obligations under Sections 31l(a), 31l(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act.

     SECTION 2.3    Reports by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
                    ---------------------------------------------------

     Within 60 days after August 12 of each year, commencing August 12, 1999,
the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the
Series A Capital Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the
Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section
313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall
also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

     SECTION 2.4    Periodic Reports to Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
                    --------------------------------------------------------

     The Guarantor shall provide to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
such documents, reports and information as are required by Section 314 (if any)
and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture
Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the
Trust Indenture Act. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is for informational purposes only and the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute
constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from
information contained therein, including the Guarantor's compliance with any of
its covenants hereunder (as to which the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is
entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).

     SECTION 2.5    Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent
                    ------------------------------------------------

     The Guarantor shall provide to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
such evidence of compliance with the conditions precedent, if any, provided for
in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters
set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or
opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be
given in the form of an Officers' Certificate.

     SECTION 2.6    Waiver of Events of Default
                    ---------------------------

     The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of Series A Capital
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Series A Capital
Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such
waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default
arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent
thereon.

     SECTION 2.7    Notice of Events of Default
                    ---------------------------

     (a) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall, within 10 Business Days
after the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to this Capital
Securities Guarantee actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee, transmit by mail, first class 

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
postage prepaid, to all Holders of the Series A Capital Securities, notices of
all such Events of Default, unless such Events of Default have been cured before
the giving of such notice; provided, however, that, except in the case of an
                           --------  -------
Event of Default arising from the non-payment of any Guarantee Payment, the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such
notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice
is in the interests of the Holders of the Series A Capital Securities.

     (b) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have
knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee shall have received written notice, or a Responsible Officer of the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of the
Trust Agreement shall have obtained actual knowledge, of such Event of Default.

     SECTION 2.8    Conflicting Interests
                    ---------------------

     The Trust Agreement shall be deemed to be specifically described in this
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the
first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.


                                  ARTICLE III

                         POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
                     CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

     SECTION 3.1    Powers and Duties of the Capital Securities Guarantee
                    -----------------------------------------------------
Trustee
- -------

     (a) This Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall be held by the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Series A
Capital Securities, and the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not
transfer this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee to any Person except a
Holder of Series A Capital Securities exercising his or her rights pursuant to
Section 5.4(b) or to a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee on
acceptance by such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee of its
appointment to act as Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. The right,
title and interest of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall
automatically vest in any Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, and
such vesting and succession of title shall be effective whether or not
conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the
appointment of such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.

     (b) If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders of the Series A Capital Securities.

     (c) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any
Event of Default (of which, other than an Event of Default consisting of a
default in payment, a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee has actual
knowledge) and after the curing of all such Events of Default that may have
occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
forth in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants or
obligations shall be read into this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee
against the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default
has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) and is
actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the
rights and powers vested in it by this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee,
and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent
person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or
her own affairs.

     (d) No provision of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall be
construed to relieve the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee from liability for
its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:

          (i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default (of which, other
     than an Event of Default consisting of a default in payment, a Responsible
     Officer of the Property Trustee has actual knowledge) and after the curing
     or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:

          (A) the duties and obligations of the Capital Securities Guarantee
     Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Series
     A Capital Securities Guarantee, and the Capital Securities Guarantee
     Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and
     obligations as are specifically set forth in this Series A Capital
     Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read
     into this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee against the Capital
     Securities Guarantee Trustee; and

          (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Capital Securities
     Guarantee Trustee, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may
     conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of
     the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished
     to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the
     requirements of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee; provided,
                                                                 -------- 
     however, that in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any
     -------                                                                   
     provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Capital
     Securities Guarantee Trustee, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
     shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not on
     their face they conform to the requirements of this Series A Capital
     Securities Guarantee;

          (ii)  the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for
     any errors of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the
     Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the
     Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee or such Responsible Officer was
     negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was
     made;

          (iii) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable
     with respect to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it in good
     faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a Majority in
     Liquidation Amount of the Series A Capital Securities relating to the time,
     method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
     the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
     conferred upon the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee under this Series A
     Capital Securities Guarantee; and

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
          (iv)  no provision of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall
     require the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own
     funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of
     any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the
     Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for
     believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably
     assured to it under the terms of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee
     or indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Capital Securities Guarantee
     Trustee, against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

     SECTION 3.2    Certain Rights of Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
                    ------------------------------------------------------

     (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:

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

          (ii)  any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this
     Series A Capital Securities Guarantee may be sufficiently evidenced by an
     Officers' Certificate;

          (iii) whenever, in the administration of this Series A Capital
     Securities Guarantee, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall deem
     it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking,
     suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Capital Securities
     Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed)
     may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely
     upon an Officers' Certificate, which, upon receipt of such request, shall
     be promptly delivered by the Guarantor;

          (iv)  the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to
     see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument or other
     document (or any rerecording, refiling or registration thereof);

          (v)   the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may consult with
     counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel with
     respect to legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and
     protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it
     hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion; and
     such counsel may be counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and
     may include any of its employees; the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
     shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the
     administration of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee from any court
     of competent jurisdiction;

          (vi)  the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be under no
     obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this
     Series A Capital Securities Guarantee at the request or direction of any
     Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Capital Securities
     Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to
     the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses
     (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Capital
     Securities Guarantee Trustee's agents, 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
     nominees or custodians) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in
     complying with such request or direction, including such reasonable
     advances as may be requested by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee,
     provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 3.2(a)(vi) shall
     --------  -------
     be taken to relieve the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, upon the
     occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights
     and powers vested in it by this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee;

          (vii)  the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have no
     obligation to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in
     any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report,
     notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other
     evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Capital
     Securities Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further
     inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit;

          (viii) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the
     trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly
     or by or through agents, nominees, custodians or attorneys, and the Capital
     Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
     negligence on the part of any such person appointed with due care by it
     hereunder;

          (ix)  any action taken by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee or
     its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders of the Series A Capital
     Securities, and the signature of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
     or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such
     action; and no third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority
     of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its
     compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Series A Capital
     Securities Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the
     Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's taking such action;

          (x)   whenever in the administration of this Series A Capital
     Securities Guarantee the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall deem it
     desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or
     right or taking any other action hereunder, the Capital Securities
     Guarantee Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of a
     Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Series A Capital Securities, (ii) may
     refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action
     until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected in
     conclusively relying on or acting in accordance with such instructions; and

          (xi)  the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for
     any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith,
     without negligence, and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or
     within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Series
     A Capital Securities Guarantee.

     (b) No provision of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall be
deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or
obligation conferred or imposed on it in any jurisdiction in which it shall be
illegal, or in which the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be
unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any
such act or acts or to exercise any 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority
available to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a
duty.


     SECTION 3.3    Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Series
                    --------------------------------------------------
                    A Capital Securities Guarantee
                    ------------------------------

     The recitals contained in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall
be taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity
or sufficiency of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee.


                                  ARTICLE IV

                     CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

     SECTION 4.1    Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility
                    -------------------------------------------------

     (a) There shall at all times be a Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee that
shall

          (i)  not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and

          (ii) be a corporation or other Person organized and doing business
     under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory
     thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or other Person
     permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission to act as an indenture
     trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, authorized under such laws to
     exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of
     at least ten million U.S. dollars ($10,000,000), and subject to supervision
     or examination by federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia
     authority; it being understood that if such corporation or other Person
     publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the
     requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to above,
     then, for the purposes of this Section 4.1(a)(ii), the combined capital and
     surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
     surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

     (b) If at any time the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall cease to
be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in
Section 4.2(c).

     (c) If the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any
"conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in
all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 4.2    Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Capital Securities
                    ----------------------------------------------------------
Guarantee Trustee
- -----------------

     (a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may
be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor except during
an Event of Default.

     (b) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in
accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written
instrument executed by such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and
delivered to the Guarantor.

     (c) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall hold office until a
Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or
until its removal or resignation. The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may
resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an
instrument in writing executed by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and
delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a
Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has
accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the
resigning Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.

     (d) If no Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have been
appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60
days after delivery of an instrument of removal or resignation, the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee resigning or being removed may petition any court
of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if
any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee.

     (e) No Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or
omissions to act of any Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.

     (f) Upon termination of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee or
removal or resignation of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee pursuant to
this Section 4.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee all amounts due to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee accrued to
the date of such termination, removal or resignation.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                   GUARANTEE

     SECTION 5.1    Guarantee
                    ---------

     The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the
Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid
by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or
counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor fully, knowingly
and unconditionally waives any right the Guarantor may have to revoke this
Guarantee under Section 2815 of the California Civil Code or otherwise.  The
Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct
payment of the 

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay
such amounts to the Holders.

     SECTION 5.2    Waiver of Notice and Demand
                    ---------------------------

     The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply,
presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against
the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest,
notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other
notices and demands.

     SECTION 5.3    Obligations Not Affected
                    ------------------------

     The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under
this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or
impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

     (a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement,
covenant, term or condition relating to the Series A Capital Securities to be
performed or observed by the Issuer;

     (b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any
portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any
other sums payable under the terms of the Series A Capital Securities or the
extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out
of, or in connection with, the Series A Capital Securities;

     (c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the
Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy
conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Series A Capital
Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or
extension of any kind;

     (d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of,
or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the
Issuer;

     (e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Series A Capital
Securities;

     (f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or
hereby incurred;

     (g) the consummation of the Exchange Offer (subject to Section 7.1 hereof);
or

     (h) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a
legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor;

it being the intent of this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor
with respect to the Guarantee Payments shall be absolute and unconditional under
any and all circumstances.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
     There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain
consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.

     SECTION 5.4    Rights of Holders
                    -----------------

     (a) The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Series A Capital
Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
in respect of this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee or exercising any trust
or power conferred upon the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee under this
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee.

     (b) If the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce this
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee, any Holder of Series A Capital Securities
may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's rights under this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the
Issuer, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity.
The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought
first against the Issuer or any other person or entity before proceeding
directly against the Guarantor.

     SECTION 5.5    Guarantee of Payment
                    --------------------

     This Series A Capital Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment
and not of collection.

     SECTION 5.6    Subrogation
                    -----------

     The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders of
Series A Capital Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to
such Holders by the Guarantor under this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee;
                                                                               
provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required
- --------  -------                                                             
by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right
that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or
other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due
and unpaid under this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee. If any amount shall
be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor
agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount
to the Holders.

     SECTION 5.7    Independent Obligations
                    -----------------------

     The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent
of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Series A Capital
Securities, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor
hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event
referred to in subsections (a) through (h), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VI

                   LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

     SECTION 6.1    Limitation of Transactions
                    --------------------------

     So long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, the Guarantor shall
not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase,
acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Guarantor's
capital stock, (ii) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if
any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Guarantor
(including Other Debentures) that rank pari passu with or junior in right of
payment to the Debentures or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to
any guarantee by the Guarantor of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the
Guarantor (including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with
or junior in right of payment to the Debentures (other than (a) dividends or
distributions in shares of, or options, warrants, rights to subscribe for or
purchase shares of, common stock of the Guarantor, (b) any Trust Agreement of a
dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders' rights plan,
or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or
repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) payments under this Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee and the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee, (d)
as a result of a reclassification of the Guarantor's capital stock or the
exchange or the conversion of one class or series of the Guarantor's capital
stock for another class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock, (e) the
purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Guarantor's capital stock
pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the
security being converted or exchanged, and (f) purchases of common stock related
to the issuance of common stock or rights under any of the Guarantor's benefit
or compensation plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of the
Guarantor's dividend reinvestment plans) if at such time (l) there shall have
occurred any event of which the Guarantor has actual knowledge that (A) is a
Default (as defined in the Indenture) or an Event of Default (as defined in the
Indenture) and (B) in respect of which the Guarantor shall not have taken
reasonable steps to cure, (2) if the Debentures are held by the Property
Trustee, the Guarantor shall be in default with respect to its payment of any
obligations under this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee or (3) the
Guarantor shall have given notice of its election of the exercise of its right
to commence an Extended Interest Payment Period as provided in the Indenture and
shall not have rescinded such notice, and such Extended Interest Payment Period,
or an extension thereof, shall have commenced and be continuing.

     SECTION 6.2    Ranking
                    -------

     This Series A Capital Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of
payment to Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture), to the same extent
and in the same manner that the Debentures are subordinated to Senior
Indebtedness pursuant to the Indenture, it being understood that the terms of
Article XV of the Indenture shall apply to the obligations of the Guarantor
under this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee as if such Article XV were set
forth herein in full, (ii) pari passu with the most senior preferred or
preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Guarantor and with the Series B
Capital Securities Guarantee, any Other Guarantee and, except to the extent set
forth therein, the Common Securities Guarantee, any Other Common Securities
Guarantee, and any 

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Guarantor in respect of any
preferred or preference stock of any Affiliate of the Guarantor, and (iii)
senior to the Guarantor's common stock.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                                  TERMINATION

     SECTION 7.1    Termination
                    -----------

     This Series A Capital Securities Guarantee shall terminate and be of no
further force and effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all
Series A Capital Securities, (ii) the exchange of all Series A Capital
Securities for Series B Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer, or
(iii) dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the Issuer, immediately
following the full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Trust
Agreement or the distribution of all of the Debentures to the holders of the
Trust Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the
case may be, if at any time any Holder of Series A Capital Securities must
restore payment of any sums paid under the Series A Capital Securities or under
this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee.


                                  ARTICLE VII

                                INDEMNIFICATION

     SECTION 8.1    Exculpation
                    -----------

     (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in
damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss, damage
or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such
Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably
believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified
Person by this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee or by law, except that an
Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred
by reason of such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct with
respect to such acts or omissions.

     (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith
upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions, reports
or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the
Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's
professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care
by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information, opinions, reports or
statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits,
losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from
which Distributions to Holders of Series A Capital Securities might properly be
paid.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 8.2    Compensation and Indemnification
                    --------------------------------

     The Guarantor agrees to pay to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
such compensation for its services as shall be mutually agreed upon by the
Guarantor and the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. The Guarantor shall
reimburse the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee upon request for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it, including the reasonable
compensation and expenses of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's agents
and counsel, except any expense as may be attributable to the negligence or bad
faith of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.

     The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold
each Indemnified Person harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage,
action, suit, claim or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its
part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of
the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including
reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against, or
investigating, any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or
performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The provisions of this
Section 8.2 shall survive the termination of this Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee and shall survive the resignation or removal of the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee.


                                  ARTICLE IX

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 9.1    Successors and Assigns
                    ----------------------

     All guarantees and agreements contained in this Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders
of the Series A Capital Securities then outstanding.

     SECTION 9.2    Amendments
                    ----------

     Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely affect
the rights of Holders of the Capital Securities (in which case no consent of
such Holders will be required), this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee may
only be amended with the prior approval of the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Series A Capital Securities. The provisions of Section
12.2 of the Trust Agreement with respect to meetings of Holders of the Trust
Securities apply to the giving of such approval. This Series A Capital
Securities Guarantee may not be amended, and no amendment hereof that affects
the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's rights, duties or immunities
hereunder or otherwise, shall be effective, unless such amendment is executed by
the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee (which shall have no obligation to
execute any such amendment, but may do so in its sole discretion).

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 9.3    Notices
                    -------

     All notices provided for in this Series A Capital Securities Guarantee
shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be
delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

     (a) If given to the Issuer, in care of the Administrative Trustee at the
Issuer's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Issuer
may give notice of to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and the Holders
of the Series A Capital Securities):

               GBB CAPITAL II
               c/o Greater Bay Bancorp
               2860 West Bayshore Road
               Palo Alto, California  94303
               Attention:  Steven C. Smith
               Telecopy:   (650) 494-9193
               Telephone:  (650) 813-8200

     (b) If given to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, at the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other
address as the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the
Holders of the Series A Capital Securities):

               WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
               Rodney Square North
               1100 North Market Street
               Wilmington, Delaware  19890-0001
               Attention:  Corporate Trust Administration
               Telecopy:   (302) 651-1576
               Telephone:  (302) 651-1000

     (c) If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing address set forth
below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee and the Holders of the Series A Capital
Securities):

               GREATER BAY BANCORP
               2860 West Bayshore Road
               Palo Alto, California  94303
               Attention:  Steven C. Smith
               Telecopy:   (650) 494-9193
               Telephone:  (650) 813-8200

     (d) If given to any Holder of Series A Capital Securities, at the address
set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.

     All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or
cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice 

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered
on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

     SECTION 9.4    Exchange Offer
                    --------------

     In the event an Exchange Offer Registration Statement (as defined in the
Registration Rights Agreement) becomes effective and the Issuer exchanges any
Series B Capital Securities for Series A Capital Securities in the Exchange
Offer, the Guarantor will enter into the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee,
which will be in substantially the same form as this Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee, with respect to the Series B Capital Securities.  Each Holder, by its
acceptance hereof, agrees to be bound by the Registration Rights Agreement.

     SECTION 9.5    Benefit
                    -------

     This Series A Capital Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the
Holders of the Series A Capital Securities and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is
not separately transferable from the Series A Capital Securities.

     SECTION 9.6    Governing Law
                    -------------

     THIS SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
     This Series A Capital Securities Guarantee is executed as of  the day and
year first above written.

                         GREATER BAY BANCORP
                         as Guarantor


                         By:  /s/ Steven C. Smith
                              -------------------
                              Steven C. Smith
                              Executive Vice President, Chief Operating 
                              Officer and Chief Financial Officer

                         WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
                         as Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee

                         By:  /s/ Patricia A. Evans
                              ---------------------
                              Name:   Patricia A. Evans
                              Title:  Financial Services Officer

                                      -20-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.10
                                                                    ------------


                          LIQUIDATED DAMAGES AGREEMENT

     THIS LIQUIDATED DAMAGES AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered
                                             ---------                      
into as of August 7, 1998 by and among GREATER BAY BANCORP, a California
corporation (the "Company"), GBB CAPITAL II, a business trust formed under the
                  -------                                                     
laws of the state of Delaware (the "Trust") and SANDLER O'NEILL & PARTNERS, L.P.
                                    -----                                       
("Sandler O'Neill" or the "Initial Purchaser").
  ---------------          -----------------   

     WHEREAS, as an inducement to the Initial Purchaser to enter into the
Purchase Agreement, dated August 7, 1998  (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and
                                                ------------------          
among the Company, the Trust and the Initial Purchaser (providing for, among
other things, the sale by the Trust to the Initial Purchaser of 30,000 of the
Trust's Floating Rate Capital Securities, Series A, liquidation amount of $1,000
per Capital Security (the "Capital Securities"), the proceeds of which will be
                           ------------------                                 
used by the Trust to purchase Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debentures due September 15, 2028, Series A, of the Company (the
                                                                         
"Subordinated Debentures")), and as a condition to the several obligations of
- ------------------------                                                     
the Initial Purchaser thereunder, the Company and the Trust have agreed to
provide to the Initial Purchaser and its direct and indirect transferees certain
registration and related rights pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of
the Registration Rights Agreement, dated the date hereof (the "Registration
                                                               ------------
Rights Agreement"), by and among the Company, the Trust and the Initial
- ----------------                                                       
Purchaser; and

     WHEREAS, notwithstanding the fact that the Company and the Trust have
consummated or will consummate an Exchange Offer, pursuant to Section 2(b) of
the Registration Rights Agreement, the Initial Purchaser may, under certain
circumstances, require the Company and the Trust to file a Shelf Registration
Statement for the resale of certain Registrable Securities held by it;

     WHEREAS, the Registration Rights Agreement contains certain provisions
concerning the time within which the Company and the Trust must file the Shelf
Registration Statement and the period for which such Shelf Registration
Statement must remain effective and usable for resales; and

     WHEREAS, the Company, the Trust and the Initial Purchaser desire to provide
for the payment of liquidated damages by the Company directly to the Initial
Purchaser in the event that the Company and the Trust fail to comply with such
contractual provisions, as more fully set forth herein.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and for other good and
valuable consideration the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties
hereto agree as follows:

     1.     Definitions. Capitalized terms used (including in the foregoing
            -----------                                                    
recitals) but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in
the Registration Rights Agreement, except that (a) the term "Shelf Registration
Statement" shall refer only to a Shelf Registration Statement filed by the
Company and the Trust pursuant to Section 2(b) of the Registration Rights
<PAGE>
 
Agreement, and (b) the term "Registrable Securities" shall refer only to those
Registrable Securities held at such time by the Initial Purchaser.

     2.   Payment of Liquidated Damages. (a) In the event that (i) the Shelf
          -----------------------------                                     
Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC on or prior to the 45/th/ day
after a request for such filing is properly made by the Initial Purchaser in
accordance with Section 2(b) of the Registration Rights Agreement (provided that
in no event shall such date be required to be earlier than 75 days after the
Issue Date), or (ii) the Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective
by the SEC on or prior to the later of the 40th day after the date such Shelf
Registration Statement was required to be filed pursuant to the terms of the
Registration Rights Agreement and the 180th date after the Issue Date, or (iii)
the Shelf Registration Statement has been declared effective and such Shelf
Registration Statement ceases to be continuously effective or usable for resales
(whether as a result of an event contemplated by Section 3(e) of the
Registration Rights Agreement or otherwise) at any time during the 180-day
period (and any extensions of such period pursuant to the last paragraph of
Section 3 of the Registration Rights Agreement) immediately following the date
on which the Shelf Registration Statement is first declared effective (other
than after such time as all Registrable Securities have been disposed of
thereunder or otherwise cease to be Registrable Securities pursuant to the terms
of the Registration Rights Agreement), then in each case the Company shall pay
liquidated damages to the Initial Purchaser, at a rate of 25 basis points per
annum in respect of the aggregate liquidation amount of Capital Securities held
by the Initial Purchaser or, in the event that the Trust is liquidated and
Subordinated Debentures are distributed to holders of Capital Securities, the
aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Debentures held by the Initial
Purchaser, as the case may be, in respect of the period (x) commencing on the
46th day after such request for the filing of a Shelf Registration Statement is
made by the Initial Purchaser (provided that in no event shall such date be
required to be earlier than 76 days after the Issue Date) and terminating upon
the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of clause (i)
above), (y) commencing on the later of the 41st day after the date the Shelf
Registration Statement was required to be filed and the 181st day after the
Issue Date and terminating upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration
Statement (in the case of clause (ii) above), or (z) commencing on the day the
Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective or usable for resales and
terminating at such time as the Shelf Registration Statement again becomes
effective and usable for resales (in the case of clause (iii) above), provided,
                                                                      ---------
however, that the maximum aggregate amount of liquidated damages payable by the
- -------                                                                        
Company pursuant to this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement shall
not exceed 25 basis points per annum in respect of the aggregate liquidation
amount of the Capital Securities or, in the event the Trust is liquidated and
Subordinated Debentures are distributed to holders of Capital Securities, the
aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Debentures.

     (b) Any amounts of liquidated damages payable by the Company pursuant to
this Section 2 shall be paid in cash directly to the Initial Purchaser on the
next succeeding March 15, June 15, September 15 or December 15, as the case may
be, following the period in respect of which such Liquidated Damages have become
due and payable hereunder.

     3.   General.
          ------- 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                    (1)  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
                         ------------                                       
                         number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in
                         separate counterparts, each of which when so executed
                         shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
                         taken together shall constitute one and the same
                         agreement.

                    (2)  Amendments. This Agreement may be amended by the
                         ----------                                      
                         parties hereto by a written instrument duly executed on
                         behalf of each of the parties hereto.

                    (3)  Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Registration
                         ----------------                                     
                         Rights Agreement constitute the entire agreement, and
                         supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both
                         written and oral, among the parties with respect to the
                         subject matter hereof.

                    (4)  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
                         -------------                                         
                         construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
                         New York, without regard to any applicable conflicts of
                         law principles.

                    (5)  Notices.  All notices and other communications
                         -------                                       
                         hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given
                         if delivered to the parties at the addresses set forth
                         in, and in a manner contemplated by, the Registration
                         Rights Agreement.

                    (6)  Effective Date.  This Agreement shall be of no force
                         --------------                                      
                         and effect and the parties shall have no obligations or
                         rights hereunder until the Closing Time whereupon this
                         Agreement shall be effective.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Liquidated Damages
Agreement as of the date first written above.

                              GREATER BAY BANCORP


                              By:    /s/ Steven C. Smith
                                     ------------------------------------------
                              Name:  Steven C. Smith
                              Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Operating
                                     Officer and Chief Financial Officer


                              GBB CAPITAL II

 
                              By:    Greater Bay Bancorp,
                                     as Sponsor
 
                              By:    /s/ Steven C. Smith
                                     -------------------------------------------
                              Name:  Steven C. Smith
                              Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Operating 
                                     Officer and Chief Financial Officer


                              SANDLER O'NEILL & PARTNERS, L.P.

                              By:    Sandler O'Neill & Partners Corp.,
                                     the sole general partner


                              By:    /s/ Catherine A. Lawton
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Catherine A. Lawton
                                     Vice President

                                       4

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1
                                                                    ------------

                     Press Release dated August 13, 1998
<PAGE>
 
                For Immediate Release For Information Contact
                ---------------------------------------------

August 13, 1998                          David L. Kalkbrenner, President & CEO
                                            (650) 614-5767
                                         Steven C. Smith, EVP, COO & CFO
                                            (650) 813-8222

                         GREATER BAY BANCORP ISSUES
                                 $30 MILLION
                        OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

     PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Greater Bay Bancorp (Nasdaq--"GBBK"), announced today
that it has completed an offering in the aggregate amount of $30 million through
GBB Capital II, a trust affiliate of the Company formed for the purpose of the
offering.  The securities issued in the offering were sold in a private
transaction pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") and have not been registered under the Act.
The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent
registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. The
securities have an offering price (liquidation amount) of $1,000 per security
and will receive distributions at a variable rate of interest, initially at
7.1875%.  The interest rate will reset quarterly, equal to 3-month LIBOR plus
150 basis points, will be cumulative and will be payable quarterly.  As part of
the transaction, Greater Bay Bancorp negotiated an interest rate swap to fix the
cost of the offering at 7.55% for 10 years.
 
     GBB Capital II used the proceeds from the sale of the Floating Rate Trust
Preferred Securities to purchase Junior Subordinated Debentures of Greater Bay
Bancorp.  Greater Bay Bancorp intends to invest approximately $10.0 million of
the net proceeds in one or more of the Company's subsidiary banks to increase
their capital levels and intends to use the remaining net proceeds for general
corporate purposes.  Under applicable regulatory guidelines, Greater Bay Bancorp
expects that a certain portion of the Floating Rate Trust Preferred Securities
will qualify as Tier I Capital, and the remaining portion will qualify as Tier
II Capital.
 
     This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there by any sale of these securities
in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities law of any such state.
 
     This document may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those projected.  For a discussion of factors that could cause actual
results to differ, please see the Company's publicly available Securities and
Exchange Commission filings, including its annual report on Form 10K dated
December 31, 1997, and particularly the discussion of risk factors within that
document.

                        "WE INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS"



                        


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