PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORP
S-3/A, 1998-11-03
LIFE INSURANCE
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<PAGE>
 
    
 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 3, 1998     
                                                   
                                                REGISTRATION NO. 333-63831     
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                               ----------------
                                
                             AMENDMENT NO. 1     
                                       
                                    TO     
                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                               ----------------
                         PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                               ----------------
               DELAWARE                              13-2652144
    (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF     (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
            INCORPORATION)
                               ----------------
                              69 LYDECKER STREET
                             NYACK, NEW YORK 10960
                                (914) 358-2300
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                               ----------------
                                 HERBERT KURZ
                                   PRESIDENT
                         PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION
                              69 LYDECKER STREET
                             NYACK, NEW YORK 10960
                                (914) 358-2300
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                               ----------------
                                WITH COPIES TO:
        MICHAEL G. MARKS, ESQ.                LESLIE N. SILVERMAN, ESQ.
       WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER          CLEARY, GOTTLIEB, STEEN & HAMILTON
          787 SEVENTH AVENUE                      ONE LIBERTY PLAZA
     NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019-6099          NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10006-1470
            (212) 728-8000                         (212) 225-2000
                               ----------------
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
  If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box. [_]
  If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [X]
  If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
  If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
  If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
       
       
                               ----------------
  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION
8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY SUCH STATE.                                                               +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                                                           SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
                                                                          , 1998
 
                                  $100,000,000
 
                         PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION
 
                         % SENIOR NOTES DUE       , 2008
 
                                  -----------
   
  Presidential Life Corporation ("Presidential," and, together with its wholly
owned subsidiaries, the "Company") may offer from time to time up to
$100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its  % Senior Notes due       , 2008
(the "Notes"). The Notes will be unsecured and will rank equally with all other
unsecured senior indebtedness of Presidential. However, since the Notes will
not be secured, they will be effectively subordinated to any secured
indebtedness of Presidential. After giving pro forma effect to the application
of the proceeds of the Notes, the Company will have no secured indebtedness
outstanding and the only senior indebtedness of the Company will be the Notes.
The Company is a holding company and, accordingly, the Notes also are
effectively subordinated to liabilities of Presidential's subsidiaries. As of
June 30, 1998, the outstanding assets and liabilities of such subsidiaries,
including policyholder liabilities, trade payables and accrued expenses were
approximately $2.544 billion and $2.023 billion, respectively.     
   
  The prospectus supplement ("Prospectus Supplement") accompanying this
Prospectus will set forth, with respect to an issue of Notes for which this
Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement are being delivered, additional terms
of the Notes offered, including principal amount to be offered, rate of
interest and the initial price to the public. The Notes will be redeemable in
whole or in part, at the option of the Company, at any time upon not less than
30 nor more than 60 days' notice at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i)
100% of the principal amount of such Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to,
but excluding, the date of redemption and (ii) a premium equal to the Make-
Whole Amount (as defined in the Indenture referred to below). In the event of a
Sale of a Significant Subsidiary (as defined in the Indenture), the Company
will, at the option of each holder thereof, redeem the Notes at a redemption
price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Notes plus accrued and
unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. The Notes will
mature on       , 2008, and will be limited to $100,000,000 aggregate principal
amount, which may be issued in one or more offerings up to such aggregate
principal amount. Any Notes issued subsequent to the initial offering of Notes
will have identical terms and conditions as the Notes then outstanding and will
vote on all matters together with such outstanding Notes. Notwithstanding the
above, the issue price for any additional Notes may differ from the issue price
of the outstanding Notes and the first interest period for any additional Notes
will run from the date of issuance of such additional Notes to, but excluding,
the next Interest Payment Date for the Notes. See "Description of the Notes."
    
                                  -----------
 
 NEITHER THE  SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE COMMISSION  NOR  ANY  STATE SECURITIES
  COMMISSION HAS APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES  OR PASSED UPON
   THE  ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF  THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO  THE
     CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                                  -----------
 
  The Notes may be sold directly to purchasers or to or through underwriters,
dealers or agents. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the
offering of any Notes, their names and any applicable fee, commission or
discount arrangements will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement. See "Plan
of Distribution." This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Notes
unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement. Any statement contained in this
Prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded by any inconsistent
statement contained in any accompanying Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                  -----------
 
                  The date of this Prospectus is       , 1998.
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company with the Commission can
be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and
should be available at the Commission's regional offices at Seven World Trade
Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and 500 West Madison Street,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material also can be
obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission
also maintains a Web site (http://www.sec.gov) at which reports, proxy
materials and other information regarding the Company may be accessed. The
common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock")
is listed on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated
Quotation System--National Market System ("NASDAQ-NMS"). Accordingly, certain
of the Company's reports, proxy materials and other information may be
available for inspection at the offices of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") at 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20006.
 
  The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (together with all amendments thereto, the "Registration Statement") under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to
the Notes. This Prospectus, which constitutes a part of the Registration
Statement, does not contain all the information set forth in the Registration
Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with
respect to the Company and the Notes, reference is made to the Registration
Statement and to the exhibits and schedules thereto. Statements made in this
Prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference
herein or therein, while complete in all material respects, do not necessarily
describe all terms or provisions of such contract, agreement or other
document. For a complete description of the matter involved, reference is made
to each such contract, agreement or other document which has been included as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement or has been incorporated by reference
therein. The Registration Statement, including the exhibits and schedules
therein, may be inspected without charge and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and should be available at the Commission's regional
offices at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and
500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
  The following documents filed with the Commission by the Company (File No.
0-5486) pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:
 
    1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
  31, 1997;
 
    2. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
  March 31, 1998;
 
    3. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
  30, 1998; and
 
    4. The Company's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Annual Meeting
  of Shareholders filed with the Commission on April 24, 1998.
 
  All documents and reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and
prior to the termination of the offering of the Notes shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
respective dates of filing of such documents or reports. Any statement
contained in a document, all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
document or report which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
  The Company will provide without charge to any person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy
of any or all of the documents that have been incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits
are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents so incorporated.
Requests for such copies should be directed to Michael V. Oporto, Chief
Financial Officer, Presidential Life Corporation, 69 Lydecker Street, Nyack,
New York 10960, telephone (914) 358-2300.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
  The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and financial statements, including the related notes thereto,
appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. All financial information set forth
herein is presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
("GAAP"), unless otherwise noted. See "Glossary of Selected Insurance Terms"
for the definitions of certain insurance terms used herein. Unless the context
otherwise requires, all references to the Company shall be deemed to include
Presidential and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Presidential Life
Insurance Company (the "Insurance Company").
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Company is an insurance holding company that, through the Insurance
Company, a stock life insurance company, emphasizes the sale of a variety of
single premium and flexible premium annuity products as well as annual and
single premium life insurance products. The Insurance Company began operations
in 1966. During the last two years, over 90% of the Company's statutory net
premium income was derived from its individual annuity business.
 
  The Company's products are designed to meet the needs of increasingly
sophisticated consumers for such things as supplemental retirement income,
estate planning and financial protection in the event of unexpected death. The
Company markets its products primarily to individuals in the 45 to 64 year old
age group.
 
  The Company's strategy is to offer products that compare favorably to
competitive alternatives, to emphasize a high level of service to agents and
customers, to maintain a low cost structure and to invest predominantly in
investment grade debt securities. The Company's statutory gross premiums and
annuity considerations for the six months ended June 30, 1998 have increased by
approximately 18.5% over statutory gross premiums and annuity considerations
for the comparable period of the prior year. In that regard, the Company's
statutory gross premiums and annuity deposits were approximately $72.0 million
for the six months ended June 30, 1998, as compared to approximately $60.8
million for the six months ended June 30, 1997 and approximately $145.1 million
for the entirety of 1997. The Insurance Company is rated "A- (Excellent)" by
A.M. Best Company ("A.M. Best"). See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Results of Operations."
 
  The Company's product distribution system consists of approximately 570
independent general agents who market the Company's products through
approximately 6,690 licensed insurance agents and brokers. Management believes
that the Company offers competitive commission rates and seeks to provide
innovative products and quality service to its independent general agents.
Management believes that the Company's use of this independent agent
distribution system provides a cost advantage, since the Company incurs no
fixed costs associated with recruiting, training and maintaining employee
agents.
 
  As of June 30, 1998, the Company's shareholders' equity was approximately
$523.2 million and its total assets were approximately $2.6 billion. As of June
30, 1998, the Insurance Company had statutory admitted assets of approximately
$2.4 billion, statutory capital, surplus and Asset Valuation Reserve ("AVR") of
approximately $388.3 million and a statutory Interest Maintenance Reserve
("IMR") of approximately $18.1 million.
 
  The Company manages its investment portfolio to meet the diversification,
yield and liquidity requirements of its annuity contract and insurance policy
obligations as well as other corporate obligations. The Company's investment
philosophy generally focuses on purchasing investment grade securities
generally with the intention of holding such securities until maturity.
However, as market opportunities or liquidity or regulatory considerations may
dictate, securities may be sold prior to maturity. The fair value of the
investment portfolio as
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
of June 30, 1998 included approximately $1.5 billion of investment grade fixed
maturity instruments, approximately $160.2 million of below investment grade
debt securities, approximately $265.6 million of limited partnership interests,
approximately $213.5 million of preferred stock and approximately $63.0 million
of common stock. As of June 30, 1998, the Company's fixed maturity investment
portfolio had a duration of approximately six years. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
"Business--Investments and Investment Policy."
 
  The Company manages its annuity and life insurance business with a goal of
maintaining a balance of relatively long- and short-term liabilities. As of
June 30, 1998, single premium immediate annuity products (generally considered
to be longer-term liabilities) represented approximately 36.1% of policy and
deposit liabilities, while life insurance cash values and deferred annuity
products (generally considered to be shorter-term liabilities) represented
approximately 63.9% of policy and deposit liabilities. Single premium immediate
annuity products provide long-term guaranteed benefit payment streams utilizing
fixed interest rate assumptions and typically cannot be surrendered or borrowed
against. In contrast, deferred annuity products and life insurance cash values
provide relatively short-term interest guarantees on funds that typically can
be surrendered. Although this mix in the Company's products may change from
time to time, management believes that the current mix of long-term and short-
term liabilities will reduce the impact on the Company's results of operations
that are caused by fluctuations in prevailing interest rates.
 
  The Insurance Company is licensed to market its products in 48 states and in
the District of Columbia. However, for the six months ended June 30, 1998,
approximately 58.5% of the gross statutory annuity considerations and life
insurance premiums received by the Company were sold to annuitants and
policyholders residing in the State of New York.
 
  The Company's principal offices are located at 69 Lydecker Street, Nyack, New
York 10960 and its telephone number is (914) 358-2300.
                               
                            RECENT DEVELOPMENTS     
   
  On October 29, 1998, the Company announced net income for the quarter ended
September 30, 1998 of $6.5 million or $0.20 per share compared to $16.0 million
or $0.49 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 1997. Net income for the
quarter ended September 30, 1998 includes losses, net of taxes, of $9.2 million
or $0.29 per share related to hedge fund investments in Long Term Capital
Partners L.P. and The Global Convergence Fund, L.P. Net operating earnings for
the quarter ended September 30, 1998 were $2.9 million or $0.09 per share and
include such losses, net of taxes. Net operating earnings for the quarter ended
September 30, 1997 were $9.7 million or $0.30 per share. Net investment gains
for the quarter ended September 30, 1998 were $3.6 million or $0.11 per share
compared to $6.3 million or $0.19 per share for the quarter ended September 30,
1997. For the nine months ended September 30, 1998, the Company reported net
income of $38.7 million or $1.20 per share compared to $44.9 million or $1.37
per share for the nine months ended September 30, 1997. Net operating earnings
for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 were $28.5 million or $0.89 per
share compared to $32.1 million or $0.98 per share for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997. Net investment gains for the nine months ended September
30, 1998 were $10.2 million or $0.32 per share compared to $12.9 million or
$0.39 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 1997.     
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
  Prospective purchasers of the Notes should carefully consider the factors
described under "Risk Factors," as well as other information set forth in this
Prospectus, prior to making an investment in the Notes.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                        SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 JUNE 30,
                          --------------------------------------------- -----------------
                            1993     1994      1995     1996     1997     1997     1998
                          -------- --------  -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
                                 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME
 DATA:
Revenues:
 Premiums...............  $  4,743 $  4,249  $  4,408 $  4,244 $  3,976 $  1,098 $  1,153
 Annuity
  considerations........     3,029    1,569     3,780    8,461   19,655    7,978   15,644
 Universal life and
  investment type policy
  fee income............     2,665    1,912     1,934    2,090    1,988      956    1,140
 Net investment income..   157,718  145,107   170,780  186,180  191,818  98,022"  110,076
 Realized investment
  gains.................    36,277   19,083    17,216   20,020   26,039   11,013    9,069
 Other income...........     1,927    1,834     1,746    2,679    4,228    2,995    2,357
                          -------- --------  -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
 Total revenues.........   206,359  173,754   199,864  223,674  247,704  122,062  139,439
                          -------- --------  -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Benefits and expenses:
 Interest credited and
  benefits to
  policyholders.........   126,740  119,731   123,923  124,260  136,998   66,703   75,125
 Interest expense on
  notes payable.........     6,522    4,946     5,045    5,049    5,850    2,780    3,833
 Selling, general and
  administrative
  expenses..............    15,890   11,858    14,506   18,008   14,298   10,490   11,663
                          -------- --------  -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
 Total benefits and
  expenses..............   149,152  136,535   143,474  147,317  157,146   79,973   90,621
                          -------- --------  -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income before income
 taxes..................    57,207   37,219    56,390   76,357   90,558   42,089   48,818
Provision (benefit) for
 income taxes(1)........    10,382   (2,693)    7,332   21,836   29,266   13,169   16,649
                          -------- --------  -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income..............  $ 46,825 $ 39,912  $ 49,058 $ 54,521 $ 61,292 $ 28,920 $ 32,169
                          ======== ========  ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Earnings per common
 share(1)...............  $   1.53 $   1.18  $   1.46 $   1.64 $   1.87 $    .88 $   1.00
Ratio of earnings to
 fixed charges(2).......    10.21x    8.07x    12.18x   16.12x   16.48x   16.14x   13.74x
Ratio of earnings to
 fixed charges and
 interest credited to
 policyholder
 accounts(2)............     1.68x    1.45x     1.67x    1.95x    2.10x    2.05x    2.16x
Cash dividends declared
 per common share.......  $    .09 $    .09  $   .105 $    .15 $    .22 $    .10 $   .135
STATUTORY DATA(3):
Net statutory
 premiums(4)............  $ 52,177 $ 53,188  $105,177 $109,937 $140,791 $ 59,084 $ 70,212
Net gain from
 operations.............    23,938   13,959    34,667   41,230   43,500   24,195   31,308
Statutory capital and
 surplus(5).............   250,434  257,570   296,712  341,059  370,742  346,542  388,314
</TABLE>    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       AS OF           AS OF
                                                 DECEMBER 31, 1997 JUNE 30, 1998
                                                 ----------------- -------------
<S>                                              <C>               <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets....................................    $2,558,341      $2,612,387
Total investments...............................     2,464,359       2,541,685
Total policy liabilities........................     1,714,981       1,734,860
Long-term notes payable.........................        50,000          50,000
Shareholders' equity............................       502,654         523,186
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The results for 1993 included the cumulative effect of a change in
    accounting principle (Financial Accounting Standard No. 109) of $2.8
    million or $0.09 per share.
(2) In calculating this ratio, earnings consist of income (loss) before income
    taxes and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, plus fixed
    charges adjusted to exclude interest capitalized. Fixed charges consist of
    interest, whether expensed or capitalized, capitalized lease interest
    expense and amortization of deferred financing fees, whether expensed or
    capitalized, plus the portion of rental expense under operating leases
    which has been deemed by the Company to be representative of the interest
    factor.
(3) Statutory data reflect the data derived from the annual and quarterly
    statements of the Insurance Company as filed with insurance regulatory
    authorities and prepared in accordance with statutory accounting practices.
(4) Premiums and annuity considerations, net of reinsurance, as presented for
    statutory reporting purposes differ from those reported under GAAP. For
    GAAP reporting, premiums for universal life, single premium deferred
    annuities and single premium immediate annuities with a stated period are
    reported as deposit liabilities, not as premium revenues. See "Management's
    Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
(5) Statutory capital and surplus includes the asset valuation reserve.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  Prospective investors in the Notes offered hereby should carefully consider
the risk factors set forth below as well as the other information contained in
this Prospectus.
 
RANKING; HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE; RESTRICTIONS ON DIVIDENDS
   
  The Notes will be general unsecured obligations of Presidential and will
rank pari passu with all other unsecured senior indebtedness of Presidential
and senior to all subordinated indebtedness of Presidential. However, since
the Notes will not be secured, they will be effectively subordinated to any
secured indebtedness of Presidential. After giving pro forma effect to the
offering of the Notes, the Company will have no secured indebtedness
outstanding and the only senior indebtedness of the Company will be the Notes.
The Indenture will not prohibit Presidential from incurring additional senior
indebtedness, including secured senior indebtedness, but requires that the
Notes be secured on a pari passu basis with any additional secured senior
indebtedness, other than secured indebtedness represented by (i) capital lease
obligations and purchase money indebtedness, (ii) money deposited in trust or
escrow to retire certain of the Company's existing indebtedness, and (iii)
specified indebtedness of certain subsidiaries of the Company. See
"Description of the Notes."     
   
  Presidential is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries.
As a holding company with no other business operations, its primary sources of
cash needed to meet its obligations, including principal and interest payments
on its outstanding indebtedness and to pay dividends on its Common Stock, are
dividends from the Insurance Company, sales of and interest on its investments
and rent from its real estate. Because the operations of the Company are
conducted through the Insurance Company, Presidential's cash flow and
consequently its ability to service debt, including amounts under the Notes,
is substantially dependent upon dividends from the Insurance Company. The
Insurance Company will have no direct obligation, contingent or otherwise, to
pay any amount due under the Notes or to make any funds available therefor,
whether in the form of loans, dividends or otherwise. Because of this holding
company structure, claims of creditors of Presidential's subsidiaries,
including policyholders, will have priority with respect to the assets and
earnings of such subsidiaries over the claims of creditors of Presidential,
including holders of the Notes. Accordingly (except to the extent that
Presidential may itself be a creditor of such subsidiary), the Notes will be
effectively subordinated to liabilities, including policyholder liabilities,
trade payables and accrued expenses, of Presidential's subsidiaries. The
Indenture will not prohibit Presidential's subsidiaries, including the
Insurance Company, from incurring indebtedness. As of June 30, 1998, the
outstanding assets and liabilities of such subsidiaries, including
policyholder liabilities, trade payables and accrued expenses were
approximately $2.544 billion and $2.023 billion, respectively.     
 
  In the event of a default on Presidential's debt or an insolvency,
liquidation or other reorganization of Presidential, the creditors and
stockholders of Presidential will have no right to proceed against the assets
of the Insurance Company or to cause it to be liquidated, rehabilitated or
placed in receivership or conservatorship. If the Insurance Company were to be
liquidated, such liquidation would be conducted under the supervision of the
Superintendent of Insurance of the State of New York (the "Superintendent") as
the receiver with respect to the Insurance Company's property and business.
See "Business--Insurance Regulation."
 
  The Insurance Company is subject to various regulatory restrictions,
including restrictions on the maximum amount of payments, including loans or
cash advances, that it may make to Presidential without obtaining prior
regulatory approval. As a New York domiciled insurance company, the Insurance
Company is subject to restrictions on the payment of dividends under New York
law. New York law states that no domestic stock life insurance company may
distribute any dividend to its shareholders unless a notice of its intention
to declare such dividend and the amount thereof shall have been filed with the
Superintendent not less than 30 days in advance of such proposed declaration.
The Superintendent may disapprove such distribution by giving written notice
to such company within 30 days after such filing that he or she finds that the
financial condition of the insurance company does not warrant such
distribution. The New York State Department of Insurance (the "NYSDI") has
established informal guidelines for the Superintendent's determinations. These
guidelines focus upon, among other things, the overall financial condition and
profitability of the insurer under statutory accounting practices.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
During the first six months of 1998, the Insurance Company paid dividends of
$29.4 million to Presidential. During 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Insurance
Company paid dividends of $24.8 million, $15.0 million and $5.0 million,
respectively, to Presidential.
 
  The inability of the Insurance Company to pay dividends to Presidential in
an amount sufficient to permit Presidential to make principal and interest
payments on its outstanding indebtedness (including the Notes), meet its
operating expenses and pay dividends would have a material adverse effect on
Presidential's financial condition and results of operations. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
IMPORTANCE OF A.M. BEST RATINGS
 
  Insurers compete with other insurance companies, financial intermediaries
and other institutions on the basis of a number of factors, including the
ratings assigned by A.M. Best. The Insurance Company is rated "A- (Excellent)"
by A.M. Best. Publications of A.M. Best indicate that the "A-" rating is
assigned to those companies that, in A.M. Best's opinion, have achieved, on
balance, excellent overall performance when compared to the norms of the
insurance industry and that generally have demonstrated a strong ability to
meet their respective policyholder and other contractual obligations over a
long period of time. A.M. Best reviews its ratings of insurance companies from
time to time. If the Insurance Company's A.M. Best rating were downgraded, the
Company's sales of annuity products and life insurance policies could be
significantly impacted and the Company's financial condition and results of
operations could be materially adversely affected. See "Business--Claims
Paying and Other Ratings."
 
GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION
 
  For the six months ended June 30, 1998, and for the years ended December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995, approximately 58.5%, 67.3%, 78.3% and 83.5%,
respectively, of the gross statutory annuity considerations and life insurance
premiums received by the Company were sold to annuitants and policyholders
residing in the State of New York. In that regard, any event that would
prevent or materially impair the Company's ability to market its annuity and
life insurance products in the State of New York would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
 
SURRENDERABLE ANNUITIES
 
  As of June 30, 1998, approximately 61.8% of the Insurance Company's annuity
contracts in force (measured by reserves) were surrenderable. Approximately
36.4% of such contracts or approximately $593.4 million of the Insurance
Company's annuity contracts in force (measured by reserves) are surrenderable
without charge. Changes in prevailing interest rates, ratings or other factors
which result in or lead to significant levels of surrenders of existing
annuity contracts could have a material adverse effect upon the financial
condition and results of operations of the Company. Surrenders result in a
reduction of invested assets upon which the Company may earn investment income
and a reduction of policyholder account balances upon which the Company
credits interest. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations--General" and "--Effects of Inflation and
Interest Rate Changes."
 
INSURANCE REGULATION
 
  The Insurance Company is subject to substantial governmental regulation in
each of the jurisdictions in which it conducts business. Such regulation is
vested in governmental agencies having broad administrative power with respect
to all aspects of the Insurance Company's business, including, without
limitation, premium rates, policy forms, dividend payments, capital adequacy
and the amount and type of investments that the Insurance Company may make.
Such regulations primarily are intended to protect policyholders rather than
stockholders. The Company also is regulated in the State of New York as part
of an insurance holding company system. Generally, under the New York
insurance holding company statute, the Superintendent must approve in advance
the direct or indirect acquisition of 10.0% or more of the voting securities
of a New York domiciled insurance company.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
  Recently, state insurance regulators have been re-examining existing laws
and regulations, specifically focusing on insurance company investment and
solvency issues, risk-adjusted capital guidelines, the implementation of non-
statutory guidelines, the definition of extraordinary dividends and the
circumstances under which normal dividends may be paid and, in connection
therewith, have enacted new insurance laws and regulations. In addition, the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the "NAIC") has adopted
various model laws including a law establishing minimum risk-based capital
standards, which have been recommended to states for adoption. Congress and
certain federal agencies also are investigating the current condition of the
insurance industry in the United States in order to determine whether federal
regulation would be appropriate. There can be no assurance that existing
insurance-related laws and regulations will not become more restrictive in the
future and, therefore, it is not possible to predict the potential effects
that any proposed or future legislation may have on the financial condition or
operations of the Company. See "Business--Insurance Regulation."
 
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF ANNUITY PRODUCTS
 
  Under current United States federal income tax law, earnings on amounts held
by a life insurance company with respect to annuity contracts and life
insurance policies generally are accumulated on a tax-deferred basis.
Accumulated tax-deferred earnings will be subject to taxation when actually
paid (or in certain circumstances when deemed paid) to the person entitled to
receive payment under the contract or policy, as the case may be, unless such
earnings are paid as part of the death benefit under a life insurance policy.
From time to time, proposals to change the current tax treatment of earnings
on annuity contracts and life insurance policies have been made. Most
recently, the Clinton Administration's 1999 budget proposal included
provisions concerning the taxation of certain exchanges between annuities,
including the reallocation of assets within a variable annuity. Although no
such proposals currently are pending before Congress, no assurance can be
given that a change in the tax treatment of earnings on annuity contracts and
life insurance policies will not be enacted into law in the future. In the
event that the United States federal income tax law regarding tax deferral of
earnings on annuity contracts or life insurance policies is substantially
revised, consumer demand for the types of contracts or policies affected by
such changes could decline substantially or be eliminated. The operations and
business prospects of the Company would be materially adversely affected by
any substantial decrease in the demand for such products.
 
FACTORS AFFECTING THE BUSINESS; COMPETITION
 
  The Company's operating results are affected by many factors, including,
without limitation, competition, lapse rates, interest rates, maintenance of
insurance ratings, governmental regulation and general business conditions,
many of which are outside of the Company's control.
 
  The Company operates in a highly competitive environment. There are numerous
insurance companies, banks, securities brokerage firms and other financial
intermediaries marketing insurance products, annuities, and other investments
that compete with the Company, many of which have substantially greater
resources, higher ratings, greater market share and larger, more widespread
agency and brokerage relationships than the Company.
 
  Management believes that the Company's ability to compete is dependent upon,
among other things, its ability to retain and attract independent general
agents to market its products and its ability to develop competitive products
that also are profitable. Although management believes that the Company has
good relationships with its independent general agents, competition for such
agents among insurance companies is intense. The Company's independent general
agents typically represent other insurance companies and may sell products
that compete with those offered by the Company. See "Business--Competition."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
  The Company's success depends upon the continued contributions of its key
officers and employees. The Company does not have employment agreements with
any members of senior management, including Herbert Kurz, the founder and
principal stockholder of the Company. Should one or more of these individuals
leave or
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
otherwise become unavailable to the Company for any reason, the Company's
business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. See
"Management--Directors and Executive Officers."
 
CONTROL BY PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER
 
  As of August 31, 1998 Mr. Kurz beneficially owned 24.8% of the outstanding
Common Stock. Accordingly, Mr. Kurz may be able to influence the outcome of
corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, including the election of
the Board of Directors, and to influence the policies and direction of the
Company.
 
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
   
  The Company's results of operations depend, in large part, on the investment
performance of its assets and the spread between its return on its invested
assets and the credited rates on its annuity and life insurance products. The
Company's investment portfolio consists primarily of fixed income securities
and investments in limited partnerships. As of June 30, 1998, approximately
10.5% of the Company's investment portfolio, and 50.8% of its stockholders'
equity, consisted of interests in over forty limited partnerships which are
engaged in a variety of investment strategies, principally including merchant
banking, real estate, international opportunities and debt restructuring
activities. Investments made by such limited partnerships generally are
speculative and involve significant risks, including, without limitation, the
total loss of such investment and illiquidity. Pursuant to the terms of
certain limited partnership agreements to which the Company is a party, the
Company is currently committed to contribute, if called upon during certain
periods specified in such agreements, an aggregate of approximately $53.9
million of additional capital to certain of these limited partnerships.
However, management does not expect this entire amount to be called because
certain of these limited partnerships are nearing the end of the period during
which investors are required to make contributions.     
 
  The limited partnerships that are involved in international investments
generally purchase sovereign debt, corporate debt and/or equity in governments
or foreign companies that are developing a greater world wide presence. Such
investments involve risks related to the particular country, including
political instability, currency fluctuations, and repatriation restrictions.
 
  The limited partnerships that are involved in real estate activities
generally invest in real estate assets, real estate joint ventures and real
estate operating companies. These partnerships seek to achieve significant
rates of return by targeting investments which provide a strategic or
competitive advantage and are priced at levels which the general partner
believes to be attractive. Real estate investments involve risks, including
adverse changes in general or local economic conditions, real estate values
generally and in the locales of specific properties, interest rates, supply
and demand for the types of properties involved and governmental rules and
policies (including environmental restrictions).
 
  The limited partnerships that are involved in debt restructuring activities
take positions in debt and equity securities, loans originated by banks and
other liabilities of financially troubled companies. Investments in companies
undergoing debt restructurings, which by their nature have a high degree of
financial uncertainty, may be senior, unsecured or subordinated indebtedness
and carry a high degree of risk of loss upon default by the borrower. The high
level of indebtedness characteristic of merchant banking and debt
restructuring transactions makes such underlying investments particularly
sensitive to interest rate increases, which could affect the ability of the
borrower to generate sufficient cash flow to meet its fixed charges.
 
  The limited partnerships that are involved in merchant banking activities
generally seek to achieve significant rates of return (including capital
gains) through a wide variety of investment strategies, including leveraged
acquisitions, bridge financing and other private equity investments in
existing businesses.
 
   While the Company's investments in limited partnerships have generally been
profitable, there can be no assurance that the Company will continue to
achieve the same level of returns on its investments in limited partnerships
that it has achieved during the six months ended June 30, 1998, and during
1997, 1996 or 1995 or that it will achieve any returns on such investments at
all. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company will receive a
return of all or any portion of its current or future capital investments in
limited
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
partnerships. The failure of the Company to receive the return of a material
portion of its capital investments in limited partnerships, or to achieve
historic levels of returns on such investments, could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Effects of Inflation and Interest Rate Changes" and "Business--
Investments and Investment Policy."
 
CAPITAL ADEQUACY
 
  Effective in 1993, the NAIC adopted a risk-based capital ("RBC") formula,
which prescribes a system for assessing the adequacy of statutory capital and
surplus for all life and health insurers. The basis of the system is a risk-
based formula that applies prescribed factors to the various risk elements in
a life and health insurer's business to report a minimum capital requirement
proportional to the amount of risk assumed by the insurer. The life and health
RBC formula is designed to measure annually (i) the risk of loss from asset
defaults and asset value fluctuation, (ii) the risk of loss from adverse
mortality and morbidity experience, (iii) the risk of loss from mismatching of
asset and liability cash flow due to changing interest rates and (iv) business
risks. The formula is to be used as an early warning tool to identify
companies that are potentially inadequately capitalized. The formula is
intended to be used as a regulatory tool only and is not intended as a means
to rank insurers generally. Maintaining appropriate levels of statutory
surplus, as measured by state insurance regulators, is considered important by
state insurance regulatory authorities and the private agencies that rate
insurers' claims-paying abilities and financial strength. At December 31,
1997, the Insurance Company's total adjusted capital was $370.7 million and
the authorized control level RBC was $61.8 million. Failure to maintain
certain levels of statutory surplus could result in increased regulatory
scrutiny, action by state regulatory authorities or a downgrade by the private
rating agencies.
 
POTENTIAL YEAR 2000 ISSUES
 
  Many computer software programs and electronic components that incorporate
computer programs use only two-digit year references for dates and date-
dependent functions and thus could require upgrading or replacement prior to
the year 2000 to function properly beginning in the year 2000.
 
  In 1994, the Company initiated the process of migrating to a local area
network and preparing its computer applications for the year 2000. This
process involves modifying or replacing certain hardware and software
maintained by the Company as well as communicating with external service
providers to ensure that they are taking the appropriate action to remedy
their year 2000 issues. Management expects that the modification process of
all significant applications will be completed by December 31, 1998 and that
all of the remaining non-critical system and application changes will be
completed during the second half of 1999.
 
  Based on management's best estimates, the total cost to the Company of both
migrating to a local area network, replacing software and year 2000 compliance
activities is not expected to exceed $3.2 million. Since 1994, the Company has
incurred approximately $2.7 million in connection with migrating to a local
area network, replacing software and year 2000 compliance.
 
  There can be no assurance, however, that (i) the Company will be able to
detect and remedy all potential year 2000 problems in its computer systems and
processes or (ii) programs and components utilized by the Company, but which
are supplied by third parties, will not be susceptible to year 2000 problems.
Accordingly, year 2000 problems could have an adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Year 2000 Matters."
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The net proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be added to the Company's
general funds and are expected to be used to retire existing indebtedness and
for general corporate purposes, except as may be stated in a Prospectus
Supplement.
 
                CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
  The following table sets forth the consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed
charges and ratio of earnings to fixed charges and interest credited to
policyholder accounts of the Company for each year in the five-year period
ended December 31, 1997 and for the six month periods ended June 30, 1997 and
1998. In calculating this ratio, earnings consist of income (loss) before
income taxes and cumulative effect of a change in an accounting principle,
plus fixed charges adjusted to exclude interest capitalized. Fixed charges
consist of interest, whether expensed or capitalized, capitalized lease
interest expense and amortization of deferred financing fees, whether expensed
or capitalized, plus the portion of rental expense under operating leases
which has been deemed by the Company to be representative of the interest
factor.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  SIX MONTHS
                                                                  ENDED JUNE
                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,             30,
                                --------------------------------  ------------
                                1993   1994  1995   1996   1997   1997   1998
                                -----  ----  -----  -----  -----  -----  -----
<S>                             <C>    <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed
 charges....................... 10.21x 8.07x 12.18x 16.12x 16.48x 16.14x 13.74x
Ratio of earnings to fixed
 charges and interest credited
 to policyholder accounts......  1.68x 1.45x  1.67x  1.95x  2.10x  2.05x  2.16x
</TABLE>
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
                     SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The following selected consolidated financial data are qualified by
reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Consolidated
Financial Statements, including the related notes thereto, and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. The selected consolidated financial
data as of and for each of the five years in the period ended December 31,
1997 are taken or derived from the Company's audited Consolidated Financial
Statements for the five years ended December 31, 1997, which have been audited
by Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte & Touche"), independent auditors. The
selected consolidated financial data as of and for the six-month periods ended
June 30, 1997 and 1998 are taken or derived from the Company's unaudited
interim Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this
Prospectus and, in the opinion of management, have been prepared on the same
basis as the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein and
include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments,
necessary for a fair presentation of such data. The results of operations for
an interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full
year or any other interim period.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                     JUNE 30,
                          ------------------------------------------------  ------------------
                            1993      1994      1995      1996      1997      1997      1998
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME
 DATA:
Revenues:
 Premiums...............  $  4,743  $  4,249  $  4,408  $  4,244  $  3,976  $  1,098  $  1,153
 Annuity
  considerations........     3,029     1,569     3,780     8,461    19,655     7,978    15,644
 Universal life and
  investment type policy
  fee income............     2,665     1,912     1,934     2,090     1,988       956     1,140
 Net investment income..   157,718   145,107   170,780   186,180   191,818    98,022   110,076
 Realized investment
  gains.................    36,277    19,083    17,216    20,020    26,039    11,013     9,069
 Other income...........     1,927     1,834     1,746     2,679     4,228     2,995     2,357
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
 Total revenues.........   206,359   173,754   199,864   223,674   247,704   122,062   139,439
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Benefits and expenses:
 Interest credited and
  benefits to
  policyholders.........   126,740   119,731   123,923   124,260   136,998    66,703    75,125
 Interest expense on
  notes payable.........     6,522     4,946     5,045     5,049     5,850     2,780     3,833
 Selling, general and
  administrative
  expenses..............    15,890    11,858    14,506    18,008    14,298    10,490    11,663
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
 Total benefits and
  expenses..............   149,152   136,535   143,474   147,317   157,146    79,973    90,621
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Income before income
 taxes..................    57,207    37,219    56,390    76,357    90,558    42,089    48,818
Provision (benefit) for
 income taxes(1)........    10,382    (2,693)    7,332    21,836    29,266    13,169    16,649
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Net income..............  $ 46,825  $ 39,912  $ 49,058  $ 54,521  $ 61,292  $ 28,920  $ 32,169
                          ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
Earnings per common
 share(1)...............  $   1.53  $   1.18  $   1.46  $   1.64  $   1.87  $    .88  $   1.00
Ratio of earnings to
 fixed charges(2).......     10.21x     8.07x    12.18x    16.12x    16.48x    16.14x    13.74x
Ratio of earnings to
 fixed charges and
 interest credited to
 policyholder
 accounts(2)............      1.68x     1.45x     1.67x     1.95x     2.10x     2.05x     2.16x
Cash dividends declared
 per common share.......  $    .09  $    .09  $   .105  $    .15  $    .22  $    .10  $   .135
STATUTORY DATA(3):
Net statutory
 premiums(4)............  $ 52,177  $ 53,188  $105,177  $109,937  $140,791  $ 59,084  $ 70,212
Net gain from
 operations.............    23,938    13,959    34,667    41,230    43,500    24,195    31,308
Statutory capital and
 surplus(5).............   250,434   257,570   296,712   341,059   370,742   346,542   388,314
</TABLE>    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           AS OF DECEMBER 31,                      AS OF JUNE 30,
                         ------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------
                            1993       1994       1995       1996       1997       1997       1998
                         ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets............ $2,265,218 $2,026,044 $2,356,760 $2,406,925 $2,558,341 $2,443,480 $2,612,387
Total investments.......  2,139,352  1,859,669  2,274,408  2,318,665  2,464,359  2,365,053  2,541,685
Total policy
 liabilities............  1,711,196  1,666,795  1,683,550  1,678,415  1,714,981  1,682,286  1,734,860
Long-term notes
 payable................     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000
Shareholders' Equity....    264,447    255,953    401,060    423,063    502,654    445,870    523,186
</TABLE>
 
                                              (see footnotes on following page)
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
- --------
(1) The results for 1993 included the cumulative effect of a change in
    accounting principle (Financial Accounting Standard No. 109) of $2.8
    million or $0.09 per share.
(2) In calculating this ratio, earnings consist of income (loss) before income
    taxes and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, plus
    fixed charges adjusted to exclude interest capitalized. Fixed charges
    consist of interest, whether expensed or capitalized, capitalized lease
    interest expense and amortization of deferred financing fees, whether
    expensed or capitalized, plus the portion of rental expense under
    operating leases which has been deemed by the Company to be representative
    of the interest factor.
(3) Statutory data reflect the data derived from the annual and quarterly
    statements of the Insurance Company as filed with insurance regulatory
    authorities and prepared in accordance with statutory accounting
    practices.
(4) Premiums and annuity considerations, net of reinsurance, as presented for
    statutory reporting purposes differ from those reported under GAAP. For
    GAAP reporting, premiums for universal life, single premium deferred
    annuities and single premium immediate annuities with a stated period are
    reported as deposit liabilities, not as premium revenues. See
    "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
    of Operations."
(5) Statutory capital and surplus includes the asset valuation reserve.
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
GENERAL
 
  The Company operates in a single business segment with two primary lines of
business--individual annuities and individual life insurance. The Company
currently emphasizes the sale of a variety of single premium and flexible
premium annuity products (including those written in connection with funding
agreements for certain state lotteries, group annuities and other structured
settlements), as well as annual and single premium life insurance products.
Each of these products is designed to meet the needs of increasingly
sophisticated consumers for supplemental retirement income, estate planning
and financial protection in the event of unexpected death. Premiums shown on
the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP
consist of premiums received for whole or term life insurance products, as
well as that portion of the Company's single premium immediate annuities which
have life contingencies. With respect to that portion of single premium
annuity contracts without life contingencies, as well as single premium
deferred annuities and universal life insurance products, premiums collected
by the Company are not reported as premium revenues, but rather are reported
as additions to policyholders' account balances. With respect to products that
are accounted for as policyholders' account balances, revenues are recognized
over time in the form of policy fee income, surrender charges, mortality
charges and other charges deducted from the policyholders' account balances.
The Company's operating earnings are derived primarily from these revenues,
plus the Company's investment results, including realized gains (losses), less
interest credited, benefits to policyholders and expenses.
 
  Certain costs related to the sale of new business are deferred as "deferred
policy acquisition costs" ("DAC") and amortized into expenses in proportion to
the recognition of earned revenues. Costs deferred include principally
commissions, certain expenses of the policy issue and underwriting departments
and certain variable sales expenses. Under certain circumstances, DAC will be
expensed earlier than originally estimated, including those circumstances
where the policy terminations are higher than originally estimated with
respect to certain annuity products. Most of the Company's annuity products
have surrender charges which are designed to discourage and mitigate the
effect of early terminations.
 
  The Insurance Company is rated "A-(Excellent)" by A.M. Best.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
 1997 COMPARED TO 1996 AND 1996 COMPARED TO 1995
 
 REVENUES
 
  Annuity Considerations and Life Insurance Premiums
 
  Total annuity considerations and life insurance premiums increased to
approximately $23.6 million in 1997 from approximately $12.7 million in 1996,
an increase of approximately 86.0%. Of this amount, annuity considerations
increased to approximately $19.7 million in 1997 from approximately $8.5
million in 1996, an increase of approximately $11.2 million. In accordance
with GAAP, sales of single premium deferred annuities are not reported as
insurance revenues, but rather as additions to policyholder account balances.
Sales of single premium deferred annuities were approximately $125.5 million
and $94.4 million in 1997 and 1996, respectively. Management believes that the
increase in annuity considerations is due to the successful expansion of the
Company's Marketing Department. Beginning in 1996, the Company added regional
sales directors in various states. These regional directors have added new
general agents which have generated increased sales.
 
  Total annuity considerations and life insurance premiums increased to
approximately $12.7 million in 1996 from approximately $8.2 million in 1995,
an increase of approximately 55.2%. Of this amount, annuity considerations
increased to approximately $8.5 million in 1996 from approximately $3.8
million in 1995, an increase of approximately $4.7 million.
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
  Policy Fee Income
 
  Universal life and policy fee income was approximately $2.0 million in 1997,
as compared to approximately $2.1 million in 1996 and approximately $1.9
million in 1995. This represents approximately a 4.9% decrease comparing 1997
to 1996 and approximately an 8.1% increase comparing 1996 to 1995. The
decrease in 1997 was primarily attributable to the lower level of surrender
charges incurred by annuitants in connection with surrenders of their annuity
contracts during 1997. Surrenders of annuity products represented
approximately $117.4 million, $124.5 million, and $99.8 million during 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
  Net Investment Income
   
  Net investment income totaled approximately $191.8 million in 1997, as
compared to approximately $186.2 million in 1996 and approximately $170.8
million in 1995. This represents approximately a 3.0% increase comparing 1997
to 1996 and approximately a 9.0% increase comparing 1996 to 1995. The increase
in net investment income in 1997 over 1996 and in 1996 over 1995 was mainly
due to an increase in investment income from "other invested assets" which
totaled approximately $39.8 million in 1997, $35.3 million in 1996 and $25.3
million in 1995. In 1997 and 1996, the Insurance Company participated in
"dollar roll" transactions (i.e., the sale of a mortgage-backed security to a
holding institution and a simultaneous agreement to purchase a similar
security at a later date at a lower price) to enhance investment income. The
proceeds from the sale are invested in short-term securities at a positive
spread until the settlement date of the similar security. During this period,
the holding institution receives all income and prepayments for the security.
The Company's ratio of net investment income to average cash and invested
assets less net investment income for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995 was approximately 8.7%, 8.8% and 9.0%, respectively. For additional
information, see Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
    
  Realized Investment Gains and Losses
 
  Realized investment gains amounted to approximately $26.0 million in 1997,
as compared to approximately $20.0 million of gains in 1996 and gains of
approximately $17.2 million in 1995. Realized investment gains for the years
ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were partially offset by realized
investment losses of approximately $4.9 million, $1.9 million and $6.0
million, respectively, attributable to writedowns of certain securities
contained in the Company's investment portfolio. Realized investment gains
result from sales of certain equities and convertible securities, and calls
and sales of securities in the Company's investment portfolio, which vary from
year to year. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Company's
investment portfolio will yield comparable investment gains in future periods.
 
  Other Income
 
  The increase in other income in 1997 is the result of the settlement in the
second quarter of 1997 of litigation concerning Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance
Company ("Fidelity"). As part of a proposed rehabilitation plan for Fidelity,
on January 11, 1995 the Insurance Company signed a definitive purchase
agreement with the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner (the "Insurance
Commissioner") and Fidelity to invest up to $45 million for a minority (49.9%)
stake in a Fidelity subsidiary insurance holding company. In addition, the
Company had agreed to purchase $25 million of senior notes of such company.
 
  The Company was informed by the Insurance Commissioner that in response to
the significant improvement in the invested assets of Fidelity, she reopened
the process to select an equity investor for the recapitalization and
rehabilitation of Fidelity.
 
  The Company disagreed with the Insurance Commissioner's actions and
commenced litigation which was settled in the second quarter of 1997. As part
of the settlement, the Company received $1.7 million.
 
 TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
 
  Total benefits and expenses for 1997 aggregated approximately $157.1
million, as compared to approximately $147.3 million for 1996 and
approximately $143.5 million for 1995. This represents an increase
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
of approximately 6.7% comparing 1997 to 1996 and an increase of approximately
2.7% comparing 1996 to 1995. The reasons for these changes will be discussed
under the respective components below.
 
  Interest Credited and Benefits to Policyholders
 
  Interest credited and benefits to policyholders amounted to approximately
$137.0 million in 1997 as compared to approximately $124.3 million in 1996 and
approximately $123.9 million in 1995. This represents an increase of
approximately 10.3% comparing 1997 to 1996 and approximately a 0.3% increase
comparing 1996 to 1995. The increase in 1997 principally is attributable to a
higher level of policyholder account balances as a result of the increase in
annuity sales.
 
  The Insurance Company's average credited rates for reserves and account
balances for the year ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were less than
the Company's ratio of net investment income to mean assets for the same
periods as noted above under "--Net Investment Income." Although management
does not currently expect material declines in the spread between the
Company's average credited rate for reserves and account balances and the
Company's ratio of net investment income to mean assets (the "Spread"), there
can be no assurance that the Spread will not decline in future periods or that
such decline will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition and results of operations. Depending, in part, upon
competitive factors affecting the industry in general, and the Company, in
particular, the Company may, from time to time, adjust the average credited
rates on certain of its products. There can be no assurance that the Company
will reduce such rates or that any such reductions will broaden the Spread.
 
  Interest Expense on Notes Payable
 
  The interest expense on the Company's notes payable amounted to
approximately $5.9 million in 1997, approximately $5.0 million in 1996 and
approximately $5.0 million in 1995. The increase in interest expense in 1997
is attributable to an increase in the Company's short-term note payable under
the Company's line of credit (the "Short-Term Note").
 
  General Expenses, Taxes and Commissions
 
  General expenses, taxes and commissions to agents totaled approximately
$17.2 million in 1997 as compared to approximately $17.2 million in 1996 and
approximately $15.0 million in 1995. This represents approximately no increase
comparing 1997 to 1996 and approximately a 14.7% increase comparing 1996 to
1995. The increase in 1996 compared to 1995 is primarily attributable to
higher professional fees related to the then proposed acquisition of Fidelity.
In 1997 commissions and related expenses increased compared to 1996 as a
result of an increase in sales of single premium deferred annuities which was
partially offset by lower professional fees.
 
  Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
 
  The change in the net DAC for 1997 resulted in a credit of approximately
$2.9 million, as compared to a charge of approximately $0.9 million in 1996
and credit of approximately $0.5 million in 1995. Such changes are due to the
effect of revisions to estimated gross profits on unamortized deferred
acquisition costs which are reflected in the year such estimated gross profits
are revised.
 
 INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
 
  For the reasons discussed above, income before income taxes amounted to
approximately $90.6 million in 1997, as compared to approximately $76.4
million in 1996 and approximately $56.4 million in 1995.
 
 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
 
  Income tax expense was approximately $29.3 million for 1997, as compared to
approximately $21.8 million in 1996 and approximately $7.3 million in 1995.
The increase in income taxes in 1997 is primarily attributable to higher
income from operations and realized capital gains during 1997. In addition, as
a result of the finalization
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
of the Company's 1994 federal income tax return, the federal income tax
recoverable from operations and capital loss carryback recorded at December
31, 1994 was increased in 1995 by $3.1 million which reduced income tax
expense by a similar amount.
 
 NET INCOME
 
  For the reasons discussed above, the Company had net income of approximately
$61.3 million in 1997, net income of approximately $54.5 million in 1996 and
net income of approximately $49.1 million in 1995.
 
 SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997
 
 REVENUES
 
  Annuity Considerations and Life Insurance Premiums
 
  Total annuity considerations and life insurance premiums increased to
approximately $16.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998 from
approximately $9.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 1997. Of this
amount, annuity considerations increased to approximately $15.6 million for
the six months ended June 30, 1998 from approximately $8.0 million for the six
months ended June 30, 1997. Sales of single premium deferred annuities were
approximately $61.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998 compared to
$50.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 1997. Management believes the
increase in annuity considerations is due to the continued successful
expansion of the Company's Marketing Department. Beginning in 1996, the
Company has added regional sales directors in various states. These regional
directors have added new general agents which resulted in increased sales.
 
  Policy Fee Income
 
  Universal life and investment type policy fee income was approximately $1.1
million for the six months ended June 30, 1998, as compared to approximately
$1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 1997. Policy fee income
consists principally of amounts assessed during the period against
policyholders' account balances for mortality charges and surrender charges.
 
  Net Investment Income
 
  Net investment income totaled approximately $110.1 million for the six
months ended June 30, 1998, as compared to approximately $98.0 million for the
six months ended June 30, 1997. This represents an increase of approximately
12.3%. The increase in net investment income in the first six months of 1998
over the same period in 1997 was mainly due to an increase in investment
income from "other invested assets" which totaled approximately $30.1 million
during the first six months of 1998, as compared to $22.7 million during the
first six months of 1997. The Company's ratio of net investment income to
average cash and invested assets less net investment income for the six months
ended June 30, 1998 and June 30, 1997 were 9.3% and 8.8%, respectively.
 
  Realized Investment Gains and Losses
 
  Realized investment gains amounted to approximately $9.1 million during the
six months ended June 30, 1998, as compared to approximately $11.0 million
during the six months ended June 30, 1997. Realized investment gains were
partially offset by realized investment losses of approximately $1.7 million
and $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997,
respectively, attributable to other than temporary impairments in the value of
certain securities contained in the Company's investment portfolio. Realized
investment gains result from sales of certain equities and convertible
securities, and calls and sales of securities in the Company's investment
portfolio. There can be no assurance that the Company's investment portfolio
will yield comparable investment gains in future periods.
 
  Other Income
 
  The decrease in other income in the second quarter of 1998 is the result of
the settlement in the second quarter of 1997 of the litigation concerning
Fidelity.
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
 TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
 
  Total benefits and expenses for the six months ended June 30, 1998
aggregated approximately $90.6 million, as compared to approximately $80.0
million for the six months ended June 30, 1997, an increase of approximately
13.3%. The reasons for this increase are discussed under the respective
components below.
 
  Interest Credited and Benefits to Policyholders
 
  Interest credited and benefits to policyholders aggregated approximately
$75.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998, as compared to
approximately $66.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 1997. The
increase is primarily attributable to the increase in the liability for future
policy benefits during the six months ended June 30, 1998 as a result of the
increase in annuity considerations received during the period.
 
  The Insurance Company's average credited rate for reserves and account
balances for the six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 were less than the
Company's ratio of net investment income to mean invested assets for the same
periods as noted above under "Net Investment Income." Although management does
not currently expect material declines in the Spread, there can be no
assurance that the Spread will not decline in future periods or that such
decline will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition and results of operations. Depending, in part, upon competitive
factors affecting the industry in general, and the Company, in particular, the
Company may, from time to time, change the average credited rates on certain
of its products. There can be no assurance that the Company will reduce such
rates or that any such reductions will broaden the Spread.
 
  Interest Expense on Notes Payable
 
  The interest expense on the Company's notes payable was approximately $3.8
million for the six months ended June 30, 1998, as compared to approximately
$2.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 1997. The increase is
attributable to the increase in the amounts borrowed under the Short-Term
Note.
 
  General Expenses, Taxes and Commissions
 
  General expenses, taxes and commissions to agents aggregated approximately
$10.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998, as compared to
approximately $9.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 1997, an increase
of approximately 9.5%. The increase principally is attributable to higher
commissions and selling expenses incurred in the first six months of 1998
associated with the higher level of sales in the first six months of 1998.
 
  Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
 
  DAC for the six months ended June 30, 1998 increased approximately $0.3
million resulting in a charge of $1.1 million, as compared to a charge of
approximately $0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 1997. This change
is primarily attributable to an increase in the costs associated with new
product sales which will be deferred and amortized in proportion to the
recognition of earned revenue.
 
 INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
 
  For the reasons discussed above, income before income taxes amounted to
approximately $48.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998, as
compared to approximately $42.1 million for the six months ended June 30,
1997.
 
 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
 
  Income tax expense was $16.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998
as compared to approximately $13.2 million for the six months ended June 30,
1997. The increase is primarily attributable to higher income from operations
and realized capital gains for the six months ended June 30, 1998.
 
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
 NET INCOME
 
  For the reasons discussed above, the Company had net income of approximately
$32.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 1998, as compared to net
income of approximately $28.9 million during the six months ended June 30,
1997.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
   
  The Company is an insurance holding company and its primary uses of cash are
debt service obligations, operating expenses and dividend payments. The
Company's principal sources of cash are dividends from the Insurance Company,
sales of and interest on the Company's investments and rent from its real
estate. During the second quarter of 1998, the Company's board of directors
declared a quarterly dividend of $.075 per share payable on July 1, 1998.
During the second quarter of 1998, and during 1997 and 1996, the Company
purchased and retired 640,000, 372,300 and 724,000 shares of Common Stock,
respectively. The Company is authorized by the board of directors to purchase
an additional 592,000 shares of Common Stock.     
 
  The Insurance Company is subject to various regulatory restrictions on the
maximum amount of payments, including loans or cash advances, that it may make
to the Company without obtaining prior regulatory approval. As a New York
domiciled insurance company, the Insurance Company is subject to restrictions
on the payment of dividends under New York law. New York law states that no
domestic stock life insurance company shall distribute any dividend to its
shareholders unless a notice of its intention to declare such dividend and the
amount thereof shall have been filed with the Superintendent not less than 30
days in advance of such proposed declaration. The Superintendent may
disapprove such distribution by giving written notice to such company within
30 days after such filing that he or she finds that the financial condition of
the company does not warrant such distribution. The NYSDI has established
informal guidelines for the Superintendent's findings which focus upon, among
other things, the overall financial condition and profitability of the insurer
under statutory accounting practices. During the first six months of 1998, the
Insurance Company paid dividends to the Company of $29.4 million. During 1997,
1996, and 1995, the Insurance Company paid dividends of $24.8 million,
$15.0 million and $5.0 million, respectively, to the Company.
 
  Principal sources of funds at the Insurance Company are premiums and other
considerations paid, contract charges earned, net investment income received
and proceeds from investments called, redeemed or sold. The principal uses of
these funds are the payment of benefits on annuity contracts and life
insurance policies, (including withdrawals and surrender payments), operating
expenses and the purchase of investments.
 
  Net cash provided by the Company's operating activities (reflecting
principally: (i) premiums and contract charges collected less (ii) benefits
paid on life insurance and annuity products plus (iii) income collected on
invested assets less (iv) commissions and other general expenses paid) was
approximately $40.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 1998, and $47.3
million, $43.9 million and $30.2 million in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively. Net cash provided by (used in) the Company's investing
activities (principally reflecting investments purchased less investments
called, redeemed or sold) was approximately $(55.9) million in the six months
ended June 30, 1998, and $(62.5) million, $(63.7) million and $(162.7) million
in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
  For purposes of the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows,
financing activities relate primarily to "dollar roll" repurchase
transactions, and to sales and surrenders of the Company's annuity and
universal life insurance products. The payment of dividends by the Company to
its stockholders also is considered to be a financing activity. Net cash
provided by (used in) the Company's financing activities amounted to
approximately $2.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 1998 and $27.9
million, $22.4 million and $131.4 million in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively. These fluctuations primarily are attributable to the net change
in "dollar roll" repurchase transactions, higher policyholder account
balances, repurchase of Common Stock and an increase in amounts borrowed under
the Short-Term Note during 1997.
 
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
  The Company currently has one bank line of credit for $25 million of which
$23 million was drawn at June 30, 1998.
 
  Given the Insurance Company's historic cash flow and current financial
results, management believes that, for the next twelve months and for the
reasonably foreseeable future, the Insurance Company's cash flow from
operating activities will provide sufficient liquidity for the operations of
the Insurance Company, as well as provide sufficient funds to the Company, so
that the Company will be able to make dividend payments, satisfy its debt
service obligations and pay its other operating expenses.
   
  The Company's deferred annuity products are designed to encourage
persistency by incorporating surrender charges that exceed the cost of issuing
the annuity. An annuitant may not terminate or withdraw substantial funds for
periods generally ranging from one to seven years without incurring
significant penalties in the form of surrender charges. Approximately 59.1%
and 60.2%, 64.2%, 45.7% of the Company's deferred annuity contracts in force
(measured by reserves) as of June 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997, 1996 and
1995 are surrenderable without charge. The decrease since December 31, 1996 is
attributable to the increase in deferred annuity contracts in force as a
result of the increase in annuity considerations received.     
 
  Capital expenditures during 1997 were approximately $0.4 million. As of June
30, 1998, the Company had no outstanding commitments for significant capital
expenditures.
   
  To meet its anticipated liquidity requirements, the Company purchases
investments taking into account the anticipated future cash flow requirements
of its underlying liabilities. In managing the relationship between assets and
liabilities, the Company analyzes the cash flows necessary to correspond with
the expected cash needs on the underlying liabilities under various interest
rate scenarios. In addition, the Company invests a portion of its total assets
in short-term investments (approximately 11.0%, 10.3%, 10.0% and 8.2% as of
June 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively). The
McCaulay's duration of the Company's debt portfolio was approximately six
years as of June 30, 1998. The Company's fixed maturity investments are all
classified as available for sale and include those securities available to be
sold in response to, among other things, changes in market interest rates,
changes in the security's prepayment risk, the Company's need for liquidity
and other similar factors. These investments are carried at estimated market
value, and unrealized gains (losses), net of federal income taxes and deferred
policy acquisition costs, if any, are charged directly to shareholders'
equity, unless a decline in market value is considered to be other than
temporary, in which event the Company recognizes a loss. Equity securities
include common stocks and non-redeemable preferred stocks and are carried at
market, with the related unrealized gains and losses, net of federal income
taxes, if any, charged or credited directly to shareholders' equity, unless a
decline in market value is considered to be other than temporary, in which
event the Company recognizes a loss. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.     
 
  The Insurance Company is subject to Regulation 130 adopted and promulgated
by the NYSDI. Under this Regulation, the Insurance Company's ownership of
below investment grade debt securities is limited to 20.0% of total admitted
assets, as calculated under statutory accounting practices. As of June 30,
1998 and December 31, 1997, approximately 4.5% and 5.4%, respectively, of the
Insurance Company's total admitted assets were invested in below investment
grade debt securities.
 
  The Company maintains a portfolio which includes below investment grade
securities which were purchased to achieve a more favorable investment yield,
all of which are classified as available for sale and reported at estimated
market value. As of June 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997, the carrying value of
these securities was approximately $160.2 million and $164.6 million,
respectively (representing approximately 6.1% and 6.4%, respectively, of the
Company's total assets and 30.6% and 32.8%, respectively of shareholders'
equity).
 
  Investments in below investment grade debt securities have different risks
than investments in corporate debt securities rated investment grade. Risk of
loss upon default by the borrower is significantly greater with respect to
below investment grade debt securities than with respect to other corporate
debt securities because below investment grade debt securities generally are
unsecured and often are subordinated to other creditors of
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
the issuer. Also, issuers of below investment grade debt securities usually
have high levels of indebtedness and often are more sensitive to adverse
economic conditions, such as recession or increasing interest rates, than are
investment grade issuers. Typically, there is only a thinly traded market for
such securities and recent market quotations may not be available for some of
these securities. Market quotes generally are available only from a limited
number of dealers and may not represent firm bids of such dealers or prices
for actual sales. The Company attempts to reduce the overall risk in its below
investment grade portfolio, as in all of its investments, through careful
credit analysis, investment policy limitations, and diversification by company
and by industry. Below investment grade debt investments, as well as other
investments, are monitored on an ongoing basis.
 
  In certain situations, the terms of some fixed maturity assets are
restructured or modified. There were no restructured fixed maturities at
December 31, 1997.
   
  As of June 30, 1998, approximately 10.5% of the Company's total invested
assets were invested in limited partnerships and 2.5% were invested in equity
securities. Pursuant to NYSDI regulations, the Company's investments in equity
securities, including limited partnership interests, may not exceed 20% of the
Insurance Company's invested assets. Investments in limited partnerships are
included in the Company's consolidated balance sheet under the heading "Other
invested assets." See "Note 2 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements." The Company is committed, if called upon during a specified
period, to contribute an aggregate of approximately $53.9 million of
additional capital to certain of these limited partnerships. However,
management does not expect this entire amount to be called because certain of
these limited partnerships are nearing the end of the period during which
investors are required to make contributions. The Company may make selective
investments in additional limited partnerships as opportunities arise. In
general, risks associated with such limited partnerships include those related
to their underlying investments (i.e., equity securities, debt securities and
real estate), plus a level of illiquidity, which is mitigated by the ability
of the Company to take annual distributions of partnership earnings. There can
be no assurance that the Company will continue to achieve the same level of
returns on its investments in limited partnerships as it has historically or
that the Company will achieve any returns on such investments at all. Further,
there can be no assurance that the Company will receive a return of all or any
portion of its current or future capital investments in limited partnerships.
The failure of the Company to receive the return of a material portion of its
capital investments in limited partnerships, or to achieve historic levels of
return on such investments, could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition and results of operations. See "Risk Factors--
Investment Performance."     
 
  As previously discussed, during 1998 and 1997 the Company participated in
"dollar roll" repurchase agreement transactions. Amounts outstanding to
repurchase securities under such agreements were approximately $215.6 million
and $205.2 million at June 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997, respectively. The
Company may engage in selected "dollar roll" transactions as market
opportunities arise.
 
  All 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
have insurance guaranty fund laws requiring all life insurance companies doing
business within the jurisdictions to participate in guaranty associations,
which are organized to pay contractual obligations under insurance policies
(and certificates issued under group insurance policies) issued by impaired or
insolvent life insurance companies. These associations levy assessments (up to
prescribed limits) on all member insurers in a particular state on the basis
of the proportionate share of the premiums written by member insurers in the
lines of business in which the impaired or insolvent insurer is engaged. Some
states permit member insurers to recover assessments paid through full or
partial premium tax offsets. These assessments may be deferred or forgiven
under most guaranty laws if they would threaten an insurer's solvency. The
amount of these assessments in prior years has not been material, however, the
amount and timing of any future assessment on the Insurance Company under
these laws cannot be reasonably estimated and are beyond the control of the
Company and the Insurance Company. Recent failures of substantially larger
insurance companies could result in future assessments in material amounts.
 
  See "Business--Insurance Regulation" for a description of certain NAIC
initiatives that also may impact the Company's financial condition and results
of operations.
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
YEAR 2000 MATTERS
 
  In 1994, the Company initiated the process of migrating to a local area
network and preparing its computer applications for the year 2000. This
process involves modifying or replacing certain hardware and software
maintained by the Company as well as communicating with external service
providers to ensure that they are taking the appropriate action to remedy
their year 2000 issues. Management expects that the modification process of
all significant applications will be completed by December 31, 1998 and that
all of the remaining non-critical system and application changes will be
completed during the second half of 1999.
 
  Purchased hardware will be capitalized in accordance with normal policy.
Personnel and all other costs related to the project are being expensed as
incurred. Based on management's best estimates, the total cost to the Company
of both migrating to a local area network, replacing software and year 2000
compliance activities is not expected to exceed $3.2 million. Since 1994, the
Company has incurred approximately $2.7 million in connection with migrating
to a local area network, replacing software and year 2000 compliance. The
total cost to the Company of these year 2000 compliance activities has not
been and is not anticipated to be material to its financial position or
results of operations in any given year.
 
EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND INTEREST RATE CHANGES
 
  Management does not believe that inflation has had a material adverse effect
on the Company's consolidated results of operations. The Company seeks to
manage its investment portfolio in part to reduce its exposure to interest
rate fluctuations. In general, the market value of the Company's fixed
maturity portfolio increases or decreases in an inverse relationship with
fluctuations in interest rates, and the Company's net investment income
increases or decreases in direct relationship with interest rate changes. For
example, if interest rates decline, the Company's fixed maturity investments
generally will increase in market value, while net investment income will
decrease as fixed income investments mature or are sold and proceeds are
reinvested at the declining rates, and vice versa. Management is aware that
prevailing market interest rates frequently shift and, accordingly, the
Company has adopted strategies which are designed to address either an
increase or decrease in prevailing rates. In a rising interest rate
environment, the Company's average cost of funds would be expected to increase
over time as it prices its new and renewing annuities to maintain a generally
competitive market rate. Concurrently, the Company would attempt to place new
funds in investments which were matched in duration to, and higher yielding
than, the liabilities associated with such annuities. Management believes that
liquidity necessary in such an interest rate environment to fund withdrawals,
including surrenders, would be available through income, cash flow, the
Company's cash reserves or from the sale of short-term investments. In a
declining interest rate environment, the Company's cost of funds would be
expected to decrease over time, reflecting lower interest crediting rates on
its fixed annuities. Should increased liquidity be required for withdrawals in
such an interest rate environment, management believes that the portion of the
Company's investments which are designated as available for sale in the
Company's consolidated balance sheet could be sold without materially adverse
consequences in light of the general strengthening in market prices which
would be expected in the fixed maturity security market.
 
  Interest rate changes also may have temporary effects on the sale and
profitability of the annuity and universal life products offered by the
Company. For example, if interest rates rise, competing investments (such as
annuity or life insurance products offered by the Company's competitors,
certificates of deposit, mutual funds and similar instruments) may become more
attractive to potential purchasers of the Company's products until the Company
increases the rates credited to holders of its annuity and universal life
products. In contrast, as interest rates fall, the Company attempts to lower
its credited rates to compensate for the corresponding decline in its net
investment income. As a result, changes in interest rates could materially
adversely affect the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company depending on the attractiveness of alternative investments available
to the Company's customers. In that regard, in the current interest rate
environment, the Company has attempted to maintain its credited rates at
competitive levels which are designed to discourage surrenders and which may
be considered attractive to purchasers of new annuity products. In addition,
because the level of prevailing interest rates impacts the Company as well as
its competitors, management does not believe that the
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
low interest rate environment has materially affected the Company's
competitive position vis a vis other life insurance companies that emphasize
the sale of annuity products. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if interest rates
continue at current levels or decline further, there can be no assurance that
this segment of the life insurance industry, including the Company, would not
experience increased levels of surrenders and reduced sales and thereby be
materially adversely affected.
 
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
 
  The Company cautions readers regarding certain forward-looking statements
contained in this Prospectus and in any other statements made by, or on behalf
of, the Company, whether or not in future filings with the Commission.
Forward-looking statements are statements not based on historical information
and which relate to future operations, strategies, financial results, or other
developments. Statements using verbs such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe"
or words of similar import generally involve forward-looking statements.
Without limiting the foregoing, forward-looking statements include statements
which represent the Company's beliefs concerning future levels of sales and
redemptions of the Company's products, investment spreads and yields, or the
earnings and profitability of the Company's activities.
   
  Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and
assumptions that are inherently subject to significant business, economic and
competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the
Company's control and many of which are subject to change. These uncertainties
and contingencies could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the
Company. Whether or not actual results differ materially from forward-looking
statements may depend on numerous foreseeable and unforeseeable developments.
Some may be national in scope, such as general economic conditions, changes in
tax law and changes in interest rates. Some may be related to the insurance
industry generally, such as pricing, competition, regulatory developments and
industry consolidation. Others may relate to the Company specifically, such as
credit, volatility and other risks associated with the Company's investment
portfolio. The Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking
information.     
 
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
   
  In December 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 127, "Deferral of the
Effective Date of Certain Provisions of FASB Statement No. 125" (SFAS No.
127). SFAS No. 127 amends SFAS No. 125 by deferring for one year the effective
date of paragraph 15 of SFAS No. 125, addressing secured borrowings and
collateral, and for repurchase agreement, dollar roll, security lending and
similar transactions, of paragraphs 9 through 12 and 237(b) of SFAS No. 125.
SFAS No. 127 is effective for certain transactions occurring after December
31, 1997, and must be applied prospectively. The Company adopted SFAS 125 and
127 effective January 1998. There was no effect on the Company's financial
position from the adoption of SFAS 125 and 127.     
   
  In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" (SFAS No. 130), which establishes
standards for displaying comprehensive income and its components in a full set
of general-purpose financial statements. Effective January 1998, the Company
adopted SFAS No. 130. Total comprehensive income (loss) for the periods ended
June 30, 1998 and 1997 was $37.4 million and $30.4 million, respectively. The
difference between net income and comprehensive income (loss) was the change
in unrealized investment gains (losses) which arose during the period.     
   
  Also in June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information" (SFAS No. 131). SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for reporting
information about operating segments in annual financial statements and
requires reporting selected information about operating segments in interim
financial reports issued to shareholders. SFAS No. 131 is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company's current definition of
its operating segments did not change.     
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
   
  In February 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 132, "Employers' Disclosure about Pensions and Other
Postretirement Benefits" (SFAS 132), which revises employers' disclosures
about pension and other postretirement benefit plans to require standardized
disclosures for pensions and other postretirement benefits, additional
disclosure of information on changes in the benefit obligations and fair
values of plan assets, and elimination of certain disclosures that were deemed
no longer useful. It does not change the measurement or recognition of those
plans. SFAS 132 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
1997.     
   
  In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" (SFAS
133). SFAS 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other
contracts, and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize
all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial
position and measure those instruments at fair value. It also establishes
specific conditions that must be met in order for a derivative to be
recognized as a hedge of certain exposures. The Company has not yet completed
its analysis to determine the impact of this statement on the Company's
financial statements. SFAS 133 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
June 15, 1999.     
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
                                   BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
  The Company is an insurance holding company that, through the Insurance
Company, operates principally in a single business segment with two primary
lines of business--individual annuities and individual life insurance. During
the last two years, over 90% of the Company's net premium income was derived
from its individual annuity business. The Insurance Company is licensed to
market its products in 48 states and the District of Columbia. However, for
the six months ended June 30, 1998, approximately 58.5% of the gross annuity
considerations and life insurance premiums received by the Company were sold
to annuitants and policyholders residing in the State of New York.
 
PRODUCTS
 
  The Company currently emphasizes the sale of a variety of single premium and
flexible premium annuity products (including those written in connection with
funding agreements for certain state lotteries, group annuities and other
structured settlements), as well as annual and single premium life insurance
products. Each of these products is designed to meet the needs of increasingly
sophisticated consumers for supplemental retirement income, estate planning
and financial protection in the event of unexpected death.
 
ANNUITY BUSINESS
 
  Annuities currently enjoy an advantage over certain other savings mechanisms
because the annuitant receives a tax deferred accrual of interest on his or
her investment.
 
  SINGLE PREMIUM ANNUITY products require a one-time lump sum premium payment.
During the accumulation period, the accrual of interest is on a tax deferred
basis to the annuitant.
 
  SINGLE PREMIUM DEFERRED ANNUITIES ("SPDAs") provide for a single premium
payment at the time of issue, an accumulation period and an annuity payout
period at some future date. During the accumulation period, the Company
credits the account value of the annuitant with interest earnings at a current
interest rate that is guaranteed for periods ranging from one to five years,
at the annuitant's option, and that, thereafter, is subject to change based on
market and other conditions. Each contract also has a minimum guaranteed rate.
This accrual of interest during the accumulation period is on a tax deferred
basis to the annuitant. After the number of years specified in the annuity
contract, the annuitant may elect to take the proceeds of the annuity as a
single payment, a specified income for life or a specified income for a fixed
number of years. The annuitant is permitted at any time during the
accumulation period to withdraw all or part of the single premium paid plus
the amount credited to his or her account. Any such withdrawal, however,
typically is subject to a surrender charge during the early years of the
annuity contract.
 
  SINGLE PREMIUM IMMEDIATE ANNUITY PRODUCTS ("SPIAs") guarantee a stream of
payments which begin immediately and continue for the life of the annuitant.
The payment may be guaranteed for a period of time (typically five to 20
years) (the "Guarantee Period"). If the annuitant dies during the Guarantee
Period, payments will continue to be made to the annuitant's beneficiary for
the balance of the Guarantee Period. SPIAs differ from deferred annuities in
that generally they provide for payments to begin immediately and are not
subject to surrender or loan. The implicit interest rate on SPIAs is based on
market conditions which existed at the time that the annuity was issued and is
guaranteed for the term of the annuity.
 
  SINGLE PREMIUM IMMEDIATE INCOME PRODUCTS ("SPIIs") are similar to SPIAs in
that they guarantee a stream of payments. Unlike SPIAs, SPII payments always
are guaranteed for a specified period of time, not for the life of the
annuitant. Payments are made to the payee or beneficiary even if the annuitant
dies during the payout period.
 
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
   
  SINGLE PREMIUM IMMEDIATE STRUCTURED SETTLEMENT ANNUITIES provide an
alternative to a lump-sum payment or settlement in the case of a lottery or a
personal injury case, as the case may be, and generally are purchased by state
lottery agencies for the benefit of a lottery winner or by property and
casualty insurance companies for the benefit of an injured claimant, as the
case may be, with benefits scheduled over a fixed period or over a fixed
period and for the life of the annuitant thereafter. Structured settlements
offer tax advantaged long-range financial security to the annuitant and
facilitate the operations of state lottery agencies and the ability of
casualty insurance carriers to effect claim settlements. Structured settlement
annuities are long-term in nature, guarantee a fixed benefit stream and cannot
be surrendered or borrowed against.     
 
  FLEXIBLE PREMIUM ANNUITY products provide similar benefits to those provided
by the Company's single premium annuity products, but instead permit periodic
premium payments in such amounts as the holder deems appropriate. As a result,
the benefits attributable to such products will fluctuate according to the
level of such payments.
 
  GROUP TERMINAL FUNDING ANNUITY products provide benefits similar to single
premium immediate annuities. Benefits are provided to employees when a
company's pension plan is terminated or when the employer wants to transfer
liability for making payments. Group terminal funding annuities cannot be
surrendered or borrowed against.
 
  All of the Company's annuity products provide minimum interest rate
guarantees. The minimum guaranteed rates on the Company's annuity products
currently range from 4% to 5 1/2% annually, and the contracts (except for
SPIAs) are designed to permit the Company to change the crediting rates
annually subject to the minimum guaranteed rate. The Company takes into
account the profitability of its annuity business and its relative competitive
position in determining the frequency and extent of changes to the interest
crediting rates.
 
  The Company's deferred annuity products are designed to encourage
persistency by incorporating surrender charges that exceed the cost of issuing
the annuity. An annuitant may not terminate or withdraw substantial funds for
periods generally ranging from one to seven years without incurring
significant penalties in the form of surrender charges. "See Risk Factors--
Surrenderable Annuities." Notwithstanding the foregoing, approximately 59.1%
of the Company's deferred annuity contracts in force (measured by reserves) as
of June 30, 1998 are surrenderable without charge.
   
  The following table presents annuity products in force measured by reserves,
as well as certain statistical data for each of the six-month periods ended
June 30, 1997 and 1998 and for each of the years in the five-year period ended
December 31, 1997, in each case, as determined in accordance with GAAP.     
 
                              ANNUITIES IN FORCE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            AS OF DECEMBER 31,                           AS OF JUNE 30,
                          ----------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
                             1993        1994        1995        1996        1997        1997        1998
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIO, NUMBER AND AVERAGE SIZE OF CONTRACT
                                                          INFORMATION)
<S>                       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Single premium immediate
 structured settlement
 annuities..............  $  156,339  $  159,508  $  163,384  $  164,214  $  167,269  $  166,015  $  167,755
Single premium immediate
 annuities..............     303,503     277,463     262,449     263,974     281,665     270,696     298,897
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total immediate
  annuities.............     459,842     436,971     425,833     428,188     448,934     436,711     466,652
Single premium deferred
 annuities..............     807,562     787,290     808,292     810,636     835,900     809,531     841,114
Flexible premium
 annuities..............     198,162     195,144     196,406     182,505     168,023     174,987     163,265
Group terminal funding
 annuities..............     103,338     103,232     104,046     103,941     103,965     104,136     103,558
                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total annuities........  $1,568,904  $1,522,637  $1,534,577  $1,525,270  $1,556,822  $1,525,365  $1,574,589
                          ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========
Ratio of annualized
 voluntary terminations
 (surrenders and lapses)
 to mean insurance in
 force..................        20.6%       19.7%       16.5%       15.3%       15.2%       15.9%       18.2%
Number of annuity
 contracts in force.....      57,628      53,378      50,694      45,717      45,554      46,455      44,540
Average size of annuity
 contract in force......  $   27,225  $   28,526  $   30,271  $   33,363  $   34,175  $   32,835  $   35,352
</TABLE>
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
   
  ANNUITY CONSIDERATIONS AND PREMIUMS--The following table sets forth certain
information with respect to the Insurance Company's annuity considerations and
premium revenues for each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 1997 and
1998 and for each of the five years ended December 31, 1997, as determined in
accordance with statutory accounting principles. Premiums shown on the
Company's Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP consist of
premiums received for whole or term life insurance products, as well as that
portion of the Company's single premium immediate annuities which have life
contingencies. With respect to that portion of single premium annuity
contracts without life contingencies, as well as deferred annuities and
universal life insurance products, premiums collected by the Company are not
reported as premium revenues, but rather are reported as additions to
policyholder account balances on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.
    
     DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCTS--BY GROSS PREMIUMS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      AS OF DECEMBER 31,             AS OF JUNE 30,
                          ------------------------------------------ ---------------
                           1993    1994     1995     1996     1997    1997    1998
                          ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- ------- -------
                           (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT NUMBER AND AVERAGE SIZE OF POLICY
                                                 INFORMATION)
<S>                       <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>
Annuity Considerations..  $44,172 $44,574 $ 97,313 $102,343 $132,601 $55,042 $66,076
Whole life and term
 life...................    9,260   8,363    8,200    8,254    8,364   3,996   3,796
Universal life..........    3,449   4,320    3,581    3,152    3,811   1,878   2,163
                          ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- ------- -------
  Total Premiums and
   Considerations.......  $56,881 $57,257 $109,094 $113,749 $144,776 $60,916 $72,035
                          ======= ======= ======== ======== ======== ======= =======
Number of life insurance
 policies in force......   21,627  20,359   19,650   19,069   18,708  18,825  18,531
Average size of life
 insurance policy in
 force..................  $52,038 $49,347 $ 47,518 $ 45,352 $ 44,006 $44,355 $42,944
</TABLE>
 
LIFE INSURANCE BUSINESS
   
  UNIVERSAL LIFE policies are interest-sensitive products which typically
provide the insured with "nonparticipating" (i.e., non-dividend paying) life
insurance with a guaranteed cash value. Current interest is credited to the
policy's cash value based upon interest rates that periodically are revised by
the Company to reflect current economic conditions (primarily interest rates).
In no event, however, will the interest rate credited on the policy's cash
value be less than the guaranteed rate specified in the policy. The Company
offers both flexible premium and single premium universal life insurance
products. The Company's flexible premium and single premium universal life
insurance products differ based on policy provisions affecting the amount and
timing of premium payments.     
 
  WHOLE LIFE policies are products which provide the insured with life
insurance with a cash value. Current interest is credited to the policy's cash
value based upon interest rates which existed at the time that the policy was
issued. Typically, a fixed premium, which costs more than comparable term
coverage when the policyholder is younger, but less than comparable term
coverage as the policyholder grows older, is paid over a period of years.
Whole life insurance products combine insurance protection with a savings plan
that gradually increases in amount over time. With respect to the Company's
whole life insurance products, the policyholder may borrow against the
policy's accumulated cash value. However, the death benefit is decreased by
the amount of the outstanding loan. In addition, the policyholder may choose
to surrender the policy and receive the accumulated cash value rather than
continuing the insurance protection.
 
  TERM LIFE policies are products which provide insurance protection if the
insured dies during the time period specified in the policy. No cash value is
built up. These products provide the maximum benefit for the lowest initial
premium outlay. The Company's term life insurance products include annually
renewable, convertible and decreasing term insurance.
 
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
  GRADED BENEFIT LIFE policies are products designed for the upper age (i.e.,
ages 40 to 80), sub-standard applicant. Depending upon age, these products
provide for a limited death benefit of either the return of premium plus 5%
interest for three years, or the return of premium plus 5% interest for two
years. Thereafter, the death benefit is limited to the face amount of the
policy. This product typically is offered with a maximum face value of
$25,000.
 
  INCREASING PREMIUM WHOLE LIFE policies are products which have
characteristics of both whole life and term life products. Initial premiums
are comparatively low and generally increase each year until the twentieth
policy year when the premium becomes fixed. No cash values are built up in the
early years of the policy, but cash values do begin to accumulate in the later
(typically around the fifteenth policy year) years of the policy.
   
  INSURANCE POLICIES IN FORCE The following table provides a reconciliation of
beginning and ending universal, whole and term life insurance policies, in
force, as well as certain statistical data for each of the six-month periods
ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 and for each of the years in the five-year period
ended December 31, 1997.     
 
                            LIFE INSURANCE IN FORCE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                   JUNE 30,
                         -------------------------------------------------- -----------------
                            1993       1994       1995      1996     1997     1997     1998
                         ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
IN FORCE BEGINNING OF
 PERIOD:
  Universal............. $  417,198 $  398,720 $  392,774 $393,002 $384,008 $384,008 $383,233
  Whole(1)..............    652,437    525,517    425,950  351,479  304,740  304,740  263,554
  Term..................    221,208    201,194    185,934  189,254  176,061  176,061  176,470
                         ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
    Total...............  1,290,843  1,125,431  1,004,658  933,735  864,809  864,809  823,257
SALES AND ADDITIONS:
  Universal.............     16,627     23,447     20,490   16,526   25,747   10,171   10,557
  Whole(1)..............     63,356     62,414     54,089   44,785   42,596   18,758   17,509
  Term..................     16,073     17,753     29,404   19,295   28,985   12,680   17,058
                         ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
    Total...............     96,056    103,614    103,983   80,606   97,328   41,609   45,124
TERMINATIONS:
  Death.................      6,322      5,639     10,329    7,047    6,549    3,123    3,008
  Surrenders and
   conversions..........     25,272     16,554     13,009   16,768   19,387    9,150    8,364
  Lapses................    223,935    195,309    147,134  121,761  108,846   56,106   61,716
  Other.................      5,939      6,885      4,334    3,956    4,099    1,859    2,072
                         ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
    Total...............    261,468    224,387    174,906  149,532  138,881   70,238   75,161
IN FORCE AT END OF
 PERIOD:
  Universal.............    398,720    392,774    393,002  384,008  383,233  381,489  379,961
  Whole(1)..............    525,517    425,950    351,479  304,740  263,554  281,050  238,625
  Term..................    201,194    185,934    189,254  176,061  176,470  173,641  174,635
                         ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
    Total............... $1,125,431 $1,004,658 $  933,735 $864,809 $823,257 $836,180 $793,221
Total reinsurance
 ceded.................. $  716,527 $  626,152 $  573,324 $517,484 $476,248 $501,510 $449,933
                         ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total amounts in force
 at end of year after
 reinsurance ceded...... $  408,904 $  378,506 $  360,411 $347,325 $347,009 $334,670 $343,288
                         ========== ========== ========== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Includes graded benefit life insurance products.
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Company, through the Insurance Company, is licensed to market its
products in 48 states and in the District of Columbia. The Company sells its
individual annuity and life insurance products through approximately 570
independent general agents (approximately 225 of which are located in the
State of New York), who are independent contractors. These independent general
agents market the Company's products through approximately 6,690 licensed
insurance agents or brokers, most of whom also write products similar to those
sold by the Company for other companies. Management believes that the Company
offers competitive commission rates and seeks to provide innovative products
and quality service to its independent general agents. Compensation of agents
is strictly regulated by the NYSDI.
 
  The independent general agency system has been the Insurance Company's
primary distribution system since the Insurance Company was founded.
Management believes that the Company's consistent focus on the independent
general agent distribution system provides a cost advantage, since the Company
incurs no fixed costs associated with recruiting, training and maintaining
employee agents. Accordingly, a substantial portion of the costs associated
with generating new business for the Company are not fixed costs but vary
directly with the level of business produced.
 
  Since the Company utilizes independent general agents to market its
products, it is not dependent on any one agency for any substantial amount of
its business. On the other hand, the independent agents are not captive to the
Company, and most write products similar to those sold by the Company for
other companies. This can result in significant sales declines if for any
reason the Company is relatively less competitive or if there is cause for
general concern.
 
  Among other things, crediting rates, commissions, the perceived quality of
the issuer, product features and services generally are significant factors
that management believes influence an agent's willingness and ability to sell
particular annuity products. The Company generally issues annuity contracts,
together with the agent's commission check, within two business days of
receiving the application and premium. The Company also seeks to provide
ongoing service to the agent. Towards that end, the Company provides agents
with access to the Company's senior executives. In addition, agents and
contract owners can access information about their contracts via a toll-free
telephone number.
   
  The Company's top ten general agents accounted for approximately 34.8% of
the Company's combined annuity contracts and individual life insurance
policies sold, (measured by the combined considerations and premiums), during
1997 and approximately 26.0%, in the six months ended June 30, 1998. Of the
Company's combined annuity contracts and individual life insurance policies
sold no single agent accounted for more than 1.0% during 1997 or 1.0% in the
six months ended June 30, 1998 and no single general agency accounted for more
than 8.6% during 1997 or 9.8% in the six months ended June 30, 1998. The loss
of any single sales source would not have a material adverse effect on the
Company, but the loss of several could cause a decline in sales until they are
replaced by the appointment of other general agents. The Company's agency
department actively recruits new general agents on a continuous basis.     
 
PRICING
 
  Management believes that the Company is able to offer its products at
competitive prices to its targeted markets as a result of: (i) maintaining
relatively low issuance costs by selling through the independent general
agency system; (ii) minimizing home office administrative costs; and (iii)
utilizing appropriate underwriting guidelines.
 
  The long-term profitability of sales of life insurance and most annuity
products depends on the degree of margin of the actuarial assumptions that
underlie the pricing of such products. Actuarial calculations for such
products, and the ultimate profitability of sales of such products, are based
on four major factors: (i) persistency; (ii) rate of return on cash invested
during the life of the policy or contract; (iii) expenses of acquiring and
administering the policy or contract; and (iv) mortality.
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
  Persistency is the rate which insurance policies or annuity contracts remain
in force, expressed as a percentage of the number of policies remaining in
force over the previous year. Policyholders sometimes do not pay premiums,
thus, causing their policies to lapse.
 
  The assumed rate of return on invested cash and desired spreads during the
period that annuity contracts or insurance policies are in force also affects
pricing of products and currently includes an assumption by the Company of a
specified rate of return and/or spread on its investments for each year that
such annuity or insurance product is in force.
 
  Another major factor affecting profitability is the level of expenses.
Management believes that one of the Company's strengths is its concentration
on minimizing expenses through periodic review and adjustment of general and
administrative costs.
 
  Mortality is the rate of death experienced by life insurance policyholders
and certain annuitants taken as a group. For calculating premiums, the Company
uses actuarial assumptions with margins added to allow for adverse statistical
variations. Actual mortality experience in a particular period may be
different than actuarially expected mortality experience and, consequently,
may adversely affect the Company's operating results for such period.
 
UNDERWRITING PROCEDURES
 
  Premiums charged on insurance products are based, in part, on assumptions
about the expected mortality experience. In that regard, the Company has
adopted and follows detailed, uniform underwriting procedures designed to
assess and quantify insurance risks before issuing life insurance policies to
individuals. To implement these procedures, the Company employs an experienced
professional underwriting staff. The underwriting practice of the Company is
to require attending physicians' statements and medical examinations for each
applicant over age 55 or for policies in excess of certain prescribed policy
amounts, ranging from $25,000 and up. These requirements are graduated
according to the applicant's age and the face amount of the policy. The
Company also carefully reviews medical records and each applicant's written
application for insurance, which generally is prepared under the supervision
of one of the Company's independent general agents. The factors considered in
evaluating an application for individual life insurance coverage include the
applicant's age, occupation, avocations, driving record, finances, aviation
activities, smoking habits, alcohol usage and general health and medical
history. These factors are discovered through the application, attending
physicians' statements, consumer investigation reports from investigative
agencies, direct contact, motor vehicle reports and the Medical Information
Bureau, an insurance industry information service. In accordance with industry
practice, material misrepresentations on a policy application can result in
the cancellation by the Company of the policy under the two year
incontestability clause in the general provisions of the policy.
 
  To the extent that an applicant does not meet the Company's underwriting
standards for issuance of a policy at the standard risk classifications, the
Company may offer to issue a classified, sub-standard or impaired risk policy
for a risk adjusted premium amount rather than declining the application. The
amount of the Company's impaired risk insurance in force in proportion to the
total amount of the Company's individual life insurance in force was
approximately 4.4% at December 31, 1997 and approximately 4.5% at June 30,
1998.
 
  Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ("AIDS"), which has received wide
publicity because of its serious public health implications, presents special
concerns to the life insurance industry. Mortality risks are accepted by
insurers based on methods of classification designed to appropriately relate
premiums charged to such risks and, in this connection, steps have been taken
toward strengthening the Company's underwriting and selection process. The
Company considers AIDS information in underwriting and pricing decisions in
accordance with applicable laws. A prospective policyholder must submit to a
blood and urine test, which includes AIDS antibody screening, if the amount of
coverage applied for equals or exceeds $100,000. The Company's own mortality
experience reflects no significant adverse impact as a result of any
acceleration of AIDS-related claims. The Company is continuing to monitor
developments in this area but is necessarily unable to predict the long term
impact of this problem on the life insurance industry, in general, or on the
Company, in particular.
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
ANNUITY AND LIFE INSURANCE RESERVES
 
  In accordance with applicable insurance regulations, the Company has
established and carries as liabilities in its statutory financial statements
actuarially determined reserves that are calculated to satisfy its contract
and policy obligations. Reserves, together with premiums to be received on
outstanding contracts and policies and interest thereon at certain assumed
rates, are calculated to be sufficient to satisfy policy and contract
obligations. The actuarial factors used in determining such reserves are based
on statutorily prescribed mortality and morbidity tables and interest rates.
Reserves maintained also include unearned premiums, premium deposits, reserves
for claims that have been reported but are not yet paid, reserves for claims
that have been incurred but have not yet been reported and claims in the
process of settlement. Generally, the Company maintains reserves on assumed
reinsurance, but does not continue accumulating reserves with respect to that
portion of policies or contracts that are reinsured with, or ceded to, other
insurance companies. Reserves for assumed reinsurance are computed on bases
essentially comparable to direct insurance reserves.
   
  The reserves reflected in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements
included herein are calculated based on GAAP and differ from those specified
by the laws of the various states in which the Company does business and those
reflected in the Company's statutory financial statements. These differences
arise from the use of different mortality and morbidity tables and interest
rate assumptions, the introduction of lapse assumptions into the reserve
calculation and the use of the net level premium reserve method on all
insurance business. See Notes 1G, 1H and 8 of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.     
 
  The reserves reflected in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements
are based upon the Company's best estimates of mortality, persistency,
expenses and investment income, with appropriate provisions for adverse
statistical deviation and the use of the net level premium method for all non-
interest-sensitive products. For all interest-sensitive products the policy
account value is equal to the accumulation of gross premiums plus interest
credited less mortality and expense charges and withdrawals. In determining
reserves for its annuity and insurance products, the Company performs periodic
studies to compare current experience for mortality, interest and lapse rates
with expected experience in the reserve assumptions. Differences are reflected
currently in earnings for each period. The Company historically has not
experienced significant adverse deviations from its assumptions.
 
CLAIMS PAYING AND OTHER RATINGS
   
  The Insurance Company is rated "A- (Excellent)" by A.M. Best. Publications
of A.M. Best indicate that the "A-" rating is assigned to those companies
that, in A.M. Best's opinion, have achieved, on balance, excellent overall
performance when compared to the norms of the insurance industry and which
generally have demonstrated a strong ability to meet their respective
policyholder and other contractual obligations over a long period of time.
    
  In evaluating a company's statutory financial and operating performance,
A.M. Best reviews the company's profitability, leverage and liquidity, as well
as the company's book of business, the adequacy and soundness of its
reinsurance, the quality and estimated market value of its assets, the
adequacy of its reserves and the experience and competency of its management.
 
  A.M. Best's rating is based on factors which primarily are relevant to
policyholders, agents and intermediaries and is not directed towards the
protection of investors, nor is it intended to allow investors to rely on such
a rating in evaluating the financial condition of the Insurance Company.
Moody's Investor Services ("Moody's") rates the Insurance Company's insurance
financial strength as Baa2. Standard & Poor's Corporation rates the Insurance
Company's insurance financial strength as Api.
 
POLICY CLAIMS
 
  Claims are received and reviewed by claims examiners at the Company's home
office. The initial review of claims includes verification that coverage is in
force and that the claim is not subject to an exclusion under the policy.
Birth and death certificates are basic requirements. Medical records and
investigative reports are ordered for contestable claims.
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
REINSURANCE
 
  The Company follows the usual industry practice of reinsuring ("ceding")
portions of its life insurance risks with other companies, a practice which
permits the Company to write policies in amounts larger than the risk it is
willing to retain on any one life, and also to continue writing a larger
volume of new business. The Company also reinsures a portion of its life
insurance business in order to obtain commissions on the insurance ceded and
thereby reducing its net commission expense. The maximum amount of individual
life insurance normally retained by the Company on any one life is $50,000 per
policy and $100,000 per life. The maximum retention with respect to impaired
risk policies typically is the same. The Company cedes insurance primarily on
an "automatic" basis, under which risks are ceded to a reinsurer on specific
blocks of business where the underlying risks meet certain predetermined
criteria, and on a "facultative" basis, under which the reinsurer's prior
approval is required on each risk reinsured. Reinsurance assumed consists
entirely of the Company's participation in Servicemen's Group Life Insurance.
   
  Use of reinsurance does not discharge an insurer from liability on the
insurance ceded. An insurer is required to pay the full amount of its
insurance obligations regardless of whether it is entitled or able to receive
payments from its reinsurer. No reinsurer of business ceded by the Company has
failed to pay any policy claims with respect to such ceded business. As of
June 30, 1998, of the approximately $793.2 million of the Company's life
insurance in force, the Company had ceded to reinsurers approximately $449.9
million of such insurance in force. The principal reinsuring companies of
individual life policies with whom the Company does business as of June 30,
1998 (and their corresponding A.M. Best ratings) were Life Reassurance
Corporation of America ("A+ (Superior)") and Swiss Re Life Company America ("A
(Excellent)").     
 
COMPETITION
 
  The Company operates in a highly competitive environment. There are numerous
insurance companies, banks, securities brokerage firms and other financial
intermediaries marketing insurance products, annuities, and other investments
that compete with the Company, many of which have substantially greater
resources than the Company.
 
  The Company believes that the principal competitive factors in the sale of
annuity and life insurance products are product features, commission
structure, perceived stability of the insurer, claims paying ratings, name
recognition, crediting rates, and service. Many other insurance and other
companies are capable of competing for sales in the Company's target markets.
 
  Management believes that the Company's ability to compete is dependent upon,
among other things, its ability to retain and attract independent general
agents to market its products, its ability to develop competitive products
that also are profitable to the Company and its ability to provide quality
service. Management believes that the Company has good relationships with its
agents, has an adequate variety of products approved for issuance and
generally is competitive within the industry.
 
INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT POLICY
 
  The Company derives a substantial portion of its total revenues from
investment income. The Company manages most of its investments internally. All
investments made on behalf of the Company are governed by the general
requirements and guidelines established and approved by the Company's
investment committee (the "Investment Committee") and by qualitative and
quantitative limits prescribed by applicable insurance laws and regulations.
The Investment Committee meets regularly to set and review investment policy
and to approve current investment plans. The actions of the Investment
Committee are subject to review and approval by the board of directors of the
Insurance Company. The Company's investment policy must comply with NYSDI
regulations and the regulations of other applicable regulatory bodies.
 
  The Company's investment philosophy generally focuses on purchasing
investment grade securities with the intention of holding such securities to
maturity. The Company's investment philosophy is focused on the
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
intermediate to longer-term horizon and is not oriented towards trading.
However, as market opportunities, liquidity or regulatory considerations may
dictate, securities may be sold prior to maturity. As of June 30, 1998, the
Company has categorized all fixed maturity securities as available for sale.
The Company carries such investments at market value.
 
  The Company manages its investment portfolio to meet the diversification,
yield and liquidity requirements of its annuity contract and insurance policy
obligations. The Company's liquidity requirements are monitored regularly so
that cash flow needs are sufficiently satisfied. Adjustments periodically are
made to the Company's investment policies to reflect changes in the Company's
short-and long-term cash needs, as well as changing business and economic
conditions.
   
  As of June 30, 1998, approximately 22.3% of the Company's investment
portfolio was invested in mortgage-backed related securities, most of which
are U.S. government and agency mortgage-backed securities, and other mortgage-
backed obligations, most of which are collateralized mortgage obligations
("CMOs") backed by residential mortgages. Most of the Company's CMOs represent
beneficial ownership interests in mortgage-backed securities of the Federal
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), the Federal National Mortgage
Association ("FNMA"), the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"),
the Resolution Trust Corporation ("RTC") or other asset-backed securities.
Mortgage-backed securities are subject to significant prepayment risk due to
the fact that, in periods of declining interest rates, mortgages may be repaid
more rapidly than scheduled as borrowers refinance higher rate mortgages to
take advantage of the lower current rates. As a result, holders of mortgage-
backed securities may receive prepayments on their investments which cannot be
reinvested at an interest rate comparable to the rate on the prepaid
mortgages. Notwithstanding the foregoing, because the Company historically has
purchased CMOs in the secondary market at prices which typically are below
their par or maturity value, the Company's portfolio has not been materially
impacted as a result of such prepayments. The Company does not invest in
interest only or principal only CMOs.     
 
  As of June 30, 1998, approximately 5.3% of the Company's investment
portfolio consisted of bonds acquired in private placements. While these bonds
are not usually registered with the Commission, management believes that these
bonds are marketable to other institutional investors. Approximately 84.9% of
the investments acquired by the Company in private placements have been
assigned a NAIC designation corresponding to one of the two highest quality
rating categories. For NAIC designations corresponding to the entire
Investment Portfolio, see "--Bond Portfolio Ratings. "
   
  As of June 30, 1998, approximately 10.5% of the Company's investment
portfolio, and 50.8% of its stockholders' equity, consisted of interests in
over forty limited partnerships which are engaged in a variety of investment
strategies, principally including merchant banking, real estate, international
opportunities and debt restructuring activities. In general, risks associated
with such limited partnerships include those related to their underlying
investments (i.e., equity securities, debt securities and real estate), plus
some degree of illiquidity, which is mitigated by the ability of the Company
to take annual distributions of partnership earnings.     
 
  The limited partnerships that are involved in merchant banking activities
generally seek to achieve significant rates of return (including capital
gains) through a wide variety of investment strategies, including leveraged
acquisitions, bridge financing and other private equity investments in
existing businesses.
 
  The limited partnerships that are involved in real estate activities
generally invest in real estate assets, real estate joint ventures and real
estate operating companies. These partnerships seek to achieve significant
rates of return by targeting investments which provide a strategic or
competitive advantage and are priced at levels which the general partner
believes to be attractive.
   
  The limited partnerships that are involved in debt restructuring activities
take positions in debt and equity securities, loans originated by banks and
other liabilities of financially troubled companies. Investments in companies
undergoing debt restructurings, which by their nature have a high degree of
financial uncertainty, may be senior, unsecured or subordinated indebtedness
and carry a high degree of risk of loss upon default by the borrower. The high
level of indebtedness characteristic of merchant banking and debt
restructuring transactions makes such underlying investments particularly
sensitive to interest rate increases, which could affect the ability of the
borrower to generate sufficient cash flow to meet its fixed charges.     
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
  The limited partnerships that are involved in international investments
generally purchase sovereign debt, corporate debt and/or equity in governments
or foreign companies that are developing a greater world wide presence. Such
limited partnerships are operated by a general partner who has a demonstrated
expertise in this area and country. Such investments involve risks related to
the particular country including political instability, currency fluctuations,
and repatriation restrictions.
 
  The Company has been investing in limited partnerships for over nine years.
During this time, the Company has had an opportunity to consider and evaluate
a substantial number of limited partnerships and their managers. The Company
makes limited partnership investments based on a number of considerations,
including the reputation, investment philosophy (particularly with respect to
risk), performance history and investment strategy of the manager of the
limited partnership. Managers of the limited partnerships in which the Company
is invested include, among others, Blackstone Investment Management, Omega
Institutional Partners, Goldman Sachs Partners, Trust Company of the West
Asset Management, Clayton Dubilier & Rice Partners, Apollo Real Estate and DLJ
Real Estate Capital.
   
  Limited partnership investments are selected through a careful, two-stage
review process. Shirley P. Jordan, Executive Vice President and Chief
Investment Officer of the Insurance Company, and her staff review the offering
documents and performance history of each investment manager. Ms. Jordan has
more than 20 years of experience in analyzing investments. Separately, the
Investment Committee (which is comprised of investment professionals who
collectively have more than 80 years experience in analyzing investments)
interviews the manager to determine whether the investment philosophy
(particularly with respect to risk) and strategies of the limited partnership
are in the best interests of the Company. Only after a positive recommendation
is made by both the Chief Investment Officer and the Investment Committee does
the Company invest in a limited partnership. In addition, the actions of the
Investment Committee are subject to review and approval by the board of
directors of the Insurance Company. To evaluate both the carrying value and
the continuing appropriateness of the Company's investment in any limited
partnership, management maintains ongoing discussions with the investment
manager and considers the limited partnership's operations, its current and
near term projected financial condition, earnings capacity and distributions
received by the Company during the year.     
 
  Pursuant to the terms of certain limited partnership agreements to which the
Company is a party, the Company is committed to contribute, if called upon, an
aggregate of approximately $53.9 million of additional capital to certain of
these limited partnerships. However, management does not expect the entire
amount to be drawn down as certain of these limited partnerships are nearing
the end of the period during which investors are required to make
contributions.
 
  The book value of the Company's investments in limited partnerships as of
June 30, 1998 and as of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was approximately
$265.6 million, $208.2 million, $176.1 million and $150.3 million,
respectively. Net investment income derived from the Company's interests in
limited partnership investments aggregated approximately $30.1 million in the
six months ended June 30, 1998 and $39.8 million, $35.3 million and $25.3
million in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
  Management anticipates that in the future it will continue to make selective
investments in limited partnerships as opportunities arise, subject to the
approval of the Chief Investment Officer and the Investment Committee and the
review and approval by the board of directors of the applicable company. There
can be no assurance that the Company will continue to achieve the same level
of returns on its investments in limited partnerships that it has achieved
during the six months ended June 30, 1998 or fiscal 1997, 1996 or 1995 or that
it will achieve any returns on such investments at all. In addition, there can
be no assurance that the Company will receive a return of all or any portion
of its current or future capital investments in limited partnerships. The
failure of the Company to receive the return of a material portion of its
capital investments in limited partnerships, or to achieve historic levels of
returns on such investments, could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition and results of operations.
   
  As of June 30, 1998, the Company's investment portfolio also consisted of
approximately 0.5% invested in convertible debt securities, approximately 8.4%
invested in preferred stock, approximately 0.7% invested in mortgage loans,
and approximately 2.5% invested in common stock. The Company's mortgage loans
were collateralized by commercial office and retail properties located in New
York and Pennsylvania. The Company's only real estate investments are two
buildings, which are used as the current home office of the Insurance Company,
and two acres of undeveloped land in Nyack, New York.     
 
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
  In order to enhance investment income, the Company participates in "dollar
roll" repurchase agreement transactions. Such transactions involve the sale of
a mortgage-backed security to a holding institution and a simultaneous
agreement to purchase a substantially similar security (with the same coupon
rate as the security sold) for forward settlement (typically, around 30 days)
at a lower dollar price. The proceeds are invested in short-term investment
grade commercial paper or loan participations at a positive spread until the
settlement date of the similar security. In connection with its "dollar roll"
transactions, the Company does not engage in yield maintenance transactions.
The purchase and maturity dates of all short-term investments are matched
exactly to the sale and purchase dates of the underlying collateral, with a
90-day maximum for any one transaction. During this period, the holding
institution receives all income and prepayments for the security. To reduce
the risk that a party will default on its obligations under the repurchase
agreement, the Company only enters into "dollar roll" transactions with major
securities dealers such as Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs &
Co., Merrill Lynch & Co., Salomon Smith Barney Inc., Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.,
CS First Boston and Sandler, O'Neill L.P. Additionally, if the counterparty to
the "dollar roll" agreement defaults under the terms of such agreement, the
Company is not obligated to repurchase the underlying securities to the
transaction. Under GAAP, during the period between the sale by the Company of
a mortgage-backed security to the holding institution and the Company's
repurchase of a substantially similar mortgage-backed security from the
holding institution, the Company's consolidated balance sheet will reflect
both the mortgage-backed security sold to the holding institution and the cash
received for such security as assets, and the Company's repurchase obligation
as a liability. In 1997 and 1996, dollar roll transactions generated
approximately $1.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of net investment
income for the Company. Amounts outstanding to repurchase securities under
dollar roll repurchase agreements were approximately $215.7 million, $205.2
million and $200.9 million as of June 30, 1998, December 31, 1997 and December
31, 1996, respectively.
 
  The following table summarizes the Company's investment portfolio as of June
30, 1998.
 
                             INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                            AS OF JUNE 30, 1998
                                                            -------------------
                                                              TOTAL CARRYING
                                                                 VALUE(1)
                                                            -------------------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                         <C>
Fixed Maturities
Bonds and Notes:
U.S. Government, government agencies and authorities(2)....     $  515,585
Investment grade corporate(3)..............................        725,682
Public utilities...........................................        168,315
Below investment grade corporate...........................        111,344
Mortgage backed............................................        155,852
Preferred stocks...........................................        213,523
                                                                ----------
Total Fixed Maturities(4)..................................      1,890,301
Equity securities common stock.............................         62,957
Other Investments:
Policy loans...............................................         17,738
Mortgage loans.............................................         17,460
Other long-term investments(5).............................        265,643
Cash and short-term investments(6).........................        287,170
                                                                ----------
Total cash and investments.................................     $2,541,269
                                                                ==========
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) All securities are classified as available for sale; accordingly total
    carrying value equals estimated market value. Independent pricing services
    provide market prices for most publicly-traded securities. Where prices
    are unavailable from pricing services, prices are obtained from securities
    dealers. Estimated market value either approximates estimated carrying
    value or was not readily ascertainable. See Note 1(c) of the Notes to the
    Consolidated Financial Statements for an explanation of the methodology
    used to value "Other long-term investments."
(2) Approximately $393.4 million of such securities represent beneficial
    ownership interests in mortgage- backed securities of FDIC, FHLMC, FNMA,
    GNMA or the RTC.
(3) Ratings are based primarily upon those assigned by the NAIC and converted
    to the generally comparable Moody's rating.
(4) Includes approximately $29.1 million of convertible debt securities and
    convertible preferred stock.
(5) Consist principally of investments in limited partnerships which are
    carried at cost and adjusted for income and losses, as well as
    contributions and distributions.
(6) Includes approximately $215.67 million attributable to "dollar roll"
    repurchase agreements.
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
 
  The following table summarizes the Company's investment results for the
periods indicated, as determined in accordance with GAAP.
 
                              INVESTMENT RESULTS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                               30,
                         ----------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
                            1993        1994        1995        1996        1997        1997        1998
                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT YIELD DATA)
<S>                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Cash and total invested
 assets(1).............. $2,060,270  $2,008,727  $2,065,285  $2,295,582  $2,398,240  $2,371,103  $2,526,368
Net investment
 income(2)..............    185,190     157,251     170,780     186,180     191,818      98,022     110,076
Effective yield(3)......       9.88%       8.49%       9.01%       8.83%       8.69%       8.81%       9.29%
Net realized investment
 gains(4)............... $    8,805  $    7,259  $   17,216  $   20,020  $   26,039  $   11,013  $    9,069
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) Average of cash and aggregate invested amounts at the beginning and end of
    period.
(2) Net investment income is net of investment expenses and excludes capital
    gains and losses and provision for income taxes.
(3) Net investment income divided by average cash and total invested assets
    minus net investment income.
(4) Net realized investment gains (losses) include provisions for impairment
    in value that are considered other than temporary and exclude provisions
    for income taxes.
 
  The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's bond
portfolio by rating as of June 30, 1998.
 
                            BOND PORTFOLIO RATINGS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       AS OF JUNE 30, 1998
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                    ESTIMATED
                                                      MARKET       PERCENT OF
                                                     VALUE(2)    TOTAL ESTIMATED
RATING(1)                                         (IN THOUSANDS) MARKET VALUE(2)
- ---------                                         -------------- ---------------
<S>                                               <C>            <C>
Aaa..............................................   $  560,970         33.5%
Aa...............................................       32,852          2.0
A................................................      311,902         18.6
Baa..............................................      610,836         36.4
                                                    ----------        -----
  Total investment grade(3)......................    1,516,560         90.5
                                                    ----------        -----
Ba...............................................      124,694          7.4
B................................................       26,064          1.5
C................................................        9,458          0.6
                                                    ----------        -----
  Total non-investment grade.....................      160,216          9.5
                                                    ----------        -----
    Total........................................   $1,676,776        100.0%
                                                    ==========        =====
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Ratings are those assigned primarily by Moody's when available, with
    remaining ratings as assigned by Standard & Poor's and converted to a
    generally comparable Moody's rating. Bonds not rated by any such
    organization are included based on the rating prescribed by the Securities
    Valuation Office of the NAIC. NAIC class 1 is considered equivalent to an
    A or higher rating; class 2, Baa; class 3, Ba; and classes 4-6, B and
    below. All securities are classified as available for sale; accordingly
    total carrying value equals estimated market value.
(2) Independent pricing services provide market prices for most publicly-
    traded securities. Where prices are unavailable from pricing services,
    prices are obtained from securities dealers.
(3) Approximately 33.0% of which consist of U.S. government and agency bonds.
 
  According to Moody's, bonds that are rated "A" possess many favorable
investment attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade
obligations. Moody's applies numerical modifiers "1," "2" and "3" in each
generic rating classification from Aa to B. Modifier "1" indicates a bond in
the higher end of a generic rating classification.
 
  The NAIC assigns securities quality ratings and uniform prices called "NAIC
Designations," which are used by insurers when preparing their statutory
annual statements. The NAIC assigns designations to publicly traded as well as
privately placed securities. The designations assigned by the NAIC range from
class 1 to class 6, with a designation in class 1 being of the highest
quality. NAIC ratings are assigned annually as of December 31, and rerated
periodically. Of the bonds and notes in the Company's investment portfolio,
approximately 93.4%
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
were in one of the highest two NAIC Designations at June 30, 1998. The
following table sets forth the carrying value and estimated market value of
these securities according to NAIC Designations as of June 30, 1998.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      AS OF JUNE 30, 1998
                                                 ------------------------------
                                                   ESTIMATED
     NAIC DESIGNATIONS                               MARKET       PERCENT OF
     (GENERALLY COMPARABLE TO MOODY'S               VALUE(2)    TOTAL ESTIMATED
     RATINGS)(1)                                 (IN THOUSANDS) MARKET VALUE(2)
     --------------------------------            -------------- ---------------
 <C> <S>                                         <C>            <C>
   1 (Aaa, Aa, A).............................     $  919,509         54.8%
   2 (Baa)....................................        645,924         38.5
   3 (Ba).....................................         75,823          4.5
   4 (B)......................................         19,201          1.2
   5 (Caa, Ca)................................         16,320          1.0
   6 (C)......................................            0.0          0.0
                                                   ----------        -----
                                                   $1,676,776        100.0%
                                                   ==========        =====
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Comparison between NAIC Designations and Moody's rating is as published by
    the NAIC. NAIC class 1 is considered equivalent to an A or higher rating
    by Moody's class 2, Baa; class 3, Ba; class 4, B; class 5, Caa and Ca; and
    class 6, C. All securities are classified as available for sale;
    accordingly total carrying value equals estimated market value.
(2) Independent pricing services provide market prices for most publicly-
    traded securities. Where prices are unavailable from pricing services,
    prices are obtained from securities dealers.
   
  The Insurance Company is subject to Regulation 130 adopted and promulgated
by the NYSDI. Under this Regulation, the Insurance Company's ownership of
below investment grade debt securities is limited to 20% of total admitted
assets, as calculated under statutory accounting. As of June 30, 1998,
approximately 4.5% of the Insurance Company's total admitted assets were
invested in below investment grade debt securities. For a detailed discussion
concerning below investment grade debt securities, including the risks
inherent in such investments, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital
Resources." Also see Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
for certain other information concerning the Company's investment portfolio.
    
  The following table sets forth the scheduled maturities for the Company's
investments in bonds and notes as of June 30, 1998.
 
                             SCHEDULED MATURITIES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       AS OF JUNE 30, 1998
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                    ESTIMATED
                                                      MARKET       PERCENT OF
                                                     VALUE(2)    TOTAL ESTIMATED
MATURITY(1)                                       (IN THOUSANDS) MARKET VALUE(2)
- -----------                                       -------------- ---------------
<S>                                               <C>            <C>
Due in one year or less..........................   $   27,430          1.7%
Due after one year through five years............      120,817          7.2
Due after five years through 10 years............       92,878          5.5
Due after 10 years through 20 years..............    1,279,799         76.3
                                                    ----------        -----
  Total..........................................    1,520,924         90.7
Mortgage-backed bonds............................      155,852          9.3
                                                    ----------        -----
  Total bonds and notes..........................   $1,676,776        100.0%
                                                    ==========        =====
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) This table is based upon stated maturity dates and does not reflect the
    effect of prepayments, which would shorten the average life of these
    securities. All securities are classified as available for sale;
    accordingly total carrying value equals estimated market value.
(2) Independent pricing services provide market prices for most publicly-
    traded securities. Where prices are unavailable from pricing services,
    prices are obtained from securities dealers.
 
 
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
INSURANCE REGULATION
 
 GENERAL REGULATION
 
  As an insurance holding company, the Company is subject to regulation by the
State of New York, where the Insurance Company is domiciled, as well as all
states in which the Insurance Company transacts business. Most states have
enacted legislation that requires each insurance company in a holding company
system to register with the insurance regulatory authority of the insurance
company state of domicile and furnish to that state financial and other
information concerning the operations of companies within the holding company
system that may materially affect the operations, management or financial
condition of the insurers within the system. The Company has registered as a
holding company system in New York.
 
  The laws and regulations of New York applicable to insurance holding
companies require, among other things, that all transactions within a holding
company system be fair and equitable and that charges for services be
reasonable. In addition, most transactions require either prior notification
to or approval of the Superintendent. Prior written approval of the
Superintendent is required for the direct or indirect acquisition of 10% or
more of the insurance companies' voting securities. Applicable state insurance
laws, rather than federal bankruptcy laws, also apply to the liquidation or
reorganization of insurance companies.
 
  The Insurance Company is subject to regulation and supervision by the
insurance regulatory agencies of the states in which it is authorized to
transact business. State insurance laws establish supervisory agencies with
broad administrative and supervisory powers. Principal among these powers are
granting and revoking licenses to transact business, regulating marketing and
other trade practices, operating guaranty associations, licensing agents,
approving policy forms, regulating certain premium rates, regulating insurance
holding company systems, establishing reserve requirements, prescribing the
form and content of required financial statements and reports, performing
financial, market conduct and other examinations, determining the
reasonableness and adequacy of statutory capital and surplus, defining
acceptable accounting principles, regulating the type, valuation and amount of
investments permitted, and limiting the amount of dividends that can be paid
and the size of transactions that can be consummated without first obtaining
regulatory approval.
 
  During the last decade, the insurance regulatory framework has been placed
under increased scrutiny by various states, the federal government and the
NAIC. Various states have considered or enacted legislation that changes, and
in many cases increases, the states' authority to regulate insurance
companies. Legislation has been introduced from time to time in Congress that
could result in the federal government assuming some role in the regulation of
insurance companies or allowing combinations between insurance companies,
banks and other entities. In recent years, the NAIC has approved and
recommended to the states for adoption and implementation several regulatory
initiatives designed to reduce the risk of insurance company insolvencies and
market conduct violations. These initiatives include investment reserve
requirements, risk-based capital standards, codification of insurance
accounting principles, new investment standards and restrictions on an
insurance company's ability to pay dividends to its stockholders. The NAIC is
also currently developing model laws relating to product design and
illustrations for annuity products. Current proposals are still being debated
and the Company is monitoring developments in this area and the effects any
changes would have on the Company.
 
  The Insurance Company is required to file detailed periodic reports and
financial statements with the state insurance regulators in each of the states
in which it does business. In addition, insurance regulators periodically
examine the Insurance Company's financial condition, adherence to statutory
accounting practices and compliance with insurance department rules and
regulations. As part of their routine regulatory oversight process, the NYSDI
generally conducts detailed examinations every three years of the books,
records and accounts of the Insurance Company. The Insurance Company's last
examination occurred during 1997 for the three-year period ended December 31,
1996. The final report did not raise any issues or require or recommend
adjustments.
   
 REGULATION OF DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENTS FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY     
 
  Presidential is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries.
As a holding company with no other business operations, its primary sources of
cash needed to meet its obligations, including principal and interest payments
on its outstanding indebtedness and to pay dividends on its common stock, are
dividends from the Insurance Company, sales of and interest on its investments
and rent from its real estate.
 
                                      39
<PAGE>
 
  The Insurance Company is subject to various regulatory restrictions on the
maximum amount of payments, including loans or cash advances, that it may make
to the Company without obtaining prior regulatory approval. As a New York
domiciled insurance company, the Insurance Company is subject to restrictions
on the payment of dividends under New York law. New York law states that no
domestic stock life insurance company shall distribute any dividend to its
shareholders unless a notice of its intention to declare such dividend and the
amount thereof shall have been filed with the Superintendent not less than 30
days in advance of such proposed declaration. The Superintendent may
disapprove such distribution by giving written notice to such company within
30 days after such filing that he or she finds that the financial condition of
the company does not warrant such distribution. The NYSDI has established
informal guidelines for the Superintendent's determinations which focus upon,
among other things, the overall financial condition and profitability of the
insurer under statutory accounting practices. During 1997, 1996 and 1995, and
the first six months ended June 30, 1998 the Insurance Company paid dividends
of $24.8 million, $15.0 million, $5.0 million and $29.4 million, respectively,
to the Company.
 
  In the past, the NAIC proposed the NAIC Model Act which limits dividends
that may be paid in any calendar year without regulatory approval to the
lesser of (1) 10% of the insurer's statutory surplus at the prior year-end or
(2) 100% of the statutory net gain from operations of the insurer (not
including realized capital gains) for the prior calendar year. The NAIC has
determined that it will not grant accreditation to any state insurance
regulatory authority in a state that has not enacted statutes "substantially
similar" to the NAIC Model Act regulating the payment of dividends by
insurers. The New York statutes applicable to the Insurance Company do not
conform to the NAIC Model Act and the legislature of New York may consider
legislation to bring New York laws into substantial compliance with the NAIC
Model Act.
 
INVESTMENT RESERVE
 
  ASSET VALUATION RESERVE. Statutory accounting practices require a life
insurance company to maintain an Asset Valuation Reserve ("AVR") to absorb
realized and unrealized capital gains and losses on a portion of an insurer's
fixed income securities and equity securities.
 
  The AVR is required to stabilize statutory surplus from fluctuations in the
market value of bonds, stocks, mortgage loans, real estate and other invested
assets. The maximum AVR is calculated based on the application of various
factors that are applied to the assets in an insurer's portfolio. The AVR
generally captures credit-related realized and unrealized capital gains or
losses on such assets. Each year the amount of an insurer's AVR will fluctuate
as the investment portfolio changes and capital gains or losses are absorbed
by the reserve. To adjust for such changes over time, contributions must be
made to the AVR in an aggregate annual amount equal to 20% of the difference
between the maximum AVR as calculated and the actual AVR. These contributions
may result in a slower rate of growth in or a reduction of the Insurance
Company's Unassigned Surplus. The extent of the impact of the AVR on the
Insurance Company's surplus depends in part on the future composition of the
Insurance Company's investment portfolio.
 
  INTEREST MAINTENANCE RESERVE. The Interest Maintenance Reserve (the "IMR")
captures capital gains and losses (net of taxes) on fixed income investments
(primarily bonds and mortgage loans) resulting from interest rate changes,
which are amortized into net income over the estimated remaining periods to
maturity of the investments sold. The extent of the impact of the IMR depends
on the amount of future capital gains and losses on fixed maturity investments
resulting from interest rate changes.
 
NAIC-IRIS RATIOS
 
  The NAIC's Insurance Regulatory Information System ("IRIS") was developed by
a committee of state insurance regulators and primarily is intended to assist
state insurance departments in executing their statutory mandates to oversee
the financial condition of insurance companies operating in their respective
states. IRIS identifies 12 industry ratios and specifies "normal ranges" for
each ratio. The IRIS ratios were designed to advise state insurance regulators
of significant changes in the operations of an insurance company, such as
changes in its product mix, large reinsurance transactions, increases or
decreases in premiums received and
 
                                      40
<PAGE>
 
certain other changes in operations. These changes need not result from any
problems with an insurance company but merely indicate changes in certain
ratios outside ranges defined as normal by the NAIC. When an insurance company
has four or more ratios falling outside "normal ranges," such state regulators
may, but are not obligated to, inquire of the company regarding the nature of
the company's business to determine the reasons for the ratios being outside
the "normal range." No regulatory significance results from being out of the
normal range on fewer than four of the ratios. The Company anticipates that it
may from time to time fall outside the "normal range" on some of these ratios.
For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company was within the normal range
for all of the ratios. If four or more of the Company's ratios fall outside
the "normal range," the Company is likely to experience regulatory inquiry and
a higher level of scrutiny.
 
RISK-BASED CAPITAL
 
  Under the NAIC's risk-based capital formula, insurance companies must
calculate and report information under a risk-based capital formula. The
standards require the computation of a risk-based capital amount which then is
compared to a company's actual total adjusted capital. The computation
involves applying factors to various financial data to address four primary
risks: asset default, adverse insurance experience, disintermediation and
external events. This information is intended to permit insurance regulators
to identify and require remedial action for inadequately capitalized insurance
companies, but is not designed to rank adequately capitalized companies. The
NAIC formula provides for four levels of potential involvement by state
regulators for inadequately capitalized insurance companies, ranging from
regulatory control of the insurance company to a requirement for the insurance
company to submit a plan to improve its capital. At December 31, 1997, the
Insurance Company's total adjusted capital was $370.7 million and the
authorized control level risk based capital was $61.8 million.
 
ASSESSMENTS AGAINST INSURERS
 
  Most applicable jurisdictions require insurance companies to participate in
guaranty funds, which are designed to indemnify policyholders of insolvent
insurance companies. Insurers authorized to transact business in these
jurisdictions generally are subject to assessments based on annual direct
premiums written in that jurisdiction. These assessments may be deferred or
forgiven under most guaranty laws if they would threaten an insurer's solvency
and, in certain instances, may be offset against future state premium taxes.
The amount of these assessments in prior years has not been material, however,
the amount and timing of any future assessment on the Insurance Company under
these laws cannot be reasonably estimated and are beyond the control of the
Company and the Insurance Company. Recent failures of substantially larger
insurance companies could result in future assessments in material amounts.
 
REGULATION AT FEDERAL LEVEL
 
  Although the federal government generally does not directly regulate the
insurance business, federal initiatives often have an impact on the business
in a variety of ways. Current and proposed federal measures that may
significantly affect the insurance business include limitations on antitrust
immunity, minimum solvency requirements and the removal of barriers
restricting banks from engaging in the insurance and mutual fund business. It
is not possible to predict the outcome of any such congressional activity nor
the potential effects thereof on the Company.
 
AFFILIATES
 
  In addition to the Insurance Company, the Company has three subsidiaries,
Presidential Securities Corporation, P.L. Assigned Services Corporation and
Presidential Asset Management Company, Inc. In the aggregate, these three
subsidiaries are not material to the Company's consolidated financial
condition or results of operations.
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
PROPERTIES
 
  The Company owns, and the Insurance Company is the sole occupant of, two
adjacent office buildings located at 69 Lydecker Street and 10 North Broadway
in Nyack, New York. These buildings contain an aggregate of approximately
45,000 square feet of useable floor space. The Insurance Company also owns two
acres of unimproved land in Nyack, New York. Management believes that the
Company's present facilities are adequate for its anticipated needs.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
  As of June 30, 1998, the Company employed 105 persons. These employees
perform executive and administrative functions and engage in marketing and
sales activities. None of the employees of the Company are covered by a
collective bargaining agreement. The Company considers its relationships with
its employees to be good.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
  From time to time, the Company is involved in litigation relating to claims
arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. The Company is
not a party to any legal proceedings, the adverse outcome of which, in
management's opinion, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
                                  MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
  The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Company's
directors and executive officers.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 NAME                  AGE                       POSITION
 ----                  ---                       --------
 <C>                   <C> <S>
 Herbert Kurz.........  78 Director and President of the Company and Chairman
                           of the Board of Directors and President of the
                           Insurance Company
 Shirley P. Jordan....  63 Executive Vice President and Chief Investment
                           Officer of the Insurance Company
 Michael V. Oporto....  38 Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company
                           and of the Insurance Company
 Peter A. Cohen.......  51 Director
 Jules Kroll..........  57 Director
 Lawrence Rivkin......  76 Director
 Morton B. Silberman..  75 Director
</TABLE>    
 
  HERBERT KURZ has been a director of the Company since February 24, 1969. Mr.
Kurz also has served as President of the Company and Chairman of the board of
directors of the Insurance Company, the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
through which the Company conducts its annuity and insurance business, for
more than the past five years. Since February 22, 1995, Mr. Kurz has served as
President of the Insurance Company.
 
  SHIRLEY P. JORDAN has served as Executive Vice President of the Insurance
Company since 1994 and as Chief Investment Officer for the Insurance Company
since June, 1988. For the six years prior to 1994 Ms. Jordan served as Senior
Vice President of the Insurance Company. Ms. Jordan currently serves as a
director of the Insurance Company.
 
  MICHAEL V. OPORTO has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Insurance
Company since May 4, 1993 and as Treasurer of the Insurance Company since
1994. Prior to that, Mr. Oporto served as a senior audit manager for Deloitte
& Touche LLP for more than five years. Mr. Oporto currently serves as a
director of the Insurance Company.
 
  PETER A. COHEN has been a director of the Company since May 27, 1992. Mr.
Cohen currently is the owner of Ramius Capital Group, a private investment
firm. From November, 1992 until May, 1994, Mr. Cohen was Vice Chairman and a
director of Republic New York Corporation ("Republic"), as well as a member of
its management executive committee. Mr. Cohen was also the Chairman of
Republic's wholly-owned subsidiary, Republic New York Securities Corporation.
Commencing in February, 1990 and prior to his joining Republic in November,
1992, Mr. Cohen was a private investor and an advisor to several industrial
and financial companies. From March, 1984 until February, 1990, Mr. Cohen was
Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of Shearson
Lehman Hutton Inc., a subsidiary of American Express Company. In addition to
serving on the Board of Directors of the Company, Mr. Cohen serves as a
director of Olivetti SpA, Andover Togs Inc., GRC International and is a
trustee of Mt. Sinai Hospital, the Ohio State University Foundation and New
York Holocaust Commission.
 
  JULES KROLL has been a director of the Company since November 30, 1988. Mr.
Kroll is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kroll-O'Gara, a risk
mitigation company. Mr. Kroll was Chairman of Kroll Associates, Inc., a
private investigative services company. He held that position since December
1, 1991. Since 1972 he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Kroll
Associates, Inc. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of United Auto
Group, Inc., a company engaged in acquiring, consolidating and operating
franchised automobile and light truck dealerships.
 
  LAWRENCE RIVKIN has been a director of the Company since May 25, 1988. Mr.
Rivkin has been a partner in the law firm of Goldfarb & Fleece for more than
the past five years.
 
  MORTON B. SILBERMAN has been a director of the Company since May 27, 1987.
Mr. Silberman has served as counsel to the law firm of Clark, Gagliardi and
Miller for more than the past five years.
 
                                      43
<PAGE>
 
                             DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
   
  The Notes will be issued under an indenture, to be dated as of       , 1998
(the "Indenture"), between the Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee
(the "Trustee"), a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement. The following summaries of certain provisions of the Indenture do
not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their
entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the Indenture, including
the definitions therein of certain terms, and to the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended. The definitions of certain capitalized terms used in the
following summary are set forth below under "--Certain Definitions."
References to the "Company" in the following summary are references solely to
Presidential Life Corporation.     
 
GENERAL
   
  The Notes will mature on       , 2008, and will be limited to $100 million
aggregate principal amount, which may be issued in one or more offerings up to
such aggregate principal amount. Any Notes issued subsequent to the initial
offering of Notes will have identical terms and conditions as the Notes then
outstanding and will vote on all matters together with such outstanding Notes.
Notwithstanding the above, the issue price for any additional Notes may differ
from the issue price of the outstanding Notes and the first interest period
for any additional Notes will run from the date of issuance of such additional
Notes to, but excluding, the next Interest Payment Date for the Notes.     
   
  The Notes will bear interest at  % per annum from the later of the
respective issue date of each Note, as specified in the relevant prospectus
supplement, or the most recent Interest Payment Date through which interest
has been paid, payable semiannually in arrears on      and      of each year,
to the persons in whose names the Notes are registered at the close of
business on the      and     , as the case may be, immediately preceding such
Interest Payment Dates. Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of
a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.     
 
  The Notes will be sold in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral
multiples thereof.
 
  The Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund.
 
RANKING
   
  The Notes will be general senior unsecured obligations of the Company, will
be senior in right of payment to all Indebtedness of the Company expressly
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and will rank pari passu
(equally and ratably) with all other unsecured senior Indebtedness of the
Company (other than obligations preferred by statute or operation of law).
However, since the Notes will not be secured, they will be effectively
subordinated to any secured indebtedness of Presidential.     
   
  The Indenture will not prohibit the Company from incurring additional senior
indebtedness, including secured senior Indebtedness, but requires that the
Notes be secured on a pari passu basis with such additional secured senior
Indebtedness, other than secured indebtedness represented by (i) capital lease
obligations and purchase money indebtedness, (ii) money deposited in trust or
escrow to retire certain of the Company's existing indebtedness, and (iii)
specified indebtedness of certain subsidiaries of the Company. In addition,
the Company is a holding company and is dependent upon dividends and other
payments from its Subsidiaries to provide funds to permit the payment of the
Company's obligations under the Notes. The payment of dividends by the
Insurance Company also is subject to regulatory restrictions. See "Business--
Insurance Regulation." The rights of the Company and its creditors, including
the holders of the Notes offered hereby, to participate in the assets of any
Subsidiary upon such Subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise
will be subject to the prior claims of each of such Subsidiary's creditors
and, in the case of an insurance Subsidiary, policyholders, except to the
extent that the Company may itself be a creditor with recognized claims
against such Subsidiary. See "Risk Factors--Ranking; Holding Company
Structure; Restrictions on Dividends."     
 
FORM, DENOMINATION AND TITLE
 
 Global Notes
 
  The Notes will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered Global
Notes (the "Global Notes") that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the
Depositary and registered in the name of the Depositary's
 
                                      44
<PAGE>
 
nominee. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Notes in
definitive registered form, a Global Note may not be registered for transfer
or exchange except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of such
Depositary.
 
  The Depositary has advised the Company as follows: the Depositary is a
limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New
York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within
the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code, as amended, and a "clearing
agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange
Act. The Depositary was created to hold securities for its participating
organizations (collectively, "participants") and facilitate the clearance and
settlement of securities transactions between participants through electronic
book-entry changes in accounts of its participants, thereby eliminating the
need for physical transfer and delivery of certificates. Participants include
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing
corporations and may include certain other organizations. Indirect access to
the Depositary system is available to other entities such as banks, brokers,
dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly ("indirect
participants").
 
  So long as the Depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of a Global
Note, such Depositary or such nominee will be considered the sole owner or
holder of the Notes represented by such Global Note for all purposes under the
Indenture and the Notes. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial
interests in a Global Note will not be entitled to have Notes represented by a
Global Note registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of Notes in definitive form, and will not be
considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture or the Notes. In
addition, no beneficial owner of an interest in a Global Note will be able to
transfer that beneficial interest except in accordance with the Depositary's
or its participants' applicable procedures.
 
  The Company expects that the Depositary, upon the issuance of a Global Note,
will credit, on its internal system, the respective principal amount of the
individual beneficial interests represented by such Global Note to the
accounts of participants or persons who hold interests through participants.
Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and
the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records
maintained by the Depositary or its nominee (with respect to interests of
participants) or by the participants and the indirect participants (with
respect to other owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes).
 
  The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take
physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws, as well as
the limits on participation in the Depositary's book-entry system, may impair
the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note.
 
  Payments due on Notes represented by a Global Note registered in the name of
the Depositary or its nominee will be made to the Depositary or its nominee,
as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Note representing
such Notes. The Company expects that the Depositary or its nominee, upon
receipt of any payment, will credit immediately participants' accounts with
payments in same-day funds in amounts proportionate to such participants'
respective beneficial interests in such payments, as shown on the records of
the Depositary or its nominee. The Company also expects that payments by
participants and indirect participants to owners of beneficial interests in
such Global Note held through such persons will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities
registered in the name of nominees for such customers, and will be the
responsibility of such participants and indirect participants. Transfers
between participants will be effected in accordance with the Depositary's
rules and procedures and will be settled in same-day funds. Neither the
Company nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any
aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial
ownership interests in the Global Note representing such Notes or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
ownership interests.
 
  The Depositary has advised the Company that it will take any action
permitted to be taken by a holder of Notes only at the direction of one or
more of the Depositary's participants to whose account with the Depositary
 
                                      45
<PAGE>
 
interests in the Global Notes are credited and only in respect of such portion
of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes as to which such participant or
participants has or have given such direction. However, in the circumstances
described herein, the Depositary will exchange Global Notes for certificated
Notes in definitive form, which it will distribute to its participants.
 
 Certificated Notes
 
  If the Depositary at any time notifies the Company that it is unwilling or
unable to continue as Depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered
under the Exchange Act and any other applicable statute or regulation, the
Company has agreed to appoint a successor depositary. If such a successor is
not appointed by the Company within 90 days, or if there shall have occurred
and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes, the Company
will issue Notes in definitive form in exchange for the Global Note
representing such Notes. In addition, the Company may at any time and in its
sole discretion determine not to have the Notes represented by a Global Note,
and, in such event, the Company will issue Notes in definitive form in
exchange for the Global Note representing such Notes. Further, if the Company
so specifies with respect to the Notes, an owner of a beneficial interest in a
Global Note representing Notes may, on terms acceptable to the Company, the
Trustee and the Depositary for such Global Note, receive Notes in definitive
form. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Note
will be entitled to physical delivery in definitive form of Notes represented
by such Global Note equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and
to have such Notes registered in its name. Notes so issued in definitive form
will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
 
  The holder of a definitive Note may transfer such Note by surrendering it at
the office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose in the Borough
of Manhattan, The City of New York, which initially will be the office of the
Trustee or at the office of any Paying Agent. Neither the Trustee nor any
Registrar (which initially will be the Trustee) shall be required to register
the transfer of, or exchange, Notes for a period from the record date to the
due date for any payment of principal of, or interest on, the Notes or to
register the transfer of, or exchange, any Notes for 15 days prior to the
furnishing of a notice of redemption with respect to such Notes through the
date of redemption.
 
  Prior to the presentment of a Note (including a Global Note) for
registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the
Company or the Trustee may treat the person in whose name such Note is
registered as the owner or holder of such Note for the purpose of receiving
payment of principal of, and interest on, such Note and for all other purposes
whatsoever, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company
or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
 
REPLACEMENT OF NOTES
 
  In the event that any Note shall become mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost
or stolen, the Company will execute and, upon the Company's request, the
Trustee will authenticate and deliver a new Note, of like tenor (including the
same date of issuance) and equal principal amount, registered in the same
manner, dated the date of its authentication and bearing interest from the
date to which interest has been paid on such Note, in exchange and
substitution for such Note (upon surrender and cancellation thereof) or in
lieu of and substitution for such Note. In the event that such Note is
destroyed, lost or stolen, the applicant for a substitute Note shall furnish
to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required
by them to hold each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss
or theft of such Note, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the
Trustee satisfactory evidence of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note
and of the ownership thereof. Upon the issuance of any substituted Note, the
Company may require the payment by the registered holder thereof of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed
in relation thereto and any other fees and expenses connected therewith.
 
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
PAYMENT
   
  Payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of the Notes
will be made at the trust office of the Trustee in New York City. Payments in
respect of principal or premium, if any, on Notes will be made only against
surrender of such Notes at such office. Payment in respect of interest on each
Interest Payment Date with respect to any such Note will be made to the person
in whose name such Note is registered at the close of business on the      or
     immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date by U.S. dollar check
drawn on a bank in The City of New York or, for holders of at least $1,000,000
of Notes, by wire transfer to a dollar account maintained by the payee with a
bank in the United States; provided that a written request from such holder to
such effect designating such account is received by the Trustee or the Paying
Agent no later that 30 calendar days immediately preceding such Interest
Payment Date. Unless such designation is revoked, any such designation made by
such holder with respect to such Note payable to such holder will remain in
effect with respect to any future payments with respect to such Note payable
to such holder. The Company will pay any administrative costs imposed by banks
in connection with making payments by wire transfer.     
 
  If any payment in respect of a Note is due on a day that is not a Business
Day, then such payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is a
Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the original
scheduled date for such payment.
 
  The Indenture will provide that any money or securities paid or delivered by
the Company to the Trustee for any payment with respect to the Notes which
remains unclaimed for two years after the date such payment was due or such
securities were deliverable will be repaid or delivered to the Company and
thereafter the holder will look only to the Company for payments thereof as an
unsecured creditor, and the Company shall not be liable to pay any taxes or
other duties in connection with such payments; provided, however, that unless
otherwise provided by applicable law, the right to receive payment of
principal of any Note, to the extent of any cash redemption, will become void
at the end of 10 years from the relevant date thereof or such shorter period
as may be prescribed by applicable law.
 
  Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Indenture, the Company
reserves the right at any time to vary or terminate the appointment of the
Trustee or any Paying Agent in certain circumstances and to appoint another
Trustee or additional or other Paying Agents and to approve any change in the
specified offices through which any Paying Agent acts.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
 Redemption at the Option of the Company
   
  The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the
Company, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at a redemption
price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being
redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the date
of redemption and (ii) a premium equal to the Make-Whole Amount.     
 
 Redemption at the Option of Holders Upon Sale of a Significant Subsidiary
 
  If there shall have occurred a Sale of a Significant Subsidiary, the Notes
shall be subject to redemption at the option of each holder thereof, in whole
or in part (in minimum denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof),
at a redemption price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount of such
Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the date of
redemption.
   
  Within 20 days following any Sale of a Significant Subsidiary, the Company
will notify the Trustee and furnish notice of such sale to each holder of the
Notes, stating, among other things: the redemption price; the date of
redemption, which shall be a Business Day that is not earlier than 30 days nor
later than 60 days from the date such notice is furnished, or such later date
as is necessary to comply with requirements under the Exchange Act; that any
Notes not tendered for redemption pursuant to such notice will continue to
accrue interest; that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the
redemption price, any Notes accepted for     
 
                                      47
<PAGE>
 
redemption pursuant to such notice shall cease to accrue interest after the
date of redemption; and certain other procedures that a holder must follow to
exercise the option of redemption or to withdraw such election.
 
  The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the
redemption of the Notes in connection with a Sale of a Significant Subsidiary
and may modify its notice to effect such compliance. There can be no assurance
that the Company would be able to repurchase the Notes other than through a
refinancing or that the Company would be able to refinance such Indebtedness.
The inability to repurchase the Notes could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
 
  Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the date of redemption to each holder of the Notes to be
redeemed.
 
  Unless the Company defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after
the date of redemption, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions
thereof called for redemption.
   
  "Make-Whole Amount" means, in connection with an optional redemption of any
Note, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum, as determined by the Quotation
Agent, of the present values of the principal amount of such Notes together
with scheduled payments of interest that would accrue thereon from the date of
redemption to the Stated Maturity of the Notes, in each case discounted to the
date of redemption on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting
of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate over (ii) 100% of the
principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed.     
 
  "Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any date of redemption, the
rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the
Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable
Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to
the Comparable Treasury Price for such date of redemption, calculated on the
third Business Day preceding the date of redemption, plus in each case  % (
basis points).
 
  "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the
remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time
of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing
new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the
remaining term of such Notes.
 
  "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any date of redemption,
(i) the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third
Business Day preceding such date of redemption, as set forth in the daily
statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for
U.S. Government Securities," or (ii) if such release (or any successor
release) is not published or does not contain such prices on such Business
Day, the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such date,
after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer
Quotations, or (iii) if the Trustee obtains fewer than three such Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Reference Treasury Dealer
Quotations.
 
  "Quotation Agent" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by
the Company as the Quotation Agent.
 
  "Reference Treasury Dealer" means (i) any of BT Alex. Brown Incorporated and
Salomon Smith Barney and their respective successors; provided, however, that
if either of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government
securities dealer in New York City (a "Primary Treasury Dealer"), the Company
shall substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer; and (ii) any other Primary
Treasury Dealer selected by the Company.
 
  "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each Reference
Treasury Dealer and any date of redemption, the average, as determined by the
Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the Trustee
 
                                      48
<PAGE>
 
and the Quotation Agent by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such date of redemption.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
  Limitation on Liens. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its
Significant Subsidiaries, at any time, directly or indirectly, to, create,
assume, incur or permit to exist any Indebtedness secured by a Lien of any
kind on any of the Company's property or assets (which, for the avoidance of
doubt, shall not include any of the property or assets of the Company's
Subsidiaries) or any share of Capital Stock of any Significant Subsidiary
owned by the Company or a Significant Subsidiary without making effective
provision whereby the Notes then outstanding shall be equally and ratably
secured with such secured Indebtedness so long as such other Indebtedness
shall be secured; provided that the Lien securing any Subordinated
Indebtedness shall be subordinate and junior to the Lien securing the Notes
with the same relative priority as such Subordinated Indebtedness shall have
with respect to the Notes; and provided, further, that this covenant shall not
apply to any Liens securing any such Indebtedness which became Indebtedness of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to a transaction subject to
the provisions of the Indenture described below under "--Consolidation, Merger
and Sale of Assets" or Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness and, in each case,
which Liens were in existence at the time of such transaction or the
incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness (unless such Indebtedness was
incurred or such Lien created in connection with, or in contemplation of, such
transaction or incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness), so long as such
Liens do not extend to or cover any property or assets of the Company or any
of its Significant Subsidiaries other than property or assets acquired in such
transaction or securing such Acquired Indebtedness prior to its incurrence;
and provided, further, however, that this covenant shall not apply to (i) any
Liens created in connection with the incurrence of any Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries consisting of capital lease
obligations or of purchase money indebtedness, (ii) amounts, if any, deposited
in trust or in escrow for the defeasance or redemption of the Company's 9 1/2%
Senior Notes due 2000 or (iii) liens securing Indebtedness of a Subsidiary
that becomes a Significant Subsidiary, which liens are in existence as of the
end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the fiscal quarter during
which such Subsidiary becomes a Significant Subsidiary.
 
  If the Company shall hereafter be required to secure the Notes equally and
ratably with any other Indebtedness pursuant to this covenant, (i) the Company
will promptly deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that the
foregoing covenant has been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel stating
that in the opinion of such counsel the foregoing covenant has been complied
with and that any instruments executed by the Company or any Subsidiary, as
the case may be, in the performance of the foregoing covenant comply with the
requirements of the foregoing covenant and (ii) the Trustee is hereby
authorized to enter into an indenture or agreement supplemental thereto and to
take such action, if any, as it may deem advisable to enable it to enforce the
rights of the holders of the Notes so secured.
 
  Limitation on Sale or Issuance of Stock of Subsidiaries. Except for a
transaction subject to the provisions of the Indenture described below under
"--Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets," the Company will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to sell, transfer,
convey or otherwise dispose of (other than to the Company or a wholly-owned
Subsidiary of the Company) any Capital Stock of a Subsidiary of the Company or
any securities convertible into or warrants, rights or options to subscribe
for Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of the Company, and the Company shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue or sell (other than to the Company or
a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company) any of its Capital Stock or
securities convertible into or rights, warrants or options to subscribe for
its Capital Stock; provided, however, that this covenant shall not prohibit
(a) the sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of (i) all, but not
less than all, of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of any Significant
Subsidiary owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) all or any
portion of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of the
Company that is not a Significant Subsidiary, if in either such case (x) the
sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition is for Fair Market Value, (y)
the Company delivers to the Trustee a written opinion of a nationally
recognized investment banking firm attesting to such value (provided that this
clause (y) shall not apply to any transaction described in clause (a)(ii)
above for total consideration less than $10 million), and (z) at least 75% of
the consideration is for any combination of cash or cash equivalents, at the
time such stock is sold, transferred,
 
                                      49
<PAGE>
 
conveyed or disposed of, and such issuance and sale is otherwise in compliance
with the other provisions of the 1998 Indenture, or (b) the ownership by
directors of director's qualifying shares to the extent mandated by applicable
law.
 
  Limitation on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Significant
Subsidiaries. The Company will not, and will not permit any Significant
Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become
effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction of any kind on
the ability of any Significant Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends or make any
other distribution on its Capital Stock, (b) pay any Indebtedness owed to the
Company or any other Subsidiary, (c) make loans or advances to the Company or
any other Subsidiary, or (d) transfer any of its property or assets to the
Company or any other Subsidiary, except (i) any such encumbrance or
restriction pursuant to an agreement in effect on the date of the Indenture;
(ii) any such encumbrance or restriction, with respect to a Subsidiary that is
not a Subsidiary of the Company on the date of the Indenture, in existence at
the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company (except to the extent
such encumbrance or restriction was incurred or created in connection with or
in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary of the Company), which
encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties
or assets of any Person, other than the Person or the property or assets of
the Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Company; (iii) any such
encumbrance or restriction pursuant to any law, any governmental regulation or
order, or agreement with a governmental regulator, provided that the Company
has used reasonable best efforts to have any such order or agreement
diminished or removed by any regulator authorized to do so and to obtain any
exemptive orders from the relevant regulator with respect to such encumbrance
or restriction to the extent such exemptive orders are reasonably suitable
under applicable laws and regulations; (iv) any such encumbrance or
restriction in existence as of the end of the fiscal quarter immediately
preceding the fiscal quarter during which such Subsidiary becomes a
Significant Subsidiary; and (v) any such encumbrance or restriction pursuant
to any agreement that extends, refinances, renews or replaces any agreement
containing any of the restrictions described in the foregoing clauses (i) and
(ii), provided that the terms and conditions of any such encumbrances or
restrictions are not materially less favorable to the holders of the Notes
than those under or pursuant to the agreement extended, refinanced, renewed or
replaced.
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
  "Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of any Person (i) existing at the
time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or (ii) assumed in connection with the
acquisition of assets from a Person.
 
  "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under the direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, by contract or otherwise; and
the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have the meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
 
  "Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,
which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York City are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
 
  "Capital Stock," as applied to the stock of any corporation, means the
capital stock of every class whether now or hereafter authorized, regardless
of whether such capital stock shall be limited to a fixed sum or percentage
with respect to the rights of the holders thereof to participate in dividends
and in the distribution of assets upon the voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such corporation.
 
  "Commission" means 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 instrument such Commission is not existing and performing
the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties at such time.
   
  "Default" means any event or condition which is, or after notice or passage
of time or both would be, an Event of Default.     
 
  "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
 
                                      50
<PAGE>
 
  "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to any asset or property, the sale
value that would be obtained in an arm's length transaction between an
informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell to an informed and
willing buyer.
 
  "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, (i) every obligation of
such Person for money borrowed or under any reimbursement obligation relating
to a letter of credit (other than letters of credit obtained in the ordinary
course of business), if, and to the extent, any of the foregoing would appear
as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, (ii) every obligation of such Person
evidenced by a bond, note, debenture or similar instrument, if, and to the
extent that, any of the foregoing would appear as a liability upon a balance
sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, (iii) every obligation of such Person in respect of lease rentals
which, under generally accepted accounting principles, would be shown on the
balance sheet of such Person as a liability (other than a current liability or
a deferred item), (iv) all obligations under interest rate contracts of such
Person, and (v) every guarantee, direct or indirect, of any obligation
described in clauses (i) through (iv) above.
 
  "Interest Payment Date," when used with respect to any Note, means the
Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Note.
 
  "Lien" means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, security interest or
encumbrance of any kind in respect of any property or asset, whether or not
filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any lease in the
nature thereof).
   
  "Maturity," when used with respect to any Note, means the date on which the
principal of such Note becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided,
whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for
redemption, Sale of a Significant Subsidiary or otherwise.     
 
  "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company
by the Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President or a
Vice President, and by the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an
Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company,
and delivered to the Trustee.
   
  "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel
for the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and
delivered to the Trustee.     
   
  "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, any Notes on behalf of the
Company.     
   
  "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited partnership, joint
venture, limited liability company, association, joint stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.     
 
  "Sale of a Significant Subsidiary" means the sale, transfer, assignment or
other disposition of a Significant Subsidiary to any Person who is not a
wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company.
 
  "Significant Subsidiary" means, (i) as long as it is a Subsidiary of the
Company, Presidential Life Insurance Company, and (ii) any Subsidiary that
would be a "Significant Subsidiary" within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w)(2)
under Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission; provided, however, that
for purposes of the definition of Sale of a Significant Subsidiary, the term
"10 percent" in such rule shall be substituted by the term "40 percent."
 
  "Stated Maturity," when used with respect to any Indebtedness or any
installment of interest thereon, means the date specified in such Indebtedness
as the fixed date on which the principal of such Indebtedness or such
installment of interest is due and payable.
 
  "Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness the payment of which is
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes.
 
                                      51
<PAGE>
 
  "Subsidiary" means a corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding
Voting Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to
vote generally in the election of directors thereof is owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the
Company and one or more other Subsidiaries.
 
  "U.S. Government Obligations" means securities that are (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America for the timely 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 timely payment of which is unconditionally
guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of
America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option
of the issuer thereof.
 
  "Voting Stock" means the stock of the class or classes pursuant to which the
holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to
elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of a
corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other
class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the
happening of any contingency).
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
 
  The Company will not consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person
or, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise
dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person
or group of affiliated Persons unless at the time and after giving effect
thereto (i) either (a) the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or (b)
the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into
which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by sale, assignment,
conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition the properties and assets of the
Company, substantially as an entirety (the "Surviving Entity") shall be a
corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the United
States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall, in
either case, expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental to the Indenture,
executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee,
all the covenants and obligations of the Company under the Notes and the
Indenture, and the Indenture, shall remain in full force and effect; (ii)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (iii)
if any of the property or assets of the Company would thereupon become subject
to any Lien, the outstanding Notes shall be secured equally and ratably with
(or prior to) the obligation or liability secured by such Lien, unless the
Company could create such Lien under the Indenture without equally and ratably
securing the Notes.
 
  In connection with any consolidation, merger, transfer or lease, the
Indenture requires the Company to deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the
Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, an
Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such
consolidation, merger, transfer or lease and the supplemental indenture in
respect thereto comply with the provisions described in the Indenture and that
all conditions precedent therein provided for relating to such transaction
have been complied with.
 
  In the event of any transaction described in, and complying with, the
conditions listed in the immediately preceding paragraphs in which the Company
is not the continuing corporation, the successor Person formed or remaining
shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and
power of, the Company under the Indenture, and thereafter the Company, except
in the case of a lease of property or assets, will be discharged from all
obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Notes.
 
  With respect to the sale of properties or assets, the phrase "all or
substantially all" as used in the Indenture varies according to the facts and
circumstances of the subject transaction, has no clearly established meaning
under New York law (which governs the Indenture) and is subject to judicial
interpretation. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of
uncertainty in ascertaining whether a particular transaction would involve a
disposition of "all or substantially all" of the properties or assets of a
person and therefore it may be unclear as to whether a transaction of the
nature discussed above has occurred.
 
 
                                      52
<PAGE>
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  An Event of Default will occur under the Indenture if any one of the
following events occurs:
 
    (1) default in the payment of any interest on any Note when it becomes
  due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
  or
 
    (2) default in the payment of the principal of any Note at its Maturity;
  or
 
    (3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement
  of the Company under the Indenture (other than a default in the
  performance, or breach, of a covenant or agreement that is specifically
  dealt with elsewhere therein), and continuance of such default or breach
  for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or
  certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the
  Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
  outstanding Notes a written notice specifying such default or breach and
  requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of
  Default" under the Indenture; or
     
    (4) (i) an event of default shall have occurred under any mortgage, bond,
  indenture, loan agreement or other document evidencing any issue of
  Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary for money
  borrowed, which issue has an aggregate outstanding principal amount of not
  less than $10,000,000, and such default shall result in such Indebtedness
  becoming, whether by declaration or otherwise, due and payable prior to the
  date on which it would otherwise become due and payable or (ii) a default
  in any payment when due at final maturity of any such Indebtedness of the
  Company or any Significant Subsidiary outstanding in an aggregate principal
  amount of not less than $10,000,000, and, in each case, ten Business Days
  shall have elapsed after such event, during which period such event shall
  not have been cured or rescinded or such Indebtedness shall not have been
  satisfied; or     
 
    (5) final judgments or orders are rendered against the Company or any
  Significant Subsidiary by a court or regulatory agency of competent
  jurisdiction which require the payment in money, either individually or in
  an aggregate amount, that is more than $10,000,000 and such judgment or
  order shall not be discharged and either (i) any creditor shall have
  commenced an enforcement proceeding upon such judgment or order, which
  enforcement proceeding shall have remained unstayed for a period of ten
  days or (ii) there shall have been a period of 60 days after the date on
  which any period for appeal has expired during which a stay of enforcement
  shall not be in effect; or
 
    (6) a decree or order is entered by a court having jurisdiction (i) for
  relief in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an
  involuntary case or proceeding under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any
  other federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar
  law, including, without limitation, any such case or proceeding under
  applicable state insurance laws, or (ii) adjudging the Company or any
  Significant Subsidiary a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization,
  arrangement, adjustment or composition of, or in respect of the Company or
  any Significant Subsidiary under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any other
  applicable federal or state law, including, without limitation, any such
  case or proceeding under applicable state insurance laws, or appointing a
  custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other
  similar official) of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or of any
  substantial part of any of their assets, or ordering the winding up or
  liquidation of any of their affairs, any such decree or order remains
  unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or
 
    (7) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary institutes a voluntary case
  or proceeding under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable
  federal or state law, including, without limitation, any such case or
  proceeding under applicable state insurance laws, or any other case or
  proceedings to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the Company or
  any Significant Subsidiary consents to the entry of a decree or order for
  relief in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in any
  involuntary case or proceeding under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any
  other applicable federal or state law, including, without limitation, any
  such case or proceeding under applicable state insurance laws, or to the
  institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against the Company or
  any Significant Subsidiary, or the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
  files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief
  under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable federal or state
  law, or consents to the filing of
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
  any such petition or to the appointment of, or taking possession by, a
  custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other
  similar official) of any of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or of
  any substantial part of its property, or makes an assignment for the
  benefit of creditors, or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts
  generally as they become due or takes corporate action in furtherance of
  any such action.
 
  If an Event of Default (other than as specified in clauses (6) and (7) with
respect to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary) occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in amount of the
Notes then outstanding may declare all unpaid principal of, and accrued and
unpaid interest on, all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, by a
notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by holders), and
upon any such declaration such principal shall become due and payable
immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (6) or (7) above with
respect to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary occurs and is continuing,
then the principal of all Notes shall by such fact itself become and be
immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part
of the Trustee or any holder.
 
  After a declaration of acceleration, but before a judgment or decree for
payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee, the holders of at
least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding, by
written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may annul such declaration if
(a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(i) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee under the Indenture and the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and counsel, (ii) all overdue interest on all Notes, (iii) the
principal of any Notes which have become due otherwise than by such
declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate borne by the
Notes, and (iv) to the extent payment of such interest is lawful, interest
upon overdue interest at the rate borne by the Notes; and (b) all Events of
Default, other than the non-payment of principal of the Notes which has become
due solely by the declaration of acceleration, have been waived as provided in
the Indenture or cured. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default
or impair any right consequent thereon.
 
  The Company is also required to notify the Trustee within five Business Days
of the occurrence of any Default.
 
LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE
   
  The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have the
obligations of the Company discharged with respect to the outstanding Notes
("legal defeasance"). Such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed
to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the
outstanding Notes, except for (i) the rights of holders of outstanding Notes
to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on, such Notes to Maturity, (ii) the Company's obligations with
respect to the Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of
Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an
office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust,
(iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and
(iv) the defeasance provisions of the Indenture. In addition, the Company may,
at its option and at any time, elect to have the obligations of the Company
released with respect to certain covenants that are described in the Indenture
("covenant defeasance") and thereafter any omission to comply with such
obligations shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect
to the Notes. In the event covenant defeasance occurs, certain events (not
including non-payment, bankruptcy and insolvency events) described under
"Events of Default" will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect
to the Notes.     
 
  In order to effect a legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, (i) the
Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit
of the holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government
Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient,
in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public
accountants, to pay the principal or redemption price of, and interest on, the
outstanding Notes to Maturity; (ii) in the case of legal defeasance, the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that
(A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the
Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of the Indenture,
there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax
law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon, such Opinion of
Counsel shall confirm that, the holders of the outstanding Notes will not
recognize income, gain or loss for
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
   
United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such legal defeasance
and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts,
in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
legal defeasance had not occurred; (iii) in the case of covenant defeasance,
the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the
United States to the effect that the holders of the outstanding Notes will not
recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes
as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States
federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same
times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not
occurred; (iv) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit, after giving effect thereto, or, in
the case of a legal defeasance, insofar as clauses (6) and (7) under the first
paragraph under "--Events of Default" are concerned, at any time in the period
ending the 91st day after the date of deposit; (v) such legal defeasance or
covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or
constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument to which the
Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or by which the
Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is bound; (vi) the Company
shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that the
deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the holders
of Notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating,
hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and
(vii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided
for relating to either the legal defeasance or the covenant defeasance, as the
case may be, have been complied with.     
 
  If the Trustee is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or U.S. Government
Obligations in accordance with the above, by reason of any order or judgment
of any court of governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise
prohibiting such application, then the Company's obligations under the
Indenture and the Notes will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit
had occurred, until such time as the Trustee is permitted to apply all such
money in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, provided that if the
Company makes any payment of principal or redemption price of (or premium, if
any) or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations,
the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to
receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee.
 
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
   
  Modifications and amendments of the 1998 Indenture may be made by the
Company or the Trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes; provided, however, that
no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of
each Note affected thereby, (i) change the Stated Maturity of the principal
of, or interest on, any Note; (ii) reduce the principal amount thereof, the
premium, if any, or the rate of interest thereon; (iii) change any Place of
Payment where, or the currency in which, any Note or any amount due thereon is
payable; (iv) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
payment on any Note on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case
of redemption, on or after the date of redemption); (v) reduce the percentage
in principal amount of outstanding Notes, the consent of whose holders is
required for modification or amendment of the Indenture or for waiver of
compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain
defaults; or (vi) modify any of the provisions described in this paragraph or
set forth in certain other sections of the Indenture, except to increase any
such percentage or to limit the ability of holders to modify or waive certain
other provisions of the Indenture.     
 
  The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Notes may, on behalf of all holders, waive compliance by the Company with
certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture. The holders of not less than
a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, on behalf of all
holders, waive any past default under the Indenture, except a default in the
payment of principal or redemption price of, or interest on, any Note and in
respect of a covenant or provision of the Indenture that cannot be modified or
amended without the consent of the holder of each Note affected thereby.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  The Indenture and the Notes will be governed by and construed in accordance
with the law of the State of New York.
 
                                      55
<PAGE>
 
            CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
   
  The following is a summary of the principal United States federal income tax
consequences resulting from the beneficial ownership of Notes by certain
persons. This summary was prepared by Willkie Farr & Gallagher, counsel to the
Company, and, to the extent it expresses opinions or conclusions as to federal
income tax law, represents the opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher as to such
matters. This summary does not purport to consider all the possible United
States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or
disposition of Notes and is not intended to reflect the individual tax
position of any beneficial owner. It deals only with Notes held as capital
assets. Moreover, this summary does not address beneficial owners that may be
subject to special tax rules, such as banks, insurance companies, dealers in
securities or currencies, purchasers that hold Notes as a hedge against
currency risks or as part of a straddle with other investments or as part of a
"synthetic security" or other integrated investment (including a "conversion
transaction") comprised of a Note and one or more other investments, or
purchasers that have a "functional currency" other than the U.S. dollar.
Except to the extent discussed below under "Non-United States Holders," this
summary is not applicable to holders of Notes other than U.S. Holders (as
defined below). This summary is based upon the United States federal income
tax laws and regulations as now in effect and as currently interpreted and
does not take into account possible changes in such tax laws or such
interpretations, any of which may be applied retroactively. It does not
include any description of the tax laws of any state, local or foreign
governments that may be applicable to Notes or holders thereof. Persons
considering the purchase of Notes should consult their own tax advisors
concerning the application of the United States federal income tax laws to
their particular situations as well as any consequences to them under the laws
of any other taxing jurisdiction.     
 
  For purposes of this discussion, a "U.S. Holder" is (i) a citizen or
resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation created or organized under
the laws of the United States or any state thereof (including the District of
Columbia) or (iii) a person otherwise subject to United States federal income
taxation on its worldwide income.
 
UNITED STATES HOLDERS
 
 PAYMENTS OF INTEREST
 
  In general, payment of "qualified stated interest" on a Note (as defined
below under "Original Issue Discount"), will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as
ordinary interest income at the time it is received or accrued, depending on
the holder's method of accounting for tax purposes.
 
 ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
 
  The following discussion summarizes the United States federal income tax
consequences to U.S. Holders of Notes issued with original issue discount for
United States federal income tax purposes ("OID"). U.S. Holders of a Note
issued with OID generally will be subject to special tax accounting rules
provided in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and
certain Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (the "OID Regulations").
U.S. Holders of Discount Notes should be aware that, as described in greater
detail below, the Code and the OID Regulations provide rules that require them
to include OID in gross income before the receipt of cash attributable to such
income, without regard to their method of accounting for tax purposes.
 
 GENERAL
 
  A Note will be treated as issued with OID (a "Discount Note") if the excess
of the Note's "stated redemption price at maturity" over its issue price is
greater than or equal to a de minimis amount (set forth in the Code and the
OID Regulations). Generally, the issue price of a Note (or any Note that is
part of an issue of Notes) will be the first price at which a substantial
amount of Notes that are part of such issue of Notes are sold to the public
(other than to underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers). Under the OID
Regulations, the "stated redemption price at maturity" of a Note is the sum of
all payments made with respect to the Note that are not payments of "qualified
stated interest." A "qualified stated interest" payment includes any stated
interest payment on a Note that is unconditionally payable at least annually
at a single fixed rate that appropriately takes into account the length of the
interval between stated interest payments. If a particular issue of Notes will
constitute an issue of Discount Notes, the applicable Prospectus Supplement
will so state.
 
                                      56
<PAGE>
 
  In general, if the excess of a Note's stated redemption price at maturity
over its issue price is de minimis, then such excess constitutes "de minimis
OID." Under the OID Regulations, unless the election described below under
"Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount" is made, such a
Note will not be treated as issued with OID (in which case the following
paragraphs under "Original Issue Discount" will not apply) and a U.S. Holder
of such a Note will recognize capital gain with respect to such de minimis OID
as stated principal payments on the Note are made. The amount of such gain
with respect to each such payment will equal the product of the total amount
of the Note's de minimis OID and a fraction, the numerator of which is the
amount of the principal payment made and the denominator of which is the
stated principal amount of the Note.
 
  In general, the amount of OID includible in gross income by a U.S. Holder of
a Discount Note is the sum of the "daily portions" of OID with respect to the
Discount Note for each day during the taxable year or portion of the taxable
year in which the U.S. Holder holds such Discount Note ("accrued OID"). The
daily portion is determined by allocating to each day in any "accrual period"
a pro rata portion of the OID allocable to that accrual period. Under the OID
Regulations, accrual periods with respect to a Note may be any set of periods
(which may be of varying lengths) selected by the U.S. Holder as long as (i)
no accrual period is longer than one year and (ii) each scheduled payment of
interest or principal on the Note occurs on the first day or final day of an
accrual period.
 
  The amount of OID allocable to an accrual period equals the excess of (a)
the product of the Discount Note's adjusted issue price at the beginning of
the accrual period and the Discount Note's yield to maturity (determined on
the basis of compounding at the close of each accrual period and properly
adjusted for the length of the accrual period) over (b) the sum of any
payments of qualified stated interest on the Discount Note allocable to the
accrual period. The yield to maturity of a Discount Note is the discount rate
that causes the present value of all payments on the Discount Note as of its
original issue date to equal the issue price of such Discount Note. The
"adjusted issue price" of a Discount Note at the beginning of the first
accrual period is the issue price and at the beginning of any accrual period
thereafter is (x) the sum of the issue price of such Discount Note, the
accrued OID for each prior accrual period (determined without regard to the
amortization of any acquisition premium or bond premium, which are discussed
below), and the amount of any qualified stated interest on the Note that has
accrued prior to the beginning of the accrual period but is not payable until
a later date, less (y) any prior payments on the Discount Note that were not
qualified stated interest payments. If a payment (other than a payment of
qualified stated interest) is made on the first day of an accrual period, then
the adjusted issue price at the beginning of such accrual period is reduced by
the amount of the payment.
 
   As a result of this "constant yield" method of including OID in income,
U.S. Holders of Discount Notes generally will have to include in income
increasingly greater amounts of OID over the life of the Notes.
 
 ACQUISITION PREMIUM
 
  A U.S. Holder that purchases a Discount Note for an amount in excess of its
adjusted issue price as of the purchase date but less than its stated
redemption price at maturity (any such excess being "acquisition premium"),
and that does not make the election described below under "Election To Treat
All Interest as Original Issue Discount," is permitted to reduce the amount of
OID which must be included in gross income for any taxable year (but not below
zero) by the portion of the acquisition premium properly allocable to such
year.
 
 OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
  For purposes of determining whether a Note is a Discount Note and
calculating the amount of OID on such Note, an option to redeem a Note held by
the Company will be presumed to be exercised if, by utilizing any date on
which such Note may be redeemed or repaid as the maturity date and the amount
payable on such date in accordance with the terms of such Note (the
"redemption price") as the stated redemption price at maturity, the yield on
the Note would be lower than its yield to Stated Maturity. If such option is
not in fact exercised when presumed to be exercised, the Note would be treated
solely for OID purposes as if it were redeemed or repurchased, and a new Note
were issued, on the presumed exercise date for an amount equal to the Discount
Note's adjusted issue price on that date. U.S. Holders are urged to consult
their own tax advisors with respect to the Company's option to redeem the
Notes. See "Description of Notes--Optional Redemption."
 
                                      57
<PAGE>
 
 NOTES PURCHASED AT A PREMIUM
 
  Under the Code, a U.S. Holder that purchases a Note for an amount in excess
of its stated redemption price at maturity will not be subject to the OID
rules and may elect to treat such excess as "amortizable bond premium," in
which case the amount of qualified stated interest required to be included in
the U.S. Holder's income each year with respect to interest on the Note will
be reduced by the amount of amortizable bond premium allocable (using a
constant yield method based on the Note's yield to maturity) to such year. Any
election to amortize bond premium is applicable to all bonds (other than bonds
the interest on which is excludible from gross income) held by the U.S. Holder
at the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election applies or
thereafter acquired by the U.S. Holder, and may not be revoked without the
consent of the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). A U.S. Holder that elects to
amortize such premium must reduce its tax basis in a Note by the amount of the
premium amortized during its holding period. See also "Election to Treat All
Interest as Original Issue Discount."
 
 NOTES PURCHASED AT A MARKET DISCOUNT
 
  A Note will be treated as purchased at a market discount (a "Market Discount
Note") if the amount for which a U.S. Holder purchased the Note is less than
the Note's issue price, subject to a de minimis rule similar to the rule
relating to de minimis OID described under "Original Issue Discount--General."
 
  In general, any gain recognized on the maturity or disposition of a Market
Discount Note will be treated as ordinary income to the extent that such gain
does not exceed the accrued market discount on the Note. Alternatively, a U.S.
Holder of a Market Discount Note may elect to include market discount in
income currently over the life of the Market Discount Note. Such an election
applies to all debt instruments with market discount acquired by the electing
U.S. Holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the
election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.
 
  Market discount accrues on a straight-line basis unless the U.S. Holder
elects to accrue such discount on a constant yield to maturity basis. Such an
election is applicable only to the Market Discount Note with respect to which
it is made and is irrevocable. A U.S. Holder of a Market Discount Note that
does not elect to include market discount in income currently generally will
be required to defer deductions for interest on borrowings allocable to the
Note in an amount not exceeding the accrued market discount on the Note until
the maturity or disposition of the Note.
 
 ELECTION TO TREAT ALL INTEREST AS ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
 
  Any U.S. Holder may elect to include in gross income its entire return on a
Note (i.e., the excess of all remaining payments to be received on the Note,
including payments of qualified stated interest, over the amount paid by such
U.S. Holder for such Note) using the constant yield method described above
under the heading "Original Issue Discount--General." For Notes purchased at a
premium or Market Discount Notes, the U.S. Holder making such election will
also be deemed to have an election to amortize any such premium or to accrue
any such market discount in income on a constant yield basis.
 
 PURCHASE, SALE AND RETIREMENT OF THE NOTES
 
  A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in a Note generally will equal its cost,
increased by the amount of any OID or market discount included in the U.S.
Holder's income with respect to the Note and the amount, if any, of income
attributable to de minimis OID included in the U.S. Holder's income with
respect to the Note, and reduced by the sum of (i) the amount of any payments
that are not qualified stated interest payments, and (ii) the amount of any
amortizable bond premium applied to reduce interest on the Note. A U.S. Holder
generally will recognize gain or loss on the sale or retirement of a Note
equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or retirement
(except for amounts attributable to accrued or unpaid interest which will be
taxable as such) and the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note. Except
to the extent described above under "Notes Purchased at a Market Discount,"
gain or loss recognized on the sale or retirement of a Note generally will be
capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Note
was held for more than one year.
 
                                      58
<PAGE>
 
NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS
 
  Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, payments of principal
(and premium, if any) and interest (including OID) by the Company or any agent
of the Company (acting in its capacity as such) to any holder of a Note that
is not a U.S. Holder (a "Non-U.S. Holder") will not be subject to United
States federal withholding tax, provided, in the case of interest (including
OID), that (i) the Non-U.S. Holder does not actually or constructively own 10%
or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company entitled to vote, (ii) the Non-U.S. Holder is not a controlled foreign
corporation for United States tax purposes that is related to the Company
(directly or indirectly) through stock ownership or a bank receiving interest
described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) such payments are not
effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business by
such Non-U.S. Holder and (iv) the beneficial owner provides a statement signed
under penalties of perjury that includes its name and address and certifies
that it is a Non-U.S. Holder in compliance with applicable requirements (or,
with respect to payments made after December 31, 1999, satisfies certain
documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a Non-U.S.
Holder).
 
  Any capital gain, market discount or exchange gain realized on the sale,
exchange, retirement or other disposition of a Note by a Non-U.S. Holder will
not be subject to United States federal income or withholding taxes unless (i)
such gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade
or business of the Non-U.S. Holder or (ii) in the case of an individual, such
Non-U.S. Holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the
taxable year of the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition and
certain other conditions are met.
 
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
  For each calendar year in which Notes are outstanding, the Company is
required to provide the IRS with certain information, including each holder's
name, address and taxpayer identification number (either the holder's Social
Security number or its employer identification number, as the case may be),
the aggregate amount of principal and interest paid (including OID, if any) to
that holder during the calendar year and the amount of tax withheld, if any.
This obligation, however, does not apply with respect to certain U.S. Holders,
including corporations, tax-exempt organizations, qualified pension and profit
sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts.
 
  Payments on a Note beneficially owned by a Non-U.S. Holder will not be
subject to United States backup withholding tax and information reporting
requirements if such holder has provided the statement described in
clause (iv) in the first paragraph under "Non-U.S. Holders" above, or has
otherwise established an exemption (provided that neither the Company nor its
agent has actual knowledge that the holder is a United States person or that
the conditions of any exemption are not in fact satisfied). In the event that
a U.S. Holder subject to the reporting requirements described above fails to
supply its correct taxpayer identification number in the manner required by
applicable law or underreports its tax liability, the Company, its agents or
paying agents or a broker may be required to "backup" withhold a tax equal to
31% of each payment of interest (including OID) and principal (and premium if
any) on the Notes. This backup withholding is not an additional tax and may be
credited against the U.S. Holder's United States federal income tax liability,
provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
 
  Payment of the proceeds from the sale of a Note to or through a foreign
"broker" (as defined in the applicable Treasury regulations) will not be
subject to information reporting requirements or backup withholding tax,
except that if the broker is a United States person, a controlled foreign
corporation for United States tax purposes or a foreign person 50 percent or
more of whose gross income from all sources for the three-year period ending
with the close of its taxable year preceding the payment was effectively
connected with a United States trade or business, information reporting may
apply to such payments. Payment of the proceeds from a sale of a Note to or
through the United States office of a broker is subject to information
reporting and backup withholding unless the holder or beneficial owner
certifies as to its taxpayer identification number or otherwise establishes an
exemption from information reporting and backup withholding.
 
                                      59
<PAGE>
 
  On October 6, 1997, the United States Treasury Department issued final
Treasury regulations governing information reporting requirements and
certification procedures regarding withholding and backup withholding on
certain amounts paid to a Non-U.S. Holder after December 31, 1999. The new
Treasury regulations may change the certification procedures relating to the
receipt by intermediaries of payments on behalf of a beneficial owner of a
Note. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors concerning the
effect, if any, of such new Treasury regulations on an investment in the
Notes.
 
                                      60
<PAGE>
 
                                 ERISA MATTERS
 
  The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),
imposes certain restrictions on employee benefit plans ("Plans") that are
subject to ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code and on persons who are
fiduciaries with respect to such Plans. In accordance with ERISA's general
fiduciary requirements, a fiduciary with respect to any such Plan who is
considering the purchase of Notes on behalf of such Plan should determine
whether such purchase is permitted under the governing Plan documents and is
prudent and appropriate for the Plan in view of its overall investment policy
and the composition and diversification of its portfolio. Other provisions of
ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit certain transactions involving the
assets of a Plan and persons who have certain specified relationships to the
Plan ("parties in interest" within the meaning of ERISA or "disqualified
persons" within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code). Thus, a Plan
fiduciary considering the purchase of the Notes should consider whether such a
purchase might constitute or result in a prohibited transaction under ERISA or
Section 4975 of the Code.
 
  The Company, directly or through it affiliates, may be considered a "party
in interest" or a "disqualified person" with respect to many Plans that are
subject to ERISA. The purchase of Notes by a Plan that is subject to the
fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA or the prohibited transaction
provisions of Section 4975 of the Code (including individual retirement
accounts and other plans described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code) and with
respect to which the Company is a party in interest or a disqualified person
may constitute or result in a prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section
4975 of the Code, unless such Notes are acquired pursuant to and in accordance
with an applicable exemption, such as Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption
("PTCE") 84-14 (an exemption for certain transactions entered into at the
direction of an independent qualified professional asset manager), PTCE 91-38
(an exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment
funds), PTCE 90-1 (an exemption for certain transactions involving insurance
company pooled separate accounts), PTCE 95-60 (an exemption for certain
transactions involving insurance company general accounts) or PTCE 96-23 (an
exemption for certain transactions entered into at the discretion of certain
in-house asset managers). Any persons acquiring and holding Notes for or on
behalf of any Plan, or for or on behalf of any entity which is deemed to hold
the assets of any Plan for purposes of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code (a
"Plan Asset Entity"), shall be deemed to have represented to Presidential that
at least one of the foregoing exemptions is available with respect to such
acquisition and holding and that all applicable conditions of such exemption
have been satisfied (and will continue to be satisfied so long as the Notes
are held), or that such person has otherwise determined after due inquiry that
such acquisition and holding will not involve a prohibited transaction under
Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. Any persons proposing to
acquire Notes for or on behalf of any Plan or Plan Asset Entity should consult
with its counsel as to the propriety of such acquisition under ERISA and
Section 4975 of the Code.
 
                                      61
<PAGE>
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
   
  With respect to the offering of Notes, the following summary of the plan of
distribution will be supplemented by a description of such offering, including
the particular terms and conditions thereof (which shall include the rate of
interest), set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to such
Notes.     
 
  The Company may sell the Notes in any of three ways: (i) through
underwriters or dealers; (ii) directly to one or a limited number of
institutional purchasers; or (iii) through agents. Each Prospectus Supplement
with respect to an issue of Notes will set forth the terms of the offering of
such Notes, including the name or names of any underwriters or agents, the
price of such Notes and the net proceeds to the Company from such sale, any
underwriting discounts, commissions or other items constituting underwriters'
or agents' compensation, any discount or concessions allowed or reallowed or
paid to dealers and any securities exchanges on which such Notes may be
listed.
 
  If underwriters are used in the sale, the Notes will be acquired by the
underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one
or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public
offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The Notes
may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates of
investment banking firms represented by managing underwriters, or directly by
one or more such investment banking firms or others, as designated. Unless
otherwise set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the obligations
of the underwriters to purchase the Notes will be subject to certain
conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of
the Notes offered thereby if any are purchased. Any initial public offering
price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers
may be changed from time to time.
 
  Notes may be sold directly by the Company to one or more institutional
purchasers, or through agents designated by the Company from time to time. Any
agent involved in the offer or sale of the Notes will be named, and any
commissions payable by the Company to such agent will be set forth, in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in such
Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis
for the period of its appointment.
 
  Until the distribution of the Notes is completed, rules of the Commission
may limit the ability of underwriters to bid for and purchase the Notes. As an
exception to these rules, underwriters are permitted to engage in certain
transactions that stabilize the price of the Notes. Such transactions consist
of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the
price of the Notes. If underwriters create a short position in the Notes in
connection with the offering, i.e., if they sell more Notes than are set forth
on the cover page of the applicable Prospectus Supplement, underwriters may
reduce that short position by purchasing Notes in the open market. In general,
purchase of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to reduce a short
position could cause the price of the security to be higher than it might be
in the absence of such purchases. Such activities, if commenced, may be
discontinued at any time.
 
  If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will
authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain
specified institutions to purchase the Notes from the Company at the public
offering price set forth in such Prospectus Supplement plus accrued interest,
if any, pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and
delivery on one or more specified dates in the future. Institutions with which
such contracts my be made include commercial and saving banks, insurance
companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable
institutions and others, but in all such cases such institutions must be
approved by the Company. Such contracts will be subject only to those
conditions set forth in such Prospectus Supplement and such Prospectus
Supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such
contracts.
 
  Agents and underwriters may be entitled under agreements entered into with
the Company to indemnification by the Company against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to
contribution with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be
required to make in respect thereof.
 
  Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with or perform services
for the Company in the ordinary course of business.
 
 
                                      62
<PAGE>
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  The validity of the issuance of the Notes will be passed upon for the
Company by Willkie Farr & Gallagher, New York, New York. Certain legal matters
relating to the offering of the Notes will be passed upon for the Underwriters
by Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, New York, New York.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The Consolidated Financial Statements and financial statement schedules of
the Company as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 1997 included and incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
auditors, as stated in their reports appearing and incorporated by reference
herein, and have been so included and incorporated by reference in reliance
upon such reports given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
  With respect to the unaudited interim financial information for the three-
month and six-month periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 which is included and
incorporated herein by reference, Deloitte & Touche LLP have applied limited
procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such
information. However, as stated in their report for the quarter ended June 30,
1998 and included elsewhere herein, they did not audit and they do not express
an opinion on that interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of
reliance on their report on such information should be restricted in light of
the limited nature of the review procedures applied. Deloitte & Touche LLP are
not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of
1933 for their report on the unaudited interim financial information because
this report is not a "report" or a "part" of the registration statement
prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11
of the Act.
 
                                      63
<PAGE>
 
                     GLOSSARY OF SELECTED INSURANCE TERMS
 
A.M. Best....................  A.M. Best Company, the publisher of Best's
                                Insurance Report.
 
Annuity......................  A contract that provides for a fixed or
                                variable periodic payment made from a stated
                                or contingent date and continued for a
                                specified period, such as for a number of
                                years (certain period) or for life (life
                                contingent), either immediately or after a
                                stated accumulation period.

Asset Valuation Reserve; 
 AVR.........................  AVR establishes statutory reserves for all
                                investments. AVR generally captures all
                                realized and unrealized gains and losses on
                                such assets, other than those resulting from
                                changes in interest rates. AVR has no effect
                                on financial statements prepared in conformity
                                with GAAP.
 
Cash Surrender Value.........  The amount of cash that may be realized by the
                                owner of an annuity contract or life insurance
                                policy with a life insurance company upon
                                lapse or surrender of the policy or contract
                                prior to its maturity.
 
Cede, Ceding Company.........  When a company reinsures all or a portion of
                                its risk with another, it "cedes" business and
                                is referred to as the "ceding company."
 
Credited Rates...............  Interest rates applied to annuity contracts and
                                life insurance policies whether contractually
                                guaranteed or currently declared for a
                                specified period.
 
Deferred Annuity (single
 premium deferred
 annuity/flexible premium
 deferred annuity)...........  An annuity that: (i) can be paid either with a
                                single premium or an initial premium and
                                additional optional premiums; and (ii)
                                includes a schedule of periodic income
                                benefits to commence after an accumulation
                                period.
 

Deferred Policy Acquisition
 Costs ("DAC")...............  Agents' and brokers' commissions, premiums,
                                taxes, marketing, underwriting and other
                                direct expenses which vary with and are
                                directly related to the production of
                                business. These acquisition costs are deferred
                                and amortized to achieve a matching of
                                revenues and expenses when reported in
                                financial statements prepared in conformity
                                with GAAP.
 
Deposits.....................  All payments and other consideration received
                                on certain contracts, principally universal
                                and investment type contracts. These amounts
                                are not included in revenues under GAAP but
                                are included directly in policyholder account
                                balances.
 
Flexible Premium Annuities...  Annuities that permit annual premium payments
                                in such amounts as the holder deems
                                appropriate.
 
 
                                      64
<PAGE>
 
Generally Accepted
 Accounting Principles;
 GAAP........................  United States generally accepted accounting
                                principles as defined by the American
                                Institute of Certified Public Accountants and
                                the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
 
Guaranty Funds...............  Funds created in all states, the District of
                                Columbia and Puerto Rico by law, to cover
                                funding shortfalls in paying claims of
                                insolvent insurance companies. These funds are
                                maintained by assessments of insurance
                                companies operating in a particular state in
                                proportion to their business written in that
                                state.
 
In Force.....................  The total face amount of insurance coverage
                                under contracts that have not expired.

Interest Maintenance 
 Reserve; IMR................  IMR captures the net gains and losses from
                                changes in the overall level of interest rates
                                that are realized upon the sale of investments
                                prior to maturity and amortizes these net
                                realized gains into income over the remaining
                                life of each investment sold. IMR has no
                                effect on financial statements prepared in
                                conformity with GAAP.
 
IRIS.........................  The NAIC's Insurance Regulatory Information
                                System.
 
Lapse........................  Termination of a policy because of surrender,
                                failure to pay a premium or lack of sufficient
                                cash value to maintain in force status.
 
National Association of
 Insurance Commissioners
 (the "NAIC")................  An association made up of the officials of each
                                state responsible for the administration of
                                that state's insurance laws.
 
Net Investment Income........  Earnings on the investment portfolio of assets,
                                net of related investment expenses.
 
NYSDI........................  The New York State Department of Insurance.
 
Persistency..................  The rate which insurance policies or annuity
                                contracts remain in force, expressed as a
                                percentage of the number of policies remaining
                                in force over the previous year.
 
Premiums.....................  Payments and considerations received during the
                                year on annuity contracts and insurance
                                policies, other than universal life and
                                investment-type contracts, issued or reinsured
                                (assumed less ceded) by an insurance company
                                and accounted for as revenues under GAAP.
 
Reinsurance..................  The practice whereby one party, called the
                                reinsurer or assuming company, in
                                consideration of a premium paid to such party,
                                agrees to indemnify another party, called the
                                ceding company. Reinsurance provides a primary
                                insurer with three major benefits: it reduces
                                net liability on individual risks; it helps to
                                protect against catastrophic losses; and it
                                helps to maintain acceptable surplus and
                                reserve ratios. Reinsurance provides a primary
                                insurer with additional underwriting capacity
                                in that the primary insurer
 
                                      65
<PAGE>
 
                               can accept larger risks and can expand the
                               volume of business it writes without increasing
                               its capital base. Reinsurance may be on an
                               assumption basis, which effectively transfers
                               to the reinsurer all rights and obligations on
                               the business reinsured. Reinsurance may be on a
                               coinsurance basis, which means that the
                               reinsure accepts a stated proportion of all
                               policy risks. Reinsurance may be on an excess
                               or stop l loss basis, which means that the
                               reinsurer is responsible for any benefits in
                               excess of a stated amount.
 
Reserves....................  Liabilities established by an insurer to reflect
                               the estimated discounted present value of cost
                               of claims, payments or contract liabilities and
                               the related expenses that the insurer
                               ultimately will be required to pay in respect
                               of insurance or annuities it has written.
 
Retention...................  In a reinsurance context, the amount or portion
                               of risk which a ceding insurer retains for its
                               own account. Losses paid by a ceding insurer in
                               excess of the retention level are then owed to
                               the insurer by the reinsurer.
 
Risk-Based Capital
 Requirements...............  Regulatory and rating agency targeted surplus
                               based on the relationship of statutory capital
                               and surplus, with certain adjustments, to the
                               sum of stated percentages of each element of a
                               specified list of company risk exposures.

Single Premium Deferred 
 Annuities..................  Annuities that require a one-time lump sum
                               payment of consideration upon the issuance of
                               the contract with benefit payments commencing
                               at some future date following an accumulation
                               period.

Single Premium Immediate 
 Annuities..................  Annuities that require a one-time lump sum
                               payment of consideration upon the issuance of
                               the contract and which begin benefit payments
                               immediately after issuance.
 

Statutory Accounting
 Practices ("Statutory")....  Accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
                               state insurance regulatory authorities.
                               Statutory emphasizes solvency rather than
                               operating results which match revenues and
                               expenses during an accounting period.
 
Statutory Reserves..........  Monetary amounts established by state insurance
                               law that an insurer must have available to
                               provide for future obligations with respect to
                               all policies. Statutory reserves are
                               liabilities on the balance sheet of financial
                               statements prepared in conformity with
                               statutory accounting practices.
 
Statutory Surplus...........  The excess of statutory admitted assets over
                               statutory liabilities as shown on an insurer's
                               statutory financial statements.
 

Superintendent..............  The Superintendent of Insurance of the State of
                               New York.
 
 
                                      66
<PAGE>
 
Surrender Charge.............  The fee charged to a policyholder when an
                                annuity or life insurance policy is
                                surrendered for its cash value. Such charge is
                                intended to recover policy acquisition costs
                                and act as a deterrent to early surrender.
                                Surrender charges typically grade down over a
                                set period of time as a percentage of the
                                account values in relation to the anticipated
                                amortization of the deferred policy
                                acquisition costs until there are no more
                                surrender charges.
 
Surrenders and Withdrawals...  Surrenders of annuity contracts and life
                                insurance policies for their entire net cash
                                surrender values and withdrawals of a portion
                                of such values.
 
Term Life Insurance..........  Life insurance protection during a certain
                                number of years but expiring without policy
                                cash value if the insured survives the stated
                                period. Most term policies provide for
                                guaranteed continuation of coverage for life
                                at increased premium rates.
 
Total Admitted Assets........  Assets which have been recognized and approved
                                by regulatory authorities in evaluating the
                                financial condition of an insurance company.
 
Underwriting.................  The process of examining, accepting or
                                rejecting insurance risks, and classifying
                                those accepted, in order to charge the proper
                                premium for each.
 
Universal Life Insurance.....  Life insurance under which: (i) premiums and
                                credited interest rates generally are
                                flexible; (ii) the level of death benefits may
                                be adjusted; and (iii) expenses and other
                                charges are specifically disclosed to the
                                purchaser. This type of policy is sometimes
                                referred to as unbundled life insurance
                                because its three basis elements (investment
                                earnings, cost of insurance and expenses
                                charges) are separately identified both in the
                                policy and in an annual report to the
                                policyholder.
 
Whole Life Insurance.........  Insurance that may be kept in force for a
                                person's entire life by paying one ore more
                                premiums. It is paid for in one of three
                                different ways; (i) ordinary life insurance
                                (premiums are payable as long as the insured
                                lives); (ii) limited payment life insurance
                                (premiums are payable over a specified number
                                of years); and (ii) single premium life
                                insurance (a lump sum amount paid at the
                                inception of the policy). The insurance policy
                                pays a benefit (contractual amount adjusted
                                for items such as policy loans and dividends,
                                if any) at the death of the insured. Whole
                                life insurance contracts also build up
                                nonforfeiture benefits.
 
                                      67
<PAGE>
 
                         PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>   
<S>                                                                       <C>
AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                 PAGE
                                                                          -----
Independent Auditors' Report............................................    F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1996 and 1997...............    F-3
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1995,
 1996 and 1997..........................................................    F-4
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended
 December 31, 1995, 1996
 and 1997...............................................................    F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
 1995, 1996 and 1997....................................................    F-6
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements..........................    F-7
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Independent Accountants' Report.........................................   F-22
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1997 and June 30, 1998......   F-23
Consolidated Statements of Income for the six months ended June 30, 1997
 and 1998...............................................................   F-24
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended June 30,
 1997 and 1998..........................................................   F-25
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the six months ended
 June 30, 1997 and 1998.................................................   F-26
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30,
 1997 and 1998..........................................................   F-27
Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements....................   F-28
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
I I Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parent Company Only)...................  Sch-1
I I Condensed Statements of Income (Parent Company Only)................  Sch-2
I I Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Parent Company Only)............  Sch-3
III Supplemental Insurance Information..................................  Sch-4
IV Reinsurance..........................................................  Sch-5
</TABLE>    
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
 Presidential Life Corporation
 Nyack, New York 10960
   
  We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Presidential
Life Corporation and subsidiaries ("the Company") as of December 31, 1997 and
1996 and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity
and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1997. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the
foregoing Index to Financial Statements. These financial statements and
financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.     
   
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.     
   
  In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December
31, 1997 and 1996 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, such
financial statements schedules, when considered in relation to the basic
consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all
material respects the information set forth therein.     
 
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
       
New York, New York
February 12, 1998
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                 PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                              ---------------------------------
                                                    1996             1997
                                              ---------------- ----------------
                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<S>                                           <C>              <C>
ASSETS:
Investments:
  Fixed maturities:
  Available for sale......................... $      1,823,349 $      1,909,924
  Common stocks..............................           42,059           45,773
  Mortgage Loans.............................           18,622           17,865
  Real Estate................................              426              417
  Policy Loans...............................           18,068           18,120
  Short-term investments.....................          240,038          264,098
  Other invested assets......................          176,103          208,162
                                              ---------------- ----------------
    Total investments........................        2,318,665        2,464,359
Cash and cash equivalents....................              819           13,480
Accrued investment income....................           32,474           28,167
Deferred policy acquisition costs............           39,783           37,685
Furniture and equipment, net.................              329              567
Amounts due from reinsurers..................            7,775            8,249
Other assets.................................            1,532            1,222
Assets held in separate account..............            5,548            4,612
                                              ---------------- ----------------
    TOTAL ASSETS............................. $      2,406,925 $      2,558,341
                                              ================ ================
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Liabilities:
Policy Liabilities:
 Policyholders' account balances............. $      1,260,545 $      1,280,900
 Future policy benefits:
  Annuity....................................          365,321          380,109
  Life and accident and health...............           49,859           50,848
 Other policy liabilities....................            2,690            3,124
                                              ---------------- ----------------
    Total policy liabilities.................        1,678,415        1,714,981
Dollar repurchase agreements.................          200,883          205,202
Notes payable................................           50,000           50,000
Short term note payable......................            5,000           20,000
Deposits on policies to be issued............            1,270            2,436
Deferred federal income taxes................           31,649           46,575
General expenses and taxes accrued...........            7,294            7,074
Other liabilities............................            3,803            4,807
Liabilities related to separate account......            5,548            4,612
                                              ---------------- ----------------
    Total liabilities........................        1,983,862        2,055,687
                                              ---------------- ----------------
Shareholders' Equity:
Capital stock ($.01 par value, authorized
 100,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding
 32,621,549 shares in 1997 and 32,992,835
 shares in 1996).............................              330              326
Additional paid-in capital...................           24,023           18,274
Net unrealized investment gains..............           40,294           71,540
Retained earnings............................          358,416          412,514
                                              ---------------- ----------------
    Total Shareholders' Equity...............          423,063          502,654
                                              ---------------- ----------------
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
     EQUITY.................................. $      2,406,925 $      2,558,341
                                              ================ ================
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial
                                  Statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                 PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                        -------------------------------------
                                           1995         1996         1997
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------
                                         (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>
REVENUES:
 Insurance revenues:
  Premiums............................. $     4,408  $     4,244  $     3,976
  Annuity considerations...............       3,780        8,461       19,655
  Universal life and investment type
   policy fee income...................       1,934        2,090        1,988
 Net investment income.................     170,780      186,180      191,818
 Realized investment gains.............      17,216       20,020       26,039
 Other income..........................       1,746        2,679        4,228
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------
    TOTAL REVENUES.....................     199,864      223,674      247,704
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES:
 Death and other life insurance
  benefits.............................       7,366        6,887        7,236
 Annuity benefits......................      36,016       36,510       37,867
 Interest credited to policyholders'
  account balances.....................      78,802       75,252       76,202
 Interest expense on notes payable.....       5,045        5,049        5,850
 Other interest and other charges......         427          330          445
 Increase (decrease) in liability for
  future policy benefits...............       1,312        5,281       15,248
 Commissions to agents, net............       3,025        3,215        4,357
 General expenses and taxes............      11,940       13,944       12,813
 Decrease (increase) in deferred policy
  acquisition costs....................        (459)         849       (2,872)
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------
    TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES........     143,474      147,317      157,146
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------
Income before income taxes.............      56,390       76,357       90,558
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------
Provision (benefit) for income taxes:
  Current..............................       9,495       23,199       31,165
  Deferred.............................      (2,163)      (1,363)      (1,899)
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------
                                              7,332       21,836       29,266
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------
NET INCOME............................. $    49,058  $    54,521  $    61,292
                                        ===========  ===========  ===========
Weighted average number of shares
 outstanding during the year...........  33,631,719   33,184,294   32,734,733
                                        ===========  ===========  ===========
Earnings per common share.............. $      1.46  $      1.64  $      1.87
                                        ===========  ===========  ===========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial
                                  Statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                 PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  NET
                                               UNREALIZED
                                    ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT
                            CAPITAL  PAID-IN     GAINS     RETAINED
                             STOCK   CAPITAL    (LOSSES)   EARNINGS   TOTAL
                            ------- ---------- ----------  --------  --------
                                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<S>                         <C>     <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>
Balance at January 1,
 1995......................  $337    $31,751   $ (39,463)  $263,328  $255,953
Net income.................                                  49,058    49,058
Increase in Unrealized
 Investment Gains, Net.....                      101,195              101,195
Purchase and Retirement of
 Stock.....................    (2)    (1,704)                          (1,706)
Issuance of Shares under
 Stock Option Plan.........               83                               83
Dividends Paid to
 Shareholders ($.105 per
 share)....................                                  (3,523)   (3,523)
                             ----    -------   ---------   --------  --------
Balance at December 31,
 1995......................   335     30,130      61,732    308,863   401,060
Net income.................                                  54,521    54,521
Change in Unrealized
 Investment Gains, Net.....                      (21,438)             (21,438)
Purchase and Retirement of
 Stock.....................    (7)    (7,031)                          (7,038)
Issuance of Shares under
 Stock Option Plan.........     2        924                              926
Dividends Paid to
 Shareholders ($.15 per
 share)....................                                  (4,968)   (4,968)
                             ----    -------   ---------   --------  --------
Balance at December 31,
 1996......................   330     24,023      40,294    358,416   423,063
Net income.................                                  61,292    61,292
Change in Unrealized
 Investment Gains, Net.....                       31,246               31,246
Purchase and Retirement of
 Stock.....................    (4)    (5,758)                          (5,762)
Issuance of Shares under
 Stock Option Plan.........                9                                9
Dividends Paid to
 Shareholders ($.22 per
 share)....................                                  (7,194)   (7,194)
                             ----    -------   ---------   --------  --------
Balance at December 31,
 1997......................  $326    $18,274   $  71,540   $412,514  $502,654
                             ====    =======   =========   ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial
                                  Statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                 PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                         -------------------------------------
                                            1995         1996         1997
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                      <C>          <C>          <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 Net income............................. $    49,058  $    54,521  $    61,292
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to
  net cash provided by operating
  activities:
  Benefit for deferred income taxes.....      (2,163)      (1,363)      (1,899)
  Depreciation and amortization.........         499          439          474
  Net accrual of discount on fixed matu-
   rities...............................      (1,108)      (1,184)      (4,181)
  Realized investment gains.............     (17,216)     (20,020)     (26,039)
 Changes in:
  Accrued investment income.............     (11,531)       1,854        4,307
  Deferred policy acquisition costs.....        (459)         849       (2,872)
  Federal income tax recoverable........       8,657          477            0
  Liability for future policy benefits..       1,588        5,689       15,777
  Other items...........................       2,911        2,612          436
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
    Net Cash Provided by Operating
     Activities.........................      30,241       43,928       47,295
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 Fixed Maturities:
  Available for Sale:
   Acquisitions.........................    (326,630)    (302,778)    (338,058)
   Sales................................      44,453       13,713       29,325
   Maturities, calls and repayments.....      90,147      259,108      252,383
 Common Stocks:
   Acquisitions.........................     (25,087)     (15,663)     (18,722)
   Sales................................      73,449       54,369       68,377
 Decrease (increase) in short term
  investments and policy loans..........     (62,357)     (46,884)     (24,112)
 Other Invested Assets:
   Additions to other invested assets...     (31,655)     (62,045)    (110,760)
   Distributions from other invested
    assets..............................      23,812       36,274       78,701
 Purchase of property and equipment.....         (41)        (154)        (409)
 Mortgage loan on real estate...........      (1,392)         393          757
 Amounts due from security
  transactions..........................      52,588            0            0
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities...    (162,713)     (63,667)     (62,518)
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Proceeds from Dollar Repurchase
  Agreements............................   1,670,600    2,308,967    2,429,540
 Repayment of Dollar Repurchase
  Agreements............................  (1,549,547)  (2,268,500)  (2,425,221)
 Proceeds from line of credit...........           0        5,000       15,000
 Increase (decrease) in policyholders'
  account balances......................      14,207       (9,353)      20,355
 Repurchase of common stock.............      (1,706)      (7,038)      (5,762)
 Deposits on policies to be issued......       1,342       (1,677)       1,166
 Dividends paid to shareholders.........      (3,526)      (4,967)      (7,194)
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activi-
 ties...................................     131,370       22,432       27,884
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash
 Equivalents............................      (1,102)       2,693       12,661
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning
 of Year................................        (772)      (1,874)         819
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of
 Year................................... $    (1,874) $       819  $    13,480
                                         ===========  ===========  ===========
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure:
 Income Taxes Paid...................... $     6,887  $    27,303  $    27,700
                                         ===========  ===========  ===========
 Interest Paid.......................... $     4,750  $     4,750  $     5,508
                                         ===========  ===========  ===========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial
                                  Statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 A. Business
 
  Presidential Life Corporation ("the Company"), through its wholly-owned
subsidiary Presidential Life Insurance Company ("the Insurance Company"), is
engaged in the sale of life insurance and annuities.
 
 B. Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
 
  The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").
Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year's
presentation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires that management make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 C. Investments
 
  Fixed maturity investments available for sale represent investments which
may be sold in response to changes in various economic conditions. These
investments are carried at estimated market value and net unrealized gains
(losses), net of the effects of amortization of deferred policy acquisition
costs and deferred Federal income taxes are credited or charged directly to
shareholders' equity, unless a decline in market value is considered to be
other than temporary in which case the investment is reduced to its net
realizable value. Equity securities include common stocks and non-redeemable
preferred stocks and are carried at estimated market, with the related
unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred income tax effect, if any,
charged or credited directly to shareholders' equity, unless a decline in
market value is deemed to be other than temporary in which case the investment
is reduced to its net realizable value.
 
  "Other invested assets" are recorded at the lower of cost or market, or
equity as appropriate, and primarily include interests in limited
partnerships, which principally are engaged in real estate, international
opportunities, acquisitions of private growth companies, debt restructuring
and merchant banking. In general, risks associated with such limited
partnerships include those related to their underlying investments (i.e.,
equity securities, debt securities and real estate), plus a level of
illiquidity, which is mitigated by the ability of the Company to take annual
distributions of partnership earnings. To evaluate the appropriateness of the
carrying value of a limited partnership interest, management maintains ongoing
discussions with the investment manager and considers the limited
partnership's operation, its current and near term projected financial
condition, earnings capacity, and distributions received by the Company during
the year. Because it is not practicable to obtain an independent valuation for
each limited partnership interest, for purposes of disclosure the market value
of a limited partnership interest is estimated at book value. Management
believes that the net realizable value of such limited partnership interests,
in the aggregate, exceeds their related carrying value as of December 31, 1997
and 1996. As of December 31, 1997, the Company was committed to contribute, if
called upon, an aggregate of approximately $73.7 million of additional capital
to certain of these limited partnerships.
 
  In evaluating whether an investment security or other investment has
suffered an impairment in value which is deemed to be "other than temporary",
management considers all available evidence. When a decline in the value of an
investment security or other investment is considered to be other than
temporary, the investment is reduced to its net realizable value, (which
contemplates the price that can be obtained from the sale of such asset in the
ordinary course of business) which becomes the new cost basis. The amount of
reduction is recorded as a realized loss. A recovery from the adjusted cost
basis is recognized as a realized gain only at sale.
 
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  The Company participates in "dollar roll" repurchase agreement transactions
to enhance investment income. Dollar roll transactions involve the sale of
certain mortgage backed securities to a holding institution and a simultaneous
agreement to purchase substantially similar securities for forward settlement
at a lower dollar price. The proceeds are invested in short-term securities at
a positive spread until the settlement date of the similar securities. During
this period, the holding institution receives all income and prepayments for
the security. Dollar roll repurchase agreement transactions are treated as
financing transactions for financial reporting purposes.
 
  Realized gains and losses on disposal of investments are determined for
fixed maturities and equity securities by the specific-identification method.
 
  Investments in short-term securities, which consist primarily of United
States Treasury Notes and corporate debt issues maturing in less than one
year, are recorded at amortized cost which approximates market. Mortgage loans
are stated at their amortized indebtedness. Policy loans are stated at their
unpaid principal balance.
 
  The Company's investments in real estate include two buildings in Nyack, New
York, which are occupied entirely by the Company. The investments are carried
at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation has been provided on a
straight line basis at the rate of 4% per annum for one building and 5% per
annum for the other. Accumulated depreciation amounted to $204,400 and
$201,200 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and related depreciation
expense for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $3,200,
$3,200 and $3,200, respectively.
 
 D. Furniture and Equipment
 
  Furniture and equipment is carried at cost and depreciated on a straight
line basis over a period of five to ten years except for automobiles which are
depreciated over a period of three years. Accumulated depreciation amounted to
$219,300 and $4,100,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and
related depreciation expense for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997 was $163,700, $187,200 and $192,000, respectively.
 
 E. Recognition of Insurance Income and Related Expenses
 
  Premiums from traditional life and annuity policies with life contingencies
are recognized generally as income over the premium paying period. Benefits
and expenses are matched with such income so as to result in the recognition
of profits over the life of the contracts. This matching is accomplished by
means of the provision for liabilities for future policy benefits and the
deferral and subsequent amortization of policy acquisition costs.
 
  For contracts with a single premium or a limited number of premium payments
due over a significantly shorter period than the total period over which
benefits are provided ("limited payment contracts"), premiums are recorded as
income when due with any excess profit deferred and recognized in income in a
constant relationship to insurance in force or, for annuities, the amount of
expected future benefit payments.
 
  Premiums from universal life and investment-type contracts are reported as
deposits to policyholders' account balances. Revenues from these contracts
consist of amounts assessed during the period against policyholders' account
balances for mortality charges and surrender charges. Policy benefits and
claims that are charged to expense include benefit claims incurred in the
period in excess of related policyholders' account balances and interest
credited to policyholders' account balances.
 
  For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, approximately
67.3%, 78.3% and 83.5%, respectively, of premiums from traditional life,
annuity, universal life and investment-type contracts received by
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
the Company were attributable to sales to annuitants and policyholders
residing in the State of New York. In addition, approximately 0%, 0% and 12.5%
of the Company's total insurance revenues from those respective years were
attributable to sales through an agency principally owned by a director of the
Company until his death in December 1995. Management believes that the
Company's transactions with such agency were made on terms at least as fair to
the Company as could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties. Compensation
of agents is strictly regulated by the New York State Department of Insurance.
 
 F. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
 
  The costs of acquiring new business (principally commissions, certain
underwriting, agency and policy issue expenses), all of which vary with and
are primarily related to the production of new business, have generally been
deferred. When a policy is surrendered, the remaining unamortized cost is
written off. Deferred policy acquisition costs are subject to recoverability
testing at time of policy issue and loss recognition testing at the end of
each fiscal year.
 
  For immediate annuities with life contingencies, deferred policy acquisition
costs are amortized over the life of the contract, in proportion to expected
future benefit payments.
 
  For traditional life policies, deferred policy acquisition costs are
amortized over the premium paying periods of the related policies using
assumptions that are consistent with those used in computing the liability for
future policy benefits. Assumptions as to anticipated premiums are estimated
at the date of policy issue and are consistently applied during the life of
the contracts. For these contracts the amortization periods generally are for
the scheduled life of the policy, not to exceed 30 years.
 
  Deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized over periods ranging from 15
to 25 years for universal life products and investment-type products as a
constant percentage of estimated gross profits arising principally from
surrender charges and interest and mortality margins based on historical and
anticipated future experience, updated regularly. The effects of revisions to
reflect actual experience on previous amortization of deferred policy
acquisition costs, subject to the limitation that the accrued interest on the
deferred acquisition costs balance may not exceed the amount of amortization
for the year, are reflected in earnings in the period estimated gross profits
are revised.
 
  Unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs for the years ended December
31, 1997 and 1996 are summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1996     1997
                                                              -------  -------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
   <S>                                                        <C>      <C>
   Balance at the beginning of year.......................... $33,330  $39,783
   Current year's costs deferred.............................   6,307    9,783
                                                              -------  -------
     Total...................................................  39,637   49,566
   Less, amortization for the year...........................   7,150    6,581
                                                              -------  -------
     Total...................................................  32,487   42,985
   Change in amortization (benefit) related to unrealized
    gain (loss) in investments...............................  (7,296)   5,300
                                                              -------  -------
   Balance at the end of the year............................ $39,783  $37,685
                                                              =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
 G. Future Policy Benefits
 
  Future policy benefits for traditional life insurance policies are computed
using a net level premium method on the basis of actuarial assumptions as to
mortality, persistency and interest established at policy issue.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
Assumptions established at policy issue as to mortality and persistency are
based on anticipated experience which, together with interest and expense
assumptions, provide a margin for adverse deviation. Benefit liabilities for
deferred annuities during the accumulation period are equal to accumulated
contract-holders' fund balances and after annuitization are equal to the
present value of expected future payments. During the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1997, interest rates used in establishing such
liabilities range from 4.5% to 11% for life insurance liabilities and from
5.5% to 13.60% for annuity liabilities.
 
 
 H. Policyholders' Account Balances
 
  Policyholders' account balances for universal life and investment-type
contracts are equal to the policy account values. The policy account values
represent an accumulation of gross premium payments plus credited interest
less mortality and expense charges and withdrawals.
 
  These account balances are summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1995       1996       1997
                                              ---------- ---------- ----------
                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
   <S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>
   Account balances at beginning of year..... $1,255,691 $1,269,898 $1,260,545
   Additions to account balances.............    199,510    190,559    209,568
                                              ---------- ---------- ----------
     Total...................................  1,455,201  1,460,457  1,470,113
   Deductions from account balances..........    185,303    199,912    189,213
                                              ---------- ---------- ----------
   Account balances at end of year........... $1,269,898 $1,260,545 $1,280,900
                                              ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
  Interest rates credited to account balances ranged from 4% to 12.5% in 1997,
1996 and 1995.
 
 I. Federal Income Taxes
 
  The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated Federal income tax
return. The asset and liability method in recording income taxes on all
transactions that have been recognized in the financial statements is used.
Deferred taxes are adjusted to reflect tax rates at which future tax
liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or realized.
 
 J. Separate Accounts
 
  Separate Accounts are established in conformity with New York State
Insurance Law and represent funds for which investment income and investment
gains and losses accrue to the policyholders. Assets and liabilities (stated
at market value) of the Separate Account, representing net deposits and
accumulated net investment earnings less fees, held primarily for the benefit
of contract-holders, are shown as separate captions in the consolidated
balance sheets.
 
  Deposits to the Separate Account are reported as increases in Separate
Account liabilities and are not reported in revenues. Mortality, policy
administration and surrender charges to the Separate Account are included in
revenues.
 
 K. Earnings Per Common Share
 
  The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement No. 128,
"Earnings Per Share" (SFAS No. 128) which specifies the computation,
presentation and disclosure requirements of earnings per share for entities
with publicly held common stock and potential common stock. Earnings per share
(EPS) presented on the face on the consolidated income statement has been
calculated to reflect the adoption of SFAS No. 128
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
by the Company. Basic EPS is computed based upon the weighted average number
of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS is computed based
upon the weighted average number of common shares including contingently
issuable shares and other dilutive items. The weighted average number of
common shares used to compute diluted EPS for the year ending December 31,
1997 was 32,736,202. The dilution from the potential exercise of stock options
outstanding did not change basic EPS.
 
 L. Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
  Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand and amounts due from banks
with an original maturity of three months or less.
 
 M. New Accounting Pronouncements
 
  In December 1996, the FASB issued SFAS No. 127, "Deferral of the Effective
Date of Certain Provisions of FASB Statement No. 125." SFAS No. 127 amends
SFAS No. 125 by deferring for one year the effective date of paragraph 15 of
SFAS No. 125, addressing secured borrowings and collateral, and for repurchase
agreement, dollar roll, security lending and similar transactions, of
paragraphs 9 through 12 and 237(b) of SFAS No. 125. SFAS No. 127 is effective
for certain transactions occurring after December 31, 1997, and must be
applied prospectively. Management is evaluating the impact of SFAS 125 and 127
on the Company.
 
  In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" (SFAS 130), which establishes
standards for displaying comprehensive income and its components in a full set
of general-purpose financial statements. SFAS 130 is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 1997.
 
  Also in June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information" (SFAS 131). SFAS 131 establishes standards for reporting
information about operating segments in annual financial statements and
requires reporting selected information about operating segments in interim
financial reports issued to shareholders. SFAS 131 is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company's current definition of
its operating segments will not change.
 
2. INVESTMENTS
   
  The following information summarizes the components of net investment income
and realized investment gains (losses).
 
  NET INVESTMENT INCOME:
  ---------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                     --------------------------
                                                       1995     1996     1997
                                                     -------- -------- --------
                                                           (IN THOUSANDS)
   <S>                                               <C>      <C>      <C>
   Fixed maturities................................. $128,310 $132,467 $134,740
   Common stocks....................................      733    1,315    1,341
   Short-term investments...........................   14,010   14,226   14,368
   Other investment income..........................   32,497   44,141   48,797
                                                     -------- -------- --------
                                                      175,550  192,149  199,246
   Less investment expenses.........................    4,770    5,969    7,428
                                                     -------- -------- --------
   Net investment income............................ $170,780 $186,180 $191,818
                                                     ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
 
  The carrying value of fixed maturities which were non-income producing for
more than twelve months at December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $0 million, $0
million and $1.5 million, respectively.
 
                                     F-11
<PAGE>
 
                 PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  REALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES):
  ----------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                       ------------------------
                                                        1995    1996     1997
                                                       ------- ------- --------
                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
   <S>                                                 <C>     <C>     <C>
   Fixed maturities................................... $ 5,458 $ 6,735 $ 12,080
   Common stocks......................................  11,758  13,285   13,959
                                                       ------- ------- --------
   Total realized gains on investments................ $17,216 $20,020  $26,039
                                                       ======= ======= ========
</TABLE>
 
  UNREALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES):
  ------------------------------------ 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                    1995      1996      1997
                                                  --------  --------  --------
                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
   <S>                                            <C>       <C>       <C>
   Fixed maturities.............................. $107,521  $ 61,931  $109,995
   Common stocks.................................    3,668     8,438    13,752
                                                  --------  --------  --------
   Unrealized investment gains................... $111,189  $ 70,369  $123,747
   Amortization of deferred acquisition costs....  (16,012)   (8,378)  (13,686)
   Deferred federal income taxes.................  (33,445)  (21,697)  (38,521)
                                                  --------  --------  --------
   Net unrealized investment gain................   61,732    40,294    71,540
                                                  ========  ========  ========
   Change in net unrealized investment gains..... $101,195  $(21,438) $ 31,246
                                                  ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
  The change in unrealized investment gains (losses) shown above resulted
primarily from changes in general economic conditions which directly influenced
investment security markets. These changes were also impacted by writedowns of
investment securities for declines in market values deemed to be other than
temporary.
 
  The following tables provide additional information relating to investments
held by the Company:
 
DECEMBER 31, 1997:
 
  AVAILABLE FOR SALE:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      AMORTIZED   GROSS   UNREALIZED   MARKET
TYPE OF INVESTMENT                       COST     GAINS     LOSSES     VALUE
- ------------------                    ---------- -------- ---------- ----------
                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                   <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>
Fixed Maturities:
Bonds and Notes:
  United States government and
   government agencies and
   authorities....................... $  518,997 $ 21,815  $   (256) $  540,556
  States, municipalities and
   political subdivisions............     26,709    3,574         0      30,283
  Foreign governments................     12,160    2,190         0      14,350
  Public utilities...................    189,555   14,142      (425)    203,272
  All other corporate bonds..........    855,347   74,441    (5,908)    923,880
Preferred stocks, primarily
 corporate...........................    197,161    8,047    (7,625)    197,583
                                      ---------- --------  --------  ----------
Total Fixed Maturities............... $1,799,929 $124,209  $(14,214) $1,909,924
                                      ========== ========  ========  ==========
Common Stocks........................ $   32,021 $ 14,202  $   (450) $   45,773
                                      ========== ========  ========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
DECEMBER 31, 1996:
 
  AVAILABLE FOR SALE:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       AMORTIZED   GROSS  UNREALIZED   MARKET
TYPE OF INVESTMENT                        COST     GAINS    LOSSES     VALUE
- ------------------                     ---------- ------- ---------- ----------
                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                    <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>
Fixed Maturities:
Bonds and Notes:
 United States government and
  government agencies and
  authorities......................... $   29,643 $ 2,287  $    (74) $   31,856
 States, municipalities and political
  subdivisions........................    567,423  10,062    (2,354)    575,130
 Foreign governments..................     12,014     686         0      12,700
 Public utilities.....................    221,755   4,165    (4,966)    220,954
 All other corporate bonds............    774,094  52,386    (9,444)    817,036
Preferred stocks, primarily
 corporate............................    156,488  13,624    (4,439)    165,673
                                       ---------- -------  --------  ----------
Total Fixed Maturities................ $1,761,417 $83,210  $(21,277) $1,823,349
                                       ========== =======  ========  ==========
Common Stocks......................... $   33,621 $ 8,993  $   (555) $   42,059
                                       ========== =======  ========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
  The estimated fair value of fixed maturities available for sale at December
31, 1997, by contractual maturity, are as follows. Expected maturities will
differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to
call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            ESTIMATED FAIR VALUE
                                                            --------------------
                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
   <S>                                                      <C>
   Due in one year or less.................................      $   11,410
   Due after one year through five years...................         143,204
   Due after five years through ten years..................         112,127
   Due after ten years.....................................       1,445,600
                                                                 ----------
   Total debt securities...................................       1,712,341
   Preferred stock.........................................         197,583
                                                                 ----------
   Total...................................................      $1,909,924
                                                                 ==========
</TABLE>
 
  Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities during 1997, 1996 and 1995 were
$718.4 million, $757.7 million and $506.7 million, respectively. During 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively, gross gains of $16.4 million, $7.3 million and
$4.8 million and gross losses of $4.5 million, $7.2 million and $14.7 million
were realized on those sales.
 
  During 1996, the Company restructured or modified the terms of certain fixed
maturity investments. Certain of these restructures included debt for equity
exchanges. The fixed maturity portfolio, based on carrying value, includes
$8.6 million at December 31, 1996 of such restructured securities. These
restructures and modifications had no significant impact on gross interest
income on these fixed maturities (which is included in net investment income).
During 1997, the Company did not restructure or modify the terms of any fixed
maturity investments.
 
  As of December 31, 1997, the Company's mortgage loans were collateralized by
commercial office buildings in New York and Pennsylvania.
 
                                     F-13
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  Investments in U.S. Government and Government Agencies with an aggregate
carrying value of $518,997,000 represents investments owned in any one issuer
that aggregate 10% or more of shareholders' equity as of December 31, 1997.
 
  As of December 31, 1997 securities with a carrying value of approximately
$5.5 million were on deposit with various state insurance departments to
comply with applicable insurance laws.
 
  As part of a proposed rehabilitation plan for Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance
Company ("Fidelity"), on January 11, 1995 the Insurance Company signed a
definitive purchase agreement with the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner and
Fidelity to invest up to $45 million for a minority (49.9%) stake in a
Fidelity subsidiary insurance holding company. In addition, the Company had
agreed to purchase $25 million of Senior Notes of such company.
 
  The Company was informed by the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner that in
response to the significant improvement in the invested assets of Fidelity,
she has reopened the process to select an equity investor for the
recapitalization and rehabilitation of Fidelity. The Company disagreed with
the Insurance Commissioner's actions and commenced litigation which was
settled in the second quarter of 1997. As part of the settlement, the Company
received $1.7 million.
 
3. NOTES PAYABLE
 
  Notes payable at December 31, 1997 and 1996 consist of $50 million, 9 1/2%
senior notes due December 15, 2000. Interest is payable June 15 and December
15. Debt issue costs are being amortized on the interest method over the term
of the notes. As of December 31, 1997, such unamortized costs were $874
thousand. There are no principal payments required for the senior notes over
the next three years and the total principal is due on December 15, 2000. The
senior notes are callable after December 14, 1998.
 
  The indenture governing the senior notes contains covenants relating to
limitations on additional indebtedness, restricted payments, liens and sale or
issuance of capital stock of the Insurance Company. In the event the Company
violates such covenants as defined in the indenture, the Company is obligated
to offer to repurchase 25% of the outstanding principal amount of such notes.
The Company believes that it is in compliance with all of the covenants.
 
  The short-term note payable is a bank line of credit in the amount of
$25,000,000 and provides for interest on borrowings based on market indices.
At December 31, 1997 and 1996 the Company had $20,000,000 and $5,000,000
outstanding, respectively. The short-term note payable outstanding at December
31, 1997 and 1996 had a weighted average interest rate of 6.625% and 6.281%,
respectively.
 
4. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
  The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of its $.01 par value
Common Stock. At December 31, 1997 32,621,549 shares were outstanding and at
December 31, 1996 32,992,835 shares were outstanding.
 
  During the third quarter of 1997, the Company's Board of Directors increased
the quarterly dividend rate to $.06 per share. During 1997 and 1996, the
Company purchased and retired 372,300 and 724,000 shares of common stock,
respectively. The Company is authorized pursuant to a resolution of the Board
of Directors to purchase an additional 232,000 shares of common stock.
 
  Payment of dividends to the Company by the Insurance Company are effectively
restricted by the provisions of the New York Insurance Law ("Insurance Law").
All dividend payments are subject to the review and
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
disapproval by the New York Insurance Department. Under the New York State
Insurance Law, the New York Superintendent has broad discretion to determine
whether the financial condition of a stock life insurance company would
support the payment of dividends to its shareholders.
 
  The New York Insurance Department has established informal guidelines for
the Superintendent's determinations which focus upon, among other things, the
overall financial condition and profitability of the insurer under statutory
accounting practices. During 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Insurance Company paid
dividends of $24.8 million, $15 million and $5 million, respectively, to the
Company.
 
5. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS
 
  (a) Employee Retirement Plan
 
  The Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering all
eligible employees. The Company is both sponsor and administrator of this
plan. The plan provides for pension benefits based on average pay and years of
service. It is the Company's general policy to fund accrued pension costs as
required under ERISA. In 1997, 1996 and 1995 the Company contributed $50,000,
$450,000, and $120,500, respectively to the plan.
 
  Net pension cost included the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                      -------------------------
                                                       1995     1996     1997
                                                      -------  -------  -------
                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
   <S>                                                <C>      <C>      <C>
   Service cost...................................... $   379  $   405  $   436
   Interest cost.....................................     293      330      370
   Actual return on plan assets......................    (293)    (298)    (343)
   Other.............................................       0       11       16
                                                      -------  -------  -------
   Net pension cost.................................. $   379  $   448  $   479
                                                      =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
  The funded status of the plan at December 31, 1997 and 1996 was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ----------------
                                                               1996     1997
                                                              -------  -------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
   <S>                                                        <C>      <C>
   Projected benefits obligation............................. $(5,269) $(5,923)
   Plan assets at fair value.................................   4,444    4,558
                                                              -------  -------
   Assets less then projected benefit........................    (825)  (1,365)
   Unrecognized prior service cost...........................     195      167
   Unrecognized net gain.....................................    (757)    (619)
                                                              -------  -------
   Accrued pension costs..................................... $(1,387) $(1,817)
                                                              =======  =======
   Accumulated benefit obligation:
     Vested.................................................. $ 4,259  $ 4,868
     Nonvested...............................................      33        8
                                                              -------  -------
                                                              $ 4,292  $ 4,876
                                                              =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
 
                                     F-15
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  The following rates were used in computing the pension cost for the years
ended December 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1995 1996 1997
                                                                  ---- ---- ----
   <S>                                                            <C>  <C>  <C>
   Weighted-average discount rate................................ 7.0% 7.0% 7.0%
   Assumed rate of compensation increases........................ 3.0% 3.0% 3.0%
   Expected long-term rates of return............................ 7.5% 7.5% 7.5%
</TABLE>
 
  (b) Employee Savings Plan
 
  The Company adopted an Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 401(k) plan for
its employees effective January 1, 1992. Under the plan, participants may
contribute up to a maximum of 15% of their pre-tax earnings or the dollar
limit as prescribed by IRC Section 415(d). A portion of participants' pre-tax
earnings may be matched by the Company. For the years ended December 31, 1997,
1996 and 1995, the Company's contribution was approximately $43,700, $40,500
and $14,000, respectively.
 
  (c) Employee Stock Option Plan
 
  The Company has adopted an incentive stock option plan recommended by the
Board of Directors and approved by the shareholders. This plan grants options
to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company to officers
and key employees. Option prices are 100% of the fair market value at date of
grant. The following schedule shows all options granted, exercised, expired
and exchanged under the Company's Incentive Stock Option Plan as of December
31, 1997.
 
  Information relating to the options is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         OPTION PRICE
                                                -------------------------------
                                                 NUMBER                TOTAL
                                                OF SHARES  PER SHARE   PRICE
                                                ---------  --------- ----------
   <S>                                          <C>        <C>       <C>
   Outstanding, January 1, 1995................  194,740    $ 4.93   $  961,105
     Granted...................................   45,200      7.53      340,200
     Exercised.................................  (17,128)     4.88      (83,499)
     Canceled..................................   (1,191)     4.88       (5,806)
                                                --------             ----------
   Outstanding, December 31, 1995..............  221,621    $ 5.47   $1,212,000
     Granted...................................   44,400      9.69      430,125
     Exercised................................. (170,433)     4.88     (830,861)
     Canceled..................................  (46,188)     7.20     (332,516)
                                                --------             ----------
   Outstanding, December 31, 1996..............   49,400    $ 9.08   $  448,748
     Granted...................................   66,150     17.49    1,180,706
     Exercised.................................   (1,014)     9.69       (9,826)
     Canceled..................................   (2,525)    12.43      (31,398)
                                                --------             ----------
   Outstanding, December 31, 1997..............  112,011    $14.20   $1,588,230
                                                ========             ==========
</TABLE>
 
  At December 31, 1997, 14,761 options for shares of common stock were
exercisable.
 
  The Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and related
Interpretations in accounting for its stock option plan. Accordingly, no
compensation cost has been recognized for its fixed stock option plan. Had
compensation cost for the Company's stock option plan been determined based on
the fair value at the grant dates for awards under the plan consistent with
the method of FASB Statement 123, the Company's net income
 
                                     F-16
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
and earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 1997 would have
been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                  <C>
   Net income (in thousands)
     As reported....................................................... $61,292
     Pro forma.........................................................  61,188
   Earnings per common share
     As reported.......................................................   $1.87
     Pro forma.........................................................    1.87
</TABLE>
 
 
  The fair value of options granted under the Company's fixed stock option
plan during 1997 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes
option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used:
dividend yield of 1.19%, expected volatility of 29.81%, risk free interest
rate of 7.0%, and expected lives of 4 years.
 
6. INCOME TAXES
 
  The following is a reconciliation of income taxes computed using the Federal
statutory rate with the provision for income taxes for the years ended
December 31,:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1995     1996     1997
                                                    -------  -------  -------
                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
   <S>                                              <C>      <C>      <C>
   Provision for income taxes computed at Federal
    statutory rate................................. $19,737  $26,725  $31,695
   Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting
    from:
   Utilization of prior unrecognized deferred tax
    asset relating to investment losses............  (7,858)  (5,767)    (868)
   Losses producing no current benefit.............   1,262    1,590       81
   Other...........................................  (5,809)    (712)  (1,642)
                                                    -------  -------  -------
   Provision for Federal income taxes.............. $ 7,332  $21,836  $29,266
                                                    =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
  The Company provides for deferred income taxes resulting from temporary
differences which arise from recording certain transactions in different years
for income tax reporting purposes than for financial reporting purposes. The
sources of these differences and the tax effect of each were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1995     1996     1997
                                                     -------  -------  -------
                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
   <S>                                               <C>      <C>      <C>
   Deferred policy acquisition costs................ $   333  $  (742) $   341
   Policyholders' account balances..................    (189)    (216)       5
   Investment adjustments...........................  (1,510)     135     (481)
   Other............................................    (797)    (540)  (1,764)
                                                     -------  -------  -------
   Deferred Federal income tax benefit.............. $(2,163) $(1,363) $(1,899)
                                                     =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
  Deferred federal income taxes reflect the net tax effects of (a) temporary
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for
financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes,
 
                                     F-17
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
and (b) operating loss carryforwards. Significant components of the Company's
net deferred tax (asset) liability as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 are as
follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1996      1997
                                                            --------  --------
   <S>                                                      <C>       <C>
   Deferred income tax asset:
    Investments............................................ $ (5,522) $ (6,003)
    Insurance reserves.....................................   (5,584)   (6,508)
    Operating loss carryforwards...........................   (1,903)   (1,669)
    Other..................................................     (292)     (249)
                                                            --------  --------
                                                             (13,301)  (14,429)
    Valuation allowance....................................    6,072     5,322
                                                            --------  --------
    Net deferred income tax asset.......................... $ (7,229) $ (9,107)
                                                            --------  --------
   Deferred income tax liability:
    Deferred policy acquisition costs...................... $ 15,964  $ 16,305
    Net unrealized investment gains........................   21,697    38,521
    Policyholder account balances..........................       85        90
    Other..................................................    1,132       766
                                                            --------  --------
   Deferred income tax liability...........................   38,878    55,682
                                                            --------  --------
   Net deferred income tax liability....................... $ 31,649  $ 46,575
                                                            ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
  The valuation allowance relates principally to investment writedowns
recorded for financial reporting purposes, which have not been recognized for
income tax purposes, due to the uncertainty associated with their
realizability for income tax purposes. Changes in the valuation allowance for
the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 primarily reflect the reduction in
the deferred tax asset as a result of the utilization of previously
unrecognized investment losses.
 
  Prior to 1984, Federal income tax law allowed life insurance companies to
exclude from taxable income and set aside certain amounts in a tax memorandum
account known as the Policyholder Surplus Account ("PSA"). Under the tax law,
the PSA has been frozen at its December 31, 1983 balance of $2,900,000 which
may under certain circumstances become taxable in the future. The Insurance
Company does not believe that any significant portion of the amount in this
account will be taxed in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, no provision for
income taxes has been made thereon. If the amount in the PSA were to become
taxable, the resulting liability using current rates would be approximately
$1,015,000.
 
  Under current tax law, there are certain limitations on the utilization of
non-life insurance company losses ("non-life losses") against life insurance
company income ("life income") in a consolidated federal income tax return.
The utilization of non-life losses against life income in any year is limited
to the lesser of 35 percent of life income or 35 percent of non-life losses.
Any unutilized balance of non-life losses is carried over to subsequent tax
years.
 
  The Company has net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $7,337,000
at December 31, 1997 of which $2,949,000 expire in 2009; $2,487,000 in 2010;
$1,671,000 in 2011; and $230,000 in 2012.
 
7. REINSURANCE
 
  Reinsurance allows life insurance companies to share risks on a case by case
or aggregate basis with other insurance and reinsurance companies. The
Insurance Company cedes insurance to the reinsurer and compensates the
reinsurer for its assumption of risk. The maximum amount of individual life
insurance normally retained by the Company on any one life is $50,000 per
policy and $100,000 per life. The maximum retention with respect to impaired
risk policies typically is the same. The Insurance Company cedes insurance
primarily on an
 
                                     F-18
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
"automatic" basis, under which risks are ceded to a reinsurer on specific
blocks of business where the underlying risks meet certain predetermined
criteria, and on a "facultative" basis, under which the reinsurer's prior
approval is required on each risk reinsured.
 
  The reinsurance of a risk does not discharge the primary liability of the
insurance company ceding that risk, but the reinsured portion of the claim is
recoverable from the reinsurer. The major reinsurance treaties into which the
Insurance Company has entered can be characterized as follows:
 
  Reinsurance ceded from the Insurance Company to Life Reassurance Corporation
of America and Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. at December 31, 1997 and
1996 consists of coinsurance agreements aggregating face amounts of $230.6
million and $257.0 million, respectively, representing the amount of
individual life insurance contracts that were ceded to the reinsurers. The
term "coinsurance" refers to an arrangement under which the Insurance Company
pays the reinsurers the gross premiums on the portion of the policy to be
reinsured and the reinsurers grant a ceding commission to the Insurance
Company to cover its acquisition costs plus a margin for profit.
 
  Reinsurance premiums ceded for 1997, 1996 and 1995 amounted to approximately
$4.5 million, $4.6 million, and $4.5 million, respectively.
 
8. STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
  Accounting practices used to prepare statutory financial statements for
regulatory filings of stock life insurance companies differ from GAAP.
Material differences resulting from these accounting practices include:
deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred Federal income taxes and statutory
non-admitted assets are recognized under GAAP accounting while statutory
investment valuation reserves are not; premiums for universal life and
investment-type products are recognized as revenues for statutory purposes and
as deposits to policyholders' accounts under GAAP; different assumptions are
used in calculating future policyholders' benefits; and different methods are
used for calculating valuation allowances for statutory and GAAP purposes;
fixed maturities are recorded principally at market value or amortized cost as
appropriate under GAAP while under statutory accounting practices they are
recorded principally at amortized cost.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                --------------------------------
                                                   1995       1996       1997
                                                ---------- ---------- ----------
                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
   <S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>
   Statutory surplus...........................   $205,135   $250,869   $296,725
                                                ========== ========== ==========
   Statutory net income........................ $   38,834 $   41,972 $   57,081
                                                ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
9. LITIGATION
 
  From time to time, the Company is involved in litigation relating to claims
arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. The Company is
not a party to any legal proceedings, the adverse outcome of which, in
management's opinion, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
 
10. FAIR VALUE INFORMATION
 
  The following estimated fair value disclosures of financial instruments have
been determined using available market information, current pricing
information and appropriate valuation methodologies. If quoted market prices
were not readily available for a financial instrument, management determined
an estimated fair value. Accordingly, the estimates may not be indicative of
the amounts the Company could have realized in a market transaction.
 
                                     F-19
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value
of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate
that value.
 
  For fixed maturities and common stocks, estimated fair values were based
primarily upon independent pricing services. For a limited number of privately
placed securities, where prices are not available from independent pricing
services, the Company estimates market values using a matrix pricing model,
based on the issuer's credit standing and the security's interest rate spread
over U.S. Treasury bonds. Because it is not practicable to obtain an
independent valuation for each limited partnership interest for purposes of
disclosure, the market value of a limited partnership interest is estimated to
approximate the carrying value. As of December 31, 1997, the Company was
committed to contribute, if called upon, an aggregate of approximately $73.7
million of additional capital to certain of these limited partnerships. The
market value of short-term investments, mortgage loans and policy loans is
estimated to approximate the carrying value.
 
  Estimated fair values of policyholders' account balances for investment type
products (i.e., deferred annuities, immediate annuities without life
contingencies and universal life contracts) are calculated by projecting the
contract cash flows and then discounting them back to the valuation date at
the appropriate discount rate. For immediate annuities without life
contingencies, the cash flows are defined contractually. For all other
products, projected cash flows are based on an assumed lapse rate and
crediting rate (based on the current treasury curve), adjusted for any
anticipated surrender charges. The discount rate is based on the current
durationmatched treasury curve, plus an adjustment to reflect the anticipated
spread above treasuries on investment grade fixed maturity securities, less an
expense and profit spread.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   DECEMBER 31, 1997                         CARRYING VALUE ESTIMATED FAIR VALUE
   -----------------                         -------------- --------------------
                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
   <S>                                       <C>            <C>
   Assets
   Fixed Maturities:
     Available for Sale.....................   1,909,924         1,909,924
   Common Stock.............................      45,773            45,773
   Mortgage Loans...........................      17,865            17,865
   Policy Loans.............................      18,120            18,120
   Cash and Short-Term Investments..........     277,578           277,578
   Other Invested Assets....................     208,162           208,162
   Liabilities
   Policyholders' Account Balances..........   1,280,900         1,288,551
   Note Payable.............................      50,000            52,500
   Short-Term Note Payable..................      20,000            20,000
<CAPTION>
   DECEMBER 31, 1996                         CARRYING VALUE ESTIMATED FAIR VALUE
   -----------------                         -------------- --------------------
                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
   <S>                                       <C>            <C>
   Assets
   Fixed Maturities:
     Available for Sale.....................   1,823,349         1,823,349
   Common Stock.............................      42,059            42,059
   Mortgage Loans...........................      18,622            18,622
   Policy Loans.............................      18,068            18,068
   Cash and Short-Term Investments..........     240,857           240,857
   Other Invested Assets....................     176,103           176,103
   Liabilities
   Policyholders' Account Balances..........   1,260,545         1,225,654
   Other Notes Payable......................      50,000            50,000
   Short-Term Note Payable..................       5,000             5,000
</TABLE>
 
 
                                     F-20
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            
         NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONCLUDED)     
 
11. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
  Summarized quarterly financial data is presented below. Certain amounts have
been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                    -----------------------------------------
                 1997               MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPTEMBER 30 DECEMBER 31
                 ----               -------- ------- ------------ -----------
                                        (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE)
   <S>                              <C>      <C>     <C>          <C>
   Premiums and other insurance
    revenues....................... $ 6,390  $ 6,637   $ 9,024      $ 7,796
   Net invested income.............  48,623   49,399    44,444       49,352
   Realized investment gains.......   2,510    8,503     9,518        5,508
                                    -------  -------   -------      -------
   Total revenues..................  57,523   64,539    62,986       62,656
                                    =======  =======   =======      =======
   Benefits and expenses...........  38,951   41,022    40,128       37,045
                                    =======  =======   =======      =======
   Net income......................  12,548   16,372    16,018       16,354
                                    =======  =======   =======      =======
   Net income per share............ $   .38  $   .50   $   .49      $   .50
                                    =======  =======   =======      =======
<CAPTION>
                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                    -----------------------------------------
                 1996               MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPTEMBER 30 DECEMBER 31
                 ----               -------- ------- ------------ -----------
                                        (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE)
   <S>                              <C>      <C>     <C>          <C>
   Premiums and other insurance
    revenues....................... $ 2,691  $ 3,447   $ 5,533      $ 5,803
   Net investment income...........  49,753   44,188    42,958       49,281
   Realized investment gains.......   1,479    8,249     7,484        2,808
                                    -------  -------   -------      -------
   Total revenues..................  53,923   55,884    55,975       57,892
                                    =======  =======   =======      =======
   Benefits and expenses...........  36,865   35,418    36,049       38,985
                                    =======  =======   =======      =======
   Net income......................  10,358   14,316    14,084       15,763
                                    =======  =======   =======      =======
   Net income per share............ $   .31  $   .43   $   .42      $   .44
                                    =======  =======   =======      =======
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-21
<PAGE>
 
                        INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
 Presidential Life Corporation
 Nyack, New York 10960
 
  We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Presidential
Life Corporation and subsidiaries ("the Company") as of June 30, 1998, and the
related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash
flows for the three-month and six month periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
 
  We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim
financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures
to financial data and of making inquiries of persons responsible for financial
and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit
conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the
objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial
statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
 
  Based upon our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that
should be made to such consolidated financial statements for them to be in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
  We have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards, the consolidated balance sheet of Presidential Life Corporation and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997, and the related consolidated statements
of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the year then ended; and
in our report dated February 12, 1998, we expressed an unqualified opinion on
those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set
forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1997
is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated
balance sheet from which it has been derived.
 
                                          /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
August 7, 1998
 
                                     F-22
<PAGE>
 
                 PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        DECEMBER 31,  JUNE 30,
                                                            1997        1998
                                                        ------------ ----------
<S>                                                     <C>          <C>
ASSETS:
Investments:
 Fixed maturities:
  Available for sale at market (Cost of $1,784,222 and
   $1,799,929, respectively)...........................  $1,909,924  $1,890,301
  Common stocks (Cost of $37,975 and $32,021,
   respectively).......................................      45,773      62,957
  Mortgage Loans.......................................      17,865      17,460
  Real Estate..........................................         417         416
  Policy Loans.........................................      18,120      17,738
  Short-term investments...............................     264,098     287,170
  Other invested assets................................     208,162     265,643
                                                         ----------  ----------
    Total investments..................................   2,464,359   2,541,685
Cash and cash equivalents..............................      13,480           0
Accrued investment income..............................      28,167      19,787
Deferred policy acquisition costs......................      37,685      37,323
Furniture and equipment, net...........................         567         545
Amounts due from reinsurers............................       8,249       8,095
Other assets...........................................       1,222         292
Assets held in separate account........................       4,612       4,660
                                                         ----------  ----------
    TOTAL ASSETS.......................................  $2,558,341  $2,612,387
                                                         ==========  ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Liabilities:
 Policy Liabilities:
  Policyholders' account balances......................  $1,280,900  $1,287,940
  Future policy benefits:
   Annuity.............................................     380,109     391,751
   Life and accident and health........................      50,848      52,092
  Other policy liabilities.............................       3,124       3,077
                                                         ----------  ----------
    Total policy liabilities...........................   1,714,981   1,734,860
Dollar Repurchase Agreements...........................     205,202     215,665
Note payable...........................................      50,000      50,000
Short-term note payable................................      20,000      23,000
Deposits on policies to be issued......................       2,436       1,243
Federal income taxes payable...........................       1,371       1,748
Deferred federal income taxes..........................      46,575      46,571
General expenses and taxes accrued.....................       7,074       7,489
Other liabilities......................................       3,436       3,965
Liabilities related to separate account................       4,612       4,660
                                                         ----------  ----------
    Total liabilities..................................   2,055,687   2,089,201
                                                         ==========  ==========
Shareholders' Equity:
  Capital stock ($.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000
   shares, issued and outstanding 31,987,550 shares in
   1998 and 32,621,549 shares in 1997).................         326         320
  Additional paid-in capital...........................      18,274       5,747
Net unrealized investment gains........................      71,540      76,782
Retained earnings......................................     412,514     440,337
                                                         ----------  ----------
    Total Shareholders' Equity.........................     502,654     523,186
                                                         ----------  ----------
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY.........  $2,558,341  $2,612,387
                                                         ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated
                             Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
 
                 PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
                                                                30
                                                       ----------------------
                                                          1997        1998
                                                       ----------  ----------
                                                            (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                    <C>         <C>
REVENUES:
 Insurance Revenues:
  Premiums............................................ $    1,098  $    1,153
  Annuity considerations..............................      7,978      15,644
  Universal life and investment type policy fee
   income.............................................        956       1,140
 Net investment income................................     98,022     110,076
 Realized investment gains............................     11,013       9,069
 Other income.........................................      2,995       2,357
                                                       ----------  ----------
    TOTAL REVENUES....................................    122,062     139,439
                                                       ----------  ----------
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES:
 Death and other life insurance benefits..............      3,100       3,566
 Annuity benefits.....................................     18,824      20,735
 Interest credited to policyholders' account
  balances............................................     37,435      38,110
 Interest expense on notes payable....................      2,780       3,833
 Other interest and other charges.....................        228         142
 Increase in liability for future policy benefits.....      7,116      12,572
 Commissions to agents, net...........................      1,896       2,337
 General expenses and taxes...........................      7,752       8,229
 Decrease in deferred policy acquisition costs........        842       1,097
                                                       ----------  ----------
    TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES.......................     79,973      90,621
                                                       ----------  ----------
Income before income taxes............................     42,089      48,818
                                                       ----------  ----------
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
 Current..............................................     15,308      19,475
 Deferred.............................................     (2,139)     (2,826)
                                                       ----------  ----------
                                                           13,169      16,649
                                                       ----------  ----------
NET INCOME............................................ $   28,920  $   32,169
                                                       ==========  ==========
Income per share...................................... $      .88  $     1.00
                                                       ==========  ==========
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during
 the period........................................... 32,816,821  32,297,875
                                                       ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated
                             Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>
 
                 PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30
                                                 ----------------------------
                                                     1997           1998
                                                 -------------  -------------
                                                         (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                              <C>            <C>
REVENUES:
 Insurance Revenues:
  Premiums...................................... $         862  $         983
  Annuity considerations........................         3,078          7,977
  Universal life and investment type policy fee
   income.......................................           521            419
 Net investment income..........................        49,399         57,654
 Realized investment gains......................         8,503          7,063
 Other income...................................         2,176            550
                                                 -------------  -------------
    TOTAL REVENUES..............................        64,539         74,646
                                                 -------------  -------------
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES:
 Death and other life insurance benefits........         1,607          1,658
 Annuity benefits...............................         9,604         10,420
 Interest credited to policyholders' account
  balances......................................        18,915         19,210
 Interest expense on notes payable..............         1,436          2,229
 Other interest and other charges...............           110             68
 Increase (decrease) in liability for future
  policy benefits...............................         3,312          6,353
 Commissions to agents, net.....................           856          1,081
 General expenses and taxes.....................         4,015          3,889
 Decrease in deferred policy acquisition costs..         1,167          1,357
                                                 -------------  -------------
    TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES.................        41,022         46,265
                                                 -------------  -------------
Income before income taxes......................        23,517         28,381
                                                 -------------  -------------
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
 Current........................................         8,138         12,073
 Deferred.......................................          (993)        (2,189)
                                                 -------------  -------------
                                                         7,145          9,884
                                                 -------------  -------------
NET INCOME...................................... $      16,372  $      18,497
                                                 =============  =============
Income per share................................ $         .50  $         .58
                                                 =============  =============
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
 during the period..............................    32,712,132     32,106,715
                                                 =============  =============
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated
                             Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>
 
                 PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND 1997
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        ADDITIONAL NET UNREALIZED
                                         PAID-IN     INVESTMENT   RETAINED
                          CAPITAL STOCK  CAPITAL   GAINS (LOSSES) EARNINGS   TOTAL
                          ------------- ---------- -------------- --------  --------
<S>                       <C>           <C>        <C>            <C>       <C>
Balance at December 31,
 1996...................      $330       $24,023      $40,294     $358,416  $423,063
Net Income..............                                            28,920    28,920
Issuance of Shares Under
 Stock Option Plan......                       2                                   2
Purchase and Retirement
 of Stock...............        (3)       (4,298)                             (4,301)
Change in Unrealized
 Investment Gains, Net..                                1,462                  1,462
Dividends paid to
 Shareholders
 ($0.10 per share)......                                            (3,276)   (3,276)
                              ----       -------      -------     --------  --------
Balance at June 30,
 1997...................      $327       $19,727      $41,756     $384,060  $445,870
                              ====       =======      =======     ========  ========
Balance at December 31,
 1997...................      $326       $18,274      $71,540     $412,514  $502,654
Net Income..............                                            32,169    32,169
Purchase and Retirement
 of Stock...............        (6)      (12,527)                            (12,533)
Change in Unrealized
 Investment Gains, Net..                                5,242                  5,242
Dividends paid to
 Shareholders ($0.135
 per share).............                                            (4,346)   (4,346)
                              ----       -------      -------     --------  --------
Balance at June 30,
 1998...................      $320       $ 5,747      $76,782     $440,337  $523,186
                              ====       =======      =======     ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated
                             Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>
 
                 PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                              JUNE 30
                                                      ------------------------
                                                         1997         1998
                                                      -----------  -----------
                                                            (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 Net income.......................................... $    28,920  $    32,169
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
  provided by operating activities:
  Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes......      (2,139)      (2,826)
  Depreciation and amortization......................         258          944
  Net accrual of discount on fixed maturities........        (376)      (5,045)
  Realized investment gains..........................     (11,013)      (9,069)
 Changes in:
  Accrued investment income..........................       7,494        8,380
  Deferred policy acquisition cost...................         842        1,097
  Federal income tax recoverable.....................      (1,130)           0
  Liability for future policy benefits...............       6,695       12,886
  Other items........................................         (46)       1,491
                                                      -----------  -----------
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities........      29,505       40,027
                                                      -----------  -----------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 Fixed Maturities:
  Available for Sale:
    Acquisitions.....................................    (122,852)    (123,589)
    Sales............................................       4,369        2,602
    Maturities, calls and repayments.................      87,959      134,618
 Common Stocks:
  Acquisitions.......................................     (12,778)      (7,787)
  Sales..............................................      26,702       18,030
 Decrease (increase) in short-term investments and
  policy loans.......................................      10,620      (22,690)
 Other Invested Assets:
  Additions to other invested assets.................     (67,870)     (68,701)
  Distributions from other invested assets...........      40,337       11,221
 Purchase of property and equipment..................        (189)         (47)
 Mortgage loans on real estate.......................         371          405
                                                      -----------  -----------
    Net Cash Used in Investing Activities............     (33,331)     (55,938)
                                                      -----------  -----------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Proceeds from Dollar Repurchase Agreements..........   1,192,909    1,228,447
 Repayment of Dollar Repurchase Agreements...........  (1,187,830)  (1,217,984)
 Increase (decrease) in policyholders' account
  balances...........................................      (3,179)       7,040
 Repurchase of common stock..........................      (4,301)     (12,533)
 Proceeds from line of credit........................       7,500        3,000
 Deposits on policies to be issued...................       1,398       (1,193)
 Dividends paid to shareholders......................      (3,276)      (4,346)
                                                      -----------  -----------
    Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities........       3,221        2,431
                                                      -----------  -----------
 Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents...............        (605)     (13,480)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period.....         819       13,480
                                                      -----------  -----------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period........... $       214  $         0
                                                      ===========  ===========
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure:
 Income Taxes Paid................................... $    16,939  $    19,099
                                                      ===========  ===========
 Interest Paid....................................... $     2,534  $     2,900
                                                      ===========  ===========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated
                             Financial Statements.
 
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 A. Business
 
  Presidential Life Corporation (the "Company"), through its wholly-owned
subsidiary Presidential Life Insurance Company (the "Insurance Company"), is
engaged in the sale of life insurance and annuities.
 
 B. Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
 
  The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP")
applicable to stock life insurance companies for interim financial statements
and with the requirements of Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all
of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting
principles applicable to stock life insurance companies for complete annual
financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments,
consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair
presentation have been included. Interim results for the six months ended June
30, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected
for the year ending December 31, 1998. Management believes that, although the
disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, the
consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
footnotes contained in the Company's audited consolidated financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 1997.
 
 C. Investments
 
  Fixed maturity investments available for sale represent investments which
may be sold in response to changes in various economic conditions. These
investments are carried at market value and unrealized gains and losses, net
of the effects of amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs of
approximately $12.9 million and $13.4 million, and deferred Federal income
taxes of approximately $32.3 million and $38.5 million at June 30, 1998 and
December 31, 1997, respectively, are credited or charged directly to
shareholders' equity, unless a decline in market value is considered to be
other than temporary in which case the investment is reduced to its net
realizable value. Equity securities include common stocks and non-redeemable
preferred stocks and are carried at market, with the related unrealized gains
and losses, net of deferred income taxes, if any, charged directly to
shareholders' equity, unless a decline in market value is deemed to be other
than temporary in which case the investment is reduced to its net realizable
value.
 
  "Other invested assets" are recorded at the lower of cost or market, or
equity as appropriate, and primarily include interests in limited
partnerships, which principally are engaged in real estate, international
opportunities, acquisitions of private growth companies, debt restructuring
and merchant banking. Limited partnership interests usually are not registered
and typically are illiquid. In general, risks associated with such limited
partnerships include those related to their underlying investments (i.e.,
equity securities, debt securities and real estate), plus a level of
illiquidity, which is mitigated by the ability of the Company to take annual
distributions of partnership earnings. To evaluate the appropriateness of the
carrying value of a limited partnership interest, management maintains ongoing
discussions with the investment manager and considers the limited
partnership's operation, its current and near term projected financial
condition, earnings capacity and distributions received by the Company during
the year. Because it is not practicable to obtain an independent valuation for
each limited partnership interest, for purposes of disclosure, the market
value of a limited partnership interest is estimated at book value. Management
believes that the net realizable value of such limited partnership interests,
in the aggregate, exceeds their related carrying value as of June 30, 1998 and
December 31, 1997. As of June 30, 1998, the Company was committed to
contribute, if called upon, an aggregate of approximately $53.9 million of
additional capital to certain of these limited partnerships.
 
                                     F-28
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
  CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  In evaluating whether an investment security or other investment has
suffered an impairment in value which is deemed to be "other than temporary",
management considers all available evidence. When a decline in the value of an
investment security or other investment is considered to be other than
temporary, the investment is reduced to its net realizable value, which
becomes the new cost basis. The amount of reduction is recorded as a realized
loss. A recovery from the adjusted cost basis is recognized as a realized gain
only at sale.
 
  The Company participates in "dollar roll" repurchase agreement transactions
to enhance investment income. Dollar roll transactions involve the sale of
certain mortgage backed securities to a holding institution and a simultaneous
agreement to purchase substantially similar securities for forward settlement
at a lower dollar price. The proceeds are invested in shortterm securities at
a positive spread until the settlement date of the similar securities. During
this period, the holding institution receives all income and prepayments for
the security. Dollar roll repurchase agreement transactions are treated as
financing transactions for financial reporting purposes.
 
  As part of a proposed rehabilitation plan for Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance
Company ("Fidelity"), on January 11, 1995 the Insurance Company signed a
definitive purchase agreement with the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner and
Fidelity to invest up to $45 million for a minority (49.9%) interest in a
Fidelity subsidiary insurance holding company. In addition, the Company had
agreed to purchase $25 million of Senior Notes of such company. The Company
was informed by the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner, that in response to
the significant improvement in the invested assets of Fidelity, she has
reopened the process to select an equity investor for the recapitalization and
rehabilitation of Fidelity. The Company disagreed with the Commissioner's
actions and commenced litigation which was settled in the second quarter of
1997. As part of the settlement, the Company received $1.7 million.
 
 D. Federal Income Taxes
 
  The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109,
"Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109") which requires an asset and
liability method in recording income taxes on all transactions that have been
recognized in the financial statements. SFAS 109 provides that deferred taxes
be adjusted to reflect tax rates at which future tax liabilities or assets are
expected to be settled or realized.
 
 E. New Accounting Pronouncements
   
  In December 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 127, "Deferral of the
Effective Date of Certain Provisions of FASB Statement No. 125" (SFAS No.
127). SFAS No. 127 amends SFAS No. 125 by deferring for one year the effective
date of paragraph 15 of SFAS No. 125, addressing secured borrowings and
collateral, and for repurchase agreement, dollar roll, security lending and
similar transactions, of paragraphs 9 through 12 and 237(b) of SFAS No. 125.
SFAS No. 127 is effective for certain transactions occurring after December
31, 1997, and must be applied prospectively. The Company adopted SFAS 125 and
127 effective January 1998. There was no effect on the Company's financial
position from the adoption of SFAS 125 and 127.     
   
  In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" (SFAS 130), which establishes
standards for displaying comprehensive income and its components in a full set
of general-purpose financial statements. Effective January 1998, the Company
adopted SFAS 130. Total comprehensive income (loss) for the periods ended June
30, 1998 and 1997 was $37.41 million and $30.38 million, respectively. The
difference between net income and comprehensive income (loss) was the change
in unrealized investment gains (losses) which arose during the period.     
 
  Also in June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information" (SFAS 131). SFAS 131 establishes standards for reporting
information about operating segments in annual financial statements and
requires reporting selected
 
                                     F-29
<PAGE>
 
                PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
  CONDENSED NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
information about operating segments in interim financial reports issued to
shareholders. SFAS 131 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December
15, 1997. The Company's current definition of its operating segments did not
change.
 
  In February 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 132, "Employers' Disclosure about Pensions and Other
Postretirement Benefits" (SFAS 132), which revises employers' disclosures
about pension and other postretirement benefit plans to require standardized
disclosures for pensions and other postretirement benefits, additional
disclosure of information on changes in the benefit obligations and fair
values of plan assets, and elimination of certain disclosures that were deemed
no longer useful. It does not change the measurement or recognition of those
plans. SFAS 132 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
1997.
 
  In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" (SFAS
133). SFAS 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other
contracts, and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize
all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial
position and measure those instruments at fair value. It also establishes
specific conditions that must be met in order for a derivative to be
recognized as a hedge of certain exposures. The Company has not yet completed
its analysis to determine the impact of this statement on the Company's
financial statements. SFAS 133 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
June 15, 1999.
 
2. INVESTMENTS
 
  Investments in U.S. Government & Government Agencies with an aggregate
carrying value of $479,476,000 represent investments owned in any one issuer
that aggregate 10% or more of Shareholders' Equity as of June 30, 1998.
 
  Securities with a carrying value of approximately $5.6 million were on
deposit with various state insurance departments to comply with applicable
insurance laws.
 
3. NOTES PAYABLE
 
  Notes payable at June 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997 consist of $50 million,
9 1/2% Senior Notes ("Senior Notes") due December 15, 2000. Interest is
payable June 15 and December 15. Debt issue costs are being amortized on the
interest method over the term of the notes. The total principal is due on
December 15, 2000. The senior notes are callable after December 14, 1998. The
Company intends to call and refinance the senior notes during the fourth
quarter of 1998.
 
  The Company has one bank line of credit in the amount of $25,000,000 and
provides for interest on borrowings based on market indices. At June 30, 1998
the Company had $23,000,000 outstanding under the line of credit.
 
4. INCOME TAXES
 
  Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of (a) temporary
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for
financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, (b)
operating loss carryforwards and (c) a valuation allowance.
 
  The valuation allowance relates principally to investment writedowns
recorded for financial reporting purposes, which have not been recognized for
income tax purposes, due to the uncertainty associated with their
realizability for income tax purposes. Changes in the valuation allowance for
the six months ended June 30, 1998 reflect the reduction in the deferred tax
asset as of June 30, 1998. The Company's effective tax rates for the six
months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 were 34.1% and 31.3%, respectively.
 
                                     F-30
<PAGE>
 
                                                                   
                                                                SCHEDULE II     
               
            PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)     
                  
               CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT     
                                 
                              BALANCE SHEETS     
                                 
                              (IN THOUSANDS)     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------
                                                                1996     1997
                                                              -------- --------
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
ASSETS:
 Investment in subsidiaries at equity........................ $445,469 $512,257
 Cash in bank................................................       69       29
 Real estate, net............................................       41       38
 Fixed maturities, available for sale........................   10,041   11,038
 Investments, common stocks..................................    2,502    2,193
 Short term investments......................................    4,089    2,695
 Other invested assets.......................................   14,747   42,593
 Deferred debt issue costs...................................    1,169      874
 Other assets................................................    3,774    3,829
                                                              -------- --------
    TOTAL ASSETS............................................. $481,901 $575,546
                                                              ======== ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Liabilities:
 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and taxes................ $  1,433 $    898
 Notes payable, long term....................................   50,000   50,000
 Short term note payable.....................................    5,000   20,000
 Other liabilities...........................................    2,405    1,994
                                                              -------- --------
    TOTAL LIABILITIES........................................   58,838   72,892
Total Shareholders' Equity...................................  423,063  502,654
                                                              -------- --------
 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY.................. $481,901 $575,546
                                                              ======== ========
</TABLE>    
 
 
                                     Sch-1
<PAGE>
 
                                                                   
                                                                SCHEDULE II     
               
            PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)     
                  
               CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT     
                              
                           STATEMENTS OF INCOME     
                                 
                              (IN THOUSANDS)     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                    -------------------------
                                                     1995     1996     1997
                                                    -------  -------  -------
<S>                                                 <C>      <C>      <C>
REVENUES:
 Income from rents................................. $   739  $   739  $   739
 Investment income.................................     620    3,435    5,460
 Realized investment gains (losses)................     271    1,932     (933)
 Other income......................................       0        0      720
                                                    -------  -------  -------
Total Revenues.....................................   1,630    6,106    5,986
                                                    -------  -------  -------
EXPENSES:
 Operating and administrative......................     803    2,459      517
 Interest..........................................   5,045    5,049    5,850
                                                    -------  -------  -------
Total Expenses.....................................   5,848    7,508    6,367
                                                    -------  -------  -------
Loss before federal income taxes and equity in
 income of subsidiaries............................  (4,218)  (1,402)    (381)
Federal income tax benefit.........................  (2,851)  (1,667)    (926)
                                                    -------  -------  -------
Income (loss) before equity in income of
 subsidiaries......................................  (1,367)     265      545
Equity in income of subsidiaries before deducting
 dividends received................................  50,425   54,256   60,747
                                                    -------  -------  -------
Net income......................................... $49,058  $54,521  $61,292
                                                    =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>    
 
 
                                     Sch-2
<PAGE>
 
                                                                   
                                                                SCHEDULE II     
               
            PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)     
                  
               CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT     
                            
                         STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS     
                                 
                              (IN THOUSANDS)     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                     -------------------------
                                                      1995     1996     1997
                                                     -------  -------  -------
<S>                                                  <C>      <C>      <C>
Operating Activities:
 Net income......................................... $49,058  $54,521  $61,292
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
  provided by (used in) operating activities:
   Realized investment (gains) losses...............    (271)  (1,932)     933
   Depreciation and amortization....................     299      299      299
   Equity in undistributed profits of subsidiary
    companies....................................... (45,425) (54,256) (60,747)
   Deferred Federal income taxes....................    (845)     609      (99)
   Dividends from subsidiaries......................   5,000   15,000   24,800
 Changes in:
   Accrued investment income........................    (279)  (1,409)     165
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses............     658    1,288     (536)
   Other assets and liabilities.....................  (3,733)   1,308     (751)
                                                     -------  -------  -------
    Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating
     Activities.....................................   4,462   15,428   25,356
                                                     -------  -------  -------
Investing Activities:
 Purchase of fixed maturities.......................    (492)  (8,301)  (1,988)
 Sale of fixed maturities...........................   4,737    9,016    1,000
 Common stock acquisitions..........................       0   (1,529)       0
 Common stock sales.................................       0    1,974        0
 Other invested asset additions.....................       0  (10,760) (37,846)
 Other invested asset distributions.................       0        0   10,000
 Decrease (increase) in short-term investments......  (3,390)     800    1,394
                                                     -------  -------  -------
    Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing
     Activities.....................................     885   (8,800) (27,440)
                                                     -------  -------  -------
Financing Activities:
 Dividends to shareholders..........................  (3,526)  (4,967)  (7,194)
 Proceeds from line of credit.......................       0    5,000   15,000
 Repurchase of common stock.........................  (1,623)  (7,038)  (5,762)
                                                     -------  -------  -------
    Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing
     Activities.....................................  (5,149)  (7,005)  (2,044)
                                                     -------  -------  -------
    Increase (Decrease) in Cash.....................     168     (377)     (40)
Cash at Beginning of Year...........................     278      446       69
                                                     -------  -------  -------
Cash at End of Year................................. $   446  $    69  $    29
                                                     =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>    
 
 
                                     Sch-3
<PAGE>
 
                                                                  
                                                               SCHEDULE III     
                 
              PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
                       
                    SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE INFORMATION     
                                 
                              (IN THOUSANDS)     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
     COLUMN A        COLUMN B     COLUMN C   COLUMN D COLUMN E COLUMN F  COLUMN F-1    COLUMN G   COLUMN H    COLUMN I   COLUMN J
     --------       ----------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ---------
                                   FUTURE                                                        BENEFITS,
                                   POLICY                                                         CLAIMS,
                                 BENEFITS,                                                         LOSSES
                                  LOSSES,                                                         INTEREST
                                CLAIMS, LOSS           OTHER                                      CREDITED
                                 EXPENSES,             POLICY            MORTALITY,              TO ACCOUNT AMORTIZATION
                     DEFERRED       AND                CLAIMS           SURRENDER AND             BALANCES  OF DEFERRED
                      POLICY    POLICYHOLDER            AND             OTHER CHARGES    NET        AND        POLICY      OTHER
                    ACQUISITION   ACCOUNT    UNEARNED BENEFITS PREMIUM       TO       INVESTMENT SETTLEMENT ACQUISITION  OPERATING
      SEGMENT          COSTS      BALANCES   PREMIUMS PAYABLE  REVENUE  POLICYHOLDERS   INCOME    EXPENSES     COSTS     EXPENSES
      -------       ----------- ------------ -------- -------- -------- ------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ---------
<S>                 <C>         <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
Year Ended
December 31, 1997
 Life Insurance....  $  7,647    $  128,994    $ 0      $281   $ 3,973     $1,530      $ 11,416   $ 12,114     $1,100     $ 2,738
 Annuity...........    30,037     1,585,682      0         0    19,655        458       180,401    124,431      5,481       5,405
 Accident and
 Health............         0            24      2         0         3          0             1          8          0          19
                     --------    ----------    ---      ----   -------     ------      --------   --------     ------     -------
   Total........... $ 37,684     $1,714,700    $ 2      $281   $23,631     $1,988      $191,818   $136,553     $6,581     $ 8,162
                     ========    ==========    ===      ====   =======     ======      ========   ========     ======     =======
Year Ended
December 31, 1996
 Life Insurance....  $  6,466    $  124,766    $ 0      $110   $ 4,240     $1,488      $ 10,733   $ 13,076     $  880     $ 4,325
 Annuity...........    33,317     1,553,518      0         0     8,461        602       175,445    110,855      6,270       6,836
 Accident and
 Health............         0            21      2         0         4          0             2         (1)         0          27
                     --------    ----------    ---      ----   -------     ------      --------   --------     ------     -------
   Total...........  $ 39,783    $1,678,305    $ 2      $110   $12,705     $2,090      $186,180   $123,930     $7,150     $11,188
                     ========    ==========    ===      ====   =======     ======      ========   ========     ======     =======
Year Ended
December 31, 1995
 Life Insurance....  $  6,674    $  120,232    $ 0      $116   $ 4,404     $1,378      $  9,487   $ 11,411     $  811     $ 3,696
 Annuity...........    26,656     1,562,415      0         0     3,780        556       161,291    112,081      4,632       5,771
 Accident and
 Health............         0            34      2         0         4          0             2          4          0          23
                     --------    ----------    ---      ----   -------     ------      --------   --------     ------     -------
   Total...........  $ 33,330    $1,682,681    $ 2      $116   $ 8,188     $1,934      $170,780   $123,496     $5,443     $ 9,490
                     ========    ==========    ===      ====   =======     ======      ========   ========     ======     =======
<CAPTION>
     COLUMN A       COLUMN K
     --------       --------
                    PREMIUMS
      SEGMENT       WRITTEN
      -------       --------
<S>                 <C>
Year Ended
December 31, 1997
 Life Insurance....     0
 Annuity...........     0
 Accident and
 Health............   $ 3
   Total...........
Year Ended
December 31, 1996
 Life Insurance....     0
 Annuity...........     0
 Accident and
 Health............   $ 4
   Total...........
Year Ended
December 31, 1995
 Life Insurance....     0
 Annuity...........     0
 Accident and
 Health............   $ 5
   Total...........
</TABLE>    
 
                                     Sch-4
<PAGE>
 
                                                                   
                                                                SCHEDULE IV     
                 
              PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
                                   
                                REINSURANCE     
                                 
                              (IN THOUSANDS)     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
COLUMN A                       COLUMN B COLUMN C  COLUMN D  COLUMN E  COLUMN F
- --------                       -------- --------- --------- -------- ----------
                                                   ASSUMED           PERCENTAGE
                                        CEDED TO    FROM             OF AMOUNT
                                GROSS     OTHER     OTHER     NET     ASSUMED
                                AMOUNT  COMPANIES COMPANIES  AMOUNT    TO NET
                               -------- --------- --------- -------- ----------
<S>                            <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>
Year Ended December 31, 1997
 Life Insurance in Force...... $823,257 $476,248  $452,480  $799,489   56.60
                               ======== ========  ========  ========   =====
Premiums:
  Life Insurance.............. $  8,065 $  4,512  $    420  $  3,973   10.57
  Annuity.....................   19,655        0         0    19,655       0
  Accident and Health
   Insurance..................        3        0         0         3       0
                               -------- --------  --------  --------
    Total..................... $ 27,723 $  4,512  $    420  $ 23,631
                               ======== ========  ========  ========
Year Ended December 31, 1996
 Life Insurance in Force...... $864,809 $517,484  $473,779  $821,104   57.50
                               ======== ========  ========  ========   =====
Premiums:
  Life Insurance.............. $  8,292 $  4,518  $    466  $  4,240   10.52
  Annuity.....................    8,461        0         0     8,461       0
  Accident and Health
   Insurance..................        4        0         0         4       0
                               -------- --------  --------  --------
    Total..................... $ 16,757 $  4,518  $    466  $ 12,705
                               ======== ========  ========  ========
Year Ended December 31, 1995
 Life Insurance in Force...... $933,735 $573,324  $446,079  $806,490   55.31
                               ======== ========  ========  ========   =====
Premiums:
  Life Insurance.............. $  8,472 $  4,527  $    459  $  4,404   10.42
  Annuity.....................    3,780        0         0     3,780       0
  Accident and Health
   Insurance..................        4        0         0         4       0
                               -------- --------  --------  --------
    Total..................... $ 12,256 $  4,527  $    459  $  8,188
                               ======== ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>    
   
Note: Reinsurance assumed consists entirely of Servicemen's Group Life
Insurance.     
 
 
                                     Sch-5
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
  Set forth below is an estimate of the approximate amount of fees and
expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) payable by the
Company in connection with the issuance and distribution of the Notes pursuant
to the Prospectus contained in this Registration Statement.
 
<TABLE>   
   <S>                                                                 <C>
   Securities and Exchange Commission registration fees............... $ 29,500
   Legal fees and expenses............................................  225,000
   Accounting fees and expenses.......................................   30,000
   Blue Sky fees and expenses.........................................    5,000
   Printing expenses..................................................   19,000
   Miscellaneous......................................................   41,500
                                                                       --------
     Total............................................................ $350,000
                                                                       ========
</TABLE>    
 
  All of the above items except the registration fee are estimated.
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
  The Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant provides that the
registrant shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the "DGCL"), as now or hereafter in effect, indemnify all
persons whom it may indemnify thereunder.
 
  Section 145 of the DGCL applies to the registrant and the relevant portion
provides as follows:
 
  (S) 145 Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents;
insurance.
 
  (a) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any 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 corporation)
by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee
or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action,
suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the
person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
no reasonable cause to believe the person's 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 person did not act in good faith and in
a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person's conduct was
unlawful.
 
  (b) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any 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 corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving
at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred
by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or
suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and
except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or
matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
corporation
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery 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 the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
 
  (c) To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a
corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any
action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this
section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person
shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
 
  (d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section
(unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as
authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of
the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the
circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct
set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall
be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of
such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not
parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or
(2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such
directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such
directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a
written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.
 
  (e) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or director
in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit
or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final
disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking
by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall
ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by
the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including
attorneys' fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees
and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the
corporation deems appropriate.
 
  (f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted
pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or
advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in
such person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such office.
 
  (g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted
against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or
arising out of such person's status as such, whether or not the corporation
would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under
this section.
 
  (h) For purposes of this section, references to "the corporation" shall
include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation
(including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or
merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power
and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents,
so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such
constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall
stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or
surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such
constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
 
  (i) For purposes of this section, references to "other enterprises" shall
include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise
taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and
references to "serving at the request of the corporation" shall include any
service as a director, officer,
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves
services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an
employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who
acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in
the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan
shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests
of the corporation" as referred to in this section.
 
  (j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted
pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or
ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer,
employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of such a person.
 
  (k) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to
hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification
brought under this section or under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders
or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily
determine a corporation's obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys'
fees).
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
 
<TABLE>   
 <C>  <S>
  1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
  4.1 Form of Indenture among the Company and the Trustee.
  5.1 Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, counsel to the Company, as to the
       legality of the Notes.
  8.1 Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher as to United States federal tax
       matters relative to the Notes (included in the Prospectus under "Certain
       United States Federal Income Tax Considerations").**
 12.1 Statement re: computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges.**
 15.1 Letter re: unaudited interim financial information.
 23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
 23.2 Consent of Willkie Farr & Gallagher (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1
       above).**
 24.1 A power of attorney is set forth on the signature page of the
       Registration Statement.**
 25.1 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
       Indenture Act of 1939 of Trustee under the Indenture.
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
 * To be filed by Form 8-K.     
   
** Previously filed with the Commission.     
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
  (a) (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
      a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
      (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
    Securities Act of 1993;
 
      (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
    the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
    post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
    aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
    in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
    increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
    dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
    registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
    maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
    with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
    changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
    maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
    Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
      (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of
    distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or
    any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
 
  provided, however, that paragraph (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if
  the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
  those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant
  pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
  1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
 
    (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
  Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
  to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
  therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
  to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
    (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
  any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
  termination of the offering.
 
  (b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
      determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing
      of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section
      15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
      each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
      Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is
      incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed
      to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
      therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
      deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
  (h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
      Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
      persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
      otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
      Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against
      public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
      In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
      (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid
      by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
      successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
      such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
      securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion
      of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
      submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
      indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act
      and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1
to registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized in the City of Nyack, State of New York, on October
29, 1998.     
 
                                          Presidential Life Corporation
                                               
                                             /s/ Herbert Kurz     
                                          By___________________________________
                                            Name: Herbert Kurz
                                            Title: President
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 1 to registration statement has been signed by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.      

<TABLE>    
<CAPTION>
 
           SIGNATURE                        TITLE                 DATE      
           ---------                        -----                 ----
<S>                                    <C>                       <C>
        /s/ Herbert Kurz               President and             October 29,
- -------------------------------------   Director                  1998      
          HERBERT KURZ      
                                                                     
     /s/ Michael V. Oporto             Chief Financial           October 29,
- -------------------------------------   Officer                   1998      
       MICHAEL V. OPORTO           
                                                                     
      /s/ Peter A. Cohen*              Director                  October 29,
- -------------------------------------                             1998      
         PETER A. COHEN              
                                                                           
        /s/ Jules Kroll*               Director                  October 29,
- -------------------------------------                             1998     
          JULES KROLL                  
                                                                             
      /s/ Lawrence Rivkin*             Director                  October 29,
- -------------------------------------                             1998      
        LAWRENCE RIVKIN      
                                                                          
    /s/ Morton B. Silberman*           Director                  October 29,
- -------------------------------------                             1998         
      MORTON B. SILBERMAN                   
                     
   
              
*By /s/ Michael V. Oporto   
   _____________________________             
   MICHAEL V. OPORTO                 
    Attorney-in-Fact                
</TABLE>      
 
                                     II-5
<PAGE>
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.   DESCRIPTION
 ------- -----------
 <C>     <S>
  1.1    Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
  4.1    Form of Indenture among the Company and the Trustee.
  5.1    Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, counsel to the Company, as to the
          legality of the Notes.
  8.1    Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher as to United States federal tax
          matters relative to the Notes (included in the Prospectus under
          "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations").**
 12.1    Statement re: computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges.**
 15.1    Letter re: unaudited interim financial information.
 23.1    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
 23.2    Consent of Willkie Farr & Gallagher (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1
          above).**
 24.1    A power of attorney is set forth on the signature page of the
          Registration Statement.**
 25.1    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
          Indenture Act of 1939 of Trustee under the Indenture.
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
 * To be filed by Form 8-K.     
   
** Previously filed with the Commission.     

<PAGE>
 
================================================================================
 

                         PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION

                                                     Issuer

                                      and

                            BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,

                                                     Trustee

                              --------------------
                                   INDENTURE

                               Dated as of ., 1998

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

                            .% Senior Notes due 2008

                                       

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Cross-Reference Table
 TIA                                                                                           Indenture
Section                                                                                         Section
- -------                                                                                        ---------
<S>                                                                                            <C>
 Section 310(a)(1)......................................................................          609
   (a)(2)...............................................................................          609
   (a)(3)...............................................................................          N.A.
   (a)(4)...............................................................................          N.A.
   (b)..................................................................................          608
      ..................................................................................          610
Section 311(a)..........................................................................          613
   (b)..................................................................................          613
Section 312(a)..........................................................................          701
   .....................................................................................          702(a)
   (b)..................................................................................          702(b)
   (c)..................................................................................          702(c)
Section 313(a)..........................................................................          703(a)
   (b)..................................................................................          703(a)
   (c)..................................................................................          703(a)
   (d)..................................................................................          703(b) 
Section 314(a)..........................................................................          704
   (a)(4)...............................................................................          1004
   .....................................................................................          1004
   (b)..................................................................................          N.A.
   (c)(1)...............................................................................          102
   (c)(2)...............................................................................          102
   (c)(3)...............................................................................          N.A.
   (d)..................................................................................          N.A.
   (e)..................................................................................          102
Section 315(a)..........................................................................          601
   (b)..................................................................................          602
   (c)..................................................................................          601(b)
   (d)..................................................................................          603(c)
   (e)..................................................................................          514
Section 316(a)..........................................................................          101
   (a)(1)(A)............................................................................          502
   .....................................................................................          512
   (a)(1)(B)............................................................................          513
   (a)(2)...............................................................................          N.A.
   (b)..................................................................................          508
   (c)..................................................................................          104(c)
Section 317(a)(1).......................................................................          503
   (a)(2)...............................................................................          504
   (b)..................................................................................          1003
Section 318(a)..........................................................................          107
</TABLE>
___________________________
N.A. means Not Applicable
NOTE:  This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be 
       a part of the Indenture.

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

SECTION 101.  Definitions...................................................  1
SECTION 102.  Compliance Certificates and Opinions..........................  9
SECTION 103.  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee........................  9
SECTION 104.  Acts of Holders; Record Dates................................. 10
SECTION 105.  Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Company and Guarantor.............. 11
SECTION 106.  Notice to Holders; Waiver..................................... 11
SECTION 107.  Trust Indenture Act Controls.................................. 12
SECTION 108.  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents...................... 12
SECTION 109.  Successors and Assigns........................................ 12
SECTION 110.  Severability Clause........................................... 12
SECTION 111.  Benefits of Indenture......................................... 12
SECTION 112.  Governing Law................................................. 12
SECTION 113.  Legal Holidays................................................ 12

ARTICLE TWO  NOTE FORMS AND GUARANTEES...................................... 13

SECTION 201.  Forms Generally............................................... 13
SECTION 202.  Form of Face of Note.......................................... 13
SECTION 203.  Form of Reverse of Note....................................... 15
SECTION 204.  Exchange Schedule for Global Notes............................ 17
SECTION 205.  Form of Assignment............................................ 17
SECTION 206.  Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication............... 18

ARTICLE THREE  THE NOTES.................................................... 18

SECTION 301.  Title and Terms............................................... 18
SECTION 302.  Denominations................................................. 20
SECTION 303.  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating................ 20
SECTION 304.  Temporary Notes............................................... 21
SECTION 305.  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange........... 21
SECTION 306.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Notes................... 23
SECTION 307.  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved................ 24
SECTION 308.  Persons Deemed Owners......................................... 25
SECTION 309.  Cancellation.................................................. 25
SECTION 310.  Computation of Interest....................................... 26
SECTION 311.  CUSIP Numbers................................................. 26

ARTICLE FOUR  SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE.................................... 26

SECTION 401.  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture....................... 26
SECTION 402.  Application of Trust Money.................................... 28
</TABLE>

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                        <C>
ARTICLE FIVE  REMEDIES....................................................   28

SECTION 501.  Events of Default...........................................   28
SECTION 502.  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment..........   30
SECTION 503.  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by
               Trustee....................................................   31
SECTION 504.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim............................   31
SECTION 505.  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes......   32
SECTION 506.  Application of Money Collected..............................   32
SECTION 507.  Limitation on Suits.........................................   33
SECTION 508.  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and
               Interest...................................................   33
SECTION 509.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies..........................   33
SECTION 510.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative..............................   34
SECTION 511.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver................................   34
SECTION 512.  Control by Holders..........................................   34
SECTION 513.  Waiver of Past Defaults.....................................   34
SECTION 514.  Undertaking for Costs.......................................   35
SECTION 515.  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws............................   35

ARTICLE SIX  THE TRUSTEE..................................................   35

SECTION 601.  Certain Duties and Responsibilities.........................   35
SECTION 602.  Notice of Defaults..........................................   37
SECTION 603.  Certain Rights of Trustee...................................   37
SECTION 604.  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes...........   38
SECTION 605.  May Hold Notes..............................................   38
SECTION 606.  Money Held in Trust.........................................   38
SECTION 607.  Compensation and Reimbursement..............................   38
SECTION 608.  Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.....................   39
SECTION 609.  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.....................   39
SECTION 610.  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor...........   40
SECTION 611.  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor......................   41
SECTION 612.  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.   41
SECTION 613.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company or the
               Guarantor..................................................   42
SECTION 614.  Appointment of Authenticating Agent.........................   42

ARTICLE SEVEN  HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY..........   43

SECTION 701.  Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders...   43
SECTION 702.  Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders......   43
SECTION 703.  Reports by Trustee..........................................   44
SECTION 704.  Reports by Company..........................................   44

ARTICLE EIGHT  CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE.......   45

SECTION 801.  Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms........   45
</TABLE>

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                         <C>

SECTION 802.  Successor Substituted for the Company........................  45

ARTICLE NINE  SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES......................................  46

SECTION 901.  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders...........  46
SECTION 902.  Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders..............  46
SECTION 903.  Execution of Supplemental Indentures.........................  47
SECTION 904.  Effect of Supplemental Indentures............................  47
SECTION 905.  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act..........................  47
SECTION 906.  Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures................  48

ARTICLE TEN  COVENANTS.....................................................  48

SECTION 1001.  Payment of Principal and Interest...........................  48
SECTION 1002.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.............................  48
SECTION 1003.  Money for Notes Payments to be Held in Trust................  48
SECTION 1004.  Statement by Officers as to Default.........................  49
SECTION 1005.  Existence...................................................  50
SECTION 1006.  Limitation on Liens.........................................  50
SECTION 1007.  Limitation on Sale or Issuance of Stock of Subsidiaries.....  51
SECTION 1008.  Limitation on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions
                Affecting Significant Subsidiaries.........................  51
SECTION 1009.  Redemption of 9 1/2% Senior Notes Due 2000..................  52
SECTION 1010.  Waiver of Certain Covenants.................................  52

ARTICLE ELEVEN  REDEMPTION OF NOTES........................................  52

SECTION 1101.  Applicability of Article....................................  52
SECTION 1102.  Optional Redemption.........................................  53
SECTION 1103.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.......................  53
SECTION 1104.  Selection by Trustee of Notes to be Redeemed................  53
SECTION 1105.  Notice of Redemption at the Option of the Company...........  53
SECTION 1106.  Procedure and Notice for Redemption at the Option of
                Each Holder................................................  54
SECTION 1107.  Deposit of Redemption Price.................................  56
SECTION 1108.  Notes Payable on Date of Redemption.........................  56
SECTION 1109.  Notes Redeemed in Part......................................  56

ARTICLE TWELVE  LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE...................  57

SECTION 1201.  Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant
                Defeasance.................................................  57
SECTION 1202.  Legal Defeasance and Discharge..............................  57
SECTION 1203.  Covenant Defeasance.........................................  57
SECTION 1204.  Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.......  58
SECTION 1205.  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be
                Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions..............  59
SECTION 1206.  Reinstatement...............................................  59
</TABLE>

                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
          INDENTURE, dated as of ., 1998 between Presidential Life Corporation,
a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, having its principal office at 69 Lydecker Street, Nyack, New York
10960, and its successors and assigns as Issuer (the "Company"), and Bankers
Trust Company, a New York banking corporation duly organized and existing under
the laws of New York, as Trustee (the "Trustee").

                            RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

          The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance, in one or more offerings, of up to $100
million aggregate principal amount of its .% Senior Notes due ., 2008 (the
"Notes") of substantially the tenor and amount hereinafter set forth.

          This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended, and shall to the extent applicable, be governed by such
provisions.

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

          NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

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


                                  ARTICLE ONE
                                  -----------

            DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
            -------------------------------------------------------

          SECTION 101.  Definitions.  For all purposes of this Indenture, except
                        -----------                                             
as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

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

               (2)  all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust
          Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the
          meanings assigned to them therein;

               (3)  all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the
          meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted
          accounting principles, and, except as otherwise herein expressly
          provided, the term "generally accepted accounting principles," with
          respect to any computation required or permitted 
<PAGE>
 
          hereunder, shall mean such accounting principles in the United States
          as are generally accepted at the date of this instrument; and

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

          "Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of any Person (i) existing
at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or (ii) assumed in connection with
the acquisition of assets from a Person.

          "Act," when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified
in Section 104.

          "Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any date of
redemption, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to
maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the
Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount)
equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such date of redemption, calculated
on the third Business Day preceding the date of redemption, plus in each case .%
(. basis points).

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

          "Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee
pursuant to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Notes.

          "Board of Directors" means the board of directors of the Company or
any duly authorized committee of that board.

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

          "Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday, which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York City are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

          "Capital Stock," as applied to the stock of any corporation, means the
capital stock of every class whether now or hereafter authorized, regardless of
whether such capital stock shall be limited to a fixed sum or percentage with
respect to the rights of the holders 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
thereof to participate in dividends and in the distribution of assets upon the
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such
corporation.

          "Commission" means 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 instrument such Commission is not existing and
performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the
body performing such duties at such time.

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

          "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or order
signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, the Vice
Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President, and by the Chief
Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee as provided in
Section 105.

          "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining
term of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of
selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new
issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term
of such Notes.

          "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any date of
redemption, (i) the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable
Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount)
on the third Business Day preceding such date of redemption, as set forth in the
daily statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S.
Government Securities," or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is
not published or does not contain such prices on such Business Day, the average
of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such date, after excluding the
highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (iii) if the
Trustee obtains fewer than three such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the
average of all such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations.

          "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee at
which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered,
which office at the date of execution of this Indenture is located at Four
Albany Street, New York, New York 10006, Attention: Corporate Trust and Agency
Services, Facsimile number: (212) 250-6215.

          "Default" means any event or condition which is, or after notice or
passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

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

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          "Depositary" means DTC until a successor depositary shall have become
such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Depositary" shall mean such successor Depositary.

          "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation.

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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

          "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to any asset or property, the
sale value that would be obtained in an arm's length transaction between an
informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell to an informed and
willing buyer.

          "Federal Bankruptcy Code" means Title 11 of the United States Code, as
amended.

          "Global Note" means a Note or Notes, as the case may be, in the form
prescribed in Article Two, issued to the Depositary or its nominee, and
deposited with, and registered in the name of, such Depositary or nominee.

          "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Note is registered in the
Register.

          "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, (i) every obligation
of such Person for money borrowed or under any reimbursement obligation relating
to a letter of credit (other than letters of credit obtained in the ordinary
course of business), if, and to the extent that, any of the foregoing would
appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, (ii) every obligation of such
Person evidenced by a bond, note, debenture or similar instrument, if, and to
the extent that, any of the foregoing would appear as a liability upon a balance
sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, (iii) every obligation of such Person in respect of lease rentals
which, under generally accepted accounting principles, would be shown on the
balance sheet of such Person as a liability (other than a current liability or a
deferred item), (iv) all obligations under interest rate contracts of such
Person, and (v) every guarantee, direct or indirect, of any obligation described
in clauses (i) through (iv) above.

          "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed, or as it may
from time to time be supplemented or amended by, one or more indentures
supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof,
including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental
indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a
part of, and govern, this instrument and any such supplemental indenture,
respectively.

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

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          "Lien" means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, security interest or
encumbrance of any kind in respect of any property or asset, whether or not
filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any lease in the nature
thereof).

          "Make-Whole Amount" means, in connection with an optional redemption
of any Note, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum, as determined by the Quotation
Agent, of the present values of the principal amount of such Note, together with
scheduled payments of interest that would accrue thereon from the date of
redemption to the Stated Maturity of the Notes, in each case discounted to the
date of redemption on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of
twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate over (ii) 100% of the
principal amount of the Note to be redeemed.

          "Maturity," when used with respect to any Note, means the date on
which the principal of such Note becomes due and payable as therein or herein
provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call
for redemption, Sale of a Significant Subsidiary or otherwise.

          "Notes" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture.

          "Notice of Default" has the meaning assigned to it in Section
501(a)(3).

          "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed on behalf of the
Company by the Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the
President or a Vice President, and by the Chief Financial Officer, the
Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of
the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

          "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be
counsel for the Company and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee,
and delivered to the Trustee.

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

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

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

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
               (iii)  Notes which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in
          exchange for or in lieu of which other Notes have been authenticated
          and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Notes in
          respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof
          satisfactory to it that such Notes are held by a protected purchaser,
          within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York Uniform Commercial
          Code, in whose hands such Notes are valid obligations of the Company;
          and

               (iv)  Notes with respect to which the Company has effected legal
          defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Twelve;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of the Outstanding Notes have given any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Notes owned by
the Company upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company shall be disregarded
and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the
Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Notes which the
Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded.  Notes so owned, which
have been pledged in good faith, may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee
establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act
with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company or any
Affiliate of the Company.

          "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, any Notes on behalf of the
Company.

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

          "Place of Payment" means the place or places where the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes are payable as specified by Section
301.

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

          "Quotation Agent" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers
appointed by the Company as the Quotation Agent.

          "Redemption Price," when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed,
means the price at which it is to be redeemed as specified therein.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
          "Reference Treasury Dealer" means (i) any of BT Alex. Brown
Incorporated and Salomon Smith Barney and their respective successors; provided,
however, that if either of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S.
Government securities dealer in New York City (a "Primary Treasury Dealer"), the
Company shall substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer; and (ii) any other
Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Company.

          "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any date of redemption, the average, as determined
by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the Trustee and the Quotation Agent by such Reference Treasury Dealer
at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such date
of redemption.

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

          "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable with respect to any
Note on any Interest Payment Date means the . or . (whether or not a Business 
Day) immediately preceding the relevant Interest Payment Date.

          "Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, means
any managing director, principal, vice president, assistant vice president,
assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of
the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office customarily performing functions
similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also
means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to
whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with
the particular subject.

          "Sale of a Significant Subsidiary" means the sale, transfer,
assignment or other disposition of a Significant Subsidiary to any Person who is
not a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company.

          "Significant Subsidiary" means, (i) as long as it is a Subsidiary,
Presidential Life Insurance Company, and (ii) any Subsidiary that would be a
"Significant Subsidiary" within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w)(2) under Regulation
S-X promulgated by the Commission; provided, however, that for purposes of the
definition of Sale of a Significant Subsidiary, the term "10 percent" in such
rule shall be substituted by the term "40 percent."

          "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means
a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

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

          "Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness the payment of which is
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
          "Subsidiary" means a corporation of which more than 50% of the
outstanding Voting Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any
contingency) to vote generally in the election of directors thereof is owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or
by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries.

          "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first
paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Trustee" shall mean the Person who is then a Trustee hereunder.

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

          "U.S. Government Obligations" means securities that are (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America for the timely 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 timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full
faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either
case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

          "Vice President," when used with respect to the Company or the
Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a
word or words added before or after the title "vice president."

          "Voting Stock" means the stock of the class or classes pursuant to
which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary
circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers
or trustees of a corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock
of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of
the happening of any contingency).

          For purposes of Section 311(b)(4) and (6) of the Trust Indenture Act,
the following terms shall have the meanings assigned to them:

          "Cash transaction" means any transaction in which full payment for
goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods
or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or
bankers and payable upon demand; and

          "Self-liquidating paper" means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance
or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company for
the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment,
storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents
evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or
merchandise or the receivable or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods,
wares or merchandise previously constituting the security; provided that the
security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the
creditor relationship with the Company arising from the making, drawing,
negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or
obligation.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 102.  Compliance Certificates and Opinions.  Upon any
                        ------------------------------------           
application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under
any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate stating that, 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, if any, have been
complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to
which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision
of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no
additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

          Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

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

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

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

               (4)  a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such
          individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with;
          provided, however, that, with respect to matters of fact, an Opinion
          of Counsel may rely on an Officers' Certificate or a certificate of
          public officials.

          SECTION 103.  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.  In any case
                        --------------------------------------              
where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion
of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified
by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so
certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or
give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons
as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to
such matters in one or several documents.

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

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
          Where any Person or Persons is or are required to make, give or
execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements,
opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be
consolidated and form one instrument.

          SECTION 104.  Acts of Holders; Record Dates.  (a)  Any request,
                        -----------------------------                    
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action
provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in
and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed
by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as
herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when
such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is
hereby expressly required, to the Company.  Such instrument or instruments (and
the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred
to as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments.  Proof of
execution of any such instrument, or of a writing appointing any such agent,
shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section
601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner
provided in this Section.

          Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including
a Depositary that is a Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a
proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to
be made, given or taken by Holders, and a Depositary that is a Holder of a
Global Note may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of
interests in any such Global Note.

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

          (c)  The Company may, at its option, by Board Resolution, set a record
date for determining the Holders entitled to give or take any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, or to vote on
any action, authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders, but the
Company shall have no obligation to do so.  If a record date is set pursuant to
this paragraph, such Act may be given or taken before or after the record date,
by only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date who
shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of determining whether Holders of
the requisite proportion of Outstanding Notes have authorized or agreed or
consented to such Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Notes shall be
computed as of the record date.  If a record date is set pursuant to this
paragraph, the Company may, at its option, set an expiration date after which no
such Act purported to be given or taken by any Holder shall be effective
hereunder unless given or taken 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
on or prior to such expiration date by Holders of the requisite Outstanding
Notes on such record date, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so.

          On or prior to any expiration date set pursuant to this paragraph, the
Company may, on one or more occasions at its option, extend such date to any
later date.

          (d)  The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Register.

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

          SECTION 105.  Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.  Any request,
                        -------------------------------------               
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or
other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or
furnished to, or filed with,

               (1)  the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be
          sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or
          filed in writing, in person, telecopied (with prompt confirmation by
          first class mail postage prepaid) or mailed by registered mail, return
          receipt requested, to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust
          Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Department, or

               (2)  the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be
          sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein
          expressly provided) if made, given, furnished or filed in writing, in
          person, telecopied (with prompt confirmation by first class mail
          postage prepaid) or mailed by registered mail, return receipt
          requested, to or with the Company, addressed to it at the address of
          its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this
          instrument, Attention: Chief Financial Officer (with a copy to the
          same address, Attention: General Counsel) or at any other address
          previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

          SECTION 106.  Notice to Holders; Waiver.  Where this Indenture
                        -------------------------                       
provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently
given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed,
first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at his
address as it appears in the Register, not later than the latest date (if any),
and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of
such notice.  In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the
failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any
particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to
other Holders.  Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such
notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice,
either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of
such notice.  Waivers of notice by Holders shall 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to
the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

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

          SECTION 107.  Trust Indenture Act Controls.  If any provision hereof
                        ----------------------------                          
limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that
is required under such Act to be part of and govern this Indenture, the latter
provision shall control.  If any provision of this Indenture modifies or
excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or
excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so
modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

          SECTION 108.  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.  The Article
                        ----------------------------------------              
and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only
and shall not affect the construction hereof.

          SECTION 109.  Successors and Assigns.  All covenants and agreements in
                        ----------------------                                  
this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so
expressed or not.

          SECTION 110.  Severability Clause.  In case any provision in this
                        -------------------                                
Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in
any way be affected or impaired thereby.

          SECTION 111.  Benefits of Indenture.  Nothing in this Indenture or the
                        ---------------------                                   
Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties
hereto and their successors hereunder and the Holders, any benefit or any legal
or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

          SECTION 112.  Governing Law.  This Indenture and the Notes shall be
                        -------------                                        
governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York.

          SECTION 113.  Legal Holidays.  In any case where any Interest Payment
                        --------------                                         
Date or Maturity of any Note shall not be a Business Day at any Place of
Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the
Notes), payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest need not be made at
such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding
Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made
on the Interest Payment Date or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue
on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment
Date or Maturity, as the case may be.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE TWO
                                  -----------

                                   NOTE FORMS
                                   ----------

          SECTION 201.  Forms Generally.  The Notes and the Trustee's
                        ---------------                              
certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the form set forth in
this Article, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and
other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have
such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or
endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any
securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the
officers executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution of the Notes.

          The Notes initially shall be issued in the form of one or more fully
registered Global Notes.

          Any definitive Notes shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may
be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the
Company executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution of such Notes.

          SECTION 202.  Form of Face of Note.
                        -------------------- 

          [Insert any legend required by the Internal Revenue Code and the
regulations thereunder.]

          [The following legend shall also appear on the face of each Global
Note:

          THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
REFERRED TO BELOW AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE
OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH MAY BE TREATED BY THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND ANY
AGENT THEREOF AS OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS NOTE FOR ALL PURPOSES.]

          [The following legend shall also appear on the face of each Global
Note for which The Depository Trust Company is to be the Depositary:

          UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO THE COMPANY
OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY
CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME
AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT 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 INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER
HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
          UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR REGISTERED
NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES REFERENCED IN THE INDENTURE, THIS
GLOBAL NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR
ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A
SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.]

                         PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION

                          .% Senior Notes due ., 2008

No. _______

$____________                                           CUSIP No. ___________

          Presidential Life Corporation, a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company,"
which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
________________________________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of
__________________________________ Dollars on ____________________, and to pay
interest thereon from __________________ or from the most recent Interest
Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semiannually
in arrears on . and . in each year, commencing _______________, 1998 at the rate
of .% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for
payment, and (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally
enforceable) at the rate of .% per annum on any overdue principal and on any
overdue installment of interest.  The interest so payable and punctually paid or
duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such
Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more
Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record
Date for such interest, which shall be the . or . (whether or not a Business 
Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any
such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease
to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid
to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is
registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of
such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be
given to Holders of Notes not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record
Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with
the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed,
and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully
provided in said Indenture.

          Payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest
on, this Note will be made at the office of the Trustee in The City of New York.
Payments in respect of principal or premium, if any, on this Note will be made
only against surrender of this Note at such office.  Payment of interest on each
Interest Payment Date with respect to this Note will be made to the Person in
whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on the . or .

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date by U.S. dollar check drawn on a
bank in the City of New York or, for Holders of at least $1,000,000 of Notes, by
wire transfer to a dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the
United States; provided that a written request from such Holder to such effect
designating such account is received by the Trustee or the Paying Agent no later
than 30 calendar days preceding such Interest Payment Date.  Unless such
designation is revoked, any such designation made by such Holder with respect to
such Note payable to such Holder will remain in effect with respect to any
future payments with respect to such Note payable to such Holder.  The Company
will pay any administrative costs imposed by banks in connection with making
payments by wire transfer.

          Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set
forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

          Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Note
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed by manual or facsimile signature.

Dated:

                                 PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION

                                 By:  ___________________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:


          SECTION 203.  Form of Reverse of Note.
                        ----------------------- 

          This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the
Company designated as its ".% Senior Notes due ., 2008" (herein called the
"Notes"), limited in aggregate principal amount to $100,000,000, issued in one
or more offerings under an Indenture, dated as of ., 1998 (herein called the
"Indenture"), between the Company, as issuer, and Bankers Trust Company, as
Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any successor trustee
under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto
reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations
of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the
Holders of the Notes and of the terms upon which the Notes are, and are to be,
authenticated and delivered.

          No sinking fund is provided for the Notes.

          This Note will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of
the Company, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at a
Redemption Price equal to the sum of 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
(i) 100% of the principal amount hereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon
to, but excluding, the date of redemption, and (ii) a premium equal to the Make-
Whole Amount.

          If there shall have occurred a Sale of a Significant Subsidiary, this
Note will be redeemable at the option of the Holder, in whole or in part (in
minimum denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof), pursuant to the
procedures set forth in the Indenture, at a Redemption Price in cash equal to
100% of the principal amount hereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to,
but excluding, the date of redemption.

          In the event of redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note or
Notes for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder
hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

          The Indenture contains provisions for legal defeasance at any time of
the entire indebtedness of this Note or defeasance of certain restrictive
covenants with respect to this Note, in each case upon compliance by the Company
with certain conditions set forth therein.

          The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Notes at any time by the Company
and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in
principal amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding to be affected.  The
Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified
percentages in principal amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding, on behalf
of the Holders of all Notes, to waive compliance by the Company with certain
provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and
their consequences.  Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Note shall
be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this
Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in
exchange hereof or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or
waiver is made upon this Note.

          No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on, this Note at the times, place and rate, and in the currency, herein
prescribed.

          As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Register upon
surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency
maintained by the Company for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City
of New York, which initially will be the office of the Trustee or at the office
of any Paying Agent, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar duly executed by,
the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one
or more new Notes, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate
principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
          The Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.  A Holder may
transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture.

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

          Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer,
the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat
the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

          The Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

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

          SECTION 204.  Exchange Schedule for Global Notes.  The following
                        ----------------------------------                
information shall appear on each Global Note:

          The following exchanges of interests in this Global Note have been
made:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Principal amount                     
                                                                 of this Note         Signature of  
                                                                following such         authorized   
   Date of          Amount of decrease   Amount of increase      decrease (or         signatory of  
   exchange            in this Note         in this Note           increase)             Trustee    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                 <C>                  <C>                  <C>                     <C> 


 
</TABLE>


          SECTION 205.  Form of Assignment.
                        ------------------ 
          For value received ________________________ hereby sells(s), assign(s)
and transfer(s) unto _____________________ (Please insert social security or
other identifying number of assignee) the within Note, and hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints _________________________ as attorney to transfer the
said Note on the books of the Company.


Dated:                         --------------------------------

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
                                         Signature(s)

          Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor Institution
          with membership in an approved signature guarantee program pursuant to
          Rule l7Ad-15 under the Exchange Act.

               ___________________________________
                      Signature Guaranteed

          SECTION 206.  Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication'.
                        -----------------------------------------------   
Subject to Section 612, the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be
substantially in the following form:

                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

          This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.

                    Bankers Trust Company

                    As Trustee

                        By:______________________________
                                Authorized Officer


                                 ARTICLE THREE
                                 -------------

                                   THE NOTES
                                   ---------

          SECTION 301.  Title and Terms.  (a)  The aggregate principal amount of
                        ---------------                                         
Notes which may be authenticated and delivered in one or more offerings under
this Indenture is limited to an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000,
except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of,
or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Sections 304, 305,
306, 906 and 1109.  Any Notes issued subsequent to the initial offering of Notes
will have identical terms and conditions as the Notes then outstanding and will
vote on all matters together with such outstanding Notes.  Notwithstanding the
above, or anything herein to the contrary, the issue price for any such
subsequent Notes may differ from the issue price of the Outstanding Notes; and
the first interest period for any such subsequent Notes will run from the date
of issuance of such subsequent Notes to, but excluding, the next Interest
Payment Date for the Notes.

          (b) The Notes shall be known and designated as the ".% Senior Notes  
due ., 2008" of the Company.  Their Stated Maturity shall be ., 2008 and they 
shall bear interest at the rate of .% per annum from the date of issuance of the
respective Notes or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest
has been paid or duly provided for, as the case may be, payable semiannually in
arrears on . and . of each year until the principal thereof is paid or made
available for payment; provided that any amount of such principal or interest
that is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of % per annum (to the extent
that payment of such

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
interest shall be legally enforceable), from the date such amount is due until
it is paid or made available for payment, and such interest on any overdue
amount shall be payable on demand.

          (c)  Payment in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on, the Notes will be made at the office of the Trustee in The City of
New York or at any other Place of Payment designated by the Company pursuant to
Section 1002.  Payments in respect of principal or premium, if any, on Notes
will be made only against surrender of such Notes at such office.  Payments of
interest on each Interest Payment Date with respect to each Note will be made to
the Person in whose name such Note is registered at the close of business on the
 . or . immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date by U.S. dollar check 
drawn on a bank in the City of New York or, for Holders of at least $1,000,000
of Notes, by wire transfer to a dollar account maintained by the payee with a
bank in the United States; provided that a written request from such Holder to
such effect designating such account is received by the Trustee or the Paying
Agent no later than 30 calendar days preceding such Interest Payment Date.
Unless such designation is revoked, any such designation made by such Holder
with respect to such Note payable to such Holder will remain in effect with
respect to any future payments with respect to such Note payable to such Holder.
The Company will pay any administrative costs imposed by banks in connection
with making payments by wire transfer.

          Payments due on Notes represented by a Global Note registered in the
name of the Depositary or its nominee will be made to the Depositary or its
nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Note
representing such Notes.  The Company expects that the Depositary or its
nominee, upon receipt of any payment, will credit immediately participants'
accounts with payments in same-day funds in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in such payments, as shown on the records of the
Depositary or its nominee.  The Company also expects that payments by
participants and indirect participants to owners of beneficial interests in such
Global Note held through such Persons will be governed by standing instructions
and customary practices, as is now the case with securities registered in the
name of nominees for such customers, and will be the responsibility of such
participants and indirect participants.

          The Notes shall be redeemable at the Company's option, in whole or in
part, at any time and shall be redeemable at the Holders' option upon a Sale of
a Significant Subsidiary, in each case as provided in Article Eleven.

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

          (d) Any money or securities paid or delivered by the Company to the
Trustee for any payment with respect to the Notes which remains unclaimed for
two years after the date such payment was due or such securities were
deliverable will be repaid or delivered to the Company and thereafter the Holder
will look only to the Company for payments thereof as an unsecured creditor, and
the Company shall not be liable to pay any taxes or other duties in connection
with such payments; provided, however, that unless otherwise provided by
applicable law, the right to receive payment of principal of any Note, to the
extent of any cash redemption, will become void 

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
at the end of 10 years from the relevant date thereof or such shorter period as
may be prescribed by applicable law.

          (e) The Notes may be issued in the form of one or more fully
registered Global Notes that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the
Depositary and registered in the name of the Depositary's nominee.  So long as
the Depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of a Global Note, such
Depositary or such nominee will be considered the sole owner or Holder of the
Notes represented by such Global Note for all purposes under this Indenture and
the Notes.  Except as otherwise provided herein, owners of beneficial interests
in a Global Note will not be entitled to have Notes represented by a Global Note
registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical
delivery of Notes in definitive form, and will not be considered the owners or
Holders thereof under this Indenture or the Notes.  In addition, no beneficial
owner of an interest in a Global Note will be able to transfer that beneficial
interest except in accordance with the Depositary's or its participants'
applicable procedures.

          SECTION 302.  Denominations.  The Notes shall be issuable in
                        -------------                                 
registered form without coupons and only in denominations of $1,000 and any
integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

          SECTION 303.  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.  (a)
                        ----------------------------------------------       
The Notes shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the
Board, its Vice Chairman of the Board, its President or one of its Vice
Presidents.  The signature of any of these persons on the Notes may be manual or
facsimile.  If an officer or board member of the Company whose signature is on a
Note no longer holds that position at the time the Trustee authenticates such
Note or at any time thereafter, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

          (b) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery
of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Notes executed by the Company to the
Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication
and delivery of such Notes, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order
shall authenticate and deliver such Notes.

          (c) Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.

          (d) No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or
be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Note a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein
executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Note
shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been
duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

          SECTION 304.  Temporary Notes.  Pending the preparation of definitive
                        ---------------                                        
Notes, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, temporary Notes which are printed, lithographed,
typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination,
substantially of the tenor of the definitive Notes in lieu of which they are
issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other
variations as the officers executing such Notes may determine, as evidenced by
their execution of such Notes.

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
          If temporary Notes are issued, the Company will cause definitive Notes
to be prepared without unreasonable delay.  After the preparation of definitive
Notes, the temporary Notes shall be exchangeable for definitive Notes upon
surrender of the temporary Notes at the office or agency of the Company in a
Place of Payment, without charge to the Holder.  Upon surrender for cancellation
of any one or more temporary Notes the Company shall execute and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of
definitive Notes of authorized denominations.  Until so exchanged the temporary
Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this
Indenture as definitive Notes.

          For purposes of this Section 304, each Global Note shall be considered
a definitive Note.

          SECTION 305.  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
                        ---------------------------------------------------  
(a)  The Company shall cause to be kept a register (which register will be
maintained in any office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in
the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which initially shall be the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and the office of any Paying Agent, and
being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the "Register") in which,
subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall
provide for the registration of Notes and of transfers of Notes.  The Trustee is
hereby appointed "Registrar" for the purpose of registering Notes and transfers
of Notes as herein provided.

          (b) Upon surrender for registration of transfer or exchange of any
Note at the office or agency maintained for such purpose, the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the
designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes, of any authorized
denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor of each such
Note.  All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes,
shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and
entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Notes surrendered
upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

          (c) Every Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer
or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly
endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer (in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar) duly executed, by the Holder
thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

          No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Notes (excluding any case in which such Notes have been mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen, in which case the Registrar may charge a reasonable
fee for replacement), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, other than exchanges
pursuant to Section 304, 906 or 1109 not involving any transfer.

          (d) Neither the Company nor any Registrar or Transfer Agent shall be
required (i) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Notes during a
period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the
mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes selected for redemption under Section
1103 or 1106 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing,
(ii) to register the transfer of, or exchange, any Note so selected for
redemption in whole 

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part,
(iii) to register the transfer of, or exchange, any Note for a period from the
record date to the due date for any payment of principal of, or interest on, the
Notes or (iv) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange, any Note which
has been surrendered for redemption at the option of the Holder, except the
portion, if any, of such Note not to be so redeemed.

          (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 305, unless
and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Notes in definitive registered
form, a Global Note representing all or a portion of the Notes may not be
transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary
or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the
Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or
a nominee of such successor Depositary, and a Global Note may not be exchanged
for Notes in definitive form except as hereafter provided in this Section 305.

          (f) If at any time the Depositary notifies the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or if at any time the Depositary
shall cease to be a clearing agency registered pursuant to the provisions of
Section 17A of the Exchange Act and any other applicable statute or regulation,
the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary.  If a successor Depositary is
not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such
notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company will execute, and the
Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of
definitive Notes, will authenticate and deliver Notes in definitive registered
form, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to
the principal amount of the Global Note or Notes, in exchange for such Global
Note or Notes.

          (g) If there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default
with respect to the Notes, the Company will issue Notes in definitive form in
exchange for the Global Note representing such Notes.  In such a case, the
Company will promptly execute, and the Trustee will execute, upon receipt of a
Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Notes will
authenticate and deliver, Notes in definitive registered form, in any authorized
denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of
the Global Note or Notes, in exchange for such Global Note or Notes.

          (h) The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine
that the Notes issued in the form of one or more Global Notes shall no longer be
represented by such Global Note or Notes.  In such event, the Company will
execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication
and delivery of definitive Notes will authenticate and deliver, Notes in
definitive registered form, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate
principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Note or Notes, in
exchange for such Global Note or Notes.

          (i) If specified by the Company with respect to the Notes, a Person
owning a beneficial interest in a Global Note or Notes may instruct the
Depositary to surrender such Global Note in exchange, in whole or in part, for
Notes in definitive registered form, on such terms as are acceptable to the
Company, the Trustee and the Depositary.  Thereupon, the 

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without
service charge to the Person specified by such Depositary, a new Note or Notes
of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person, in an aggregate
principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, such Person's beneficial
interest in the Global Note; and the Trustee shall endorse the Global Note to
reflect the reduction in the principal amount thereof by the amount delivered
pursuant to this clause.

          Upon the exchange of a Global Note for Notes in definitive registered
form, such Global Note shall be canceled by the Trustee.  Notes in definitive
registered form issued in exchange for a Global Note pursuant to this Section
305 shall be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof
and registered in such names as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from
its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee.
The Trustee shall deliver such Notes to, or as directed by, the Persons in whose
names such Notes are so registered.

          SECTION 306.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Notes.  If any
                        -------------------------------------------         
mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute, and the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Note of like
tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously
outstanding.

          If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (a)
evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note and
(b) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them
and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the
Company or the Trustee that such Note has been acquired by a protected
purchaser, within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York Uniform Commercial
Code, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver
in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Note, a new Note of like tenor and
principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

          In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note has become
or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may,
instead of issuing a new Note, pay such Note.

          Upon the issuance of any new Note under this Section 306, the Company
may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other
expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

          Every new Note issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any
destroyed, lost or stolen Note, shall constitute an original additional
contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or
stolen Note shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to
all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all
other Notes duly issued hereunder.

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
          The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to
the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement
or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.

          SECTION 307.  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.  (a)
                        ----------------------------------------------       
Interest on any Note which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided
for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that
Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

          (b) Any interest on any Note which 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 may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as
provided in subclause (1) or (2) below:

               (1)  The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted
          Interest to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective
          Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a
          Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which
          shall be fixed in the following manner.  The Company shall notify the
          Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be
          paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the
          same time the Company shall deposit with the 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
          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 subclause
          provided.  Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for
          the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15
          days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed
          payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of
          the notice of the proposed payment.  The Trustee shall promptly notify
          the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the
          expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of
          such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be
          mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Notes at such
          Holder's address as it appears in the 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 so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons
          in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are
          registered at the 

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
          close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be
          payable pursuant to the following subclause (2).

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

          Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 307, each Note
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of, in exchange for
or in lieu of, any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and
unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.

          SECTION 308.  Persons Deemed Owners.  Prior to due presentment of a
                        ---------------------                                
Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating
Agent, any Paying Agent or the Registrar and any agent of the Company, the
Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent or the Registrar may treat
the Person in whose name such Note is registered as the owner of such Note for
the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, premium, if any, and (subject
to Section 307) any interest on, such Note and for all other purposes
whatsoever, whether or not such Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent or the Registrar nor any
agent of the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent or
the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

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

          SECTION 309.  Cancellation.  All Notes surrendered for payment,
                        ------------                                     
redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any
Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly
canceled by it.  The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for
cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which
the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Notes so
delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee.  No Notes shall be
authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Notes canceled as provided in
this Section 309, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture.  All canceled
Notes held by the Trustee shall be held by the Trustee in accordance with its
customary practices until destroyed by the Trustee; provided, however, that the
Trustee shall not be required to destroy such Notes.

          The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes it has paid in
full or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 310.  Computation of Interest.  Interest on the Notes shall be
                        -----------------------                                 
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

          SECTION 311.  CUSIP Numbers.  The Company in issuing the Notes may use
                        -------------                                           
"CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use) in addition to serial numbers, and,
if so, the Trustee shall use such "CUSIP" numbers in addition to serial numbers
in notices of repurchase as a convenience to Holders; provided that any notice
may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers
either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a repurchase and
that reliance may be placed only on the serial or other identification numbers
printed on the Notes, and any such repurchase shall not be affected by any
defect in, or omission of, such "CUSIP" numbers.  The Company will promptly
notify the Trustee of any change in the "CUSIP" numbers.


                                  ARTICLE FOUR
                                  ------------

                           SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
                           --------------------------

          SECTION 401.  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.  (a)  This
                        ---------------------------------------            
Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect (except as to
any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes herein
expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall
execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture, when

               (1)  either

                    (A)  all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered
               (other than (i) Notes that have been destroyed, lost or stolen
               and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306
               and (ii) Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been
               deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company
               and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such
               trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the
               Trustee for cancellation; or

                    (B)  all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for
               cancellation

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
                         (i)  have become due and payable, or

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

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

                    the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has
               deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust
               funds in trust for the purpose an amount sufficient to pay and
               discharge the entire indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore
               delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and
               interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes which
               have become due and payable) or to Maturity;

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

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

          (b) Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture,
the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations
of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614, and, if money
shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause
(a)(1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the
last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive.

          SECTION 402.  Application of Trust Money.  Subject to the provisions
                        --------------------------                            
of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee
pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance
with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either
directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own
Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of
the principal, premium, if any, and interest for whose payment such money has
been deposited with the Trustee.

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE FIVE
                                  ------------

                                    REMEDIES
                                    --------

          SECTION 501.  Events of Default.  (a) "Event of Default," wherever
                        -----------------                                   
used herein, means any one of the following events (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):

               (1) default in the payment of any interest on any Note when it
          becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period
          of 30 days; or

               (2) default in the payment of the principal of, and premium, if
          any, on, any Note at its Maturity; or

               (3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or
          agreement of the Company under this Indenture (other than a default in
          the performance, or breach, of a covenant or agreement that is
          specifically dealt with elsewhere therein), and continuance of such
          default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given,
          by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee, or to
          the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in
          principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, a written notice specifying
          such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating
          that such notice is a "Notice of Default" under this Indenture; or

               (4) (i) an event of default shall have occurred under any
          mortgage, bond, indenture, loan agreement or other document evidencing
          any issue of Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
          for money borrowed, which issue has an aggregate outstanding principal
          amount of not less than $10,000,000, and such default shall result in
          such Indebtedness becoming, whether by declaration or otherwise, due
          and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise become due
          and payable or (ii) a default in any payment when due at final
          maturity of any such Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant
          Subsidiary outstanding in an aggregate principal amount of not less
          than $10,000,000, and, in each case, ten Business Days shall have
          elapsed after such event, during which period such event shall not
          have been cured or rescinded or such Indebtedness shall not have been
          satisfied; or

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
               (5) final judgments or orders are rendered against the Company or
          any Significant Subsidiary by a court or regulatory agency of
          competent jurisdiction which require the payment in money, either
          individually or in an aggregate amount, that is more than $10,000,000
          and such judgment or order shall not be discharged and either (i) any
          creditor shall have commenced an enforcement proceeding upon such
          judgment or order, which enforcement proceeding shall have remained
          unstayed for a period of 10 days or (ii) there shall have been a
          period of 60 days after the date on which any period for appeal has
          expired during which a stay of enforcement shall not be in effect; or

               (6) a decree or order is entered by a court having jurisdiction
          (i) for relief in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
          in an involuntary case or proceeding under the Federal Bankruptcy Code
          or any other federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
          or similar law, including, without limitation, any such case or
          proceeding under applicable state insurance laws, or (ii) adjudging
          the Company or any Significant Subsidiary a bankrupt or insolvent, or
          seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of, or
          in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary under the
          Federal Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable federal or state law,
          including, without limitation, any such case or proceeding under
          applicable state insurance laws, or appointing a custodian, receiver,
          liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar
          official) of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or of any
          substantial part of any of their assets, or ordering the winding up or
          liquidation of any of their affairs, any such decree or order remains
          unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

               (7) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary institutes a
          voluntary case or proceeding under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any
          other applicable federal or state law, including, without limitation,
          any such case or proceeding under applicable state insurance laws, or
          any other case or proceedings to be adjudicated a bankrupt or
          insolvent, or the Company or any Significant Subsidiary consents to
          the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or
          any Significant Subsidiary in any involuntary case or proceeding under
          the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable federal or state
          law, including, without limitation, any such case or proceeding under
          applicable state insurance laws, or to the institution of bankruptcy
          or insolvency proceedings against the Company or any Significant
          Subsidiary, or the Company or any Significant Subsidiary files a
 

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
          petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under
          the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable federal or state
          law, or consents to the filing of any such petition or to the
          appointment of, or taking possession by, a custodian, receiver,
          liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar
          official) of any of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or of
          any substantial part of its property, or makes an assignment for the
          benefit of creditors, or admits in writing its inability to pay its
          debts generally as they become due or takes corporate action in
          furtherance of any such action.

          (b) Within five days of the occurrence of any Default, the Company
shall so notify the Trustee in writing.

          SECTION 502.  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.  If
                        --------------------------------------------------     
an Event of Default (other than as specified in Section 501(a) (6) and 501(a)
(7) with respect to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary) occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount
of the Outstanding Notes may declare all unpaid principal of, and accrued
interest on, all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in
writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any
such declaration such principal shall become due and payable immediately.  If an
Event of Default specified in Section 501(a) (6) or 501(a) (7) above with
respect to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary occurs and is continuing,
then the principal of all Notes shall by such fact itself become and be
immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of
the Trustee or any Holder.

          After a declaration of acceleration, but before a judgment or decree
for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of at
least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, by
written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may annul such declaration if (a)
the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (i)
all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee under this indenture and the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents
and counsel, (ii) all overdue interest on all Notes, (iii) the principal of, and
premium, if any, on, any Notes which have become due otherwise than by such
declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate borne by the Notes,
and (iv) to the extent payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue
interest at the rate borne by the Notes; and (b) all Events of Default, other
than the non-payment of principal of, and premium, if any, on, the Notes which
has become due solely by the declaration of acceleration, have been waived as
provided herein or cured.  No such rescission shall affect any subsequent
default or impair any right consequent thereon.

          SECTION 503.  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by
                        -------------------------------------------------------
Trustee.  The Company covenants that if:
- -------                                 

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
               (1)  default is made in the payment of any interest on any Note
          when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues
          for a period of 30 days, or

               (2)  default is made in the payment of the principal of, or
          premium, if any, on, any Note at the Maturity thereof,

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the
benefit of the Holders of such Notes, the whole amount then due and payable on
such Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest and, to the extent that
payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue
principal and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor
in such Notes, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be
sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and counsel.

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

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

          SECTION 504.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.  In case of any
                        --------------------------------                 
judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the
Notes), its property or its creditors, the Trustee shall be entitled and
empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to take any and all
actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have claims of the
Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding.  In particular, the
Trustee shall be authorized to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of
principal, premium, if any, and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the
Notes and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or
advisable in order to have claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding,
and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable
on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver,
assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any
such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such
payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the
making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any
amount due it for the reasonable

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents
and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.

          No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the
Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder
any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the
Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in
respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

          SECTION 505.  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes.
                        ------------------------------------------------------  
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture and the Notes may be
prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the
Notes or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such
proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee
of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the
payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursement and advances of
the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders
of the Notes in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

          SECTION 506.  Application of Money Collected.  Any money collected by
                        ------------------------------                         
the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at
the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such
money on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Notes and
the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender
thereof if fully paid:

               First:  To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under
          Section 607;

               Second:  To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for
          principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes in
          respect of which, or for the benefit of which, such money has been
          collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind,
          according to the amounts due and payable on such Notes for principal,
          premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

               Third:  The balance, to the Company or as a court of competent
          jurisdiction may direct.

          SECTION 507.  Limitation on Suits.  No Holder of any Note shall have
                        -------------------                                   
any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to
this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any
other remedy hereunder, unless

               (1)  such Holder has previously given written notice to the
          Trustee of a continuing Event of Default;

               (2)  the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
          Outstanding Notes shall have made written request to the

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
          Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default
          in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

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

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

               (5)  no direction inconsistent with such written request has been
          given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a
          majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes;  it being
          understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have
          any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any
          provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights
          of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain
          priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce
          any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided
          and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders.

          SECTION 508.  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and
                        -------------------------------------------------------
Interest.  Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of
- --------                                                                       
any Note shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive
payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and (subject to Section 307)
interest on, such Note on the respective Stated Maturities of such payments
expressed in such Note (or, in the case of redemption, on the date of
redemption) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and
such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

          SECTION 509.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.  If the Trustee or
                        ----------------------------------                    
any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under
this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any
reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then
and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the
Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and
respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and
remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such
proceeding had been instituted.

          SECTION 510.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.  Except as otherwise
                        ------------------------------                      
provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen Notes in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy
herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended
to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall,
to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other
right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in
equity or otherwise.

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise,
shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other
appropriate right or remedy.

          SECTION 511.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.  No delay or omission of
                        ----------------------------                          
the Trustee or of any Holder of any Notes to exercise any right or remedy
accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.
Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the
Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed
expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

          SECTION 512.  Control by Holders.  The Holders of at least a majority
                        ------------------                                     
in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes shall have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with
respect to the Notes; provided that

               (1)  such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law
          or with this Indenture, expose the Trustee to personal liability or be
          unduly prejudicial to Holders not joining therein, and

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

          SECTION 513.  Waiver of Past Defaults.  The Holders of not less than a
                        -----------------------                                 
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes may on behalf of the
Holders of all the Notes waive any past default hereunder and its consequences,
except a default

               (1)  in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or
          interest on, any Note, or

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

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

          SECTION 514.  Undertaking for Costs.  In any suit for the enforcement
                        ---------------------                                  
of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee
for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require
any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such
suit, and may assess costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to
the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that neither this
Section nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to
require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted
by the Trustee, by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate
more than 10% in principal amount of the

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
Outstanding Notes, or by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note on or after the Maturity
of such Note.

          SECTION 515.  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.  The Company covenants
                        --------------------------------                        
(to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist
upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or
advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time
hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this
Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby
expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that
they will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted
to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as
though no such law had been enacted.

                                  ARTICLE SIX
                                  -----------

                                  THE TRUSTEE
                                  -----------

          SECTION 601.  Certain Duties and Responsibilities.  (a)  Except during
                        -----------------------------------                     
the continuance of an Event of Default:

               (1)  the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such
          duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied
          covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the
          Trustee; and

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

          (b)  In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
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
such person's own affairs.

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

               (1)  this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect
          of Subsection (a) of this Section;

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
               (2)  the 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 Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

               (3)  the 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 principal amount of the
          Outstanding Notes relating to the time, method and place of conducting
          any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising
          any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture
          with respect to the Notes; and

               (4)  no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to
          expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial
          liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the
          exercise of any of its rights or powers, unless it receives indemnity
          satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

          (d)  Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of
this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or
affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this
Section.

          (e)  The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as
provided in the Trust Indenture Act and as set forth herein.

          SECTION 602.  Notice of Defaults.  Within 90 days after the occurrence
                        ------------------                                      
of any Default hereunder with respect to Notes, the Trustee shall transmit by
mail to all Holders of Notes, as their names and addresses appear in the
Register, notice of such Default hereunder actually known to the Trustee, unless
such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in
the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on, any Note, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice
if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee of directors
or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in
good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of
the Holders of the Notes; and provided, further, that in the case of any Default
of the character specified in Section 501(a) (3) with respect to the Notes, no
such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the
occurrence thereof.

          SECTION 603.  Certain Rights of Trustee.  Subject to the provisions of
                        -------------------------                               
Section 601:

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

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned
herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and
any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a
Board Resolution;

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

          (d)  the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of
such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization
and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it
hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

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

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

          (g)  the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
attorneys and the 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;

          (h)  before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require
and shall be entitled to receive an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of
Counsel that such action is required or permitted hereunder.  The Trustee shall
not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance
on an Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel; and

          (i)  in the event that the Trustee is also acting as Paying Agent,
Transfer Agent or Registrar hereunder, the protections of this Article shall
also be afforded to the Trustee in its capacity as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent
or Registrar.

          SECTION 604.  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes.  The
                        -------------------------------------------------      
recitals contained herein and in the Notes, except the Trustee's certificates of
authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company.  Neither the
Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assume any responsibility for the
correctness of such recitals.  The Trustee makes no representations as to the
validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes.  The Trustee or

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
any Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by
the Company of Notes or the proceeds thereof.

          SECTION 605.  May Hold Notes.  The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent,
                        --------------                                         
any Paying Agent, any Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its
individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and,
subject to Sections 608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the
same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying
Agent, Registrar or such other agent.

          SECTION 606.  Money Held in Trust.  Money held by the Trustee in trust
                        -------------------                                     
hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required
by law.  The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money
received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

          SECTION 607.  Compensation and Reimbursement.  The Company shall
                        ------------------------------                    

               (a) pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation
          for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall
          not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation
          of a trustee of an express trust);

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

               (c) indemnify the Trustee (and its officers, directors, agents
          and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss,
          damages, claim, liability or expense incurred without gross 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 of defending itself against any claim
          or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of
          its powers or duties hereunder.

          As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company
under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes upon all
property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held
in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Notes.

          Any expenses incurred or services rendered by the Trustee (including
the fees and expenses of its counsel and agents) in connection with an Event of
Default as set forth in Sections 501(3), (5) or (6), and any compensation for
such services by the Trustee, are intended

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law or other law
relating to creditors' rights generally. The obligations of the Company set
forth in this Section shall survive the payment in full of all amounts due and
owing hereunder and under the Notes, the termination and discharge of this
Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.

          SECTION 608.  Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.  If the Trustee
                        ---------------------------------------                 
has or acquires a conflicting interest within the meaning of Section 310 of the
Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign,
to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of,
the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

          SECTION 609.  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.  There shall at
                        ---------------------------------------                 
all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that is eligible
pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital
and surplus of at least $50,000,000.  If such Person publishes reports of
condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of Federal,
State, Territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority,
then for the purposes of this Section 609, the combined capital and surplus of
such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth
in its most recent report of condition so published.  If at any time the Trustee
shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it
shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified
in this Article.

          SECTION 610.  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.  (a)
                        -------------------------------------------------       
No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor
Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of
appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable
requirements of Section 611.

          (b)  The Trustee may resign by giving written notice thereof to the
Company.  If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by
Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after
the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with
respect to the Notes.

          (c)  The Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, delivered to the Trustee
and to the Company.

          (d)  If at any time:

               (1)  the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after
          written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been
          a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months, or

               (2)  the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and
          shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or
          by any such Holder, or

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
               (3)  the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be
          adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of
          its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take
          charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the
          purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,  then, in any
          such case, (i) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the
          Trustee, or (ii) subject to Section 512, any Holder who has been a
          bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months may, on behalf of
          himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of
          competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the
          appointment of a successor Trustee.

          (e)  If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of
acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, the
Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or
Trustees and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 611.  If,
within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the
occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee shall be appointed by Act of the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes delivered to
the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall,
forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the
applicable requirements of Section 611, become the successor Trustee and
supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.  If no successor
Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted
appointment in the manner required by Section 611, any Holder who has been a
bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and
all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for
the appointment of a successor Trustee.

          (f)  The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each
removal of the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all
Holders of Notes in the manner provided in Section 106.  Each notice shall
include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust
Office.

          SECTION 611.  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.  (a)  Every
                        --------------------------------------             
successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to
the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such
appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee
shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed
or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and
duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the
successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges,
execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the
rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign,
transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by
such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien, if any,
provided for in Section 607.

          (b)  Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall
execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and
confirming to such successor

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) of this
Section, as the case may be.

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

          SECTION 612.  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to
                        --------------------------------------------------
Business.  Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or
- --------                                                                       
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business
of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder; provided that
such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties hereto.  In case any Notes shall have been authenticated, but
not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger,
conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such
authentication and deliver the Notes so authenticated with the same effect as if
such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Notes.

          SECTION 613.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.  If
                        -------------------------------------------------      
and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company, the Trustee
shall be subject to the provisions of Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act
regarding the collection of claims against the Company.

          SECTION 614.  Appointment of Authenticating Agent.  (a)  The Trustee
                        -----------------------------------                   
may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents which shall be authorized to act
on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Notes issued upon original issue and
upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption or repayment
thereof or pursuant to Section 306, and Notes so authenticated shall be entitled
to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all
purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.  Wherever reference is
made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Notes by the
Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be
deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an
Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of
the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.  Each Authenticating Agent shall be
acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and
doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States of
America, any State or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to
act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of no less
than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State
authority.  If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least
annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or
examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital
and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined
capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so
published.  If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in
accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall
resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
          (b) Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged
or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or
corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an
Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible
under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

          (c) An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written
notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company, such resignation not to take
effect until 30 days after the date said written notice is received.  The
Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by
giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company.
Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in
case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in
accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a
successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and
shall mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage
prepaid, to all Holders of Notes, as their names and addresses appear in the
Register.  Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment
thereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its
predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an
Authenticating Agent.  No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed
unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

          The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to
time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the
Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments pursuant to the
provisions of Section 607.

          If an Authenticating Agent is appointed with respect to the Notes
pursuant to this Section, the Notes may have endorsed thereon, in addition to
the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of
authentication in the following form:

          This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.

                    Bankers Trust Company
                    As Trustee

                    By______________________________
                        As Authenticating Agent


                    By______________________________
                        Authorized Officer

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
                           ARTICLE SEVEN           
                           -------------          

               HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
               -------------------------------------------------

          SECTION 701.  Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of
                        -------------------------------------------------
Holders.  The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
- -------                                                                    

          (a) semiannually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record
Date, a list, in such form as such Trustee may reasonably require, of the names
and addresses of the Holders of Notes as of such Regular Record Date; and

          (b)  at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within
30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar
form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list
is furnished; excluding from such list names and addresses received by the
Trustee in its capacity as Registrar.

          SECTION 702.  Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
                        ------------------------------------------------------  
(a)  The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent
list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and
addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Registrar.  The
Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon
receipt of a new list so furnished.

          (b)  The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with
respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes, and the
corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the
Trust Indenture Act.

          (c)  Every Holder of Notes, by receiving and holding the same, agrees
with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor
any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure
of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act.

          SECTION 703.  Reports by Trustee.  (a)  The Trustee shall transmit to
                        ------------------                                     
Holders within 60 days after each May 15 beginning after the date of the first
issuance of the Notes such reports dated as of such date, if any, concerning the
Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the
Trust Indenture Act as amended from time to time at the times and in the manner
provided pursuant thereto.

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

          SECTION 704.  Reports by Company.  The Company shall:
                        ------------------                      

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
          (a)  file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is
required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and
of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of
any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and
regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the
Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if
the Company is not required to file information, documents, or reports pursuant
to either of such sections, then it will file with the Trustee and the
Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to
time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information,
documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the
Exchange Act, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national
securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and
regulations;

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

          (c)  transmit by mail to the Holders, within 30 days after the filing
thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and
reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to (a) and (b) in this
Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time
by the Commission.

                           ARTICLE EIGHT           
                           -------------            

                    CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
                    ----------------------------------------

          SECTION 801.  Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
(a)  The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any other
Person or, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or
otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to
any Person or group of affiliated Persons unless at the time and after giving
effect thereto (i) either (A) the Company shall be the continuing corporation,
or (B) the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or
into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by sale,
assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition the properties and assets
of the Company, substantially as an entirety (the "Surviving Entity") shall be a
corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the United
States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall, in
either case, expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental to this Indenture,
executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all
the covenants and obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture,
and this Indenture shall remain in full force and effect; (ii) immediately after
giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (iii) if any of the property
or assets of the Company would thereupon become subject to any Lien, the
outstanding Notes shall be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) the
obligation or liability secured by such Lien, unless the

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
Company could create such Lien under this Indenture without equally and ratably
securing the Notes.

          (b) In connection with any consolidation, merger, transfer or lease,
the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officers' Certificate and
an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, transfer or
lease, and the supplemental indenture in respect thereto, comply with the
provisions described in this Indenture and that all conditions precedent herein
provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

          SECTION 802.  Successor Substituted for the Company.  Upon any
                        -------------------------------------           
consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other
Person or the conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the
Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the
successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is
merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to,
and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company
under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been
named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the
predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this
Indenture and the Notes.

                                  ARTICLE NINE
                                  ------------

                            SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
                            -----------------------

          SECTION 901.  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
                        --------------------------------------------------  
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board
Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into
one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee,
for any of the following purposes:

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

          (2)  to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the
       Holders of all Notes or to surrender any right or power herein conferred
       upon the Company; or

          (3)  to add any additional Events of Default; or

          (4)  to secure the Notes; or

          (5)  to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such
       extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and
       discharge of Notes pursuant to Sections 1202 or 1203; provided, however,
       that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the
       Holders of Notes in any material respect; or

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
          (6)  to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision
       herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision
       herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or
       questions arising under this Indenture; provided that such action
       pursuant to this clause (6) shall not adversely affect the interests of
       the Holders of Notes in any material respect.

          SECTION 902.  Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.  With
                        -----------------------------------------------       
the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of
the Outstanding Notes, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the
Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may
enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of
adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the
provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the
Holders of Notes under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such
supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Note affected thereby:

          (1)  change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or interest on,
       any Note, or reduce the principal amount thereof, the premium, if any, or
       the rate of interest thereon, or change any Place of Payment where, or
       the currency in which, any Note or any amount due thereon is payable, or
       impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
       payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of
       redemption, on or after the date of redemption);

          (2)  reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
       Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental
       indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of
       compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults
       hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture; or

          (3)  modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or
       Section 1010, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that
       certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived
       without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Note affected
       thereby.

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

          SECTION 903.  Execution of Supplemental Indentures.  In executing, or
                        ------------------------------------                   
accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted
by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this
Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section
601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating
that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by
this Indenture.  The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any
such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 904.  Effect of Supplemental Indentures.  Upon the execution
                        ---------------------------------                     
of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be
modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a
part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Notes theretofore
or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

          SECTION 905.  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.  Every supplemental
                        -----------------------------------                     
indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of
the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

          SECTION 906.  Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures.  Notes
                        ---------------------------------------------        
authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture
pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a
notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such
supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Notes so modified
as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such
supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Notes.

                                  ARTICLE TEN
                                  -----------

                                   COVENANTS
                                   ---------

          SECTION 1001.  Payment of Principal and Interest.  The Company
                         ---------------------------------              
covenants and agrees that it shall duly and punctually pay the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes in accordance with the terms of the
Notes and this Indenture.

          SECTION 1002.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.  (a)  The Company
                         -------------------------------                   
shall maintain in each Place of Payment an office or agency where Notes may be
presented or surrendered for payment, where Notes may be surrendered for
registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon
the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served.  The
Company hereby initially appoints the Trustee its office or agency for each of
said purposes.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of
the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency.  If at
any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency
or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such
presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the
Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and
demands.

          (b)  The Company may also from time to time designate one or more
other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for
any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations;
provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner
relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each
Place of Payment for Notes for such purposes.  The Company shall give prompt
written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any
change in the location of any such other office or agency.

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 1003.  Money for Notes Payments to be Held in Trust.  (a) If
                         --------------------------------------------         
the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent, it shall, on or
before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any
of the Notes, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons
entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the amount so becoming due until such
sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided
and shall promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

          (b)  Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents, it
shall, on or prior to each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on, any Notes, deposit with such Paying Agent(s) a sum sufficient to
pay the amount then becoming due, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust
Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will
promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

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

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

          (2)  give the Trustee notice of any Default by the Company (or any
       other obligor upon the Notes) in the making of any payment in respect of
       the Notes; and

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

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

          (e)  Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then
held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such
amount has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company
Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust;
and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor,
look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee
or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the
Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the
Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment,
may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper
published in the English language, customarily published on each

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
Business Day and of general circulation in each Place of Payment, or mail to
each such Holder, or both, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that,
after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the
date of such publication or mailing, any unclaimed balance of such money then
remaining will be repaid to the Company.

          SECTION 1004.  Statement by Officers as to Default.  The Company shall
                         -----------------------------------                    
deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the
Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers' Certificate, stating whether
or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in
the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of
this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice
provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such
Defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge.

          SECTION 1005.  Existence.  Subject to Article Eight, the Company, on
                         ---------                                            
behalf of itself and its Significant Subsidiaries, shall do or cause to be done
all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) their
respective corporate existence, and (ii) their respective material rights
(charter and statutory); provided, however, that the Company shall not be
required to preserve the existence of any such Significant Subsidiary or any
such right if the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine that the
preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of
the Company, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous to the Holders in
any material respect.

          SECTION 1006.  Limitation on Liens.  The Company shall not , and shall
                         -------------------                                    
not permit any of its Significant Subsidiaries, at any time, directly or
indirectly, to create, assume, incur or permit to exist any Indebtedness secured
by a Lien of any kind on any of the Company's property or assets (which, for the
avoidance of doubt, shall not include any of the property or assets of the
Company's Subsidiaries) or any share of Capital Stock of any Significant
Subsidiary owned by the Company or a Significant Subsidiary without making
effective provision whereby the Notes then Outstanding shall be equally and
ratably secured with such secured Indebtedness so long as such other
Indebtedness shall be secured; provided that the Lien securing any Subordinated
Indebtedness shall be subordinate and junior to the Lien securing the Notes with
the same relative priority as such Subordinated Indebtedness shall have with
respect to the Notes; and provided, further, that this covenant shall not apply
to any Liens securing any such indebtedness which became Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to a transaction subject to the
provisions of Article Eight or Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness and, in each
case, which Liens were in existence at the time of such transaction or the
incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness (unless such Indebtedness was incurred
or such Lien created in connection with, or in contemplation of, such
transaction or incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness), so long as such Liens
do not extend to or cover any property or assets of the Company or any of its
Significant Subsidiaries other than property or assets acquired in such
transaction or securing such Acquired Indebtedness prior to its incurrence; and
provided, further, however that this covenant shall not apply to (i) any Liens
created in connection with the incurrence of any Indebtedness of the Company or
any of its Significant Subsidiaries consisting of capital lease obligations or
of purchase money indebtedness (ii), amounts, if any, deposited in trust or in
escrow for the defeasance or redemption of the Company's 9 1/2% Senior Notes due

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
2000 or (iii) Liens securing Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that becomes a
Significant Subsidiary, which Liens are in existence as of the end of the fiscal
quarter immediately preceding the fiscal quarter during which such Subsidiary
becomes a Significant Subsidiary.

          If the Company shall hereafter be required to secure the Notes equally
and ratably with any other Indebtedness pursuant to this covenant, (i) the
Company shall promptly deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating
that the foregoing covenant has been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel
stating that in the opinion of such counsel the foregoing covenant has been
complied with and that any instruments executed by the Company or any
Subsidiary, as the case may be, in the performance of the foregoing covenant
comply with the requirements of the foregoing covenant and (ii) the Trustee is
hereby authorized to enter into an indenture or agreement supplemental thereto
and to take such action, if any, as it may deem advisable to enable it to
enforce the rights of the Holders of the Notes so secured.

          SECTION 1007. Limitation on Sale or Issuance of Stock of Subsidiaries.
                        ------------------------------------------------------  
Except for a transaction subject to the provisions of Article Eight, the Company
shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, sell, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of (other than to the
Company or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company) any Capital Stock of a
Subsidiary of the Company or any Notes convertible into, or warrants, rights or
options to subscribe for, Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of the Company, and
the Company shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue or sell (other
than to the Company or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company) any of its
Capital Stock or securities convertible into or rights, warrants or options to
subscribe for its Capital Stock; provided, however, that this covenant shall not
prohibit (a) the sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of (i) all, but
not less than all, of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of any
Significant Subsidiary owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (ii)
all or any portion of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of any Subsidiary
of the Company that is not a Significant Subsidiary, if in either such case (x)
the sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition is for Fair Market Value,
(y) the Company delivers to the Trustee a written opinion of a nationally
recognized investment banking firm attesting to such value (provided that this
clause (y) shall not apply to any transaction described in clause (a)(ii) above
for total consideration less than $10,000,000), and (z) at least 75% of the
consideration is for any combination of cash or cash equivalents, at the time
such stock is sold, transferred, conveyed or disposed of, and such issuance and
sale is otherwise in compliance with the other provisions of this Indenture, or
(b) the ownership by directors of director's qualifying shares to the extent
mandated by applicable law.

          SECTION 1008. Limitation on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions
                        ------------------------------------------------------
Affecting Significant Subsidiaries.  The Company shall not, and shall not permit
- ----------------------------------                                              
any Significant Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or
become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction of any
kind on the ability of any Significant Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends or make
any other distribution on its Capital Stock, (b) pay any Indebtedness owed to
the Company or any other Subsidiary, (c) make loans or advances to the Company
or any other Subsidiary, or (d) transfer any of its property or assets to the
Company or any other Subsidiary, except (i) any such encumbrance or restriction
pursuant to an agreement in effect on the date of this instrument, (ii) any such
encumbrance or restriction, with respect to a Subsidiary

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
that is not a Subsidiary of the Company on the date of this instrument, in
existence at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company (except to
the extent such encumbrance or restriction was incurred or created in connection
with or in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary of the Company),
which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the
properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person or the property or
assets of the Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) any such
encumbrance or restriction pursuant to any law, any governmental regulation or
order or any agreement with a governmental regulator; provided that the Company
has used reasonable best efforts to have any such order or agreement diminished
or removed by any regulator authorized to do so and to obtain any exemptive
orders from the relevant regulator with respect to such encumbrance or
restriction to the extent such exemptive orders are reasonably suitable under
applicable laws and regulations, (iv) any such encumbrance or restriction in
existence as of the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the fiscal
quarter during which such Subsidiary becomes a Significant Subsidiary, and (v)
any such encumbrance or restriction pursuant to any agreement that extends,
refinances, renews or replaces any agreement containing any of the restrictions
described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii); provided that the terms and
conditions of any such encumbrances or restrictions are not materially less
favorable to the Holders of the Notes than those under or pursuant to the
agreement extended, refinanced, renewed or replaced.

          SECTION 1009.  Redemption of 9 1/2% Senior Notes Due 2000 1/2.  If any
                         ------------------------------------------             
of the Company's 9 1/2% Senior Notes due 2000 are outstanding, within 90 days
following the Company's receipt of proceeds from an offering of the Notes, the
Company shall (i) give notice of redemption to the holders of such amount of the
9 1/2% Senior Notes as may be redeemed using the aggregate net proceeds to the
Company of an offering of the Notes and (ii) deposit with the Trustee or a
Paying Agent for such 9 1/2% Senior Notes up to the aggregate amount of such
proceeds to pay the Redemption Price (as defined in the Old Indenture) of the
9 1/2% Senior Notes called for redemption on the Redemption Date specified in
such notice of redemption, in each case in accordance with the terms of the
indenture governing the 9 1/2 Senior Notes (the "Old Indenture"). Unless the
context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used but not defined in this
Section 1009 shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Old Indenture.

          SECTION 1010.  Waiver of Certain Covenants.  The Company may omit in
                         ---------------------------                          
any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set
forth in Section 801 and in Sections 1006 to 1008, inclusive, with respect to
the Notes if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes shall, by Act of such
Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive
compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall
extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so
expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations
of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term,
provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN
                                 --------------

                              REDEMPTION OF NOTES
                              -------------------

          SECTION 1101.  Applicability of Article.  The redemption of Notes at
                         ------------------------                             
the election of the Company or otherwise, as permitted or required by any
provision of this Indenture, shall be made in accordance with such provision and
this Article.

          SECTION 1102.  Optional Redemption.  (a)  The Notes shall be
                         -------------------                          
redeemable, in whole or in part, at the Company's option under the circumstances
and at the Redemption Price specified in the form of Notes set forth in Sections
202 and 203.

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  The Notes shall be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option
of each Holder in the event of a Sale of a Significant Subsidiary and at the
Redemption Price specified in the form of Notes set forth in Sections 202 and
203.

          SECTION 1103. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.  The election of
                        -------------------------------------                  
the Company to redeem any Notes shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution.  In
case of any redemption pursuant to Section 1102 of less than all the Notes, the
Company shall, at least 40 but not more than 60 days prior to the date of
redemption fixed by the Company (unless shorter notice shall be satisfactory to
the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such date of redemption and of
the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed.

          SECTION 1104.  Selection by Trustee of Notes to be Redeemed.  If less
                         --------------------------------------------          
than all the Notes are to be redeemed pursuant to Section 1102(a), the
particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee within three
Business Days after it receives the notice described in Section 1103, from the
Outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption, by such method as the
Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate. If the Company shall so specify, Notes
owned of record and beneficially by the Company or any Subsidiary shall not be
included in the Notes selected for redemption.  The Trustee shall promptly
notify the Company and each Registrar in writing of the Notes selected for
redemption and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption, the
principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

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

          SECTION 1105.  Notice of Redemption at the Option of the Company.
                         -------------------------------------------------  
Notice of redemption at the election of the Company shall be given not less than
30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date of redemption, to each Holder of
Notes to be redeemed, in accordance with Section 106.

          All notices of redemption at the election of the Company shall state:

          (1)  the date of redemption,

          (2)  the Redemption Price that would apply if the date of redemption
were the date of such notice and a statement that the Redemption Price will be
calculated giving effect to the yield on certain United States Treasury
securities as of the third Business Day prior to the date of redemption,

          (3)  if less than all the Outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the
       identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any Notes, the
       principal amounts) of the particular Notes to be redeemed,

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
          (4)  that, on the date of redemption, the Redemption Price will become
       due and payable upon each such Note to be redeemed and, if applicable,
       that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

          (5)  the place or places where such Notes are to be surrendered for
       payment of the Redemption Price, which shall be the office of the
       Trustee, and

          (6) in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the principal amount
       of such Note to be redeemed and that after the date of redemption upon
       surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in the aggregate principal
       amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

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

          SECTION 1106.  Procedure and Notice for Redemption at the Option of
                         ----------------------------------------------------
Each Holder.  (a)  Within 20 days after the occurrence of a Sale of a
- -----------                                                          
Significant Subsidiary, the Company shall transmit to the Trustee, in accordance
with Section 105, and by mail to each Holder, in accordance with Section 106, as
such Holders' names and addresses appear in the Register, a notice (i)
specifying that such Sale of a Significant Subsidiary has occurred and (ii)
offering to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 1102(b) and the Notes.  The Trustee
shall be under no obligation to ascertain the occurrence of a Sale of a
Significant Subsidiary.  The notice of Sale of a Significant Subsidiary shall
contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable Holders to tender
Notes, including:

               (1)  a description of the Sale of a Significant Subsidiary and
          the date such sale is deemed to have occurred for purposes of this
          Section 1106;

               (2)  the Redemption Price;

               (3)  the date by which the Holder must deliver a notice of
          election to participate in the redemption;

               (4) the date of redemption, which shall be a Business Day that is
          not less than 30 nor more than 60 days from the date such notice of
          Sale of a Significant Subsidiary is furnished, or such later date as
          is necessary to comply with requirements under the Exchange Act;

               (5) a statement that Notes tendered by the Holder thereof shall,
          on the date of redemption, become due and payable at the Redemption
          Price, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default
          in the payment of the Redemption Price) such Notes shall cease to bear
          interest;

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
               (6) and a brief description of the rights and procedures for
          delivering and withdrawing a notice of election, and a statement of
          the place or places where Notes are to be surrendered for payment of
          the Redemption Price, which shall be the office or agency of the
          Company in each Place of Payment.

          (b)  A Holder shall deliver to any Paying Agent a notice of election
       at any time prior to the close of business on the date of redemption,
       stating (A) the certificate number of the Note that the Holder will
       deliver to be redeemed and (B) the portion of the principal amount of the
       Note that the Holder will deliver to be redeemed, which portion must be
       $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, and shall deliver such Note to
       such Paying Agent at such office prior to, or on, the date of redemption
       (together with all necessary endorsements), such delivery being a
       condition to receipt by the Holder of the Redemption Price therefor.  If
       a Holder has elected to deliver for redemption by the Company less than
       the entire principal amount of a Note, and if the principal amount of
       such portion is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, the Company shall
       redeem such portion from the Holder thereof pursuant to this Section
       1106, and shall issue a new Note or Notes in the aggregate principal
       amount equal to the unredeemed portion, if any, thereof.  Each Paying
       Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by the former of
       any and all such notices of election and any and all written notices of
       withdrawal thereof.

          (c)  The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1
       under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations
       thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in
       connection with the repurchase of the Notes upon a Sale of a Significant
       Subsidiary and may modify an offer to purchase Notes pursuant to this
       Section 1106 to effect such compliance.

          (d)  A notice of election may be withdrawn before or after delivery by
       the Holder to the relevant Paying Agent of the Note to which such notice
       of election relates, by means of a written notice of withdrawal (by
       facsimile transmission or letter) received by the Trustee not later than
       the date of redemption, specifying, as applicable:

               (1)  the certificate number of the Note in respect of which such
          notice of withdrawal is being submitted;

               (2)  the principal amount of the Notes with respect to which such
          notice of withdrawal is being submitted; and

               (3)  the principal amount, if any, of the Note that remains
          subject to the original notice of election and which  has been or will
          be delivered for purchase by the Company.

          Each Paying Agent shall promptly return to the prospective Holders
       thereof any Notes with respect to which a notice of election has been
       withdrawn in compliance with this Indenture.

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 1107.  Deposit of Redemption Price.  On or prior to any date
                         ---------------------------                          
of redemption, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent
(or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in
trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the
Redemption Price of, and (except if the date of redemption shall be an Interest
Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Notes which are to be redeemed on
that date.

          SECTION 1108.  Notes Payable on Date of Redemption.  Notice of
                         -----------------------------------            
redemption or notice of election having been given as aforesaid, or notice of
election having been received by the Paying Agent and the related Note having
been delivered as aforesaid, the Notes so to be redeemed shall, on the date of
redemption, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified,
and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of
the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Notes shall cease to bear
interest. Upon surrender of any such Note for redemption in accordance with said
notice, such Note shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together
with accrued interest to the date of redemption; provided, however, that, unless
otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest
whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the date of redemption will be payable
to the Holders of such Notes, or one or more Predecessor Notes, registered as
such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their
terms and the provisions of Section 307.

          If any Note called or tendered for redemption shall not be so paid
upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid, bear
interest from the date of redemption at the rate prescribed therefor in the
Note.

          SECTION 1109.  Notes Redeemed in Part.  Any Note which is to be
                         ----------------------                          
redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with,
if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly
executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and
the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the
Holder of such Note, without service charge, a new Note or Notes of any
authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal
amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of
the Note so surrendered. If a Global Note is so surrendered, such new Note so
issued shall be a new Global Note.

                                 ARTICLE TWELVE
                                 --------------

                    LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
                    ----------------------------------------

          SECTION 1201.  Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant
                         -------------------------------------------------
Defeasance'.  The Company may, at its option, evidenced by a Board Resolution,
- ----------                                                                    
at any time, elect to have either Section 1202 or Section 1203 hereof be applied
to all Outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth in this
Article Twelve.

          SECTION 1202.  Legal Defeasance and Discharge.  Upon the Company's
                        ------ ------------------------                     
exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to the
Outstanding Notes, the

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with
respect to the Outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions precedent
set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "legal defeasance"). For this
purpose, such legal defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have
paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Outstanding Notes
and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this
Indenture insofar as such Notes are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense
of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except
for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged
hereunder: (1) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Notes to receive, solely
from the trust fund described in Section 1204 as more fully set forth in such
Section, payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest
on, such Notes to Maturity, (2) the Company's obligations with respect to such
Notes under Sections 305, 306, 607, 1002 and 1003 and such obligations as shall
be ancillary thereto, (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of
the Trustee, and (4) this Article Twelve. Subject to compliance with this
Article Twelve, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 1202
notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 1203.

          SECTION 1203.  Covenant Defeasance.  Upon the Company's exercise of
                         -------------------                                 
the above option applicable to this Section with respect to the Outstanding
Notes, the Company shall be released from its obligations under Sections 801,
1006, 1007, 1008, 1102(b) and 1106, and the occurrence of an event specified in
subclause (a)(3) of Section 501 with respect to any of Sections 801, 1006, 1007,
1008, 1102(b) or 1106 shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default with respect
to the Outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth below
are satisfied (hereinafter, "covenant defeasance"). For this purpose, such
covenant defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Notes, the
Company may omit to comply with, and shall have no liability in respect of, any
term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or clause whether
directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such
Section or clause or by reason of any reference to any such Section or clause to
any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this
Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby.

          SECTION 1204.  Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
                         -----------------------------------------------------  
The following shall be the conditions precedent to application of either Section
1202 or Section 1203 to the Outstanding Notes:

          (1)  The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be
deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the
following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely
to, the benefit of the Holders of such Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S.
Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be
sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public
accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the
Outstanding Notes to Maturity.  Before such a deposit, the Company may make
arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Notes at a future
date or dates in accordance with Article Eleven, which shall be given effect in
applying the foregoing;

                                       56
<PAGE>
 
          (2)  In the case of legal defeasance, the Company shall have delivered
to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company has received
from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or
(B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable
federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon,
such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Outstanding Notes
will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a
result of such legal defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the
same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case if such legal defeasance had not occurred;

          (3)  In the case of covenant defeasance, the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States to the
effect that the Holders of the Outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain
or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance
and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same
manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant
defeasance had not occurred;

          (4)  No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit, after giving effect thereto, or, in the
case of legal defeasance, insofar as subclauses (a)(6) and (a)(7) under Section
501(a) are concerned, at any time in the period ending the 91st day after the
date of deposit;

          (5) Such legal defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a
breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a
party or by which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is bound;

          (6)  The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent
of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company with
the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the
Company or others; and

          (7)  The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent provided for relating to either the legal defeasance or the covenant
defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

          SECTION 1205.  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be
                         -----------------------------------------------------
Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.  Subject to the provisions of the
- ---------------------------------------------                                   
last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and U.S. Government Obligations
(including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section
1204 in respect of the Outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by
the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture,
to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (but not including
the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the
Holders of such Notes, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of
principal and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds
except to the extent required by law.

                                       57
<PAGE>
 
          The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee
or other charge imposed on or assessed against the money or U.S. Government
Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1204 or the principal and interest
received in respect thereof.

          Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall
deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money
or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1204 which, in
the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants
expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in
excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to
effect an equivalent legal defeasance or covenant defeasance.

          SECTION 1206.  Reinstatement.  If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is
                         -------------                                        
unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 1202 or 1203 with respect
to the Notes by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental
authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then
the Company's obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived
and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article Twelve
until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such
money in accordance with Section 1202 or 1203; provided, however, that if the
Company makes any payment of the principal of or interest on any such Note
following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated
to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the
money held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.

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

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to
be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed
and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.


                                 PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION

                                 By: ___________________________________
                                     Name:  Herbert Kurz
                                     Title:  Director and President

                                 By: ___________________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

                                 BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee

                                 By: ___________________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

                                       58

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1
                                                                     -----------

                     [WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER LETTERHEAD]

November 2, 1998

Presidential Life Corporation
69 Lydecker Street
Nyack, New York  10960

Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Presidential Life Corporation (the "Company") has requested our opinion in
connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration
Statement") relating to up to $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its
Senior Notes (the "Notes"). The Notes will be issued under an Indenture (the
"Indenture") to be entered into by the Company and Bankers Trust Company, as
Trustee (the "Trustee").

     We have examined copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of
the Company, the Registration Statement, all resolutions adopted by the
Company's Board of Directors and other records and documents that we have deemed
necessary, for the purpose of this opinion.  We have also examined such other
documents, papers, statutes and authorities as we have deemed necessary to form
a basis for the opinion hereinafter expressed.

     In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures and
the conformity to original documents of all copies submitted to us.  As to
various questions of fact material to our opinion, we have relied on statements
and certificates of officers and representatives of the Company and public
officials.  In rendering this opinion, we have also assumed that there will be
no changes in applicable law or facts between the date hereof and any date of
issuance of Notes and that the provisions of all applicable federal and state
securities laws have been complied with.

     Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
Notes have been duly authorized and, when duly executed, authenticated and
delivered by or on behalf of the Company, duly authenticated by the Trustee in
accordance with the Indenture and duly paid for, will be binding obligations of
the Company and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
<PAGE>
 
     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, to the incorporation by reference of this opinion in any
abbreviated registration statement in connection with the Notes pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and to the reference to our firm under
the caption "Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement.

                                 Very truly yours,

                                 /s/ Willkie Farr & Gallagher

                                      -2-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 15.1

November 2, 1998

Presidential Life Corporation
69 Lydecker Street
Nyack, New York  10960

We have made a review, in accordance with standards established by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, of unaudited interim financial
information of Presidential Life Corporation and subsidiaries for the periods
ended June 30, 1998 and 1997, as indicated in our report dated August 7, 1998;
because we did not perform an audit, we expressed no opinion on that
information.

We are aware that our report referred to above is being used in this
Registration Statement on Form S-3.

We are also aware that the aforementioned report, pursuant to Rule 436 [c] under
the Securities  Act of 1933, is not considered a part of the Registration
Statement prepared or certified by an accountant or a report prepared or
certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, New York

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
  We consent to the use and incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement of Presidential Life Corporation and subsidiaries on Form S-3 of our
reports dated February 12, 1998, appearing in the Prospectus, which is a part
of this Registration Statement, and appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-
K of Presidential Life Corporation and subsidiaries for the year ended
December 31, 1997, which is incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement, and to the reference to us under the headings "Selected
Consolidated Financial Data" and "Experts" in the Prospectus.
 
                                          DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
New York, New York
   
November 2, 1998     

<PAGE>
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 


                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.   20549

                              --------------------
                                    FORM T-1
                                        
        STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
        CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

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

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

                             BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

NEW YORK                                                13-4941247
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or                       (I.R.S. Employer
organization if not a U.S. national bank)               Identification no.)

FOUR ALBANY STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK                                      10006
(Address of principal                                   (Zip Code)
executive offices)

                             BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
                             LEGAL DEPARTMENT
                             130 LIBERTY STREET, 31ST FLOOR
                             NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10006
                             (212) 250-2201
           (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

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

                         PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION
            (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

          DELAWARE                                13-2652144
          (State or other jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. employer
          Incorporation or organization)          Identification no.)

                              69 LYDECKER STREET
                            NYACK, NEW YORK  10960
                                (914) 358-2300
         (Address, including zip code of principal executive offices)

                      $100,000,000 SENIOR NOTES DUE 2008
                      (Title of the indenture securities)
<PAGE>
 
ITEM   1.    GENERAL INFORMATION.

             Furnish the following information as to the trustee.

             (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to
                 which it is subject.
 
             NAME                                         ADDRESS
             ----                                         -------
 
             Federal Reserve Bank (2nd District)          New York, NY
             Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation        Washington, D.C.
             New York State Banking Department            Albany, NY

             (b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
                  Yes.

ITEM   2.    AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

             If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such
             affiliation.

             None.

ITEM 3.-15.  NOT APPLICABLE

ITEM  16.    LIST OF EXHIBITS.

             EXHIBIT 1 - Restated Organization Certificate of Bankers Trust
                         Company dated August 7, 1990, Certificate of Amendment
                         of the Organization Certificate of Bankers Trust
                         Company dated June 21, 1995 - Incorporated herein by
                         reference to Exhibit 1 filed with Form T-1 Statement,
                         Registration No. 33-65171, Certificate of Amendment of
                         the Organization Certificate of Bankers Trust Company
                         dated March 20, 1996, incorporate by referenced to
                         Exhibit 1 filed with Form T-1 Statement, Registration
                         No. 333-25843 and Certificate of Amendment of the
                         Organization Certificate of Bankers Trust Company dated
                         June 19, 1997, copy attached.

             EXHIBIT 2 - Certificate of Authority to commence business -
                         Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 filed
                         with Form T-1 Statement, Registration No. 33-21047.


             EXHIBIT 3 - Authorization of the Trustee to exercise corporate
                         trust powers - Incorporated herein by reference to
                         Exhibit 2 filed with Form T-1 Statement, Registration
                         No. 33-21047.

             EXHIBIT 4 - Existing By-Laws of Bankers Trust Company, as amended
                         on November 18, 1997.  Copy attached.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
             EXHIBIT 5 - Not applicable.

             EXHIBIT 6 - Consent of Bankers Trust Company required by Section
                         321(b) of the Act. - Incorporated herein by reference
                         to Exhibit 4 filed with Form T-1 Statement,
                         Registration No. 22-18864.

             EXHIBIT 7 - The latest report of condition of Bankers Trust Company
                         dated as of June 30, 1998.  Copy attached.

             EXHIBIT 8 - Not Applicable.

             EXHIBIT 9 - Not Applicable.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE
                                        
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, Bankers Trust Company, a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement
of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, all in The City of New York, and State of New York, on the 7th day
of September, 1998.


                                        BANKERS TRUST COMPANY

                                        By:     /s/ Marc Parilla
                                            ------------------------
                                              Marc Parilla
                                              Assistant Treasurer

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, Bankers Trust Company, a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement
of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, all in The City of New York, and State of New York, on the 7th day
of September, 1998.


                                        BANKERS TRUST COMPANY

                                        By:     /s/ Marc Parilla
                                            ------------------------
                                              Marc Parilla
                                              Assistant Treasurer

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
                               STATE OF NEW YORK,

                               BANKING DEPARTMENT


     I, MANUEL KURSKY, Deputy Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York,
DO HEREBY APPROVE the annexed Certificate entitled "CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF
THE ORGANIZATION CERTIFICATE OF BANKERS TRUST COMPANY UNDER SECTION 8005 OF THE
BANKING LAW," dated June 19, 1997, providing for an increase in authorized
capital stock from $1,601,666,670 consisting of 100,166,667 shares with a par
value of $10 each designated as Common Stock and 600 shares with a par value of
$1,000,000 each designated as Series Preferred Stock to $2,001,666,670
consisting of 100,166,667 shares with a par value of $10 each designated as
Common Stock and 1,000 shares with a par value of $1,000,000 each designated as
Series Preferred Stock.

WITNESS, my hand and official seal of the Banking Department at the City of New
York,
                               this  27TH  day of  June  in the Year of our Lord
                                    ------        ------
                               one thousand nine hundred and NINETY-SEVEN.


                                                           Manuel Kursky
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Deputy Superintendent of Banks
<PAGE>
 
                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

                                     OF THE

                            ORGANIZATION CERTIFICATE

                                OF BANKERS TRUST

                     Under Section 8005 of the Banking Law

                         _____________________________

     We, James T. Byrne, Jr. and Lea Lahtinen, being respectively a Managing
Director and an Assistant Secretary of Bankers Trust Company, do hereby certify:

     1.   The name of the corporation is Bankers Trust Company.

     2.   The organization certificate of said corporation was filed by the
Superintendent of Banks on the 5th of march, 1903.

     3.   The organization certificate as heretofore amended is hereby amended
to increase the aggregate number of shares which the corporation shall have
authority to issue and to increase the amount of its authorized capital stock in
conformity therewith.

     4.   Article III of the organization certificate with reference to the
authorized capital stock, the number of shares into which the capital stock
shall be divided, the par value of the shares and the capital stock outstanding,
which reads as follows:

     "III.   The amount of capital stock which the corporation is hereafter to
     have is One Billion, Six Hundred and One Million, Six Hundred Sixty-Six
     Thousand, Six Hundred Seventy Dollars ($1,601,666,670), divided into One
     Hundred Million, One Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand, Six Hundred Sixty-Seven
     (100,166,667) shares with a par value of $10 each designated as Common
     Stock and 600 shares with a par value of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000)
     each designated as Series Preferred Stock."

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     "III.   The amount of capital stock which the corporation is hereafter to
     have is Two Billion One Million, Six Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand, Six
     Hundred Seventy Dollars ($2,001,666,670), divided into One Hundred Million,
     One Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand, Six Hundred Sixty-Seven (100,166,667)
     shares with a par value of $10 each designated as Common Stock and 1000
     shares with a par value of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) each designated
     as Series Preferred Stock."
<PAGE>
 
     5.   The foregoing amendment of the organization certificate was authorized
by unanimous written consent signed by the holder of all outstanding shares
entitled to vote thereon.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have made and subscribed this certificate this 19th
day of June, 1997.


                                               James T. Byrne, Jr.
                                               -------------------
                                               James T. Byrne, Jr.
                                               Managing Director


                                               Lea Lahtinen
                                               -------------------
                                               Lea Lahtinen
                                               Assistant Secretary

State of New York          )
                           )  ss:
County of New York   )

     Lea Lahtinen, being fully sworn, deposes and says that she is an Assistant
Secretary of Bankers Trust Company, the corporation described in the foregoing
certificate; that she has read the foregoing certificate and knows the contents
thereof, and that the statements herein contained are true.

                                                   Lea Lahtinen
                                                   ------------
                                                   Lea Lahtinen

Sworn to before me this 19th day
of June, 1997.


       Sandra L. West
       --------------
       Notary Public


               SANDRA L. WEST
       Notary Public State of New York
               No. 31-4942101
        Qualified in New York County
    Commission Expires September 19, 1998
<PAGE>
 
                                    BY-LAWS



                               NOVEMBER 18, 1997



                             BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
                                    NEW YORK
<PAGE>
 
                                    BY-LAWS
                                       OF
                             BANKERS TRUST COMPANY

                                   ARTICLE I
                                        
                            MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

SECTION 1.  The annual meeting of the stockholders of this Company shall be held
at the office of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, on
the third Tuesday in January of each year, for the election of directors and
such other business as may properly come before said meeting.

SECTION 2.  Special meetings of stockholders other than those regulated by
statute may be called at any time by a majority of the directors.  It shall be
the duty of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the
President to call such meetings whenever requested in writing to do so by
stockholders owning a majority of the capital stock.

SECTION 3.  At all meetings of stockholders, there shall be present, either in
person or by proxy, stockholders owning a majority of the capital stock of the
Company, in order to constitute a quorum, except at special elections of
directors, as provided by law, but less than a quorum shall have power to
adjourn any meeting.

SECTION 4.  The Chairman of the Board or, in his absence, the Chief Executive
Officer or, in his absence, the President or, in their absence, the senior
officer present, shall preside at meetings of the stockholders and shall direct
the proceedings and the order of business.  The Secretary shall act as secretary
of such meetings and record the proceedings.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                        
                                   DIRECTORS

SECTION 1.  The affairs of the Company shall be managed and its corporate powers
exercised by a Board of Directors consisting of such number of directors, but
not less than ten nor more than twenty-five, as may from time to time be fixed
by resolution adopted by a majority of the directors then in office, or by the
stockholders.  In the event of any increase in the number of directors,
additional directors may be elected within the limitations so fixed, either by
the stockholders or within the limitations imposed by law, by a majority of
directors then in office.  One-third of the number of directors, as fixed from
time to time, shall constitute a quorum.  Any one or more members of the Board
of Directors or any Committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board
of Directors or Committee thereof by means of a conference telephone or similar
communications equipment which
<PAGE>
 
allows all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same
time.  Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at such a
meeting.

All directors hereafter elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting
of the stockholders and until their successors are elected and have qualified.
No person who shall have attained age 72 shall be eligible to be elected or re-
elected a director.  Such director may, however, remain a director of the
Company until the next annual meeting of the stockholders of Bankers Trust New
York Corporation (the Company's parent) so that such director's retirement will
coincide with the retirement date from Bankers Trust New York Corporation.

No Officer-Director who shall have attained age 65, or earlier relinquishes his
responsibilities and title, shall be eligible to serve as a director.

SECTION 2.  Vacancies not exceeding one-third of the whole number of the Board
of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
directors then in office, and the directors so elected shall hold office for the
balance of the unexpired term.

SECTION 3.  The Chairman of the Board shall preside at meetings of the Board of
Directors.  In his absence, the Chief Executive Officer or, in his absence, such
other director as the Board of Directors from time to time may designate shall
preside at such meetings.

SECTION 4.  The Board of Directors may adopt such Rules and Regulations for the
conduct of its meetings and the management of the affairs of the Company as it
may deem proper, not inconsistent with the laws of the State of New York, or
these By-Laws, and all officers and employees shall strictly adhere to, and be
bound by, such Rules and Regulations.

SECTION 5.  Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held from time
to time on the third Tuesday of the month.  If the day appointed for holding
such regular meetings shall be a legal holiday, the regular meeting to be held
on such day shall be held on the next business day thereafter.  Special meetings
of the Board of Directors may be called upon at least two day's notice whenever
it may be deemed proper by the Chairman of the Board or, the Chief Executive
Officer or, in their absence, by such other director as the Board of Directors
may have designated pursuant to Section 3 of this Article, and shall be called
upon like notice whenever any three of the directors so request in writing.

SECTION 6.  The compensation of directors as such or as members of committees
shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE III
                                        
                                   COMMITTEES

SECTION 1.  There shall be an Executive Committee of the Board consisting of not
less than five directors who shall be appointed annually by the Board of
Directors.  The Chairman of the Board shall preside at meetings of the Executive
Committee.  In his absence, the Chief Executive Officer or, in his absence, such
other member of the Committee as the Committee from time to time may designate
shall preside at such meetings.

The Executive Committee shall possess and exercise to the extent permitted by
law all of the powers of the Board of Directors, except when the latter is in
session, and shall keep minutes of its proceedings, which shall be presented to
the Board of Directors at its next subsequent meeting.  All acts done and powers
and authority conferred by the Executive Committee from time to time shall be
and be deemed to be, and may be certified as being, the act and under the
authority of the Board of Directors.

A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, but the Committee may act
only by the concurrent vote of not less than one-third of its members, at least
one of whom must be a director other than an officer. Any one or more directors,
even though not members of the Executive Committee, may attend any meeting of
the Committee, and the member or members of the Committee present, even though
less than a quorum, may designate any one or more of such directors as a
substitute or substitutes for any absent member or members of the Committee, and
each such substitute or substitutes shall be counted for quorum, voting, and all
other purposes as a member or members of the Committee.

SECTION 2.  There shall be an Audit Committee appointed annually by resolution
adopted by a majority of the entire Board of Directors which shall consist of
such number of directors, who are not also officers of the Company, as may from
time to time be fixed by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. The
Chairman shall be designated by the Board of Directors, who shall also from time
to time fix a quorum for meetings of the Committee.  Such Committee shall
conduct the annual directors' examinations of the Company as required by the New
York State Banking Law; shall review the reports of all examinations made of the
Company by public authorities and report thereon to the Board of Directors; and
shall report to the Board of Directors such other matters as it deems advisable
with respect to the Company, its various departments and the conduct of its
operations.

In the performance of its duties, the Audit Committee may employ or retain, from
time to time, expert assistants, independent of the officers or personnel of the
Company, to make studies of the Company's assets and liabilities as the
Committee may request and to make an examination of the accounting and auditing
methods of the Company and its system of internal protective controls to the
extent considered necessary or advisable in order to determine that the
operations of the Company, including its fiduciary departments, are being
audited by the General Auditor in such a manner as to provide prudent and
adequate protection.  The Committee also may direct the General Auditor to make
such investigation as it
<PAGE>
 
deems necessary or advisable with respect to the Company, its various
departments and the conduct of its operations.  The Committee shall hold regular
quarterly meetings and during the intervals thereof shall meet at other times on
call of the Chairman.

SECTION 3.  The Board of Directors shall have the power to appoint any other
Committees as may seem necessary, and from time to time to suspend or continue
the powers and duties of such Committees.  Each Committee appointed pursuant to
this Article shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                        
                                    OFFICERS

SECTION 1.  The Board of Directors shall elect from among their number a
Chairman of the Board and a Chief Executive Officer; and shall also elect a
President, and may also elect a Senior Vice Chairman, one or more Vice Chairmen,
one or more Executive Vice Presidents, one or more Senior Managing Directors,
one or more Managing Directors, one or more Senior Vice Presidents, one or more
Principals, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more General Managers, a
Secretary, a Controller, a Treasurer, a General Counsel, one or more Associate
General Counsels, a General Auditor, a General Credit Auditor, and one or more
Deputy Auditors, who need not be directors.  The officers of the corporation may
also include such other officers or assistant officers as shall from time to
time be elected or appointed by the Board.  The Chairman of the Board or the
Chief Executive Officer or, in their absence, the President, the Senior Vice
Chairman or any Vice Chairman, may from time to time appoint assistant officers.
All officers elected or appointed by the Board of Directors shall hold their
respective offices during the pleasure of the Board of Directors, and all
assistant officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board or the
Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer or, in their absence, the
President, the Senior Vice Chairman or any Vice Chairman.  The Board of
Directors may require any and all officers and employees to give security for
the faithful performance of their duties.

SECTION 2.  The Board of Directors shall designate the Chief Executive Officer
of the Company who may also hold the additional title of Chairman of the Board,
President,  Senior Vice Chairman or Vice Chairman and such person shall have,
subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Directors or the
Executive Committee, all of the powers vested in such Chief Executive Officer by
law or by these By-Laws, or which usually attach or pertain to such office.  The
other officers shall have, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board
of Directors or the Executive Committee or the Chairman of the Board or, the
Chief Executive Officer, the powers vested by law or by these By-Laws in them as
holders of their respective offices and, in addition, shall perform such other
duties as shall be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the Executive
Committee or the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

The General Auditor shall be responsible, through the Audit Committee, to the
Board of Directors for the determination of the program of the internal audit
function and the evaluation of the adequacy of the system of internal controls.
Subject to the Board of Directors, the General Auditor shall have and may
exercise
<PAGE>
 
all the powers and shall perform all the duties usual to such office and shall
have such other powers as may be prescribed or assigned to him from time to time
by the Board of Directors or vested in him by law or by these By-Laws.  He shall
perform such other duties and shall make such investigations, examinations and
reports as may be prescribed or required by the Audit Committee.  The General
Auditor shall have unrestricted access to all records and premises of the
Company and shall delegate such authority to his subordinates. He shall have the
duty to report to the Audit Committee on all matters concerning the internal
audit program and the adequacy of the system of internal controls of the Company
which he deems advisable or which the Audit Committee may request. Additionally,
the General Auditor shall have the duty of reporting independently of all
officers of the Company to the Audit Committee at least quarterly on any matters
concerning the internal audit program and the adequacy of the system of internal
controls of the Company that should be brought to the attention of the directors
except those matters responsibility for which has been vested in the General
Credit Auditor.  Should the General Auditor deem any matter to be of special
immediate importance, he shall report thereon forthwith to the Audit Committee.
The General Auditor shall report to the Chief Financial Officer only for
administrative purposes.

The General Credit Auditor shall be responsible to the Chief Executive Officer
and, through the Audit Committee, to the Board of Directors for the systems of
internal credit audit, shall perform such other duties as the Chief Executive
Officer may prescribe, and shall make such examinations and reports as may be
required by the Audit Committee.  The General Credit Auditor shall have
unrestricted access to all records and may delegate such authority to
subordinates.

SECTION 3.  The compensation of all officers shall be fixed under such plan or
plans of position evaluation and salary administration as shall be approved from
time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4.  The Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the
Board, the Chief Executive Officer or any person authorized for this purpose by
the Chief Executive Officer, shall appoint or engage all other employees and
agents and fix their compensation.  The employment of all such employees and
agents shall continue during the pleasure of the Board of Directors or the
Executive Committee or the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer
or any such authorized person; and the Board of Directors, the Executive
Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or any such
authorized person may discharge any such employees and agents at will.
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE V
                                        
               INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND OTHERS

SECTION 1.  The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 7018
of the New York Banking Law, indemnify any person who is or was made, or
threatened to be made, a party to an action or proceeding, whether civil or
criminal, whether involving any actual or alleged breach of duty, neglect or
error, any accountability, or any actual or alleged misstatement, misleading
statement or other act or omission and whether brought or threatened in any
court or administrative or legislative body or agency, including an action by or
in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor and an action by
or in the right of any other corporation of any type or kind, domestic or
foreign, or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or
other enterprise, which any director or officer of the Company is servicing or
served in any capacity at the request of the Company by reason of the fact that
he, his testator or intestate, is or was a director or officer of the Company,
or is serving or served such other corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise in any capacity, against
judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement, and costs, charges and expenses,
including attorneys' fees, or any appeal therein; provided, however, that no
indemnification shall be provided to any such person if a judgment or other
final adjudication adverse to the director or officer establishes that (i) his
acts were committed in bad faith or were the result of active and deliberate
dishonesty and, in either case, were material to the cause of action so
adjudicated, or (ii) he personally gained in fact a financial profit or other
advantage to which he was not legally entitled.

SECTION 2.  The Company may indemnify any other person to whom the Company is
permitted to provide indemnification or the advancement of expenses by
applicable law, whether pursuant to rights granted pursuant to, or provided by,
the New York Banking Law or other rights created by (i) a resolution of
stockholders, (ii) a resolution of directors, or (iii) an agreement providing
for such indemnification, it being expressly intended that these By-Laws
authorize the creation of other rights in any such manner.

SECTION 3.  The Company shall, from time to time, reimburse or advance to any
person referred to in Section 1 the funds necessary for payment of expenses,
including attorneys' fees, incurred in connection with any action or proceeding
referred to in Section 1, upon receipt of a written undertaking by or on behalf
of such person to repay such amount(s) if a judgment or other final adjudication
adverse to the director or officer establishes that (i) his acts were committed
in bad faith or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and, in
either case, were material to the cause of action so adjudicated, or (ii) he
personally gained in fact a financial profit or other advantage to which he was
not legally entitled.

SECTION 4.  Any director or officer of the Company serving (i) another
corporation, of which a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election
of its directors is held by the Company, or (ii) any employee benefit plan of
the Company or any corporation referred to in clause (i) in any capacity shall
be deemed to be doing so
<PAGE>
 
at the request of the Company.  In all other cases, the provisions of this
Article V will apply (i) only if the person serving another corporation or any
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise so
served at the specific request of the Company, evidenced by a written
communication signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer
or the President, and (ii) only if and to the extent that, after making such
efforts as the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the
President shall deem adequate in the circumstances, such person shall be unable
to obtain indemnification from such other enterprise or its insurer.

SECTION 5.  Any person entitled to be indemnified or to the reimbursement or
advancement of expenses as a matter of right pursuant to this Article V may
elect to have the right to indemnification (or advancement of expenses)
interpreted on the basis of the applicable law in effect at the time of
occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, to
the extent permitted by law, or on the basis of the applicable law in effect at
the time indemnification is sought.

SECTION 6.  The right to be indemnified or to the reimbursement or advancement
of expense pursuant to this Article V (i) is a contract right pursuant to which
the person entitled thereto may bring suit as if the provisions hereof were set
forth in a separate written contract between the Company and the director or
officer, (ii) is intended to be retroactive and shall be available with respect
to events occurring prior to the adoption hereof, and (iii) shall continue to
exist after the rescission or restrictive modification hereof with respect to
events occurring prior thereto.

SECTION 7.  If a request to be indemnified or for the reimbursement or
advancement of expenses pursuant hereto is not paid in full by the Company
within thirty days after a written claim has been received by the Company, the
claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Company to recover
the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the
claimant shall be entitled also to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such
claim.  Neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors,
independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination
prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of or
reimbursement or advancement of expenses to the claimant is proper in the
circumstance, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board of
Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant is
not entitled to indemnification or to the reimbursement or advancement of
expenses, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the
claimant is not so entitled.

SECTION 8.  A person who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the
defense of a civil or criminal action or proceeding of the character described
in Section 1 shall be entitled to indemnification only as provided in Sections 1
and 3, notwithstanding any provision of the New York Banking Law to the
contrary.
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE VI
                                        
                                      SEAL

SECTION 1.  The Board of Directors shall provide a seal for the Company, the
counterpart dies of which shall be in the charge of the Secretary of the Company
and such officers as the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or
the Secretary may from time to time direct in writing, to be affixed to
certificates of stock and other documents in accordance with the directions of
the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.

SECTION 2.  The Board of Directors may provide, in proper cases on a specified
occasion and for a specified transaction or transactions, for the use of a
printed or engraved facsimile seal of the Company.


                                  ARTICLE VII
                                        
                                 CAPITAL STOCK

SECTION 1.  Registration of transfer of shares shall only be made upon the books
of the Company by the registered holder in person, or by power of attorney, duly
executed, witnessed and filed with the Secretary or other proper officer of the
Company, on the surrender of the certificate or certificates of such shares
properly assigned for transfer.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                        
                                  CONSTRUCTION

SECTION 1.  The masculine gender, when appearing in these By-Laws, shall be
deemed to include the feminine gender.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                                        
                                   AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1.  These By-Laws may be altered, amended or added to by the Board of
Directors at any meeting, or by the stockholders at any annual or special
meeting, provided notice thereof has been given.
<PAGE>
 
I,  Marc Parilla, Assistant Secretary of Bankers Trust Company, New York, New
York, hereby certify that the foregoing is a complete, true and correct copy of
the By-Laws of Bankers Trust Company, and that the same are in full force and
effect at this date.



                                                    /s/ Marc Parilla
                                                ------------------------
                                                   ASSISTANT SECRETARY

DATED:  September 17, 1998
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                   <C>                      <C>                             <C>              <C>
Legal Title of Bank:  Bankers Trust Company    Call Date:  06/30/98  ST-BK:    36-4840          FFIEC 031
Address:              130 Liberty Street       Vendor ID: D                    CERT:  00623     Page RC-1
City, State  ZIP:     New York, NY 10006                                                        11
FDIC Certificate No.: | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 3
</TABLE>

CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR JUNE 30, 1998
 
All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars.  Unless otherwise
indicated, reported the amount outstanding as of the last business day of the
quarter.
 
SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                                       C400
                                                                                                        ---------------------------
                                Dollar Amounts in Thousands                                             RCFD    Bil  Mil  Thou
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>     <C>          <C>      <C>       <C>
ASSETS
 1.  Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule RC-A):
     a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin (1) .............                         0081     1,868,000  1.a.
     b. Interest-bearing balances (2) ......................................                         0071     2,041,000  1.b.
 2.  Securities:
     a. Held-to-maturity securities (from Schedule RC-B, column A) .........                         1754             0  2.a.
     b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D) .......                         1773     7,419,000  2.b.
 3.  Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell                          1350    41,837,000  3.
 4.  Loans and lease financing receivables:
     a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule RC-C) ......  RCFD 2122  20,707,000                      4.a.
     b. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses ..........................  RCFD 3123     629,000                      4.b.
     c. LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve ..............................  RCFD 3128           0                      4.c.
     d. Loans and leases, net of unearned income,
        allowance, and reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c) ................                         2125    20,078,000  4.d.
 5.  Trading Assets (from schedule RC-D) ...................................                         3545    49,665,000  5.
 6.  Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) ..............                         2145       848,000  6.
 7.  Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M) ..........................                         2150       180,000  7.
 8.  Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies
     (from Schedule RC-M) ..................................................                         2130        92,000  8.
 9.  Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ..........                         2155       512,000  9.
10.  Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M) ................................                         2143       270,000  10.
11.  Other assets (from Schedule RC-F) .....................................                         2160     6,442,000  11.
12.  Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11) ..............................                         2170   131,252,000  12.
</TABLE> 
        
__________________________
(1)  Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2)  Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
<S>                   <C>                      <C>                             <C>              <C>
Legal Title of Bank:  Bankers Trust Company    Call Date:  06/30/98  ST-BK:    36-4840          FFIEC 031
Address:              130 Liberty Street       Vendor ID: D                    CERT:  00623     Page RC-2
City, State  ZIP:     New York, NY 10006                                                        12
FDIC Certificate No.: | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 3
</TABLE>
 


SCHEDULE RC-CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
                                                               Dollar Amounts in Thousands                     Bil Mil Thou
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                            <C>              <C>
LIABILITIES
13. Deposits:
    a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C from Schedule RC-E, part I)       RCON 2200        26,791,000 13.a.
         (1) Noninterest-bearing(1)...............RCON 6631     3,362,000...............                                   13.a.(1)
         (2) Interest-bearing.....................RCON 6636    23,429,000...............                                   13.a.(2)
    b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs (from 
        Schedule RC-E part II)                                                                 RCFN 2200        22,089,000 13.b.
         (1) Noninterest-bearing..................RCFN 6631     1,810,000...............                                   13.b.(1)
         (2) Interest-bearing.....................RCFN 6636    20,279,000...............                                   13.b.(2)
14. Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase..........       RCFD 2800        19,274,000 14.
15. a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury.........................................       RCON 2840                 0 15.a.
    b. Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D).........................................       RCFD 3548        30,729,000 15.b.
16. Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under
     capitalized leases):
    a. With a remaining maturity of one year or less....................................       RCFD 2332         7,891,000 16.a.
    b. With a remaining maturity of more than one year through three years..............       A547              3,576,000 16.b.
    c. With a remaining maturity of more than three years...............................       A548              2,872,000 16.c.
17. Not Applicable......................................................................                                   17.
18. Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding.............................      RCFD 2920           512,000 18.
19. Subordinated notes and debentures (2)...............................................       RCFD 3200         1,534,000 19.
20. Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)..............................................       RCFD 2930         9,202,000 20.
21. Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20)......................................       RCFD 2948       124,470,000 21.
22. Not Applicable......................................................................                                   22.


EQUITY CAPITAL
23. Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus.......................................       RCFD 3838         1,000,000 23.
24. Common stock........................................................................       RCFD 3230         2,001,000 24.
25. Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)                                   RCFD 3839           540,000 25.
26. a. Undivided profits and capital reserves...........................................       RCFD 3632         3,693,000 26.a.
    b. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities...........       RCFD 8434          (71,000) 26.b.
27. Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments.................................       RCFD 3284         (381,000) 27.
28. Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27)...................................       RCFD 3210         6,782,000 28.
29. Total liabilities and equity capital (sum of items 21 and 28).......................       RCFD 3300       131,252,000 29.


Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.
1.  Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that best describes the                    Number
    most comprehensive level of auditing work performed for the bank by independent external  --------------------------------
    auditors as of any date during 1997...................................................... RCFD 6724             N/A    M.1

1 =    Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance with           4 =    Directors' examination of the bank performed by
       generally accepted auditing standards by a certified public                 other external auditors (may be required by state
       accounting firm which submits a report on the bank                          chartering authority)
2 =    Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company               5 =    Review of the bank's financial statements by
       conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing                    external auditors
       standards by a certified public accounting firm which submits        6 =    Compilation of the bank's financial statements by
       a report on the consolidated holding company (but not on the                external auditors
       bank separately)                                                     7 =    Other audit procedures (excluding tax 
3 =    Directors' examination of the bank conducted in accordance                  preparation work)
       with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified            8 =    No external audit work
       public accounting firm (may be required by state
       chartering authority)
______________________
(1)  Including total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings
     deposits.
(2)  Includes limited-life preferred stock and related surplus.
</TABLE> 


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