BENEFICIAL CORP
S-3/A, 1996-01-31
PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS
Previous: AMBASSADOR FOOD SERVICES CORP, 10QSB, 1996-01-31
Next: BALL CORP, SC 13G/A, 1996-01-31




<PAGE>
<PAGE>
   
        AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 31, 1996
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 33-64357
    
________________________________________________________________________________
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-3
    
 
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                             BENEFICIAL CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>
                              DELAWARE                                                          51-0003820
                  (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                                            (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                   INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                                          IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
 
                              ONE CHRISTINA CENTRE
                            301 NORTH WALNUT STREET
                           WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19801
                                 (302) 425-2500
         (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING
            AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                            ------------------------
 
                            SCOTT A. SIEBELS, ESQ.,
           VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE SECRETARY AND ASSOCIATE COUNSEL
                             BENEFICIAL CORPORATION
                              ONE CHRISTINA CENTRE
                            301 NORTH WALNUT STREET
                           WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19801
                                 (302) 425-2500
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                            ------------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>
                         PAUL L. NASH, ESQ.                                                JOHN H. DENNE, ESQ.
                          DEWEY BALLANTINE                                            WHITMAN BREED ABBOTT & MORGAN
                    1301 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS                                              200 PARK AVENUE
                      NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019                                           NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10166
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
     APPROXIMATE  DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time 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, 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  of 1933,  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  of  1933, 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. [ ]
    
                            ------------------------
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
                                                                                   PROPOSED      PROPOSED
                                                                                   MAXIMUM       MAXIMUM
                                                                   AMOUNT          OFFERING      AGGREGATE           AMOUNT OF
                    TITLE OF SECURITIES                            TO BE          PRICE PER      OFFERING          REGISTRATION
                     TO BE REGISTERED                          REGISTERED(1)       UNIT(2)      PRICE(1)(2)           FEE(3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                            <C>                   <C>      <C>                 <C>
Debt Securities............................................    $3,000,000,000        100%     $3,000,000,000      $1,034,482.76
</TABLE>
    
 
(1) In U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof in foreign currencies or  currency
    units.  Such amount shall  be increased, if  any of the  Debt Securities are
    issued at  an  original issue  discount,  by an  amount  such that  the  net
    proceeds to be received by the Registrant shall be equal to $3,000,000,000.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee.
   
(3) Previously paid.
    
                            ------------------------
     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  WHICH SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT  THIS  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT  SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN  ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT  OF 1933  OR UNTIL  THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT SHALL  BECOME
EFFECTIVE  ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
________________________________________________________________________________
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES   AND   EXCHANGE   COMMISSION.   THESE    SECURITIES
MAY  NOT  BE SOLD  NOR MAY  OFFERS  TO BUY  BE ACCEPTED  PRIOR  TO THE  TIME THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.  THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT  CONSTITUTE
AN    OFFER   TO   SELL    OR   THE   SOLICITATION   OF    AN   OFFER   TO   BUY
NOR SHALL THERE  BE ANY  SALE OF  THESE SECURITIES IN  ANY STATE  IN WHICH  SUCH
OFFER,  SOLICITATION  OR  SALE  WOULD  BE  UNLAWFUL  PRIOR  TO  REGISTRATION  OR
QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
   
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 31, 1996
    
                      [LOGO] BENEFICIAL CORPORATION 'r'

                                DEBT SECURITIES
 
     Beneficial Corporation (the 'Company' or 'Beneficial') may offer from  time
to time its debt securities (the 'Securities') for proceeds up to $3,000,000,000
(or  the  equivalent in  foreign  currency or  currency  units) on  terms  to be
determined at the time  of sale. The  Securities may be  sold for U.S.  dollars,
foreign currencies or currency units, and the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest,  if any,  on the  Securities may be  payable in  U.S. dollars, foreign
currencies or currency units. The Securities may be issued in one or more series
with the same or various  maturities at or above par  or with an original  issue
discount.  The  Securities  may be  issued  in registered  form  without coupons
('Registered  Securities'),  in  bearer  form  with  coupons  attached  ('Bearer
Securities')  or in the  form of one  or more global  securities (each a 'Global
Security'). Pursuant  to the  requirements of  certain United  States tax  laws,
Bearer  Securities  will be  offered only  to non-United  States persons  and to
offices located outside  the United  States of certain  United States  financial
institutions.  The specific designation, aggregate principal amount, currency or
currency unit in which the principal, premium,  if any, or interest, if any,  is
payable,  authorized  denominations,  purchase price,  maturity,  rate  or rates
(which may be fixed or variable) and time of payment of any interest, redemption
terms, any listing on a securities exchange and any other specific terms of  the
Securities  in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered (the 'Offered
Securities') are set  forth in  the accompanying supplement  to this  Prospectus
(the  'Prospectus  Supplement'),  together with  the  terms of  offering  of the
Offered Securities.
 
                            ------------------------
 
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
   EXCHANGE COMMISSION  OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION NOR  HAS  THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
      PASSED  UPON  THE ACCURACY  OR  ADEQUACY OF  THIS  PROSPECTUS. ANY
            REPRE  SENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                            ------------------------
 
     The Securities may be offered  through underwriters, agents or dealers,  or
directly to purchasers by the  Company  or subsidiaries  of the  Company.  If an
underwriter,  agent  or  dealer  is involved  in  the  offering  of any  Offered
Securities, the  underwriter's discount, agent's commission or dealer's purchase
price  will  be  set  forth  in,  or  may  be  calculated  from,  the Prospectus
Supplement, and the net proceeds to the Company from such  offering will  be the
public offering price of the  Offered Securities  less such discount in the case
of an underwriter, the purchase  price  of  the  Offered  Securities  less  such
commission  in  the  case  of  an  agent  or  the purchase  price of the Offered
Securities in the  case of a dealer, and less, in each case, the other  expenses
of the Company  associated  with  the  issuance  and distribution of the Offered
Securities. See 'Plan of Distribution.'
 
   
              THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS              , 1996.
    
 <PAGE>
<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').  Such  reports,  proxy
statements  and  other information  can be  inspected and  copied at  the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450  Fifth
Street,  N.W., Washington,  D.C. 20549;  at the  Commission's New  York Regional
Office, 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor,  New York, New York 10048; and at  its
Chicago  Regional  Office, 500  West  Madison Street,  Chicago,  Illinois 60661.
Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at Room  1024, Judiciary  Plaza, 450 Fifth  Street, N.W.,  Washington
D.C.  20549  at  prescribed  rates. Such  reports,  proxy  statements  and other
information concerning the Company  also can be inspected  at the office of  the
New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                     INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
   
     The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31,  1994, the Company's Quarterly  Reports on Form 10-Q  for the quarters ended
March 31, 1995, June 30, 1995 and  September 30, 1995 and the Company's  Current
Reports  on Form 8-K dated  January 31, 1995, February  21, 1995, March 2, 1995,
March 3, 1995, April 25, 1995, August  17, 1995, October 24, 1995, December  14,
1995  and  January 29,  1996,  which have  been filed  by  the Company  with the
Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, are incorporated herein by reference.
    
 
     All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Section  13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the termination of the offering
of  the Securities,  shall be  deemed to be  incorporated in  this Prospectus by
reference and to be  a part hereof  from the respective date  of filing of  each
such  document. Any statement contained in  a document 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 herein or in  any
other   subsequently  filed  document  which  also  is,  or  is  deemed  to  be,
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
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  furnish without  charge  to  each person  to  whom this
Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral  request, a copy of any or all  of
the  documents incorporated  by reference  herein, other  than exhibits  to such
documents.  Requests  should  be  directed  to  Scott  A.  Siebels,  Esq.,  Vice
President,  Corporate Secretary  and Associate  Counsel, Beneficial Corporation,
One Christina  Centre,  301  North Walnut  Street,  Wilmington,  Delaware  19801
(telephone number 302-425-2500).
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Beneficial  is  a  holding  company,  subsidiaries  of  which  are  engaged
principally in the consumer finance and credit-related insurance businesses. The
Company was organized under the  laws of the State of  Delaware on May 9,  1929,
through  the consolidation of three companies  which had been operated under the
same management. Its principal  executive offices are  located at One  Christina
Centre,  301 North Walnut  Street, Wilmington, Delaware  19801 (telephone number
302-425-2500).
 
                                       2

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     The  following table  sets forth the  Company's ratio of  earnings to fixed
charges for the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 NINE MONTHS
                                                    ENDED
      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                   SEPTEMBER 30,
- ------------------------------------    ------------------------------
1990    1991    1992    1993    1994        1994             1995
- ----    ----    ----    ----    ----    -------------    -------------
 
<S>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>              <C>
1.30    1.37    1.38    1.49    1.47         1.58             1.39
</TABLE>
 
     In computing the ratio  of earnings to fixed  charges, earnings consist  of
net income to which has been added income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed charges
consist  principally of interest on all indebtedness and that portion of rentals
considered to represent an appropriate interest factor.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net  proceeds to  be  received by  the Company  from  the sale  of  the
Securities  will be added to  the Company's general funds  and applied to reduce
short-term debt.
 
     Existing long-term  and  short-term debt  has  been incurred  primarily  to
provide  subsidiaries of  the Company  with funds  to carry  on their respective
businesses.  The  Company  anticipates  that  it  will  be  required  to  obtain
additional  financing from time to  time to meet the  needs of its subsidiaries.
The Company has  not experienced,  and does  not anticipate,  any difficulty  in
obtaining funds at prevailing rates.
 
                           DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
 
   
     The  Securities are to  be issued under  an indenture dated  as of April 1,
1989, as supplemented and restated, between the Company and The Chase  Manhattan
Bank  (National Association), Trustee (the  'Indenture'). The Indenture is filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a  part.
The   Indenture  incorporates  the  Company's   Amended  and  Restated  Standard
Multiple-Series Indenture  Provisions, a  copy  of which  is  also filed  as  an
exhibit  to  the  Registration  Statement.  The  Indenture  does  not  limit the
aggregate principal amount  of Securities  which may be  issued thereunder.  The
Company  may  enter into  one or  more additional  indentures providing  for the
issuance of Securities with one or more banking institutions organized under the
laws of the United  States of America  or any state serving  as trustee, or  any
corporation  or other person  organized and doing  business under the  laws of a
foreign government permitted to act as trustee pursuant to a rule, regulation or
order of the  Commission. Reference  is made  to the  Prospectus Supplement  for
information  regarding the Indenture or any additional indenture under which the
Offered Securities will be issued.
    
 
   
     The statements under this heading are subject to the detailed provisions of
the Indenture. Whenever particular provisions of the Indenture or terms  defined
therein  are referred  to, such  provisions or  definitions are  incorporated by
reference herein  as  a part  of  the statements  made  and the  statements  are
qualified in their entirety by such reference.
    
 
   
     GENERAL:  The  Securities  will  be unsecured  general  obligations  of the
Company and will rank  on a parity with  the other unsecured and  unsubordinated
indebtedness  for borrowed money of the Company. The Indenture provides that the
Offered Securities and other unsecured  debt securities of the Company,  without
limitation  as  to  aggregate  principal  amount  (collectively  the  'Indenture
Securities'), may be issued in  one or more series, and  a single series may  be
issued  at various times,  with different maturity  dates and different interest
rates, in each case as authorized from time to time by the Company.
    
 
     One or more series of the Indenture Securities may be issued with the  same
or  various maturities at  par or at  a discount. Offered  Securities bearing no
interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below the market
rate ('Original Issue Discount  Securities') will be sold  at a discount  (which
may  be substantial)  below their  stated principal  amount. Federal  income tax
consequences and other  special considerations applicable  to any such  Original
Issue  Discount  Securities  will  be  described  in  the  Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto.
 
     If any  of the  Offered Securities  are sold  for any  foreign currency  or
currency  unit or if the principal of, premium,  if any, or interest, if any, on
any of the  Offered Securities is  payable in any  foreign currency or  currency
unit,  the restrictions, elections,  tax consequences, specific  terms and other
 
                                       3
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
information with respect to  such issue of Offered  Securities and such  foreign
currency  or  currency  unit will  be  set  forth in  the  Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto.
 
     The Prospectus Supplement  will state  the price  or prices  (which may  be
expressed  as a percentage  of the aggregate principal  amount thereof) at which
the Offered Securities will be sold.
 
     Reference is  made to  the Prospectus  Supplement relating  to the  Offered
Securities for the following terms thereof:
 
          (1) the specific designation of the Offered Securities;
 
          (2) the aggregate principal amount of the Offered Securities;
 
          (3)  the date or dates on which  the principal of and premium, if any,
     on the Offered Securities shall be  payable or the method of  determination
     thereof;
 
          (4)  the rate or rates  (which may be fixed  or variable) at which the
     Offered Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such
     rate or  rates shall  be determined,  the  date or  dates from  which  such
     interest  shall accrue, or the method by  which such date or dates shall be
     determined, the date or dates on  which such interest shall be payable  and
     the record dates therefor;
 
          (5)  if other than in  U.S. dollars, the currency  or currency unit in
     which payment of the principal of,  premium, if any, and interest, if  any,
     on the Offered Securities shall be payable;
 
          (6) if the amount of payments of the principal of, premium, if any, or
     interest,  if  any,  on  the  Offered  Securities  may  be  determined with
     reference to  an index,  formula or  other method  based on  a currency  or
     currency unit other than that in which the Offered Securities are stated to
     be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
 
          (7)  if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the
     Offered Securities are to be  payable at the election  of the Company or  a
     holder  thereof in a currency or currency unit other than that in which the
     Offered Securities are stated to be  payable, the period or periods  within
     which and the terms and conditions upon which such election may be made;
 
          (8)  the place or places where the  principal of, premium, if any, and
     interest, if any, on the Offered Securities shall be payable;
 
          (9) the period or periods within  which, the price or prices at  which
     and  the  terms and  conditions upon  which the  Offered Securities  may be
     redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
 
          (10) the obligation,  if any, of  the Company to  redeem, purchase  or
     repay  the Offered  Securities pursuant  to any  sinking fund  or analogous
     provision or at the option  of a holder thereof  and the period or  periods
     within  which, the price  or prices at  which and the  terms and conditions
     upon which the Offered Securities  shall be redeemed, purchased or  repaid,
     in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
 
          (11)  whether  the  Offered  Securities are  to  be  issued  as Bearer
     Securities and, if so,  (i) whether the Offered  Securities are also to  be
     issued  as Registered Securities  and (ii) the manner  in which such Bearer
     Securities are to be dated;
 
          (12) whether the Offered  Securities are to be  issued in whole or  in
     part  in the form of one or more Global Securities and, if so, the identity
     of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities;
 
          (13) if a temporary  Global Security is to  be issued with respect  to
     the Offered Securities, whether any interest thereon payable on an interest
     payment  date  prior to  the  issuance of  a  permanent Global  Security or
     definitive Bearer  Securities  will be  paid  to the  Depositary  for  such
     temporary Global Security and, in such event, the terms and conditions upon
     which  such interest payments received by  such Depositary will be credited
     to the account  of the persons  entitled thereto on  such interest  payment
     date;
 
          (14)  if a temporary Global  Security is to be  issued with respect to
     the Offered Securities, the  terms upon which  interests in such  temporary
     Global  Security  may  be exchanged  for  interests in  a  permanent Global
     Security or for  definitive Securities  of the  series and  the terms  upon
     which
 
                                       4
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     interests  in a  permanent Global  Security, if  any, may  be exchanged for
     definitive Securities of the series;
 
          (15) if any of the Offered  Securities are to be issued in  registered
     form,  the denominations,  if other  than denominations  of $1,000  and any
     integral multiple thereof, in  which such Registered  Securities are to  be
     issued  and, if any  of the Offered  Securities are to  be issued in bearer
     form, the denominations, if other than the denomination of $5,000, in which
     such Bearer Securities are to be issued;
 
          (16) if other than  the principal amount thereof,  the portion of  the
     principal  amount  of the  Offered Securities  payable upon  declaration of
     acceleration of the maturity of the Offered Securities;
 
   
          (17)  the  provisions,  if  any,  relating  to  the  cancellation  and
     satisfaction  of the Indenture with respect to the Offered Securities prior
     to  the  maturity   thereof  pursuant   to  Section   12.02  thereof   (see
     'Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance');
    
 
   
          (18) any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the Events
     of  Default set forth  in Section 6.01  of the Indenture  pertaining to the
     Offered Securities;
    
 
          (19) whether and under what circumstances and with what procedures and
     documentation the Company will pay additional amounts on any of the Offered
     Securities to any  holder who is  not a United  States Person (including  a
     definition of such term), in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental
     charge  withheld or deducted and, if so,  whether the Company will have the
     option to redeem such  Securities rather than  pay additional amounts  (and
     the terms of any such option);
 
          (20)  the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security shall
     be payable, if  other than the  Person in  whose name that  Security (or  a
     predecessor  Security) is registered at the close of business on the record
     date therefor, the manner in which, or the Person to whom, any interest  on
     any  Bearer Security shall be payable,  if otherwise than upon presentation
     and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto as they severally  mature
     and  the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a
     temporary Global Security will be paid;
 
          (21) the form of the Offered Securities; and
 
   
          (22) any other terms of  the Offered Securities not inconsistent  with
     the  provisions of the Indenture and  not adversely affecting the rights of
     the holders of any other  series of Indenture Securities then  outstanding.
     (Section 3.01)
    
 
   
     The  Company may  authorize the  issuance and  provide for  the terms  of a
series of  Indenture  Securities  pursuant  to a  resolution  of  its  Board  of
Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof or pursuant to a supplemental
indenture.  The provisions of the Indenture  described above provide the Company
with the ability, in addition to the ability to issue Indenture Securities  with
terms  different  from  those  of  Indenture  Securities  previously  issued, to
'reopen' a  previous issue  of a  series of  Indenture Securities  and to  issue
additional Indenture Securities of such series.
    
 
     The  Indenture Securities  may be  issued as  Registered Securities, Bearer
Securities or both. Indenture Securities of a  series may be issued in whole  or
in  part in the form of one or  more Global Securities, as described below under
'Global Securities.' Unless the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto specifies
otherwise, Registered Securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued only
in  denominations  of  $1,000  or  any  integral  multiple  thereof  and  Bearer
Securities  denominated in U.S. dollars will  be issued only in the denomination
of $5,000. One or  more Global Securities  will be issued  in a denomination  or
aggregate  denominations equal to the  aggregate principal amount of outstanding
Indenture Securities of the series to be represented by such Global Security  or
Securities.  The  Prospectus  Supplement  relating  to  a  series  of  Indenture
Securities denominated in a foreign currency  or currency unit will specify  the
denomination thereof. (Section 3.02)
 
     Limitations  on  the  issuance of  Bearer  Securities, as  well  as certain
Federal income tax consequences and  other special considerations applicable  to
any  such  Bearer Securities,  will be  described  in the  Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto.
 
   
     At the  option  of  a  holder of  the  Indenture  Securities  upon  request
confirmed  in  writing,  and  subject  to the  terms  of  the  Indenture, Bearer
Securities  of   any   series   may   be   exchanged   for   either   an   equal
    
 
                                       5
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
aggregate  principal amount of  Bearer Securities (if  Bearer Securities of such
series are to be  issued in more  than one denomination)  or an equal  aggregate
principal  amount of Registered Securities (if  the Indenture Securities of such
series are to be issued as  Registered Securities), but no Bearer Security  will
be delivered in or to the United States, and Registered Securities of any series
(other  than a Global Security, except as  set forth below) will be exchangeable
into an equal aggregate  principal amount of Registered  Securities of the  same
series  (with the same interest rate  and maturity date) of different authorized
denominations.  If  a  holder  surrenders  Bearer  Securities  in  exchange  for
Registered   Securities   between  a   Regular  Record   Date  or,   in  certain
circumstances, a Special Record  Date, and the  relevant interest payment  date,
such  holder  will not  be required  to  surrender the  coupon relating  to such
interest payment date.  Registered Securities  may not be  exchanged for  Bearer
Securities. (Section 3.05)
 
   
     Indenture   Securities  may  be  presented  for  exchange,  and  Registered
Securities (other than a  Global Security) may be  presented for transfer  (with
the  form of  transfer endorsed  thereon duly  executed), at  the office  of any
transfer agent  or at  the office  of the  Security Registrar,  without  service
charge and upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described
in  the Indenture. Such transfer or exchange  will be effected upon the transfer
agent or the Security Registrar,  as the case may  be, being satisfied with  the
documents  of  title  and identity  of  the  person making  the  request. Bearer
Securities will be transferable by delivery. (Section 3.05)
    
 
     GLOBAL SECURITIES: The Indenture  Securities of a series  may be issued  in
whole  or in  part in the  form of  one or more  Global Securities  that will be
deposited with, or  on behalf of,  the Depositary identified  in the  Prospectus
Supplement   relating  thereto.  Global  Securities  may  be  issued  in  either
registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless  and
until  it  is  exchanged  in  whole or  in  part  for  the  individual Indenture
Securities represented thereby, a Global Security may not be transferred  except
as  a whole  by the  Depositary for such  Global Security  to a  nominee of such
Depositary or by  a nominee  of such Depositary  to such  Depositary or  another
nominee  of  such Depositary  or by  such Depositary  or any  such nominee  to a
successor Depositary or a nominee  of such successor Depositary. (Sections  3.03
and 3.05)
 
     The  specific  terms  of the  depositary  arrangement with  respect  to any
Indenture Securities of a series will be described in the Prospectus  Supplement
relating  thereto. The  Company anticipates  that the  following provisions will
apply to all depositary arrangements.
 
     Upon the issuance  of a  Global Security,  the Depositary  for such  Global
Security  will credit, on  its book-entry registration  and transfer system, the
respective principal amounts of the individual Indenture Securities  represented
by  such Global Security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with
such  Depositary  ('participants').  The  accounts  to  be  credited  shall   be
designated by the underwriters or agents through which such Indenture Securities
were  sold or by the Company, if  such Indenture Securities are offered and sold
directly by the Company. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global  Security
will  be  limited to  participants or  persons that  may hold  interests through
participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Security will  be
shown  on, and  the transfer  of that ownership  will be  effected only through,
records maintained by the Depositary for such Global Security or by participants
or persons that hold through participants. The laws of some states require  that
certain  purchasers of securities  take physical delivery  of such securities in
definitive form. Such limits  and such laws may  impair the ability to  transfer
beneficial interests in a Global Security.
 
   
     So  long as the  Depositary for a  Global Security, or  its nominee, is the
owner of such Global Security, such Depositary or such nominee, as the case  may
be,  will be  considered the  sole owner or  holder of  the Indenture Securities
represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except
as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not
be entitled  to have  Indenture Securities  of the  series represented  by  such
Global  Security registered in their  names, will not receive  or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of Indenture  Securities of such series in  definitive
form  and  will  not be  considered  the  owners or  holders  thereof  under the
Indenture.
    
 
     Subject to certain limitations on  the issuance of Bearer Securities  which
will  be described  in the Prospectus  Supplement relating  thereto, payments of
principal of, premium,  if any, and  interest, if any,  on Indenture  Securities
registered in the name of or held by a Depositary or its nominee will be made to
the  Depositary or its nominee,  as the case may be,  as the registered owner or
the holder of the
 
                                       6
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Global Security representing such Indenture Securities. None of the Company, the
Trustee for  such  Indenture  Securities,  any  paying  agent  or  the  Security
Registrar  for  such  Indenture  Securities  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 Security  for  such Indenture
Securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating  to
such beneficial ownership interests.
 
     The  Company  expects that  the Depositary  for  Indenture Securities  of a
series, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or  interest,
if  any,  in respect  of a  permanent Global  Security, will  credit immediately
participants'  accounts  with  payments   in  amounts  proportionate  to   their
respective  beneficial interests in the principal amount of such Global Security
as shown  on the  records of  such  Depositary. The  Company also  expects  that
payments  by  participants  to owners  of  beneficial interests  in  such Global
Security  held  through   such  participants  will   be  governed  by   standing
instructions  and customary practices,  as is now the  case with securities held
for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in 'street name,' and
will be the responsibility of such participants. Receipt by owners of beneficial
interests in  a  temporary  Global  Security of  payments  in  respect  of  such
temporary  Global Security may be subject to restrictions. Any such restrictions
will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
     If a  Depositary  for Indenture  Securities  of a  series  is at  any  time
unwilling  or unable to continue as Depositary and a successor depositary is not
appointed by the Company  within ninety days, the  Company will issue  Indenture
Securities of such series in definitive form in exchange for the Global Security
or Securities representing the Indenture Securities of such series. In addition,
the Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine not to have any
Indenture  Securities of a  series represented by one  or more Global Securities
and, in such event, will issue Indenture Securities of such series in definitive
form in  exchange  for  the  Global Security  or  Securities  representing  such
Indenture  Securities. Further, if the Company  so specifies with respect to the
Indenture Securities of a series, each Person specified by the Depositary of the
Global Security representing Indenture Securities  of such series may, on  terms
acceptable  to the Company and the  Depositary for such Global Security, receive
Indenture Securities of such  series in definitive form.  In any such  instance,
each  Person  so specified  by the  Depositary  of the  Global Security  will be
entitled to physical delivery in definitive form of Indenture Securities of  the
series  represented by  such Global Security  equal in principal  amount to such
Person's beneficial interest  in the  Global Security.  Indenture Securities  of
such  series  so issued  in definitive  form  will be  issued (a)  as Registered
Securities if  the Indenture  Securities of  such  series are  to be  issued  as
Registered  Securities, (b) as Bearer Securities  if the Indenture Securities of
such series are to be issued as Bearer Securities or (c) as either Registered or
Bearer Securities, if the Indenture Securities  of such series are to be  issued
in  either form.  A description  of certain  restrictions on  the issuance  of a
Bearer Security  in definitive  form in  exchange for  an interest  in a  Global
Security  will  be  contained  in the  Prospectus  Supplement  relating thereto.
(Section 3.05)
 
     PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS:  Payment of principal of,  premium, if any,  and
interest,  if  any, on  Bearer Securities  will  be payable  in the  currency or
currency unit designated in the Prospectus Supplement, subject to any applicable
laws and regulations, at such paying  agencies outside the United States as  the
Company  may appoint  from time to  time. Any such  payment may be  made, at the
option of a holder, by a check in the designated currency or currency unit or by
transfer to an account in the designated currency or currency unit maintained by
the payee with a bank located outside the United States. No payment with respect
to any Bearer Security will be made  at the principal corporate trust office  of
the  Trustee or any other paying agency  maintained by the Company in the United
States nor will any such payment be made  by transfer to an account with a  bank
located, or by check mailed to an address, in the United States. Notwithstanding
the  foregoing, payments of principal  of and premium, if  any, and interest, if
any, on Bearer Securities may be made in U.S. dollars at the principal corporate
trust office of  the Trustee in  the City of  New York, if  payment of the  full
amount  thereof at all paying  agencies outside the United  States is illegal or
effectively precluded  by  exchange  controls  or  other  similar  restrictions.
(Sections 3.11 and 5.02)
 
     Payment  of principal of and premium, if any, on Registered Securities will
be made in the  designated currency or currency  unit against surrender of  such
Registered  Securities at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee in
the   City    of    New    York.   Unless    otherwise    indicated    in    the
 
                                       7
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Prospectus  Supplement,  payment of  any installment  of interest  on Registered
Securities will be made to the person in whose name such Registered Security  is
registered  at  the  close of  business  on  the regular  record  date  for such
interest. Unless otherwise indicated in  the Prospectus Supplement, payments  of
such  interest  will be  made at  the  principal corporate  trust office  of the
Trustee in the City  of New York, or  by a check in  the designated currency  or
currency  unit mailed to each  holder of a Registered  Security at such holder's
registered address. (Section 3.11)
 
     The paying agents outside the United States, if any, initially appointed by
the Company for a series of Indenture Securities will be named in the Prospectus
Supplement. The  Company may  terminate the  appointment of  any of  the  paying
agents  from time to  time, except that  the Company will  maintain at least one
paying agent in the City  of New York, for  payments with respect to  Registered
Securities  and at least  one paying agent  in a city  in Europe so  long as any
Bearer Securities are outstanding where  Bearer Securities may be presented  for
payment and may be surrendered for exchange, provided that so long as any series
of  Indenture Securities  is listed on  The International Stock  Exchange of the
United Kingdom and the Republic of  Ireland or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange  or
any  other  stock exchange  located  outside the  United  States and  such stock
exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a paying agent in London or
Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States, as  the
case may be, for such series of Indenture Securities. (Section 5.02)
 
     All  moneys  paid by  the  Company to  a paying  agent  for the  payment of
principal of, premium, if  any, or interest, if  any, on any Indenture  Security
that  remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or
interest shall have become due and payable will be repaid to the Company and the
holder of  such  Indenture  Security  entitled  to  receive  such  payment  will
thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof. (Section 12.05)
 
   
     RESTRICTIONS UPON CREATION OF LIENS: The Company covenants in the Indenture
that  it will  not itself,  and it will  not permit  any Consolidated Subsidiary
other than a Foreign Subsidiary to, create, assume or incur any encumbrance upon
any of  the  properties, owned  at  the date  of  such Indenture  or  thereafter
acquired,  of the  Company or  any Consolidated  Subsidiary, without effectively
providing that the Indenture Securities shall be secured on an equal and ratable
basis with  the  indebtedness  thereby  secured;  provided,  however,  that  the
foregoing  restriction  shall  not  prevent  the  Company  or  any  Consolidated
Subsidiary from (i) suffering to exist mortgages or encumbrances existing at the
date of such Indenture on property owned  at such date or creating or  suffering
to  exist purchase money mortgages or liens upon any after-acquired property, or
acquiring property subject to mortgages or encumbrances existing thereon at  the
date  of acquisition  thereof, or suffering  to exist  mortgages or encumbrances
upon property of a Consolidated Subsidiary existing at the time such corporation
becomes  a  Consolidated  Subsidiary,  or  replacing,  extending,  renewing   or
refunding  such  mortgages  or  encumbrances  and/or  the  indebtedness  secured
thereby, provided that  the principal  amount of any  indebtedness so  replaced,
extended,  renewed or refunded  shall not be increased,  (ii) making deposits or
giving any other form of security to governmental agencies for certain  purposes
or  depositing assets as collateral in  connection with any legal proceedings by
or against the Company or  a Consolidated Subsidiary, (iii) purchasing  property
or  assets upon conditional  sale agreements or  lease agreements or conditional
sale and lease agreements, (iv) creating or  suffering to exist in favor of  any
lender  of moneys or holder of their commercial paper a banker's lien or a right
of offset on moneys of the  Company or a Consolidated Subsidiary deposited  with
such  lender or holder in the ordinary  course of business, or lent or otherwise
made available to such lender or to an affiliate thereof in connection with  the
obtaining  from such lender of borrowings in currencies other than United States
dollars, or (v) suffering to be created or to exist liens for taxes, assessments
and governmental charges or levies,  or liens imposed by  law, for sums not  due
and  payable or being contested  in good faith; and  provided, further, that the
foregoing restrictions  shall  not  prevent  any  Consolidated  Subsidiary  from
mortgaging its property to the Company as security for indebtedness owing to the
Company. (Section 5.04)
    
 
   
     RESTRICTIONS  ON  DISPOSITION OF  STOCK  OF CONSOLIDATED  SUBSIDIARIES: The
Company covenants in the Indenture that it will not itself, and will not  permit
any Consolidated Subsidiary to, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of stock
of  any  Consolidated  Subsidiary  (the 'Issuing  Subsidiary'),  unless  (i) the
Issuing Subsidiary is a Foreign Subsidiary and such shares are shares of  common
stock,  and after giving  effect to such  sale or other  disposition the Company
directly or indirectly (through one or more
    
 
                                       8
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Consolidated Subsidiaries or otherwise) would own  not less than 66 2/3% of  the
outstanding  common stock of the Issuing Subsidiary,  or (ii) such sale or other
disposition is from or by a Consolidated  Subsidiary to the Company, or from  or
by the Company or a Consolidated Subsidiary to a Wholly-owned Subsidiary, or for
the  purpose of  permitting any such  shares of stock  to be held  by persons in
order to qualify them to act as directors or officers of the Issuing  Subsidiary
or to be held by stockholders other than the Company or one or more Consolidated
Subsidiaries  in order  that the  Issuing Subsidiary  may transact  business, or
(iii) simultaneously with such sale or  other disposition, all of the shares  of
stock  and  indebtedness of  the Issuing  Subsidiary  at the  time owned  by the
Company and/or by other Consolidated Subsidiaries  shall be sold or disposed  of
for  a consideration or considerations which (a)  shall not include any stock of
another corporation, unless  immediately after  the receipt of  such stock  such
other  corporation would be a Consolidated Subsidiary, and (b) shall not include
obligations of another corporation, unless the shares of stock and  indebtedness
so  sold or  disposed of shall  be validly pledged  and free and  clear of other
liens, charges  and encumbrances,  as security  for such  obligations.  (Section
5.05)
 
   
     CONCERNING   THE  TRUSTEE:  The  Indenture  is  subject  to  the  mandatory
provisions of the Trust  Indenture Act of 1939,  as amended (the 'TIA'),  which,
among  other things provide that  the Trustee shall, prior  to the occurrence of
any Event of Default with respect to the Indenture Securities of any series  and
after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default with respect to such series
which  have occurred, perform only such duties  as are specifically set forth in
such Indenture and in the TIA. During the existence of any Event of Default with
respect to the Indenture  Securities of any series,  the Trustee shall  exercise
such  of the rights and powers vested in  it under such Indenture and in the TIA
with respect to such series and use the  same degree of care and skill in  their
exercise  as a prudent man would exercise  or use under the circumstances in the
conduct of his own affairs.
    
 
   
     The Trustee  may acquire  and  hold Indenture  Securities and,  subject  to
certain  conditions, otherwise deal with  the Company as if  it were not Trustee
under the Indenture. (Section 7.03)
    
 
   
     The Company has  lines of credit  from The Chase  Manhattan Bank  (National
Association).  The Chase Manhattan  Bank (National Association)  is also trustee
under various indentures covering outstanding indebtedness of the Company.
    
 
   
     MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE: The Indenture contains provisions permitting
the Company and the Trustee, without the consent of the holders of the Indenture
Securities, to establish, among other things,  the form and terms of any  series
of  Indenture  Securities  issuable  thereunder  by  one  or  more  supplemental
indentures, and, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority  of
the  aggregate principal amount of the Indenture Securities of any series at the
time  outstanding,  evidenced  as  in   such  Indenture  provided,  to   execute
supplemental  indentures adding any  provisions to or changing  in any manner or
eliminating any  of the  provisions of  such Indenture  or of  any  supplemental
indenture  with respect to  Indenture Securities of such  series or modifying in
any manner the rights of the holders of the Indenture Securities of such series;
provided, however,  that no  such supplemental  indenture shall  (i) extend  the
fixed  maturity,  or the  earlier  optional date  of  maturity, if  any,  of any
Indenture Security of a particular series or reduce the principal amount thereof
or the premium thereon, if any, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment
of interest, if any, thereon, or make the principal thereof or premium, if  any,
or interest, if any, thereon payable in any currency or currency unit other than
as  provided pursuant to  the Indenture or  in the Indenture  Securities of such
series without the consent of the holder of each Indenture Security so affected,
or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage  of Indenture Securities of any  series,
the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture,
without  the consent of the  holders of all Indenture  Securities of such series
outstanding thereunder. (Sections 10.01 and 10.02)
    
 
   
     DEFAULT AND CERTAIN RIGHTS ON DEFAULT: The Indenture provides that upon the
happening of  any Event  of Default  with  respect to  any series  of  Indenture
Securities  specified  therein  (unless it  is  inapplicable to  such  series of
Indenture Securities or it is specifically deleted in the supplemental indenture
or Board Resolution under which such series of Indenture Securities is issued or
has been modified in any such supplemental indenture), including (i) failure  to
pay  interest when  due on the  Indenture Securities of  such series outstanding
thereunder, continued for 30 days; (ii)  failure to pay principal or premium  if
any,   when  due  on  the  Indenture   Securities  of  such  series  outstanding
    
 
                                       9
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
   
thereunder,  (iii)  failure  by  the  Company  to  observe  or  perform  certain
obligations  required  of  it in  the  event  of a  merger  or  consolidation or
disposition or lease of substantially all of its properties after written notice
from the Trustee or the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount  of
the  Indenture Securities of such series outstanding thereunder, (iv) failure to
observe or perform any  other covenant of  the Company in  the Indenture or  the
Indenture  Securities  of such  series (other  than a  covenant included  in the
Indenture or the  Indenture Securities  solely for the  benefit of  a series  of
Indenture  Securities  other  than such  series),  continued for  60  days after
written notice from  the Trustee  or the  holders of  25% or  more in  aggregate
principal  amount  of  the  Indenture  Securities  of  such  series  outstanding
thereunder, (v) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; (vi)
the rendering against the Company of final judgment for the payment of money  in
excess  of $500,000, of which the Trustee has notice, and the failure to satisfy
such judgment  or to  appeal therefrom  (or from  the order,  decree or  process
pursuant to which such judgment was granted, passed, entered or affirmed) and to
obtain  a stay  of execution  thereof within  the period  prescribed by  law for
appeals, and  to  have  such  judgment  discharged  within  90  days  after  the
expiration  of such period or the period of any such stay, whichever shall later
expire; (vii) default, of which  the Trustee has notice,  in the payment of  any
installment  of interest, when and as the  same shall become due and payable, on
any bond, debenture, note or other  evidence of indebtedness of, or assumed  by,
the  Company (including an Indenture Security of another series) and continuance
of such  default for  the period  of grace,  if any,  provided for  therein,  or
default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any such bond,
debenture,  note or other  evidence of indebtedness  when and as  the same shall
become due and payable, whether at maturity, by declaration, upon redemption, or
otherwise, and the time for payment of such interest, principal or premium shall
not have been  effectively extended, unless  the Company is  contesting in  good
faith  its  liability for  the  payment of  the  installment of  interest  or of
principal or premium in question and shall have been advised by its counsel that
it has a meritorious defense thereto; and  (viii) any other Event of Default  as
may  be specified for such series, the Trustee  or the holders of 25% or more in
aggregate principal amount  of Indenture Securities  of such series  outstanding
thereunder  may declare the principal amount of all Indenture Securities of such
series to be due and  payable immediately, but if  all defaults with respect  to
Indenture  Securities  of such  series  (other than  non-payment  of accelerated
principal) are cured and there has been  no sale of property under any  judgment
or  decree  for the  payment of  moneys due  which shall  have been  obtained or
entered, the  holders  of  a  majority in  aggregate  principal  amount  of  the
Indenture Securities of such series outstanding thereunder may waive the default
and rescind the declaration and its consequences. (Section 6.01)
    
 
   
     The  Indenture  provides  that  the  holders  of  a  majority  in aggregate
principal  amount  of  the  Indenture  Securities  of  any  series   outstanding
thereunder may, subject to certain exceptions, direct the time, method and place
of  conducting any  proceeding for  any remedy  available to,  or exercising any
power or trust conferred upon, the Trustee with respect to Indenture  Securities
of  such series and may on behalf of all holders of Indenture Securities of such
series waive any  past default and  its consequences with  respect to  Indenture
Securities  of such series, except a default in the payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any of the Indenture Securities of such
series. (Section 6.06)
    
 
   
     Holders of any Security of any  series may not institute any proceeding  to
enforce  the  Indenture  unless the  Trustee  thereunder shall  have  refused or
neglected to act for 60 days after a request and offer of satisfactory indemnity
by the holders of  25% or more  in aggregate principal  amount of the  Indenture
Securities of such series outstanding thereunder, but the right of any holder of
any  Security of any series to enforce  payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, or interest,  if any, on  his Indenture  Securities when due  shall not  be
impaired without the consent of such holder. (Section 6.04)
    
 
     The  Trustee is required to give the  holders of any Security of any series
notice of all defaults with  respect to such series known  to it within 90  days
after  the occurrence thereof (Events of  Default summarized above, exclusive of
any grace period and irrespective of  any requirement that notice of default  be
given),  unless cured before the giving of  such notice but, except for defaults
in payments of the principal  of, premium, if any, or  interest, if any, on  the
Indenture  Securities of such series, the Trustee  may withhold notice if and so
long as it determines in  good faith that the withholding  of such notice is  in
the  interests of the holders of the  Securities of such series. (Section 315 of
the TIA)
 
                                       10
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
   
     The Company is required  to deliver to the  Trustee each year an  officers'
certificate stating whether such officers have obtained knowledge of any default
by  the Company in the  performance of certain covenants  and, if so, specifying
such default and the nature thereof. (Section 5.09)
    
 
   
     SATISFACTION AND  DISCHARGE  OF  INDENTURE;  DEFEASANCE:  Unless  otherwise
specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to certain Indenture Securities,
the  Indenture may be discharged  upon payment of the  principal of, premium, if
any, and interest, if any,  on all the Indenture  Securities and all other  sums
due  thereunder.  In  addition,  unless otherwise  specified  in  the Prospectus
Supplement relating to certain Indenture Securities, the Company may defease the
Indenture Securities by depositing with the Trustee, in trust for the benefit of
the holders thereof, (i) funds (in such  currency or currency unit in which  any
Indenture  Securities of such particular series  are payable) sufficient to pay,
or (ii)  in the  case of  Indenture  Securities payable  in U.S.  dollars,  U.S.
Government  Obligations  or in  the case  of Indenture  Securities payable  in a
foreign currency, Foreign Government Securities  as will, or will together  with
the  income  thereon  without  consideration  of  any  reinvestment  thereof, be
sufficient to  pay in  the currency  or  currency unit  in which  the  Indenture
Securities  are payable, all sums due for the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest, if any,  on the  Indenture Securities of  such series,  as they  shall
become  due from time to time, and,  providing certain other conditions are met,
the Trustee shall cancel and satisfy  the Indenture with respect to such  series
to the extent provided therein. (Sections 12.01 and 12.02)
    
 
     For  federal income tax purposes, a defeasance  may be treated as a taxable
exchange of the related Indenture Securities for (i) an issue of obligations  of
the  trust or  (ii) a  direct interest in  the cash  and securities  held in the
trust. In that case, holders of  such Indenture Securities would recognize  gain
or loss equal to the difference between the holder's cost or other tax basis for
the  Indenture Securities and  the value of  the holder's interest  in the trust
obligations or in the cash and securities held in the trust, as the case may be.
Under this tax treatment,  the holder would  recognize the gain  or loss if  the
trust  obligations or the cash or securities  deposited, as the case may be, had
actually been received by them in exchange for their Indenture Securities.  Such
holders thereafter would be required to include in income a share of the income,
gain  or loss of  the trust a different  amount than would  be includable in the
absence of the defeasance. Prospective investors are urged to consult their  own
tax advisors as to the specific consequences to them of defeasance.
 
     REPORTS FURNISHED TO HOLDERS OF SECURITIES: The Company will furnish to the
holders  of  Securities copies  of all  quarterly  and annual  financial reports
distributed to  its stockholders  generally  as soon  as practicable  after  the
mailing of such material to the stockholders. (Section 5.10)
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The  Company  may  offer the  Securities  (i)  to or  through  one  or more
underwriters, (ii) to or through dealers, (iii) through agents or (iv)  directly
or  through  its  subsidiaries  to purchasers.  The  Prospectus  Supplement will
describe the method of distribution of the Offered Securities.
 
     The distribution of Offered Securities may be effected from time to time in
one or more transactions at  a fixed price or prices,  which may be changed,  at
market  prices prevailing at the time of  sale, at prices related to such market
prices or at negotiated prices.
 
     If underwriters are used in the  offering of Offered Securities, the  names
of  the managing underwriter or underwriters and any other underwriters, and the
terms of  the  transaction,  including  compensation  of  the  underwriters  and
dealers, if any, will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such
offering.  Only underwriters named in a  Prospectus Supplement will be deemed to
be underwriters in  connection with  the Offered  Securities described  therein.
Firms  not  so  named will  have  no  direct or  indirect  participation  in the
underwriting of such Offered Securities, although such a firm may participate in
the distribution of such Offered Securities under circumstances entitling it  to
a  dealer's  commission.  It  is  anticipated  that  any  underwriting agreement
pertaining to  any  Offered Securities  will  (1) entitle  the  underwriters  to
indemnification  by  the Company  against  certain civil  liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act'),
or to contribution for payments which  the underwriters may be required to  make
in respect thereof, (2) provide that the obligations of the underwriters will be
subject to certain conditions precedent, and (3)
 
                                       11
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
provide  that  the  underwriters generally  will  be obligated  to  purchase all
Offered Securities if any are purchased.
 
     The Company also may sell Offered  Securities to a dealer as principal.  In
such  event, the dealer may then resell such Offered Securities to the public at
varying prices to be determined by such  dealer at the time of resale. The  name
of  the  dealer and  the  terms of  the  transaction will  be  set forth  in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
     Offered Securities also  may be  offered through agents  designated by  the
Company  from time to time. Any  such agent will be named,  and the terms of any
such agency will be  set forth, in the  Prospectus Supplement relating  thereto.
Unless  otherwise indicated in  such Prospectus Supplement,  any such agent will
act on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment and any such agent
may utilize dealers  or selling groups  in connection with  the resale of  Notes
purchased by such agent as principal.
 
     As  one of  the means  of direct  issuance of  the Offered  Securities, the
Company may utilize the services of  any available electronic auction system  to
conduct  an electronic 'dutch auction' of the Offered Securities among potential
purchasers who  are eligible  to  participate in  the  auction of  such  Offered
Securities, if so described in the Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Dealers  and agents named  in a Prospectus  Supplement may be  deemed to be
underwriters  (within  the  meaning  of  the  Securities  Act)  of  the  Offered
Securities  described therein  and, under agreements  which may  be entered into
with the Company,  may be  entitled to  indemnification by  the Company  against
certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to
contribution for payments which they may be required to make in respect thereof.
Underwriters,  dealers and  agents may engage  in transactions  with, or perform
services for, the Company in the ordinary course of business.
 
     Each underwriter, dealer and agent participating in the distribution of any
Offered Securities that are to be issued as Bearer Securities will agree that it
will not offer, sell  or deliver, directly or  indirectly, Bearer Securities  in
the  United States or to United  States persons (other than qualifying financial
institutions)  in  connection  with  the  original  issuance  of  such   Offered
Securities.
 
     As  used  herein,  'United  States'  means  the  United  States  of America
(including the  States  and the  District  of Columbia),  its  territories,  its
possessions  and other  areas subject  to its  jurisdiction, and  'United States
person' means an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a
corporation, partnership or other  entity created or organized  in or under  the
laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, or any estate or
trust  the income of which  is subject to United  States Federal income taxation
regardless of its source.
 
     Offers to  purchase Offered  Securities may  be solicited  directly by  the
Company or through its subsidiaries and sales thereof may be made by the Company
directly  to institutional investors or others. The terms of any such sales will
be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
     If so  indicated in  a Prospectus  Supplement, the  Company will  authorize
underwriters  or  other  agents of  the  Company  to solicit  offers  by certain
institutions to purchase  the Offered  Securities from the  Company pursuant  to
contracts providing for payment and delivery at a future date. Institutions with
which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance
companies,  pension  funds,  investment  companies,  educational  and charitable
institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved  by
the  Company. The obligations of any purchaser  under any such contract will not
be subject  to  any conditions  except  that (1)  the  purchase of  the  Offered
Securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the
jurisdiction  to  which  such  purchaser  is  subject  and  (2)  if  the Offered
Securities are also being sold to  underwriters, the Company shall have sold  to
such  underwriters  the  Offered  Securities not  subject  to  delayed delivery.
Underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the
validity or performance of such contracts.
 
     The anticipated date of delivery of Offered Securities will be as set forth
in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering of such Securities.
 
                                       12
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The legality of the Securities offered hereby will be passed upon by  Dewey
Ballantine,  1301 Avenue of the  Americas, New York, New  York, on behalf of the
Company, and by Whitman Breed  Abbott & Morgan, 200  Park Avenue, New York,  New
York, on behalf of the underwriters or agents, if any.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The   financial  statements  and  the  related  supplemental  schedule  and
supplemental  note  incorporated  in  this  Prospectus  by  reference  from  the
Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for  the year ended December 31, 1994 have
been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants, as stated
in their report,  which is incorporated  herein by reference,  and have been  so
incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority
as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       13

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.............................   $1,034,483
Printing and engraving..........................................................       15,000*
Accounting services.............................................................       40,000*
Legal services..................................................................       75,000*
Fees and expenses of Trustees...................................................       40,000*
Rating agency fees..............................................................      750,000*
Expenses of qualification under state blue sky laws.............................        5,000*
Miscellaneous...................................................................       25,000*
                                                                                   ----------
          Total.................................................................   $1,984,483
                                                                                   ----------
                                                                                   ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
   
* Estimated
    
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     Article  IX of the  By-Laws of the Company  provides for indemnification of
directors, officers  and  employees  of  the  Company  for  expenses  (including
attorneys'  fees), judgments, fines and amounts  paid in settlement with respect
to threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings to which  such
person  may be a party, to the full extent permitted under the laws of the State
of Delaware. Under such laws, indemnification of such a person may be made if he
acted in good  faith and  in a manner  he reasonably  believed to be  in or  not
opposed  to the  best interests  of the  corporation, and,  with respect  to any
criminal action or proceeding,  had no reasonable cause  to believe his  conduct
was  unlawful. With respect to suits by or in the right of the corporation, such
person may  not  be  indemnified if  he  has  been adjudged  to  be  liable  for
negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation.
 
     In   addition,  Article  X   to  the  Company's   Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation limits the right of stockholders of the Company, and the right  of
the  Company itself, to sue and recover  from the directors monetary damages for
acts of negligence, including gross negligence, for breach of the duty of  care.
The  directors will not be liable for gross negligence in connection with, among
other things, decisions made on a proposal for acquisition of the Company or its
assets. Article X does  not eliminate or limit  a director's liability for:  (i)
breaches of the duty of loyalty to the Company or to its stockholders; (ii) acts
or  omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of  law; (iii)  willfully  or negligently  paying or  making  unlawful
dividends  or unlawful  stock repurchases  or redemptions;  or (iv)  engaging in
transactions in which he receives any improper personal benefit. Article X  does
not  eliminate liability for  a director acting  in his capacity  as an officer,
preclude recovery against the directors in  actions brought by third parties  or
affect  a director's liability  under the Federal  securities laws. In addition,
the Company and its stockholders retain  the right to pursue equitable  remedies
against the directors, such as an injunction or rescission of a contract.
 
   
     The  Company has in  effect a policy insuring  itself, its subsidiaries and
their respective directors and officers, to  the extent they may be required  or
permitted  to indemnify such officers  or directors, against certain liabilities
arising from acts or omissions in the discharge of their duties that they  shall
become legally obligated to pay. The policy is for a period ending July 1, 1996,
and  provides a  maximum coverage of  $30,000,000 for  a period of  one year and
(subject to certain enumerated exclusions) covers  100% of all losses above  the
deductible amount of $1,000,000.
    
 
     The  Company also has in effect indemnification agreements with each of its
directors, which  provide  that  such  directors  will  be  indemnified  against
expenses,  judgments,  penalties,  fines  and  amounts  paid  in  settlement  of
threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings to which any such
person is, or is threatened to be made, a party, to the fullest extent permitted
by applicable law as in effect from  time to time. Such agreements also  require
the  Company to advance  all reasonable expenses  incurred by a  director in any
such proceeding provided that he undertakes to repay the
 
                                      II-1
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
amount advanced  if it  is ultimately  determined  that he  is not  entitled  to
indemnification  for  such  expenses.  The  agreements  provide  that  upon  the
occurrence of a  'change in control'  (as defined therein)  of the Company,  the
Company  has the burden of proof to  establish that a director who has requested
indemnification is not entitled to it.
 
     As permitted by the  Employee Retirement Income Security  Act of 1974,  the
Company has obtained a Corporate Fiduciary's Liability Insurance Policy covering
all  employees entrusted  with fiduciary  responsibilities under  certain of the
Company's employee welfare or  benefit plans. The  maximum coverage provided  by
this policy is an aggregate of $5,000,000 per year.
 
     Article  VII  of  Annex  A  of  the  form  of  the  Underwriting Agreement,
incorporated by  reference as  Exhibit 1.1  to this  Registration Statement  and
incorporated  herein  by  reference,  provides  for  indemnification  in certain
circumstances on the part of the  Underwriters with respect to the accuracy  and
completeness  of this Registration  Statement and with  respect to certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Act.
 
     Section 7  of  the form  of  the Distribution  Agreement,  incorporated  by
reference  as Exhibit 1.2 to this Registration Statement and incorporated herein
by reference, provides for indemnification in certain circumstances on the  part
of the Agents with respect to the accuracy and completeness of this Registration
Statement  and with respect to  certain civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the Act.
 
                                      II-2
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
 
   
<TABLE>
    <C>     <S>
     1.1    -- Form of  Underwriting Agreement (incorporated  by reference  to Exhibit 1  to  the  Registrant's
               Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 33-2797)).
     1.2    -- Form of Distribution Agreement  between the Company and the  agents named  therein,  relating to
               distribution of the Company's Medium-Term Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the
               Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 33-51833)).
     4.1    -- Amended and Restated Standard  Multiple-Series Indenture Provisions (incorporated  by  reference
               to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 33-38287)).
     4.2    -- First  Supplemental  and Restated Indenture dated as of December 1, 1990 between the Company and
               The Chase  Manhattan Bank  (National  Association), as  Trustee  (incorporated by  reference  to
               Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 33-51833)).
     4.3    -- A form of the Fixed Rate Medium-Term  Notes (Global) (incorporated by reference to  Exhibit  4.7
               to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 33-51833)).
     4.4    -- A form of the Fixed Rate Medium-Term Notes (Certificated) (incorporated by reference  to Exhibit
               4.8 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 33-51833)).
     4.5    -- A form of the  Floating Rate Medium-Term Notes (Global)  (incorporated by reference  to  Exhibit
               4.9 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 33-51833)).
     4.6    -- A form  of the Floating  Rate Medium-Term  Notes (Certificated) (incorporated  by  reference  to
               Exhibit 4.10 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 33-51833)).
     5      -- Opinion  of Dewey  Ballantine as  to legality  of the  securities  being  registered,  including
               consent.*
    12      -- Computation of Ratios of Earnings to  Fixed Charges of  Beneficial  Corporation and Consolidated
               Subsidiaries (Continuing Operations  Only) (incorporated  by reference to  Note 9.  to Notes  to
               Financial  Statements of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
               ended September 30, 1995 and Exhibit 12 to  the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for  the
               fiscal year ended December 31, 1994).
    23.1    -- Consent of Dewey Ballantine (included in Exhibit 5).*
    23.2    -- Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.**
    24      -- Powers of Attorney.**
    25.1    -- Form T-1 Statement of  Eligibility under the Trust  Indenture Act of 1939,  as  amended, of  The
               Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), as Trustee.*
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
   
*  Filed with this amendment.
    
 
   
** Previously filed.
    
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
     (1) To file, during any period in  which offers or sales are being made,  a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
          (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Act,
     unless  the  information required  to  be included  in  such post-effective
     amendment is  contained  in  a  periodic report  filed  by  the  registrant
     pursuant  to section 13 or section 15(d)  of the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934, as amended  (the 'Exchange  Act'), and incorporated  by reference  in
     this registration statement;
 
          (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, unless such information required to be included in
     such post-effective amendment is  contained in a  periodic report filed  by
     the   registrant  pursuant   to  section  13   or  section   15(d)  of  the
 
                                      II-3
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
   
     Exchange Act  and incorporated  herein  by reference.  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; and
    
 
          (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.
 
     (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Act, 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.
 
     (4) That, for  purposes of determining  any liability under  the Act,  each
filing  of the registrant's  annual report pursuant to  section 13(a) or section
15(d) of the Exchange Act 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.
 
     (5)  That, for  purposes of  determining any  liability under  the Act, the
information  omitted  from  the  form  of  prospectus  filed  as  part  of  this
registration  statement in reliance  upon Rule 430A  and contained in  a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant  to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or  497(h)
under  the Act shall be  deemed to be part of  this registration statement as of
the time it was declared effective.
 
     (6) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Act,  each
post-effective  amendment that contains a form  of prospectus shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,  and
the  offering of such securities at that time  shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
 
     Insofar as indemnification  for liabilities  arising under the  Act may  be
permitted  to  directors, officers  and  controlling persons  of  the registrant
pursuant to the foregoing  provisions (except for the  insurance referred to  in
the  fourth paragraph of Item 15), 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>
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant  to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has  reasonable grounds to  believe that it  meets all of  the
requirements  for  filing on  Form  S-3 and  has  duly caused  this Registration
Statement to  be  signed  on  its behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized in Peapack, New Jersey on the 30th day of January, 1996.
    
 
                                        BENEFICIAL CORPORATION
 
 
                                                 /s/ ANDREW C. HALVORSEN
                                       By ......................................
                                                 (ANDREW C. HALVORSEN,
                                          MEMBER OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT,
                                                FIRST VICE PRESIDENT AND
                                                CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER)
 
     Pursuant   to  the  requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
Registration Statement has  been signed below  by the following  persons in  the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                SIGNATURE                                      TITLE                              DATE
- ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------   -------------------
<S>                                         <C>                                            <C>
                    *                       Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief       January 30, 1996
 .........................................    Executive Officer and Director (Principal
          (FINN M. W. CASPERSEN)              Executive Officer)
 
         /S/ ANDREW C. HALVORSEN            Member of the Office of the President, First    January 30, 1996
 .........................................    Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
          (ANDREW C. HALVORSEN)               and Director (Principal Financial Officer)
 
          /S/ RONALD E. BOMBOLIS            Senior Vice President and Controller            January 30, 1996
 .........................................    (Principal Accounting Officer)
           (RONALD E. BOMBOLIS)
 
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
            (CHARLES W. BOWER)
 
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
          (ROBERT J. CALLANDER)
 
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
           (ROBERT C. CANNADA)
 
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
        (LEONARD S. COLEMAN, JR.)
 
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
            (DAVID J. FARRIS)
 
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
         (JAMES H. GILLIAM, JR.)
 
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
          (ROLAND A. HERNANDEZ)
 
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
           (J. ROBERT HILLIER)
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-5
 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                SIGNATURE                                      TITLE                              DATE
- ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------   -------------------
<S>                                         <C>                                            <C>
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
             (GERALD L. HOLM)
 
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
             (THOMAS H. KEAN)
 
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
             (STEVEN MULLER)
 
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
            (SUSAN JULIA ROSS)
 
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
            (ROBERT A. TUCKER)
 
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
            (SUSAN M. WACHTER)
 
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
          (CHARLES H. WATTS, II)
 
                    *                                         Director                      January 30, 1996
 .........................................
            (K. MARTIN WORTHY)
</TABLE>
    
 
     *Andrew  C. Halvorsen, pursuant to Powers  of Attorney (executed by each of
the officers and directors indicated above  and filed as Exhibit 24 hereto),  by
signing his name hereto does hereby sign and execute this Registration Statement
on behalf of each such officer and director.
 
                                                  /S/ ANDREW C. HALVORSEN
                                           .....................................
                                                  (ANDREW C. HALVORSEN)
 
   
January 30, 1996
    
 
                                      II-6
 
 
 
                                  STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES
The registered trademark symbol shall be expressed as............. 'r'



<PAGE>


<PAGE>

                                Dewey Ballantine
                           1301 Avenue of the Americas
                            New York, New York 10019







                                                     January 30, 1996




Beneficial Corporation
One Christina Centre
301 North Walnut Street
Wilmington, Delaware  19801

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We  refer  to the  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-3  being  filed  by
Beneficial   Corporation  (the  "Company")  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission,  relating to  $3,000,000,000  (or the equivalent  thereof in foreign
currencies or currency  units)  aggregate  principal  amount of Debt  Securities
(hereinafter called the "Securities") of the Company. We also refer to the First
Supplemental and Restated  Indenture,  dated as of December 1, 1990, between the
Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National  Association),  as Trustee, which
was previously filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Registration  Statement No. 33-51833 (the
"Indenture").

     We have examined and are familiar with  originals,  or copies  certified or
otherwise  identified  to our  satisfaction,  of such  corporate  records of the
Company,  certificates  of officers of the Company and of public  officials  and
such other  documents as we have deemed  appropriate as a basis for the opinions
expressed below.

     Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

     1. The Company is a duly organized and existing  corporation under the laws
   of the State of Delaware; and

     2. Assuming the due execution and delivery of the Indenture by the Trustee,
   upon the taking of appropriate  further  corporate  action by the Company and
   the due


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

Beneficial Corporation
January 30, 1996; p. 2

   execution  and  delivery  of the  Securities  on behalf of the  Company,  the
   Securities will be duly and validly  authorized and, when duly  authenticated
   by the Trustee and sold and delivered at the price and in accordance with the
   terms set forth in the  Prospectus  constituting  a part of the  Registration
   Statement  and the  supplement or  supplements  to such  Prospectus,  will be
   valid, legal and binding  obligations of the Company in accordance with their
   terms and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

     We consent to the use of this opinion in the Registration  Statement and to
the  reference  to our  name  in the  Prospectus  constituting  a part  of  such
Registration  Statement  under the  heading  "Legal  Matters."  In  giving  such
consent,  we do not thereby  admit that we come  within the  category of persons
whose  consent is required  under  Section 7 of the  Securities  Act of 1933, as
amended,  or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder.

                                            Very truly yours,



                                            DEWEY BALLANTINE
<PAGE>



<PAGE>

                                       Securities Act of 1933 File No. _________
                             (If application to determine eligibility of trustee
                                for delayed offering pursuant to Section 305 (b)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                               ------------------
                                    FORM T-1
         STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                  OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

          CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE
                 PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)_________________
                               ------------------
                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                             (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

                                   13-2633612
                     (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

                   1 CHASE MANHATTAN PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                      10081
                                   (Zip Code)
                                 ---------------
                             BENEFICIAL CORPORATION
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

                                    DELAWARE
         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

                                   51-0003820
                      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                               1 CHRISTINA CENTRE
                             301 NORTH WALNUT STREET
                              WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
                      (Address principal executive offices)

                                      19801
                                   (Zip Code)
                        ---------------------------------
                                 DEBT SECURITIES
                       (Title of the indenture securities)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
<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.

                    Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C.

                    Board  of   Governors   of  The  Federal   Reserve   System,
                    Washington, D. C.

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

                    Yes.

  ITEM 2.  AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.

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

               The Trustee is not the  obligor,  nor is the Trustee  directly or
               indirectly  controlling,  controlled  by, or under common control
               with the obligor.

               (See Note on Page 2.)

ITEM 16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

         List  below  all  exhibits  filed  as  a  part  of  this  statement  of
eligibility.

     *1.  -- A copy of the  articles  of  association  of the  trustee as now in
          effect . (See Exhibit T-1 (Item 12), Registration No. 33-55626.)

     *2.  -- Copies of the respective authorizations of The Chase Manhattan Bank
          (National  Association)  and  The  Chase  Bank of New  York  (National
          Association) to commence  business and a copy of approval of merger of
          said  corporations,  all of which documents are still in effect.  (See
          Exhibit T-1 (Item 12), Registration No. 2-67437.)

     *3.  -- Copies of  authorizations  of The Chase  Manhattan  Bank  (National
          Association)  to  exercise  corporate  trust  powers,  both  of  which
          documents   are  still  in  effect.   (See   Exhibit  T-1  (Item  12),
          Registration No. 2-67437.)

     *4.  -- A copy of the  existing  by-laws of the  trustee.  (See Exhibit T-1
          (Item 16(25.1)), Registration No. 33-60809.)

     *5.  -- A copy of each  indenture  referred to in Item 4, if the obligor is
          in default. (Not applicable.)

     *6.  -- The consents of United States  institutional  trustees  required by
          Section 321(b) of the Act. (See Exhibit T-1,  (Item 12),  Registration
          No. 22-19019.)

     7.   -- A copy of the latest  report of condition of the trustee  published
          pursuant to law or the  requirements  of its  supervising or examining
          authority. (SEE EXHIBIT 7)


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

         *The Exhibits thus  designated  are  incorporated  herein by reference.
Following  the  description  of such  Exhibits is a reference to the copy of the
Exhibit heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission,  to which
there have been no amendments or changes.

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





                                       1.


<PAGE>
<PAGE>





                                      NOTE

          Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the  ascertainment  by the
trustee of all facts on which to base a  responsive  answer to Item 2 the answer
to said Item is based on incomplete information.

          Item 2 may,  however,  be considered as correct  unless  amended by an
amendment to this Form T-1.



                                    SIGNATURE

          Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the
trustee,  The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank  (National  Association),   a  corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America,  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 the
State of New York, on the 23rd day of January, 1996.





                                           THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                                           (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)

                                                 Thomas J. Provenzano
                                           __________________________________
                                           By:  Thomas  J.   Provenzano,
                                                Second Vice President



                                       2.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT 7

REPORT OF CONDITION
Consolidating domestic and foreign  subsidiaries of the

                         THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.

of New York in the State of New York,  at the close of business on September 30,
1995,  published in response to call made by Comptroller of the Currency,  under
title 12, United States Code, Section 161.

CHARTER NUMBER 2370            COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY NORTHEASTERN DISTRICT
STATEMENT OF RESOURCES AND LIABILITIES
                                                                              
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                          THOUSANDS
                                                                                                                          OF DOLLARS
                                                                                                                          ----------
<S>                                                                                                                      <C>        
                               ASSETS
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
    Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin .......................................................           $ 5,081,000
    Interest-bearing balances ................................................................................             5,957,000
Held to maturity securities ..................................................................................             1,678,000
Available-for-sale securities ................................................................................             5,303,000
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell in domestic
    offices of the bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs:
    Federal funds sold .......................................................................................             1,806,000
    Securities purchased under agreements to resell ..........................................................                23,000
Loans and lease financing receivable:
    Loans and leases, net of unearned income ............................................  $55,682,000
    LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses ...........................................    1,112,000
    LESS:  Allocated transfer risk reserve ..............................................            0
                                                                                           -----------
    Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve .........................................            54,570,000
Assets held in trading accounts ..............................................................................            12,551,000
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) .....................................................             1,755,000
Other real estate owned ......................................................................................               400,000
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies ..........................................                30,000
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding .................................................             1,091,000
Intangible assets ............................................................................................             1,344,000
Other assets .................................................................................................             6,322,000
                                                                                                                         -----------
TOTAL ASSETS .................................................................................................           $97,911,000
                                                                                                                         ===========

                                                LIABILITIES
Deposits:
    In domestic offices ........................................................................................         $31,007,000
      Noninterest-bearing ...............................................................  $12,166,000
      Interest-bearing ..................................................................   18,841,000
                                                                                           -----------
    In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs ..............................................          36,015,000
      Noninterest-bearing ...............................................................  $  3,258,000
      Interest-bearing ..................................................................    32,757,000
                                                                                           -----------
Federal funds purchased and securities  sold under  agreements to repurchase in domestic
    offices of the bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs:
    Federal funds purchased ....................................................................................           1,673,000
    Securities sold under agreements to repurchase .............................................................             233,000
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury .......................................................................              25,000
Trading liabilities ............................................................................................           9,105,000
Other borrowed money:
    With original maturity of one year or less .................................................................           2,783,000
    With original maturity of more than one year ...............................................................             395,000
Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases .................................................              40,000
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding .......................................................           1,100,000
Subordinated notes and debentures ..............................................................................           1,960,000
Other liabilities ..............................................................................................           5,747,000
                                                                                                                         -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES ..............................................................................................          90,083,000
                                                                                                                         -----------
Limited-life preferred stock and related surplus ...............................................................                   0

                                               EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus .......................................................................             0
Common stock ........................................................................................................       921,000
Surplus .............................................................................................................     5,244,000
Undivided profits and capital reserves ..............................................................................     1,695,000
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities ..............................................       (43,000)
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments .................................................................        11,000
                                                                                                                       ------------
TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL ................................................................................................     7,828,000
                                                                                                                       ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES, LIMITED-LIFE PREFERRED STOCK,
      AND EQUITY CAPITAL ............................................................................................  $ 97,911,000
                                                                                                                       ============
</TABLE>

I, Lester J.  Stephens,  Jr.,  Senior Vice President and Controller of the above
named bank do hereby  declare  that this Report of Condition is true and correct
to the best of my knowledge and belief.


                                                (Signed) Lester J. Stephens, Jr.


We the  undersigned  directors,  attest to the  correctness of this statement of
resources  and  liabilities.  We declare that it has been examined by us, and to
the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in  conformance  with the
instructions and is true and correct.

(Signed) Thomas G. Labrecque
(Signed) Donald Trautlein                     Directors
(Signed) Richard J. Boyle




© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission