CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL FUNDING CORP
424B5, 1996-05-17
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
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<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT                           FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(5)
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 15, 1996)              REGISTRATION NO. 333-02988
                                  $371,897,157
                    CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL ASSET TRUST 1996-A
 
          $85,000,000 CLASS A-1 5.418% MONEY MARKET ASSET BACKED NOTES
                $139,000,000 CLASS A-2 5.90% ASSET BACKED NOTES
                $133,021,000 CLASS A-3 6.30% ASSET BACKED NOTES
                  $14,876,157 6.55% ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES
 
               CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL FUNDING CORPORATION, SELLER
              CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION, SERVICER
                               -----------------
 
    Interest  on the Class A-1 5.418% Money  Market Asset Backed Notes (the "A-1
Notes"), the Class A-2 5.90% Asset Backed Notes (the "A-2 Notes") and the  Class
A-3  6.30% Asset Backed Notes (the "A-3  Notes"; together with the A-1 Notes and
the A-2  Notes,  the "Notes")  and  the  6.55% Asset  Backed  Certificates  (the
"Certificates"; together with the Notes, the "Securities") issued by Caterpillar
Financial  Asset  Trust 1996-A  (the "Trust"  or the  "Issuer") will  be payable
monthly on or about  the 25th day  of each month  (each, a "Distribution  Date")
commencing  June 25, 1996. Principal  on the Securities will  be payable on each
Distribution Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that  no principal payments in respect  of
(i)  the A-2 Notes will be  made until the A-1 Notes  have been paid in full and
(ii) the A-3 Notes and the Certificates will be made until the A-1 Notes and the
A-2 Notes have been paid in full. The final scheduled Distribution Date for  the
A-1  Notes  will  be  the  May  1997  Distribution  Date,  the  final  scheduled
Distribution Date for the A-2 Notes will be
 
                                               (CONTINUED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE)
                            ------------------------
 
    POTENTIAL INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE INFORMATION SET
FORTH IN "RISK FACTORS"  COMMENCING ON PAGE  S-20 HEREIN AND ON  PAGE 13 IN  THE
PROSPECTUS.
 
THE  NOTES REPRESENT OBLIGATIONS OF, AND THE CERTIFICATES REPRESENT BENEFICIAL
  INTERESTS IN,  THE  ISSUER ONLY  AND  DO  NOT REPRESENT  OBLIGATIONS  OF  OR
  INTERESTS   IN  CATERPILLAR  FINANCIAL  FUNDING  CORPORATION,  CATERPILLAR
    FINANCIAL SERVICES  CORPORATION,  CATERPILLAR  INC. OR  ANY  OF  THEIR
      RESPECTIVE  AFFILIATES. NEITHER THE  SECURITIES NOR THE RECEIVABLES
       ARE ISSUED           OR GUARANTEED BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
 
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  SUPPLEMENT  OR  THE
      PROSPECTUS.  ANY  REPRESENTATION  TO  THE  CONTRARY  IS  A  CRIMINAL
                                    OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             PRICE TO           UNDERWRITING          PROCEEDS TO
                                             PUBLIC(1)            DISCOUNT           ISSUER(1)(2)
<S>                                     <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Per A-1 Note..........................         100%                 .15%                99.85%
Per A-2 Note..........................       99.96875%              .20%               99.76875%
Per A-3 Note..........................      99.921875%              .25%              99.671875%
Per Certificate.......................       99.90625%              .35%               99.55625%
Total.................................    $371,735,850.45        $790,119.05        $370,945,731.40
</TABLE>
 
(1)  Plus accrued interest, if any, from May 22, 1996.
(2)  Before deducting expenses, estimated to be $635,000.
                            ------------------------
 
    The Notes and the Certificates are  offered by the Underwriters, subject  to
prior  sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them and subject to their
right to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery of  the
Notes will be made in book-entry form only through the Same Day Funds Settlement
System  of The Depository Trust Company,  or through Cedel Bank, societe anonyme
or the Euroclear  System, and  that delivery of  the Certificates  will be  made
available  in fully registered, certificated form in New York, New York, in each
case on or about May 22, 1996 (the "Closing Date").
                              -------------------
 
                           UNDERWRITERS OF THE NOTES
 
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                              GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
                                                              UBS SECURITIES LLC
 
                        UNDERWRITER OF THE CERTIFICATES
 
                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                                  ------------
 
            The date of this Prospectus Supplement is May 15, 1996.
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM PRECEDING PAGE)
 
the July 1999 Distribution  Date and the final  scheduled Distribution Date  for
the   A-3  Notes  will  be  the  May  2002  Distribution  Date.  The  rights  of
Certificateholders to  receive distributions  with respect  to the  Certificates
will  be subordinated to  the rights of  the Noteholders to  receive payments of
interest on and principal  of the Notes. The  final scheduled Distribution  Date
for  the Certificates will be the May 2002 Distribution Date. The actual payment
in full of the A-1 Notes, the A-2 Notes, the A-3 Notes or the Certificates could
occur earlier than their respective final scheduled Distribution Dates.
 
    The assets of the Trust will include a pool of fixed rate retail installment
sales  contracts  (the  "Receivables")  secured   by  new  and  used   machinery
manufactured  primarily by Caterpillar Inc., and  certain monies due or received
thereunder on or after May  1, 1996, which will be  purchased by the Trust  from
the Seller on or prior to the date of the issuance of the Securities. The Seller
will  purchase the  Receivables from Caterpillar  Financial Services Corporation
concurrently with the purchase by the Trust of the Receivables from the  Seller.
The Notes will be secured by the assets of the Trust.
 
    The  A-3 Notes and the Certificates will  be subject to prepayment in whole,
but not in part, on  any Distribution Date on  which the Servicer exercises  its
option to purchase the Receivables when the Pool Balance is reduced to less than
10% of the Initial Pool Balance.
 
    The  Issuer, a  newly formed  limited-purpose Delaware  business trust, will
generally be prohibited from incurring any indebtedness other than the Notes and
its assets  will  include the  Receivables,  the Collection  Account,  the  Note
Distribution  Account,  the  Certificate Distribution  Account  and  the Reserve
Account, as described herein.
 
    THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DOES NOT  CONTAIN COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT  THE
OFFERING  OF THE NOTES AND THE CERTIFICATES. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS CONTAINED
IN THE PROSPECTUS. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ BOTH THIS  PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT  AND THE PROSPECTUS IN  FULL. SALES OF THE  NOTES OR THE CERTIFICATES
MAY NOT BE CONSUMMATED  UNLESS THE PURCHASER HAS  RECEIVED BOTH THIS  PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT  AND THE PROSPECTUS. TO THE  EXTENT ANY STATEMENTS IN THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT CONFLICT WITH STATEMENTS  IN THE PROSPECTUS,  THE STATEMENTS IN  THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SHALL CONTROL.
 
    IN  CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICES OF THE SECURITIES  AT
LEVELS  ABOVE  THAT  WHICH MIGHT  OTHERWISE  PREVAIL  IN THE  OPEN  MARKET. SUCH
STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
    Upon receipt of  a request  by an investor,  or his  or her  representative,
within  the period during  which there is a  prospectus delivery obligation, the
Underwriters will transmit or cause  to be transmitted promptly, without  charge
and  in  addition  to any  such  delivery  requirements, a  paper  copy  of this
Prospectus Supplement  and a  Prospectus  or this  Prospectus Supplement  and  a
Prospectus encoded in an electronic format.
 
                 REPORTS TO NOTEHOLDERS AND CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
 
    Unless  and until Definitive Notes are issued, periodic and annual unaudited
reports containing information  concerning the Receivables  will be prepared  by
the  Servicer and sent  on behalf of the  Trust only to Cede  & Co. ("Cede"), as
nominee of The Depository  Trust Company ("DTC"), and  the registered holder  of
the   Notes.  Periodic  and  annual  unaudited  reports  containing  information
concerning the Receivables will be prepared  by the Servicer and sent on  behalf
of the Trust to the registered holders of the Certificates. See "Issuance of the
Securities--Book-Entry  Registration"  and  "Description  of  the  Transfer  and
Servicing  Agreements--Reports   to   Securityholders"   in   the   accompanying
Prospectus. Such reports will not constitute financial statements that have been
examined  and reported upon by, with an  opinion expressed by, an independent or
certified public  accountant.  The  Trust  will file  with  the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission (the  "Commission") such  periodic reports  as are required
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),  and
the  rules and  regulations thereunder  and as  are otherwise  agreed to  by the
Commission. Copies of  such periodic  reports may  be obtained  from the  Public
Reference  Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates.
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
                                SUMMARY OF TERMS
 
    The  following  summary is  qualified in  its entirety  by reference  to the
detailed information appearing elsewhere herein  and in the Prospectus.  Certain
capitalized  terms used in the summary  are defined elsewhere in this Prospectus
Supplement on the pages indicated in the "Index of Terms" or, to the extent  not
defined herein, have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
ISSUER.......................  Caterpillar Financial Asset Trust 1996-A (the "Trust" or the
                               "Issuer"),  a Delaware  business trust formed  by the Seller
                               and the Owner Trustee pursuant to the Trust Agreement  dated
                               as of May 1, 1996 (the "Trust Agreement") between the Seller
                               and   the  Owner  Trustee,  acting  thereunder  not  in  its
                               individual capacity but solely as Owner Trustee.
 
SELLER.......................  Caterpillar Financial Funding Corporation (the "Seller"),  a
                               Nevada   corporation  and   a  wholly-owned   subsidiary  of
                               Caterpillar Financial  Services Corporation.  The  principal
                               executive  offices of  the Seller  are located  at Greenview
                               Plaza, 2950 East Flamingo Road, Suite E-4, Las Vegas, Nevada
                               89121 and its telephone number is (702) 735-2514.
 
SERVICER.....................  Caterpillar Financial Services  Corporation (the  "Servicer"
                               or  "CFSC"),  a  Delaware  corporation  and  a  wholly-owned
                               subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc.
 
INDENTURE TRUSTEE............  The First  National  Bank  of Chicago,  a  national  banking
                               association,  as indenture trustee  under the Indenture (the
                               "Indenture Trustee").
 
OWNER TRUSTEE................  Chemical Bank Delaware, a  Delaware banking corporation,  as
                               owner   trustee  under  the   Trust  Agreement  (the  "Owner
                               Trustee").
 
THE NOTES....................  Class A-1 5.418% Money Market  Asset Backed Notes (the  "A-1
                               Notes") in the aggregate principal amount of $85,000,000.
 
                               Class  A-2 5.90% Asset Backed Notes (the "A-2 Notes") in the
                               aggregate principal amount of $139,000,000.
 
                               Class  A-3  6.30%  Asset  Backed  Notes  (the  "A-3  Notes";
                               together  with the A-1 Notes and the A-2 Notes, the "Notes")
                               in the aggregate principal amount of $133,021,000.
 
                               The Notes  will  be  issued  by the  Trust  pursuant  to  an
                               Indenture  to be dated as of  May 1, 1996 (the "Indenture"),
                               between the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee. The Notes will
                               be secured by the assets of the Trust.
 
                               The Notes will be available for purchase in book-entry  form
                               only   in  minimum  denominations  of  $1,000  and  integral
                               multiples thereof. The Noteholders  will not be entitled  to
                               receive Definitive Notes except in the limited circumstances
                               described  herein. See  "Description of  the Notes--General"
                               and "Issuance of the Securities--Book-Entry Registration" in
                               the Prospectus.
 
THE CERTIFICATES.............  6.55%  Asset   Backed  Certificates   (the   "Certificates";
                               together  with the Notes, the "Securities") in the aggregate
                               principal amount of  $14,876,157. The  Seller will  purchase
                               $149,157   principal   amount  of   the   Certificates.  The
                               Certificates will  be  available  for  purchase  in  minimum
                               denominations  of $250,000 and  integral multiples of $1,000
                               in excess thereof.
 
                               The  Certificates  will  be  issued  in  fully   registered,
                               certificated form ("Definitive Certificates") to
                               Certificateholders or their nominees. See
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               "Description  of the Certificates--General" and "Issuance of
                               the Securities--Definitive  Securities" in  the  Prospectus.
                               The  Certificates  will  be  issued  pursuant  to  the Trust
                               Agreement. Purchasers  of Certificates  and their  assignees
                               must represent that they are United States persons, and each
                               must  provide  a certification  of non-foreign  status under
                               penalties of  perjury, and  also  must represent  that  such
                               beneficial  owners are not a Plan and are not purchasing the
                               Certificates on behalf of or with Plan Assets of a Plan.
 
                               The rights  of Certificateholders  to receive  distributions
                               with respect to the Certificates will be subordinated to the
                               rights  of  the  Noteholders  to  receive  interest  on  and
                               principal of the Notes.
 
THE TRUST....................  The Trust is a business trust established under the laws  of
                               the  State of Delaware pursuant  to the Trust Agreement. The
                               activities of  the Trust  are limited  by the  terms of  the
                               Trust  Agreement  to  acquiring,  owning  and  managing  the
                               Receivables, issuing and  making payments on  the Notes  and
                               the  Certificates and other  activities related thereto. The
                               Trust Property includes (i) the Receivables, (ii) all monies
                               (including accrued interest) due thereunder on or after  the
                               Cut-off  Date (as defined below), (iii) such amounts as from
                               time to time may be held in one or more accounts established
                               and maintained by  the Servicer and  the Seller pursuant  to
                               the  Sale and Servicing Agreement,  as described below, (iv)
                               the security  interests in  the  machinery financed  by  the
                               Receivables  (the "Financed Equipment") and in certain other
                               cross-collateralized equipment, (v)  the rights to  proceeds
                               from  claims on physical damage,  credit life and disability
                               insurance policies, if any,  covering Financed Equipment  or
                               Obligors,   as  the  case  may  be,  (vi)  any  proceeds  of
                               repossessed  Financed  Equipment   (less  any   repossession
                               expenses), (vii) the rights of the Seller under the Purchase
                               Agreement, (viii) the interest of the Seller in any proceeds
                               from  recourse to or other  payments by Dealers with respect
                               to  Receivables,   (ix)   interest  earned   on   short-term
                               investments  made by the  Trust and (x)  any proceeds of the
                               foregoing.
 
RECEIVABLES..................  The  Receivables   will  consist   of  fixed   rate   retail
                               installment  sales contracts ("Installment Sales Contracts")
                               secured by new and used machinery manufactured primarily  by
                               Caterpillar  including  rights to  receive  certain payments
                               made with respect to  such Installment Sales Contracts  (the
                               "Receivables").  On or prior to the Closing Date, the Seller
                               will purchase  Receivables  having  an  aggregate  Principal
                               Balance  of  approximately $371,897,157  (the  "Initial Pool
                               Balance") as of May 1,  1996 (the "Cut-off Date") from  CFSC
                               pursuant  to a Purchase  Agreement to be dated  as of May 1,
                               1996  (the  "Purchase  Agreement"),  between  CFSC  and  the
                               Seller,  and  the Seller  will sell  the Receivables  to the
                               Trust pursuant to a Sale and Servicing Agreement to be dated
                               as of May 1, 1996 (the "Sale and Servicing Agreement") among
                               the Seller, the Servicer and the Trust.
 
                               The Receivables arise  from loans  originated in  connection
                               with  retail sales  by dealers  (the "Dealers")  of Financed
                               Equipment to  retail  purchasers (the  "Obligors")  and  are
                               either  originated by CFSC, or acquired from such Dealers by
                               CFSC,  in  the  ordinary  course  of  CFSC's  business.  The
                               Receivables  have been selected from  the contracts owned by
                               CFSC  based  on  the  criteria  specified  in  the  Purchase
                               Agreement and
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               described  herein. See "The Receivables  Pool" herein. As of
                               the Cut-off  Date, the  weighted average  annual  percentage
                               rate  of interest (the  "APR") of the  Receivables (based on
                               their respective Principal Balances (as defined herein)) was
                               approximately 8.15% (the "Cut-off  Date APR"), the  weighted
                               average  remaining maturity (i.e.,  for each Receivable, the
                               period from but excluding the Cut-off Date to and  including
                               such  Receivable's  maturity  date) of  the  Receivables was
                               approximately 42 months  and the  weighted average  original
                               maturity  of the Receivables was approximately 46 months. As
                               of the Cut-off Date, no Receivable had a scheduled  maturity
                               later  than the date which is twelve months prior to the May
                               2002 Distribution Date.
 
                               The "Pool Balance" at any time will represent the  aggregate
                               Principal  Balance  of the  Receivables  at the  end  of the
                               preceding Collection  Period,  after giving  effect  to  all
                               payments   received  from  Obligors   and  Purchase  Amounts
                               remitted by the Seller or the Servicer, as the case may  be,
                               for  such Collection Period,  and to all  Realized Losses on
                               Liquidated Receivables  during such  Collection Period.  The
                               "Principal  Balance" of a  Receivable at any  time means its
                               original principal balance, as reduced by principal payments
                               applied in accordance with the actuarial method,  calculated
                               as  of the Cut-off  Date or as  of the end  of the preceding
                               Collection Period (as applicable). The Principal Balance  of
                               an  Over-Rate Receivable  reflects the  unamortized purchase
                               premium paid by CFSC to Dealers.
 
TERMS OF THE NOTES...........  The principal terms of the Notes will be as described below:
 
A.  INTEREST PAYMENTS........  The A-1 Notes will bear interest  at the rate of 5.418%  per
                               annum  (the  "A-1  Note  Rate"),  the  A-2  Notes  will bear
                               interest at  the rate  of  5.90% per  annum (the  "A-2  Note
                               Rate"),  and the A-3 Notes will bear interest at the rate of
                               6.30%  per  annum  (the  "A-3  Note  Rate")  (in  each  case
                               calculated  on the basis of a  360-day year of twelve 30-day
                               months). Interest on the outstanding principal amount of the
                               Notes  will  accrue  from  and  including  the  most  recent
                               Distribution  Date on which  interest has been  paid (or, in
                               the  case  of  the  initial  Distribution  Date,  from   and
                               including  the Closing Date) to  but excluding the following
                               Distribution Date and  will be  payable on the  25th day  of
                               each  calendar month (or if any  such date is not a business
                               day,  on  the  next   succeeding  business  day)  (each,   a
                               "Distribution  Date")  commencing  June  25,  1996,  to  the
                               holders of record of the A-1 Notes (the "A-1  Noteholders"),
                               the   holders  of  record   of  the  A-2   Notes  (the  "A-2
                               Noteholders") and the  holders of  record of  the A-3  Notes
                               (the  "A-3 Noteholders,"  together with  the A-1 Noteholders
                               and the  A-2  Noteholders,  the  "Noteholders")  as  of  the
                               related Record Date.
 
                               Interest  payments on  the Notes  will be  generally derived
                               from the  Total  Distribution  Amount  remaining  after  the
                               payment of the Servicing Fee (if CFSC or an affiliate is not
                               the  Servicer) and the Administration  Fee, and from amounts
                               on deposit in the Reserve Account. If the amount of interest
                               on the principal amount of the A-1 Notes, the A-2 Notes  and
                               the  A-3 Notes payable on  any Distribution Date exceeds the
                               sum of  such remaining  portion  of the  Total  Distribution
                               Amount  and amounts on deposit  in the Reserve Account, each
                               of the  A-1 Noteholders,  the A-2  Noteholders and  the  A-3
                               Noteholders will receive their ratable
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-5
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               share  (based upon the  total amount of  interest due to the
                               A-1  Noteholders,   the   A-2  Noteholders   and   the   A-3
                               Noteholders)  of the  amount available to  be distributed in
                               respect of interest on the A-1 Notes, the A-2 Notes and  the
                               A-3 Notes.
 
                               With  respect to  any Distribution  Date and  the Notes, the
                               "Record Date" is the calendar day immediately preceding each
                               Distribution Date (or, with respect to any Definitive  Note,
                               the  last calendar day  of the month  preceding the month in
                               which such Distribution Date occurs).
 
B.  PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS.......  Principal of each Class of the Notes will be payable on each
                               Distribution Date in an amount calculated as the  applicable
                               percentage  set forth  herein of  the Principal Distribution
                               Amount (as defined below) for such Distribution Date (to the
                               extent of funds available therefor as described herein).
 
                               On each Distribution  Date before the  Distribution Date  on
                               which the A-1 Notes have been paid in full, principal of the
                               A-1  Notes will be payable in an amount equal to 100% of the
                               Principal Distribution Amount. On each Distribution Date  on
                               and  after the Distribution Date on which the A-1 Notes have
                               been paid  in  full, principal  of  the A-2  Notes  will  be
                               payable,  until the A-2 Notes have  been paid in full, in an
                               amount equal  to  100% of  the  difference between  (i)  the
                               Principal  Distribution Amount  for such  Distribution Date,
                               and (ii) any  portion of the  Principal Distribution  Amount
                               applied  on such Distribution Date to reduce the outstanding
                               principal  amount  of  the  A-1  Notes  to  zero.  On   each
                               Distribution  Date  on and  after  the Distribution  Date on
                               which the A-1  Notes and  the A-2  Notes have  been paid  in
                               full,  principal of the A-3 Notes will be payable, until the
                               A-3 Notes have been paid in full, in an amount equal to  the
                               A-3  Noteholders' Percentage  of the  difference between (i)
                               the Principal  Distribution  Amount  for  such  Distribution
                               Date,  and (ii)  any portion  of the  Principal Distribution
                               Amount applied  on  such  Distribution Date  to  reduce  the
                               outstanding  principal amount of the  A-1 Notes or A-2 Notes
                               to zero.
 
                               In addition, on any Distribution  Date on and after the  May
                               1998  Distribution  Date,  any  amounts  on  deposit  in the
                               Reserve Account in excess  of the Specified Reserve  Account
                               Balance   for  such  Distribution  Date  shall  be  paid  as
                               principal of the A-2  Notes, until the  A-2 Notes have  been
                               paid  in full, and then paid  as principal of the A-3 Notes,
                               until the A-3 Notes have been paid in full. See "Description
                               of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Distributions" and
                               "--Reserve Account" herein.
 
                               The outstanding principal amount, if  any, of the A-1  Notes
                               will  be payable in  full on the  May 1997 Distribution Date
                               (the "A-1  Note  Final Scheduled  Distribution  Date"),  the
                               outstanding  principal amount, if any, of the A-2 Notes will
                               be payable in full on  the July 1999 Distribution Date  (the
                               "A-2  Note  Final  Scheduled  Distribution  Date")  and  the
                               outstanding principal amount, if any, of the A-3 Notes  will
                               be  payable in full  on the May  2002 Distribution Date (the
                               "A-3 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date"), in each  case
                               from funds available therefor
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-6
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               (including  amounts on deposit in  the Reserve Account). See
                               "Description of the Transfer and Servicing
                               Agreements--Reserve Account" herein.
 
C.  OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT......  The A-3 Notes will be prepaid in whole, but not in part,  at
                               the  A-3 Note  Prepayment Price  (as defined  herein) on any
                               Distribution Date after the A-1 Notes and the A-2 Notes have
                               been paid in full, if  the Servicer exercises its option  to
                               purchase the Receivables, which option may be exercised when
                               the  Pool Balance  has been  reduced to  10% or  less of the
                               Initial Pool Balance. See "Description of the Notes--The A-2
                               Notes and  the A-3  Notes--OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT"  herein  and
                               "Description  of  the Notes--Principal  and Interest  on the
                               Notes"  and  "Description  of  the  Transfer  and  Servicing
                               Agreements--Termination" in the Prospectus.
 
TERMS OF THE CERTIFICATES....  The principal terms of the Certificates will be as described
                               below:
 
A.  PASS-THROUGH RATE........  6.55%  per  annum, payable  monthly  at one-twelfth  of such
                               annual rate.
 
B.  INTEREST.................  On  each  Distribution   Date,  the   Owner  Trustee   shall
                               distribute  pro  rata  to  the  holders  of  record  of  the
                               Certificates (the  "Certificateholders") as  of the  related
                               Record  Date distributions of interest in an amount equal to
                               one-twelfth of the product of (a) the Pass-Through Rate  and
                               (b)  the Certificate Balance as of  the close of business on
                               the preceding Distribution Date  after giving effect to  all
                               payments of principal made to the Certificateholders on such
                               preceding  Distribution Date;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER,  that with
                               respect to the  initial Distribution Date,  interest on  the
                               outstanding   Certificate  Balance  will   accrue  from  and
                               including the Closing  Date to but  excluding the  following
                               Distribution  Date. Interest will be calculated on the basis
                               of a 360-day year of  twelve 30-day months. Interest on  the
                               Certificates  will  be  generally  derived  from  the  Total
                               Distribution Amount after the  payment of the Servicing  Fee
                               (if  CFSC  or  an  affiliate  is  not  the  Servicer)  , the
                               Administration  Fee  and  distributions  of  principal   and
                               interest   in  respect   of  the   Notes  payable   on  such
                               Distribution Date.
 
                               With respect to any Distribution Date and the  Certificates,
                               the  "Record Date"  is the  last calendar  day of  the month
                               preceding the month in which such Distribution Date occurs.
 
C.  PRINCIPAL................  Principal of  the  Certificates  will  be  payable  on  each
                               Distribution Date on or after the Distribution Date on which
                               the  A-1 Notes and the A-2 Notes  have been paid in full, in
                               an  amount  generally   equal  to  the   Certificateholders'
                               Principal  Distributable  Amount for  the  Collection Period
                               preceding such  Distribution Date,  to the  extent of  funds
                               available  therefor following  payment of  the Servicing Fee
                               (if  CFSC  or  an  affiliate  is  not  the  Servicer),   the
                               Administration   Fee  and  distributions   of  interest  and
                               principal in respect of the Notes and interest in respect of
                               the Certificates.  See  "Description  of  the  Transfer  and
                               Servicing Agreements--Distributions" herein.
 
                               The    rights   of   the   Certificateholders   to   receive
                               distributions  with  respect  to  the  Certificates  on  any
                               Distribution  Date will be subordinated to the rights of the
                               Noteholders to receive payments  of interest on and  princi-
                               pal   of   the  Notes   on   such  Distribution   Date.  The
                               Certificateholders will not receive any distribution on  any
                               Distribution Date until the full
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-7
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               amount  of interest on and principal  required to be paid on
                               the Notes on  such Distribution Date  has been deposited  in
                               the Note Distribution Account.
 
                               The   outstanding   principal   amount,  if   any,   of  the
                               Certificates will  be  payable  in  full  on  the  May  2002
                               Distribution   Date   (the   "Certificate   Final  Scheduled
                               Distribution Date").
 
D.  OPTIONAL PURCHASE........  On any Distribution Date on which the Servicer exercises its
                               option to  purchase the  Receivables,  which option  may  be
                               exercised  when the Pool Balance has  been reduced to 10% or
                               less of  the Initial  Pool Balance,  the  Certificateholders
                               will  receive an amount in respect of the Certificates equal
                               to the Certificate Balance together with accrued and  unpaid
                               interest  thereon, and the Certificates will be retired. See
                               "Description of the Certificates--Optional Purchase"  herein
                               and   "Description  of  the  Certificates--Distributions  of
                               Principal and Interest" and "Description of the Transfer and
                               Servicing Agreements-- Termination" in the Prospectus.
 
PRIORITY OF DISTRIBUTIONS....  As more fully described in "Description of the Transfer  and
                               Servicing  Agreements--Distributions"  herein, distributions
                               of the  Total  Distribution Amount  shall  be made  on  each
                               Distribution Date in the following order of priority:
 
                               (i)  to the  Servicer (if  CFSC or  an affiliate  is not the
                               Servicer), the Servicing Fee  and all unpaid Servicing  Fees
                               from prior Collection Periods;
 
                               (ii)  to the  Administrator, the Administration  Fee and all
                               unpaid Administration Fees from prior Collection Periods;
 
                               (iii) to  the Note  Distribution Account,  the  Noteholders'
                               Interest Distributable Amount;
 
                               (iv)  to the Note Distribution Account, the A-1 Noteholders'
                               Principal Distributable Amount;
 
                               (v) to the Note  Distribution Account, the A-2  Noteholders'
                               Principal Distributable Amount;
 
                               (vi)  to the Note Distribution Account, the A-3 Noteholders'
                               Principal Distributable Amount;
 
                               (vii)  to   the   Certificate  Distribution   Account,   the
                               Certificateholders' Interest Distributable Amount;
 
                               (viii)   to  the   Certificate  Distribution   Account,  the
                               Certificateholders' Principal Distributable Amount;
 
                               (ix) to  the  Servicer  (if  CFSC or  an  affiliate  is  the
                               Servicer),  the Servicing Fee and  all unpaid Servicing Fees
                               from prior Collection Periods; and
 
                               (x) to the Reserve Account, the remaining Total Distribution
                               Amount.
 
                               Notwithstanding the foregoing,  if an Event  of Default  has
                               occurred  and the maturity of the Notes has been accelerated
                               the Certificateholders will not  be entitled to receive  any
                               distributions  of interest or principal until the Notes have
                               been paid in full.
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-8
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               Funds will  be  withdrawn from  amounts  on deposit  in  the
                               Reserve  Account to  the extent that  the Total Distribution
                               Amount (after the payment of  the Servicing Fee (if CFSC  or
                               an  affiliate is  not the  Servicer) and  the Administration
                               Fee) with respect to any Collection Period is less than  the
                               Noteholders'  Distributable Amount, and  funds in the amount
                               of  such   deficiency  will   be  deposited   in  the   Note
                               Distribution  Account. In addition,  funds will be withdrawn
                               from amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account to the extent
                               that the portion of the Total Distribution Amount  remaining
                               after  the  payment  of the  Servicing  Fee (if  CFSC  or an
                               affiliate is not  the Servicer) and  the Administration  Fee
                               and  the deposit of the Noteholders' Distributable Amount in
                               the   Note   Distribution   Account   is   less   than   the
                               Certificateholders'  Distributable Amount, and  funds in the
                               amount  of  such  deficiency   will  be  deposited  in   the
                               Certificate   Distribution   Account.   Notwithstanding  the
                               foregoing, if on  any Distribution Date  on which any  Notes
                               are outstanding the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account
                               is  less than 0.75% of the Pool Balance as of the end of the
                               preceding Collection Period,  then funds  will be  withdrawn
                               from  the Reserve Account  only to the  extent needed to pay
                               the interest due on  the Notes and  the Certificates and  no
                               funds  from  the Reserve  Account  will be  applied  on such
                               Distribution  Date  to  principal   of  the  Notes  or   the
                               Certificates;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER,  that this  restriction on
                               withdrawals shall be inapplicable if an Event of Default has
                               occurred which resulted in acceleration of the Notes.
 
                               "A-1 Noteholders'  Monthly Principal  Distributable  Amount"
                               means,  with  respect  to any  Distribution  Date  until the
                               Distribution Date on which the outstanding principal  amount
                               of  the  A-1 Notes  has been  reduced to  zero, 100%  of the
                               Principal Distribution  Amount for  such Distribution  Date,
                               but  such amount shall  not be in  excess of the outstanding
                               principal amount of the A-1 Notes.
 
                               "A-1 Noteholders' Principal  Carryover Shortfall" means,  as
                               of the close of any Distribution Date, the excess of (i) the
                               sum   of   (A)  the   A-1  Noteholders'   Monthly  Principal
                               Distributable Amount for such Distribution Date and (B)  any
                               outstanding  A-1 Noteholders'  Principal Carryover Shortfall
                               as of the close of the preceding Distribution Date over (ii)
                               the  amount  in  respect  of  principal  that  is   actually
                               deposited in the Note Distribution Account in respect of the
                               A-1 Notes.
 
                               "A-1  Noteholders'  Principal  Distributable  Amount" means,
                               with respect to any  Distribution Date, the  sum of (i)  the
                               A-1  Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount for
                               such  Distribution  Date  and  (ii)  the  A-1   Noteholders'
                               Principal  Carryover  Shortfall  as  of  the  close  of  the
                               preceding Distribution Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the sum
                               of  clauses  (i)  and  (ii)  above  shall  not  exceed   the
                               outstanding  principal amount of  the A-1 Notes,  and on the
                               A-1  Note  Final  Scheduled   Distribution  Date,  the   A-1
                               Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount will include the
                               amount  necessary (after giving effect  to the other amounts
                               to be deposited  in the  Note Distribution  Account on  such
                               Distribution  Date and allocable to principal) to reduce the
                               outstanding principal amount of the A-1 Notes to zero.
 
                               "A-2 Noteholders'  Monthly Principal  Distributable  Amount"
                               means, with respect to any Distribution Date on or after the
                               Distribution  Date on  which an amount  sufficient to reduce
                               the outstanding principal
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-9
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               amount of the A-1  Notes to zero has  been deposited in  the
                               Note  Distribution Account,  100% of  the difference between
                               the Principal Distribution Amount  and the portion  thereof,
                               if  any, applied to reduce  the outstanding principal amount
                               of the  A-1 Notes  to  zero on  such Distribution  Date.  In
                               addition,  on any Distribution Date on or after the May 1998
                               Distribution Date,  amounts on  deposit in  the Reserve  Ac-
                               count in excess of the Specified Reserve Account Balance for
                               such Distribution Date shall be paid as principal of the A-2
                               Notes  to  the  extent described  under  "--Reserve Account"
                               below.
 
                               "A-2 Noteholders' Principal  Carryover Shortfall" means,  as
                               of the close of any Distribution Date, the excess of (i) the
                               sum   of   (A)  the   A-2  Noteholders'   Monthly  Principal
                               Distributable Amount for such Distribution Date and (B)  any
                               outstanding  A-2 Noteholders'  Principal Carryover Shortfall
                               as of the close of the preceding Distribution Date over (ii)
                               the  amount  in  respect  of  principal  that  is   actually
                               deposited in the Note Distribution Account in respect of the
                               A-2 Notes.
 
                               "A-2  Noteholders'  Principal  Distributable  Amount" means,
                               with respect to any  Distribution Date, the  sum of (i)  the
                               A-2  Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount for
                               such  Distribution  Date  and  (ii)  the  A-2   Noteholders'
                               Principal  Carryover  Shortfall  as  of  the  close  of  the
                               preceding Distribution Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that,  until
                               an  amount  sufficient to  reduce the  outstanding principal
                               amount of the A-1  Notes to zero has  been deposited in  the
                               Note  Distribution Account,  the A-2  Noteholders' Principal
                               Distributable Amount shall be zero; PROVIDED, FURTHER,  that
                               the  sum  of  clauses  (i) and  (ii)  shall  not  exceed the
                               outstanding principal amount  of the A-2  Notes, and on  the
                               A-2   Note  Final  Scheduled   Distribution  Date,  the  A-2
                               Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount will include the
                               amount necessary (after giving  effect to the other  amounts
                               to  be deposited  in the  Note Distribution  Account on such
                               Distribution Date and allocable to principal) to reduce  the
                               outstanding principal amount of the A-2 Notes to zero.
 
                               "A-3  Noteholders'  Monthly Principal  Distributable Amount"
                               means, with respect to any Distribution Date on or after the
                               Distribution Date on  which an amount  sufficient to  reduce
                               the  outstanding principal amount  of the A-1  Notes and the
                               A-2  Notes  to   zero  has  been   deposited  in  the   Note
                               Distribution Account, the A-3 Noteholders' Percentage of the
                               difference between the Principal Distribution Amount and the
                               portion  thereof, if any, applied  to reduce the outstanding
                               principal amount of the A-1 Notes and the A-2 Notes to  zero
                               on  such Distribution Date. In addition, on any Distribution
                               Date on or after the May 1998 Distribution Date, amounts  on
                               deposit  in the Reserve  Account in excess  of the Specified
                               Reserve Account Balance for such Distribution Date shall  be
                               paid  as principal of the A-3  Notes to the extent described
                               under "--Reserve Account" below.
 
                               "A-3 Noteholders' Percentage" means 96%; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,
                               that if the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account is less
                               than the lesser of (i) 2.25% of the Initial Pool Balance and
                               (ii)  the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount of the
                               Notes and (y) the Certificate Balance, then, with respect to
                               each Distribution  Date  thereafter,  the  A-3  Noteholders'
                               Percentage shall be 100%.
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               "A-3  Noteholders' Principal Carryover  Shortfall" means, as
                               of the close of any Distribution Date, the excess of (i) the
                               sum  of   (A)  the   A-3  Noteholders'   Monthly   Principal
                               Distributable  Amount for such Distribution Date and (B) any
                               outstanding A-3 Noteholders'  Principal Carryover  Shortfall
                               as of the close of the preceding Distribution Date over (ii)
                               the   amount  in  respect  of  principal  that  is  actually
                               deposited in the Note Distribution Account in respect of the
                               A-3 Notes.
 
                               "A-3 Noteholders'  Principal  Distributable  Amount"  means,
                               with  respect to any  Distribution Date, the  sum of (i) the
                               A-3 Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount  for
                               such   Distribution  Date  and  (ii)  the  A-3  Noteholders'
                               Principal  Carryover  Shortfall  as  of  the  close  of  the
                               preceding  Distribution Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, until
                               an amount  sufficient to  reduce the  outstanding  principal
                               amount  of the A-1 Notes and the  A-2 Notes to zero has been
                               deposited  in  the  Note   Distribution  Account,  the   A-3
                               Noteholders'  Principal Distributable Amount  shall be zero;
                               PROVIDED, FURTHER,  that the  sum of  clauses (i)  and  (ii)
                               shall not exceed the outstanding principal amount of the A-3
                               Notes,  and  on the  A-3  Note Final  Scheduled Distribution
                               Date, the  A-3 Noteholders'  Principal Distributable  Amount
                               will  include the  amount necessary (after  giving effect to
                               the other amounts to be  deposited in the Note  Distribution
                               Account   on  such   Distribution  Date   and  allocable  to
                               principal) to reduce the outstanding principal amount of the
                               A-3 Notes to zero.
 
                               "Certificate  Balance"   equals,   on  the   Closing   Date,
                               $14,876,157  and, thereafter, equals $14,876,157, reduced by
                               all amounts allocable to principal previously distributed to
                               Certificateholders. The  Certificate Balance  shall also  be
                               reduced  on any Distribution Date by  the excess, if any, of
                               (i) the  sum of  (A)  the Certificate  Balance and  (B)  the
                               outstanding  principal  amount of  the  Notes (in  each case
                               after giving effect to amounts in respect of principal to be
                               deposited in the  Certificate Distribution  Account and  the
                               Note  Distribution Account on  such Distribution Date), over
                               (ii) the sum  of (A)  the Pool Balance  as of  the close  of
                               business  on the last day of the preceding Collection Period
                               and (B) the amount on  deposit in the Reserve Account  after
                               giving   effect  to  any  distributions  therefrom  on  such
                               Distribution Date. Thereafter, the Certificate Balance shall
                               be increased to  the extent  that any portion  of the  Total
                               Distribution   Amount  is  available  to  pay  the  existing
                               Certificateholders' Principal Carryover  Shortfall, but  not
                               by  more than  the aggregate  reductions in  the Certificate
                               Balance set forth in the preceding sentence.
 
                               "Certificateholders'  Distributable   Amount"  means,   with
                               respect  to  any  Distribution  Date,  the  sum  of  (i) the
                               Certificateholders' Principal Distributable Amount and  (ii)
                               the Certificateholders' Interest Distributable Amount.
 
                               "Certificateholders'  Interest  Carryover  Shortfall" means,
                               with respect to any  Distribution Date, the  sum of (i)  the
                               excess of (A) the sum of (1) the Certificateholders' Monthly
                               Interest Distributable Amount for the preceding Distribution
                               Date  and (2)  any outstanding  Certificateholders' Interest
                               Carryover   Shortfall   on   such   preceding   Distribution
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-11
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               Date,  over (B)  the amount in  respect of  interest that is
                               actually deposited in  the Certificate Distribution  Account
                               on  such preceding Distribution Date,  plus (ii) interest on
                               such  excess,  to  the  extent  permitted  by  law,  at  the
                               Pass-Through Rate.
 
                               "Certificateholders'  Interest Distributable  Amount" means,
                               with respect  to  any  Distribution Date,  the  sum  of  the
                               Certificateholders'  Monthly  Interest  Distributable Amount
                               for  such  Distribution  Date  and  the  Certificateholders'
                               Interest Carryover Shortfall for such Distribution Date.
 
                               "Certificateholders'  Monthly Interest Distributable Amount"
                               means, with  respect to  any  Distribution Date,  an  amount
                               equal  to the aggregate interest accrued on the Certificates
                               at the Pass-Through  Rate from and  including the  preceding
                               Distribution Date (or from and including the Closing Date in
                               the  case of the initial Distribution Date) to but excluding
                               such Distribution Date  (based on a  360-day year of  twelve
                               30-day months).
 
                               "Certificateholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount"
                               means, with respect to any Distribution Date on or after the
                               Distribution  Date on which the principal amounts of the A-1
                               Notes  and  the   A-2  Notes  are   reduced  to  zero,   the
                               Certificateholders' Percentage of the Principal Distribution
                               Amount  (less the portion  thereof, if any,  applied on such
                               Distribution Date to reduce the principal amount of the  A-1
                               Notes  and the A-2  Notes to zero,  which shall be deposited
                               into the Note Distribution Account) and, with respect to any
                               Distribution Date on or after the first Distribution Date on
                               which the outstanding principal amount  of the A-3 Notes  is
                               reduced  to zero, 100% of  the Principal Distribution Amount
                               (less  the  portion  thereof  required  on  the  first  such
                               Distribution Date to reduce the outstanding principal amount
                               of the Notes to zero, which shall be deposited into the Note
                               Distribution   Account);  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,   that  if  as
                               described   in   the   definition   of   "A-3   Noteholders'
                               Percentage,"  100% of  the Principal  Distribution Amount is
                               required to be deposited  in the Note Distribution  Account,
                               then no portion of the Principal Distribution Amount will be
                               deposited  in the Certificate Distribution Account until the
                               Notes have been paid in full.
 
                               "Certificateholders' Percentage"  means 100%  minus the  A-3
                               Noteholders' Percentage (if any A-3 Notes are outstanding).
 
                               "Certificateholders'  Principal Carryover  Shortfall" means,
                               as of the close of any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the
                               excess of (A) the sum of (1) the Certificateholders' Monthly
                               Principal  Distributable  Amount  and  (2)  any  outstanding
                               Certificateholders'  Principal Carryover  Shortfall from the
                               preceding Distribution Date, over (B) the amount in  respect
                               of  principal that is actually  deposited in the Certificate
                               Distribution Account and  (ii) the  unreimbursed portion  of
                               the amount by which the Certificate Balance has been reduced
                               as  described in  the second  sentence of  the definition of
                               "Certificate Balance" above.
 
                               "Certificateholders' Principal Distributable Amount"  means,
                               with  respect to any  Distribution Date, the  sum of (i) the
                               Certificateholders' Monthly  Principal Distributable  Amount
                               for  such Distribution Date and (ii) the Certificateholders'
                               Principal  Carryover  Shortfall  as  of  the  close  of  the
                               preceding  Distribution Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, until
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-12
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               an amount  sufficient to  reduce the  outstanding  principal
                               amounts  of the A-1 Notes and the A-2 Notes to zero has been
                               deposited   in   the   Note   Distribution   Account,    the
                               Certificateholders'  Principal Distributable Amount shall be
                               zero; PROVIDED, FURTHER,  that the  sum of  clauses (i)  and
                               (ii)  shall not exceed  the Certificate Balance,  and on the
                               Certificate   Final   Scheduled   Distribution   Date,   the
                               Certificateholders'   Principal  Distributable  Amount  will
                               include the  amount necessary  (after giving  effect to  the
                               other  amounts to be deposited  in the Certificate Distribu-
                               tion Account  on such  Distribution  Date and  allocable  to
                               principal) to reduce the Certificate Balance to zero.
 
                               "Collection   Period"  means,  with  respect  to  the  first
                               Distribution Date,  the calendar  month  ending on  May  31,
                               1996, and with respect to each subsequent Distribution Date,
                               the  preceding  calendar  month.  See  "Description  of  the
                               Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Distributions" herein.
 
                               "Noteholders' Distributable Amount"  means, with respect  to
                               any  Distribution Date, the sum  of (i) the A-1 Noteholders'
                               Principal Distributable  Amount, (ii)  the A-2  Noteholders'
                               Principal  Distributable Amount, (iii)  the A-3 Noteholders'
                               Principal Distributable  Amount  and (iv)  the  Noteholders'
                               Interest Distributable Amount.
 
                               "Noteholders'  Interest  Carryover  Shortfall"  means,  with
                               respect to any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the  excess
                               of  (A)  the sum  of (1)  the Noteholders'  Monthly Interest
                               Distributable Amount for the preceding Distribution Date and
                               (2)  any   outstanding   Noteholders'   Interest   Carryover
                               Shortfall  on such preceding Distribution Date, over (B) the
                               amount in respect of interest that is actually deposited  in
                               the Note Distribution Account on such preceding Distribution
                               Date,  and (ii) interest  on the amount  of interest due but
                               not paid to Noteholders on the preceding Distribution  Date,
                               to  the extent permitted by  law, at the applicable interest
                               rate or  rates  borne  by such  Notes  from  such  preceding
                               Distribution Date through such current Distribution Date.
 
                               "Noteholders'  Interest  Distributable  Amount"  means, with
                               respect  to   any  Distribution   Date,  the   sum  of   the
                               Noteholders'  Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for such
                               Distribution Date  and the  Noteholders' Interest  Carryover
                               Shortfall for such Distribution Date.
 
                               "Noteholders'  Monthly Interest Distributable Amount" means,
                               with respect to  any Distribution Date,  an amount equal  to
                               the  aggregate amount of interest  accrued on the A-1 Notes,
                               the A-2 Notes and the A-3 Notes at their respective interest
                               rates from  and including  the preceding  Distribution  Date
                               (or,  in the case of the initial Distribution Date, from and
                               including  the  Closing   Date),  to   but  excluding   such
                               Distribution  Date (based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
                               months).
 
                               "Principal Distribution Amount" means,  with respect to  any
                               Distribution Date, the sum of the following amounts, without
                               duplication,   with  respect  to  the  preceding  Collection
                               Period:  (i)  that  portion   of  all  collections  on   the
                               Receivables  (including  any  Liquidation  Proceeds  and any
                               amounts received from Dealers  with respect to  Receivables)
                               allocable  to principal; (ii) the  amount of Realized Losses
                               for the  related Collection  Period  (except to  the  extent
                               included in (iii) below); and (iii) the
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-13
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               Principal  Balance  of  each  Receivable  that  the Servicer
                               became obligated  to  purchase  or that  the  Seller  became
                               obligated to repurchase during the related Collection Period
                               (except to the extent included in (i) above).
 
                               "Realized  Losses"  means,  with respect  to  any Collection
                               Period, (i)  the  excess of  the  Principal Balance  of  the
                               Liquidated  Receivables over  Liquidation Proceeds  for such
                               Collection Period to the  extent allocable to principal  and
                               (ii)  amounts payable  by Dealers with  respect to Over-Rate
                               Receivables which are deemed uncollectible by the Servicer.
 
                               "Total Distribution  Amount"  means,  with  respect  to  any
                               Distribution  Date,  the  sum of  the  aggregate collections
                               (including any  Liquidation Proceeds,  any Purchase  Amounts
                               paid by the Seller and the Servicer and any amounts received
                               from  Dealers  with  respect  to  Receivables)  received  in
                               respect of  the Receivables  during the  related  Collection
                               Period  and Investment Earnings on the Trust Accounts during
                               such Collection Period. The Total Distribution Amount on any
                               Distribution Date shall  exclude all  payments and  proceeds
                               (including any Liquidation Proceeds and any amounts received
                               from  Dealers  with  respect  to  Receivables)  of  (i)  any
                               Receivables the Purchase Amount  of which has been  included
                               in  the  Total  Distribution Amount  in  a  prior Collection
                               Period, (ii)  any Liquidated  Receivable  after and  to  the
                               extent  of the reassignment of such Liquidated Receivable by
                               the Trust to the Seller and (iii) any Servicer's Yield.
 
                               On each Distribution  Date, all  amounts on  deposit in  the
                               Note   Distribution  Account  will  be  distributed  to  the
                               Noteholders, and all amounts  on deposit in the  Certificate
                               Distribution    Account   will   be   distributed   to   the
                               Certificateholders.
 
RESERVE ACCOUNT..............  The Seller will establish  and maintain in  the name of  the
                               Indenture  Trustee a reserve account (the "Reserve Account")
                               into which  funds will  be deposited  from time  to time  as
                               described  herein. Funds  on deposit in  the Reserve Account
                               will  be  available  on  each  Distribution  Date  to  cover
                               shortfalls in distributions of interest and principal on the
                               Notes  and the Certificates to  the extent described herein.
                               The Reserve Account will be created with an initial  deposit
                               by the Seller of cash or Eligible Investments having a value
                               of  at least $17,665,115. The  amount initially deposited in
                               the Reserve Account is referred  to as the "Reserve  Account
                               Initial  Deposit." The Reserve  Account Initial Deposit will
                               be augmented  on  each  Distribution  Date  by  the  deposit
                               therein  of  the Total  Distribution Amount  remaining after
                               payment of the Servicing Fee and the Administration Fee  and
                               the  deposit  in  the  Note  Distribution  Account  and  the
                               Certificate  Distribution   Account   of   amounts   to   be
                               distributed  to  the Noteholders  and  Certificateholders on
                               such Distribution Date.
 
                               Prior to the May 1998 Distribution Date, amounts on  deposit
                               in   the  Reserve  Account  (after   giving  effect  to  all
                               distributions to  be  made  on such  Distribution  Date)  in
                               excess  of the  Specified Reserve  Account Balance  for such
                               Distribution Date will be released to the Seller and, on and
                               after the May  1998 Distribution Date,  such excess will  be
                               released  to the Note Distribution Account to be distributed
                               first to  the  A-2 Noteholders  as  a payment  of  principal
                               (until the A-2 Notes have
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-14
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               been  paid in  full) and  then to  the A-3  Noteholders as a
                               payment of principal (until the A-3 Notes have been paid  in
                               full).  The "Specified Reserve Account Balance" with respect
                               to any Distribution Date will be equal to the greater of (i)
                               4.75% of the Pool Balance as of the close of business on the
                               last  day  of  the  preceding  Collection  Period  and  (ii)
                               $8,367,686  (or such greater percentage  or amount as may be
                               set forth in  the Sale and  Servicing Agreement);  PROVIDED,
                               HOWEVER, that (a) if either Realized Losses or delinquencies
                               exceed certain levels, the Specified Reserve Account Balance
                               may be higher (as described herein under "Description of the
                               Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Reserve Account") and (b)
                               in  no  event  will the  Specified  Reserve  Account Balance
                               exceed the sum of the outstanding aggregate principal amount
                               of the Notes and  the Certificate Balance. See  "Description
                               of  the Transfer and  Servicing Agreements--Reserve Account"
                               herein.
 
                               Funds will  be  withdrawn from  amounts  on deposit  in  the
                               Reserve  Account to  the extent that  the Total Distribution
                               Amount (after the payment of  the Servicing Fee (if CFSC  or
                               an  affiliate is  not the  Servicer) and  the Administration
                               Fee) with respect to any Collection Period is less than  the
                               Noteholders'  Distributable Amount, and  funds in the amount
                               of  such   deficiency  will   be  deposited   in  the   Note
                               Distribution  Account. In addition,  funds will be withdrawn
                               from amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account to the extent
                               that the portion of the Total Distribution Amount  remaining
                               after  the  payment  of the  Servicing  Fee (if  CFSC  or an
                               affiliate is not  the Servicer) and  the Administration  Fee
                               and  the deposit of the Noteholders' Distributable Amount in
                               the   Note   Distribution   Account   is   less   than   the
                               Certificateholders'  Distributable Amount, and  funds in the
                               amount  of  such  deficiency   will  be  deposited  in   the
                               Certificate   Distribution   Account.   Notwithstanding  the
                               foregoing, if on  any Distribution Date  on which any  Notes
                               are outstanding the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account
                               is  less than 0.75% of the Pool Balance as of the end of the
                               preceding Collection Period,  then funds  will be  withdrawn
                               from  the Reserve Account  only to the  extent needed to pay
                               the interest due on the  Notes and the Certificates, and  no
                               funds  from  the Reserve  Account  will be  applied  on such
                               Distribution  Date  to  principal   of  the  Notes  or   the
                               Certificates;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER,  that this  restriction on
                               withdrawals shall be inapplicable if an Event of Default has
                               occurred which resulted in acceleration of the Notes.
 
                               If the  amount required  to be  withdrawn from  the  Reserve
                               Account   to   cover  shortfalls   in  collections   on  the
                               Receivables on any Distribution  Date exceeds the amount  on
                               deposit  in the Reserve Account on such date, a shortfall in
                               the   amounts   distributable   to   the   Noteholders    or
                               Certificateholders  would  result,  which  could,  in  turn,
                               increase the average life of the Notes or the  Certificates,
                               as  the case may  be, or result in  losses to Noteholders or
                               Certificateholders.
 
COLLECTION ACCOUNT...........  The Servicer will be required to remit collections  received
                               with  respect to the Receivables  during a Collection Period
                               on  or  before  the  business  day  preceding  the   related
                               Distribution Date to one or more accounts in the name of the
                               Indenture  Trustee (collectively, the "Collection Account"),
                               except upon the occurrence  of certain conditions  described
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               herein (in which case such remittances will be required more
                               frequently).  See "Description of the Transfer and Servicing
                               Agreements--Payments  on  Receivables"  in  the  Prospectus.
                               Pursuant  to the Sale and  Servicing Agreement, the Servicer
                               will have  the revocable  power  to instruct  the  Indenture
                               Trustee to withdraw the Total Distribution Amount on deposit
                               in  the Collection Account  and to apply  such funds on each
                               Distribution  Date  to  the   following  (in  the   priority
                               indicated):  (i) the Servicing Fee  for the prior Collection
                               Period and any  overdue Servicing Fees  to the Servicer  (if
                               CFSC  or  an  affiliate  is  not  the  Servicer),  (ii)  the
                               Administration Fee for the  prior Collection Period and  any
                               overdue  Administration Fees to the Administrator, (iii) the
                               Noteholders'   Interest   Distributable   Amount   and   the
                               Noteholders'  Principal Distributable Amount,  each into the
                               Note  Distribution  Account,  (iv)  the  Certificateholders'
                               Interest  Distributable  Amount and  the Certificateholders'
                               Principal Distributable  Amount, each  into the  Certificate
                               Distribution  Account, (v)  the Servicing Fee  for the prior
                               Collection Period  and any  overdue  Servicing Fees  to  the
                               Servicer  (so long as CFSC or  an affiliate is the Servicer)
                               and (vi)  the  remaining balance,  if  any, to  the  Reserve
                               Account   as   set   forth   above   under   "--Priority  of
                               Distributions."
 
MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT
 CONSIDERATIONS..............  All of  the Receivables  are prepayable  at any  time.  Each
                               prepayment  will shorten the weighted average remaining term
                               of the  Receivables and  the weighted  average life  of  the
                               Securities. Prepayments of principal will be included in the
                               Principal  Distribution Amount and will  be payable first to
                               the A-1 Noteholders until  the A-1 Notes  have been paid  in
                               full,  and then will be payable to the A-2 Noteholders until
                               the A-2 Notes have been paid in full, and thereafter to  the
                               A-3  Noteholders  in  accordance with  the  A-3 Noteholders'
                               Principal Distributable Amount and to the Certificateholders
                               in  accordance   with  the   Certificateholders'   Principal
                               Distributable Amount, in that order as set forth herein. See
                               "Description of the Transfer and Servicing
                               Agreements--Distributions" herein.
 
                               The rate of prepayments on the Receivables may be influenced
                               by  a  variety of  economic,  financial, climatic  and other
                               factors,  and  under   certain  circumstances  relating   to
                               breaches  of representations,  warranties or  covenants, the
                               Seller is  obligated  to  repurchase, and  the  Servicer  is
                               obligated  to purchase, Receivables from the Trust. A higher
                               than  anticipated  rate  of  prepayments  will  reduce   the
                               aggregate  principal balance of the Receivables more quickly
                               than  expected  and  thereby  reduce  anticipated  aggregate
                               interest  payments on the Securities. Any reinvestment risks
                               resulting from a faster or slower incidence of prepayment of
                               Receivables will be  borne entirely by  the Noteholders  and
                               the  Certificateholders  as  set forth  in  the  priority of
                               distributions herein.  Such reinvestment  risks include  the
                               risk  that  interest rates  may be  lower  at the  time such
                               holders received payments from the Trust than interest rates
                               would otherwise have been had such prepayments not been made
                               or had such prepayments been made at a different time.
 
                               Holders of  Securities  should  consider,  in  the  case  of
                               Securities  purchased at a discount,  the risk that a slower
                               than  anticipated  rate   of  principal   payments  on   the
                               Receivables    could    result    in    an    actual   yield
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               that is less than the anticipated yield and, in the case  of
                               any  Securities  purchased at  a  premium, the  risk  that a
                               faster than anticipated  rate of principal  payments on  the
                               Receivables  could result  in an  actual yield  that is less
                               than the anticipated yield.
 
SERVICING FEE................  The Servicer shall receive a fee for each Collection  Period
                               equal  to 1.0% per  annum (the "Servicing  Fee Rate") of the
                               Pool Balance as of the  first day of such Collection  Period
                               (the  "Servicing Fee")  (in accordance with  the priority of
                               distributions set forth herein),  plus any Servicer's  Yield
                               for  such Collection Period. The Servicer's Yield represents
                               amounts actually  collected by  the Servicer  on account  of
                               late  fees, taxes,  and other charges,  as described herein.
                               All collections from an Obligor will be applied first to any
                               overdue scheduled  payment, then  to the  current  scheduled
                               payment and then to late fees, taxes, and other charges. The
                               Servicing  Fee with  respect to each  Collection Period will
                               decline over the term of the Securities as the Pool  Balance
                               decreases.  See "Description  of the  Transfer and Servicing
                               Agreements--Servicing Compensation and Payment of  Expenses"
                               herein and in the Prospectus.
 
CUSTODIAL AGREEMENT..........  The  First  National  Bank  of  Chicago,  as  custodian (the
                               "Custodian"), will be responsible for maintaining custody of
                               the Installment  Sales  Contracts  and  any  related  Dealer
                               Agreements pursuant to a custodial agreement, to be dated as
                               of  May 1, 1996 (the "Custodial Agreement"), among CFSC, the
                               Seller, the  Issuer and  the  Indenture Trustee.  See  "Risk
                               Factors--PERFECTION  OF  INTERESTS  IN  RECEIVABLES  AND  IN
                               FINANCED  EQUIPMENT"  and  "Certain  Legal  Aspects  of  the
                               Receivables--Sale and Transfer of Receivables" herein and in
                               the Prospectus.
 
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT.....  CFSC,    in    its    capacity    as    administrator   (the
                               "Administrator"),  will   enter  into   an  agreement   (the
                               "Administration Agreement") with the Trust and the Indenture
                               Trustee.   As  compensation  for   the  performance  of  the
                               Administrator's   obligations   under   the   Administration
                               Agreement  and  as  reimbursement for  its  expenses related
                               thereto, the  Administrator will  be entitled  to a  monthly
                               administration fee in an amount equal to $500 per month (the
                               "Administration  Fee"). See "Description of the Transfer and
                               Servicing  Agreements--Administration   Agreement"  in   the
                               Prospectus.
 
CLEARANCE AND SETTLEMENT.....  Noteholders may elect to hold their Notes through any of DTC
                               (in  the United States)  or Cedel or  Euroclear (in Europe).
                               Transfers within DTC,  Cedel or Euroclear,  as the case  may
                               be, will be in accordance with the usual rules and operating
                               procedures  of the  relevant system.  Cross-market transfers
                               between persons holding directly or indirectly through  DTC,
                               on  the  one hand,  and  counterparties holding  directly or
                               indirectly through Cedel or Euroclear, on the other, will be
                               effected in DTC through  the relevant Depositaries of  Cedel
                               or  Euroclear. See  "Issuance of  the Securities--Book-Entry
                               Registration" in the Prospectus.
 
CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS
 OF THE RECEIVABLES..........  The transfer of  ownership of the  Receivables from CFSC  to
                               the  Seller  and  from  the Seller  to  the  Trust,  and the
                               granting of a  security interest in  the Receivables by  the
                               Trust    to   the   Indenture    Trustee,   will   in   each
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-17
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               case be  perfected  by  the  Custodian,  on  behalf  of  the
                               applicable  assignee, taking  possession of  the Installment
                               Sales Contracts  and  any  related  Dealer  Agreements  (the
                               "Receivables  Files") pursuant  to the  Custodial Agreement.
                               The Custodian will  maintain possession  of the  Receivables
                               Files  in a space  leased by the  Custodian proximate to the
                               principal executive office of  CFSC, and CFSC will  indicate
                               on  its computer records that the Receivables have been sold
                               to  the  Seller  and  by  the  Seller  to  the  Trust.  Each
                               Receivables  File will  contain the  single original related
                               Installment Sales Contract  (as represented by  CFSC in  the
                               Purchase  Agreement). UCC  financing statements  will not be
                               filed to perfect these transfers of ownership or such  grant
                               of a security interest, and CFSC will not stamp the physical
                               Receivables   Files  or  the  Installment  Sales  Contracts.
                               Although steps will be  taken to ensure  that CFSC does  not
                               obtain  possession  or  control  of  the  Installment  Sales
                               Contracts, should a court find that CFSC did have possession
                               or  control  of  such   Installment  Sales  Contracts,   the
                               interests of the Seller, the Trust and the Indenture Trustee
                               in  the Receivables would in  all likelihood be unperfected.
                               See "Risk  Factors--PERFECTION OF  INTERESTS IN  RECEIVABLES
                               AND IN FINANCED EQUIPMENT" and "Certain Legal Aspects of the
                               Receivables--Sale  and Transfer  of the  Receivables" herein
                               and in the Prospectus.
 
TAX STATUS...................  In the opinion of  Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe  ("Special
                               Tax  Counsel"), for  federal income  tax purposes  the Notes
                               will be  characterized as  debt and  the Trust  will not  be
                               characterized   as  an   association  (or   publicly  traded
                               partnership) taxable as a  corporation. Each Noteholder,  by
                               the  acceptance of a Note, will  agree to treat the Notes as
                               indebtedness, and each Certificateholder, by the  acceptance
                               of  a  Certificate,  will  agree to  treat  the  Trust  as a
                               partnership in  which the  Certificateholders are  partners.
                               Alternative characterizations of the Trust are possible, but
                               should  not result in materially adverse tax consequences to
                               Noteholders  or  Certificateholders.  See  "Certain  Federal
                               Income Tax Considerations" in the Prospectus.
 
STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS.....  In  the  opinion  of  Tuke Yopp  &  Sweeney  ("Tennessee Tax
                               Counsel"), with respect to corporate Certificateholders  and
                               Noteholders, the same tax characterizations should apply for
                               purposes  of Tennessee income tax  as for federal income tax
                               purposes. Non-corporate  Certificateholders and  Noteholders
                               who  are residents of Tennessee  will be subject to taxation
                               on income distributions with respect to the Certificates and
                               the Notes at the rate of six percent (6%). In the opinion of
                               Tennessee Tax Counsel,  the Trust should  not be subject  to
                               taxation    in   Tennessee.    See   "Certain    State   Tax
                               Considerations" in the Prospectus for additional information
                               concerning the  application of  Tennessee  tax laws  to  the
                               Trust and the Securities.
 
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS.........  Subject   to   the   considerations   described   in  "ERISA
                               Considerations" herein, the Notes are eligible for  purchase
                               with  "plan assets"  of any  Plan (as  defined below) ("Plan
                               Assets").  A   fiduciary  or   other  person   contemplating
                               purchasing the Notes on behalf of or with Plan Assets of any
                               employee  benefit plan or other  plan or arrangement subject
                               to the Employee Retirement Income  Security Act of 1974,  as
                               amended  ("ERISA"), or Section 4975  of the Internal Revenue
                               Code  of  1986,  as  amended  (the  "Code")   (collectively,
                               "Plans"), should carefully review
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-18
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               with  its legal advisors whether  the purchase or holding of
                               the Notes could give rise to a transaction prohibited or not
                               otherwise permissible  under ERISA  or Section  4975 of  the
                               Code.
 
                               The  Certificates may  not be acquired  by, on  behalf of or
                               with  Plan   Assets   (as  defined   herein).   See   "ERISA
                               Considerations" herein and in the Prospectus.
 
LEGAL INVESTMENT.............  The  A-1 Notes will  be eligible securities  for purchase by
                               money market funds under paragraph (a)(5) of Rule 2a-7 under
                               the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
 
RATING OF THE NOTES..........  It is a  condition to  the issuance of  the Securities  that
                               each  Class of the Notes be  rated in the highest investment
                               rating  category  by  each  of  Standard  &  Poor's  Ratings
                               Services   ("S&P")  and  Moody's   Investors  Service,  Inc.
                               ("Moody's" and together  with S&P, each  a "Rating  Agency")
                               and  that the Certificates be rated  at least "A" by S&P and
                               at least "A3" by Moody's. See "Risk Factors--RATINGS OF  THE
                               SECURITIES" herein and "Ratings" in the Prospectus.
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-19
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    Investors  should consider, among other  things, the matters discussed under
"Risk Factors" in the  Prospectus and the following  risk factors in  connection
with the purchase of the Securities.
 
    LIMITED  LIQUIDITY.    There  is  currently  no  secondary  market  for  the
Securities.  Each  Underwriter  currently  intends  to  make  a  market  in  the
Securities  for which it is an Underwriter, but is under no obligation to do so.
There can  be  no assurance  that  a secondary  market  will develop  or,  if  a
secondary  market does  develop, that it  will provide  the Securityholders with
liquidity of investment or that it will continue for the life of the Securities.
 
    PERFECTION OF  INTERESTS IN  RECEIVABLES  AND IN  FINANCED EQUIPMENT.    The
transfer  of ownership of the  Receivables from CFSC to  the Seller and from the
Seller to  the  Trust,  and  the  granting  of  the  security  interest  in  the
Receivables  by  the  Trust to  the  Indenture  Trustee, will  in  each  case be
perfected by  the  Custodian,  on  behalf of  the  applicable  assignee,  taking
possession  of the Installment Sales Contracts and any related Dealer Agreements
(the "Receivables Files")  pursuant to  the Custodial  Agreement. The  Custodian
will  maintain possession  of the  Receivables Files  in a  space leased  by the
Custodian proximate to  the principal executive  office of CFSC,  and CFSC  will
indicate  on its  computer records  that the Receivables  have been  sold to the
Seller. Each Receivables File will contain the single original Installment Sales
Contract related  to  a Receivable  (as  represented  by CFSC  in  the  Purchase
Agreement).  UCC  financing  statements  will  not  be  filed  to  perfect these
transfers of ownership or such grant of  a security interest, and CFSC will  not
stamp  the  physical  Receivables  Files  or  the  Installment  Sales Contracts.
Although steps will be taken to ensure  that CFSC does not obtain possession  or
control  of the Installment Sales  Contracts, should a court  find that CFSC did
have possession or control of such Installment Sales Contracts, the interests of
the Seller, the Trust and the Indenture Trustee in the Receivables would in  all
likelihood be unperfected, and distributions to Securityholders may be adversely
affected.
 
    Should  the related Indenture Trustee's security interest and/or the Trust's
or  the  Seller's  ownership  interest  in  the  Receivables  be  found  to   be
unperfected,  such interests may be inferior to  the interests of (i) the Seller
or CFSC,  (ii) any  creditors of  the  Trust, the  Seller or  CFSC, or  (iii)  a
subsequent  purchaser of Receivables, in the event the Trust, the Seller or CFSC
fraudulently or inadvertently sells  a Receivable to such  purchaser who had  no
notice  of the prior transfers  thereof to such Indenture  Trustee, the Trust or
the Seller and such purchaser takes possession of the related physical  contract
evidencing  such Receivable. As a result of such lack of perfection, the Seller,
the Trust and the holders of Securities may not be entitled to receive all or  a
portion  of the distributions relating to, or have any other rights with respect
to, the Receivables.
 
    SUBORDINATION; LIMITED ASSETS.  Distributions  of interest and principal  on
the  Certificates will  be subordinated in  priority of payment  to interest and
principal due  on  the  Notes. Consequently,  the  Certificateholders  will  not
receive  any distributions  with respect to  a Collection Period  until the full
amount of interest  on and principal  of the Notes  relating to such  Collection
Period  has been  deposited in the  Note Distribution Account.  In addition, the
Certificateholders will not  receive any  distributions of  principal until  the
Distribution  Date on which the  principal amounts of the  A-1 Notes and the A-2
Notes have been reduced to zero, and, in certain circumstances, will not receive
any distributions of principal until the Notes have been paid in full.
 
    The Trust  does not  have, nor  is it  permitted or  expected to  have,  any
significant  assets  or sources  of  funds other  than  the Receivables  and the
Reserve Account.  Holders  of the  Notes  and  the Certificates  must  rely  for
repayment  upon payments on the Receivables and, if and to the extent available,
amounts on  deposit in  the Reserve  Account.  Amounts to  be deposited  in  the
Reserve Account are limited in amount and will be reduced as the Pool Balance is
reduced.  In addition, funds  in the Reserve  Account will be  available on each
Distribution Date to cover shortfalls in distributions of interest and principal
on the  Notes  prior to  the  application thereof  to  cover shortfalls  on  the
Certificates.  If the Reserve Account is  depleted, the Trust will depend solely
on current distributions on  the Receivables to make  payments on the Notes  and
the Certificates.
 
                                      S-20
<PAGE>
    If  an Event of Default  under the Indenture occurs  and the maturity of the
Notes is accelerated, the Indenture Trustee  will have the right or be  required
in  certain circumstances to sell  the Receivables to pay  the principal of, and
accrued interest on, the Notes. There is no assurance that the proceeds of  such
sale  will  be equal  to  or greater  than  the aggregate  outstanding principal
balance of the Notes and the Certificates plus accrued interest. Because neither
interest nor principal  is distributed  to Certificateholders upon  sale of  the
Receivables  following an Event  of Default and acceleration  of the Notes under
the Indenture  until  the  Notes  have  been  paid  in  full,  the  interest  of
Noteholders  and the  Certificateholders may conflict,  and the  exercise by the
Indenture Trustee  of  its right  to  sell  the Receivables  or  exercise  other
remedies  may cause the  Certificateholders to suffer  a loss of  all or part of
their investment.  See  "Description  of  the  Notes--The  Indenture--EVENTS  OF
DEFAULT; RIGHTS UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT" in the Prospectus.
 
    In  the  event  a Servicer  Default  occurs,  the Indenture  Trustee  or the
Noteholders evidencing not less than 25% of the outstanding principal amount  of
the  Notes,  as  described  under "Description  of  the  Transfer  and Servicing
Agreements--Rights Upon  Servicer Default"  in the  Prospectus, may  remove  the
Servicer   without   the  consent   of  the   Owner  Trustee   or  any   of  the
Certificateholders. The Owner  Trustee or the  Certificateholders will not  have
the  ability to remove the Servicer if a Servicer Default occurs until the Notes
have been paid  in full.  In addition, the  Noteholders have  the ability,  with
certain  specified  exceptions, to  waive  defaults by  the  Servicer, including
defaults that could materially and  adversely affect the Certificateholders.  If
CFSC  or an affiliate  is no longer  the Servicer, payment  of the Servicing Fee
will be made prior to  distributions to Noteholders and Certificateholders.  See
"Description  of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Waiver of Past Defaults"
in the Prospectus.
 
    RATINGS OF THE SECURITIES.  It is  a condition to the issuance of the  Notes
and  the  Certificates that  each Class  of the  Notes be  rated in  the highest
investment rating category by each of S&P and Moody's and that the  Certificates
be  rated at least "A"  by S&P and at  least "A3" by Moody's.  A rating is not a
recommendation to purchase,  hold or  sell securities, inasmuch  as such  rating
does  not comment as to  market price or suitability  for a particular investor.
The ratings of the  Securities address the likelihood  of the timely payment  of
interest  on and the ultimate payment of principal of the Securities pursuant to
their terms. There can be no assurance  that a rating will remain for any  given
period  of time or that a rating will  not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a
Rating Agency if in its judgment circumstances in the future so warrant.
 
                             FORMATION OF THE TRUST
 
THE TRUST
 
    The Issuer, Caterpillar  Financial Asset  Trust 1996-A, will  be a  business
trust  formed under  the laws  of the  State of  Delaware pursuant  to the Trust
Agreement for the  transactions described in  this Prospectus Supplement.  After
its  formation,  the  Trust will  not  engage  in any  activity  other  than (i)
acquiring, owning and managing the Receivables and the other assets of the Trust
and proceeds therefrom,  (ii) issuing and  making payments on  the Notes,  (iii)
issuing  and  making  payments  on  Certificates  and  (iv)  engaging  in  other
activities  that  are  necessary,  suitable  or  convenient  to  accomplish  the
foregoing or are incidental thereto or connected therewith.
    The  Trust will  initially be  capitalized with  equity having  an estimated
value of  $14,876,157,  excluding  amounts deposited  in  the  Reserve  Account.
Certificates  with an original principal balance of $149,157 will be sold to the
Seller, and the  remaining Certificates will  be sold to  third party  investors
that are expected to be unaffiliated with the Seller, the Servicer or the Trust.
The  proceeds  from the  initial  sale of  the  Certificates, together  with the
proceeds from  the initial  sale of  the Notes,  will be  used by  the Trust  to
purchase  the Receivables  from the  Seller pursuant  to the  Sale and Servicing
Agreement. The Servicer will initially  service the Receivables pursuant to  the
Sale  and  Servicing  Agreement,  and  will be  compensated  for  acting  as the
Servicer. See "Description of  the Transfer and Servicing  Agreements--Servicing
Compensation  and  Payment  of  Expenses" herein  and  in  the  Prospectus. Each
Receivables File  will contain  the single  original related  Installment  Sales
Contract  (as represented by CFSC in the Purchase Agreement). The Custodian will
act as custodian for the Receivables Files for the Seller, the Owner Trustee and
the Indenture Trustee  and will take  possession of the  Receivables Files at  a
location leased by the Custodian proximate to the
 
                                      S-21
<PAGE>
principal  executive  office of  CFSC, and  CFSC will  indicate on  its computer
records that the Receivables have been sold  to the Seller and by the Seller  to
the  Trust.  CFSC  will neither  file  UCC  financing statements  nor  stamp the
physical Receivables Files to reflect the sale and assignment of the Receivables
to the Trust. See "Risk Factors--PERFECTION  OF INTERESTS IN RECEIVABLES AND  IN
FINANCED  EQUIPMENT" herein and in the  Prospectus and "Certain Legal Aspects of
the Receivables--Sale and Transfer of Receivables" herein and in the  Prospectus
and "--Security Interest in Equipment" in the Prospectus.
 
    If the protections provided to Noteholders in the Trust by the subordination
of the Certificates and the protection provided to the holders of the Securities
by  the availability of the  funds in the Reserve  Account are insufficient, the
Trust must rely solely on the payments from the Obligors on the Receivables, and
the proceeds from the  repossession and sale of  Financed Equipment and  certain
other cross-collateralized equipment which secure defaulted Receivables. In such
event,  certain factors, such as the Trust's not having first priority perfected
security interests in some of the Receivables or Financed Equipment as a  result
of  occurrences after the Closing  Date, and the risk  of fraud or negligence of
CFSC or (under certain circumstances) the related Dealer, may affect the Trust's
ability to realize  on the  collateral securing  the Receivables,  and thus  the
proceeds to be distributed to Noteholders and to Certificateholders with respect
to  the  Notes  and  Certificates,  respectively,  may  be  reduced.  See  "Risk
Factors--PERFECTION OF  INTERESTS  IN  RECEIVABLES AND  IN  FINANCED  EQUIPMENT"
herein  and in the Prospectus, and "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables" in
the Prospectus.
 
CAPITALIZATION OF THE TRUST
 
    The following table illustrates  the capitalization of the  Trust as of  the
Cut-off  Date, as  if the issuance  and sale  of the Notes  and the Certificates
offered hereby had taken place on such date:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>
Class A-1 5.418% Money Market Asset Backed Notes......................  $85,000,000
Class A-2 5.90% Asset Backed Notes....................................  139,000,000
Class A-3 6.30% Asset Backed Notes....................................  133,021,000
6.55% Asset Backed Certificates.......................................   14,876,157
                                                                        -----------
  Total...............................................................  $371,897,157
                                                                        -----------
                                                                        -----------
</TABLE>
 
THE OWNER TRUSTEE
 
    Chemical Bank  Delaware is  the  Owner Trustee  under the  Trust  Agreement.
Chemical  Bank  Delaware is  a Delaware  banking  corporation and  its principal
offices are  located at  1201  Market Street,  Wilmington, Delaware  19801.  The
Seller  shall  pay the  fees of  the Owner  Trustee and  shall reimburse  it for
certain liabilities and expenses.  In the ordinary course  of its business,  the
Owner  Trustee and its affiliates  have engaged and may  in the future engage in
commercial  banking  or  financial  advisory  transactions  with  CFSC  and  its
affiliates.
 
                              THE RECEIVABLES POOL
 
    The   pool  of  Receivables  (the   "Receivables  Pool")  will  include  the
Receivables purchased  pursuant  to the  Purchase  Agreement with  an  aggregate
Principal Balance of $371,897,157 as of May 1, 1996 (the "Cut-off Date").
 
    The Receivables were selected from the entire U.S. ISC Portfolio (other than
receivables  previously sold to trusts  under prior asset-backed securitizations
which CFSC continues  to service which  are otherwise included  in the U.S.  ISC
Portfolio) using several criteria, some of which are set forth in the Prospectus
under  "The Receivables Pools," as well as that each Receivable (i) has a stated
maturity of not earlier than September 1996  or later than April 2001, (ii)  has
an  annual percentage rate of interest  (based on its Principal Balance) ("APR")
of at least 6.00% and (iii) is not more than 31 days past due as of the  Cut-off
Date.  As of  the Cut-off Date,  no Obligor on  any Receivable was  noted in the
related  records  of  the  Servicer  as  being  in  default  under  the  related
Installment  Sales Contract or as being  the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
No selection procedures  believed by CFSC  or the  Seller to be  adverse to  the
Noteholders or the Certificateholders were used in selecting the Receivables.
 
                                      S-22
<PAGE>
    The  composition of the Receivables and  the distribution of the Receivables
by APR, new and  used equipment, equipment  type, industry application,  payment
frequency  and remaining Principal Balance as of  the Cut-off Date are set forth
in the following  tables. Amounts  and percentages  are based  on the  Principal
Balance  of the Receivables as of the Cut-off Date. The "Principal Balance" of a
Receivable means  its  original  principal  balance,  as  reduced  by  principal
payments  applied in accordance with the actuarial method. The Principal Balance
of an Over-Rate  Receivable includes  the unamortized purchase  premium paid  by
CFSC to Dealers. As of the Cut-off Date, the aggregate current Principal Balance
of the Receivables is the Initial Pool Balance.
 
                         COMPOSITION OF THE RECEIVABLES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              WEIGHTED        WEIGHTED
  WEIGHTED                                     AVERAGE        AVERAGE
 AVERAGE APR                                ORIGINAL TERM  REMAINING TERM
     OF                         NUMBER OF    (RANGE) (IN    (RANGE) (IN                AVERAGE
 RECEIVABLES    POOL BALANCE   RECEIVABLES     MONTHS)      MONTHS) (1)       PRINCIPAL BALANCE (RANGE)
- -------------  --------------  -----------  -------------  --------------  --------------------------------
<S>            <C>             <C>          <C>            <C>             <C>
      8.15%    $  371,897,157       4,253    46 (12-60)      42 (4-60)      $87,443 ($5,135 - $3,817,494)
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------
(1) Based on scheduled payments and assuming no prepayments of the Receivables.
 
                     DISTRIBUTION BY APR OF THE RECEIVABLES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                PERCENT OF
                                                                                  AGGREGATE      AGGREGATE
                                                                   NUMBER OF      PRINCIPAL      PRINCIPAL
APR RANGE (1)                                                     RECEIVABLES      BALANCE        BALANCE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------  -----------
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>             <C>
6.00% - 6.49%..................................................          262    $   28,539,361       7.67%
6.50 - 6.99....................................................          593        58,066,975      15.62
7.00 - 7.49....................................................          434        42,851,958      11.53
7.50 - 7.99....................................................          349        47,848,446      12.87
8.00 - 8.49....................................................          363        40,095,686      10.79
8.50 - 8.99....................................................          572        54,437,593      14.64
9.00 - 9.49....................................................          647        49,177,706      13.22
9.50 - 9.99....................................................          555        31,699,369       8.52
10.00 - 10.49..................................................          289        12,834,485       3.45
10.50 - 10.99..................................................          125         4,626,877       1.24
11.00 and over.................................................           64         1,718,701       0.45
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Total........................................................        4,253    $  371,897,157     100.00%
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------
(1) CFSC,  in conjunction  with Caterpillar  and its  subsidiaries, periodically
    offers below market rate financing to Obligors under merchandising programs.
    Caterpillar, at the outset of a subsidized transac-
    tion, remits to  CFSC an amount  equal to the  interest differential,  which
    amount  is recognized as income  over the term of  the related contract. The
    APR of any Receivable  does not take  into account, and  the Trust does  not
    have  an interest in,  any of such  amounts remitted to  CFSC by Caterpillar
    with respect to these Receivables.
 
                DISTRIBUTION BY NEW AND USED FINANCED EQUIPMENT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                PERCENT OF
                                                                                  AGGREGATE      AGGREGATE
                                                                   NUMBER OF      PRINCIPAL      PRINCIPAL
                                                                  RECEIVABLES      BALANCE        BALANCE
                                                                 -------------  --------------  -----------
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>             <C>
New Equipment (1)..............................................        2,958    $  289,598,368      77.87%
Used Equipment.................................................        1,295        82,298,789      22.13
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Total........................................................        4,253    $  371,897,157     100.00%
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------
(1) Units not previously delivered or sold; rental units of less than 12  months
    and  1,000 service meter hours;  and units of the  current or previous model
    year and serial number.
 
                                      S-23
<PAGE>
         DISTRIBUTION OF THE RECEIVABLES BY TYPE OF FINANCED EQUIPMENT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                PERCENT OF
                                                                                  AGGREGATE      AGGREGATE
                                                                   NUMBER OF      PRINCIPAL      PRINCIPAL
TYPE                                                              RECEIVABLES      BALANCE        BALANCE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------  -----------
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>             <C>
Lift Trucks....................................................          326    $    7,705,281       2.07%
Paving Equipment...............................................           54         5,575,942       1.50
Construction Equipment.........................................        3,873       358,615,934      96.43
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Total........................................................        4,253    $  371,897,157     100.00%
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
           DISTRIBUTION BY INDUSTRY APPLICATION OF FINANCED EQUIPMENT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                PERCENT OF
                                                                                  AGGREGATE      AGGREGATE
                                                                   NUMBER OF      PRINCIPAL      PRINCIPAL
INDUSTRY                                                          RECEIVABLES      BALANCE        BALANCE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------  -----------
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>             <C>
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing..............................          226    $   13,925,218       3.74%
Mining.........................................................          111        24,235,223       6.52
Construction...................................................        2,820       242,940,180      65.32
Manufacturing..................................................          457        39,510,325      10.62
Transportation/Public Utilities................................          153        12,081,995       3.25
Wholesale Trade................................................          170        15,209,978       4.09
Other (1)......................................................          316        23,994,238       6.46
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Total........................................................        4,253    $  371,897,157     100.00%
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------
(1) Other includes retail, financial, insurance  and real estate, services,  and
    public administration.
 
              DISTRIBUTION OF THE RECEIVABLES BY PAYMENT FREQUENCY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                PERCENT OF
                                                                                  AGGREGATE      AGGREGATE
                                                                   NUMBER OF      PRINCIPAL      PRINCIPAL
TYPE                                                              RECEIVABLES      BALANCE        BALANCE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------  -----------
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>             <C>
Monthly........................................................        3,483    $  282,513,937      75.97%
Variable Frequency (1).........................................          770        89,383,220      24.03
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Total........................................................        4,253    $  371,897,157     100.00%
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------
(1) "Variable  Frequency" Receivables have monthly  payment schedules but permit
    the Obligors thereon  to skip  or reduce payments  during certain  specified
    months  which  are predetermined  at origination.  The  majority of  skip or
    reduced payments  take place  during months  coinciding with  the cash  flow
    patterns  of the related  Obligors. Although there can  be no assurance that
    the experience on  the Variable  Frequency Receivables  will be  comparable,
    CFSC  has not identified any cash  flow pattern resulting from the existence
    of Variable  Frequency Receivables  in the  U.S. ISC  Portfolio. The  Seller
    believes  that the pattern of principal  payments on the Securities will not
    be materially affected by the inclusion of Variable Frequency Receivables in
    the Trust.  See  "The  Receivables  Pools--The  Retail  Equipment  Financing
    Business--INSTALLMENT SALES CONTRACTS--CONTRACT TERMS" in the Prospectus.
 
                                      S-24
<PAGE>
DISTRIBUTION OF THE RECEIVABLES BY REMAINING PRINCIPAL BALANCE AS OF THE CUT-OFF
                                      DATE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                PERCENT OF
                                                                                  AGGREGATE      AGGREGATE
                                                                   NUMBER OF      PRINCIPAL      PRINCIPAL
REMAINING PRINCIPAL BALANCE RANGE                                 RECEIVABLES      BALANCE        BALANCE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------  -----------
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>             <C>
Up to $25,000..................................................          607    $    9,373,551       2.52%
$ 25,001 - $  50,000...........................................        1,258        48,544,865      13.05
$ 50,001 - $  75,000...........................................          760        46,028,478      12.38
$ 75,001 - $ 100,000...........................................          480        41,858,319      11.26
$100,001 - $ 125,000...........................................          379        42,601,821      11.46
$125,001 - $ 150,000...........................................          291        39,919,918      10.73
$150,001 - $ 175,000...........................................          138        22,274,314       5.99
$175,001 - $ 200,000...........................................           81        15,113,538       4.06
$200,001 - $ 250,000...........................................           97        21,630,047       5.82
$250,001 - $ 300,000...........................................           45        12,289,693       3.30
$300,001 - $ 350,000...........................................           38        12,277,597       3.30
$350,001 - $ 400,000...........................................           21         7,773,489       2.09
$400,001 - $ 450,000...........................................            9         3,813,372       1.03
$450,001 - $ 500,000...........................................            5         2,369,324       0.64
$500,001 - $ 600,000...........................................            6         3,312,434       0.89
$600,001 - $1,000,000..........................................           25        19,242,112       5.17
Over $1,000,000................................................           13        23,474,285       6.31
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Totals.......................................................        4,253    $  371,897,157     100.00%
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-25
<PAGE>
                   GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF THE RECEIVABLES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       PERCENT OF
                                                                 NUMBER OF    AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL       AGGREGATE
STATE (1)                                                       RECEIVABLES         BALANCE         PRINCIPAL BALANCE
- -------------------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------------  -----------------
<S>                                                            <C>            <C>                   <C>
Alabama......................................................          109      $      9,861,524            2.65%
Alaska.......................................................           28             3,107,548            0.84
Arizona......................................................           89             7,000,451            1.88
Arkansas.....................................................          116             8,903,106            2.39
California...................................................          281            18,715,199            5.03
Colorado.....................................................           65             6,406,601            1.72
Connecticut..................................................           29             2,607,866            0.70
Delaware.....................................................           10               643,258            0.17
Florida......................................................          211            16,536,123            4.45
Georgia......................................................          184            16,561,826            4.45
Hawaii.......................................................            7               499,537            0.13
Idaho........................................................           35             2,416,736            0.65
Illinois.....................................................           95            12,575,167            3.38
Indiana......................................................           64             4,660,022            1.25
Iowa.........................................................            8             4,287,136            1.15
Kansas.......................................................           30             2,932,305            0.79
Kentucky.....................................................           87            12,626,992            3.40
Louisiana....................................................           88             6,874,146            1.85
Maine........................................................            2                46,228            0.01
Maryland.....................................................            8             1,678,947            0.45
Massachusetts................................................            7               479,515            0.13
Michigan.....................................................          233            17,362,733            4.67
Minnesota....................................................            4               483,204            0.13
Mississippi..................................................          106            10,177,382            2.74
Missouri.....................................................           70             6,311,425            1.70
Montana......................................................           39             4,119,580            1.11
Nebraska.....................................................           10               666,707            0.18
Nevada.......................................................           66             9,252,440            2.48
New Hampshire................................................            3               108,838            0.03
New Jersey...................................................          122            11,905,959            3.20
New Mexico...................................................           21             1,251,287            0.34
New York.....................................................          105            10,769,181            2.90
North Carolina...............................................          176            13,826,707            3.72
North Dakota.................................................            3               232,401            0.06
Ohio.........................................................          257            18,222,991            4.90
Oklahoma.....................................................           45             3,607,443            0.97
Oregon.......................................................          112             9,187,059            2.47
Pennsylvania.................................................          214            12,755,335            3.43
Rhode Island.................................................            1                29,872            0.01
South Carolina...............................................          120            11,224,455            3.02
South Dakota.................................................            8               936,674            0.25
Tennessee....................................................          111            11,702,830            3.15
Texas........................................................          327            24,953,502            6.71
Utah.........................................................           87             7,230,168            1.94
Vermont......................................................            1                93,881            0.03
Virginia.....................................................          147            16,022,395            4.31
Washington...................................................          171            14,019,791            3.77
West Virginia................................................           43             7,948,805            2.14
Wisconsin....................................................           67             5,704,919            1.53
Wyoming......................................................           31             2,368,960            0.64
                                                                     -----    --------------------     ------
  Total......................................................        4,253      $    371,897,157          100.00%
                                                                     -----    --------------------     ------
                                                                     -----    --------------------     ------
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------
(1) Based on billing addresses of Obligors.
 
                                      S-26
<PAGE>
    Unless  otherwise specified herein, references  herein to percentages of the
Receivables refer in each case to the approximate percentage of the Initial Pool
Balance, based on the  Principal Balances of the  Receivables as of the  Cut-off
Date,  and after  giving effect  to all payments  received prior  to the Cut-off
Date.
 
    All of  the  Receivables were  Installment  Sales Contracts.  4.31%  of  the
Receivables  were  originated or  arranged by  Michigan Cat,  a Dealer  in Novi,
Michigan, and in  the aggregate  17.56% of  the Receivables  were originated  or
arranged  by the  five largest Dealers.  No other Dealer  originated or arranged
more than 3.42% of the Receivables. 3.78% of the Receivables were originated  or
arranged  by Carter Machinery Company, Inc., a Dealer in Salem, Virginia and the
only Dealer owned by Caterpillar.
 
    No single Obligor accounted for more than 1.05% of the Receivables, and  the
five largest Obligors accounted for approximately 4.14% of the Receivables.
 
    Approximately  95.67%  of the  Receivables  have related  Financed Equipment
manufactured by Caterpillar,  and the  remaining 4.33% of  the Receivables  have
related Financed Equipment manufactured by a variety of other sources.
 
    At  origination  CFSC confirms  the applicable  loan-to-value ratios  of its
receivables. Because of the depreciating  nature of the Financed Equipment,  and
in  light of CFSC's credit loss experience  set forth herein with respect to the
U.S. ISC Portfolio, the Seller believes that statistical information relating to
original loan-to-value ratios of the Receivables is not material to investors in
the Securities.
 
    Certain Receivables  may be  cross-collateralized, being  secured by  junior
liens  on other items of equipment (which  may or may not be Financed Equipment)
in addition  to first  priority liens  on the  related Financed  Equipment,  and
certain  items of Financed Equipment  may secure other receivables  of CFSC on a
junior basis (which may or may  not be Receivables). See "Certain Legal  Aspects
of the Receivables--Cross-Collateralization" herein.
 
DELINQUENCIES, REPOSSESSIONS AND NET LOSSES
 
    Set   forth  below  is  certain  information  concerning  CFSC's  experience
pertaining to delinquencies, repossessions and  net losses on the entire  United
States  portfolio  of installment  sales contracts  serviced by  CFSC (including
receivables sold which CFSC  continues to service)  (the "U.S. ISC  Portfolio").
Generally,  when  an account  becomes 120  days  delinquent, accrual  of finance
income is suspended, the collateral is repossessed and the account is designated
for litigation.
 
    Delinquencies, repossessions and net  losses on installment sales  contracts
are affected by economic conditions generally. Total delinquencies had decreased
from  1991 to 1992 due to increased collection efforts and decreased in 1993 due
to an improving U.S. economy and to  CFSC's expansion of its service center  and
regional  office  collection  staff and  enhanced  collection  tracking systems.
Fluctuations in the  levels of repossessions  and net losses  from 1991 to  1995
reflect  changes in economic conditions generally  and in economic conditions of
industries which CFSC's customers serve.
 
    Although the Seller believes that the composition of the Receivables in  the
aggregate is representative of the U.S. ISC Portfolio, there can be no assurance
that  the delinquency, repossession  and net loss  experience on the Receivables
will be comparable to that set forth below or that delinquencies,  repossessions
and net losses in the future will be comparable to those in the past.
 
                                      S-27
<PAGE>
            DELINQUENCY EXPERIENCE FOR THE U.S. ISC PORTFOLIO(1)(2)
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        AT DECEMBER 31,
                                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             1991                      1992                      1993               1994
                                   ------------------------  ------------------------  ------------------------  -----------
                                    NUMBER OF                 NUMBER OF                 NUMBER OF                 NUMBER OF
                                    CONTRACTS     AMOUNT      CONTRACTS     AMOUNT      CONTRACTS     AMOUNT      CONTRACTS
                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Gross Portfolio..................      10,685    $   620.9        9,833    $   529.0       11,139    $   638.4       13,692
Unadjusted System Delinquency (3)
  31-60 Days.....................         246    $    11.7          418    $    28.5          407    $    25.8          548
  over 60 Days...................         945    $    45.0          994    $    26.7          418    $    19.9          406
Total Unadjusted System
  Delinquencies..................       1,191    $    56.7        1,412    $    55.2          825    $    45.7          954
Total Unadjusted System
 Delinquencies as a Percent of
 the Gross Portfolio.............       11.15%        9.13 %      14.36 %      10.43 %       7.41 %       7.16 %       6.97%
Adjusted Delinquency (4)
  31-60 Days.....................         N/A          N/A          N/A          N/A          225   $      9.8          275
  over 60 Days...................         N/A          N/A          N/A          N/A          308   $     10.7          271
Total Adjusted Delinquencies.....         N/A          N/A          N/A          N/A          533   $     20.5          546
Total Adjusted Delinquencies as a
 Percent of the Gross
 Portfolio.......................         N/A          N/A          N/A          N/A         4.78 %       3.21 %       3.99%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                     AMOUNT
                                   -----------
<S>                                <C>
Gross Portfolio..................   $   882.5
Unadjusted System Delinquency (3)
  31-60 Days.....................   $    27.8
  over 60 Days...................   $    20.2
Total Unadjusted System
  Delinquencies..................   $    48.0
Total Unadjusted System
 Delinquencies as a Percent of
 the Gross Portfolio.............        5.44 %
Adjusted Delinquency (4)
  31-60 Days.....................  $     12.0
  over 60 Days...................  $     13.1
Total Adjusted Delinquencies.....  $     25.1
Total Adjusted Delinquencies as a
 Percent of the Gross
 Portfolio.......................        2.84 %
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  AT DECEMBER 31, 1995      AT MARCH 31, 1995        AT MARCH 31, 1996
                                                 ----------------------  ------------------------  ----------------------
                                                  NUMBER OF               NUMBER OF                 NUMBER OF
                                                  CONTRACTS    AMOUNT     CONTRACTS     AMOUNT      CONTRACTS    AMOUNT
                                                 -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Gross Portfolio................................      17,354   $ 1,198.8      14,651    $   960.0       18,400   $ 1,275.1
Unadjusted System Delinquency (3)
  31-60 Days...................................         665   $    38.0         429    $    31.6          548   $    31.4
  over 60 Days.................................         504   $    38.3         459    $    24.9          594   $    43.7
Total Unadjusted System
 Delinquencies.................................       1,169   $    76.3         888    $    56.5        1,142   $    75.1
Total Unadjusted System
 Delinquencies as a Percent of the
 Gross Portfolio...............................        6.74%       6.36%       6.06 %       5.89 %       6.21 %      5.89%
Adjusted Delinquency (4)
  31-60 Days...................................         396   $    17.1         231   $      7.6          334   $    15.6
  over 60 Days.................................         387   $    32.7         295   $     11.8          423   $    33.2
Total Adjusted Delinquencies...................         783   $    49.8         526   $     19.4          757   $    48.8
Total Adjusted Delinquencies
 as a Percent of the Gross Portfolio...........        4.51 %      4.15%       3.59 %       2.02 %       4.11 %      3.83%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1)  Amounts  and  percentages  are based  on  the  gross amount  of  all unpaid
     installments of principal and unearned finance charges scheduled to be paid
     on each contract.
 
(2)  Delinquent contracts  that have  been modified  in accordance  with  CFSC's
     credit  policies may not  be considered to be  "delinquent" for purposes of
     this table. Such modifications include extensions, restructurings with skip
     payments, refinancings,  changes of  installment due  dates, reductions  of
     interest rates, and partial buyouts. See "The Receivables Pools--The Retail
     Equipment   Financing   Business--EXTENSION/REVISION  PROCEDURES"   in  the
     Prospectus. In addition, a contract is no longer considered delinquent  and
     is  no longer included in  the U.S. ISC Portfolio  upon the repossession of
     its related  financed equipment.  See  "The Receivables  Pools--The  Retail
     Equipment  Financing  Business--REPOSSESSION/WRITEOFF  PROCEDURES"  in  the
     Prospectus.
 
(3)  A monthly contract is deemed  to be "31-60" or "over  60" days past due  if
     the  amount due is not collected by the  last day of the succeeding or next
     succeeding month, respectively (I.E., a payment due any time in January  is
     not  considered  "31-60"  days  past  due  unless  the  amount  due remains
     uncollected on February 28).
 
(4)  Adjustments result primarily from the application of payments made but  not
     allocated   by  CFSC  to  the  amount  then  outstanding  under  delinquent
     contracts. Increases or decreases in  the contract number or dollar  amount
     of  contracts in a  particular delinquency category  result from either the
     removal of contracts from a particular delinquent status or the shifting of
     contracts from  one delinquency  category to  another as  a result  of  the
     adjustment process.
 
                                      S-28
<PAGE>
       CREDIT LOSS/REPOSSESSION EXPERIENCE FOR THE U.S. ISC PORTFOLIO(1)
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                      THREE
                                                                                                                     MONTHS
                                                                                                                   ENDED MARCH
                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                     31,
                                                            -----------------------------------------------------  -----------
                                                              1991       1992       1993       1994       1995       1995(5)
                                                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Average Gross Portfolio Outstanding During the Period.....  $   667.9  $   574.6  $   568.4  $   738.5  $ 1,024.5  $    928.6
Repossessions as a Percent of Average Gross Portfolio
 Outstanding (2)..........................................       2.20%      3.64%      2.66%      0.97%      0.98%       1.20%
Net Losses as a Percent of Liquidations (3)(4)............       1.14%      1.46%      1.22%      0.42%      0.86%       0.35%
Net Losses as a Percent of Average Gross Portfolio
 Outstanding (4)..........................................       0.75%      1.11%      0.79%      0.23%      0.45%       0.17%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                             1996(5)
                                                            ---------
<S>                                                         <C>
Average Gross Portfolio Outstanding During the Period.....  $ 1,242.0
Repossessions as a Percent of Average Gross Portfolio
 Outstanding (2)..........................................       0.87%
Net Losses as a Percent of Liquidations (3)(4)............       0.40%
Net Losses as a Percent of Average Gross Portfolio
 Outstanding (4)..........................................       0.19%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1)  Except  as indicated,  all amounts and  percentages are based  on the gross
     amount of all unpaid installments of principal and unearned finance charges
     scheduled to be paid on each contract.
 
(2)  Repossessions prior to  the third  quarter of 1993  represented all  unpaid
     principal  and  finance charges  accrued  but not  collected  for contracts
     repossessed and terminated during the  period, and subsequent to the  third
     quarter of 1993 represent contracts repossessed and either terminated or in
     inventory.
 
(3)  Liquidations  represent  a reduction  in  the outstanding  balances  of the
     contracts as a result of cash payments and charge-offs.
 
(4)  Net Losses  are equal  to the  aggregate amount  of principal  and  finance
     charges  accrued on all contracts which  are determined to be uncollectible
     plus repossession expenses  less (i) in  the case of  repossessed (but  not
     liquidated)  financed equipment,  the estimated proceeds  of liquidation of
     such equipment, and (ii) in the case of liquidated financed equipment,  the
     actual  proceeds of liquidation of such equipment. With respect to Financed
     Equipment which is repossessed  in one calendar year  and sold in  another,
     the  Net Loss figures for the  year of repossession include CFSC's estimate
     of loss after giving  effect to its estimate  of the liquidation  proceeds,
     and  the Net Loss figures in the  subsequent calendar year are increased to
     reflect the amount by which actual liquidation proceeds are less than  such
     estimate or are decreased to reflect the amount by which actual liquidation
     proceeds  exceed such estimate. The Trust receives proceeds of liquidations
     but will not have the benefit of subsequent amounts received from  Obligors
     or  others (except  for recourse payments  from Dealers) with  respect to a
     contract after  the related  financed  equipment is  sold and  the  related
     contract  is terminated. The Net Loss figures above give effect to payments
     by Dealers on a limited number of the contracts which provide for  recourse
     to  the related Dealers.  See "The Receivables  Pools--The Retail Equipment
     Financing Business--DEALER AGREEMENTS" in the Prospectus and "Certain Legal
     Aspects of the Receivables--Dealer Recourse Receivables" herein.
 
(5)  Rates have been annualized.
 
                    WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE OF THE SECURITIES
 
    Information regarding certain  maturity and  prepayment considerations  with
respect  to the  Securities is  set forth  under "Weighted  Average Life  of the
Securities" in  the  Prospectus.  The  A-2  Noteholders  will  not  receive  any
principal payments until the A-1 Notes are paid in full, and the A-3 Noteholders
and the Certificateholders will not receive any principal payments until the A-2
Notes are paid in full. See "Description of the Notes--The A-2 Notes and the A-3
Notes--PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL" and "Description of the
Certificates--Distributions  of Principal Payments" herein.  In addition, on any
Distribution Date  on  and  after  the  May  1998  Distribution  Date,  the  A-2
Noteholders until paid in full, and then the A-3 Noteholders until paid in full,
are  entitled to receive amounts on deposit  in the Reserve Account in excess of
the  Specified  Reserve  Account  Balance  for  such  Distribution  Date  as  an
accelerated payment of principal.
 
    No  principal  payments  on  the  Certificates will  be  made  prior  to the
Distribution Date on which the  principal amounts of the  A-1 Notes and the  A-2
Notes  have been reduced  to zero, and,  if on any  Distribution Date the entire
Noteholders' Distributable  Amount is  not deposited  in the  Note  Distribution
Account, no payments of principal (or interest) will be made on the Certificates
on  such  Distribution  Date. See  "Description  of the  Transfer  and Servicing
Agreements--Distributions" and  "--Reserve  Account"  herein.  If  an  Event  of
Default  has occurred  and the  maturity of the  Notes has  been accelerated the
Certificateholders will not be entitled to receive any distributions of interest
or principal until the Notes have been paid in full. In addition, no payments of
principal will be made  on the Certificates  until the Notes  have been paid  in
full  if the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account is less than the lesser of
(i) 2.25% of the Initial  Pool Balance and (ii) the  sum of (x) the  outstanding
principal amount of the Notes and (y) the Certificate Balance.
 
                                      S-29
<PAGE>
    As  the  rate of  payment of  principal  of the  Notes and  the Certificates
depends primarily  on  the  rate  of  payment  (including  prepayments)  of  the
aggregate  Principal Balance of the Receivables,  final payment of each Class of
the Notes and the final distribution in respect of the Certificates could  occur
significantly  earlier than their respective final scheduled Distribution Dates.
Securityholders will bear the risk of being able to reinvest principal  payments
of  the Securities  at yields at  least equal  to the yield  on their respective
Securities.
 
                      POOL FACTORS AND TRADING INFORMATION
 
    Each of the "A-1 Note Pool Factor," the "A-2 Note Pool Factor" and the  "A-3
Note  Pool Factor" is a seven-digit decimal which the Servicer will compute each
month, indicating the remaining outstanding  principal amount of the A-1  Notes,
the  A-2  Notes or  the A-3  Notes as  of  the related  Distribution Date,  as a
fraction of the initial outstanding principal balance of the A-1 Notes, the  A-2
Notes or the A-3 Notes, as applicable. Each of the A-1 Note Pool Factor, the A-2
Note  Pool Factor  and the  A-3 Note  Pool Factor  will be  1.0000000 as  of the
Closing  Date,  and  thereafter  will  decline  to  reflect  reductions  in  the
outstanding  principal amount of the A-1 Notes,  the A-2 Notes or the A-3 Notes,
as the case  may be. An  A-1 Noteholder's portion  of the aggregate  outstanding
principal  amount  of  the  A-1  Notes  is  the  product  of  (i)  the  original
denomination of the A-1 Noteholder's Note and (ii) the A-1 Note Pool Factor,  an
A-2  Noteholder's portion of  the aggregate outstanding  principal amount of the
A-2  Notes  is  the  product  of  (i)  the  original  denomination  of  the  A-2
Noteholder's  Note and  (ii) the  A-2 Note Pool  Factor and  an A-3 Noteholder's
portion of the aggregate  outstanding principal amount of  the A-3 Notes is  the
product  of (i) the original denomination of  the A-3 Noteholder's Note and (ii)
the A-3 Note Pool Factor.
 
    The "Certificate Pool Factor"  is a seven-digit  decimal which the  Servicer
will  compute each month, indicating the remaining Certificate Balance as of the
Distribution Date,  as  a  fraction  of the  initial  Certificate  Balance.  The
Certificate Pool Factor will be 1.0000000 as of the Closing Date, and thereafter
will  decline to reflect  reductions in the outstanding  principal amount of the
Certificates. A Certificateholder's  portion of the  Certificate Balance is  the
product  of (i) the original denomination of the Certificateholder's Certificate
and (ii) the Certificate Pool Factor.
 
    Pursuant to  the Indenture  and  the Trust  Agreement, the  Noteholders  and
Certificateholders  of  record  will  receive  monthly  reports  concerning  the
payments received  on the  Receivables,  the Pool  Balance,  the A-1  Note  Pool
Factor,  the A-2 Note Pool Factor, the  A-3 Note Pool Factor and the Certificate
Pool  Factor  and   various  other   items  of   information.  Noteholders   and
Certificateholders  of  record  during  any  calendar  year  will  be  furnished
information for tax reporting purposes not later than the latest date  permitted
by  law. See "Description  of the Transfer  and Servicing Agreements--Reports to
Securityholders" in the Prospectus.
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
SOURCES OF CAPITAL AND LIQUIDITY
 
    The Trust's  primary sources  of capital  will be  the net  proceeds of  the
offering   of  the   Notes  and   the  Certificates.   See  "Formation   of  the
Trust--Capitalization of the Trust" herein.
 
    The  Trust's  primary  sources  of   liquidity  will  be  payments  on   the
Receivables.  For a discussion of CFSC's experience pertaining to delinquencies,
repossessions  and  net  losses,   see  "The  Receivables   Pool--Delinquencies,
Repossessions and Net Losses" herein.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The  Trust is newly formed and, accordingly, has no results of operations as
of the date of this Prospectus Supplement.  Because the Trust does not have  any
operating history, there has not been included in this Prospectus Supplement any
historical  or pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges. The earnings on the
Receivables and other assets owned by the Trust, the interest costs of the Notes
and the  related  operating  expenses  will determine  the  Trust's  results  of
operations in the future. The income generated from the
 
                                      S-30
<PAGE>
Trust's  assets will be used to pay principal and interest on the Notes, related
operating costs  and expenses  of  the Trust  (to the  extent  not paid  by  the
Servicer)  and distributions to the  Certificateholders. The principal operating
expenses  of  the  Trust  are  expected   to  be  the  Servicing  Fee  and   the
Administration Fee.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    The net proceeds from the sale of Securities will be applied to the purchase
of  the Receivables from the Seller and  to make the Seller's initial deposit to
the Reserve Account. The Seller will apply  its net proceeds to the purchase  of
the Receivables from CFSC.
 
                    THE SELLER, CATERPILLAR AND THE SERVICER
 
    For  a general discussion  of the Seller, Caterpillar  and the Servicer, see
"The Seller, Caterpillar and the Servicer" in the Prospectus.
 
CATERPILLAR INC.
 
    Caterpillar reported  profits of  $1,136 million  on sales  and revenues  of
$16.1  billion for the year ended December  31, 1995 as compared with profits of
$955 million on sales and revenues of $14.3 billion for the year ended  December
31,  1994. As used herein, the term "Caterpillar" means Caterpillar Inc. and its
consolidated subsidiary companies, unless the context otherwise requires.
 
CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION
 
    CFSC currently offers  the following  types of retail  financing plans:  (1)
non-tax  (financing) leases;  (2) installment sales  contracts; (3) tax-oriented
leases;  (4)   customer  loans;   (5)  dealer   loans;  and   (6)   governmental
lease-purchase  contracts.  CFSC also  currently  offers wholesale  financing to
Caterpillar Dealers. At  December 31, 1995,  the percentages of  total value  of
CFSC's  portfolio represented by these financing  plans were as follows: non-tax
(financing) leases, 22%; installment sales contracts, 20%; tax-oriented  leases,
20%;  customer  loans,  19%; wholesale  financing,  10%; dealer  loans,  6%; and
governmental lease-purchase contracts, 3%.
 
    At December 31, 1995, CFSC had  461 full-time employees and serviced  31,496
accounts, including approximately $5.4 billion in gross finance receivables.
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
 
GENERAL
 
    The  Notes will be issued pursuant to the  terms of the Indenture, a form of
which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. A copy of  the
Indenture  will  be filed  with  the Commission  following  the issuance  of the
Securities. The  following,  as well  as  other pertinent  information  included
elsewhere  in this Prospectus  Supplement and in  the Prospectus, summarizes the
material terms of the Notes and the  Indenture. The summary does not purport  to
be  complete and is qualified in its  entirety by reference to the provisions of
the Notes  and the  Indenture. The  following summary  supplements, and  to  the
extent inconsistent therewith replaces, the description of the general terms and
provisions  of the Notes of any given series and the related Indenture set forth
in the Prospectus, to which description reference is hereby made.
 
THE A-1 NOTES
 
    PAYMENTS OF INTEREST.  The A-1 Notes will constitute Fixed Rate  Securities,
as   such   term   is   defined  under   "Certain   Information   Regarding  the
Securities--Fixed Rate Securities" in the Prospectus. Interest on the  principal
amount  of the A-1 Notes will  accrue at the rate of  5.418% per annum (the "A-1
Note Rate") (calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months).
Interest on the outstanding principal amount  of the A-1 Notes will accrue  from
and  including the most recent Distribution Date on which interest has been paid
(or, in  the case  of the  initial  Distribution Date,  from and  including  the
Closing  Date)  to but  excluding the  following Distribution  Date and  will be
payable to the A-1 Noteholders monthly on each Distribution Date commencing June
25, 1996. "Distribution Date" shall mean the  25th day of each month or, if  any
such  date is not a business day,  on the next succeeding business day. Interest
accrued as of any
 
                                      S-31
<PAGE>
Distribution Date but not paid on such Distribution Date will be due on the next
Distribution Date, together with  interest, to the extent  permitted by law,  on
such  amount at the  A-1 Note Rate. Interest  payments on the  A-1 Notes will be
generally derived from the Total Distribution Amount remaining after the payment
of the Servicing  Fee (if  CFSC or  an affiliate is  not the  Servicer) and  the
Administration  Fee, and  from amounts  on deposit  in the  Reserve Account. See
"Description  of  the  Transfer  and  Servicing  Agreements--Distributions"  and
"--Reserve Account" herein. If the amount of interest on the principal amount of
the  A-1 Notes, the A-2 Notes and the A-3 Notes payable on any Distribution Date
exceeds the sum of such remaining  portion of the Total Distribution Amount  and
the  amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account, the A-1 Noteholders will receive
their ratable share  (based upon the  total amount  of interest due  to the  A-1
Noteholders,  the  A-2  Noteholders  and  the  A-3  Noteholders)  of  the amount
available to be distributed  in respect of  interest on the  A-1 Notes, the  A-2
Notes  and the A-3 Notes, and each A-1 Noteholder will receive its ratable share
(based  on  the  principal  amount  of  its  A-1  Note  and  the  total   amount
distributable to the A-1 Noteholders) of such amount.
 
    PAYMENTS  OF  PRINCIPAL.    Principal  payments  will  be  made  to  the A-1
Noteholders on  each Distribution  Date  in an  amount  generally equal  to  the
Principal  Distribution Amount until  the principal balance of  the A-1 Notes is
reduced to zero. Principal payments on  the A-1 Notes will generally be  derived
from  the Total Distribution Amount remaining after the payment of the Servicing
Fee (if CFSC or an  affiliate is not the  Servicer), the Administration Fee  and
the  Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount, and  from amounts on deposit in
the Reserve Account  remaining after  the payment of  the Noteholders'  Interest
Distributable   Amount.  See   "Description  of   the  Transfer   and  Servicing
Agreements--Distributions" and  "--Reserve Account"  herein. Distributions  with
respect to principal on the A-1 Notes will not be made until all interest due on
the  Notes is paid in full. The outstanding principal amount, if any, of the A-1
Notes will be payable in full on the A-1 Note Final Scheduled Distribution  Date
from  available  funds therefor  (including amounts  on  deposit in  the Reserve
Account).
 
THE A-2 NOTES AND THE A-3 NOTES
 
    PAYMENTS OF INTEREST.  The A-2 Notes and the A-3 Notes will constitute Fixed
Rate Securities, as such  term is defined  under "Certain Information  Regarding
the  Securities--Fixed  Rate  Securities"  in the  Prospectus.  Interest  on the
principal amount of the  A-2 Notes will  accrue at the rate  of 5.90% per  annum
(the  "A-2 Note Rate"),  and interest on  the principal amount  of the A-3 Notes
will accrue at the rate of 6.30% per annum (the "A-3 Note Rate") (in each  case,
calculated  on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months). Interest on
the outstanding principal amount of the A-2 Notes and the A-3 Notes will in each
case accrue  from and  including  the most  recent  Distribution Date  on  which
interest  has been paid (or, in the  case of the initial Distribution Date, from
and including the  Closing Date),  to but excluding  the following  Distribution
Date  and will be payable to the A-2 Noteholders and the A-3 Noteholders monthly
on each Distribution  Date commencing  June 25,  1996. Interest  accrued on  any
Class  of Notes as  of any Distribution  Date but not  paid on such Distribution
Date will be due on  the next Distribution Date  together with interest, to  the
extent  permitted by law, on such amount at the interest rate applicable to such
Class of  Notes. Interest  payments on  the A-2  Notes and  the A-3  Notes  will
generally  be derived  from the  Total Distribution  Amount remaining  after the
payment of the Servicing Fee (if CFSC  or an affiliate is not the Servicer)  and
the  Administration Fee, and from amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account. See
"Description  of  the  Transfer  and  Servicing  Agreements--Distributions"  and
"--Reserve  Account" herein. If the amount  of interest on the principal amounts
of the A-1 Notes, the  A-2 Notes and the A-3  Notes payable on any  Distribution
Date  exceeds the sum of such remaining portion of the Total Distribution Amount
and the amount on deposit  in the Reserve Account,  each of the A-2  Noteholders
and  the A-3 Noteholders will receive their  ratable share (based upon the total
amount of interest due to the A-1  Noteholders, the A-2 Noteholders and the  A-3
Noteholders) of the amount available to be distributed in respect of interest on
the A-1 Notes, the A-2 Notes and the A-3 Notes, and each A-2 Noteholder and each
A-3  Noteholder will receive its ratable share (based on the principal amount of
its A-2 Note  or its  A-3 Note  and the total  amount distributable  to the  A-2
Noteholders or the A-3 Noteholders) of such amount.
 
    PAYMENTS  OF  PRINCIPAL.    Principal  payments  will  be  made  to  the A-2
Noteholders on each  Distribution Date  on and  after the  Distribution Date  on
which    the   A-1   Notes    have   been   paid   in    full   in   an   amount
 
                                      S-32
<PAGE>
generally equal to 100% of the difference between (i) the Principal Distribution
Amount and (ii) the portion, if  any, of the Principal Distribution Amount  paid
in  respect of the A-1 Notes on  such Distribution Date. Principal payments will
be made  to the  A-3 Noteholders  on each  Distribution Date  on and  after  the
Distribution  Date on which  the A-1 Notes and  the A-2 Notes  have been paid in
full in an  amount generally  equal to  the A-3  Noteholders' Percentage  (which
shall  be 100% if  on any prior Distribution  Date the amount  on deposit in the
Reserve Account is less than the lesser of (i) 2.25% of the Initial Pool Balance
and (ii) the sum of  (x) the outstanding principal amount  of the Notes and  (y)
the   Certificate  Balance)  of   the  difference  between   (i)  the  Principal
Distribution Amount and (ii) the portion, if any, of the Principal  Distribution
Amount  paid in respect of the A-1 Notes  and the A-2 Notes on such Distribution
Date. Principal payments on the  A-2 Notes and the  A-3 Notes will be  generally
derived  from the Total  Distribution Amount remaining after  the payment of the
Servicing Fee (if CFSC or an affiliate is not the Servicer), the  Administration
Fee  and the  Noteholders' Interest  Distributable Amount,  and from  amounts on
deposit in the Reserve  Account. In addition, on  any Distribution Date, on  and
after  the May 1998 Distribution Date, amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account
in excess of the  Specified Reserve Account Balance  for such Distribution  Date
will  be released from the Reserve Account  and will be distributed first to the
A-2 Noteholders as a payment of principal (until the A-2 Notes have been paid in
full), and then to the A-3 Noteholders as a payment of principal (until the  A-3
Notes  have been paid in  full). See "Description of  the Transfer and Servicing
Agreements--Distributions"  and  "--Reserve  Account"  herein.  The  outstanding
principal  amount, if any, of the  A-2 Notes will be payable  in full on the A-2
Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date from available funds therefor  (including
any  amounts on deposit  in the Reserve Account),  and the outstanding principal
amount, if any, of the A-3 Notes will  be payable in full on the A-3 Note  Final
Scheduled Distribution Date from available funds therefor (including any amounts
on deposit in the Reserve Account).
 
    OPTIONAL  PREPAYMENT.  The  A-3 Notes will  be prepaid in  whole, but not in
part, at the A-3 Note  Prepayment Price on any  Distribution Date after the  A-1
Notes  and the A-2 Notes  have been paid in full,  if the Servicer exercises its
option to purchase the Receivables for a purchase price equal to the sum of  the
A-3 Note Prepayment Price and the Certificate Prepayment Price, which option may
be  exercised when  the Pool  Balance has  been reduced  to 10%  or less  of the
Initial Pool Balance. The prepayment price (the "A-3 Note Prepayment Price") for
the A-3 Notes will  be equal to  the unpaid principal amount  of the A-3  Notes,
plus  accrued but  unpaid interest  thereon at  the A-3  Note Rate  plus, to the
extent permitted by law, interest on any past due interest at the A-3 Note Rate.
See "Description of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements-- Termination" in  the
Prospectus.
 
    THE  INDENTURE TRUSTEE.  The First National Bank of Chicago is the Indenture
Trustee under the Indenture.  The First National Bank  of Chicago is a  national
banking  association and  its corporate trust  offices are located  at One First
National Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60603. In the ordinary course of its business,
the Indenture Trustee  and its  affiliates have engaged  and may  in the  future
engage  in commercial banking  or financial advisory  transactions with CFSC and
its affiliates.
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF THE CERTIFICATES
 
GENERAL
 
    The Certificates  will  be  issued  pursuant  to  the  terms  of  the  Trust
Agreement,  a form  of which has  been filed  as an exhibit  to the Registration
Statement. A  copy of  the Trust  Agreement will  be filed  with the  Commission
following  the  issuance of  the  Securities. The  following,  as well  as other
pertinent information included  elsewhere in this  Prospectus Supplement and  in
the  Prospectus, summarizes the material terms of the Certificates and the Trust
Agreement. However,  this  summary  does  not purport  to  be  complete  and  is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the Certificates and
the  Trust  Agreement.  The following  summary  supplements, and  to  the extent
inconsistent therewith  replaces,  the  description of  the  general  terms  and
provisions  of  the  Certificates of  any  given  series and  the  related Trust
Agreement set forth in the Prospectus, to which description reference is  hereby
made.  Chemical  Bank  Delaware  will  be  the  Owner  Trustee  under  the Trust
Agreement.
 
                                      S-33
<PAGE>
    Purchasers of Certificates and their assignees will be required to represent
that the beneficial owners of such  Certificates are United States persons,  and
each  must  provide a  certification of  non-foreign  status under  penalties of
perjury, and also must represent that such beneficial owners are not a Plan  and
are  not purchasing the Certificates on behalf of or with Plan Assets of a Plan.
See "Certain Federal Income Tax  Considerations--Tax Consequences to Holders  of
the   Certificates--TAX  CONSEQUENCES  TO  FOREIGN  CERTIFICATEHOLDERS"  in  the
Prospectus and "ERISA Considerations" herein and in the Prospectus.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS OF INTEREST INCOME
 
    The Certificates  will constitute  Fixed Rate  Securities, as  such term  is
defined   in   the   Prospectus  under   "Certain   Information   Regarding  the
Securities--Fixed Rate  Securities."  Certificateholders  will  be  entitled  to
distributions  of  interest on  each  Distribution Date  in  an amount  equal to
one-twelfth of the product of (a) 6.55% per annum (the "Pass-Through Rate")  and
(b)  the  Certificate Balance  as  of the  close  of business  on  the preceding
Distribution Date  after  giving  effect  to all  distributions  in  respect  of
principal  made to the  Certificateholders on such  preceding Distribution Date;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that with respect to the initial Distribution Date,  interest
on  the  outstanding  Certificate Balance  will  accrue from  and  including the
Closing Date to but excluding the following Distribution Date. Interest will  be
calculated  on the  basis of  a 360-day year  of twelve  30-day months. Interest
distributions due  for  any  Distribution  Date  but  not  distributed  on  such
Distribution  Date will be due  on the next Distribution  Date and such past due
amount will be increased, to the extent permitted by law, by an amount equal  to
interest  on such amount  at the Pass-Through  Rate. Interest distributions with
respect to  the  Certificates will  be  funded from  the  portion of  the  Total
Distribution  Amount and the amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account remaining
after the distribution of the Servicing Fee (if CFSC or an affiliate is not  the
Servicer),  the Administration Fee and the Noteholders' Distributable Amount. If
the interest payable on the Certificates  on any Distribution Date exceeds  such
remaining portion of the Total Distribution Amount and the amounts on deposit in
the  Reserve Account, each Certificateholder will  receive its pro rata share of
the amount available based on the portion of the Certificate Balance represented
by its Certificates. Notwithstanding the foregoing,  if an Event of Default  has
occurred   and   the   maturity  of   the   Notes  has   been   accelerated  the
Certificateholders will not be entitled to receive any distributions of interest
or principal until the  Notes have been  paid in full.  See "Description of  the
Transfer   and  Servicing  Agreements--Distributions"  and  "--Reserve  Account"
herein.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS OF PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS
 
    Certificateholders will be  entitled to distributions  on each  Distribution
Date  in an amount generally equal to the Certificateholders' Percentage of (or,
following the payment in full of  the Notes, all of) the Principal  Distribution
Amount (defined below). Distributions with respect to principal payments will be
funded  from the  portion of the  Total Distribution Amount  remaining after the
distribution of the Servicing Fee (if CFSC or an affiliate is not the Servicer),
the  Administration  Fee,   the  Noteholders'  Distributable   Amount  and   the
Certificateholders'  Interest  Distributable  Amount, and  from  the  amounts on
deposit in the Reserve Account remaining  after the payment of the  Noteholders'
Distributable  Amount and the Certificateholders' Interest Distributable Amount.
See "Description of the Transfer  and Servicing Agreements-- Distributions"  and
"--Reserve  Account" herein. Until  the principal balances of  the A-1 Notes and
the A-2 Notes are  reduced to zero, the  Certificateholders' Percentage will  be
zero.  Thereafter,  the  Certificateholder's Percentage  will  be  4%; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, if the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account is less than the lesser
of (i) 2.25%  of the  Initial Pool  Balance and (ii)  the sum  of the  aggregate
outstanding  principal amount  of the Notes  and the Certificate  Balance on any
Distribution Date, then, with respect to each Distribution Date thereafter,  the
Certificateholders'  Percentage  will  be  0%  and  Certificateholders  will not
receive any distributions of principal until  the Notes have been paid in  full.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing, if  an Event  of Default  has occurred  and the
maturity of the Notes  has been accelerated the  Certificateholders will not  be
entitled  to receive any distributions of  interest or principal until the Notes
have been paid in full.
 
    See "Description of  the Transfer  and Servicing  Agreements--Distributions"
herein for definitions of the terms set forth in the preceding paragraph.
 
                                      S-34
<PAGE>
OPTIONAL PURCHASE
 
    If  the Servicer  exercises its  option to  purchase the  Receivables, which
option may be exercised when the Pool Balance has been reduced to 10% or less of
the Initial Pool Balance, as described  in the Prospectus under "Description  of
the  Transfer  and Servicing  Agreements--Termination,"  Certificateholders will
receive an  amount  equal  to  the Certificate  Balance  together  with  accrued
interest  at the Pass-Through  Rate (the "Certificate  Prepayment Price"), which
distribution shall effect  early retirement  of the Certificates,  plus, to  the
extent  permitted by law, interest on any  past due interest at the Pass-Through
Rate.
 
              DESCRIPTION OF THE TRANSFER AND SERVICING AGREEMENTS
 
    The following,  as well  as  other information  included elsewhere  in  this
Prospectus  Supplement and in  the Prospectus, summarizes  the material terms of
the Sale and  Servicing Agreement,  the Purchase  Agreement, the  Administration
Agreement,  and the Trust  Agreement (collectively, the  "Transfer and Servicing
Agreements," forms of  which have  been filed  as exhibits  to the  Registration
Statement).  Copies of the Transfer and  Servicing Agreements will be filed with
the Commission following the issuance  of the Securities. The following  summary
does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety
by  reference to, the  provisions of the Transfer  and Servicing Agreements. The
following  summary  supplements,  and  to  the  extent  inconsistent   therewith
replaces,  the description of  the general terms and  provisions of the Transfer
and Servicing  Agreements  set  forth  under the  heading  "Description  of  the
Transfer  and  Servicing Agreements"  in  the Prospectus,  to  which description
reference is hereby made.
 
SALE AND ASSIGNMENT OF RECEIVABLES
 
    Certain information with respect to the  conveyances on the Closing Date  of
the  Receivables from CFSC to the Seller  pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and
from the Seller to the Trust pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement is set
forth under  "Description of  the Transfer  and Servicing  Agreements--Sale  and
Assignment  of Receivables" in the  Prospectus. Under certain circumstances CFSC
will be required to repurchase Receivables from the Trust. See "Weighted Average
Life  of  the  Securities"  and  "Description  of  the  Transfer  and  Servicing
Agreements--Sale and Assignment of Receivables" in the Prospectus.
 
ACCOUNTS
 
    In  addition  to the  Trust  Accounts referred  to  in the  Prospectus under
"Description of  the Transfer  and Servicing  Agreements--Accounts," the  Seller
will  establish and maintain  the Reserve Account  in the name  of the Indenture
Trustee on behalf of the Noteholders and the Certificateholders. See  "--Reserve
Account" herein.
 
SERVICING COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT OF EXPENSES
 
    The  Servicing Fee Rate with respect to the  Servicing Fee to be paid to the
Servicer with respect to each  Collection Period will be  1.0% per annum of  the
Pool  Balance as of the  first day of such  Collection Period. The Servicing Fee
(together with any portion of the  Servicing Fee that remains unpaid from  prior
Distribution  Dates) will be paid solely to the extent of the Total Distribution
Amount. If CFSC or  an affiliate is  no longer the  Servicer, the Servicing  Fee
will  be paid prior to the distribution of any portion of the Total Distribution
Amount to the Administrator and  the Noteholders or the Certificateholders,  and
except  under certain circumstances, deposits  into the Collection Account shall
be made  net  of such  amounts.  The Servicer  shall  also be  entitled  to  any
Servicer's  Yield, and deposits into the Collection Account shall be made net of
such   amounts.    See   "Description    of   the    Transfer   and    Servicing
Agreements--Servicing Compensation and Payment of Expenses" and "--Net Deposits"
in the Prospectus.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    DEPOSITS  TO  COLLECTION ACCOUNT.   By  the  fifth business  day prior  to a
Distribution Date (each, a "Determination Date"), the Servicer will provide  the
Indenture   Trustee  with  certain  information  with  respect  to  the  related
Collection  Period,  including  the  amount  of  aggregate  collections  on  the
Receivables  and the  aggregate Purchase  Amount of  Receivables required  to be
repurchased by the Seller or required to be purchased by the Servicer.
 
                                      S-35
<PAGE>
    Unless the Servicer has been  making deposits of collections throughout  the
related  Collection  Period,  on  or  before  the  business  day  preceding each
Distribution Date the Servicer  will cause the Total  Distribution Amount to  be
deposited into the Collection Account.
 
    The  "Total Distribution Amount" for a Distribution Date shall be the sum of
the aggregate  collections (including  any  Liquidation Proceeds,  any  Purchase
Amounts  paid  by the  Seller and  the  Servicer and  any amounts  received from
Dealers with  respect to  Receivables) received  in respect  of the  Receivables
during  the  related  Collection Period  and  Investment Earnings  on  the Trust
Accounts during such  Collection Period.  The Total Distribution  Amount on  any
Distribution  Date  shall  exclude  all  payments  and  proceeds  (including any
Liquidation Proceeds  and any  amounts  received from  Dealers with  respect  to
Receivables)  of  (i) any  Receivables  the Purchase  Amount  of which  has been
included in the Total Distribution Amount in a prior Collection Period, (ii) any
Liquidated Receivable  after and  to  the extent  of  the reassignment  of  such
Liquidated Receivable by the Trust to the Seller and (iii) any Servicer's Yield.
 
    "Liquidated Receivables" means defaulted Receivables in respect of which the
Financed  Equipment has  been sold  or otherwise  disposed of,  and "Liquidation
Proceeds" means all proceeds relating  to the Liquidated Receivables  (including
proceeds  of sale of  the Financed Equipment),  net of expenses  incurred by the
Servicer in connection with such liquidation and any amounts required by law  to
be remitted to the Obligor on such Liquidated Receivables.
 
    The "Principal Distribution Amount" for a Distribution Date shall be the sum
of  the following  amounts, without duplication,  with respect  to the preceding
Collection Period:  (i)  that portion  of  all collections  on  the  Receivables
(including  any Liquidation Proceeds and any  amounts received from Dealers with
respect to  Receivables) allocable  to principal;  (ii) the  amount of  Realized
Losses for the related Collection Period (except to the extent included in (iii)
below);  and (iii)  the Principal Balance  of each Receivable  that the Servicer
became obligated to purchase or that  the Seller became obligated to  repurchase
during  the  related Collection  Period (except  to the  extent included  in (i)
above).
 
    DEPOSITS TO THE DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNTS.  Prior to each Distribution Date, the
Servicer shall instruct the Indenture Trustee to make deposits and distributions
for receipt by the  Servicer or Administrator or  for deposit in the  applicable
Trust Account on the following Distribution Date.
 
    Distributions  of  the  Total  Distribution  Amount  shall  be  made  in the
following order of priority:
 
        (i) to the Servicer (if CFSC or  an affiliate is not the Servicer),  the
    Servicing Fee and all unpaid Servicing Fees from prior Collection Periods;
 
        (ii)  to  the  Administrator,  the  Administration  Fee  and  all unpaid
    Administration Fees from prior Collection Periods;
 
       (iii)  to  the  Note  Distribution  Account,  the  Noteholders'  Interest
    Distributable Amount;
 
        (iv)  to the Note  Distribution Account, the  A-1 Noteholders' Principal
    Distributable Amount;
 
        (v) to the  Note Distribution  Account, the  A-2 Noteholders'  Principal
    Distributable Amount;
 
        (vi)  to the Note  Distribution Account, the  A-3 Noteholders' Principal
    Distributable Amount;
 
       (vii) to the  Certificate Distribution  Account, the  Certificateholders'
    Interest Distributable Amount;
 
      (viii)  to the  Certificate Distribution  Account, the Certificateholders'
    Principal Distributable Amount;
 
        (ix) to the  Servicer (if  CFSC or an  affiliate is  the Servicer),  the
    Servicing  Fee and all unpaid Servicing  Fees from prior Collection Periods;
    and
 
        (x) to the Reserve Account, the remaining Total Distribution Amount.
 
                                      S-36
<PAGE>
    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event  of Default has occurred and  the
maturity  of the Notes  has been accelerated the  Certificateholders will not be
entitled to receive any distributions of  interest or principal until the  Notes
have been paid in full.
 
    Funds  will be withdrawn from  amounts on deposit in  the Reserve Account to
the extent  that  the  Total  Distribution Amount  (after  the  payment  of  the
Servicing   Fee  (if  CFSC  or  an  affiliate  is  not  the  Servicer)  and  the
Administration Fee)  with respect  to any  Collection Period  is less  than  the
Noteholders'  Distributable Amount, and  funds in the  amount of such deficiency
will be deposited in the Note  Distribution Account. In addition, funds will  be
withdrawn  from amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account to the extent that the
portion of the  Total Distribution  Amount remaining  after the  payment of  the
Servicing   Fee  (if  CFSC  or  an  affiliate  is  not  the  Servicer)  and  the
Administration Fee and the deposit  of the Noteholders' Distributable Amount  in
the Note Distribution Account is less than the Certificateholders' Distributable
Amount,  and funds  in the amount  of such  deficiency will be  deposited in the
Certificate Distribution  Account.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  if  on  any
Distribution  Date on which any  Notes are outstanding the  amount on deposit in
the Reserve Account is less than 0.75% of the Pool Balance as of the end of  the
preceding  Collection  Period, then  funds will  be  withdrawn from  the Reserve
Account only to the extent needed to pay  the interest due on the Notes and  the
Certificates  and no  funds from  the Reserve  Account will  be applied  on such
Distribution Date  to principal  of  the Notes  or the  Certificates;  PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,  that this restriction on withdrawals shall be inapplicable if an Event
of Default has occurred which resulted in acceleration of the Notes.
 
    "A-1 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date" means the May 1997 Distribution
Date.
 
    "A-1  Noteholders'  Monthly  Principal  Distributable  Amount"  means,  with
respect  to  any Distribution  Date  until the  Distribution  Date on  which the
outstanding principal amount of the A-1 Notes has been reduced to zero, 100%  of
the  Principal Distribution Amount  for such Distribution  Date, but such amount
shall not be in excess of the outstanding principal amount of the A-1 Notes.
 
    "A-1 Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall"  means, as of the close  of
any  Distribution Date, the  excess of (i)  the sum of  (A) the A-1 Noteholders'
Monthly Principal Distributable Amount  for such Distribution  Date and (B)  any
outstanding  A-1 Noteholders' Principal  Carryover Shortfall as  of the close of
the preceding Distribution  Date over (ii)  the amount in  respect of  principal
that  is actually deposited in  the Note Distribution Account  in respect of the
A-1 Notes.
 
    "A-1 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount" means, with respect to any
Distribution Date,  the  sum  of  (i) the  A-1  Noteholders'  Monthly  Principal
Distributable  Amount for such  Distribution Date and  (ii) the A-1 Noteholders'
Principal Carryover  Shortfall as  of the  close of  the preceding  Distribution
Date;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the  sum of clauses (i)  and (ii) above shall not
exceed the outstanding principal amount  of the A-1 Notes,  and on the A-1  Note
Final  Scheduled Distribution Date, the A-1 Noteholders' Principal Distributable
Amount will  include the  amount necessary  (after giving  effect to  the  other
amounts  to be deposited  in the Note Distribution  Account on such Distribution
Date and allocable to principal) to  reduce the outstanding principal amount  of
the A-1 Notes to zero.
 
    "A-2   Note  Final  Scheduled   Distribution  Date"  means   the  July  1999
Distribution Date.
 
    "A-2  Noteholders'  Monthly  Principal  Distributable  Amount"  means,  with
respect  to any Distribution Date on or  after the Distribution Date on which an
amount sufficient to reduce the outstanding principal amount of the A-1 Notes to
zero has been deposited in the Note Distribution Account, 100% of the difference
between the  Principal Distribution  Amount  and the  portion thereof,  if  any,
applied  to reduce the outstanding principal amount  of the A-1 Notes to zero on
such Distribution Date. In  addition, on any Distribution  Date on or after  the
May  1998 Distribution Date, amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account in excess
of the Specified  Reserve Account Balance  for such Distribution  Date shall  be
paid  as principal  of the  A-2 Notes to  the extent  described under "--Reserve
Account" below.
 
    "A-2 Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall"  means, as of the close  of
any  Distribution Date, the  excess of (i)  the sum of  (A) the A-2 Noteholders'
Monthly Principal Distributable Amount for such
 
                                      S-37
<PAGE>
Distribution Date and (B) any  outstanding A-2 Noteholders' Principal  Carryover
Shortfall  as of  the close  of the  preceding Distribution  Date over  (ii) the
amount  in  respect  of  principal  that  is  actually  deposited  in  the  Note
Distribution Account in respect of the A-2 Notes.
 
    "A-2 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount" means, with respect to any
Distribution  Date,  the  sum  of (i)  the  A-2  Noteholders'  Monthly Principal
Distributable Amount for such  Distribution Date and  (ii) the A-2  Noteholders'
Principal  Carryover Shortfall  as of  the close  of the  preceding Distribution
Date; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that,  until  an  amount  sufficient  to  reduce  the
outstanding  principal amount of the A-1 Notes to zero has been deposited in the
Note Distribution Account, the  A-2 Noteholders' Principal Distributable  Amount
shall be zero; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that the sum of clauses (i) and (ii) shall not
exceed  the outstanding principal amount  of the A-2 Notes,  and on the A-2 Note
Final Scheduled Distribution Date, the A-2 Noteholders' Principal  Distributable
Amount  will  include the  amount necessary  (after giving  effect to  the other
amounts to be deposited  in the Note Distribution  Account on such  Distribution
Date  and allocable to principal) to  reduce the outstanding principal amount of
the A-2 Notes to zero.
 
    "A-3 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date" means the May 2002 Distribution
Date.
 
    "A-3  Noteholders'  Monthly  Principal  Distributable  Amount"  means,  with
respect  to any Distribution Date on or  after the Distribution Date on which an
amount sufficient to reduce  the outstanding principal amount  of the A-1  Notes
and  the A-2 Notes to zero has  been deposited in the Note Distribution Account,
the  A-3  Noteholders'  Percentage  of  the  difference  between  the  Principal
Distribution  Amount  and the  portion thereof,  if any,  applied to  reduce the
outstanding principal amount of the A-1 Notes and the A-2 Notes to zero on  such
Distribution  Date. In addition,  on any Distribution  Date on or  after the May
1998 Distribution Date, amounts on deposit  in the Reserve Account in excess  of
the  Specified Reserve Account Balance for  such Distribution Date shall be paid
as principal of the A-3 Notes to the extent described under "--Reserve  Account"
below.
 
    "A-3  Noteholders'  Percentage" means  96%; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that  if the
amount on deposit in the Reserve Account is less than the lesser of (i) 2.25% of
the Initial  Pool Balance  and (ii)  the sum  of (x)  the outstanding  principal
amount  of the Notes and (y) the Certificate Balance, then, with respect to each
Distribution Date thereafter, the A-3 Noteholders' Percentage shall be 100%.
 
    "A-3 Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall"  means, as of the close  of
any  Distribution Date, the  excess of (i)  the sum of  (A) the A-3 Noteholders'
Monthly Principal Distributable Amount  for such Distribution  Date and (B)  any
outstanding  A-3 Noteholders' Principal  Carryover Shortfall as  of the close of
the preceding Distribution  Date over (ii)  the amount in  respect of  principal
that  is actually deposited in  the Note Distribution Account  in respect of the
A-3 Notes.
 
    "A-3 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount" means, with respect to any
Distribution Date,  the  sum  of  (i) the  A-3  Noteholders'  Monthly  Principal
Distributable  Amount for such  Distribution Date and  (ii) the A-3 Noteholders'
Principal Carryover  Shortfall as  of the  close of  the preceding  Distribution
Date;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that,  until  an  amount  sufficient  to  reduce the
outstanding principal amount of the A-1 Notes and the A-2 Notes to zero has been
deposited in  the  Note Distribution  Account,  the A-3  Noteholders'  Principal
Distributable  Amount shall be zero; PROVIDED,  FURTHER, that the sum of clauses
(i) and (ii) shall not exceed the outstanding principal amount of the A-3 Notes,
and on the  A-3 Note  Final Scheduled  Distribution Date,  the A-3  Noteholders'
Principal  Distributable Amount will include  the amount necessary (after giving
effect to the other amounts to be deposited in the Note Distribution Account  on
such  Distribution Date  and allocable to  principal) to  reduce the outstanding
principal amount of the A-3 Notes to zero.
 
    "APR" means, with respect to any  Receivable, the annual percentage rate  of
interest represented by such Receivable, based on its Principal Balance. The APR
of any subsidized Receivable does not take into account any amounts paid to CFSC
by Caterpillar with respect thereto at its origination.
 
    "Certificate   Balance"  equals,  on  the  Closing  Date,  $14,876,157  and,
thereafter, equals $14,876,157,  reduced by all  amounts allocable to  principal
previously distributed to Certificateholders. The Certificate Balance shall also
be reduced on any Distribution Date by the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of (A)
the  Certificate Balance and  (B) the outstanding principal  amount of the Notes
(in each case after giving effect to
 
                                      S-38
<PAGE>
amounts in respect of principal to be deposited in the Certificate  Distribution
Account  and the Note Distribution Account on such Distribution Date), over (ii)
the sum of (A) the Pool Balance as of  the close of business on the last day  of
the  preceding Collection Period  and (B) the  amount on deposit  in the Reserve
Account after giving effect to any distributions therefrom on such  Distribution
Date.  Thereafter, the Certificate Balance shall be increased to the extent that
any portion of the  Total Distribution Amount is  available to pay the  existing
Certificateholders'  Principal  Carryover Shortfall,  but not  by more  than the
aggregate reductions  in the  Certificate  Balance set  forth in  the  preceding
sentence.
 
    "Certificate   Final  Scheduled  Distribution  Date"   means  the  May  2002
Distribution Date.
 
    "Certificateholders'  Distributable  Amount"  means,  with  respect  to  any
Distribution   Date,   the  sum   of   (i)  the   Certificateholders'  Principal
Distributable Amount  and (ii)  the Certificateholders'  Interest  Distributable
Amount.
 
    "Certificateholders'  Interest Carryover  Shortfall" means,  with respect to
any Distribution Date,  the sum  of (i) the  excess of  (A) the sum  of (1)  the
Certificateholders'  Monthly  Interest  Distributable Amount  for  the preceding
Distribution Date and (2) any outstanding Certificateholders' Interest Carryover
Shortfall on such preceding Distribution Date, over (B) the amount in respect of
interest that is actually deposited  in the Certificate Distribution Account  on
such  preceding Distribution  Date, plus  (ii) interest  on such  excess, to the
extent permitted by law, at the Pass-Through Rate.
 
    "Certificateholders' Interest Distributable Amount"  means, with respect  to
any  Distribution  Date, the  sum  of the  Certificateholders'  Monthly Interest
Distributable Amount  for such  Distribution  Date and  the  Certificateholders'
Interest Carryover Shortfall for such Distribution Date.
 
    "Certificateholders'  Monthly  Interest  Distributable  Amount"  means, with
respect to any  Distribution Date,  an amount  equal to  the aggregate  interest
accrued  on the  Certificates at  the Pass-Through  Rate from  and including the
preceding Distribution Date (or from and including the Closing Date in the  case
of the initial Distribution Date) to but excluding such Distribution Date (based
on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months).
 
    "Certificateholders'  Monthly  Principal Distributable  Amount"  means, with
respect to any Distribution Date on or after the Distribution Date on which  the
principal  amounts of the A-1  Notes and the A-2 Notes  are reduced to zero, the
Certificateholders' Percentage of  the Principal Distribution  Amount (less  the
portion  thereof,  if  any, applied  on  such  Distribution Date  to  reduce the
principal amounts of the  A-1 Notes and  the A-2 Notes to  zero, which shall  be
deposited  into  the  Note  Distribution  Account)  and,  with  respect  to  any
Distribution Date  on  or  after  the  first  Distribution  Date  on  which  the
outstanding  principal amount of the  A-3 Notes is reduced  to zero, 100% of the
Principal Distribution Amount (less  the portion thereof  required on the  first
such  Distribution Date to reduce the  outstanding principal amount of the Notes
to zero, which shall be deposited into the Note Distribution Account); PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,  that  if  as  described   in  the  definition  of  "A-3   Noteholders'
Percentage,"  100%  of  the  Principal Distribution  Amount  is  required  to be
deposited in the  Note Distribution Account,  then no portion  of the  Principal
Distribution  Amount will be  deposited in the  Certificate Distribution Account
until the Notes have been paid in full.
 
    "Certificateholders' Percentage"  means  100%  minus  the  A-3  Noteholders'
Percentage (if any A-3 Notes are outstanding).
 
    "Certificateholders'  Principal Carryover Shortfall" means,  as of the close
of any Distribution Date, the sum  of (i) the excess of  (A) the sum of (1)  the
Certificateholders'   Monthly  Principal   Distributable  Amount   and  (2)  any
outstanding Certificateholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall from the preceding
Distribution Date, over (B) the amount in respect of principal that is  actually
deposited  in  the Certificate  Distribution Account  and (ii)  the unreimbursed
portion of  the amount  by which  the Certificate  Balance has  been reduced  as
described  in the  second sentence  of the  definition of  "Certificate Balance"
above.
 
    "Certificateholders' Principal Distributable Amount" means, with respect  to
any  Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the Certificateholders' Monthly Principal
Distributable Amount for such Distribution Date and (ii) the Certificateholders'
Principal Carryover  Shortfall as  of the  close of  the preceding  Distribution
Date;
 
                                      S-39
<PAGE>
PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that, until  an amount sufficient  to reduce the outstanding
principal amounts of the A-1 Notes and the A-2 Notes to zero has been  deposited
in   the   Note   Distribution   Account,   the   Certificateholders'  Principal
Distributable Amount shall be zero; PROVIDED,  FURTHER, that the sum of  clauses
(i)  and (ii) shall not  exceed the Certificate Balance,  and on the Certificate
Final   Scheduled   Distribution   Date,   the   Certificateholders'   Principal
Distributable  Amount will include the amount  necessary (after giving effect to
the other amounts  to be deposited  in the Certificate  Distribution Account  on
such  Distribution Date  and allocable to  principal) to  reduce the Certificate
Balance to zero.
 
    "Cut-off Date  APR" is  8.15%, which  is  the weighted  average APR  of  the
Receivables as of the Cut-off Date.
 
    "Initial Pool Balance" means $371,897,157, which is the sum of the Principal
Balances of each Receivable as of the Cut-off Date.
 
    "Noteholders'  Distributable Amount" means, with respect to any Distribution
Date, the sum of (i) the  A-1 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount,  (ii)
the  A-2 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount, (iii) the A-3 Noteholders'
Principal Distributable Amount and (iv) the Noteholders' Interest  Distributable
Amount.
 
    "Noteholders'  Interest  Carryover  Shortfall" means,  with  respect  to any
Distribution Date,  the  sum of  (i)  the  excess of  (A)  the sum  of  (1)  the
Noteholders'   Monthly   Interest   Distributable  Amount   for   the  preceding
Distribution Date  and  (2)  any  outstanding  Noteholders'  Interest  Carryover
Shortfall on such preceding Distribution Date, over (B) the amount in respect of
interest  that is  actually deposited in  the Note Distribution  Account on such
preceding Distribution Date, and (ii) interest on the amount of interest due but
not paid  to Noteholders  on  the preceding  Distribution  Date, to  the  extent
permitted  by law, at the applicable interest  rate or rates borne by such Notes
from such preceding Distribution Date through such current Distribution Date.
 
    "Noteholders' Interest  Distributable Amount"  means,  with respect  to  any
Distribution  Date, the sum  of the Noteholders'  Monthly Interest Distributable
Amount for  such  Distribution  Date and  the  Noteholders'  Interest  Carryover
Shortfall for such Distribution Date.
 
    "Noteholders'  Monthly Interest Distributable Amount" means, with respect to
any Distribution  Date, an  amount equal  to the  aggregate amount  of  interest
accrued  on the A-1 Notes,  the A-2 Notes and the  A-3 Notes at their respective
interest rates from and  including the preceding Distribution  Date (or, in  the
case  of the initial Distribution Date, from  and including the Closing Date) to
but excluding such Distribution Date (based  on a 360-day year of twelve  30-day
months).
 
    "Pass-Through Rate" means 6.55% per annum.
 
    "Pool  Balance" means, at  any time, the aggregate  Principal Balance of the
Receivables at the end of the  preceding Collection Period, after giving  effect
to  all payments  received from  Obligors and  Purchase Amounts  remitted by the
Seller or the Servicer, as the case  may be, for such Collection Period, and  to
all Realized Losses on Liquidated Receivables during such Collection Period.
 
    "Realized  Losses" means,  with respect  to any  Collection Period,  (i) the
excess of the Principal Balance
of the  Liquidated Receivables  over Liquidation  Proceeds for  such  Collection
Period  to the extent allocable to principal and (ii) amounts payable by Dealers
with respect  to Over-Rate  Receivables which  are deemed  uncollectible by  the
Servicer.
 
    On  each Distribution Date, all amounts  on deposit in the Note Distribution
Account will be distributed  to the Noteholders, and  all amounts on deposit  in
the    Certificate   Distribution   Account   will   be   distributed   to   the
Certificateholders.
 
RESERVE ACCOUNT
 
    The rights of the Certificateholders  to receive distributions with  respect
to  the  Receivables  generally  will  be  subordinated  to  the  rights  of the
Noteholders in the event  of defaults and delinquencies  on the Receivables,  as
provided  in  the Indenture,  the  Trust Agreement  and  the Sale  and Servicing
Agreement. The
 
                                      S-40
<PAGE>
protection afforded to the Noteholders through subordination will be effected by
the preferential right of the Noteholders to receive both current  distributions
with  respect to the  Receivables and withdrawals from  the Reserve Account. The
Reserve Account will be  created with an  initial deposit by  the Seller on  the
Closing Date of at least $17,665,115 (the "Reserve Account Initial Deposit") and
will  be augmented on each Distribution Date by the deposit therein of the Total
Distribution Amount remaining  after the payment  of the Servicing  Fee (in  the
priority   described  herein),  the  Administration  Fee,  the  deposit  of  the
Noteholders'  Interest  Distributable  Amount  and  the  Noteholders'  Principal
Distributable  Amount in the  Note Distribution Account, and  the deposit of the
Certificateholders'  Distributable  Amount   in  the  Certificate   Distribution
Account,  in each  case as described  above under  "--Distributions." Amounts on
deposit in the Reserve Account will be released on each Distribution Date to the
Seller or to the A-2 Noteholders and/or the A-3 Noteholders on account of  their
respective principal amounts, as described herein, to the extent that the amount
on  deposit in the Reserve  Account (after giving effect  to withdrawals made on
such Distribution Date) exceeds  the Specified Reserve  Account Balance on  such
Distribution Date.
 
    "Specified  Reserve Account Balance," with respect to any Distribution Date,
will be equal to the greater of (a) 4.75% of the Pool Balance as of the close of
business on the last day of  the preceding Collection Period and (b)  $8,367,686
(or  such greater  percentage or  amount as  may be  set forth  in the  Sale and
Servicing Agreement);  PROVIDED, HOWEVER,  that the  amount in  clause (a)  with
respect  to a Distribution Date (referred to herein as the "Current Distribution
Date") shall be  equal to  the amount  calculated for  such clause  (a) for  the
Distribution Date immediately preceding such Current Distribution Date if any of
the  following events occur:  (i) the aggregate of  the Realized Losses realized
from the Cut-off Date  through the end of  the Collection Period preceding  such
Current  Distribution Date exceeds the amount equal to 2.25% of the Initial Pool
Balance; (ii) the sum of  (x) 12 times the  Realized Losses realized during  the
Collection  Period immediately preceding such Current Distribution Date plus (y)
the aggregate Principal  Balance as  of the last  day of  the Collection  Period
immediately  preceding such Current  Distribution Date of  all Receivables which
have not yet been  liquidated as to which  the Financed Equipment securing  such
Receivables  has been repossessed exceeds the amount  equal to 2.00% of the Pool
Balance at  the beginning  of such  Collection Period;  or (iii)  the  aggregate
amount  of scheduled payments that are delinquent by more than 60 days as of the
end of the  Collection Period  immediately preceding  such Current  Distribution
Date  exceeds an amount equal to 3.75% of the Pool Balance as of the end of such
Collection Period; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that the Specified Reserve Account Balance
shall not exceed the  sum of the outstanding  aggregate principal amount of  the
Notes and the Certificate Balance, and that upon payment of all the interest and
principal  due on the Notes and  the Certificates, the Specified Reserve Account
Balance shall be zero.
 
    If the  amount on  deposit in  the Reserve  Account prior  to the  May  1998
Distribution  Date (or following  the payment of  the Notes in  full) is greater
than the  Specified Reserve  Account  Balance for  such Distribution  Date,  the
Servicer  shall instruct the  Indenture Trustee to distribute  the amount of the
excess to the  Seller; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,  that if, after  giving effect to  all
payments  made on the Notes and Certificates on such Distribution Date, the Pool
Balance as of the end of the preceding Collection Period is less than the sum of
the outstanding principal amount of the Notes and the Certificate Balance,  such
excess  amount shall not be  distributed to the Seller  and shall be retained in
the Reserve Account available  for application in accordance  with the Sale  and
Servicing  Agreement.  On  any  Distribution  Date on  and  after  the  May 1998
Distribution Date, if the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account (after giving
effect to all deposits or withdrawals therefrom on such Distribution Date, other
than withdrawals  described in  this  sentence) is  greater than  the  Specified
Reserve  Account Balance for such Distribution Date, the Servicer shall instruct
the Indenture Trustee to  deposit all of  the amount of the  excess in the  Note
Distribution  Account for  distribution to the  A-2 Noteholders as  a payment of
principal on such Distribution Date (until the A-2 Notes have been paid in full)
and then to the A-3 Noteholders as  a payment of principal (until the A-3  Notes
have  been paid in full). Upon the Certificate Final Scheduled Distribution Date
or the date of  the optional purchase  of the Receivables  by the Servicer  (but
only after payment of all interest and principal of the Notes and Certificates),
the  Servicer shall  instruct the  Indenture Trustee  to distribute  the Reserve
Account balance to the  Seller. Upon any distribution  to the Seller of  amounts
from  the Reserve  Account, neither  the Noteholders  nor the Certificateholders
will have any rights in, or claims to, such amounts.
 
                                      S-41
<PAGE>
    Funds will be withdrawn from the  amounts on deposit in the Reserve  Account
to  the extent  that the  Total Distribution  Amount (after  the payment  of the
Servicing  Fee  (if  CFSC  or  an  affiliate  is  not  the  Servicer)  and   the
Administration  Fee)  with respect  to any  Collection Period  is less  than the
Noteholders' Distributable Amount, and  funds in the  amount of such  deficiency
will  be deposited in the Note Distribution  Account. In addition, funds will be
withdrawn from amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account to the extent that  the
portion  of the  Total Distribution  Amount remaining  after the  payment of the
Servicing  Fee  (if  CFSC  or  an  affiliate  is  not  the  Servicer)  and   the
Administration  Fee and the deposit of  the Noteholders' Distributable Amount in
the Note Distribution Account is less than the Certificateholders' Distributable
Amount, and funds  in the amount  of such  deficiency will be  deposited in  the
Certificate  Distribution  Account.  Notwithstanding the  foregoing,  if  on any
Distribution Date on which  any Notes are outstanding  the amount on deposit  in
the  Reserve Account is less than 0.75% of the Pool Balance as of the end of the
preceding Collection  Period, then  funds  will be  withdrawn from  the  Reserve
Account  only to the extent needed to pay  the interest due on the Notes and the
Certificates, and no  funds from  the Reserve Account  will be  applied on  such
Distribution Date to principal of the Notes or the Certificates.
 
    If on any Distribution Date the entire Noteholders' Distributable Amount for
such  Distribution Date (after  giving effect to any  amounts withdrawn from the
Reserve Account)  is  not  deposited  in  the  Note  Distribution  Account,  the
Certificateholders will not receive any distributions.
 
    The  availability of funds in the Reserve Account is intended to enhance the
likelihood of  receipt by  the Noteholders  and Certificateholders  of the  full
amount  of principal and interest  due them and to  decrease the likelihood that
the Noteholders and Certificateholders will experience losses. In addition,  the
subordination  of  the Certificates  to  the Notes  is  intended to  provide the
Noteholders  with   these  same   protections.  However,   because  in   certain
circumstances  the Reserve Account could be depleted and/or the aggregate amount
of Realized Losses could exceed  the Certificate Balance, these protections  are
limited.
 
NET DEPOSITS
 
    As an administrative convenience, the Servicer will be permitted to make the
deposit  of  collections and  Purchase Amounts  required to  be remitted  by the
Servicer for or with respect to  each Collection Period net of distributions  to
be made to the Servicer (including any Servicer's Yield and the Servicing Fee to
the  extent of amounts available  for the payment thereof)  with respect to such
Collection  Period;  provided,  that  if  the  Servicer  is  required  to  remit
collections  daily,  deposits  of such  amounts  may  only be  made  net  of the
Servicer's Yield and may not be made net of the Servicing Fee. See  "Description
of  the Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Net  Deposits" in the Prospectus. The
Servicer, however, will account to the Indenture Trustee, the Owner Trustee, the
Noteholders and the Certificateholders as if the Servicing Fees were distributed
individually.
 
                    CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE RECEIVABLES
 
SALE AND TRANSFER OF RECEIVABLES
 
    The transfer of  ownership of the  Receivables from CFSC  to the Seller  and
from  the Seller to the Trust, and the  granting of the security interest in the
Receivables by  the  Trust  to the  Indenture  Trustee,  will in  each  case  be
perfected  by  the  Custodian,  on behalf  of  the  applicable  assignee, taking
possession of the Installment Sales Contracts and any related Dealer  Agreements
pursuant  to the Custodial Agreement. The  Custodian will maintain possession of
the Receivables  Files in  a space  leased  by the  Custodian proximate  to  the
principal  executive  office of  CFSC, and  CFSC will  indicate on  its computer
records that the Receivables have been sold  to the Seller and by the Seller  to
the  Trust.  Each  Receivables File  will  contain the  single  original related
Installment Sales Contract (as represented  by CFSC in the Purchase  Agreement).
UCC  financing  statements  will not  be  filed  to perfect  these  transfers of
ownership or such grant of a security interest in the Receivables, and CFSC will
not stamp the physical Receivables Files or the Installment Sales Contracts. See
"Risk Factors--PERFECTION OF INTERESTS IN RECEIVABLES AND IN FINANCED EQUIPMENT"
herein and in the Prospectus. Although steps  will be taken to ensure that  CFSC
does not obtain possession or control of the
 
                                      S-42
<PAGE>
Installment  Sales Contracts, should a court  find that CFSC did have possession
or control of such Installment Sales Contracts, the interests of the Seller, the
Trust and the Indenture  Trustee in the Receivables  would in all likelihood  be
unperfected.
 
DEALER RECOURSE RECEIVABLES
 
    The  terms of a limited number of Receivables provide that CFSC has recourse
to the  related Dealer  for all  or  a portion  of the  losses CFSC  may  incur.
However, in the event of a Dealer's bankruptcy, a bankruptcy trustee, a creditor
or  the Dealer  as debtor in  possession might attempt  to characterize recourse
sales of Receivables to  CFSC as loans  to the Dealer from  CFSC secured by  the
Receivables;  such an attempt, if successful,  could result in payment delays or
losses on the affected Receivables. This right of recourse has been assigned  to
the Seller, the Trust and the Indenture Trustee.
 
    Under  certain circumstances  CFSC may  acquire Receivables  from Dealers at
prices in excess of their  stated principal balances ("Over-Rate  Receivables").
This premium represents the present value of a portion of the interest due under
the  related Installment Sales Contract. Upon prepayment in full of an Over-Rate
Receivable, the principal balance  due from the Obligor  on any such  Receivable
will  be less  than such  Receivable's Principal  Balance, which  is CFSC's, the
Seller's and  the Trust's  investment in  such Receivable.  Each related  Dealer
Agreement  provides that the related Dealer shall pay to CFSC the amount of such
shortfall upon such a prepayment. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, CFSC  will
assign  to the Seller its right to such payment from the Dealer, and pursuant to
the Sale and Servicing Agreement the Seller will assign such right to the Trust.
Pursuant to the  Indenture, the  Trust will grant  a security  interest in  such
right to the Indenture Trustee. Were each such Over-Rate Receivable to prepay in
full,  the Seller believes that the aggregate amount of such shortfall would not
have a material adverse effect on Securityholders given the amount on deposit in
the Reserve Account.
 
CROSS-COLLATERALIZATION
 
    Because  CFSC  on  occasion   cross-collateralizes  its  installment   sales
contracts  (whether  at  origination  or  pursuant  to  an  adjustment  to  such
installment sales contract) with  a particular Obligor  with other equipment  of
such  Obligor financed  by CFSC,  it is  possible that  (i) an  item of Financed
Equipment may secure more than one contract with such Obligor, and each of those
contracts may not be included in the Trust as a Receivable and (ii) a Receivable
may be secured by a first priority lien on the related Financed Equipment and  a
lien  on  financed  equipment unencumbered  or  related to  contracts  with such
Obligor not included in the Trust. In any event, the aggregate principal  amount
of  CFSC's cross-collateralized installment sales  contracts with respect to any
one Obligor, whether or not all are  included in the Trust as Receivables,  will
not,  at the  time of  origination of  any such  cross-collateralized contracts,
exceed the  aggregate current  appraised  value of  all the  financed  equipment
serving  as security for such contracts, and  the Trust will either have a first
priority lien  in the  related Financed  Equipment or  CFSC may  be required  to
repurchase  the related Receivable under certain circumstances. See "Description
of Transfer and Servicing Agreements--  Sale and Assignment of the  Receivables"
in the Prospectus.
 
    Pursuant  to the Purchase Agreement, CFSC, as  holder of a junior lien on an
item of Financed Equipment,  will agree not to  exercise its right to  foreclose
upon  such junior lien until (i) the related Receivable has been paid in full or
(ii) the  related  first  priority  lien on  the  Financed  Equipment  has  been
foreclosed upon or released. Therefore, there is no risk to the Trust that CFSC,
as   junior  lienholder,  would  foreclose  upon  Financed  Equipment,  possibly
resulting in a substitution of the related Obligor.
 
    The Trust  shall have  the right  to  foreclose upon  all liens,  junior  or
otherwise,  that it holds with respect to any Receivable, whether on the related
Financed Equipment or on equipment the first priority lien on which has not been
assigned to the Trust. If the Trust forecloses on a junior lien on any equipment
in which it  does not  have a  first priority  lien, such  foreclosure would  be
subject to the senior liens not held by the Trust. In addition, any junior liens
held by the Trust may be eliminated should any more senior liens not held by the
Trust foreclose upon the related equipment.
 
    CFSC  does not maintain statistical data with respect to the portion of each
retail installment sales contract secured by related Financed Equipment and  the
portion of such contract secured by the cross-
 
                                      S-43
<PAGE>
collateralized    liens.    However,    because    the    existence    of   such
cross-collateralized liens  will  not place  the  Trust in  a  different  credit
position  than that of CFSC should CFSC  retain the Receivables, and in light of
CFSC's credit loss experience with respect to the U.S. ISC Portfolio, the Seller
believes that such statistical data with respect to the  cross-collateralization
of the Receivables is not material to investors in the Securities.
 
                                LEGAL INVESTMENT
 
    The A-1 Notes will be eligible securities for purchase by money market funds
under paragraph (a)(5) of Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.
 
                              ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
 
    The  Employee Retirement Income Security Act  of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),
and Section 4975  of the Code  impose certain requirements  on employee  benefit
plans  and certain other plans and arrangements, including individual retirement
accounts and annuities, Keogh plans  and certain collective investment funds  or
insurance  company general or separate accounts in which such plans, accounts or
arrangements are  invested, that  are subject  to the  fiduciary  responsibility
provisions of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code (collectively, "Plans"), and
on  persons who are  fiduciaries with respect  to Plans, in  connection with the
investment of "plan assets" of any Plan ("Plan Assets"). ERISA generally imposes
on Plan fiduciaries certain general  fiduciary requirements, including those  of
investment  prudence  and  diversification  and the  requirement  that  a Plan's
investments be  made  in  accordance  with the  documents  governing  the  Plan.
Generally,  any person who has discretionary authority or control respecting the
management or disposition of Plan Assets, and any person who provides investment
advice with respect to  such assets for  a fee, is a  fiduciary with respect  to
such Plan Assets.
 
    Subject  to the considerations  described below, the  Notes are eligible for
purchase with Plan Assets of any Plan.
 
    ERISA and Section 4975  of the Code prohibit  a broad range of  transactions
involving  Plan  Assets  and  persons ("Parties  in  Interest"  under  ERISA and
"Disqualified Persons" under the Code) who have certain specified  relationships
to  a Plan or its Plan Assets, unless a statutory or administrative exemption is
available. Parties in  Interest or  Disqualified Persons that  participate in  a
prohibited transaction may be subject to a penalty imposed under ERISA and/or an
excise  tax imposed pursuant to Section 4975  of the Code, unless a statutory or
administrative exemption is available.  These prohibited transactions  generally
are set forth in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code.
 
    Any  fiduciary or  other Plan investor  considering whether  to purchase the
Notes with Plan  Assets of any  Plan should determine  whether such purchase  is
consistent  with its fiduciary duties and whether such purchase would constitute
or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA and/or Section 4975
of the Code because any of the Seller, the Servicer, the Indenture Trustee,  the
Owner  Trustee, any Certificateholder or  any other parties may  be deemed to be
benefiting from  the issuance  of the  Notes and  are Parties  in Interest  with
respect  to the investing Plan. Any fiduciary or other Plan investor considering
whether to purchase  the Notes  should consult  with its  counsel regarding  the
applicability   of  the  fiduciary  responsibility  and  prohibited  transaction
provisions of ERISA  and Section 4975  of the  Code to such  investment and  the
availability  of  any  prohibited transaction  exemption,  E.G.,  DOL Prohibited
Transaction Exemptions 95-60 (Class Exemption for Certain Transactions Involving
Insurance  Company  General  Accounts),  91-38  (Class  Exemption  for   Certain
Transactions  Involving Bank Collective Investment Funds), 90-1 (Class Exemption
for Certain Transactions Involving  Insurance Company Pooled Separate  Accounts)
and 84-14 (Class Exemption for Plan Asset Transactions Determined by Independent
Qualified  Professional  Asset Managers).  A purchaser  of  the Notes  should be
aware, however, that even if  the conditions specified in  one or more of  those
exemptions  are met, the scope of the relief provided by the exemption might not
cover all acts which might be construed as prohibited transactions.
 
    ANY FIDUCIARY OR  OTHER PLAN  INVESTOR CONSIDERING WHETHER  TO PURCHASE  ANY
SECURITIES  ON BEHALF OF OR WITH PLAN ASSETS OF ANY PLAN SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS
COUNSEL AND REFER TO THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS FOR  GUIDANCE
REGARDING THE ERISA CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY.
 
                                      S-44
<PAGE>
    In  addition,  under Section  2510.3-101 of  the  regulations of  the United
States Department  of  Labor (the  "DOL")  (the "Plan  Asset  Regulation"),  the
purchase  with Plan Assets  of equity interests  in the Trust  could, in certain
circumstances, cause the Receivables and other assets of the Trust to be  deemed
Plan  Assets of the investing  Plan which, in turn,  would subject the Trust and
its  assets  to  the  fiduciary  responsibility  provisions  of  ERISA  and  the
prohibited  transaction  provisions  of  ERISA and  Section  4975  of  the Code.
Nevertheless, because  the Notes  (a) should  be treated  as indebtedness  under
local  law and debt, rather than equity,  for tax purposes (see "Certain Federal
Income Tax Considerations--Tax Consequences to Holders of the Notes--  TREATMENT
OF  THE NOTES AS INDEBTEDNESS" in the  Prospectus), and (b) should not be deemed
to have any  "substantial equity  features," purchases  of the  Notes with  Plan
Assets  should  not  be  treated  as  equity  investments  and,  therefore,  the
Receivables and  other assets  included as  assets of  the Trust  should not  be
deemed to be Plan Assets of the investing Plans. Those conclusions are based, in
part,  upon the traditional debt features of the Notes, including the reasonable
expectation of purchasers of Notes that the Notes (which are highly rated by the
Rating Agencies) will be repaid when due,  as well as the absence of  conversion
rights, warrants and other typical equity features. Before purchasing the Notes,
a  fiduciary  or  other  Plan  investor should  itself  confirm  that  the Notes
constitute indebtedness, and have no  substantial equity features, for  purposes
of the Plan Asset Regulation.
 
    The  Notes may not be purchased  with Plan Assets of any  Plan if any of the
Seller, the Servicer, the Indenture Trustee,  the Owner Trustee or any of  their
respective  affiliates  (a)  has investment  or  administrative  discretion with
respect to the Plan Assets  used to effect such  purchase; (b) has authority  or
responsibility  to give, or  regularly gives, investment  advice with respect to
such Plan Assets, for a fee and  pursuant to an agreement or understanding  that
such  advice (1)  will serve  as a primary  basis for  investment decisions with
respect to such Plan Assets, and (2) will be based on the particular  investment
needs  of such Plan; or  (c) is an employer  maintaining or contributing to such
Plan.
 
    BECAUSE  PURCHASES  OF   THE  CERTIFICATES  ARE   EQUITY  INVESTMENTS,   THE
CERTIFICATES MAY NOT BE PURCHASED WITH THE PLAN ASSETS OF ANY PLAN. IN ADDITION,
EACH  PURCHASER OF  THE CERTIFICATES  WILL BE REQUIRED  TO REPRESENT  THAT IT IS
NEITHER A PLAN NOR PURCHASING THE CERTIFICATES ON BEHALF OF OR WITH PLAN  ASSETS
OF A PLAN.
 
    For further information see "ERISA Considerations" in the Prospectus.
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
    Subject  to the terms and conditions  set forth in an underwriting agreement
(the "Note Underwriting Agreement"), the Seller has agreed to cause the Trust to
sell to the underwriters named below (the "Note Underwriters"), and each of  the
Note  Underwriters has  severally agreed  to purchase,  the principal  amount of
Notes set forth opposite its name below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   PRINCIPAL AMOUNT  PRINCIPAL AMOUNT  PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
NOTE UNDERWRITERS                                    OF A-1 NOTES      OF A-2 NOTES      OF A-3 NOTES
                                                   ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
<S>                                                <C>               <C>               <C>
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
          Incorporated...........................       29,000,000        47,000,000        45,021,000
Goldman, Sachs & Co..............................       28,000,000        46,000,000        44,000,000
UBS Securities LLC...............................       28,000,000        46,000,000        44,000,000
                                                   ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
          Total..................................   $   85,000,000    $  139,000,000    $  133,021,000
                                                   ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
                                                   ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
</TABLE>
 
    In the  Note  Underwriting Agreement,  the  several Note  Underwriters  have
agreed,  subject to the terms and conditions  therein, to purchase all the Notes
offered hereby if any of such Notes  are purchased. The Seller has been  advised
by the Note Underwriters that they propose initially to offer the A-1 Notes, the
A-2 Notes and the A-3 Notes to the public at the prices set forth herein, and to
certain  dealers at such prices less a concession  not in excess of .10% per A-1
Note, .14% per A-2 Note and .17%  per A-3 Note. The Note Underwriters may  allow
and  such dealers may reallow  a concession not in excess  of .08% per A-1 Note,
 .10% per A-2 Note  and .125% per  A-3 Note to certain  other dealers. After  the
initial public offering, such prices and such concessions may be changed.
 
                                      S-45
<PAGE>
    Subject  to the terms and conditions  set forth in an underwriting agreement
(the  "Certificate  Underwriting   Agreement"  and,  together   with  the   Note
Underwriting Agreement, the "Underwriting Agreements"), the Seller has agreed to
cause  the Trust to sell  to Merrill Lynch, Pierce,  Fenner & Smith Incorporated
(the "Certificate Underwriter"  and, together  with the  Note Underwriters,  the
"Underwriters"),  and the  Certificate Underwriter  has agreed  to purchase, the
entire principal amount of the Certificates.
 
    In the Certificate Underwriting  Agreement, the Certificate Underwriter  has
agreed,  subject to  the terms  and conditions therein,  to purchase  all of the
Certificates offered  hereby if  any  of such  Certificates are  purchased.  The
Seller  has  been advised  by the  Certificate Underwriter  that it  proposes to
initially offer the Certificates  to the public at  the price set forth  herein,
and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of .25% per
Certificate.  The Certificate Underwriter may allow and such dealers may reallow
a concession not  in excess of  .15% per Certificate  to certain other  dealers.
After  the  initial public  offering, such  prices and  such concessions  may be
changed.
 
    The Underwriting Agreements provide that the Seller and CFSC will  indemnify
the  Underwriters against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act, or  contribute to payments the  several Underwriters may  be
required to make in respect thereof.
 
    The  Indenture Trustee and the  Owner Trustee (on behalf  of the Trust) may,
from time  to  time,  invest  the  funds  in  the  Trust  Accounts  in  Eligible
Investments acquired from the Underwriters.
 
    The  closings of the sale  of the Notes and  Certificates are conditioned on
the closing of the sale of each other.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
    Certain legal matters  relating to the  Notes and the  Certificates will  be
passed  upon for the Trust, the Seller  and the Servicer by Orrick, Herrington &
Sutcliffe,  San  Francisco,  California,  and  by  Richards,  Layton  &  Finger,
Wilmington,  Delaware, and for the Underwriters by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher
& Flom, New York, New York. Certain federal income tax and other matters will be
passed upon for  the Trust  and the Seller  by Orrick,  Herrington &  Sutcliffe.
Certain  Tennessee state tax matters  will be passed upon  for the Trust and the
Seller by Tuke Yopp & Sweeney, Nashville, Tennessee.
 
                                      S-46
<PAGE>
ANNEX I
 
                        GLOBAL CLEARANCE, SETTLEMENT AND
                          TAX DOCUMENTATION PROCEDURES
 
    Except  in certain  limited circumstances, the  globally offered Caterpillar
Financial Asset Trust 1996-A Class A-1  5.418% Money Market Asset Backed  Notes,
Class  A-2  5.90% Asset  Backed Notes  and  Class A-3  6.30% Asset  Backed Notes
(collectively, the "Global  Securities") will  be available  only in  book-entry
form. Investors in the Global Securities may hold such Global Securities through
any  of  The  Depository  Trust Company  ("DTC"),  Cedel  Bank,  societe anonyme
("Cedel") or the Euroclear System  ("Euroclear"). The Global Securities will  be
tradeable  as home  market instruments  in both  the European  and U.S. domestic
markets. Initial settlement  and all  secondary trades will  settle in  same-day
funds.
 
    Secondary market trading between investors holding Global Securities through
Cedel  and Euroclear will  be conducted in  the ordinary way  in accordance with
their normal rules and operating procedures and in accordance with  conventional
eurobond practice (I.E., seven calendar day settlement).
 
    Secondary market trading between investors holding Global Securities through
DTC  will be conducted according to the  rules and procedures applicable to U.S.
corporate debt obligations.
 
    Secondary  cross-market  trading   between  Cedel  or   Euroclear  and   DTC
Participants  holding Notes will be effected on a delivery against payment basis
through the respective Depositaries  of Cedel and  Euroclear (in such  capacity)
and as DTC Participants.
 
    Non-U.S.  holders (as described below) of  Global Securities will be subject
to U.S.  withholding taxes  unless such  holders meet  certain requirements  and
deliver  appropriate U.S. tax documents to the securities clearing organizations
or their participants.
 
INITIAL SETTLEMENT
 
    All Global Securities will be held in book-entry form by DTC in the name  of
Cede & Co. as nominee of DTC. Investors' interests in the Global Securities will
be  represented through financial institutions acting  on their behalf as direct
and indirect Participants  in DTC. As  a result, Cedel  and Euroclear will  hold
positions on behalf of their participants through their respective Depositaries,
which in turn will hold such positions in accounts as DTC Participants.
 
    Investors  electing to hold their Global  Securities through DTC will follow
the settlement practices applicable to U.S. corporate debt obligations. Investor
securities custody accounts will be credited with their holdings against payment
in same-day funds on the settlement date.
 
    Investors  electing  to  hold  their  Global  Securities  through  Cedel  or
Euroclear   accounts  will  follow  the   settlement  procedures  applicable  to
conventional eurobonds, except that there  will be no temporary global  security
and no "lock-up" or restricted period. Global Securities will be credited to the
securities  custody accounts on the settlement  date against payment in same-day
funds.
 
SECONDARY MARKET TRADING
 
    Since the purchaser  determines the place  of delivery, it  is important  to
establish  at the  time of  the trade  where both  the purchaser's  and seller's
accounts are located to ensure that settlement can be made on the desired  value
date.
 
    TRADING  BETWEEN  DTC PARTICIPANTS.   Secondary  market trading  between DTC
Participants will be settled using  the procedures applicable to U.S.  corporate
debt obligations in same-day funds.
 
    TRADING  BETWEEN  CEDEL  AND/OR EUROCLEAR  PARTICIPANTS.    Secondary market
trading between Cedel  Participants or  Euroclear Participants  will be  settled
using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in same-day funds.
 
    TRADING  BETWEEN DTC SELLER  AND CEDEL OR EUROCLEAR  PURCHASER.  When Global
Securities are to be transferred  from the account of  a DTC Participant to  the
account of a Cedel Participant or a Euroclear
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
Participant,  the purchaser will send instructions to Cedel or Euroclear through
a Cedel Participant or Euroclear Participant at least one business day prior  to
settlement.  Cedel  or  Euroclear  will instruct  the  respective  Depositary to
receive the Global  Securities against  payment. Payment  will include  interest
accrued on the Global Securities from and including the last coupon payment date
to  and excluding the settlement date, calculated on  the basis of a year of 360
days, in each case  for the actual  number of days occurring  in the period  for
which  such interest  is payable.  Payment will then  be made  by the respective
Depositary to  the DTC  Participant's  account against  delivery of  the  Global
Securities.  After settlement has been completed,  the Global Securities will be
credited to  the respective  clearing  system and  by  the clearing  system,  in
accordance  with its usual  procedures, to the  Cedel Participant's or Euroclear
Participant's account. The securities credit will appear the next day  (European
time)  and the cash debit will be back-valued to, and the interest on the Global
Securities will accrue from,  the value date (which  would be the preceding  day
when  settlement occurred in  New York). If  settlement is not  completed on the
intended value date (I.E., the trade  fails), the Cedel or Euroclear cash  debit
will be valued instead as of the actual settlement date.
 
    Cedel Participants and Euroclear Participants will need to make available to
the  respective clearing systems  the funds necessary  to process same-day funds
settlement. The  most direct  means of  doing so  is to  pre-position funds  for
settlement,  either from cash on hand or existing lines of credit, as they would
for any settlement  occurring within  Cedel or Euroclear.  Under this  approach,
they  may  take  on credit  exposure  to  Cedel or  Euroclear  until  the Global
Securities are credited to their accounts one day later.
 
    As an alternative, if Cedel  or Euroclear has extended  a line of credit  to
them, Cedel Participants or Euroclear Participants can elect not to pre-position
funds  and allow that credit line to  be drawn upon to finance settlement. Under
this procedure, Cedel Participants  or Euroclear Participants purchasing  Global
Securities  would incur overdraft charges for one day, assuming they cleared the
overdraft when the Global Securities  were credited to their accounts.  However,
interest  on the Global Securities would  accrue from the value date. Therefore,
in many cases the investment income on the Global Securities earned during  that
one-day  period may substantially reduce or  offset the amount of such overdraft
charges, although  this  result  will  depend on  each  Cedel  Participant's  or
Euroclear Participant's particular cost of funds.
 
    Since  the settlement  is taking place  during New York  business hours, DTC
Participants can employ their usual procedures for sending Global Securities  to
the  respective Depositary  for the benefit  of Cedel  Participants or Euroclear
Participants. The  sale proceeds  will be  available to  the DTC  seller on  the
settlement  date. Thus, to  the DTC Participant  a cross-market transaction will
settle no differently than a trade between two DTC Participants.
 
    TRADING BETWEEN CEDEL OR  EUROCLEAR SELLER AND DTC  PURCHASER.  Due to  time
zone  differences in their favor,  Cedel Participants and Euroclear Participants
may  employ  their  customary  procedures  for  transactions  in  which   Global
Securities  are to be transferred by the respective clearing system, through the
respective Depositary, to a DTC  Participant. The seller will send  instructions
to  Cedel or Euroclear  through a Cedel Participant  or Euroclear Participant at
least one business day prior to  settlement. In these cases, Cedel or  Euroclear
will instruct the respective Depositary, as appropriate, to deliver the bonds to
the  DTC Participant's  account against  payment. Payment  will include interest
accrued on the Global Securities from and including the last coupon payment date
to and excluding the settlement date, calculated  on the basis of a year of  360
days,  in each case  for the actual number  of days occurring  in the period for
which such  interest is  payable. The  payment  will then  be reflected  in  the
account of the Cedel Participant or Euroclear Participant the following day, and
receipt   of  the  cash  proceeds  in   the  Cedel  Participant's  or  Euroclear
Participant's account would be back-valued to the value date (which would be the
preceding  day,  when  settlement  occurred  in  New  York).  Should  the  Cedel
Participant  or Euroclear Participant have a  line of credit with its respective
clearing system and elect to be in debit in anticipation of receipt of the  sale
proceeds  in  its  account,  the back-valuation  will  extinguish  any overdraft
charges incurred over the one-day period. If settlement is not completed on  the
intended value date (I.E., the trade fails), receipt of the cash proceeds in the
Cedel  Participant's or Euroclear Participant's  account would instead be valued
as of the actual settlement date.
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
    Finally, day traders that  use Cedel or Euroclear  and that purchase  Global
Securities from DTC Participants for delivery to Cedel Participants or Euroclear
Participants  should note that these trades would automatically fail on the sale
side unless affirmative action  was taken. At least  three techniques should  be
readily available to eliminate this potential problem:
 
        (a) borrowing through Cedel or Euroclear for one day (until the purchase
    side  of the day trade is reflected in their Cedel or Euroclear accounts) in
    accordance with the clearing system's customary procedures;
 
        (b) borrowing the Global Securities in  the U.S. from a DTC  Participant
    no  later than  one day  prior to  settlement, which  would give  the Global
    Securities sufficient  time to  be  reflected in  their Cedel  or  Euroclear
    account in order to settle the sale side of the trade; or
 
        (c)  staggering the value dates for the  buy and sell sides of the trade
    so that the value date for the purchase from the DTC Participant is at least
    one day prior to  the value date  for the sale to  the Cedel Participant  or
    Euroclear Participant.
 
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
 
    A  beneficial owner of Global Securities holding securities through Cedel or
Euroclear (or through DTC if the holder has an address outside the U.S.) will be
subject to the 30%  U.S. withholding tax that  generally applies to payments  of
interest  (including original issue discount) on  registered debt issued by U.S.
Persons, unless (i) each  clearing system, bank  or other financial  institution
that holds customers' securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business
in the chain of intermediaries between such beneficial owner and the U.S. entity
required to withhold tax complies with applicable certification requirements and
(ii)  such  beneficial owner  takes  one of  the  following steps  to  obtain an
exemption or reduced tax rate:
 
    EXEMPTION FOR NON-U.S. PERSONS (FORM W-8).  Beneficial owners of Notes  that
are non-U.S. Persons can obtain a complete exemption from the withholding tax by
filing  a signed  Form W-8 (Certificate  of Foreign Status).  If the information
shown on Form W-8 changes, a new Form  W-8 must be filed within 30 days of  such
change.
 
    EXEMPTION  FOR  NON-U.S.  PERSONS WITH  EFFECTIVELY  CONNECTED  INCOME (FORM
4224).  A non-U.S. Person, including a non-U.S. corporation or bank with a  U.S.
branch,  for which the interest income is effectively connected with its conduct
of a trade or business  in the United States, can  obtain an exemption from  the
withholding tax by filing Form 4224 (Exemption from Withholding of Tax on Income
Effectively  Connected with  the Conduct  of a Trade  or Business  in the United
States).
 
    EXEMPTION OR REDUCED RATE FOR NON-U.S. PERSONS RESIDENT IN TREATY  COUNTRIES
(FORM  1001).  Non-U.S. Persons that are  Noteholders residing in a country that
has a tax treaty with the United  States can obtain an exemption or reduced  tax
rate  (depending on the treaty terms)  by filing Form 1001 (Ownership, Exemption
or Reduced Rate Certificate).  If the treaty provides  only for a reduced  rate,
withholding  tax will  be imposed  at that  rate unless  the filer alternatively
files Form W-8. Form 1001 may be filed by the Noteholder or his agent.
 
    EXEMPTION FOR U.S. PERSONS (FORM W-9).   U.S. Persons can obtain a  complete
exemption  from  the withholding  tax by  filing Form  W-9 (Payer's  Request for
Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification).
 
    U.S. FEDERAL  INCOME  TAX REPORTING  PROCEDURE.    The holder  of  a  Global
Security  or, in the case of a Form 1001  or a Form 4224 filer, his agent, files
by submitting the  appropriate form  to the person  through whom  it holds  (the
clearing  agency, in the  case of persons  holding directly on  the books of the
clearing agency). Form W-8 and Form 1001 are effective for three calendar  years
and Form 4224 is effective for one calendar year.
 
    The term "U.S. Person" means (i) a citizen or resident of the United States,
(ii)  a corporation or partnership organized in  or under the laws of the United
States or any  political subdivision  thereof or (iii)  an estate  or trust  the
income  of which is includible  in gross income for  United States tax purposes,
regardless of its source. This  summary does not deal  with all aspects of  U.S.
federal  income tax withholding that  may be relevant to  foreign holders of the
Global Securities. Investors are advised to  consult their own tax advisors  for
specific  tax  advice  concerning  their holding  and  disposing  of  the Global
Securities.
 
                                      A-3
<PAGE>
                                 INDEX OF TERMS
 
    Set  forth below  is a  list of  the defined  terms used  in this Prospectus
Supplement and defined  herein and the  pages on which  the definitions of  such
terms  may  be  found herein.  Certain  defined  terms used  in  this Prospectus
Supplement  are  defined  in  the  Prospectus.  See  "Index  of  Terms"  in  the
Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>
A-1 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date.....................................      S-6, S-37
A-1 Note Pool Factor...........................................................           S-30
A-1 Note Rate..................................................................      S-5, S-31
A-1 Noteholders................................................................            S-5
A-1 Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount........................      S-9, S-37
A-1 Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall.................................      S-9, S-37
A-1 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount................................      S-9, S-37
A-1 Notes......................................................................       S-1, S-3
A-2 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date.....................................      S-6, S-37
A-2 Note Pool Factor...........................................................           S-30
A-2 Note Rate..................................................................      S-5, S-32
A-2 Noteholders................................................................            S-5
A-2 Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount........................      S-9, S-37
A-2 Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall.................................     S-10, S-37
A-2 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount................................     S-10, S-38
A-2 Notes......................................................................       S-1, S-3
A-3 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date.....................................      S-6, S-38
A-3 Note Pool Factor...........................................................           S-30
A-3 Note Prepayment Price......................................................           S-33
A-3 Note Rate..................................................................      S-5, S-32
A-3 Noteholders................................................................            S-5
A-3 Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount........................     S-10, S-38
A-3 Noteholders' Percentage....................................................     S-10, S-38
A-3 Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall.................................     S-11, S-38
A-3 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount................................     S-11, S-38
A-3 Notes......................................................................       S-1, S-3
Administration Agreement.......................................................           S-17
Administration Fee.............................................................           S-17
Administrator..................................................................           S-17
                                                                                    S-5, S-22,
APR............................................................................           S-38
Caterpillar....................................................................           S-31
Cede...........................................................................            S-2
Cedel..........................................................................            A-1
Certificate Balance............................................................     S-11, S-38
Certificate Final Scheduled Distribution Date..................................      S-8, S-39
Certificate Pool Factor........................................................           S-30
Certificate Prepayment Price...................................................           S-35
Certificate Underwriter........................................................           S-46
Certificate Underwriting Agreement.............................................           S-46
Certificateholders.............................................................            S-7
Certificateholders' Distributable Amount.......................................     S-11, S-39
Certificateholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall...............................     S-11, S-39
Certificateholders' Interest Distributable Amount..............................     S-12, S-39
Certificateholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount......................     S-12, S-39
Certificateholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount.....................     S-12, S-39
Certificateholders' Percentage.................................................     S-12, S-39
Certificateholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall..............................     S-12, S-39
Certificateholders' Principal Distributable Amount.............................     S-12, S-39
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>
Certificates...................................................................       S-1, S-3
CFSC...........................................................................            S-3
Closing Date...................................................................            S-1
Code...........................................................................           S-18
Collection Account.............................................................           S-15
Collection Period..............................................................           S-13
Commission.....................................................................            S-2
Current Distribution Date......................................................           S-41
Custodial Agreement............................................................           S-17
Custodian......................................................................           S-17
Cut-off Date...................................................................      S-4, S-22
Cut-off Date APR...............................................................      S-5, S-40
Dealers........................................................................            S-4
Definitive Certificates........................................................            S-3
Determination Date.............................................................           S-35
Disqualified Persons...........................................................           S-44
                                                                                     S-1, S-5,
Distribution Date..............................................................           S-31
DOL............................................................................           S-45
DTC............................................................................       S-2, A-1
ERISA..........................................................................     S-18, S-44
Euroclear......................................................................            A-1
Exchange Act...................................................................            S-2
Financed Equipment.............................................................            S-4
Global Securities..............................................................            A-1
Indenture......................................................................            S-3
Indenture Trustee..............................................................            S-3
Initial Pool Balance...........................................................      S-4, S-40
Installment Sales Contracts....................................................            S-4
Issuer.........................................................................       S-1, S-3
Liquidated Receivables.........................................................           S-36
Liquidation Proceeds...........................................................           S-35
Moody's........................................................................           S-19
Note Underwriters..............................................................           S-45
Note Underwriting Agreement....................................................           S-45
Noteholders....................................................................            S-5
Noteholders' Distributable Amount..............................................     S-13, S-40
Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall......................................     S-13, S-40
Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount.....................................     S-13, S-40
Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount.............................     S-13, S-40
Notes..........................................................................       S-1, S-3
Obligors.......................................................................            S-4
Over-Rate Receivables..........................................................           S-43
Owner Trustee..................................................................            S-3
Parties in Interest............................................................           S-44
Pass-Through Rate..............................................................     S-34, S-40
Plan Asset Regulation..........................................................           S-45
Plan Assets....................................................................     S-18, S-44
Plans..........................................................................     S-18, S-44
Pool Balance...................................................................      S-5, S-40
Principal Balance..............................................................      S-5, S-23
Principal Distribution Amount..................................................     S-13, S-36
Purchase Agreement.............................................................            S-4
Rating Agency..................................................................           S-19
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>
Realized Losses................................................................     S-14, S-40
Receivables....................................................................       S-2, S-4
Receivables Files..............................................................     S-18, S-20
Receivables Pool...............................................................           S-22
Record Date....................................................................       S-6, S-7
Reserve Account................................................................           S-14
Reserve Account Initial Deposit................................................     S-14, S-41
S&P............................................................................           S-19
Sale and Servicing Agreement...................................................            S-4
Securities.....................................................................       S-1, S-3
Seller.........................................................................            S-3
Servicer.......................................................................            S-3
Servicing Fee..................................................................           S-17
Servicing Fee Rate.............................................................           S-17
Special Tax Counsel............................................................           S-18
Specified Reserve Account Balance..............................................     S-15, S-41
Tennessee Tax Counsel..........................................................           S-18
Total Distribution Amount......................................................     S-14, S-36
Transfer and Servicing Agreements..............................................           S-35
Trust..........................................................................       S-1, S-3
Trust Agreement................................................................            S-3
U.S. ISC Portfolio.............................................................           S-27
U.S. Person....................................................................            A-3
Underwriters...................................................................           S-46
Underwriting Agreements........................................................           S-46
Variable Frequency.............................................................           S-24
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-6
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
 
                       CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL ASSET TRUSTS
                               ASSET BACKED NOTES
                           ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES
               CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL FUNDING CORPORATION, SELLER
              CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION, SERVICER
                                 --------------
 
    The  Asset Backed Notes (the "Notes") and the Asset Backed Certificates (the
"Certificates" and, together with the Notes, the "Securities") described  herein
may  be sold  from time to  time in  one or more  series (each,  a "Series"), in
amounts, at prices and on terms to be  determined at the time of sale and to  be
set  forth in a supplement to  this Prospectus (a "Prospectus Supplement"). Each
Series of Securities, which will include one or more classes of Notes and one or
more classes of  Certificates (each,  a "Class"), will  be issued  by a  limited
purpose  Delaware business trust to be formed with respect to such Series (each,
a "Trust").  Each Trust  will be  formed pursuant  to a  Trust Agreement  to  be
entered  into between Caterpillar Financial  Funding Corporation, as seller (the
"Seller"), and the owner trustee specified in the related Prospectus  Supplement
(the  "Owner Trustee").  The Notes  of each  Series will  be issued  and secured
pursuant to an Indenture between a Trust and the indenture trustee specified  in
the  related Prospectus Supplement (the  "Indenture Trustee") and will represent
indebtedness of  the  related  Trust.  The  Certificates  of  each  Series  will
represent fractional undivided beneficial equity interests in the related Trust.
The  property of  each Trust  will include  a pool  of retail  installment sales
contracts and/or  equipment finance  lease contracts,  including the  rights  to
receive  certain payments made with respect to such contracts (collectively, the
"Receivables") secured by  new and/or used  machinery manufactured primarily  by
Caterpillar  Inc. or its affiliate  Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc.
(the "Financed Equipment"),  certain monies  due or received  thereunder on  and
after   the  applicable  Cut-off  Date  set  forth  in  the  related  Prospectus
Supplement, security  interests in  such Financed  Equipment and  certain  other
property,  all as described herein and  in the related Prospectus Supplement. In
addition, if so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the property  of
a  Trust will  include monies  on deposit in  a trust  account (the "Pre-Funding
Account") to be established in  the name of the  Indenture Trustee on behalf  of
the   related  Securityholders,  which  will  be  used  to  purchase  additional
Receivables (the "Subsequent  Receivables") from  the Seller from  time to  time
during the Funding Period specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
    Except  as  otherwise provided  in the  related Prospectus  Supplement, each
Class of  Securities  of  any Series  will  represent  the right  to  receive  a
specified   amount  of  payments  of  principal  and  interest  on  the  related
Receivables, at the rates, on the dates  and in the manner described herein  and
in  the related Prospectus Supplement. The right  of each Class of Securities to
receive payments may be senior or
 
                                                   (CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE)
 
POTENTIAL INVESTORS SHOULD  CONSIDER, AMONG  OTHER THINGS,  THE INFORMATION  SET
FORTH  IN  "RISK  FACTORS" COMMENCING  ON  PAGE  13 HEREIN  AND  IN  THE RELATED
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
 
                              -------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT  BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES  AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
    ACCURACY  OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY         REPRESENTATION TO
                      THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
    Retain this Prospectus for future reference. This Prospectus may not be used
to consummate  sales  of  Securities  offered hereby  unless  accompanied  by  a
Prospectus Supplement.
 
                              -------------------
 
                  The date of this Prospectus is May 15, 1996
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)
 
subordinate  to the rights of  one or more of the  other Classes of such Series.
Distributions on Certificates  of a Series  may be subordinated  in priority  to
payments  due on  the related Notes  to the  extent described herein  and in the
related Prospectus Supplement. A Series may include one or more Classes of Notes
and Certificates  which  differ as  to  the  timing and  priority  of  payments,
allocations  of losses, interest  rate or amount of  distributions in respect of
principal or interest or both. A Series may also include one or more Classes  of
Notes  or Certificates entitled  to distributions in  respect of principal, with
disproportionate, nominal or no interest  distributions, or to distributions  in
respect   of   interest,  with   disproportionate,   nominal  or   no  principal
distributions. The rate  of payment  in respect of  principal of  the Notes  and
distributions  in respect of the Certificate  Balance (as defined herein) of the
Certificates of any Class will depend on  the priority of payment of such  Class
and   the  rate  and  timing   of  payments  (including  prepayments,  defaults,
liquidations and repurchases of Receivables) on the related Receivables. A  rate
of  payment on the related Receivables lower or higher than that anticipated may
affect the  weighted average  life of  each Class  of Securities  in the  manner
described herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
    The  Notes  of  a  given  Series  will  represent  obligations  of,  and the
Certificates of such Series will represent undivided beneficial equity interests
in, the related Trust  only and will not  represent obligations of or  interests
in,  and will  not be  guaranteed or  insured by,  Caterpillar Financial Funding
Corporation, Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, Caterpillar Inc. or any
of their  respective  affiliates.  Prospective  investors  should  consider  the
factors  set forth  under "Risk  Factors" herein  and in  the related Prospectus
Supplement.
 
    Each Series of Notes  or Class offered  hereby will be rated  in one of  the
four highest rating categories by at least one nationally recognized statistical
rating organization.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                 REPORTS TO NOTEHOLDERS AND CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
 
    Unless  and until  Definitive Notes  or Definitive  Certificates are issued,
periodic and  annual unaudited  reports  containing information  concerning  the
Receivables  of the related Trust  will be prepared by  the Servicer and sent on
behalf of such Trust to Cede & Co. ("Cede"), as nominee of The Depository  Trust
Company  ("DTC") and registered holder of  the related Securities. To the extent
specified in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement,  such  periodic  and  annual
unaudited  reports  will  also  be sent  on  behalf  of any  such  Trust  to any
registered   holders    of    the    Securities.   See    "Issuance    of    the
Securities--Book-Entry  Registration"  and  "Description  of  the  Transfer  and
Servicing Agreements--Reports to Securityholders" herein. Such reports will  not
constitute  financial statements that  have been examined  and reported upon by,
with an  opinion expressed  by, an  independent public  accountant or  certified
public  accountant.  Each  Trust  will file  with  the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") such  periodic reports as  are required under  the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended, and the  rules and regulations of
the Commission thereunder (the "Exchange Act") or as are otherwise agreed to  by
the  Commission. Copies of such periodic reports may be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,  D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    The  Seller, as originator  of each Trust,  has filed with  the Commission a
Registration Statement  (together  with  all amendments  and  exhibits  thereto,
referred  to herein as the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended,  and the rules  and regulations of  the Commission  thereunder
(the  "Securities Act"), with respect to the Securities offered pursuant to this
Prospectus. For  further  information, reference  is  made to  the  Registration
Statement  which may be inspected and copied, at prescribed rates, at the public
reference facilities maintained  by the  Commission at 450  Fifth Street,  N.W.,
Washington,  D.C. 20549; at the Commission's Midwest Regional Office at 500 West
Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511; and at the Commission's  Northeast
Regional Office at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
    All  documents filed with the Commission by the Seller, as originator of any
Trust, pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14  or 15(d) of the Exchange Act  after
the  date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of any offering of the
Securities made  by  this Prospectus  shall  be  deemed to  be  incorporated  by
reference  in this Prospectus and to be a  part of this Prospectus from the date
of the filing of such documents.
 
    The Servicer on  behalf of  any Trust will  provide without  charge to  each
person  to whom this Prospectus is delivered,  on the written or oral request of
such person, a copy of any or all  of the documents referred to above that  have
been or may be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, other than exhibits
to  such documents unless such exhibits are specifically requested. Such written
or oral requests should  be directed to the  Servicer at: Caterpillar  Financial
Services  Corporation, 3322  West End  Avenue, Nashville,  Tennessee 37203-1071,
Attention: Treasurer (Telephone: (615) 386-5800).
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                                SUMMARY OF TERMS
 
    The  following  summary is  qualified in  its entirety  by reference  to the
detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus, and by reference to
the information with respect  to the Securities of  any Series contained in  the
related  Prospectus Supplement to  be prepared and  delivered in connection with
the offering of such Securities. Certain  capitalized terms used in the  summary
are  defined elsewhere in the Prospectus on the pages indicated in the "Index of
Terms."
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
Issuer............................  With respect to each Series of Securities, the  Delaware
                                    business  trust  formed  by  the  Seller  and  the Owner
                                    Trustee specified in  the related Prospectus  Supplement
                                    pursuant   to   a  Trust   Agreement  (as   amended  and
                                    supplemented from  time to  time, a  "Trust  Agreement")
                                    between  the  Seller  and  such  Owner  Trustee,  acting
                                    thereunder not in its individual capacity but solely  as
                                    Owner  Trustee  for  such  trust  (the  "Trust"  or  the
                                    "Issuer").
Seller............................  Caterpillar   Financial    Funding   Corporation    (the
                                    "Seller"),  a  Nevada  corporation  and  a  wholly-owned
                                    subsidiary of Caterpillar Financial Services
                                    Corporation. The  principal  executive  offices  of  the
                                    Seller   are  located  at  Greenview  Plaza,  2950  East
                                    Flamingo Road, Suite  E-4, Las Vegas,  Nevada 89121  and
                                    its telephone number is (702)735-2514.
Servicer..........................  Caterpillar    Financial   Services   Corporation   (the
                                    "Servicer" or  "CFSC"),  a Delaware  corporation  and  a
                                    wholly-owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc.
Indenture Trustee.................  With respect to each Series of Securities, the Indenture
                                    Trustee specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
Owner Trustee.....................  With  respect to  each Series  of Securities,  the Owner
                                    Trustee specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
The Notes.........................  Each Series  of  Securities  will include  one  or  more
                                    Classes  of Notes, which  will be issued  pursuant to an
                                    indenture  between  the  related  Trust  and   Indenture
                                    Trustee  (as amended and supplemented from time to time,
                                    an "Indenture").
                                    Unless otherwise  specified  in the  related  Prospectus
                                    Supplement,  Notes  will  be available  for  purchase in
                                    denominations of $1,000  and integral multiples  thereof
                                    and  will be  available in book-entry  form only. Unless
                                    otherwise   specified   in   the   related    Prospectus
                                    Supplement,  holders  of Notes  ("Noteholders")  will be
                                    able to receive Definitive Notes only under the  limited
                                    circumstances   described  herein  or   in  the  related
                                    Prospectus   Supplement.    See   "Issuance    of    the
                                    Securities--Definitive Securities."
                                    Unless  otherwise  specified in  the  related Prospectus
                                    Supplement, each  Class  of  Notes will  have  a  stated
                                    principal  amount  specified in  the  related Prospectus
                                    Supplement and will bear interest at a rate or at  rates
                                    (with  respect  to each  Class  of Notes,  the "Interest
                                    Rate") specified in  the related Prospectus  Supplement.
                                    Each  Class of Notes may have a different Interest Rate,
                                    which may be  a fixed, variable  or adjustable  Interest
                                    Rate,  or any combination of  the foregoing. The related
                                    Prospectus Supplement will specify the Interest Rate for
                                    each Class of Notes, or  the method for determining  the
                                    Interest Rate.
</TABLE>
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
                                    With  respect  to a  Series  that includes  two  or more
                                    Classes of Notes, each Class may differ as to the timing
                                    and priority  of  payments,  seniority,  allocations  of
                                    losses,   Interest  Rate  or  amount  of  or  method  of
                                    determining  payments  of   principal  or  interest   as
                                    described  in  the related  Prospectus  Supplement. Pay-
                                    ments of principal  or interest in  respect of any  such
                                    Class  or  Classes  may  or may  not  be  made  upon the
                                    occurrence of  specified  events  or  on  the  basis  of
                                    collections  from designated portions of the Receivables
                                    in the related Trust. In addition, a Series may  include
                                    one or more Classes of Notes ("Strip Notes") entitled to
                                    (i) principal payments with disproportionate, nominal or
                                    no  interest  payments  or (ii)  interest  payments with
                                    disproportionate, nominal or no principal payments.
                                    If the  Servicer exercises  its option  to purchase  the
                                    Receivables  of  a  Trust  in  the  manner  and  on  the
                                    respective  terms   and   conditions   described   under
                                    "Description    of    the    Transfer    and   Servicing
                                    Agreements--Termination," the related outstanding  Notes
                                    will  be prepaid on  the terms specified  in the related
                                    Prospectus  Supplement.  In  addition,  if  the  related
                                    Prospectus  Supplement provides  that the  property of a
                                    Trust  will   include   a   Pre-Funding   Account,   the
                                    outstanding  Notes may be  subject to partial prepayment
                                    on or  immediately  following  the end  of  the  related
                                    Funding  Period (as such term  is defined in the related
                                    Prospectus  Supplement,  the  "Funding  Period")  in  an
                                    amount  and manner  specified in  the related Prospectus
                                    Supplement. In the  event of a  partial prepayment,  the
                                    Noteholders  may, but will  not necessarily, be entitled
                                    to receive a prepayment premium from the related  Trust,
                                    in  the amount and to the extent provided in the related
                                    Prospectus Supplement.
The Certificates..................  Each Series  of  Securities  will include  one  or  more
                                    Classes  of Certificates, which  will be issued pursuant
                                    to a Trust Agreement.
                                    The Prospectus Supplement  related to  each Series  will
                                    specify  whether the related Certificates will be issued
                                    in fully  registered, certificated  form to  holders  of
                                    Certificates  ("Certificateholders"  and,  together with
                                    the Noteholders, "Securityholders") or their nominee, or
                                    if such  Certificates will  be available  in  book-entry
                                    form  only. See "Issuance  of the Securities--Definitive
                                    Securities" and "--Book-Entry Registration" herein.
                                    Unless otherwise  specified  in the  related  Prospectus
                                    Supplement,  each  Class  of  Certificates  will  have a
                                    stated Certificate  Balance  specified  in  the  related
                                    Prospectus  Supplement  (the "Certificate  Balance") and
                                    will accrue interest on such Certificate Balance at  the
                                    rate  (with respect  to each Class  of Certificates, the
                                    "Pass-Through Rate") specified in the related Prospectus
                                    Supplement.  Each  Class  of  Certificates  may  have  a
                                    different  Pass-Through  Rate,  which  may  be  a fixed,
                                    variable  or  adjustable   Pass-Through  Rate,  or   any
                                    combination  of  the foregoing.  The  related Prospectus
                                    Supplement will specify the  Pass-Through Rate for  each
                                    Class  of Certificates or the method for determining the
                                    Pass-Through Rate.
</TABLE>
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
                                    With respect  to  a Series  that  includes two  or  more
                                    Classes  of Certificates,  each Class  may differ  as to
                                    timing  and   priority  of   distributions,   seniority,
                                    allocations  of losses, Pass-Through  Rates or amount of
                                    or method  of determining  distributions in  respect  of
                                    principal  or  interest. Distributions  of  principal or
                                    interest in respect of any such Class or Classes may  or
                                    may  not be made upon the occurrence of specified events
                                    or on the basis of collections from designated  portions
                                    of  the Receivables in the related Trust. In addition, a
                                    Series may include one  or more Classes of  Certificates
                                    ("Strip  Certificates") entitled to (i) distributions in
                                    respect of principal  with disproportionate, nominal  or
                                    no  interest  distributions  or  (ii)  distributions  in
                                    respect of interest with disproportionate, nominal or no
                                    principal distributions.
                                    To  the  extent  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus
                                    Supplement, distributions in respect of the Certificates
                                    may  be subordinated in priority  of payment to payments
                                    on the Notes.
                                    If the  Servicer exercises  its option  to purchase  the
                                    Receivables  of  a  Trust,  in  the  manner  and  on the
                                    respective  terms   and   conditions   described   under
                                    "Description    of    the    Transfer    and   Servicing
                                    Agreements--Termination" herein, the related
                                    Certificateholders  will  receive  as  a  prepayment  an
                                    amount  in respect  of the Certificates  as specified in
                                    the related Prospectus Supplement.  In addition, if  the
                                    related Prospectus Supplement provides that the property
                                    of  a Trust will include a Pre-Funding Account, Certifi-
                                    cateholders  may   receive  a   partial  prepayment   of
                                    principal  on or  immediately following  the end  of the
                                    Funding Period in an amount and manner specified in  the
                                    related  Prospectus  Supplement.  In the  event  of such
                                    partial prepayment,  such  Certificateholders  may,  but
                                    will   not  necessarily,   be  entitled   to  receive  a
                                    prepayment premium from such Trust, in the amount and to
                                    the  extent   provided   in   the   related   Prospectus
                                    Supplement.
The Trust Property................  The  property  of  each  Trust will  include  a  pool of
                                    Receivables which may consist  of (i) fixed or  variable
                                    rate   retail  installment  sales  contracts  (each,  an
                                    "Installment Sales Contract")  and/or equipment  finance
                                    lease  contracts (each, a "Lease") secured by new and/or
                                    used machinery  manufactured  primarily  by  Caterpillar
                                    Inc.   ("Caterpillar")   or  its   affiliate  Mitsubishi
                                    Caterpillar  Forklift   America  Inc.   (the   "Financed
                                    Equipment"),   including   rights  to   receive  certain
                                    payments   made   with   respect   to   such   contracts
                                    (collectively,   the   "Receivables")  and   all  monies
                                    (including accrued interest) due or received  thereunder
                                    on  or  after  the  applicable  Cut-off  Date  and  (ii)
                                    security interests  in  the Financed  Equipment  and  in
                                    certain   other  cross-collateralized   equipment.  With
                                    respect to  each Trust  as to  which the  related  Trust
                                    Property  includes both Installment  Sales Contracts and
                                    Leases, the related Prospectus Supplement will set forth
                                    the percentages of the related Receivables  constituting
                                    Installment  Sales  Contracts and  Leases. CFSC  and the
                                    Seller will represent that  all Leases are "net  leases"
                                    and  contain  provisions which  unconditionally obligate
                                    each Obligor thereunder to  make all payments  scheduled
                                    under  its Lease without  any right of  setoff. No Lease
                                    contract requires any additional performance obligations
                                    by CFSC.
</TABLE>
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
                                    The property of each Trust will also include (i) amounts
                                    on  deposit  in  certain  trust  accounts,  including  a
                                    related  Collection  Account, any  Reserve  Account, any
                                    Pre-Funding Account and any other account identified  in
                                    the  related  Prospectus  Supplement,  and  the proceeds
                                    thereof, (ii)  the rights  to  proceeds from  claims  on
                                    physical  damage, credit life, liability, and disability
                                    insurance policies, if any, covering Financed  Equipment
                                    or  Obligors, as the case may  be, (iii) any proceeds of
                                    repossessed Financed Equipment, (iv)  the rights of  the
                                    Seller  under the related Purchase Agreement (as defined
                                    below), (v) the interest of  the Seller in any  proceeds
                                    from  recourse to Dealers on  such Receivables, (vi) the
                                    interest earned on short-term  investments made by  such
                                    Trust  and (vii)  any proceeds  of the  foregoing. On or
                                    prior to the  Closing Date specified  in the  Prospectus
                                    Supplement  with  respect to  a  Trust, the  Seller will
                                    purchase Receivables from  CFSC pursuant  to a  Purchase
                                    Agreement  (the "Purchase Agreement"),  between CFSC and
                                    the Seller, and the Seller will sell the Receivables  to
                                    the  related  Trust  pursuant to  a  Sale  and Servicing
                                    Agreement (the "Sale and Servicing Agreement") among the
                                    Seller, the Servicer  and such  Trust. Such  Receivables
                                    (the  "Initial  Receivables")  shall  have  an aggregate
                                    principal balance  specified in  the related  Prospectus
                                    Supplement  as of  a date specified  therein (such date,
                                    the "Initial Cut-off Date").
                                    If and to the extent provided in the related  Prospectus
                                    Supplement,  the Seller  will be obligated  to sell, and
                                    the related Trust will be obligated to purchase (subject
                                    to  the  availability   of  Receivables,   and  to   the
                                    satisfaction  of  certain  conditions  described  in the
                                    related Sale  and Servicing  Agreement), the  Subsequent
                                    Receivables  from time to time during the Funding Period
                                    specified in  the related  Prospectus Supplement,  which
                                    Subsequent  Receivables will have an aggregate principal
                                    balance as  of  the  date determined  therein  (each,  a
                                    "Subsequent Cut-off Date", and together with the Initial
                                    Cut-off  Date, a  "Cut-off Date")  not in  excess of the
                                    amount  on  deposit  in  the  Pre-Funding  Account  (the
                                    "Pre-Funded Amount") on the related Closing Date. If the
                                    related   Prospectus  Supplement   so  provides   for  a
                                    Pre-Funding  Account,  the  funds  on  deposit  in  such
                                    Pre-Funding Account on the related Closing Date will not
                                    exceed  25%  of  the  related  Trust  Property,  and the
                                    related Pre-Funding Period shall not exceed three months
                                    from the related Closing Date.
                                    The Receivables  will  arise from  loans  and/or  leases
                                    originated in connection with retail sales and leases by
                                    dealers  (the "Dealers") of Financed Equipment to retail
                                    purchasers  (the   "Obligors")   and  will   be   either
                                    originated  by CFSC,  or acquired  from such  Dealers by
                                    CFSC, in  the  ordinary  course  of  its  business.  The
                                    Receivables  sold to a  Trust will be  selected from the
                                    portfolio of  installment  sales contracts  and  finance
                                    leases  owned by CFSC based on the criteria specified in
                                    the related Purchase Agreement and described herein  and
                                    in the related Prospectus Supplement.
Credit and Cash Flow Enhancement..  If  and to the extent provided in the related Prospectus
                                    Supplement, credit enhancement with  respect to a  Trust
                                    or any Class or
</TABLE>
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
                                    Classes of Securities may include any one or more of the
                                    following:  subordination  of  one  or  more  Classes of
                                    Securities  to  other  Classes  of  Securities,  Reserve
                                    Accounts,  over-collateralization,  letters  of  credit,
                                    credit or  liquidity facilities,  surety bonds,  guaran-
                                    teed  investment contracts, swaps or other interest rate
                                    protection  agreements,  repurchase  obligations,  other
                                    agreements with respect to third party payments or other
                                    support,  cash deposits or  other arrangements. Any form
                                    of credit enhancement may  have certain limitations  and
                                    exclusions  from  coverage  thereunder,  which  will  be
                                    described in the related Prospectus Supplement, and  may
                                    be  replaced  with another  form of  credit enhancement,
                                    provided that  the Rating  Agencies confirm  in  writing
                                    that such substitution will not result in a reduction or
                                    withdrawal of the rating of any Class of Securities. See
                                    "Description    of    the    Transfer    and   Servicing
                                    Agreements--Credit and Cash Flow Enhancement" herein.
Reserve Account...................  Unless otherwise  specified  in the  related  Prospectus
                                    Supplement,  a Reserve  Account will  be established and
                                    maintained by the Seller for  each Trust in the name  of
                                    the  Indenture Trustee with an  initial deposit, if any,
                                    by the Seller  of cash or  certain investments having  a
                                    value  equal to the amount specified in the related Pro-
                                    spectus Supplement.  To  the  extent  specified  in  the
                                    related  Prospectus  Supplement,  funds  in  the Reserve
                                    Account will thereafter be  supplemented by the  deposit
                                    of  amounts  remaining  on any  Distribution  Date after
                                    making all  other distributions  required on  such  date
                                    and,  if applicable, any amounts  deposited from time to
                                    time from the Pre-Funding Account in connection with the
                                    purchase  of  Subsequent  Receivables.  Amounts  in  the
                                    Reserve  Account may be available to cover shortfalls in
                                    amounts  due  to  the   holders  of  those  Classes   of
                                    Securities   specified   in   the   related   Prospectus
                                    Supplement in  the manner  and under  the  circumstances
                                    specified  therein.  The  related  Prospectus Supplement
                                    will  also   specify  to   whom  and   the  manner   and
                                    circumstances  under  which  amounts on  deposit  in the
                                    Reserve  Account  (after  giving  effect  to  all  other
                                    required  distributions to be made by the related Trust)
                                    in excess of the "Specified Reserve Account Balance" (as
                                    defined in the  related Prospectus  Supplement) will  be
                                    distributed.
Principal and Interest Funding      If  the Distribution Dates  for a Series  or Class occur
Accounts..........................  less  frequently  than  monthly,  collections  or  other
                                    amounts  (or  the  portion  thereof)  allocable  to such
                                    Series or Class may be  deposited on a monthly basis  in
                                    one  or more trust accounts  established for the benefit
                                    of Securityholders and  used to  make interest  payments
                                    and principal payments to Securityholders of such Series
                                    or Class on a following Distribution Date.
Pre-Funding Account...............  If  so specified  in the  related Prospectus Supplement,
                                    the related Trust Property may include monies on deposit
                                    in a  trust account  (the "Pre-Funding  Account") to  be
                                    established  by the Seller in  the name of the Indenture
                                    Trustee on behalf of the related Securityholders,  which
                                    monies  will be used  to purchase Subsequent Receivables
                                    from the Seller  from time  to time  during the  Funding
                                    Period  specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement.
</TABLE>
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
                                    The amount  that  may  be  initially  deposited  into  a
                                    Pre-Funding  Account,  and the  length of  a Pre-Funding
                                    Period, shall be limited as described herein.
Transfer and Servicing              With respect  to  each  Trust, pursuant  to  a  Purchase
Agreements........................  Agreement,  the  Seller will  purchase  Receivables from
                                    CFSC and, pursuant to the Sale and Servicing  Agreement,
                                    the  Seller will sell  the related Receivables, together
                                    with its rights  under the Purchase  Agreement, to  such
                                    Trust.  In addition,  the Servicer will  agree with such
                                    Trust to  be  responsible for  servicing,  managing  and
                                    making  collections on  the Receivables.  The rights and
                                    benefits of the Seller under the Purchase Agreement  and
                                    of  such Trust  under the  Sale and  Servicing Agreement
                                    will be  assigned to  the related  Indenture Trustee  as
                                    collateral  for the Notes. The obligations of the Seller
                                    and the  Servicer  under  such  Transfer  and  Servicing
                                    Agreements  include those specified  below. With respect
                                    to each Trust, unless the related Prospectus  Supplement
                                    provides  for  the  filing  of  Uniform  Commercial Code
                                    ("UCC") financing  statements to  perfect the  interests
                                    described  herein, a custodian (the "Custodian") will be
                                    responsible  for  maintaining  custody  of  the  related
                                    Receivables  Files  (as  defined herein)  pursuant  to a
                                    Custodial Agreement  (the "Custodial  Agreement")  among
                                    CFSC,  the Seller, the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and
                                    such  Custodian.   See  "Risk   Factors--Perfection   of
                                    Interests  in  Receivables  and  in  Financed Equipment"
                                    herein.
                                    Unless otherwise  specified  in the  related  Prospectus
                                    Supplement,  the Seller will  be obligated to repurchase
                                    any Receivable if (i) the interest of the related  Trust
                                    therein  is materially adversely affected by a breach of
                                    any representation  or warranty  made by  the Seller  or
                                    CFSC  with respect  to such Receivable  (other than cer-
                                    tain specified representations and warranties) and  (ii)
                                    such  breach has not  been cured within  the time period
                                    specified herein following the discovery by or notice to
                                    the Seller of the  breach. See "Description of  Transfer
                                    and   Servicing   Agreements--Sale  and   Assignment  of
                                    Receivables"  herein.  If  such  breach  arises  from  a
                                    representation  or warranty made by CFSC in the Purchase
                                    Agreement, CFSC  will be  obligated to  repurchase  such
                                    Receivable  from  the  Seller  pursuant  to  the related
                                    Purchase Agreement contemporaneously  with the  Seller's
                                    repurchase from such Trust. The obligation of the Seller
                                    to  repurchase any Receivable with respect to which CFSC
                                    has breached a representation or warranty is subject  to
                                    CFSC's repurchase of such Receivable.
                                    Consistent  with  its normal  servicing  procedures, the
                                    Servicer  may,  in  its  discretion,  arrange  with  the
                                    Obligor  on a Receivable to extend or modify its payment
                                    schedule.  To  the  extent   provided  in  the   related
                                    Prospectus   Supplement,  some  of  such  extensions  or
                                    modifications may result in the Servicer's  repurchasing
                                    such Receivable.
                                    Unless  otherwise  specified in  the  related Prospectus
                                    Supplement, the Servicer shall  receive a servicing  fee
                                    for  each Collection Period (the "Servicing Fee"), which
                                    Servicing Fee shall equal (a) a
</TABLE>
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
                                    fixed percentage  per  annum  to  be  specified  in  the
                                    related Prospectus Supplement (the "Servicing Fee Rate")
                                    of  the  Pool  Balance  as  of  the  first  day  of such
                                    Collection Period,  plus (b)  any late  fees,  extension
                                    fees,  property and sales taxes (with respect to Leases)
                                    and other administrative fees or similar charges allowed
                                    by applicable  law  with  respect  to  such  Receivables
                                    (collectively,  the "Servicer's Yield"). With respect to
                                    each Trust, the Servicing Fee for each Collection Period
                                    will decline over the term of the related Securities  as
                                    the   aggregate   principal  balance   of   the  related
                                    Receivables decreases. See "Description of the  Transfer
                                    and  Servicing  Agreements--Servicing  Compensation  and
                                    Payment  of  Expenses"   herein  and   in  the   related
                                    Prospectus Supplement.
Administration Agreement..........  With  respect to  each Trust,  CFSC, in  its capacity as
                                    administrator (the "Administrator"), will enter into  an
                                    agreement  (an  "Administration  Agreement")  with  such
                                    Trust and  the  related Indenture  Trustee  pursuant  to
                                    which  the  Administrator  will  agree,  to  the  extent
                                    provided in  such Administration  Agreement, to  provide
                                    the  notices and to perform certain other administrative
                                    obligations  required  by  the  related  Indenture.   As
                                    compensation  for the performance of the Administrator's
                                    obligations under  its Administration  Agreement and  as
                                    reimbursement  for  its  expenses  related  thereto, the
                                    Administrator will  be  entitled  to  a  monthly  admin-
                                    istration  fee  in  an amount  to  be set  forth  in the
                                    related  Prospectus   Supplement  (the   "Administration
                                    Fee").
Certain Legal Aspects of the        With respect to any Trust, unless the related Prospectus
Receivables; Repurchase             Supplement   provides  that   such  interests   will  be
Obligations.......................  perfected  by  filing  UCC  financing  statements,   the
                                    transfer  of ownership  of the Receivables  of any Trust
                                    from CFSC  to the  Seller and  from the  Seller to  such
                                    Trust, and the granting of the security interest in such
                                    Receivables  by  such  Trust  to  the  related Indenture
                                    Trustee, will, in each case, be perfected by the related
                                    Custodian, on behalf of the applicable assignee,  taking
                                    possession  of  the Installment  Sales  Contracts and/or
                                    Leases  and   any   related   Dealer   Agreements   (the
                                    "Receivables   Files").   The  related   Custodian  will
                                    maintain possession of such Receivables Files in a space
                                    leased  by  such  Custodian,  which  space  may,  if  so
                                    specified  in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement,  be
                                    proximate to the  principal executive  offices of  CFSC.
                                    Although  steps will be  taken to ensure  that CFSC does
                                    not obtain  possession  or control  of  any  Receivables
                                    Files, should a court find that CFSC did have possession
                                    or  control of such Receivables  Files, the interests of
                                    such Trust  and the  related Indenture  Trustee in  such
                                    Receivables    may   be    unperfected   under   certain
                                    circumstances, and distributions to Securityholders  may
                                    be  adversely  affected. Unless  the  related Prospectus
                                    Supplement otherwise specifies, UCC financing statements
                                    will not be filed to perfect such transfers of ownership
                                    or such grant of a security interest.
                                    If UCC financing  statements are filed  to perfect  such
                                    transfers  of  ownership  or  such  grants  of  security
                                    interests,   to   facilitate   servicing   and    reduce
                                    administrative  costs,  the  Receivables  Files  will be
                                    retained by  the Servicer  and  will not  be  physically
                                    segregated  from other similar documents that are in the
                                    Servicer's possession
</TABLE>
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
                                    or otherwise stamped or  marked to reflect the  transfer
                                    to  the related Trust  so long as  CFSC is servicing the
                                    Receivables. However, UCC  financing statements will  be
                                    filed   reflecting  the  sale   and  assignment  of  the
                                    Receivables by CFSC to the Seller, and by the Seller  to
                                    the related Trust, and the Servicer's accounting records
                                    and  computer files will be marked to reflect such sales
                                    and assignments.  Because  the  Receivables  Files  will
                                    remain  in  the Servicer's  possession  and will  not be
                                    stamped or otherwise marked to reflect the assignment to
                                    the Indenture Trustee,  if a  subsequent purchaser  were
                                    able  to  take  physical possession  of  the Receivables
                                    Files without  knowledge  of such  assignment,  the  In-
                                    denture  Trustee's interest in  the Receivables could be
                                    defeated. In such event, distributions to
                                    Securityholders may  be  adversely affected.  See  "Risk
                                    Factors--Perfection  of Interests in  Receivables and in
                                    Financed Equipment" herein.
                                    With respect to each Series of Securities, in connection
                                    with the sale of the  Receivables to the related  Trust,
                                    security interests in the Financed Equipment and certain
                                    other   cross-collateralized   equipment   securing  the
                                    Receivables will be assigned by  CFSC to the Seller  and
                                    by  the Seller to such Trust. Unless otherwise specified
                                    in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Seller will be
                                    obligated to  repurchase  any  Receivable  sold  to  the
                                    related  Trust (subject to CFSC's repurchase thereof) in
                                    the event  it  is  determined  that  a  first  perfected
                                    security  interest in the  name of CFSC  in the Financed
                                    Equipment securing such Receivable  did not exist as  of
                                    the  related Closing Date or, if applicable, any related
                                    Subsequent  Closing  Date,  if  (i)  such  breach  shall
                                    materially  adversely affect the  interest of such Trust
                                    in such Receivable and (ii) such failure or breach shall
                                    not have been cured by the  last day of the second  (or,
                                    if  the Seller  elects, the  first) month  following the
                                    discovery by or notice to the Seller of such breach, and
                                    CFSC will  be obligated  to repurchase  such  Receivable
                                    from  the  Seller  contemporaneously  with  the Seller's
                                    repurchase from such Trust.  To the extent the  security
                                    interest  of CFSC  in the related  Financed Equipment is
                                    perfected, subject to  the exceptions set  forth in  the
                                    following  sentence, such Trust will  have a prior claim
                                    over subsequent  purchasers of  such Financed  Equipment
                                    and   holders   of   subsequently   perfected   security
                                    interests.  However,  as   against  liens  for   repairs
                                    ("Mechanics' Liens") on an item of Financed Equipment or
                                    for  taxes unpaid by  an Obligor under  a Receivable, or
                                    through fraud  or  negligence  of CFSC  or  (in  certain
                                    circumstances) the related Dealer, such Trust could lose
                                    the  priority of  its security interest  or its security
                                    interest in the related Financed Equipment. Neither  the
                                    Seller  nor  the Servicer  will  have any  obligation to
                                    repurchase a Receivable  if liens for  repairs or  taxes
                                    unpaid  by an  Obligor result  in such  Trust losing the
                                    priority  of  its  security  interest  or  its  security
                                    interest  in such  Financed Equipment  after the related
                                    Closing Date or, if  applicable, any related  Subsequent
                                    Closing Date. Federal and state consumer protection laws
                                    impose  requirements upon  creditors in  connection with
                                    extensions of credit and collections relating to  retail
                                    installment  sales contracts and  leases, and certain of
                                    these
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
                                    laws make an assignee of  such a contract liable to  the
                                    obligor  thereon for any violation by the lender. Unless
                                    otherwise   specified   in   the   related    Prospectus
                                    Supplement,  under certain circumstances the Seller will
                                    be obligated to  repurchase any  Receivable (subject  to
                                    CFSC's  repurchase thereof)  which fails  to comply with
                                    such  requirements,  and  CFSC  will  be  obligated   to
                                    repurchase    such    Receivable    from    the   Seller
                                    contemporaneously with the Seller's repurchase from such
                                    Trust.
Tax Status........................  Upon the issuance of  each Series of Securities,  unless
                                    otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement,
                                    Orrick,  Herrington & Sutcliffe,  as special tax counsel
                                    to the related  Trust, will deliver  its opinion to  the
                                    effect  that, for  federal income tax  purposes: (i) the
                                    Notes of such Series will  be characterized as debt  and
                                    (ii)   such  Trust  will  not  be  characterized  as  an
                                    association (or a  publicly traded partnership)  taxable
                                    as  a corporation. Each Noteholder, by the acceptance of
                                    a Note of a given Series, will agree to treat such  Note
                                    as  indebtedness,  and  each  Certificateholder,  by the
                                    acceptance of  a Certificate  of  a given  Series,  will
                                    agree  to treat  the related  Trust as  a partnership in
                                    which the  related Certificateholders  are partners  for
                                    federal  income purposes.  Alternative characterizations
                                    of such Trust  and such Certificates  are possible,  but
                                    should not result in materially adverse tax consequences
                                    to  Certificateholders. See "Certain  Federal Income Tax
                                    Considerations" for  additional  information  concerning
                                    the application of federal tax laws.
                                    Unless  otherwise  provided  in  the  related Prospectus
                                    Supplement,  upon  the  issuance   of  each  Series   of
                                    Securities,  Tuke  Yopp  &  Sweeney,  as  Tennessee  tax
                                    counsel to the related Trust ("Tennessee Tax  Counsel"),
                                    will deliver its opinion that, with respect to corporate
                                    Certificateholders  and Noteholders, the  same tax char-
                                    acterizations should  apply  for purposes  of  Tennessee
                                    income   tax  as   for  federal   income  tax  purposes.
                                    Non-corporate Certificateholders and Noteholders who are
                                    residents of Tennessee  will be subject  to taxation  on
                                    income  distributions with  respect to  the Certificates
                                    and the  Notes of  a given  Series at  the rate  of  six
                                    percent  (6%). In the opinion  of Tennessee Tax Counsel,
                                    the related Trust should not  be subject to taxation  in
                                    Tennessee. See "Certain State Tax Considerations" herein
                                    for additional information concerning the application of
                                    Tennessee   tax  laws  to  any  Trust  and  the  related
                                    Securities.
ERISA Considerations..............  A fiduciary of any employee  benefit plan or other  plan
                                    or arrangement subject to the Employee Retirement Income
                                    Security  Act of 1974, as  amended ("ERISA"), or Section
                                    4975 of the  Internal Revenue Code  of 1986, as  amended
                                    (the  "Code"),  should carefully  review with  its legal
                                    advisors whether the purchase or holding of any Class of
                                    Securities could give rise  to a transaction  prohibited
                                    or  not otherwise  permissible under ERISA  or the Code.
                                    See "ERISA  Considerations" herein  and in  the  related
                                    Prospectus Supplement.
</TABLE>
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    Investors  should consider, among other  things, the matters discussed under
"Risk Factors" in the  Prospectus Supplement and the  following risk factors  in
connection with the purchase of the Securities of any Series.
 
    PERFECTION  OF INTERESTS  IN RECEIVABLES  AND IN  FINANCED EQUIPMENT.   With
respect to any  Trust, unless  the related Prospectus  Supplement provides  that
such  interests  will be  perfected by  filing  Uniform Commercial  Code ("UCC")
financing statements, the transfer of ownership of the Receivables from CFSC  to
the  Seller and from the Seller to such  Trust, and the granting of the security
interest in  the related  Receivables by  such Trust  to the  related  Indenture
Trustee,  will in  each case  be perfected  by the  Custodian, on  behalf of the
applicable assignee, taking possession of the Installment Sales Contracts and/or
Leases and any related Dealer  Agreements (the "Receivables Files") pursuant  to
the  related Custodial Agreement. The related Custodian will maintain possession
of such Receivables Files in  a space leased by the  Custodian which may, if  so
specified  in the related  Prospectus Supplement, be  proximate to the principal
executive offices of CFSC. Although steps will be taken to ensure that CFSC does
not obtain possession or control of  the Receivables Files, should a court  find
that  CFSC  did  have  possession  or control  of  such  Receivables  Files, the
interests of  the  related Trust  and  the  related Indenture  Trustee  in  such
Receivables may be unperfected under certain circumstances, and distributions to
Securityholders  may  be  adversely  affected.  Unless  the  related  Prospectus
Supplement otherwise specifies, UCC  financing statements will  not be filed  to
perfect these transfers of ownership or such grant of a security interest.
 
    Should  the related Indenture Trustee's security interest and/or the related
Trust's or the  Seller's ownership interest  in the Receivables  be found to  be
unperfected,  such interests may potentially be inferior to the interests of (i)
the Seller or CFSC,  (ii) any creditors  of such Trust, the  Seller or CFSC,  or
(iii)  in the event such Trust, the Seller or CFSC fraudulently or inadvertently
sells a Receivable  to a  purchaser who  had no  notice of  the prior  transfers
thereof  to such Indenture Trustee, such Trust  or the Seller and such purchaser
takes possession  of all  of  the originals  of  the related  installment  sales
contract  or lease  evidencing such Receivable,  such purchaser. As  a result of
such lack of perfection, the Seller, such Trust and the related  Securityholders
may  not be entitled to  receive all or a  portion of the distributions relating
to, or have any other rights with respect to, such Receivables.
 
    If UCC financing statements are filed to perfect such transfers of ownership
or  grants  of   security  interests,   to  facilitate   servicing  and   reduce
administrative costs, the Receivables Files will be retained by the Servicer and
will  not be physically segregated from other  similar documents that are in the
Servicer's possession or otherwise stamped or marked to reflect the transfer  to
the  related Trust so  long as CFSC  is servicing the  Receivables. However, UCC
financing statements will  be filed reflecting  the sale and  assignment of  the
Receivables  by CFSC  to the  Seller, and by  the Seller  to the  Trust, and the
Servicer's accounting records and computer files will be marked to reflect  such
sales  and  assignments.  Because  the  Receivables  Files  will  remain  in the
Servicer's possession and will not be stamped or otherwise marked to reflect the
assignment to the Indenture Trustee, if a subsequent purchaser were able to take
physical  possession  of  the  Receivables  Files  without  knowledge  of   such
assignment,  the  Indenture  Trustee's  interest  in  the  Receivables  could be
defeated. In  such  event, distributions  to  Securityholders may  be  adversely
affected.
 
    In connection with the sale of the Receivables of any Trust, CFSC's security
interests  in Financed  Equipment, together  with security  interests in certain
other cross-collateralized equipment securing the Receivables, will be  assigned
by  CFSC to  the Seller  and by  the Seller  to such  Trust. The  Seller will be
obligated to repurchase  any Receivable  sold to  any Trust  (subject to  CFSC's
repurchase  thereof)  in  the event  it  is  determined that  a  first perfected
security interest in the  name of CFSC in  the Financed Equipment securing  such
Receivable  did not exist as of the  related Closing Date or, if applicable, any
related Subsequent Closing Date  if (i) such  breach shall materially  adversely
affect  the interest of such  Trust in such Receivable  and (ii) such failure or
breach shall not  have been  cured by the  last day  of the second  (or, if  the
Seller  elects, the  first) month  following the discovery  by or  notice to the
Seller of such breach, and CFSC will be obligated to repurchase such  Receivable
from  the Seller contemporaneously with the Seller's repurchase from such Trust.
If there  is any  Financed Equipment  as to  which CFSC  failed to  perfect  its
security interest, CFSC's
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
security  interest, and  the security  interests of  the Seller  and the related
Trust, would  be subordinate  to,  among others,  subsequent purchasers  of  the
Financed  Equipment  and holders  of perfected  security interests  with respect
thereto. To the  extent the security  interest of CFSC  in the related  Financed
Equipment  is perfected,  subject to the  exceptions set forth  in the following
sentence, the related Trust will have  a prior claim over subsequent  purchasers
from  the  Obligor  of  such  Financed  Equipment  and  holders  of subsequently
perfected security interests granted by Obligors. However, as against Mechanics'
Liens or liens  for taxes unpaid  by an Obligor  under a Receivable,  or in  the
event  of fraud or negligence of CFSC  or (in certain circumstances) the related
Dealer, such  Trust could  lose the  priority of  its security  interest or  its
security interest in such Financed Equipment following the pledge of the related
Receivable.  Neither the  Seller nor  the Servicer  will have  any obligation to
repurchase a Receivable  if any of  the occurrences described  in the  foregoing
sentence  (other than fraud or negligence of CFSC) result in such Trust's losing
the priority of its security interest or its security interest in such  Financed
Equipment  after  the related  Closing Date  or,  if applicable,  any Subsequent
Closing Date.
 
    COMPLIANCE WITH LENDING LAWS.   Federal and  state consumer protection  laws
impose  requirements upon creditors in connection  with extensions of credit and
in respect of collections on retail installment sales contracts and leases,  and
certain  of these laws make an assignee of such a contract liable to the obligor
thereon for  any violation  by the  lender. Unless  otherwise specified  in  the
related  Prospectus Supplement, under  certain circumstances the  Seller will be
obligated to repurchase  any Receivable (subject  to CFSC's repurchase  thereof)
which  fails to  comply with  such requirements, and  CFSC will  be obligated to
repurchase such Receivable from the  Seller contemporaneously with the  Seller's
repurchase from the related Trust.
 
    SUBSTANTIVE  CONSOLIDATION OF CFSC AND THE SELLER.  The Seller has taken and
will take steps in structuring the  transactions contemplated hereby and in  any
related  Prospectus Supplement that  are intended to ensure  that a voluntary or
involuntary petition  for relief  by or  against CFSC  under the  United  States
Bankruptcy  Code or similar  applicable state laws  ("Insolvency Laws") will not
result in the  substantive consolidation of  the assets and  liabilities of  the
Seller  with those of CFSC. These steps  will include the creation of the Seller
as a  separate, limited-purpose  entity pursuant  to Articles  of  Incorporation
containing  (i) certain limitations (including restrictions on the nature of the
Seller's business  and a  restriction  on the  Seller's  ability to  commence  a
voluntary  case  or  proceeding  under  any  Insolvency  Law  without  the prior
unanimous affirmative vote of all its directors) and (ii) a requirement that  at
least  one of the Seller's directors be  independent of CFSC and its affiliates.
However, there can be no assurance that  the activities of the Seller would  not
result  in a court's  concluding that the  assets and liabilities  of the Seller
should be substantively consolidated  with those of CFSC  in a proceeding  under
any Insolvency Law.
 
    TRUE SALE RISKS.  With respect to any Trust, CFSC will warrant to the Seller
in the related Purchase Agreement that the sale of the related Receivables by it
to  the  Seller  is an  absolute  sale of  such  Receivables to  the  Seller. In
addition, CFSC and the Seller will  treat the transactions described herein  and
in  the  related Prospectus  Supplement as  a  sale of  such Receivables  to the
Seller, and the Seller has taken and will take all actions that are required  to
perfect the Seller's ownership interest in such Receivables by the Seller taking
possession  of the  related Receivables  Files through  a custodian  (unless the
related Prospectus Supplement provides that such interests will be perfected  by
filing UCC financing statements). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if CFSC were to
become a debtor in a bankruptcy case, and a creditor or trustee-in-bankruptcy of
CFSC  or CFSC itself were  to take the position that  the sale of Receivables to
the Seller should be recharacterized as a pledge of such Receivables to secure a
borrowing of CFSC, then delays in payments of collections of Receivables to  the
Seller  could occur  or, should  the court  rule in  favor of  any such trustee,
debtor or creditor, reductions in the amount of such payments, or a reduction in
the amount  of Receivables  securing  such a  borrowing,  could result.  If  the
transactions  contemplated herein and  in the related  Prospectus Supplement are
treated as  a  sale,  the  related  Receivables would  not  be  part  of  CFSC's
bankruptcy estate and would not be available to CFSC's creditors.
 
    The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued an opinion in OCTAGON
GAS  SYSTEMS, INC.  V. RIMMER  (IN RE MERIDIAN  RESERVE, INC.)  (decided May 27,
1993) in which it  concluded (noting that  its position is  in contrast to  that
taken  by another court) that "accounts" (as  defined under the UCC) sold by the
debtor
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
prior to the filing  for bankruptcy remain property  of the debtor's  bankruptcy
estate.  Although the Receivables relating to any Series are likely to be viewed
as "chattel  paper," as  defined under  the UCC,  rather than  as accounts,  the
rationale  behind  the OCTAGON  ruling could  be applied  to chattel  paper. The
circumstances under which the  OCTAGON ruling would apply  are not fully  known,
and the extent to which the OCTAGON decision will be followed by other courts or
outside  of the Tenth Circuit, if at all,  is not certain. If the holding in the
OCTAGON case were applied in a  CFSC bankruptcy, however, even if the  transfers
of  Receivables  to  the  Seller and  to  a  Trust were  treated  as  sales, the
Receivables could be considered  part of CFSC's bankruptcy  estate and would  be
subject  to claims of certain creditors and delays and reductions in payments to
the Seller and holders of the related  Securities, or a reduction in the  amount
of Receivables supporting such Securities, could result. The Seller will warrant
in  each Sale and  Servicing Agreement that  the sale of  the Receivables to the
related Trust is  an absolute  sale of  such Receivables  to such  Trust. For  a
further   discussion  of   certain  consequences  of   characterization  of  the
transaction  as  a  sale  or  a  pledge,  see  "Certain  Legal  Aspects  of  the
Receivables--Bankruptcy" herein.
 
    DEFICIENCIES  FROM INSOLVENCY SALE.  If  an Insolvency Event with respect to
the Seller occurs, each Indenture Trustee, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, will sell, dispose of or otherwise liquidate the Receivables of the related
Trust in  a  commercially reasonable  manner  on commercially  reasonable  terms
promptly  upon  termination  of the  related  Trust (as  described  herein under
"Description of the Transfer  and Servicing Agreements--Insolvency Event").  The
proceeds  from any such sale, disposition or liquidation of the Receivables will
be applied by the related Indenture Trustee FIRST to certain amounts due to such
Indenture Trustee, SECOND to pay the related Notes in full, and then to pay  the
related  Certificates  in full.  If  the proceeds  from  the liquidation  of the
Receivables and any amounts  on deposit in any  Reserve Account and the  related
Note Distribution Account, together with any other available credit enhancement,
are  not sufficient to  pay the related  Notes in full,  the related Noteholders
will incur a loss. Additionally, if  the proceeds from such liquidation and  any
amounts   on  deposit  in  any  Reserve  Account  and  the  related  Certificate
Distribution Account, after applying such amounts and amounts on deposit in  the
related  Note Distribution Amount to  the payment in full  of the related Notes,
together with any other available credit enhancement, are not sufficient to  pay
the  related Certificates in  full, the related  Certificateholders will incur a
loss.
 
    RISK OF  COMMINGLING.   With  respect  to  each Trust,  unless  the  related
Prospectus  Supplement provides for more frequent deposits (as described below),
then for so long as CFSC is the  Servicer and provided that (i) there exists  no
Servicer  Default (as  defined herein) and  (ii) each other  condition to making
monthly or less frequent deposits as may be specified by the Rating Agencies and
described in the related Prospectus  Supplement is satisfied, the Servicer  will
not  be required to  deposit payments on the  related Receivables (from whatever
source) and all proceeds  of such Receivables  collected during each  Collection
Period  into the related Collection Account until  on or before the business day
preceding each related Distribution Date.  If the related Prospectus  Supplement
so provides, or if the above described conditions are not met, the Servicer will
deposit  all  such  amounts collected  during  each Collection  Period  into the
related  Collection   Account  within   two  business   days  of   receipt   and
identification  thereof. Normally, collections are  identified within one day of
receipt. The Servicer will also deposit any Purchase Amounts (as defined herein)
when due. Pending  deposit into such  Collection Account, the  Servicer will  be
under no obligation to segregate collections from its funds and such collections
may be invested by the Servicer at its own risk, for its own benefit and without
being subject to any investment restrictions and will not be segregated from the
funds  of the Servicer. If  the Servicer were unable to  remit such funds, or if
the Servicer became insolvent, the holders of Securities might incur a loss with
respect to collections not  deposited in the Collection  Account. To the  extent
set  forth in the related  Prospectus Supplement, the Servicer  may, in order to
satisfy the  requirements  for monthly  remittances  described above,  obtain  a
letter  of credit  or other  security for  the benefit  of the  related Trust to
secure timely remittances of collections on the related Receivables and  payment
of  the aggregate Purchase  Amount with respect to  Receivables purchased by the
Servicer.
 
    SERVICER DEFAULT.    Unless otherwise  provided  in the  related  Prospectus
Supplement,  in  the  event a  Servicer  Default occurs,  the  related Indenture
Trustee or Noteholders of the related Series evidencing not less than 25% of the
outstanding principal amount of the Notes  with respect to such Series  (without
the
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
consent  of the related  Indenture Trustee), as  described under "Description of
the Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Rights Upon Servicer Default" herein, may
remove the Servicer without the consent of  the related Owner Trustee or any  of
the  related  Certificateholders.  Neither  the related  Owner  Trustee  nor the
related Certificateholders will  have the ability  to remove the  Servicer if  a
Servicer  Default occurs. In addition, Noteholders of such Series evidencing not
less than a majority  of the outstanding principal  amount of the related  Notes
will  have the ability  (without the consent of  the related Indenture Trustee),
with certain specified exceptions, to waive defaults by the Servicer,  including
defaults  that  could materially  adversely  affect the  Certificateholders. See
"Description of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Waiver of Past  Defaults"
herein.
 
    TRUSTS'  RELATIONSHIP  TO  THE  SELLER  AND  CFSC;  FINANCIAL  CONDITION  OF
CATERPILLAR INC.   None of  the Seller, CFSC  or Caterpillar  will generally  be
obligated  to make any payments in respect of the Notes, the Certificates or the
Receivables of a given Trust. However, if CFSC were to cease acting as Servicer,
delays in  processing payments  on  the Receivables  of  the related  Trust  and
information  in respect thereof could occur and result in delays in payments and
distribution of reports to  the Noteholders and  the Certificateholders of  such
Trust.  In addition, under certain circumstances the Servicer may be required to
purchase Receivables, and therefore  if CFSC were to  cease acting as  Servicer,
delays  in  repurchases and  consequently  the receipt  by  such Trust  of funds
respecting such Receivables could result.
 
    In connection with the sale of Receivables by CFSC to the Seller, CFSC  will
make  representations and warranties with respect to the characteristics of such
Receivables. In certain circumstances, CFSC and  the Seller will be required  to
repurchase Receivables with respect to which such representations and warranties
have   been   breached.  See   "Description  of   the  Transfer   and  Servicing
Agreements--Sale and Assignment of Receivables."
 
    If the related Prospectus Supplement provides for a Pre-Funding Account, the
Seller will be required to sell  to the related Trust Subsequent Receivables  in
an  amount up  to the  amount then  on deposit  in the  Pre-Funding Account (the
"Pre-Funded Amount"). The ability of the Seller to convey Subsequent Receivables
on Subsequent Closing Dates  will be completely dependent  on the generation  of
additional  receivables by CFSC. The ability  of CFSC to generate receivables in
turn will  depend on  the  sales of  equipment  manufactured or  distributed  by
Caterpillar  and/or Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc., as applicable.
If,  during  the  related  Funding  Period,  Caterpillar  were  temporarily   or
permanently no longer manufacturing or distributing equipment, the rate of sales
of   equipment  manufactured  or  distributed  by  Caterpillar  would  decrease,
adversely affecting the ability of the Seller to sell Subsequent Receivables  to
the  related Trust. The  use of incentive  programs (e.g., manufacturer's rebate
programs) may also affect  retail sales. There can  be no assurance,  therefore,
that  CFSC will continue  to generate receivables  at the same  rate as in prior
years or that Subsequent Receivables  will be generated in  an amount up to  the
original  Pre-Funded Amount. If the related Prospectus Supplement provides for a
Pre-Funding Account, the  funds on deposit  in such Pre-Funding  Account on  the
related  Closing Date will not exceed 25% of the related Trust Property, and the
related Pre-Funding  Period  shall not  exceed  three months  from  the  related
Closing Date.
 
    For  additional information regarding Caterpillar and CFSC, see "The Seller,
Caterpillar and the Servicer" herein  and in the related Prospectus  Supplement.
Caterpillar and CFSC are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange
Act  and in  accordance therewith  file reports  and other  information with the
Commission. Copies of  such periodic  reports may  be obtained  from the  Public
Reference  Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates.
 
    SUBORDINATION OF THE CERTIFICATES.  To  the extent specified in the  related
Prospectus   Supplement,  distributions   of  interest  and   principal  on  the
Certificates of a Series will be subordinated in priority of payment to interest
and principal due  on the Notes  of such  Series. For such  Series, the  related
Certificateholders  will  not  receive  any  distributions  with  respect  to  a
Distribution Date until  the full  amount of interest  on and  principal of  the
related  Notes  relating to  such Distribution  Date has  been deposited  in the
related Note Distribution Account.
 
    LIMITED ASSETS.   No Trust will  have, nor  will any Trust  be permitted  or
expected  to have,  any significant  assets or sources  of funds  other than the
related  Receivables   and,   to  the   extent   set  forth   in   the   related
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
Prospectus  Supplement, the Trust Accounts. The Notes of a Series will represent
obligations solely  of,  and the  Certificates  of such  Series  will  represent
undivided  beneficial equity interests solely in, the related Trust, and neither
the Notes nor the Certificates of any such Series will be insured or  guaranteed
by  Caterpillar, CFSC, the Seller, the  Servicer, the related Owner Trustee, the
related Indenture Trustee or any  other person or entity. Consequently,  holders
of  the Securities of a Series must rely for repayment upon payments received by
the Servicer  relating to  the related  Receivables and,  if and  to the  extent
available,  amounts on deposit in the  Reserve Account (if any), the Pre-Funding
Account (if  any) and  any other  credit enhancement,  all as  specified in  the
related  Prospectus Supplement. Amounts  to be deposited  in any Reserve Account
with respect to any Trust will be limited in amount, and the amount required  to
be  on deposit in  such Reserve Account will  be reduced as  the Pool Balance is
reduced. In addition,  funds in any  such Reserve Account  will be available  on
each  Distribution Date  to cover  shortfalls in  distributions of  interest and
principal on the related  Securities. If such Reserve  Account is depleted,  the
related  Trust will depend solely on current payments on its Receivables to make
payments on the related  Securities. Although each Trust  will covenant to  sell
the  Receivables  if directed  to  do so  by  the related  Indenture  Trustee in
accordance with the related Indenture  following an acceleration of the  related
Notes  upon an Event of Default, there is  no assurance that the market value of
such Receivables will  at any time  be equal  to or greater  than the  aggregate
principal  amount of such outstanding Notes. Therefore, upon an Event of Default
with respect  to  the Notes  of  any Series,  there  can be  no  assurance  that
sufficient  funds will be available to repay the related Noteholders in full. In
addition, the  amount of  principal required  to be  distributed to  Noteholders
under  each Indenture will generally be limited to amounts available therefor in
the related Note Distribution Account, and  the failure to pay principal on  the
Notes  of any  Series may not  result in the  occurrence of an  Event of Default
until the  Final  Scheduled  Distribution  Date of  such  Notes;  PROVIDED  THAT
principal  of the Notes  of any Series  is immediately due  and payable upon any
acceleration of such Notes.  To the extent specified  in the related  Prospectus
Supplement,  the Certificates of any Series will be subordinated to the Notes of
such Series. See "--SUBORDINATION OF THE CERTIFICATES" herein.
 
    MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT  CONSIDERATIONS.   All the  Receivables relating  to
Installment  Sales  Contracts will  be prepayable  at any  time by  their terms.
Although the  Receivables  relating  to  Leases  are  generally  not  optionally
prepayable  by their  terms, Lessees generally  are permitted to  prepay a Lease
upon payment  of the  aggregate remaining  Lease Scheduled  Payments due  (which
amount  would include an implicit interest amount). Each prepayment will shorten
the weighted average  remaining term  of the Receivables  of any  Trust and  the
weighted  average  life of  the related  Securities.  If the  related Prospectus
Supplement   provides    for   the    distribution   to    Noteholders    and/or
Certificateholders of amounts on account of principal in excess of the Principal
Distribution  Amount  on  any  Distribution  Date  (as  defined  in  the related
Prospectus Supplement), this effect  would be greater upon  the prepayment of  a
Lease,  since the  amount prepaid  would be  greater than  the related Principal
Balance.  (For   this  purpose   the  term   "prepayments"  includes   voluntary
prepayments,  liquidations due to  default, receipts of  proceeds from insurance
policies and Receivables purchased for administrative or other reasons, and  the
term  "weighted average  life" means  the average amount  of time  in which each
dollar of  principal  is  repaid.)  With  respect  to  any  Trust,  the  related
Prospectus Supplement will set forth the allocations of prepayments of principal
among  the related Noteholders  and Certificateholders. See  "Description of the
Transfer and  Servicing  Agreements--Distributions" in  the  related  Prospectus
Supplement.
 
    The rate of prepayments on the Receivables may be influenced by a variety of
economic,  financial,  climatic and  other factors.  In addition,  under certain
circumstances, CFSC will be obligated to repurchase Receivables pursuant to  the
Purchase  Agreement, and the Seller will  be obligated to repurchase Receivables
pursuant to  the Sale  and Servicing  Agreement, in  each case  as a  result  of
breaches of representations and warranties, and under certain circumstances, the
Servicer  will be  obligated to  purchase Receivables  pursuant to  the Sale and
Servicing Agreement as  a result  of breaches of  certain covenants.  Consistent
with  its  normal procedures,  the  Servicer may,  in  its discretion  and  on a
case-by-case basis, arrange with the  Obligor respecting a Receivable to  extend
or  modify the payment  schedule. Some of  such arrangements (including, without
limitation, any extension of  the payment schedule  beyond the applicable  Final
Scheduled Distribution Date set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement) will
result  in the Servicer's purchasing the Receivable for the Purchase Amount. See
"Description   of   the    Transfer   and    Servicing   Agreements--Sale    and
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
Assignment  of Receivables" and  "--Servicing Procedures" herein.  A higher than
anticipated rate of prepayments will  reduce the aggregate principal balance  of
the  Receivables  more  quickly  than expected  and  thereby  reduce anticipated
aggregate interest payments respecting the related Securities. Any  reinvestment
risks  resulting from a faster or  slower incidence of prepayment of Receivables
will be  borne entirely  by the  related  Securityholders as  set forth  in  the
priority   of  distributions   in  the   related  Prospectus   Supplement.  Such
reinvestment risks may  include the risk  that interest rates  are lower at  the
time  such holders receive  payments from the related  Trust than interest rates
would otherwise  have  been had  such  prepayments not  been  made or  had  such
prepayments  been made at a different time. See "Description of the Transfer and
Servicing Agreements--Termination"  herein regarding  the Servicer's  option  to
purchase  the Receivables of  a Trust and  "--Insolvency Event" herein regarding
the sale of the Receivables of each Trust if an Insolvency Event with respect to
the Seller occurs.
 
    If the related Prospectus Supplement provides for a Reserve Account, and  if
the  amount  required  to  be  withdrawn  from  such  Reserve  Account  to cover
shortfalls in collections on the Receivables exceeds the amount of cash in  such
Reserve  Account,  a  temporary  shortfall in  the  amounts  distributed  to the
Securityholders of  the  related Series  could  result, which  could,  in  turn,
increase the average life of such Securities.
 
    Securityholders  of any  Series should consider,  in the  case of Securities
purchased at  a  discount, the  risk  that a  slower  than anticipated  rate  of
principal  payments on the  related Receivables could result  in an actual yield
that is less  than the  anticipated yield  and, in  the case  of any  Securities
purchased  at  a  premium, the  risk  that  a faster  than  anticipated  rate of
principal payments on the  related Receivables could result  in an actual  yield
that is less than the anticipated yield.
 
    CERTAIN  UCC  CONSIDERATIONS.   Certain  states  have adopted  a  version of
Article 2A  of  the UCC  ("Article  2A"). Article  2A  purports to  codify  many
provisions  of existing common law. Although there is little precedent regarding
how  Article  2A  will  be  interpreted,  it  may,  among  other  things,  limit
enforceability  of any "unconscionable" lease or "unconscionable" provision in a
lease, provide a lessee with remedies,  including the right to cancel the  lease
contract,  for certain lessor breaches or defaults, and may add to or modify the
terms of "consumer leases" and leases  where the lessee is a "merchant  lessee."
However,  with respect to  each Lease conveyed  to a Trust,  CFSC will represent
that (i) such  Lease is  not a  "consumer lease"  and (ii)  to the  best of  its
knowledge,  the  related Obligor  has  accepted the  related  Financed Equipment
leased to it  and, after  reasonable opportunity to  inspect and  test, has  not
notified  CFSC  of  any  defects therein.  Article  2A  also  recognizes typical
commercial lease  "hell or  high  water" rental  payment clauses  and  validates
reasonable  liquidated  damages  provisions in  the  event of  lessor  or lessee
defaults. Moreover, Article 2A recognizes the concept of freedom of contract and
permits the parties in a  commercial context a wide  degree of latitude to  vary
provisions of the law.
 
    BOOK-ENTRY  REGISTRATION.   As may  be set  forth in  the related Prospectus
Supplement, certain of the Notes  and Certificates may be initially  represented
by one or more physical notes and certificates registered in the name of Cede or
any  successor nominee for  DTC and will not  be registered in  the names of the
beneficial owners of such Notes and Certificates or their nominees. Accordingly,
unless and until Definitive Notes or Definitive Certificates are issued for such
Securities, holders of beneficial interests in such Notes and Certificates  will
not   be   recognized   by   the   applicable   Trustees   as   Noteholders  and
Certificateholders and will only be able  to exercise the rights of  Noteholders
and   Certificateholders  indirectly  through  DTC  and  its  Participants.  See
"Issuance of the Securities--Book-Entry Registration" herein.
 
                                   THE TRUSTS
 
GENERAL
 
    With respect  to each  Series of  Securities, the  Seller will  establish  a
separate  Trust  for  the  transactions  described  herein  and  in  the related
Prospectus Supplement. After its  formation, each Trust will  not engage in  any
activity  other than (i) acquiring, holding and managing the Receivables and the
other assets  of such  Trust and  proceeds therefrom,  (ii) issuing  and  making
payments  on the related Notes, (iii) issuing and making payments on the related
Certificates representing undivided  beneficial equity interests  in such  Trust
and (iv) engaging in other activities that are necessary, suitable or convenient
to accomplish the foregoing or are
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
incidental  thereto  or  connected  therewith.  On  the  related  Closing  Date,
simultaneously with the issuance  of the Notes and  the Certificates of a  given
Series,  the Seller will sell the Initial Receivables and its security interests
in any Financed Equipment to the related Trust. To the extent so provided in the
related Prospectus  Supplement,  Subsequent  Receivables  may,  if  at  all,  be
conveyed  to the related Trust as frequently as daily during the related Funding
Period. Any  Subsequent Receivables  so  conveyed also  will  be assets  of  the
related  Trust, subject to the prior rights of the related Indenture Trustee and
Noteholders  therein.  The  amount  that  may  be  initially  deposited  into  a
Pre-Funding Account, and the length of a Pre-Funding Period, shall be limited as
described herein.
 
    The Servicer will continue to service the Receivables held by each Trust and
will  receive  fees for  such  services. See  "Description  of the  Transfer and
Servicing Agreements--Servicing Compensation and Payment of Expenses" herein and
in the related  Prospectus Supplement.  The related  Prospectus Supplement  will
specify  whether  CFSC, the  Seller,  the Servicer,  the  related Trust  and the
related Indenture  Trustee  will  enter  a  Custodial  Agreement  to  appoint  a
Custodian  to maintain physical possession of  the related Receivables Files and
other documents related thereto, or if UCC financing statements are to be  filed
to  perfect such interests. If UCC financing statements are filed, to facilitate
servicing and to minimize  administrative burden and  expense the Servicer  will
maintain  possession of the related Receivables  Files as custodian on behalf of
such Trust and the  related Indenture Trustee, but  the Servicer will not  stamp
the  related Installment Sales  Contracts and/or Leases  to reflect the ultimate
assignment of the Receivables to such Trust. Regardless of whether UCC financing
statements are  filed,  financing statements  previously  filed to  perfect  the
security  interests  in the  Financed Equipment  in  favor of  CFSC will  not be
assigned  to  such  Trust  or  amended.  See  "Certain  Legal  Aspects  of   the
Receivables" and "Description of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Sale and
Assignment of Receivables" herein.
 
    If the credit enhancement provided to the investment of the Noteholders of a
given Series by the subordination of the related Certificates and the protection
provided  to the holders of  the Securities by the  availability of the funds in
the related Reserve Account or any other credit enhancement is insufficient, the
related Trust and such Securityholders must rely solely on the payments from the
Obligors on the related Receivables, and the proceeds from the repossession  and
sale  of  Financed Equipment  and  certain other  cross-collateralized equipment
which secure defaulted Receivables. In such event, certain factors, such as such
Trust's not having first  perfected security interests in  some of the  Financed
Equipment  and  the  risk of  fraud  or  negligence of  CFSC  or  (under certain
circumstances) the related Dealer, may affect such Trust's ability to realize on
the collateral securing the Receivables, and thus the proceeds to be distributed
to  Securityholders  with  respect  to  the  Securities,  may  be  reduced.  See
"Description of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Distributions", "--Credit
and Cash Flow Enhancement" and "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables" herein
and "Description of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Distributions" in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
 
    The principal offices of each Trust and of the related Owner Trustee will be
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
THE OWNER TRUSTEE
 
    The Owner Trustee for each Trust will be specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement.  An Owner  Trustee's liability in  connection with  the issuance and
sale of the  Securities of  the related  Series will  be limited  solely to  the
express  obligations  of  such Owner  Trustee  set  forth in  the  related Trust
Agreement and the  related Sale and  Servicing Agreement. An  Owner Trustee  may
resign  at any time, in which event the  Servicer will be obligated to appoint a
successor owner trustee. The Administrator of a Trust may also remove the  Owner
Trustee  if the Owner Trustee ceases to be eligible to continue as Owner Trustee
under the related Trust Agreement or if the Owner Trustee becomes insolvent.  In
such  circumstances, the Administrator will be  obligated to appoint a successor
owner trustee. Any resignation or removal of an Owner Trustee and appointment of
a successor owner  trustee will  not become  effective until  acceptance of  the
appointment by the successor owner trustee.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
                               THE TRUST PROPERTY
 
    The  Notes of any Series will be collateralized by the assets of the related
Trust (the "Trust Property")  and each Certificate  will represent a  fractional
undivided  beneficial equity interest  in such Trust. The  Trust Property of any
Trust will  include (i)  the  Receivables, (ii)  all monies  (including  accrued
interest)  due or received  thereunder on or after  the applicable Cut-off Date,
(iii) such amounts  as from time  to time may  be held in  one or more  accounts
established  and maintained  by the  Servicer pursuant  to the  related Sale and
Servicing  Agreement,  as  described  below   and  in  the  related   Prospectus
Supplement,  (iv) security  interests in the  Financed Equipment  and in certain
other cross-collateralized equipment, (v) the rights to proceeds from claims  on
physical  damage, credit life,  liability and disability  insurance policies, if
any, covering such Financed Equipment or Obligors, as the case may be, (vi)  the
proceeds  of any repossessed Financed Equipment,  (vii) the rights of the Seller
under the related Purchase Agreement, (viii)  the interest of the Seller in  any
proceeds  from recourse  to Dealers with  respect to  Receivables, (ix) interest
earned on short-term investments made by such Trust and (x) any proceeds of  the
foregoing.  The  Receivables  will  either  be  originated  by  the  Dealers and
purchased by CFSC pursuant to agreements with the Dealers ("Dealer  Agreements")
or  originated directly by CFSC in connection  with retail sales by the Dealers.
Subject to the  provisions of  the related  Sales and  Servicing Agreement,  the
related  Receivables  will continue  to  be serviced  by  the Servicer  and will
evidence direct or indirect  financing made available by  CFSC to the  Obligors.
Unless  otherwise specified  in the  related Prospectus  Supplement, the related
Reserve Account, if any,  and any other Trust  Accounts, shall be maintained  in
the  name  of the  Indenture Trustee  on  behalf of  the Securityholders  of the
related Series.
 
                             THE RECEIVABLES POOLS
 
    The Receivables  of any  Trust will  either be  purchased by  CFSC from  the
Dealers  which originated the Receivables in  the ordinary course of business in
connection with retail sales or leases by them, or will be originated by CFSC in
the ordinary  course of  its and  the Dealers'  sale or  leasing business.  CFSC
purchases  or originates contracts in accordance with its credit standards which
are based upon  the Obligor's  ability to  repay the  obligation, the  Obligor's
credit  history  and, as  described  below, the  equity  position, if  any, with
respect to the related Financed Equipment.
 
    The Receivables to  be held by  each Trust  will be selected  from the  U.S.
Portfolio  of  Installment Sales  Contracts  and/or Leases  not  previously sold
meeting several criteria. As of the applicable Cut-off Date, among the  criteria
to  be met (except as described under "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables"
herein) are  that each  Receivable: (i)  will  be secured  by a  first  priority
perfected  security interest in  the related Financed  Equipment (which Financed
Equipment is located in  the United States), (ii)  will have been originated  in
the  United States, (iii) will have an Obligor which has a United States billing
address, (iv) in  the case of  an Installment Sales  Contract, will provide  for
scheduled  payments that  fully amortize the  amount financed  over its original
term to maturity,  (v) will not  be more than  31 days past  due, and (vi)  will
satisfy  the  other  criteria,  if  any, set  forth  in  the  related Prospectus
Supplement. As  of  the applicable  Cut-off  Date,  no Obligor  on  any  related
Receivable  will be  noted on the  related records  of the Servicer  as being in
default under the related  Installment Sales Contract or  Lease or as being  the
subject  of a  bankruptcy proceeding.  No selection  procedures believed  by the
Seller to  be adverse  to the  Securityholders of  any Series  will be  used  in
selecting the related Receivables.
 
    Information  with respect to each  pool of Receivables will  be set forth in
the related Prospectus  Supplement, including,  to the  extent appropriate,  the
composition  of  the Receivables,  the  distribution by  annual  percentage rate
("APR") (as such term is defined in the related Prospectus Supplement), type  of
equipment,  Principal Balance of the Receivables  and the geographic location of
each Obligor of  the Receivables,  and percentages  of new  and used  equipment,
industry  application and payment  frequency. See "The  Receivables Pool" in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
 
    If the related  Prospectus Supplement  provides for  a Pre-Funding  Account,
each  Subsequent Receivable  of the related  Trust must  satisfy the eligibility
criteria specified in the  related Sale and Servicing  Agreement at the time  of
its  addition.  However, except  for such  criteria, there  will be  no required
characteristics of such
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
Subsequent  Receivables.  Therefore,  following   the  transfer  of   Subsequent
Receivables  to the related Trust, the characteristics of the entire Receivables
Pool (as defined in  the related Prospectus Supplement)  included in such  Trust
may vary from those of the Initial Receivables.
 
THE RETAIL EQUIPMENT FINANCING BUSINESS
 
    GENERAL.      CFSC  purchases   installment   sales  contracts   and  leases
(collectively, "receivables") from Dealers  and originates receivables  directly
with users of Caterpillar products. In the United States, as of June 1995, there
were 64 independently owned Dealers and one Dealer that is owned by Caterpillar.
References  herein to  the financing  of equipment,  unless otherwise specified,
shall also include  the leasing  of equipment  pursuant to  finance leases.  The
construction  equipment financed  by CFSC is  used for the  building of housing,
industrial buildings  and  warehouses,  as  well  as  for  the  construction  of
highways,  bridges, water and sewer systems and other heavy applications. In the
mining industry, CFSC finances equipment  used to mine coal, metals,  non-metals
and  oil and gas.  In addition, CFSC  finances engines used  in earth moving and
construction machines,  highway  trucks  and  locomotives  and  in  the  marine,
petroleum and agricultural industries. CFSC also finances lift trucks, generally
pursuant to finance leases. Machinery financed by CFSC is manufactured primarily
by  Caterpillar, except  for lift  trucks, which  are manufactured  primarily by
Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc., an affiliate of Caterpillar.  CFSC
finances  both new and used equipment,  with used equipment financings generally
having shorter  terms  and  higher  interest rates  and  requiring  higher  down
payments.
 
    ORIGINATION  PROCESS.   CFSC provides Dealers  with printed  retail forms of
installment sales contracts and leases which  generally are used by the  Dealers
to arrange transactions and originate receivables. In addition to receivables it
originates  directly, CFSC  acquires individual  receivables from  Dealers which
generally meet the following criteria: (i) are current in payment, (ii) have  no
payment  thereon that has been past due  more than 60 days since such receivable
was originated, (iii) have not been extended for more than one month in the last
six months or for more than two months in the last twelve months, and (iv)  have
a  remaining financed value of at least $10,000 and a remaining term to maturity
of at least 12 months. Acquisitions of finance leases from Dealers take place in
conjunction with CFSC's acquisition of the related financed equipment. A  credit
application containing basic obligor information is required for each receivable
financed  by CFSC, which  application may be  submitted verbally to  CFSC by the
Dealer or  in  writing completed  by  the  Dealer, obligor  or  applicable  CFSC
territory  manager.  The  application is  processed  by one  of  CFSC's regional
offices in the United States, and additional information is obtained in order to
evaluate  the  prospective  obligor's   creditworthiness.  The  extent  of   the
additional  information  required  varies  based  on  the  amount  of  financing
requested and the extent of information available. In most cases, CFSC obtains a
credit bureau report on the obligor from an independent credit bureau and credit
references provided  by  the obligor.  The  credit references  provided  by  the
obligor,  which are  typically banks, finance  companies or  suppliers that have
furnished credit to  such obligor,  are checked. Whenever  possible, audited  or
certified  financial statements of  the obligor are  obtained when the aggregate
amount of such obligor's financed contracts exceed $100,000. Individual  finance
leases  for  lift trucks  generally do  not exceed  $100,000 in  aggregate Lease
Scheduled Payments (as defined below). CFSC also maintains payment histories  on
many  past and present  CFSC customers which, if  available, are reviewed before
any financing is approved.
 
    Creditworthiness of an obligor is evaluated based on criteria established by
CFSC's management. The same credit criteria  are applied regardless of which  of
CFSC's  regional offices reviews the application  and regardless of whether CFSC
originates the  receivable directly  or acquires  the receivable  from a  Dealer
after  origination. In the event that the aggregate amount of receivables of any
obligor financed by  CFSC exceeds  the approval  limits of  the regional  office
staff,  a  credit narrative  is forwarded  to CFSC  headquarters for  review and
concurrence. In assessing the  credit quality of  a potential receivable,  where
the  obligor's  equity  position  in  the  related  financed  equipment  is  not
significant, CFSC's  credit  decision  relies  more on  its  evaluation  of  the
creditworthiness of the prospective obligor, rather than the collateral value of
the  financed equipment.  Finance leases generally  do not  require trade-ins or
down payments, and thus may not have significant equity positions in the related
financed equipment. Installment sales contracts also may be
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
originated without trade-ins  or with low  or no down  payments. Generally,  the
creditworthiness  of the related obligor is relied  upon more in making a credit
decision for finance  leases than in  making a credit  decision for  installment
sales contracts.
 
    DEALER  AGREEMENTS.  In  the case of receivables  not originated directly by
CFSC, at the  time CFSC approves  an application for  credit and fully  executed
copies of all required agreements and instruments are delivered by the Dealer to
CFSC,  the  related receivable  is sold  by the  Dealer to  CFSC pursuant  to an
assignment agreement between CFSC and  such Dealer (a "Dealer Agreement").  With
respect  to any Trust,  the Seller will assign  to such Trust  all of its rights
under the Dealer Agreements for the related receivables (including its right  to
recourse  against the Dealers, if any, for losses due to defaults or prepayments
or for  unearned prepaid  finance charges).  The level  of recourse  to  Dealers
varies  and may  be subject  to certain conditions.  In order  to compensate the
related Dealer for negotiating  a favorable interest rate  on a receivable,  the
amount  paid by CFSC to a Dealer for  a receivable may sometimes be greater than
such receivable's stated principal balance. Neither the Seller nor the  Servicer
makes  any representation as to  the financial condition of  any of the Dealers,
and there can be no  assurances as to the ability  of any Dealer to perform  its
obligations  under  any  Dealer Agreement.  See  "Certain Legal  Aspects  of the
Receivables-- Dealer Recourse Receivables" in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
    INSTALLMENT SALES CONTRACTS--CONTRACT TERMS.  CFSC offers installment  sales
contracts  with  a  variety of  repayment  schedules tailored  to  the obligor's
anticipated cash  flows,  such as  annual,  semi-annual, quarterly  and  monthly
payments.  However, a "skip payments"  schedule, under which payments, generally
up to three predetermined consecutive months, are "skipped" to coincide with  an
obligor's  cash flow patterns,  can be selected  by a qualifying  obligor at the
time the installment sales contract is  originated. CFSC will take into  account
the  related obligor's equity position in  its financed equipment at origination
before approving a "skip payments" schedule.
 
    The maximum  amount  that  CFSC  will finance  under  an  installment  sales
contract  varies based  on the obligor's  credit history, the  type of equipment
financed, whether the  equipment is new  or used, the  payment schedule and  the
length  of the  contract (which  generally ranges at  origination from  12 to 60
months). The amount financed is calculated as  a percentage of the value of  the
related  financed equipment, which  percentage ranges generally  from 75% to 90%
for new equipment  and from 65%  to 80% for  used equipment. These  percentages,
however,  may vary, depending  on the obligor's  credit history and  the type of
financed equipment. The  value of new  equipment is based  on its original  list
price,  and the value of used equipment is  generally based on its "as is" value
as derived from  appropriate market  references. At  origination or  acquisition
from a Dealer of a receivable, CFSC confirms the applicable loan-to-value ratio.
 
    Obligors  are  required to  obtain  and maintain  physical  damage insurance
covering the financed equipment under installment sales contracts naming CFSC as
loss payee. Both CFSC's  service center and its  applicable regional office  are
responsible  for verifying insurance  coverage on the equipment  at the time the
receivable is  originated or  acquired.  Also, at  the  time the  receivable  is
originated,  physical  damage  insurance and  term  life insurance  that  can be
financed under the contract may be made available.
 
    The installment sales contracts provide for allocation of payments according
to the  actuarial method  and commence  accruing interest  on their  origination
date.  As such, an  installment sales contract provides  for amortization of the
amount financed  over  a  series  of  fixed  level  payment  installments.  Each
installment, other than the installment representing the final scheduled payment
on  such an installment sales contract, consists  of an amount of interest equal
to one-twelfth of  the annual  percentage rate  stated on  an installment  sales
contract  (or a  larger fraction based  on the  number of months  since the last
payment if a  "skip payments"  schedule is in  place) multiplied  by the  unpaid
principal  balance  of such  an  installment sales  contract,  and an  amount of
principal equal to the  remainder of the installment.  The obligor pays a  fixed
monthly   installment  until  the  final  scheduled  payment  date  of  such  an
installment sales contract, at which time the amount of the final installment is
increased or  decreased as  necessary to  repay the  then outstanding  principal
balance thereof plus accrued interest thereon.
 
    If  such an installment sales  contract is prepaid in  part, unless CFSC and
the related obligor agree to an  amendment of the payment schedule,  prepayments
are    held    for    application    to    the    next    succeeding   scheduled
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
payment or payments, and the unpaid principal balance (and the interest  accrued
thereon)  is  not  adjusted downward  until  the  actual date  of  the scheduled
payment. If  an installment  sales  contract is  prepaid  in full,  the  obligor
receives  a rebate of  any unearned portion  of interest thereon  computed on an
actuarial basis.
 
    LEASES--CONTRACT TERMS.    CFSC offers  finance  leases with  a  variety  of
payment  schedules designed to  meet an obligor's  needs. The initial  term of a
finance lease generally ranges  from one to six  years. Generally, each  finance
lease  provides  for  the monthly  payment  of  rent in  advance.  Such periodic
payments are referred to herein  as "Lease Scheduled Payments." Lease  Scheduled
Payments  represent the amortization,  generally on a level  basis, of the total
amount that a lessee is required to pay throughout the term of a finance  lease.
Lease  Scheduled Payments  are separated by  CFSC for its  internal records into
interest and principal components based on  the Implicit Interest Rate for  such
finance  leases.  The  "Implicit  Interest  Rate"  for  each  finance  lease  is
determined by CFSC.
 
    Finance leases  are recorded  by CFSC  under generally  accepted  accounting
principles  ("GAAP") as direct financing leases. As direct financing leases, the
finance leases to be included as Receivables in the Trusts are "net leases"  and
the  related Obligor  assumes responsibility  for the  financed items, including
delivery,  installation,  operation,  maintenance  and  return  of  the  related
financed  equipment.  Except  for the  accommodation  billing  program described
below, no finance  lease imposes any  affirmative obligation on  CFSC, and  such
finance  leases are non-cancelable  by the lessees.  The related Obligor further
agrees to indemnify CFSC for any  liabilities arising out of the finance  lease.
CFSC  is also authorized to perform the related Obligor's obligations under each
finance lease, at the related Obligor's expense, if it so elects in cases  where
the  related Obligor has failed to  perform. In addition, finance leases contain
clauses  unconditionally  obligating  the  related  Obligor  to  make   periodic
payments,  without any right of setoff, at  the times and on the dates specified
in the finance lease. Other  than a warranty of  quiet enjoyment, CFSC makes  no
express or implied warranties with respect to the Financed Equipment.
 
    Obligors  under  any  finance  lease are  required  to  obtain  and maintain
physical damage insurance and comprehensive public liability insurance  covering
the  financed equipment in the name of  CFSC for not less than $500,000 combined
coverage. All such insurance must be in a form and with companies as CFSC  shall
approve  and  shall be  primary, without  right of  contribution from  any other
insurance carried  by  CFSC.  Both  CFSC's service  center  and  its  applicable
regional office are responsible for verifying insurance coverage at the time the
receivable  is  originated.  Also, at  the  time the  receivable  is originated,
physical damage insurance and term life insurance that can be financed under the
receivable may be made available.
 
    Under an accommodation  billing system,  obligors may  aggregate with  their
Lease  Scheduled Payment the periodic payment  for a maintenance contract, which
maintenance would be performed by a Dealer or other service provider and not  by
CFSC.  Upon receipt of  funds by CFSC,  CFSC would then  forward the appropriate
amount to the service  provider; provided, that CFSC  will not forward any  such
amount  until it has received the Lease  Scheduled Payment in full. As described
above, failure to  perform by a  Dealer or any  such service provider  is not  a
defense to payment by such obligor under the related finance lease.
 
    If  CFSC receives a payment or payments in advance for a finance lease, such
advance payments are  held for  application to  the next  succeeding payment  or
payments,  and no adjustment  in the Lease  Scheduled Payments outstanding takes
place until the due date of each  such payment. Although finance leases are  not
prepayable  by their  terms, CFSC  will generally  agree to  terminate a finance
lease upon  payment by  the related  obligor of  the aggregate  Lease  Scheduled
Payments outstanding thereunder.
 
    The  Leases included as Receivables of any Trust will constitute only leases
intended for security  as defined  in Section 1-201(37)  of the  UCC. As  leases
intended for security, the Dealer or CFSC, as applicable, in effect finances the
"purchase"  of  the Financed  Equipment  by the  related  Obligor and  retains a
security interest in  the Financed  Equipment. The related  Obligor retains  the
Financed  Equipment for substantially all its  economic life and CFSC retains no
significant  residual  interest.   These  leases   are  considered   conditional
sales-type leases for federal tax purposes, and, accordingly, CFSC does not take
any federal tax benefits. End of lease options for such finance leases generally
provide  for purchase of the Financed Equipment at a prestated price intended to
be significantly below market value.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
    Obligors under any finance lease may alter or modify the Financed  Equipment
relating  to CFSC's finance  lease only if such  alteration or modification does
not impair  its originally  intended function  or use  or reduce  its value.  In
addition,  the related Obligor shall not  make any "non-reversible" addition (as
defined for  federal income  tax  purposes) to  an  item of  Financed  Equipment
without  the prior written  consent of CFSC.  Upon the prior  written consent of
CFSC, the related Obligor may sublease  or relocate the Financed Equipment.  The
right to receive such notice and to grant or deny such consent will be exercised
by  the Servicer pursuant to  the authority delegated to  it in the related Sale
and Servicing  Agreement. Finance  leases generally  do not  permit the  related
obligor  to assign  its rights  in the finance  lease without  the prior written
consent of CFSC.
 
    CROSS-COLLATERALIZATION.   In  the  course  of  its  business  of  financing
machinery, receivables are occasionally "cross-collateralized," with CFSC taking
first,  second  or more  junior  liens on  units  in addition  to  the principal
financed equipment, and obligors of  receivables granting first, second or  more
junior  liens to CFSC  on previously financed equipment  to finance purchases of
additional machinery. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the
Receivables--Cross-Collateralization" in the related Prospectus Supplement. CFSC
takes the value of these liens into account when calculating the amount it  will
finance under a receivable.
 
    EXTENSION/REVISION PROCEDURES.  Receivables may be extended or modified when
payment  delinquencies result from temporary  interruptions in an obligor's cash
flow. An extension provides  for one or  more payments to be  moved to a  future
date  either within  the original  maturity or lease  term of  the receivable or
beyond the original maturity or lease term. A modification is a restructuring of
the entire  receivable  normally  with  lower payments  and  a  longer  term.  A
receivable  modification with respect to an  installment sales contract can also
involve institution of a "skip payments" schedule if CFSC determines that  "skip
payments"  are appropriate  given the obligor's  yearly cash  flow pattern. CFSC
charges the obligor  a nominal extension  fee, which  is payable at  the time  a
receivable  is extended. In addition, the obligor  is required to pay to CFSC an
extension charge  equal  to  interest  accrued on  the  unpaid  balance  of  the
receivable  during the  period that payments  are not  required to be  made as a
result of the extension.  The length of an  extension generally does not  exceed
six  months. In determining whether a receivable should be extended or modified,
CFSC will consider (i) the obligor's equity in the financed equipment, (ii)  the
obligor's  financial status and prospects and (iii) the reason for the obligor's
deferral. If  CFSC  extends  or revises  a  receivable  it may  be  required  to
repurchase  the related Receivable  from the related  Trust. See "Description of
the Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Servicing Procedures" herein.
 
    While the  terms  and  conditions  of  the  finance  leases  do  not  permit
cancellation by the related Obligor, it is not uncommon for finance leases to be
modified or terminated before the end of the Lease term. Modifications generally
involve   repricing  a  finance  lease  or   modification  of  the  lease  term.
Modifications to a  finance lease term  and early lease  terminations often  are
permitted  by  CFSC  because  they  are  generally  associated  with  additional
financing opportunities from  the same  Obligor. CFSC expects,  as Servicer,  to
continue  to  allow these  modifications and  terminations  with respect  to the
Leases included in the Trusts pursuant to  the authority delegated to it in  the
related  Sale  and  Servicing  Agreement,  subject  to  certain  conditions  and
covenants of  the Servicer  described  under "Description  of the  Transfer  and
Servicing Agreements--Servicing Procedures" herein.
 
    BILLING  AND COLLECTION  PROCEDURES.   Payments received  more than  10 days
after their  due date  may be  assessed a  late fee  where permitted  by law.  A
monthly  payment is deemed to be "31-60" days past due if it is not collected by
the last day of the succeeding month (I.E., a payment due any time in January is
not considered  "31-60"  days past  due  unless  it remains  uncollected  as  of
February  28). 60,  90 and 120  day accounts are  similarly defined. Receivables
over 14 days  delinquent are  considered "delinquent,"  and collection  activity
commences at such time.
 
    REPOSSESSION/WRITEOFF  PROCEDURES.  The applicable regional offices make the
determination as to  whether to repossess  the financed equipment  related to  a
delinquent  receivable. After  such determination is  made, the  obligor and any
guarantor are sent "default letters."
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
    Within 20 days of repossession, the regional office submits an appraisal and
inspection report of the related  financed equipment to CFSC's headquarters.  It
is  at that time  that the related  receivable is written  down to its appraised
value, and if necessary, a write-off or loss is taken. Financed equipment put up
for sale is advertised or sold through a variety of means.
 
    DELINQUENCIES, REPOSSESSIONS AND NET LOSSES.  Certain information concerning
the experience of CFSC pertaining to delinquencies, repossessions and net losses
with respect  to  its  entire  United  States  portfolio  of  installment  sales
contracts  and/or  its  entire United  States  portfolio of  finance  leases, as
applicable, serviced by CFSC (including  receivables previously sold which  CFSC
continues  to service)  (respectively, the  "U.S. ISC  Portfolio" and  the "U.S.
Lease Portfolio", and collectively, the "U.S.  Portfolio") will be set forth  in
each  Prospectus Supplement.  There can  be no  assurance that  the delinquency,
repossession and net loss  experience on any Receivables  will be comparable  to
prior experience or to such information.
 
                    WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE OF THE SECURITIES
 
    The  weighted average life of the Securities of any Series will generally be
influenced  by  the  rate  at  which  the  principal  balances  of  the  related
Receivables are paid, which payment may be in the form of scheduled amortization
or  prepayments. (For this purpose,  the term "prepayments" includes prepayments
in full, partial prepayments  (including those related  to rebates of  insurance
premiums),  liquidations due to default, and  receipts of proceeds from physical
damage and term life insurance policies and the repurchase of Receivables by the
Seller or  the  Servicer  pursuant  to  the  Seller's  option  to  purchase  the
Receivables  or for other administrative  reasons set forth herein). Installment
Sales Contracts  are prepayable  at any  time without  penalty by  their  terms.
Although Leases are generally not optionally prepayable by their terms, Obligors
generally  are  permitted  to  prepay  a Lease  upon  payment  of  the aggregate
remaining Lease Scheduled Payments due  (which amount would include an  implicit
interest  amount). Each prepayment  will shorten the  weighted average remaining
term of the Receivables and the weighted average life of the related Securities.
If  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement   provides  for  the  distribution   to
Noteholders  and/or  Certificateholders of  amounts on  account of  principal in
excess of  the Principal  Distribution  Amount on  any Distribution  Date,  this
effect would be greater upon the prepayment of a Lease, since the amount prepaid
would  be greater  than the  related Principal  Balance. The  related Prospectus
Supplement will  set  forth the  allocation  of prepayments  among  the  various
Classes  of Securities of  the related Series. See  "Description of the Transfer
and Servicing Agreements--Distributions" in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
    The rate of  prepayments on the  Receivables is influenced  by a variety  of
economic, financial, climatic and other factors. However, CFSC does not maintain
historical  prepayment data with respect to  its portfolio of retail installment
sales contracts and  finance leases. In  addition, under certain  circumstances,
the  Seller will be obligated to repurchase Receivables from a Trust pursuant to
the  related  Sale  and  Servicing  Agreement,  as  a  result  of  breaches   of
representations  and warranties, and the Servicer  will be obligated to purchase
Receivables from a Trust pursuant to  the related Sale and Servicing  Agreement,
as  a result of breaches of certain  covenants. See "Description of the Transfer
and Servicing Agreements--Sale and  Assignment of Receivables" and  "--Servicing
Procedures"  herein.  See  also  "Description  of  the  Transfer  and  Servicing
Agreements--Termination" herein regarding the Servicer's option to purchase  the
Receivables  from a Trust and "--Insolvency  Event" herein regarding the sale of
Receivables if an  Insolvency Event with  respect to the  Seller occurs. On  the
other hand, the payment schedule under a contract related to a Receivable may be
extended or revised by the Servicer under certain circumstances. An extension or
revision may lengthen the weighted average remaining term of the Receivables and
the  weighted average  life of the  Securities. See  "The Receivables Pools--The
Retail Equipment Financing Business--EXTENSION/REVISION PROCEDURES" herein.
 
    In light of the above  considerations, there can be  no assurance as to  the
amount  of principal payments to be made on  the Securities on a given Series on
each Distribution Date, since such amount will depend, in part, on the amount of
principal collected on the related Receivables during the applicable  Collection
Period.  Any reinvestment risks  resulting from a faster  or slower incidence of
prepayment of Receivables  will be borne  entirely by the  Securityholders of  a
given   Series,   as   set   forth  in   the   related   Prospectus  Supplement.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
Such  reinvestment risks may include  the risk that interest  rates are lower at
the time such  holders receive  payments from  the related  Trust than  interest
rates  would otherwise have been had such  prepayments not been made or had such
prepayments been made at a different time.
 
    The  related  Prospectus  Supplement   may  set  forth  certain   additional
information   with  respect  to  the   maturity  and  prepayment  considerations
applicable to the  particular Receivables  and any  Class of  Securities of  the
related Series.
 
                      POOL FACTORS AND TRADING INFORMATION
 
    Unless  otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement with respect
to each Series, the Noteholders of record will receive reports on or about  each
Distribution  Date concerning the Receivables, the  "Pool Balance" (as such term
is defined in  the related  Prospectus Supplement),  each Note  Pool Factor  and
various  other items of  information, and the  Certificateholders of record will
receive reports on or about  each Distribution Date concerning the  Receivables,
the  Pool  Balance, each  Certificate  Pool Factor  and  various other  items of
information. In addition,  Securityholders of  record during  any calendar  year
will  be furnished  information for  tax reporting  purposes not  later than the
latest date  permitted  by law.  See  "Issuance of  the  Securities--Reports  to
Securityholders" herein.
 
    With respect to each Series of Securities, the related Prospectus Supplement
will  set forth the calculation of each "Note Pool Factor" and each "Certificate
Pool Factor", as applicable, with respect to each Class of related Securities.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    Unless otherwise  provided in  the related  Prospectus Supplement,  the  net
proceeds  from the sale of  the Securities of a given  Series will be applied by
the related Trust (i) to the purchase  of the Receivables from the Seller,  (ii)
to  make the initial deposit into the Reserve Account, if any, and (iii) to make
the deposit of the Pre-Funded Amount  into the Pre-Funding Account, if any.  The
amount  that  may be  initially deposited  into a  Pre-Funding Account,  and the
length of  a  Pre-Funding  Period,  are  limited  as  described  herein.  Unless
otherwise  specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement,  the Seller will use
that portion of such net proceeds paid to  it with respect to any such Trust  to
purchase the related Receivables from CFSC.
 
                    THE SELLER, CATERPILLAR AND THE SERVICER
 
CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL FUNDING CORPORATION
 
    The Seller is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CFSC. The Seller was incorporated
in the State of Nevada on July 20, 1995. The Seller is organized for the limited
purpose  of purchasing wholesale and  retail receivables from CFSC, transferring
such receivables to third parties and any activities incidental to and necessary
or convenient for the  accomplishment of the  foregoing purposes. The  principal
executive  offices  of the  Seller  are located  at  Greenview Plaza,  2950 East
Flamingo Road, Suite E-4,  Las Vegas, Nevada 89121  and its telephone number  is
(702) 735-2514.
 
    The  Seller has  taken and will  take steps in  structuring the transactions
contemplated hereby that are intended to ensure that a voluntary or  involuntary
petition  for relief by or against CFSC under any Insolvency Law will not result
in the substantive  consolidation of the  assets and liabilities  of the  Seller
with  those  of  CFSC. These  steps  include the  creation  of the  Seller  as a
separate,  limited-purpose  entity   pursuant  to   Articles  of   Incorporation
containing  (i) certain limitations (including restrictions on the nature of the
Seller's business  and a  restriction  on the  Seller's  ability to  commence  a
voluntary  case  or  proceeding  under  any  Insolvency  Law  without  the prior
unanimous affirmative vote of all of its directors) and (ii) a requirement  that
at  least  one  of  the  Seller's  directors  be  independent  of  CFSC  and its
affiliates. However, there can be no assurance that the activities of the Seller
would not result in a court's concluding that the assets and liabilities of  the
Seller  should be substantively consolidated with  those of CFSC in a proceeding
under any Insolvency Law. See  "Risk Factors--Substantive Consolidation of  CFSC
and the Seller" herein.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
    In  addition, the Owner Trustee, the  Indenture Trustee, all Noteholders and
all Certificateholders of each  Series will covenant that  they will not at  any
time  institute  against  the  Seller any  bankruptcy,  reorganization  or other
proceeding under any federal or state bankruptcy or similar law.
 
    CFSC will warrant to the Seller in each Purchase Agreement that the sale  of
the  related  Receivables  by it  to  the Seller  is  an absolute  sale  of such
Receivables to  the Seller.  In addition,  CFSC and  the Seller  will treat  the
transactions described herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement as a sale
of  the related Receivables to the Seller,  and the Seller will take all actions
that are required to perfect and  maintain perfection of the Seller's  ownership
interest  in the  Receivables by the  Seller's taking possession  of the related
Receivables Files through a custodian (unless the related Prospectus  Supplement
provides  that  such  interests  will  be  perfected  by  filing  UCC  financing
statements). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if CFSC were to become a debtor in a
bankruptcy case, and a creditor or trustee-in-bankruptcy of CFSC or CFSC  itself
were  to take the position that the sale  of Receivables to the Seller should be
recharacterized as a pledge of such  Receivables to secure a borrowing of  CFSC,
then  delays in payments of collections of Receivables to the Seller could occur
or, should  the  court  rule in  favor  of  such trustee,  debtor  or  creditor,
reductions  in  the amount  of such  payments or  a reduction  in the  amount of
Receivables securing  such  a  borrowing,  could  result.  If  the  transactions
contemplated  herein and in  the related Prospectus Supplement  are treated as a
sale, the related Receivables would not be part of CFSC's bankruptcy estate  and
would  not be available to CFSC's creditors. See "Risk Factors--True Sale Risks"
herein.
 
CATERPILLAR INC.
 
    Caterpillar, together with its  consolidated subsidiary companies,  operates
in  three principal  business segments: (a)  Machinery--design, manufacture, and
marketing of earthmoving,  construction, and materials  handling machinery,  (b)
Engines--design,  manufacture,  and  marketing  of  engines,  and  (c) Financial
Products--providing through  CFSC  financing alternatives  for  Caterpillar  and
non-competitive  related equipment  sold through  Caterpillar dealers, extending
loans to  Caterpillar customers  and  dealers, and  providing various  forms  of
insurance  for  Caterpillar  dealers,  suppliers  and  end-users.  The principal
executive office  of Caterpillar  is located  at 100  NE Adams  Street,  Peoria,
Illinois  61629. As used  herein, the term  "Caterpillar" means Caterpillar Inc.
and  its  consolidated  subsidiary  companies,  unless  the  context   otherwise
requires.
 
    Caterpillar is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act
and  in  accordance  therewith  files reports  and  other  information  with the
Commission. For further information regarding Caterpillar, reference is made  to
such  reports  and  other information  which  are available  as  described under
"Available  Information"   herein.   Certain   current   information   regarding
Caterpillar will be set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION
 
    CFSC  is  a wholly-owned  finance subsidiary  of  Caterpillar. CFSC  and its
wholly-owned  subsidiaries  in   North  America,  Australia,   and  Europe   are
principally engaged in the business of financing sales and leases of Caterpillar
products  and non-competitive related equipment  through Caterpillar Dealers and
are also engaged in extending loans to Caterpillar customers and Dealers.
 
    CFSC's business is largely dependent upon the ability of Caterpillar Dealers
to generate sales and leasing activity, the willingness of the customers and the
Dealers to enter into financing transactions with CFSC, and the availability  of
funds to CFSC to finance such transactions.
 
    CFSC  currently offers  the following types  of retail  financing plans: (1)
installment sales contracts;  (2) non-tax (financing)  leases; (3)  tax-oriented
leases;   (4)   customer  loans;   (5)  dealer   loans;  and   (6)  governmental
lease-purchase contracts.  CFSC also  currently  offers wholesale  financing  to
Caterpillar Dealers for their inventory and rental fleets.
 
    CFSC  is a Delaware  corporation which was  incorporated in 1981  and is the
successor  to  a  company  formed   in  1954.  CFSC  has  wholly-owned   finance
subsidiaries  in Canada, Australia, Germany,  France, the United Kingdom, Spain,
Scandinavia, Ireland and Mexico. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
"CFSC" includes  its  predecessor  and  subsidiary  companies  (other  than  the
Seller).  The principal  executive office  of CFSC is  located at  3322 West End
Avenue, Nashville,  Tennessee  37203-1071, and  its  telephone number  is  (615)
386-5800.
 
    Certain  current information regarding CFSC will be set forth in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
 
GENERAL
 
    With respect to each Trust, one or  more Classes of Notes of a given  Series
will  be issued pursuant to the terms  of an indenture between the related Trust
and the related  indenture trustee  (the "Indenture  Trustee"), which  Indenture
will  be  substantially in  the form  filed  as an  exhibit to  the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. The following summary, as  well
as  other pertinent information included elsewhere in this Prospectus and in the
related Prospectus Supplement, describes the material terms generally applicable
to the Notes,  but does not  purport to be  complete and is  subject to, and  is
qualified  in its entirety by reference to,  the provisions of the Notes and the
Indenture.
 
    Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, each  Class
of  Notes will initially be  represented by one or  more Notes registered in the
name of the nominee of DTC  (together with any successor depository selected  by
the related Trust, the "Depository") except as set forth below. Unless otherwise
specified  in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Notes will be available for
purchase in denominations of $1,000 and  integral multiples thereof and will  be
available  in book-entry form only.  See "Issuance of the Securities--Definitive
Securities" and "--Book-Entry Registration" herein.
 
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE NOTES
 
    The timing  and  priority of  payments,  seniority, allocations  of  losses,
Interest  Rate and amount of or method  of determining payments of principal and
interest on each Class of  Notes of a given Series  will be as described in  the
related  Prospectus Supplement. The rights of Noteholders to receive payments of
principal and interest may be senior or subordinate to the rights of Noteholders
of another Class or Series, as  described in the related Prospectus  Supplement.
Unless  otherwise  provided in  the related  Prospectus Supplement,  payments of
interest on the Notes of such Series will be made prior to payments of principal
thereon. To the extent provided in  the related Prospectus Supplement, a  Series
may  include  one or  more  Classes of  Strip  Notes entitled  to  (i) principal
payments with disproportionate, nominal or no interest payments or (ii) interest
payments with disproportionate, nominal or no principal payments. Each Class  of
Notes  may have  a different Interest  Rate, which  may be a  fixed, variable or
adjustable Interest Rate  (and which may  be zero for  certain Classes of  Strip
Notes),  or any combination of the  foregoing. The related Prospectus Supplement
will specify the Interest Rate for each Class of Notes of a given Series or  the
method  for  determining  such  Interest  Rate.  See  also  "Certain Information
Regarding  the   Securities--Fixed  Rate   Securities"  and   "--Floating   Rate
Securities." One or more Classes of Notes of a Series may be prepayable in whole
or  in  part  under  the  circumstances  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus
Supplement, including at the end of the  Funding Period (if any) or as a  result
of  the  Servicer's exercising  its option  to purchase  the Receivables  of the
related Trust in the manner and on the respective terms and conditions described
under  "Description  of  the  Transfer  and  Servicing  Agreements--Termination"
herein.
 
    To the extent specified in any Prospectus Supplement, one or more Classes of
Notes  of a given Series may have fixed principal payment schedules. Noteholders
of such Notes would be entitled to receive as payments of principal on any given
Distribution Date the applicable amounts set forth on such schedule with respect
to such  Notes, in  the  manner and  to  the extent  set  forth in  the  related
Prospectus Supplement.
 
    Under   certain  circumstances,   the  amount  available   for  payments  to
Noteholders in respect  of interest could  be less than  the amount of  interest
payable  on the Notes  on any of the  dates specified for  payments on Notes and
Certificates in the related Prospectus Supplement (each, a "Distribution Date"),
in which case, unless otherwise  provided in the related Prospectus  Supplement,
each Class of Noteholders will receive its
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
ratable  share (based upon the aggregate amount of interest due to such Class of
Noteholders) of the aggregate amount available  to be distributed in respect  of
interest  on the  Notes of  such Series.  See "Description  of the  Transfer and
Servicing Agreements--Distributions" in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
    In the case  of a  Series of  Notes which includes  two or  more Classes  of
Notes,  the sequential order and priority of payment in respect of principal and
interest, and any  schedule or  formula or  other provisions  applicable to  the
determination  thereof, of  each such  Class will  be set  forth in  the related
Prospectus Supplement.  Payments in  respect of  principal and  interest of  any
Class  of Notes will  be made on a  pro rata basis among  all the Noteholders of
such Class.
 
    If the Servicer exercises its option to purchase the Receivables of a  Trust
in  the  manner  and on  the  respective  terms and  conditions  described under
"Description of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements-- Termination" herein, the
related outstanding Notes will be prepaid as set forth in the related Prospectus
Supplement. In addition, if the related Prospectus Supplement provides that  the
property  of a Trust will include a Pre-Funding Account, the related outstanding
Notes may be subject to partial  prepayment on or immediately following the  end
of  the related Funding Period in an  amount and manner specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement. In the event of such partial prepayment, the  Noteholders
of  the related Series may be entitled  to receive a prepayment premium from the
related Trust,  in  the  amount  and  to the  extent  provided  in  the  related
Prospectus Supplement.
 
THE INDENTURE
 
    MODIFICATION  OF INDENTURE.  With respect to each Trust, with the consent of
the holders of a majority  of the outstanding principal  amount of the Notes  of
the  related Series,  the related  Indenture Trustee  and the  related Trust may
execute a supplemental indenture to add  provisions to, or change in any  manner
or  eliminate any provisions of, the Indenture  with respect to the Notes, or to
modify (except as provided below) in any manner the rights of the Noteholders.
 
    Notwithstanding the  foregoing, unless  otherwise specified  in the  related
Prospectus  Supplement, without  the consent of  the holder  of each outstanding
Note of the related Series affected thereby, no supplemental indenture shall (i)
change the due date of any installment  of principal of or interest on any  Note
of  such  Series  or reduce  the  principal  amount thereof,  the  interest rate
specified thereon or  the prepayment price  with respect thereto  or change  any
place  of payment  where, or  the coin  or currency  in which,  any Note  or any
interest thereon is  payable, (ii) impair  the right to  institute suit for  the
enforcement  of certain provisions  of the related  Indenture regarding payment,
(iii) reduce the percentage of the aggregate amount of the outstanding Notes  of
such  Series  the consent  of  the holders  of which  is  required for  any such
supplemental indenture or the  consent of the holders  of which is required  for
any  waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the related Indenture or of
certain defaults  thereunder and  their  consequences as  provided for  in  such
Indenture,  (iv)  modify  or  alter  the  provisions  of  the  related Indenture
regarding the  voting  of  Notes held  by  the  related Trust,  the  Seller,  an
affiliate  of  either of  them  or any  obligor on  such  Notes, (v)  reduce the
percentage of the aggregate outstanding amount  of the Notes of such Series  the
consent  of the  holders of  which is required  to direct  the related Indenture
Trustee to sell  or liquidate the  related Receivables if  the proceeds of  such
sale  would be insufficient to  pay the principal amount  and accrued but unpaid
interest on the outstanding Notes of  such Series, (vi) decrease the  percentage
of  the aggregate principal amount of such  Notes required to amend the sections
of the  related  Indenture  which  specify  the  applicable  percentage  of  the
aggregate  principal amount of the  Notes of such Series  necessary to amend the
related Indenture or certain of the  other Transfer and Servicing Agreements  or
(vii)  permit the creation of any lien ranking  prior to or on a parity with the
lien of the related  Indenture with respect  to any of  the collateral for  such
Notes  or,  except  as otherwise  permitted  or contemplated  in  the Indenture,
terminate the lien of  the related Indenture on  any such collateral or  deprive
the  holder  of any  such Note  of the  security  afforded by  the lien  of such
Indenture.
 
    Unless otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, a Trust  and
the  related  Indenture Trustee  may  also enter  into  supplemental indentures,
without obtaining the  consent of  Noteholders of  the related  Series, for  the
purpose  of, among  other things,  adding any provisions  to or  changing in any
manner or  eliminating any  of the  provisions of  the related  Indenture or  of
modifying in any manner the rights of such
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
Noteholders,  including curing any ambiguity  or correcting or supplementing any
inconsistent provision therein; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such action will not, in
the opinion of  counsel satisfactory  to the Indenture  Trustee, materially  and
adversely affect the interest of any such Noteholder.
 
    In addition, unless otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement,
a   Trust  and  the  related  Indenture  Trustee  may  enter  into  supplemental
indentures, without  obtaining the  consent of  the Noteholders  of the  related
Series,  to substitute credit  enhancement for any Class  of Notes, provided the
Rating Agencies confirm in writing that such substitution will not result in the
reduction or withdrawal of the rating for such Class of Notes or any other Class
of Securities of the related Series.
 
    EVENTS OF DEFAULT; RIGHTS UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT.  With respect to the  Notes
of  a  given  Series,  unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  related Prospectus
Supplement, an "Event of Default" with respect to such Notes will be defined  in
the  related Indenture  as being:  (i) a default  for five  days or  more in the
payment of any interest on any such Note;  (ii) a default in the payment of  the
principal  of or any installment of the principal of any such Note when the same
becomes due and payable; (iii) a default in the observance or performance of any
covenant or agreement of the related Trust made in the related Indenture and the
continuation of any such default for a period of 30 days after notice thereof is
given to such Trust by the related  Indenture Trustee or to such Trust and  such
Indenture  Trustee by the  holders of at  least 25% in  principal amount of such
Notes then outstanding; (iv) any representation  or warranty made by such  Trust
in  the related Indenture or in any certificate delivered pursuant thereto or in
connection therewith having been incorrect in a material respect as of the  time
made,  and such breach not having been cured within 30 days after notice thereof
is given to  such Trust  by such  Indenture Trustee or  to such  Trust and  such
Indenture  Trustee by the  holders of at  least 25% in  principal amount of such
Notes then  outstanding;  or  (v)  certain  events  of  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
receivership  or liquidation  of the Seller  or the related  Trust. However, the
amount of principal required to be distributed to the Noteholders of such Series
under the  related Indenture  will  be generally  limited to  amounts  available
therefor  in the related  Note Distribution Account  absent acceleration of such
Notes.  Therefore,  unless  otherwise   specified  in  the  related   Prospectus
Supplement,  the failure to  pay principal on  such Notes may  not result in the
occurrence  of  an  Event  of  Default  until  the  applicable  Final  Scheduled
Distribution Date.
 
    If  an Event of Default  should occur and be  continuing with respect to the
Notes of any Series, the related Indenture  Trustee or holders of a majority  in
principal  amount of  such Notes then  outstanding may declare  the principal of
such Notes to be immediately due and payable. Unless otherwise specified in  the
related   Prospectus   Supplement,   such   declaration   may,   under   certain
circumstances, be rescinded by the holders of a majority in principal amount  of
such Notes then outstanding.
 
    Subject  to the conditions specified below, if  the Notes of any Series have
been declared to be due and payable  following an Event of Default with  respect
thereto,  the related  Indenture Trustee may,  in its discretion,  to the extent
permitted by applicable  law, either sell  the related Receivables  or elect  to
have  the related Trust maintain possession  of such Receivables and continue to
apply distributions on such Receivables as  if there had been no declaration  of
acceleration.  Unless otherwise specified in  the related Prospectus Supplement,
the related Indenture Trustee is prohibited from selling the related Receivables
following an  Event of  Default, other  than a  default in  the payment  of  any
principal  or a default for five days or  more in the payment of any interest on
any such Note,  unless (i)  all the  holders of  the outstanding  Notes of  such
Series  consent to such sale,  (ii) the proceeds of  such sale are sufficient to
pay in full the principal of and  the accrued interest on the outstanding  Notes
of  such  Series  at the  date  of such  sale  or (iii)  such  Indenture Trustee
determines that the proceeds of the related Receivables would not be  sufficient
on  an ongoing basis to  make all payments on such  Notes as such payments would
have become due if such obligations had  not been declared due and payable,  and
such  Indenture Trustee  obtains the consent  of the  holders of 66  2/3% of the
aggregate outstanding amount of such Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing,  upon
the  occurrence  of an  Insolvency  Event with  respect  to the  Seller  and the
liquidation of the related Receivables and the termination of the related Trust,
the related Owner Trustee  is required to direct  the related Indenture  Trustee
promptly  to sell the assets  of the related Trust  in a commercially reasonable
manner and on commercially  reasonable terms. See  "Description of the  Transfer
and Servicing Agreements--Insolvency Event" herein.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
    Subject to the provisions of the related Indenture relating to the duties of
the  related Indenture Trustee, in  case an Event of  Default shall occur and be
continuing with respect to  a Series of Notes,  such Indenture Trustee shall  be
under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under such Indenture
if  requested or directed by any of the  holders of such Notes if such Indenture
Trustee reasonably believes it  will not be  adequately indemnified against  the
costs,  expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in complying with
such request.  Subject  to  such  provisions  for  indemnification  and  certain
limitations  contained in the  related Indenture, the holders  of a majority (or
66 2/3% if  an Event of  Default has  occurred and is  continuing) in  principal
amount  of the outstanding Notes  of a Series will have  the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting  any proceeding or any remedy available  to
the related Indenture Trustee, and the holders of a majority in principal amount
of  such Notes then  outstanding may, in  certain cases, waive  any default with
respect thereto, except a default in the  payment of principal or interest or  a
default  in respect of a covenant or  provision of such Indenture that cannot be
modified without the waiver or consent of all of the holders of such outstanding
Notes.
 
    Unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement,   no
Noteholder  of any Series will  have the right to  institute any proceeding with
respect to  the related  Indenture, unless  (i) such  Noteholder previously  has
given  to the related Indenture Trustee written  notice of a continuing Event of
Default, (ii)  the holders  of not  less than  25% in  principal amount  of  the
outstanding  Notes of  such Series have  made written request  of such Indenture
Trustee to institute such proceeding in its own name as Indenture Trustee, (iii)
such Noteholder or  Noteholders have offered  such Indenture Trustee  reasonable
indemnity,  (iv) such Indenture Trustee has for 60 days failed to institute such
proceeding and (v) no direction inconsistent with such written request has  been
given  to such Indenture Trustee  during such 60-day period  by the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.
 
    In addition, with respect  to any Trust, the  related Indenture Trustee  and
the  related Noteholders will covenant that they  will not at any time institute
against such Trust any bankruptcy, reorganization or other proceeding under  any
federal or state bankruptcy or similar law.
 
    With  respect to  any Trust, neither  the related Indenture  Trustee nor the
related  Owner  Trustee  in  its  individual  capacity,  nor  any  holder  of  a
Certificate  representing an ownership interest in  such Trust, nor any of their
respective  owners,  beneficiaries,  agents,  officers,  directors,   employees,
successors  or assigns  shall, in  the absence  of an  express agreement  to the
contrary, be personally liable for the  payment of the principal of or  interest
on  the  Notes or  for the  agreements of  such Trust  contained in  the related
Indenture.
 
    CERTAIN COVENANTS.  With  respect to any Trust,  the related Indenture  will
provide that such Trust may not consolidate with or merge into any other entity,
unless  (i) the entity  formed by or  surviving such consolidation  or merger is
organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District
of Columbia, (ii) such entity expressly assumes such Trust's obligation to  make
due  and  punctual  payments  upon  the Notes  of  the  related  Series  and the
performance or observance of  every agreement and covenant  of such Trust  under
the  related Indenture,  (iii) no  Event of Default  shall have  occurred and be
continuing immediately after such merger  or consolidation, (iv) such Trust  has
been  advised that the ratings of neither the Notes nor the Certificates of such
Series would be  reduced or  withdrawn by the  applicable Rating  Agencies as  a
result  of such merger or consolidation, (v)  such Trust has received an opinion
of counsel  to  the effect  that  such consolidation  or  merger would  have  no
material  adverse tax consequence to such Trust  or to any related Noteholder or
Certificateholder, (vi) any  action as  is necessary  to maintain  the lien  and
security  interest created  by the related  Indenture shall have  been taken and
(vii) such Trust has  received an opinion of  counsel and officer's  certificate
each  stating that such consolidation or merger satisfies all requirements under
the related Indenture.
 
    Each Trust will not, among other  things, (i) except as expressly  permitted
by  the  related Indenture,  the related  Transfer  and Servicing  Agreements or
certain  related  documents  (collectively,  the  "Related  Documents"),   sell,
transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of any of the assets of such Trust, (ii)
claim  any  credit on  or make  any  deduction from  the principal  and interest
payable in  respect of  the Notes  of  the related  Series (other  than  amounts
withheld under the Code or applicable state law) or assert any claim against any
present  or former  holder of Notes  because of  the payment of  taxes levied or
assessed upon such Trust,
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
(iii) except as contemplated by the Related Documents, dissolve or liquidate  in
whole or in part or (iv) (y) permit the validity or effectiveness of the related
Indenture  to be impaired or permit any person to be released from any covenants
or obligations with respect to such Notes under such Indenture except as may  be
expressly  permitted  thereby or  (z) permit  any  lien, charge,  excise, claim,
security interest, mortgage or other encumbrance  to be created on or extend  to
or  otherwise arise upon or burden the assets of such Trust or any part thereof,
or any interest therein or the proceeds thereof, except as may be created by the
terms of the related Indenture.
 
    No Trust  may engage  in any  activity  other than  as specified  under  the
section  of  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement  entitled  "Formation  of  the
Trust--The Trust." No  Trust will  incur, assume or  guarantee any  indebtedness
other  than indebtedness incurred pursuant to  the related Notes and the related
Indenture or otherwise in accordance with the Related Documents.
 
    If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the related Trust will
not make  any  payments, distributions  or  dividends to  Certificateholders  in
respect  of their Certificates  for any Collection  Period unless the conditions
set forth in such Prospectus Supplement have been satisfied.
 
    Each Trust  will  or will  cause  the Servicer  to  deliver to  the  related
Indenture  Trustee  on each  Determination  Date the  Servicer's  Certificate as
required by the related Sale and Servicing Agreement.
 
    LIST OF NOTEHOLDERS.  Three or more holders of the Notes of any Series (each
of whom has owned a Note for at least six months) may, by written request to the
related Indenture Trustee, obtain access to the list of all Noteholders of  such
Series  maintained by  such Indenture Trustee  for the  purpose of communicating
with other Noteholders of  such Series with respect  to their rights under  such
Indenture  or such  Notes. Such  Indenture Trustee may  elect not  to afford the
requesting Noteholders access to  the list of such  Noteholders if it agrees  to
mail  the desired communication  or proxy, on  behalf and at  the expense of the
requesting Noteholders, to all Noteholders of record.
 
    ANNUAL COMPLIANCE STATEMENT.  The Administrator on behalf of each Trust will
be required  to file  annually  with the  related  Indenture Trustee  a  written
statement as to the fulfillment of its obligations under the related Indenture.
 
    INDENTURE  TRUSTEE'S  ANNUAL  REPORT.   If  required by  law,  the Indenture
Trustee for each Trust will  mail each year to  all related Noteholders a  brief
report  relating  to  its  eligibility  and  qualification  to  continue  as the
Indenture Trustee under the related Indenture, any amounts advanced by it  under
such  Indenture,  the  amount,  interest  rate  and  maturity  date  of  certain
indebtedness owing by  such Trust to  such Indenture Trustee  in its  individual
capacity,  the property and  funds physically held by  such Indenture Trustee as
such and any action taken by it that materially affects such Notes and that  has
not been previously reported.
 
    SATISFACTION  AND DISCHARGE OF  INDENTURE.  An  Indenture will be discharged
with respect to the Trust Property securing the related Notes upon the  delivery
to  such Indenture Trustee for  cancellation of all such  Notes or, with certain
limitations, upon deposit with  such Indenture Trustee  of funds sufficient  for
the payment in full of all of such Notes.
 
    THE  INDENTURE TRUSTEE.  The Indenture Trustee for a Series of Notes will be
specified in the related  Prospectus Supplement. The  Indenture Trustee for  any
Series  may  resign  at any  time,  in which  event  the related  Trust  will be
obligated to appoint a successor Indenture Trustee for such Series. A Trust  may
also remove the related Indenture Trustee if such Indenture Trustee ceases to be
eligible  to continue as such  under the related Indenture  or if such Indenture
Trustee becomes insolvent. In such  circumstances, such Trust will be  obligated
to  appoint a successor Indenture  Trustee for the related  Series of Notes. Any
resignation or removal of  an Indenture Trustee and  appointment of a  successor
Indenture  Trustee  for any  Series  of Notes  does  not become  effective until
acceptance of  the  appointment by  the  successor Indenture  Trustee  for  such
Series.
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF THE CERTIFICATES
 
GENERAL
 
    With  respect to each Trust, one or  more Classes of Certificates of a given
Series will be issued  pursuant to the  terms of a  Trust Agreement between  the
Seller    and   the   related    Owner   Trustee,   a    form   of   which   has
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this  Prospectus
forms  a part.  The following  summary, as  well as  other pertinent information
included elsewhere in this Prospectus and in the related Prospectus  Supplement,
describes  the material terms of the  Certificates and each Trust Agreement, but
does not purport  to be  complete and  is subject to,  and is  qualified in  its
entirety  by reference to, all of the provisions of the related Certificates and
the related Trust Agreement.
 
    With  respect  to  any  Series  of  Certificates,  the  related   Prospectus
Supplement  will specify whether each Class  of Certificates will be represented
by one or more Certificates in fully registered, certificated form or registered
in the  name of  the Depository  (except  as set  forth below);  provided,  that
Certificates  purchased  by  the  Seller will  be  issued  in  fully registered,
certificated form.
 
    With respect  to  a  Class  of  Certificates  issued  in  fully  registered,
certificated  form,  such Certificates  will be  available  for purchase  in the
minimum  and  integral  denominations   specified  in  the  related   Prospectus
Supplement.   See  "Issuance  of   the  Securities--Definitive  Securities"  and
"--Book-Entry Registration" herein.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST
 
    The timing and priority of distributions, seniority, allocations of  losses,
Pass-Through  Rate and  amount of  or method  of determining  distributions with
respect to  principal and  interest of  each Class  of Certificates  of a  given
Series  will be described in the related Prospectus Supplement. Distributions of
interest on such Certificates will be  made on the Distribution Dates  specified
in  the related  Prospectus Supplement and  will be made  prior to distributions
with respect to principal  of such Certificates. To  the extent provided in  the
related Prospectus Supplement, a Series may include one or more Classes of Strip
Certificates  entitled  to  (i)  distributions  in  respect  of  principal  with
disproportionate, nominal or no interest distributions or (ii) distributions  in
respect   of   interest   with  disproportionate,   nominal   or   no  principal
distributions. Each  Class of  Certificates may  have a  different  Pass-Through
Rate,  which may be a fixed, variable or adjustable Pass-Through Rate (and which
may be zero for  certain Classes of Strip  Certificates), or any combination  of
the  foregoing. The related Prospectus  Supplement will specify the Pass-Through
Rate for  each  Class of  Certificates  of a  given  Series or  the  method  for
determining  such Pass-Through Rate. See also "Certain Information Regarding the
Securities--Fixed Rate  Securities"  and "--Floating  Rate  Securities"  herein.
Unless otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, distributions in
respect of the Certificates of a given Series will be subordinate to payments in
respect  of the  Notes of  such Series  as more  fully described  in the related
Prospectus Supplement. Distributions in respect of interest on and principal  of
any  Class  of Certificates  will be  made on  a  pro rata  basis among  all the
Certificateholders of such Class.
 
    In the case of a Series of  Certificates which includes two or more  Classes
of  Certificates, the timing, sequential order, priority of payment or amount of
distributions in respect of interest and principal, and any schedule or  formula
or  other provisions applicable to the determination thereof, of each such Class
shall be as set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
    If the Servicer exercises its option to purchase the Receivables of a  Trust
in  the  manner  and on  the  respective  terms and  conditions  described under
"Description of  the Transfer  and Servicing  Agreements-- Termination"  herein,
related  Certificateholders will receive  as prepayment an  amount in respect of
such  Certificates  as  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement.  In
addition,  if the related Prospectus Supplement  provides that the property of a
Trust will include a Pre-Funding Account, related Certificateholders may receive
a partial prepayment  of principal on  or immediately following  the end of  the
Funding  Period  in an  amount and  manner specified  in the  related Prospectus
Supplement. In the event of such partial prepayment, the Certificateholders  may
be  entitled to  receive a  prepayment premium  from the  related Trust,  in the
amount and to the extent provided in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
LIST OF CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
 
    Three  or   more  Certificateholders   of  any   Series  or   one  or   more
Certificateholders  evidencing not less  than 25% of  the Certificate Balance of
such Series may, by written request to the related Owner Trustee, obtain  access
to  the  list  of all  Certificateholders  of  such Series  for  the  purpose of
communicating with such  Certificateholders with respect  to their rights  under
the related Trust Agreement or under such Certificates.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
                  CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING THE SECURITIES
 
FIXED RATE SECURITIES
 
    Each Class of Securities (other than certain Classes of Strip Notes or Strip
Certificates)  may  bear  interest  at  a  fixed  rate  per  annum  ("Fixed Rate
Securities") or  at a  variable or  adjustable rate  per annum  ("Floating  Rate
Securities"),  as  more  fully described  below  and in  the  related Prospectus
Supplement. Each  Class of  Fixed  Rate Securities  will  bear interest  at  the
applicable  per annum Interest  Rate or Pass-Through  Rate, as the  case may be,
specified in the related  Prospectus Supplement. Unless  otherwise set forth  in
the  related  Prospectus  Supplement,  interest  on  each  Class  of  Fixed Rate
Securities will be  computed on the  basis of  a 360-day year  of twelve  30-day
months.  See "Description of the Notes--Principal and Interest on the Notes" and
"Description of  the  Certificates--Distributions  of  Principal  and  Interest"
herein.
 
FLOATING RATE SECURITIES
 
    Each  Class  of  Floating  Rate  Securities  will  bear  interest  for  each
applicable Interest  Reset Period  (with respect  to a  Class of  Floating  Rate
Securities,  the  "Interest Reset  Period") at  a rate  per annum  determined by
reference to an interest rate basis (the "Base Rate"), plus or minus the Spread,
if any,  or  multiplied by  the  Spread Multiplier,  if  any, in  each  case  as
specified  in the related  Prospectus Supplement. The "Spread"  is the number of
basis points (one basis  point equals one one-hundredth  of a percentage  point)
that  may be specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement as being applicable
to such  Class,  and the  "Spread  Multiplier" is  the  percentage that  may  be
specified  in  the related  Prospectus Supplement  as  being applicable  to such
Class.
 
    The related Prospectus  Supplement will designate  a Base Rate  for a  given
Floating  Rate Security  based on LIBOR,  commercial paper  rates, federal funds
rates, U.S.  Government treasury  securities rates,  negotiable certificates  of
deposit rates or another rate as set forth in such Prospectus Supplement.
 
    As  specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, Floating Rate Securities
of a given Class  may also have either  or both of the  following (in each  case
expressed  as a rate  per annum): (i)  a maximum limitation,  or ceiling, on the
rate at which interest may accrue during any interest period and (ii) a  minimum
limitation,  or  floor, on  the rate  at  which interest  may accrue  during any
interest period. In addition to any maximum interest rate that may be applicable
to any Class of  Floating Rate Securities, the  interest rate applicable to  any
Class  of Floating Rate Securities  will in no event  be higher than the maximum
rate permitted by applicable law, as the  same may be modified by United  States
law of general application.
 
    Each Trust with respect to which a Class of Floating Rate Securities will be
issued  will appoint, and enter into agreements with, a calculation agent (each,
a "Calculation  Agent")  to calculate  interest  rates  on each  such  Class  of
Floating  Rate Securities  issued with  respect thereto.  The related Prospectus
Supplement will set forth  the identity of the  Calculation Agent for each  such
Class  of Floating Rate  Securities of a  given Series, which  may be either the
Owner  Trustee  or  Indenture   Trustee  with  respect   to  such  Series.   All
determinations  of interest  by the Calculation  Agent shall, in  the absence of
manifest error, be  conclusive for all  purposes and binding  on the holders  of
Floating  Rate Securities  of a given  Class. Unless otherwise  specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement, all percentages resulting from any calculation of
the rate of interest on a Floating Rate Security will be rounded, if  necessary,
to  the  nearest  1/100,000 of  1%  (.0000001),  with five  one-millionths  of a
percentage point rounded upward.
 
INDEXED SECURITIES
 
    To the extent so specified in  the related Prospectus Supplement, any  Class
of Securities of a given Series may consist of Securities ("Indexed Securities")
in  which the principal amount payable  at the Final Scheduled Distribution Date
for such Class (the "Indexed Principal Amount") is determined by reference to  a
measure (the "Index") which will be related to (i) the difference in the rate of
exchange between United States dollars and a currency or composite currency (the
"Indexed Currency") specified in the related Prospectus Supplement (such Indexed
Securities, the "Currency Indexed Securities"); (ii) the difference in the price
of  a specified  commodity (the  "Indexed Commodity")  on specified  dates (such
Indexed Securities, "Commodity Indexed Securities"); (iii) the difference in the
level of a specified stock index (the "Stock Index"), which may be based on U.S.
or  foreign  stocks  on  specified   dates  (such  Indexed  Securities,   "Stock
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
Indexed Securities"); or (iv) such other objective price or economic measures as
are  described in the  related Prospectus Supplement.  The manner of determining
the Indexed Principal  Amount of an  Indexed Security and  historical and  other
information  concerning the Indexed  Currency, the Indexed  Commodity, the Stock
Index or other price or economic measures used in such determination will be set
forth in the related Prospectus Supplement, together with information concerning
tax consequences to the holders of such Indexed Securities.
 
    If the determination of the Indexed Principal Amount of an Indexed  Security
is  based on an  Index calculated or announced  by a third  party and such third
party either suspends the calculation or  announcement of such Index or  changes
the  basis upon  which such Index  is calculated (other  than changes consistent
with policies  in  effect at  the  time such  Indexed  Security was  issued  and
permitted  changes described  in the  related Prospectus  Supplement), then such
Index  shall  be  calculated  for  purposes  of  such  Indexed  Security  by  an
independent  calculation agent named in the related Prospectus Supplement on the
same basis, and subject to the same  conditions and controls, as applied to  the
original  third party. If for any reason  such Index cannot be calculated on the
same basis and subject  to the same  conditions and controls  as applied to  the
original third party, then the Indexed Principal Amount of such Indexed Security
shall  be  calculated  in  the  manner  set  forth  in  the  related  Prospectus
Supplement. Any determination  of such independent  calculation agent shall,  in
the absence of manifest error, be binding on all parties.
 
    Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, interest on
an  Indexed  Security will  be payable  based  on the  amount designated  in the
related Prospectus Supplement as the "Face Amount" of such Indexed Security. The
related Prospectus Supplement will describe whether the principal amount of  the
related  Indexed  Security, if  any, that  would be  payable upon  redemption or
repayment prior to the applicable Final Scheduled Distribution Date will be  the
Face  Amount  of such  Indexed Security,  the Indexed  Principal Amount  of such
Indexed Security  at the  time  of redemption  or  repayment or  another  amount
described in such Prospectus Supplement.
 
                           ISSUANCE OF THE SECURITIES
 
DEFINITIVE SECURITIES
 
    The Prospectus Supplement related to a given Series will specify whether the
Notes  or the Certificates  of such Series  will be issued  in fully registered,
certificated   form   ("Definitive   Notes"   or   "Definitive    Certificates",
respectively, and collectively referred to herein as "Definitive Securities") to
the Noteholders or Certificateholders or their respective nominees.
 
    Distributions  of principal  of and  interest on  such Definitive Securities
will be made by the Indenture Trustee  or Owner Trustee, as applicable (each,  a
"Trustee")  in accordance with the procedures set forth in the related Indenture
or the related Trust Agreement, as applicable, directly to holders of Definitive
Securities in whose names the Definitive Securities were registered at the close
of business  on  the  applicable  "Record  Date"  (as  defined  in  the  related
Prospectus  Supplement) specified for such  Securities in the related Prospectus
Supplement. Such distributions will  be made by check  mailed to the address  of
such  holder as it appears on the register maintained by the applicable Trustee.
The final payment on  any such Definitive Security,  however, will be made  only
upon  presentation and  surrender of such  Definitive Security at  the office or
agency  specified  in  the  notice  of  final  distribution  to  the  applicable
Securityholders.
 
    Definitive  Securities will be transferable  and exchangeable at the offices
of the  applicable Trustee  or of  a  certificate registrar  named in  a  notice
delivered to holders of Definitive Securities. No service charge will be imposed
for  any registration  of transfer or  exchange, but the  applicable Trustee may
require payment  of a  sum sufficient  to cover  any tax  or other  governmental
charge imposed in connection therewith.
 
BOOK-ENTRY REGISTRATION
 
    The Prospectus Supplement related to a given Series will specify whether the
holders  of the Notes or  Certificates of such Series  may hold their respective
Securities through DTC (in the United States) or Cedel
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
Bank, societe anonyme ("Cedel") or Euroclear  (as defined below) (in Europe)  if
they  are participants of such systems, or indirectly through organizations that
are  participants   in  such   systems   ("Book-Entry  Notes"   or   "Book-Entry
Certificates,"  respectively, and collectively referred to herein as "Book-Entry
Securities").
 
    The Seller has been informed by DTC that DTC's nominee will be Cede,  unless
another  nominee is specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. Accordingly,
such nominee is expected  to be the  holder of record of  the Securities of  any
Series  held  through DTC.  Cede,  as nominee  for  DTC, or  such  other nominee
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, will hold the global Securities.
Cedel and  Euroclear  will  hold  omnibus  positions  on  behalf  of  the  Cedel
Participants  and the  Euroclear Participants,  respectively, through customers'
securities accounts  in Cedel's  and Euroclear's  names on  the books  of  their
respective  depositaries (collectively  the "Depositaries"), which  in turn will
hold such positions in customers' securities accounts in the Depositaries' names
on the books of DTC.
 
    DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State
of New York, a  member of the Federal  Reserve System, a "clearing  corporation"
within  the  meaning of  the New  York  UCC and  a "clearing  agency" registered
pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold  securities
for  its  participants  ("Participants")  and to  facilitate  the  clearance and
settlement of securities  transactions between  Participants through  electronic
book-entries,   thereby   eliminating  the   need   for  physical   movement  of
certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks,  trust
companies  and clearing corporations. Indirect access  to the DTC system also is
available to others  such as banks,  brokers, dealers and  trust companies  that
clear  through or maintain  a custodial relationship  with a Participant, either
directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants").
 
    Transfers between DTC Participants will occur in accordance with DTC  rules.
Transfers  between Cedel Participants  and Euroclear Participants  will occur in
the ordinary  way  in  accordance  with their  applicable  rules  and  operating
procedures.
 
    Cross-market  transfers  between  persons  holding  directly  or  indirectly
through DTC,  on  the  one  hand,  and  directly  or  indirectly  through  Cedel
Participants or Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected in DTC in
accordance  with  DTC rules  on behalf  of  the relevant  European international
clearing system by its Depositary; however, such cross-market transactions  will
require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing
system  by the  counterparty in  such system  in accordance  with its  rules and
procedures and within  its established deadlines  (European time). The  relevant
European  international  clearing  system  will, if  the  transaction  meets its
settlement requirements, deliver instructions to  its Depositary to take  action
to  effect final settlement on its  behalf by delivering or receiving securities
in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for
same-day funds settlement  applicable to DTC.  Cedel Participants and  Euroclear
Participants may not deliver instructions directly to the Depositaries.
 
    Because  of  time-zone  differences,  credits  of  securities  in  Cedel  or
Euroclear as a  result of  a transaction  with a  DTC Participant  will be  made
during  the subsequent securities settlement  processing, dated the business day
following the DTC settlement date, and such credits or any transactions in  such
securities settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Cedel
Participant  or Euroclear  Participant on  such business  day. Cash  received by
Cedel or Euroclear  as a result  of sales of  securities by or  through a  Cedel
Participant  or a  Euroclear Participant to  a DTC Participant  will be received
with value on  the DTC settlement  date but  will be available  in the  relevant
Cedel or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement
in DTC.
 
    The  Securityholders that are not  Participants or Indirect Participants but
who desire  to purchase,  sell  or otherwise  transfer  ownership of,  or  other
interests   in,  Notes  may  do  so   only  through  Participants  and  Indirect
Participants. In  addition, Securityholders  will receive  all distributions  of
principal  and interest from the applicable Trustee through the Participants who
in turn will receive them from  DTC. Under a book-entry format,  Securityholders
may experience some delay in their receipt of payments, since such payments will
be  forwarded by the  applicable Trustee to  Cede, as nominee  for DTC. DTC will
forward such payments to its Participants, which thereafter will forward them to
Indirect Participants or Securityholders. To  the extent the related  Prospectus
Supplement  provides  that  Book-Entry  Securities  will  be  issued,  the  only
"Noteholder" or
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
"Certificateholder,"  as  applicable,   will  be  Cede,   as  nominee  of   DTC.
Securityholders   will  not   be  recognized   by  the   applicable  Trustee  as
"Noteholders" or  "Certificateholders," as  such  term is  used in  the  related
Indenture  or  Trust  Agreement,  as  applicable,  and  Securityholders  will be
permitted to exercise the rights of Securityholders only indirectly through  DTC
and its Participants.
 
    Under  the rules, regulations and procedures  creating and affecting DTC and
its operations (the "Rules"),  DTC is required to  make book-entry transfers  of
Securities  among  Participants on  whose  behalf it  acts  with respect  to the
Securities and  to  receive and  transmit  distributions of  principal  of,  and
interest  on, the Securities. Participants  and Indirect Participants with which
the Securityholders have  accounts with respect  to their respective  Securities
similarly  are required  to make book-entry  transfers and  receive and transmit
such payments  on  behalf  of  their  respective  Securityholders.  Accordingly,
although  the Securityholders will not  possess their respective Securities, the
Rules provide a mechanism by which  Participants will receive payments and  will
be able to transfer their interests.
 
    Because  DTC can  only act  on behalf  of Participants,  who in  turn act on
behalf  of  Indirect  Participants   and  certain  banks,   the  ability  of   a
Securityholder  to  pledge  Securities  to  persons  or  entities  that  do  not
participate in  the  DTC  system, or  to  otherwise  act with  respect  to  such
Securities,  may be limited due  to the lack of  a physical certificate for such
Securities.
 
    DTC will advise the Administrator in respect of each Trust that it will take
any action permitted to be taken by a Securityholder under the related Indenture
or Trust  Agreement,  as  applicable, only  at  the  direction of  one  or  more
Participants  to whose accounts  with DTC such Securities  are credited. DTC may
take conflicting actions with respect to other undivided interests to the extent
that such actions  are taken on  behalf of Participants  whose holdings  include
such undivided interests.
 
    Cedel  is  incorporated  under  the laws  of  Luxembourg  as  a professional
depository. Cedel holds securities  for its participating organizations  ("Cedel
Participants")  and  facilitates  the  clearance  and  settlement  of securities
transactions between Cedel Participants through electronic book-entry changes in
accounts of  Cedel  Participants,  thereby eliminating  the  need  for  physical
movement  of certificates.  Transactions may  be settled in  Cedel in  any of 28
currencies, including  United  States  dollars.  Cedel  provides  to  its  Cedel
Participants,  among  other  things, services  for  safekeeping, administration,
clearance and  settlement of  internationally traded  securities and  securities
lending  and  borrowing.  Cedel  interfaces  with  domestic  markets  in several
countries. As a professional depository, Cedel  is subject to regulation by  the
Luxembourg  Monetary  Institute.  Cedel  Participants  are  recognized financial
institutions around the  world, including underwriters,  securities brokers  and
dealers,  banks,  trust  companies,  clearing  corporations  and  certain  other
organizations and may  include the Underwriters  with respect to  any Series  of
Securities. Indirect access to Cedel is also available to others, such as banks,
brokers,  dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Cedel Participant, either directly or indirectly.
 
    The Euroclear System ("Euroclear" or the "Euroclear System") was created  in
1968  to hold securities for its  participants ("Euroclear Participants") and to
clear  and   settle   transactions  between   Euroclear   Participants   through
simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating
the  need for physical movement  of certificates and the  risk from transfers of
securities and cash that are not simultaneous.
 
    The Euroclear  System has  subsequently been  extended to  clear and  settle
transactions between Euroclear Participants and counterparties both in Cedel and
in  many domestic securities markets.  Transactions may be settled  in any of 32
settlement currencies.  In  addition  to safekeeping  (custody)  and  securities
clearance  and settlement, the Euroclear  System includes securities lending and
borrowing and money transfer services. The  Euroclear System is operated by  the
Brussels,  Belgium  office of  Morgan Guaranty  Trust Company  of New  York (the
"Euroclear Operator"), under  contract with Euroclear  Clearance System S.C.,  a
Belgian  cooperative corporation that establishes  policy on behalf of Euroclear
Participants. The Euroclear Operator is the Belgian branch of a New York banking
corporation which is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. As such, it is
regulated and examined by the Board  of Governors of the Federal Reserve  System
and  the  New York  State Banking  Department,  as well  as the  Belgian Banking
Commission.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
    All operations are  conducted by  the Euroclear Operator  and all  Euroclear
securities  clearance accounts and cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear
Operator. They  are  governed by  the  Terms  and Conditions  Governing  Use  of
Euroclear  and the  related Operating  Procedures of  the Euroclear  System, and
applicable Belgian law (collectively, the "Terms and Conditions"). The Terms and
Conditions govern  all  transfers  of  securities  and  cash,  both  within  the
Euroclear  System  and  receipts and  withdrawals  of securities  and  cash. All
securities in  the  Euroclear  System  are held  on  a  fungible  basis  without
attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts.
 
    Euroclear  Participants include banks  (including central banks), securities
brokers and  dealers and  other professional  financial intermediaries  and  may
include  any of the Underwriters of any Series of Securities. Indirect access to
the Euroclear System  is also  available to other  firms that  clear through  or
maintain  a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly
or indirectly. The Euroclear Operator acts  under the Terms and Conditions  only
on  behalf of Euroclear Participants, and has  no record of or relationship with
persons holding through Euroclear Participants.
 
    Unless  and  until  Definitive  Securities  are  issued  under  the  limited
circumstances  described  herein or  in  the related  Prospectus  Supplement, no
Securityholder will be entitled to receive a physical certificate representing a
Book-Entry Security.  All  references  herein  and  in  the  related  Prospectus
Supplement  to actions  by Securityholders shall  refer to actions  taken by DTC
upon instructions from its  Participants, and all references  herein and in  the
related  Prospectus Supplement to distributions, notices, reports and statements
to Securityholders shall refer to distributions, notices, reports and statements
to DTC or its nominee as the registered holder of the Book-Entry Securities,  as
the  case may be,  for distribution to  Book-Entry Securityholders in accordance
with DTC's procedures with respect thereto.
 
    If (i) (A) the Administrator advises the applicable Trustee in writing  that
DTC  is no longer willing or able  to discharge properly its responsibilities as
depository with respect to such Securities  and (B) the Administrator is  unable
to  locate a qualified successor, (ii)  the Administrator, at its option, elects
to terminate the book-entry system through DTC or (iii) after the occurrence  of
an Event of Default or a Servicer Default, Securityholders representing at least
a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes or the Certificates,
as  the case may be, of such Series advise the applicable Trustee through DTC in
writing that the continuation of a book-entry system through DTC (or a successor
thereto) is  no longer  in the  best interest  of such  Securityholders of  such
Series, then any Securities held in book-entry form will be issued as Definitive
Securities to the applicable Securityholders or their respective nominees.
 
    Upon  the occurrence  of any  event described  in the  immediately preceding
paragraph, the  applicable Trustee  will be  required to  notify all  applicable
Securityholders   through  Participants   of  the   availability  of  Definitive
Securities. Upon surrender  by DTC of  the definitive certificates  representing
the  corresponding Securities  and receipt of  instructions for re-registration,
the applicable Trustee will reissue such Securities as Definitive Securities  to
such Securityholders.
 
    Except  as required  by law,  neither the  Administrator nor  the applicable
Trustee with respect to any Trust will have any liability for any aspect of  the
records  relating  to  or  payments  made  on  account  of  beneficial ownership
interests  of  the  Securities  held  by  Cede,  as  nominee  for  DTC,  or  for
maintaining,  supervising or reviewing  any records relating  to such beneficial
ownership interests.
 
              DESCRIPTION OF THE TRANSFER AND SERVICING AGREEMENTS
 
    The following  summary,  as well  as  other pertinent  information  included
elsewhere  in this Prospectus  and the related  Prospectus Supplement, describes
the material terms with respect to each Series of Securities relating to each of
(i) the Sale  and Servicing Agreement  pursuant to which  a Trust will  purchase
Receivables  from the  Seller and  the Servicer  will undertake  to service such
Receivables, (ii)  the Purchase  Agreement  pursuant to  which the  Seller  will
purchase such Receivables from CFSC, (iii) the Administration Agreement pursuant
to  which CFSC will undertake certain administrative duties with respect to such
Trust, (iv) the Trust Agreement pursuant to which such Trust will be created and
the related Certificates will be issued and (v) the Custodial Agreement pursuant
to which the related Custodian will maintain custody of the related  Receivables
Files  on  behalf  of such  Trust  and  the related  Indenture  Trustee  (if UCC
financing statements are not
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
filed) (collectively, the  "Transfer and  Servicing Agreements").  Forms of  the
Transfer   and  Servicing  Agreements  have  been   filed  as  exhibits  to  the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. This summary  does
not  purport to be complete and is subject  to, and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to, the applicable provisions of the related Transfer and Servicing
Agreements.
 
SALE AND ASSIGNMENT OF RECEIVABLES
 
    On the initial Closing Date  specified in the related Prospectus  Supplement
with  respect to a Trust (the "Closing Date"),  CFSC will sell and assign to the
Seller, without recourse, its  entire interest in  the related Receivables  (the
"Initial Receivables"), including its security interests in the related Financed
Equipment  and in  certain other  cross-collateralized equipment,  pursuant to a
Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement"). On such Closing Date, the  Seller
will sell and assign to the related Trust, without recourse, its entire interest
in  such Receivables, including  its security interests  in the related Financed
Equipment and in  such cross-collateralized equipment,  pursuant to the  related
Sale  and  Servicing Agreement.  Each such  Receivable will  be identified  in a
schedule appearing  as  an  exhibit  to the  Sale  and  Servicing  Agreement  (a
"Schedule  of Receivables"). The related Owner Trustee, on behalf of such Trust,
will, concurrently with such  sale and assignment on  the related Closing  Date,
execute,  authenticate  and deliver  the  related Certificates  and  execute the
related Notes,  and the  Indenture  Trustee will  authenticate and  deliver  the
related  Notes. The net  proceeds received from  the sale of  such Notes and the
Certificates will be applied to the purchase of the related Initial  Receivables
and,  if so specified in  the Prospectus Supplement, to  the deposit of the Pre-
Funded  Amount  into  the  Pre-Funding  Account.  If  applicable,  the   related
Prospectus  Supplement for a given Trust  will specify the terms, conditions and
manner under  which subsequent  Receivables ("Subsequent  Receivables") will  be
sold  by the Seller  to the related Trust  from time to  time during the Funding
Period on  each date  specified as  a transfer  date in  the related  Prospectus
Supplement  (each,  a  "Subsequent  Closing Date").  If  the  related Prospectus
Supplement so provides for a Pre-Funding  Account, the funds on deposit in  such
Pre-Funding  Account on  the related  Closing Date  will not  exceed 25%  of the
related Trust  Property, and  the related  Pre-Funding Period  shall not  exceed
three months from the related Closing Date.
 
    In  each Purchase Agreement, CFSC will  represent and warrant to the Seller,
among other  things, that  (i)  the information  provided  with respect  to  the
related  Receivables is  correct in all  material respects; (ii)  the Obligor on
each Receivable  is  required  to  maintain  physical  damage  insurance  and/or
liability   insurance,  as  applicable,  covering   the  Financed  Equipment  in
accordance with CFSC's normal requirements; (iii) as of the related Closing Date
or related Subsequent Closing Date, if any, the related Receivables are free and
clear of all security interests, liens, charges and encumbrances and no offsets,
defenses, or counterclaims  have been  asserted or  threatened; (iv)  as of  the
related  Closing Date or related  Subsequent Closing Date, if  any, each of such
Receivables is secured by  a first perfected security  interest in the  Financed
Equipment  in favor of CFSC; (v) each Receivable, at the time it was originated,
complied and, as of the related Closing Date or related Subsequent Closing Date,
if any, complies in all material respects with applicable federal and state laws
including, without limitation, consumer credit,  truth in lending, equal  credit
opportunity  and disclosure laws; and  (vi) each Lease, if  any, (A) is a "lease
intended as security" under the  UCC, (B) is not  a "consumer lease" within  the
meaning  of Article 2A of the UCC in  any jurisdiction where said Article 2A has
been adopted and governs the construction thereof, and (C) constitutes  "chattel
paper", as defined under the UCC. If the related Prospectus Supplement specifies
that  the interests of the  related Seller, Trust and  Indenture Trustee will be
perfected by possession of  the related Receivables Files  by a custodian,  CFSC
will  also represent that there is only one original of each related Installment
Sales  Contract  and/or  Lease.  Unless  otherwise  specified  in  the   related
Prospectus  Supplement, if  the Seller breaches  any of  its representations and
warranties made in the related Sale and Servicing Agreement, and such breach has
not been cured  by the last  day of the  second (or, if  the Seller elects,  the
first)  month following the discovery by or notice to the Seller of such breach,
the Seller will repurchase any  Receivable materially and adversely affected  by
such breach from the related Trust, and if such breach arises from the breach of
a  representation and warranty  by CFSC in the  related Purchase Agreement, CFSC
will repurchase such Receivable from  the Seller, in each  case at a price  (the
"Purchase  Amount") at least equal  to the "Principal Balance"  (as such term is
defined in  the related  Prospectus  Supplement) plus  interest thereon  at  the
respective "Cut-off Date APR" (as such term is defined in the related Prospectus
Supplement).    The    obligation   of    the    Seller   to    repurchase   any
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
Receivable with respect to which any such representation or warranty of CFSC has
been breached  is  subject to  CFSC's  repurchase  of such  Receivable  for  the
Purchase  Amount.  The repurchase  obligation  will constitute  the  sole remedy
available to the Noteholders, the  Indenture Trustee, the Certificateholders  or
the Owner Trustee in respect of such Trust for any such uncured breach.
 
    Pursuant   to  the  related  Sale  and  Servicing  Agreement  and  Custodial
Agreement, unless the related Prospectus Supplement specifies that the interests
of the  Seller, the  related Trust  and the  related Indenture  Trustee will  be
perfected  by filing UCC financing statements, the Seller, the related Trust and
the related Indenture  Trustee will appoint  the Custodian as  custodian of  the
related  Receivables, and  the ownership and  security interests  of the Seller,
such Trust and such Indenture Trustee,  as applicable, will be perfected by  the
Custodian's  possession of the related  physical Installment Sales Contracts and
Leases on behalf of such parties. CFSC's accounting records and computer systems
will reflect the sale and  assignment of the Receivables  to the Seller and  the
sale  and assignment  by the  Seller to  each Trust,  but the  Installment Sales
Contracts and/or Leases will not be  stamped to reflect the sale and  assignment
of the Receivables to such Trust.
 
    If  UCC  financing statements  are  filed to  perfect  the interests  of the
Seller, the related Trust and  the related Indenture Trustee, CFSC's  accounting
records  and computer systems  will reflect the  sales and assignments described
above, and  the Servicer  will maintain  possession of  the related  Installment
Sales   Contracts  and/or  Leases  to   facilitate  servicing  and  to  minimize
administrative burden and expense. The  Servicer will not stamp the  Installment
Sales  Contracts  and/or  Leases  to  reflect the  sale  and  assignment  of the
Receivables to the related Trust or Indenture Trustee.
 
ACCOUNTS
 
    With respect to each Trust, the Servicer will establish and maintain at  the
office  of the related  Indenture Trustee one  or more accounts,  in the name of
such Indenture Trustee on behalf of the related Securityholders, into which  all
payments  made on or with  respect to the related  Receivables will be deposited
(collectively, the "Collection Account"). The  Servicer will also establish  and
maintain at the office of such Indenture Trustee an account, in the name of such
Indenture  Trustee  on  behalf  of the  related  Noteholders,  in  which amounts
released from the  Collection Account and  the Reserve Account,  if any, or  any
other  credit enhancement for payment to  Noteholders will be deposited and from
which  all  payments  to  Noteholders  will  be  made  (the  "Note  Distribution
Account").  The Servicer will also  establish and maintain at  the office of the
related Owner Trustee an account, in the  name of such Owner Trustee, on  behalf
of  the related Certificateholders,  in which amounts  released from the related
Collection Account  and  the  Reserve  Account, if  any,  or  any  other  credit
enhancement  for distribution to  Certificateholders will be  deposited and from
which all distributions  to Certificateholders  will be  made (the  "Certificate
Distribution  Account"). If so  specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement,
the Seller may also establish and maintain a Pre-Funding Account, in the name of
such Indenture Trustee on behalf of  the related Securityholders, which will  be
used to purchase Subsequent Receivables from the Seller from time to time during
the  Funding  Period.  The  amount  that may  be  initially  deposited  into the
Pre-Funding Account, and the length of a Pre-Funding Period, shall be limited as
described herein.
 
    Any other  accounts  to be  established  with respect  to  a Trust  will  be
described in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
    With  respect to any Series of  Securities, funds in the Collection Account,
the Note Distribution Account, the Certificate Distribution Account, any Reserve
Account, any Pre-Funding Account and in  any accounts identified as such in  the
related  Prospectus  Supplement (collectively,  the  "Trust Accounts")  shall be
invested as provided  in the related  Sale and Servicing  Agreement in  Eligible
Investments.   "Eligible  Investments"  are  generally  limited  to  investments
acceptable to the Rating Agencies as  being consistent with the ratings of  such
Securities.  Except as described below or  in the related Prospectus Supplement,
Eligible Investments are limited to obligations or securities that mature on  or
before  the business day preceding the day of the next distribution. However, to
the extent permitted by the Rating Agencies and provided in the related Sale and
Servicing Agreement, funds in any Reserve Account may be invested in  securities
that will not mature prior to the next Distribution Date and will not be sold to
meet any shortfalls. Thus, the amount
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
of  cash in any Reserve Account at any time available for withdrawal may be less
than the balance of the Reserve Account at such time. If the amount required  to
be  withdrawn from any Reserve Account to cover shortfalls in collections on the
related Receivables (as provided in  the related Prospectus Supplement)  exceeds
the amount of cash in such Reserve Account, a temporary shortfall in the amounts
distributed  to the  related Noteholders  or Certificateholders,  as applicable,
could result, which  could, in turn,  increase the average  life of the  related
Securities.  Except as otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
investment earnings on funds deposited in the Trust Accounts, net of losses  and
investment expenses (collectively, "Investment Earnings"), shall be deposited in
the related Collection Account on each Distribution Date and shall be treated as
collections of interest on the related Receivables.
 
    The  Trust Accounts  of all  Series will  be maintained  as Eligible Deposit
Accounts. "Eligible Deposit Account" means either (a) a segregated account  with
an  Eligible Institution  or (b) a  segregated trust account  with the corporate
trust department of  a depository institution  organized under the  laws of  the
United  States of America  or any one of  the states thereof  or the District of
Columbia (or any  domestic branch  of a  foreign bank),  having corporate  trust
powers and acting as trustee for funds deposited in such account, so long as any
of  the securities of such depository institution have a credit rating from each
Rating Agency in one of its generic rating categories which signifies investment
grade. "Eligible  Institution"  means,  with  respect to  any  Series,  (a)  the
corporate  trust department of the related  Indenture Trustee, the related Owner
Trustee or such other  institution acceptable to the  Rating Agencies, or (b)  a
depository  institution organized under the laws of the United States of America
or any one of the  states thereof or the District  of Columbia (or any  domestic
branch  of a foreign bank),  (i) (A) which has  either a long-term or short-term
unsecured debt rating acceptable to the  Rating Agencies and (B) whose  deposits
are  insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or (ii) (A) the parent
corporation of which has either a long-term or short-term unsecured debt  rating
acceptable  to the  Rating Agencies  and (B) whose  deposits are  insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
 
SERVICING PROCEDURES
 
    The Servicer will make reasonable efforts  to collect all payments due  with
respect  to the Receivables held  by any Trust and,  in a manner consistent with
the  related  Sale  and  Servicing  Agreement,  will  continue  such  collection
procedures  as the Servicer follows with respect to machinery retail installment
sales contracts and leases  it services for itself  and others. Consistent  with
its normal procedures, the Servicer may, in its discretion and on a case-by-case
basis,  arrange with the Obligor on a Receivable to extend or modify the payment
schedule.  Some  of  such  arrangements  (including,  without  limitation,   any
extension of the payment schedule beyond the latest Final Scheduled Distribution
Date  specified for the  related Series of Securities  in the related Prospectus
Supplement) will  result  in the  Servicer  purchasing the  Receivable  for  the
Purchase  Amount.  The Servicer  may sell  the  Financed Equipment  securing the
respective Receivable at  a public  or private sale,  or take  any other  action
permitted  by applicable law.  See "The Receivables  Pools--The Retail Equipment
Financing Business--EXTENSION/REVISION PROCEDURES" and "Certain Legal Aspects of
the Receivables" herein.
 
PAYMENTS ON RECEIVABLES
 
    With respect to each  Trust, the Servicer will  deposit all payments on  the
related  Receivables (from whatever  source, but subject to  net deposits by the
Servicer as described under  "--Net Deposits" herein) and  all proceeds of  such
Receivables  collected during  each Collection  Period specified  in the related
Prospectus Supplement into  the related Collection  Account; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,
that  when  a Receivable  becomes  a Liquidated  Receivable  (as defined  in the
related Prospectus Supplement), the Receivable will be reassigned to the  Seller
(to  the  extent  of  receipt  by  the  holders  of  Securities  on  the related
Distribution Date of an amount  representing the principal balance with  respect
to  such Liquidated  Receivable), and any  proceeds after  such date (deficiency
proceeds) would not be proceeds of Receivables in the related Trust. Unless  the
related  Prospectus Supplement provides for more frequent deposits (as described
below), if  (i)  CFSC is  the  Servicer, (ii)  each  other condition  to  making
deposits  less frequently than daily as may  be specified by the Rating Agencies
or set forth  in the  related Prospectus Supplement  is satisfied,  and (iii)  a
Servicer  Default (as described below) does not  exist, CFSC as Servicer will be
permitted to deposit all collections of Receivables into the related  Collection
Account  on or before the business  day preceding the related Distribution Date.
If
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
the related  Prospectus  Supplement  so  provides, or  if  the  above  described
conditions  are not met, the deposit of collections for a Collection Period will
be made within two business days of receipt and identification thereof, and  any
Purchase  Amounts will be deposited in  the related Collection Account when due.
Normally, collections are identified within one day of receipt. Pending  deposit
into the Collection Account, regardless of frequency of deposit, collections may
be  invested by the  Servicer at its own  risk, for its  own benefit and without
being subject to any  investment restrictions, and will  not be segregated  from
funds  of the Servicer. If  the Servicer were unable to  remit such funds, or if
the Servicer were to become insolvent,  the Securityholders might incur a  loss.
To  the extent set forth in the  related Prospectus Supplement, the Servicer, in
order to satisfy the requirements  described above for monthly remittances,  may
obtain a letter of credit or other security for the benefit of the related Trust
to  secure the timely remittances of  collections on the related Receivables and
the payment of the  aggregate Purchase Amount with  respect to such  Receivables
purchased by the Servicer.
 
SERVICING COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT OF EXPENSES
 
    Unless  otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement with respect to any
Trust, the  Servicer  will be  entitled  to receive  a  Servicing Fee  for  each
Collection Period in an amount equal to a specified percentage per annum (as set
forth  in the  related Prospectus Supplement,  the "Servicing Fee  Rate") of the
Pool Balance  as  of  the  first  day of  the  related  Collection  Period  (the
"Servicing Fee"). The Servicing Fee with respect to any Trust (together with any
portion of such Servicing Fee that remains unpaid from prior Distribution Dates)
will  be paid solely to the extent of  the funds available therefor as set forth
in the  related Prospectus  Supplement under  "Description of  the Transfer  and
Servicing  Agreements--Distributions." However,  the Servicing Fee  will be paid
prior to the distribution of any portion of the "Total Distribution Amount"  (as
such  term  is defined  in  the related  Prospectus  Supplement) to  the related
Noteholders or  the  related Certificateholders  and  prior to  payment  of  the
related  Administration Fee. The  Servicing Fee with  respect to each Collection
Period will  decline  over  the life  of  the  Securities as  the  Pool  Balance
decreases.
 
    Unless  otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement with respect to any
Trust, the Servicer will  also collect any late  fees, extension fees,  property
and  sales  taxes (with  respect  to Leases)  and  other administrative  fees or
similar  charges  allowed  by  applicable  law  with  respect  to  the   related
Receivables  (collectively,  the "Servicer's  Yield"), and  will be  entitled to
amounts of Servicer's Yield collected as such amounts are received. Payments  by
or  on behalf of Obligors will be  allocated first to scheduled payments, second
to other  charges  (except for  late  fees) and  third,  to late  fees,  all  in
accordance with the Servicer's normal practices and procedures.
 
    The Servicing Fee with respect to any Trust will compensate the Servicer for
performing  the functions of a third  party servicer of machinery receivables as
an agent  for  their beneficial  owner,  including collecting  and  posting  all
payments,  responding  to  inquiries  of Obligors  on  the  related Receivables,
investigating delinquencies, sending payment coupons to Obligors, reporting  tax
information  to Obligors, paying costs of  disposition of defaults, and policing
the collateral.  Such  Servicing  Fee  also will  compensate  the  Servicer  for
administering the related Receivables, accounting for collections and furnishing
monthly  and annual statements to the Seller,  the related Owner Trustee and the
related Indenture  Trustee  with  respect to  distributions  and  retaining  the
Custodian  to hold custody  of the related Receivables.  Such Servicing Fee also
will reimburse the Servicer for certain taxes, accounting fees, outside  auditor
fees,  data  processing  costs  and  other  costs  incurred  in  connection with
administering the Receivables of each Trust.
 
    Under certain circumstances, the Servicer will be permitted to make deposits
of collections into  the Collection  Account net of  the Servicing  Fee and  the
Servicer's Yield, described herein under "--Net Deposits."
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    With  respect to  each Series of  Securities, beginning  on the Distribution
Date specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, distributions of  principal
and interest (or, where applicable, of principal or interest only) on each Class
of  such Securities entitled thereto  will be made by  the applicable Trustee to
the
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
Noteholders and the Certificateholders of such Series. The timing,  calculation,
allocation,  order, source, priorities  of and requirements  for all payments to
each  Class   of  Noteholders   and   all  distributions   to  each   Class   of
Certificateholders  of such Series  will be set forth  in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
 
    With respect to each  Trust, on each Distribution  Date, collections on  the
related  Receivables will be transferred from  the related Collection Account to
the related Note Distribution Account  and the related Certificate  Distribution
Account  for distribution to  Noteholders and Certificateholders  of the related
Series to  the extent  provided  in the  related Prospectus  Supplement.  Credit
enhancement,  such  as  a  Reserve  Account,  will  be  available  to  cover any
shortfalls in the amount available for  distribution on such date to the  extent
specified  in the related Prospectus Supplement.  As more fully described in the
related  Prospectus  Supplement,   and  unless   otherwise  specified   therein,
distributions in respect of principal of a Class of Securities of a given Series
will  be subordinate to distributions in respect  of interest on such Class, and
distributions in respect of the Certificates  of such Series may be  subordinate
to payments in respect of the Notes of such Series.
 
CREDIT AND CASH FLOW ENHANCEMENT
 
    The  amounts and types  of credit enhancement  arrangements and the provider
thereof, if applicable,  with respect  to each Class  of Securities  of a  given
Series,  if any, will be set forth  in the related Prospectus Supplement. If and
to the extent provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, credit  enhancement
may  be  in the  form of  subordination of  one or  more Classes  of Securities,
Reserve Accounts, over-collateralization, letters of credit, credit or liquidity
facilities, surety  bonds,  guaranteed  investment  contracts,  swaps  or  other
interest  rate protection  agreements, repurchase  obligations, other agreements
with respect to  third party payments  or other support,  cash deposits or  such
other  arrangements as may be described  in the related Prospectus Supplement or
any combination of two  or more of  the foregoing. If  specified in the  related
Prospectus  Supplement, credit enhancement  for a Class  of Securities may cover
one or  more  other  Classes  of  Securities of  the  same  Series,  and  credit
enhancement  for a Series  of Securities may  cover one or  more other Series of
Securities. In  addition, if  specified in  the related  Prospectus  Supplement,
credit  enhancement for one or more Classes  of Securities of a Series may cover
all or a portion of the outstanding  amount of such Classes or may cover  losses
incurred from all or a portion of the related Receivables.
 
    The  presence of a Reserve Account and other forms of credit enhancement for
the benefit  of all  or any  portion of  any Class  or Series  of Securities  is
intended  to enhance  the likelihood of  receipt by the  Securityholders of such
Class or Series of the full amount of principal and interest due thereon and  to
decrease the likelihood that such Securityholders will experience losses. Unless
otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the credit enhancement
for  all or  any portion  of a Class  or Series  of Securities  will not provide
protection against all  risks of loss  and will not  guarantee repayment of  the
entire  principal balance and interest thereon. If losses occur which exceed the
amount covered by any credit enhancement or which are not covered by any  credit
enhancement,  Securityholders of any  Class or Series  will bear their allocable
share of deficiencies,  as described  in the related  Prospectus Supplement.  In
addition,  if  a form  of  credit enhancement  covers  more than  one  Series of
Securities, Securityholders of any such Series will be subject to the risk  that
such  credit enhancement will  be exhausted by the  claims of Securityholders of
other Series.
 
    Unless otherwise provided in the  related Prospectus Supplement, the  Seller
may replace the credit enhancement for any Class of Securities with another form
of  credit  enhancement without  the  consent of  Securityholders,  provided the
applicable Rating Agencies confirm in writing that substitution will not  result
in  the reduction or withdrawal of the rating of such Class of Securities or any
other Class of Securities of the related Series.
 
    RESERVE ACCOUNT.   If  so  provided in  the related  Prospectus  Supplement,
pursuant  to the related Sale and Servicing Agreement, the Seller will establish
for a Series  or Class of  Securities an  account, as specified  in the  related
Prospectus  Supplement (the "Reserve Account"), which  will be maintained in the
name of the related Indenture Trustee. Unless otherwise provided in the  related
Prospectus Supplement, the Reserve Account will be funded by an initial deposit,
if any, by the Seller on the related Closing Date in the amount set forth in the
related  Prospectus Supplement. As  further described in  the related Prospectus
Supplement, the amount on  deposit in the Reserve  Account will be increased  on
each Distribution Date thereafter up to
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
the  "Specified Reserve Account Balance" (as such term is defined in the related
Prospectus Supplement) by the  deposit therein of the  amount of collections  on
the  related  Receivables remaining  on each  such  Distribution Date  after the
payment of all other  required payments and distributions  on such date and,  if
applicable, any amounts deposited from time to time from the Pre-Funding Account
in   connection  with  the  purchase  of  Subsequent  Receivables.  The  related
Prospectus Supplement will  describe the  circumstances and  manner under  which
distributions  may be made out of the  Reserve Account, either to holders of the
Securities covered thereby, to  the Seller or to  any transferee or assignee  of
the Seller.
 
    The  Seller may at  any time, without consent  of the Securityholders, sell,
transfer, convey  or  assign  in any  manner  its  rights to  and  interests  in
distributions  from the  Reserve Account,  including interest  earnings thereon,
provided that (i) the Rating Agencies  confirm in writing that such action  will
not  result  in  a  reduction  or  withdrawal of  the  rating  of  any  Class of
Securities, (ii)  the Seller  provides  to the  related  Owner Trustee  and  the
related  Indenture Trustee an  opinion of counsel  from independent counsel that
such action will not cause the related Trust to be treated as an association (or
publicly traded partnership)  taxable as  a corporation for  federal income  tax
purposes  and  (iii)  such transferee  or  assignee  agrees in  writing  to take
positions for tax purposes consistent with the tax positions agreed to be  taken
by the Seller.
 
NET DEPOSITS
 
    As an administrative convenience, the Servicer will be permitted to make the
deposit of collections and Purchase Amounts for any Trust for or with respect to
the  related Collection Period net  of distributions to be  made to the Servicer
for such Trust with respect to  such Collection Period (including the  Servicing
Fee  and any Servicer's  Yield); PROVIDED, that  if the Servicer  is required to
remit collections daily  (see "--Payments  on Receivables"  above), deposits  of
such  amounts may only be made  net of the Servicer's Yield  and may not be made
net of the Servicing Fee. The  Servicer, however, will account to the  Indenture
Trustee,  the  Owner Trustee,  the Noteholders  and the  Certificateholders with
respect to each Trust as if all deposits, distributions and transfers were  made
individually.
 
REPORTS TO SECURITYHOLDERS
 
    With  respect to each Series of Securities, on or prior to each Distribution
Date, the Servicer will prepare and provide (a) to the related Indenture Trustee
a statement to be delivered to the related Noteholders on such Distribution Date
and (b) to the related Owner Trustee a statement to be delivered to the  related
Certificateholders  on such  Distribution Date. With  respect to  each Series of
Securities, each such statement to be delivered to Noteholders will include  (to
the  extent applicable) the following information  (and any other information so
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement)  as to the Notes of such  Series
with  respect  to  such  Distribution  Date or  the  period  since  the previous
Distribution Date, as  applicable, and each  such statement to  be delivered  to
Certificateholders  will  include  (to  the  extent  applicable)  the  following
information (and any other  information so specified  in the related  Prospectus
Supplement)  as  to  the  Certificates  of  such  Series  with  respect  to such
Distribution Date  or  the  period  since the  previous  Distribution  Date,  as
applicable.
 
           (i)
           the  amount of the distribution allocable  to principal of each Class
           of Securities of such Series;
 
          (ii)
           the amount  of the  distribution  allocable to  interest on  or  with
           respect to each Class of Securities of such Series;
 
         (iii)
           the  Pool Balance as of the close of  business on the last day of the
           preceding Collection Period;
 
          (iv)
           the aggregate outstanding principal balance and the Note Pool  Factor
           for  each Class  of such Notes,  and the Certificate  Balance and the
    Certificate Pool  Factor for  each Class  of such  Certificates, each  after
    giving effect to all payments reported under clause (i) above on such date;
 
           (v)
           the  amount of the Servicing Fee paid to the Servicer with respect to
           the related Collection Period;
 
          (vi)
           the Interest Rate or  Pass-Through Rate for the  next period for  any
           Class  of  Notes  or Certificates  of  such Series  with  variable or
    adjustable rates;
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
         (vii)
           the amount of  the Administration  Fee paid to  the Administrator  in
           respect of the related Collection Period;
 
        (viii)
           the  amount of  the aggregate  "Realized Losses"  (as defined  in the
           related Prospectus Supplement), if any, for such Collection Period;
 
          (ix)
           the aggregate Purchase  Amounts for  Receivables, if  any, that  were
           repurchased or purchased in such Collection Period;
 
           (x)
           the  balance of  the Reserve  Account (if  any) on  such Distribution
           Date, after  giving  effect  to withdrawals  therefrom  and  deposits
    thereto on such Distribution Date, and the Specified Reserve Account Balance
    on such date;
 
          (xi)
           for  each such date during the Funding Period (if any), the remaining
           Pre-Funded Amount; and
 
         (xii)
           for the first such date that  is on or immediately following the  end
           of  the  Funding  Period  (if  any),  the  amount  of  any  remaining
    Pre-Funded Amount that has not been used to fund the purchase of  Subsequent
    Receivables  and is  being passed  through as  payments of  principal on the
    Securities of such Series.
 
    Each amount set forth pursuant to  subclauses (i), (ii), (v) and (vii)  with
respect  to the Notes or  the Certificates of any Series  will be expressed as a
dollar amount per $1,000 of the initial  principal balance of such Notes or  the
initial Certificate Balance of such Certificates, as applicable.
 
    Within  the prescribed period of times  for tax reporting purposes after the
end of each calendar year during the term of each Trust, the applicable  Trustee
will  mail to each person who  at any time during such  calendar year has been a
Securityholder with respect to  such Trust and received  any payment thereon,  a
statement   containing   certain   information   for   the   purposes   of  such
Securityholder's preparation of federal income tax returns. See "Certain Federal
Income Tax Considerations" herein.
 
STATEMENTS TO TRUSTEES AND TRUST
 
    Prior to each Distribution Date with  respect to each Series of  Securities,
the Servicer will provide to the related Indenture Trustee and the related Owner
Trustee  as of the close of business on the last day of the preceding Collection
Period a  statement  setting forth  substantially  the same  information  as  is
required  to be provided in the  periodic reports provided to Securityholders of
such Series described under "--Reports to Securityholders" above.
 
EVIDENCE AS TO COMPLIANCE
 
    Each Sale and Servicing  Agreement will provide that  a firm of  independent
public  accountants  will furnish  to the  related  Trust and  Indenture Trustee
annually a statement as  to compliance by the  Servicer during the preceding  12
months  ended December 31  (or, in the  case of the  first such certificate, the
period from the  related Closing  Date to  December 31  of the  same year)  with
certain  standards relating  to the  servicing of  the related  Receivables, the
Servicer's accounting records with respect thereto (including, if necessary, any
computer files) and certain other matters.
 
    Each Sale and  Servicing Agreement  will also  provide for  delivery to  the
related  Trust  and  Indenture Trustee,  substantially  simultaneously  with the
delivery of  the accountants'  statement  referred to  above, of  a  certificate
signed  by  an officer  of the  Servicer  stating that  the Servicer  either has
fulfilled its  obligations  under  such  Sale and  Servicing  Agreement  in  all
material  respects throughout the preceding 12  months ended December 31 (or, in
the case of the first such certificate, the period from the related Closing Date
to December  31 of  the  same year)  or, if  there  has been  a default  in  the
fulfillment of any such obligation in any material respect, describing each such
default.  The Servicer will agree to give  each Indenture Trustee and each Owner
Trustee notice of certain Servicer Defaults under the related Sale and Servicing
Agreement.
 
    Copies of such statements and certificates may be obtained by Noteholders by
a request in writing addressed to the applicable Trustee.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
CERTAIN MATTERS REGARDING THE SERVICER
 
    Each Sale and Servicing Agreement will provide that CFSC may not resign from
its  obligations and  duties as  Servicer thereunder,  except upon determination
that CFSC's performance of such duties is no longer permissible under applicable
law. No  such resignation  will  become effective  until the  related  Indenture
Trustee  or a  successor servicer has  assumed CFSC's  servicing obligations and
duties under such Sale and Servicing Agreement.
 
    Each Sale  and Servicing  Agreement will  further provide  that neither  the
Servicer nor any of its directors, officers, employees and agents shall be under
any  liability  to the  related Trust,  the related  Noteholders or  the related
Certificateholders for  taking any  action  or for  refraining from  taking  any
action pursuant to such Sale and Servicing Agreement, or for errors in judgment;
PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that  neither the  Servicer  nor  any such  person  will be
protected against any  liability that would  otherwise be imposed  by reason  of
willful  misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of duties or by
reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties thereunder. In  addition,
such  Sale and Servicing  Agreement will provide  that the Servicer  is under no
obligation to  appear in,  prosecute, or  defend any  legal action  that is  not
incidental  to  its servicing  responsibilities  under such  Sale  and Servicing
Agreement and  that, in  its  opinion, may  cause it  to  incur any  expense  or
liability.
 
    Under  the  circumstances specified  in  such Sale  and  Servicing Agreement
(including confirmation by  the Rating  Agencies that such  succession will  not
result  in the reduction or withdrawal of  the rating of any Class of Securities
of the related Series), (a) any entity into which the Servicer may be merged  or
consolidated, (b) any entity resulting from any merger or consolidation to which
the  Servicer  is a  party, (c)  any entity  succeeding to  the business  of the
Servicer or, (d) any  corporation 50% or  more of the voting  stock of which  is
owned, directly or indirectly, by Caterpillar, which corporation or other entity
in  each of the foregoing cases assumes the obligations of the Servicer, will be
the successor of the Servicer under such Sale and Servicing Agreement.
 
SERVICER DEFAULT
 
    With respect to each Trust, "Servicer Default" under each Sale and Servicing
Agreement will consist of (i) any failure by the Servicer (A) to deliver to  the
related  Indenture Trustee for deposit in any  of the related Trust Accounts any
required payment or  (B) to  direct the related  Indenture Trustee  to make  any
required  distributions  therefrom,  in  either  case  which  failure  continues
unremedied for  three business  days after  written notice  from such  Indenture
Trustee  or  the related  Owner Trustee  is  received by  the Servicer  or after
discovery by the Servicer; (ii)  any failure by the  Servicer or the Seller,  as
the  case may be, duly  to observe or perform in  any material respect any other
covenant or agreement  in any  Transfer and Servicing  Agreement, which  failure
materially and adversely affects the rights of Noteholders or Certificateholders
of  the related  Series and  which continues  unremedied for  60 days  after the
giving of written notice of such failure  (A) to the Servicer or the Seller,  as
the  case may be, by such Indenture Trustee  or such Owner Trustee or (B) to the
Servicer or the Seller, as  the case may be, and  to such Indenture Trustee  and
such  Owner  Trustee by  holders of  Notes  or Certificates  of such  Series, as
applicable, evidencing not less  than 25% in aggregate  principal amount of  the
outstanding Notes or Certificates of the related Series; (iii) certain events of
insolvency,  readjustment  of debt,  marshalling of  assets and  liabilities, or
similar proceedings with  respect to  the Servicer  and certain  actions by  the
Servicer  indicating  its  insolvency,  reorganization  pursuant  to  bankruptcy
proceedings, or inability to pay  its obligations (each an "Insolvency  Event");
and  (iv) with  respect to any  Trust, the  additional event or  events, if any,
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
RIGHTS UPON SERVICER DEFAULT
 
    Unless otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, as long as a
Servicer Default under a  Sale and Servicing  Agreement remains unremedied,  the
related  Indenture Trustee or the Noteholders of the related Series (without the
consent of the related  Indenture Trustee) evidencing not  less than 25% of  the
outstanding  principal amount  of such  Notes may  terminate all  the rights and
obligations of the Servicer under such Sale and Servicing Agreement, whereupon a
successor servicer appointed by such Indenture Trustee or such Indenture Trustee
will succeed to all the responsibilities, duties and liabilities of the Servicer
under such  Sale  and  Servicing  Agreement and  will  be  entitled  to  similar
compensation arrangements. If,
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
however,  a bankruptcy  trustee or similar  official has been  appointed for the
Servicer, and no Servicer Default other than such appointment has occurred, such
trustee or official may have the power to prevent such Indenture Trustee or such
Noteholders from  effecting a  transfer  of servicing.  In  the event  that  the
Indenture  Trustee is unwilling or unable to so act, it may appoint, or petition
a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of, a successor with a net
worth of at least $50,000,000 and whose regular business includes the  servicing
of  receivables similar to  the related Receivables.  Such Indenture Trustee may
make such arrangements for  compensation to be  paid, which in  no event may  be
greater  than the servicing compensation payable to the Servicer under such Sale
and  Servicing   Agreement.   Neither  an   Owner   Trustee  nor   the   related
Certificateholders  have the right to remove  the Servicer if a Servicer Default
occurs.
 
WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS
 
    With respect  to  each  Trust,  unless otherwise  provided  in  the  related
Prospectus  Supplement, the holders of Notes evidencing not less than a majority
of the outstanding principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of the related
Series (or, if no Notes are  outstanding the holders of Certificates  evidencing
not  less than a majority of the outstanding Certificate Balance) may, on behalf
of all  such  Noteholders  and  Certificateholders, waive  any  default  by  the
Servicer  in  the performance  of  its obligations  under  the related  Sale and
Servicing Agreement  and  its  consequences,  except a  default  in  making  any
required  deposits to or payments  from any of the  Trust Accounts in accordance
with such Sale and Servicing Agreement. Therefore, the Noteholders of any Series
have the ability,  as limited  above, to waive  defaults by  the Servicer  which
could  materially  and  adversely affect  the  related  Certificateholders. With
respect to  any Series,  no such  waiver shall  impair the  Noteholders' or  the
Certificateholders' rights with respect to subsequent defaults.
 
AMENDMENT
 
    Unless  otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, each of the
Transfer and Servicing Agreements may be amended by the parties thereto, without
the consent of the related Noteholders or Certificateholders, for the purpose of
adding any provisions to  or changing in  any manner or  eliminating any of  the
provisions  of any such Transfer and Servicing  Agreement or of modifying in any
manner the rights of such Noteholders or Certificateholders; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,
that such action will not, in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the related
Indenture Trustee and the related Owner Trustee, materially and adversely affect
the  interest of any  such Noteholder or  Certificateholder. In addition, unless
otherwise provided in the  related Prospectus Supplement,  each of the  Transfer
and  Servicing Agreements (other than any Custodial Agreement) may be amended by
the  parties  thereto,  without  the  consent  of  the  related  Noteholders  or
Certificateholders,   to  substitute   credit  enhancement  for   any  Class  of
Securities, provided the applicable Rating Agencies confirm in writing that such
will not result  in a reduction  or withdrawal of  the rating of  such Class  of
Securities or any Class of Securities of the related Series. In addition, unless
otherwise  provided in the  related Prospectus Supplement,  each of the Transfer
and Servicing Agreements (other than any Custodial Agreement) may be amended  by
the  Seller, the Servicer,  the related Owner Trustee  and the related Indenture
Trustee with the consent of the holders of Notes evidencing at least a  majority
in  the  then outstanding  principal amount  of  such Notes  and the  holders of
Certificates evidencing at least a  majority of the related Certificate  Balance
for  the  purpose of  adding  any provisions  to or  changing  in any  manner or
eliminating any of  the provisions  of such Agreements  or of  modifying in  any
manner  the rights of  Noteholders or Certificateholders  of the related Series;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that  no such  amendment may (i)  increase or  reduce in  any
manner  the amount  of, or  accelerate or  delay the  timing of,  collections of
payments on Receivables  or payments or  distributions that are  required to  be
made for the benefit of the Noteholders or the Certificateholders or (ii) reduce
the  aforesaid percentage of the Notes and Certificates of such Series which are
required to consent to any such amendment, without the consent of the holders of
all the outstanding Notes or Certificates, as the case may be, of such Series.
 
INSOLVENCY EVENT
 
    Under each Trust Agreement,  if an Insolvency Event  occurs with respect  to
the  Seller, to the extent permitted  by applicable law, the related Receivables
shall be liquidated and the related Trust  will be terminated 90 days after  the
date of such Insolvency Event, unless, before the end of such 90-day period, the
related  Owner Trustee shall have received written instructions from (i) each of
the Certificateholders of each Class (other  than the Seller), (ii) each of  the
Noteholders   of   each  Class,   and  (iii)   holders   of  interests   in  any
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
Reserve Account (other than the Seller) having interests with a value in  excess
of  50% of all interests  in such Reserve Account held  by such persons, in each
case to the effect that each such  party disapproves of the liquidation of  such
Receivables  and the termination of such Trust. Promptly after the occurrence of
any Insolvency Event with respect to  the Seller, notice thereof is required  to
be  given  to  all Noteholders  and  Certificateholders of  the  related Series;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER,  that any  failure  to give  such  required notice  will  not
prevent or delay termination of the related Trust. Upon termination of any Trust
(which  shall constitute an  Event of Default under  the related Indenture), the
related Owner Trustee  shall direct  the related Indenture  Trustee promptly  to
sell  the assets of the related Trust (other than the related Trust Accounts) in
a commercially  reasonable  manner and  on  commercially reasonable  terms.  The
proceeds  from any such  sale, disposition or liquidation  of the Receivables of
such Trust will be applied by the related Indenture Trustee FIRST to pay certain
amounts due to such Indenture Trustee, SECOND  to pay the related Notes in  full
and  then to pay the related Certificates in full. With respect to any Trust, if
the proceeds from the liquidation of the related Receivables and any amounts  on
deposit  in the Reserve Account (if any),  the Note Distribution Account and the
Certificate Distribution Account  are not sufficient  to pay the  Notes and  the
Certificates  of the related Series in full, the amount of principal returned to
Noteholders and Certificateholders thereof  will be reduced and  some or all  of
such Noteholders and Certificateholders will incur a loss.
 
    Each  Trust Agreement will  provide that the related  Owner Trustee does not
have the power to commence a voluntary proceeding in bankruptcy relating to  the
related Trust without (i) the unanimous prior approval of all Certificateholders
and (ii) the delivery to such Owner Trustee by each Certificateholder (including
the  Seller) of a certificate  certifying that such Certificateholder reasonably
believes that such Trust is insolvent.
 
PAYMENT OF NOTES
 
    Upon the payment in full of all outstanding Notes of a given Series and  the
satisfaction  and discharge of the related  Indenture, the related Owner Trustee
will succeed  to  all the  rights  of the  related  Indenture Trustee,  and  the
Certificateholders  of  such  Series  will  succeed to  all  the  rights  of the
Noteholders of such Series,  in each case under  the related Sale and  Servicing
Agreement, except as otherwise provided therein.
 
SELLER LIABILITY
 
    Under  each Trust Agreement, the Seller will  agree to be liable directly to
an injured  party  for the  entire  amount of  any  losses, claims,  damages  or
liabilities (other than those incurred by a Noteholder or a Certificateholder in
the  capacity of an investor with respect to such Trust) arising out of or based
on the arrangement created  by such Trust Agreement  as though such  arrangement
created a partnership under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act
in which the Seller were a general partner.
 
TERMINATION
 
    With respect to each Trust, the obligations of the Servicer, the Seller, the
related  Owner Trustee and the related Indenture Trustee pursuant to the related
Transfer and Servicing Agreements will terminate upon (i) the maturity or  other
liquidation  of the last related Receivables  and the disposition of any amounts
received upon liquidation of any such remaining Receivables and (ii) the payment
to Noteholders  and Certificateholders  of  the related  Series of  all  amounts
required to be paid to them pursuant to such Transfer and Servicing Agreements.
 
    With  respect  to  each  Trust, unless  otherwise  provided  in  the related
Prospectus Supplement, in order to avoid excessive administrative expense, if as
of the last day of any Collection Period, the then outstanding Pool Balance with
respect to the Receivables  held by such  Trust is 10% or  less of the  "Initial
Pool  Balance" (as such  term is defined in  the related Prospectus Supplement),
the Servicer shall have the option to purchase all remaining related Receivables
as of such last day  at a price equal to  the aggregate Purchase Amount for  the
Receivables  (including  defaulted  Receivables  but  not  including  liquidated
Receivables).
 
    As  more  fully  described  in   the  related  Prospectus  Supplement,   any
outstanding Notes of the related Series will be prepaid concurrently upon either
of  the events  specified above and  the subsequent distribution  to the related
Certificateholders of all amounts required to be distributed to them pursuant to
the related Trust Agreement will effect early retirement of the Certificates  of
such Series.
 
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<PAGE>
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
 
    CFSC,  in its  capacity as  administrator (the  "Administrator"), will enter
into  an  agreement  (as  amended  and  supplemented  from  time  to  time,  the
"Administration  Agreement") with each  Trust and the  related Indenture Trustee
pursuant to which the Administrator will  agree, to the extent provided in  such
Administration Agreement, to provide the notices and to perform on behalf of the
related  Trust certain other administrative  obligations required by the related
Indenture.  As  compensation   for  the  performance   of  the   Administrator's
obligations  under  the Administration  Agreement and  as reimbursement  for its
expenses related  thereto,  the Administrator  will  be entitled  to  a  monthly
administration  fee  in an  amount to  be  set forth  in the  related Prospectus
Supplement (the "Administration Fee").
 
                    CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE RECEIVABLES
 
SALE AND TRANSFER OF RECEIVABLES
 
    Unless the related  Prospectus Supplement provides  that such transfers  and
grant  will be  perfected by  filing UCC  financing statements,  the transfer of
ownership of the Receivables of each Trust from CFSC to the Seller and from  the
Seller  to  such  Trust, and  the  granting  of the  security  interest  in such
Receivables by such Trust to the related Indenture Trustee, will in each case be
perfected by  the  Custodian,  on  behalf of  the  applicable  assignee,  taking
possession  of the  related Receivables Files.  The Custodian  will maintain its
possession of the  Receivables Files in  a space leased  by the Custodian  which
space may, if the related Prospectus Supplement so provides, be proximate to the
principal executive offices of CFSC. Although steps will be taken to ensure that
CFSC  does not obtain possession  or control of the  Receivables Files, should a
court find that CFSC did have  possession or control of such Receivables  Files,
the  interests of the  related Trust and  the related Indenture  Trustee in such
Receivables may be unperfected under certain circumstances and distributions  to
Securityholders  may be adversely  affected. CFSC will  indicate on its computer
records that such Receivables have been sold, but, unless otherwise specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement, UCC financing statements will not be filed to
perfect such transfers of ownership or such grant of a security interest in such
Receivables. If UCC financing statements are filed to perfect such transfers  of
ownership  or grants of  security interests, to  facilitate servicing and reduce
administrative costs, the Receivables Files will be retained by the Servicer and
will not be physically segregated from  other similar documents that are in  the
Servicer's  possession or otherwise stamped or marked to reflect the transfer to
the related Trust  so long as  CFSC is servicing  the Receivables. However,  UCC
financing  statements will  be filed reflecting  the sale and  assignment of the
Receivables by CFSC  to the Seller,  and by the  Seller to such  Trust, and  the
Servicer's  accounting records and computer files will be marked to reflect such
sales and  assignments.  Because  the  Receivables  Files  will  remain  in  the
Servicer's possession and will not be stamped or otherwise marked to reflect the
assignment to the Indenture Trustee, if a subsequent purchaser were able to take
physical   possession  of  the  Receivables  Files  without  knowledge  of  such
assignment, the  Indenture  Trustee's  interest  in  the  Receivables  could  be
defeated.  In  such event,  distributions  to Securityholders  may  be adversely
affected.
 
BANKRUPTCY
 
    The Seller has  taken and will  take steps in  structuring the  transactions
contemplated  hereby that are intended to ensure that a voluntary or involuntary
petition for relief by or against CFSC under any Insolvency Law will not  result
in  the substantive  consolidation of the  assets and liabilities  of the Seller
with those  of  CFSC. These  steps  include the  creation  of the  Seller  as  a
separate,   limited-purpose  entity   pursuant  to   Articles  of  Incorporation
containing (i) certain limitations (including restrictions on the nature of  the
Seller's  business  and a  restriction  on the  Seller's  ability to  commence a
voluntary case  or  proceeding  under  any  Insolvency  Law  without  the  prior
unanimous  affirmative vote of all of its directors) and (ii) a requirement that
at least  one  of  the  Seller's  directors  be  independent  of  CFSC  and  its
affiliates. However, there can be no assurance that the activities of the Seller
would  not result in a court's concluding that the assets and liabilities of the
Seller should be substantively consolidated with  those of CFSC in a  proceeding
under any Insolvency Law.
 
    CFSC  will warrant to the Seller in each Purchase Agreement that the sale of
the related  Receivables  by it  to  the Seller  is  an absolute  sale  of  such
Receivables  to  the  Seller.  In  addition,  CFSC  and  the  Seller  will treat
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
the transactions described herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement as  a
sale of the related Receivables to the Seller, and the Seller has taken and will
take all actions that are required to perfect the Seller's ownership interest in
the  related  Receivables  by  the  Seller  taking  possession  of  the  related
Receivables Files  through the  Custodian or,  if so  specified in  the  related
Prospectus   Supplement,  by   the  Seller  filing   UCC  financing  statements.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if CFSC were  to become a debtor in a  bankruptcy
case,  and a creditor  or trustee-in-bankruptcy of  CFSC or CFSC  itself were to
take  the  position  that  a  sale  of  Receivables  to  the  Seller  should  be
recharacterized  as a pledge of such Receivables  to secure a borrowing of CFSC,
then delays in payments of collections  of such Receivables to the Seller  could
occur  or,  should  the court  rule  in favor  of  any such  trustee,  debtor or
creditor, reductions  in the  amount of  such payments,  or a  reduction in  the
amount   of  Receivables  securing  such  a  borrowing,  could  result.  If  the
transactions contemplated herein  and in the  related Prospectus Supplement  are
treated  as  a  sale,  the  related Receivables  would  not  be  part  of CFSC's
bankruptcy estate and would not be available to CFSC's creditors.
 
    However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued its  opinion
in  OCTAGON GAS SYSTEMS, INC. V. RIMMER  (IN RE MERIDIAN RESERVE, INC.) (decided
May 27, 1993) in which it concluded (noting that its position is in contrast  to
that  taken by another court) that accounts  receivable sold by the debtor prior
to the filing for bankruptcy remain property of the debtor's bankruptcy  estate.
Although  the Receivables are likely to be viewed as "chattel paper," as defined
under the UCC, rather than as accounts, the rationale behind the OCTAGON  ruling
could  be applied  to chattel paper.  The circumstances under  which the OCTAGON
ruling would apply  are not fully  known, and  the extent to  which the  OCTAGON
decision will be followed in other courts or outside of the Tenth Circuit is not
certain.  If the holding in the OCTAGON  case were applied in a CFSC bankruptcy,
however, even if the transfers of Receivables to the Seller and to a Trust  were
treated  as sales,  the related Receivables  would be part  of CFSC's bankruptcy
estate and  would be  subject to  claims  of certain  creditors and  delays  and
reductions in payments to the Seller and holders of the related Securities, or a
reduction in the amount of Receivables supporting such Securities, could result.
The  Seller will warrant in  each Sale and Servicing  Agreement that the sale of
the related  Receivables  to the  related  Trust is  an  absolute sale  of  such
Receivables to such Trust.
 
    If  an Insolvency  Event with respect  to the Seller  occurs, each Indenture
Trustee, to the  extent permitted by  applicable law, will  sell, dispose of  or
otherwise  liquidate the related Receivables in a commercially reasonable manner
on commercially reasonable terms promptly upon termination of the related  Trust
(as    described   under   "Description   of    the   Transfer   and   Servicing
Agreements--Insolvency  Event"  herein).  The  proceeds  from  any  such   sale,
disposition or liquidation of Receivables will be treated as collections on such
Receivables   and  deposited  in  the   related  Collection  Account.  Following
application of such proceeds to  pay fees or other  amounts as described in  the
related  Prospectus Supplement, such proceeds shall  be applied to pay the Notes
of the related Series in  full before being applied  to pay the Certificates  of
such Series in full. If the proceeds from the liquidation of Receivables and any
amounts  on deposit  in any  Reserve Account  and the  related Note Distribution
Account, together with any available  credit enhancement, are not sufficient  to
pay  the  related Notes  in full,  the  related Noteholders  will incur  a loss.
Additionally, if the proceeds from such  liquidation and any amounts on  deposit
in  any Reserve Account and the Certificate Distribution Account, after applying
such amounts  and amounts  on deposit  in the  Note Distribution  Amount to  the
payment  in full of  the Notes, together with  any available credit enhancement,
are not  sufficient  to  pay  the related  Certificates  in  full,  the  related
Certificateholders will incur a loss.
 
SECURITY INTEREST IN EQUIPMENT
 
    The  documents contained in  the Receivables Files  will constitute personal
property security agreements and will  include or constitute grants of  security
interests    in   the    related   Financed   Equipment    and   certain   other
cross-collateralized equipment under the applicable UCC. Perfection of  security
interests  in the equipment  is generally governed  by the laws  of the state in
which such equipment (or the Obligor, if the equipment constitutes mobile  goods
under  the UCC)  is located.  The UCC generally  governs the  perfection of such
interests.
 
    All of such Installment Sales Contracts and Leases originated or acquired by
CFSC will name CFSC as obligee or assignee  and as the secured party of a  first
priority security interest in the related Financed
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
Equipment.  Pursuant  to  the  Transfer  and  Servicing  Agreements,  CFSC  will
contractually agree to take all actions necessary under the laws of the state in
which the Financed Equipment is located to perfect its security interests in the
Financed Equipment in its name, including the filing of UCC financing statements
in the appropriate offices. Obligors will  generally be notified of the sale  of
Receivables from the Dealers to CFSC. However, because the Servicer continues to
service  the Installment  Sales Contracts and  Leases, the Obligors  will not be
notified of the sale  from CFSC to  the Seller and, in  the ordinary course,  no
action  will be taken to record the  transfer of the security interest from CFSC
to the Seller  by amendment or  assignments of the  UCC financing statements  or
otherwise.
 
    Pursuant  to each Purchase Agreement, CFSC will sell and assign its security
interests in  the  Financed  Equipment and  certain  other  cross-collateralized
equipment  securing Receivables  to the  Seller and,  pursuant to  each Sale and
Servicing Agreement,  the  Seller will  assign  its security  interests  in  the
Financed Equipment and such cross-collateralized equipment to the related Trust.
However,  because of the administrative burden  and expense, none of the Seller,
the Servicer, CFSC  or the  related Owner  Trustee will  amend or  file any  UCC
financing  statement to identify the  related Trust as the  new secured party on
the  financing   statement  relating   to  the   Financed  Equipment   or   such
cross-collateralized  equipment. See "Description of  the Transfer and Servicing
Agreements--Sale and  Assignment  of  Receivables"  herein.  There  are  certain
limited circumstances under the UCC and applicable federal law in which prior or
subsequent transferees of Receivables could have an interest in such Receivables
with  priority over the related Trust's interest. In addition, while CFSC is the
Servicer, cash collections on the Receivables  of any Trust will, under  certain
circumstances,  be commingled with the  funds of CFSC prior  to deposit into the
related Collection Account  and, in the  event of the  bankruptcy of CFSC,  such
Trust may not have a perfected interest in such collections.
 
    In  most states, an assignment of  a security interest in Financed Equipment
such as that under a Purchase Agreement and a Sale and Servicing Agreement is an
effective conveyance  of  a  security  interest without  amendment  of  any  UCC
financing  statement  relating  to  such Financed  Equipment,  and  the assignee
succeeds thereby to the assignor's rights as secured party. By not identifying a
Trust as the secured party on the financing statement, the security interest  of
such  Trust in the related Financed Equipment could be defeated through fraud or
negligence by CFSC or (under certain  circumstances) the related Dealer. In  the
absence  of error,  fraud or  forgery by  the related  Obligor or administrative
error by state  or local agencies,  the proper initial  filing of the  financing
statement  relating to such  Financed Equipment will be  sufficient to protect a
Trust against the rights of subsequent purchasers of such Financed Equipment  or
subsequent  lenders  who  take a  security  interest in  the  Financed Equipment
related to a  Receivable. If there  is any  Financed Equipment as  to which  the
original  secured party, if any, failed to obtain and assign to CFSC a perfected
security interest, the security interest of CFSC would be subordinated to, among
others, subsequent purchasers of the equipment and holders of perfected security
interests. Such a failure, however, would constitute a breach of the  warranties
of  CFSC under each Purchase Agreement and would create an obligation of CFSC to
repurchase the related Receivables unless the  breach is cured. The Seller  will
assign  its rights pursuant to each Purchase Agreement to the related Trust. See
"Description of the  Transfer and Servicing  Agreements--Sale and Assignment  of
Receivables" herein.
 
    Under  each Sale and Servicing Agreement,  the Servicer will be obligated to
take appropriate steps, at its own  expense, to maintain perfection of  security
interests  in each item of Financed Equipment and is obligated to repurchase the
related Receivable if it fails to do so.
 
    Under the laws of most states, liens for repairs performed on the  equipment
and  liens for  unpaid taxes  may take priority  over even  a perfected security
interest in such  goods. The  Servicer will represent  that, as  of the  related
Closing  Date or Subsequent Closing Date,  as applicable, each security interest
in Financed Equipment  is prior  to all other  present liens  upon and  security
interests in such Financed Equipment. However, liens for repairs or taxes unpaid
by  an Obligor could arise at any time  during the term of a Receivable. Neither
the Seller nor the Servicer will have any obligation to repurchase a  Receivable
if any such lien results in a Trust losing the priority of its security interest
or  its security  interest in any  Financed Equipment after  the related Closing
Date, or, if applicable, any related Subsequent Closing Date. No notice will  be
given   to  the  related  Owner   Trustee,  Indenture  Trustee,  Noteholders  or
Certificateholders of any Series in the event such a lien arises.
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
REPOSSESSION
 
    In the event of default by the obligor, the holder of the retail installment
sales contract or finance lease  has all the remedies  of a secured party  under
the  UCC, except where specifically  limited by other state  laws. Among the UCC
remedies, the  secured party  has the  right to  perform self-help  repossession
unless  such act would constitute a breach of the peace. Self-help is the method
employed by the Servicer  in most cases and  is accomplished simply by  retaking
possession  of the financed equipment.  In the event of  default by the obligor,
some jurisdictions require that  the obligor be notified  of the default and  be
given  a time period within which he may cure the default prior to repossession.
In cases where the obligor  objects or raises a  defense to repossession, or  if
otherwise  required by applicable state law, a court order must be obtained from
the appropriate  state court,  and the  equipment must  then be  repossessed  in
accordance with that order.
 
NOTICE OF SALE; REDEMPTION RIGHTS
 
    The  UCC and other state laws generally require the secured party to provide
the obligor with reasonable  notice of the  date, time and  place of any  public
sale and/or the date after which any private sale of the collateral may be held.
The  obligor generally has  the right to  redeem the collateral  prior to actual
sale by paying the secured party the unpaid principal balance of the  obligation
plus  reasonable expenses for repossessing, holding and preparing the collateral
for disposition  and  arranging  for  its sale,  plus,  in  some  jurisdictions,
reasonable  attorneys' fees. In some states, the obligor may cure the default or
reinstate the retail installment sales contract  or finance lease by payment  of
delinquent installments or the unpaid balance.
 
DEFICIENCY JUDGMENTS AND EXCESS PROCEEDS
 
    The  proceeds of resale of any  Financed Equipment generally will be applied
first to the expenses of resale and repossession and then to the satisfaction of
the indebtedness.  While  some  states impose  prohibitions  or  limitations  on
deficiency  judgments if  the net  proceeds from  resale do  not cover  the full
amount of the indebtedness, a deficiency judgment can be sought in those  states
that  do not prohibit or limit  such judgments. However, the deficiency judgment
would be  a personal  judgment against  the  obligor for  the shortfall,  and  a
defaulting  obligor can be  expected to have  very little capital  or sources of
income available following repossession. Therefore, in many cases, it may not be
useful to seek a deficiency judgment or,  if one is obtained, it may be  settled
at a significant discount.
 
    Occasionally,  after resale of the equipment and payment of all expenses and
all indebtedness, there is a  surplus of funds. In  that case, the UCC  requires
the  lender to remit the surplus to any  holder of a junior lien with respect to
the equipment or, if no such lienholder exists or there are remaining funds, the
UCC requires the lender to remit the surplus to the obligor.
 
    Courts have applied general equitable principles to secured parties pursuing
repossession  or  litigation  involving  deficiency  balances.  These  equitable
principles  may have the effect of relieving an  obligor from some or all of the
legal consequences of a default.
 
    In several cases,  consumers have  asserted that the  self-help remedies  of
secured  parties  under  the  UCC  and  related  laws  violate  the  due process
protections provided under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the  United
States.  Courts  have generally  upheld  the notice  provisions  of the  UCC and
related laws as reasonable or have found that the repossession and resale by the
creditor do  not  involve  sufficient  state  action  to  afford  constitutional
protection to consumers.
 
    CFSC  will  warrant  under  each  Purchase  Agreement  that  each Receivable
complies with  all requirements  of  applicable law  in all  material  respects.
Accordingly,  if an Obligor has a claim against a Trust for violation of any law
and such  claim materially  and adversely  affects such  Trust's interest  in  a
Receivable,  such violation would constitute a  breach of the warranties of CFSC
under the related Purchase Agreement and  would create an obligation of CFSC  to
repurchase  such Receivable unless the breach  is cured. See "Description of the
Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Sale and Assignment of Receivables" herein.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
LEASES
 
    Certain states have  adopted a version  of Article 2A  of the UCC  ("Article
2A").  Article 2A  purports to  codify many  provisions of  existing common law.
Although there is little precedent regarding how Article 2A will be interpreted,
it may, among other things,  limit enforceability of any "unconscionable"  lease
or  "unconscionable"  provision  in a  lease,  provide a  lessee  with remedies,
including the  right  to  cancel  the lease,  for  certain  lessor  breaches  or
defaults,  and may add  to or modify  the terms of  "consumer leases" and leases
where the lessee  is a  "merchant lessee." However,  with respect  to any  Lease
conveyed  to a Trust, CFSC will represent in the related Purchase Agreement that
(i) such Lease contract is  not a "consumer lease" and  (ii) to the best of  its
knowledge,  the  related Obligor  has  accepted the  related  Financed Equipment
leased to it  and, after  reasonable opportunity to  inspect and  test, has  not
notified  CFSC  of  any  defects therein.  Article  2A  also  recognizes typical
commercial lease  "hell or  high  water" rental  payment clauses  and  validates
reasonable  liquidated  damages  provisions in  the  event of  lessor  or lessee
defaults. Moreover, Article 2A recognizes the concept of freedom of contract and
permits the parties in a  commercial context a wide  degree of latitude to  vary
provisions of the law.
 
OTHER
 
    In  addition  to  the  laws limiting  or  prohibiting  deficiency judgments,
numerous other  statutory  provisions,  including federal  bankruptcy  laws  and
related  state laws,  may interfere with  or affect  the ability of  a lender to
realize upon collateral or enforce a deficiency judgment. For example, in a case
under the federal bankruptcy law, a court may prevent a lender from repossessing
the equipment, and, as part of the rehabilitation plan, reduce the amount of the
secured indebtedness  to  the market  value  of the  equipment  at the  time  of
bankruptcy  (as determined by the court),  leaving the party providing financing
as a  general  unsecured creditor  for  the  remainder of  the  indebtedness.  A
bankruptcy  court may also reduce  the monthly payments due  under a contract or
change the rate of  interest and time  of repayment of  the indebtedness. For  a
discussion  of  other legal  aspects  relating to  Receivables  of a  Trust, see
"Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables" in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
                   CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
    The following summary  describes certain  United States  federal income  tax
consequences  of an  investment in  the Notes  and Certificates  as of  the date
hereof. The summary is based  on the Internal Revenue  Code of 1986, as  amended
(the  "Code"), and existing final,  temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations,
Revenue Rulings and judicial decisions, all of which are subject to  prospective
and retroactive changes. The summary is addressed only to original purchasers of
the  Notes and the Certificates and deals  only with Notes and Certificates held
as capital assets within the  meaning of Section 1221 of  the Code and does  not
address  tax consequences of holding Notes and Certificates that may be relevant
to investors in special tax situations, such as certain financial  institutions,
tax-exempt  organizations, life  insurance companies,  dealers in  securities or
currencies, or investors  holding the  Notes or the  Certificates as  part of  a
conversion  transaction, as  part of  a hedge  or hedging  transaction, or  as a
position in a straddle for tax  purposes. The summary is further addressed  only
to  original purchasers of the Certificates  who are "United States Persons" (as
defined in  Code Section  7701(a)(30)).  Each Trust  will  be provided  with  an
opinion  of counsel to each Trust specified in the related Prospectus Supplement
("Special Tax Counsel") regarding certain  federal income tax matters  discussed
below.  An  opinion of  Special  Tax Counsel,  however,  is not  binding  on the
Internal Revenue Service  ("IRS") or the  courts, and  no ruling on  any of  the
issues  discussed below  will be  sought from  the IRS.  Moreover, there  are no
authorities on similar  transactions involving  both debt  and equity  interests
issued  by a trust with terms similar to those of the Notes and the Certificates
described herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement. Accordingly,  persons
considering  the purchase of Notes or  Certificates should consult their own tax
advisors with regard to the United States federal income tax consequences of  an
investment  in the  Notes or Certificates  and the application  of United States
federal income tax  laws, as well  as the laws  of any state,  local or  foreign
taxing jurisdictions, to their particular situations.
 
    FOR  PURPOSES OF THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY,  REFERENCES TO THE TRUST, THE NOTES,
THE CERTIFICATES AND  RELATED TERMS, PARTIES  AND DOCUMENTS SHALL  BE DEEMED  TO
REFER,  UNLESS  OTHERWISE  SPECIFIED  HEREIN,  TO  EACH  TRUST  AND  THE  NOTES,
CERTIFICATES AND RELATED TERMS, PARTIES AND DOCUMENTS APPLICABLE TO SUCH TRUST.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
TAX CHARACTERIZATION OF THE TRUST
 
    Special Tax Counsel  will deliver  its opinion that  the Trust  will not  be
classified  as  an association  (or publicly  traded  partnership) taxable  as a
corporation for United States federal income tax purposes. This opinion is based
on the assumption that  the terms of the  Trust Agreement and related  documents
will  be complied with,  and on Special  Tax Counsel's conclusions  that (i) the
Trust will not have certain characteristics necessary for a business trust to be
classified as an association  taxable as a corporation,  and (ii) the nature  of
the  income of  the Trust  will exempt  it from  the rule  that certain publicly
traded partnerships are taxable as corporations.
 
    If the Trust were taxable as a corporation for United States federal  income
tax  purposes, the Trust would be subject to corporate income tax on its taxable
income. The  Trust's  taxable  income  would  include  all  its  income  on  the
Receivables  and other assets of the  Trust, reduced by allowable deductions and
possibly reduced by its interest expense on the Notes. Any such corporate income
tax could materially  reduce cash available  to make payments  on the Notes  and
distributions  on the Certificates,  and Certificateholders could  be liable for
any such tax that is unpaid by the Trust.
 
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HOLDERS OF THE NOTES
 
    TREATMENT OF  THE NOTES  AS INDEBTEDNESS.   The  Seller and  the Trust  will
agree,  and the Noteholders will agree by  their purchase of Notes, to treat the
Notes as debt for United States federal income tax purposes. Special Tax Counsel
will, except as otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement,  advise
the  Trust that the Notes  will be classified as  debt for United States federal
income tax purposes. The discussion  below assumes that the characterization  of
the Notes as debt is correct.
 
    OID,  INDEXED  SECURITIES,  ETC.   The  discussion  below  assumes  that all
payments on the Notes  are denominated in  U.S. dollars, and  the Notes are  not
Indexed  Securities or  Strip Notes. Moreover,  the discussion  assumes that the
interest formula  for the  Notes meets  the requirements  for "qualified  stated
interest"  under  Treasury  regulations  (the  "OID  Regulations")  relating  to
original issue discount ("OID"), and that any OID on the Notes (I.E., any excess
of the principal amount of the Notes  over their issue price) does not exceed  a
DE  MINIMIS amount  (I.E., 1/4%  of their  principal amount  multiplied by their
weighted average  life,  calculated  using the  prepayment  assumption  used  in
pricing  the Notes  and weighting  each payment  by reference  to the  number of
complete years from the issue  date to the day of  such payment, all within  the
meaning  of the  OID Regulations).  If these  conditions are  not satisfied with
respect to any given Series of Notes, and  as a result the Notes are treated  as
issued  with OID, additional tax considerations  with respect to such Notes will
be disclosed in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
    INTEREST INCOME ON  THE NOTES.   Based on the  above assumptions, except  as
discussed  below, the  Notes will  not be  considered to  have been  issued with
original issue discount.  Accordingly, the  stated interest  on a  Note will  be
taxable to a Noteholder as ordinary interest income at the time it accrues or is
received  in accordance with  the Noteholder's regular  method of accounting for
tax purposes. A purchaser who  buys a Note for more  or less than its  principal
amount  will generally be subject, respectively,  to the premium amortization or
market discount rules of the Code.
 
    However, because a failure to pay interest  currently on the Notes is not  a
default  and does  not give  rise to a  penalty, under  recently issued Treasury
Regulations relating to the treatment of debt instruments issued at an  original
issue  discount, the Notes might  be viewed as having  been issued with original
issue discount. Holders of the Notes  would be required to include the  original
issue discount in gross income for federal income tax purposes as it accrues, in
accordance  with a constant interest method  based on a compounding of interest,
in advance of receipt of the cash payments attributable to such income.
 
    SALE OF THE NOTES.  Upon the  sale of a Note, the Noteholder will  recognize
taxable  gain or loss  in an amount  equal to the  difference between the amount
realized on the sale (other than  amounts attributable to accrued interest)  and
the  Noteholder's adjusted tax basis in  the Note. The Noteholder's adjusted tax
basis in the Note will equal the cost of the Note to such Noteholder,  increased
by  any market  discount previously included  in income by  such Noteholder with
respect to the Note, and decreased by the amount of any bond premium  previously
amortized and any principal payments previously received by such Noteholder with
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
respect to such Note. Any such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss, except
to  the extent of accrued market discount not previously included in income (or,
in the case of a prepayment or redemption, any OID not yet accrued), and will be
long term capital gain or loss if at the time of sale the Note has been held for
more than one year.
 
    FOREIGN HOLDERS.  Under United States federal income tax law now in  effect,
payments  of interest by the Trust to a Noteholder who, as to the United States,
is a nonresident  alien individual,  a foreign corporation  or other  non-United
States  person  (a "foreign  person")  generally will  be  considered "portfolio
interest," and generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax
and withholding tax, provided the interest is not effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or  business within the United  States by the foreign  person
and  the foreign  person (i)  is not  actually or  constructively a  "10 percent
shareholder" of  the Trust  or the  Seller (including  a holder  of 10%  of  the
outstanding  Certificates), is not for United States federal income tax purposes
a "controlled foreign corporation" with respect to which the Trust or the Seller
is a "related person" within the meaning of the Code, or is not a bank extending
credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered  into in the ordinary course of  its
trade  or business, and  (ii) provides the  person who is  otherwise required to
withhold United  States  tax with  respect  to  the Notes  with  an  appropriate
statement  (on IRS  Form W-8  or a substitute  form), signed  under penalties of
perjury, certifying that the  beneficial owner of the  Note is a foreign  person
and providing the foreign person's name and address. If a Note is held through a
securities  clearing organization or certain other financial institutions (as is
expected to be the case unless Definitive Notes are issued), the organization or
institution may provide the relevant signed statement to the withholding  agent;
in  that case, however, the signed statement  must be accompanied by an IRS Form
W-8 or substitute form  provided by the  foreign person that  owns the Note.  If
such  interest is  not portfolio  interest, then  it will  be subject  to United
States federal income and withholding  tax at a rate  of 30%, unless reduced  or
eliminated  pursuant to an applicable tax treaty or such interest is effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States  and,
in either case, the appropriate statement has been provided.
 
    Any  capital  gain realized  on the  sale,  redemption, retirement  or other
taxable disposition of a  Note by a  foreign person will  be exempt from  United
States  federal income tax and  withholding tax, provided that  (i) such gain is
not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the  United
States  by the  foreign person, and  (ii) in  the case of  an individual foreign
person, the foreign person is not present  in the United States for 183 days  or
more in the taxable year.
 
    BACKUP WITHHOLDING.  Payments of principal and interest, as well as payments
of  proceeds from the sale, retirement or  disposition of a Note, may be subject
to "backup withholding" tax under Section 3406 of the Code at a rate of 31% if a
recipient of such  payments fails to  furnish to the  payor certain  identifying
information.  Any amounts  deducted and  withheld would  be allowed  as a credit
against such recipient's United States federal income tax, provided  appropriate
proof  is  provided under  rules established  by  the IRS.  Furthermore, certain
penalties may be imposed by the IRS on a recipient of payments that is  required
to  supply information  but that  does not  do so  in the  proper manner. Backup
withholding will  not apply  with respect  to payments  made to  certain  exempt
recipients,  such as corporations and financial institutions. Noteholders should
consult their  tax advisors  regarding their  qualification for  exemption  from
backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption.
 
    POSSIBLE  ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS OF THE NOTES.   If, contrary to the opinion
of Special Tax Counsel, the IRS  successfully asserted that one or more  Classes
of  the  Notes did  not  represent debt  for  United States  federal  income tax
purposes, the Notes might  be treated as  equity interests in  the Trust. If  so
treated,  the  Trust  might  be  taxable  as  a  corporation  with  the  adverse
consequences described above (and the taxable  corporation would not be able  to
reduce   its  taxable  income  by  deductions  for  interest  expense  on  Notes
recharacterized as  equity).  Alternatively, and  most  likely in  the  view  of
Special Tax Counsel, the Trust might be treated as a publicly traded partnership
that  would  not be  taxable  as a  corporation  because it  would  meet certain
qualifying income tests. Nonetheless, treatment of the Notes as equity interests
in such a  publicly traded partnership  could have adverse  tax consequences  to
certain  holders.  For example,  income to  foreign  persons generally  would be
subject to United States tax and United States tax return filing and withholding
requirements, and individual holders might be subject to certain limitations  on
their ability to deduct their share of Trust expenses.
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HOLDERS OF THE CERTIFICATES
 
    TREATMENT  OF THE TRUST AS  A PARTNERSHIP.  As  indicated above, Special Tax
Counsel will deliver  an opinion that  the Trust  will not be  classified as  an
association (or publicly traded partnership) taxable as a corporation for United
States  federal income tax purposes. The Seller and the Servicer will agree, and
the Certificateholders will agree  by their purchase  of Certificates, to  treat
the  Trust as a  partnership for purposes  of United States  federal income tax,
with the assets  of the  partnership being  the assets  held by  the Trust,  the
partners  of the partnership being  the Certificateholders (including the Seller
in its capacity as recipient of  distributions from any Reserve Account and  any
other account specified in the related Prospectus Supplement in which the Seller
has  an interest),  and the  Notes being debt  of the  partnership. However, the
proper  characterization   of  the   arrangement   involving  the   Trust,   the
Certificates,  the Notes, the Seller and the Servicer is not clear because there
is no authority on transactions closely comparable to that contemplated herein.
 
    A variety  of  alternative  characterizations  are  possible.  For  example,
because  the  Certificates have  certain  features characteristic  of  debt, the
Certificates might  be considered  debt of  the Seller  or the  Trust. Any  such
characterization  would  not result  in materially  adverse tax  consequences to
Certificateholders as  compared  to  the  consequences  from  treatment  of  the
Certificates  as  equity  in  a  partnership,  described  below.  The  following
discussion assumes  that  the  Certificates  represent  equity  interests  in  a
partnership.
 
    INDEXED SECURITIES, ETC.  The following discussion assumes that all payments
on  the Certificates are  denominated in U.S. dollars,  none of the Certificates
are Indexed  Securities  or  Strip  Certificates, and  a  Series  of  Securities
includes  a single Class of Certificates.  If these conditions are not satisfied
with respect to any given Series of Certificates, additional tax  considerations
with  respect to such  Certificates will be disclosed  in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
 
    PARTNERSHIP TAXATION.  As  a partnership, the Trust  will not be subject  to
federal   income  tax.  Rather,  each  Certificateholder  will  be  required  to
separately take into  account such  holder's allocated share  of income,  gains,
losses,  deductions and  credits of the  Trust. The Trust's  income will consist
primarily of interest and finance  charges earned on the Receivables  (including
appropriate  adjustments for market discount, OID and bond premium) and any gain
upon collection  or  disposition of  Receivables.  The Trust's  deductions  will
consist  primarily of interest accruing with respect to the Notes, servicing and
other  fees  and  losses  or  deductions  upon  collection  or  disposition   of
Receivables.
 
    The  tax items of a partnership are  allocable to the partners in accordance
with the Code,  Treasury Regulations  and the partnership  agreement (here,  the
Trust  Agreement and  related documents). The  Trust Agreement  will provide, in
general, that the Certificateholders will be allocated gross income of the Trust
for each Collection Period equal to the sum of (i) the interest that accrues  on
the  Certificates  in  accordance with  their  terms for  such  month, including
interest accruing  at the  Pass-Through  Rate for  such  month and  interest  on
amounts  previously due  on the Certificates  but not yet  distributed; (ii) any
Trust income attributable to discount on the Receivables that corresponds to any
excess of the  principal amount  of the  Certificates over  their initial  issue
price;  (iii)  prepayment premium  payable  to the  Certificateholders  for such
month; and (iv) any  other amounts of income  payable to the  Certificateholders
for such month. Such allocation will be reduced by any amortization by the Trust
of  premium on Receivables that corresponds to  any excess of the issue price of
Certificates over their principal  amount. All remaining  taxable income of  the
Trust  will be allocated to  the Seller. It is not  expected that losses will be
allocated to Certificateholders unless the Reserve Account (if any) is depleted.
Based on the economic arrangement of  the parties, this approach for  allocating
Trust  income  should  be  permissible  under  applicable  Treasury Regulations,
although no assurance  can be given  that the  IRS would not  require a  greater
amount of income to be allocated to Certificateholders. Moreover, even under the
foregoing method of allocation, Certificateholders may be allocated income equal
to the entire Pass-Through Rate plus the other items described above even though
the  Trust might not have sufficient cash  to make current cash distributions of
such amount.  Thus, cash  basis holders  will in  effect be  required to  report
income  from the  Certificates on the  accrual basis  and Certificateholders may
become liable for taxes on Trust income even if they have not received cash from
the Trust to pay such taxes. If the Reserve Account becomes depleted and  losses
are  allocated  to the  Certificates, such  losses could  be treated  as capital
losses, whereas any  income allocated to  the Certificates in  respect of  later
payments to Certificateholders in repayment of those
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
losses could be treated as ordinary income. In addition, because tax allocations
and  tax reporting will be  done on a uniform  basis for all Certificateholders,
but Certificateholders may be purchasing Certificates at different times and  at
different  prices, Certificateholders  may be  required to  report on  their tax
returns taxable income that is greater or less than the amount reported to  them
by the Trust.
 
    An  individual taxpayer's share of expenses  of the Trust (including fees to
the  Servicer  but  not  interest  expense)  would  be  miscellaneous   itemized
deductions. Such deductions might be disallowed to the individual in whole or in
part  and might result  in such holder being  taxed on an  amount of income that
exceeds the amount of cash actually distributed to such holder over the life  of
the Trust.
 
    The  Trust  intends to  make  all tax  calculations  relating to  income and
allocations to Certificateholders  on an  aggregate basis.  If the  IRS were  to
require that such calculations be made separately for each Receivable, the Trust
might  be required to  incur additional expense,  but it is  believed that there
would not be a material adverse effect on Certificateholders.
 
    DISCOUNT AND PREMIUM.   It  is believed that  the Receivables  were (i)  not
issued  with  original  issue discount  and  (ii)  not subject  to  the "imputed
interest" rules of the Code, and, therefore, the Trust should not have  original
issue  discount income. However,  the purchase price  paid by the  Trust for the
Receivables may be greater or less  than the remaining principal balance of  the
Receivables  at the  time of  purchase. If  so, the  Receivables will  have been
acquired at a  premium or market  discount, as  the case may  be. (As  indicated
above,  the Trust will make this calculation on an aggregate basis, but might be
required to recompute it on a Receivable-by-Receivable basis.)
 
    If the Trust acquires the Receivables  at a market discount or premium,  the
Trust  will elect to include any such discount in income currently as it accrues
over the life of the Receivables or to offset any such premium against  interest
income on the Receivables. As indicated above, a portion of such market discount
income or premium deduction may be allocated to Certificateholders.
 
    SECTION  708 TERMINATION.   Under Section 708  of the Code,  a Trust will be
deemed to terminate for United States federal income tax purposes if 50% or more
of the capital and profits interests in the Trust are sold or exchanged within a
12-month period. If such a termination  occurs, the Trust will be considered  to
distribute   its  assets  to  the  partners,   who  would  then  be  treated  as
recontributing those assets to the Trust,  as a new partnership. The Trust  will
not  comply with  certain technical  requirements that  might apply  when such a
constructive termination occurs. As a result, a Trust may be subject to  certain
tax penalties and may incur additional expenses if it is required to comply with
those  requirements. Furthermore, the Trust  might not be able  to comply due to
lack of data.
 
    SALE OF CERTIFICATES.  Generally, capital gain or loss will be recognized on
a sale of Certificates in an amount  equal to the difference between the  amount
realized   and   the   seller's  tax   basis   in  the   Certificates   sold.  A
Certificateholder's tax basis in a Certificate will generally equal the holder's
cost increased by the holder's share of Trust income (includable in income)  and
decreased  by any  distributions received with  respect to  such Certificate. In
addition, both the tax  basis in the  Certificate and the  amount realized on  a
sale  of a Certificate would  include the holder's share  of the Notes and other
liabilities of the Trust.  A holder acquiring  Certificates at different  prices
may  be  required to  maintain a  single  aggregate adjusted  tax basis  in such
Certificates, and, upon sale or other  disposition of some of the  Certificates,
allocate  a portion of such aggregate tax basis to the Certificates sold (rather
than maintaining  a separate  tax  basis in  each  Certificate for  purposes  of
computing gain or loss on a sale of that Certificate).
 
    Any  gain on the sale of a Certificate attributable to the holder's share of
unrecognized accrued market discount, if any, on the Receivables would generally
be treated as ordinary income to the  holder and would give rise to special  tax
reporting  requirements. The Trust does not expect to have any other assets that
would give rise  to such special  reporting requirements. Thus,  to avoid  those
special  reporting requirements, the Trust will elect to include market discount
in income as it accrues.
 
    If a  Certificateholder is  required  to recognize  an aggregate  amount  of
income  (not  including income  attributable  to disallowed  itemized deductions
described above) over the  life of the Certificates  that exceeds the  aggregate
cash distributions with respect thereto, such excess will generally give rise to
a capital loss upon the retirement of the Certificates.
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
    ALLOCATIONS  BETWEEN TRANSFERORS AND  TRANSFEREES.  In  general, the Trust's
taxable income and losses  will be determined  monthly and the  tax items for  a
particular  calendar month will  be apportioned among  the Certificateholders in
proportion to the principal amount of Certificates owned by them as of the close
of the last day of such month. As a result, a holder purchasing Certificates may
be allocated  tax items  (which will  affect its  tax liability  and tax  basis)
attributable to periods before the actual transaction.
 
    The  use  of such  a monthly  convention  may not  be permitted  by existing
regulations. If  a  monthly  convention  is not  allowed  (or  only  applies  to
transfers  of less than all of the partner's interest), taxable income or losses
of the Trust might  be reallocated among the  Certificateholders. The Seller  is
authorized  to revise the  Trust's method of  allocation between transferors and
transferees to conform to a method permitted by future regulations.
 
    SECTION 754  ELECTION.   In the  event that  a Certificateholder  sells  its
Certificates at a profit (or loss), the purchasing Certificateholder will have a
higher   (or  lower)  basis  in  the  Certificates  than  that  of  the  selling
Certificateholder. The tax basis of the  Trust's assets will not be adjusted  to
reflect  that higher (or lower) basis unless  the Trust were to file an election
under Section 754 of the Code. In order to avoid the administrative complexities
that would  be involved  in  keeping accurate  accounting  records, as  well  as
potentially   onerous  information  reporting   requirements,  unless  otherwise
provided in the  related Prospectus  Supplement, the  Trust will  not make  such
election. As a result, Certificateholders might be allocated a greater or lesser
amount  of Trust income  than would be  appropriate based on  their own purchase
price for Certificates.
 
    ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.  The Owner Trustee is required to keep or have  kept
complete  and accurate  books of  the Trust. Such  books will  be maintained for
financial reporting and tax purposes on an accrual basis, and the fiscal year of
the Trust will be the calendar year.  The Owner Trustee will file a  partnership
information  return (IRS Form  1065) with the  IRS for each  taxable year of the
Trust and will report each Certificateholder's allocable share of items of Trust
income and  expense to  holders and  the IRS  on Schedule  K-l. The  Trust  will
provide  the Schedule K-l information to nominees that fail to provide the Trust
with the  information  statement  described  below and  such  nominees  will  be
required   to  forward  such  information  to   the  beneficial  owners  of  the
Certificates. Generally, holders must file tax returns that are consistent  with
the  information return filed by the Trust or be subject to penalties unless the
holder notifies the IRS of all such inconsistencies.
 
    Under Section 6031  of the  Code, any person  that holds  Certificates as  a
nominee at any time during a calendar year is required to furnish the Trust with
a statement containing certain information on the nominee, the beneficial owners
and  the Certificates so  held. Such information includes  (i) the name, address
and taxpayer identification number of the nominee and (ii) as to each beneficial
owner (x)  the name,  address  and identification  number  of such  person,  (y)
whether  such person is a United States Person, a tax-exempt entity or a foreign
government,  an  international  organization,  or  any  wholly-owned  agency  or
instrumentality  of  either  of the  foregoing  and (z)  certain  information on
Certificates that were held, bought or sold on behalf of such person  throughout
the year. In addition, brokers and financial institutions that hold Certificates
through  a nominee are required to furnish  directly to the Trust information as
to themselves and their ownership of Certificates. A clearing agency  registered
under  Section  17A of  the Exchange  Act is  not required  to furnish  any such
information statement to the  Trust. The information referred  to above for  any
calendar  year must be furnished to the Trust on or before the following January
31. Nominees, brokers and financial institutions that fail to provide the  Trust
with the information described above may be subject to penalties.
 
    The  Seller will  be designated  as the tax  matters partner  in the related
Trust  Agreement  and,  as  such,  will  be  responsible  for  representing  the
Certificateholders   in  any  dispute  with  the  IRS.  The  Code  provides  for
administrative examination  of  a  partnership  as if  the  partnership  were  a
separate  and  distinct  taxpayer.  Generally, the  statute  of  limitations for
partnership items does not expire before three years after the date on which the
partnership information return is filed. Any adverse determination following  an
audit  of the return  of the Trust  by the appropriate  taxing authorities could
result in an  adjustment of the  returns of the  Certificateholders, and,  under
certain  circumstances,  a Certificateholder  may  be precluded  from separately
litigating a proposed adjustment to the items of the Trust. An adjustment  could
also  result in  an audit  of a  Certificateholder's returns  and adjustments of
items not related to the income and losses of the Trust.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
    TAX CONSEQUENCES TO FOREIGN  CERTIFICATEHOLDERS.  Ownership of  Certificates
by  foreign persons (as defined above) raises  tax issues unique to such persons
which may have adverse tax consequences to them, and which may subject the Trust
to United States withholding  tax and reporting  requirements. For this  reason,
purchasers  (including nominees of beneficial  owners) of Certificates and their
assignees must represent that  the beneficial owners  are United States  persons
(as  defined  above),  and  each  purchaser  must  provide  a  certification  of
non-foreign status signed under penalties of perjury.
 
    BACKUP WITHHOLDING.   Distributions made  on the  Certificates and  proceeds
from  the sale of the Certificates will be subject to a "backup withholding" tax
of 31% under  Section 3406  of the Code  if, in  general, the  Certificateholder
fails   to   comply   with  certain   identification   procedures,   unless  the
Certificateholder is  an exempt  recipient under  applicable provisions  of  the
Code.
 
    THE  FEDERAL INCOME TAX  DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE  IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL
INFORMATION ONLY AND  MAY NOT  BE APPLICABLE  DEPENDING UPON  A NOTEHOLDER'S  OR
CERTIFICATEHOLDER'S  PARTICULAR  TAX  SITUATION.  PROSPECTIVE  PURCHASERS SHOULD
CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO  THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF  THE
PURCHASE,  OWNERSHIP  AND  DISPOSITION  OF THE  NOTES  OR  THE  CERTIFICATES, AS
APPLICABLE, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER
TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
 
                        CERTAIN STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
    The following is a discussion of certain Tennessee state tax considerations.
Unless otherwise specified  in the  related Prospectus Supplement,  Tuke Yopp  &
Sweeney  of Nashville, Tennessee  will act as special  Tennessee tax counsel for
the Trust regarding the  state tax matters discussed  below. In rendering  their
opinion, Tuke Yopp & Sweeney will rely upon Tennessee Revenue Ruling #92-06 (the
"Ruling"),  issued  by the  Tennessee Department  of  Revenue (the  "TDOR"). The
Ruling involved the applicability of the  Tennessee income tax (the "Hall  Tax")
and the Tennessee Franchise and Excise Tax (the "F&E Tax") to the securitization
of  operating  leases. Except  for the  Ruling,  there are  no other  rulings or
reported  cases   involving  Tennessee   taxation   with  respect   to   similar
transactions.  The  statutes and  regulations  regarding Tennessee  taxation are
subject to change (which change  may be retroactive) and further  interpretation
by  the TDOR  and the courts.  No formal ruling  on any of  the issues discussed
below will be sought from the TDOR with respect to any Trust.
 
    FOR PURPOSES OF THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY,  REFERENCES TO THE TRUST, THE  NOTES,
THE  CERTIFICATES AND  RELATED TERMS, PARTIES  AND DOCUMENTS SHALL  BE DEEMED TO
REFER,  UNLESS  OTHERWISE  SPECIFIED  HEREIN,  TO  EACH  TRUST  AND  THE  NOTES,
CERTIFICATES AND RELATED TERMS, PARTIES AND DOCUMENTS APPLICABLE TO SUCH TRUST.
 
    TENNESSEE  TAX LAW GENERALLY.   The State  of Tennessee has  two general tax
laws which may affect  the Trust, the  Certificates or the  Notes. The first  of
these  is the Hall Tax,  which generally imposes a tax  of six percent (6%) upon
individuals, partnerships, trusts  and estates that  are residents of  Tennessee
on:  (1)  income  they receive  by  way  of "dividends"  from  "stock;"  and (2)
"interest" on "bonds." The second is the F&E Tax, which imposes an Excise Tax of
six percent (6%) on the net income apportioned to Tennessee of a taxpayer  which
is  not  an individual  "doing business"  in  Tennessee and  a Franchise  Tax of
one-quarter of  1% on  each $100  of  the apportioned  Franchise Tax  base  (the
greater  of  adjusted  net worth  or  tangible  property) of  a  taxpayer "doing
business" in Tennessee.
 
    APPLICABILITY TO CERTIFICATES  AND NOTES.   In the  opinion of  Tuke Yopp  &
Sweeney:  (1) the  Certificates of  each Series will  be treated  as "stock" and
interim distributions  by  the  Trust  to  the  Certificateholders  (other  than
distributions in liquidation) will be taxable as "dividends" under the Hall Tax;
and  (2) the Notes  of each Series will  be treated as  "bonds" and the interest
paid by such  Trust to  such Noteholders  will be  taxable under  the Hall  Tax.
Liquidation  distributions are exempt from  the Hall Tax. Certificateholders and
Noteholders who are not residents of Tennessee are not subject to the Hall Tax.
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
    With respect  to Certificateholders  or  Noteholders that  are  corporations
subject  to Tennessee taxation, the tax  characterization of the Certificates or
Notes and the distributions thereon will be  the same as for federal income  tax
purposes.
 
    APPLICABILITY TO A TRUST.  Each Trust will be a Delaware business trust. The
activities  to be undertaken by  the Servicer, on behalf  of each such Trust, in
servicing and collecting  the Receivables, will  take place in  Tennessee. If  a
Trust  were "doing business" in Tennessee, the Trust would be subject to the F&E
Tax. In  addition,  if  a  Trust  were a  "resident"  of  Tennessee,  a  literal
interpretation  of the Hall Tax would subject such Trust to taxation thereunder.
In the opinion  of Tuke  Yopp & Sweeney,  based upon  existing legal  precedent,
neither  the activities of the Servicer on  behalf of the Trust in Tennessee nor
the location  of the  physical evidence  of the  Receivables (I.E.,  the  Leases
and/or the Installment Sales Contracts) should cause a Trust to be deemed either
a "resident" of or "doing business" in Tennessee. Furthermore, in the opinion of
Tuke  Yopp & Sweeney, the Hall  Tax would not be applied  to such Trust (even if
"doing business" in Tennessee) because of federal constitutional limitations  on
unapportioned income taxes.
 
    If  a Trust were subject to  either the F&E Tax or  the Hall Tax, such taxes
would reduce the  amounts otherwise  available for distribution  to the  related
Certificateholders.  In the case  of the F&E Tax,  unless the related Prospectus
Supplement otherwise specifies, the amount  of tax (and the resulting  reduction
in  amounts  available for  distribution)  would be  DE  MINIMIS because  of the
minimal amount of tax base that would be apportioned to Tennessee.
 
    BECAUSE EACH STATE'S INCOME TAX LAWS  VARY, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT  THE
INCOME  TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE HOLDERS OF THE CERTIFICATES AND THE NOTES IN ALL
OF THE STATE TAXING JURISDICTIONS IN WHICH SUCH HOLDERS WILL BE SUBJECT TO  TAX.
FURTHER, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT THE INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE TRUST IN
ALL  TAXING JURISDICTIONS. NOTEHOLDERS AND  CERTIFICATEHOLDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO
CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX AND OTHER ADVISORS.
 
                              ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
 
    The Employee Retirement Income Security  Act of 1974, as amended  ("ERISA"),
and  Section 4975  of the Code  impose certain requirements  on employee benefit
plans and certain other plans and arrangements, including individual  retirement
accounts  and annuities, Keogh plans and  certain collective investment funds or
insurance company general or separate accounts in which such plans, accounts  or
arrangements  are  invested, that  are subject  to the  fiduciary responsibility
provisions of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code (collectively, "Plans"), and
on persons who  are fiduciaries with  respect to Plans,  in connection with  the
investment of "plan assets" of any Plan ("Plan Assets"). ERISA generally imposes
on  Plan fiduciaries certain general  fiduciary requirements, including those of
investment prudence  and  diversification  and the  requirement  that  a  Plan's
investments  be  made  in  accordance with  the  documents  governing  the Plan.
Generally, any person who has discretionary authority or control respecting  the
management or disposition of Plan Assets, and any person who provides investment
advice  with respect to  Plan Assets for a  fee, is a  fiduciary with respect to
such Plan Assets.
 
    ERISA and Section 4975  of the Code prohibit  a broad range of  transactions
involving  Plan  Assets  and  persons ("Parties  in  Interest"  under  ERISA and
"Disqualified Persons" under the Code) who have certain specified  relationships
to  a Plan or its Plan Assets, unless a statutory or administrative exemption is
available. Parties in  Interest or  Disqualified Persons that  participate in  a
prohibited transaction may be subject to a penalty imposed under ERISA and/or an
excise  tax imposed pursuant to Section 4975  of the Code, unless a statutory or
administrative exemption is available.  These prohibited transactions  generally
are set forth in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code.
 
    ANY  FIDUCIARY OR  OTHER PLAN INVESTOR  CONSIDERING WHETHER  TO PURCHASE ANY
SECURITIES ON BEHALF OF OR WITH PLAN ASSETS OF ANY PLAN SHOULD CONSULT WITH  ITS
COUNSEL  AND REFER TO  THE RELATED PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT FOR GUIDANCE REGARDING
THE ERISA CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO THE SECURITIES OFFERED THEREBY.
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
    Certain employee benefit plans,  such as governmental  plans (as defined  in
Section 3(32) of ERISA) and certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of
ERISA),  are not  subject to the  requirements of  ERISA or Section  4975 of the
Code. Accordingly, assets of such plans may be invested in the Securities of any
Series without regard to the  ERISA considerations described herein, subject  to
the provisions of other applicable federal and state law. However, any such plan
that  is qualified and exempt from taxation  under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of
the Code is subject to the prohibited transaction rules set forth in Section 503
of the Code.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Securities of each  Series may be sold  to or through underwriters  (the
"Underwriters")   by  a  negotiated  firm  commitment  underwriting  and  public
reoffering by the Underwriters or such other underwriting arrangement as may  be
specified  in the related Prospectus Supplement or may be placed either directly
or through  agents. The  Seller  intends that  the  Securities will  be  offered
through  such various methods from  time to time and  that offerings may be made
concurrently through more  than one of  such methods  or that an  offering of  a
particular  Series  of Securities  may  be made  through  a combination  of such
methods.
 
    Each Prospectus Supplement will either (i) set forth the price at which each
Class of Notes and Certificates, as the case may be, being offered thereby  will
be  offered to  the public and  any concessions  that may be  offered to certain
dealers participating in  the offering of  such Notes and  Certificates, as  the
case  may be, or  (ii) specify that  the related Notes  and Certificates, as the
case may be, are to be resold by the underwriters in negotiated transactions  at
varying  prices to  be determined at  the time  of such sale.  After the initial
public offering of any  such Notes and  Certificates, as the  case may be,  such
public offering prices and such concessions may be changed.
 
    Each   Underwriting  Agreement   (as  defined  in   the  related  Prospectus
Supplement) will provide  that the Seller  and CFSC will  indemnify the  related
Underwriters  against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act,  or  contribute to  payments  the several  underwriters  may  be
required to make in respect thereof.
 
    Each Trust may, from time to time, invest the funds in its Trust Accounts in
Eligible Investments acquired from such underwriters.
 
    Pursuant  to each  of the  Underwriting Agreements  with respect  to a given
Series of Securities, the closing of the  sale of each Class of Securities  will
be  contingent on the closing  of the sale of all  other such Classes. The place
and time of delivery for the Securities  in respect of which this Prospectus  is
delivered will be set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                    RATINGS
 
    Each Class of Securities of a Series offered pursuant to this Prospectus and
a  related Prospectus Supplement will be rated at its initial issuance in one of
the four highest categories  by at least  one nationally recognized  statistical
rating organization (each, a "Rating Agency").
 
    A  security rating is not  a recommendation to buy,  sell or hold Securities
and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning Rating
Agency. No person  is obligated  to maintain the  rating on  any Security,  and,
accordingly,  there can be no assurance that  the ratings assigned to a Security
upon initial issuance will not be lowered or withdrawn by a Rating Agency at any
time thereafter. In general,  ratings address credit risk  and do not  represent
any assessment of the likelihood of rate of principal prepayments.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
    Certain  legal matters  relating to the  Securities will be  passed upon for
each Trust, the Seller and the  Servicer by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe,  San
Francisco, California.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
                                 INDEX OF TERMS
 
    Set  forth below is a list of the  defined terms used in this Prospectus and
the pages on which the definitions of such terms may be found herein:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                    <C>
Administration Agreement.............................................................     10, 49
Administration Fee...................................................................     10, 49
Administrator........................................................................     10, 49
APR..................................................................................         20
Article 2A...........................................................................     18, 53
Base Rate............................................................................         34
Book-Entry Certificates..............................................................         36
Book-Entry Notes.....................................................................         36
Book-Entry Securities................................................................         36
Calculation Agent....................................................................         34
Caterpillar..........................................................................      6, 27
Cede.................................................................................          3
Cedel................................................................................         36
Cedel Participants...................................................................         37
Certificate Balance..................................................................          5
Certificate Distribution Account.....................................................         40
Certificate Pool Factor..............................................................         26
Certificateholder....................................................................         37
Certificateholders...................................................................      5, 37
Certificates.........................................................................          1
CFSC.................................................................................      4, 28
Class................................................................................          1
Closing Date.........................................................................         39
Code.................................................................................     12, 53
Collection Account...................................................................         40
Commission...........................................................................          3
Commodity Indexed Securities.........................................................         34
Currency Indexed Securities..........................................................         34
Custodial Agreement..................................................................          9
Custodian............................................................................          9
Cut-off Date.........................................................................          7
Cut-off Date APR.....................................................................         39
Dealer Agreement.....................................................................         22
Dealer Agreements....................................................................         20
Dealers..............................................................................          7
Definitive Certificates..............................................................         35
Definitive Notes.....................................................................         35
Definitive Securities................................................................         35
Depositaries.........................................................................         36
Depository...........................................................................         28
Disqualified Persons.................................................................         60
Distribution Date....................................................................         28
DTC..................................................................................          3
Eligible Deposit Account.............................................................         41
Eligible Institution.................................................................         41
Eligible Investments.................................................................         40
ERISA................................................................................     12, 60
Euroclear............................................................................         37
Euroclear Operator...................................................................         37
Euroclear Participants...............................................................         37
</TABLE>
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                    <C>
Euroclear System.....................................................................         37
Event of Default.....................................................................         30
Exchange Act.........................................................................          3
F&E Tax..............................................................................         59
Face Amount..........................................................................         35
Financed Equipment...................................................................       1, 6
Fixed Rate Securities................................................................         34
Floating Rate Securities.............................................................         34
Funding Period.......................................................................          5
GAAP.................................................................................         23
Hall Tax.............................................................................         59
Implicit Interest Rate...............................................................         23
Indenture............................................................................          4
Indenture Trustee....................................................................      1, 28
Index................................................................................         34
Indexed Commodity....................................................................         34
Indexed Currency.....................................................................         34
Indexed Principal Amount.............................................................         34
Indexed Securities...................................................................         34
Indirect Participants................................................................         36
Initial Cut-off Date.................................................................          7
Initial Pool Balance.................................................................         48
Initial Receivables..................................................................      7, 39
Insolvency Event.....................................................................         46
Insolvency Laws......................................................................         14
Installment Sales Contract...........................................................          6
Interest Rate........................................................................          4
Interest Reset Period................................................................         34
Investment Earnings..................................................................         41
IRS..................................................................................         53
Issuer...............................................................................          4
Lease................................................................................          6
Lease Scheduled Payments.............................................................         23
Mechanics' Liens.....................................................................         11
Note Distribution Account............................................................         40
Note Pool Factor.....................................................................         26
Noteholder...........................................................................         36
Noteholders..........................................................................      4, 37
Notes................................................................................          1
Obligors.............................................................................          7
OID..................................................................................         54
OID Regulations......................................................................         54
Owner Trustee........................................................................          1
Participants.........................................................................         36
Parties in Interest..................................................................         60
Pass-Through Rate....................................................................          5
Plan Assets..........................................................................         60
Plans................................................................................         60
Pool Balance.........................................................................         26
Pre-Funded Amount....................................................................      7, 16
Pre-Funding Account..................................................................       1, 8
Principal Balance....................................................................         39
Prospectus Supplement................................................................          1
Purchase Agreement...................................................................      7, 39
</TABLE>
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                    <C>
Purchase Amount......................................................................         39
Rating Agency........................................................................         61
Realized Losses......................................................................         45
Receivables..........................................................................       1, 6
Receivables Files....................................................................     10, 13
Record Date..........................................................................         35
Registration Statement...............................................................          3
Related Documents....................................................................         31
Reserve Account......................................................................         43
Rules................................................................................         37
Ruling...............................................................................         59
Sale and Servicing Agreement.........................................................          7
Schedule of Receivables..............................................................         39
Securities...........................................................................          1
Securities Act.......................................................................          3
Securityholders......................................................................          5
Seller...............................................................................       1, 4
Series...............................................................................          1
Servicer.............................................................................          4
Servicer Default.....................................................................         46
Servicer's Yield.....................................................................     10, 42
Servicing Fee........................................................................      9, 42
Servicing Fee Rate...................................................................     10, 42
Special Tax Counsel..................................................................         53
Specified Reserve Account Balance....................................................      8, 44
Spread...............................................................................         34
Spread Multiplier....................................................................         34
Stock Index..........................................................................         34
Stock Indexed Securities.............................................................         34
Strip Certificates...................................................................          6
Strip Notes..........................................................................          5
Subsequent Closing Date..............................................................         39
Subsequent Cut-off Date..............................................................          7
Subsequent Receivables...............................................................      1, 39
TDOR.................................................................................         59
Tennessee Tax Counsel................................................................         12
Terms and Conditions.................................................................         38
Total Distribution Amount............................................................         42
Transfer and Servicing Agreements....................................................         39
Trust................................................................................       1, 4
Trust Accounts.......................................................................         40
Trust Agreement......................................................................          4
Trust Property.......................................................................         20
Trustee..............................................................................         35
U.S. ISC Portfolio...................................................................         25
U.S. Lease Portfolio.................................................................         25
U.S. Portfolio.......................................................................         25
UCC..................................................................................      9, 13
Underwriters.........................................................................         61
United States Persons................................................................         53
</TABLE>
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
 
    NO  DEALER,  SALESPERSON OR  OTHER PERSON  HAS BEEN  AUTHORIZED TO  GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR  TO  MAKE  ANY  REPRESENTATIONS OTHER  THAN  THOSE  CONTAINED  OR
INCORPORATED  BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT OR IN THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE,  SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST  NOT
BE  RELIED UPON  AS HAVING BEEN  AUTHORIZED BY  THE SELLER, THE  SERVICER OR THE
UNDERWRITERS. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS DO  NOT
CONSTITUTE  AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY ANYONE  IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER
OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED  OR IN WHICH THE  PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER  OR
SOLICITATION  IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO  SO OR TO ANYONE TO  WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO
MAKE SUCH  OFFER  OR  SOLICITATION.  NEITHER THE  DELIVERY  OF  THIS  PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT  OR  THE  ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS,  NOR  ANY SALE  MADE  HEREUNDER OR
THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS
BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE  AFFAIRS OF THE SELLER OR  THE RECEIVABLES SINCE THE  DATE
HEREOF OR THEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
<TABLE>
<S>                                                     <C>
Reports to Noteholders and Certificateholders.........         S-2
Summary of Terms......................................         S-3
Risk Factors..........................................        S-20
Formation of the Trust................................        S-21
The Receivables Pool..................................        S-22
Weighted Average Life of the Securities...............        S-29
Pool Factors and Trading Information..................        S-30
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
 Condition and Results of Operations..................        S-30
Use of Proceeds.......................................        S-31
The Seller, Caterpillar and the Servicer..............        S-31
Description of the Notes..............................        S-31
Description of the Certificates.......................        S-33
Description of the Transfer and Servicing
 Agreements...........................................        S-35
Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables..............        S-42
Legal Investment......................................        S-44
ERISA Considerations..................................        S-44
Underwriting..........................................        S-45
Legal Opinions........................................        S-46
Annex I -- Global Clearance, Settlement and Tax
 Documentation Procedures.............................         A-1
Index of Terms........................................         A-4
 
<CAPTION>
                            PROSPECTUS
<S>                                                     <C>
 
Reports to Noteholders and Certificateholders.........           3
Available Information.................................           3
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.......           3
Summary of Terms......................................           4
Risk Factors..........................................          13
The Trusts............................................          18
The Trust Property....................................          20
The Receivables Pools.................................          20
Weighted Average Life of the Securities...............          25
Pool Factors and Trading Information..................          26
Use of Proceeds.......................................          26
The Seller, Caterpillar and the Servicer..............          26
Description of the Notes..............................          28
Description of the Certificates.......................          32
Certain Information Regarding the Securities..........          34
Issuance of the Securities............................          35
Description of the Transfer and Servicing
 Agreements...........................................          38
Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables..............          49
Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations.............          53
Certain State Tax Considerations......................          59
ERISA Considerations..................................          60
Plan of Distribution..................................          61
Ratings...............................................          61
Legal Opinions........................................          61
Index of Terms........................................          62
</TABLE>
 
    UNTIL   AUGUST  13,  1996  (90  DAYS  AFTER  THE  DATE  OF  THIS  PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT), ALL DEALERS  EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN  THE SECURITIES, WHETHER  OR
NOT  PARTICIPATING IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT AND A PROSPECTUS. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO
DELIVER A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND A PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND
WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
                                  CATERPILLAR
                                FINANCIAL ASSET
                                  TRUST 1996-A
 
                                  $85,000,000
                         CLASS A-1 5.418% MONEY MARKET
                               ASSET BACKED NOTES
                                  $139,000,000
                                CLASS A-2 5.90%
                               ASSET BACKED NOTES
 
                                  $133,021,000
                                CLASS A-3 6.30%
                               ASSET BACKED NOTES
 
                                  $14,876,157
                        6.55% ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES
 
                             CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL
                              FUNDING CORPORATION
                                     SELLER
                             CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL
                              SERVICES CORPORATION
                                    SERVICER
 
                               -----------------
 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
                               -----------------
 
                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                              GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
                               UBS SECURITIES LLC
 
                                  MAY 15, 1996
 
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