CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL FUNDING CORP
S-3, 1998-05-27
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
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<PAGE>
      AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 27, 1998
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
 
                       CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL ASSET TRUSTS
                             (Issuer of Securities)
 
                   CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL FUNDING CORPORATION
                   (Depositor of the Trusts described herein)
    (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Articles of Incorporation)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
                            NEVADA                                                        88-0342613
                 (State or other jurisdiction                                          (I.R.S. Employer
                       of Organization)                                             Identification Number)
</TABLE>
 
                             ---------------------
 
                   CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL FUNDING CORPORATION
                                GREENVIEW PLAZA
                      2950 EAST FLAMINGO ROAD, SUITE C-3B
                            LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89121
                                 (702) 735-2514
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
                            ------------------------
 
                              PAUL J. GAETO, ESQ.
                   CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION
                              3322 WEST END AVENUE
                        NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37203-1071
                                 (615) 386-5800
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                            ------------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
                              MARK R. LEVIE, ESQ.
                       ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE LLP
                       OLD FEDERAL RESERVE BANK BUILDING
                               400 SANSOME STREET
                        SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94111
                             ---------------------
 
    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after this Registration Statement becomes effecitve as determined by
market conditions.
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box: / /
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. /X/
 
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering: / /
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering: / /
 
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box: / /
                             ---------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TITLE OF SECURITIES TO BE         AMOUNT TO BE            PROPOSED MAXIMUM          PROPOSED MAXIMUM             AMOUNT OF
        REGISTERED               REGISTERED(2)        AGGREGATE PRICE PER UNIT  AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE      REGISTRATION FEE
<S>                         <C>                       <C>                       <C>                       <C>
Asset-Backed Securities...       $1,000,000,000               100%(1)              $1,000,000,000(1)            $295,000(2)
</TABLE>
 
(1) Estimated solely for purpose of calculating the registration fee.
(2) In addition, $209,544,190 of unissued Asset-Backed Securities previously
    registered under Registration Statement No. 333-24373 are being carried
    forward. A registration fee of $63,498 was previously paid with respect to
    such amount.
                             ---------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
    PURSUANT TO RULE 429 OF THE GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE PROSPECTUS WHICH IS PART OF THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT IS A COMBINED PROSPECTUS WHICH ALSO RELATES TO $209,544,190 OF
UNISSUED ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES REGISTERED UNDER REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO.
333-24373 PREVIOUSLY FILED BY THE REGISTRANT. THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
CONSTITUTES POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO.
333-24373.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY   , 1998
                         FORM A--NOTES AND CERTIFICATES
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE AND WITHOUT DELIVERY OF A FINAL PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL
THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,
SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION
UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED            , 199 )
                                  $
                    CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL ASSET TRUST 199 -
 
                 $          CLASS A-1     % ASSET BACKED NOTES
                  $          CLASS A-2    % ASSET BACKED NOTES
                  $          CLASS A-3    % ASSET BACKED NOTES
                   $             % ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES
 
               CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL FUNDING CORPORATION, SELLER
              CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION, SERVICER
                             ---------------------
 
    Interest on the Class A-1     % Asset Backed Notes (the "A-1 NOTES"), the
Class A-2    % Asset Backed Notes (the "A-2 NOTES") and the Class A-3    % Asset
Backed Notes (the "A-3 NOTES"; together with the A-1 Notes and the A-2 Notes,
the "NOTES") and the    % Asset Backed Certificates (the "CERTIFICATES";
together with the Notes, the "SECURITIES") issued by Caterpillar Financial Asset
Trust 199 - (the "TRUST" or the "ISSUER") will be payable monthly on or about
the   th day of each month (each, a "DISTRIBUTION DATE") commencing            ,
199 . 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              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..........................           %                    %                    %
Per A-2 Note..........................           %                    %                    %
Per A-3 Note..........................           %                    %                    %
Per Certificate.......................           %                    %                    %
Total.................................  $                    $                    $
</TABLE>
 
(1)  Plus accrued interest, if any, from            , 199_.
(2)  Before deducting expenses, estimated to be $      .
                         ------------------------------
 
    The Notes and the Certificates are offered by the Underwriter[s], subject to
prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by [it] [them] and subject to
[its] [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            , 199 (the "CLOSING DATE").
                            ------------------------
 
                          UNDERWRITER[S] OF THE NOTES
 
                                [UNDERWRITER(S)]
 
                       UNDERWRITER[S] OF THE CERTIFICATES
 
                                [UNDERWRITER(S)]
                                ---------------
 
          The date of this Prospectus Supplement is            , 199 .
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM PRECEDING PAGE)
 
the            Distribution Date and the final scheduled Distribution Date for
the A-3 Notes will be the              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              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] [and] [finance leases] (the "RECEIVABLES") secured
by new and used machinery manufactured primarily by Caterpillar Inc. [and
Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc.], and certain monies due or
received thereunder on or after            , 199 , 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.
 
    CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN, OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE SECURITIES,
INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT TRANSACTIONS, STABILIZING TRANSACTIONS, SYNDICATE
COVERING TRANSACTIONS AND PENALTY BIDS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES,
SEE "UNDERWRITING" HEREIN.
 
    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--Definitive Securities" and "--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 199 -  (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              , 199 (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 C-3B, 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............  , as indenture trustee under the Indenture (the "INDENTURE
                               TRUSTEE").
OWNER TRUSTEE................  , as owner trustee under the Trust Agreement (the "OWNER
                               TRUSTEE").
THE NOTES....................  Class A-1     % Asset Backed Notes (the "A-1 NOTES") in the
                               aggregate principal amount of $          .
                               Class A-2     % Asset Backed Notes (the "A-2 NOTES") in the
                               aggregate principal amount of $          .
                               Class A-3     % 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 $          .
                               The Notes will be issued by the Trust pursuant to an
                               Indenture to be dated as of           , 199 (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--Definitive Securities" and
                               "--Book-Entry Registration" in the Prospectus.
THE CERTIFICATES.............  % Asset Backed Certificates (the "CERTIFICATES"; together
                                   with the Notes, the "SECURITIES") in the aggregate
                               principal amount of $          . The Seller will purchase
                               $        principal amount of the Certificates. The
                               Certificates will be available for purchase in minimum
                               denominations of $1,000 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 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 their
                               purchase and holding of the Certificates satisfy the
                               restrictions set forth under "ERISA Considerations" below].
                               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")]
                               [and] [finance leases ("LEASES")] secured by new and used
                               machinery manufactured primarily by Caterpillar including
                               rights to receive certain payments made with respect to such
                               [Installment Sales Contracts] [and Leases] (the
                               "RECEIVABLES"). On or prior to the Closing Date, the Seller
                               will purchase Receivables having an aggregate Principal
                               Balance of approximately $          (the "INITIAL POOL
                               BALANCE") as of          , 199 (the "CUT-OFF DATE") from
                               CFSC pursuant to a Purchase Agreement to be dated as
                               of          , 199 (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          , 199 (the "SALE AND SERVICING
                               AGREEMENT") among the Seller, the Servicer and the Trust.
                               The Receivables arise from [loans] [and] [leases] 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
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               [contracts] [leases] owned by CFSC based on the criteria
                               specified in the Purchase Agreement and 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
                                   % (the "CUT-OFF DATE APR"), the weighted average remain-
                               ing 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    months and the weighted average original
                               maturity of the Receivables was approximately    months. As
                               of the Cut-off Date, no Receivable had a scheduled maturity
                               later than the date which is      months prior to
                               the          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    % per
                               annum (the "A-1 NOTE RATE"), the A-2 Notes will bear
                               interest at the rate of     % per annum (the "A-2 NOTE
                               RATE"), and the A-3 Notes will bear interest at the rate of
                                   % per annum (the "A-3 NOTE RATE") (each 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   th 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           , 199 , 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
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-5
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               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.
                               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
                                       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         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         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         Distribution Date (the
                               "A-3 NOTE FINAL SCHEDULED DISTRIBUTION DATE"), in each case
                               from funds available therefor
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                                      S-6
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                               (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........  % 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
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                                      S-7
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                               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
                               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,
                               Noteholders of each Class will be entitled to be paid
                               principal pro rata on the basis of the ratio which the
                               principal amount of a Noteholder's Note bears to the
                               aggregate principal amount of the Notes of all Classes, and
                               the Certificateholders will not be entitled to receive any
                               distributions of interest or principal until the Notes have
                               been paid in full.
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                                      S-8
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                               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     % 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, if any,
                               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 deposit-
                               ed 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
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                                      S-9
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                               amount of the A-1 Notes to zero has been deposited in the
                               Note Distribution Account, 100% of the excess, if any, of
                               (i) the Principal Distribution Amount over (ii) the portion
                               of the Principal Distribution Amount, 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         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, if any,
                               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 deposit-
                               ed 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         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   %; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
                               that if the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account is less
                               than the lesser of (i)     % 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%.
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                                      S-10
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                               "A-3 NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL CARRYOVER SHORTFALL" means, as
                               of the close of any Distribution Date, the excess, if any,
                               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 deposit-
                               ed 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,
                               $         and, thereafter, equals $         , 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, if any, of (A) the sum of (1) the
                               Certificateholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount
                               for the preceding Distribution Date and (2) any outstanding
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                                      S-11
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                               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,
                               and (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, if any, 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
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                                      S-12
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                               close of the preceding Distribution Date; 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 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       ,
                               199 , 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,
                               if any, 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 (each 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
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                                      S-13
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                               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).
 
                               "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. See "Description of Transfer and
                               Servicing Agreements--Distributions" herein.
 
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 $         . 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         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,
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                                      S-14
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                               on and after the         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 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)     % of the Pool
                               Balance as of the close of business on the last day of the
                               preceding Collection Period and (ii) $        (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     % 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
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               the name of the Indenture Trustee (collectively, the
                               "COLLECTION ACCOUNT"), except upon the occurrence of certain
                               conditions described 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 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.
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               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 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   % 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..........  , 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       , 199 (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 $   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
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-17
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               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] [Leases] 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 the Seller.
                               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] [and] [Lease]
                               (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] [and] [Leases]. Although
                               steps will be taken to ensure that the Seller (an affiliate
                               of CFSC) does not obtain possession or control of the
                               [Installment Sales Contracts] [and] [Leases], should a court
                               find that the Seller did have possession or control of such
                               [Installment Sales Contracts] [and] [Leases], the interests
                               of 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 LLP
                               ("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.] [The Seller intends to
                               cause an election to be made under the Internal Revenue Code
                               of 1986, as amended (the "CODE"), whereby the Trust will
                               qualify as a "financial asset securitization investment
                               trust" or "FASIT" under the relevant provisions of the Code,
                               and the Notes and the Certificates will constitute "regular
                               interests" in the FASIT constituted by the Trust. Each
                               Noteholder, by the acceptance of a Note, and each
                               Certificateholder, by the acceptance of a Certificate, will
                               agree to treat the Notes or the Certificates, as applicable,
                               as indebtedness.] See "Certain Federal Income Tax
                               Considerations" in the Prospectus.
 
STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS.....  In the opinion of Tuke Yopp & Sweeney, PLC ("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
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-18
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               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 and in the Prospectus, 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 (including but not limited to an insurance
                               company general account) subject to Title I of the Employee
                               Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
                               ("ERISA"), or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of
                               1986, as amended (the "CODE") (collectively, "PLANS"),
                               should carefully review 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 the assets of any "benefit plan investor" (as defined
                               in U.S. Department of Labor ("DOL") Regulation Section
                               2510.3-101 (the "PLAN ASSET REGULATION")), except as
                               provided below. Generally, the term "benefit plan investor"
                               includes Plans, investors acting on behalf of or using the
                               assets of any Plan, and plans that are not generally subject
                               to the prohibited transaction rules of Title I of ERISA and
                               Section 4975 of the Code, such as "government plans" (as
                               defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA) and certain "church
                               plans" (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA). Under the
                               Trust Agreement each purchaser of Certificates will be
                               deemed to represent, warrant and covenant that either (a) it
                               is neither a benefit plan investor nor acquiring the
                               Certificates on behalf of or with assets of any benefit plan
                               investor or (b) it is an insurance company acting on behalf
                               of its general account and (i) on the date it acquires the
                               Certificates, less than 25% of the assets of such general
                               account constitute Plan Assets and (ii) if thereafter, at
                               any time during any calendar quarter in which Certificates
                               are acquired by any person, 25% or more of the assets of
                               such general account constitute Plan Assets and no exemption
                               or exception from the prohibited transaction rules applies
                               to the continued holding of the Certificates under Section
                               401(c) of ERISA and final regulations thereunder or an
                               exemption or regulation issued by the DOL under ERISA, then
                               such insurance company will dispose of all of the
                               Certificates then held in its general account by the end of
                               the next following calendar quarter.
 
[LEGAL INVESTMENT............  The A-1 Notes will be eligible securities for purchase by
                               money market funds under paragraph (a)(9) of Rule 2a-7 under
                               the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.]
 
RATINGS OF THE SECURITIES....  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] [the] "RATING
                               AGENCY") and that the Certificates be rated at least "  " by
                               [S&P] [and at least "  " 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] [, Leases] 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 the
Seller. 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] [or] [Lease] 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] [or] [the Leases]. Although steps will be taken to
ensure that the Seller (an affiliate of CFSC) does not obtain possession or
control of the [Installment Sales Contracts [or] [Leases], should a court find
that the Seller did have possession or control of such [Installment Sales
Contracts] [or][Leases], the interests of 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
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 "         " by [S&P] [and at least "  " 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 199 - , 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 $         , excluding amounts deposited in the Reserve Account.
[Certificates with an original principal balance of $      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] [or] [Lease] (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
 
                                      S-21
<PAGE>
the principal executive office of the Seller. CFSC will indicate on its computer
records that the Receivables have been sold to the Seller and by the Seller to
the Trust. UCC financing statements will not be filed to evidence these
transfers, and CFSC will not stamp the physical Receivables Files to reflect the
ultimate 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 "Certain Legal
Aspects of the Receivables-- 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      % Asset Backed Notes...................................  $
Class A-2     % Asset Backed Notes....................................
Class A-3     % Asset Backed Notes....................................
    % Asset Backed Certificates.......................................
                                                                        -----------
  Total...............................................................  $
                                                                        -----------
                                                                        -----------
</TABLE>
 
THE OWNER TRUSTEE
 
    [                      ] is the Owner Trustee under the Trust Agreement.
[                      ] is a [                          ] and its principal
offices are located at [                                        ]. 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 $          as of      , 199 (the "CUT-OFF DATE").
 
    The Receivables were selected from the entire U.S. [ISC] [Lease] Portfolio
(other than receivables previously sold to trusts under prior asset-backed
securitizations which CFFC 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              or later than
         , (ii) has an annual percentage rate of interest (based on its
Principal Balance) ("APR") of at least    % and (iii) is not more than   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
 
                                      S-22
<PAGE>
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 CFFC or the Seller to be adverse to the Noteholders or
the Certificateholders were used in selecting the Receivables.
 
    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
CFFC 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    REMAINING TERM
    OF                       NUMBER OF    TERM (RANGE)    (RANGE) (IN               AVERAGE
RECEIVABLES   POOL BALANCE  RECEIVABLES   (IN MONTHS)     MONTHS) (1)      PRINCIPAL BALANCE (RANGE)
- -----------   ------------  -----------   ------------  ---------------  -----------------------------
<S>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>
       %      $                              ( - )           ( - )             $      ($  -  $)
</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>
   % -    %....................................................                 $                        %
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
    % and over.................................................
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Total........................................................                 $                  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 transaction, 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)..............................................                 $                        %
Used Equipment.................................................
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Total........................................................                 $                  100.00%
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-23
<PAGE>
- ------------------------
(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.
 
         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...................................................                 $                        %
Paving Equipment...............................................
Construction Equipment]........................................
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Total........................................................                 $                  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.............................                 $                        %
Mining.........................................................
Construction...................................................
Manufacturing..................................................
Transportation/Public Utilities................................
Wholesale Trade]...............................................
Other (1)......................................................
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Total........................................................                 $                  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........................................................                 $                        %
Variable Frequency (1).........................................
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Total........................................................                 $                  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] [Lease] 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 $........................................................                 $                        %
$  -$..........................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
Over $.........................................................
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Totals.......................................................                 $                  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>
 .............................................................                   $                               %
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
                                                                     -----    --------------------     ------
  Total......................................................                   $                         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] [Leases]    % of
the Receivables were originated or arranged by            , a Dealer in
             , and in the aggregate     % of the Receivables were originated or
arranged by the five largest Dealers. No other Dealer originated or arranged
more than    % of the Receivables.    % 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    % of the Receivables, and the
five largest Obligors accounted for approximately    % of the Receivables.
 
    Approximately     % of the Receivables have related Financed Equipment
manufactured by Caterpillar, [approximately    % of the Receivables have related
Financed Equipment manufactured by Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc.]
and the remaining approximately    % 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] [Lease] 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] [and/or] [entire United States
portfolio of financed leases] [as applicable,] serviced by CFSC (including
receivables sold which CFSC continues to service) [(the "U.S. ISC PORTFOLIO")]
[and the] ["U.S. LEASE PORTFOLIO", collectively, the "U.S. 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.] [Insert Current Analysis of
Recent Historical Performance.]
 
    Although the Seller believes that the composition of the Receivables in the
aggregate is representative of the [U.S. ISC Portfolio] [and the] [U.S. Lease
Portfolio] [, respectively], 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,
                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 199                 199                 199                 199
                                          ------------------  ------------------  ------------------  ------------------
                                          NUMBER OF           NUMBER OF           NUMBER OF           NUMBER OF
                                          CONTRACTS   AMOUNT  CONTRACTS   AMOUNT  CONTRACTS   AMOUNT  CONTRACTS   AMOUNT
                                          ---------   ------  ---------   ------  ---------   ------  ---------   ------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>
Gross Portfolio.........................              $                   $                   $                   $
Unadjusted System Delinquency (3)
  31-60 Days............................              $                   $                   $                   $
  over 60 Days..........................              $                   $                   $                   $
Total Unadjusted System
  Delinquencies.........................              $                   $                   $                   $
Total Unadjusted System Delinquencies as
 a Percent of the Gross Portfolio.......         %          %        %          %        %          %        %          %
Adjusted Delinquency (4)
  31-60 Days............................                                                      $                   $
  over 60 Days..........................                                                      $                   $
Total Adjusted Delinquencies............                                                      $                   $
Total Adjusted Delinquencies as a
 Percent of the Gross Portfolio.........                                                 %          %        %          %
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  AT DECEMBER 31, 199       [AT       , 199 ]        [AT       , 199 ]
                                                 ----------------------  ------------------------  ----------------------
                                                  NUMBER OF               NUMBER OF                 NUMBER OF
                                                  CONTRACTS    AMOUNT     CONTRACTS     AMOUNT      CONTRACTS    AMOUNT
                                                 -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Gross Portfolio................................               $                        $                        $
Unadjusted System Delinquency (3)
  31-60 Days...................................               $                        $                        $
  over 60 Days.................................               $                        $                        $
Total Unadjusted System
 Delinquencies.................................               $                        $                        $
Total Unadjusted System
 Delinquencies as a Percent of the
 Gross Portfolio...............................            %           %            %            %            %          %
Adjusted Delinquency (4)
  31-60 Days...................................               $                       $                         $
  over 60 Days.................................               $                       $                         $
Total Adjusted Delinquencies...................               $                       $                         $
Total Adjusted Delinquencies
 as a Percent of the Gross Portfolio...........             %          %            %            %            %          %
</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] [LEASE] PORTFOLIO(1)
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,            [               ]
                                                              ----------------------------------------  -------------------
                                                               199     199     199     199      199     [199 (5)   199 (5)]
                                                              ------  ------  ------  ------  --------  --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>        <C>
Average Gross Portfolio Outstanding During the Period.......  $       $       $       $       $         $          $
Repossessions as a Percent of Average Gross Portfolio
 Outstanding (2)............................................        %       %       %       %         %        %           %
Net Losses as a Percent of Liquidations (3)(4)..............        %       %       %       %         %        %           %
Net Losses as a Percent of Average Gross Portfolio
 Outstanding (4)............................................        %       %       %       %         %        %           %
</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         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)    % 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
and amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account. For a discussion of CFSC's
experience pertaining to delinquencies, repossessions and net losses, see "The
Receivables Pool--Delinquencies, Repossessions and Net Losses" and "Description
of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Reserve Account" 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 $    million on sales and revenues of
$       billion for the year ended December 31, 199 as compared with profits of
$   million on sales and revenues of $   billion for the year ended December 31,
199 . 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            , 199 , the percentages of total value of
CFSC's portfolio represented by these financing plans were as follows: non-tax
(financing) leases,   %; installment sales contracts,   %; tax-oriented leases,
  %; customer loans,   %; wholesale financing,   %; dealer loans,   %; and
governmental lease-purchase contracts,   %.
 
    At            , 199 , CFSC had    full-time employees and serviced
      accounts, including approximately $  billion in gross finance receivables.
In the United States, as of            , 19  , there were      independently
owned Dealers and one Dealer that is owned by Caterpillar.
 
                            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     % per annum (the "A-1
NOTE RATE") (calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and twelve 30-days
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            , 199 . "DISTRIBUTION DATE" shall mean the   th day of
each
 
                                      S-31
<PAGE>
month or, if any such date is not a business day, on the next succeeding
business day. Interest accrued 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 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    % per annum (the
"A-2 NOTE RATE"), and interest on the principal amount of the A-3 Notes will
accrue at the rate of    % 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            , 199 . 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.
 
                                      S-32
<PAGE>
    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 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)    % 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              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.              is the Indenture Trustee under the
Indenture.             is             and its corporate trust offices are
located at             . [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.        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)    % 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   %; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, if the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account is less than the lesser
of (i)    % 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.
 
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
 
                                      S-34
<PAGE>
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
relating to breaches of representations and warranties, 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   % 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   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.
 
    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.
 
                                      S-35
<PAGE>
    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.
 
    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and the
maturity of the Notes has been accelerated Noteholders of each Class will be
entitled to be paid principal pro rata on the basis of the ratio which the
principal amount of a Noteholder's Note bears to the aggregate principal amount
of the Notes of all Classes, and the Certificateholders will not be entitled to
receive any distributions of interest or principal until the Notes have been
paid in full.
 
                                      S-36
<PAGE>
    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    % 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
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, if any, 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
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 excess, if
any, of the Principal Distribution Amount over (ii) the portion of the Principal
Distribution Amount, 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            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, if any, 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;
 
                                      S-37
<PAGE>
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
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
             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   %; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the
amount on deposit in the Reserve Account is less than the lesser of (i)    % 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, if any, 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, $         and,
thereafter, equals $         , 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.
 
                                      S-38
<PAGE>
    "CERTIFICATE FINAL SCHEDULED DISTRIBUTION DATE" means the
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, if any, 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, if any, 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 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.
 
                                      S-39
<PAGE>
    "CUT-OFF DATE APR" is    %, which is the weighted average APR of the
Receivables as of the Cut-off Date.
 
    "INITIAL POOL BALANCE" means $         , 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, if any, 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    % 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 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 $         (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'
 
                                      S-40
<PAGE>
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)    % of the Pool Balance as of the close of
business on the last day of the preceding Collection Period and (b) $
(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    % 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    % 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    % 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
             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
             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.
 
    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
 
                                      S-41
<PAGE>
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    %
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] [the Leases] 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 the Seller. 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] [or] [Lease] (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] [or] [the Lease]. 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 the
Seller does not obtain possession or control of the [Installment Sales
Contracts] [or] [Leases], should a court find that the Seller did have
possession or control of such [Installment Sales Contracts] [or] [Leases], the
interests of 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
 
                                      S-42
<PAGE>
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.
 
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] [or lease] secured by related Financed
Equipment and the portion of such contract secured by the cross- 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] [Lease] 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)(9) of Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.]
 
                                      S-43
<PAGE>
                   [CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
    The Seller intends to cause an election to be made under the Code whereby
the Trust will qualify as a "financial asset securitization investment trust" or
"FASIT" under the relevant provisions of the Code (the "FASIT PROVISIONS").
Under the FASIT Provisions, a FASIT generally avoids federal income taxation and
can issue "regular interests," which are treated as debt for federal income tax
purposes. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations--Tax Consequences to
Holders of the Notes--TREATMENT OF THE NOTES AS INDEBTEDNESS" in the Prospectus.
Further, the Seller will receive an opinion from Special Tax Counsel generally
to the effect that, under current law as in effect on the Closing Date, the
Trust will constitute a FASIT for federal income tax purposes and the Notes and
the Certificates will each constitute "regular interests" in the FASIT
constituted by the Trust.
 
    More specifically, Noteholders and Certificateholders should also be aware
that, under the Code, amounts includible with respect to regular interests in a
FASIT are required to be determined under the accrual method of accounting.
Additionally, investors which are "pass-thru entities" under the FASIT
Provisions (generally including regulated investment companies, real estate
investment trusts, partnerships and certain other entities) which issue
securities "supported" by Notes or Certificates having yields generally
exceeding the sum of the "applicable Federal rate" and 5% could be subject to
tax with respect to their income from Notes or Certificates. The Seller and the
Trustee will treat the Notes and the Certificates as debt of the Seller for
purposes of determining the applicability of exemption from federal income tax
withholding (in particular the rules regarding related parties). See "Certain
Federal Income Tax Considerations--Tax Consequences to Holders of the
Notes--FOREIGN HOLDERS" in the Prospectus. No guidance has yet been issued by
the U.S. Treasury Department under the FASIT Provisions, and accordingly various
issues remain unresolved, Prospective Noteholders or Certificateholders should
consult their tax advisors with regard to the effects of investing in the Notes
or the Certificates in their particular circumstances.]
 
                              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 and
prohibited transaction 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 assets that are treated as "plan
assets" of any Plan for purposes of applying Title I of ERISA and Section 4975
of the Code ("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.
 
THE NOTES
 
    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, collectively, "PARTIES IN INTEREST") who
have certain specified relationships to a Plan or its Plan Assets, unless a
statutory or administrative exemption is available. Parties in Interest 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.
 
                                      S-44
<PAGE>
    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. In particular, 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, any Certificateholder 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. Each purchaser
of the Notes will be deemed to have represented and warranted that its purchase
of the Notes or any interest therein does not violate the foregoing limitations.
 
    Any such fiduciary or other Plan investor should also 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.,
U.S. Department of Labor (the "DOL") Prohibited Transaction Exemptions 96-23
(Class Exemption for Plan Asset Transactions Determined by In-House Investment
Managers), 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 the above exemptions are
met, the scope of the relief provided by the exemption might not cover all acts
which might be construed as prohibited transactions. In addition, investors
other than Plan investors should be aware that a prohibited transaction could be
deemed to occur if any holder of the Certificates or any of its affiliates is or
becomes a Party in Interest with respect to any Plan that purchases and holds
the Notes without being covered by one or more of the above exemptions.
 
    In addition, under Section 2510.3-101 of the regulations of 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] [without regard to the FASIT election to be made as described herein
under] "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 CERTIFICATES
 
    BECAUSE PURCHASES OF THE CERTIFICATES ARE EQUITY INVESTMENTS, THE
CERTIFICATES MAY NOT BE PURCHASED BY, OR ON BEHALF OF OR WITH PLAN ASSETS OF ANY
PLAN, OR WITH ASSETS THAT ARE TREATED AS ASSETS OF ANY "BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR"
UNDER THE PLAN ASSET REGULATION, AND EACH PURCHASER OF THE CERTIFICATES WILL BE
DEEMED TO REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT IT IS NEITHER A PLAN NOR PURCHASING THE
CERTIFICATES ON BEHALF OF OR WITH PLAN ASSETS OF ANY BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR, IN
EACH CASE EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BELOW.
 
                                      S-45
<PAGE>
    Under the Trust Agreement each purchaser of Certificates will be deemed to
represent, warrant and covenant that either (a) it is not a Plan and is not
acquiring the Certificates on behalf of or with Plan Assets of any benefit plan
investor or (b) it is an insurance company acting on behalf of its general
account, and (i) on the date it acquires the Certificates, less than 25% of the
assets of such general account constitute Plan Assets and (ii) if thereafter, at
any time during any calander quarter in which Certificates are acquired by any
person, 25% or more of the assets of such general account constitute Plan Assets
and no exemption or exception from the prohibited transaction rules applies to
the continued holding of the Certificates under Section 401(c) of ERISA and
final regulations thereunder or an exemption or regulation issued by the DOL
under ERISA, then such insurance company will dispose of all of the Certificates
then held in its general account by the end of the next following calendar
quarter. Generally, the term "benefit plan investor" includes Plans, investors
acting on behalf of or using the assets of any Plan, and plans that are
generally not subject to the prohibited transaction rules of Title I of ERISA
and Section 4975 of the Code, such as "governmental plans" (as defined in
Section 3(32) of ERISA) and certain "church plans" (as defined in Section 3(33)
of ERISA). Pursuant to an exception to the "equity interest" rule set forth in
the Plan Asset Regulation, assuming the accuracy of the representations,
warranties and covenants so made by purchasers of the Certificates, the
Receivables and other assets of the Trust should not be deemed to constitute
Plan Assets as the result of purchases of the Certificates by insurance company
general account investors.
 
    Insurance company general account investors should also note that the Small
Business Job Protection Act of 1996 added new Section 401(c) of ERISA relating
to the status of the assets of insurance company general accounts under ERISA
and Section 4975 of the Code. Pursuant to Section 401(c), the DOL was required
to issue final regulations (the "GENERAL ACCOUNT REGULATIONS") not later than
December 31, 1997 with respect to insurance policies issued on or before
December 31, 1998 that are supported by an insurer's general account. The DOL
issued proposed regulations under Section 401(c) on December 22, 1997, but the
required final regulations have not been issued on the date hereof. The General
Account Regulations are to provide guidance on which assets held by the insurer
in its general account constitute Plan Assets. The assets of a general account
that support insurance policies (other than "guaranteed benefit policies")
within the meaning of Section 401(b)(2) of ERISA) (i) issued to Plans after
December 31, 1998, or (ii) issued to Plans on or before December 31, 1998 for
which the insurance company does not comply with the General Account
Regulations, may be treated as Plan Assets. However, except in the case of
avoidance of the General Account Regulations and actions brought by the
Secretary of Labor relating to certain breaches of fiduciary duties which also
constitute breaches of state or federal criminal law, until the date which is 18
months after the General Account Regulations become final, no liability under
the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and
Section 4975 of the Code may result on the basis of a claim that the assets of
the general account of an insurance company constitute Plan Assets of any such
Plan. The Plan Assets status of insurance company separate accounts is
unaffected by new Section 401(c) of ERISA and separate account assets continue
to be treated as Plan Assets of any Plan invested in an separate account.
 
    If (i) 25% or more of the Certificates constitute Plan Assets of benefit
plan investors, (ii) the assets of a general account invested in the
Certificates are treated as Plan Assets and (iii) the protections of Section
401(c) of ERISA become unavailable, certain violations of the prohibited
transaction rules may be deemed to occur as a result of the operation of the
Trust. Insurance companies contemplating the investment of general account
assets in the Certificates should consult with their own counsel concerning the
potential applicability of the Plan Asset Regulation, the impact of Section
401(c) of ERISA, including the status of assets of the general account and its
ability to continue to hold the Certificates after the date which is 18 months
after the General Account Regulations become final.
 
    For further information see "ERISA Considerations" in the Prospectus.
 
                                      S-46
<PAGE>
                                  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 underwriter[s] named below (the "NOTE UNDERWRITER[S]"), and [each
of] the Note Underwriter[s] 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 UNDERWRITER[S]                                  OF A-1 NOTES      OF A-2 NOTES      OF A-3 NOTES
                                                   ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
<S>                                                <C>               <C>               <C>
                                                   ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
          Total..................................   $                 $                 $
                                                   ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
                                                   ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
</TABLE>
 
    In the Note Underwriting Agreement, the [several] Note Underwriter[s] [have]
[has] 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 Underwriter[s] that [it] [they] propose[s] 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   % per A-1 Note,   % per A-2 Note and   % per A-3 Note. The Note
Underwriter[s] may allow and such dealers may reallow a concession not in excess
of   % per A-1 Note,   % per A-2 Note and    % per A-3 Note to certain other
dealers. After the initial public offering, such prices and such concessions may
be changed.
 
    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             (the "CERTIFICATE UNDERWRITER[S]" and,
together with the Note Underwriter[s], the "UNDERWRITER[S]"), and the
Certificate Underwriter[s] [have] [has] agreed to purchase, the entire principal
amount of the Certificates.
 
    In the Certificate Underwriting Agreement, the Certificate Underwriter[s]
[have] [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[s] that
[it][they] propose[s] 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   % per Certificate. The Certificate Underwriter[s] may allow
and such dealers may reallow a concession not in excess of   % per Certificate
to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering, such prices and
such concessions may be changed.
 
    Until the distribution of the Securities is completed, rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission may limit the ability of the Underwriter[s]
and certain selling group members to bid for and purchase the Securities. As an
exception to these rules, [         ], on behalf of the Underwriter[s],
[is][are] permitted to engage in over-allotment transactions, stabilizing
transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids with respect to
the Securities in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.
 
    Over-allotment transactions involve syndicate sales in excess of the
offering size, which create syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions
permit bids to purchase the Securities so long as the stabilizing bids do not
exceed a specified maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of
the Securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in
order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit [         ] to
reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the Securities
originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering
transaction.
 
    Such over-allotment transactions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate
covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the prices of the Securities to
be higher than they would otherwise be in the absence of such transactions.
Neither the Issuer nor [any of] the Underwriter[s] make[s] any representation or
prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions
described above may have on the price of the Securities. In addition, neither
the Issuer nor [any of] the Underwriter[s] represent[s] that [         ] will
engage in any such transactions or that such transactions, once commenced, will
not be discontinued without notice.
 
                                      S-47
<PAGE>
    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] Underwriter[s] may
be required to make in respect thereof. [The Underwriter[s] [has][have] agreed
to reimburse the Seller for certain expenses of the issuance and distribution of
the Notes and Certificates.]
 
    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 LLP, San Francisco, California, and by                      , and for
the Underwriter[s] by                      . Certain federal income tax and
other matters will be passed upon for the Trust and the Seller by Orrick,
Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Certain Tennessee state tax matters will be passed
upon for the Trust and the Seller by Tuke Yopp & Sweeney, PLC, Nashville,
Tennessee.
 
                                      S-48
<PAGE>
[ANNEX I]
 
                        GLOBAL CLEARANCE, SETTLEMENT AND
                          TAX DOCUMENTATION PROCEDURES
 
    Except in certain limited circumstances, the globally offered Caterpillar
Financial Asset Trust 199 - Class A-1    % Asset Backed Notes, Class A-2    %
Asset Backed Notes and Class A-3    % 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, the income of
which is includible in gross income for United States tax purposes, regardless
of its source, or any trust if a court within the United States is able to
exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or
more United States fiduciaries have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of the trust. 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-37
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-38
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
                                                                                     S-1, S-5,
Distribution Date..............................................................           S-31
DOL............................................................................           S-44
DTC............................................................................       S-2, A-1
ERISA..........................................................................     S-18, S-44
Euroclear......................................................................            A-1
Exchange Act...................................................................            S-2
[FASIT.........................................................................    S-18, S-44]
[FASIT Provisions..............................................................          S-44]
Financed Equipment.............................................................            S-4
General Account Regulations....................................................           S-45
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
Lease..........................................................................            S-4
Liquidated Receivables.........................................................           S-36
Liquidation Proceeds...........................................................           S-36
Moody's........................................................................           S-19
Note Underwriters..............................................................           S-46
Note Underwriting Agreement....................................................           S-46
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
Owner Trustee..................................................................            S-3
Parties in Interest............................................................           S-44
Pass-Through Rate..............................................................     S-34, S-40
Plan Asset Regulation..........................................................           S-44
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
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>
Purchase Agreement.............................................................            S-4
Rating Agency..................................................................           S-19
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-40
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-35
Transfer and Servicing Agreements..............................................           S-35
Trust..........................................................................       S-1, S-3
Trust Agreement................................................................            S-3
[U.S. ISC Portfolio............................................................          S-27]
[U.S. Lease Portfolio..........................................................          S-27]
[U.S. Portfolio................................................................          S-27]
U.S. Person....................................................................            A-3
Underwriters...................................................................           S-46
Underwriting Agreements........................................................           S-46
Variable Frequency.............................................................           S-24
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-6
<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-43]
[Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations............      S-44]
ERISA Considerations..................................       S-44
Underwriting..........................................       S-47
Legal Opinions........................................       S-48
[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....................................         19
The Receivables Pools.................................         20
Weighted Average Life of the Securities...............         24
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.......................         33
Certain Information Regarding the Securities..........         35
Issuance of the Securities............................         36
Description of the Transfer and Servicing
 Agreements...........................................         39
Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables..............         49
Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations.............         53
Certain State Tax Considerations......................         60
ERISA Considerations..................................         61
Plan of Distribution..................................         62
Ratings...............................................         62
Legal Opinions........................................         62
Index of Terms........................................         63
</TABLE>
 
    UNTIL             , 199 (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 199 -
 
                                  $
                                CLASS A-1     %
                               ASSET BACKED NOTES
                                  $
                                 CLASS A-2    %
                               ASSET BACKED NOTES
 
                                  $
                                 CLASS A-3    %
                               ASSET BACKED NOTES
 
                                  $
                            % ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES
 
                             CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL
                              FUNDING CORPORATION
                                     SELLER
                             CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL
                              SERVICES CORPORATION
                                    SERVICER
 
                               -----------------
 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
                               -----------------
 
                                 [UNDERWRITERS]
 
                                           , 199
 
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY   , 1998
 
                     FORM B--SENIOR NOTES AND JUNIOR NOTES
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE AND WITHOUT DELIVERY OF A FINAL PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL
THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,
SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION
UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT                           FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(5)
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED            , 199 )         REGISTRATION NO. 333-02988
                                  $
                    CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL ASSET TRUST 199 -
 
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>         <C>
    $      CLASS A-1     % ASSET BACKED NOTES
    $      CLASS A-2     % ASSET BACKED NOTES
    $      CLASS A-3     % ASSET BACKED NOTES
    $      CLASS B       % ASSET BACKED NOTES
</TABLE>
 
               CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL FUNDING CORPORATION, SELLER
              CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION, SERVICER
                               -----------------
 
    Interest on the Class A-1     % Asset Backed Notes (the "CLASS A-1 NOTES"),
the Class A-2    %
Asset Backed Notes (the "CLASS A-2 NOTES") and the Class A-3    % Asset Backed
Notes (the "CLASS A-3 NOTES"; together with the Class A-1 Notes and the Class
A-2 Notes, the "CLASS A NOTES") and the Class B    % Asset Backed Notes (the
"CLASS B NOTES"; together with the Class A Notes, the "NOTES") issued by
Caterpillar Financial Asset Trust 199 - (the "TRUST" or the "ISSUER") will be
payable monthly on or about the   th day of each month (each, a "DISTRIBUTION
DATE") commencing            , 199 . The Trust will also issue $          %
Asset Backed Certificates (the "CERTIFICATES"), but the Certificates are not
offered hereby. Principal on the Notes will be payable on each Distribution
Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no principal payments in respect of (i) the Class
A-2 Notes will be made until the Class A-1 Notes have been paid in full, (ii)
the Class A-3 Notes will be made until the Class A-2 Notes have been paid in
full and (iii) the Class B Notes will be made until the Class A-3 Notes have
been paid in full. The final scheduled Distribution Date for the Class A-1 Notes
will be the              Distribution Date, the final scheduled Distribution
Date for the Class A-2 Notes
 
                                               (CONTINUED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE)
                            ------------------------
 
    POTENTIAL INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE INFORMATION SET
FORTH IN "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE S-21 HEREIN AND ON PAGE 13 IN THE
PROSPECTUS.
 
THE NOTES REPRESENT OBLIGATIONS OF 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 Class A-1 Note....................           %                    %                    %
Per Class A-2 Note....................           %                    %                    %
Per Class A-3 Note....................           %                    %                    %
Per Class B Note......................           %                    %                    %
Total.................................  $                    $                    $
</TABLE>
 
(1)  Plus accrued interest, if any, from            , 199 .
(2)  Before deducting expenses, estimated to be $      .
                            ------------------------
 
    The Notes are offered by the Underwriter[s], subject to prior sale, when, as
and if issued to and accepted by [them] [its] and subject to [their] [its] 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, on or about            , 199 (the "CLOSING DATE").
                              -------------------
 
                      UNDERWRITER[S] OF THE CLASS A NOTES
 
                                [UNDERWRITER(S)]
 
                      UNDERWRITER[S] OF THE CLASS B NOTES
 
                                [UNDERWRITER(S)]
                                  ------------
 
          The date of this Prospectus Supplement is            ,     .
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM PRECEDING PAGE)
 
will be the            Distribution Date and the final scheduled Distribution
Date for the Class A-3 Notes will be the            Distribution Date. The final
scheduled Distribution Date for the Class B Notes will be the
Distribution Date. The actual payment in full of any Class of the Class A Notes
or the Class B Notes could occur earlier than their respective final scheduled
Distribution Dates. The rights of Class B Noteholders to receive distributions
with respect to the Class B Notes will be subordinated to the rights of the
Class A Noteholders to receive payments of interest on and principal of the
Class A Notes to the extent described herein.
 
    The Certificates will bear interest at a rate of   % per annum. The rights
of the Certificateholders to receive distributions in the respect to the
Certificates will be subordinated to the right of the Noteholders to receive
payments of interest and principal on the Notes to the extent described herein.
 
    The assets of the Trust will include a pool of [fixed rate retail
installment sales contracts] [and] [finance leases] (the "RECEIVABLES") secured
by new and used machinery manufactured primarily by Caterpillar Inc. [and
Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc.], and certain monies due or
received thereunder on or after            , 199 , which will be purchased by
the Trust from the Seller on or prior to the date of the issuance of the Notes.
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 Class A-3 Notes and the Class B Notes 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 Class A
Note Distribution Account, the Class B Note Distribution Account and the Reserve
Account, as described herein.
 
    THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DOES NOT CONTAIN COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT THE
OFFERING OF THE NOTES. 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 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.
 
    CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN, OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE NOTES, INCLUDING
OVER-ALLOTMENT TRANSACTIONS, STABILIZING TRANSACTIONS, SYNDICATE COVERING
TRANSACTIONS AND PENALTY BIDS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE
"UNDERWRITING" HEREIN.
 
    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
 
    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. See "Issuance of the Securities--Definitive Securities" and
"--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 199 - (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       , 199 (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 C-3B, 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............  , as indenture trustee under the Indenture (the "INDENTURE
                               TRUSTEE").
OWNER TRUSTEE................  , as owner trustee under the Trust Agreement (the "OWNER
                               TRUSTEE").
THE NOTES....................  Class A-1     % Asset Backed Notes (the "CLASS A-1 NOTES")
                               in the aggregate principal amount of $          .
                               Class A-2     % Asset Backed Notes (the "CLASS A-2 NOTES")
                               in the aggregate principal amount of $          .
                               Class A-3     % Asset Backed Notes (the "CLASS A-3 NOTES";
                               together with the Class A-1 Notes and the Class A-2 Notes,
                               the "CLASS A NOTES") in the aggregate principal amount of
                               $          .
                               Class B     % Asset Backed Notes (the "CLASS B NOTES";
                               together with the Class A Notes, the "NOTES") in aggregate
                               principal amount of $         .
                               The rights of Class B Noteholders to receive distributions
                               with respect to the Class B Notes will be subordinated to
                               the rights of the Class A Noteholders to receive
                               distributions with respect to the Class A Notes to the
                               extent described herein.
                               The Notes will be issued by the Trust pursuant to an
                               Indenture to be dated as of           , 199 (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--Definitive Securities" and
                               "--Book-Entry Registration" in the Prospectus.
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
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               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.
                               In addition to the Notes, the Trust will also issue    %
                               Asset Backed Certificates (the "CERTIFICATES") in the
                               aggregate principal amount of $      . The Seller will
                               initially purchase the entire principal amount of the
                               Certificates. The Certificates represent fractional
                               undivided interests in the Trust and will be issued pursuant
                               to the Trust Agreement. The Certificates are not offered
                               hereby.
RECEIVABLES..................  The Receivables will consist of [fixed rate retail
                               installment sales contracts ("INSTALLMENT SALES CONTRACTS")]
                               [and] [finance leases ("LEASES")] secured by new and used
                               machinery manufactured primarily by Caterpillar including
                               rights to receive certain payments made with respect to such
                               [Installment Sales Contracts] [and] [Leases] (the
                               "RECEIVABLES"). On or prior to the Closing Date, the Seller
                               will purchase Receivables having an aggregate Principal
                               Balance of approximately $          (the "INITIAL POOL
                               BALANCE") as of           , 199 (the "CUT-OFF DATE") from
                               CFSC pursuant to a Purchase Agreement to be dated as of
                                         , 199 (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           , 199 (the "SALE AND SERVICING AGREEMENT")
                               among the Seller, the Servicer and the Trust.
                               The Receivables arise from [loans] [and] [leases] 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]
                               [leases] owned by CFSC based on the criteria specified in
                               the Purchase Agreement and 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
                                  % (the "CUT-OFF DATE APR"), the weighted average
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               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   months and the weighted average original
                               maturity of the Receivables was approximately    months. As
                               of the Cut-off Date, no Receivable had a scheduled maturity
                               later than the date which is    months prior to the
                                         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 Class A-1 Notes will bear interest at the rate of   %
                               per annum (the "CLASS A-1 NOTE RATE"), the Class A-2 Notes
                               will bear interest at the rate of     % per annum (the
                               "CLASS A-2 NOTE RATE"), the Class A-3 Notes will bear
                               interest at the rate of     % per annum (the "CLASS A-3 NOTE
                               RATE") and the Class B Notes will bear interest at the rate
                               of   % per annum (the "CLASS B 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   th 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           , 199 , to the
                               holders of record of the Class A-1 Notes (the "CLASS A-1
                               NOTEHOLDERS"), the holders of record of the Class A-2 Notes
                               (the "CLASS A-2 NOTEHOLDERS"), the holders of record of the
                               Class A-3 Notes (the "CLASS A-3 NOTEHOLDERS"; together with
                               the Class A-1 Noteholders and the Class A-2 Noteholders, the
                               "CLASS A NOTEHOLDERS") as of the related Record Date.
                               Interest on the Class B Notes will not be paid on any
                               Distribution Date until interest payments on the Class A
                               Notes have been paid in full. Subject to the foregoing,
                               interest on the Class B Notes will be paid on each
                               Distribution Date to the holders of record of the Class B
                               Notes (the "CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS"; together with the Class A
                               Noteholders, the "NOTEHOLDERS") as of the Record Date for
                               such Distribution Date.
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                                      S-5
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                               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 in the case of
                               the Class B Notes, after the payments of interest on the
                               Class A Notes, and in each case from amounts on deposit in
                               the Reserve Account. If the amount of interest on the
                               principal amount of the Class A-1 Notes, the Class A-2 Notes
                               and the Class 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 Class A-1 Noteholders, the Class A-2
                               Noteholders and the Class A-3 Noteholders will receive their
                               ratable share (based upon the total amount of interest due
                               to the Class A-1 Noteholders, the Class A-2 Noteholders and
                               the Class A-3 Noteholders) of the amount available to be
                               distributed in respect of interest on the Class A-1 Notes,
                               the Class A-2 Notes and the Class 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).
                               Interest on the Certificates will only be paid on any
                               Distribution Date generally to the extent funds are
                               available following payment of the Servicing Fee (if CFSC or
                               an affiliate is not the Servicer), the Administration Fee
                               and distributions in respect of the Notes from the
                               Collection Account and the Reserve Account.
B.  PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS.......  Principal on the Notes will be payable on each Distribution
                               Date in an amount equal to 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 Class A-1 Notes have been paid in full, principal
                               of the Class A-1 Notes will be payable in an amount equal to
                               the Principal Distribution Amount. On each Distribution Date
                               on and after the Distribution Date on which the Class A-1
                               Notes have been paid in full, principal of the Class A-2
                               Notes will be payable, until the Class A-2 Notes have been
                               paid in full, in an amount equal to 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 Class A-1 Notes to zero.
                               On each Distribution Date on and after the Distribution Date
                               on which the Class A-1 Notes and the Class A-2 Notes have
                               been paid in full, principal of the Class A-3 Notes will be
                               payable, until the Class A-3 Notes have been paid in full,
                               in an amount equal to 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 Class A-1 Notes and/or Class A-2
                               Notes to zero.
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                                      S-6
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                               On each Distribution Date on and after the Distribution Date
                               on which the Class A Notes have been paid in full, principal
                               of the Class B Notes will be payable, until the Class B
                               Notes have been paid in full, in an amount equal to the
                               difference between (i) the Principal Distribution Amount for
                               such Distribution Date, and (ii) any portion of the
                               Principal Distribution Date to reduce the outstanding
                               principal amount of the Class A Notes to zero.
                               In addition, on any         Distribution Date on and after
                               the 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
                               Class A-2 Notes, until the Class A-2 Notes have been paid in
                               full, then paid as principal of the Class A-3 Notes, until
                               the Class A-3 Notes have been paid in full, and then paid as
                               principal on the Class B Notes, until the Class B
                               Noteholders have been paid in full. See "Description of the
                               Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Distributions" and
                               "--Reserve Account" herein.
                               No principal will be paid with respect to Certificates until
                               the Notes have been paid in full.
                               The outstanding principal amount, if any, of the Class A-1
                               Notes will be payable in full on the       Distribution Date
                               (the "CLASS A-1 NOTE FINAL SCHEDULED DISTRIBUTION DATE"),
                               the outstanding principal amount, if any, of the Class A-2
                               Notes will be payable in full on the       Distribution Date
                               (the "CLASS A-2 NOTE FINAL SCHEDULED DISTRIBUTION DATE"),
                               the outstanding principal amount, if any, of the Class A-3
                               Notes will be payable in full on the       Distribution Date
                               (the "CLASS A-3 NOTE FINAL SCHEDULED DISTRIBUTION DATE") and
                               the outstanding principal amount, if any, of the Class B
                               Notes will be payable in full on the       Distribution Date
                               (the "CLASS B NOTE FINAL SCHEDULED DISTRIBUTION DATE"), in
                               each case from funds available therefor (including amounts
                               on deposit in the Reserve Account). See "Description of the
                               Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Reserve Account" herein.
C.  OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT......  The Class A-3 Notes and the Class B Notes will be prepaid in
                               whole, but not in part, at the Class A-3 Note Prepayment
                               Price and the Class B Note Prepayment Price, respectively,
                               on any Distribution Date after the Class A-1 Notes and the
                               Class 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. The
                               prepayment price for the Class A-3 Notes (the "CLASS A-3
                               NOTE PREPAYMENT PRICE") will equal the unpaid principal
                               balance of the Class A-3 Notes plus accrued interest
                               thereon. The prepayment price for the Class B Notes (the
                               "CLASS B PREPAYMENT PRICE") will equal the unpaid principal
                               balance of the Class B Notes, plus accrued and unpaid
                               interest thereon. See "Description of the Notes--The Class
                               A-2 Notes the Class A-3 Note and the Class B 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.
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                                      S-7
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TERMS OF THE CERTIFICATES....  On the Closing Date, the Trust will issue Certificates in an
                               aggregate principal amount of $      . The Seller will
                               initially purchase the entire principal amount of the
                               Certificates. The Certificates will bear interest at the
                               rate of     % per annum (the "Certificate Rate"). The rights
                               of the Certificateholders to receive distributions with
                               respect to the Certificates will be subordinated to the
                               rights of the Noteholders to receive distributions with
                               respect to the Notes to the extent described herein. See
                               "Description of the Certificates" in this Prospectus
                               Supplement.
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 Class A Note Distribution Account, the Class A
                               Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount;
                               (iv) to the Class B Note Distribution Account, the Class B
                               Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount;
                               (v) to the Class A Note Distribution Account, the Class A-1
                               Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount;
                               (vi) to the Class A Note Distribution Account, the Class A-2
                               Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount;
                               (vii) to the Class A Note Distribution Account, the Class
                               A-3 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount;
                               (viii) to the Class B Note Distribution Account, the Class B
                               Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount;
                               (ix) to the Certificate Distribution Account, the
                               Certificateholders' Interest Distributable Amount;
                               (x) to the Certificate Distribution Account, the
                               Certificateholders' Principal Distributable Amount;
                               (xi) to the Servicer (if CFSC or an affiliate is the
                               Servicer), the Servicing Fee and all unpaid Servicing Fees
                               from prior Collection Periods; and
                               (xii) 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 Class A Noteholders of each Class of Class A Notes will
                               be entitled to be paid principal pro rata on the basis of
                               the ratio of which the principal amount of a Class A
                               Noteholder's Class A Note bears to the aggregate principal
                               amount of the Class A Notes, and the Class B Noteholders
                               will not be entitled to receive any distributions of
                               interest or principal until the Class A Notes have been paid
                               in full.
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                                      S-8
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                               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
                               Class A Noteholders' Distributable Amount, and funds in the
                               amount of such deficiency will be deposited in the Class A
                               Note Distribution Account. In addition, funds will be with-
                               drawn 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 Class A Noteholders' Distributable
                               Amount in the Class A Note Distribution Account is less than
                               the Class B Noteholders' Distributable Amount, and funds in
                               the amount of such deficiency will be deposited in the Class
                               B Note Distribution Account. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
                               if on any Distribution Date on which any Class A Notes are
                               outstanding the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account is
                               less than     % 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 no funds from the Reserve
                               Account will be applied on such Distribution Date to
                               principal of the Notes PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this
                               restriction on withdrawals shall be inapplicable if an Event
                               of Default has occurred which resulted in acceleration of
                               the Notes.
                               "CERTIFICATE BALANCE" equals, on the Closing Date. $
                               and, thereafter, equals $     , 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, the Class
                               A Note Distribution Account and the Class B 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, if any, of (A) the sum of (1) the
                               Certificateholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount
                               for the preceding Distribution Date and (2) any outstanding
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                                      S-9
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                               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,
                               and (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
                               Class A Notes and the Class B Notes are reduced to zero, the
                               Principal Distribution Amount (less the portion thereof, if
                               any, applied on such Distribution Date to reduce the
                               principal amount of the Class A Notes and the Class B Notes
                               to zero, which shall be deposited into the Class A Note
                               Distribution Account and/or the Class B Note Distribution
                               Account).
                               "CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL CARRYOVER SHORTFALL" means,
                               as of the close of any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the
                               excess, if any, 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
                               an amount sufficient to reduce the outstanding principal
                               amounts of the Class A Notes and the Class B Notes to zero
                               has been deposited in the Class A Distribution Account
                               and/or the Class B 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
                               final scheduled Distribution Date with respect to the
                               Certificates, the Certificateholders' Principal
                               Distributable Amount will include the amount necessary
                               (after giving effect to the other amounts to be deposited in
                               the
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                                      S-10
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                               Certificate Distribution Account on such Distribution Date
                               and allocable to principal) to reduce the Certificate
                               Balance to zero.
                               "CLASS A NOTE DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT" shall mean a Note
                               Distribution Account established for the benefit of the
                               Class A Noteholders.
                               "CLASS A NOTEHOLDERS' DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means, with
                               respect to any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the Class
                               A-1 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount, (ii) the
                               Class A-2 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount, (iii)
                               the Class A-3 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount
                               and (iv) the Class A Noteholders' Interest Distributable
                               Amount.
                               "CLASS A NOTEHOLDERS' INTEREST CARRYOVER SHORTFALL" means,
                               with respect to any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the
                               excess, if any, of (A) the sum of (1) the Class A
                               Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for the
                               preceding Distribution Date and (2) any outstanding Class A
                               Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall on such preceding
                               Distribution Date, over (B) the amount in respect of inter-
                               est that is actually deposited in the Class A Note
                               Distribution Account on such preceding Distribution Date,
                               and (ii) interest on the amount of interest due but not paid
                               to Class A Noteholders on the preceding Distribution Date,
                               to the extent permitted by law, at the applicable interest
                               rate or rates borne by such Class A Notes from such preced-
                               ing Distribution Date through such current Distribution
                               Date.
                               "CLASS A NOTEHOLDERS' INTEREST DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means,
                               with respect to any Distribution Date, the sum of the Class
                               A Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for
                               such Distribution Date and the Class A Noteholders' Interest
                               Carryover Shortfall for such Distribution Date.
                               "CLASS A NOTEHOLDERS' MONTHLY INTEREST DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT"
                               means, with respect to any Distribution Date, an amount
                               equal to the aggregate amount of interest accrued on the
                               Class A-1 Notes, the Class A-2 Notes and the Class 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).
                               "CLASS 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 Class A-1 Notes has been reduced to zero, the
                               Principal Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date,
                               but such amount shall not be in excess of the outstanding
                               principal amount of the Class A-1 Notes.
                               "CLASS A-1 NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL CARRYOVER SHORTFALL"
                               means, as of the close of any Distribution Date, the excess,
                               if any, of (i) the sum of (A) the Class A-1 Noteholders'
                               Monthly Principal Distributable Amount for such Distribution
                               Date and (B) any outstanding Class 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 Class A Note
                               Distribution Account in respect of the Class A-1 Notes.
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                                      S-11
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                               "CLASS A-1 NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT"
                               means, with respect to any Distribution Date, the sum of (i)
                               the Class A-1 Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable
                               Amount for such Distribution Date and (ii) the Class 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 Class A-1 Notes, and on
                               the Class A-1 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date, the
                               Class A-1 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount will
                               include the amount necessary (after giving effect to the
                               other amounts to be deposited in the Class A Note
                               Distribution Account on such Distribution Date and allocable
                               to principal) to reduce the outstanding principal amount of
                               the Class A-1 Notes to zero.
                               "CLASS 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 Class A-1
                               Notes to zero has been deposited in the Class A Note
                               Distribution Account, the excess, if any, of (i) the
                               Principal Distribution Amount over (ii) the portion of the
                               Principal Distribution Amount, if any, applied to reduce the
                               outstanding principal amount of the Class A-1 Notes to zero
                               on such Distribution Date. In addition, on any Distribution
                               Date on or after the         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 Class A-2 Notes to the extent
                               described under "--Reserve Account" below.
                               "CLASS A-2 NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL CARRYOVER SHORTFALL"
                               means, as of the close of any Distribution Date, the excess,
                               if any, of (i) the sum of (A) the Class A-2 Noteholders'
                               Monthly Principal Distributable Amount for such Distribution
                               Date and (B) any outstanding Class 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 Class A Note
                               Distribution Account in respect of the Class A-2 Notes.
                               "CLASS A-2 NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT"
                               means, with respect to any Distribution Date, the sum of (i)
                               the Class A-2 Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable
                               Amount for such Distribution Date and (ii) the Class 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 Class A-1 Notes to zero has been
                               deposited in the Class A Note Distribution Account, the
                               Class 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 Class A-2 Notes, and on the Class A-2 Note Final
                               Scheduled Distribution Date, the Class A-2 Noteholders'
                               Principal Distributable Amount will include the amount
                               necessary (after giving effect to the other amounts to be
                               deposited in the Class A Note Distribution Account on such
                               Distribution Date and allocable to
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                                      S-12
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                               principal) to reduce the outstanding principal amount of the
                               Class A-2 Notes to zero.
                               "CLASS 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 Class A-1
                               Notes and the Class A-2 Notes to zero has been deposited in
                               the Class A Note Distribution Account, the excess, if any,
                               of (i) the Principal Distribution Amount over (ii) the
                               portion of the Principal Distribution Amount, if any,
                               applied to reduce the outstanding principal amount of the
                               Class A-1 Notes and the Class A-2 Notes to zero on such
                               Distribution Date. In addition, on any Distribution Date on
                               or after the       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 Class A-3 Notes to the extent described
                               under "--Reserve Account" below.
                               "CLASS A-3 NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL CARRYOVER SHORTFALL"
                               means, as of the close of any Distribution Date, the excess,
                               if any, of (i) the sum of (A) the Class A-3 Noteholders'
                               Monthly Principal Distributable Amount for such Distribution
                               Date and (B) any outstanding Class 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 Class A Note
                               Distribution Account in respect of the Class A-3 Notes.
                               "CLASS A-3 NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT"
                               means, with respect to any Distribution Date, the sum of (i)
                               the Class A-3 Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable
                               Amount for such Distribution Date and (ii) the Class 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 Class A-1 Notes and the Class A-2
                               Notes to zero has been deposited in the Class A Note
                               Distribution Account, the Class 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 Class A-3 Notes, and on
                               the Class A-3 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date, the
                               Class A-3 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount will
                               include the amount necessary (after giving effect to the
                               other amounts to be deposited in the Class A Note
                               Distribution Account on such Distribution Date and allocable
                               to principal) to reduce the outstanding principal amount of
                               the Class A-3 Notes to zero.
                               "CLASS B DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT" shall mean a Note
                               Distribution Account established for the benefit of the
                               Class B Noteholders.
                               "CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS' DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means, with
                               respect to any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the Class B
                               Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount and (ii) the
                               Class B Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount.
                               "CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS' INTEREST CARRYOVER SHORTFALL" means,
                               with respect to any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the
                               excess, if any, of
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                                      S-13
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                               (A) the sum of (1) the Class B Noteholders' Monthly Interest
                               Distributable Amount for the preceding Distribution Date and
                               (2) any outstanding Class B Noteholders' Interest Carryover
                               Shortfall on such preceding Distribution Date, over (B) the
                               amount in respect of interest that is actually deposited in
                               the Class B Note Distribution Account on such preceding
                               Distribution Date, and (ii) interest on such excess, to the
                               extent permitted by law, at the Class B Note Rate.
                               "CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS' INTEREST DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means,
                               with respect to any Distribution Date, the sum of the Class
                               B Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for
                               such Distribution Date and the Class B Noteholders' Interest
                               Carryover Shortfall for such Distribution Date.
                               "CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS' MONTHLY INTEREST DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT"
                               means, with respect to any Distribution Date, an amount
                               equal to the aggregate interest accrued on the Class B Notes
                               at the Class B Note 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).
                               "CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS' MONTHLY PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTABLE
                               AMOUNT" means, with respect to any Distribution Date on or
                               after the Distribution Date on which the principal amount of
                               the Class A Notes are reduced to zero, the excess, if any,
                               of (i) the Principal Distribution Amount over (ii) the
                               portion of the Principal Distribution Amount, if any,
                               applied on such Distribution Date to reduce the principal
                               amount of the Class A Notes to zero on such Distribution
                               Date. In addition, on any Distribution Date on or after the
                                       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
                               Class B Notes to the extent under "--Reserve Account" below.
                               "CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL CARRYOVER SHORTFALL" means,
                               as of the close of any Distribution Date, the excess, if
                               any, of (i) the sum of (A) the Class B Noteholders' Monthly
                               Principal Distributable Amount for such Distribution Date
                               and (B) any outstanding Class B Noteholders' Principal
                               Carryover Shortfall from the preceding Distribution Date as
                               of the close of the preceding Distribution Date, over (ii)
                               the amount in respect of principal that is actually
                               deposited in the Class B Note Distribution Account.
                               "CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means,
                               with respect to any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the
                               Class B Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount
                               for such Distribution Date and (ii) the Class B 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
                               amounts of the Class A Notes to zero has been deposited in
                               the Class A Note Distribution Account, the Class B
                               Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount shall be zero;
                               PROVIDED, FURTHER, that the sum of clauses (i) and (ii)
                               shall not exceed the outstanding principal
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-14
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<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               amount of the Class B Notes, and on the Class B Note Final
                               Scheduled Distribution Date, the Class B Noteholders'
                               Principal Distributable Amount will include the amount
                               necessary (after giving effect to the other amounts to be
                               deposited in the Class B Note Distribution Account on such
                               Distribution Date and allocable to principal) to reduce the
                               outstanding principal amount of the Class B Notes to zero.
                               "COLLECTION PERIOD" means, with respect to the first
                               Distribution Date, the calendar month ending on       ,
                               199 , and with respect to each subsequent Distribution Date,
                               the preceding calendar month. See "Description of the
                               Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Distributions" herein.
                               "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 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
                               Class A Note Distribution Account will be distributed to the
                               Class A Noteholders, and all amounts on deposit in the Class
                               B Note Distribution Account will be distributed to the Class
                               B Noteholders. See "Description of the Transfer and
                               Servicing Agreements--Distributions" herein.
RESERVE ACCOUNT..............  The Seller will establish and maintain in the name of the
                               Indenture Trustee a reserve account (the "RESERVE ACCOUNT")
                               into which funds
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                                      S-15
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               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 to the extent
                               described herein. The Reserve Account will be created with
                               an initial deposit by the Seller of cash or Eligible Invest-
                               ments having a value of at least $         . 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         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         Distribution Date, such excess will be
                               released to the Class A Note Distribution Account to be
                               distributed first to the Class A-2 Noteholders as a payment
                               of principal (until the Class A-2 Notes have been paid in
                               full), then to the Class A-3 Noteholders as a payment of
                               principal (until the Class A-3 Notes have been paid in
                               full), and then such excess will be released to the Class B
                               Note Distribution Account to be distributed to the Class B
                               Noteholders as a payment of principal (until the Class B
                               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)     % of the Pool Balance as
                               of the close of business on the last day of the preceding
                               Collection Period and (ii) $        (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
                               outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Notes. 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 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 Class B
                               Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount in the Class B
                               Note Distribution Account with respect to any Collection
                               Period is less than the Class A Noteholders' Distributable
                               Amount, and funds in the amount of such deficiency will be
                               deposited in the Class A 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
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               the Administration Fee and the deposit of the Class A
                               Noteholders' Distributable Amount in the Class A Note
                               Distribution Account with respect to any Collection Period
                               is less than the Class B Noteholders' Distributable Amount,
                               and funds in the amount of such deficiency will be deposited
                               in the Class B Note Distribution Account. Notwithstanding
                               the foregoing, if on any Distribution Date on which any
                               Class A Notes are outstanding the amount on deposit in the
                               Reserve Account is less than     % 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 no funds
                               from the Reserve Account will be applied on such
                               Distribution Date to principal of the Notes; 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 would result,
                               which could, in turn, increase the average life of the
                               Notes, or result in losses to Noteholders.
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
                               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 priority set forth above under
                               "--Priority of Distributions."
MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CON-
 SIDERATIONS.................  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 Class A-1 Noteholders until the Class A-1 Notes have
                               been paid in full, then will be payable to the Class A-2
                               Noteholders until the Class A-2 Notes have been paid in
                               full, then to the Class A-3 Noteholders until the Class A-3
                               Noteholders have been paid in full, and then to the Class B
                               Noteholders until the Class B Notes have been paid in full.
                               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 Receivables from the
                               Trust. A higher than anticipated rate of prepayments will
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                                      S-17
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               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 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 Notes should consider, in the case of Notes
                               purchased at a discount, the risk that a slower than
                               anticipated rate of principal payments on the Receivables
                               could result in an actual yield that is less than the
                               anticipated yield and, in the case of any Notes 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    % 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 Notes 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..........  , 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       , 199 (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 $   per month (the
                               "ADMINISTRATION FEE"). See "Description of the Transfer and
                               Servicing Agreements--Administration Agreement" in the
                               Prospectus.
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                                      S-18
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
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[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 case be
                               perfected by the Custodian, on behalf of the applicable
                               assignee, taking possession of the [Installment Sales
                               Contracts] [and] [Leases] 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 the Seller.
                               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] [and Lease](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] [and] [Leases]. Although
                               steps will be taken to ensure that the Seller (an affiliate
                               of CFSC) does not obtain possession or control of the
                               [Installment Sales Contracts] [and] [Leases], should a court
                               find that the Seller did have possession or control of such
                               [Installment Sales Contracts] [and] [Leases], the interests
                               of 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 LLP
                               ("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. Alternative characterizations of the Trust are
                               possible, but should not result in materially adverse tax
                               consequences to Noteholders.] [The Seller intends to cause
                               an election to be made under the Internal Revenue Code of
                               1986, as amended (the "CODE"), whereby the Trust will
                               qualify as a "financial asset securitization investment
                               trust" or "FASIT" under the relevant provisions of the Code,
                               and the Notes will constitute "regular interests" in the
                               FASIT constituted by the Trust. Each Noteholder, by the
                               acceptance of a
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                                      S-19
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               Note, will agree to treat the Notes as indebtedness.] See
                               "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the
                               Prospectus.
STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS.....  In the opinion of Tuke Yopp & Sweeney, PLC ("TENNESSEE TAX
                               COUNSEL"), with respect to corporate Noteholders, the same
                               tax characterizations should apply for purposes of Tennessee
                               income tax as for federal income tax purposes. Non-corporate
                               Noteholders who are residents of Tennessee will be subject
                               to taxation on income distributions with respect to 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 and in the Prospectus, 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 (including but not limited to an insurance com-
                               pany general account) subject to Title I of the Employee
                               Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
                               ("ERISA"), or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of
                               1986, as amended (the "CODE") (collectively, "PLANS"),
                               should carefully review 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.
[LEGAL INVESTMENT............  The Class A-1 Notes will be eligible securities for purchase
                               by money market funds under paragraph (a)(9) of Rule 2a-7
                               under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.]
RATINGS OF THE NOTES.........  It is a condition to the issuance of the Securities that the
                               Class A 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] [the] "RATING AGENCY") and
                               that the Class B Notes be rated at least "  " by [S&P] [and
                               at least "  " by Moody's]. See "Risk Factors--RATINGS OF THE
                               NOTES" herein and "Ratings" in the Prospectus.
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-20
<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 Notes.
 
    LIMITED LIQUIDITY.  There is currently no secondary market for the Notes.
Each Underwriter currently intends to make a market in the Notes 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 Noteholders with liquidity of investment or that it
will continue for the life of the Notes.
 
    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] [or] [the Leases] 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
CFFC. 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] [or] [Lease] 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] [or] [the Leases]. Although steps will be taken to
ensure that the Seller (an affiliate of CFSC) does not obtain possession or
control of the [Installment Sales Contracts [or] [Leases], should a court find
that the Seller did have possession or control of such [Installment Sales
Contracts] [or][Leases], the interests of the Trust and the Indenture Trustee in
the Receivables would in all likelihood be unperfected, and distributions to
Noteholders may be adversely affected.
 
    Should the related Indenture Trustee's security interest and/or the Trust'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 on the Class B
Notes will be subordinated in priority of payment to interest on the Class A
Notes. In addition, the Class B Noteholders will not receive any distributions
of principal until the Class A 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 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 and the
overcollateralization represented by the Certificates are limited in amount and
the Specified Reserve Account Balance 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 Class A Notes prior to the application thereof to cover shortfalls on the
Class B Notes. If the Reserve Account is depleted, the Trust will depend solely
on current distributions on the Receivables to make payments on the Notes.
 
    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[, and the Class B Noteholders will not have any
right to
 
                                      S-21
<PAGE>
direct or to consent to any actions by any Indenture Trustee until the Class A
Notes have been paid in full.] 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 plus accrued interest. Because neither interest nor
principal is distributed to Class B Noteholders upon sale of the Receivables
following an Event of Default and acceleration of the Notes under the Indenture
until the Class A Notes have been paid in full, the interest of Class B
Noteholders and the Class A Noteholders may conflict, and the exercise by the
Indenture Trustee of its right to sell the Receivables or exercise other
remedies may cause the Class B Noteholders 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" herein and in the Prospectus.
 
    In the event a Servicer Default occurs, the Indenture Trustee or the [Class
A] Noteholders evidencing not less than 25% of the outstanding principal amount
of the [Class A] Notes, as described under "Description of the Transfer and
Servicing Agreements--Rights Upon Servicer Default" herein and in the
Prospectus, may remove the Servicer without the consent of the related Indenture
Trustee [or any of the Class B Noteholders]. [The related Indenture Trustee or
the Class B Noteholders will not have the ability to remove the Servicer if a
Servicer Default occurs until the Class A Notes have been paid in full. In
addition, the Class A Noteholders have the ability, with certain specified
exceptions, to waive defaults by the Servicer, including defaults that could
materially and adversely affect the Class B Noteholders.] If CFSC or an
affiliate is no longer the Servicer, payment of the Servicing Fee will be made
prior to distributions to Class A Noteholders and Class B Noteholders. See
"Description of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Waiver of Past Defaults"
herein and in the Prospectus.
 
    RATINGS OF THE NOTES.  It is a condition to the issuance of the Notes and
the Certificates of the Class A Notes be rated [in the highest investment rating
category] by [each of] [S&P] [and] [Moody's] and that the Class B Notes be rated
at least "         " by [S&P] [and at least "  " 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 Notes address the likelihood of the timely payment of
interest on and the ultimate payment of principal of the Notes 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 199 - , 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 $         , excluding amounts deposited in the Reserve Account.
Certificates with an original principal balance of $       will be sold to the
Seller. 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] [or] [Lease] (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
 
                                      S-22
<PAGE>
the Receivables Files at a location leased by the Custodian proximate to the
principal executive office of the Seller, and CFSC will indicate on its computer
records that the Receivables have been sold to the Seller and by the Seller to
the Trust. UCC financing statements will not be filed to evidence these
transfers, and CFSC will not 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 "Certain Legal
Aspects of the Receivables-- Security Interest in Equipment" in the Prospectus.
 
    If the protections provided to Class A Noteholders in the Trust by the
subordination of the Class B Notes and the Certificates, the protection provided
to the Class B Noteholders in the Trust by the subordination of the
Certificates, and the protection provided to the holders of the Notes 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 with respect to the Notes 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      % Asset Backed Notes...................................  $
Class A-2     % Asset Backed Notes....................................
Class A-3     % Asset Backed Notes....................................
Class B     % Asset Backed Notes......................................
   % Asset Backed Certificates........................................
                                                                        -----------
  Total...............................................................  $
                                                                        -----------
                                                                        -----------
</TABLE>
 
THE OWNER TRUSTEE
 
    [                      ] is the Owner Trustee under the Trust Agreement.
[                      ] is a [                          ] and its principal
offices are located at [                                        ]. 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 $          as of      , 199 (the "CUT-OFF DATE").
 
    The Receivables were selected from the entire U.S. [ISC] [Lease] 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
 
                                      S-23
<PAGE>
Prospectus under "The Receivables Pools," as well as that each Receivable (i)
has a stated maturity of not earlier than              or later than          ,
(ii) has an annual percentage rate of interest (based on its Principal Balance)
("APR") of at least    % and (iii) is not more than   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] [Lease] or as being the subject of a
bankruptcy proceeding. No selection procedures believed by CFSC or the Seller to
be adverse to the Noteholders were used in selecting the Receivables.
 
    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>
          %    $                              (  --  )        (  --  )         $      ($      -$      )
</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>
   % -    %....................................................                 $                        %
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
   -    .......................................................
    and over...................................................
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Total........................................................                 $                  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 transaction, 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.
 
                                      S-24
<PAGE>
                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)..............................................                 $                        %
Used Equipment.................................................
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Total........................................................                 $                  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.
 
         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...................................................                 $                        %
Paving Equipment...............................................
Construction Equipment]........................................
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Total........................................................                 $                  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.............................                 $                        %
Mining.........................................................
Construction...................................................
Manufacturing..................................................
Transportation/Public Utilities................................
Wholesale Trade]...............................................
Other (1)......................................................
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Total........................................................                 $                  100.00%
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------
 
(1) Other includes retail, financial, insurance and real estate, services, and
    public administration.
 
                                      S-25
<PAGE>
              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........................................................                 $                        %
Variable Frequency (1).........................................
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Total........................................................                 $                  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] [Lease] Portfolio. The
    Seller believes that the pattern of principal payments on the Notes 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.
 
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 $........................................................           --    $                        %
$     -$     ..................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
 ...............................................................
Over $.........................................................
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
  Totals.......................................................                 $                  100.00%
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
                                                                       -----    --------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-26
<PAGE>
                   GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF THE RECEIVABLES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       PERCENT OF
                                                                                   AGGREGATE            AGGREGATE
                                                                 NUMBER OF         PRINCIPAL            PRINCIPAL
STATE(1)                                                        RECEIVABLES         BALANCE              BALANCE
- -------------------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------------  -----------------
<S>                                                            <C>            <C>                   <C>
 .............................................................                   $                               %
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
 .............................................................
                                                                     -----    --------------------     ------
  Total......................................................                   $                         100.00%
                                                                     -----    --------------------     ------
                                                                     -----    --------------------     ------
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------
 
(1) Based on billing addresses of Obligors.
 
                                      S-27
<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] [Leases].     % of
the Receivables were originated or arranged by            , a Dealer in
           , and in the aggregate     % of the Receivables were originated or
arranged by the five largest Dealers. No other Dealer originated or arranged
more than     % of the Receivables.     % 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     % of the Receivables, and the
five largest Obligors accounted for approximately     % of the Receivables.
 
    Approximately     % of the Receivables have related Financed Equipment
manufactured by Caterpillar, [approximately     % of the Receivables have
related Financed Equipment manufactured by Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift
America Inc.] and the remaining approximately     % 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] [Lease] Portfolio, the Seller believes that statistical information
relating to original loan-to-value ratios of the Receivables is not material to
investors in the Notes.
 
    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] [and/or] [entire United States
portfolio of financed leases] [as applicable,] serviced by CFSC (including
receivables sold which CFSC continues to service) [(the "U.S. ISC PORTFOLIO")]
[and the] ["U.S. LEASE PORTFOLIO", collectively, the "U.S. 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.] [Insert Current Analysis of
Recent Historical Performance.]
 
    Although the Seller believes that the composition of the Receivables in the
aggregate is representative of the [U.S. ISC Portfolio] [and the] [U.S. Lease
Portfolio] [, respectively], 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-28
<PAGE>
            DELINQUENCY EXPERIENCE FOR THE U.S. ISC PORTFOLIO(1)(2)
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         AT DECEMBER 31,
                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 199                 199                 199                 199
                                          ------------------  ------------------  ------------------  ------------------
                                          NUMBER OF           NUMBER OF           NUMBER OF           NUMBER OF
                                          CONTRACTS   AMOUNT  CONTRACTS   AMOUNT  CONTRACTS   AMOUNT  CONTRACTS   AMOUNT
                                          ---------   ------  ---------   ------  ---------   ------  ---------   ------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>
Gross Portfolio.........................              $                   $                   $                   $
Unadjusted System Delinquency (3)
  31-60 Days............................              $                   $                   $                   $
  over 60 Days..........................              $                   $                   $                   $
Total Unadjusted System
  Delinquencies.........................              $                   $                   $                   $
Total Unadjusted System Delinquencies as
 a Percent of the Gross Portfolio.......         %          %        %          %        %          %        %          %
Adjusted Delinquency (4)
  31-60 Days............................                                                      $                   $
  over 60 Days..........................                                                      $                   $
Total Adjusted Delinquencies............                                                      $                   $
Total Adjusted Delinquencies as a
 Percent of the Gross Portfolio.........                                                 %          %        %          %
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  AT DECEMBER 31, 199      [AT           199 ]      [AT           199 ]
                                                 ----------------------  ------------------------  ----------------------
                                                  NUMBER OF               NUMBER OF                 NUMBER OF
                                                  CONTRACTS    AMOUNT     CONTRACTS     AMOUNT      CONTRACTS    AMOUNT
                                                 -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Gross Portfolio................................               $                        $                        $
Unadjusted System Delinquency (3)
  31-60 Days...................................               $                        $                        $
  over 60 Days.................................               $                        $                        $
Total Unadjusted System
 Delinquencies.................................               $                        $                        $
Total Unadjusted System
 Delinquencies as a Percent of the
 Gross Portfolio...............................            %           %            %            %            %          %
Adjusted Delinquency (4)
  31-60 Days...................................               $                       $                         $
  over 60 Days.................................               $                       $                         $
Total Adjusted Delinquencies...................               $                       $                         $
Total Adjusted Delinquencies
 as a Percent of the Gross Portfolio...........             %          %            %            %            %          %
</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-29
<PAGE>
  CREDIT LOSS/REPOSSESSION EXPERIENCE FOR THE U.S. [ISC] [LEASE] PORTFOLIO(1)
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 [
                                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                    ]
                                                              ----------------------------------------  -------------------
                                                               199     199     199     199      199     [199 (5)   199 (5)]
                                                              ------  ------  ------  ------  --------  --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>        <C>
Average Gross Portfolio Outstanding During the Period.......  $       $       $       $       $          $         $
Repossessions as a Percent of Average Gross Portfolio
 Outstanding (2)............................................        %       %       %       %         %        %           %
Net Losses as a Percent of Liquidations (3)(4)..............        %       %       %       %         %        %           %
Net Losses as a Percent of Average Gross Portfolio
 Outstanding (4)............................................        %       %       %       %         %        %           %
</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 NOTES
 
    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 Class A-2 Noteholders will not receive any
principal payments until the Class A-1 Notes are paid in full, the Class A-3
Noteholders will not receive any principal payments until the Class A-2 Notes
are paid in full and the Class B Noteholders will not receive any principal
payments until the Class A-3 Notes are paid in full. See "Description of the
Notes--The Class A-2 Notes, the Class A-3 Notes and the Class B Notes--PAYMENTS
OF PRINCIPAL" herein. In addition, on any Distribution Date on and after the
           Distribution Date, the Class A-2 Noteholders until paid in full, then
the Class A-3 Noteholders until paid in full, and then the Class B 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 Class B Notes will be made prior to the
Distribution Date on which the principal amounts of the Class A Notes have been
reduced to zero, 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 Class A Notes has been accelerated,
the Class B Noteholders will not be entitled to receive any distributions of
interest or principal until the Class A Notes have been paid in full.
 
    As the rate of payment of principal of the Notes depends primarily on the
rate of payment (including prepayments) of the aggregate Principal Balance of
the Receivables, final payment of each Class of the
 
                                      S-30
<PAGE>
Notes could occur significantly earlier than their respective final scheduled
Distribution Dates. Noteholders will bear the risk of being able to reinvest
principal payments of the Notes at yields at least equal to the yield on their
respective Notes.
 
                      POOL FACTORS AND TRADING INFORMATION
 
    Each of the "CLASS A-1 NOTE POOL FACTOR," the "CLASS A-2 NOTE POOL FACTOR"
and the "CLASS 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 Class A-1 Notes, the Class A-2 Notes or the Class A-3 Notes as of the
related Distribution Date, as a fraction of the initial outstanding principal
balance of the Class A-1 Notes, the Class A-2 Notes or the Class A-3 Notes, as
applicable. Each of the Class A-1 Note Pool Factor, the Class A-2 Note Pool
Factor and the Class 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 Class A-1 Notes, the Class A-2 Notes or the Class A-3
Notes, as the case may be. A Class A-1 Noteholder's portion of the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the Class A-1 Notes is the product of (i) the
original denomination of the Class A-1 Noteholder's Note and (ii) the Class A-1
Note Pool Factor, a Class A-2 Noteholder's portion of the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of the Class A-2 Notes is the product of (i) the original
denomination of the Class A-2 Noteholder's Note and (ii) the Class A-2 Note Pool
Factor and a Class A-3 Noteholder's portion of the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of the Class A-3 Notes is the product of (i) the original
denomination of the Class A-3 Noteholder's Note and (ii) the Class A-3 Note Pool
Factor.
 
    The "CLASS B NOTE POOL FACTOR" is a seven-digit decimal which the Servicer
will compute each month, indicating the remaining outstanding principal amount
of the Class B Notes as of the related Distribution Date, as a fraction of the
initial outstanding principal amount of the Class B Notes. The Class B 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 Class B Notes. A
Class B Noteholder's portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Class B
Notes is the product of (i) the original denomination of the Class B
Noteholder's Certificate and (ii) the Class B Note Pool Factor.
 
    Pursuant to the Indenture, the Noteholders of record will receive monthly
reports concerning the payments received on the Receivables, the Pool Balance,
the Class A-1 Note Pool Factor, the Class A-2 Note Pool Factor, the Class A-3
Note Pool Factor and the Class B Note Pool Factor and various other items of
information. Noteholders 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. See "Formation of the Trust--Capitalization of the Trust"
herein.
 
    The Trust's primary sources of liquidity will be payments on the Receivables
and amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account. For a discussion of CFSC's
experience pertaining to delinquencies, repossessions and net losses. See "The
Receivables Pool--Delinquencies, Repossessions and Net Losses" and "Description
of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Reserve Account" 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
 
                                      S-31
<PAGE>
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 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 Notes and the Certificates 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 $     million on sales and revenues of
$     billion for the year ended December 31, 199 as compared with profits of
$     million on sales and revenues of $     billion for the year ended December
31, 199 . 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            , 199 , the percentages of total value of
CFSC's portfolio represented by these financing plans were as follows: non-tax
(financing) leases,     %; installment sales contracts,     %; tax-oriented
leases,     %; customer loans,     %; wholesale financing,     %; dealer loans,
    %; and governmental lease-purchase contracts,     %.
 
    At            , 199 , CFSC had    full-time employees and serviced accounts,
including approximately $billion in gross finance receivables. In the United
States, as of            , 19  , there were    independently owned Dealers and
one Dealer that is owned by Caterpillar.
 
                            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.
 
                                      S-32
<PAGE>
THE CLASS A-1 NOTES
 
    PAYMENTS OF INTEREST.  The Class 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 Class A-1 Notes will accrue at the rate of    % per annum (the
"CLASS 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 Class 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 Class A-1 Noteholders monthly on each Distribution
Date commencing            , 199 . "DISTRIBUTION DATE" shall mean the   th 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 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 Class A-1 Note
Rate. Interest payments on the Class 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 Class A-1 Notes, the Class A-2
Notes and the Class 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 Class A-1 Noteholders will receive their
ratable share (based upon the total amount of interest due to the Class A-1
Noteholders, the Class A-2 Noteholders and the Class A-3 Noteholders) of the
amount available to be distributed in respect of interest on the Class A-1
Notes, the Class A-2 Notes and the Class A-3 Notes, and each Class A-1
Noteholder will receive its ratable share (based on the principal amount of its
Class A-1 Note and the total amount distributable to the Class A-1 Noteholders)
of such amount.
 
    PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL.  Principal payments will be made to the Class A-1
Noteholders on each Distribution Date in an amount generally equal to the
Principal Distribution Amount until the principal balance of the Class A-1 Notes
is reduced to zero. Principal payments on the Class 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 Class 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 Class A-1 Notes will be payable in full on the Class A-1 Note Final
Scheduled Distribution Date from available funds therefor (including amounts on
deposit in the Reserve Account).
 
THE CLASS A-2 NOTES, THE CLASS A-3 NOTES AND CLASS B NOTES
 
    PAYMENTS OF INTEREST.  The Class A-2 Notes, the Class A-3 Notes and the
Class B 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 Class A-2 Notes will
accrue at the rate of    % per annum (the "CLASS A-2 NOTE RATE"), interest on
the principal amount of the Class A-3 Notes will accrue at the rate of    % per
annum (the "CLASS A-3 NOTE RATE"), and interest on the principal amount of the
Class B Notes will accrue at the rate of    % per annum (the "CLASS B 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 Class A-2 Notes,
the Class A-3 Notes and the Class B 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 Class A-2 Noteholders, the Class A-3 Noteholders, and the
 
                                      S-33
<PAGE>
Class B Notes monthly on each Distribution Date commencing            , 199 .
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 on the Class B Notes will not
be paid on any Distribution Date until interest payments on the Class A Notes
have been paid in full. Interest payments on the Class A-2 Notes, the Class A-3
Notes, and the Class B 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, in the case of
the Class B Notes, payments of the Class A Noteholders' Interest Distributable
Amount, and in each case 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 Class A-1 Notes, the Class A-2 Notes and the Class 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 Class A-2 Noteholders and the Class A-3 Noteholders will receive their
ratable share (based upon the total amount of interest due to the Class A-1
Noteholders, the Class A-2 Noteholders and the Class A-3 Noteholders) of the
amount available to be distributed in respect of interest on the Class A-1
Notes, the Class A-2 Notes and the Class A-3 Notes, and each Class A-2
Noteholder and each Class A-3 Noteholder will receive its ratable share (based
on the principal amount of its Class A-2 Note or its Class A-3 Note and the
total amount distributable to the Class A-2 Noteholders or the Class A-3
Noteholders) of such amount. In such event, the Class B Noteholders will not
receive any payments of interest on such Distribution Date.
 
    In addition, if an Event of Default has occurred and the maturities of the
Notes have been accelerated, the Class B Noteholders will not be entitled to any
payment of interest or principal until the Class A Notes have been paid in full.
 
    PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL.  Principal payments will be made to the Class A-2
Noteholders on each Distribution Date on and after the Distribution Date on
which the Class A-1 Notes have been paid in full in an amount equal to the
difference between (i) the Principal Distribution Amount and (ii) the portion,
if any, of the Principal Distribution Amount paid in respect of the Class A-1
Notes on such Distribution Date. Principal payments will be made to the Class
A-3 Noteholders on each Distribution Date on and after the Distribution Date on
which the Class A-1 Notes and the Class A-2 Notes have been paid in full in an
amount equal to the difference between (i) the Principal Distribution Amount and
(ii) the portion, if any, of the Principal Distribution Amount paid in respect
of the Class A-1 Notes and the Class A-2 Notes on such Distribution Date.
Principal payments on the Class A-2 Notes and the Class 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. Principal payments will be made to
the Class B Noteholders on each Distribution Date on or after the Distribution
Date on which the Class A Notes are paid in full in an amount equal to the
difference between (i) the Principal Distribution Amount and (ii) the portion,
if any, of the Principal Distribution Amount paid in respect to the Class A
Notes on such Distribution Date. Principal payments on the Class B 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, the Class B Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount and
the Class A Noteholders Distributable Amount, and from amounts on deposit in the
Reserve Account. The Class B Noteholders will not receive any principal payments
until the Class A Noteholders have been paid in full.
 
    In addition, on any Distribution Date, on and after the
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 Class A-2
Noteholders as a payment of principal (until the Class A-2 Notes have been paid
in full), then to the Class A-3 Noteholders as a payment of principal (until the
Class A-3 Notes have been paid in full) and then to the
 
                                      S-34
<PAGE>
Class B Notes as a payment of principal (until the Class B 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 Class A-2 Notes will be
payable in full on the Class A-2 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date from
available funds therefor (including any amounts on deposit in the Reserve
Account), the outstanding principal amount, if any, of the Class A-3 Notes will
be payable in full on the Class A-3 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date from
available funds therefor and the outstanding principal amount, if any, of the
Class B Notes will be payable in full on the Class B Note Final Scheduled
Distribution Date from available funds therefore (including in each case any
amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account).
 
    In addition, if an Event of Default has occurred and the maturites of the
Notes have been accelerated, the Class A Noteholders of each Class of Class A
Notes will be entitled to be paid principal pro rata on the basis of the ratio
of which the principal amount of a Class A Noteholder's Class A Note bears the
aggregate principal amount of the Class A Notes, and the Class B Noteholders
will not be entitled to receive any distributions of interest or principal until
the Class A Notes have been paid in full.
 
    OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT.  The Class A-3 Notes and the Class B Notes will be
prepaid in whole, but not in part, at the Class A-3 Note Prepayment Price and
the Class B Prepayment Price, respectively, on any Distribution Date after the
Class A-1 Notes and the Class 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 Class A-3 Note Prepayment Price and the Class B 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 "CLASS A-3 NOTE
PREPAYMENT PRICE") for the Class A-3 Notes will be equal to the unpaid principal
amount of the Class A-3 Notes, plus accrued but unpaid interest thereon at the
Class A-3 Note Rate plus, to the extent permitted by law, interest on any past
due interest at the Class A-3 Note Rate. The prepayment price (the "CLASS B
PREPAYMENT PRICE") for the Class B Notes will be equal to the unpaid principal
amount of the Class B Notes, plus accrued but unpaid interest thereon at the
Class B Note Rate plus, to the extent permitted by law, interest on any past due
interest at the Class B Note Rate. See "Description of the Transfer and
Servicing Agreements--Termination" in the Prospectus.
 
    THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE.              is the Indenture Trustee under the
Indenture.             is             and its corporate trust offices are
located at             . [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.]
 
THE INDENTURE
 
    EVENTS OF DEFAULT; RIGHTS UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT.  Pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Indenture Trustee may be deemed to have a
conflict of interest and be required to resign as trustee for either the Class A
Notes or the Class B Notes if a default occurs under the Indenture. In these
circumstances, the Indenture will provide for a successor trustee to be
appointed for one or both of the Class A Notes and Class B Notes, in order that
there be separate trustees for each of the Class A Notes and the Class B Notes.
So long as any amounts remain unpaid with respect to the Class A Notes, only the
indenture trustee for the Class A Noteholders will have the right to exercise
remedies under the Indenture (but the Class B Noteholders will be entitled to
their share of any proceeds of enforcement, subject to the subordination of the
Class B Notes to the Class A Notes as described herein[, and only the Class A
Noteholders will have the right to direct or consent to any action to be taken,
including sale of the Receivables, until the Class A Notes are paid in full.]
Upon repayment of the Class A Notes in full, all rights to exercise remedies
under the Indenture will transfer to the trustee for the Class B Notes. Any
resignation of the original Indenture Trustee as described above with respect to
any class of Notes will become effective only upon the appointment of a
successor trustee for such class of Notes and such successor's acceptance of
such appointment.
 
                                      S-35
<PAGE>
                        DESCRIPTION OF THE CERTIFICATES
 
    The Certificates will be issued pursuant to the Trust Agreement. The Seller
will initially purchase the entire principal amount of the Certificates. The
Certificates will bear interest at the rate of      % per annum (the
"CERTIFICATE RATE").
 
    Distributions of interest and principal on the Certificates will be
subordinate in priority of payment to interest and principal due on the Notes to
the extent described herein. Funds on deposit in the Reserve Account will not be
available to cover scheduled payments with respect to the Certificates.
 
              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
relating to breaches of representations and warranties, CFSC will be required to
repurchase Receivables from the Trust. See "Weighted Average Life of the Notes"
herein 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    % 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 Class A Noteholders or the Class B
Noteholders, 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.
 
                                      S-36
<PAGE>
RIGHTS UPON SERVICER DEFAULT
 
    In the event a Servicer Default occurs, the Indenture Trustee or the [Class
A] Noteholders evidencing not less than 25% of the outstanding principal amount
of the [Class A] Notes may remove the Servicer without the consent of the Owner
Trustee [or any of the Class B Noteholders]. [The related Owner Trustee or the
Class B Noteholders will not have the ability to remove the Servicer if a
Servicer Default occurs until the Class A Notes have been paid in full.]
 
WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS
 
    In the event a Servicer Default occurs, the [Class A] Noteholders evidencing
more than 50% of the outstanding principal amount of the [Class A] Notes may,
with certain specified exceptions, waive any Servicer Defaults[, without the
consent of the Owner Trustee or any of the Class B Noteholders]. [The related
Owner Trustee or the Class B Noteholders will not have the right to determine
whether any Servicer Default should be waived until the Class A Notes have been
paid in full.]
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    DEPOSITS TO COLLECTION ACCOUNT.  By the   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.
 
    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.
 
                                      S-37
<PAGE>
    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 Class A Note Distribution Account, the Class A Noteholders'
    Interest Distributable Amount;
 
        (iv) to the Class B Note Distribution Account, the Class B Noteholders'
    Interest Distributable Amount;
 
        (v) to the Class A Note Distribution Account, the Class A-1 Noteholders'
    Principal Distributable Amount;
 
        (vi) to the Class A Note Distribution Account, the Class A-2
    Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount;
 
       (vii) to the Class A Note Distribution Account, the Class A-3
    Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount;
 
      (viii) to the Class B Note Distribution Account, the Class B Noteholders'
    Principal Distributable Amount;
 
        (ix) to the Certificate Distribution Account, the Certificateholders'
    Interest Distributable Amount;
 
        (x) to the Certificate Distribution Account, the Certificateholders'
    Principal Distributable Amount;
 
        (xi) to the Servicer (if CFSC or an affiliate is the Servicer), the
    Servicing Fee and all unpaid Servicing Fees from prior Collection Periods;
    and
 
       (xii) 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 Class A Noteholders will be
entitled to be paid principal pro rata on the basis of the ratio which the
principal amount of a Class A Noteholder's Note bears to the aggregate principal
amount of the Class A Notes of all Classes and the Class B Noteholders and the
Certificateholders will not be entitled to receive any distributions of interest
or principal until the Class A 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) and the deposit of the Class B Noteholders' Interest
Distributable Amount in the Class B Note Distribution Account with respect to
any Collection Period is less than the Class A Noteholders' Distributable
Amount, and funds in the amount of such deficiency will be deposited in the
Class A 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 Class A Noteholders' Distributable Amount in the Class A Note
Distribution Account is less than the Class B Noteholders' Distributable Amount,
and funds in the amount of such deficiency will be deposited in the Class B Note
Distribution Account. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if on any Distribution Date
on which any Class A Notes are outstanding the amount on deposit in the Reserve
Account is less than      % 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 no funds from the
Reserve Account will be applied on such Distribution Date to principal of the
Notes; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this restriction on withdrawals shall be
inapplicable if an Event of Default has occurred which resulted in acceleration
of the Notes.
 
                                      S-38
<PAGE>
    "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, $         and,
thereafter, equals $         , 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, the Class A Note Distribution
Account and the Class B 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, if any, 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, and (ii) interest on such excess, to the
extent permitted by law, at the Certificate 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 Certificate 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 Class A Notes and Class B Notes are reduced to zero,
the Principal Distribution Amount (less the portion thereof, if any, applied on
such Distribution Date to reduce the principal amount of the Notes to zero,
which shall be deposited into the Class A Note Distribution Account and/or the
Class B Note Distribution Account).
 
    "CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL CARRYOVER SHORTFALL" means, as of the close
of any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the excess, if any, 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 an amount sufficient to reduce the
outstanding principal amounts of the
 
                                      S-39
<PAGE>
Notes to zero has been deposited into the Class A Note Distribution Account
and/or the Class B 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.
 
    "CLASS A NOTE DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT" shall mean a Note Distribution Account
established for the benefit of the Class A Noteholders.
 
    "CLASS A NOTEHOLDERS' DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means, with respect to any
Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the Class A-1 Noteholders' Principal
Distributable Amount, (ii) the Class A-2 Noteholders' Principal Distributable
Amount, (iii) the Class A-3 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount and (iv)
the Class A Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount.
 
    "CLASS A NOTEHOLDERS' INTEREST CARRYOVER SHORTFALL" means, with respect to
any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the excess, if any, of (A) the sum of (1)
the Class A Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for the preceding
Distribution Date and (2) any outstanding Class A Noteholders' Interest
Carryover Shortfall on such preceding Distribution Date, over (B) the amount in
respect of interest that is actually deposited in the Class A Note Distribution
Account on such preceding Distribution Date, and (ii) interest on the amount of
interest due but not paid to Class A Noteholders on the preceding Distribution
Date, to the extent permitted by law, at the applicable interest rate or rates
borne by such Class A Notes from such preceding Distribution Date through such
current Distribution Date.
 
    "CLASS A NOTEHOLDERS' INTEREST DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means, with respect to
any Distribution Date, the sum of the Class A Noteholders' Monthly Interest
Distributable Amount for such Distribution Date and the Class A Noteholders'
Interest Carryover Shortfall for such Distribution Date.
 
    "CLASS A NOTEHOLDERS' MONTHLY INTEREST DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means, with
respect to any Distribution Date, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of
interest accrued on the Class A-1 Notes, the Class A-2 Notes and the Class 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).
 
    "CLASS A-1 NOTE FINAL SCHEDULED DISTRIBUTION DATE" means the Distribution
Date.
 
    "CLASS 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 Class A-1 Notes has been reduced to zero,
the Principal Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date, but such amount
shall not be in excess of the outstanding principal amount of the Class A-1
Notes.
 
    "CLASS A-1 NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL CARRYOVER SHORTFALL" means, as of the
close of any Distribution Date, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of (A) the
Class A-1 Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount for such
Distribution Date and (B) any outstanding Class 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 Class A
Note Distribution Account in respect of the Class A-1 Notes.
 
    "CLASS A-1 NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means, with respect
to any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the Class A-1 Noteholders' Monthly
Principal Distributable Amount for such Distribution Date and (ii) the Class 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 Class A-1 Notes, and on
the Class A-1 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date, the Class A-1 Noteholders'
Principal Distributable Amount will include the amount necessary (after giving
effect to the other amounts to be deposited in the Class A Note Distribution
 
                                      S-40
<PAGE>
Account on such Distribution Date and allocable to principal) to reduce the
outstanding principal amount of the Class A-1 Notes to zero.
 
    "CLASS A-2 NOTE FINAL SCHEDULED DISTRIBUTION DATE" means the Distribution
Date.
 
    "CLASS 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 Class A-1
Notes to zero has been deposited in the Class A Note Distribution Account, the
excess, if any, of (i) the Principal Distribution Amount over (ii) the portion
of the Principal Distribution Amount, if any, applied to reduce the outstanding
principal amount of the Class A-1 Notes to zero on such Distribution Date. In
addition, on any Distribution Date on or after the      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
Class A-2 Notes to the extent described under "--Reserve Account" below.
 
    "CLASS A-2 NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL CARRYOVER SHORTFALL" means, as of the
close of any Distribution Date, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of (A) the
Class A-2 Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount for such
Distribution Date and (B) any outstanding Class 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 Class A
Note Distribution Account in respect of the Class A-2 Notes.
 
    "CLASS A-2 NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means, with respect
to any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the Class A-2 Noteholders' Monthly
Principal Distributable Amount for such Distribution Date and (ii) the Class 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 Class A-1 Notes to zero has been
deposited in the Class A Note Distribution Account, the Class 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
Class A-2 Notes, and on the Class A-2 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date,
the Class A-2 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount will include the
amount necessary (after giving effect to the other amounts to be deposited in
the Class A Note Distribution Account on such Distribution Date and allocable to
principal) to reduce the outstanding principal amount of the Class A-2 Notes to
zero.
 
    "CLASS A-3 NOTE FINAL SCHEDULED DISTRIBUTION DATE" means the Distribution
Date.
 
    "CLASS 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 Class A-1
Notes and the Class A-2 Notes to zero has been deposited in the Class A Note
Distribution Account, the excess, if any, of (i) the Principal Distribution
Amount over (ii) the portion of the Principal Distribution Amount, if any,
applied to reduce the outstanding principal amount of the Class A-1 Notes and
the Class A-2 Notes to zero on such Distribution Date. In addition, on any
Distribution Date on or after the      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 Class A-3 Notes to the
extent described under "--Reserve Account" below.
 
    "CLASS A-3 NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL CARRYOVER SHORTFALL" means, as of the
close of any Distribution Date, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of (A) the
Class A-3 Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount for such
Distribution Date and (B) any outstanding Class 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 Class A
Note Distribution Account in respect of the Class A-3 Notes.
 
    "CLASS A-3 NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means, with respect
to any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the Class A-3 Noteholders' Monthly
Principal Distributable Amount for such Distribution Date and (ii) the Class 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
 
                                      S-41
<PAGE>
principal amount of the Class A-1 Notes and the Class A-2 Notes to zero has been
deposited in the Class A Note Distribution Account, the Class 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
Class A-3 Notes, and on the Class A-3 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date,
the Class A-3 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount will include the
amount necessary (after giving effect to the other amounts to be deposited in
the Class A Note Distribution Account on such Distribution Date and allocable to
principal) to reduce the outstanding principal amount of the Class A-3 Notes to
zero.
 
    "CLASS B NOTE DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT" SHALL MEAN A NOTE DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT
ESTABLISHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS.
 
    "CLASS B NOTE FINAL SCHEDULED DISTRIBUTION DATE" means the      Distribution
Date.
 
    "CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS' DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means, with respect to any
Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the Class B Noteholders' Principal
Distributable Amount and (ii) the Class B Noteholders' Interest Distributable
Amount.
 
    "CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS' INTEREST CARRYOVER SHORTFALL" means, with respect to
any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the excess, if any, of (A) the sum of (1)
the Class B Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for the preceding
Distribution Date and (2) any outstanding Class B Noteholders' Interest
Carryover Shortfall on such preceding Distribution Date, over (B) the amount in
respect of interest that is actually deposited in the Class B Note Distribution
Account on such preceding Distribution Date, and (ii) interest on such excess,
to the extent permitted by law, at the Class B Note Rate.
 
    "CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS' INTEREST DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means, with respect to
any Distribution Date, the sum of the Class B Noteholders' Monthly Interest
Distributable Amount for such Distribution Date and the Class B Noteholders'
Interest Carryover Shortfall for such Distribution Date.
 
    "CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS' MONTHLY INTEREST DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means, with
respect to any Distribution Date, an amount equal to the aggregate interest
accrued on the Class B Note at the Class B Note 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).
 
    "CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS' MONTHLY PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means, with
respect to any Distribution Date on or after the Distribution Date on which the
principal amounts of the Class A Notes are reduced to zero, the excess, if any,
of (i) the Principal Distribution Amount over (ii) the portion of the Principal
Distribution Amount, if any, applied on such Distribution Date to reduce the
principal amounts of the Class A Notes to zero. In addition, on any Distribution
Date on and after the      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 Class B Notes to the extent described
under "--Reserve Account" below.
 
    "CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL CARRYOVER SHORTFALL" means, as of the close
of any Distribution Date, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of (A) the Class B
Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount and (B) any outstanding
Class B Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall from the preceding
Distribution Date, over (ii) the amount in respect of principal that is actually
deposited in the Class B Note Distribution Account.
 
    "CLASS B NOTEHOLDERS' PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means, with respect to
any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the Class B Noteholders' Monthly Principal
Distributable Amount for such Distribution Date and (ii) the Class B
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 amounts of the Class A Notes to zero has been
deposited in the Class A Note Distribution Account, the Class B Noteholders'
Principal Distributable Amount shall be zero; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that the sum of
 
                                      S-42
<PAGE>
clauses (i) and (ii) shall not exceed the outstanding principal amount of the
Class B Notes, and on the Class B Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date, the
Class B Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount will include the amount
necessary (after giving effect to the other amounts to be deposited in the Class
B Note Distribution Account on such Distribution Date and allocable to
principal) to reduce the outstanding principal amount of the Class B Notes to
zero.
 
    "COLLECTION PERIOD" means, with respect to the first Distribution Date, the
calendar month ending on         , 199 , and with respect to each subsequent
Distribution Date, the preceding calendar month.
 
    "NOTEHOLDERS' INTEREST DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT" means, with respect to any
Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the Class A Noteholders Interest Distributable
Amount for such Distribution Date and (ii) the Class B Noteholders Interest
Distributable Amount for such Distribution Date.
 
    "CUT-OFF DATE APR" is   %, which is the weighted average APR of the
Receivables as of the Cut-off Date.
 
    "INITIAL POOL BALANCE" means $    , which is the sum of the Principal
Balances of each Receivable as of the Cut-off Date.
 
    "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 Class A Note
Distribution Account will be distributed to the Class A Noteholders, all amounts
on deposit in the Class B Note Distribution Account will be distributed to the
Class B Noteholders and all amounts on deposit in the Certificate Distribution
Account will be distributed to the Certificateholders.
 
RESERVE ACCOUNT
 
    The rights of the Class B Noteholders to receive distributions with respect
to the Receivables generally will be subordinated to the rights of the Class A
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 protection afforded to the Class A Noteholders through
subordination will be effected by the preferential right of the Class A
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
$         (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 Class A Noteholders'
Interest Distributable Amount and the Class A Noteholders' Principal
Distributable Amount in the Class A Note Distribution Account, the deposit of
the Class B Noteholders' Distributable Amount in the Class B Distribution
Account and the deposit of the Certificateholders' Distributable Amount into 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 Class A-2 Noteholders, the Class
A-3 Noteholders and/or the Class B 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.
 
                                      S-43
<PAGE>
    "SPECIFIED RESERVE ACCOUNT BALANCE," with respect to any Distribution Date,
will be equal to the greater of (a)     % of the Pool Balance as of the close of
business on the last day of the preceding Collection Period and (b) $   (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     % 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     % 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 % 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 that upon payment of all the interest and principal due on the Notes,
the Specified Reserve Account Balance shall be zero.
 
    If the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account prior to the
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 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, 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              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 Class A Note
Distribution Account for distribution to the Class A-2 Noteholders as a payment
of principal on such Distribution Date (until the Class A-2 Notes have been paid
in full), and then to the Class A-3 Noteholders as a payment of principal (until
the Class A-3 Notes have been paid in full), and then the Servicer shall
instruct the Indenture Trustee to deposit all or the amount of the excess in the
Class B Distribution Account for distribution to the Class B Noteholders as
payment of principal (until the Class B Notes have been paid in full). Upon the
Class B 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, the
Noteholders will not have any rights in, or claims to, such amounts.
 
    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 and the Class B Noteholders Monthly Interest Distributable
Amount) with respect to any Collection Period is less than the Class A
Noteholders' Distributable Amount, and funds in the amount of such deficiency
will be deposited in the Class A 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 Class A Noteholders' Distributable
Amount in the Class A Note Distribution Account is less than the Class B Note
 
                                      S-44
<PAGE>
Distributable Amount, and funds in the amount of such deficiency will be
deposited in the Class B Note 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     % 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 no funds from the Reserve Account will be applied on such
Distribution Date to principal of the Notes.
 
    If on any Distribution Date the entire Class A Noteholders' Interest
Distributable Amount for such Distribution Date (after giving effect to any
amounts withdrawn from the Reserve Account) is not deposited in the Class A Note
Distribution Account, the Class B Noteholders will not receive any distributions
on account of interest. The Class B Noteholders will not receive any principal
payments until the Class A Noteholders have been paid in full.
 
    The availability of funds in the Reserve Account and the
overcollateralization provided by the Certificates is intended to enhance the
likelihood of receipt by the Noteholders of the full amount of principal and
interest due them and to decrease the likelihood that the Noteholders will
experience losses. In addition, the subordination of the Class B Notes to the
Class A Notes is intended to provide the Class A 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
outstanding principal amount of the Class B Notes and the overcollateralization
provided by the Certificates, 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] [the Leases] 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 the Seller. 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] [or] [Lease] (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] [or] [the Lease]. 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 the
Seller (an affiliate of CFSC) does not obtain possession or control of the
[Installment Sales Contracts] [or] [Leases], should a court find that the Seller
did have possession or
 
                                      S-45
<PAGE>
control of such [Installment Sales Contracts] [or] [Leases], the interests of
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.
 
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] [or lease] secured by related Financed
Equipment and the portion of such contract secured by the cross-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] [Lease] 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 Class A-1 Notes will be eligible securities for purchase by money market
funds under paragraph (a)(9) of Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.]
 
                                      S-46
<PAGE>
                   [CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
    The Seller intends to cause an election to be made under the Code whereby
the Trust will qualify as a "financial asset securitization investment trust" or
"FASIT" under the relevant provisions of the Code (the "FASIT PROVISIONS").
Under the FASIT Provisions, a FASIT generally avoids federal income taxation and
can issue "regular interests," which are treated as debt for federal income tax
purposes. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations--Tax Consequences to
Holders of the Notes--TREATMENT OF THE NOTES AS INDEBTEDNESS" in the Prospectus.
Further, the Seller will receive an opinion from Special Tax Counsel generally
to the effect that, under current law as in effect on the Closing Date, the
Trust will constitute a FASIT for federal income tax purposes and the Notes will
constitute "regular interests" in the FASIT constituted by the Trust.
 
    More specifically, Noteholders should also be aware that, under the Code,
amounts includible with respect to regular interests in a FASIT are required to
be determined under the accrual method of accounting. Additionally, investors
which are "pass-thru entities" under the FASIT Provisions (generally including
regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, partnerships and
certain other entities) which issue securities "supported" by Notes having
yields generally exceeding the sum of the "applicable Federal rate" and 5% could
be subject to tax with respect to their income from Notes. The Seller and the
Trustee will treat the Notes as debt of the Seller for purposes of determining
the applicability of exemption from federal income tax withholding (in
particular the rules regarding related parties). See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations--Tax Consequences to Holders of the Notes-- FOREIGN HOLDERS" in
the Prospectus. No guidance has yet been issued by the U.S. Treasury Department
under the FASIT Provisions, and accordingly various issues remain unresolved.
Prospective Noteholders should consult their tax advisors with regard to the
effects of investing in the Notes in their particular circumstances.]
 
                              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 and
prohibited transaction 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 assets that are treated as "plan
assets" of any Plan for purposes of applying Title I of ERISA and Section 4975
of the Code ("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, collectively, "PARTIES IN INTEREST") who
have certain specified relationships to a Plan or its Plan Assets, unless a
statutory or administrative exemption is available. Parties in Interest 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.
 
                                      S-47
<PAGE>
    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. In particular, 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, any Certificateholder 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. Each purchaser
of the Notes will be deemed to have represented and warranted that its purchase
of the Notes or any interest therein does not violate the foregoing limitations.
 
    Any such fiduciary or other Plan investor should also 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.,
U.S. Department of Labor (the "DOL") Prohibited Transaction Exemptions 96-23
(Class Exemption for Plan Asset Transactions Determined by In-House Investment
Managers), 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 the above exemptions are
met, the scope of the relief provided by the exemption might not cover all acts
which might be construed as prohibited transactions. In addition, investors
other than Plan investors should be aware that a prohibited transaction could be
deemed to occur if any holder of the Certificates or any of its respective
affiliates is or becomes a Party in Interest with respect to any Plan that
purchases and holds the Notes without being covered by one or more of the above
exemptions.
 
    In addition, under Section 2510.3-101 of the regulations of 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] [without regard to the FASIT election to be made as described herein
under] "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.
 
    For further information see "ERISA Considerations" in the Prospectus.
 
                                      S-48
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
    Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement
(the "UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT"), the Seller has agreed to cause the Trust to sell
to the underwriter[s] named below (the "UNDERWRITERS"), and [each of] the
Underwriter[s] has [severally] agreed to purchase, the principal amount of Notes
set forth opposite its name below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                PRINCIPAL AMOUNT  PRINCIPAL AMOUNT  PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
                                  OF CLASS A-1      OF CLASS A-2      OF CLASS A-3    PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
UNDERWRITER[S]                       NOTES             NOTES             NOTES        OF CLASS B NOTES
- ------------------------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
<S>                             <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
 
                                     --------          --------          --------          --------
          Total...............     $                 $                 $
                                     --------          --------          --------          --------
                                     --------          --------          --------          --------
</TABLE>
 
    In the Underwriting Agreement, the [several] Underwriter[s] [has] [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 Underwriter[s] that [it] [they] propose initially to offer the Class A-1
Notes, the Class A-2 Notes, the Class A-3 Notes and the Class B Notes to the
public at the prices set forth herein, and to certain dealers at such prices
less a concession not in excess of      % per Class A-1 Note,      % per Class
A-2 Note,      % per Class A-3 Note, and      % per Class B Notes. The
Underwriter[s] [has] [have] may allow and such dealers may reallow a concession
not in excess of      % per Class A-1 Note,      % per Class A-2 Note,      %
per Class A-3 Note and      % per Class B Note to certain other dealers. After
the initial public offering, such prices and such concessions may be changed.
 
    Until the distribution of the Securities is completed, rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission may limit the ability of the Underwriter[s]
and certain selling group members to bid for and purchase the securities. As an
exception to these rules, [     ], [on behalf of the Underwriters,] [is] [are]
are permitted to engage in over-allotment transactions, stabilizing
transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids with respect to
the Notes in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.
 
    Over-allotment transactions involve syndicate sales in excess of the
offering size, which create syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions
permit bids to purchase the Notes so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed
a specified maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the
Notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to
cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit [   ] to reclaim a selling
concession from a syndicate member when the Notes originally sold by such
syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction.
 
    Such over-allotment transactions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate
covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the prices of the Notes to be
higher than they would otherwise be in the absence of such transactions. Neither
the Issuer nor [any of] the Underwriter[s] make[s] any representation or
prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions
described above may have on the price of the Notes. In addition, neither the
Issuer nor [any of] the Underwriter[s] represent[s] that [   ] will engage in
any such transactions or that such transactions, once commenced, will not be
discontinued without notice.
 
    The Underwriting Agreements provide that the Seller and CFSC will indemnify
the Underwriter[s] against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments the [several] Underwriter[s]
may be required to make in respect thereof. [The Underwriter[s] [has] [have]
agreed to reimburse the Seller for certain expenses of the issuance and
distribution of the Notes]
 
    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 Underwriter[s].
 
                                      S-49
<PAGE>
    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 LLP, San Francisco, California, and by                      , and for
the Underwriter[s] by                      . Certain federal income tax and
other matters will be passed upon for the Trust and the Seller by Orrick,
Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Certain Tennessee state tax matters will be passed
upon for the Trust and the Seller by Tuke Yopp & Sweeney, PLC, Nashville,
Tennessee.
 
                                      S-50
<PAGE>
[ANNEX I]
 
                        GLOBAL CLEARANCE, SETTLEMENT AND
                          TAX DOCUMENTATION PROCEDURES
 
    Except in certain limited circumstances, the globally offered Caterpillar
Financial Asset Trust 199 -- Class A-1   % Asset Backed Notes, Class A-2   %
Asset Backed Notes, Class A-3   % Asset Backed Notes and the Class B 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.
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
    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 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
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
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.
 
    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.
 
                                      A-3
<PAGE>
    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, the income of
which is includible in gross income for United States tax purposes, regardless
of its source, or any trust if a court within the United States is able to
exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or
more United States fiduciaries have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of the trust. 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-4
<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>
Administration Agreement.......................................................           S-18
Administration Fee.............................................................           S-18
Administrator..................................................................           S-18
                                                                                    S-4, S-22,
APR............................................................................           S-38
Caterpillar....................................................................           S-31
Cede...........................................................................            S-2
Cedel..........................................................................            A-1
Certificate Balance............................................................      S-9, S-38
Certificate Rate...............................................................      S-7, S-34
Certificateholders' Distributable Amount.......................................      S-9, S-38
Certificateholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall...............................      S-9, S-38
Certificateholders' Interest Distributable Amount..............................      S-9, S-38
Certificateholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount......................      S-9, S-38
Certificateholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount.....................     S-10, S-38
Certificateholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall..............................     S-10, S-38
Certificateholders' Principal Distributable Amount.............................     S-10, S-38
Certificates...................................................................       S-1, S-4
CFSC...........................................................................            S-3
Class A Note Distribution Account..............................................     S-10, S-39
Class A Noteholders............................................................            S-5
Class A Noteholders' Distributable Amount......................................     S-10, S-39
Class A Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall..............................     S-10, S-39
Class A Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount.............................     S-11, S-39
Class A Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount.....................     S-11, S-39
Class A Notes..................................................................        S-1, S3
Class A-1 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date...............................      S-6, S-39
Class A-1 Note Pool Factor.....................................................           S-30
Class A-1 Note Rate............................................................      S-5, S-31
Class A-1 Noteholders..........................................................            S-5
Class A-1 Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount..................     S-11, S-38
Class A-1 Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall...........................     S-11, S-38
Class A-1 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount..........................     S-11, S-39
Class A-1 Notes................................................................       S-1, S-3
Class A-2 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date...............................      S-6, S-39
Class A-2 Note Pool Factor.....................................................           S-30
Class A-2 Note Rate............................................................      S-5, S-32
Class A-2 Noteholders..........................................................            S-5
Class A-2 Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount..................     S-11, S-39
Class A-2 Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall...........................     S-12, S-40
Class A-2 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount..........................     S-12, S-40
Class A-2 Notes................................................................       S-1, S-3
Class A-3 Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date...............................      S-6, S-40
Class A-3 Note Pool Factor.....................................................           S-30
Class A-3 Note Prepayment Price................................................      S-7, S-34
Class A-3 Note Rate............................................................      S-5, S-32
Class A-3 Noteholders..........................................................            S-5
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>
Class A-3 Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount..................     S-12, S-40
Class A-3 Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall...........................     S-12, S-40
Class A-3 Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount..........................     S-13, S-40
Class A-3 Notes................................................................       S-1, S-3
Class B Distribution Account...................................................           S-13
Class B Note Distribution Account..............................................           S-41
Class B Note Final Scheduled Distribution Date.................................           S-41
Class B Note Pool Factor.......................................................           S-30
Class B Note Rate..............................................................      S-5, S-32
Class B Noteholders............................................................            S-5
Class B Noteholders' Distributable Amount......................................     S-13, S-41
Class B Noteholders' Interest Carryover Shortfall..............................     S-13, S-41
Class B Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount.............................     S-13, S-41
Class B Noteholders' Monthly Interest Distributable Amount.....................     S-13, S-41
Class B Noteholders' Monthly Principal Distributable Amount....................     S-13, S-41
Class B Noteholders' Principal Carryover Shortfall.............................     S-14, S-41
Class B Noteholders' Principal Distributable Amount............................     S-14, S-41
Class B Notes..................................................................       S-1, S-3
Class B Prepayment Price.......................................................      S-7, S-34
Class B Redemption Price.......................................................      S-7, S-35
Closing Date...................................................................            S-1
Code...........................................................................           S-19
Collection Account.............................................................           S-16
Collection Period..............................................................     S-14, S-41
Commission.....................................................................            S-2
Current Distribution Date......................................................           S-42
Custodial Agreement............................................................           S-18
Custodian......................................................................           S-18
Cut-off Date...................................................................      S-4, S-22
Cut-off Date APR...............................................................      S-5, S-42
Dealers........................................................................            S-4
Determination Date.............................................................           S-35
                                                                                     S-1, S-5,
Distribution Date..............................................................           S-32
DOL............................................................................           S-46
DTC............................................................................       S-2, A-1
ERISA..........................................................................     S-19, S-46
Euroclear......................................................................            A-1
Exchange Act...................................................................            S-2
[FASIT.........................................................................    S-18, S-44]
[FASIT Provisions..............................................................          S-44]
Financed Equipment.............................................................            S-4
Global Securities..............................................................            A-1
Indenture......................................................................            S-3
Indenture Trustee..............................................................            S-3
Initial Pool Balance...........................................................      S-4, S-42
Installment Sales Contracts....................................................            S-4
Issuer.........................................................................       S-1, S-3
Leases.........................................................................            S-4
Liquidated Receivables.........................................................           S-36
Liquidation Proceeds...........................................................           S-36
Moody's........................................................................           S-19
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>
Noteholders....................................................................            S-5
Noteholders' Interest Distributable Amount.....................................           S-41
Notes..........................................................................            S-1
Obligors.......................................................................            S-4
Owner Trustee..................................................................            S-3
Parties in Interest............................................................           S-46
Plan Asset Regulation..........................................................           S-46
Plan Assets....................................................................     S-19, S-46
Plans..........................................................................     S-19, S-45
Pool Balance...................................................................      S-5, S-42
Principal Balance..............................................................      S-5, S-23
Principal Distribution Amount..................................................     S-14, S-36
Purchase Agreement.............................................................            S-4
Rating Agency..................................................................           S-19
Realized Losses................................................................     S-14, S-42
Receivables....................................................................       S-2, S-4
Receivables Files..............................................................     S-18, S-20
Receivables Pool...............................................................           S-22
Record Date....................................................................            S-6
Reserve Account................................................................           S-15
Reserve Account Initial Deposit................................................     S-15, S-42
S&P............................................................................           S-19
Sale and Servicing Agreement...................................................            S-4
Seller.........................................................................            S-3
Servicer.......................................................................            S-3
Servicing Fee..................................................................           S-17
Servicing Fee Rate.............................................................           S-17
Special Tax Counsel............................................................           S-19
Specified Reserve Account Balance..............................................     S-15, S-42
Tennessee Tax Counsel..........................................................           S-19
Total Distribution Amount......................................................     S-15, S-36
Transfer and Servicing Agreements..............................................           S-34
Trust..........................................................................       S-1, S-3
Trust Agreement................................................................            S-3
U.S. ISC Portfolio.............................................................           S-27
U.S. Lease Portfolio...........................................................           S-27
U.S. Person....................................................................            A-3
U.S. Portfolio.................................................................           S-27
Underwriters...................................................................           S-47
Underwriting Agreements........................................................           S-47
Variable Frequency.............................................................           S-24
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-7
<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................................         S-2
Summary of Terms......................................         S-3
Risk Factors..........................................        S-21
Formation of the Trust................................        S-22
The Receivables Pool..................................        S-23
Weighted Average Life of the Notes....................        S-30
Pool Factors and Trading Information..................        S-31
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
 Condition and Results of Operations..................        S-31
Use of Proceeds.......................................        S-32
The Seller, Caterpillar and the Servicer..............        S-32
Description of the Notes..............................        S-32
Description of the Certificates.......................        S-36
Description of the Transfer and Servicing
 Agreements...........................................        S-36
Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables..............        S-45
Legal Investment......................................        S-46
[Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations............        S-47]
ERISA Considerations..................................        S-47
Underwriting..........................................        S-49
Legal Opinions........................................        S-50
Annex I -- Global Clearance, Settlement and Tax
 Documentation Procedures.............................         A-1
Index of Terms........................................         A-5
 
<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....................................          19
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.......................          33
Certain Information Regarding the Securities..........          34
Issuance of the Securities............................          35
Description of the Transfer and Servicing
 Agreements...........................................          39
Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables..............          49
Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations.............          53
Certain State Tax Considerations......................          60
ERISA Considerations..................................          61
Plan of Distribution..................................          62
Ratings...............................................          62
Legal Opinions........................................          62
Index of Terms........................................          63
</TABLE>
 
    UNTIL             , 199 (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 199 -
 
                                  $
                                CLASS A-1     %
                               ASSET BACKED NOTES
                                  $
                                 CLASS A-2    %
                               ASSET BACKED NOTES
 
                                  $
                                 CLASS A-3    %
                               ASSET BACKED NOTES
 
                                  $
                                  CLASS B    %
                               ASSET BACKED NOTES
                             CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL
                              FUNDING CORPORATION
                                     SELLER
                             CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL
                              FUNDING CORPORATION
                                    SERVICER
 
                               -----------------
 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
                               -----------------
 
                                 [UNDERWRITERS]
 
                                           , 199
 
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY   , 1998.
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 may
include 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, if any, 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, on the terms 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 March   , 1998
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)
 
subordinate to the rights of one or more of the other Classes of such Series to
the extent described herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement. A Series
may include one or more Classes of Notes and may include 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.
In addition, the Commission maintains a public access site on the Internet
through the World Wide Web at which site reports, information statements and
other information, including all electronic filings, regarding the Seller and
each Trust may be viewed. The Internet address of such World Wide Web site is
http://www.sec.gov.
 
                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 C-3B, 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 may include one or more
                                    Classes of Certificates, which, if issued, will be
                                    issued pursuant to a Trust Agreement.
                                    The Prospectus Supplement related to each Series will
                                    specify whether the related Certificates, if any, 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 avail-
                                    able 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, if any, 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; provided, however, that unless otherwise
                                    specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, no such
                                    modifications may reduce the underlying APR or Princi-
                                    pal Balance of such Receivable, reduce the aggregate
                                    amount of scheduled payments or the amount of any
                                    scheduled payment due under such Receivable, release or
                                    modify CFSC's security interest in the Financed
                                    Equipment securing such Receivable or otherwise amend or
                                    modify such Receivable in a manner that
</TABLE>
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
                                    would have a material adverse effect on the interests of
                                    the related Securityholders. To the extent provided in
                                    the related Prospectus Supplement, some of such
                                    extensions may not be permitted or 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 fixed percentage per
                                    annum to be specified in the related Prospectus
                                    Supplement (the "SERVICING FEE RATE") of the Pool Bal-
                                    ance 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 the
                                    Seller. Although steps will be taken to ensure that the
                                    Seller does not obtain possession or control of any
                                    Receivables Files, should a court find that the Seller
                                    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.
</TABLE>
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
                                    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 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 Indenture 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
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
                                    connection with extensions of credit and collections
                                    relating to 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 circum-
                                    stances 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 specified in the related Prospectus
                                    Supplement, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, 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, unless
                                    the related Prospectus Supplement indicates that the
                                    Trust will qualify as a "financial asset securitization
                                    investment trust," 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.
                                    Upon the issuance of each Series of Securities, unless
                                    otherwise specified in the related Prospectus
                                    Supplement, 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 the Seller. Although steps will be taken to ensure that the
Seller does not obtain possession or control of the Receivables Files, should a
court find that the Seller 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.
 
    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 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, if
any, 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
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
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 SECURITIES.  To the extent specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, distributions of interest and principal on the Securities
of any Class of a Series may be subordinated in priority of payment to interest
and principal due on one or more other Classes of Securities of such Series. For
such Series, the related Securityholders will not receive any distributions with
respect to a Distribution Date until the full amount of interest on and/or
principal of the related senior Securities for such Distribution Date has been
deposited in the related Note Distribution Account or Certificate 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 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
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
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, particularly any junior 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. To the extent
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Securities of any Class of
any Series may be subordinated to one or more other Classes of Securities of
such Series, and any such Class may not be entitled to exercise any or all of
its rights under the circumstances described herein. See "--SUBORDINATION OF
SECURITIES" 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 the certain circumstances
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Servicer will be obligated
to purchase Receivables pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement as a result
of breaches of certain covenants. The rate of prepayment on the Receivables may
also be influenced by programs offered by providers of financing (including
CFSC) that solicit or make available credit that may be used to prepay
Receivables. 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 related payment schedule to the extent
specified in the Prospectus Supplement. Any such extensions or modifications may
increase the weighted average remaining term of the Receivables and the weighted
average life of the related Securities. Although each Sale and Servicing
Agreement will restrict the ability of the Servicer to otherwise modify a
Receivable as described herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
Servicer will be permitted to refinance an existing Receivable for an Obligor,
so long as the proceeds of such refinanced receivable would be used to prepay
such existing Receivable in full and any such refinanced receivable is evidenced
by a new Lease or Installment Sales Contract. Any such new receivable resulting
from a refinancing would not be the property of the related Trust. See
"Description of the Transfer and Servicing Agreements--Sale and 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
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
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.
 
    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 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
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
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.
 
                               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
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
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 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. References herein to the
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
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. CFSC
also finances engines manufactured by Caterpillar and turbines manufactured by
Solar Turbines, a subsidiary of Caterpillar. These engines and turbines are used
in various applications including equipment manufactured by other manufacturers,
marine (including both commercial and pleasure craft), in the generation of
electric power, and in the production of petroleum and natural gas. 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 originated without
trade-ins or with low or no down payments.
 
    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
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
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 72
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. The regional offices are responsible for verifying insurance
coverage on the equipment at the time the receivable is originated or acquired.
Subsequent follow-up on insurance coverage during the term of financing is
provided by an independent supplier of this service. 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 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.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
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. The regional offices are responsible for verifying
insurance coverage on the equipment at the time the receivable is originated or
acquired. Subsequent follow-up on insurance coverage during the term of
financing is provided by an independent supplier of this service. 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.
 
    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
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
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. CFSC, as Servicer, to the extent specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, is not permitted to make certain revisions to a Receivable assigned
to a Trust, and if CFSC, as servicer, extends, modifies or revises a receivable
it may be required to repurchase the related Receivable from the related Trust.
In addition, CFSC in the ordinary course of business may refinance a receivable
for an obligor. The proceeds of such refinancing would be used to prepay such
existing receivable in full. Any such new receivable resulting from a
refinancing would not be the property of a 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. Unless otherwise specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement, 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."
 
    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.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
    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 under the certain circumstances specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement, 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--Termination" herein regarding the Servicer's option to
purchase the Receivables from a Trust. Consistent with its normal servicing
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 related
payment schedule to the extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
Although each Sale and Servicing Agreement will restrict the ability of the
Servicer to otherwise modify a Receivable as described herein and in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the Servicer will be permitted to refinance an existing
Receivable for an Obligor, so long as the proceeds of such refinanced receivable
would be used to repay such existing Receivable in full and any such refinanced
receivable is evidenced by a new Lease or Installment Sales Contract. Any such
new receivable resulting from a refinancing would not be property of the related
Trust. Any such extensions or modifications may lengthen the weighted average
remaining term of the Receivables and the weighted average life of the related
Securities. See "The Receivables Pools--The Retail Equipment Financing
Business--EXTENSION/REVISION PROCEDURES" and "Description of the Transfer and
Servicing Agreements--Sale and Assignment of Receivables" and "--Servicing
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 C-3B, 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 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
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, Ireland, Mexico, Chile, Singapore and Poland.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the term "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. See "Weighted Average Life of the Securities" herein.
 
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, the related
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
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the related Indenture or of
modifying in any manner the rights of such 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,
the related 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 Class and 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 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, and will be distributed to the Noteholders of each Class in the
manner set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. 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 or any Class thereof, the related Indenture Trustee or
holders of a majority in principal amount of such Notes of such Series then
outstanding may declare the principal of the Notes of such Series 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 may 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.
 
                                       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.
 
    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if junior Notes of a Series
are issued, the rights of the junior Noteholders of any Class of such Series to
consent to or direct any action may be limited as set forth in the related
Indenture and as described in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
    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.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
    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, (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. If the
related Prospectus
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
Supplement provides that a given Class of Notes is junior in priority to one or
more other Classes of Notes, pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, as amended,
the related Indenture Trustee may be deemed to have a conflict of interest and
be required to resign as trustee for one or more of such Classes if an Event of
Default occurs under the Indenture. In such cases, the related Indenture will
provide for a successor trustee to be appointed for one or more of such Classes
of Notes. In these circumstances, the related Indenture will set forth the
rights of senior Noteholders and junior Noteholders, which may be different, to
consent to or direct actions by the related Indenture Trustee. 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 may be issued pursuant to the terms of a Trust Agreement between the
Seller and the related Owner Trustee, a form of which has 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 any
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.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
    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.
 
                  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
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
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 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
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
"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 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
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
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 "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 36
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
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
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 34
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.
 
    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.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
    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 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
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
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 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 one or more accounts, 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 (each, a "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
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
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 (and shall be defined in the related Sale and Servicing Agreement).
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 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 as being
consistent with the ratings of the Securities, 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; provided, however, that unless otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, no such modifications may reduce the underlying APR of
such Receivable, reduce the aggregate amount of scheduled payments or the amount
of any scheduled payment due under such Receivable, release or modify CFSC's
security interest in the Financed Equipment securing such Receivable or
otherwise amend or modify such Receivable in a manner that would have a material
adverse effect on the interests of the related
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
Securityholders. To the extent provided in the related Prospectus Supplement,
some of such extensions may not be permitted or may result in the Servicer's
repurchasing such Receivable. Although each Sale and Servicing Agreement will
restrict the ability of the Servicer to otherwise modify a Receivable as
described herein, the Servicer will be permitted to refinance an existing
Receivable for an Obligor, so long as the proceeds of such refinanced receivable
would be used to prepay such existing Receivable in full and any such refinanced
receivable is evidenced by a new Lease or Installment Sales Contract. Any such
new receivable resulting from a refinancing would not be the property of the
related Trust. 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 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
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
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, as 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 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.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
    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 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
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
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;
 
         (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
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
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
Securityholders by a request in writing addressed to the applicable Trustee.
 
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.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
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 (or such Class or Classes of Notes
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement) 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, 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 such Class or Classes of Notes specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement) (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, all or some of the
Noteholders of any Series have the ability, as limited above, to waive defaults
by the Servicer which could materially and adversely affect the other related
Noteholders and the related Certificateholders. With respect to any Series, no
such waiver shall impair the Noteholders' or the Certificateholders' rights with
respect to subsequent defaults.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
AMENDMENT
 
    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, 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 or the tax characterization of the Notes or the
Certificates. 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 amendment 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 and an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the related
Indenture Trustee and the related Owner Trustee is provided to the effect that
such change will not adversely affect the tax characterization of the Notes or
the Certificates. 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. A Custodial Agreement may be amended by the parties thereto,
provided the applicable Rating Agencies confirm in writing that such amendment
will not result in a reduction or withdrawal of the rating of any related Class
of Securities.
 
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.
 
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).
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
    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.
 
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 the Seller. Although steps will be taken to
ensure that the Seller does not obtain possession or control of the Receivables
Files, should a court find that the Seller 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
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
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 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.
 
    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.
 
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 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.
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
    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.
 
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
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
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.
 
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.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
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, 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. Except as otherwise indicated, this
summary is 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.
 
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 either (i)
the nature of the income of the Trust will exempt it from the rule that certain
publicly traded partnerships are taxable as corporations or (ii) if so specified
in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Trust will qualify as a "financial
asset securitization trust" (a "FASIT") within the meaning of sections 860H
through 860(L) of the Code (the "FASIT PROVISIONS").
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
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. If an election to treat the Trust as a FASIT is
made, the discussion below regarding the United States federal income tax
treatment of the Notes will also be applicable to the Certificates.
 
    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 (i) 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 or (ii) if the Notes are issued by a Trust for which an
election to be treated as a FASIT will be made, at the time it accrues
regardless of the Noteholder's regular method of accounting. 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.
 
    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
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).
 
    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 Seller or the Trust (including in the absence of a FASIT
election with respect to the Trust, 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
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
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.
 
    If the interest, gain or income on a Note held by a foreign person is
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United
States by the foreign person, the holder (although exempt from the withholding
tax previously discussed if a duly executed Form 4224 is furnished) generally
will be subject to United States federal tax on the interest, gain or income at
regular federal income tax rates.
 
    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.
 
    NEW WITHHOLDING REGULATIONS.  The Treasury Department has issued new
regulations (the "NEW REGULATIONS") which make certain modifications to the
withholding, backup withholding and information reporting rules described above.
The New Regulations attempt to unify certification requirements and modify
reliance standards. The New Regulations will generally be effective for payments
made after December 31, 1998, subject to certain transition rules. Prospective
investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the New
Regulations.
 
    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 would likely 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.
 
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. If an election to treat the Trust as a FASIT
is not made, 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
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
account specified in the related Prospectus Supplement that, in each case,
constitute assets of the partnership and in which the Seller has an interest),
and the Notes being debt of the partnership. The remainder of this discussion of
the treatment of the Certificates assumes that no election to treat the Trust as
a FASIT will be made. 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. See "--Tax
Consequences to Holders of the Notes" above. 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
and in such case losses would be allocated to the Certificateholders only to the
extent that they are expected to bear the economic burden of such losses unless
otherwise provided in the related Supplement. 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
a Certificateholder is allocated income in excess of cash distributions, the
Certificateholder's basis in the Certificates will be increased by the amount of
such excess, which will reduce any gain or increase any loss upon a sale or
other disposition of the Certificates, as discussed below under "--Sale of
Certificates." If the Reserve Account becomes depleted and losses are allocated
to the Certificates, such losses could be treated
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
as capital losses, whereas any income allocated to the Certificates in respect
of later payments to Certificate-
holders in repayment of those losses could be treated as ordinary income. In
this regard, if a Certificateholder were allocated items of loss or deduction
that are characterized as capital losses (including losses that are recognized
upon the sale, extension, revision or, in certain circumstances, default of a
Receivable), such losses would generally be deductible by such Certificateholder
only against capital gain income (whether from the Trust or other sources). 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. Further, individual Certificateholders may be subject to other
limitations on their ability to deduct losses and other deductions, including
limitations applicable to investment interest, and should consult their own tax
advisors regarding such limitations.
 
    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.
 
    In lieu of the allocations described above, it is possible that the IRS
would require the Trust to allocate to Certificateholders net income (instead of
gross income) equal to the foregoing amounts, which allocations would comprise
items of gross income and losses and deductions of the Trust. If the Trust were
to allocate net income to Certificateholders, a Certificateholder's taxable
income could exceed the amount of net income allocated because of limitations on
the deductibility of capital losses and "miscellaneous itemized deductions" as
discussed above. Alternatively, the IRS might treat Certificateholders as
receiving guaranteed payments from the Trust, in which event the payments would
be treated as ordinary income but not as interest income. The Seller is
authorized to adjust the allocations described above to reflect the economic
income, gain or loss to the Certificateholders (including the Seller) or as
otherwise required by the Code.
 
    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.)
 
    DISTRIBUTIONS TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS.  Certificateholders generally will not
recognize gain or loss with respect to distributions from the Trust. A
Certificateholder will recognize gain, however, to the extent that any money
distributed exceeds the Certificateholder's adjusted basis (as described below
under "--Sale of Certificates") in the Certificates immediately before the
distribution. A Certificateholder will recognize loss upon termination of the
Trust or termination of the Certificateholder's interest in the Trust if the
Trust only distributes money to the Certificateholder and the amount distributed
is less than the Certificateholder's adjusted basis in the Certificates. Any
gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss.
 
    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
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
sold or exchanged within a 12-month period. If such a termination occurs, the
Trust will be considered to contribute all of its assets and liabilities to a
new partnership in exchange for an interest in the new partnership; and,
immediately thereafter, the terminating partnership represented by the Trust
would be considered to distribute its assets to its partners (i.e. the
Certificateholders and any other equity holders in the Trust). 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. Such deemed distribution and recontribution resulting from a
Section 708 termination generally should not result in material adverse tax
consequences to Certificateholders (although it may accelerate the recognition
of income from the Trust for Certificateholders whose taxable year is different
than the Trust's taxable year and result in a shorter holding period for
Certificateholders in their Certificates to the extent the amount distributed to
them in the deemed termination consists of money).
 
    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.
 
    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 Certificateholder'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.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
    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 such holders and the IRS on Schedule K-1. The Trust will
provide the Schedule K-1 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, Certificateholders must file tax returns that are
consistent with the information return filed by the Trust or be subject to
penalties unless the Certificateholder 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.
 
    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.
 
    NEW WITHHOLDING REGULATIONS.  The Treasury Department has issued new
regulations (the "NEW REGULATIONS") which make certain modifications to the
withholding, backup withholding and information reporting rules described above.
The New Regulations attempt to unify certification requirements and modify
reliance standards. The New Regulations will generally be effective for payments
made after December 31, 1999, subject to certain transition rules. Prospective
investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the New
Regulations.
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
                        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, PLC 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, PLC 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 finance 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
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 or domiciled
in 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, PLC (1) the Certificates of each Series will be treated as "stock" and
interim distributions by the Trust to the Certificateholders (other than
distributions in liquidiation) will be taxable as "dividends" under the Hall
Tax, (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. Noteholders who are not
residents of Tennessee are not subject to the Hall Tax.
 
    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 Nevada and
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 or
"domiciled" in Tennessee, a literal interpretation of the Hall Tax would subject
such Trust to taxation thereunder. In the opinion of Tuke Yopp & Sweeney, PLC,
based upon existing legal precedent, the activities of the Servicer on behalf of
the Trust in Tennessee should not cause a Trust to be deemed either a "resident"
of or "domiciled" or "doing business" in Tennessee. Tennessee has recently
enacted legislation which has significantly expanded what constitutes "doing
business" within Tennessee. Because the determination of what constitutes "doing
business" involves qualitative and quantitative analysis of a taxpayer's
activities in Tennessee, Tuke Yopp & Sweeney, PLC cannot state without
qualification that a Trust will not be "doing business" in Tennessee. If a Trust
is "domiciled" in Tennessee, the TDOC has ruled it can tax interest income of
the Trust from obligations with maturities of longer than six months but has
held in the Ruling income from finance leases is rental income and not subject
to the Hall Tax. Furthermore, in the opinion of Tuke Yopp & Sweeney, PLC, 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.
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
    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 and
prohibited transaction 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 for
purposes of applying Title I of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code ("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, collectively, "PARTIES IN INTEREST") who
have certain specified relationships to a Plan or its Plan Assets, unless a
statutory or administrative exemption is available. Parties in Interest 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.
 
    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, except as provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
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.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
                              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 LLP,
San Francisco, California.
 
                                       62
<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, 52
Base Rate..........................................................................         34
Book-Entry Certificates............................................................         36
Book-Entry Notes...................................................................         36
Book-Entry Securities..............................................................         36
Calculation Agent..................................................................         36
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.......................................................         35
Currency Indexed Securities........................................................         35
Custodial Agreement................................................................          9
Custodian..........................................................................          9
Cut-off Date.......................................................................          7
Cut-off Date APR...................................................................         40
Dealer Agreement...................................................................         21
Dealer Agreements..................................................................         20
Dealers............................................................................          7
Definitive Certificates............................................................         35
Definitive Notes...................................................................         35
Definitive Securities..............................................................         35
Depositaries.......................................................................         36
Depository.........................................................................         28
Distribution Date..................................................................         28
DTC................................................................................          3
Eligible Deposit Account...........................................................         41
Eligible Institution...............................................................         41
Eligible Investments...............................................................         41
ERISA..............................................................................     12, 61
Euroclear..........................................................................         37
Euroclear Operator.................................................................         38
Euroclear Participants.............................................................         37
Euroclear System...................................................................         37
</TABLE>
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
Event of Default...................................................................         30
Exchange Act.......................................................................          3
F&E Tax............................................................................         60
Face Amount........................................................................         35
FASIT..............................................................................         53
FASIT Provisions...................................................................         53
Financed Equipment.................................................................       1, 6
Fixed Rate Securities..............................................................         34
Floating Rate Securities...........................................................         34
foreign person.....................................................................         54
Funding Period.....................................................................          5
GAAP...............................................................................         23
Hall Tax...........................................................................         60
Implicit Interest Rate.............................................................         23
Indenture..........................................................................          4
Indenture Trustee..................................................................      1, 28
Index..............................................................................         35
Indexed Commodity..................................................................         35
Indexed Currency...................................................................         35
Indexed Principal Amount...........................................................         35
Indexed Securities.................................................................         35
Indirect Participants..............................................................         36
Initial Cut-off Date...............................................................          7
Initial Pool Balance...............................................................         48
Initial Receivables................................................................      7, 39
Insolvency Event...................................................................         47
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...........................................................         22
Mechanics' Liens...................................................................         11
New Regulations....................................................................         55
Note Distribution Account..........................................................         40
Note Pool Factor...................................................................         26
Noteholder.........................................................................         37
Noteholders........................................................................      4, 37
Notes..............................................................................          1
Obligors...........................................................................          7
OID................................................................................         54
OID Regulations....................................................................         54
Owner Trustee......................................................................          1
Participants.......................................................................         36
Parties in Interest................................................................         61
Pass-Through Rate..................................................................          5
Plan Assets........................................................................         61
Plans..............................................................................         61
Pool Balance.......................................................................         26
Pre-Funded Amount..................................................................      7, 16
Pre-Funding Account................................................................       1, 8
</TABLE>
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
Principal Balance..................................................................         40
Prospectus Supplement..............................................................          1
Purchase Agreement.................................................................      7, 39
Purchase Amount....................................................................         40
Rating Agency......................................................................         62
Realized Losses....................................................................         45
receivables........................................................................         20
Receivables........................................................................       1, 6
Receivables Files..................................................................     10, 13
Record Date........................................................................         36
Registration Statement.............................................................          3
Related Documents..................................................................         32
Reserve Account....................................................................         44
Rules..............................................................................         37
Ruling.............................................................................         60
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...................................................................         47
Servicer's Yield...................................................................     10, 42
Servicing Fee......................................................................     10, 42
Servicing Fee Rate.................................................................     10, 42
Special Tax Counsel................................................................         53
Specified Reserve Account Balance..................................................      8, 44
Spread.............................................................................         34
Spread Multiplier..................................................................         34
Stock Index........................................................................         35
Stock Indexed Securities...........................................................         35
Strip Certificates.................................................................          6
Strip Notes........................................................................          5
Subsequent Closing Date............................................................         39
Subsequent Cut-off Date............................................................          7
Subsequent Receivables.............................................................      1, 39
TDOR...............................................................................         60
Tennessee Tax Counsel..............................................................         12
Terms and Conditions...............................................................         38
Total Distribution Amount..........................................................         42
Transfer and Servicing Agreements..................................................         39
Trust..............................................................................       1, 4
Trust Accounts.....................................................................         41
Trust Agreement....................................................................          4
Trust Property.....................................................................         19
Trustee............................................................................         35
U.S. ISC Portfolio.................................................................         25
U.S. Lease Portfolio...............................................................         25
U.S. Portfolio.....................................................................         25
UCC................................................................................      9, 13
Underwriters.......................................................................         62
United States Persons..............................................................         53
</TABLE>
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
    The following is an itemized list of the estimated expenses to be incurred
in connection with the offering of the securities being offered hereunder other
than underwriting discounts and commissions.*
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Registration Statement Fee......................................  $ 358,498
<S>                                                               <C>
Printing and Engraving Expenses.................................    340,000
Trustee's Fees and Expenses.....................................     50,000
Legal Fees and Expenses.........................................    500,000
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses......................................     30,000
Accountants's Fees and Expenses.................................    200,000
Rating Agency Fees..............................................    570,000
Miscellaneous Fees and Expenses.................................    100,000
                                                                  ---------
    Total.......................................................  $2,148,498
                                                                  ---------
                                                                  ---------
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------
*Reflects expenses related to this Registration Statement and expenses related
 to Registration Statement No. 333-24373 whose unissued Asset-Backed Securities
 are being carried forward.
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
    The Sale and Servicing Agreement will provide that any director, officer,
employee or agent of the Registrant will be indemnified by the Servicer from and
against (a) certain liabilities arising in connection with the Financed
Equipment, (b) taxes levied against such person in connection with the
transaction (including costs and expenses in defending against the same) and (c)
certain liabilities arising in connection with the Servicer's negligence,
willful malfeasance or bad faith in the performance of its duties.
 
    Chapter 78, section 751, subsection 1 of the Business Associations;
Securities; Commodities Law of the State of Nevada empowers a corporation to
indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party
to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, except an action by or in the
right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, or is or was serving at the
request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgements, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the
action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner which he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any
action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a
plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, does not, of itself, create a
presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and that, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he had
reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
 
    Subsection 2 of section 751 empowers a corporation to indemnify any person
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to
procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at
the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
against expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and attorneys' fees
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or
settlement of the action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner which
he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation. Indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue or matter as
to which such a person has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction,
after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable to the corporation or
for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent
that the court in which the
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines
upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person
is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court
deems proper.
 
    Subsection 3 of section 751 further provides that to the extent that a
director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the
merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in
subsections 1 and 2 of section 751, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter
therein, he must be indemnified by the corporation against expenses, including
attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the
defense.
 
    Article 6 of the Articles of Incorporation of Registrant provides that (i)
every person who was or is a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to,
or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he, or a person of
whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the
Registrant, or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director
or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be indemnified and held harmless
to the fullest extent legally permissible under the laws of the State of Nevada
from time to time against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorney's
fee, judgments, fines and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably
incurred or suffered by him in connection therewith, (ii) such right of
indemnification shall be a contract right which may be enforced in any manner
desired by such person, (iii) the expenses of officers and directors incurred in
defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding must be paid by the
Registrant as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the
action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
the director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the
Registrant, and that (iv) such right of indemnification shall not be exclusive
of any other right which such directors, officers or representatives may have or
hereafter acquire, and, without limiting the generality of such statement, they
shall be entitled to their respective rights of indemnification under any
By-law, agreement, vote of stockholders, provision of law, or otherwise, as well
as their rights under such Articles of Incorporation.
 
    Furthermore, such Articles of Incorporation provide that the Board of
Directors may adopt By-laws from time to time with respect to indemnification,
to provide at all times the fullest indemnification permitted by the laws of the
State of Nevada, and may cause the Registrant to purchase and maintain insurance
on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Registrant,
or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as director or officer of
another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and
incurred in any such capacity or arising out of such status, whether or not the
corporation would have the power to indemnify such person.
 
    Finally, such Articles of Incorporation provide that the indemnification
provided shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer,
employee or agent, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of such person.
 
    In addition, Article V of the by-laws of Caterpillar Inc. (the "PARENT")
provides, in effect, to the extent and under the circumstances permitted by
section 751 of the Business Associations; Securities; Commodities Law of the
State of Nevada, the Parent shall indemnify directors, officers, employees and
agents of the Parent, or persons serving at the request of the Parent as
directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation or enterprise
against loss and expenses. The Registrant believes that the officers and
directors of the Registrant are serving at the request of the Parent and are
therefore entitled to such indemnity from the Parent.
 
    The Parent has purchased liability insurance of the type referred to in
section 751. Subject to a certain specified deductible for each loss, the policy
covers the Parent with respect to its obligation to indemnify directors and
officers of the Parent and its wholly-owned direct and indirect subsidiaries. In
addition, the policy covers directors and officers of the Parent and its
wholly-owned direct and indirect subsidiaries with respect to certain
liabilities which are not reimbursable by the Parent. Subject to certain
exclusions from the coverage, the insurance provides for payment of loss in
excess of the applicable deductible to an aggregate
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
specified limit for each policy year. Insurance coverage does not extend to
certain claims, including claims based upon or attributable to the insured's
gaining personal profit or advantage to which he is not legally entitled, claims
brought about or contributed to by the dishonesty of the insured, and claims
under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for an accounting of
profits resulting from the purchase or sale by the insured of the Parent's
securities.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
 
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>
      1.1  --Form of Underwriting Agreement for the Certificates.*
      1.2  --Form of Underwriting Agreement for the Notes.*
      3.1  --Certificate of Incorporation of Caterpillar Financial Funding Corporation.*
      3.2  --By-laws of Caterpillar Financial Funding Corporation.*
      3.3  --Form of Certificate of Trust of a Trust.+
      4.1  --Form of Indenture.+
      4.2  --Form of Trust Agreement.+
      4.3  --Form of Sale and Servicing Agreement.+
      4.4  --Form of Certificate.+
      4.5  --Form of Note.+
      5.1  --Opinion of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP with respect to legality.
      8.1  --Opinion of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP with respect to federal tax
             matters.
      8.2  --Opinion of Tuke Yopp & Sweeney with respect to Tennessee tax matters.
     10.1  --Form of Purchase Agreement.+
     10.2  --Form of Administration Agreement.+
     10.3  --Form of Custodial Agreement.+
     23.1  --Consents of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LPP (included in its opinions filed
             as Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1).
     23.2  --Consent of Tuke Yopp & Sweeney (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 8.2).
     24.1  --Powers of Attorney (included on page II-5 of this Registration Statement).
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------
 
*   Incorporated herein by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit to
    Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-2988).
 
+   Incorporated by reference to the identically numbered Exhibit to
    Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-24373).
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
    The undersigned Registrant on behalf of the Caterpillar Financial Asset
Trusts (the "TRUSTS") hereby undertakes as follows:
 
    (a) (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement; (i) to include any
prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) to
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information set forth in the Registration Statement; (iii) to include any
material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in the Registration Statement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (a)(1)(i) and
(a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those clauses is contained in periodic reports filed
by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of
securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not
exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of
the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration
Fee" table in the effective registration statement.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
    (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial BONA
FIDE offering thereof.
 
    (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered that remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
 
    (b) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each
filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) with respect to any Trust that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial BONA
FIDE offering thereof.
 
    (c) That insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15
above, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of each
issue.
 
    (d) (1) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or
497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this
Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial BONA FIDE offering thereof.
 
    (e) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of
the Indenture Trustee for each Trust to act under subsection (a) of Section 310
of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 in accordance with the rules and regulations
prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of such Act.
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Nashville, State of Tennessee, on March 31, 1998.
 
                                CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL FUNDING CORPORATION
                                as originator of the Trusts and as Registrant
 
                                By:  /s/ PAUL J. GAETO
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                     Name: Paul J. Gaeto
                                     Title: Secretary
 
    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Paul Gaeto as his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him or her and
in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and
all amendments and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement, and
to file the same with all exhibits thereto, unto said attorney-in-fact and agent
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or either of them or
their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed on March 31, 1998 by the following
persons in the capacities indicated.
 
          SIGNATURE                        TITLE
- ------------------------------  ---------------------------
 
     /s/ SCOTT E. HARRIS        President and Director
- ------------------------------  (Principal Executive
       Scott E. Harris          Officer)
 
     /s/ EDWARD J. SCOTT        Treasurer
- ------------------------------  (Principal Financial
       Edward J. Scott          Officer)
 
                                Chief Financial Officer and
      /s/ JAMES L. MILLS        Director
- ------------------------------  (Principal Accounting
        James L. Mills          Officer)
 
     /s/ THOMAS H. HOLTER       Director
- ------------------------------
       Thomas H. Holter
 
         /s/ LEE FAIR           Director
- ------------------------------
           Lee Fair
 
    /s/ STEVE W. SIMONSON       Director
- ------------------------------
      Steve W. Simonson
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     SEQUENTIAL
 EXHIBIT                                                                                                PAGE
  NUMBER                                          DESCRIPTION                                          NUMBER
- ----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------
<C>         <S>                                                                                      <C>
      5.1   Opinion of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP with respect to legality.
      8.1   Opinion of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP with respect to federal tax matters.
      8.2   Opinion of Tuke Yopp & Sweeney with respect to Tennessee tax matters.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 5.1


                    [Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP letterhead]



                                     May 27, 1998



Caterpillar Financial Funding Corporation
Greenview Plaza
2950 East Flamingo Road, Suite C-3B
Las Vegas, Nevada  89121


Ladies and Gentlemen:

          At your request, we have examined the Registration Statement on 
Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement"), as prepared for filing by 
Caterpillar Financial Funding Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the 
"Registrant") on the date hereof, in connection with the registration under 
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of Asset Backed Notes and 
Asset Backed Certificates (collectively, the "Securities").  The Securities 
are issuable in Series under a separate Trust Agreement by and among the 
Registrant and a Trustee named therein, with respect to the Asset Backed 
Certificates of a Series, and a separate Indenture among the Trust and an 
Indenture Trustee named therein, with respect to the Asset Backed Notes of a 
Series.  The Securities of each Series are to be sold as set forth in the 
Registration Statement, any amendments thereto, and the Prospectus and 
Prospectus Supplement relating to the Securities of such Series.  All 
capitalized terms used herein that are not otherwise defined have the 
meanings set forth in the Prospectus.

          We have examined such instruments, documents and records as we 
deemed relevant and necessary as a basis of our opinion hereinafter 
expressed.  In such examination, we have assumed the following:  (a) the 
authenticity of original documents and the genuineness of all signatures; (b) 
the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies; 
(c) the truth, accuracy and completeness of the information, representations 
and warranties contained in the records, documents, instruments and 
certificates we have reviewed; and (d) that, as to each party (other than the 
Registrant) to a Trust Agreement and an Indenture, each Trust Agreement and 
each Indenture will be legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable in 
accordance with their respective terms.

<PAGE>

Caterpillar Financial Funding Corporation
May 27, 1998
Page 2

          Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that when the 
issuance of each Series of the Securities has been duly authorized by 
appropriate corporate action and the Securities of such Series have been duly 
executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the related Trust 
Agreement and Indenture, as applicable, and sold in the manner described in 
the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto and the Prospectus and 
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, the Securities will be legally 
issued, fully paid, non-assessable and binding obligations of the applicable 
Trust, and the holders of the Securities of such Series will be entitled to 
the benefits of the Trust Agreement and Indenture, as applicable, except as 
enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, 
reorganization, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, or other laws 
relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and general 
principles of equity, including without limitation concepts of materiality, 
reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the possible unavailability 
of specific performance or injunctive relief, regardless of whether such 
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

          We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an 
exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name wherever 
appearing in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained therein. 
 In giving such consent, we do not consider that we are "experts," within the 
meaning of the term as used in the Act or the rules and regulations of the 
Securities and Exchange Commission issued thereunder, with respect to any 
part of the Registration Statement, including this opinion letter as an 
exhibit or otherwise.

               Very truly yours,

               /S/ ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE LLP

               ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE LLP




<PAGE>


                                                                   EXHIBIT 8.1




                    [Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP letterhead]


                                  May 27, 1998


Caterpillar Financial Funding Corporation
Greenview Plaza
2950 East Flamingo Road, Suite C-3B
Las Vegas, Nevada  89121


Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have advised Caterpillar Financial Funding Corporation 
(the "Registrant") with respect to certain federal income tax aspects of the 
issuance of Asset Backed Notes and Asset Backed Certificates, each issuable 
in Series (collectively, the "Securities").  Such advice conforms to the 
description of selected federal income tax consequences to holders of the 
Securities that appears under the heading "Certain Federal Income Tax 
Considerations" in the prospectus (the "Prospectus") forming a part of the 
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") as filed by 
the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") 
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") on the date hereof, 
for registration of the Securities under the Act.  Such description does not 
purport to discuss all possible income tax ramifications of the proposed 
issuance, but with respect to those tax consequences which are discussed, in 
our opinion the description is accurate in all material respects.  All 
capitalized terms used herein that are not otherwise defined have the 
meanings as set forth in the Prospectus.

         This opinion letter is based on the facts and circumstances set 
forth in the Prospectus and in the other documents reviewed by us.  Our 
opinion as to the matters set forth herein could change with respect to a 
particular Series of Securities as a result of changes in facts and 
circumstances, changes in the terms of the documents reviewed by us, or 
changes in the law subsequent to the date hereof.  As the Registration 
Statement contemplates Series of Securities with numerous different 
characteristics, the particular characteristics of each Series of Securities 
must be considered in determining the applicability of this opinion to a 
particular Series of Securities.

<PAGE>

Caterpillar Financial Funding Corporation
May 27, 1998
Page 2


         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an 
exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name wherever 
appearing in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained therein. 
In giving such consent, we do not consider that we are "experts," within the 
meaning of the term as used in the Act or the rules and regulations of the 
Commission issued thereunder, with respect to any part of the Registration 
Statement, including this opinion letter as an exhibit or otherwise.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          /S/ ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE LLP

                                          ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE LLP
 

<PAGE>

                                                              EXHIBIT 8.2


G. MICHAEL YOPP                                            (615) 313-3321


                                May 27, 1998


Caterpillar Financial Funding Corporation
Greenview Plaza
2950 East Flamingo Road, Suite C-3B
Las Vegas, Nevada 89121

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          We have advised Caterpillar Financial Funding Corporation (the 
"Registrant") with respect to certain Tennessee state tax aspects of the 
issuance of Asset Backed Notes and Asset Backed Certificates (collectively, the 
"Securities").  Such advice conforms to the description of certain state tax 
consequences that appears under the heading "Certain State Tax Considerations" 
in the prospectus (the "Prospectus") forming a part of the Registration 
Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") as filed by the Registrant 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") on May 27, 1998, for registration
of the Securities under the Act.  Such description does not purport to discuss 
all possible state tax ramifications of the proposed issuance, however, in our 
opinion the description is accurate in all material respects.

          This opinion is based on the facts and circumstances set forth in the 
Prospectus and in the other documents reviewed by us.

          We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the 
Registration Statement and to the use of our name wherever appearing in the 
Registration Statement and the Prospectus.  In giving such consent, we do not 
believe that we should be deemed "experts," within the meaning of the term as 
used in the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission issued 
thereunder, with respect to any portion of the Registration Statement.


                                              Very truly yours,


                                              TUKE YOPP & SWEENEY, PLC




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