INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP
S-4, 1997-05-27
INVESTMENT ADVICE
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<PAGE>
 
     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 27, 1997

                                                           Registration No. 333-
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                              --------------------

    INVESTORS FINANCIAL                              INVESTORS CAPITAL
      SERVICES CORP.                                     TRUST I
 (Exact name of Registrant                     (Exact name of Registrant as
as specified in its charter)              specified in its Declaration of Trust)


           Delaware                                       Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of               (State or other jurisdiction of
 incorporation or organization)                incorporation or organization)

             6289                                           6719
 (Primary Standard Industrial                   (Primary Standard Industrial
  Classification Code Number)                    Classification Code Number)

             04-3279817
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)        (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
                                                         04-6825196
                             --------------------

               89 South Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111-1537
                                (617) 330-6700
   
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
Registrants' principal executive offices)
    
                             --------------------

                              John E. Henry, Esq.
                         General Counsel and Secretary
                                89 South Street
                       Boston, Massachusetts 02111-1537
                                (617) 330-6700
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, 
of agent for service)
                             --------------------

                                  Copies to:
   
     Steven C. Browne, Esq.                            Mitchell Kleinman, Esq.
Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP                           Brown & Wood LLP
       High Street Tower                               One World Trade Center
        125 High Street                                 New York, NY  10048
       Boston, MA  02110
                             --------------------

      Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon
as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
                             --------------------

      If the securities being registered pursuant to this Registration Statement
are to be offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and
there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box. |_|

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

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

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                            Proposed               Proposed
      Title of Each Class of                       Amount to be         Maximum Offering           Maximum            Amount of
    Securities to be Registered                     Registered          Price Per Unit(1)         Aggregate        Registration Fee
                                                                                               Offering Price(1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>                  <C>                    <C>                 <C>  
Series B Capital Securities of Investors
Capital Trust I                                    $25,000,000               100%                $25,000,000         $7,575.76
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Series B Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debentures of Investors Financial
Services Corp.(2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investors Financial Services Corp. Series B
Guarantee with respect to Series B Capital
Securities(3)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rights of holders of Junior Subordinated 
Debentures under the Indenture; Rights of 
holders of Series B Capital Securities of 
Investors Capital Trust I under a Declaration 
of Trust; Rights of holders of such Capital 
Securities under the Series B Guarantee and 
certain other back-up undertakings described 
herein
====================================================================================================================================
Total                                              $25,000,000(4)                                $25,000,000(4)      $7,575.76
====================================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

(1)   Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee.
(2)   No separate consideration will be received for the Series B Junior
      Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures of Investors Financial
      Services Corp. (the "Junior Subordinated Debentures") distributed upon any
      liquidation of Investors Capital Trust I.
(3)   No separate consideration will be received for the Investors Financial
      Services Corp. Series B Guarantee.
(4)   Such amount represents the liquidation amount of Investors Capital Trust I
      Series B Capital Securities to be exchanged hereunder and the principal
      amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed to
      holders of such Capital Securities upon any liquidation of Investors
      Capital Trust I.

           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, as amended, or until this Registration Statement
shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said
Section 8(a), may determine.
    
<PAGE>
 
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 27, 1997

                           INVESTORS CAPITAL TRUST I

                             OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS
                       9.77% SERIES B CAPITAL SECURITIES
               (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
          WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                      FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING
                       9.77% SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES
               (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
              UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED, AS DESCRIBED HEREIN, BY

                      INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.

      THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
                  BOSTON TIME, ON     , 1997, UNLESS EXTENDED
                             --------------------

   
           Investors Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust created under
the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby offers, upon the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus (as the same may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus") and in the
accompanying Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange
Offer"), to exchange up to $25,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of its 9.77%
Series B Capital Securities (the "New Capital Securities") which have been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
pursuant to a Registration Statement (as defined herein) of which this
Prospectus constitutes a part, for a like Liquidation Amount of its outstanding
9.77% Series A Capital Securities (the "Old Capital Securities"), of which
$25,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount is outstanding. Pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, Investors Financial Services Corp., a Delaware corporation (the
"Corporation"), is also offering to exchange (i) its guarantee of payments of
cash distributions and payments on liquidation of the Trust or redemption of the
Old Capital Securities (the "Old Guarantee"), along with certain back-up
undertakings made by the Corporation pursuant to the Indenture and Declaration
(each as defined herein) for a like guarantee in respect of the New Capital
Securities (the "New Guarantee") and like undertakings made by the Corporation
and (ii) all of its 9.77% Series A Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures due February 1, 2027 (the "Old Junior Subordinated Debentures") for a
like aggregate principal amount of its 9.77% Series B Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures due February 1, 2027 (the "New Junior
Subordinated Debentures"), which New Guarantee and New Junior Subordinated
Debentures also have been registered under the Securities Act. The Old Capital
Securities, the Old Guarantee and the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and the
related undertakings are collectively referred to herein as the "Old Securities"
and the New Capital Securities, the New Guarantee and the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the related undertakings are collectively referred
to herein as the "New Securities." Pursuant to the Indenture, the Corporation
has agreed to pay all fees, expenses, debts and obligations of the Trust, other
than the Old Capital Securities, the New Capital Securities and the Common
Securities (as defined herein).
                                               (Continued on the following page)

   
The Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal are first being mailed to all
holders of Old Capital Securities on _______________, 1997.
    

See "Risk Factors" commencing on page __ for certain information that should be
considered by Holders in deciding whether to tender Old Capital Securities in
the Exchange Offer.

THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF A BANK
AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER
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. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

              The date of this Prospectus is _________ __, 1997.


     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>
 
(cover page continued)

           The terms of the New Securities are identical in all material
respects to the respective terms of the Old Securities, except that (i) the New
Securities have been registered under the Securities Act and therefore will not
be subject to certain restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Securities,
(ii) the New Capital Securities will not provide for any increase in the
Distribution rate thereon and (iii) the New Junior Subordinated Debentures will
not provide for any increase in the interest rate thereon. See "Description of
New Securities" and "Description of Old Securities." The New Capital Securities
are being offered for exchange in order to satisfy certain obligations of the
Corporation and the Trust under the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of
January 31, 1997 (the "Registration Rights Agreement") among the Corporation,
the Trust and the Initial Purchaser (as defined herein). In the event that the
Exchange Offer is consummated, any Old Capital Securities which remain
outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer and the New Capital
Securities issued in the Exchange Offer will vote together as a single class for
purposes of determining whether holders of the requisite percentage in
outstanding Liquidation Amount thereof have taken certain actions or exercised
certain rights under the Declaration (as defined herein).

           The New Capital Securities and the Old Capital Securities
(collectively, the "Capital Securities") represent preferred undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. The Corporation is the owner of
all of the beneficial interests represented by the common securities of the
Trust (the "Common Securities," and together with the Capital Securities, the
"Trust Securities"). The Bank of New York is the Property Trustee of the Trust.
The Trust exists for the sole purpose of issuing the Trust Securities and
investing the proceeds thereof in the Junior Subordinated Debentures (as defined
herein). The Junior Subordinated Debentures will mature on February 1, 2027 (the
"Stated Maturity Date") except that such Stated Maturity Date may under certain
circumstances be advanced in the event of a Tax Event. See "Description of New
Capital Securities -- Conditional Right to Advance Maturity and Special Event
Redemption". The Capital Securities will have a preference over the Common
Securities under certain circumstances with respect to cash distributions and
amounts payable on liquidation, redemption or otherwise. See "Description of New
Securities -- Description of New Capital Securities -- Subordination of Common
Securities."

           Holders of the New Capital Securities will be entitled to receive
cumulative cash distributions, accumulating from January 31, 1997 and payable
semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing
August 1, 1997, at the annual rate of 9.77% of the Liquidation Amount of $1,000
per New Capital Security ("Distributions"). So long as no Debenture Event of
Default (as defined herein) has occurred and is continuing, the Corporation will
have the right to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures at any time and from time to time for a period not exceeding 10
consecutive semi-annual periods with respect to each deferral period (each, an
"Extension Period"), provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond the
Stated Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and the
payment of all amounts then due, the Corporation may elect to begin a new
Extension Period, subject to the requirements set forth in the Indenture (as
defined herein). If and for so long as interest payments on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures are so deferred, Distributions on the Trust Securities
will also be deferred and the Corporation will not be permitted, subject to
certain exceptions described herein, to declare or pay any cash distributions
with respect to the Corporation's capital stock (which includes common and
preferred stock) or to make any payment with respect to debt securities of the
Corporation that rank pari passu with or junior to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures. During an Extension Period, interest on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will continue to accrue (and the amount of Distributions to which
holders of the Trust Securities are entitled will continue to accumulate) at the
rate of 9.77% per annum, compounded semi-annually, and holders of Trust
Securities will be required to accrue interest income for United States federal
income tax purposes prior to receipt of cash payments attributable to such
interest income. See "Description of New Securities -- Description of New Junior
Subordinated Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Date" and "Certain
Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Interest Income and Original Issue
Discount."

           Through the Guarantee, the Common Guarantee, the Declaration, the
Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture (each as defined herein), taken
together, the Corporation has guaranteed or will guarantee, as the case may be,
fully, irrevocably and unconditionally all of the Trust's obligations under the
Trust Securities. See "Relationship Among the New Capital Securities, the New
Junior Subordinated Debentures and the New Guarantee -- Full and Unconditional
Guarantee." The Old Guarantee and the Common Guarantee guarantee, and the New
Guarantee will guarantee, payments of Distributions and payments on liquidation
or redemption of the Trust Securities, but in each case only to the extent that
the Trust holds funds on hand legally available therefor and has 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
(cover page continued)

failed to make such payments, as described herein. See "Description of the New
Securities --Description of the New Guarantee." If the Corporation fails to make
a required payment on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Trust will not
have sufficient funds to make the related payments, including Distributions, on
the Trust Securities. The New Guarantee and the Common Guarantee will not cover
any such payment when the Trust does not have sufficient funds on hand legally
available therefor. In such event, a holder of New Capital Securities may
institute a legal proceeding directly against the Corporation to enforce payment
to such holder of accrued but unpaid interest on New Junior Subordinated
Debentures with a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the New
Capital Securities held by such holder. See "Description of New Securities --
Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Enforcement of Certain
Rights by Holders of New Capital Securities." The obligations of the Corporation
under the Guarantee, the Common Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated Debentures
will be unsecured and subordinate and rank junior in right of payment to all
Senior Indebtedness (as defined in "Description of New Securities -- Description
of New Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Subordination") of the Corporation to
the extent and in the manner set forth in the Indenture and the Guarantees,
respectively.

           The Trust Securities will be subject to mandatory redemption in a
Like Amount (as defined herein), (i) in whole but not in part, on the Stated
Maturity Date upon repayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures at a
redemption price equal to the principal amount of, plus accrued and unpaid
interest on, the Junior Subordinated Debentures (the "Maturity Redemption
Price"), (ii) in whole but not in part, at any time before February 1, 2007 (the
"Initial Optional Prepayment Date"), contemporaneously with the optional
prepayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures upon the occurrence and
continuation of a Special Event (as defined herein) at a redemption price equal
to the Special Event Prepayment Price (as defined herein) (the "Special Event
Redemption Price"), and (iii) in whole or in part, on or after the Initial
Optional Prepayment Date, contemporaneously with the optional prepayment by the
Corporation of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, at a redemption price equal
to the Optional Prepayment Price (as defined herein) (the "Optional Redemption
Price"). Any of the Maturity Redemption Price, the Special Event Redemption
Price and the Optional Redemption Price may be referred to herein as the
"Redemption Price." See "Description of New Securities -- Description of New
Capital Securities -- Redemption."

           Subject to the Corporation having received prior approval of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve"), if
then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal
Reserve, the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be prepayable prior to the
Stated Maturity Date at the option of the Corporation (i) on or after the
Initial Optional Prepayment Date, in whole or in part, at a prepayment price
(the "Optional Prepayment Price") equal to 104.885% of the principal amount
thereof on the Initial Optional Prepayment Date, declining ratably on each
February 1 thereafter to 100% on or after February 1, 2017, plus accrued and
unpaid interest thereon to the date of prepayment, or (ii) at any time before
the Initial Optional Prepayment Date, in whole but not in part, upon the
occurrence and continuation of a Special Event, at a prepayment price (the
"Special Event Prepayment Price") equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the
principal amount thereof or (b) the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent (as
defined herein), of the present values of the principal amount and premium
payable as part of the Optional Prepayment Price with respect to an optional
redemption of such Junior Subordinated Debentures on the Initial Optional
Prepayment Date, together with scheduled payments of interest from the
prepayment date to the Initial Optional Prepayment Date, in each case discounted
to the prepayment date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year
consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate (as defined
herein) plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of
prepayment. Either of the Optional Prepayment Price or the Special Event
Prepayment Price may be referred to herein as the "Prepayment Price." See
"Description of New Securities -- Description of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Optional Prepayment" and "-- Conditional Right to Advance Maturity
and Special Event Prepayment."

           The Corporation, as the holder of the outstanding Common Securities,
will have the right at any time to terminate the Trust and, after satisfaction
of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as required by applicable law, cause a
Like Amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the
holders of the Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust, subject to (i) the
Corporation having received an opinion of counsel to the effect that such
distribution will not be a taxable event to holders of the Capital Securities
and (ii) the prior approval of the Federal 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
(cover page continued)

Reserve, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the
Federal Reserve. Unless the Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed to
the holders of the Trust Securities, in the event of a liquidation of the Trust
as described herein, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust
as required by applicable law, the holders of the Capital Securities generally
will be entitled to receive a Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per Capital Security
plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment. See
"Description of New Securities -- Description of New Capital Securities --
Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of New Junior Subordinated Debentures"
and "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Receipt of Junior Subordinated
Debentures or Cash Upon Liquidation of the Trust."

           The Corporation and the Trust are making the Exchange Offer of the
New Capital Securities in reliance on the position of the staff of the Division
of Corporation Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") as set forth in certain interpretive letters addressed to third
parties in other transactions. However, neither the Corporation nor the Trust
has sought its own interpretive letter and there can be no assurance that the
staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission would make a
similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as it has in such
interpretive letters to third parties. Based on these interpretations by the
staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission, and subject to
the two immediately following sentences, the Corporation and the Trust believe
that New Capital Securities issued pursuant to this Exchange Offer in exchange
for Old Capital Securities may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise
transferred by a holder thereof (other than a holder who is a broker-dealer)
without further compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act, provided that such New Capital Securities
are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's business and that such
holder is not participating, and has no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate, in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities
Act) of such New Capital Securities. However, any holder of Old Capital
Securities who is an "affiliate" of the Corporation or the Trust or who intends
to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing New Capital
Securities, or any broker-dealer who purchased Old Capital Securities from the
Trust to resell pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act ("Rule 144A") or
any other available exemption under the Securities Act, (a) will not be able to
rely on the interpretations of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance
of the Commission set forth in the above-mentioned interpretive letters, (b)
will not be permitted or entitled to tender such Old Capital Securities in the
Exchange Offer and (c) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any sale or other transfer
of such Old Capital Securities unless such sale is made pursuant to an exemption
from such requirements. In addition, as described below, if any broker-dealer
holds Old Capital Securities acquired for its own account as a result of
market-making or other trading activities and exchanges such Old Capital
Securities for New Capital Securities, then such broker-dealer must deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
resales of such New Capital Securities.

           Each holder of Old Capital Securities who wishes to exchange Old
Capital Securities for New Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer will be
required to represent that (i) it is not an "affiliate" of the Corporation or
the Trust, (ii) any New Capital Securities to be received by it are being
acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (iii) it has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in a distribution (within the
meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities, and (iv) if such
holder is not a broker-dealer, such holder is not engaged in, and does not
intend to engage in, a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act)
of such New Capital Securities. In addition, the Corporation and the Trust may
require such holder, as a condition to such holder's eligibility to participate
in the Exchange Offer, to furnish to the Corporation and the Trust (or an agent
thereof), in writing, information as to the number of "beneficial owners"
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended) on behalf of whom such holder holds the Old Capital Securities to be
exchanged in the Exchange Offer. Each broker-dealer that receives New Capital
Securities for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge
that it acquired the Old Capital Securities for its own account as the result of
market-making activities or other trading activities and must agree that it will
deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale of such New Capital Securities. The Letter of
Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act. Based on the position taken by the staff of the
Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission in the interpretive letters
referred to above, the Corporation and the Trust believe that broker-dealers who
acquired Old Capital Securities for their own accounts, as a result of market-

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
(cover page continued)

making activities or other trading activities ("Participating Broker-Dealers"),
may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to the New
Capital Securities received upon exchange of such Old Capital Securities (other
than Old Capital Securities which represent an unsold allotment from the
original sale of the Old Capital Securities) with a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act, which may be the prospectus prepared for an
exchange offer so long as it contains a description of the plan of distribution
with respect to the resale of such New Capital Securities. Accordingly, this
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used
by a Participating Broker-Dealer during the period referred to below in
connection with resales of New Capital Securities received in exchange for Old
Capital Securities where such Old Capital Securities were acquired by such
Participating Broker-Dealer for its own account as a result of market-making or
other trading activities. Subject to certain provisions set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement and to the limitations described under "The
Exchange Offer--Resales of New Capital Securities," the Corporation and the
Trust have agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in connection
with resales of such New Capital Securities for a period ending 90 days after
the Expiration Date (as defined herein) (subject to extension under certain
limited circumstances described below) or, if earlier, when all such New Capital
Securities have been disposed of by such Participating Broker-Dealer. See "Plan
of Distribution." However, a Participating Broker-Dealer who intends to use this
Prospectus in connection with the resale of New Capital Securities received in
exchange for Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer must notify
the Corporation or the Trust, or cause the Corporation or the Trust to be
notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date, that it is a Participating Broker-
Dealer. Such notice may be given in the space provided for that purpose in the
Letter of Transmittal or may be delivered to the Exchange Agent at one of the
addresses set forth herein under "The Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent." Any
Participating Broker-Dealer who is an "affiliate" of the Corporation or the
Trust may not rely on such interpretive letters and must comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale transaction. See "The Exchange Offer -- Resales of
New Capital Securities."

   
           In that regard, each Participating Broker-Dealer who surrenders Old
Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be deemed to have agreed,
by execution of the Letter of Transmittal, that, upon receipt of notice from the
Corporation or the Trust of the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any
fact which makes any statement contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which causes this Prospectus to
omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
contained or incorporated by reference herein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading or of the occurrence of certain other
events specified in the Registration Rights Agreement, such Participating
Broker-Dealer will suspend the sale of New Capital Securities (or the New
Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, as applicable) pursuant to
this Prospectus until the Corporation or the Trust has amended or supplemented
this Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission and has furnished
copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus to such Participating
Broker-Dealer or the Corporation or the Trust has given notice that the sale of
the New Capital Securities (or the New Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures, as applicable) may be resumed, as the case may be. The Corporation
and the Trust may delay the filing of any amendment or supplement in good faith
and for a valid corporate purpose for a period not to exceed 120 days, such
right to delay to be exercisable by the Corporation and the Trust only once in
any 365 day period. If the Corporation or the Trust gives such notice to suspend
the sale of the New Capital Securities (or the New Guarantee or the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures, as applicable), it shall extend the 90 day period
referred to above during which Participating Broker-Dealers are entitled to use
this Prospectus in connection with the resale of New Capital Securities by the
number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of
such notice to and including the date when Participating Broker-Dealers shall
have received copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus necessary to
permit resales of the New Capital Securities or to and including the date on
which the Corporation or the Trust has given notice that the sale of New Capital
Securities (or the New Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, as
applicable) may be resumed, as the case may be.
    
           Prior to the Exchange Offer, there has been only a limited secondary
market and no public market for the Old Capital Securities. The New Capital
Securities will be a new issue of securities for which there currently is no
market. Although the Initial Purchaser has informed the Corporation and the
Trust that it currently intends to make a market in the New Capital Securities,
it is not obligated to do so, and any such market making may be discontinued at
any time without notice. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the
development or liquidity of any market for the New Capital Securities. The
Corporation and the Trust currently do not intend to apply for listing of the
New Capital 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
(cover page continued)

Securities on any securities exchange or for quotation through the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System.

           Any Old Capital Securities not tendered and accepted in the Exchange
Offer will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all the same rights and
will be subject to the same limitations applicable thereto under the Declaration
(except for those rights which terminate upon consummation of the Exchange
Offer). Following consummation of the Exchange Offer, the holders of Old Capital
Securities will continue to be subject to all of the existing restrictions upon
transfer thereof and neither the Corporation nor the Trust will have any further
obligation to such holders (other than under certain limited circumstances) to
provide for registration under the Securities Act of the Old Capital Securities
held by them. To the extent that Old Capital Securities are tendered and
accepted in the Exchange Offer, a holder's ability to sell untendered Old
Capital Securities could be adversely affected. See "Risk Factors --
Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities."

           THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION. HOLDERS OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE URGED TO READ THIS
PROSPECTUS AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE DECIDING
WHETHER TO TENDER THEIR OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER.

           NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO
GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE
BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY INVESTORS FINANCIAL
SERVICES CORP. OR INVESTORS CAPITAL TRUST I OR THE INITIAL PURCHASER. NEITHER
THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCE CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP. OR INVESTORS CAPITAL TRUST I SINCE
THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES 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 IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO
WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.

           Old Capital Securities may be tendered for exchange on or prior to
5:00 p.m., Boston time, on             , 1997 (such time on such date being
hereinafter called the "Expiration Date"), unless the Exchange Offer is extended
by the Corporation or the Trust (in which case the term "Expiration Date" shall
mean the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended). Tenders
of Old Capital Securities may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the
Expiration Date. The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum
Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities being tendered for exchange.
However, the Exchange Offer is subject to certain events and conditions which
may be waived by the Corporation or the Trust and to the terms and provisions of
the Registration Rights Agreement. Old Capital Securities may be tendered in
whole or in part having an aggregate Liquidation Amount of not less than
$100,000 (100 Capital Securities). The Corporation has agreed to pay all
expenses of the Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange Offer -- Fees and Expenses."
Holders of the Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities are accepted
for exchange will not receive Distributions on such Old Capital Securities and
will be deemed to have waived the right to receive any Distributions on such Old
Capital Securities accumulated from and after January 31, 1997. See "The
Exchange Offer -- Distributions on New Capital Securities."

           Neither the Corporation nor the Trust will receive any cash proceeds
from the issuance of the New Capital Securities offered hereby. No
dealer-manager is being used in connection with this Exchange Offer. See "Use of
Proceeds" and "Plan of Distribution."

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
(cover page continued)

           As used herein, (i) the "Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of
January 31, 1997, as amended and supplemented from time to time, between the
Corporation and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the "Debenture Trustee"),
relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) the "Declaration" means the
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust relating to the Trust among the
Corporation, as Sponsor, The Bank of New York, as Property Trustee (the
"Property Trustee"), The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee (the
"Delaware Trustee"), the Administrative Trustees named therein (collectively,
with the Property Trustee and Delaware Trustee, the "Issuer Trustees") and the
holders, from time to time, of the Trust Securities and (iii) the "Common
Guarantee" means the Guarantee Agreement relating to the Common Securities by
the Corporation. In addition, as the context may require, (i) "Capital
Securities" includes the Old Capital Securities and New Capital Securities, (ii)
"Trust Securities" include the Capital Securities and Common Securities, (iii)
"Junior Subordinated Debentures" includes the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures
and the New Junior Subordinated Debentures and (iv) "Guarantee" includes the Old
Guarantee and New Guarantee.


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


           Investors Bank & Trust Company(R) is a registered servicemark of the
Corporation. Hub and Spoke(R) is a registered servicemark of Signature Financial
Group, Inc. This Prospectus also includes trademarks and trade names of other
companies.
                             --------------------



                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                          <C>
Available Information.................................                       8
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
   Reference..........................................                       8
Summary...............................................                       10
Risk Factors..........................................                       16
Use of Proceeds.......................................                       22
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges...................                       22
Capitalization........................................                       23
Selected Consolidated Financial Data..................                       24
Investors Capital Trust I.............................                       26
Investors Financial Services Corp.....................                       26
The Exchange Offer....................................                       27
Description of the New Securities.....................                       36
Description of New Capital Securities.................                       36
Description of New Junior Subordinated
   Debentures.........................................                       46
Description of New Guarantee..........................                       56
Description of the Old Securities.....................                       59
Relationship Among the New Capital Securities,
   the New Junior Subordinated Debentures and
   the New Guarantee..................................                       59
Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations.............                       61
ERISA Considerations..................................                       65
Plan of Distribution..................................                       66
Legal Matters.........................................                       66
Independent Auditors..................................                       66

</TABLE> 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

           The Corporation is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy
statements and other information concerning the Corporation filed with the
Commission can be inspected and copied at prescribed rates at the Commission's
Public Reference Room, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, as well as the following Regional Offices of the Commission: 7 World
Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048; and 500 West Madison Street,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material may be obtained by
mail from the Commission's Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. If available, such reports and
other information may also be accessed through the Commission's electronic data
gathering, analysis and retrieval system ("EDGAR") via electronic means,
including the Commission's web site on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov).

           No separate financial statements of the Trust have been included or
incorporated by reference herein. Neither the Corporation nor the Trust consider
that such financial statements would be material to holders of the Capital
Securities because (i) all of the voting securities of the Trust will be owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, a reporting company under the
Exchange Act, (ii) the Trust has no independent operations but exists for the
sole purpose of issuing securities representing undivided beneficial interests
in the assets of the Trust and holding as assets the Junior Subordinated
Debentures issued by the Corporation, and (iii) the Corporation's obligations
described herein to provide certain indemnities in respect of, and be
responsible for, certain costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of the Trust
under the Indenture and any supplemental indenture thereto and pursuant to the
Declaration, the Guarantee issued with respect to Capital Securities issued by
the Trust, the Junior Subordinated Debentures purchased by the Trust and the
related Indenture, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee
of payments due on the Capital Securities as described herein. See "Investors
Capital Trust I," "Description of New Securities -- Description of New Junior
Subordinated Debentures" and "Description of New Securities -- Description of
New Guarantee."

           The Trust is not currently subject to the information reporting
requirements of the Exchange Act. The Trust will become subject to such
requirements upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, although it
intends to seek and expects to receive exemptions therefrom.

           This Prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on
Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") filed by the Corporation and the Trust
with the Commission under the Securities Act. This Prospectus does not contain
all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of
which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Commission, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and to
the exhibits relating thereto for further information with respect to the
Corporation, the Trust and the New Securities. Any statements contained herein
concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in
each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission.
Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.


                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

           The following documents filed with the Commission by the Corporation
are incorporated into this Prospectus by reference:

           (a)  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
                December 31, 1996; and

           (b)  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
                March 31, 1997.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
           All documents filed by the Corporation pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus
and prior to the termination of the offering of the New Securities offered
hereby shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to
be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement
contained in this Prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

           As used herein, the terms "Prospectus" and "herein" mean this
Prospectus, including the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
herein by reference, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the
contents of any contract or other document referred to herein do not purport to
be complete, and where reference is made to the particular provisions of such
contract or other document, such provisions are qualified in all respects by
reference to all of the provisions of such contract or other document. The
Corporation will provide without charge to any person to whom this Prospectus is
delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all
of the documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by
reference herein (other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference in such documents). Requests for such
copies should be directed to Investors Financial Services Corp., 89 South
Street, P.O. Box 1537, Boston, Massachusetts 02111-1537, Attention: Investor
Relations, telephone number (617) 330-6032.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                    SUMMARY

           The following is a summary of certain information contained elsewhere
in this Prospectus. Reference is made to, and this summary is qualified in its
entirety by, the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this
Prospectus.

                      Investors Financial Services Corp.

           Investors Financial Services Corp. (the "Corporation"), based in
Boston, Massachusetts, provides asset administration services for the financial
services industry through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Investors Bank & Trust
Company(R). The Corporation provides domestic and global custody, multicurrency
accounting, institutional transfer agency, performance measurement, foreign
exchange, securities lending, mutual fund administration and investment advisory
services to a variety of financial asset managers, including mutual fund
complexes, investment advisors, banks and insurance companies. The Corporation
provides financial asset administration services for assets that totaled
approximately $131 billion at March 31, 1997, including assets managed by 54
mutual fund complexes and insurance companies and approximately $10 billion of
foreign assets. The Corporation also engages in private banking transactions,
including secured lending and deposit accounts.

                           Investors Capital Trust I

           The Trust is a statutory business trust created under Delaware law
pursuant to (i) the Declaration and (ii) the filing of a certificate of trust
with the Delaware Secretary of State on January 17, 1997. The Trust's affairs
are conducted by the Issuer Trustees: The Bank of New York, as Property Trustee,
The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware Trustee, and the three individual
Administrative Trustees who are officers of the Corporation. The Trust exists
for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling the Trust Securities, (ii)
using the proceeds from the sale of the Trust Securities to acquire the Junior
Subordinated Debentures issued by the Corporation, and (iii) engaging in only
those other activities necessary, advisable or incidental thereto (such as
registering the transfer of the Capital Securities). Accordingly, the Junior
Subordinated Debentures are the sole assets of the Trust, and payments under the
Junior Subordinated Debentures are the sole revenue of the Trust. All of the
Common Securities are owned by the Corporation.

                              The Exchange Offer

Exchange Offer.......................   Up to $25,000,000 aggregate Liquidation
                                        Amount of New Capital Securities are
                                        being offered in exchange for a like
                                        aggregate Liquidation Amount of Old
                                        Capital Securities. Old Capital
                                        Securities may be tendered for exchange
                                        in whole or in part in a Liquidation
                                        Amount of $100,000 (100 Capital
                                        Securities). The Corporation and the
                                        Trust are making the Exchange Offer in
                                        order to satisfy their obligations under
                                        the Registration Rights Agreement
                                        relating to the Old Capital Securities.
                                        For a description of the procedures for
                                        tendering Old Capital Securities, see
                                        "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for
                                        Tendering Old Capital Securities."

Expiration Date......................   5:00 p.m., Boston time, on      , 1997,
                                        unless the Exchange Offer is extended by
                                        the Corporation or the Trust (in which
                                        case the Expiration Date will be the
                                        latest date and time to which the
                                        Exchange Offer is extended). See "The
                                        Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange
                                        Offer."

Conditions to the Exchange Offer.....   The Exchange Offer is subject to certain
                                        conditions, which may be waived by the
                                        Corporation and the Trust in their sole
                                        discretion. The Exchange Offer is not
                                        conditioned upon any minimum Liquidation
                                        Amount of Old Capital Securities being
                                        tendered. See "The Exchange Offer --
                                        Conditions to the Exchange Offer."

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Offer................................   The Corporation and the Trust reserve
                                        the right in their sole and absolute
                                        discretion, subject to applicable law,
                                        at any time and from time to time, (i)
                                        to delay the acceptance of the Old
                                        Capital Securities for exchange, (ii) to
                                        terminate the Exchange Offer if certain
                                        specified conditions have not been
                                        satisfied, (iii) to extend the
                                        Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer
                                        and retain all Old Capital Securities
                                        tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer,
                                        subject, however, to the right of
                                        holders of Old Capital Securities to
                                        withdraw their tendered Old Capital
                                        Securities, or (iv) to waive any
                                        condition or otherwise amend the terms
                                        of the Exchange Offer in any respect.
                                        See "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the
                                        Exchange Offer."

Withdrawal Rights....................   Tenders of Old Capital Securities may be
                                        withdrawn at any time on or prior to the
                                        Expiration Date by delivering a written
                                        notice of such withdrawal to the
                                        Exchange Agent in conformity with
                                        certain procedures set forth below under
                                        "The Exchange Offer -- Withdrawal
                                        Rights."

Procedures for Tendering Old Capital
Securities...........................   Tendering holders of Old Capital
                                        Securities must complete and sign a
                                        Letter of Transmittal in accordance with
                                        the instructions contained therein and
                                        forward the same by mail, facsimile or
                                        hand delivery, together with any other
                                        required documents, to the Exchange
                                        Agent, either with the Old Capital
                                        Securities to be tendered or in
                                        compliance with the specified procedures
                                        for guaranteed delivery of Old Capital
                                        Securities. Certain brokers, dealers,
                                        commercial banks, trust companies and
                                        other nominees may also effect tenders
                                        by book-entry transfer which may include
                                        transmission of an Agent's Message in
                                        lieu of delivery of the Letter of
                                        Transmittal. Holders of Old Capital
                                        Securities registered in the name of a
                                        broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust
                                        company or other nominee are urged to
                                        contact such person promptly if they
                                        wish to tender Old Capital Securities
                                        pursuant to the Exchange Offer. See "The
                                        Exchange Offer -- Procedures for
                                        Tendering Old Capital Securities."

                                        Letters of Transmittal and certificates
                                        representing Old Capital Securities
                                        should not be sent to the Corporation or
                                        the Trust. Such documents should only be
                                        sent to the Exchange Agent.

Resales of New Capital Securities....   The Corporation and the Trust are making
                                        the Exchange Offer in reliance on the
                                        position of the staff of the Division of
                                        Corporation Finance of the Commission as
                                        set forth in certain interpretive
                                        letters addressed to third parties in
                                        other transactions. However, neither the
                                        Corporation nor the Trust has sought its
                                        own interpretive letter and there can be
                                        no assurance that the staff of the
                                        Division of Corporation Finance of the
                                        Commission would make a similar
                                        determination with respect to the
                                        Exchange Offer as it has in such
                                        interpretive letters to third parties.
                                        Based on these interpretations by the
                                        staff of the Division of Corporation
                                        Finance of the Commission, and subject
                                        to the two immediately following
                                        sentences, the Corporation and the Trust
                                        believe that New Capital Securities
                                        issued pursuant to this Exchange Offer
                                        in exchange for Old Capital Securities
                                        may be offered for resale, resold and
                                        otherwise transferred by a holder
                                        thereof (other than a holder who is a
                                        broker-dealer) without further
                                        compliance with the registration and
                                        prospectus delivery requirements of the
                                        Securities Act, provided that such New
                                        Capital Securities are acquired in the
                                        ordinary course of such holder's
                                        business and that such holder is not
                                        participating, and has no arrangement or
                                        understanding with any 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                        person to participate, in a distribution
                                        (within the meaning of the Securities
                                        Act) of such New Capital Securities.
                                        However, any holder of Old Capital
                                        Securities who is an "affiliate" of the
                                        Corporation or the Trust or who intends
                                        to participate in the Exchange Offer for
                                        the purpose of distributing the New
                                        Capital Securities, or any broker-dealer
                                        who purchased the Old Capital Securities
                                        from the Trust to resell pursuant to
                                        Rule 144A or any other available
                                        exemption under the Securities Act, (a)
                                        will not be able to rely on the
                                        interpretations of the staff of the
                                        Division of Corporation Finance of the
                                        Commission set forth in the above-
                                        mentioned interpretive letters, (b) will
                                        not be permitted or entitled to tender
                                        such Old Capital Securities in the
                                        Exchange Offer and (c) must comply with
                                        the registration and prospectus delivery
                                        requirements of the Securities Act in
                                        connection with any sale or other
                                        transfer of such Old Capital Securities
                                        unless such sale is made pursuant to an
                                        exemption from such requirements. In
                                        addition, as described below, if any
                                        broker-dealer holds Old Capital
                                        Securities acquired for its own account
                                        as a result of market-making or other
                                        trading activities and exchanges such
                                        Old Capital Securities for New Capital
                                        Securities, then such broker-dealer must
                                        deliver a prospectus meeting the
                                        requirements of the Securities Act in
                                        connection with any resales of such New
                                        Capital Securities.


                                        Each holder of Old Capital Securities
                                        who wishes to exchange Old Capital
                                        Securities for New Capital Securities in
                                        the Exchange Offer will be required to
                                        represent that (i) it is not an
                                        "affiliate" of the Corporation or the
                                        Trust, (ii) any New Capital Securities
                                        to be received by it are being acquired
                                        in the ordinary course of its business,
                                        (iii) it has no arrangement or
                                        understanding with any person to
                                        participate in a distribution (within
                                        the meaning of the Securities Act) of
                                        such New Capital Securities, and (iv) if
                                        such holder is not a broker-dealer, such
                                        holder is not engaged in, and does not
                                        intend to engage in, a distribution
                                        (within the meaning of the Securities
                                        Act) of such New Capital Securities. In
                                        addition, the Corporation and the Trust
                                        may require such holder, as a condition
                                        to such holder's eligibility to
                                        participate in the Exchange Offer, to
                                        furnish to the Corporation and the Trust
                                        (or an agent thereof) in writing
                                        information as to the number of
                                        "beneficial owners" (within the meaning
                                        of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) on
                                        behalf of whom such holder holds the
                                        Capital Securities to be exchanged in
                                        the Exchange Offer. Each broker-dealer
                                        that receives New Capital Securities for
                                        its own account pursuant to the Exchange
                                        Offer must acknowledge that it acquired
                                        the Old Capital Securities for its own
                                        account as the result of market-making
                                        activities or other trading activities
                                        and must agree that it will deliver a
                                        prospectus meeting the requirements of
                                        the Securities Act in connection with
                                        any resale of such New Capital
                                        Securities. The Letter of Transmittal
                                        states that, by so acknowledging and by
                                        delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer
                                        will not be deemed to admit that it is
                                        an "underwriter" within the meaning of
                                        the Securities Act. Based on the
                                        position taken by the staff of the
                                        Division of Corporation Finance of the
                                        Commission in the interpretive letters
                                        referred to above, the Corporation and
                                        the Trust believe that Participating
                                        Broker-Dealers who acquired Old Capital
                                        Securities for their own accounts as a
                                        result of market-making activities or
                                        other trading activities may fulfill
                                        their prospectus delivery requirements
                                        with respect to the New Capital
                                        Securities received upon exchange of
                                        such Old Capital Securities (other than
                                        Old Capital Securities which represent
                                        an unsold allotment from the original
                                        sale of the Old Capital Securities) with
                                        a prospectus meeting the requirements of
                                        the Securities Act, which may be the
                                        prospectus prepared for an exchange
                                        offer 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                                        so long as it contains a description of
                                        the plan of distribution with respect to
                                        the resale of such New Capital
                                        Securities. Accordingly, this
                                        Prospectus, as it may be amended or
                                        supplemented from time to time, may be
                                        used by a Participating Broker-Dealer
                                        during the period referred to below in
                                        connection with resales of New Capital
                                        Securities received in exchange for Old
                                        Capital Securities where such Old
                                        Capital Securities were acquired by such
                                        Participating Broker-Dealer for its own
                                        account as a result of market-making or
                                        other trading activities. Subject to
                                        certain provisions set forth in the
                                        Registration Rights Agreement and to the
                                        limitations described below under "The
                                        Exchange Offer -- Resales of New Capital
                                        Securities," the Corporation and the
                                        Trust have agreed that this Prospectus,
                                        as it may be amended or supplemented
                                        from time to time, may be used by a
                                        Participating Broker-Dealer during the
                                        period referred to below in connection
                                        with resales of such New Capital
                                        Securities for a period ending 90 days
                                        after the Expiration Date (subject to
                                        extension under certain limited
                                        circumstances) or, if earlier, when all
                                        such New Capital Securities have been
                                        disposed of by such Participating 
                                        Broker-Dealer. See "Plan of 
                                        Distribution." Any Participating Broker-
                                        Dealer who is an "affiliate" of the
                                        Corporation or the Trust may not rely on
                                        such interpretive letters and must
                                        comply with the registration and
                                        prospectus delivery requirements of the
                                        Securities Act in connection with any
                                        resale transaction. See "The Exchange
                                        Offer -- Resales of New Capital
                                        Securities."

Exchange Agent.......................   The exchange agent with respect to the
                                        Exchange Offer is The Bank of New York
                                        (the "Exchange Agent"). The addresses,
                                        and telephone and facsimile numbers, of
                                        the Exchange Agent are set forth in "The
                                        Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent" and in
                                        the Letter of Transmittal.

Use of Proceeds......................   Neither the Corporation nor the Trust
                                        will receive any cash proceeds from the
                                        issuance of the New Capital Securities
                                        offered hereby. See "Use of Proceeds."

Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations; ERISA
Considerations.......................   Holders of Old Capital Securities should
                                        review the information set forth under
                                        "Certain Federal Income Tax
                                        Considerations" and "ERISA
                                        Considerations" prior to tendering Old
                                        Capital Securities in the Exchange
                                        Offer.



                          The New Capital Securities

Securities Offered...................   Up to $25,000,000 aggregate Liquidation
                                        Amount of the Trust's New Capital
                                        Securities which have been registered
                                        under the Securities Act (Liquidation
                                        Amount $1,000 per New Capital Security).
                                        The New Capital Securities will be
                                        issued and the Old Capital Securities
                                        were issued under the Declaration. The
                                        New Capital Securities and any Old
                                        Capital Securities which remain
                                        outstanding after consummation of the
                                        Exchange Offer will vote together as a
                                        single class for purposes of determining
                                        whether holders of the requisite
                                        percentage in outstanding Liquidation
                                        Amount thereof have taken certain
                                        actions or exercised certain rights
                                        under the Declaration. See "Description
                                        of New Securities -- Description of New
                                        Capital Securities -- Voting Rights;
                                        Amendment of the Declaration." The terms
                                        of the New Capital Securities are
                                        identical in all material respects to
                                        the terms of the Old Capital Securities,

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                        except that the New Capital Securities
                                        have been registered under the
                                        Securities Act and will not be subject
                                        to certain restrictions on transfer
                                        applicable to the Old Capital Securities
                                        and will not provide for any increase in
                                        the Distribution rate thereon. See "The
                                        Exchange Offer -- Purpose of the
                                        Exchange Offer," "Description of New
                                        Securities" and "Description of Old
                                        Securities." The New Capital Securities
                                        will be issued in blocks having a
                                        Liquidation Amount of not less than
                                        $100,000 (100 New Capital Securities).
                                        Any transfer of New Capital Securities
                                        in a block having a Liquidation Amount
                                        of less than $100,000 shall be deemed to
                                        be void and of no legal effect
                                        whatsoever. See "Description of New
                                        Securities -- Description of New Capital
                                        Securities -- Restrictions on Transfer."

Distribution Dates...................   February 1 and August 1 of each year,
                                        commencing August 1, 1997.

Extension Periods....................   So long as no Debenture Event of Default
                                        (as defined herein) has occurred and is
                                        continuing, Distributions on New Capital
                                        Securities may be deferred for the
                                        duration of any Extension Period elected
                                        by the Corporation with respect to the
                                        payment of interest on the New Junior
                                        Subordinated Debentures. No Extension
                                        Period will exceed 10 consecutive semi-
                                        annual periods or extend beyond the
                                        Stated Maturity Date. See "Description
                                        of New Securities -- Description of the
                                        New Junior Subordinated Debentures --
                                        Option to Extend Interest Payment Date"
                                        and "Certain Federal Income Tax
                                        Considerations -- Interest Income and
                                        Original Issue Discount."

Ranking..............................   The New Capital Securities will rank
                                        pari passu, and payments thereon will be
                                        made pro rata, with the Old Capital
                                        Securities and the Common Securities
                                        except as described under "Description
                                        of New Securities -- Description of the
                                        New Capital Securities -- Subordination
                                        of Common Securities." The New Junior
                                        Subordinated Debentures will rank pari
                                        passu with the Old Junior Subordinated
                                        Debentures and all other junior
                                        subordinated debentures to be issued by
                                        the Corporation (collectively, the
                                        "Other Debentures"), which will be
                                        issued and sold (if at all) to other
                                        trusts to be established by the
                                        Corporation (if any), in each case
                                        similar to the Trust ("Other Trusts"),
                                        and will be unsecured and subordinate
                                        and rank junior in right of payment to
                                        all Senior Indebtedness to the extent
                                        and in the manner set forth in the
                                        Indenture. See "Description of New
                                        Securities -- Description of the New
                                        Junior Subordinated Debentures." The New
                                        Guarantee will rank pari passu with the
                                        Old Guarantee and all other guarantees
                                        issued by the Corporation with respect
                                        to capital securities to be issued by
                                        Other Trusts and will constitute an
                                        unsecured obligation of the Corporation
                                        and will be subordinate and rank junior
                                        in right of payment to all Senior
                                        Indebtedness to the extent and in the
                                        manner set forth in the Guarantee. See
                                        "Description of New Securities --
                                        Description of the New Guarantee."

Redemption...........................   The Trust Securities are subject to
                                        mandatory redemption in a Like Amount,
                                        (i) in whole but not in part, on the
                                        Stated Maturity Date upon repayment of
                                        the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii)
                                        in whole but not in part, at any time
                                        before the Initial Optional Prepayment
                                        Date contemporaneously with the optional
                                        prepayment of the Junior Subordinated
                                        Debentures by the Corporation upon the
                                        occurrence and continuation of a Special
                                        Event and (iii) in whole or in part, on
                                        or after the Initial Optional Prepayment
                                        Date contemporaneously with the optional
                                        prepayment by the Corporation of the
                                        Junior Subordinated Debentures, in each
                                        case at the applicable Redemption 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                                        Price. See "Description of New
                                        Securities -- Description of the New
                                        Capital Securities -- Redemption."


Conditional Right to
Advance Maturity.....................   If a Tax Event (as defined under
                                        "Description of New Securities --
                                        Description of the New Junior
                                        Subordinated Debentures -- Conditional
                                        Right to Advance Maturity and Special
                                        Event Prepayment) occurs, then the
                                        Corporation will have the right, in lieu
                                        of terminating the Trust, to advance the
                                        Stated Maturity Date of the Junior
                                        Subordinated Debentures to the minimum
                                        extent required in order to allow for
                                        the payments of interest in respect of
                                        the Junior Subordinated Debentures to
                                        continue to be deductible by the
                                        Corporation for U.S. federal income tax
                                        purposes, but in no event shall the
                                        resulting maturity of the Junior
                                        Subordinated Debentures be less than 20
                                        years from the date of original issuance
                                        thereof. Such maturity date shall be
                                        advanced only (i) if, in the opinion of
                                        counsel to the Corporation experienced
                                        in such matters, after advancing the
                                        maturity date, interest payable on the
                                        Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
                                        deductible for United Stated federal
                                        income tax purposes and (ii) upon
                                        receipt of prior approval of the Federal
                                        Reserve, if then so required under
                                        applicable capital guidelines or
                                        policies of the Federal Reserve. See
                                        "Description of New Securities --
                                        Description of New Junior Subordinated
                                        Debentures -- Conditional Right to
                                        Advance Maturity and Special Event
                                        Prepayment."

Absence of Market for the
New Capital Securities...............   The New Capital Securities will be a new
                                        issue of securities for which there
                                        currently is no market. Although Keefe,
                                        Bruyette & Woods, Inc., the initial
                                        purchaser of the Old Capital Securities
                                        (the "Initial Purchaser"), has informed
                                        the Trust and the Corporation that it
                                        currently intends to make a market in
                                        the New Capital Securities, the Initial
                                        Purchaser is not obligated to do so, and
                                        any such market making may be
                                        discontinued at any time without notice.
                                        Accordingly, there can be no assurance
                                        as to the development or liquidity of
                                        any market for the New Capital
                                        Securities. The Trust and the
                                        Corporation do not intend to apply for
                                        listing of the Capital Securities on any
                                        securities exchange or for quotation
                                        through the National Association of
                                        Securities Dealers Automated Quotation
                                        System ("NASDAQ"). See "Plan of
                                        Distribution."
    

Risk Factors.........................   Holders of Old Capital Securities and
                                        prospective purchasers of New Capital
                                        Securities should carefully consider the
                                        matters set forth under "Risk Factors."

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS

           Holders of Old Capital Securities and prospective purchasers of New
Capital Securities should carefully review the information contained elsewhere
in this Prospectus and should particularly consider the following matters in
connection with the Exchange Offer and the New Securities offered hereby.


Ranking of Subordinate Obligations Under the Guarantee and the Junior
Subordinated Debentures

           The obligations of the Corporation under the Guarantee and under the
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be unsecured and subordinate and rank junior
in right of payment to all present and future Senior Indebtedness of the
Corporation to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Indenture and the
Guarantee, respectively. No payment may be made of the principal of, or premium,
if any, or interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, or in respect of any
redemption, retirement, purchase or other acquisition of any of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, at any time when (i) there shall have occurred and be
continuing a default in any payment in respect of any Senior Indebtedness, or
there has been an acceleration of the maturity thereof because of a default or
(ii) in the event of the acceleration of the maturity of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures until payment has been made on all Senior Indebtedness. At March 31,
1997, the Corporation had no outstanding Senior Indebtedness. Because the
Corporation is a bank holding company, the right of the Corporation to
participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon such
subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise (and thus the ability of
holders of the Capital Securities to benefit indirectly from such distribution)
is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the
extent that the Corporation may itself be recognized as a creditor of that
subsidiary. At March 31, 1997, the subsidiaries of the Corporation had total
liabilities (excluding liabilities owed to the Corporation) of approximately
$903 million, including deposits. In addition, Investors Bank & Trust Company,
the bank subsidiary of the Corporation (the "Bank"), is subject to certain
restrictions imposed by federal law on any extensions of credit to, and certain
other transactions with, the Corporation and certain other affiliates, and on
investments in stock or other securities thereof. Such restrictions prevent the
Corporation and such other affiliates from borrowing from the Bank unless the
loans are secured by various types of collateral. Further, such secured loans,
other transactions and investments by the Bank are generally limited in amount
as to the Corporation and as to each of such other affiliates to 10% of the
Bank's capital and surplus and as to the Corporation and all of such other
affiliates to an aggregate of 20% of the Bank's capital and surplus. In
addition, payment of dividends to the Corporation by the Bank is subject to
ongoing review by banking regulators and is subject to various statutory
limitations and in certain circumstances requires approval by banking regulatory
authorities. None of the Indenture, the Guarantee, the Common Guarantee or the
Declaration places any limitation on the amount of secured or unsecured debt,
including Senior Indebtedness, that may be incurred by the Corporation or any of
its subsidiaries. See "Description of New Securities -- Description of New
Guarantee -- Status" and "-- Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures
- -- Subordination."

           The ability of the Trust to pay amounts due on the Capital Securities
is dependent upon the Corporation making payments on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures as and when required.

Option to Extend Interest Payment Period; Tax Considerations

           So long as no Debenture Event of Default (as defined herein) shall
have occurred and be continuing, the Corporation will have the right under the
Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures at
any time or from time to time for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive
semi-annual periods with respect to each Extension Period, provided that no
Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated Maturity Date. Upon any such
deferral, semi-annual Distributions on the Capital Securities by the Trust will
be deferred (and the amount of Distributions to which holders of the Capital
Securities are entitled will accumulate additional Distributions thereon at the
rate of 9.77% per annum, compounded semi-annually) from the relevant payment
date for such Distributions during any such Extension Period.

           The Corporation may extend any existing Extension Period, provided
that such extension does not cause such Extension Period to exceed 10
consecutive semi-annual periods or to extend beyond the Stated Maturity Date.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
Upon the expiration of any Extension Period and the payment of all interest then
accrued and unpaid on the Junior Subordinated Debentures (together with interest
thereon at the annual rate of 9.77%, compounded semi-annually, to the extent
permitted by applicable law), the Corporation may elect to begin a new Extension
Period, subject to the above requirements. There is no limitation on the number
of times that the Corporation may elect to begin an Extension Period. See
"Description of New Securities -- Description of New Capital Securities--
Distributions" and "Description of New Securities -- Description of New Junior
Subordinated Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Period."

           The Corporation has no current plan to exercise its right to defer
payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures. However, should the
Corporation exercise its right to defer payments of interest on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, each holder of Capital Securities will be required to
accrue income (as original issue discount ("OID")) in respect of the deferred
stated interest allocable to its Capital Securities for United States federal
income tax purposes, which will be allocated but not distributed to holders of
Capital Securities. As a result, during an Extension Period, each holder of
Capital Securities will recognize income for United States federal income tax
purposes in advance of the receipt of cash and will not receive the cash related
to such income from the Trust if the holder disposes of the Capital Securities
prior to the record date for the payment of Distributions thereafter. See
"Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Interest Income and Original Issue
Discount" and "-- Sales of Capital Securities."

           Should the Corporation elect to exercise its right to defer payments
of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the market price of the
Capital Securities is likely to be affected. A holder that disposes of its
Capital Securities during an Extension Period, therefore, might not receive the
same return on its investment as a holder that continues to hold its Capital
Securities. In addition, the mere existence of the Corporation's right to defer
payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures may cause the market
price of the Capital Securities to be more volatile than the market prices of
other securities that are not subject to such deferrals.

Redemption or Distribution

           Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event (including a
Conditional Tax Redemption Event or a Regulatory Capital Event, in each case, as
defined under "Description of New Securities -- Description of New Junior
Subordinated Debentures -- Conditional Right to Advance Maturity and Special
Event Prepayment"), the Corporation will have the right to prepay the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, before the Initial Optional Prepayment Date, in whole
(but not in part) at the Special Event Prepayment Price within 90 days following
the occurrence of such Special Event and therefore cause a mandatory redemption
of the Capital Securities at the Special Event Redemption Price. On or after the
Initial Optional Prepayment Date, the Corporation may prepay the Junior
Subordinated Debentures in whole or in part for any reason and thereby cause an
optional redemption of the Capital Securities, in whole or in part, at the
Optional Redemption Price. Any such redemption is subject to the Corporation
having received prior approval of the Federal Reserve to do so if then required
under applicable guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve. See "Description
of New Securities -- Description of New Capital Securities -- Redemption" and
"-- Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures;" "Description of New Securities -- Description of New Junior
Subordinated Debentures -- Conditional Right to Advance Maturity and Special
Event Prepayment."

           The Corporation will have the right at any time to terminate the
Trust and, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as
required by applicable law, cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be
distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust.
Such right is subject to (i) the Corporation having received an opinion of
counsel to the effect that such distribution will not be a taxable event to
holders of Capital Securities and (ii) prior approval of the Federal Reserve if
then required. Under current United States federal income tax law, a
distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures upon the dissolution of the Trust
would not be a taxable event to holders of the Capital Securities. If, however,
the Trust is characterized for United States federal income tax purposes as an
association taxable as a corporation at the time of dissolution of the Trust,
the distribution of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may constitute a taxable
event to holders of Capital Securities. Moreover, upon the occurrence of a
Special Event, a dissolution of the Trust in which holders of the Capital
Securities receive 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
cash would be a taxable event to such holders. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Receipt of Junior Subordinated Debentures or Cash Upon
Liquidation of the Trust."

Conditional Right to Advance Maturity; Possible Tax Law Changes Affecting the
Capital Securities

           If a Tax Event (as defined under "Description of New Securities --
Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Conditional Right to
Advance Maturity and Special Event Prepayment) occurs, then the Corporation will
have the right, in lieu of terminating the Trust, to advance the Stated Maturity
Date of the Junior Subordinated Debentures to the minimum extent required in
order to allow for the payments of interest in respect of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures to continue to be deductible by the Corporation for U.S.
federal income tax purposes, but in no event shall the resulting maturity of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures be less than 20 years from the date of original
issuance thereof (any such advancement of the Stated Maturity Date being a "Tax
Event Maturity Advancement"). Such maturity date shall be advanced only (i) if,
in the opinion of counsel to the Corporation experienced in such matters, after
advancing the maturity date, interest payable on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be deductible for United States federal income tax purposes and
(ii) upon receipt of prior approval of the Federal Reserve, if then so required
under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve. See
"Description of New Securities -- Description of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Conditional Right to Advance Maturity and Special Event
Prepayment."

           On February 6, 1997, as part of the Clinton Administration's Fiscal
1998 Budget Proposal, the Treasury Department proposed legislation (the
"Proposed Legislation") which would, among other things, generally deny
corporate issuers a deduction for interest in respect of certain debt
obligations, such as the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, if such debt
obligations had a maximum term in excess of 15 years and are not shown as
indebtedness on the issuer's applicable consolidated balance sheet. The Proposed
Legislation applies to debt obligations issued on or after the date of "first
committee action." As of the date of this prospectus, the Proposed Legislation
has not yet been introduced by any member of the 105th Congress. If the Proposed
Legislation or other legislation is enacted by Congress and if it gives rise to
a Tax Event, the Trust would be permitted to cause a redemption of the Trust
Securities at the Special Event Redemption Price by electing to prepay the
Junior Subordinated Debentures at the Special Event Redemption Price. See
"Description of New Securities -- Description of New Capital Securities --
Special Redemption" and "-- Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures --
Conditional Right to Advance Maturity and Special Event Prepayment."

Possible Adverse Effect on Market Prices

           There can be no assurance as to the market prices for Capital
Securities or Junior Subordinated Debentures distributed to the holders of
Capital Securities if a termination of the Trust were to occur. Accordingly, the
Capital Securities or the Junior Subordinated Debentures may trade at a discount
from the price that the investor paid to purchase the Capital Securities offered
hereby. Because holders of Capital Securities may receive Junior Subordinated
Debentures in liquidation of the Trust and because Distributions are otherwise
limited to payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, prospective
purchasers of New Capital Securities are also making an investment decision with
regard to the New Junior Subordinated Debentures and should carefully review all
the information regarding the New Junior Subordinated Debentures contained
herein. See "Description of New Securities --Description of New Junior
Subordinated Debentures."

Rights Under the Guarantee

           The Bank of New York will act as Guarantee Trustee and will hold the
Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities. The Bank of
New York will also act as Property Trustee and as Debenture Trustee under the
Indenture. The Bank of New York (Delaware) will act as Delaware Trustee under
the Declaration. The Old Guarantee guarantees and the New Guarantee will
guarantee, as the case may be, to the holders of the Capital Securities the
following payments, to the extent not paid by the Trust: (i) any accumulated and
unpaid Distributions required to be paid on the Capital Securities, to the
extent that the Trust has funds on hand legally available therefor; (ii) the
applicable Redemption Price with respect to any Capital Securities called for
redemption, to the extent that the Trust has funds on hand legally available
therefor; and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary termination, 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
winding up or liquidation of the Trust (unless the Junior Subordinated
Debentures are distributed to holders of the Capital Securities), the lesser of
(a) the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount and all accumulated and unpaid
Distributions to the date of payment, to the extent that the Trust has funds on
hand legally available therefor on such date and (b) the amount of assets of the
Trust remaining available for distribution to holders of the Capital Securities
on such date. The holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities will have the right to (i) waive any past event of default under the
Guarantee and (ii) direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of the
Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust power conferred upon the
Guarantee Trustee. Any holder of the Capital Securities may institute a legal
proceeding directly against the Corporation to enforce its rights under the
Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Trust, the
Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. If the Corporation defaults on
its obligation to pay amounts payable under the Junior Subordinated Debentures,
the Trust will not have sufficient funds for the payment of Distributions or
amounts payable on redemption of the Capital Securities or otherwise, and, in
such event, holders of the Capital Securities will not be able to rely upon the
Guarantee for payment of such amounts. Instead, in the event a Debenture Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and such event is attributable
to the failure of the Corporation to pay principal of or premium, if any, or
interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures on the payment date on which such
payment is due and payable, then a holder of Capital Securities may institute a
legal proceeding directly against the Corporation for enforcement of payment to
such holder of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on such Junior
Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation
Amount of the Capital Securities of such holder (a "Direct Action").
Notwithstanding any payments made to a holder of Capital Securities by the
Corporation in connection with a Direct Action, the Corporation shall remain
obligated to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, and the Corporation shall be subrogated to the
rights of the holder of such Capital Securities with respect to payments on the
Capital Securities to the extent of any payments made by the Corporation to such
holder in any Direct Action. Except as described herein, holders of Capital
Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to
the holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures or to assert directly any
other rights in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. See "Description
of New Securities -- Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures --
Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of Capital Securities" and "--Debenture
Events of Default" and "Description of New Securities -- Description of New
Guarantee." The Declaration will provide that each holder of Capital Securities
by acceptance thereof agrees to the provisions of the Indenture.

Limited Voting Rights

           Holders of Capital Securities generally will have voting rights
relating only to the modification of the terms of the Capital Securities and the
exercise of the Trust's rights as holder of Junior Subordinated Debentures.
Holders of Capital Securities will not be entitled to vote to appoint, remove or
replace, or to increase or decrease the number of, the Issuer Trustees, which
voting rights are vested exclusively in the holder of the Common Securities,
except as described under "Description of New Securities -- Description of New
Capital Securities -- Removal of Issuer Trustees." See "Description of New
Securities -- Description of New Capital Securities -- Voting Rights; Amendment
of the Declaration."

Trading Price

           The Capital Securities may trade at a price that does not fully
reflect the value of accrued but unpaid interest with respect to the underlying
Junior Subordinated Debentures. A holder who uses the accrual method of
accounting for tax purposes (and a cash method holder, if the Junior
Subordinated Debentures are deemed to have been issued with OID) and who
disposes of its Capital Securities between record dates for payments of
distributions thereon will be required to include accrued but unpaid interest on
the Junior Subordinated Debentures through the date of disposition in income as
ordinary income (i.e., interest or, possibly, OID), and to add such amount to
its adjusted tax basis in its share of the underlying Junior Subordinated
Debentures deemed disposed of. To the extent the selling price is less than the
holder's adjusted tax basis (which will include all accrued but unpaid
interest), a holder generally will recognize a capital loss. Subject to certain
limited exceptions, capital losses cannot be applied to offset ordinary income
for United States federal income tax purposes. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Interest Income and Original Issue Discount" and "-- Sales of
Capital Securities."

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities

           The Old Capital Securities have not been registered under the
Securities Act or any state securities laws and therefore may not be offered,
sold or otherwise transferred except in compliance with the registration
requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws, or
pursuant to an exemption therefrom or in a transaction not subject thereto, and
in each case in compliance with certain other conditions and restrictions. Old
Capital Securities which remain outstanding after consummation of the Exchange
Offer will continue to bear a legend reflecting such restrictions on transfer.
In addition, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, holders of Old Capital
Securities which remain outstanding will not be entitled to any rights to have
such Old Capital Securities registered under the Securities Act or to any
similar rights under the Registration Rights Agreement (subject to certain
limited exceptions). The Corporation and the Trust do not intend to register
under the Securities Act any Old Capital Securities which remain outstanding
after consummation of the Exchange Offer (subject to such limited exceptions, if
applicable). To the extent that Old Capital Securities are tendered and accepted
in the Exchange Offer, a holder's ability to sell untendered Old Capital
Securities could be adversely affected.

           The New Capital Securities and any Old Capital Securities which
remain outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer will vote together
as a single class for purposes of determining whether holders of the requisite
percentage in outstanding Liquidation Amount thereof have taken certain actions
or exercised certain rights under the Declaration. See "Description of New
Securities -- Description of New Capital Securities -- Voting Rights; Amendment
of the Declaration."

           The Old Capital Securities provide, among other things, that, if a
registration statement relating to the Exchange Offer has not been filed by June
30, 1997 and declared effective by July 30, 1997, the Distribution rate borne by
the Old Capital Securities commencing on July 1, 1997, if no filing is made by
June 30, 1997, or July 31, 1997, if such filing is not declared effective by
July 30, 1997, will increase by 0.25% per annum until the Exchange Offer is
consummated. Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, holders of Old Capital
Securities will not be entitled to any increase in the Distribution rate thereon
or any further registration rights under the Registration Rights Agreement,
except under limited circumstances. See "Description of Old Securities. "


Absence of Public Market

           The Old Capital Securities were issued to, and the Corporation
believes such securities are currently owned by, a relatively small number of
beneficial owners. The Old Capital Securities have not been registered under the
Securities Act and will be subject to restrictions on the transferability if
they are not exchanged for the New Capital Securities. Although the New Capital
Securities may be resold or otherwise transferred by the holders (who are not
affiliates of the Corporation or the Trust) without compliance with the
registration requirements under the Securities Act, they will constitute a new
issue of securities with no established trading market. Both Old Capital
Securities and New Capital Securities may be transferred by the holders thereof
only in blocks having a Liquidation Amount of not less than $100,000 (100
Capital Securities). The Corporation and the Trust have been advised by the
Initial Purchaser that the Initial Purchaser presently intends to make a market
in the New Capital Securities. However, the Initial Purchaser is not obligated
to do so and any market-making activity with respect to the New Capital
Securities may be imposed by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and may be
limited during the Exchange Offer. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that
an active public or other market will develop for the New Capital Securities or
the Old Capital Securities as to the liquidity of or the trading market for the
New Capital Securities or the Old Capital Securities. If an active public market
does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the New Capital Securities
may be adversely affected.

           If a public trading market develops for the New Capital Securities,
future trading prices will depend on many factors, including among other things,
prevailing interest rates, the Corporation's results and the market for similar
securities. Depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar
securities and other factors, including the financial condition of the
Corporation, the New Capital Securities may trade at a discount.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
           Notwithstanding the registration of the New Capital Securities in the
Exchange Offer, holders who are "affiliates" (as defined under Rule 405 of the
Securities Act) of the Corporation or the Trust may publicly offer for sale or
resell the New Capital Securities only in compliance with the provisions of Rule
144 under the Securities Act.

           Each broker-dealer that receives New Capital Securities for its own
account in exchange for Old Capital Securities, where such Old Capital
Securities were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Capital Securities. See
"Plan of Distribution."

Exchange Offer Procedures

           Issuance of New Capital Securities in exchange for Old Capital
Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after a timely
receipt by the Trust of such Old Capital Securities, a properly completed and
duly executed Letter of Transmittal or Agent's Message in lieu thereof and all
other required documents. Therefore, holders of the Old Capital Securities
desiring to tender such Old Capital Securities in exchange for New Capital
Securities should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. Neither the
Corporation nor the Trust is under any duty to give notification of defects or
irregularities with respect to the tenders of Old Capital Securities for
exchange. See "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital
Securities."

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS

           Neither the Corporation nor the Trust will receive any cash proceeds
from the issuance of the New Capital Securities offered hereby. In consideration
for issuing the New Capital Securities in exchange for Old Capital Securities as
described in this Prospectus, the Trust will receive Old Capital Securities in
like Liquidation Amount. The Old Capital Securities surrendered in exchange for
the New Capital Securities will be retired and cancelled.

           The proceeds to the Trust (without giving effect to expenses of the
offering payable by the Corporation) from the offering of the Old Capital
Securities was $25,000,000. All of the proceeds from the sale of Old Capital
Securities were invested by the Trust in the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures.
The Corporation intends that the net proceeds from the sale of the Old Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be used to support the Corporation's balance sheet
growth resulting from deposits expected to be obtained from asset administration
clients.

           The Capital Securities are expected to be eligible to qualify as Tier
1 capital under the capital guidelines of the Federal Reserve. Under current
Federal Reserve guidelines no more than 25% of the Corporation's Tier 1 Capital
may comprise Capital Securities and other capital securities and cumulative
preferred stock of the Corporation.


                      RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

           The following table sets forth the Corporation's unaudited
consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the respective periods
indicated.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                             Two Months                 
                                                                                                Ended        Year       Three Months
                                                      Year Ended October 31,                  December       Ended      Ended March 
                                        ----------------------------------------------------     31,       December 31,      31,
                                            1992          1993         1994         1995        1995          1996          1997
                                          --------      --------     --------     --------    --------      --------      --------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>            <C> 
Earnings to Fixed Charges:
   Excluding interest on deposits.......... 4.36          5.05         5.28         5.85        5.98          2.17           1.98
   Including interest on deposits.......... 2.48          3.31         3.52         4.24        3.59          1.63           1.51

</TABLE> 

           For purposes of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges,
earnings represent net income plus applicable income taxes and fixed charges.
Fixed charges, excluding interest on deposits, represent interest expense
(except interest on deposits), capitalized interest, and the interest factor
included in rents. Fixed charges, including interest on deposits, represent all
interest expense, capitalized interest, and the interest factor included in
rents.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
                                CAPITALIZATION

           The following table sets forth the actual unaudited consolidated
capitalization of the Corporation and its subsidiaries at March 31, 1997. The
table should be read in conjunction with the financial information included in
the Corporation's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997 which are incorporated by
reference herein. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference." The
issuance of the New Securities in the Exchange Offer will have no effect on the
capitalization of the Corporation.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                        March 31, 1997
                                                        --------------

                                                    (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                      <C> 
Corporation obligated, mandatorily redeemable 
  preferred securities of subsidiary trust holding 
  solely subordinated debentures of the 
  Corporation(1)...................................      $    24,245

Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized, 
    1,000,000 shares actual and as adjusted; 
    issued and outstanding, no shares actual and 
    as adjusted....................................                -
  Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value, authorized,
    650,000 shares actual and as adjusted; issued 
    and outstanding, 420,181 shares actual and as 
    adjusted.......................................                3
  Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized, 
    20,000,000 shares actual and as adjusted; 
    issued and outstanding, 6,024,131 actual and as 
    adjusted.......................................               61
  Surplus..........................................           54,370
  Deferred compensation............................           (1,578)
  Net unrealized gain on securities available for 
    sale...........................................              695
  Retained earnings................................           11,173
    Total stockholders' equity.....................           64,724
                                                              ------
Total capitalization...............................           88,969
                                                              ======

</TABLE> 

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

(1)   Reflects the issuance of the Old Capital Securities. The Trust is a
      subsidiary of the Corporation and will hold the Junior Subordinated
      Debentures as its sole asset.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
                     SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

           The summary below should be read in connection with and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to management's discussion and analysis of the
Corporation's results of operations and the financial information included in
the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1996, and the Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference. Interim data for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 reflect, in the opinion of management of
the Corporation, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of such data. Results for the
year ended December 31, 1996, and the three months ended March 31, 1997 are not
necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for any other interim
period or for the year as a whole.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                 Two Months                 
                                                      Year Ended October 31,                       Ended          Year Ended 
                                         ---------------------------------------------------     December 31,    December 31, 
                                            1992          1993          1994        1995(1)         1995             1996          
                                         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------     ------------    -----------  
                                                              (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                      <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C> 
Statement of Income Data:
Net interest income...................   $   3,659     $   4,494     $   4,778     $   5,870     $   1,966     $  17,944  
Noninterest income....................      29,664        32,967        43,049        51,562         8,085        56,632  
Gain on sale of investment securities.          --            48            --            --            --            --  
                                         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------     --------- 
Net operating revenues................      33,323        37,509        47,827        57,432        10,051        74,576  
Operating expenses....................      30,589        33,939        42,503        50,224         8,481        61,935  
                                         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------     --------- 
Income before income taxes............       2,734         3,570         5,324         7,208         1,570        12,641  
Income taxes..........................       1,163         1,211         1,863         2,800           670         4,867  
Minority Interest/Trust Preferred      
   Securities.........................          --            --            --            --            --            -- 
                                         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------     --------- 
Net Income............................   $   1,571     $   2,359     $   3,461     $   4,408     $     900     $   7,774  
                                         =========     =========     =========     =========     =========     =========
Per Share Data:
Common dividends per share............                                                           $      --     $     .03        
Average number of shares outstanding..                                                               6,467         6,504      
                                                                                                 =========     =========
Average Balance Sheet Data:
Interest earnings assets..............   $  81,148     $  87,965     $  94,351     $ 106,130     $ 219,775     $ 575,662   
Total assets..........................      99,609       109,477       116,810       128,174       249,064       628,893   
Total deposits........................      88,684        99,523       102,664       106,446       197,013       377,219   
Stockholders' equity..................       7,053         9,022        11,779        16,119        34,000        56,137   
Selected Financial Ratios:
Return on equity(2)...................       22.27%        26.15%        29.38%        27.35%        15.11%        13.85% 
Return on assets(2)...................        1.58          2.15          2.96          3.44          2.12          1.24  
Equity as % of total assets...........        6.52          8.24         10.08         12.58         16.57          6.41  
Dividend payout ratio(3)..............        3.82          2.54          1.73          1.36          0.00          2.49  
Tier 1 capital ratio(4)...............       37.78         37.08         42.53         37.62         62.10         24.67  
Noninterest income as % of net
   operating income...................       89.02         87.89         90.01         89.78         80.44         75.94
Nonperforming assets as % of total
   assets.............................          --            --            --            --            --            --            

Allowance for loan losses as % of
   total loans........................        0.59          0.34          0.26          0.26          0.15          0.15      
Other Statistical Data:
Assets processed at end of period(5).. $43,348,597   $61,239,242   $72,418,449   $91,099,976   $94,208,228  $122,563,401  
Employees at end of period............         460           522           678           671           674           792     

<CAPTION> 

                                               Three Months Ended
                                                   March 31,
                                          --------------------------
                                              1996           1997
                                          ----------     -----------
                                                 (unaudited)
<S>                                       <C>            <C> 
Statement of Income Data:                
Net interest income...................    $   3,921      $   6,456
Noninterest income....................       12,944         17,760
Gain on sale of investment securities.           --             --
                                          ---------      ---------     
Net operating revenues................       16,865         24,216
Operating expenses....................       14,517         19,314
                                          ---------      ---------     
Income before income taxes............        2,348          4,902
Income taxes..........................          928          1,822
Minority Interest/Trust Preferred        
   Securities.........................           --            258 
                                          ---------      ---------
                                                 
Net Income............................    $   1,420      $   2,822
                                          =========      =========     
Per Share Data:                          
Common dividends per share............    $      --      $     .02
Average number of shares outstanding..        6,494          6,558
                                          =========      =========    
Average Balance Sheet Data:              
Interest earnings assets..............    $ 361,655      $ 954,368
Total assets..........................      404,505      1,015,055
Total deposits........................      261,880        583,365
Stockholders' equity..................       51,587         63,238
Selected Financial Ratios:               
Return on equity(2)...................        11.01%         17.85%
Return on assets(2)...................         1.40           1.11
Equity as % of total assets...........         9.94           5.91
Dividend payout ratio(3)..............         0.00           4.57
Tier 1 capital ratio(4)...............        40.91          31.26
Noninterest income as % of net           
   operating income...................        76.75          73.33
                                         
Nonperforming assets as % of total       
   assets.............................           --             --
Allowance for loan losses as % of        
   total loans........................         0.15           0.13
Other Statistical Data:                  
Assets processed at end of period(5)..  $99,497,322   $131,423,191
Employees at end of period............          683            878
</TABLE> 

- --------------------
(1)    Noninterest income for the year ended October 31, 1995 includes the
       recognition of net proceeds of $2,572,000 from the assignment to a third
       party of asset administration rights associated with $5 billion of unit
       investment trust assets. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
       Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in the
       Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
       1996, incorporated herein by reference.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
(2)    Ratios for the two months ended December 31, 1995 and the three months
       ended March 31, 1996 and 1997 have been annualized. The ratios for the
       year ended October 31, 1995 include the effect of the unit investment
       trust transaction described in (1) above. Without the earnings associated
       with this transaction, return on equity and return on assets for the year
       ended October 31, 1995 would have been 18.10% and 2.28%, respectively.

(3)    The Corporation intends to retain the majority of future earnings to fund
       development and growth of its business but anticipates paying future cash
       dividends, currently estimated to be $.08 per share annually, subject to
       receipt of dividends from the Bank and further subject to regulatory
       requirements.

(4)    Tier I capital consists of the sum of common stockholders' equity and
       non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock minus all intangible assets
       (other than certain qualifying goodwill) and excess deferred tax assets.

(5)    Assets processed is the total dollar value of financial assets on the
       reported date for which the Corporation provides one or more of the
       following services: custody, multicurrency accounting, institutional
       transfer agency, performance measurement, foreign exchange, securities
       lending and mutual fund administration.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
                           INVESTORS CAPITAL TRUST I
   
           The Trust is a statutory business trust created under Delaware law
pursuant to (i) a declaration of trust, dated as of January 17, 1997, executed
by the Corporation, as Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Administrative
Trustees named therein (the "Initial Declaration"), and (ii) the filing of a
certificate of trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on
January 17, 1997. The Initial Declaration was replaced by an amended and
restated declaration of trust dated as of January 31, 1997 among the
Corporation, as Sponsor, the Issuer Trustees (as defined herein) and the
holders, from time to time, of the Trust Securities (the "Declaration"). The
Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling the Trust
Securities, which represent undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the
Trust, (ii) investing the gross proceeds from the sale of the Trust Securities
in the Junior Subordinated Debentures and (iii) engaging in only those other
activities necessary, advisable or incidental thereto. Accordingly, the Junior
Subordinated Debentures are the sole assets of the Trust and payments under the
Junior Subordinated Debentures are the sole revenue of the Trust. All of the
Common Securities are owned directly by the Corporation. The Common Securities
rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Capital
Securities, except that upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default, the rights of the Corporation as holder of the Common
Securities to payments in respect of Distributions and payments upon
liquidation, redemption or otherwise will be subordinated and rank junior to the
rights of the holders of the Capital Securities. See "Description of the New
Securities -- Description of the New Capital Securities -- Subordination of
Common Securities." The Corporation has acquired Common Securities in a
Liquidation Amount equal to at least 3% of the total capital of the Trust. The
Trust has a term of 31 years, but may terminate earlier as provided in the
Declaration. The Trust's business and affairs are conducted by trustees (the
"Issuer Trustees") appointed by the Corporation as the direct holder of the
Common Securities. The Issuer Trustees are The Bank of New York as the Property
Trustee (the "Property Trustee"), The Bank of New York (Delaware) as the
Delaware Trustee (the "Delaware Trustee"), and three individual trustees (the
"Administrative Trustees"). The Bank of New York, as Property Trustee, acts as
sole indenture trustee under the Declaration. The Bank of New York also acts as
indenture trustee under the Guarantee and the Indenture. See "Description of the
New Securities -- Description of the New Guarantee" and "-- Description of New
Junior Subordinated Debentures." The holder of the Common Securities or, if an
Event of Default under the Declaration has occurred and is continuing, the
holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities, will be
entitled to appoint, remove or replace the Property Trustee and/or the Delaware
Trustee. In no event will the holders of the Capital Securities have the right
to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrative Trustees; such voting
rights are vested exclusively in the holder of the Common Securities. The duties
and obligations of each Issuer Trustee are governed by the Declaration. The
Corporation will pay directly all fees, expenses, debts and obligations (other
than the Trust Securities) related to the Trust and the Exchange Offer. The
principal executive office of the Trust is Investors Capital Trust I, c/o
Investors Financial Services Corp., 89 South Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02111, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.
    

                      INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.

           Investors Financial Services Corp. (the "Corporation"), based in
Boston, Massachusetts, provides asset administration services for the financial
services industry through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Investors Bank & Trust
Company(R). The Corporation provides domestic and global custody, multicurrency
accounting, institutional transfer agency, performance measurement, foreign
exchange, securities lending, mutual fund administration and investment advisory
services to a variety of financial asset managers, including mutual fund
complexes, investment advisors, banks and insurance companies. The Corporation
provides financial asset administration services for assets that totaled
approximately $131 billion at March 31, 1997, including assets managed by 54
mutual fund complexes and insurance companies and approximately $10 billion of
foreign assets. The Corporation also engages in private banking transactions,
including secured lending and deposit accounts.

           The Corporation operated as a subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp. ("Eaton
Vance"), an investment management firm conducting business through subsidiaries,
from its formation in 1969 through November 1995. In 1995, the boards of
directors of the Corporation and Eaton Vance determined to separate the business
operations of the Corporation from those of Eaton Vance by means of a tax free,
pro rata distribution of Eaton Vance's ownership interest in the Corporation to
the Eaton Vance stockholders (the "Spin-Off Transaction"). The principal reasons
for the Spin-Off Transaction were to eliminate certain regulatory restrictions
to which the Corporation was subject 

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
under the Competitive Equality Banking Act of 1987 ("CEBA"), and to enable the
Corporation to pursue its business goals independent of Eaton Vance. In order to
avoid being regulated as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company
Act of 1956, Eaton Vance had operated Investors Bank & Trust Company under
certain growth and activity restrictions. The elimination of the CEBA growth and
activity restrictions enabled the Corporation to expand its current business
activities and participate in certain additional business activities. The Spin-
Off Transaction was completed on November 10, 1995, prior to the completion of
an initial public offering of 2,300,000 shares of the Corporation's Common
Stock, $.01 par value, (the "Common Stock") on November 14, 1995 (the
"Offering"). As used herein, the defined term "Corporation" shall mean Investors
Financial Services Corp. from and after June 29, 1995, the date of organization
of Investors Financial Services Corp., and shall mean Investors Bank & Trust
Company prior to that date, unless the context otherwise indicates. Investors
Bank & Trust Company is sometimes referred to herein as the "Bank."


                              THE EXCHANGE OFFER

Purpose of the Exchange Offer

           In connection with the sale of the Old Capital Securities, the
Corporation and the Trust entered into the Registration Rights Agreement with
the Initial Purchaser, pursuant to which the Corporation and the Trust agreed to
file and to use their reasonable efforts to cause to become effective with the
Commission a registration statement with respect to the exchange of the Old
Capital Securities for capital securities with terms identical in all material
respects to the terms of the Old Capital Securities. A copy of the Registration
Rights Agreement has been filed as an Exhibit to the Corporation's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, which is incorporated by
reference herein.

           The Exchange Offer is being made to satisfy the contractual
obligations of the Corporation and the Trust under the Registration Rights
Agreement. The form and terms of the New Capital Securities are the same as the
form and terms of the Old Capital Securities except that the New Capital
Securities have been registered under the Securities Act and will not be subject
to certain restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Capital Securities and
will not provide for any increase in the Distribution rate thereon. In that
regard, the Old Capital Securities provide, among other things, that, if a
registration statement relating to the Exchange Offer has not been filed by June
30, 1997 and declared effective by July 30, 1997, the Distribution rate borne by
the Old Capital Securities commencing on July 1, 1997, if no filing is made by
June 30, 1997, or July 31, 1997, if such filing is not declared effective by
July 30, 1997, will increase by 0.25% per annum until the Exchange Offer is
consummated. Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, holders of Old Capital
Securities will not be entitled to any increase in the Distribution rate thereon
or any further registration rights under the Registration Rights Agreement,
except under limited circumstances. See "Risk Factors -- Consequences of a
Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities" and "Description of Old Capital
Securities."

           The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will the Trust accept
tenders for exchange from, holders of Old Capital Securities in any jurisdiction
in which the Exchange Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance
with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.

           Unless the context requires otherwise, the term "holder" with respect
to the Exchange Offer means any person in whose name the Old Capital Securities
are registered on the books of the Trust or any other person who has obtained a
properly completed bond power from the registered holder, or any person whose
Old Capital Securities are held of record by The Depository Trust Company
("DTC") who desires to deliver such Old Capital Securities by book-entry
transfer at DTC.

           Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Corporation will exchange as soon
as practicable after the date hereof, the Old Guarantee for the New Guarantee
and the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures, in an amount corresponding to the
Old Capital Securities accepted for exchange, for a like aggregate principal
amount of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures. The New Guarantee and New
Junior Subordinated Debentures will have been registered under the Securities
Act.

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
Terms of the Exchange Offer

           The Trust hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal, to
exchange up to $25,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of New Capital
Securities for a like aggregate Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities
properly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date and not properly withdrawn
in accordance with the procedures described below. The Trust will issue,
promptly after the Expiration Date, an aggregate Liquidation Amount of up to
$25,000,000 of New Capital Securities in exchange for a like principal amount of
outstanding Old Capital Securities tendered and accepted in connection with the
Exchange Offer. Holders may tender their Old Capital Securities in whole or in
part in a Liquidation Amount of not less than $100,000 (100 Old Capital
Securities).

           The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum Liquidation
Amount of Old Capital Securities being tendered. As of the date of this
Prospectus, $25,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Old Capital
Securities are outstanding.

           Holders of Old Capital Securities do not have any appraisal or
dissenters' rights in connection with the Exchange Offer. Old Capital Securities
which are not tendered for or are tendered but not accepted in connection with
the Exchange Offer will remain outstanding and be entitled to the benefits of
the Declaration, but will not be entitled to any further registration rights
under the Registration Rights Agreement, except under limited circumstances. See
"Risk Factors -- Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities"
and "Description of Old Securities."

           If any tendered Old Capital Securities are not accepted for exchange
because of an invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth
herein or otherwise, certificates for any such unaccepted Old Capital Securities
will be returned, without expense, to the tendering holder thereof promptly
after the Expiration Date.

           Holders who tender Old Capital Securities in connection with the
Exchange Offer will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or,
subject to the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes with
respect to the exchange of Old Capital Securities in connection with the
Exchange Offer. The Corporation will pay all charges and expenses, other than
certain applicable taxes described below, in connection with the Exchange Offer.
See " -- Fees and Expenses."

           NEITHER THE CORPORATION, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION,
NOR ANY ISSUER TRUSTEE OF THE TRUST MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION TO HOLDERS OF OLD
CAPITAL SECURITIES AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING ALL OR ANY
PORTION OF THEIR OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER. IN
ADDITION, NO ONE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY SUCH RECOMMENDATION. HOLDERS OF
OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES MUST MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION WHETHER TO TENDER PURSUANT
TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND, IF SO, THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES
TO TENDER BASED ON SUCH HOLDERS' OWN FINANCIAL POSITION AND REQUIREMENTS.

           The term "Expiration Date" means 5:00 p.m. Boston time, on        , 
1997 unless the Exchange Offer is extended by the Corporation or the Trust (in
which case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date and time to
which the Exchange Offer is extended).

           The Corporation and the Trust expressly reserve the right in their
sole and absolute discretion, subject to applicable law, at any time and from
time to time, (i) to delay the acceptance of the Old Capital Securities for
exchange, (ii) to terminate the Exchange Offer (whether or not any Old Capital
Securities have theretofore been accepted for exchange) if the Trust determines,
in its sole and absolute discretion, that any of the events or conditions
referred to under "-- Conditions to the Exchange Offer" have occurred or exist
or have not been satisfied, (iii) to extend the Expiration Date of the Exchange
Offer and retain all Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
Offer, subject, however, to the right of holders of Old Capital Securities to
withdraw their tendered Old Capital Securities as described under " --
Withdrawal Rights," and (iv) to waive any condition or otherwise amend the terms
of the Exchange Offer in any respect. If the Exchange Offer is amended in a
manner determined by the Corporation and the Trust to constitute a material
change, or if the Corporation and the Trust waive a material condition of the
Exchange Offer, the Corporation and the Trust will promptly disclose such
amendment by means of a prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the
holders of the Old Capital Securities, and the Corporation and the Trust will
extend the Exchange Offer to the extent required by Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act.

           Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment
will be followed promptly by oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange
Agent and by making a public announcement thereof, and such announcement in the
case of an extension will be made no later than 9:00 a.m., Boston time, on the
next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date. Without
limiting the manner in which the Corporation and the Trust may choose to make
any public announcement and subject to applicable law, the Corporation and the
Trust shall have no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate
any such public announcement other than by issuing a release to an appropriate
news agency.


Acceptance for Exchange and Issuance of New Capital Securities


           Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer,
the Trust will exchange, and will issue to the Exchange Agent, New Capital
Securities for Old Capital Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn
promptly after the Expiration Date.

           In all cases, delivery of New Capital Securities in exchange for Old
Capital Securities tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange
Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of (i) Old
Capital Securities or a book-entry confirmation, which includes an Agent's
Message if the tendering holder has not delivered a Letter of Transmittal to the
Exchange Agent, of a book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities into the
Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), (ii) the
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly
executed, with any required signature guarantees or (solely in the case of
book-entry transfers) an Agent's Message in lieu thereof, and (iii) any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.

           The term "book-entry confirmation" means a timely confirmation of a
book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account
at DTC.

           The term "Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted by DTC to and
received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation,
which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the tendering
participant, which acknowledgment states that such participant has received and
agrees to be bound by the Letter of Transmittal and that the Trust and the
Corporation may enforce such Letter of Transmittal against such participant.

           Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the Trust
will be deemed to have accepted for exchange, and thereby exchanged, Old Capital
Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn as, if and when the Trust gives
oral or written notice to the Exchange Agent of the Trust's acceptance of such
Old Capital Securities for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Exchange
Agent will act as agent for the Trust for the purpose of receiving tenders of
Old Capital Securities, Letters of Transmittal and related documents, and as
agent for tendering holders for the purpose of receiving Old Capital Securities,
Letters of Transmittal and related documents and transmitting New Capital
Securities to validly tendering holders. Such exchange will be made promptly
after the Expiration Date. If for any reason whatsoever, acceptance for exchange
or the exchange of any Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer is delayed (whether before or after the Trust's acceptance for exchange of
Old Capital Securities) or the Trust extends the Exchange Offer or is unable to
accept for exchange or exchange Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, then, without prejudice to the Trust's rights set forth herein,
the Exchange Agent may, nevertheless, on behalf of the Trust and subject to Rule
14e-1(c) 

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
under the Exchange Act, retain tendered Old Capital Securities and such Old
Capital Securities may not be withdrawn except to the extent tendering holders
are entitled to withdrawal rights as described under " -- Withdrawal Rights."

           Pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal, a holder of Old Capital
Securities will warrant and agree in the Letter of Transmittal that it has full
power and authority to tender, exchange, sell, assign and transfer Old Capital
Securities, that the Trust will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title
to the tendered Old Capital Securities, free and clear of all liens,
restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and the Old Capital Securities tendered
for exchange are not subject to any adverse claims or proxies. The holder also
will warrant and agree that it will, upon request, execute and deliver any
additional documents deemed by the Trust or the Exchange Agent to be necessary
or desirable to complete the exchange, sale, assignment, and transfer of the Old
Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities

           Valid Tender. Except as set forth below, in order for Old Capital
Securities to be validly tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with
any required signature guarantees or (solely in the case of book-entry
transfers) an Agent's Message in lieu thereof and any other required documents,
must be received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth under "
- -- Exchange Agent," and either (i) tendered Old Capital Securities must be
received by the Exchange Agent, or (ii) such Old Capital Securities must be
tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth below and
a book-entry confirmation, which includes an Agent's Message if the tendering
holder has not delivered a Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent, must be
received by the Exchange Agent, in each case on or prior to the Expiration Date,
or (iii) the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below must be complied
with.

           If less than all of the Old Capital Securities are tendered, a
tendering holder should fill in the amount of Old Capital Securities being
tendered in the appropriate box on the Letter of Transmittal or so indicate in
the Agent's Message, as the case may be. The entire amount of Old Capital
Securities delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered
unless otherwise indicated.

           THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND
ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING
HOLDER, AND DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE
EXCHANGE AGENT. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, OR AN OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN
ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.

           Book-Entry Transfer. The Exchange Agent will establish an account
with respect to the Old Capital Securities at DTC for purposes of the Exchange
Offer within two business days after the date of this Prospectus. Any financial
institution that is a participant in DTC's book-entry transfer facility system
may make a book-entry delivery of the Old Capital Securities by causing DTC to
transfer such Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC in
accordance with DTC's procedures for transfers. A tendering holder making a
book-entry delivery may also cause an Agent's Message to be delivered on its
behalf in lieu of delivering the Letter of Transmittal. If no Agent's Message is
delivered in connection with delivery of Old Capital Securities through
book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC, the Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with
any required signature guarantees and any other required documents, must be
delivered to and received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth under "
- -- Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date, or the guaranteed
delivery procedure set forth below must be complied with.

           DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC IN ACCORDANCE WITH DTC'S PROCEDURES DOES
NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
           Signature Guarantees. Certificates for the Old Capital Securities
need not be endorsed and signature guarantees on the Letter of Transmittal are
unnecessary unless (a) a certificate for the Old Capital Securities is
registered in a name other than that of the person surrendering the certificate
or (b) such holder completes the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or
"Special Delivery Instructions" in the Letter of Transmittal. In the case of (a)
or (b) above, such certificates for Old Capital Securities must be duly endorsed
or accompanied by a properly executed bond power, with the endorsement or
signature on the bond power and on the Letter of Transmittal guaranteed by a
firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act as an
"eligible guarantor institution," including (as such terms are defined therein):
(i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker or dealer or
government securities broker or dealer; (iii) a credit union; (iv) a national
securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing agency; or
(v) a savings association that is a participant in a Securities Transfer
Association (an "Eligible Institution"), unless surrendered on behalf of such
Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1 to the Letter of Transmittal.

           Guaranteed Delivery. If a holder desires to tender Old Capital
Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the certificates for such Old
Capital Securities are not immediately available or time will not permit all
required documents to reach the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration
Date, or the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely
basis, such Old Capital Securities may nevertheless be tendered, provided that
all of the following guaranteed delivery procedures are complied with:

                     (i)   such tenders are made by or through an Eligible
           Institution;

                     (ii)  a properly completed and duly executed Notice of
           Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form accompanying the
           Letter of Transmittal, is received by the Exchange Agent, as provided
           below, on or prior to the Expiration Date; and

                     (iii) the certificates (or a book-entry confirmation)
           representing all tendered Old Capital Securities, in proper form for
           transfer, together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter
           of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with any required signature
           guarantees and any other documents required by the Letter of
           Transmittal, are received by the Exchange Agent within three New York
           Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution of such
           Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

           The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand, or
transmitted by facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent and must include a
guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such notice.

           Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the delivery of New
Capital Securities in exchange for Old Capital Securities tendered and accepted
for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will in all cases be made only after
timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of Old Capital Securities, or of a
book-entry confirmation with respect to such Old Capital Securities, and a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), together with any required signature guarantees or an Agent's Message
in lieu thereof and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.
Accordingly, the delivery of New Capital Securities might not be made to all
tendering holders at the same time, and will depend upon when Old Capital
Securities, book-entry confirmations with respect to Old Capital Securities and
other required documents are received by the Exchange Agent.

           The Trust's acceptance for exchange of Old Capital Securities
tendered pursuant to any of the procedures described above will constitute a
binding agreement between the tendering holder and the Trust upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.

           Determination of Validity. All questions as to the form of documents,
validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of
any tendered Old Capital Securities will be determined by the Corporation and
the Trust, in their sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and
binding on all parties. The Corporation and the Trust reserve the absolute
right, in their sole and absolute discretion, to reject any and all tenders
determined by them not to be in proper form or the acceptance of which, or
exchange for, may, in the opinion of counsel to the Corporation and the Trust,
be unlawful. The Corporation and the Trust also reserve the 

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive any of the conditions of the
Exchange Offer as set forth under " -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer" or any
condition or irregularity in any tender of Old Capital Securities of any
particular holder whether or not similar conditions or irregularities are waived
in the case of other holders.

           The interpretation by the Corporation and the Trust of the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the Letter of Transmittal and the
instructions thereto) will be final and binding. No tender of Old Capital
Securities will be deemed to have been validly made until all irregularities
with respect to such tender have been cured or waived. Neither the Corporation,
the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the Corporation or the Trust, the
Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give any
notification of any irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure
to give any such notification.

           If any Letter of Transmittal, endorsement, bond power, power of
attorney, or any other document required by the Letter of Transmittal is signed
by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a
corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity,
such person should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by the
Corporation and the Trust, proper evidence satisfactory to the Corporation and
the Trust, in their sole discretion, of such person's authority to so act must
be submitted.

           A beneficial owner of Old Capital Securities that are held by or
registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
other nominee or custodian is urged to contact such entity promptly if such
beneficial holder wishes to participate in the Exchange Offer.

Resales of New Capital Securities

           The Corporation and the Trust are making the Exchange Offer of the
New Capital Securities in reliance on the position of the staff of the Division
of Corporation Finance of the Commission as set forth in certain interpretive
letters addressed to third parties in other transactions. However, neither the
Corporation nor the Trust has sought its own interpretive letter and there can
be no assurance that the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the
Commission would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer
as it has in such interpretive letters to third parties. Based on these
interpretations by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the
Commission, and subject to the two immediately following sentences, the
Corporation and the Trust believe that New Capital Securities issued pursuant to
this Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Capital Securities may be offered for
resale, resold and otherwise transferred by a holder thereof (other than a
holder who is a broker-dealer) without further compliance with the registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, provided that such
New Capital Securities are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's
business and that such holder is not participating, and has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate, in a distribution (within the
meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities. However, any
holder of Old Capital Securities who is an "affiliate" of the Corporation or the
Trust or who intends to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of
distributing New Capital Securities, or any broker-dealer who purchased Old
Capital Securities from the Trust to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other
available exemption under the Securities Act, (a) will not be able to rely on
the interpretations of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the
Commission set forth in the above-mentioned interpretive letters, (b) will not
be permitted or entitled to tender such Old Capital Securities in the Exchange
Offer and (c) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any sale or other transfer
of such Old Capital Securities unless such sale is made pursuant to an exemption
from such requirements. In addition, as described below, if any broker-dealer
holds Old Capital Securities acquired for its own account as a result of
market-making or other trading activities and exchanges such Old Capital
Securities for New Capital Securities, then such broker-dealer must deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
resales of such New Capital Securities.

           Each holder of Old Capital Securities who wishes to exchange Old
Capital Securities for New Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer will be
required to represent that (i) it is not an "affiliate" of the Corporation or
the Trust, (ii) any New Capital Securities to be received by it are being
acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (iii) it has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in a distribution (within the
meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities, and (iv) if such
holder is not a broker-dealer, such holder is not 

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution (within the meaning
of the Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities. In addition, the
Corporation and the Trust may require such holder, as a condition to such
holder's eligibility to participate in the Exchange Offer, to furnish to the
Corporation and the Trust (or an agent thereof), in writing, information as to
the number of "beneficial owners" (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act) on behalf of whom such holder holds the Old Capital Securities to
be exchanged in the Exchange Offer. Each broker-dealer that receives New Capital
Securities for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge
that it acquired the Old Capital Securities for its own account as the result of
market-making activities or other trading activities and must agree that it will
deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale of such New Capital Securities. The Letter of
Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act. Based on the position taken by the staff of the
Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission in the interpretive letters
referred to above, the Corporation and the Trust believe that Participating
Broker-Dealers who acquired Old Capital Securities for their own accounts as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities may fulfill their
prospectus delivery requirements with respect to the New Capital Securities
received upon exchange of such Old Capital Securities (other than Old Capital
Securities which represent an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Old
Capital Securities) with a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities
Act, which may be the prospectus prepared for an exchange offer so long as it
contains a description of the plan of distribution with respect to the resale of
such New Capital Securities. Accordingly, this Prospectus, as it may be amended
or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer
during the period referred to below in connection with resales of New Capital
Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities where such Old
Capital Securities were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer for its own
account as a result of market-making or other trading activities. Subject to
certain provisions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, the
Corporation and the Trust have agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be amended
or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer
in connection with resales of such New Capital Securities for a period ending 90
days after the Expiration Date (subject to extension under certain limited
circumstances described below) or, if earlier, when all such New Capital
Securities have been disposed of by such Participating Broker-Dealer. See "Plan
of Distribution." However, a Participating Broker-Dealer who intends to use this
Prospectus in connection with the resale of New Capital Securities received in
exchange for Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer must notify
the Corporation or the Trust, or cause the Corporation or the Trust to be
notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date, that it is a Participating Broker-
Dealer. Such notice may be given in the space provided for that purpose in the
Letter of Transmittal or may be delivered to the Exchange Agent at one of the
addresses set forth herein under " -- Exchange Agent." Any Participating Broker-
Dealer who is an "affiliate" of the Corporation or the Trust may not rely on
such interpretive letters and must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale
transaction.

           In that regard, each Participating Broker-Dealer who surrenders Old
Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be deemed to have agreed,
by execution of the Letter of Transmittal or delivery of an Agent's Message,
that, upon receipt of notice from the Corporation or the Trust of the occurrence
of any event or the discovery of any fact which makes any statement contained or
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus untrue in any material respect or
which causes this Prospectus to omit to state a material fact necessary in order
to make the statements contained or incorporated by reference herein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or of the
occurrence of certain other events specified in the Registration Rights
Agreement, such Participating Broker-Dealer will suspend the sale of New Capital
Securities (or the New Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, as
applicable) pursuant to this Prospectus until the Corporation or the Trust has
amended or supplemented this Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission
and has furnished copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus to such
Participating Broker-Dealer or the Corporation or the Trust has given notice
that the sale of the New Capital Securities (or the New Guarantee or the New
Junior Subordinated Debentures, as applicable) may be resumed, as the case may
be. The Corporation and the Trust may delay the filing of any amendment or
supplement in good faith and for a valid corporate purpose for a period not to
exceed 120 days, such right to delay to be exercisable by the Corporation and
the Trust only once in any 365 day period. If the Corporation or the Trust gives
such notice to suspend the sale of the New Capital Securities (or the New
Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, as applicable), it shall
extend the 90 day period referred to above during which Participating
Broker-Dealers are entitled to use this Prospectus in connection with the resale
of New 

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
Capital Securities by the number of days during the period from and including
the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when
Participating Broker-Dealers shall have received copies of the amended or
supplemented Prospectus necessary to permit resales of the New Capital
Securities or to and including the date on which the Corporation or the Trust
has given notice that the sale of New Capital Securities (or the New Guarantee
or the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, as applicable) may be resumed, as the
case may be.

Withdrawal Rights

           Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Capital
Securities may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.

           In order for a withdrawal to be effective, a written, or facsimile
transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the
Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth under " -- Exchange Agent" on
or prior to the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the
name of the person who tendered the Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn, the
aggregate principal amount of Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn, and (if
certificates for such Old Capital Securities have been tendered) the name of the
registered holder of the Old Capital Securities as set forth on the Old Capital
Securities, if different from that of the person who tendered such Old Capital
Securities. If Old Capital Securities have been delivered or otherwise
identified to the Exchange Agent, then prior to the physical release of such Old
Capital Securities, the tendering holder must submit the serial numbers shown on
the particular Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn and the signature on the
notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, except in
the case of Old Capital Securities tendered for the account of an Eligible
Institution. If Old Capital Securities have been tendered pursuant to the
procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in " -- Procedures for Tendering
Old Capital Securities," the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and
number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of Old Capital
Securities, in which case a notice of withdrawal will be effective if delivered
to the Exchange Agent by written, or facsimile transmission. Withdrawals of
tenders of Old Capital Securities may not be rescinded. Old Capital Securities
properly withdrawn will not be deemed validly tendered for purposes of the
Exchange Offer, but may be retendered at any subsequent time on or prior to the
Expiration Date by following any of the procedures described above under " --
Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities."

           All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including
time of receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Trust, in
its sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding on all
parties. Neither the Corporation, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the
Corporation or the Trust, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under
any duty to give any notification of any irregularities in any notice of
withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Any
Old Capital Securities which have been tendered but which are withdrawn will be
returned to the holder thereof promptly after withdrawal.

Distributions on New Capital Securities

           Holders of Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities are
accepted for exchange will not receive Distributions on such Old Capital
Securities and will be deemed to have waived the right to receive any
Distributions on such Old Capital Securities accumulated from and after January
31, 1997. Accordingly, holders of New Capital Securities as of the record date
for the payment of Distributions on August 1, 1997 will be entitled to receive
Distributions accumulated from and after January 31, 1997.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

           Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Exchange Offer, or any
extension of the Exchange Offer, the Corporation and the Trust will not be
required to accept for exchange, or to exchange, any Old Capital Securities for
any New Capital Securities, and, as described below, may terminate the Exchange
Offer (whether or not any Old Capital Securities have theretofore been accepted
for exchange) or may waive any conditions to or amend the Exchange Offer, if any
of the following conditions have occurred or exists or have not been satisfied:

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
           (a) there shall occur a change in the current interpretations by the
staff of the Commission which permits the New Capital Securities issued pursuant
to the Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Capital Securities to be offered for
resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than
broker-dealers and any such holder which is an "affiliate" of the Corporation or
the Trust within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without
compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the
Securities Act provided that such New Capital Securities are acquired in the
ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders have no arrangement
or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such New
Capital Securities; or

           (b) any law, statute, rule or regulation shall have been adopted or
enacted which, in the judgment of the Corporation or the Trust, would reasonably
be expected to impair its ability to proceed with the Exchange Offer; or

           (c) a stop order shall have been issued by the Commission or any
state securities authority suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or proceedings shall have been initiated or, to the knowledge of the
Corporation or the Trust, threatened for that purpose or any governmental
approval has not been obtained, which approval the Corporation or the Trust
shall, in its sole discretion, deem necessary for the consummation of the
Exchange Offer as contemplated hereby.

           If the Corporation or the Trust determines in its sole and absolute
discretion that any of the foregoing events or conditions has occurred or exists
or has not been satisfied, it may, subject to applicable law, terminate the
Exchange Offer (whether or not any Old Capital Securities have theretofore been
accepted for exchange) or may waive any such condition or otherwise amend the
terms of the Exchange Offer in any respect. If such waiver or amendment
constitutes a material change to the Exchange Offer, the Corporation or the
Trust will promptly disclose such waiver or amendment by means of a prospectus
supplement that will be distributed to the registered holders of the Old Capital
Securities and will extend the Exchange Offer to the extent required by Rule
14e-1 under the Exchange Act.

Exchange Agent

           The Bank of New York has been appointed as Exchange Agent for the
Exchange Offer. Delivery of the Letters of Transmittal and any other required
documents, questions, requests for assistance, and requests for additional
copies of this Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal should be directed to
the Exchange Agent as follows:

    By Registered or Certified Mail:           By Hand or Overnight Delivery:
- ----------------------------------------    -----------------------------------
         The Bank of New York                        The Bank of New York
        101 Barclay Street, 7E                        101 Barclay Street
       New York, New York 10286                 Corporate Trust Services Window
  Attention: Reorganization Section,                     Ground Level
            Arwen Gibbons                          New York, New York 10286
                                              Attention: Reorganization Section,
                                                         Arwen Gibbons

   
                             Confirm By Telephone:
                                (212) 815-5920
    

                           Facsimile Transmissions:
                         (Eligible Institutions Only)
                                (212) 815-6339
    

           Delivery to other than the above addresses or facsimile number will
not constitute a valid delivery.

Fees and Expenses

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
           The Corporation has agreed to pay the Exchange Agent reasonable and
customary fees for its services and will reimburse it for its reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith. The Corporation will also pay
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries the reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in forwarding copies of this Prospectus
and related documents to the beneficial owners of Old Capital Securities, and in
handling or tendering for their customers.

           Holders who tender their Old Capital Securities for exchange will not
be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith. If, however, New
Capital Securities are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of,
any person other than the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities
tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange
of Old Capital Securities in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the amount
of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or any
other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence
of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter
of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to
such tendering holder.

           Neither the Corporation nor the Trust will make any payment to
brokers, dealers or other nominees soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer.


                         DESCRIPTION OF NEW SECURITIES

           Pursuant to the terms of the Declaration, the Trust has issued the
Old Capital Securities and the Common Securities and will issue the New Capital
Securities. The New Capital Securities will represent preferred undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and the holders of Capital
Securities will be entitled to a preference over the Common Securities in
certain circumstances with respect to Distributions and amounts payable on
redemption of the Trust Securities or liquidation of the Trust. See "--
Subordination of Common Securities" below. The Declaration has been qualified
under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act").
The following description 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
Declaration (a form of which is available upon request to the Corporation; see
"Available Information"), including the definitions therein of certain terms,
and the Trust Indenture Act. Certain capitalized terms used and not otherwise
defined herein are defined in the Declaration.

                     DESCRIPTION OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES

General

           The Capital Securities are limited to $25,000,000 aggregate
Liquidation Amount at any one time outstanding, including any New Capital
Securities that may be issued from time to time in exchange for Old Capital
Securities. The New Capital Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will
be made thereon pro rata, with the Old Capital Securities and the Common
Securities except as described under "-- Subordination of Common Securities"
below. Legal title to the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be held by the
Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Capital
Securities and the Common Securities. The New Guarantee will be a guarantee on a
subordinated basis but will not guarantee payment of Distributions or amounts
payable on redemption of the New Capital Securities -- or liquidation of the
Trust when the Trust does not have funds on hand legally available for such
payments. See "Description of New Guarantee."

Distributions

           Distributions on the New Capital Securities will be cumulative, will
accumulate from January 31, 1997 and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on
February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing August 1, 1997, at the annual
rate of 9.77% of the Liquidation Amount to the holders of the New Capital
Securities on the relevant record dates. The record dates will be the dates
fifteen days prior to the relevant Distribution Date (as defined herein). The
amount of Distributions payable for any period will be computed on the basis of
a 360-day year of 

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
twelve 30-day months and, for any period of less than a full calendar month, the
number of days elapsed in such month. In the event that any date on which
Distributions are payable on the New Capital Securities is not a Business Day
(as defined herein), payment of the Distributions payable on such date will be
made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest
or other payment in respect to any such delay), with the same force and effect
as if made on the date such payment was originally payable (each date on which
Distributions are payable in accordance with the foregoing, a "Distribution
Date"). A "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday,
or a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York or Boston,
Massachusetts are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

           So long as no Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, the Corporation will have the right under the Indenture to elect to
defer the payment of interest on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures at any
time and from time to time for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual
periods with respect to each Extension Period, provided that no Extension Period
may extend beyond the Stated Maturity Date. Upon any such election, semi-annual
Distributions on the New Capital Securities will be deferred by the Trust during
any such Extension Period. Distributions to which holders of the New Capital
Securities are entitled during any such Extension Period will accumulate
additional Distributions thereon at the rate per annum of 9.77% thereof,
compounded semi-annually from the relevant Distribution Date. The term
"Distributions," as used herein, shall include any such additional
Distributions.

           During any such Extension Period, the Corporation may extend such
Extension Period, provided that such extension does not cause such Extension
Period to exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods or to extend beyond the
Stated Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and the
payment of all amounts then due, and subject to the foregoing limitations, the
Corporation may elect to begin a new Extension Period. The Corporation must give
the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Debenture Trustee
notice of its election of any Extension Period or any extension thereof at least
five Business Days prior to the earlier of (i) the date the Distributions on the
New Capital Securities would have been payable except for the election to begin
or extend such Extension Period and (ii) the date the Administrative Trustees
are required to give notice to any securities exchange or to holders of the New
Capital Securities of the record date or the date such Distributions are
payable, but in any event not less than five Business Days prior to such record
date. There is no limitation on the number of times that the Corporation may
elect to begin an Extension Period. See "Description of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Period" and "Certain Federal
Income Tax Considerations -- Interest Income and Original Issue Discount."

           During any such Extension Period, the Corporation may not (i) declare
or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make
a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Corporation's capital stock
(which includes common and preferred stock) or (ii) make any payment of
principal of or premium, if any, or interest on or repay, repurchase or redeem
any debt securities of the Corporation (including Other Debentures) that rank
pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by
the Corporation of any securities of any subsidiary of the Corporation
(including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior
in right of payment to the New Junior Subordinated Debentures (other than (a)
dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to
subscribe for or purchase shares of, common stock of the Corporation, (b) any
declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a
stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the
future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c)
payments under the Guarantee, (d) as a direct result of, and only to the extent
required in order to avoid the issuance of fractional shares of capital stock
following a reclassification of the Corporation's capital stock or the exchange
or conversion of one class, or series of the Corporation's capital stock for
another class or series of the Corporation's capital stock, (e) the purchase of
fractional interests in shares of the Corporation's capital stock pursuant to
the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security
being converted or exchanged, and (f) purchases of common stock related to the
issuance of common stock or rights under any of the Corporation's benefit plans
for its directors, officers or employees or any of the Corporation's dividend
reinvestment plans).

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
           Although the Corporation may in the future exercise its option to
defer payments of interest on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, the
Corporation has no such current intention.

           The revenue of the Trust available for distribution to holders of the
New Capital Securities will be limited to payments under the Junior Subordinated
Debentures purchased by the Trust with the proceeds from the issuance and sale
of the Trust Securities. See "Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures
- -- General." If the Corporation does not make interest payments on the New
Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Property Trustee will not have funds
available to pay Distributions on the New Capital Securities. The payment of
Distributions (if and to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally
available for the payment of such Distributions) will be guaranteed by the
Corporation on a limited basis as set forth herein under " -- Description of New
Guarantee."

Conditional Right to Advance Maturity and Special Event Redemption

           If a Tax Event (as defined under "Description of New Junior
Subordinated Debentures -- Conditional Right to Advance Maturity and Special
Event Redemption") occurs, then the Corporation will have the right, in lieu of
terminating the Trust, to advance the Stated Maturity Date of the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures to the minimum extent required in order to allow for
payments of interest in respect of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures to
continue to be deductible by the Corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, but in no event shall the resulting maturity of the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures be less than 20 years from the date of original issuance
thereof (any such advancement of the Stated Maturity Date being a "Tax Event
Maturity Advancement"). Such maturity date shall be advanced only (i) if, in the
opinion of counsel to the Corporation experienced in such matters, after
advancing the maturity date, interest payable on the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be deductible for United States federal income tax purposes and
(ii) upon receipt of prior approval of the Federal Reserve, if then so required
under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve.

           If a Tax Event occurs and in the opinion of counsel to the
Corporation experienced in such matters, there would in all cases, after
effecting a Tax Event Maturity Advancement, be more than an insubstantial risk
that an Adverse Tax Consequence (as defined herein) would continue to exist, or,
if a Regulatory Capital Event (as defined herein) occurs, then the Corporation
will have the right, within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event
or Regulatory Capital Event, as the case may be, to redeem the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures in whole (but not in part) in the manner set forth under
"Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Conditional Right to
Advance Maturity and Special Event Prepayment," and therefore to cause a
mandatory redemption of the New Capital Securities prior to the Stated Maturity
Date (the circumstances under which the Corporation has the right to so redeem
the New Junior Subordinated Debentures in connection with a Tax Event being
referred to herein as a "Conditional Tax Redemption Event"). Each of a
Conditional Tax Redemption Event or a Regulatory Capital Event are sometimes
referred to herein as "Special Event."

Redemption

           Upon the repayment on the Stated Maturity Date or prepayment prior to
the Stated Maturity Date of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, the proceeds
from such repayment or prepayment shall be applied by the Property Trustee to
redeem a Like Amount (as defined below) of the Trust Securities, upon not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice of a date of redemption (the "Redemption
Date") at the applicable Redemption Price, which shall be equal to (i) in the
case of the repayment of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures on the Stated
Maturity Date, the Maturity Redemption Price (equal to the principal of and
accrued and unpaid interest on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures), (ii) in
the case of the optional prepayment of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures
before the Initial Optional Prepayment Date upon the occurrence and continuation
of a Special Event, the Special Event Redemption Price (equal to the Special
Event Prepayment Price in respect of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures) and
(iii) in the case of the optional prepayment of the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures other than as contemplated in clause (ii) above, the Optional
Redemption Price (equal to the Optional Prepayment Price in respect of the New
Junior Subordinated Debentures). See "Description of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Optional Prepayment" and "-- Conditional Right to Advance Maturity
and Special Event Prepayment."

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
           "Like Amount" means (i) with respect to a redemption of the Trust
Securities, Trust Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to the principal
amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures to be paid in accordance with their
terms and (ii) with respect to a distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures
upon the liquidation of the Trust, Junior Subordinated Debentures having a
principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities of the
holder to whom such Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed.

           The Corporation will have the option to prepay the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures, (i) in whole or in part, on or after the Initial
Optional Prepayment Date, at the applicable Optional Prepayment Price and (ii)
in whole but not in part, at any time before the Initial Optional Prepayment
Date, upon the occurrence of a Special Event, at the Special Event Prepayment
Price, in each case subject to receipt of prior approval by the Federal Reserve
if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal
Reserve.

Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of New Junior Subordinated Debentures

           The Corporation will have the right at any time to terminate the
Trust and, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as
required by applicable law, cause the New Junior Subordinated Debentures to be
distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust.
Such right is subject to (i) the Corporation having received an opinion of
counsel to the effect that such distribution will not be a taxable event to
holders of Capital Securities and (ii) the prior approval of the Federal Reserve
if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal
Reserve.

           The Trust shall automatically terminate upon the first to occur of:
(i) certain events of bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation
or the Trust; (ii) the distribution of a Like Amount of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures to the holders of the Trust Securities, if the Corporation, as
Sponsor, has given written direction to the Property Trustee to terminate the
Trust (which direction is optional and, except as described above, wholly within
the discretion of the Corporation, as Sponsor); (iii) redemption of all of the
Trust Securities as described under "-- Redemption" above; (iv) expiration of
the term of the Trust; and (v) the entry of an order for the dissolution of the
Trust by a court of competent jurisdiction.

           If a termination occurs as described in clause (i), (ii), (iv), or
(v) of the preceding paragraph, the Trust shall be liquidated by the
Administrative Trustees as expeditiously as the Administrative Trustees
determine to be possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to
creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, to the holders of the
Trust Securities a Like Amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, in which
event such holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust
legally available for distribution to holders, after satisfaction of liabilities
to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, an amount equal to the
aggregate of the Liquidation Amount plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions
thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation
Distribution"). If the Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part because
the Trust has insufficient assets on hand legally available to pay in full the
aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the
Trust on the Capital Securities and the Common Securities shall be paid on a pro
rata basis, except that if a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Capital Securities shall have a priority over the Common
Securities. See "-- Subordination of Common Securities" below.

           After the liquidation date is fixed for any distribution of Junior
Subordinated Debentures to holders of the Trust Securities, (i) the Trust
Securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii) each registered
global certificate, if any, representing Trust Securities and held by DTC or its
nominee will receive a registered global certificate or certificates
representing the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be delivered upon such
distribution and (iii) any certificates representing Trust Securities not held
by DTC or its nominee will be deemed to represent Junior Subordinated Debentures
having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of such Trust
Securities, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the
accumulated and unpaid Distributions on such Trust Securities until such
certificates are presented to the Administrative Trustees or their agent for
cancellation, whereupon the Corporation will issue to such holder, and the
Debenture Trustee will authenticate, a certificate representing such Junior
Subordinated Debentures.

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
           There can be no assurance as to the market prices for the New Capital
Securities or the New Junior Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed in
exchange for the New Capital Securities if a dissolution and liquidation of the
Trust were to occur. Accordingly, the New Capital Securities that an investor
may purchase, or the New Junior Subordinated Debentures that the investor may
receive on dissolution and liquidation of the Trust, may trade at a discount to
the price that the investor paid to purchase the New Capital Securities offered
hereby.

Redemption Procedures

           If applicable, Trust Securities shall be redeemed at the applicable
Redemption Price with the proceeds from the contemporaneous repayment or
prepayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Any redemption of Trust
Securities shall be made and the applicable Redemption Price shall be payable on
the Redemption Date only to the extent that the Trust has funds legally
available for the payment of such applicable Redemption Price. See also "--
Subordination of Common Securities" below.

           If the Trust gives a notice of redemption in respect of the New
Capital Securities, then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Redemption
Date, to the extent funds are legally available, with respect to the New Capital
Securities held by DTC or its nominees, the Property Trustee will pay or cause
the Paying Agent to pay the Redemption Price to DTC. See "-- Form, Denomination,
Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer" below. With respect to the New Capital
Securities held in certificated form, the Property Trustee, to the extent funds
are legally available, will give irrevocable instructions and authority to the
Paying Agent and will irrevocably deposit with the Paying Agent for the New
Capital Securities funds sufficient to pay or cause the Paying Agent to pay the
applicable Redemption Price to the holders thereof upon surrender of their
certificates evidencing the New Capital Securities. See "-- Payment and Paying
Agency" below. Distributions payable on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be
payable to the holders of such New Capital Securities on the relevant record
dates for the related Distribution Dates. If notice of redemption shall have
been given and funds deposited with the Property Trustee to pay the Redemption
Price for the New Capital Securities called for redemption, then all rights of
the holders of such New Capital Securities will cease, except the right of the
holders of such New Capital Securities to receive the applicable Redemption
Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price, and such New Capital
Securities will cease to be outstanding. In the event that any Redemption Date
is not a Business Day, then the applicable Redemption Price payable on such date
will be paid on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any
interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), in each case with the
same force and effect as if made on such date. In the event that payment of the
applicable Redemption Price is improperly withheld or refused and not paid
either by the Trust or by the Corporation pursuant to the New Guarantee as
described under " -- Description of New Guarantee," (i) Distributions on New
Capital Securities called for redemption will accumulate on the Redemption Price
at the then applicable rate, from the Redemption Date originally established by
the Trust to the date such applicable Redemption Price is actually paid, and
(ii) the actual payment date will be the Redemption Date for purposes of
calculating the applicable Redemption Price.

           Subject to applicable law (including, without limitation, United
States federal securities law and the regulations of the Federal Reserve) the
Corporation or its subsidiaries may at any time and from time to time purchase
outstanding Capital Securities by tender, in the open market or by private
agreement.

           Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more
than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date to each holder of Trust Securities at
its registered address. Unless the Corporation defaults in payment of the
applicable Prepayment Price on, or in the repayment of, the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, on and after the Redemption Date Distributions will cease to accrue
on the Trust Securities called for redemption.

Subordination of Common Securities

           Payment of Distributions on, and the Redemption Price of, the Capital
Securities and the Common Securities, as applicable, shall be made pro rata
based on the Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities and Common Securities;
provided, however, that if on any Distribution Date or Redemption Date a
Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, no payment of
any Distribution on, or applicable Redemption Price of, any of the Common
Securities, and no other payment on account of the redemption, liquidation or
other 

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
acquisition of the Common Securities, shall be made unless payment in full in
cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on all of the outstanding
Capital Securities for all Distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto
or, in the case of Capital Securities called for redemption on a Redemption Date
on or prior thereto, the full amount of the Redemption Price therefor, shall
have been made or provided for, and all funds available to the Property Trustee
shall first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions on,
or Redemption Price of, the Capital Securities then due and payable.

           In the case of any Event of Default, the Corporation as holder of the
Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any right to act with respect to
such Event of Default until the effect of such Event of Default shall have been
cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until any such Event of Default has been
so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Property Trustee shall act solely
on behalf of the holders of the Capital Securities and not on behalf of the
Corporation as holder of the Common Securities, and only the holders of the
Capital Securities will have the right to direct the Property Trustee to act on
their behalf.

Events of Default; Notice

           The occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default (see "Description of
Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Debenture Events of Default") constitutes an
"Event of Default" under the Declaration.

           Within ten Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of Default
actually known to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall transmit
notice of such Event of Default to the holders of the Capital Securities, the
Administrative Trustees and the Corporation, as Sponsor, unless such Event of
Default shall have been cured or waived. The Corporation, as Sponsor, and the
Administrative Trustees are required to file annually with the Property Trustee
a certificate as to whether or not they are in compliance with all the
conditions and covenants applicable to them under the Declaration.

           If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Capital Securities shall have a preference over the Common Securities as
described under "-- Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of New Junior
Subordinated Debentures" and "-- Subordination of Common Securities" above.

Removal of Issuer Trustees

           Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, any Issuer Trustee may be removed at any time by the holder of the
Common Securities. If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee may be removed at such
time by the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the outstanding
Capital Securities. In no event will the holders of the Capital Securities have
the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrative Trustees,
which voting rights are vested exclusively in the Corporation as the holder of
the Common Securities. No resignation or removal of an Issuer Trustee and no
appointment of a successor trustee shall be effective until the acceptance of
appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the provisions of the
Declaration.

Merger or Consolidation of Issuer Trustees

           Any Person into which the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or
any Administrative Trustee that is not a natural person may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any
merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Issuer Trustee shall be a
party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust
business of such Issuer Trustee, shall be the successor of such Issuer Trustee
under the Declaration, provided such Person shall be otherwise qualified and
eligible.

Mergers, Conversions, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of the Trust

           The Trust may not merge or convert with or into, consolidate,
amalgamate, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and
assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any corporation or
other Person, except as described below. The Trust may, at the request of the
Corporation, as Sponsor, with the consent 

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
of the Administrative Trustees but without the consent of the holders of the
Capital Securities, merge or convert with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or
be replaced by or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an
entirety or substantially as an entirety to a trust organized as such under the
laws of any State; provided, that (i) such successor entity either (a) expressly
assumes all of the obligations of the Trust with respect to the Capital
Securities or (b) substitutes for the Capital Securities other securities having
substantially the same terms as the Capital Securities (the "Successor
Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the same as the Capital
Securities rank in priority with respect to distributions and payments upon
liquidation, redemption and otherwise, (ii) the Corporation expressly appoints a
trustee of such successor entity possessing the same powers and duties as the
Property Trustee with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (iii) the
Successor Securities are listed, or any Successor Securities will be listed upon
notification of issuance, on any national securities exchange or other
organization on which the Capital Securities are then listed or quoted, if any,
(iv) such merger, conversion, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease does not cause the Capital Securities (including
any Successor Securities) to be downgraded by any nationally recognized
statistical rating organization, if then so rated, (v) such merger, conversion,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not
adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the
Capital Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect
(other than any dilution of such holders' interests in the new entity), (vi)
such successor entity has a purpose identical to that of the Trust, (vii) prior
to such merger, conversion, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease, the Corporation has received an opinion from
independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect that
(a) such merger, conversion, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences
and privileges of the holders of the Capital Securities (including any Successor
Securities) in any material respect (other than any dilution of such holders'
interests in the new entity), and (b) following such merger, conversion,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, neither
the Trust nor such successor entity will be required to register as an
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Investment Company Act"), and (viii) the Corporation or any permitted successor
or assignee owns all of the common securities of such successor entity and
guarantees the obligations of such successor entity under the Successor
Securities at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Trust shall not, except with the consent of holders of 100% in
Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge or
convert with or into, or be replaced by or convey, transfer or lease its
properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any
other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge or
convert with or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger,
conversion, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease would cause the Trust or
the successor entity not to be classified as a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes.

Voting Rights; Amendment of the Declaration

           Except as provided below and under "-- Mergers, Conversions,
Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of the Trust" above and
"Description of New Guarantee -- Amendments and Assignment" and as otherwise
required by law and the Declaration, the holders of the New Capital Securities
will have no voting rights.

           The Declaration may be amended from time to time by the Corporation,
the Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees, without the consent of the
holders of the Trust Securities (i) to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement
any provisions in the Declaration that may be inconsistent with any other
provision, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under the Declaration, which shall not be inconsistent with the other
provisions of the Declaration, or (ii) to modify, eliminate or add to any
provisions of the Declaration to such extent as shall be necessary to ensure
that the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes
as a grantor trust at all times that any Trust Securities are outstanding or to
ensure that the Trust will not be required to register as an "investment
company" under the Investment Company Act; provided, however, that in each case,
such action shall not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of
the holders of the Trust Securities and any amendments of the Declaration shall
become effective when notice thereof is given to the holders of the Trust
Securities. The Declaration may be amended by the Issuer Trustees and the
Corporation (i) with the consent of holders representing a majority (based upon
Liquidation Amount) of the outstanding Trust Securities, and (ii) upon receipt
by the Issuer Trustees of an opinion of counsel to the effect that such
amendment or the exercise of any power granted to the Issuer Trustees in
accordance with such amendment will not affect the Trust's 

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
status as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes or the
Trust's exemption from status as an "investment company" under the Investment
Company Act, provided that, without the consent of each holder of Trust
Securities, the Declaration may not be amended to (i) change the amount or
timing of any Distribution or other payment on the Trust Securities or otherwise
adversely affect the amount of any Distribution or other payment required to be
made in respect of the Trust Securities as of a specified date or (ii) restrict
the right of a holder of Trust Securities to institute suit for the enforcement
of any such payment on or after such date; it being understood that the New
Capital Securities and any Old Capital Securities which remain outstanding after
consummation of the Exchange Offer will vote together as a single class for
purposes of determining whether holders of the requisite percentage in
outstanding Liquidation Amount thereof have taken certain actions or exercised
certain rights under the Declaration.

           So long as any Junior Subordinated Debentures are held by the
Property Trustee, the Issuer Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture
Trustee, or executing any trust or power conferred on the Debenture Trustee with
respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) waive certain past defaults
under the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration
of acceleration of the maturity of the principal of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures or (iv) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the
Indenture or the Junior Subordinated Debentures, where such consent shall be
required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the holders of
a majority in Liquidation Amount of all outstanding Capital Securities;
provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require the
consent of each holder of Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, no
such consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without the prior approval
of each holder of the Capital Securities. The Issuer Trustees shall not revoke
any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the holders of the
Capital Securities except by subsequent vote of such holders. The Property
Trustee shall notify each holder of Capital Securities of any notice of default
with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. In addition to obtaining the
foregoing approvals of such holders of the Capital Securities, prior to taking
any of the foregoing actions, the Issuer Trustees shall obtain an opinion of
counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that the Trust will not be
classified as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income
tax purposes on account of such action.

           Any required approval of holders of Capital Securities may be given
at a meeting of such holders convened for such purpose or pursuant to written
consent. The Property Trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which
holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which
action by written consent of such holders is to be taken, to be given to each
holder of record of Capital Securities in the manner set forth in the
Declaration.

           No vote or consent of the holders of Capital Securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel the Capital Securities in accordance
with the Declaration.

           Notwithstanding that holders of the Capital Securities are entitled
to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the
Capital Securities that are owned by the Corporation or any affiliate of the
Corporation shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if they
were not outstanding.

Form, Denomination, Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer

           The Capital Securities will be in blocks having a Liquidation Amount
of not less than $100,000 (100 Capital Securities) and may be transferred or
exchanged only in such blocks in the manner and at the offices described below.

           New Capital Securities initially will be represented by one or more
Capital Securities in registered, global form (collectively, the "Global New
Capital Securities" and together with the Old Capital Securities in registered
global form, the "Global Capital Securities"). The Global New Capital Securities
will be deposited upon issuance with the Property Trustee as custodian for DTC,
in New York, New York, and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each
case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as
described below.

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
           Except as set forth below, the Global Capital Securities may be
transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a
successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Capital
Securities may not be exchanged for Capital Securities in certificated form
except in the limited circumstances described below.

           DTC has advised the Trust and the Corporation that DTC is a
limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating
organizations (collectively, the "Participants") and to facilitate the clearance
and settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants
include securities brokers and dealers (including the Initial Purchaser), banks,
trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access
to DTC's system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers,
dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively,
the "Indirect Participants"). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially
own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the
Indirect Participants. The ownership interest and transfer of ownership interest
of each actual purchaser of each security held by or on behalf of DTC are
recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.

           DTC has also advised the Trust and the Corporation that, pursuant to
procedures established by it, (i) upon deposit of the Global New Capital
Securities, DTC will credit the accounts of Participants with portions of the
Liquidation Amount of the Global New Capital Securities and (ii) ownership of
such interests in the Global New Capital Securities will be shown on, and the
transfer of ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained
by DTC (with respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and the
Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in
the Global Capital Securities).

           The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical
delivery in certificated form of securities that they own. Consequently, the
ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Capital Security to such
persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of
Participants, which in turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants and certain
banks, the ability of a person having beneficial interests in a Global Capital
Security to pledge such interests to persons or entities that do not participate
in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may
be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.

           Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in the
Global Capital Securities will not have Capital Securities registered in their
name, will not receive physical delivery of Capital Securities in certificated
form and will not be considered the registered owners or holders thereof under
the Declaration for any purpose.

           Payments in respect of the Global Capital Security registered in the
name of DTC or its nominee will be payable by the Property Trustee to DTC in its
capacity as the registered holder under the Declaration. Under the terms of the
Declaration, the Property Trustee will treat the persons in whose names the
Capital Securities, including the Global Capital Securities, are registered as
the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and
all other purposes whatsoever. Consequently, neither the Property Trustee nor
any agent thereof has or will have any responsibility or liability for (i) any
aspect of DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect Participant's records
relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the
Global Capital Securities, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of
DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect Participant's records relating to
the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Capital Securities or (ii) any
other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its
Participants or Indirect Participants. DTC has advised the Trust and the
Corporation that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of
securities such as the Global Capital Securities, is to credit the accounts of
the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date, in amounts
proportionate to their respective holdings in Liquidation Amount of beneficial
interests in the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC unless DTC has
reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Payments by
the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of New
Capital Securities will be governed by standing instructions and customary
practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect
Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the Property Trustee,
the Trust or the Corporation. Neither the Trust nor the Corporation or the
Property Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants
in identifying the beneficial owners of the New Capital Securities, and the
Trust, the 

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
Corporation and the Property Trustee may conclusively rely on and will be
protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.

           Beneficial interests in the Global Capital Securities will trade in
DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System and secondary market trading activity in
such interests will therefore settle in immediately available funds, subject in
all cases to the rules and procedures of DTC and its participants.

           DTC has advised the Trust and the Corporation that it will take any
action permitted to be taken by a holder of New Capital Securities only at the
direction of one or more Participants to whose account with DTC interests in the
Global Capital Securities are credited and only in respect of such portion of
the Liquidation Amount of the New Capital Securities as to which such
Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there
is an Event of Default under the Declaration, DTC reserves the right to exchange
the Global New Capital Securities for New Capital Securities in certificated
form and to distribute such New Capital Securities to its Participants.

           The information in this section concerning DTC and its book-entry
system has been obtained from sources that the Trust and the Corporation believe
to be reliable, but neither the Trust nor the Corporation takes responsibility
for the accuracy thereof.

           Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate
transfers of interests in the Global Capital Securities among participants in
DTC it is under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such
procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither the
Trust nor the Corporation or the Property Trustee will have any responsibility
for the performance by DTC or its respective participants or indirect
participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures
governing their operations.

           A Global New Capital Security is exchangeable for New Capital
Securities in registered certificated form if (i) DTC (x) notifies the Trust
that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global New
Capital Security and the Trust thereupon fails to appoint a successor Depositary
within 90 days or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the
Exchange Act, (ii) the Corporation in its sole discretion elects to cause the
issuance of the New Capital Securities in certificated form or (iii) there shall
have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default or any event which after
notice or lapse of time or both would be an Event of Default under the
Declaration. In addition, beneficial interests in a Global New Capital Security
may be exchanged for certificated New Capital Securities upon request but only
upon at least 20 days' prior written notice given to the Property Trustee by or
on behalf of DTC in accordance with customary procedures. In all cases,
certificated New Capital Securities delivered in exchange for any Global New
Capital Security or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the
names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of
the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures) unless the Property
Trustee determines otherwise in compliance with applicable law.

Payment and Paying Agency

           Payments in respect of the New Capital Securities held in global form
shall be made to the Depositary, which shall credit the relevant accounts at the
Depositary on the applicable Distribution Dates or in respect of the New Capital
Securities that are not held by the Depositary, such payments shall be made by
check mailed to the address of the holder entitled thereto as such address shall
appear on the register. The paying agent (the "Paying Agent") shall initially be
the Property Trustee and any co-paying agent chosen by the Property Trustee and
acceptable to the Administrative Trustees and the Corporation. The Paying Agent
shall be permitted to resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice to the
Property Trustee and the Corporation. In the event that the Property Trustee
shall no longer be the Paying Agent, the Administrative Trustees shall appoint a
successor (which shall be a bank or trust company acceptable to the
Administrative Trustees and the Corporation) to act as Paying Agent.

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
Restrictions on Transfer

           The New Capital Securities will be issued and may be transferred only
in blocks having a Liquidation Amount of not less than $100,000 (100 New Capital
Securities). Any such transfer of New Capital Securities in a block having a
Liquidation Amount of less than $100,000 shall be deemed to be void and of no
legal effect whatsoever. Any such transferee shall be deemed not to be the
holder of such New Capital Securities for any purpose, including but not limited
to the receipt of Distributions on such New Capital Securities, and such
transferee shall be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such New Capital
Securities.

Registrar and Transfer Agent

           The Property Trustee will act as registrar and transfer agent for the
New Capital Securities.

           Registration of transfers of the New Capital Securities will be
effected without charge by or on behalf of the Trust but upon payment of any tax
or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any
transfer or exchange. The Trust will not be required to register or cause to be
registered the transfer of any New Capital Securities after they have been
called for redemption.

Information Concerning the Property Trustee

           The Property Trustee, other than during the occurrence and
continuance of an Event of Default, undertakes to perform only such duties as
are specifically set forth in the Declaration and, after such Event of Default,
must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would
exercise or use in the conduct of his or her affairs. Subject to this provision,
the Property Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested
in it by the Declaration at the request of any holder of Trust Securities unless
it is offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities
that might be incurred thereby. The Property Trustee is not required to expend
or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the
performance of its duties if repayment or adequate indemnity is not reasonably
assured to the Property Trustee.

Miscellaneous

           The Administrative Trustees are authorized and directed to conduct
the affairs of and to operate the Trust in such a way that the Trust will not be
deemed to be an "investment company" required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act or classified as an association taxable as a corporation
for U.S. federal income tax purposes and so that the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Corporation for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. In this connection, the Corporation and the Administrative
Trustees are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable
law, the certificate of trust of the Trust or the Declaration, that the
Corporation and the Administrative Trustees determine in their discretion to be
necessary or desirable for such purposes, as long as such action does not
materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Trust
Securities.

           Holders of the Trust Securities have no preemptive or similar rights.

           The Trust may not borrow money, issue debt, execute mortgages or
pledge any of its assets.


               DESCRIPTION OF NEW JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

           The Old Junior Subordinated Debentures were issued and the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be issued as a separate series under the Indenture
(the "Indenture"), between the Corporation and The Bank of New York, as trustee
(the "Debenture Trustee"). The Indenture has been qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). This summary of
certain provisions of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture
does not purport to be complete and, is subject to, and qualified in its
entirety by 

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
reference to, all of the provisions of the Indenture (a form of which is
available upon request to the Corporation; see "Available Information"),
including the definitions therein of certain terms, and the Trust Indenture Act.

General

           Concurrently with the issuance of the Capital Securities, the Trust
invested the proceeds thereof, together with the consideration paid by the
Corporation for the Common Securities, in Old Junior Subordinated Debentures
issued by the Corporation. Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Corporation will
exchange the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures, in an amount corresponding to
the Old Capital Securities accepted for exchange, for a like aggregate principal
amount of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures promptly after the Expiration
Date.

           The New Junior Subordinated Debentures will bear interest at the
annual rate of 9.77% of the principal amount thereof, payable semi-annually in
arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment
Date"), commencing August 1, 1997, to the person in whose name each New Junior
Subordinated Debenture is registered, subject to certain exceptions, at the
close of business on the date fifteen days prior to the relevant Interest
Payment Date. It is anticipated that, until the liquidation, if any, of the
Trust, each New Junior Subordinated Debenture will be held in the name of the
Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of the holders of the New Capital
Securities. The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and, for any period of less
than a full calendar month, the number of days elapsed in such month. In the
event that any date on which interest is payable on the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures is not a Business Day, then payment of the interest payable on such
date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without
any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), with the same force
and effect as if made on the date such payment was originally payable. Accrued
interest that is not paid on the applicable Interest Payment Date will bear
additional interest on the amount thereof (to the extent permitted by law) at
the rate per annum of 9.77% thereof, compounded semi-annually. The term
"interest", as used herein, shall include semi-annual interest payments,
interest on semi-annual interest payments not paid on the applicable Interest
Payment Date and Additional Sums (as defined herein), as applicable.

   
           The New Junior Subordinated Debentures will be issued in minimum
denominations of $100,000. The New Junior Subordinated Debentures will mature on
February 1, 2027 (the "Stated Maturity Date"), except as described below.
    

           The New Junior Subordinated Debentures will rank pari passu with the
Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and with all Other Debentures and will be
unsecured and subordinate and rank junior in right of payment to the extent and
in the manner set forth in the Indenture to all Senior Indebtedness of the
Corporation. See "-- Subordination" below. The Corporation is a non-operating
holding company and almost all of the operating assets of the Corporation and
its consolidated subsidiaries are owned by such subsidiaries. The Corporation
relies primarily on dividends from such subsidiaries to meet its obligations.
The Corporation is a legal entity separate and distinct from its banking and
non-banking affiliates. The principal source of the Corporation's income is
dividends from its banking affiliate. The Bank is subject to certain
restrictions imposed by federal law on any extensions of credit to, and certain
other transactions with, the Corporation and certain other affiliates, and on
investments in stock or other securities thereof. Such restrictions prevent the
Corporation and such other affiliates from borrowing from the Bank unless the
loans are secured by various types of collateral. Further, such secured loans,
other transactions and investments by the Bank are generally limited in amount
as to the Corporation and as to each of such other affiliates to 10% of such
Bank's capital and surplus and as to the Corporation and all of such other
affiliates to an aggregate of 20% of such Bank's capital and surplus. In
addition, payment of dividends to the Corporation by the Bank is subject to
ongoing review by banking regulators and is subject to various statutory
limitations and in certain circumstances requires approval by banking regulatory
authorities. Because the Corporation is a holding company, the right of the
Corporation to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon
such subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise, is subject to the
prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent the
Corporation may itself be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary.
Accordingly, the New Junior Subordinated Debentures will be effectively
subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Corporation's
subsidiaries, and holders of New Junior Subordinated Debentures should look only
to the assets of the Corporation for payments on the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures. The Indenture 

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
does not limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of
the Corporation, including Senior Indebtedness. See "--Subordination" below.

Form, Registration and Transfer

           If the New Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed to the
holders of the New Capital Securities, the New Junior Subordinated Debentures
may be represented by one or more global certificates registered in the name of
Cede & Co. as the nominee of DTC. The depositary arrangements for such New
Junior Subordinated Debentures are expected to be substantially similar to those
in effect for the Capital Securities. For a description of DTC and the terms of
the depositary arrangements relating to payments, transfers, voting rights,
redemptions and other notices and other matters, see "Description of New Capital
Securities -- Form, Denomination, Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer."

Payment and Paying Agents

           Payment of principal of, premium, if any, and any interest on New
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be made at the office of the Debenture
Trustee in The City of New York or at the office of such paying agent or paying
agents as the Corporation may designate from time to time, except that at the
option of the Corporation payment of any interest may be made (i) by check
mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall
appear in the register for New Junior Subordinated Debentures or (ii) by
transfer to an account maintained by the Person entitled thereto as specified in
such register, provided that proper transfer instructions have been received by
the relevant Record Date. Payment of any interest on any New Junior Subordinated
Debenture will be made to the Person in whose name such New Junior Subordinated
Debenture is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such
interest, except in the case of defaulted interest. The Corporation may at any
time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying
agent; however the Corporation will at all times be required to maintain a
paying agent in each place of payment for the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures.

           Any moneys deposited with the Debenture Trustee or any paying agent,
or then held by the Corporation in trust, for the payment of the principal of
and premium, if any, or interest on any New Junior Subordinated Debenture and
remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal and premium, if any, or
interest has become due and payable shall, at the request of the Corporation, be
repaid to the Corporation and the holder of such New Junior Subordinated
Debenture shall thereafter look, as a general unsecured creditor, only to the
Corporation for payment thereof.

Option to Extend Interest Payment Date

           So long as no Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Corporation will have the right under the Indenture at any time
during the term of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures to defer the payment
of interest at any time or from time to time for a period not exceeding 10
consecutive semi-annual periods with respect to each Extension Period, provided
that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated Maturity Date. At the end
of an Extension Period, the Corporation must pay all interest then accrued and
unpaid (together with interest thereon accrued at the annual rate of 9.77%,
compounded semi-annually, to the extent permitted by applicable law). During an
Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue and, if the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures have been distributed to holders of the New Capital
Securities, holders of New Junior Subordinated Debentures (or holders of the New
Capital Securities while such New Capital Securities are outstanding) will be
required to accrue interest income for U.S. federal income tax purposes prior to
the receipt of cash attributable to such income. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Interest Income and Original Issue Discount."

           During any Extension Period, the Corporation may not (i) declare or
pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Corporation's capital stock
(which includes common and preferred stock), (ii) make any payment of principal,
interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt
securities of the Corporation (including any Other Debentures) that rank pari
passu with or junior in right of payment to the Junior Subordinated Debentures
or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the
Corporation of any securities of any subsidiary of the Corporation 

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
(including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior
in right of payment to the Junior Subordinated Debentures (other than (a)
dividends or distributions in shares of or options, warrants or rights to
subscribe for or purchase shares of, common stock of the Corporation, (b) any
declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a
stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the
future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c)
payments under the Guarantee, (d) as a direct result of, and only to the extent
required in order to avoid the issuance of fractional shares of capital stock
following, a reclassification of the Corporation's capital stock or the exchange
or conversion of one class or series of the Corporation's capital stock for
another class or series of the Corporation's capital stock, (e) the purchase of
fractional interests in shares of the Corporation's capital stock pursuant to
the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security
being converted or exchanged, and (f) purchases of common stock related to the
issuance of common stock or rights under any of the Corporation's benefit plans
for its directors, officers or employees or any of the Corporation's dividend
reinvestment plans).

           Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the
Corporation may further extend such Extension Period, provided that such
extension does not cause such Extension Period to exceed 10 consecutive
semi-annual periods or to extend beyond the Stated Maturity Date. Upon the
termination of any such Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due
on any Interest Payment Date, the Corporation may elect to begin a new Extension
Period, subject to the above requirements. No interest shall be due and payable
during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof. The Corporation must give
the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Debenture Trustee
written notice of its election of any Extension Period (or an extension thereof)
at least five Business Days prior to the earlier of (i) the date the
Distributions on the Trust Securities would have been payable except for the
election to begin or extend such Extension Period or (ii) the date the
Administrative Trustees are required to give notice to any securities exchange
or to holders of Capital Securities of the record date or the date such
Distributions are payable, but in any event not less than five Business Days
prior to such record date. The Debenture Trustee shall give notice of the
Corporation's election to begin or extend a new Extension Period to the holders
of the Capital Securities. There is no limitation on the number of times that
the Corporation may elect to begin an Extension Period.

Optional Prepayment

           The Junior Subordinated Debentures will be prepayable, in whole or in
part, at the option of the Corporation, on or after the Initial Optional
Prepayment Date, subject to the Corporation having received prior approval of
the Federal Reserve if then required under applicable capital guidelines or
policies of the Federal Reserve, at a prepayment price (the "Optional Prepayment
Price") equal to the percentage of the outstanding principal amount of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures specified below, plus, in each case, accrued
interest thereon to the date of prepayment if redeemed during the 12-month
period beginning February 1, of the years indicated below:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
           Year                                                                                        Percentage
           ----                                                                                        ----------
           <S>                                                                                         <C> 

           2007....................................................................................    104.8850%
           2008....................................................................................    104.3965%
           2009....................................................................................    103.9080%
           2010....................................................................................    103.4195%
           2011....................................................................................    102.9310%
           2012....................................................................................    102.4425%
           2013....................................................................................    101.9540%
           2014....................................................................................    101.4655%
           2015....................................................................................    100.9770%
           2016....................................................................................    100.4885%
           2017 and thereafter.....................................................................    100.0000%
</TABLE> 

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
Conditional Right to Advance Maturity and Special Event Prepayment

           If a Tax Event occurs, then the Corporation will have the right, in
lieu of terminating the Trust, to advance the Stated Maturity Date of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures to the minimum extent required in order to allow for the
payments of interest in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures to
continue to be deductible by the Corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, but in no event shall the resulting maturity of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures be less than 20 years from the date of original issuance
thereof. Such maturity date shall be advanced only (i) if, in the opinion of
counsel to the Corporation experienced in such matters, after advancing the
maturity date, interest payable on the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
deductible for United States federal income tax purposes and (ii) upon receipt
of prior approval of the Federal Reserve, if then so required under applicable
capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve.

           If a Special Event shall occur and be continuing, the Corporation
may, at any time prior to the Initial Optional Prepayment Date, within 90 days
after the occurrence of the Special Event, at its option and subject to receipt
of prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then required under applicable
capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve, prepay the Junior
Subordinated Debentures in whole (but not in part), at a prepayment price (the
"Special Event Prepayment Price") equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the
principal amount of such Junior Subordinated Debentures or (ii) the sum, as
determined by a Quotation Agent, of the present values of the principal amount
and premium payable as part of the Optional Prepayment Price with respect to an
optional redemption of such Junior Subordinated Debentures on the Initial
Optional Prepayment Date, together with scheduled payments of interest from the
prepayment date to the Initial Optional Prepayment Date, in each case discounted
to the prepayment date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year
consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus, in
either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of prepayment.

           "Special Event" means a Conditional Tax Redemption Event (as defined
under "Description of the New Capital Securities -- Conditional Right to Advance
Maturity and Special Event Redemption") or a Regulatory Capital Event, as the
case may be.

           A "Tax Event" means the receipt by the Corporation and the Trust of
an opinion of a nationally recognized tax counsel experienced in such matters to
the effect that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any
announced prospective change) in, the laws or any regulations thereunder of the
United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or
therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial
decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which (a) amendment
or change is effective or (b) such pronouncement or decision is announced, on or
after January 31, 1997, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the
Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to
United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on
the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) interest payable by the Corporation on
the Junior Subordinated Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such
opinion will not be, deductible by the Corporation, in whole or in part, for
United States federal income tax purposes, or (iii) the Trust is, or will be
within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis
amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges (each of the
circumstances referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) being an "Adverse Tax
Consequence").

           A "Regulatory Capital Event" means that the Corporation shall have
received an opinion of independent bank regulatory counsel experienced in such
matters to the effect that, as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change
(including any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations
thereunder) of the United States or any rules, guidelines or policies of the
Federal Reserve or (b) any official administrative pronouncement or judicial
decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which (i) amendment
or change is effective or (ii) such pronouncement or decision is announced, on
or after January 31, 1997, the Capital Securities do not constitute, or within
90 days of the date of such opinion, will not constitute, Tier 1 Capital (or its
then equivalent); provided, however, that a Regulatory Capital Event shall not
occur by reason of the Corporation's use of the proceeds of the issuance of the
Old Junior Subordinated Debentures.

           "Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any prepayment date,
the rate per annum equal to (i) the yield, under the heading which represents
the average for the immediately prior week, appearing in the most 

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
recently published statistical release designated "H.15(519)" or any successor
publication which is published weekly by the Federal Reserve and which
established yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted
to constant maturity under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities," for the
maturity date corresponding to the Initial Optional Prepayment Date (if no
maturity date is within three months before or after the Initial Optional
Prepayment Date, yields for the two published maturities most closely
corresponding to the Initial Optional Prepayment Date shall be interpolated and
the Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such
yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if such
release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding
the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal
to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury
Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a
percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for
such prepayment date plus, in either case (A) 1.90% if such prepayment date
occurs on or prior to February 1, 1998 and (B) 1.50% in all other cases.

           "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity date corresponding to the
Initial Optional Prepayment Date that would be utilized at the time of selection
and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of
corporate debt securities with a maturity date corresponding to the Initial
Optional Prepayment Date. If no United States Treasury security has a maturity
date which is within three months before or after the Initial Optional
Prepayment Date, the two most closely corresponding United States Treasury
securities shall be used as the Comparable Treasury Issue, and the calculation
of the Adjusted Treasury Rate pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition thereof
shall be interpolated or extrapolated on a straight-line basis, rounding to the
nearest month.

           "Quotation Agent" means the Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by 
the Corporation.

           "Reference Treasury Dealer" means: (i) Goldman, Sachs & Co. and its
successors; provided, however, that if the foregoing shall cease to be a primary
U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a "Primary Treasury
Dealer"), the Corporation shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury
Dealer, and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Corporation.

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

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

           "Additional Sums" means such additional amounts as may be necessary
in order that the amount of Distributions then due and payable by the Trust on
the outstanding Capital Securities and Common Securities shall not be reduced as
a result of any additional taxes, duties or other governmental charges to which
the Trust has become subject as a result of a Tax Event.

           Notice of any prepayment will be mailed at least 30 days but not more
than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each holder of Junior Subordinated
Debentures to be prepaid at its registered address. Unless the Corporation
defaults in payment of the prepayment price, on and after the prepayment date
interest ceases to accrue on such Junior Subordinated Debentures called for
prepayment.

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
           If the Trust is required to pay any additional taxes, duties or other
governmental charges as a result of a Tax Event, the Corporation will pay as
additional amounts on the Junior Subordinated Debentures the Additional Sums.

Certain Covenants of the Corporation

           The Corporation will also covenant that it will not, (i) declare or
pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Corporation's capital stock
(which includes common and preferred stock) or (ii) make any payment of
principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay or repurchase or redeem any
debt securities of the Corporation (including Other Debentures) that rank pari
passu with or junior in right of payment to the Junior Subordinated Debentures
or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the
Corporation of any securities of any subsidiary of the Corporation (including
Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu or junior in right of
payment to the Junior Subordinated Debentures (other than (a) dividends or
distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or
purchase shares of, common stock of the Corporation, (b) any declaration of a
dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholder's rights plan,
or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or
repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) payments under the
Guarantee, (d) as a direct result of, and only to the extent required in order
to avoid the issuance of fractional shares of capital stock following a
reclassification of the Corporation's capital stock or the exchange or
conversion of one class or series of the Corporation's capital stock for another
class or series of the Corporation's capital stock, (e) the purchase of
fractional interests in shares of the Corporation's capital stock pursuant to
the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security
being converted or exchanged, and (f) purchases of common stock related to the
issuance of common stock or rights under any of the Corporation's benefit plans
for its directors, officers or employees or any of the Corporation's dividend
reinvestment plans) if at such time (1) a Debenture Event of Default occurs, (2)
there shall have occurred any event of which the Corporation has actual
knowledge that (a) with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both,
would be, a Debenture Event of Default and (b) in respect of which the
Corporation shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (3) the Corporation
shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the
Guarantee or (4) the Corporation shall have given notice of its election of an
Extension Period, or any extension thereof, as provided in the Indenture and
shall not have rescinded such notice, and such Extension Period, or any
extension thereof, shall have commenced.

           The Corporation will also covenant (i) to maintain 100 percent
ownership of the Common Securities; provided, however, that any permitted
successor of the Corporation under the Indenture may succeed to the
Corporation's ownership of the Common Securities, (ii) to use its reasonable
efforts to cause the Trust (a) to remain a statutory business trust, except in
connection with the distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures to the
holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust, the redemption of all
of the Trust Securities of the Trust, or certain mergers, consolidations or
amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration, and (b) to continue not to
be classified as an association taxable as a corporation or a partnership for
United States federal income tax purposes and (iii) to use its reasonable
efforts to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as owning an
undivided beneficial interest in the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

Debenture Events of Default

           The Indenture provides that any one or more of the following
described events with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures constitutes
a "Debenture Event of Default" (whatever the reason for such Debenture Event of
Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by
operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or
any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
 
                     (i)   failure for 30 days to pay any interest on the Junior
           Subordinated Debentures or any Other Debentures, when due (subject to
           the deferral of any due date in the case of an Extension Period); or

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
                     (ii)  failure to pay any principal or premium, if any, on
           the Junior Subordinated Debentures or any Other Debentures when due
           whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration of acceleration
           of maturity or otherwise; or

                     (iii) failure to observe or perform in any material respect
           certain other covenants contained in the Indenture for 90 days after
           written notice to the Corporation from the Debenture Trustee or the
           holders of at least 25% in aggregate outstanding principal amount of
           Junior Subordinated Debentures; or

                     (iv)  certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
           reorganization of the Corporation. 

           The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount
of the Junior Subordinated Debentures have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture
Trustee. The Debenture Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may declare
the principal due and payable immediately upon a Debenture Event of Default. The
holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures may annul such declaration and waive the default if the
default (other than the nonpayment of the principal of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures which has become due solely by such acceleration) has been cured and
a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal due
otherwise than by acceleration has been deposited with the Debenture Trustee.

           The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount
of the Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby may, on behalf of the
holders of all the Junior Subordinated Debentures, waive any past default except
a default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on or interest
(unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured
installments of interest and premium, if any, and principal due otherwise than
by acceleration has been deposited with the Debenture Trustee) or a default in
respect of a covenant or provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified
or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Junior
Subordinated Debenture.

           The Indenture requires the annual filing by the Corporation with the
Debenture Trustee of a certificate as to the absence of certain defaults under
the Indenture.

           The Indenture provides that the Debenture Trustee may withhold notice
of a Debenture Event of Default from the holders of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures (except a Debenture Event of Default in payment of principal of, or
of interest or premium on, the Junior Subordinated Debentures) if the Debenture
Trustee considers it in the interest of such holders to do so.

Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of New Capital Securities

           If a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
and shall be attributable to the failure of the Corporation to pay interest or
premium, if any, on or principal of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures on
the due date, a holder of New Capital Securities may institute a Direct Action.
The Corporation may not amend the Indenture to remove the foregoing right to
bring a Direct Action without the prior written consent of the holders of all of
the Capital Securities. Notwithstanding any payments made to a holder of New
Capital Securities by the Corporation in connection with a Direct Action, the
Corporation shall remain obligated to pay the principal of or premium, if any,
or interest on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, and the Corporation shall
be subrogated to the rights of the holder of such New Capital Securities with
respect to payments on the New Capital Securities to the extent of any payments
made by the Corporation to such holder in any Direct Action.

           The holders of the New Capital Securities will not be able to
exercise directly any remedies, other than those set forth in the preceding
paragraph, available to the holders of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures.
See "Description of Capital Securities -- Events of Default; Notice."

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets and Other Transactions

           The Indenture provides that the Corporation shall not consolidate
with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties
and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person, and no
Person shall consolidate with or merge into the Corporation or convey, transfer
or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an
entirety to the Corporation, unless: (i) in case the Corporation consolidates
with or merges into another Person or conveys or transfers its properties and
assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the successor Person is
organized under the laws of the United States or any State or the District of
Columbia, and such successor Person expressly assumes the Corporation's
obligations on the Junior Subordinated Debentures; (ii) immediately after giving
effect thereto, no Debenture Event of Default, and no event which, after notice
or lapse of time or both, would become a Debenture Event of Default, shall have
occurred and be continuing; and (iii) certain other conditions as prescribed in
the Indenture are met.

           The general provisions of the Indenture do not afford holders of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures protection in the event of a highly leveraged or
other transaction involving the Corporation that may adversely affect holders of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

Modification of the Indenture

           From time to time the Corporation and the Debenture Trustee may,
without the consent of the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures, amend,
waive or supplement the Indenture for specified purposes, including, among other
things, curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies (provided that any such
action does not materially adversely affect the interest of the holders of
Junior Subordinated Debentures). The Indenture contains provisions permitting
the Corporation and the Debenture Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, to modify
the Indenture in a manner affecting the rights of the holders of Junior
Subordinated Debentures; provided that no such modification may, without the
consent of the holders of each outstanding Junior Subordinated Debenture so
affected, (i) change the Stated Maturity Date, reduce the principal amount of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures or reduce the rate or extend the time of
payment of interest thereon or (ii) reduce the percentage of principal amount of
Junior Subordinated Debentures the holders of which are required to consent to
any such modification of the Indenture.

Satisfaction and Discharge

           The Indenture provides that when, among other things, all Junior
Subordinated Debentures not previously delivered to the Debenture Trustee for
cancellation (i) have become due and payable or (ii) will become due and payable
at maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year
under arrangements satisfactory to the Debenture Trustee for giving of notice of
redemption, and the Corporation deposits or causes to be deposited with the
Debenture Trustee funds, in trust, for the purpose and in an amount sufficient
to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures not previously delivered to the Debenture Trustee for cancellation,
for the principal and premium, if any, and interest to the date of redemption or
to the Stated Maturity Date, as the case may be, then the Indenture will cease
to be of further effect (except as to the Corporation's obligations to pay all
other sums due pursuant to the Indenture and to provide the officers'
certificates and opinions of counsel described therein), and the Corporation
will be deemed to have satisfied and discharged the Indenture.

Subordination

           In the Indenture, the Corporation has covenanted and agreed that any
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all Senior Indebtedness to the extent provided in the Indenture. Upon
any payment or distribution of assets to creditors upon any liquidation,
dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt
restructuring or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or
bankruptcy proceeding of the Corporation, the holders of Senior Indebtedness
will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all Senior 

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
Indebtedness before the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect thereof.

           In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of Junior
Subordinated Debentures, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness outstanding at
the time of such acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full
of all such Senior Indebtedness before the holders of Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures.

           No payments on account of principal or premium, if any, or interest,
if any, in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may be made if there
shall have occurred and be continuing a default in any payment with respect to
Senior Indebtedness, or an event of default with respect to any Senior
Indebtedness resulting in the acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if any
judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to any such default.

           "Indebtedness" shall mean (i) any obligation of, or any obligation
guaranteed by, the Corporation for the repayment of borrowed money, whether or
not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written instruments and any
deferred obligation for the payment of the purchase price of property or assets
acquired other than in the ordinary course of business and (ii) all indebtedness
of the Corporation for claims in respect of derivative products such as interest
and foreign exchange rate contracts, commodity contracts and similar
arrangements, whether outstanding on the date of execution of the Indenture or
thereafter created, assumed or incurred. For purposes of this definition "claim"
shall have the meaning assigned in Section 101(5) of the Bankruptcy Code of
1978, as amended and in effect on the date of the execution of the Indenture.

           "Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Junior Subordinated
Debentures" shall mean Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of
execution of the Indenture or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, which
specifically by its terms ranks equally with and not prior to the Junior
Subordinated Debentures in the right of payment upon the happening of the
dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Corporation.
The securing of any Indebtedness, otherwise constituting Indebtedness Ranking on
a Parity with the Junior Subordinated Debentures, shall not be deemed to prevent
such Indebtedness from constituting Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the
Junior Subordinated Debentures.

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

           "Senior Indebtedness" shall mean all Indebtedness, whether
outstanding on the date of execution of the Indenture or thereafter created,
assumed or incurred, except Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Junior
Subordinated Debentures or Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, and any deferrals, renewals or extensions of such
Senior Indebtedness.

           The Corporation is a non-operating holding company and almost all of
the operating assets of the Corporation are owned by the Corporation's
subsidiary, Investors Bank & Trust Company (the "Bank"). The Corporation relies
primarily on dividends from the Bank to meet its expenses and obligations. The
Corporation is a legal entity separate and distinct from its banking and
non-banking affiliates. The principal sources of the Corporation's income are
dividends from the Bank. The Bank is subject to certain restrictions imposed by
federal law on any extensions of credit to, and certain other transactions with,
the Corporation and certain other affiliates, and on investments in stock or
other securities thereof. Such restrictions prevent the Corporation and such
other affiliates from borrowing from the Bank unless the loans are secured by
various types of collateral. Further, such secured loans, other transactions and
investments by the Bank are generally limited in amount as to the Corporation
and as to each of such other affiliates to 10% of the Bank's capital and surplus
and as to the Corporation and all of 

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
such other affiliates to an aggregate of 20% of the Bank's capital and surplus.
In addition, payment of dividends to the Corporation by the Bank is subject to
ongoing review by banking regulators and is subject to various statutory
limitations and in certain circumstances requires approval by banking regulatory
authorities. Accordingly, the New Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the
Corporation's subsidiaries. Holders of New Junior Subordinated Debentures should
look only to the assets of the Corporation for payments of interest, principal
and premium, if any.

           The Indenture places no limitation on the amount of Senior
Indebtedness that may be incurred by the Corporation. The Corporation expects
from time to time to incur indebtedness constituting Senior Indebtedness.

Restrictions on Transfer

           The New Junior Subordinated Debentures will be issued and may be
transferred only in blocks having an aggregate principal amount of not less than
$100,000. Any such transfer of New Junior Subordinated Debentures in a block
having an aggregate principal amount of less than $100,000 shall be deemed to be
void and of no legal effect whatsoever. Any such transferee shall be deemed not
to be holder of such New Junior Subordinated Debentures for any purpose,
including but not limited to the receipt of payments on such Junior Subordinated
Debentures, and such transferee shall be deemed to have no interest whatsoever
in such New Junior Subordinated Debentures.

Governing Law

           The Indenture, the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and the New
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York.

Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee

           Following the Exchange Offer and the qualification of the Indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act, the Debenture Trustee shall have and be subject
to all the duties and responsibilities specified with respect to an indenture
trustee under the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to such provisions, the Debenture
Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the
Indenture at the request of any holder of New Junior Subordinated Debentures,
unless offered reasonable indemnity by such holder against the costs, expenses
and liabilities which might be incurred thereby. The Debenture Trustee is not
required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial
liability in the performance of its duties if the Debenture Trustee reasonably
believes that repayment or adequate indemnity is not reasonably assured to it.


                       DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW GUARANTEE

           The Old Guarantee was executed and delivered by the Corporation
concurrently with the issuance by the Trust of the Old Capital Securities for
the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Old Capital Securities.
Promptly after the Expiration Date, the New Guarantee will be issued by the
Corporation for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the New Capital
Securities. The Bank of New York will act as indenture trustee ("Guarantee
Trustee") under the New Guarantee. The New Guarantee has been qualified under
the Trust Indenture Act. This summary of certain provisions of the New Guarantee
does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety
by reference to, all of the provisions of the New Guarantee (a form of which is
available upon request to the Corporation; see "Available Information"),
including the definitions therein of certain terms, and the Trust Indenture Act.
The Guarantee Trustee will hold the New Guarantee for the benefit of the holders
of the New Capital Securities.

General

           The Corporation will irrevocably and unconditionally agree to pay in
full on a subordinated basis, to the extent set forth herein, the Guarantee
Payments (as defined below) to the holders of the New Capital Securities, as 

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that
the Trust may have or assert other than the defense of payment. The following
payments with respect to the New Capital Securities, to the extent not paid by
or on behalf of the Trust (the "Guarantee Payments"), will be subject to the New
Guarantee: (i) any accumulated and unpaid Distributions required to be paid on
New Capital Securities, to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally
available therefor, (ii) the Redemption Price with respect to any New Capital
Securities called for redemption, to the extent that the Trust has funds on hand
legally available therefor, or (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary termination
and liquidation of the Trust (unless the New Junior Subordinated Debentures are
distributed to holders of the New Capital Securities), the lesser of (a) the
Liquidation Distribution, to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally
available therefor, and (b) the amount of assets of the Trust remaining
available for distribution to holders of New Capital Securities. The
Corporation's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct
payment of the required amounts by the Corporation to the holders of the New
Capital Securities or by causing the Trust to pay such amounts to such holders.

           The New Guarantee will rank subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all Senior Indebtedness to the extent provided therein. See "--
Status" below. Because the Corporation is a holding company, the right of the
Corporation to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon
such subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is subject to the
prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent the
Corporation may itself be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary.
Accordingly, the Corporation's obligations under the New Guarantee will be
effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the
Corporation's subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to the assets of the
Corporation for payments thereunder. See "Description of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- General." The New Guarantee does not limit the incurrence or
issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Corporation, including Senior
Indebtedness, whether under the Indenture, any other indenture that the
Corporation may enter into in the future or otherwise.

           The Corporation will, through the New Guarantee, the Declaration, the
New Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture, taken together, fully,
irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee all of the Trust's obligations under
the New Capital Securities. No single document standing alone or operating in
conjunction with fewer than all of the other documents constitutes such
guarantee. It is only the combined operation of these documents that has the
effect of providing a full, irrevocable and new unconditional guarantee of the
Trust's obligations under the New Capital Securities. See "Relationship Among
the New Capital Securities, the New Junior Subordinated Debentures and the New
Guarantee."

Status

           The New Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the
Corporation and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
Senior Indebtedness in the same manner as the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures.

           The New Guarantee will rank pari passu with the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, the Old Guarantee and with all other guarantees (if any) issued by
the Corporation after the Expiration Date with respect to capital securities (if
any) issued by Other Trusts. The New Guarantee will constitute a guarantee of
payment and not of collection (i.e., the guaranteed party may institute a legal
proceeding directly against the Corporation to enforce its rights under the New
Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against any other person
or entity). The New Guarantee will be held for the benefit of the holders of the
New Capital Securities. The New Guarantee will not be discharged except by
payment of the Guarantee Payments in full to the extent not paid by the Trust or
upon distribution to the holders of the New Capital Securities of the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures. The New Guarantee does not place a limitation on the
amount of Senior Indebtedness that may be incurred by the Corporation. The
Corporation expects from time to time to incur indebtedness constituting Senior
Indebtedness.

Events of Default

           An event of default under the New Guarantee will occur upon the
failure of the Corporation to perform any of its payment or other obligations
thereunder. The holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the New Capital
Securities will have the right to (i) waive any past event of default under the
New Guarantee and its consequences, 

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
whereby such event of default shall cease to exist and any event of default
under the New Guarantee arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for
every purpose of the New Guarantee, and (ii) direct the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee
in respect of the New Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power
conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under the New Guarantee.

           Any holder of the New Capital Securities may institute a legal
proceeding directly against the Corporation to enforce its rights under the New
Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Trust, the
Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity.

           The Corporation, as guarantor, will be required to file annually with
the Guarantee Trustee a certificate as to whether or not the Corporation is in
compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to it under the New
Guarantee.

Certain Covenants of the Corporation

           In the New Guarantee, the Corporation will covenant that, so long as
any New Capital Securities remain outstanding, if there shall have occurred any
event that is or would constitute an event of default under the New Guarantee,
that is continuing, or the Declaration, then the Corporation will not (i)
declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire,
or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Corporation's capital
stock (which includes common and preferred stock), (ii) make any payment of
principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any
debt securities of the Corporation (including any Other Debentures) that rank
pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by
the Corporation of any securities of any subsidiary of the Corporation
(including Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior
in right of payment to the New Junior Subordinated Debentures (other than (a)
dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants, or rights to
subscribe for or purchase shares of, common stock of the Corporation, (b) any
declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a
stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the
future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c)
payments under the New Guarantee, (d) as a direct result of, and only to the
extent required in order to avoid the issuance of fractional shares of capital
stock following a reclassification of the Corporation's capital stock or the
exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Corporation's capital stock
for another class or series of the Corporation's capital stock, (e) the purchase
of fractional interests in shares of the Corporation's capital stock pursuant to
the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security
being converted or exchanged, and (f) purchases of common stock related to the
issuance of common stock or rights under any of the Corporation's benefit plans
for its directors, officers or employees or any of the Corporation's dividend
reinvestment plans).

Amendments and Assignment

           Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely
affect the rights of holders of the New Capital Securities (in which case no
approval will be required), the New Guarantee may not be amended without the
prior approval of the holders of a majority of the Liquidation Amount of such
outstanding New Capital Securities. The manner of obtaining any such approval
will be as set forth under "Description of New Capital Securities -- Voting
Rights; Amendment of the Declaration." All guarantees and agreements contained
in the New Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the holders
of the New Capital Securities then outstanding.

Termination

           The New Guarantee will terminate and be of no further force and
effect upon full payment of the applicable Redemption Price of the New Capital
Securities, upon full payment of the Liquidation Amount payable upon liquidation
of the Trust or upon distribution of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures to
the holders of the New Capital Securities. The New Guarantee will continue to be
effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, 

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
if at any time any holder of the New Capital Securities must restore payment of
any sums paid under the New Capital Securities or the New Guarantee.

Information Concerning the Guarantee Trustee

           The Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed by the Guarantor
without cause at any time, except during an event of default under the New
Guarantee. The Guarantee Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the
powers vested in it by the New Guarantee at the request of any holder of New
Capital Securities, unless offered reasonable indemnity against the costs,
expenses and liabilities which might be incurred thereby. The Guarantee Trustee
is not required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal
financial liability in the performance of its duties if it reasonably believes
that repayment or adequate indemnity is not reasonably assured to it.

           The Corporation or its affiliates maintain certain business
relationships with the Guarantee Trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary
course of business.

Governing Law

           The New Guarantee will be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the internal laws of the State of New York.

                         DESCRIPTION OF OLD SECURITIES

           The terms of the Old Securities and the New Securities are identical
in all material respects except that: (i) the Old Securities have not been
registered under the Securities Act, are subject to certain restrictions on
transfer and are entitled to certain rights under the applicable Registration
Rights Agreement (which rights will terminate upon consummation of the Exchange
Offer, except under limited circumstances), (ii) the New Capital Securities will
not contain certain restrictions on transfer applicable to Old Capital
Securities, (iii) the New Capital Securities will not provide for any increase
in the Distribution rate thereon, and (iv) the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures will not provide for any increase in the interest rate thereon. The
Old Securities provide that, in the event that a registration statement relating
to the Exchange Offer has not been filed by June 30, 1997 and been declared
effective by July 30, 1997, or, in certain limited circumstances, in the event a
shelf registration statement (the "Shelf Registration Statement") with respect
to the resale of the Old Capital Securities is not declared effective by July
30, 1997, then interest will accrue (in addition to the stated interest rate on
the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures) at the rate of 0.25% per annum on the
principal amount of the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and Distributions
will accrue (in addition to the stated Distribution rate on the Old Capital
Securities) at the rate of 0.25% per annum on the Liquidation Amount of the Old
Capital Securities, for the period from July 1, 1997, in the case of untimely
filing or July 31, 1997 in the case of failure to achieve timely effectiveness,
as the case may be, until such time as such required filing or effectiveness is
achieved. The New Securities are not, and upon consummation of the Exchange
Offer the Old Securities will not be, entitled to any such additional interest
or Distributions. Accordingly, holders of Old Capital Securities should review
the information set forth under "Risk Factors -- Certain Consequences of a
Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities" and "Description of New Securities."


              RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES, THE
           NEW JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE NEW GUARANTEE

Full and Unconditional Guarantee

           Payments of Distributions and other amounts due on the New Capital
Securities (to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally available for the
payment of such Distributions) will be irrevocably guaranteed by the Corporation
as and to the extent set forth under "Description of the New Guarantee." Taken
together, the Corporation's obligations under the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures, the Indenture, the Declaration and the New Guarantee will provide,
in the aggregate, a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of payments of

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
Distributions and other amounts due on the New Capital Securities. No single
document standing alone or operating in conjunction with fewer than all of the
other documents constitutes such guarantee. It is only the combined operation of
these documents that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and
unconditional guarantee of the Trust's obligations under the New Capital
Securities. If and to the extent that the Corporation does not make the required
payments on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Trust will not have
sufficient funds to make the related payments, including Distributions, on the
New Capital Securities. The New Guarantee will not cover any such payment when
the Trust does not have sufficient funds on hand legally available therefor. In
such event, the remedy of a holder of New Capital Securities is to institute a
Direct Action. The obligations of the Corporation under the New Guarantee will
be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness.

Sufficiency of Payments

           As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due
on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, such payments will be sufficient to
cover Distributions and other payments due on the New Capital Securities,
primarily because: (i) the aggregate principal amount or Prepayment Price of the
New Junior Subordinated Debentures will be equal to the sum of the Liquidation
Amount or Redemption Price, as applicable, of the New Capital Securities; (ii)
the interest rate and interest and other payment dates on the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures will match the Distribution rate and Distribution and
other payment dates for the New Capital Securities; (iii) the Corporation shall
pay for all and any costs, expenses and liabilities of the Trust except the
Trust's obligations to holders of Trust Securities under such Trust Securities;
and (iv) the Declaration will provide that the Trust is not authorized to engage
in any activity that is not consistent with the limited purposes thereof.

Enforcement of Rights of Holders of New Capital Securities

           A holder of any New Capital Security may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Corporation to enforce its rights under the New Guarantee
without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the
Trust or any other person or entity.

           A default or event of default under any Senior Indebtedness would not
constitute a default or Event of Default under the Declaration. However, in the
event of payment defaults under, or acceleration of, Senior Indebtedness, the
subordination provisions of the Indenture will provide that no payments may be
made in respect of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures until such Senior
Indebtedness has been paid in full or any payment default thereunder has been
cured or waived. Failure to make required payments on New Junior Subordinated
Debentures would constitute an Event of Default under the Declaration.

Limited Purpose of the Trust

           The New Capital Securities will represent preferred undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, and the Trust exists for the
sole purpose of issuing and selling the Trust Securities, using the proceeds
from the sale of the Trust Securities to acquire the Junior Subordinated
Debentures and engaging in only those other activities necessary, advisable or
incidental thereto.

Rights Upon Termination

           Unless the Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed to holders
of the Trust Securities, upon any voluntary or involuntary termination and
liquidation of the Trust, the holders of the Trust Securities will be entitled
to receive, out of assets held by the Trust, after satisfaction of liabilities
to creditors of the Trust as required by applicable law, the Liquidation
Distribution in cash. See "Description of New Securities -- Description of New
Capital Securities -- Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of New Junior
Subordinated Debentures." Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or
bankruptcy of the Corporation, the Property Trustee, as holder of the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures, would be a subordinated creditor of the Corporation,
subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness as set forth in the
Indenture, but entitled to receive payment in full of principal 

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
(and premium, if any) and interest, before any stockholders of the Corporation
receive payments or distributions. Since the Corporation will be the guarantor
under the New Guarantee and will agree to pay for all costs, expenses and
liabilities of the Trust (other than the Trust's obligations to the holders of
its Trust Securities), the positions of a holder of New Capital Securities and a
holder of New Junior Subordinated Debentures relative to other creditors and to
stockholders of the Corporation in the event of liquidation or bankruptcy of the
Corporation are expected to be substantially the same.


                   CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

General

           In the opinion of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP, counsel to the
Corporation and the Trust ("Tax Counsel"), the following is a summary of certain
of the material United States federal income tax consequences of the acquisition
by exchange, ownership and disposition of New Capital Securities held as capital
assets by a holder that acquired the Old Capital Securities upon initial
issuance at their original offering price. It does not deal with special classes
of holders such as banks, thrifts, real estate investment trusts, regulated
investment companies, insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies,
tax-exempt investors, or persons that will hold the Capital Securities as a
position in a "straddle," as part of a "synthetic security" or "hedge," as part
of a "conversion transaction" or other integrated investment, or as other than a
capital asset. This summary also does not address the tax consequences to
persons that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar or the tax
consequences to shareholders, partners or beneficiaries of a holder of Capital
Securities. Further, it does not include any description of any alternative
minimum tax consequences or the tax laws of any state or local government or of
any foreign government that may be applicable to the Capital Securities. This
summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
Treasury regulations thereunder, and the administrative and judicial
interpretations thereof, as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to
change, possibly on a retroactive basis.

Exchange of Capital Securities

           The exchange of Old Capital Securities for New Capital Securities
should not be a taxable event to holders for United States federal income tax
purposes. The exchange of Old Capital Securities for New Capital Securities
pursuant to the Exchange Offer should not be treated as an "exchange" for United
States federal income tax purposes because the New Capital Securities should not
be considered to differ materially in kind or extent from the Old Capital
Securities and because the exchange will occur by operation of the terms of the
Old Capital Securities. If, however, the exchange of the Old Capital Securities
for the New Capital Securities were treated as an exchange for United States
federal income tax purposes, such exchange should constitute a recapitalization
for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the New Capital Securities should
have the same issue price as the Old Capital Securities, and a holder should
have the same adjusted tax basis and holding period in the New Capital
Securities as the holder had in the Old Capital Securities immediately before
the exchange.

Classification of the Junior Subordinated Debentures

           In connection with the issuance of the Old Junior Subordinated
Debentures, Tax Counsel has rendered its opinion generally to the effect that,
under then current law and assuming full compliance with the terms of the
Indenture (and certain other documents), and based on certain facts and
assumptions contained in such opinion, the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures
are classified for United States federal income tax purposes as indebtedness of
the Corporation. An opinion of Tax Counsel, however, is not binding on the
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or the courts. Prospective investors should
note that no rulings have been or are expected to be sought from the IRS with
respect to any of these issues and no assurance can be given that the IRS will
not take contrary positions. Moreover, no assurance can be given that any of the
opinions expressed herein will not be challenged by the IRS or, if challenged,
that such a challenge would not be successful.

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
Classification of the Trust

           In connection with the issuance of the Old Capital Securities, Tax
Counsel has rendered its opinion generally to the effect that, under then
current law and assuming full compliance with the terms of the Declaration and
the Indenture (and certain other documents), and based on certain facts and
assumptions contained in such opinion, the Trust is classified for United States
federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable
as a corporation. Accordingly, for United States federal income tax purposes,
each holder of Capital Securities generally will be considered the owner of an
undivided interest in the Junior Subordinated Debentures, and each holder will
be required to include in its gross income any interest (or OID accrued) with
respect to its allocable share of those Junior Subordinated Debentures.

Interest Income and Original Issue Discount

           Under recently issued Treasury regulations (the "Regulations")
applicable to debt instruments issued on or after August 13, 1996, a "remote"
contingency that stated interest will not be timely paid will be ignored in
determining whether a debt instrument is issued with OID. The Corporation
believes that the likelihood of its exercising its option to defer payments of
interest is "remote" since exercising that option would prevent the Corporation
from declaring dividends on any class of its equity securities. Accordingly, the
Corporation intends to take the position, based on the advice of Tax Counsel,
that the Junior Subordinated Debentures will not be considered to be issued with
OID and, accordingly, stated interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures
generally will be taxable to a holder as ordinary income at the time it is paid
or accrued in accordance with such holder's method of accounting.

           Under the Regulations, if the Corporation were to exercise its option
to defer payments of interest, the Junior Subordinated Debentures would at that
time be treated as issued with OID, and all stated interest on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures would thereafter be treated as OID as long as the Junior
Subordinated Debentures remain outstanding. In such event, all of a holder's
taxable interest income with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures would
thereafter be accounted for on an economic accrual basis regardless of such
holder's method of tax accounting, and actual distributions of stated interest
would not be reported as taxable income. Consequently, a holder of Capital
Securities would be required to include in gross income OID even though the
Corporation would not make actual cash payments during an Extension Period.
Moreover, under the Regulations, if the option to defer the payment of interest
was determined not to be "remote," the Junior Subordinated Debentures would be
treated as having been originally issued with OID. In such event, all of a
holder's taxable interest income with respect to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures would be accounted for on an economic accrual basis regardless of
such holder's method of tax accounting, and actual distributions of stated
interest would not be reported as taxable income.

           The Regulations have not yet been addressed in any rulings or other
interpretations by the IRS, and it is possible that the IRS could take a
position contrary to Tax Counsel's interpretation herein.

           Because income on the Capital Securities will constitute interest or
OID, corporate holders of the Capital Securities will not be entitled to a
dividends-received deduction with respect to any income recognized with respect
to the Capital Securities.

Receipt of Junior Subordinated Debentures or Cash Upon Liquidation of the Trust

           The Corporation will have the right at any time to liquidate the
Trust and, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as
required by applicable law, cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be
distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities. Under current law, such a
distribution, for United States federal income tax purposes, would be treated as
a nontaxable event to each holder, and each holder would have an aggregate tax
basis in the Junior Subordinated Debentures equal to such holder's aggregate tax
basis in its Capital Securities. A holder's holding period in the Junior
Subordinated Debentures so received in liquidation of the Trust would include
the period during which the Capital Securities were held by such holder. If,
however, the Trust is characterized for United States federal income tax
purposes as an association taxable as a corporation at the time of its
dissolution, the distribution of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may
constitute a taxable event to holders of Capital Securities. 

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
If the distribution were taxable to holders of Capital Securities, a holder
would recognize gain or loss as if the holder had exchanged its Capital
Securities for the Junior Subordinated Debentures it received upon the
liquidation of the Trust, and a holder's holding period in Junior Subordinated
Debentures would begin on the date such Junior Subordinated Debentures were
received.

           Under certain circumstances described herein (see "Description of New
Securities -- Description of New Capital Securities"), the Junior Subordinated
Debentures may be redeemed for cash and the proceeds of such redemption
distributed to holders in redemption of their Capital Securities. Under current
law, such a redemption would, for United States federal income tax purposes,
constitute a taxable disposition of the redeemed Capital Securities, and a
holder could recognize gain or loss as if the holder sold its proportionate
interest in the redeemed Junior Subordinated Debentures for an amount of cash
equal to the proceeds received upon redemption. See "-- Sales of Capital
Securities" below.

Sales of Capital Securities

           A holder that sells Capital Securities (including a redemption of the
Capital Securities either on the Stated Maturity Date or upon an optional
redemption of the Junior Subordinated Debentures by the Corporation) will
recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between its adjusted tax
basis in the Capital Securities and the amount realized on the sale of such
Capital Securities (other than with respect to accrued and unpaid interest which
has not yet been included in income, which will be treated as ordinary income).
Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holding
period of the Capital Securities exceeds one year. Subject to certain limited
exceptions, capital losses cannot be applied to offset ordinary income for
United States federal income tax purposes.

           A holder's adjusted tax basis in the Capital Securities generally
will be its initial purchase price increased by OID (if any) previously
includable in such holder's gross income to the date of disposition and
decreased by payments (if any) received on the Capital Securities in respect of
OID. A holder who uses the accrual method of accounting for tax purposes (and a
cash method holder, if the Junior Subordinated Debentures are deemed to have
been issued with OID) who disposes of such holder's Capital Securities between
record dates for payments of distributions thereon will be required to include
accrued but unpaid interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures through the
date of disposition in income as ordinary income (i.e., interest or, possibly,
OID), and to add such amount to such holder's adjusted tax basis in such
holder's pro rata share of the underlying Junior Subordinated Debentures deemed
disposed of.

Proposed Tax Legislation

           On February 6, 1997, as part of the Clinton Administration's Fiscal
1998 Budget Proposal, the Treasury Department proposed legislation (the
"Proposed Legislation") which would, among other things, generally deny
corporate issuers a deduction for interest in respect of certain debt
obligations, such as the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, if such debt
obligations had a maximum term in excess of 15 years and are not shown as
indebtedness on the issuer's applicable consolidated balance sheet. The Proposed
Legislation applies to debt obligations issued on or after the date of "first
committee action." As of the date of this prospectus, the Proposed Legislation
has not yet been introduced by any member of the 105th Congress. If the Proposed
Legislation or other legislation is enacted by Congress and if it gives rise to
a Tax Event, the Trust would be permitted to cause a redemption of the Trust
Securities at the Special Event Redemption Price by electing to prepay the
Junior Subordinated Debentures at the Special Event Redemption Price. See
"Description of New Securities -- Description of New Capital Securities --
Special Redemption" and "-- Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures --
Conditional Right to Advance Maturity and Special Event Prepayment."

United States Alien Holders

           For purposes of this discussion, a "United States Alien Holder" is
any corporation, individual, partnership, estate or trust that is not a U.S.
Holder for United States federal income tax purposes.

                                       56
<PAGE>
 
           For taxable years beginning after December 31, 1996, a "U.S. Holder"
is a holder of Capital Securities who or which is a citizen or individual
resident (or is treated as a citizen or individual resident) of the United
States for federal income tax purposes, a corporation or partnership created or
organized (or treated as created or organized for federal income tax purposes)
in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof,
an estate the income of which is includable in its gross income for federal
income tax purposes without regard to its source or a trust if, and only if, (i)
a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over
the administration of the trust and (ii) one or more United States trustees have
the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

           Under present United States federal income tax laws: (i) payments by
the Trust or any of its paying agents to any holder of a Capital Security who or
which is a United States Alien Holder will not be subject to United States
federal withholding tax; provided that, (a) the beneficial owner of the Capital
Security does not actually or constructively own 10 percent or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote, (b) the beneficial owner of the Capital Security is not a controlled
foreign corporation that is related to the Corporation through stock ownership,
and (c) either (A) the beneficial owner of the Capital Security certifies to the
Trust or its agent, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United States
holder and provides its name and address or (B) a securities clearing
organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers'
securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business (a "Financial
Institution"), and holds the Capital Security in such capacity, certifies to the
Trust or its agent, under penalties of perjury, that such statement has been
received from the beneficial owner by it or by a Financial Institution between
it and the beneficial owner and furnishes the Trust or its agent with a copy
thereof; and (ii) a United States Alien Holder of a Capital Security will not be
subject to United States federal withholding tax on any gain realized upon the
sale or other disposition of a Capital Security.

           As discussed above, changes in legislation affecting the United
States federal income tax treatment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures are
possible, and could adversely affect the ability of the Corporation to deduct
the interest payable on the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Moreover, any such
legislation could adversely affect United States Alien Holders by characterizing
income derived from the Junior Subordinated Debentures as dividends, generally
subject to a 30% income tax (on a withholding basis) when paid to a United
States Alien Holder, rather than as interest which, as discussed above, is
generally exempt from income tax in the hands of a United States Alien Holder.

           A United States Alien Holder that holds Capital Securities in
connection with the active conduct of a United States trade or business will be
subject to income tax on all income and gains recognized with respect to its
proportionate share of the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

Information Reporting to Holders

           Generally, income on the Capital Securities will be reported to
holders on Forms 1099, which forms should be mailed to holders of Capital
Securities by January 31 following each calendar year.

Backup Withholding

           Payments made on, and proceeds from the sale of, the Capital
Securities may be subject to a "backup" withholding tax of 31 percent unless the
holder complies with certain identification requirements. Any withheld amounts
will be allowed as a credit against the holder's United States federal income
tax, provided the required information is provided to the IRS.

           THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS
INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT EVERY
HOLDER'S PARTICULAR SITUATION. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH
RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND
DISPOSITION OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER
STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN UNITED
STATES FEDERAL TAX LAWS.

                                       57
<PAGE>
 
                             ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

   
           The Corporation, the obligor with respect to the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures held by the Trust, and its affiliates and the Property
Trustee may be considered a "party in interest" (within the meaning of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")) or a
"disqualified person" (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) with
respect to many employee benefit plans ("Plans") that are subject to ERISA. Any
purchaser proposing to acquire New Capital Securities with assets of any Plan
should consult with its counsel. The purchase and/or holding of New Capital
Securities by a Plan that is subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions
of ERISA or the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 4975 of the Code
(including individual retirement arrangements and other plans described in
Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code) and with respect to which the Corporation, the
Property Trustee or any affiliate is a service provider (or otherwise is a party
in interest or a disqualified person) may constitute or result in a prohibited
transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, unless such New Capital
Securities are acquired pursuant to and in accordance with an applicable
exemption, such as Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption ("PTCE") 84-14 (an
exemption for certain transactions determined by an independent qualified
professional asset manager), PTCE 91-38 (an exemption for certain transactions
involving bank collective investment funds), PTCE 90-1 (an exemption for certain
transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTCE 95-60
(an exemption for transactions involving certain insurance company general
accounts) or PTCE 96-23 (an exemption for certain transactions determined by an
in-house asset manager). In addition, a Plan fiduciary considering the
acquisition of New Capital Securities should be aware that the assets of the
Trust may be considered "plan assets" for ERISA purposes. Therefore, a plan
fiduciary should consider whether the acquisition of New Capital Securities
could result in a delegation of fiduciary authority to the Property Trustee,
and, if so, whether such a delegation of authority is permissible under the
Plan's governing instrument or any investment management agreement with the
Plan. In making such determination, a Plan fiduciary should note that the
Property Trustee is a U.S. bank qualified to be an investment manager (within
the meaning of section 3(38) of ERISA).
    

           Under the U.S. Department of Labor regulations defining "plan assets"
for ERISA purposes (the "Plan Assets Regulations"), the assets of the Trust will
be considered plan assets of Plans owning New Capital Securities unless the
aggregate investment in New Capital Securities by "benefit plan investors" is
not deemed "significant" or the New Capital Securities qualify as "publicly
offered securities" as defined in such Regulations. For this purpose, equity
participation by benefit plan investors will not be considered "significant" on
any date only if, immediately after the most recent acquisition of Capital
Securities, the aggregate interest in the New Capital Securities held by benefit
plan investors will be less than 25% of the value of the New Capital Securities.
Although it is possible that the equity participation by benefit plan investors
in New Capital Securities on any date will not be "significant" for purposes of
the Plan Assets Regulations, such result cannot be assured.

           The New Capital Securities may qualify as "publicly offered
securities" under the Plan Assets Regulations if at the time of the Exchange
Offer they are also "widely held" and "freely transferable." Under the
Regulations, a class of securities is "widely held" only if it is a class of
securities that is owned by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and
of one another. Although it is possible that at the time of the Exchange Offer
the New Capital Securities will be "widely held," such result cannot be assured.
Whether a security is "freely transferable" for purposes of the Regulations is a
factual question to be determined on the basis of all relevant facts and
circumstances. If at the time of the Exchange Offer the New Capital Securities
qualify as "publicly offered securities," the assets of the Trust should not be
"plan assets" with respect to Plans acquiring New Capital Securities. If at the
time of the Exchange Offer the New Capital Securities do not qualify as
"publicly offered securities," the "Plan asset" considerations discussed in the
preceding paragraphs could be applicable in connection with the investment by
Plans in the New Capital Securities.

                                       58
<PAGE>
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

           Each broker-dealer that receives New Capital Securities for its own
account in connection with the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will
deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Capital
Securities. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, may be used by Participating Broker-Dealers during the period referred to
below in connection with resales of New Capital Securities received in exchange
for Old Capital Securities if such Old Capital Securities were acquired by such
Participating Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. The Corporation and the Trust have
agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in connection with resales of
such New Capital Securities for a period ending 90 days after the Expiration
Date (subject to extension under certain limited circumstances described herein)
or, if earlier, when all such New Capital Securities have been disposed of by
such Participating Broker-Dealer. However, a Participating Broker-Dealer who
intends to use this Prospectus in connection with the resale of New Capital
Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities pursuant to the
Exchange Offer must notify the Corporation or the Trust, or cause the
Corporation or the Trust to be notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date,
that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer. Such notice may be given in the space
provided for that purpose in the Letter of Transmittal or may be delivered to
the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth herein under "The Exchange
Offer -- Exchange Agent." See "The Exchange Offer -- Resales of New Capital
Securities."

           The Corporation or the Trust will not receive any cash proceeds from
the issuance of the New Capital Securities offered hereby. New Capital
Securities received by broker-dealers for their own accounts in connection with
the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in
the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of
options on the New Capital Securities or a combination of such methods of
resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to
such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any such resale may be
made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such New Capital Securities.

           Any broker-dealer that resells New Capital Securities that were
received by it for its own account in connection with the Exchange Offer and any
broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such New Capital
Securities may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act, and any profit on any such resale of New Capital Securities and
any commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be
underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal
states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a
prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

           The validity of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures and the New
Guarantee and certain matters relating thereto will be passed upon for the
Corporation by Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP. Certain matters relating to
United States Federal income tax considerations will also be passed upon for the
Corporation by Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP. Certain matters of Delaware law
relating to the validity of the New Capital Securities will be passed upon on
behalf of the Corporation by Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., special Delaware
counsel to the Corporation and the Trust.


                             INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

           The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus
by reference from the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1996 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference,
and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given on
their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                       59
<PAGE>
 
PART II

           INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS


ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

                         The Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation and the
Delaware General Corporation Law provides for indemnification of the
Corporation's directors and officers for liabilities and expenses that they may
incur in such capacity for damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director
other than liability for (i) any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
Corporation, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) acts covered by
Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware or (iv) for any
transaction from which such director derived an improper personal benefit. In
general, under the Company's By-Laws directors and officers are indemnified for
liabilities and expenses they may incur with respect to actions taken in their
capacities as a director or officer, so long as such actions are taken good
faith in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best
interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, actions that such director or officer had no reasonable cause to
believe were unlawful.

                         The Corporation maintains directors and officers
liability insurance for the benefit of its directors and certain officers.

                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
           ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

           EXHIBIT

<TABLE> 

<S>        <C> 
4.1(1)     Indenture of Investors Financial Services Corp. relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures
4.2        Form of Certificate of New Junior Subordinated Debenture (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1)
4.3        Certificate of Trust of Investors Capital Trust I
4.4        Declaration of Trust of Investors Capital Trust I
4.5(1)     Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust for Investors Capital Trust I
4.6        Form of New Capital Security Certificate for Investors Capital Trust I (included as Exhibit D to Exhibit 4.5)
4.7        Form of New Guarantee of Investors Financial Services Corp. relating to the New Capital Securities
4.8(1)     Registration Rights Agreement
5.1        Opinion and consent of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP to Investors Financial Services Corp.
                     as to legality of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures and the New Guarantee to be issued by
                     Investors Financial Services Corp.*
5.2        Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, special Delaware
                     counsel, as to validity of the New Capital Securities to be issued by Investors Capital
                     Trust I*
8          Opinion of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP, special tax counsel, as to certain federal income tax
                     matters*
12.1       Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges (excluding interest on deposits)
12.2       Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges (including interest on deposits)
23.1       Consent of Deloitte & Touche L.L.P.
23.2       Consent of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)*
23.3       Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger (included in Exhibit 5.2)*
24         Power of Attorney of certain officers and directors of Investors Financial Services Corp. (See page II-4)
25.1       Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York to act as trustee under the
                     Indenture
25.2       Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York to act as trustee under the Amended and Restated
                     Declaration of Trust of Investors Capital Trust I
25.3       Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York under the New Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of
                     New Capital Securities of Investors Capital Trust I
99.1       Form of Letter of Transmittal
99.2       Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
99.3       Form of Exchange Agent Agreement
</TABLE> 
           --------
           * To be filed by amendment.

           (1)   Filed as an exhibit to the Corporation's Annual Report on Form
                 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 (file no. 0-26996).

           ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS

                   Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby undertakes that,
           for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
           1933, as amended, each filing of a Registrant's annual report
           pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
           Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee
           benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
           Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in
           this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
           statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering
           of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
           bona fide offering thereof.

                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
           Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of each undersigned Registrant pursuant to the provisions, or otherwise,
each Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by each
undersigned Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer of
controlling person of each 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, each Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by the controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

           The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests
for information that is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus pursuant
to Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the
date of responding to the request.

           The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired or involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.


                                   II-3    
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, Investors Financial Services Corp. has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Boston, State of Massachusetts, on the 27th day of
May, 1997.

                                    INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES
                                    CORP.


                                    By:/s/ Kevin J. Sheehan
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Kevin J. Sheehan, President
                                       and Chief Executive Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Kevin J. Sheehan and Michael F. Rogers and each
of them acting individually, as such person's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents, each with full power of substitution, for such person, in any and
all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file same, with all exhibits
thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each
of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all
intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of
them, or their or his or her substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue
thereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on behalf of
Investors Financial Services Corp. and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

        Signature                           Title                       Date
- -----------------------      ------------------------------------   ------------
<S>                          <C>                                    <C> 
 /s/ Kevin J. Sheehan        President, Chief Executive Officer     May 27, 1997
- -----------------------            and Chairman of the Board 
   Kevin J. Sheehan          (Principal Executive Officer) and
                                          Director

 /s/ Michael F. Rogers           Executive Vice President           May 27, 1997
- -----------------------
    Michael F. Rogers

 /s/ Karen C. Keenan         Chief Financial Officer (Principal     May 27, 1997
- -----------------------        Financial Officer and Principal
    Karen C. Keenan                  Accounting Officer)            

 /s/ Robert B. Fraser                  Director                     May 27, 1997
- ------------------------
    Robert B. Fraser
</TABLE> 

                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

      Signature                            Title                        Date
- ------------------------     ----------------------------------    -------------
<S>                                      <C>                       <C> 
  /s/Donald G. Friedl                    Director                  May 27, 1997
- ------------------------
   Donald G. Friedl

  /s/James M. Oates                      Director                  May 27, 1997
- ------------------------
     James M. Oates

  /s/Phyllis S. Swersky                  Director                  May 27, 1997
- ------------------------
    Phyllis S. Swersky

  /s/Thomas P. McDermott                 Director                  May 27, 1997
- ------------------------
    Thomas P. McDermott

  /s/Frank B. Condon, Jr.                Director                  May 27, 1997
- -------------------------
   Frank B. Condon, Jr.

</TABLE> 
                                     II-5
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES


          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, Investors Capital Trust I has duly caused this Registration Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of Boston, State of Massachusetts, on the 27th day of May, 1997.

                                    INVESTORS CAPITAL TRUST I


                                    By:/s/ Kevin J. Sheehan
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Kevin J. Sheehan, Administrative
                                       Trustee


KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Kevin J. Sheehan and Karen G. Keenan and each of
them acting individually, as such person's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, each with full power of substitution, for such person, in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments)
to this Registration Statement, and to file same, with all exhibits thereto and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all
intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of
them, or their or his or her substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue
thereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on behalf of
Investors Capital Trust I and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 



         Signature                          Title                      Date
- ----------------------------        ----------------------         -------------
<S>                                 <C>                            <C> 
  /s/ Kevin J. Sheehan              Administrative Trustee         May 27, 1997
- ----------------------------
     Kevin J. Sheehan

  /s/ Karen C. Keenan               Administrative Trustee         May 27, 1997
- ----------------------------
     Karen C. Keenan

  /s/ Earl W. Zimmerman, Jr.        Administrative Trustee         May 27, 1997
- ----------------------------
  Earl W. Zimmerman, Jr.
</TABLE> 

                                     II-6
<PAGE>
 

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
                                 -------------
<TABLE> 

<S>        <C> 
4.1(1)     Indenture of Investors Financial Services Corp. relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures
4.2        Form of Certificate of New Junior Subordinated Debenture (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1)
4.3        Certificate of Trust of Investors Capital Trust I
4.4        Declaration of Trust of Investors Capital Trust I
4.5(1)     Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust for Investors Capital Trust I
4.6        Form of New Capital Security Certificate for Investors Capital Trust I (included as Exhibit D to Exhibit 4.5)
4.7        Form of New Guarantee of Investors Financial Services Corp. relating to the New Capital Securities
4.8(1)     Registration Rights Agreement
5.1        Opinion and consent of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP to Investors Financial Services Corp.
                     as to legality of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures and the New Guarantee to be issued by
                     Investors Financial Services Corp.*
5.2        Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, special Delaware
                     counsel, as to validity of the New Capital Securities to be issued by Investors Capital
                     Trust I*
8          Opinion of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP, special tax counsel, as to certain federal income tax
                     matters*
12.1       Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges (excluding interest on deposits)
12.2       Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges (including interest on deposits)
23.1       Consent of Deloitte & Touche L.L.P.
23.2       Consent of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)*
23.3       Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger (included in Exhibit 5.2)*
24         Power of Attorney of certain officers and directors of Investors Financial Services Corp. (See page II-4)
25.1       Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York to act as trustee under the
                     Indenture
25.2       Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York to act as trustee under the Amended and Restated
                     Declaration of Trust of Investors Capital Trust I
25.3       Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York under the New Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of
                     New Capital Securities of Investors Capital Trust I
99.1       Form of Letter of Transmittal
99.2       Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
99.3       Form of Exchange Agent Agreement
</TABLE> 
           --------
           * To be filed by amendment.

           (1)   Filed as an exhibit to the Corporation's Annual Report on Form
                 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 (file no. 0-26996).


<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.3


 
                                                            STATE OF DELAWARE
                                                           SECRETARY OF STATE
                                                        DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS
                                                        FILED 01:30 PM  01/17/97
                                                          971017632 - 2707889


                             CERTIFICATE OF TRUST

                                      OF

                           INVESTORS CAPITAL TRUST I


                This Certificate of Trust of Investors Capital I (the "Trust"), 
dated as of January 17, 1997, is being duly executed and filed by the 
undersigned, as trustees, to form a business trust under the Delaware Trust Act 
(12 Del.C (S) 3801 et seq.).
    -----          -- ---

                1.  Name. The name of the business trust being formed hereby is 
                    ----
Investors Capital Trust I.


                2.  Delaware Trustee. The name and business address of the 
                    ----------------
trustee of the Trust, with a principal place of business in the State of 
Delaware, are The Bank of New York (Delaware), White Clay Center, Route 273, 
Newark, Delaware 19711.


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

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



                                        THE BANK OF NEW YORK                 
                                        (DELAWARE), not in its individual    
                                        capacity, but solely as a trustee     
                                        of this Trust                        
                                                                             
                                        By:       /s/ Joseph G. Ernst  
                                           ----------------------------------
                                           Name:  Joseph G. Ernst            
                                           Title: Assistant Vice President  
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                  /s/ Kevin J. Shechan  
                                        -------------------------------------
                                        Kevin J. Shechan, not in his         
                                        individual capacity, but solely as    
                                        a trustee of the Trust               
                                                                             
                                                  /s/ Karen C. Keenan 
                                        -------------------------------------
                                        Karen C. Keenan, not in her          
                                        individual capacity, but solely as    
                                        a trustee of the Trust               
                                                                             
                                                  /s/ Earl J. Zimmerman Jr.  
                                        -------------------------------------
                                        Earl J. Zimmerman Jr., not in his    
                                        individual capacity, but solely as    
                                        a trustee of the Trust           

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4

                             DECLARATION OF TRUST
                                      OF 
                           INVESTORS CAPITA TRUST I
     
     THIS DECLARATION OF TRUST is make as of January 17, 1997 (this 
"Declaration"), by and among Ivestors Financial Services Corp., a Delaware 
corporation, as sponsor (the "Sponsor"), The Bank of New York (Delaware), a 
Delaware banking corporation, as Delaware trustee (the "Delaware Trustee"), and 
Kevin J. Sheehan, Karen C. Keenan and Earl J. Zimmerman, Jr., as administrative 
trustees (the "Adminstrative Trustees," and collectively with the Delaware 
Trustee, the "Trustees"). The Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the 
Administrative Trustees hereby agree as follows:

     1.  The trust created hereby shall be know as "Investors Capital Trust I"
(the "Trust"), in which name the Trustees or the Sponsor, to the extent provided
herein, may conduct the business of the Trust, make and execute contracts, and
sue and be sued.

     2.  The Sponsor hereby assigns, transfers, conveys and sets over to the 
Trustees the sum of $10. The Trustees hereby acknowledge receipt of such amount 
in trust from the Sponsor, which amount shall constitute the initial trust 
estate. The Trustees hereby declare that they will hold the trust estate in 
trust for the Sponsor. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust 
created hereby constitute a business trust under Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the 
Delaware Code, 12 Del. C. (S) 3801, et seq. (the "Business Trust Act"), and that
this document constitute the governing instrument of the Trust. The Trustees are
hereby authorized and directed to execute and file a certificate of trust with 
the Delaware Secretary of State in such form as the Trustees may approve.

     3.  The Sponsor and the Trustees will enter into an amended and restated 
Trust Agreement or Declaration of Trust satisfactory to each such party to 
provide for the contemplated operation of the Trust created hereby and the 
issuance of the Capital Securities referred to therein. Prior to the execution 
and delivery of such amended and restated Trust Agreement or Declaration of 
Trust, the Trustees shall not have any duty or obligation hereunder or with 
respect to the trust estate, except as otherwise required by applicable law or 
as may be necessary to obtain prior to such execution and delivery any licenses,
consents or approvals required by applicable law or otherwise. Notwithstanding 
the foregoing, the Trustees may take all actions deemed proper as are necessary 
to effect the transactions contemplated herein. 

     4.  The Sponsor and the Trustees also hereby authorize the Sponsor, as 
sponsor of the Trust, in its discretion, (i) to prepare and distribute one or 
more offering memoranda in preliminary and final form, including any necessary
or desirable amendments, relating to the offering and sale of Capital Securities
of the Trust in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and such other forms or
filings as may be required by the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, in each case
relating to the Capital Securities of the Trust; (ii) to file and execute on
behalf of the Trust, such applications, reports, surety bonds, irrevocable
consents, appointments of attorney for service of process and other papers and
<PAGE>
 
documents that shall be necessary or desirable to register or establish the 
exemption from registration of the Capital Securities of the Trust under the 
securities or "Blue Sky" laws of such jurisdictions as the Sponsor, on behalf of
the Trust, may deem necessary or desirable; (iii) to execute and file an 
application, and all other applications, statements, certificates, agreements
and other instruments that shall be necessary or desirable, to have the Capital
Securities listed on the Private Offerings, Resales and Trading through
Automated Linkages ("PORTAL") Market and, if and at such time as determined by 
the Sponsor, with the New York Stock Exchange or any other national stock
exchange or the Nasdaq National Market for listing or quotation of the Capital
Securities of the Trust;(iv) to execute and deliver letters or documents to, or
instruments for filing with, a depository relating to the Capital Securities of
the Trust; (v) to execute, deliver and perform on behalf of the Trust one or
more purchase agreements, registration rights agreements, dealer manager
agreements, escrow agreements, subscription agreements and other similar or
related agreements providing for or relating to the sale of the Capital
Securities of the Trust; and (vi) to execute on behalf of the Trust any and all
documents, papers and instruments as may be desirable in connection with any of
the foregoing.

     In the event that any filing referred to in this Section 4 is required by 
the rules and regulations of the Commission, PORTAL or state securities or Blue
Sky laws to be executed on behalf of the Trust by the Trustees, the Trustees, in
their capacities as trustees of the Trust, are hereby authorized and directed to
join in any such filing and to execute on behalf of the Trust any and all of the
foregoing, it being understood that the Delaware Trustee, in its capacity as a
trustee of the Trust, shall not be required to join in any such filing or
execute on behalf of the Trust any such document unless required by the rules
and regulations of the Commission, PORTAL or state securities of Blue Sky laws.

     5.  This Declaration may be executed in one or more counterparts.

     6.  The number of trustees of the Trust initially shall be four and 
thereafter the number of trustees of the Trust shall be such number as shall be 
fixed from time to time by a written instrument signed by the Sponsor which may 
increase or decrease the number of trustees of the Trust; provided, however,
that to the extent required by the Business Trust Act, one trustee of the Trust
shall either be a natural person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or,
if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal place of business in
the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law.
Subject to the foregoing, the Sponsor is entitled to appoint or remove without
cause any trustee of the Trust at any time. Any trustee of the Trust may resign
upon thirty days' prior notice to the Sponsor.

     7.  This Declaration shall be governed by, and construed in accordance 
with, the laws of the State of Delaware (with regard to conflict of laws 
principles).

<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Declaration to be 
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                       INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.,
                                       as Sponsor


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

                                       THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE), not
                                       in its individual capacity but solely as 
                                       a trustee of the Trust


                                       By:  /s/ Joseph G. Ernst
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            Name:  Joseph G. Ernst
                                            Title: Assistant Vice President


                                            /s/ Kevin J. Sheehan
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Kevin J. Sheehan, not in his individual
                                       capacity, but solely as a trustee of 
                                       the Trust 

                                            /s/ Karen C. Keenan
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Karen C. Keenan, not in her individual
                                       capacity, but solely as a trustee of
                                       the Trust

                                            /s/ Earl J. Zimmerman, Jr.
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Earl J. Zimmerman, Jr., not in his
                                       individual capacity, but solely as a
                                       trustee of the Trust


                                     -3- 



<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.7
                      ====================================


                SERIES B CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT


                       Investors Financial Services Corp.


                    Dated as of _____________________, 1997


                      ====================================
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                           Page

                                   ARTICLE I
                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
<S>                                                                        <C> 
SECTION 1.1  Definitions and Interpretation.................................  2

                                   ARTICLE II
                              TRUST INDENTURE ACT

   SECTION 2.1  Trust Indenture Act; Application............................  5
   SECTION 2.2  Lists of Holders of Securities..............................  6
   SECTION 2.3  Reports by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.........  6
   SECTION 2.4  Periodic Reports to Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee....  6
   SECTION 2.5  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent............  7
   SECTION 2.6  Events of Default; Waiver...................................  7
   SECTION 2.7  Event of Default; Notice....................................  7
   SECTION 2.8  Conflicting Interests.......................................  8

                                  ARTICLE III
                          POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
                      CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
 
   SECTION 3.1  Powers and Duties of the Capital Securities 
         Guarantee Trustee..................................................  8
   SECTION 3.2  Certain Rights of Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee...... 10
   SECTION 3.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of       
         Series B Capital Securities Guarantee.............................. 13

                                   ARTICLE IV
                      CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

   SECTION 4.1  Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility...........  13
   SECTION 4.2  Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Capital           
         Securities Guarantee Trustee.......................................  14

                                   ARTICLE V
                                   GUARANTEE

   SECTION 5.1  Guarantee...................................................  15
   SECTION 5.2  Waiver of Notice and Demand.................................  15
</TABLE> 


                                      (i)
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 

  <S>                                                                        <C> 
  SECTION 5.3  Obligations Not Affected....................................  15
  SECTION 5.4  Rights of Holders...........................................  16
  SECTION 5.5  Guarantee of Payment........................................  17
  SECTION 5.6  Subrogation.................................................  17
  SECTION 5.7  Independent Obligations.....................................  17

                                   ARTICLE VI
                   LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

  SECTION 6.1  Limitation of Transactions..................................  17
  SECTION 6.2  Ranking.....................................................  18

                                  ARTICLE VII
                                  TERMINATION

  SECTION 7.1  Termination.................................................  19

                                  ARTICLE VIII

  SECTION 8.1  Compensation and Expenses of Capital Securities Guarantee
       Trustee.............................................................  19

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                INDEMNIFICATION

  SECTION 9.1  Exculpation.................................................  20
  SECTION 9.2  Indemnification.............................................  20

                                   ARTICLE X
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

  SECTION 10.1 Successors and Assigns......................................  21
  SECTION 10.2 Amendments..................................................  21
  SECTION 10.3 Notices.....................................................  21
  SECTION 10.4 Benefit.....................................................  22
  SECTION 10.5 Governing Law...............................................  22
 
</TABLE> 




                                     (ii)
<PAGE>
 
                SERIES B CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

     This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Series B Capital Securities Guarantee"),
dated as of ________________, 1997, is executed and delivered by Investors
Financial Services Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor"), and The Bank
of New York, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the "Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from
time to time of the Series B Capital Securities (as defined herein) of Investors
Capital Trust I, a Delaware statutory business trust (the "Issuer").

     WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the
"Declaration"), dated as of January 31, 1997, among the trustees of the Issuer,
the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing on the
date hereof ________________ capital securities, having an aggregate liquidation
amount of $_________________, such capital securities being designated the 9.77%
Series B Capital Securities (collectively the "Series B Capital Securities") in
connection with the consummation of the Exchange Offer (as defined in the
Declaration).

     WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to exchange the Series B Capital
Securities, for the Series B Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer the
Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set
forth in this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee, to pay to the Holders the
Guarantee Payments (as defined below). The Guarantor agrees to make certain
other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

     WHEREAS, the Guarantor has executed and delivered a guarantee agreement
(the "Common Securities Guarantee"), for the benefit of the holders of the
Common Securities (as defined herein), the terms of which provide that if an
Event of Default (as defined in the Declaration) has occurred and is continuing,
the rights of holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments
under the Common Securities Guarantee are subordinated, to the extent and in the
manner set forth in the Common Securities Guarantee, to the rights of holders of
Series A Capital Securities and the Series B Capital Securities to receive
Guarantee Payments under the Series A Capital Securities Guarantee and this
Series B Capital Securities Guarantee, as the case may be.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the exchange by each Holder, which
exchange the Guarantor hereby acknowledges shall benefit the Guarantor, the
Guarantor executes and delivers this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee for
the benefit of the Holders.
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE I
                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

SECTION 1.1  Definitions and Interpretation
             ------------------------------

     In this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee, unless the context
otherwise requires:

     (a)  Capitalized terms used in this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee
          but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings
          assigned to them in this Section 1.1;

     (b)  Terms defined in the Declaration as at the date of execution of this
          Series B Capital Securities Guarantee have the same meaning when used
          in this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee unless otherwise defined
          in this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee;

     (c)  a term defined anywhere in this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee
          has the same meaning throughout;

     (d)  all references to "the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee" or "this
          Series B Capital Securities Guarantee" are to this Series B Capital
          Securities Guarantee as modified, supplemented or amended from time to
          time;

     (e)  all references in this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee to
          Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Series B
          Capital Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise specified;

     (f)  a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when
          used in this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise
          defined in this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee or unless the
          context otherwise requires; and

     (g)  a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

     "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 under
      ---------
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder.

     "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday, or a day on
      ------------
which banking institutions in The City of New York or Boston, Massachusetts are
authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

     "Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee" means The Bank of New York, a
      ------------------------------------
New York banking corporation, until a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the
terms of this Series B 

                                      (2)
<PAGE>
 
Capital Securities Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee.

     "Common Securities" means the securities representing common undivided
      -----------------
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.

     "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Capital Securities
      ----------------------
Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally
administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located
at 101 Barclay Street, 21st Floor West, New York, New York 10286.

     "Covered Person" means any Holder or beneficial owner of Series B Capital
      --------------
Securities.

     "Debentures" means the series of subordinated debt securities of the
      ----------
Guarantor designated the 9.77% Series B Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures due February 1, 2027 held by the Property Trustee (as defined in the
Declaration) of the Issuer.

     "Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment
      ----------------
or other obligations under this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee.

     "Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions, without
      ------------------
duplication, with respect to the Series B Capital Securities, to the extent not
paid or made by the Issuer: (i) any accumulated and unpaid Distributions (as
defined in the Declaration) that are required to be paid on such Series B
Capital Securities to the extent the Issuer has funds on hand legally available
therefor at such time, (ii) the redemption price, including all accumulated and
unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Price") to the
extent the Issuer has funds on hand legally available therefor at such time,
with respect to any Series B Capital Securities called for redemption by the
Issuer, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary termination and liquidation of
the Issuer (other than in connection with the distribution of Debentures to the
Holders in exchange for Series B Capital Securities as provided in the
Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all
accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the Series B Capital Securities to the
date of payment, to the extent the Issuer has funds on hand legally available
therefor, and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for
distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer. If an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, no Guarantee Payments under the Common Securities
Guarantee with respect to the Common Securities or any guarantee payment under
any Other Common Securities Guarantees shall be made until the Holders shall be
paid in full the Guarantee Payments to which they are entitled under this Series
B Capital Securities Guarantee.

                                      (3)
<PAGE>
 
     "Holder" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records of
      ------
the Issuer, of any Series B Capital Securities; provided, however, that, in
determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Series B Capital
Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder"
shall not include the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor.

     "Indemnified Person" means the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, any
      ------------------
Affiliate of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, or any officers,
directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives,
nominees, custodians or agents of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.

     "Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of January 31, 1997, among the
      ---------
Guarantor (the "Debenture Issuer") and The Bank of New York, as trustee,
pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued to the Property Trustee of the
Issuer.

     "Majority in liquidation amount of the Series B Capital Securities" means,
      ------------------------------------------------------------------
except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by Holder(s) of more than
50% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would
be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accumulated and unpaid
Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of
all Series B Capital Securities.

     "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any person, a certificate
      ---------------------
signed by the Chairman, a Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the
President, a Vice President, the Comptroller, the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Guarantor. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to
compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Series B Capital
Securities Guarantee (other than pursuant to Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust
Indenture Act) shall include:

     (a)  a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has
          read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

     (b)  a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
          investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable
          such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such
          covenant or condition has been complied with; and

     (c)  a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such
          condition or covenant has been complied with.

     "Other Common Securities Guarantees" shall have the same meaning as "Other
      ----------------------------------
Guarantees" in the Common Securities Guarantee.

     "Other Debentures" means all junior subordinated debentures issued by the
      ----------------
Guarantor from time to time and sold to trusts to be established by the
Guarantor (if any), in each case similar to the Issuer.

                                      (4)
<PAGE>
 
     "Other Guarantees" means all guarantees to be issued by the Guarantor
      ----------------
with respect to capital securities (if any) similar to the Series B Capital
Securities issued by other trusts to be established by the Guarantor (if any),
in each case similar to the Issuer.

     "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
      ------
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

     "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Capital Securities
      -------------------
Guarantee Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee, including any vice president, any assistant vice
president, any assistant secretary, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer,
any senior trust officer or other officer in the Corporate Trust Office of the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee customarily performing functions similar to
those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with
respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such
matter is referred because of that officer's knowledge of and familiarity with
the particular subject.

     "Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Capital
      ----------------------------------------------
Securities Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.

      "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
       -------------------

     "Trust Securities" means the Common Securities, the Series A Capital
      ----------------
Securities and Series B Capital Securities, collectively.

                                  ARTICLE II
                              TRUST INDENTURE ACT

SECTION 2.1  Trust Indenture Act; Application
             --------------------------------

     (a)     This Series B Capital Securities Guarantee is subject to the
             provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part
             of this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee and shall, to the
             extent applicable, be governed by such provisions; and

     (b)     if and to the extent that any provision of this Series B Capital
             Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties
             imposed by Section 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture
             Act, such imposed duties shall control.

                                      (5)
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 2.2  Lists of Holders of Securities
             ------------------------------

     (a)     The Guarantor shall provide the Capital Securities Guarantee
             Trustee (unless the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is
             otherwise the registrar of the Capital Securities) with a list, in
             such form as the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may
             reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders
             ("List of Holders") as of such date, (i) within one Business Day
             after December 15 and June 15 of each year, and (ii) at any other
             time within 30 days of receipt by the Guarantor of a written
             request for a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days
             before such List of Holders is given to the Capital Securities
             Guarantee Trustee provided, that the Guarantor shall not be
             obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of
             Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given
             to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee by the Guarantor. The
             Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of
             Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders.

     (b)     The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its
             obligations under Sections 311(a), 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the
             Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.3  Reports by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
             ---------------------------------------------------

     Within 60 days after May 15 of each year, commencing May 15, 1997, the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders such reports
as are required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the
form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act.  The
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the other
requirements of Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.4  Periodic Reports to Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
             --------------------------------------------------------

     The Guarantor shall provide to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
such documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and
the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in
the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust
Indenture Act provided that such compliance certificate shall be delivered on or
before 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Guarantor. Delivery of
such reports, information and documents to the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any
information contained therein or determinable from information contained
therein, including the Guarantor's compliance with any of its covenants
hereunder (as to which the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is entitled to
rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).

                                      (6)
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 2.5  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent
             ------------------------------------------------

     The Guarantor shall provide to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, provided for
in this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters
set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or
opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be
given in the form of an Officers' Certificate.

SECTION 2.6  Events of Default; Waiver
             -------------------------

     The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Series B Capital
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all the Series B Capital
Securities , waive any past Event of Default and its consequences.  Upon such
waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default
arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
Series B Capital Securities Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent
thereon.

SECTION 2.7  Event of Default; Notice
             ------------------------

     (a)     The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days
             after the occurrence of a default with respect to this Capital
             Securities Guarantee, mail by first class postage prepaid, to all
             Holders, notices of all defaults actually known to a Responsible
             Officer of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, unless such
             defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice,
             provided, that, except in the case of default in the payment of any
             Guarantee Payment, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall
             be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board
             of directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of
             directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Capital Securities
             Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of
             such notice is in the interests of the holders of the Series B
             Capital Securities.

     (b)     The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to
             have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Capital
             Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice
             from the Guarantor or a Holder, or a Responsible Officer of the
             Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee charged with the
             administration of the Declaration shall have obtained actual
             knowledge, of such Event of Default.

     (c)     Within ten Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of
             Default actually known to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee,
             the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall transmit notice of
             such Event of Default to the Holders of the Series B Capital
             Securities, unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or
             waived.


                                      (7)
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 2.8  Conflicting Interests
             ---------------------

     The Declaration shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Series
B Capital Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the first
proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

                                  ARTICLE III
       POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 3.1  Powers and Duties of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
             -------------------------------------------------------------

     (a)     This Series B Capital Securities Guarantee shall be held by the
             Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the
             Holders, and the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not
             transfer this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee to any Person
             except a Holder exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section
             5.4(b) or to a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee on
             acceptance by such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
             of its appointment to act as Successor Capital Securities Guarantee
             Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Capital Securities
             Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Capital
             Securities Guarantee Trustee, and such vesting and succession of
             title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have
             been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such
             Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.

     (b)     If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of
             the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is
             continuing, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall enforce
             this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the
             Holders.

     (c)     The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of
             any Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default
             that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties
             as are specifically set forth in this Series B Capital Securities
             Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Series
             B Capital Securities Guarantee against the Capital Securities
             Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that
             has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) and is
             actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Capital Securities
             Guarantee Trustee, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall
             exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Series
             B Capital Securities Guarantee, and use the same degree of care and
             skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise
             or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his order own
             affairs.

                                      (8)
<PAGE>
 
     (d)     No provision of this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee shall be
             construed to relieve the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee from
             liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure
             to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

             (i)    prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after
                    the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may
                    have occurred:

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

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

             (ii)   the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable
                    for any error of judgment made in good faith by a
                    Responsible Officer of the Capital Securities Guarantee
                    Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Capital
                    Securities Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining
                    the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;

             (iii)  the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable
                    with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by
                    it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the
                    Holders of a Majority

                                      (9)
<PAGE>
 
                    in liquidation amount of the Series B Capital Securities
                    relating to the time, method and place of conducting any
                    proceeding for any remedy available to the Capital
                    Securities Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or
                    power conferred upon the Capital Securities Guarantee
                    Trustee under this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee;
                    and

             (iv)   no provision of this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee
                    shall require the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee to
                    expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal
                    financial liability in the performance of any of its duties
                    or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the
                    Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable
                    grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or
                    liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of
                    this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee or indemnity,
                    reasonably satisfactory to the Capital Securities Guarantee
                    Trustee, against such risk or liability is not reasonably
                    assured to it.

SECTION 3.2  Certain Rights of Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
             ------------------------------------------------------

     (a)     Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:

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

             (ii)   Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this
                    Series B Capital Securities Guarantee may be sufficiently
                    evidenced by an Officers' Certificate.

             (iii)  Whenever, in the administration of this Series B Capital
                    Securities Guarantee, the Capital Securities Guarantee
                    Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or
                    established before taking, suffering or omitting any action
                    hereunder, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee (unless
                    other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in
                    the absence of bad faith on its part, request and
                    conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon
                    receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the
                    Guarantor.

                                     (10)
<PAGE>
 
             (iv)   The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty
                    to see to any recording, filing or registration of any
                    instrument (or any rerecording, refiling or registration
                    thereof).

             (v)    The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may consult with
                    counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such
                    counsel with respect to legal matters shall be full and
                    complete authorization and protection in respect of any
                    action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good
                    faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such
                    counsel may be counsel to the Guarantor or any of its
                    Affiliates and may include any of its employees. The Capital
                    Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any
                    time to seek instructions concerning the administration of
                    this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee from any court of
                    competent jurisdiction.

             (vi)   The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be under no
                    obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in
                    it by this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee at the
                    request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall
                    have provided to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
                    such security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the
                    Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, against the costs,
                    expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the
                    expenses of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's
                    agents, nominees or custodians) and liabilities that might
                    be incurred by it in complying with such request or
                    direction, including such reasonable advances as may be
                    requested by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee;
                    provided that, nothing contained in this Section 3.2(a)(vi)
                    shall be taken to relieve the Capital Securities Guarantee
                    Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its
                    obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by
                    this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee.

             (vii)  The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound
                    to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated
                    in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
                    opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
                    bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or
                    other paper or document, but the Capital Securities
                    Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further
                    inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it
                    may see fit.

             (viii) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may execute any of
                    the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties
                    hereunder either directly or by or through agents, nominees,
                    custodians or attorneys, 


                                     (11)
<PAGE>
 
                    and the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be
                    responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of
                    any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
                    hereunder.

             (ix)   Any action taken by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
                    or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders, and the
                    signature of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee or its
                    agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform
                    any such action. No third party shall be required to inquire
                    as to the authority of the Capital Securities Guarantee
                    Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the
                    terms and provisions of this Series B Capital Securities
                    Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by
                    the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's
                    taking such action.

             (x)    Whenever in the administration of this Series B Capital
                    Securities Guarantee the Capital Securities Guarantee
                    Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with
                    respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other
                    action hereunder, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
                    (i) may request instructions from the Holders of a Majority
                    in liquidation amount of the Series B Capital Securities,
                    (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or
                    taking such other action until such instructions are
                    received, and (iii) shall be protected in conclusively
                    relying on or acting in accordance with such instructions.

             (xi)   The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable
                    for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it
                    in good faith, without negligence, and reasonably believed
                    by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or
                    powers conferred upon it by this Series B Capital Securities
                    Guarantee.

     (b)     No provision of this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee shall be
             deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Capital Securities
             Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right,
             power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it in any
             jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Capital
             Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in
             accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts or
             to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No
             permissive power or authority available to the Capital Securities
             Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.


                                     (12)
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 3.3  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Series B
             -----------------------------------------------------
             Capital Securities Guarantee
             ----------------------------

     The recitals contained in this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee shall
be taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity
or sufficiency of this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee.

                                  ARTICLE IV
                      CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 4.1  Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility
             -------------------------------------------------

     (a)     There shall at all times be a Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
             which shall:

             (i)    not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and

            (ii)    be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws
                    of the United States of America or any State or Territory
                    thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or
                    Person permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission
                    to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture
                    Act, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust
                    powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50
                    million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to
                    supervision or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or
                    District of Columbia authority. If such corporation
                    publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant
                    to law or to the requirements of the supervising or
                    examining authority referred to above, then, for the
                    purposes of this Section 4.1(a)(ii), the combined capital
                    and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its
                    combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent
                    report of condition so published.

     (b)     If at any time the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall cease
             to be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Capital
             Securities Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner
             and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c).

     (c)     If the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire
             any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of
             the Trust Indenture Act, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
             and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions of
             Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, subject to the
             penultimate paragraph thereof.


                                     (13)
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 4.2  Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Capital Securities
             -----------------------------------------------------------
             Guarantee Trustee
             -----------------

     (a)     Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
             may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the
             Guarantor except during an Event of Default.

     (b)     The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in
             accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Capital Securities
             Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such
             appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor
             Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the
             Guarantor.

     (c)     The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall hold office until a
             Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have been
             appointed or until its removal or resignation. The Capital
             Securities Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need
             for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing
             executed by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and delivered
             to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a
             Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has been appointed
             and has accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed
             by such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and
             delivered to the Guarantor and there signing Capital Securities
             Guarantee Trustee.

     (d)     If no Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have
             been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section
             4.2 within 60 days after delivery of an instrument of removal or
             resignation, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee resigning or
             being removed may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for
             appointment of a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.
             Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as
             it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Capital Securities
             Guarantee Trustee.

     (e)     No Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the
             acts or omissions to act of any Successor Capital Securities
             Guarantee Trustee.

     (f)     Upon termination of this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee or
             removal or resignation of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
             pursuant to this Section 4.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the
             Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee all amounts due to the Capital
             Securities Guarantee Trustee accrued to the date of such
             termination, removal or resignation.


                                     (14)
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE V
                                   GUARANTEE

SECTION 5.1  Guarantee
             ---------

     
     The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to
the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore
paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-
off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor's
obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the
required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay
such amounts to the Holders.

SECTION 5.2  Waiver of Notice and Demand
             ---------------------------

     The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Series B Capital
Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply,
presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against
the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest,
notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other
notices and demands.

SECTION 5.3  Obligations Not Affected
             ------------------------

     The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under
this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or
impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

     (a)     the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
             performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied
             agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Series B
             Capital Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer;

     (b)     the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any
             portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation
             Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the
             Series B Capital Securities or the extension of time for the
             performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in
             connection with, the Series B Capital Securities (other than an
             extension of time for payment of Distributions, Redemption Price,
             Liquidation Distribution or other sum payable that results from the
             extension of any interest payment period on the Debentures
             permitted by the Indenture);

     (c)     any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of
             the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege,
             power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of
             the Series B Capital 


                                     (15)
<PAGE>
 
             Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting
             indulgence or extension of any kind;

     (d)     the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
             collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for
             the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition
             or readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting,
             the Issuer or any of the assets of the Issuer;

     (e)     any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Series B Capital
             Securities;

     (f)     the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or
             hereby incurred; or

     (g)     any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a
             legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being
             the intent of this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the
             Guarantor with respect to the Guarantee Payments shall be absolute
             and unconditional under any and all circumstances.

     There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain
consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.

SECTION 5.4  Rights of Holders
             -----------------

     (a)     The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Series B
             Capital Securities have the right to direct the time, method and
             place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
             Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Series B
             Capital Securities Guarantee or exercising any trust or power
             conferred upon the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee under this
             Series B Capital Securities Guarantee provided, however, that,
                                                   --------  -------
             subject to Section 3.1, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
             shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the
             Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall determine that the
             action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the holders not
             taking part in such direction or if the Capital Securities
             Guarantee Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the
             action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if
             the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee in good faith by its board
             of directors or trustees, executive committee, or a trust committee
             of directors or trustees and/or Responsible Officers shall
             determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve
             the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee in personal liability.


                                     (16)
<PAGE>
 
     (b)     If the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce such
             Series B Capital Securities Guarantee, any Holder may institute a
             legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the
             Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's rights under this Series B
             Capital Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal
             proceeding against the Issuer, the Capital Securities Guarantee
             Trustee or any other person or entity. The Guarantor waives any
             right or remedy to require that any action be brought first against
             the Issuer or any other person or entity before proceeding directly
             against the Guarantor.

SECTION 5.5  Guarantee of Payment
             --------------------

     This Series B Capital Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment
and not of collection.

SECTION 5.6  Subrogation
             -----------

     The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders
against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such Holders by the
Guarantor under this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee; provided, however,
that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory
provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that it may
acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other
agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Series B Capital
Securities Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due
and unpaid under this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee. If any amount shall
be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor
agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount
to the Holders.

SECTION 5.7  Independent Obligations
             -----------------------

     The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent
of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Series B Capital
Securities, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor
hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Series B
Capital Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event
referred to in subsections (a) through (h), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                   LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

SECTION 6.1  Limitation of Transactions
             --------------------------

     So long as any Series B Capital Securities remain outstanding, the
Guarantor shall not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or
redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of
the Guarantor's capital stock (which 


                                     (17)
<PAGE>
 
includes common and preferred stock) or (ii)make any payment of principal,
interest or premium, if any, on or repay or repurchase or redeem any debt
securities of the Guarantor (including any Other Debentures) that rank pari
passu with or junior in right of payment to the Debentures or (iii) make any
guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Guarantor of any
securities of any subsidiary of the Guarantor (including Other Guarantees) if
such guarantee ranks pari passu or junior in right of payment to the Debentures
(other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants,
rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, common stock of the Guarantor,
(b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a
stockholder's rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the
future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c)
payments under this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee, (d) as a direct
result of, and only to the extent required in order to avoid the issuance of
fractional shares of capital stock following, a reclassification of the
Guarantor's capital stock or the exchange or the conversion of one class or
series of the Guarantor's capital stock for another class or series of the
Guarantor's capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of
the Guarantor's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions
of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged, and
(f)purchases of common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights
under any of the Guarantor's benefit plans for its directors, officers or
employees or any of the Guarantor's dividend reinvestment plans) if at such time
(i) an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) shall have occurred and be
continuing,(ii) there shall have occurred any event of which the Guarantor has
actual knowledge that (a) is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time,
or both, would be an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) and (b) in
respect of which the Guarantor shall not have taken reasonable steps to
cure,(iii) if such Debentures are held by the Property Trustee, the Guarantor
shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under this
Series B Capital Securities Guarantee or (iv) the Guarantor shall have given
notice of its election of the exercise of its right to extend the interest
payment period pursuant to Section 16.01 of the Indenture and any such extension
shall be continuing.

SECTION 6.2  Ranking
             -------

     This Series B Capital Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of
payment to Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture), to the same extent
and in the same manner that the Debentures are subordinated to Senior
Indebtedness pursuant to the Indenture, it being understood that the terms of
Article XV of the Indenture shall apply to the obligations of the Guarantor
under this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee as if (x) such Article XV were
set forth herein in full and (y) such obligations were substituted for the term
"Securities" appearing in such Article XV, (ii) pari passu with the Debentures,
the Other Debentures and with the most senior preferred or preference stock now
or hereafter issued by the Guarantor and with the Series A Capital Securities
Guarantee Agreement and any Other Guarantee (as defined herein) and any Other
Common Securities Guarantee and any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by
the Guarantor in 


                                     (18)
<PAGE>
 
respect of any preferred or preference stock of any Affiliate of the Guarantor,
and (iii) senior to the Guarantor's common stock.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                                  TERMINATION

SECTION 7.1  Termination
             -----------

     This Series B Capital Securities Guarantee shall terminate (i) upon full
payment of the Redemption Price (as defined in the Declaration) of all Series B
Capital Securities, or (ii) upon liquidation of the Issuer, the full payment of
the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration or the distribution of
the Debentures to the Holders of all of the Series B Capital Securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee will
continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any
time any Holder must restore payment of any sums paid under the Series B Capital
Securities or under this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee.

                                 ARTICLE VIII
                         COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF
                     CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 8.1   Compensation and Expenses of Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
              -----------------------------------------------------------------

     The Guarantor covenants and agrees to pay to the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee from time to time, and the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as shall be agreed to in writing
between the Guarantor and the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee (which shall
not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a
trustee of an express trust), and the Guarantor will pay or reimburse the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee upon its request for all reasonable
expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Capital
Securities Guarantee (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of its counsel and of all persons not regularly in its
employ)except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its
negligence or bad faith. The Guarantor also covenants to indemnify each of the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and
employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, damage,
claim, liability or expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the
income of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee) incurred without negligence
or bad faith on the part of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and arising
out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this guarantee,
including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of
liability in the premises. The obligations of the Guarantor under this Article
VIII to compensate and indemnify the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and to
pay or reimburse the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee for expenses,
disbursements and advances shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the
Series B Capital Securities upon all property and funds held or 


                                     (19)
<PAGE>
 
collected by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee as such, except funds held
in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Series B Capital
Securities.

     The provisions of this Article shall survive the termination of this
Capital Securities Guarantee.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 9.1  Exculpation
             -----------

     (a)     No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable
             in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for
             any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission
             performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith in
             accordance with this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee and in a
             manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be
             within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified
             Person by this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee or by law,
             except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such
             loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified
             Person's negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts
             or omissions.

     (b)     An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good
             faith upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information,
             opinions, reports or statements presented to the Guarantor by any
             Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are
             within such other Person's professional or expert competence,
             including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the
             value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or
             any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets
             from which Distributions to Holders might properly be paid.

SECTION 9.2  Indemnification
             ---------------

     The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold
each Indemnified Person harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage,
claim or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising
out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or
trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal
fees and expenses) of defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or
liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or
duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 9.2
shall survive the termination of this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee.


                                     (20)
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE X
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 10.1  Successors and Assigns
              ----------------------

     All guarantees and agreements contained in this Series B Capital Securities
Guarantee shall bind the successors, as signs, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders
then outstanding.

SECTION 10.2  Amendments
              ----------

     Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely affect
the rights of Holders (in which case no consent of Holders will be required),
this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee may only be amended with the prior
approval of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Series B
Capital Securities (including the stated amount that would be paid on
redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to
the date upon which the voting percentages are determined). The provisions of
the Declaration with respect to consents to amendments thereof (whether at a
meeting or otherwise) shall apply to the giving of such approval.

SECTION 10.3  Notices
              -------

     All notices provided for in this Series B Capital Securities Guarantee
shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be
delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

     (a)     If given to the Issuer, in care of the Administrative Trustee at
             the Issuer's mailing address set forth below (or such other address
             as the Issuer may give notice of to the Holders and the Capital
             Securities Guarantee Trustee):

                    Investors Capital Trust I c/o Investors Financial Services
                    Corp. 89 
                    South Street P.O. Box 1537 Boston, Massachusetts
                    02205-1537 
                    Attention: General Counsel Telecopy: (617) 330-6033

     (b)     If given to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, at the
             Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth
             below (or such other address as the Capital Securities Guarantee
             Trustee may give notice of to the Holders and the Issuer):

                    The Bank of New York 101 Barclay Street  21st Floor West New
                    York, New York 10286 Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee
                    Administration  Telecopy: (212) 815-5915


                                     (21)
<PAGE>
 
     (c)     If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing address set
             forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice
             of to the Holders of the Series B Capital Securities and the
             Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee):

                    Investors Financial Services Corp. 89 South Street P.O. Box
                    1537 Boston, Massachusetts 02205-1537 Attention: General
                    Counsel 
                    Telecopy: (617) 330-6033

     (d)     If given to any Holder of Series B Capital Securities, at the
             address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.

     All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or
cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given,
such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date
of such refusal or inability to deliver.

SECTION 10.4  Benefit
              -------

     This Series B Capital Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the
Holders and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is not separately transferable from the
Series B Capital Securities.

SECTION 10.5  Governing Law
              -------------

     THIS SERIES B CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.


                 [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


                                     (22)
<PAGE>
 
     THIS SERIES B CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and
year first above written.

                              INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.,
                              as Guarantor

                              By:
                                 ------------------------------
                              Name: Karen C Keenan
                              Title: Chief Financial Officer

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Capital
                              Securities Guarantee Trustee

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




                                     (23)

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 12.1
 
                      INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
   Calculation of Earnings to Fixed Charges - Excluding Interest on Deposits
         


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                2 Months Ended               Year Ended                Quarter Ended
                                                   12/31/95                   12/31/96                    3/31/97
                                                --------------               -----------               --------------
<S>                                                 <C>      <C>            <C>        <C>             <C>         <C>
Net Income                                          899,794                   7,773,962                   2,821,566
Income Taxes                                        670,293                   4,866,571                   1,822,219
Income Tax Effect of Minority Interest                 n/a                         n/a                      148,585
                                                       ----                        ----                   ---------
    Income Before Income Taxes                    1,570,087                  12,640,533                   4,792,370
                                                  ----------                 -----------                  ---------

Interest Expense (Excluding Interest on Deposits)   106,731                   9,383,895                   4,129,216
Minority Interest Expense, gross                        n/a                         n/a                     407,083
Rent (1/3 of Total Rent)                            208,272                   1,427,669                     362,827
                                                  ----------                 ----------                   ---------
    Fixed Charges Excluding Interest on Deposits    315,003                  10,811,564                   4,899,126
                                                  ----------                 -----------                  ---------

    Earnings Before Fixed Charges
        Excluding Interest on Deposits            1,885,090   5.98           23,452,097   2.17            9,691,496   1.98
                                                  ==========  =====          ===========  =====           =========   ====
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 12.2
                      INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
   Calculation of Earnings to Fixed Charges - Including Interest on Deposits
                                 


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   2 Months Ended             Year Ended                Quarter Ended
                                                     12/31/95                  12/31/96                   3/31/97
                                                     --------                  --------                   -------    
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>         <C> 
Fixed Charges Excluding Interest on Deposits         315,003                  10,811,564                   4,899,126
Interest on Deposits (Incl. TT&L)                    291,368                   9,284,139                   4,446,250
                                                   ---------                  ----------                  ----------
    Fixed Charges Including Interest on Deposits     606,371                  20,095,703                   9,345,376
                                                   ---------                  ----------                  ----------
    Earnings Before Fixed Charges
        Including Interest on Deposits             2,176,458   3.59           32,736,236   1.63           14,137,746   1.51
                                                   =========   ====           ==========   ====           ==========   ====
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of 
Investors Financial Services Corp. on Form S-4 of our report dated February 14,
1997, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Investors Financial
Services Corp. for the year ended December 31, 1996 and to the reference to us 
under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this 
Registration Statement.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
May 27, 1997




<PAGE>
 
================================================================================
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.1

                                    FORM T-1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                   UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

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

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

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


New York                                                          13-5160382
(State of incorporation                   (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)              identification no.)

48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                                    10286
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip code)


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


                       INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


Delaware                                                       04-3279817
(State or other jurisdiction of           (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                                 identification 
no.)

89 South Street
Boston, Massachusetts                     02111-1537
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip code)

                             ______________________

          Series B Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
                      (Title of the indenture securities)


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
1.   GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

     (a) NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT
         IS SUBJECT.

- ------------------------------------------------------------
                    Name                  Address
- ------------------------------------------------------------

 
 Superintendent of Banks of the State of    2 Rector Street, New 
York,
 New York                                   N.Y.  10006, and 
                                            Albany, N.Y. 12203
 
 Federal Reserve Bank of New York     33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                            N.Y.  10045
 
 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Washington, D.C.  20429
 
 New York Clearing House Association        New York, New York   
10005
 
     (b) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

     Yes.

2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

     IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
     AFFILIATION.

     None.

16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     EXHIBITS IDENTIFIED IN PARENTHESES BELOW, ON FILE WITH THE COMMISSION, ARE
     INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT HERETO, PURSUANT TO RULE 7A-
     29 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 (THE "ACT") AND 17 C.F.R.
     229.10(D).

     1.   A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
          (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
          authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
          corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to
          Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1
          to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

     6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
          (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-
          44051.)
<PAGE>
 
     7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
          authority.
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 16th day of May, 1997.


                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK



                                         By: ___________________________
                                           Name:  Walter N. Gitlin
                                           Title: Vice President

<PAGE>
 
================================================================================
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.2

                                    FORM T-1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                   UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

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

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

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


New York                                                           13-5160382
(State of incorporation                   (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)              identification no.)

48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                                     10286
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip code)


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


                           INVESTORS CAPITAL TRUST I
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


Delaware                                                      To Be Applied 
For
(State or other jurisdiction of           (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                                identification 
no.)

89 South Street
Boston, Massachusetts                     02111-1537
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip code)

                             ______________________

                          Series B Capital Securities
                      (Title of the indenture securities)


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
1.   GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

     (a) NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT
         IS SUBJECT.

- ---------------------------------------------------------------
  Name                  Address
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
 Superintendent of Banks of the State of                   2 Rector Street, New 
York,
 New York                                                  N.Y.  10006, and 
                                                           Albany, N.Y. 12203
 
 Federal Reserve Bank of New York      33 Liberty Plaza, New York, 
                                                           N.Y.  10045
 
 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Washington, D.C.  20429
 
 New York Clearing House Association                       New York, New York 
10005

     (b) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

     Yes.

2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

     IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
     AFFILIATION.

     None.

16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     EXHIBITS IDENTIFIED IN PARENTHESES BELOW, ON FILE WITH THE COMMISSION, ARE
     INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT HERETO, PURSUANT TO RULE 7A-
     29 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 (THE "ACT") AND 17 C.F.R.
     229.10(D).

     1.   A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
          (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
          authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
          corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to
          Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1
          to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

     6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
          (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-
          44051.)
<PAGE>
 
     7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
          authority.
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 16th day of May, 1997.


                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK



                                         By: ___________________________
                                           Name:  Walter N. Gitlin
                                           Title: Vice President

<PAGE>
 
================================================================================
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.3

                                    FORM T-1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                   UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

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

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

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


New York                                                       13-5160382
(State of incorporation                   (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)              identification no.)

48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                                 10286
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip code)


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


                       INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


Delaware                                                      04-3279817
(State or other jurisdiction of            (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                                identification 
no.)

89 South Street
Boston, Massachusetts                      02111-1537
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

                             ______________________

                  Guarantee of Series B Capital Securities of
                           Investors Capital Trust I
                      (Title of the indenture securities)


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
1.   GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

     (a) NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT
         IS SUBJECT.

- ----------------------------------------
        Name                  Address
- ----------------------------------------

 
 Superintendent of Banks of the State of              2 Rector Street, New 
York,
 New York                                             N.Y.  10006, and 
                                                      Albany, N.Y. 12203
 
 Federal Reserve Bank of New York      33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                      N.Y.  10045
 
 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Washington, D.C.  20429
 
 New York Clearing House Association                  New York, New York 
10005

     (b) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

     Yes.

2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

     IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH 
     AFFILIATION.

     None.

16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     EXHIBITS IDENTIFIED IN PARENTHESES BELOW, ON FILE WITH THE COMMISSION, ARE
     INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT HERETO, PURSUANT TO RULE 7A-
     29 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 (THE "ACT") AND 17 C.F.R.
     229.10(D).

     1.   A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
          (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
          authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
          corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to
          Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1
          to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

     6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
          (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-
          44051.)
<PAGE>
 
     7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
          authority.
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 16th day of May, 1997.


                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK



                                         By: ___________________________
                                           Name:  Walter N. Gitlin
                                           Title: Vice President

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

                           INVESTORS CAPITAL TRUST I

                             Offer to Exchange its
                       9.77% Series B Capital Securities
               (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security)
          which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933
                      for any and all of its outstanding
                       9.77% Series A Capital Securities
               (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security)

                          Pursuant to the Prospectus
                            dated _______ __, 1997

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., 
 BOSTON TIME, ON _______________________, 1997, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

                 The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:

                             The Bank of New York

 
By Registered or Certified Mail:                By Hand or Overnight Delivery:
- --------------------------------                ------------------------------

     The Bank of New York                             The Bank of New York
     101 Barclay Street, 7E                            101 Barclay Street
    New York, New York 10286                     Corporate Trust Services Window
Attention: Reorganization Section                         Ground Level
           Arwen Gibbons                            New York, New York 10286
                                              Attention:  Reorganization Section
                                                          Arwen Gibbons
 

                             Confirm by Telephone:
                                (212) 815-5920

                           Facsimile Transmissions:
                         (Eligible Institutions Only)
                                (212) 815-6339


  DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER
OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.

  The undersigned acknowledges that he or she has received the Prospectus,
dated ______ __, 1997 (the "Prospectus"), of Investors Financial Services
Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), and Investors Capital Trust
I, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), and this Letter of Transmittal,
which together constitute the Corporation's and the Trust's offer (the
"Exchange Offer") to exchange an aggregate Liquidation Amount of up to
$25,000,000 9.77% Series B Capital Securities, which have been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") of the Trust for a
like Liquidation Amount of the issued and outstanding 9.77% Series A
Capital Securities of the Trust from the holders thereof.
<PAGE>
 
     THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.

     Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meaning
given them in the Prospectus (as defined below).

     This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by holders of Old Capital
Securities (as defined below) either if Old Capital Securities are to be
forwarded herewith or if tenders of Old Capital Securities are to be made by
book-entry transfer to an account maintained by The Bank of New York (the
"Exchange Agent") at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") pursuant to the
procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old
Capital Securities" in the Prospectus and an Agent's Message (as defined
herein) will not be delivered.

     Holders of Old Capital Securities whose certificates (the "Certificates")
for such Old Capital Securities are not immediately available or who cannot
deliver their Certificates and all other required documents to the Exchange
Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus) or who
cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, must
tender their Old Capital Securities according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old
Capital Securities" in the Prospectus.

     DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE
AGENT.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                   NOTE:  SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
              PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

ALL TENDERING HOLDERS COMPLETE THIS BOX:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          DESCRIPTION OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
If blank, please print name and address of                          Old Capital Securities tendered
               registered holder.                                (Attach additional list if necessary)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Certificate        Aggregate Principal     Principal Amount of Old
                                                 Number(s)*          Amount of Old           Capital Securities
                                                                   Capital Securities             Tendered
                                                                                             (if less than all)**
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>                <C>                    <C>
 
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------  
 
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                               TOTAL 
                                               AMOUNT
                                               TENDERED:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
*   Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
**  Old Capital Securities may be tendered in whole or in part in denominations
    of $100,000, provided that if any Old Capital Securities are tendered for
    exchange in part, the untendered principal amount thereof must be $100,000.
    Old Capital Securities held shall be deemed tendered unless a lesser number
    is specified in this column.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
           (BOXES BELOW TO BE CHECKED BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)

[_]  CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-
     ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH
     DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

     Name of Tendering Institution______________________________________________

     DTC Account Number_________________________________________________________

     Transaction Code Number____________________________________________________

[_]  CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IF
     TENDERED OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF
     GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE
     FOLLOWING:

     Name of Registered Holder(s)_______________________________________________

     Window Ticket Number (if any)______________________________________________

     Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery_________________________

     Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery______________________________

        If Guaranteed Delivered is to be made By Book-Entry Transfer:

                Name of Tendering Institution___________________________________
 
                DTC Account Number______________________________________________

                Transaction Code Number_________________________________________

[_]  CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED OLD CAPITAL
     SECURITIES ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH
     ABOVE.

[_]  CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE OLD CAPITAL
     SECURITIES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR OTHER
     TRADING ACTIVITIES (A "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER") AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10
     ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR
     SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

     Name:______________________________________________________________________

     Address:___________________________________________________________________

             ___________________________________________________________________

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:

        Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
undersigned hereby tenders to Investors Capital Trust I, a trust formed under
the laws of Delaware (the "Trust") and Investors Financial Services Corp., a
Delaware corporation, (the "Corporation"), the above described aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Trust's 9.77% Series A Capital Securities (the "Old
Capital Securities") in exchange for a like aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
Trust's 9.77% Series B Capital Securities (the "New Capital Securities") which
have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"),
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated
________ __, 1997, (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, the "Prospectus"), receipt of which is acknowledged, and in this Letter of
Transmittal (which, together with the Prospectus, constitute the "Exchange
Offer").

        Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of all or any
portion of the Old Capital Securities tendered herewith in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including, if the Exchange Offer is
extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or
amendment), the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the
order of the Trust all right, title and interest in and to such Old Capital
Securities as are being tendered herewith. The undersigned hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact
(with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent is also acting as agent of the
Corporation and the Trust in connection with the Exchange Offer) with respect to
the tendered Old Capital Securities, with full power of substitution (such power
of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest),
subject only to the right of withdrawal described in the Prospectus, to (i)
deliver Certificates for Old Capital Securities to the Corporation or the Trust
together with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or
upon the order of, the Trust, upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the
undersigned's agent, of the New Capital Securities to be issued in exchange for
such Old Capital Securities, (ii) present Certificates for such Old Capital
Securities for transfer, and to transfer the Old Capital Securities on the books
of the Trust, and (iii) receive for the account of the Trust all benefits and
otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Old Capital
Securities, all in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Exchange
Offer.

        The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has
full power and authority to tender, exchange, sell, assign and transfer the Old
Capital Securities tendered hereby and that, when the same are accepted for
exchange, the Trust will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title
thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances,
and that the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby are not subject to any
adverse claims or proxies. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and
deliver any additional documents deemed by the Corporation, the Trust or the
Exchange Agent to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, assignment
and transfer of the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby, and the undersigned
will comply with its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement. The
undersigned has read and agrees to all of the terms of the Exchange Offer.

        The name(s) and address(es) of the registered holder(s) of the Old
Capital Securities tendered hereby should be printed above, if they are not
already set forth above, as they appear on the Certificates representing such
Old Capital Securities. The Certificate number(s) and the Old Capital Securities
that the undersigned wishes to tender should be indicated in the appropriate
boxes above.

        If any tendered Old Capital Securities are not exchanged pursuant to the
Exchange Offer for any reason, or if Certificates are submitted for more Old
Capital Securities than are tendered or accepted for exchange, Certificates for
such nonexchanged or nontendered Old Capital Securities will be returned (or, in
the case of Old Capital Securities tendered by book-entry transfer, such Old
Capital Securities will be credited to an account maintained at DTC), without
expense to the tendering holder, promptly following the expiration or
termination of the Exchange Offer.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
        The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Capital Securities
pursuant to any one of the procedures described in "The Exchange Offer --
Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the Prospectus and in the
instruction will, upon the Corporation's and the Trust's acceptance for exchange
of such tendered Old Capital Securities, constitute a binding agreement between
the undersigned, the Corporation and the Trust upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of the Exchange Offer. The undersigned recognizes that, under certain
circumstances set forth in the Prospectus, the Corporation and the Trust may not
be required to accept for exchange any of the Old Capital Securities tendered
hereby.

        Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" below, the undersigned hereby directs that the New Capital
Securities be issued in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a
book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities, that such New Capital Securities
be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC.  If applicable,
substitute Certificates representing Old Capital Securities not exchanged or not
accepted for exchange will be issued to the undersigned or, in the case of a
book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities, will be credited to the account
indicated above maintained at DTC.  Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under
"Special Delivery Instructions," please deliver New Capital Securities to the
undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned's signature.

        By tendering Old Capital Securities and executing this Letter of
Transmittal, the undersigned hereby represents and agrees that (i) the
undersigned is not an "affiliate" of the Corporation or the Trust, (ii) any New
Capital Securities to be received by the undersigned are being acquired in the
ordinary course of its business, (iii) the undersigned has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in the distribution (within the
meaning of the Securities Act) of New Capital Securities to be received in the
Exchange Offer, and (iv) if the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the
undersigned is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities. By
tendering Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer and executing
this Letter of Transmittal, a holder of Old Capital Securities which is a 
broker-dealer represents and agrees, consistent with certain interpretive
letters issued by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the
Securities and Exchange Commission to third parties, that (a) such Old Capital
Securities held by the broker-dealer are held only as a nominee, or (b) such Old
Capital Securities were acquired by such broker-dealer for its own account as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities and it will
deliver the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented from time to time) meeting
the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such New
Capital Securities (provided that, by so acknowledging and by delivering a
Prospectus, such broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act).

        The Corporation and the Trust have agreed that, subject to the
provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, the Prospectus, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating 
Broker-Dealer (as defined below) in connection with resales of New Capital
Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities, where such Old
Capital Securities were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer for its own
account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, for
a period ending 90 days after the Expiration Date (subject to extension under
certain limited circumstances described in the Prospectus) or, if earlier, when
all such New Capital Securities have been disposed of by such Participating
Broker-Dealer. In that regard, each broker-dealer who acquired Old Capital
Securities for its own account and as a result of market-making or other trading
activities (a "Participating Broker-Dealer"), by tendering such Old Capital
Securities and executing this Letter of Transmittal, agrees that, upon receipt
of notice from the Corporation or the Trust of the occurrence of any event or
the discovery of any fact which makes any statement contained or incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which causes the
Prospectus to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements contained or incorporated by reference therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or of the occurrence of
certain other events specified in the Registration Rights Agreement, such
Participating Broker-Dealer will suspend the sale of New Capital Securities
pursuant to the Prospectus until the Corporation and the Trust have amended or
supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission and has
furnished copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus to the Participating
Broker-Dealer or the Corporation or the Trust has given notice that the sale of
the New Capital Securities may be resumed, as the case may be. If the
Corporation or the Trust gives such Notice to suspend the sale of the New

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
Capital Securities, they shall extend the 90-day period referred to above during
which Participating Broker-Dealers are entitled to use the Prospectus in
connection with the resale of New Capital Securities by the number of days
during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to
and including the date when Participating Broker-Dealers shall have received
copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus necessary to permit resales of
the New Capital Securities or to and including the date on which the Corporation
or the Trust has given notice that the sale of New Capital Securities may be
resumed, as the case may be.

        As a result, a Participating Broker-Dealer who intends to use the
Prospectus in connection with resales of New Capital Securities received in
exchange for Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer must notify
the Corporation and the Trust, or cause the Corporation and the Trust to be
notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date, that it is a Participating Broker-
Dealer. Such notice may be given in the space provided above or may be delivered
to the Exchange Agent at the address set forth in the Prospectus under "The
Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent."

        Holders of Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities are
accepted for exchange will not receive Distributions on such Old Capital
Securities and the undersigned waives the right to receive any Distribution on
such Old Capital Securities accumulated from and after January 31, 1997.
Accordingly, holders of New Capital Securities as of the record date for the
payment of Distributions on August 1, 1997 will be entitled to Distributions
accumulated from and after January 31, 1997.

        All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter
of Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any
obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs,
executors, administrators, personal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy,
legal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as
stated in the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                              HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE
                         (See Instructions 2, 5 and 6)
                  (Please Complete Substitute Form W-9 Below)
     (Note:  Signature(s) must be guaranteed if required by Instruction 2)

  Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on
Certificates(s) for the Old Capital Securities hereby tendered or on a security
position listing, or by any person(s) authorized to become the registered
holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted herewith (including such
opinions of counsel, certificates and other information as may be required by
the Trust or the Trustee for the Old Capital Securities to comply with the
restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Capital Securities).  If
signature is by an attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian,
officer of a corporation or another acting in a fiduciary capacity or
representative capacity, please set forth the signer's full title.  See
Instruction 5.



 
- -----------------------------------              -------------------------------
(Signature(s) of Holder(s))



- -----------------------------------              -------------------------------
(Name(s))
(Please Print)

 
Date                   , 1997
    -------------------

- ------------------------                         -------------------------------
(Area Code(s) and Telephone Number)


- ------------------------                         -------------------------------
(Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s))

                           GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
                          (See Instructions 2 and 5)

Authorized Signature
                     ----------------------------------

Name
     -------------------------------
(Please Print)

Date                   , 1997
    -------------------
Capacity or Title
                  -----------------------------------------------

Name of Firm
                  -----------------------------------------------

Address
                  -----------------------------------------------
                                   (Include Zip Code)

Area Code and Telephone Number
                               --------------------------

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 1, 5 and 6)

To be completed ONLY if New Capital Securities are to be issued in the name of
someone other than the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities whose
name(s) appear(s) above.

Issue:

[_] New Capital Securities to:
[_] Old Capital Securities not tendered to:

Name____________________________________
               (Please Print)

Address__________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________
               (Include Zip Code)

__________________________________________
(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 1, 5 and 6)

To be completed ONLY if New Capital Securities are to be sent to someone other
than the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities whose name(s) appear(s)
above, or to the registered holder(s) at an address other than that shown above.

Mail:

[_] New Capital Securities to:
[_] Old Capital Securities not tendered to:

Name____________________________________
               (Please Print)

Address__________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________
               (Include Zip Code)

__________________________________________
(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                                 INSTRUCTIONS

        Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Exchange Offer

     1.   Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Certificates; Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures.  This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed either if
(a) tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry
transfer set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old
Capital Securities" in the Prospectus and an Agent's Message will not be
delivered or (b) Certificates are to be forwarded herewith.  Timely confirmation
of a book-entry transfer of such Old Capital Securities into the Exchange
Agent's account at DTC, or Certificates as well as this Letter of Transmittal
(or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required
signature guarantees, and any other documents required by this Letter of
Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its addresses set forth
herein on or prior to the Expiration Date.  Tender by book-entry transfer may
also be made by delivering an Agent's Message in lieu of this Letter of
Transmittal.  The term "book-entry confirmation" means a confirmation of book-
entry transfer of Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's
account at DTC.  The term "Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted by
DTC to and received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a book-
entry confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express
acknowledgment from the tendering participant, which acknowledgment
states that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by this Letter
of Transmittal (including the representations contained herein) and that the
Trust and the Corporation may enforce this Letter of Transmittal against such
participant.  Old Capital Securities may be tendered in whole or in part in the
principal amount of $100,000 (100 Capital Securities), provided that, if any Old
Capital Securities are tended for exchange in part, the untendered principal
amount thereof must be $100,000 (100 Capital Securities).
     
     Holders of Old Capital Securities (i) who cannot complete the procedures
for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis or (ii) who cannot deliver
their Old Capital Securities, this Letter of Transmittal and all other required
documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date or (iii)
whose Old Capital Securities are not immediately available, may tender their Old
Capital Securities by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in
"The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the
Prospectus.  Pursuant to such procedures: (a) such tender must be made by or
through an Eligible Institution (as defined below); (b) a properly completed and
duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form made
available by the Company, must be received by the Exchange Agent on or prior to
the Expiration Date; and (c) the Certificates (or a book-entry confirmation (as
defined in the Prospectus) representing tendered Old Capital Securities, in
proper form for transfer, together with a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature
guarantees and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must
be received by the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery,
all as provided in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital
Securities" in the Prospectus.

     The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted
by facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent, and must include a guarantee by an
Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice.  For Old Capital
Securities to be properly tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery
procedure, the Exchange Agent must receive a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery on or
prior to the Expiration Date.  As used herein and in the Prospectus, "Eligible
Institution" means a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the
Exchange Act as "an eligible guarantor institution," including (as such terms
are defined therein) (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal securities
broker or dealer or government securities broker or dealer; (iii) a credit
union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities association or
clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is a participant in a
Securities Transfer Association.

THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDER AND
THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE
AGENT.  IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED,
PROPERLY INSURED, OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY
DELIVERY.

     Neither the Corporation nor the Trust will accept any alternative,
conditional or contingent tenders.  Each tendering holder, by execution of a
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), waives any right to receive any
notice of the acceptance of such tender.

     2.   Guarantee of Signatures.  No signature guarantee on this Letter of
Transmittal is required if:

     (i) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder (which
term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant in DTC whose
name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Old Capital
Securities) of Old Capital Securities tendered herewith, unless such holder(s)
has completed either the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or the box
entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" above, or

     (ii) such Old Capital Securities are tendered for the account of a firm
that is an Eligible Institution.

     In all other cases, an Eligible Institution must guarantee the signature(s)
on this Letter of Transmittal.  See Instruction 5.

     3.   Inadequate Space.  If the space provided in the box captioned
"Description of Old Capital Securities" is inadequate, the Certificate number(s)
and/or the principal amount of Old Capital Securities and any other required
information should be listed on a separate signed schedule which is attached to
this Letter of Transmittal.
 
     4.   Partial Tenders and Withdrawal Rights.  Tenders of Old Capital
Securities will be accepted only in the principal amount of $100,000 (100
Capital Securities), provided that if any Old Capital Securities are tendered
for exchange in part, the untendered principal amount thereof must be $100,000
(100 Capital Securities).  If less than all the Old Capital Securities
evidenced by any Certificate submitted are to be tendered, fill in the principal
amount of Old Capital Securities which are to be tendered in the box entitled
"Principal Amount of Old Capital Securities Tendered."  In such case, new
Certificate(s) for the remainder of the Old Capital Securities that were
evidenced by your Old Certificate(s) will only be sent to the holder of the Old
Capital Security, promptly after the Expiration Date. All Old Capital Securities
represented by Certificates delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to
have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
     
     Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Capital Securities may
be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. In order for a
withdrawal to be effective on or prior to that time, a written or facsimile
transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the
Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth above or in the Prospectus on
or prior to the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the
name of the person who tendered the Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn, the
aggregate principal amount of Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn, and (if
Certificates for Old Capital Securities have been tendered) the name of the
registered holder of the Old Capital Securities as set forth on the Certificate
for the Old Capital Securities, if different from that of the person who
tendered such Old Capital Securities. If Certificates for the Old Capital
Securities have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent,
then prior to the physical release of such Certificates for the Old Capital
Securities, the tendering holder must submit the serial numbers shown on the
particular Certificates for the Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn and the
signature on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution, except in the case of Old Capital Securities tendered for the
account of an Eligible Institution. If Old Capital Securities have been tendered
pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in "The Exchange
Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities," the notice of
withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited
with the withdrawal of Old Capital Securities, in which case a notice of
withdrawal will be effective if delivered to the Exchange Agent by written or
facsimile transmission. Withdrawals of tenders of Old Capital Securities may not
be rescinded. Old Capital Securities properly withdrawn will not be deemed
validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer, but may be retendered at
any subsequent time on or prior to the Expiration Date by following any of the
procedures described in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures
for Tendering Old Capital Securities."

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of
receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Corporation and
the Trust, in their sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and
binding on all parties.  Neither the Corporation, the Trust, any affiliates or
assigns of the Corporation and the Trust, the Exchange Agent nor any other
person shall be under any duty to give any notification of any irregularities in
any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give any such
notification.  Any Old Capital Securities which have been tendered but which are
withdrawn will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder
promptly after withdrawal.

     5.   Signatures on Letter of Transmittal, Assignments and Endorsements.  If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Old
Capital Securities tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly
with the name(s) as written on the face of the Certificate(s) without
alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

     If any of the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby are owned of record by
two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

     If any tendered Old Capital Securities are registered in different name(s)
on several Certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as
many separate Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there are
different registrations of Certificates.

     If this Letter of Transmittal or any Certificates or bond powers are signed
by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers
of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such
persons should so indicate when signing and must submit proper evidence
satisfactory to the Corporation and the Trust, in their sole discretion, of such
persons' authority to so act.

     When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the
Old Capital Securities listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsement(s) of
Certificate(s) or separate bond power(s) are required unless New Capital
Securities are to be issued in the name of a person other than the registered
holder(s).  Signature(s) on such Certificate(s) or bond power(s) must be
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

     If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered owner(s) of the Old Capital Securities listed, the Certificates must
be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed exactly as the
name or names of the registered owner(s) appear(s) on the Certificates, and also
must be accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications and other
information as the Corporation, the Trust or the Trustee for the Old Capital
Securities may require in accordance with the restrictions on transfer
applicable to the Old Capital Securities. Signatures on such Certificates or
bond powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

     6.   Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions.  If New Capital Securities
are to be issued in the name of a person other than the signer of this Letter of
Transmittal, or if New Capital Securities are to be sent to someone other than
the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown
above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed.
Certificates for Old Capital Securities not exchanged will be returned by mail
or, if tendered by book-entry transfer, by crediting the account indicated above
maintained at DTC. See Instruction 4.
 
     7.   Irregularities.  The Corporation and the Trust will determine, in
their sole discretion, all questions as to the form of documents, validity,
eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any
tender of Old Capital Securities which determination shall be final and binding
on all parties.  The Corporation and the Trust reserve the absolute right, in
their sole and absolute discretion, to reject any and all tenders determined by
either of them not to be in proper form or the acceptance of which, or exchange
for, may, in the view of counsel to the Corporation and the Trust, be unlawful.
The Corporation and the Trust also reserve the absolute right, subject to
applicable law, to waive any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer set forth
in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer -- Certain Conditions to the
Exchange Offer" or any conditions or irregularity in any tender of Old Capital

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
Securities of any particular holder whether or not similar conditions or
irregularities are waived in the case of other holders.  The Corporation's and
the Trust's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer
(including this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions hereto) will be final
and binding.  No tender of Old Capital Securities will be deemed to have been
validly made until all irregularities with respect to such tender have been
cured or waived.  Neither the Corporation, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns
of the Corporation, the Trust, the Exchange Agent, or any other person shall be
under any duty to give notification of any irregularities in tenders or incur
any liability for failure to give such notification.
 
     8.   Questions, Requests for Assistance and Additional Copies.  Questions
and requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its address
and telephone number set forth on the front of this Letter of Transmittal.
Additional copies of the Prospectus, this Letter of Transmittal and the Notice
of Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained from the Exchange Agent or from your
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee.
 
     9.   31% Backup Withholding; Substitute Form W-9.  Under U.S. Federal
income tax law, a holder whose tendered Old Capital Securities are accepted for
exchange is required to provide the Exchange Agent with such holder's correct
taxpayer identification number ("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 below.  If the
Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the Internal Revenue
Service (the "IRS") may subject the holder or other payee to a $50 penalty.  In
addition, payments to such holders or other payees with respect to Old Capital
Securities exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to 31% backup
withholding.

     The box in Part 2 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the
tendering holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends
to apply for a TIN in the near future.  If the box in Part 2 is checked, the
holder or other payee must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer
Identification Number below in order to avoid backup withholding.
Notwithstanding that the box in Part 2 is checked and the Certificate of
Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Exchange Agent will
withhold 31% of all payments made prior to the time a properly certified TIN is
provided to the Exchange Agent.  The Exchange Agent will retain such amounts
withheld during the 60 day period following the date of the Substitute Form W-9.
If the holder furnishes the Exchange Agent with its TIN within 60 days after the
date of the Substitute Form W-9, the amounts retained during the 60 day period
will be remitted to the holder and no further amounts shall be retained or
withheld from payments made to the holder thereafter.  If, however, the holder
has not provided the Exchange Agent with its TIN within such 60 day period,
amounts withheld will be remitted to the IRS as backup withholding.  In
addition, 31% of all payments made thereafter will be withheld and remitted to
the IRS until a correct TIN is provided.

     The holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g., social
security number or employer identification number) of the registered owner of
the Old Capital Securities or of the last transferee appearing on the transfers
attached to, or endorsed on, the Old Capital Securities.  If the Old Capital
Securities are registered in more than one name or are not in the name of the
actual owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which
number to report.

     Certain holders (including, among others, corporations, financial
institutions and certain foreign persons) may not be subject to these backup
withholding and reporting requirements.  Such holders should nevertheless
complete the attached Substitute Form W-9 below, and write "exempt" on the face
thereof, to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding.  A foreign person may
qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8,
signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that holder's exempt status.
Please consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which
holders are exempt from backup withholding.

     Backup withholding is not an additional U.S. Federal income tax.  Rather,
the U.S. Federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup withholding
will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld.  If withholding results in an
overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     10.  Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Certificates.  If any Certificate(s)
representing Old Capital Securities have been lost, destroyed or stolen, the
holder should promptly notify the Exchange Agent.  The holder will then be
instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the
Certificate(s).  This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be
processed until the procedures for replacing lost, destroyed or stolen
Certificate(s) have been followed.
 
     11.  Security Transfer Taxes.  Holders who tender their Old Capital
Securities for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in
connection therewith.  If, however, New Capital Securities are to be delivered
to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the registered
holder of the Old Capital Securities tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed
for any reason other than the exchange of Old Capital Securities in connection
with the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer tax (whether
imposed on the registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the
tendering holder.  If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or
exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the amount
of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder.
     
     Important:  This Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) and all other
required documents must be received by the Exchange Agent on or prior to the
Expiration Date.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
                            TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL
                           TENDERING SECURITYHOLDERS
                              (See Instruction 9)

                    PAYER'S NAME: Investors Capital Trust I
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>                                                               <C> 
      SUBSTITUTE                Part 1 - PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT RIGHT              TIN__________________________
       Form W-9                 AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW                              Social Security Number or
                                                                                                   Employer Identification Number
                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of the Treasury                                                                        Part 2
Internal Revenue Service                                                                            Awaiting TIN [_]
                                                                                             ---------------------------------------
                                CERTIFICATION - UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY THAT (1) the number shown on this form is
                                my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), (2) I
                                am not subject to backup withholding either because (i) I am exempt from backup withholding, (ii) I
                                have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") that I am subject to backup
                                withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (iii) the IRS has
                                notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding, and (3) any other information
                                provided on this form is true and correct.

Payer's Request for Taxpayer    SIGNATURE______________________________________________________________________________________
Identification Number (TIN)     DATE___________________________________________________________________________________________
     and Certification   
                                You must cross out item (iii) in Part (2) above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are
                                subject to backup withholding because of underreporting interest or dividends on your tax return and
                                you have not been notified by the IRS that you are no longer subject to backup withholding.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE:  FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY AMOUNTS PAID
       TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
       NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
 
     I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has not been issued to me, and either (1) I have
mailed or delivered an application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Center or
Social Security Administration Office or (2) I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I
do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of payment, 31% of all payments made to me on account of the New Capital
Securities shall be retained until I provide a taxpayer identification number to the Exchange Agent and that, if I do not provide my
taxpayer identification number within 60 days, such retained amounts shall be remitted to the Internal Revenue Service as backup
withholding and 31% of all reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld and remitted to the Internal Revenue Service
until I provide a taxpayer identification number.

Signature_________________________________________________          Date___________________________________________________________

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      15

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.2

                         NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
                                 FOR TENDER OF
                            ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING
                       9.77% SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES
               (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
                                      OF
                           INVESTORS CAPITAL TRUST I
                     FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED
                     BY INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.

     This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, or one substantially equivalent to this
form, must be used to accept the Exchange Offer (as defined below) if (i)
certificates for the Trust's (as defined below) 9.77% Series A Capital
Securities (the "Old Capital Securities") are not immediately available, (ii)
Old Capital Securities, the Letter of Transmittal and all other required
documents cannot be delivered to The Bank of New York (the "Exchange Agent") on
or prior to 5:00 P.M. Boston time, on the Expiration Date (as defined in the
Prospectus referred to below) or (iii) the procedures for delivery by book-entry
transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis.  This Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery may be delivered by hand, overnight courier or mail, or transmitted by
facsimile transmission, to the Exchange Agent.  See "The Exchange Offer--
Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the Prospectus.  In
addition, in order to utilize the guaranteed delivery procedure to tender Old
Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer, a completed, signed and dated
Letter of Transmittal relating to The Old Capital Securities (or facsimile
thereof) must also be received by the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 P.M. Boston
time, on the Expiration Date.  Capitalized terms not defined herein have the
meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus.


                 The Exchange Agent For The Exchange Offer Is:
                             The Bank Of New York

 
By Registered or Certified      Facsimile Transmissions:    By Hand Or Overnight
           Mail                 (Eligible Institutions            Delivery
                                        Only)
   The Bank Of New York                                     The Bank of New York
  101 Barclay Street, 7E            (212) 815-6339            101 Barclay Street
 New York, New York 10286                                      Corporate Trust
Attn:  Reorganization Section                                  Services Window
       Arwen Gibbons            Confirm By Telephone:            Ground Level
                                    (212) 815-5920            New York, New York
                                                                    10286
                                                            Attn: Reorganization
                                                                  Section
                                                                  Arwen Gibbons 
                                                                 

                                 For Information Call:
                                    (212) 815-5920
<PAGE>
 
     Delivery of this Notice Of Guaranteed Delivery to an address other than as
set forth above or transmission of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery via
facsimile to a number other than as set forth above will not constitute a valid
delivery.

     THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IS NOT TO BE USED TO GUARANTEE
SIGNATURES.  IF A SIGNATURE ON A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS REQUIRED TO BE
GUARANTEED BY AN "ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION" UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS THERETO, SUCH
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MUST APPEAR IN THE APPLICABLE SPACE PROVIDED IN THE
SIGNATURE BOX ON THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     The undersigned hereby tenders to Investors Financial Services Corp.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation") and to Investors Capital Trust I, a
Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated __________ 1997 (as the same may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus"), and the related
Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange Offer"), receipt
of which is hereby acknowledged, the aggregate principal amount of Old Capital
Securities set forth Below pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set
forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering Old Capital Securities."

Aggregate Liquidation Amount             Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):
Amount Tendered:                          
$ _______________                        ---------------------------------------
                                         ---------------------------------------

Certificate No(s)
if available:
             --------------------------

Total Liquidation Amount Represented by
Old Capital Securities Certificate(s):

$
 --------------------------------------

If Old Capital Securities will be tendered by book-entry transfer, provide the
following information:

DTC Account Number:
                   --------------------

Date:
     ----------------------------------

  * Must be in denominations of a Liquidation Amount of $1,000 and any integral
multiple thereof, and not less than $100,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount.
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive
the death or incapacity of the undersigned and every obligation of the
undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives,
successors and assigns of the undersigned.

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

                                PLEASE SIGN HERE

X    
 ---------------------------        -----------------

X
 ---------------------------        -----------------
 Signature(s) of Owner(s)           Date
 or Authorized Signatory

Area Code and Telephone Number:  
                               ---------------------------------

          Must be signed by the holder(s) of the Old Capital Securities as their
name(s) appear(s) on certificates for Old Capital Securities or on a security
position listing, or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by
endorsement and documents transmitted with this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-
fact, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such person must set forth his or her full title below.

                    Please print name(s) and address(es)

Name(s):
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity:        ---------------------------------------------------------------
Address(es):     ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
             THE GUARANTEE ON THE REVERSE SIDE MUST BE COMPLETED
                                      
                                  GUARANTEE
                    (NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)
                                      

          The undersigned, a firm or other entity identified in Rule
17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as an
"eligible guarantor institution," including (as such terms are defined therein):
(i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker, municipal
securities dealer, government securities broker, government securities dealer;
(iii) a credit union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities
association or learning agency; or (v) a savings association that is a
participant in a Securities Transfer Association recognized program (each of the
foregoing being referred to as an "Eligible Institution"), hereby guarantees
to deliver to the Exchange Agent, at one of its addresses set forth above,
either the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby in proper form for
transfer, or confirmation of the book-entry transfer of such Old Capital
Securities to the Exchange Agent's account at The Depositary Trust Company
("DTC"), pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in the
Prospectus, in either case together with one or more properly completed and duly
executed Letter(s) of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) and any other required
documents within five business days after the date of execution of this Notice
of Guaranteed Delivery.

          The undersigned acknowledges that it must deliver the Letter(s) of
Transmittal and the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby to the Exchange Agent
within the time period set forth above and that failure to do so could result in
a financial loss to the undersigned.


- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
             Name of Firm                         Authorized Signature
 
- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
                Address                                   Title
 
- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
                Zip Code                          (Please Type or Print)

Area Code and Telephone No.              Dated:  
                           -------------       ---------------------------------


NOTE:  DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES FOR OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES WITH THIS FORM.
CERTIFICATES FOR OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES SHOULD ONLY BE SENT WITH YOUR LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.3

                               __________, 1997


                           EXCHANGE AGENT AGREEMENT


The Bank of New York
Corporate Trust Trustee Administration
101 Barclay Street - 21st Floor
New York, New York 10286

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Investors Capital Trust I, a Delaware statutory business trust (the
"Trust"), and Investors Financial Services Corp., a Delaware corporation, as
Sponsor (the "Company"), propose to make an offer (the "Exchange Offer") to
exchange an aggregate liquidation amount of the Trust's 9.77% Capital Securities
due February 1, 2027 (the "Old Capital Securities") for a like aggregate
liquidation amount of the Trust's 9.77% Capital Securities due February 1, 2027
(the "New Capital Securities").  The terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer
as currently contemplated are set forth in a prospectus, dated __________, 1997
(as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the
"Prospectus"), proposed to be distributed to all record holders of the Old
Capital Securities.  The Old Capital Securities and the New Capital
Securities are collectively referred to herein as the "Capital Securities".
 
     Each of the Company and the Trust hereby appoints The Bank of New York to
act as exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") in connection with the Exchange
Offer.  References hereinafter to "you" shall refer to The Bank of New York.

     The Exchange Offer is expected to be commenced by the Company and the Trust
on or about _________, 1997.  The Letter of Transmittal accompanying the
Prospectus is to be used by the holders of the Old Capital Securities to accept
the Exchange Offer and contains instructions with respect to the delivery of
certificates for Old Capital Securities tendered in connection therewith.

     The Exchange Offer shall expire at 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on
_________, 1997 unless the Exchange Offer is extended by the Trust (the
"Expiration Date"). Any delay in acceptance, extension, termination, or
amendment of the Exchange Offer, will be followed promptly by oral or written
notice thereof to the Exchange Agent and by making a public announcement
thereof, and such announcement in the case of an extension will be made no
later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the
previously scheduled Expiration Date.

     The Trust expressly reserves the right to amend or terminate the Exchange
Offer, and the right not to accept for exchange any Old Capital Securities not
theretofore accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions
of the Exchange Offer specified in the Prospectus under the caption "The
Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer."
<PAGE>
 
     In carrying out your duties as Exchange Agent, you are to act in accordance
with the following instructions:

     1.  You will perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically
set forth in the section of the Prospectus captioned "The Exchange Offer" or as
specifically set forth herein; provided, however, that in no way will your
general duty to act in good faith be discharged by the foregoing.

     2.  You will establish an account with respect to the Old Capital
Securities at The Depository Trust Company (the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility")
for purposes of the Exchange Offer within two business days after the date of
the Prospectus, and any financial institution that is a participant in the Book-
Entry Transfer Facility's systems may make book-entry delivery of the Old
Capital Securities by causing the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such
Old Capital Securities into your account in accordance with the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility's procedure for such transfer.

     3.  You are to examine each of the Letters of Transmittal and certificates
for Old Capital Securities (or confirmation of book-entry transfer into your
account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility) and any other documents delivered
or mailed to you by or for holders of the Old Capital Securities to ascertain
whether: (i) the Letters of Transmittal and any such other documents are duly
executed and properly completed in accordance with instructions set forth
therein and (ii) the Old Capital Securities have otherwise been properly
tendered. In each case where the Letter of Transmittal or any other document has
been improperly completed or executed or any of the certificates for Old Capital
Securities are not in proper form for transfer or some other irregularity in
connection with the acceptance of the Exchange Offer exists, you will endeavor
to inform the presenters of the need for fulfillment of all requirements and to
take any other action as may be necessary or advisable to cause such
irregularity to be corrected.

     4.  With the prior approval of any Trustee of the Trust (such approval, if
given orally, to be confirmed in writing) or any other party designated by such
Trustee in writing, you are authorized to waive any irregularities in connection
with any tender of Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

     5.  Tenders of Old Capital Securities may be made only as set forth in the
Letter of Transmittal and in the section of the Prospectus captioned "The
Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities", and Old
Capital Securities shall be considered properly tendered to you only when
tendered in accordance with the procedures set forth therein.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph 5, Old Capital Securities
which any Trustee of the Trust shall approve as having been properly tendered
shall be considered to be properly tendered (such approval, if given orally,
shall be confirmed in writing).

     6.  You shall advise the Trust with respect to any Old Capital Securities
received subsequent to the Expiration Date and accept the Trust's instructions
with respect to disposition of such Old Capital Securities.

     7.  You shall accept tenders:

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     (a)  in cases where the Old Capital Securities are registered in two or
more names, only if signed by all named holders;

     (b)  in cases where the signing person (as indicated on the Letter of
Transmittal) is acting in a fiduciary or a representative capacity, only when
proper evidence of his or her authority so to act is submitted; and

     (c)  from persons other than the registered holder of Old Capital
Securities provided that customary transfer requirements, including any
applicable transfer taxes, are fulfilled.

     You shall accept partial tenders of Old Capital Securities where so
indicated and as permitted in the Letter of Transmittal and deliver certificates
for Old Capital Securities to the transfer agent for split-up and return any
untendered Old Capital Securities to the holder (or such other person as may be
designated in the Letter of Transmittal) as promptly as practicable after
expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.

     8.  Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the Exchange
Offer, the Trust will notify you (such notice if given orally, to be confirmed
in writing) of its acceptance, promptly after the Expiration Date, of all Old
Capital Securities properly tendered, and you, on behalf of the Trust, will
exchange such Old Capital Securities for New Capital Securities and cause such
Old Capital Securities to be cancelled. Delivery of New Capital Securities will
be made on behalf of the Trust by you at the rate of $1,000 liquidation amount
of New Capital Securities for each $1,000 liquidation amount of Old Capital
Securities tendered promptly after notice (such notice if given orally, to be
confirmed in writing) of acceptance of said Old Capital Securities by the Trust;
provided, however, that in all cases, Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant
to the Exchange Offer will be exchanged only after timely receipt by you of
certificates for such Old Capital Securities (or confirmation of book-entry
transfer into your account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility), a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) with
any required signature guarantees and any other required documents. You shall
issue New Capital Securities only in blocks having a liquidation amount of at
least $100,000.

     9.  Tenders pursuant to the Exchange Offer are irrevocable, except that,
subject to the terms and upon the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the
Letter of Transmittal, Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date.

     10.  The Trust shall not be required to exchange any Old Capital Securities
tendered if any of the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer are not met.

     11.  If, pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Trust does not accept for
exchange all or part of the Old Capital Securities tendered because of an
invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange
Offer" or otherwise, you shall as soon as practicable after the expiration or
termination of the Exchange Offer return those certificates for unaccepted Old
Capital Securities (or effect appropriate book-entry transfer), together with
any related required documents and the Letters of Transmittal relating thereto
that are in your possession, to the persons who deposited them.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     12.  All certificates for reissued Old Capital Securities, unaccepted Old
Capital Securities or for New Capital Securities shall be forwarded by  first-
class certified mail.   

     13.  You are not authorized to pay or offer to pay any concessions,
commissions or solicitation fees to any broker, dealer, bank or other persons or
to engage or utilize any person to solicit tenders.

     14.  As Exchange Agent hereunder you:

     (a)  shall have no duties or obligations other than those specifically set
forth herein or as may be subsequently agreed to in writing by you and the
Trust;

     (b)  will be regarded as making no representations and having no
responsibilities as to the validity, sufficiency, value or genuineness of any of
the certificates or the Old Capital Securities represented thereby deposited
with you pursuant to the Exchange Offer, and will not be required to and
will make no representation as to the validity, value or genuineness of the
Exchange Offer;

     (c)  shall not be obligated to take any legal action hereunder which might
in your reasonable judgment involve any expense or liability, unless you shall
have been furnished with reasonable indemnity;

     (d)  may reasonably rely on and shall be protected in acting in reliance
upon any certificate, instrument, opinion, notice, letter, telegram or other
document or security delivered to you and reasonably believed by you in good
faith to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper party or parties;

     (e)  may reasonably act upon any tender, statement, request, comment,
agreement or other instrument whatsoever not only as to its due execution and
validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and
accuracy of any information contained therein, which you shall in good faith
believe to be genuine or to have been signed or represented by a proper person
or persons;

     (f)  may rely on and shall be protected in acting upon written or oral
instructions from any officer of the Trust;

     (g)  may consult with your counsel with respect to any questions relating
to your duties and responsibilities and the advice or opinion of such counsel
shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action
taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by you hereunder in good faith and in
accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel; and

      (h)  shall not advise any person tendering Old Capital Securities pursuant
to the Exchange Offer as to the wisdom of making such tender or as to the market
value or decline or appreciation in market value of any Old Capital Securities.

 
      15.  You shall take such action as may from time to time be requested by
the Trust or its counsel (and such other action as you may reasonably deem
appropriate) to furnish copies of the Prospectus, Letter of Transmittal and the
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (as defined in the Prospectus) or such other forms
as may be approved from time to time by the Trust, to all persons requesting
such documents and to accept and comply with telephone requests for information
relating to the Exchange Offer, provided that such information shall relate only
to the procedures 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
for accepting (or withdrawing from) the Exchange Offer. The Trust will furnish
you with copies of such documents at your request. All other requests for
information relating to the Exchange Offer shall be directed to the Company's
Investor Relations Department, 89 South Street, P.O. Box 1537, Boston,
Massachusetts 02205-1537, telephone number (617) 330-6032.

     16.  You shall advise by facsimile transmission or telephone, and promptly
thereafter confirm in writing to the Trust and such person or persons as it may
request, daily (and more frequently during the week immediately preceding the
Expiration Date and if otherwise requested) up to and including the Expiration
Date, as to the number of Old Capital Securities which have been tendered
pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the items received by you pursuant to this
Agreement, separately reporting and giving cumulative totals as to items
properly received and items improperly received. In addition, you will also
inform, and cooperate in making available to, the Trust or any such other person
or persons upon oral request made from time to time prior to the Expiration Date
of such other information as it or he or she reasonably requests. Such
cooperation shall include, without limitation, the granting by you to the Trust
and such person as the Trust may request of access to those persons on your
staff who are responsible for receiving tenders, in order to ensure that
immediately prior to the Expiration Date the Trust shall have received
information in sufficient detail to enable it to decide whether to extend the
Exchange Offer. You shall prepare a final list of all persons whose tenders were
accepted, the aggregate principal amount of Old Capital Securities tendered, the
aggregate principal amount of Old Capital Securities accepted and deliver said
list to the Trust.

     17.  Letters of Transmittal and Notices of Guaranteed Delivery shall be
stamped by you as to the date and the time of receipt thereof and shall be
preserved by you for a period of time at least equal to the period of time you
preserve other records pertaining to the transfer of securities. You shall
dispose of unused Letters of Transmittal and other surplus materials by
returning them to the Trust.

     18.  You hereby expressly waive any lien, encumbrance or right of set-off
whatsoever that you may have with respect to funds deposited with you for the
payment of transfer taxes by reasons of amounts, if any, borrowed by the Trust,
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates pursuant to any loan or
credit agreement with you or for compensation owed to you hereunder.

     19.  For services rendered as Exchange Agent hereunder, you shall be
entitled to such compensation as set forth on Schedule I attached hereto.

     20.  You hereby acknowledge receipt of the Prospectus and the Letter of
Transmittal and further acknowledge that you have examined each of them.  Any
inconsistency between this Agreement, on the one hand, and the Prospectus and
the Letter of Transmittal (as they may be amended from time to time), on the
other hand, shall be resolved in favor of the latter two documents, except with
respect to the duties, liabilities and indemnification of you as Exchange Agent,
which shall be controlled by this Agreement.

     21.  The Company covenants and agrees to indemnify and hold you harmless in
your capacity as Exchange Agent hereunder against any loss, liability, cost or
expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, arising out of or in
connection with any act, omission, delay or refusal made by you in reliance upon
any signature, endorsement, assignment,

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
certificate, order, request, notice, instruction or other instrument or document
reasonably believed by you in good faith to be valid, genuine and sufficient and
in accepting any tender or effecting any transfer of Old Capital Securities
reasonably believed by you in good faith to be authorized, and in delaying or
refusing in good faith to accept any tenders or effect any transfer of Old
Capital Securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable for
indemnification or otherwise for any loss, liability, cost or expense to the
extent arising out of your gross negligence or willful misconduct. In no case
shall the Company be liable under this indemnity with respect to any claim
against you unless the Company shall be notified by you, by letter or by
facsimile confirmed by letter, of the written assertion of a claim against you
or of any other action commenced against you, promptly after you shall have
received any such written assertion or notice of commencement of action. The
Company shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense of
any such claim or other action, and, if the Company so elects, the Company shall
assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such claim. In the event
that the Company shall assume the defense of any such suit, the Company shall
not be liable for the fees and expenses of any additional counsel thereafter
retained by you so long as the Company shall retain counsel satisfactory to you
to defend such suit.

     22.  You shall arrange to comply with all requirements under the tax laws
of the United States, including those relating to missing Tax Identification
Numbers, and shall file any appropriate reports with the Internal Revenue
Service.  The Company understands that you are required to deduct 31% on
payments to holders who have not supplied their correct Taxpayer Identification
Number or required certification.  Such funds will be turned over to the
Internal Revenue Service in accordance with applicable regulations.

      23.  You shall deliver or cause to be delivered, in a timely manner, to
each governmental authority to which any transfer taxes are payable in respect
of the exchange of Old Capital Securities, your check in the amount of all
transfer taxes so payable, and the Company shall reimburse you for the amount of
any and all transfer taxes payable in respect of the exchange of Old Capital
Securities; provided, however, that you shall reimburse the Company for amounts
refunded to you in respect of your payment of any such transfer taxes, at such
time as such refund is received by you.

      24.  This Agreement and your appointment as Exchange Agent hereunder shall
be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York
applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state,
and without regard to conflicts of law principles, and shall inure to the
benefit of, and the obligations created hereby shall be binding upon, the
successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto.

     25.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.

     26.  In case any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

      27.  This Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be modified,
amended, rescinded, cancelled or waived, in whole or in part, except by a
written instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of the party to be
charged.  This Agreement may not be modified orally.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
      28.  Unless otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests and other
communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile
or similar writing) and shall be given to such party, addressed to it, at its
address or telecopy number set forth in the Prospectus, in the case of the
Company and the Trust, and set forth below in the case of the Exchange Agent:

       If to the Exchange Agent:

          The Bank of New York
          101 Barclay Street
          Floor 21 West
          New York, New York  10286

          Facsimile: (212) 815-5915
          Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee
                 Administration

      29.  Unless terminated earlier by the parties hereto, this Agreement shall
terminate 90 days following the Expiration Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Paragraphs 17, 19, 21 and 23 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Upon any termination of this Agreement, you shall promptly deliver to the
Company any certificates for Capital Securities, funds or property then held by
you as Exchange Agent under this Agreement.

     30.  This Agreement shall be binding and effective as of the date hereof..



                  [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     Please acknowledge receipt of this Agreement and confirm the arrangements
herein provided by signing and returning the enclosed copy.


                 INVESTORS CAPITAL TRUST I



                 By:
                    ---------------------------
                    Karen C. Keenan
                    Trustee


                 INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.



                 By:
                    ---------------------------
                    Karen C. Keenan
                    Chief Financial Officer



Accepted as of the date
first above written:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Exchange Agent


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

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE I

                                      FEES

                                       9


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